WEBVTT

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 Yeah, so over the last few weeks, we've studied many of Jesus' parables, and we know what

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 to expect from them.

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 But today's parable is actually a bit different.

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 Because you see, in all the parables we've looked at so far, we've seen stories with

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 various characters and other things that stand as symbols.

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 We've seen farmers, shepherds, servants, sons, sheep, coins, fields, the list goes on.

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 And all of these had their meanings that could be understood by the people.

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 Time and again, we've heard this phrase, earthly stories with heavenly meanings.

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 And we've seen how they were often understood, even if the hearers didn't like what they were

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 hearing.

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 At the end of the parable of the talents, we read that they knew he had spoken this

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 parable against them.

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 But this time, it's a bit different.

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 Because he doesn't couch it in symbols.

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 Yes, there's a certain drama to how the story's told, but the characters are direct representatives

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 of the people that are sitting there in front of him.

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 Over the last few weeks, we've met these characters many times, sitting there in the crowd.

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 But this time, they themselves are in the story.

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 This time, he's blunt and says it as it is.

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 He doesn't mince his words at all.

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 Our story tonight has two characters in it.

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 And I want us to look at who they were, what they thought of themselves, how they approached

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 God, how they left.

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 And then finally, I want to look at what happened next.

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 And so, let's meet our characters.

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 A Pharisee and a tax collector.

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 And immediately, we've hit a big problem with understanding this passage.

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 If we've been around church for any time at all, we know these characters all too well.

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 We know that Pharisees are villains.

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 And we know that tax collectors come good in the end.

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 We know that Jesus had harsh words for the Pharisees and dined with the tax collectors.

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 But these are Christian New Testament stereotypes.

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 We need to forget about all that if we're to understand the scandal of this passage.

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 This parable hits home because it overturns totally what was expected in first century Judea.

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 Because these two figures would be well known within society.

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 The first, the Pharisee.

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 He's a respected religious leader.

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 He's an honored member of the community.

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 The Pharisees are a religious group who are renowned for their teachings on the law of Moses.

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 And their interpretation of it and application of it to the minutia of everyday life.

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 And they were particularly concerned about ritual purity.

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 About doing everything possible to avoid anything that might make them unclean.

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 Such as the other character.

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 A tax collector.

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 He's a hated and despised traitor.

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 He's one of their own people.

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 But he's collaborating with the occupying Roman forces.

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 He was probably very rich.

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 Because they were notorious for embezzlement.

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 Taking from their own people to give to the authorities.

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 And taking their own cup to line their pockets along the way.

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 It would be very clear to Jesus' original audience.

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 Who was the goody?

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 And who was the baddy in this story?

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 One was respected.

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 The other hated.

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 One gave to the poor.

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 The other stole and exploited.

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 One was considered to be a good man.

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 The other a sinner.

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 So, if that's what society thought about them.

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 What did they think of themselves?

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 Well, the Pharisee.

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 He's proud of himself.

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 And all that he's achieved.

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 He's confident of his status in society.

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 He thinks that his good deeds.

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 His adherence to every last letter of the law.

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 Makes him a good man.

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 And he's careful to avoid anything that might make him unclean.

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 Presumably he's aware that he's not perfect.

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 But he considers that his failings are insignificant.

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 They're totally outweighed by the good things that he does.

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 And because he's so confident in his own status,

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 he looks down on the others that he thinks haven't achieved that level.

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 He's the very definition of the phrase, holier than thou.

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 We read in the first verse of our passage that Jesus is speaking to some who were confident of their own righteousness.

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 And looked down on everyone else.

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 This is exactly who this Pharisee is.

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 So, what about the tax collector?

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 What did he think of himself?

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 Well, he knows that everything they say about him is true.

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 And more.

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 He's painfully aware of how far wrong he has gone.

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 He's reminded about it every day.

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 By the looks people give him.

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 By the muttering behind his back.

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 But even without these things,

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 he knows.

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 We don't know how he got to this position.

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 Presumably he had his reasons.

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 Maybe he'd been in a desperate situation and just needed

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 anything that would pay.

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 Maybe it was just meant to be a temporary thing until something more respectable came along.

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 Or maybe he went into it with eyes wide open.

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 He just wanted money and power and was willing to do whatever he needed to get it.

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 Either way, he's got himself into a position that he can see no way out of.

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 He's comfortable, yeah.

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 He's wealthy.

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 But he's hated.

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 But he's hated.

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 He hates himself.

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 And so, having looked at how both of these characters thought of themselves,

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 how did they come to the temple?

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 How did they approach the worship of God?

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 How they act is completely different.

