WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:01.520 All right. 00:00:01.720 --> 00:00:03.960 Well, it's great to be back in this pulpit. 00:00:04.219 --> 00:00:10.200 And I just want to thank you once again for the sabbatical that you so graciously gave Jenny and me and our family. 00:00:10.679 --> 00:00:16.039 I come back refreshed and eager to get back into the harness. 00:00:16.420 --> 00:00:18.140 And it was a refreshing time. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:20.359 But come on, you tell me. 00:00:20.440 --> 00:00:22.000 Sometimes you just need to be refreshed. 00:00:22.140 --> 00:00:22.679 Do I have an amen? 00:00:24.679 --> 00:00:29.800 If you're married, sometimes your marriage needs a refresher. 00:00:30.960 --> 00:00:34.799 John Tippman, who opened us and is going to close to seeing his wife, Terry. 00:00:34.939 --> 00:00:37.240 They're part of a ministry called Family Life. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:41.519 And they organize conferences called Weekend to Remembers. 00:00:41.600 --> 00:00:47.000 And what they're designed to do is bring couples and bring God's word to bear on marriage. 00:00:47.140 --> 00:00:51.980 And it's designed to refresh couples in God's good design of marriage. 00:00:52.079 --> 00:00:54.240 Sometimes you just need a refresher for your marriage. 00:00:55.159 --> 00:00:57.460 Sometimes you need a refresher for your finances. 00:00:57.460 --> 00:01:06.180 You turn to God's word and you see what God's word has to say about financial stewardship so that you can be refreshed and walking by God's word. 00:01:06.260 --> 00:01:08.239 Jenny and I are refreshing our finances right now. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:18.000 And this morning, we're going to look to God's word, the first three chapters of the book of Romans, to be refreshed in the gospel. 00:01:18.000 --> 00:01:34.740 One of the effects I'm praying for, as we are reminded of the Christian gospel, is that you will walk away this morning, not just refreshed, but rejoicing. 00:01:34.739 --> 00:01:41.699 Rejoicing in what God has done through Jesus Christ to rescue you. 00:01:43.099 --> 00:01:48.119 And so think of this sermon as a flyover of the first three chapters of Romans. 00:01:48.280 --> 00:01:49.959 Of course, I'm not going to get into every detail. 00:01:51.019 --> 00:01:53.560 But there's three things I want you to see, three points. 00:01:53.719 --> 00:01:54.619 The gospel defined. 00:01:54.620 --> 00:02:01.660 And our problem elaborated in we have got a terrible unrighteousness problem. 00:02:02.859 --> 00:02:04.359 And then the gospel applied. 00:02:04.520 --> 00:02:09.259 And it's there where I'm hoping you're going to be like, what an amazing God we have. 00:02:11.060 --> 00:02:13.840 So, let's look at the gospel defined. 00:02:14.140 --> 00:02:15.879 It's Romans chapter 1. 00:02:15.980 --> 00:02:21.379 If you have a pew Bible, it's page 1116, 1116 of your pew Bible. 00:02:21.379 --> 00:02:25.000 Well, let's ask this question. 00:02:25.199 --> 00:02:27.639 What is this Christian gospel? 00:02:28.259 --> 00:02:29.579 I grew up in Connecticut. 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:31.740 I grew up outside of Hartford. 00:02:32.019 --> 00:02:36.579 And the immediate neighbors to the south of us were the Freemans. 00:02:36.799 --> 00:02:40.539 And the Freemans had moved in from Great Britain. 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:44.079 And it turns out we spoke English. 00:02:44.819 --> 00:02:46.379 But they spoke British English. 00:02:47.079 --> 00:02:49.120 And the Salvati spoke American English. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:54.920 And though we used the same English words, there were some very odd, strange moments. 00:02:55.020 --> 00:02:59.500 For example, they called a truck a lorry. 00:03:00.420 --> 00:03:01.780 And so, for some time, you can imagine. 00:03:01.939 --> 00:03:04.939 Are they talking about a woman named Lori who's as big as a truck? 00:03:07.480 --> 00:03:11.439 They called the trunk of a car a boot. 00:03:12.480 --> 00:03:16.759 And so, Mrs. Freeman would ask her sons, boys, go get the groceries out of the boot. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:18.219 And I was kind of like, what is she talking about? 00:03:19.120 --> 00:03:23.120 They call elevators lifts. 00:03:24.480 --> 00:03:30.159 If you're familiar with weightlifting, we're not talking about a clean and jerk lift. 00:03:30.920 --> 00:03:36.640 We're talking about something that brings you up into the floors of a multi-story building. 00:03:36.639 --> 00:03:44.919 The point is, it's possible to use the same English word, but have two different meanings. 00:03:45.919 --> 00:03:47.599 And it creates confusion. 00:03:47.599 --> 00:03:59.280 Therefore, in order to unite together as a church, let's look at what Romans 1 has to say about the gospel. 00:04:00.479 --> 00:04:04.139 We need to be clear on what the Bible means by the gospel. 00:04:04.139 --> 00:04:13.399 It's that not only we can unite as a church around what the Bible means by the gospel, but unite in what God has done through the gospel. 00:04:13.400 --> 00:04:17.959 So there are two essential elements of the Christian gospel from Romans 1. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:19.360 It's historic. 00:04:19.899 --> 00:04:22.399 We see that in chapter 1, verses 1 through 4. 00:04:23.199 --> 00:04:28.840 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle God, set apart for the gospel of God, 00:04:29.399 --> 00:04:32.439 which he promised beforehand through his prophets and the holy scriptures, 00:04:32.439 --> 00:04:36.939 concerning his son, who is descended from David according to the flesh, 00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:40.199 and it was declared to be the son of God in power according to the spirit of holiness, 00:04:40.699 --> 00:04:42.860 by his resurrection from the dead. 00:04:43.839 --> 00:04:44.819 Jesus Christ, our Lord. 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:46.259 Just a couple things I want to point out. 00:04:48.000 --> 00:04:54.220 That word gospel, when used in antiquity, first century, when Paul was writing, 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:55.899 it was not a religious word. 00:04:56.659 --> 00:05:00.220 It just simply meant an announcement of something good and important. 00:05:00.220 --> 00:05:04.340 So let's say like the 11th legion of the Roman military, 00:05:04.580 --> 00:05:10.580 they had stormed some kind of beach in northern Africa, and they won a victory. 00:05:10.760 --> 00:05:15.240 They would send someone to Rome with the good news, the gospel that they won. 00:05:17.120 --> 00:05:22.060 And what we see here in Romans 1, 1, 00:05:22.440 --> 00:05:28.780 we see set apart for the gospel, the good news of God. 00:05:28.779 --> 00:05:31.019 Here's how you need to think about that. 00:05:32.179 --> 00:05:38.759 This is God's announcement to humanity of something that he has done in space and time 00:05:38.759 --> 00:05:41.319 that is good and important. 00:05:42.179 --> 00:05:45.479 The gospel is God's announcement. 00:05:47.239 --> 00:05:48.399 It's historic. 00:05:48.619 --> 00:05:51.019 It happened in time and space. 00:05:51.159 --> 00:05:56.059 And it has to do with verse 3 concerning his son, Jesus Christ. 00:05:56.060 --> 00:06:02.800 Whatever this good news is about, whatever happened, is about Jesus. 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:07.800 And in verse 4, we see the actual event. 00:06:10.600 --> 00:06:12.360 By his resurrection from the dead. 00:06:12.360 --> 00:06:25.300 The good news, the historic good news of the Christian gospel is God's announcement that Jesus Christ's death and resurrection 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:30.800 accomplish something that is absolutely unbelievable. 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:34.759 Actually, it's very believable. 00:06:35.879 --> 00:06:37.680 But it is amazing. 00:06:37.680 --> 00:06:46.939 Matt Chandler, who wrote the book, The Explicit Gospel, talks about describing the gospel in two ways. 00:06:47.060 --> 00:06:51.960 As kind of a close-up, like Christ died for our sins. 00:06:52.079 --> 00:06:52.900 Very personal. 00:06:53.840 --> 00:06:56.460 It addresses our greatest need now here. 00:06:56.960 --> 00:07:01.280 But he also talks about the gospel being spoken of in a panorama. 00:07:01.279 --> 00:07:08.159 That this is the good news for all time. 00:07:08.239 --> 00:07:09.779 It's a plan for the fullness of time. 00:07:10.099 --> 00:07:10.799 Both are true. 00:07:11.919 --> 00:07:16.479 This good news, this event that God wants all the world to know, 00:07:17.039 --> 00:07:19.539 has everything to do with your greatest needs individually, 00:07:19.859 --> 00:07:23.079 and it's got everything to do with the history of mankind. 00:07:23.079 --> 00:07:30.079 So the first element is that the gospel is historic. 00:07:30.620 --> 00:07:34.919 We're talking about a specific time and place that Jesus Christ died and was raised. 00:07:35.300 --> 00:07:36.639 It either happened or it didn't. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:40.079 Second, the gospel is effectual. 00:07:40.839 --> 00:07:41.860 It's powerful. 00:07:42.419 --> 00:07:43.979 Look at verses 16 and 17. 00:07:44.120 --> 00:07:45.779 Many of you have memorized verse 16. 00:07:46.519 --> 00:07:51.139 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. 00:07:51.139 --> 00:07:56.839 To the Jew first and also to the Greek, for in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. 00:07:56.939 --> 00:08:00.740 As it is written, the righteous shall live by faith. 00:08:00.939 --> 00:08:01.759 Habakkuk 2.4. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:10.919 The gospel, this historic event, Christ's death and resurrection, it gets something done. 00:08:12.099 --> 00:08:13.079 It's powerful. 00:08:13.740 --> 00:08:14.479 Look at verse 16. 00:08:14.479 --> 00:08:20.899 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it, the gospel, the death and resurrection, 00:08:20.899 --> 00:08:26.019 the gospel, the resurrection of Jesus is the power of God for salvation. 00:08:28.500 --> 00:08:36.819 That historic event of Christ's death and resurrection is God's power getting something done. