WEBVTT

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 The scripture reading today comes from Colossians chapter 2 and 3.

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 Please follow along in your bulletin or on the screen.

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 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition,

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 based on the elements of the world rather than Christ.

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 For the entire fullness of God's nature dwells in bodily in Christ,

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 and you have been fulfilled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

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 You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not done with hands,

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 by putting off the body of flesh in the circumcision of Christ,

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 when you were buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him,

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 through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.

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 And when you were dead in trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your flesh,

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 he made you alive with him and forgave us all our trespasses.

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 He erased the certificate of debt with its obligations that was against us and opposed to us

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 and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross.

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 He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly.

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 He triumphed over them in him.

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 Therefore, don't let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink

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 or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day.

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 These are a shadow of what was to come.

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 The substance is Christ.

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 Let no one condemn you by delighting in ascetic practices

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 and a worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm.

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 Such people are inflated by empty notions of their unspiritual mind.

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 He doesn't hold on to the head, from whom the whole body,

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 nourished and held together by its ligaments and tendons,

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 grows with growth from God.

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 If you died with Christ to the elements of this world,

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 why do you live as if you still belong to the world?

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 Why do you submit to regulations?

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 Don't handle, don't taste, don't touch.

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 All these regulations refer to what is destined to perish by being used up.

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 They are human commands and doctrines.

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 Although these have a reputation for wisdom by promoting self-made religion,

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 false humility, and severe treatment of the body,

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 they are not of any value in a curbing self-indulgence.

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 So if you have been raised with Christ,

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 seek the things above, where Christ is,

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 seated at the right hand of God.

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 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

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 For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

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 When Christ, who is your life, appears,

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 then you also will appear with him in glory.

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 Therefore, put to death what belongs to your earthly nature,

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 sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed,

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 which is idolatry.

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 Because of these, God's wrath is coming upon the disobedient,

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 and you once walked in these things when you were living in them.

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 But now, put away all the following,

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 anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.

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 Do not lie to one another,

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 since you have put off the old self with its practices

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 and have put on the new self.

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 You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your creator.

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 In Christ, there is no Greek and Jew,

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 circumcision and uncircumcision,

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 barbarian, Scythian, slave and three,

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 but Christ is all and in all.

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 This is the word of God.

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 Great.

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 Thank you, Christina and Jefferson.

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 Will you join me as we pray?

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 Let's spend a few minutes praying for ourselves

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 and for our city and for our world together.

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 Will you join me?

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 Gracious Father, Lord Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit,

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 we do come before you this morning

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 to have our own hearts ministered to,

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 to set our hearts aright with you,

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 but also, God, to bring you worship and glory,

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 to praise your name,

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 to worship you for who you are.

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 Father, this morning we are reminded

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 that you are the sovereign, glorious God.

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 As Angie reminded us earlier,

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 there is no one like you in all creation, God.

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 You are glorious and majestic,

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 and yet you are also deeply personal.

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 You are close and caring.

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 You are compassionate, God,

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 to the hurts in our hearts

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 and, God, the hurts of our city.

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 Father, thank you that you know our deepest concerns.

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 You know everything about us.

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 You know the fears and the anxieties,

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 and, God, you are concerned about that with us.

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 God, your heart is compassionate towards us.

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 We do praise you for that, Lord.

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 God, thank you that you alone hold these two tensions,

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 your majesty and your mercy,

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 your glory and your grace, God.

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 Where could we find someone like you, God?

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 In all creation, we could go to the ends of the earth, God.

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 We could search for all eternity

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 and not find anybody that comes close

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 to your majesty and your mercy, God.

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 And so we do come before you

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 with such humble hearts

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 and considered incredible privilege

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 to be called your children.

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 Father, this morning we've read,

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 this morning in Colossians,

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 as we ask, God, that it will be true of us.

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 Lord, we pray that as a church

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 and as followers of Jesus,

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 we will not be deceived by human tradition,

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 by human philosophy.

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 We pray, God, that as Colossians has reminded us,

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 we will hold fast to Christ.

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 God, we pray that we won't be sidetracked

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 by the shadows,

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 but we'll come to know deeply, God,

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 the substance of the gospel,

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 which is you, Jesus Christ.

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 We pray, God, that we won't be those

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 that are interested in religion,

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 but miss the person of Jesus.

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 Oh, Christ, we pray,

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 get the gospel deeper into us.

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 God, help us to see and to savor you, Jesus,

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 as our Lord.