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 Because what they thought of themselves had a profound influence on how they came to worship God.

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 How that does it?

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 How did they come to?

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 First of all, we see the Pharisee.

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 Confident.

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 Proud.

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 Boldly strolling into the temple.

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 Standing apart from the crowds so that he could be seen.

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 He's putting on a display.

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 Everything he says is about himself.

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 his prayer consists of telling God

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 and anyone that was listening

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 how good he was

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 and in particular how much better he is

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 than that scum over in the corner

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 but he carefully wraps it in the pretense

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 of giving thanks to God

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 but as well as showing how much he thought of himself

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 his attitude here shows how little he thought of God

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 yes he knew that God was good

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 but he had brought God's goodness down to his own level

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 he actually believed that it was possible

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 that he might be impressive to God

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 he'd made God so small

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 that it seemed reasonable to try and impress him

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 rather than just to bow down

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 and worship

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 in contrast to this

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 we see the tax collector

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 he approaches the temple hesitantly

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 he's humble

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 hiding away in a corner

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 looking down at his feet

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 he knows that he's an outcast from society

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 but more than that

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 he knows he is not worthy

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 to come into the presence of God

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 and his prayer

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 is simple

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 God

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 have mercy on me

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 a sinner

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 he confesses his sin

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 and he pleads

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 for mercy

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 he doesn't compare himself

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 with others

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 he doesn't offer any mitigating

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 excuses

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 he doesn't bring up any of the good things

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 that probably he had done

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 anything that might make him look better

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 interestingly he doesn't actually

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 confess specific sins

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 he knows that it's not just

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 he is a good person who has done some wrong things

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 but that his nature

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 and identity

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 is a sinner

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 and he knows that he can do nothing

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 to change this

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 probably over the years he's tried

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 and failed

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 but he realises that his only hope

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 is to fling himself

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 on the mercy

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 of God

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 but if he

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 has a low view

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 of himself

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 he has a very high view

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 of God

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 because he knows

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 that God's goodness

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 is transcendent

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 he knows that he is not someone

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 to be trifled with

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 his reaction is the same as that

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 of anyone who realises

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 who they are

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 and who God is

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 we see this right back in Genesis

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 when Adam says

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 I heard you in the garden

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 and I was afraid

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 because I was naked

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 so I hid

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 or Isaiah

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 when he has his vision of the Lord

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 and cries out

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 woe to me

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 I am ruined

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 for I am a man of unclean lips

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 I live among a people of unclean lips

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 and my eyes have seen the King

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 the Lord Almighty

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 or Peter

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 in the boat

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 when he cries out

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 go away from me Lord

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 I am a sinful man

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 these are the natural reactions

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 of people who have recognised

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 the goodness

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 and holiness

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 and majesty of God

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 and in contrast with that

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 how depraved

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 and broken

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 that they

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 really are

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 and so

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 he approaches God

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 in humility

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 asking for mercy

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 and so

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 having approached in different ways

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 how do our characters leave?

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 well

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 the Pharisee

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 he left exactly the way he came

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 nothing has happened

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 nothing has changed

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 and to be honest

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 he's quite fine with that

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 because

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 he doesn't think he has any need to change

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 he came proud of his status

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 he left proud of his status

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 he came confident in his good works

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 and he left with that confidence unshaken

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 he came with a disdain for others

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 and left with the same prejudice

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 he came with a small view of God

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 and he left with that exact same view

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 he might as well have stayed at home

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 but things are totally different

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 for the tax collector

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 because we read in verse 14

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 that he went home justified

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 he left changed

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 he left a different man

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 because God heard his plea

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 for mercy

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 and forgave his sin

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 it isn't just God's goodness

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 and holiness

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 that is far beyond what we can imagine

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 but also his grace

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 to those who seek his mercy

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 the Pharisee

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 was the one who

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 tried to be careful

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 to avoid anything unclean

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 but it's the tax collector

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 who God declares to be clean

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 and he wasn't just clean

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 because God chose to turn a blind eye

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 to his sin

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 he didn't just brush it under the carpet

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 he dealt with it

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 Jesus' listeners at the time

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 they wouldn't have understood how

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 they knew that God could forgive sins

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 but they didn't yet know

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 how he could

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 but Jesus

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 at this point

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 is on his way to Jerusalem

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 in a few days

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 weeks at most

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 he will die for the sins

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 of the tax collectors

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 for your sins

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 for mine

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 and he'll rise again

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 to offer

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 new life

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 this doesn't mean

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 that there weren't still

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 consequences

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 that the tax collector

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 had to deal with

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 in chapter 19

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 we meet

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 Zacchaeus

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 a real life tax collector

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 who repented

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 and he had a lot of things

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 that he had to put right

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 starting by making restitution