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:39.419 Our salvation. 00:08:40.539 --> 00:08:41.779 Our rescue. 00:08:41.779 --> 00:08:51.899 And whatever we needed to be rescued from, it required God's power to rescue us. 00:08:52.939 --> 00:08:55.199 We can't rescue ourselves. 00:08:56.799 --> 00:09:00.759 We can't save ourselves from this predicament that we're in. 00:09:02.439 --> 00:09:06.839 Salvation only comes from something that God has powerfully done. 00:09:07.480 --> 00:09:09.279 And God has made that known to us. 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:13.899 Verse 16, it's for everyone who believes. 00:09:14.299 --> 00:09:16.039 For the Jew first and also the Greek. 00:09:16.379 --> 00:09:19.159 For the Jewish mind, Paul who wrote this was a Jew. 00:09:19.379 --> 00:09:23.319 And for the Jewish mind, all of humanity is divided into two camps. 00:09:23.539 --> 00:09:26.279 You're a Jew or you're not a Jew. 00:09:28.279 --> 00:09:34.360 And what we're hearing here is this gospel announcement that God is making to all of humanity. 00:09:34.360 --> 00:09:38.539 He is making to both Jews and non-Jews. 00:09:39.779 --> 00:09:41.100 To all who believe. 00:09:41.539 --> 00:09:42.720 And did you notice verse 17? 00:09:45.379 --> 00:09:51.419 This gospel, it trades in righteousness. 00:09:51.419 --> 00:09:57.179 For in it, the righteousness of God is revealed. 00:09:57.379 --> 00:10:01.139 In it, the gospel, the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. 00:10:02.539 --> 00:10:09.459 Righteousness is addressing God's upright moral character and God's upright moral activity. 00:10:09.699 --> 00:10:11.399 He is perfect in all that He does. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:21.419 And this gospel that God announces having to do with the death and resurrection of Jesus is a manifestation of His righteousness. 00:10:24.299 --> 00:10:28.639 And that's raising our biggest problem. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.579 Our unrighteousness. 00:10:32.580 --> 00:10:37.160 So just let's make sure we're on the same page here. 00:10:37.240 --> 00:10:43.240 The Christian gospel, biblically defined, is historic and powerful. 00:10:44.820 --> 00:10:49.840 It's God's power to rescue us from our unrighteousness. 00:10:50.060 --> 00:10:53.720 If our greatest problem is the unrighteousness of man, 00:10:54.160 --> 00:10:56.940 God's solution is the righteousness of God. 00:10:58.420 --> 00:10:59.320 Through the gospel. 00:11:00.759 --> 00:11:02.240 Okay, we've covered that ground. 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:05.919 Let's move on to our problem elaborated. 00:11:09.019 --> 00:11:12.840 In chapter 1, verses 18 through chapter 3, verse 20, 00:11:13.560 --> 00:11:19.299 Paul exposes and elaborates on our terrible unrighteousness problem. 00:11:19.500 --> 00:11:23.200 He divides all humanity into two types of sinners. 00:11:23.740 --> 00:11:25.519 There are the unrighteous hedonists, 00:11:25.700 --> 00:11:28.100 and there are the unrighteous moralists. 00:11:28.100 --> 00:11:31.840 And in 1, verses 18 through 32, 00:11:31.840 --> 00:11:35.220 it's an elaboration on the unrighteous hedonist. 00:11:35.480 --> 00:11:41.940 Now, a hedonist is someone who casts off all rules and regulations 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:45.460 in order for him or her to pursue pleasure, 00:11:45.659 --> 00:11:46.540 illicit pleasure. 00:11:46.820 --> 00:11:48.220 Nothing will stop them from it. 00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:50.540 They're like, all of God's good rules, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:51.720 get out of my way, 00:11:51.840 --> 00:11:52.879 I'm going to live, 00:11:52.980 --> 00:11:54.660 and I'm going to do and get what I want. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:12:01.199 Listen to Romans chapter 118. 00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:05.079 I'll read through 20. 00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:32.900 Now, these hedonists are most likely Gentiles, 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:35.439 and Gentiles of this day were probably people 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:36.879 who didn't have a Bible in their house. 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:39.579 But what Paul is saying here, 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.220 in verses 18 through 20, 00:12:41.699 --> 00:12:43.319 is that if you're an unrighteous hedonist 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.459 without a Bible in your house, 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.860 you are still without excuse 00:12:46.860 --> 00:12:48.899 before of the living God. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:53.980 You are actually under His wrath, 00:12:54.100 --> 00:12:56.259 for the wrath of God is revealed from heaven 00:12:56.259 --> 00:13:00.759 against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. 00:13:00.759 --> 00:13:02.939 Now, you may be saying, 00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:04.200 well, that doesn't sound fair. 00:13:06.919 --> 00:13:09.120 Well, in verse 20, we are told it is fair. 00:13:11.120 --> 00:13:12.580 For His invisible attributes, 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:14.539 namely His eternal power and divine nature, 00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.500 have been clearly perceived 00:13:15.500 --> 00:13:17.039 ever since the creation of the world 00:13:17.039 --> 00:13:18.139 and the things that have been made. 00:13:18.220 --> 00:13:19.299 So they're without excuse. 00:13:19.960 --> 00:13:20.899 They might not have a Bible, 00:13:21.000 --> 00:13:22.220 but they have all of creation. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:24.720 God revealing His power 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:26.340 and bringing this all in from nothing. 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.560 And His goodness, 00:13:27.780 --> 00:13:31.160 He provides for all people on the earth. 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:34.200 And so what's being said here is 00:13:34.200 --> 00:13:36.540 God has sufficiently revealed Himself 00:13:36.540 --> 00:13:38.399 to all people on the planet 00:13:38.399 --> 00:13:40.300 so that there's no hedonist 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:41.820 who doesn't have a Bible in their house 00:13:41.820 --> 00:13:43.940 who can say they're without excuse. 00:13:44.600 --> 00:13:47.100 In fact, they're under God's wrath. 00:13:48.080 --> 00:13:50.540 They suppress the truth about God and His ways. 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:53.620 Look at verses 21 through 23. 00:13:53.620 --> 00:13:55.460 For although they knew God, 00:13:55.539 --> 00:13:57.220 they did not honor Him as God 00:13:57.220 --> 00:13:58.100 or give thanks to Him, 00:13:58.379 --> 00:14:00.200 but they became futile in their thinking. 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:02.179 And their foolish hearts were darkened. 00:14:02.299 --> 00:14:04.179 Claiming to be wise, they became fools. 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:05.659 Listen to verse 23. 00:14:07.600 --> 00:14:09.480 And exchanged the glory of the immortal God 00:14:09.480 --> 00:14:11.879 for images resembling mortal man and birds 00:14:11.879 --> 00:14:13.399 and animals and creeping things. 00:14:15.700 --> 00:14:17.659 Do you know what is at the heart of hedonism? 00:14:20.779 --> 00:14:21.259 Idolatry. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:24.100 It's an exchange. 00:14:24.740 --> 00:14:26.700 It's not just a rejection of God. 00:14:27.419 --> 00:14:29.000 It's a swapping out of God. 00:14:29.580 --> 00:14:30.620 It's an exchange. 00:14:31.399 --> 00:14:34.700 Exchanging the one true glorious God 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:36.279 for created things. 00:14:37.799 --> 00:14:40.519 And that's why they are without excuse 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:41.500 under God's wrath. 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:44.200 And then in verses 24 through 32, 00:14:44.939 --> 00:14:47.519 we see this repeated phrase, 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.259 God gave them up. 00:14:49.259 --> 00:14:50.819 You see it in verse 24. 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.539 Therefore, God gave them up. 00:14:52.939 --> 00:14:53.740 Verse 26. 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:55.299 For this reason, God gave them up. 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.919 In verse 28. 00:14:57.019 --> 00:14:59.939 And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, 00:14:59.980 --> 00:15:01.039 God gave them up. 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:02.759 Have you ever been wondering 00:15:02.759 --> 00:15:05.259 why our culture in America right now 00:15:05.259 --> 00:15:07.759 seems to be just spinning downwards? 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.840 If you've been around the block, 00:15:10.000 --> 00:15:11.259 maybe 20, 30 years, 00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:11.860 you're kind of like, 00:15:12.259 --> 00:15:15.919 what is going on with our culture? 00:15:15.919 --> 00:15:19.419 Romans 1. 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:24.519 Our culture is being handed over by God 00:15:24.519 --> 00:15:27.539 to their sinful desires. 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:31.159 It's a judgment. 00:15:33.120 --> 00:15:34.819 And we're living in the middle of it. 00:15:36.339 --> 00:15:38.000 This giving up language 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:40.240 is a kind of judgment. 00:15:40.240 --> 00:15:43.740 That's what's happening in our culture. 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.639 In verse 24, we read, 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.240 therefore God gave them up 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.279 in the lusts of their heart 00:15:50.279 --> 00:15:50.940 to impurity, 00:15:51.080 --> 00:15:52.680 to the dishonoring of their bodies 00:15:52.680 --> 00:15:53.639 among themselves. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.600 Impurity is probably 00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.899 referenced to some kind of sexual sin. 00:15:56.899 --> 00:16:01.699 but this dishonoring of their bodies. 00:16:05.199 --> 00:16:07.959 Of having, 00:16:09.159 --> 00:16:10.480 giving their bodies the things 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.579 that they shouldn't be doing. 00:16:15.120 --> 00:16:16.579 It's where we're living right now. 00:16:19.439 --> 00:16:21.079 God has designed our bodies 00:16:21.079 --> 00:16:22.000 very specifically. 00:16:23.899 --> 00:16:24.899 Biblically speaking, 00:16:24.899 --> 00:16:26.939 the Bible approaches gender 00:16:26.939 --> 00:16:30.879 by defining gender biologically. 00:16:31.579 --> 00:16:33.539 Whether you have a Y chromosome or not. 00:16:34.459 --> 00:16:35.659 We're living in a culture 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:38.699 in which our culture is adrift. 00:16:39.819 --> 00:16:41.120 And instead of having 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:43.679 a biologically informed definition of gender, 00:16:44.199 --> 00:16:46.600 we have a psychologically informed 00:16:46.600 --> 00:16:48.299 definition of gender. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:50.379 It's how you feel. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:53.299 To match your body 00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:55.259 to how you feel. 00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:57.539 And now we live in a time, 00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.659 it's unprecedented, 00:16:59.159 --> 00:16:59.939 now people 00:16:59.939 --> 00:17:01.840 can have surgery 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:03.360 or have some kind of 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.119 hormonal treatment 00:17:04.119 --> 00:17:05.259 that changes their body 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:06.859 to match their feelings. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:10.180 Claiming to be wise, 00:17:11.380 --> 00:17:12.640 they've become fools. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:17.320 At the heart of gender dysphoria, 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:21.480 at the heart of transgenderism, 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:24.580 there's an idolatry. 00:17:26.040 --> 00:17:27.820 An exchanging of God 00:17:27.820 --> 00:17:29.740 for a lie. 00:17:31.620 --> 00:17:32.640 That's where we're living. 00:17:32.920 --> 00:17:34.340 We're living in Romans 1 again. 00:17:34.339 --> 00:17:37.859 In 26 and 27, 00:17:38.559 --> 00:17:39.319 for this reason, 00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:40.119 God gave them up 00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:41.220 to dishonorable passions. 00:17:41.799 --> 00:17:42.439 And then he goes into, 00:17:42.599 --> 00:17:42.980 for their women 00:17:42.980 --> 00:17:44.419 exchanged natural relations 00:17:44.419 --> 00:17:45.379 for those that are not 00:17:45.379 --> 00:17:46.480 contrary to nature. 00:17:46.679 --> 00:17:47.559 And the men likewise 00:17:47.559 --> 00:17:49.000 gave up natural relations 00:17:49.000 --> 00:17:49.459 with women 00:17:49.459 --> 00:17:50.079 and were consumed 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:50.500 with passion. 00:17:50.659 --> 00:17:51.939 The natural relations 00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:53.740 are simply God's good design 00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:56.220 of a man and a woman 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:58.259 in physical union 00:17:58.259 --> 00:18:00.220 in the context of marriage. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.980 One chromosomal man, 00:18:02.980 --> 00:18:03.860 husband, 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:06.180 married to one chromosomal woman, 00:18:06.660 --> 00:18:07.059 wife, 00:18:07.680 --> 00:18:09.059 uniting together physically 00:18:09.059 --> 00:18:10.900 till death do they part 00:18:10.900 --> 00:18:12.380 under God's purview. 00:18:14.940 --> 00:18:16.620 And what we see here 00:18:16.620 --> 00:18:18.400 is when you exchange God 00:18:18.400 --> 00:18:19.200 for a lie, 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:21.200 it's going to show up 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:23.559 in your practice of sexuality 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.480 in your culture. 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.799 What becomes normal? 00:18:28.940 --> 00:18:29.579 Homosexuality 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:32.740 is categorically sinful, 00:18:32.980 --> 00:18:34.039 and unrighteous 00:18:34.039 --> 00:18:35.539 in God's eyes. 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.720 And at the heart of it 00:18:37.720 --> 00:18:39.339 is idolatry. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:42.299 Are we sympathetic 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:43.940 in seeking to care 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:45.480 for our friends and family 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:47.000 who are struggling 00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.140 with homosexuality 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:49.220 or transgenderism? 00:18:49.400 --> 00:18:50.259 Yes, of course. 00:18:51.400 --> 00:18:52.500 But at the root of it, 00:18:52.539 --> 00:18:53.200 it's idolatry. 00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.940 There's a man, 00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:59.440 his name is Christopher Yon. 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:02.059 He's a brother in Christ 00:19:02.059 --> 00:19:02.960 who is entrenched 00:19:02.960 --> 00:19:04.380 in the homosexual lifestyle. 00:19:05.140 --> 00:19:07.019 God awakened him, 00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:10.259 radically transformed him. 00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:10.900 Eventually, 00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.220 he became a professor 00:19:12.220 --> 00:19:13.680 down at Moody Bible Institute. 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:16.000 And now he has a ministry 00:19:16.000 --> 00:19:18.080 based out of California. 00:19:18.840 --> 00:19:19.740 I would encourage you, 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:20.400 if you want to read 00:19:20.400 --> 00:19:21.279 some helpful material 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:22.480 on what the Bible 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.880 has to say about homosexuality, 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:25.700 read Christopher Yon. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:28.460 Y-U-A-N. 00:19:30.180 --> 00:19:32.440 He has a very helpful perspective. 00:19:32.580 --> 00:19:33.420 In fact, he will say, 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:35.180 what a homosexual needs 00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:36.420 is not to be made straight. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.900 They need to hear the gospel 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:42.240 to address their heart idolatry. 00:19:44.160 --> 00:19:46.080 In verses 28 through 32, 00:19:46.660 --> 00:19:49.279 we have the third God gave them up, 00:19:49.559 --> 00:19:50.980 and it's to a debased mind. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:54.180 Do you know what a debased mind is? 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:58.120 Think of it this way. 00:19:58.340 --> 00:20:00.259 If someone doesn't know God, 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.740 if they have no fear of God 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.560 before their eyes, 00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:04.200 they are still going to think 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.000 and they're going to still 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.860 build their life. 00:20:06.920 --> 00:20:08.640 But what they will think about 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:10.080 and build their life on 00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:12.160 has no God foundation of it. 00:20:12.480 --> 00:20:14.200 It's off the foundation. 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:15.180 It's debased. 00:20:16.400 --> 00:20:16.759 Do you see? 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:21.000 Proverbs 1-7 says, 00:20:21.640 --> 00:20:22.440 the fear of the Lord 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.740 is the beginning of knowledge. 00:20:24.180 --> 00:20:25.500 Proverbs 9-10 says, 00:20:25.620 --> 00:20:26.200 the fear of the Lord 00:20:26.200 --> 00:20:27.240 is the beginning of wisdom. 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:30.580 We build our lives 00:20:30.580 --> 00:20:32.539 on who God is 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:34.320 and what He says in His Word. 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:36.680 That's knowledge and wisdom. 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.440 And if that's not there, 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.279 you're building on the sand. 00:20:42.340 --> 00:20:43.580 And what we see 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:46.200 in verses 29 through 31 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:48.000 is quite a sin list. 00:20:49.160 --> 00:20:49.759 Let me read it. 00:20:50.220 --> 00:20:50.980 They were filled with 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:52.820 all manner of unrighteousness. 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:55.500 These hedonists. 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:59.200 Evil, covetousness, malice. 00:20:59.460 --> 00:21:00.279 They are full of envy, 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:02.119 murder, strife, deceit, maliciousness. 