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 Help us, God, to apply the gospel

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 to our own hearts and lives, God.

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 Help us, God, to see our sin

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 and yet to revel in the good news of Jesus.

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 God, we really do pray

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 that as a church, Watermark,

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 whatever else happens, God,

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 may one thing be true of us.

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 May the gospel get deeper into us

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 as a church, we pray.

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 Father, come and pray

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 for a move of your spirit amongst us.

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 We pray, revive our hearts, oh God.

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 Lord, where our faith has become dry,

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 oh God, let the water of your spirit

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 come and revive our hearts,

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 the wind of your spirit revive us, God.

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 God, come be at work in our church, we pray,

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 and start with each one of us.

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 Father, this morning, we want to also pray

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 for our city and our world

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 and our neighbors in mainland China

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 as we think of the coronavirus.

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 God, we pray for those that are affected

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 and infected and suffering.

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 We pray for those that are in hospital,

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 those that are at home and are sick.

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 God, we pray for your grace and your mercy

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 to minister to them.

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 Lord, we want to pray for families

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 of those that are suffering,

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 especially over Chinese New Year

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 when families would normally come together.

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 We pray, God, where families are apart

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 or are unable to travel.

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 We pray that you, God,

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 will minister to those families.

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 We pray, God, for the medical staff

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 and for doctors,

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 and especially those in Wuhan

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 that are working so hard

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 many, many hours.

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 God, we pray for their protection.

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 We pray they won't be infected.

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 But we also pray, God,

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 that you just strengthen them,

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 encourage them in this time.

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 We pray for our government officials, God,

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 that you will give them profound wisdom

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 how to handle this.

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 God, put policies in place

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 that will stop the spread,

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 and yet, God, not be harsh and hard.

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 God, may we be a sympathetic people.

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 May we be gracious.

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 And Father, we pray for Christians

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 that as a church,

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 we will move towards the pain.

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 God, we won't just think about ourselves

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 and distance ourselves,

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 but we will move towards those that are hurting,

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 have compassion in our hearts

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 and sympathy and empathy.

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 God, we pray for us.

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 And finally, Father,

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 we pray for this Chinese New Year period.

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 We pray for the Watermark family.

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 We pray as families are traveling around the world,

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 won't you be with each one of us.

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 I pray for good family times

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 around the dining room table,

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 around meals.

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 As we are visiting family,

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 we pray for warm hearts and soft hearts, God.

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 God, we pray that you help us

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 to be salt and light in this time.

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 And Christ, we pray for you to give us opportunities

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 to share the hope of the gospel,

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 the reason for the hope that is within us

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 with our family and our loved ones in this time.

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 Christ, may this be a great time

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 for the gospel to go forward

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 in our homes, in our families,

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 and the various cities of the world

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 as we travel.

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 And so we do, God, bring this weekend before you

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 and ask your spirit to fill us

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 and to lead us and to guide us.

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 We pray these things in your wonderful name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Okay, well, good morning, everybody.

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 Sonny Phylock.

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 I probably said that all horribly wrong,

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 but happy new year.

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 It's great to see a bunch of people

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 and it's great to see some new people,

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 some guests, some visitors.

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 Welcome.

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 Wonderful to have you with us.

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 If you are from out of town

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 and you're visiting Hong Kong at this time,

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 a warm welcome to you

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 and welcome to Watermark.

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 As a church, for the last couple of weeks,

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 we've been exploring what the Bible has to say

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 about the gospel.

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 What is the gospel

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 and what are its implications for our lives?

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 Why is it that as followers of Jesus,

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 we need to make sure that the gospel

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 is front and central in our lives,

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 not just one of 17 priorities in our life,

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 but really front and central.

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 And we've been exploring that for a couple of weeks.

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 And so, so far we've seen that the gospel

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 is God's announcement of good news.

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 It's not just God's good advice

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 about how we should live our lives,

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 even though it does have implications

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 for how we should live our lives.

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 It is God's announcement of his good news

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 that God has done for us,

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 in the person of Jesus,

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 what we could never do for ourselves.

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 Jesus lived the life we should have lived.

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 Jesus died the death that we should have died.

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 God, Jesus went to the cross and died

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 so that when we put our faith in him,

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 our sin is credited to him

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 and we don't bear the consequences for our sin.

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 That's the good news of the gospel.

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 But we've also seen,

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 I've tried to show us the last few weeks,

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 that as followers of Jesus,

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 we constantly need to get the gospel

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 deeper into our own hearts and our own lives.