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 to the people

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 that he had cheated

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 but before God

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 his sin

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 was dealt with

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 the guilty verdict

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 hanging over him

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 was gone

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 his status

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 and identity

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 had changed

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 and like we heard

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 about last week

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 there would be much

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 rejoicing

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 in heaven

00:15:10.540 --> 00:15:12.200
 over this sinner

00:15:12.200 --> 00:15:13.600
 repenting

00:15:13.600 --> 00:15:18.080
 but

00:15:18.080 --> 00:15:19.440
 I think

00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.700
 a really important

00:15:20.700 --> 00:15:21.320
 question

00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.960
 for us to

00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.940
 answer here

00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:26.360
 is what happened

00:15:26.360 --> 00:15:26.840
 next

00:15:26.840 --> 00:15:29.259
 what happened

00:15:29.259 --> 00:15:30.100
 to these characters

00:15:30.100 --> 00:15:31.600
 after they had

00:15:31.600 --> 00:15:32.160
 gone home

00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:35.159
 obviously

00:15:35.159 --> 00:15:36.480
 as they were just

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.539
 characters in a story

00:15:37.539 --> 00:15:39.240
 they ceased to exist

00:15:39.240 --> 00:15:40.059
 as soon as the story

00:15:40.059 --> 00:15:40.500
 ended

00:15:40.500 --> 00:15:42.279
 but if they had

00:15:42.279 --> 00:15:43.019
 been real people

00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:45.240
 what might have

00:15:45.240 --> 00:15:45.600
 happened

00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:48.139
 I think

00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:48.799
 this is a really

00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:49.819
 important question

00:15:49.819 --> 00:15:51.019
 to look at

00:15:51.019 --> 00:15:51.439
 because

00:15:51.439 --> 00:15:52.579
 I'm aware

00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:53.159
 that the

00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:54.519
 vast majority

00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:55.519
 of people listening