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.879 They are gossip, slanderers, 00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.599 haters of God, 00:21:04.779 --> 00:21:06.339 insolent, haughty, boastful, 00:21:06.439 --> 00:21:07.319 inventors of evil, 00:21:07.480 --> 00:21:08.439 disobedient to parents, 00:21:08.599 --> 00:21:09.339 foolish, faithless, 00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:10.960 heartless, ruthless. 00:21:10.960 --> 00:21:16.779 Do you see it in you? 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:21.360 Do you see your inner hedonist? 00:21:24.160 --> 00:21:25.440 Maybe you're not struggling 00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:26.600 with transgenderism. 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.620 Have you ever coveted 00:21:29.620 --> 00:21:30.559 someone else's body? 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:34.220 Do you gossip? 00:21:34.220 --> 00:21:34.299 Do you gossip? 00:21:34.299 --> 00:21:38.639 Do you slander? 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.200 Boy, 00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.399 we've got all, 00:21:44.480 --> 00:21:45.339 all of us have got 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:46.279 some of this in us. 00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:49.079 Be honest with yourself. 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.559 As you come to God's word, 00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:52.000 be asking the question, 00:21:52.359 --> 00:21:52.500 hey, 00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:54.680 what's wrong with this guy? 00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.220 No, no, no. 00:21:55.859 --> 00:21:56.559 It starts with you. 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.339 It starts with me. 00:21:57.339 --> 00:22:00.419 Verse 32, 00:22:00.619 --> 00:22:01.980 though they know 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:03.279 God's righteous decree, 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:05.699 these unrighteous hedonists, 00:22:05.859 --> 00:22:07.639 they know down deep 00:22:07.639 --> 00:22:08.819 God's righteous decree 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:10.339 that those who practice 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:12.240 such things deserve to die. 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.299 They not only do them, 00:22:13.379 --> 00:22:14.439 but give approval 00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.799 to those who practice them. 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:17.240 And in our culture right now, 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.159 not just approval, 00:22:18.959 --> 00:22:20.539 we make laws 00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:23.399 saying that it's okay. 00:22:24.740 --> 00:22:26.000 Corporate policy 00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:30.819 these are the times 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:31.480 we live in. 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.980 At the heart of it all 00:22:34.980 --> 00:22:35.720 is idolatry. 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.259 Exchanging the truth 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.420 of God for a lie, 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.619 claiming to be wise, 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:42.460 they become fools. 00:22:43.180 --> 00:22:44.160 Our culture, 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.140 brothers and sisters, 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.319 God is handing over. 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.819 That's where we find ourselves. 00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.960 Can I just remind you 00:22:52.960 --> 00:22:53.240 of something? 00:22:53.240 --> 00:22:56.980 The Apostle Paul wrote Romans 00:22:56.980 --> 00:23:00.319 to Rome 00:23:00.319 --> 00:23:02.160 in the Roman Empire 00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:04.500 in the first century. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.759 You see, 00:23:07.819 --> 00:23:08.819 human history 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:10.660 is a history of God 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:12.279 handing over 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.220 culture, 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:14.259 individuals, 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:16.500 over and over again 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:18.779 to their sinful desires. 00:23:18.900 --> 00:23:19.620 It even goes back 00:23:19.620 --> 00:23:20.779 to judges in Israel. 00:23:20.779 --> 00:23:23.980 being handed over 00:23:23.980 --> 00:23:25.359 to what they want. 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:28.000 It's a kind of a judgment 00:23:28.000 --> 00:23:29.740 and it is the story 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:30.819 of human history. 00:23:32.160 --> 00:23:34.200 Not just 21st century America. 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.399 Humanity. 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:41.480 Unrighteous before God. 00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.660 Now, if the problem 00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.759 is the unrighteousness of man, 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.079 then the solution 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.899 is the righteousness of God. 00:23:48.980 --> 00:23:49.660 And you know what this means? 00:23:49.660 --> 00:23:52.840 This announcement 00:23:52.840 --> 00:23:53.519 of the gospel 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.900 God talked about. 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:56.220 We saw in Romans 1. 00:23:56.820 --> 00:23:57.980 This gospel 00:23:57.980 --> 00:24:00.980 is for the unrighteous hedonist. 00:24:05.400 --> 00:24:06.200 Even though they're 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.900 without excuse, 00:24:07.040 --> 00:24:07.480 even though they're 00:24:07.480 --> 00:24:08.360 under God's wrath, 00:24:08.820 --> 00:24:09.759 God says, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.880 here's good news 00:24:11.880 --> 00:24:13.920 of what I have done 00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:16.700 about your unrighteousness. 00:24:16.700 --> 00:24:19.240 Now, 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:22.279 you might be thinking like, 00:24:23.059 --> 00:24:23.720 you know what, Paul? 00:24:23.860 --> 00:24:24.940 You give it to them. 00:24:26.140 --> 00:24:27.319 Give it to them, Paul. 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:27.759 Bring it. 00:24:28.039 --> 00:24:29.120 Bring down the hammer 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:30.400 on those hedonists. 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.340 But Paul doesn't stop 00:24:34.340 --> 00:24:35.680 with the unrighteous hedonist. 00:24:36.819 --> 00:24:38.120 There's another type 00:24:38.120 --> 00:24:38.819 of sinner 00:24:38.819 --> 00:24:40.840 starting in chapter 2, 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.400 verse 1, 00:24:41.519 --> 00:24:42.720 going through chapter 3, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.319 verse 8, 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:45.259 the unrighteous 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:47.100 moralist. 00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:50.360 Where the hedonist 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:51.600 rejects God's law, 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:52.400 the moralist 00:24:52.400 --> 00:24:53.400 prides himself 00:24:53.400 --> 00:24:53.940 or herself 00:24:53.940 --> 00:24:55.299 in keeping God's law. 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.960 These moralists, 00:24:59.180 --> 00:25:00.279 which in chapter 2, 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:01.000 verse 17, 00:25:01.740 --> 00:25:03.059 Paul calls them Jews, 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.279 Jews, 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.740 it's not too difficult 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.460 to imagine 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.740 present-day Christians 00:25:07.740 --> 00:25:10.359 in this same camp. 00:25:12.539 --> 00:25:13.379 The problem 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:14.379 of the moralist, 00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:15.700 simply put, 00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.359 is hypocrisy. 00:25:18.599 --> 00:25:19.519 The hedonist 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:20.960 swaps out God 00:25:20.960 --> 00:25:22.000 for sin, right? 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:24.419 The moralist 00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:26.700 is hypocrisy. 00:25:27.339 --> 00:25:28.079 Look at chapter 2, 00:25:28.119 --> 00:25:29.859 verse 1 through 3. 00:25:30.299 --> 00:25:30.559 Therefore, 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.740 you have no excuse, 00:25:31.859 --> 00:25:32.200 O man, 00:25:32.200 --> 00:25:33.080 every one of you 00:25:33.080 --> 00:25:33.700 who judges. 00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:35.799 Paul is anticipating 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.759 the moralist response. 00:25:39.100 --> 00:25:40.340 All these hands over, 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.000 handing over, 00:25:41.200 --> 00:25:41.759 and the moralist 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.019 is saying, 00:25:42.100 --> 00:25:42.200 yeah, 00:25:42.279 --> 00:25:42.860 you give it to him, 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:43.539 you give it to him. 00:25:43.779 --> 00:25:44.720 And then Paul says, 00:25:44.840 --> 00:25:45.539 whoa on, buddy. 00:25:46.840 --> 00:25:48.620 You have no excuse 00:25:48.620 --> 00:25:49.319 either, 00:25:49.519 --> 00:25:50.420 you moralist. 