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 If we're gonna become anything like the people

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 that God is calling us to be,

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 we have to be those that are constantly meditating

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 on the beauty and the wonder of the gospel.

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 And one of the reasons for that

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 is the way that we change as human beings

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 is, or let me put it this way,

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 we will never really change

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 unless we confront the stuff that's in our hearts.

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 Unless we really look at what's in our hearts,

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 what's going on in our lives,

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 what's the motivation behind the fears

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 and the anxieties and the things that we do,

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 unless we really explore the deep recesses of our hearts,

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 we never really change.

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 But the gospel alone gives us a security

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 to be able to do that.

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 The gospel gives us an identity

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 that allows us to really explore

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 what's going on in our hearts

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 without crushing us,

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 without making us feel like failures.

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 And so the gospel gives us the power to change.

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 And then last week we saw Oscar shared with us

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 how the gospel gives us a new identity.

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 2 Corinthians says we are new creations in Christ.

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 The old is gone.

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 The new has come.

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 The gospel gives us a new heart,

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 a new motivation.

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 Jesus doesn't just come and help us to fix our lives up

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 or to make us slightly nicer people.

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 He completely revolutionizes the interior of our lives.

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 And so what this means is that as a church,

00:12:36.800 --> 00:12:39.840
 one of the things that I've been trying to impress upon us

00:12:39.840 --> 00:12:43.080
 is we must get the gospel deeper inside of us.

00:12:43.620 --> 00:12:44.920
 And so I want you to know

00:12:44.920 --> 00:12:47.800
 that that is the prayer that I have prayed for myself

00:12:47.800 --> 00:12:50.440
 and it's the prayer that I've prayed for us as a church

00:12:50.440 --> 00:12:53.180
 more than anything else over the last two years.

00:12:53.700 --> 00:12:56.019
 More than praying God grow us as a church,

00:12:56.280 --> 00:12:57.460
 even though that's not a bad thing.

00:12:57.940 --> 00:13:00.060
 More than God give us more finances,

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.940
 though I have prayed that as well.

00:13:02.379 --> 00:13:04.960
 The one prayer that I've prayed more than anything else

00:13:04.960 --> 00:13:07.100
 is God for Watermark, for me.

00:13:07.920 --> 00:13:10.600
 Help us get the gospel deeper into our hearts.

00:13:11.259 --> 00:13:12.960
 And so prayer, I'm gonna keep on praying for us.

00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:15.480
 Now today I want us to look at

00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:17.960
 how the gospel relates to

00:13:17.960 --> 00:13:23.160
 the moral and ethical commands of the scripture.

00:13:23.740 --> 00:13:23.879
 Okay?

00:13:24.540 --> 00:13:26.340
 So how the gospel, the good news of Jesus,

00:13:26.480 --> 00:13:30.240
 relates to where Jesus calls us to obedience,

00:13:30.360 --> 00:13:31.600
 to follow him and to love him,

00:13:31.700 --> 00:13:33.900
 and to the moral and ethical commands of scripture.

00:13:33.899 --> 00:13:36.679
 Now there's a bunch of ways that we can get it wrong.

00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.279
 Okay?

00:13:37.419 --> 00:13:39.120
 There's two ways that we can get

00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:40.419
 the commands of scripture wrong,

00:13:40.759 --> 00:13:43.860
 but there's a gospel way that is completely different.

00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:45.299
 And I want us to look at that today.

00:13:46.120 --> 00:13:47.860
 Now, and we're gonna do that

00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:49.559
 by looking at the book of Colossians,

00:13:49.699 --> 00:13:50.639
 but we'll get there in a bit.

00:13:50.679 --> 00:13:52.179
 I wanna set up a framework first,

00:13:52.240 --> 00:13:53.720
 and then we're gonna come to Colossians.

00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:57.279
 In the book of Galatians, chapter two,

00:13:57.799 --> 00:13:59.819
 the apostle Paul does an amazing thing.

00:14:00.399 --> 00:14:03.759
 He confronts and he challenges another apostle

00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:07.379
 the apostle Peter over his hypocritical behavior.

00:14:08.100 --> 00:14:10.559
 So Peter, this apostle that walks with Jesus,

00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:13.279
 at one point he's acting one way

00:14:13.279 --> 00:14:14.699
 in front of one group of people.

00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.779
 Then there's another crowd,

00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.840
 and he starts to change his behavior

00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:20.039
 and act a different way.