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:57.639
 quite probably

00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.419
 all of you

00:15:58.419 --> 00:16:00.039
 have already

00:16:00.039 --> 00:16:00.899
 come to God

00:16:00.899 --> 00:16:01.419
 in repentance

00:16:01.419 --> 00:16:01.620
 Christians

00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:03.179
 are already

00:16:03.179 --> 00:16:03.719
 Christians

00:16:03.719 --> 00:16:05.879
 and it's so easy

00:16:05.879 --> 00:16:06.719
 to let a story

00:16:06.719 --> 00:16:07.299
 like this

00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:08.459
 just wash over

00:16:08.459 --> 00:16:08.799
 us

00:16:08.799 --> 00:16:10.179
 we know it

00:16:10.179 --> 00:16:12.819
 so let's go back

00:16:12.819 --> 00:16:13.259
 to our two

00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.740
 characters

00:16:13.740 --> 00:16:15.419
 one last time

00:16:15.419 --> 00:16:18.620
 for the Pharisee

00:16:18.620 --> 00:16:21.019
 life went on

00:16:21.019 --> 00:16:21.519
 as before

00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:23.740
 as we said

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:24.779
 nothing had

00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.439
 changed in his

00:16:25.439 --> 00:16:25.759
 life

00:16:25.759 --> 00:16:27.500
 and quite

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.159
 possibly

00:16:28.159 --> 00:16:29.419
 nothing ever

00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:29.759
 would

00:16:29.759 --> 00:16:32.219
 but

00:16:32.219 --> 00:16:33.279
 in time

00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.959
 who knows

00:16:34.959 --> 00:16:36.879
 the book

00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.279
 of Acts

00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.799
 speaks of

00:16:37.799 --> 00:16:38.199
 believers

00:16:38.199 --> 00:16:39.419
 who belonged

00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:40.439
 to the Pharisees

00:16:40.439 --> 00:16:42.599
 indeed the apostle

00:16:42.599 --> 00:16:43.559
 Paul himself

00:16:43.559 --> 00:16:45.419
 was a Pharisee

00:16:45.419 --> 00:16:47.399
 there was still

00:16:47.399 --> 00:16:47.879
 time

00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:49.299
 for the Pharisee

00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:50.139
 to turn

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:51.079
 and repent

00:16:51.079 --> 00:16:54.620
 so what about

00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.360
 the tax collector

00:16:55.360 --> 00:16:57.299
 could life

00:16:57.299 --> 00:16:57.799
 carry on

00:16:57.799 --> 00:16:58.159
 the same

00:16:58.159 --> 00:16:58.599
 for him

00:16:58.599 --> 00:17:00.679
 he was

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:00.939
 now

00:17:00.939 --> 00:17:02.039
 justified

00:17:02.039 --> 00:17:03.419
 he was

00:17:03.419 --> 00:17:03.759
 righteous

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:04.619
 before God

00:17:04.619 --> 00:17:05.980
 could he

00:17:05.980 --> 00:17:06.460
 just go back

00:17:06.460 --> 00:17:06.859
 to his old

00:17:06.859 --> 00:17:07.180
 life

00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:09.579
 if he was

00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.000
 forgiven

00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:11.879
 did it really

00:17:11.879 --> 00:17:12.259
 matter

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:12.899
 what he did

00:17:12.899 --> 00:17:13.139
 now

00:17:13.139 --> 00:17:15.740
 well Paul

00:17:15.740 --> 00:17:17.599
 that Pharisee

00:17:17.599 --> 00:17:18.399
 turned apostle

00:17:18.399 --> 00:17:19.500
 had something

00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:19.879
 to say

00:17:19.879 --> 00:17:20.440
 on the matter

00:17:20.440 --> 00:17:23.160
 in Romans 6

00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:23.660
 he addresses

00:17:23.660 --> 00:17:24.480
 this exact

00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.000
 question

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.039
 shall we

00:17:26.039 --> 00:17:26.480
 go on

00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:26.860
 sinning

00:17:26.860 --> 00:17:28.100
 and he

00:17:28.100 --> 00:17:28.340
 has a

00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:29.180
 bold answer

00:17:29.180 --> 00:17:30.660
 by no

00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.220
 means

00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.660
 other

00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:33.160
 translations

00:17:33.160 --> 00:17:33.680
 put it

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.259
 of course

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.640
 not

00:17:34.640 --> 00:17:35.900
 absolutely

00:17:35.900 --> 00:17:36.620
 not

00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.299
 or even

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:37.700
 God

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:38.160
 forbid

00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:39.420
 it's

00:17:39.420 --> 00:17:40.220
 completely

00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.220
 inappropriate

00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:42.340
 for him

00:17:42.340 --> 00:17:42.840
 just to

00:17:42.840 --> 00:17:43.259
 continue

00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.840
 living his

00:17:43.840 --> 00:17:44.180
 life

00:17:44.180 --> 00:17:44.779
 the way

00:17:44.779 --> 00:17:45.180
 he had

00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:45.420
 been

00:17:45.420 --> 00:17:47.480
 repentance

00:17:47.480 --> 00:17:48.160
 that doesn't

00:17:48.160 --> 00:17:48.519
 involve

00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.039
 change

00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:50.420
 it's not

00:17:50.420 --> 00:17:50.859
 repentance

00:17:50.859 --> 00:17:51.440
 at all

00:17:51.440 --> 00:17:53.339
 at best

00:17:53.339 --> 00:17:54.420
 it's just

00:17:54.420 --> 00:17:54.980
 remorse

00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:57.740
 and for us

00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:59.940
 who looking

00:17:59.940 --> 00:18:00.339
 back

00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.099
 understand

00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:01.779
 the price

00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.200