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.940 O man, 00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.259 every one of you 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:53.779 who judges 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:55.440 for in passing judgment 00:25:55.440 --> 00:25:56.000 on another, 00:25:56.100 --> 00:25:56.980 you condemn yourself 00:25:56.980 --> 00:25:57.500 because you, 00:25:57.600 --> 00:25:57.980 the judge, 00:25:58.080 --> 00:25:58.940 practice the same, 00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.299 very, 00:25:59.380 --> 00:26:00.360 very same things. 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:02.339 We know that the judgment 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:03.240 of God rightly falls 00:26:03.240 --> 00:26:04.099 on those who practice 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.719 such things. 00:26:05.039 --> 00:26:05.579 Do you suppose, 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.039 O man, 00:26:06.359 --> 00:26:07.279 you who judge those 00:26:07.279 --> 00:26:08.500 who practice such things 00:26:08.500 --> 00:26:09.959 and yet do them yourself, 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.899 that you will escape 00:26:10.899 --> 00:26:11.939 the judgment of God? 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.619 Verse 4, 00:26:13.859 --> 00:26:14.859 or do you presume 00:26:14.859 --> 00:26:15.459 on the riches 00:26:15.459 --> 00:26:16.519 of his kindness 00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:17.279 and the forbearance 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:17.719 and patience 00:26:17.719 --> 00:26:18.819 and not knowing 00:26:18.819 --> 00:26:19.459 that the kindness, 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.319 God's kindness 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.259 is meant to lead you 00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.879 to repentance? 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:22.619 Verse 5, 00:26:22.619 --> 00:26:24.059 but because of your 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:25.659 hard and impenitent heart, 00:26:26.199 --> 00:26:27.439 you moralist 00:26:27.439 --> 00:26:29.299 are storing up wrath 00:26:29.299 --> 00:26:30.099 for yourself 00:26:30.099 --> 00:26:31.259 on the day of wrath 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:32.779 when God's righteous judgment 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.919 will be revealed. 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.439 Apparently, 00:26:38.599 --> 00:26:39.099 the gospel 00:26:39.099 --> 00:26:40.679 is not just for hedonists, 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:43.500 it's for moralists too. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:48.559 The reality is 00:26:48.559 --> 00:26:49.759 a moralist 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.699 will obey 00:26:50.699 --> 00:26:52.279 some of God's holy law. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.079 Think of Steve's 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.839 Ten Commandments. 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:55.759 God's Ten Commandments 00:26:55.759 --> 00:26:56.480 spoken by Steve. 00:26:59.680 --> 00:27:00.920 Run me out of here. 00:27:04.559 --> 00:27:05.839 A moralist 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.940 will obey 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:08.559 some of God's commands 00:27:08.559 --> 00:27:10.339 some of the time. 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:13.160 But a moralist 00:27:13.160 --> 00:27:13.879 cannot obey 00:27:13.879 --> 00:27:15.220 all of God's holy law 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:17.399 all of the time. 00:27:17.899 --> 00:27:18.960 That's the reality. 00:27:19.799 --> 00:27:20.619 The problem 00:27:20.619 --> 00:27:21.799 is the hypocrisy. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.680 It's when a moralist 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.720 thinks some is enough 00:27:24.720 --> 00:27:26.379 and because some is enough 00:27:26.379 --> 00:27:27.500 I can now judge 00:27:27.500 --> 00:27:27.980 other people. 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:29.879 That's the problem 00:27:29.879 --> 00:27:30.759 that Paul is addressing. 00:27:31.619 --> 00:27:32.319 The moralist 00:27:32.319 --> 00:27:32.879 who judges 00:27:32.879 --> 00:27:33.779 the hedonist 00:27:33.779 --> 00:27:36.039 in their self-righteousness, 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.899 Paul says, 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.660 you are without excuse. 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.519 You are storing up 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:41.099 God's wrath. 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.839 Verse 5, 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:43.759 the moralist 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:45.279 is in as much danger 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:46.599 as the hedonist 00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.440 of God's wrath. 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:51.000 Look at verses 17 00:27:51.000 --> 00:27:51.779 through 24 00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:53.380 in chapter 2. 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.420 But if you call yourself 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:56.720 a Jew 00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:57.620 and rely on the law 00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.580 and boast in God 00:27:58.580 --> 00:27:59.799 and know His will 00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.940 and approve what is excellent 00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.080 because you are instructed 00:28:02.080 --> 00:28:02.759 from the law 00:28:02.759 --> 00:28:04.039 and if you are sure 00:28:04.039 --> 00:28:04.880 that you yourself 00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:06.059 are a guide to the blind, 00:28:06.220 --> 00:28:06.940 a light to those 00:28:06.940 --> 00:28:07.660 who are in darkness, 00:28:08.140 --> 00:28:09.299 an instructor of the foolish, 00:28:09.420 --> 00:28:10.240 a teacher of children, 00:28:10.380 --> 00:28:11.220 having in the law 00:28:11.220 --> 00:28:11.840 the embodiment 00:28:11.840 --> 00:28:12.779 of knowledge and truth, 00:28:13.180 --> 00:28:14.360 you then who teach others, 00:28:14.359 --> 00:28:16.000 do you not teach yourself? 00:28:17.159 --> 00:28:18.000 While you preach 00:28:18.000 --> 00:28:18.599 against stealing, 00:28:18.699 --> 00:28:19.379 do you steal? 00:28:19.699 --> 00:28:20.359 You say that 00:28:20.359 --> 00:28:21.599 one must not 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.299 commit adultery. 00:28:22.439 --> 00:28:23.439 Do you commit adultery? 00:28:23.639 --> 00:28:24.839 You who abhor idols, 00:28:24.959 --> 00:28:25.859 do you rob temples? 00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:27.500 You who boast in the law 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:28.259 dishonor God 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.079 by breaking the law 00:28:29.079 --> 00:28:29.799 and then he quotes 00:28:29.799 --> 00:28:30.500 Isaiah 52. 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:31.659 He says, 00:28:31.759 --> 00:28:32.399 as it is written, 00:28:32.759 --> 00:28:33.359 the name of God 00:28:33.359 --> 00:28:34.119 is blasphemed 00:28:34.119 --> 00:28:35.379 among the Gentiles 00:28:35.379 --> 00:28:36.139 because of you. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:39.240 So who's in a worse position? 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:41.119 It seems like the moralist 00:28:41.119 --> 00:28:43.339 because the moralist hypocrisy 00:28:43.339 --> 00:28:44.599 is causing the hedonist 00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.099 to say, 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:45.879 eh, 00:28:46.599 --> 00:28:47.220 their God is not 00:28:47.220 --> 00:28:47.859 such a big deal. 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:53.599 Our hypocrisy 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:57.579 confuses non-Christians. 00:28:59.419 --> 00:29:00.500 Do you see 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:02.259 your inner moralist 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:05.139 quick to judge 00:29:05.139 --> 00:29:07.459 but slow to see 00:29:07.459 --> 00:29:08.779 the log in your own eye? 00:29:08.939 --> 00:29:10.519 Maybe you judge 00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:11.419 the adulterer 00:29:11.420 --> 00:29:12.779 yet you are feeding 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:14.560 your sexual lust. 00:29:15.180 --> 00:29:16.120 Maybe you judge 00:29:16.120 --> 00:29:16.680 the greedy 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:18.440 and yet you give 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:20.019 only when it's convenient. 00:29:20.800 --> 00:29:21.740 Maybe you judge 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:23.380 someone else's harshness 00:29:23.380 --> 00:29:24.600 yet hop in the minivan 00:29:24.600 --> 00:29:25.680 and yell at your kids. 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.480 Do you see 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:30.420 your unrighteousness? 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:35.000 All of us 00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:35.680 fall short 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:36.580 of God's glory. 00:29:38.259 --> 00:29:39.240 None of us. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:40.940 None 00:29:40.940 --> 00:29:41.860 is righteous. 00:29:42.100 --> 00:29:42.320 No, 00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.180 not one. 00:29:43.880 --> 00:29:44.640 One of my favorite 00:29:44.640 --> 00:29:45.440 parables of Jesus 00:29:45.440 --> 00:29:46.460 is Luke 18, 00:29:46.580 --> 00:29:48.279 9-14. 00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.000 It's the parable 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.360 of the Pharisee 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.320 and the tax collector. 