00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:23.220
 And the apostle Paul calls him out on his behavior.

00:14:24.079 --> 00:14:25.159
 But the interesting thing is,

00:14:25.240 --> 00:14:27.120
 Paul doesn't go to Peter and say,

00:14:27.700 --> 00:14:31.860
 hey Peter, you've broken the Exodus 17 law

00:14:31.860 --> 00:14:33.240
 by acting hypocritical.

00:14:34.240 --> 00:14:35.279
 Paul doesn't go and say,

00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:37.940
 hey Peter, you've just broken the Matthew 23 rule

00:14:37.940 --> 00:14:39.779
 in the Bible by your hypocritical behavior.

00:14:40.299 --> 00:14:43.259
 What does Paul do when he challenges Peter's hypocrisy?

00:14:43.940 --> 00:14:48.220
 He says, Peter, your behavior is not in step

00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:50.860
 or not in line with the gospel.

00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.460
 You see that?

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:54.460
 He could have gone to the Bible and said,

00:14:54.460 --> 00:14:56.120
 look Peter, there's this verse that says,

00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:58.900
 treat your neighbors as yourself, love others.

00:14:58.960 --> 00:15:00.980
 He could have done that, but he doesn't.

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:03.820
 He says, Peter, your behavior, your conduct

00:15:03.820 --> 00:15:06.860
 is offline, is veering off

00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.560
 from the conduct of the gospel.

00:15:09.139 --> 00:15:11.220
 In other words, Paul is saying to Peter,

00:15:11.440 --> 00:15:14.759
 your hypocrisy is not merely a behavior,

00:15:15.280 --> 00:15:16.720
 it's a gospel issue.

00:15:17.660 --> 00:15:18.620
 Okay, does that make sense?

00:15:20.220 --> 00:15:21.360
 Paul challenges Peter,

00:15:21.440 --> 00:15:23.100
 not because Peter's broken the rules,

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.620
 but because there's a disconnect

00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.980
 between Peter's actions

00:15:25.980 --> 00:15:28.180
 and the life that the gospel produces.

00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.759
 And friends, you've got to believe

00:15:30.759 --> 00:15:32.940
 that if that can happen to the apostle Peter,

00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:35.659
 the guy who walked with Jesus for three years,

00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:37.480
 who saw him being crucified,

00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.659
 who saw him being raised from the dead,

00:15:40.139 --> 00:15:42.300
 Peter who preached the gospel on Pentecost

00:15:42.300 --> 00:15:44.259
 and 3,000 people got saved,

00:15:44.600 --> 00:15:46.740
 if Peter can forget the gospel

00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:48.960
 and so his behavior veers off

00:15:48.960 --> 00:15:50.379
 from the conduct of the gospel,

00:15:50.379 --> 00:15:51.840
 friends, you've got to believe

00:15:51.840 --> 00:15:53.679
 that it can happen to you and to I.

00:15:54.600 --> 00:15:56.299
 And so how does our behavior

00:15:56.299 --> 00:15:58.460
 disconnect from the gospel?

00:15:58.580 --> 00:15:59.799
 How do we get it wrong?

00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:02.139
 Well, I'm so glad you've asked that question.

00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.639
 That joke is so old.

00:16:05.679 --> 00:16:06.899
 I've really got to stop saying that.

00:16:06.980 --> 00:16:07.799
 Okay, I'm so sorry.

00:16:08.139 --> 00:16:10.159
 I will try my best to stop saying that.

00:16:11.519 --> 00:16:13.539
 There's two ways that we can get it wrong.

00:16:14.340 --> 00:16:15.840
 I don't know if you've ever been horse riding.

00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:19.620
 Okay, in this rural setting of ours called Hong Kong,

00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:21.080
 we don't have too many horses.

00:16:21.700 --> 00:16:23.780
 The only time I've ever been horse riding,

00:16:23.940 --> 00:16:24.899
 I was in Mongolia.

00:16:25.160 --> 00:16:26.160
 I was 19 years old.

00:16:26.220 --> 00:16:27.580
 I was visiting a friend there

00:16:27.580 --> 00:16:29.040
 and he had some horses

00:16:29.040 --> 00:16:30.620
 and so we're out in the countryside

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:32.540
 and he says, come, let's saddle up

00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:34.500
 and I'll show you how to ride a horse.