 that bought

00:18:02.200 --> 00:18:02.859
 our salvation

00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:04.019
 as we

00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.500
 remembered

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:05.119
 in communion

00:18:05.119 --> 00:18:05.839
 this morning

00:18:05.839 --> 00:18:08.379
 how can we

00:18:08.379 --> 00:18:08.779
 take it

00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.359
 for granted

00:18:09.359 --> 00:18:10.519
 so much

00:18:10.519 --> 00:18:10.779
 that we

00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.259
 can say

00:18:11.259 --> 00:18:12.399
 thank you

00:18:12.399 --> 00:18:12.839
 for paying

00:18:12.839 --> 00:18:13.240
 the price

00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:13.619
 for my

00:18:13.619 --> 00:18:13.879
 sin

00:18:13.879 --> 00:18:14.259
 and

00:18:14.259 --> 00:18:15.399
 oh by the

00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:15.539
 way

00:18:15.539 --> 00:18:15.799
 here's

00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:16.119
 some more

00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:16.359
 for you

00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:16.700
 to deal

00:18:16.700 --> 00:18:17.019
 with

00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:18.980
 it would

00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:19.119
 be

00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.700
 completely

00:18:19.700 --> 00:18:20.759
 unreasonable

00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.639
 for him

00:18:21.639 --> 00:18:22.099
 to just

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.680
 go back

00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.039
 to his

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.579
 old life

00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:26.559
 so does

00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:26.920
 that mean

00:18:26.920 --> 00:18:27.299
 he went

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.639
 on to

00:18:27.639 --> 00:18:27.879
 live a

00:18:27.879 --> 00:18:28.160
 perfect

00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.500
 life

00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:30.200
 that he

00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.440
 never

00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:30.799
 sinned

00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:31.139
 again

00:18:31.139 --> 00:18:33.400
 well

00:18:33.400 --> 00:18:35.139
 Paul again

00:18:35.139 --> 00:18:35.639
 has something

00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.019
 to say

00:18:36.019 --> 00:18:36.460
 about this

00:18:36.460 --> 00:18:36.779
 in just

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.180
 the next

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.599
 chapter

00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.879
 Romans 7

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:40.400
 here he

00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.039
 describes

00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:41.759
 the struggle

00:18:41.759 --> 00:18:42.480
 of warring

00:18:42.480 --> 00:18:43.059
 desires

00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.220
 of warring

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.900
 natures

00:18:44.900 --> 00:18:46.300
 he says

00:18:46.300 --> 00:18:47.080
 what I

00:18:47.080 --> 00:18:47.600
 want to

00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:47.840
 do

00:18:47.840 --> 00:18:48.660
 I do

00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:48.880
 not

00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.200
 do

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.840
 and what

00:18:50.840 --> 00:18:51.480
 I hate

00:18:51.480 --> 00:18:52.420
 I do

00:18:52.420 --> 00:18:54.160
 Paul

00:18:54.160 --> 00:18:54.960
 confesses

00:18:54.960 --> 00:18:55.380
 that he

00:18:55.380 --> 00:18:56.060
 is still

00:18:56.060 --> 00:18:56.940
 totally

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.759
 and utterly

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.380
 needy

00:18:58.380 --> 00:18:58.980
 and dependent

00:18:58.980 --> 00:19:00.759
 he may

00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.100
 have had

00:19:01.100 --> 00:19:01.440
 one of

00:19:01.440 --> 00:19:01.780
 the most

00:19:01.780 --> 00:19:02.220
 dramatic

00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:03.080
 conversions

00:19:03.080 --> 00:19:03.720
 in history

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:05.240
 he may

00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:05.560
 be one

00:19:05.560 --> 00:19:06.000
 of the

00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:06.660
 apostles

00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.220
 with the

00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.560
 biggest

00:19:07.560 --> 00:19:08.259
 influence

00:19:08.259 --> 00:19:09.360
 in spreading

00:19:09.360 --> 00:19:10.340
 the gospel

00:19:10.340 --> 00:19:11.200
 around the

00:19:11.200 --> 00:19:11.440
 world

00:19:11.440 --> 00:19:13.740
 but he

00:19:13.740 --> 00:19:14.299
 is still

00:19:14.299 --> 00:19:15.180
 incapable

00:19:15.180 --> 00:19:16.340
 of living

00:19:16.340 --> 00:19:17.000
 a good

00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.460
 life

00:19:17.460 --> 00:19:18.400
 by his

00:19:18.400 --> 00:19:18.600
 own

00:19:18.600 --> 00:19:19.180
 strength

00:19:19.180 --> 00:19:21.360
 time and

00:19:21.360 --> 00:19:21.720
 again

00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.779
 he finds

00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.080
 that he

00:19:23.080 --> 00:19:23.440
 does

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.180
 the very

00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.620
 things

00:19:24.620 --> 00:19:24.980
 that he

00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:25.420
 hates

00:19:25.420 --> 00:19:28.080
 so has

00:19:28.080 --> 00:19:28.340
 nothing

00:19:28.340 --> 00:19:28.820
 changed

00:19:28.820 --> 00:19:31.380
 are we

00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:32.000
 left still

00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.600
 just trying

00:19:32.600 --> 00:19:33.100
 our best

00:19:33.100 --> 00:19:33.580
 and failing

00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:35.860
 no

00:19:35.860 --> 00:19:38.340