00:29:51.840 --> 00:29:52.539 The parable 00:29:52.539 --> 00:29:53.640 of the moralist 00:29:53.640 --> 00:29:54.860 and the hedonist. 00:29:55.440 --> 00:29:55.840 And Jesus 00:29:55.840 --> 00:29:56.500 depicts 00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:57.980 both praying to God 00:29:57.980 --> 00:29:58.720 and the moralist 00:29:58.720 --> 00:29:59.559 is saying, 00:29:59.720 --> 00:30:01.180 Oh God Almighty, 00:30:02.420 --> 00:30:03.240 thank you 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.660 for not making me 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:05.700 a hedonist. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:08.460 I pray often, 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:09.599 I give much. 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:12.980 And then he turns 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:16.259 to the tax collector 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.559 who prays, 00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:20.660 have mercy on me, 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.079 a sinner. 00:30:23.079 --> 00:30:25.899 to which Jesus 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:26.319 says, 00:30:26.720 --> 00:30:27.779 who went up 00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:28.240 justified 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:29.839 that day? 00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.259 The hedonist. 00:30:37.179 --> 00:30:38.659 Part of the problem 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:40.759 of moralism 00:30:40.759 --> 00:30:41.960 is that 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.379 it blinds us 00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:44.799 to our own 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:46.299 unrighteousness. 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:48.279 Only if we would 00:30:48.279 --> 00:30:49.220 humbly take the log 00:30:49.220 --> 00:30:50.099 out of our own eye 00:30:50.099 --> 00:30:50.519 first 00:30:50.519 --> 00:30:51.799 to see our 00:30:51.799 --> 00:30:52.579 unrighteousness 00:30:52.579 --> 00:30:53.059 problem. 00:30:53.939 --> 00:30:54.579 But you know what? 00:30:56.980 --> 00:30:58.919 God proclaims 00:30:58.919 --> 00:30:59.980 the good news 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:00.819 to you, 00:31:01.099 --> 00:31:01.740 moralist. 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.740 He's got 00:31:03.740 --> 00:31:04.980 God's righteousness 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:06.519 for you. 00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.240 In chapter 3 00:31:10.240 --> 00:31:10.839 verses 9 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:12.539 through 20, 00:31:12.699 --> 00:31:13.859 Paul lumps 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:14.980 both the unrighteous 00:31:14.980 --> 00:31:15.659 hedonist 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.659 and the unrighteous 00:31:16.659 --> 00:31:17.339 moralist 00:31:17.339 --> 00:31:17.799 together 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:19.159 into the 00:31:19.159 --> 00:31:20.099 unrighteous 00:31:20.099 --> 00:31:21.159 all of us. 00:31:21.160 --> 00:31:25.100 listen to what he says. 00:31:25.100 --> 00:31:26.000 This is chapter 3 00:31:26.000 --> 00:31:26.700 verse 10. 00:31:27.460 --> 00:31:28.040 None is righteous, 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:28.820 no, not one. 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.720 No one understands, 00:31:29.860 --> 00:31:30.860 no one seeks for God. 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:31.860 All have turned aside. 00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:32.580 Together they have 00:31:32.580 --> 00:31:33.160 become worthless. 00:31:33.360 --> 00:31:34.200 No one does good. 00:31:34.600 --> 00:31:36.240 No, not even one. 00:31:36.800 --> 00:31:37.360 Verse 18, 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:38.440 there is no fear 00:31:38.440 --> 00:31:38.940 of God 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.000 before their eyes. 00:31:40.220 --> 00:31:41.019 Speaking of both 00:31:41.019 --> 00:31:41.580 the hedonist 00:31:41.580 --> 00:31:42.600 and the moralist. 00:31:42.599 --> 00:31:44.959 There may be 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.839 different types 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.359 of sinner, 00:31:47.659 --> 00:31:48.579 different types 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.959 of unrighteousness, 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.099 but all are 00:31:51.099 --> 00:31:51.919 without excuse. 00:31:52.179 --> 00:31:52.759 All are under 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.500 God's wrath. 00:31:54.519 --> 00:31:55.039 The hedonist 00:31:55.039 --> 00:31:55.740 and the moralist 00:31:55.740 --> 00:31:56.579 are without excuse. 00:31:56.719 --> 00:31:57.199 The hedonist 00:31:57.199 --> 00:31:57.879 and the moralist 00:31:57.879 --> 00:31:59.279 are under God's wrath. 00:31:59.459 --> 00:32:00.279 No one is righteous, 00:32:00.500 --> 00:32:01.379 no, not even one. 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.520 Which means, 00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.400 right now, 00:32:04.040 --> 00:32:05.760 no one on the planet, 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:09.340 no one in and of themselves 00:32:09.340 --> 00:32:10.940 has the power 00:32:10.940 --> 00:32:12.880 to excuse themselves 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.940 from God's judgment. 00:32:15.140 --> 00:32:16.840 No one has the power 00:32:16.840 --> 00:32:20.380 to escape God's wrath. 00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:23.140 No one can make themselves 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.920 righteous in his sight. 00:32:25.700 --> 00:32:27.060 Brothers and sisters, 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.660 our biggest problem 00:32:28.660 --> 00:32:30.260 is an unrighteousness problem. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:32.500 That is the biggest problem 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.500 on the planet. 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:36.980 But in order for 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:39.220 God's gospel of righteousness 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:40.599 to make sense to you, 00:32:41.539 --> 00:32:43.379 you must own 00:32:43.379 --> 00:32:45.039 your unrighteousness. 00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:47.299 Whether it's hedonistic 00:32:47.299 --> 00:32:48.140 or moralistic, 00:32:48.440 --> 00:32:49.240 or like me, 00:32:49.400 --> 00:32:50.559 a combination of the two. 00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.859 Now let's look at 00:32:53.859 --> 00:32:55.200 the gospel applied. 00:32:56.819 --> 00:32:58.099 Verses 21, 00:32:58.099 --> 00:33:00.879 it goes all the way 00:33:00.879 --> 00:33:01.439 through 31, 00:33:01.699 --> 00:33:02.679 but I'm going to be focusing 00:33:02.679 --> 00:33:04.399 really 21 through 25. 00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:07.939 Paul has just spent 00:33:07.939 --> 00:33:08.740 a lot of time 00:33:08.740 --> 00:33:10.039 elaborating on 00:33:10.039 --> 00:33:11.480 human unrighteousness. 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:13.719 And in verse 21 00:33:13.719 --> 00:33:14.500 of chapter 3, 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.259 he circles back 00:33:15.259 --> 00:33:15.859 to the gospel. 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:18.219 Oh, thank God 00:33:18.219 --> 00:33:19.119 he circles back 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.759 to the gospel. 00:33:21.919 --> 00:33:23.139 He circles back 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:24.740 to the historic, 00:33:26.179 --> 00:33:27.339 effectual, 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.839 gospel. 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.819 But now the righteousness 00:33:31.819 --> 00:33:32.779 of God has been 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:33.159 manifested. 00:33:33.279 --> 00:33:33.740 He's been talking 00:33:33.740 --> 00:33:34.659 about the unrighteousness 00:33:34.659 --> 00:33:35.179 of man. 00:33:36.459 --> 00:33:37.259 And now he says, 00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.379 but now the righteousness 00:33:38.379 --> 00:33:39.759 of God has been manifested 00:33:39.759 --> 00:33:40.639 apart from the law. 00:33:40.720 --> 00:33:41.459 Although the law 00:33:41.459 --> 00:33:42.059 and the prophets 00:33:42.059 --> 00:33:42.939 bear witness to it, 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:44.079 the righteousness 00:33:44.079 --> 00:33:44.939 of God 00:33:44.939 --> 00:33:46.519 through faith 00:33:46.519 --> 00:33:48.399 in Jesus Christ 00:33:48.399 --> 00:33:49.679 for all who believe, 00:33:49.819 --> 00:33:50.759 there is no 00:33:50.759 --> 00:33:51.799 distinction. 00:33:53.199 --> 00:33:54.159 This is good news, 00:33:54.259 --> 00:33:54.919 brothers and sisters. 00:33:54.920 --> 00:33:57.460 may your soul 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:58.580 rise to what 00:33:58.580 --> 00:33:59.460 you're about to hear. 00:34:04.300 --> 00:34:05.680 To the unrighteous, 00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:06.940 God declares 00:34:06.940 --> 00:34:07.820 the good news 00:34:07.820 --> 00:34:08.800 of a righteousness, 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:10.260 not our own, 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.159 but his, 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:13.860 that saves. 00:34:13.860 --> 00:34:18.420 When an unrighteous 00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:19.099 hedonist 00:34:19.099 --> 00:34:20.059 or moralist 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.740 hears and believes 00:34:21.740 --> 00:34:22.480 the good news 00:34:22.480 --> 00:34:23.039 of the gospel 00:34:23.039 --> 00:34:23.980 that Jesus Christ 00:34:23.980 --> 00:34:25.220 died and was raised 00:34:25.220 --> 00:34:25.860 from the dead, 00:34:26.079 --> 00:34:27.079 when they hear that 00:34:27.079 --> 00:34:28.240 and they believe that, 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:30.420 God applies 00:34:30.420 --> 00:34:31.120 what Christ 00:34:31.120 --> 00:34:31.980 has accomplished 00:34:31.980 --> 00:34:33.120 through his life, 00:34:33.220 --> 00:34:33.320 death, 00:34:33.340 --> 00:34:33.860 and resurrection 00:34:33.860 --> 00:34:35.160 to that sinner. 00:34:37.780 --> 00:34:39.059 It's their salvation, 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.280 it's their rescue, 00:34:40.460 --> 00:34:41.380 it's their transformation, 00:34:41.380 --> 00:34:43.220 it is glorious. 00:34:46.280 --> 00:34:47.079 And it's only 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.900 by God's grace, 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:49.200 it's only by his power. 00:34:49.500 --> 00:34:50.160 Let me point you 00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:52.320 to three specific areas 00:34:52.320 --> 00:34:53.039 in which God 00:34:53.039 --> 00:34:54.200 demonstrates 00:34:54.200 --> 00:34:55.680 his saving power 00:34:55.680 --> 00:34:56.559 in this passage. 00:34:56.720 --> 00:34:57.240 They show up 00:34:57.240 --> 00:34:58.019 as three words. 00:34:59.760 --> 00:35:00.640 In verse 23, 00:35:00.760 --> 00:35:01.440 for all have sinned 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:01.860 and fall short 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:02.700 of the glory of God. 00:35:03.300 --> 00:35:03.700 24, 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.900 and are justified 00:35:04.900 --> 00:35:05.800 by his grace. 00:35:06.079 --> 00:35:06.700 That's a word 00:35:06.700 --> 00:35:07.740 you need to pay attention to. 00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.079 Through the redemption 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.300 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:35:11.800 --> 00:35:12.200 justification, 00:35:12.640 --> 00:35:13.059 redemption, 00:35:13.460 --> 00:35:13.960 25, 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:15.380 whom God put forward 00:35:15.380 --> 00:35:16.200 as a propitiation 00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:16.880 by his blood 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:17.940 to be received by faith. 00:35:18.039 --> 00:35:18.599 Propitiation. 00:35:19.780 --> 00:35:20.660 Now you might be thinking, 00:35:20.980 --> 00:35:21.480 what? 00:35:23.000 --> 00:35:23.559 Propitiation? 00:35:23.700 --> 00:35:24.720 I can't even pronounce that. 00:35:26.559 --> 00:35:27.119 Justification? 00:35:27.360 --> 00:35:27.640 What? 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:29.320 Redemption? 00:35:29.599 --> 00:35:29.840 Huh? 00:35:31.420 --> 00:35:31.980 Oh, 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:33.140 brothers and sisters, 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:34.619 don't let 00:35:34.619 --> 00:35:36.400 the scrabble words 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:37.980 distract you 00:35:37.980 --> 00:35:38.800 from the glory. 00:35:38.800 --> 00:35:41.080 Let's take them 00:35:41.080 --> 00:35:41.720 one at a time 00:35:41.720 --> 00:35:42.880 starting with propitiation. 00:35:44.780 --> 00:35:45.740 Propitiation is a word 00:35:45.740 --> 00:35:47.019 that is having to do 00:35:47.019 --> 00:35:47.480 with the realm 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.420 of sacrifice. 00:35:49.660 --> 00:35:51.160 Offering animal sacrifice. 00:35:52.039 --> 00:35:52.760 In the Old Testament, 00:35:52.920 --> 00:35:53.800 animal sacrifices 00:35:53.800 --> 00:35:54.440 would be offered 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.019 on an altar. 00:35:55.560 --> 00:35:56.920 Their blood would be spilt 00:35:56.920 --> 00:35:58.360 and the belief was that 00:35:58.360 --> 00:36:00.380 that shed blood 00:36:00.380 --> 00:36:02.019 would propitiate 00:36:02.019 --> 00:36:02.880 God's wrath 00:36:02.880 --> 00:36:03.900 temporarily. 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:07.260 Satisfy God's wrath. 00:36:08.800 --> 00:36:10.360 And what we're reading here 00:36:10.360 --> 00:36:12.220 for all those 00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:13.340 under God's wrath 00:36:13.340 --> 00:36:15.000 is that 00:36:15.000 --> 00:36:16.500 by the blood of Jesus, 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:18.820 God's wrath 00:36:18.820 --> 00:36:20.360 is fully satisfied 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:22.660 so that there's 00:36:22.660 --> 00:36:23.400 no more wrath. 00:36:24.080 --> 00:36:25.260 On Good Friday, 00:36:25.940 --> 00:36:26.940 Jesus on the cross 00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:28.720 endured God's wrath 00:36:28.720 --> 00:36:29.580 and for all 00:36:29.580 --> 00:36:30.340 who would believe 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:32.039 all of God's wrath 00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:33.039 that you would 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:34.080 ever commit 00:36:34.080 --> 00:36:34.740 past, 00:36:34.900 --> 00:36:35.140 present, 00:36:35.300 --> 00:36:35.620 future, 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:37.060 all of God's wrath 00:36:37.059 --> 00:36:38.360 for your unrighteousness 00:36:38.360 --> 00:36:39.480 was poured out 00:36:39.480 --> 00:36:40.199 on Jesus. 00:36:40.559 --> 00:36:41.159 So the moment 00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:42.159 you believe, 00:36:42.559 --> 00:36:43.539 you are therefore 00:36:43.539 --> 00:36:45.139 now, 00:36:45.860 --> 00:36:46.840 no condemnation 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.420 for those who are 00:36:47.420 --> 00:36:48.059 in Christ Jesus. 00:36:49.079 --> 00:36:49.880 God's wrath 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:51.940 fully satisfied 00:36:51.940 --> 00:36:53.320 both for the hedonist 00:36:53.320 --> 00:36:54.059 and the moralist. 00:36:54.119 --> 00:36:54.639 Do I have an amen? 00:36:56.699 --> 00:36:57.860 That's propitiation. 00:36:58.460 --> 00:36:59.019 You can preach 00:36:59.019 --> 00:37:00.340 like seven sermons 00:37:00.340 --> 00:37:00.759 on that. 00:37:01.279 --> 00:37:01.719 Let's move 00:37:01.719 --> 00:37:02.420 to the next word. 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:04.940 Redemption. 00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:05.059 Redemption. 00:37:06.260 --> 00:37:07.260 Redemption is having 00:37:07.260 --> 00:37:08.179 to do with the realm 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:09.400 of the slave market. 00:37:11.800 --> 00:37:12.780 Redemption was 00:37:12.780 --> 00:37:15.019 the act of buying 00:37:15.019 --> 00:37:15.780 a slave 00:37:15.780 --> 00:37:17.760 at a ransom price. 00:37:20.159 --> 00:37:21.039 Jesus is not just 00:37:21.039 --> 00:37:21.820 our propitiation, 00:37:22.480 --> 00:37:23.380 He's our redemption. 00:37:25.139 --> 00:37:26.420 When we believed, 00:37:26.740 --> 00:37:27.720 God acted. 00:37:28.820 --> 00:37:30.400 He purchased us 00:37:30.400 --> 00:37:32.179 out of the slavery 00:37:32.179 --> 00:37:32.940 to sin 00:37:32.940 --> 00:37:34.179 and has brought us 00:37:34.179 --> 00:37:35.679 into slavery 00:37:35.679 --> 00:37:36.599 to God. 00:37:36.980 --> 00:37:38.059 Romans chapter 6. 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.240 You know what that means? 00:37:42.179 --> 00:37:42.740 Have you ever seen 00:37:42.740 --> 00:37:43.400 somebody wearing 00:37:43.400 --> 00:37:46.039 property of UW Parkside? 00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:49.000 Redemption means 00:37:49.000 --> 00:37:50.440 you wear 00:37:50.440 --> 00:37:51.860 property of Jesus. 00:37:53.380 --> 00:37:54.480 You belong to Him now. 00:37:55.360 --> 00:37:56.159 And it shows up 00:37:56.159 --> 00:37:56.900 in the way we live 00:37:56.900 --> 00:37:57.519 our lives today. 00:37:58.599 --> 00:37:59.539 The last word 00:37:59.539 --> 00:38:01.300 is the word justification. 00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:02.519 It's in verse 24. 00:38:03.180 --> 00:38:03.539 Do you remember 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:04.420 how both hedonist 00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:05.039 and moralist 00:38:05.039 --> 00:38:06.280 were both without excuse 00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:06.900 because of their 00:38:06.900 --> 00:38:07.660 unrighteousness? 00:38:09.660 --> 00:38:10.440 Justification is 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:10.840 the language 00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:11.600 of the law court. 00:38:13.120 --> 00:38:14.140 To be justified 00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:15.400 is to be legally 00:38:15.400 --> 00:38:16.480 declared righteous 00:38:16.480 --> 00:38:17.420 in God's sight. 00:38:17.620 --> 00:38:18.600 It's forensic. 00:38:19.080 --> 00:38:19.860 It's legal. 00:38:20.860 --> 00:38:21.560 It's a change 00:38:21.560 --> 00:38:22.800 of your legal status. 00:38:23.340 --> 00:38:24.019 So the moment 00:38:24.019 --> 00:38:25.519 you unrighteous 00:38:25.519 --> 00:38:26.300 one believed 00:38:26.300 --> 00:38:27.080 in the gospel, 00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:29.039 cried out to God, 00:38:29.039 --> 00:38:31.219 God now declared 00:38:31.219 --> 00:38:32.639 you righteous 00:38:32.639 --> 00:38:33.779 in His sight. 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:36.039 Not on the basis 00:38:36.039 --> 00:38:36.759 of your righteousness 00:38:36.759 --> 00:38:37.119 though. 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:39.119 On the basis 00:38:39.119 --> 00:38:40.380 of Christ's righteousness. 00:38:40.619 --> 00:38:41.059 The righteousness 00:38:41.059 --> 00:38:41.579 of God. 00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:44.599 Fully imputed 00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:45.420 to you 00:38:45.420 --> 00:38:47.039 forever. 00:38:49.179 --> 00:38:50.000 I'm devoting 00:38:50.000 --> 00:38:51.079 next Sunday's sermon 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.259 to justification 00:38:52.259 --> 00:38:53.460 because it's so important. 