 the biggest

00:19:38.340 --> 00:19:38.799
 thing

00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:39.500
 that has

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.000
 changed

00:19:40.000 --> 00:19:40.720
 is our

00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.240
 identity

00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:44.019
 sinner

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:44.920
 is no

00:19:44.920 --> 00:19:45.400
 longer

00:19:45.400 --> 00:19:45.720
 our

00:19:45.720 --> 00:19:46.200
 identity

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:48.400
 as we

00:19:48.400 --> 00:19:48.660
 sang

00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.079
 earlier

00:19:49.079 --> 00:19:49.859
 we are

00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.180
 now

00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.620
 a

00:19:50.620 --> 00:19:51.099
 redeemed

00:19:51.099 --> 00:19:51.620
 child

00:19:51.620 --> 00:19:52.220
 of God

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.920
 who

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.180
 sins

00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.680
 sometimes

00:19:54.680 --> 00:19:57.039
 it's a

00:19:57.039 --> 00:19:57.380
 subtle

00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:58.859
 but profound

00:19:58.859 --> 00:19:59.599
 difference

00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.779
 because it

00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.359
 completely

00:20:01.359 --> 00:20:01.980
 changes

00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:02.400
 who we

00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:02.640
 are

00:20:02.640 --> 00:20:04.579
 and it

00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:04.920
 changes

00:20:04.920 --> 00:20:05.279
 how we

00:20:05.279 --> 00:20:05.440
 should

00:20:05.440 --> 00:20:05.900
 think of

00:20:05.900 --> 00:20:06.339
 ourselves

00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:07.740
 and

00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.140
 therefore

00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.700
 it

00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:09.099
 changes

00:20:09.099 --> 00:20:10.140
 how we

00:20:10.140 --> 00:20:10.559
 approach

00:20:10.559 --> 00:20:10.940
 God

00:20:10.940 --> 00:20:12.960
 we

00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.360
 still

00:20:13.360 --> 00:20:14.460
 like the

00:20:14.460 --> 00:20:15.160
 tax collector

00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.360
 need to

00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:17.039
 confess our

00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:17.480
 sin to

00:20:17.480 --> 00:20:17.799
 God

00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.920
 both our

00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.320
 general

00:20:20.320 --> 00:20:20.880
 sinfulness

00:20:20.880 --> 00:20:22.380
 and the

00:20:22.380 --> 00:20:22.799
 specific

00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.640
 places where

00:20:23.640 --> 00:20:23.960
 we are

00:20:23.960 --> 00:20:24.380
 aware

00:20:24.380 --> 00:20:25.140
 that we

00:20:25.140 --> 00:20:25.360
 have

00:20:25.360 --> 00:20:25.740
 failed

00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:28.019
 need to

00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.160
 need to

00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:30.960
 confess our

00:20:30.960 --> 00:20:31.480
 weakness

00:20:31.480 --> 00:20:32.099
 and our

00:20:32.099 --> 00:20:32.460
 need

00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:34.500
 to acknowledge

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:34.839
 that we

00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.700
 can't do

00:20:35.700 --> 00:20:36.299
 it on

00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.740
 our own

00:20:36.740 --> 00:20:39.079
 we need

00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:39.559
 to confess

00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.259
 to God

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.579
 that there

00:20:40.579 --> 00:20:41.079
 are sins

00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:41.380
 that we

00:20:41.380 --> 00:20:41.839
 struggle

00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:42.240
 with

00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.200
 and that

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.539
 we need

00:20:43.539 --> 00:20:44.339
 him to

00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.680
 give us

00:20:44.680 --> 00:20:45.480
 the strength

00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.339
 to resist

00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.960
 temptation

00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:48.299
 the strength

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:48.960
 to put to

00:20:48.960 --> 00:20:49.259
 death

00:20:49.259 --> 00:20:49.900
 daily

00:20:49.900 --> 00:20:51.039
 the desires

00:20:51.039 --> 00:20:51.400
 of our

00:20:51.400 --> 00:20:51.660
 sinful

00:20:51.660 --> 00:20:52.079
 nature

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:54.039
 and it

00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.460
 may be

00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:54.759
 that we

00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.079
 need to

00:20:55.079 --> 00:20:55.359
 confess

00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:55.740
 these

00:20:55.740 --> 00:20:56.159
 struggles

00:20:56.159 --> 00:20:56.939
 to our

00:20:56.939 --> 00:20:57.199
 brothers

00:20:57.199 --> 00:20:57.819
 or sisters

00:20:57.819 --> 00:20:58.839
 so they

00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.679
 might help

00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.559
 us in

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.240
 that fight

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:04.220
 but we

00:21:04.220 --> 00:21:04.879
 also need to

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.399
 make sure

00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:06.119
 that we

00:21:06.119 --> 00:21:06.579
 don't get

00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.179
 caught up

00:21:07.179 --> 00:21:07.960
 by the

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.439
 thinking of

00:21:08.439 --> 00:21:09.159
 the Pharisee

00:21:09.159 --> 00:21:11.099
 that doing

00:21:11.099 --> 00:21:11.879
 good things

00:21:11.879 --> 00:21:13.359
 and particularly

00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.019
 doing religious

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.199
 things will

00:21:15.199 --> 00:21:15.720
 somehow

00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.579
 impress

00:21:16.579 --> 00:21:16.980
 God

00:21:16.980 --> 00:21:19.799
 we know

00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.180
 that our

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.720
 salvation

00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.799
 is by

00:21:21.799 --> 00:21:22.259
 grace

00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:22.920
 alone

00:21:22.920 --> 00:21:25.299
 but do we

00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:25.860
 sometimes

00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.920
 feel that

00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:28.400
 maybe

00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:29.160
 going to

00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:29.480
 the prayer

00:21:29.480 --> 00:21:29.920
 meeting

00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:31.299
 reading the

00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:31.620
 Bible

00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:33.420
 listening to

00:21:33.420 --> 00:21:33.920
 some worship

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.559
 music

00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.759
 in some

00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:36.259
 ways

00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.259
 might make

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:37.660
 up for

00:21:37.660 --> 00:21:37.980
 some of

00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:38.299
 our other

00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:38.799
 failings

00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:41.400
 they don't

00:21:41.400 --> 00:21:42.680
 not

00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.680
 at all

00:21:43.680 --> 00:21:45.460
 oh yes

00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:45.819
 they're good

00:21:45.819 --> 00:21:46.279
 things

00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:47.559
 they're

00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:48.019
 things we

00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.359
 should

00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.220
 be doing

00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.779
 they're

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.160
 things that

00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:51.740
 may help

00:21:51.740 --> 00:21:52.500
 us in

00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.059
 the fight

00:21:53.059 --> 00:21:53.799
 and in

00:21:53.799 --> 00:21:55.220
 building and

00:21:55.220 --> 00:21:55.660
 strengthening

00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.539
 our relationship

00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:58.500
 but just

00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:59.299
 as our

00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.799
 salvation

00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.879
 was by

00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.220
 grace

00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.599
 alone

00:22:01.599 --> 00:22:03.480
 so too

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:04.180
 is our

00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.639
 ongoing

00:22:04.639 --> 00:22:05.619
 sanctification

00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:08.859
 but finally

00:22:08.859 --> 00:22:10.000
 we need to

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.899
 rejoice in

00:22:10.899 --> 00:22:11.500
 our salvation

00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.799
 not just

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.599
 grovel in

00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.019
 our sin

00:22:14.019 --> 00:22:15.920
 yes we

00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.220
 need to

00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.680
 be aware

00:22:16.680 --> 00:22:17.000
 of our

00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.240
 sin

00:22:17.240 --> 00:22:18.400
 but it

00:22:18.400 --> 00:22:18.779
 should not

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.240
 drive us

00:22:19.240 --> 00:22:19.880
 to despair

00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.220
 but to

00:22:21.220 --> 00:22:21.660
 worship

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:24.680
 I remember

00:22:24.680 --> 00:22:25.120
 the first

00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:25.920
 time I read

00:22:25.920 --> 00:22:26.960
 the fight

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.759
 by John

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.200
 White

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:30.279
 almost 20

00:22:30.279 --> 00:22:30.820
 years ago

00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:33.120
 one line in

00:22:33.120 --> 00:22:33.480
 the first

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.160
 chapter hit

00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.400
 me

00:22:34.400 --> 00:22:36.620
 he writes

00:22:36.620 --> 00:22:38.200
 you are not

00:22:38.200 --> 00:22:39.080
 given permission

00:22:39.080 --> 00:22:40.279
 to crawl

00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.120
 into God's

00:22:41.120 --> 00:22:41.560
 presence

00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:42.819
 but to

00:22:42.819 --> 00:22:43.539
 approach him

00:22:43.539 --> 00:22:44.099
 with your

00:22:44.099 --> 00:22:44.839
 head held

00:22:44.839 --> 00:22:45.220
 high

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:47.779
 I don't

00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.119
 remember

00:22:48.119 --> 00:22:48.799
 exactly what

00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:49.619
 was going

00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.099
 on in my

00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:50.579
 life at the

00:22:50.579 --> 00:22:50.879
 time

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:52.139
 but I still

00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.859