00:38:53.599 --> 00:38:54.099 You coming back? 00:38:54.980 --> 00:38:55.800 I can't wait 00:38:55.800 --> 00:38:56.480 to what I'm going to say 00:38:56.480 --> 00:38:57.219 because it's like 00:38:57.219 --> 00:38:57.879 for me too. 00:39:05.939 --> 00:39:07.199 It's all by His grace. 00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.939 Verse 24, 00:39:11.259 --> 00:39:12.439 and are justified 00:39:12.439 --> 00:39:13.419 by His grace 00:39:13.419 --> 00:39:14.019 as a gift. 00:39:15.319 --> 00:39:16.199 You're made righteous 00:39:16.199 --> 00:39:17.159 in God's sight. 00:39:17.679 --> 00:39:18.879 You who are without excuse 00:39:18.879 --> 00:39:20.219 now have an excuse. 00:39:20.819 --> 00:39:22.119 Jesus' righteousness. 00:39:24.179 --> 00:39:24.539 And therefore, 00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.039 you're righteous 00:39:25.039 --> 00:39:25.500 in His sight. 00:39:25.559 --> 00:39:26.279 It's by His grace. 00:39:26.280 --> 00:39:27.460 Think of grace 00:39:27.460 --> 00:39:28.400 as an acronym. 00:39:29.300 --> 00:39:30.700 God's righteousness 00:39:30.700 --> 00:39:33.840 at Christ's expense. 00:39:37.060 --> 00:39:38.220 By His grace. 00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:39.660 It's all good news. 00:39:39.800 --> 00:39:40.380 Propitiation, 00:39:40.519 --> 00:39:40.800 redemption, 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.400 justification. 00:39:42.060 --> 00:39:42.980 These are words 00:39:42.980 --> 00:39:44.220 that are communicating 00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:45.580 gospel truth, 00:39:46.000 --> 00:39:46.860 gospel goodness 00:39:46.860 --> 00:39:47.700 for those 00:39:47.700 --> 00:39:49.019 who've been rescued 00:39:49.019 --> 00:39:50.860 by the gospel. 00:39:50.860 --> 00:39:51.860 gospel. 00:39:51.860 --> 00:39:57.240 And what's amazing 00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:58.559 about all of this 00:39:58.559 --> 00:40:01.460 is that God 00:40:01.460 --> 00:40:02.559 remains just 00:40:02.559 --> 00:40:04.960 in His justifying 00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:05.500 sinners. 00:40:06.700 --> 00:40:07.539 His character 00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:08.220 doesn't change. 00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:11.180 Is this not the 00:40:11.180 --> 00:40:11.720 greatest news 00:40:11.720 --> 00:40:12.500 you've heard all day? 00:40:13.559 --> 00:40:14.700 It's the greatest news 00:40:14.700 --> 00:40:15.120 you're going to hear 00:40:15.120 --> 00:40:15.700 all week. 00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.800 It's the greatest news 00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.180 you're going to hear 00:40:18.180 --> 00:40:18.720 all month, 00:40:18.719 --> 00:40:19.879 all summer, 00:40:19.879 --> 00:40:21.159 all fall, 00:40:21.359 --> 00:40:22.439 all year, 00:40:23.199 --> 00:40:24.819 all life. 00:40:27.739 --> 00:40:29.000 Does it refresh 00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:29.519 your soul? 00:40:29.519 --> 00:40:34.400 The gospel defined. 00:40:34.960 --> 00:40:35.619 It's historic. 00:40:36.019 --> 00:40:36.579 Powerful. 00:40:36.920 --> 00:40:38.920 Our problem elaborated. 00:40:39.300 --> 00:40:40.480 All unrighteous 00:40:40.480 --> 00:40:41.880 hedonists and moralists 00:40:41.880 --> 00:40:42.960 are without excuse 00:40:42.960 --> 00:40:44.420 under God's wrath. 00:40:44.739 --> 00:40:45.840 The gospel applied. 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:47.679 Our God's wrath 00:40:47.679 --> 00:40:48.480 propitiated. 00:40:49.440 --> 00:40:50.159 We have been 00:40:50.159 --> 00:40:51.579 delivered out 00:40:51.579 --> 00:40:52.699 of slavery to sin 00:40:52.699 --> 00:40:53.380 and we have been 00:40:53.380 --> 00:40:54.280 declared righteous 00:40:54.280 --> 00:40:55.840 all by the workings 00:40:55.840 --> 00:40:56.699 of the gospel 00:40:56.699 --> 00:40:57.860 of Jesus Christ. 00:40:57.860 --> 00:40:57.980 Christ. 00:40:59.079 --> 00:41:00.260 It's all focused 00:41:00.260 --> 00:41:00.920 on Him 00:41:00.920 --> 00:41:01.780 and what He's 00:41:01.780 --> 00:41:02.320 accomplished. 00:41:03.440 --> 00:41:04.500 All resulting 00:41:04.500 --> 00:41:05.640 from His life, 00:41:05.740 --> 00:41:05.920 death, 00:41:05.960 --> 00:41:06.519 and resurrection. 00:41:07.599 --> 00:41:08.280 That's why 00:41:08.280 --> 00:41:09.079 no one can boast. 00:41:11.200 --> 00:41:12.340 It's all accomplished 00:41:12.340 --> 00:41:12.880 by Jesus. 00:41:14.099 --> 00:41:14.620 So if you're not 00:41:14.620 --> 00:41:15.640 a Christian in the house, 00:41:17.300 --> 00:41:18.000 have you been 00:41:18.000 --> 00:41:18.700 convinced that 00:41:18.700 --> 00:41:19.700 you are unrighteous? 00:41:21.360 --> 00:41:22.079 That you're 00:41:22.079 --> 00:41:22.860 without excuse? 00:41:23.019 --> 00:41:23.579 That you're under 00:41:23.579 --> 00:41:24.160 God's wrath 00:41:24.160 --> 00:41:25.420 this morning? 00:41:25.420 --> 00:41:28.260 If you've come 00:41:28.260 --> 00:41:29.300 to realize that, 00:41:29.619 --> 00:41:31.159 what is keeping you 00:41:31.159 --> 00:41:32.619 from crying out 00:41:32.619 --> 00:41:33.480 to this just 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:34.440 and loving God 00:41:34.440 --> 00:41:37.820 who will save you 00:41:37.820 --> 00:41:40.039 forever? 00:41:41.480 --> 00:41:42.720 If you're a Christian, 00:41:43.720 --> 00:41:45.820 oh, I hope 00:41:45.820 --> 00:41:46.880 your soul rejoices 00:41:46.880 --> 00:41:47.539 that you've been 00:41:47.539 --> 00:41:49.320 refreshed by remembering 00:41:49.320 --> 00:41:50.420 what God has done 00:41:50.420 --> 00:41:51.639 for you through Christ. 00:41:51.639 --> 00:41:53.359 it's all true 00:41:53.359 --> 00:41:55.000 despite the way 00:41:55.000 --> 00:41:55.539 you feel. 00:41:56.139 --> 00:41:56.359 Do you know 00:41:56.359 --> 00:41:56.960 what I was doing 00:41:56.960 --> 00:41:57.980 at 2 a.m. 00:41:58.019 --> 00:41:58.599 Thursday morning? 00:41:59.559 --> 00:42:00.359 I was walking 00:42:00.359 --> 00:42:00.980 around my neighborhood. 00:42:01.199 --> 00:42:01.719 Do you know why? 00:42:02.420 --> 00:42:03.319 Because I couldn't sleep. 00:42:03.440 --> 00:42:03.940 Do you know why I couldn't? 00:42:04.019 --> 00:42:05.059 Because I was freaking 00:42:05.059 --> 00:42:05.779 out over something. 00:42:06.940 --> 00:42:07.579 And as I'm walking 00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.599 on the back nine 00:42:08.599 --> 00:42:09.420 of my block, 00:42:10.519 --> 00:42:11.759 God brings to mind 00:42:11.759 --> 00:42:12.420 the gospel. 00:42:13.719 --> 00:42:14.079 Mike, 00:42:14.639 --> 00:42:15.639 I've propitiated 00:42:15.639 --> 00:42:16.339 the wrath of God 00:42:16.339 --> 00:42:16.739 for you. 00:42:16.739 --> 00:42:19.939 I've redeemed you 00:42:19.939 --> 00:42:20.659 out of slavery. 00:42:20.959 --> 00:42:22.139 I've justified you. 00:42:22.439 --> 00:42:23.399 And when that sunk 00:42:23.399 --> 00:42:24.479 into my heart, 00:42:24.599 --> 00:42:25.219 do you know what I said? 00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:27.359 I can sleep now. 00:42:28.779 --> 00:42:29.699 And you know what I did? 00:42:30.759 --> 00:42:31.839 I went to sleep. 00:42:34.359 --> 00:42:35.500 We can rejoice 00:42:35.500 --> 00:42:36.739 in this truth 00:42:36.739 --> 00:42:38.619 in the ins and outs 00:42:38.619 --> 00:42:39.359 of life 00:42:39.359 --> 00:42:40.399 because God 00:42:40.399 --> 00:42:41.179 has taken care 00:42:41.179 --> 00:42:42.859 of our greatest problem 00:42:42.859 --> 00:42:46.119 in an amazing fashion. 00:42:46.119 --> 00:42:47.380 One last point. 00:42:48.659 --> 00:42:49.659 Brother, sister, 00:42:50.659 --> 00:42:52.059 are you ashamed 00:42:52.059 --> 00:42:52.699 of this gospel? 00:42:54.539 --> 00:42:56.059 Are you ashamed? 00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:57.659 Are you afraid 00:42:57.659 --> 00:42:58.559 to talk about this? 00:43:00.159 --> 00:43:02.460 This announcement 00:43:02.460 --> 00:43:03.119 of God 00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:04.519 to all humanity 00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:06.639 is the only hope 00:43:06.639 --> 00:43:09.119 for all unrighteous humanity. 00:43:09.579 --> 00:43:10.859 It's their only hope. 00:43:12.139 --> 00:43:13.559 We cannot be ashamed 00:43:13.559 --> 00:43:15.860 because everyone 00:43:15.860 --> 00:43:17.420 must hear. 00:43:18.920 --> 00:43:19.279 And with that, 00:43:19.320 --> 00:43:20.139 I'm going to close you 00:43:20.139 --> 00:43:22.059 in 2 Corinthians 5.20 00:43:22.059 --> 00:43:22.360 where, 00:43:22.480 --> 00:43:23.659 if my memory serves me, 00:43:24.219 --> 00:43:24.860 Paul says, 00:43:25.860 --> 00:43:27.719 we are ambassadors 00:43:27.719 --> 00:43:28.400 of Christ. 00:43:30.320 --> 00:43:30.900 God 00:43:30.900 --> 00:43:32.940 making his appeal 00:43:32.940 --> 00:43:33.699 gospel 00:43:33.699 --> 00:43:35.440 through us. 00:43:36.179 --> 00:43:37.360 Let me pray for us. 00:43:37.360 --> 00:43:39.539 God in heaven, 00:43:39.900 --> 00:43:42.500 you are amazing. 00:43:43.240 --> 00:43:44.280 And what you have done 00:43:44.280 --> 00:43:44.820 for us, 00:43:44.920 --> 00:43:46.320 we are so grateful for. 00:43:46.660 --> 00:43:47.860 Would you cause 00:43:47.860 --> 00:43:48.880 these truths 00:43:48.880 --> 00:43:49.640 to soak 00:43:49.640 --> 00:43:51.240 into the gray matter 00:43:51.240 --> 00:43:53.099 of our brains 00:43:53.099 --> 00:43:54.840 so it permeates 00:43:54.840 --> 00:43:55.660 our life 00:43:55.660 --> 00:43:57.660 with gospel joy? 00:43:58.900 --> 00:43:59.460 God, 00:43:59.539 --> 00:43:59.940 help us 00:43:59.940 --> 00:44:00.960 to live here 00:44:00.960 --> 00:44:02.340 for the rest 00:44:02.340 --> 00:44:02.860 of today 00:44:02.860 --> 00:44:04.280 and this week 00:44:04.280 --> 00:44:05.860 until next week. 00:44:05.860 --> 00:44:06.700 We trust you. 00:44:06.860 --> 00:44:07.240 Thank you, 00:44:07.320 --> 00:44:07.440 God, 00:44:07.500 --> 00:44:08.059 for this word. 00:44:08.160 --> 00:44:08.800 In your name we pray. 00:44:09.000 --> 00:44:09.260 Amen. 00:44:09.260 --> 00:44:09.400 Amen.