 remember the

00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.460
 joy that

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.019
 this line

00:22:54.019 --> 00:22:54.500
 brought

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:56.839
 because our

00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.379
 identity

00:22:57.379 --> 00:22:58.740
 is not

00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.419
 that of a

00:22:59.419 --> 00:22:59.639
 sinner

00:22:59.639 --> 00:23:01.639
 but of a

00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.220
 sinner saved

00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:02.899
 by grace

00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.500
 and that is

00:23:03.500 --> 00:23:03.899
 something

00:23:03.899 --> 00:23:05.000
 completely

00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:06.059
 different

00:23:06.059 --> 00:23:09.539
 and so

00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:11.500
 as we

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.839
 come to

00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.319
 an end

00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:14.579
 how have

00:23:14.579 --> 00:23:15.019
 we come

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.879
 to worship

00:23:15.879 --> 00:23:16.299
 God

00:23:16.299 --> 00:23:16.779
 tonight

00:23:16.779 --> 00:23:19.480
 what is

00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:19.839
 our view

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.460
 of ourselves

00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:22.379
 what is

00:23:22.379 --> 00:23:22.779
 our view

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.419
 of God

00:23:23.419 --> 00:23:25.720
 have we

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.519
 come thinking

00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.319
 there is

00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.940
 something that

00:23:27.940 --> 00:23:28.539
 we can bring

00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:28.960
 God

00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:30.519
 that we can

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:31.039
 somehow

00:23:31.039 --> 00:23:32.259
 impress him

00:23:32.259 --> 00:23:34.960
 or have

00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.379
 we come

00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:35.839
 knowing

00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.559
 that we

00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:37.220
 can bring

00:23:37.220 --> 00:23:38.099
 nothing

00:23:38.099 --> 00:23:39.379
 that we

00:23:39.379 --> 00:23:40.139
 are wholly

00:23:40.139 --> 00:23:41.079
 dependent

00:23:41.079 --> 00:23:41.679
 on his

00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.119
 grace

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:43.799
 whether for

00:23:43.799 --> 00:23:44.240
 the first

00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.679
 time

00:23:44.679 --> 00:23:45.519
 or the

00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.079
 thousandth

00:23:46.079 --> 00:23:46.480
 time

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.559
 have we

00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:47.779
 come

00:23:47.779 --> 00:23:48.319
 knowing

00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.839
 our

00:23:48.839 --> 00:23:49.220
 weakness

00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:50.339
 and failure

00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:51.959
 and rejoicing

00:23:51.959 --> 00:23:52.759
 in the

00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.139
 wonder

00:23:53.139 --> 00:23:54.139
 of our

00:23:54.139 --> 00:23:54.679
 salvation

00:23:54.679 --> 00:23:57.639
 just as

00:23:57.639 --> 00:23:58.199
 we finish

00:23:58.199 --> 00:23:58.799
 some

00:23:58.799 --> 00:24:00.159
 lines from

00:24:00.159 --> 00:24:00.639
 a song

00:24:00.639 --> 00:24:02.439
 may I

00:24:02.439 --> 00:24:02.859
 never

00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.879
 lose the

00:24:03.879 --> 00:24:04.259
 wonder

00:24:04.259 --> 00:24:04.759
 wonder

00:24:04.759 --> 00:24:05.920
 the wonder

00:24:05.920 --> 00:24:06.480
 of the

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:06.920
 cross

00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:08.519
 may I

00:24:08.519 --> 00:24:08.920
 see it

00:24:08.920 --> 00:24:09.279
 like the

00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:10.099
 first time

00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.039
 standing

00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.660
 as a

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:11.900
 sinner

00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.599
 lost

00:24:12.599 --> 00:24:14.339
 undone

00:24:14.339 --> 00:24:15.140
 by mercy

00:24:15.140 --> 00:24:16.519
 and left

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.099
 speechless

00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:18.980
 watching

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.879
 wide-eyed

00:24:19.879 --> 00:24:20.259
 at the

00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:20.920
 cost

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.379
 may I

00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:22.720
 never

00:24:22.720 --> 00:24:23.099
 lose

00:24:23.099 --> 00:24:23.279
 the

00:24:23.279 --> 00:24:23.640
 wonder

00:24:23.640 --> 00:24:24.819
 the

00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.180
 wonder

00:24:25.180 --> 00:24:25.980
 of the

00:24:25.980 --> 00:24:26.320
 cross

00:24:26.319 --> 00:24:27.480
 grounds

00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.000
 minus

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.179
 through

00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:29.819
 the

00:24:29.819 --> 00:24:30.259
état

00:24:30.259 --> 00:24:30.599
 of the

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:32.259
 sea

00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.619
 in the

00:24:32.619 --> 00:24:32.679
 Miller

00:24:32.679 --> 00:24:32.899
 Stealth

00:24:32.899 --> 00:24:34.919
 of the

00:24:34.919 --> 00:24:35.899
 verse

00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:36.799
 declined

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.559
 as Dan

00:24:38.179 --> 00:24:39.139
 as

00:24:40.759 --> 00:24:41.159
 Tambor