00:16:35.200 --> 00:16:36.360
 And so I get on this horse

00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:39.879
 and at first, you know, we are walking slowly

00:16:39.879 --> 00:16:42.960
 and then the horse starts trotting gently

00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.940
 and after five minutes,

00:16:45.040 --> 00:16:48.420
 I can feel myself leaning to the one side

00:16:48.420 --> 00:16:49.620
 and I can still remember,

00:16:50.040 --> 00:16:51.580
 I can still picture remembering,

00:16:52.160 --> 00:16:54.080
 this is not a good thing, right?

00:16:54.540 --> 00:16:55.720
 And so more and more and more

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:57.259
 and after five minutes,

00:16:57.360 --> 00:17:00.600
 I was being dragged on the Mongolian countryside

00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:02.900
 by this runaway horse, okay?

00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.880
 And eventually I let go

00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:09.059
 and my friend holds onto his horse,

00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:11.120
 grabs the other horse's reins

00:17:11.119 --> 00:17:12.819
 and then they split.

00:17:13.359 --> 00:17:14.599
 They go separate ways.

00:17:15.119 --> 00:17:16.359
 And so it pulls him off his horse

00:17:16.359 --> 00:17:17.259
 and he's being dragged

00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.519
 holding onto these two horses

00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:20.319
 across the Mongolian countryside

00:17:20.319 --> 00:17:22.459
 and eventually he reined them in.

00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:26.000
 What were we talking about?

00:17:28.959 --> 00:17:29.819
 This is the point.

00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.559
 This is the point.

00:17:32.179 --> 00:17:33.339
 Like riding a horse

00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:35.859
 or a bicycle without hands, right?

00:17:36.500 --> 00:17:39.059
 You can fall off on two ways, okay?

00:17:39.059 --> 00:17:40.159
 You think you're getting it right

00:17:40.159 --> 00:17:41.079
 and before you know,

00:17:41.179 --> 00:17:41.839
 you're on the ground.

00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:43.359
 You can fall to the left

00:17:43.359 --> 00:17:44.419
 or you can fall to the right.

00:17:45.079 --> 00:17:45.720
 There's two ways

00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:47.000
 that we can get the gospel wrong.

00:17:47.940 --> 00:17:50.720
 Two opposite but equal errors that we make.

00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.399
 The first one is what we could call

00:17:53.399 --> 00:17:56.179
 moralism or performance Christianity.

00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:58.019
 Performance Christianity.

00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.779
 It's where we think that

00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:02.259
 our acceptance of God,

00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:03.759
 or God's acceptance for us,

00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.919
 or God's love for us

00:18:04.919 --> 00:18:06.159
 on theological language,

00:18:06.160 --> 00:18:09.120
 our justification is based upon

00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:11.620
 our moral or our spiritual performance.

00:18:12.040 --> 00:18:14.259
 Essentially how good a Christian you are, okay?

00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:15.860
 So remember this quote

00:18:15.860 --> 00:18:17.620
 from Richard Lovelace a few weeks ago?

00:18:17.820 --> 00:18:18.400
 He said this,

00:18:18.779 --> 00:18:21.259
 most Christians intellectually know

00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:23.240
 in our heads that God accepts us

00:18:23.240 --> 00:18:24.860
 because of what Jesus did on the cross.

00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:28.100
 But in our actual day-to-day existence,

00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:30.840
 most of us rely on our spiritual

00:18:30.840 --> 00:18:32.120
 or moral performance

00:18:32.120 --> 00:18:34.840
 to assure us of God's love and acceptance.

00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:37.159
 Either our spiritual sincerity

00:18:37.159 --> 00:18:39.480
 or our past experience of conversion

00:18:39.480 --> 00:18:41.619
 or our recent religious performance

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:45.199
 or the relative infrequency of conscious sin.

00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.959
 Okay, so I've got some props here.

00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:48.339
 Sorry, I'm not very good at props,

00:18:48.459 --> 00:18:50.359
 but let's see if we can get this going, okay?

00:18:50.740 --> 00:18:52.659
 So this is what Richard Lovelace is saying.

00:18:53.279 --> 00:18:54.699
 For most Christians,

00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.740
 this is what we believe, okay?

00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:58.379
 We believe that,

00:18:58.699 --> 00:18:59.679
 we believe the gospel,

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:02.099
 Jesus died on the cross for our sins,

00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:06.059
 plus my good works,

00:19:06.459 --> 00:19:07.559
 my moral performance,

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.259
 my obedience to Jesus.

00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.819
 And if I can get these two things right,

00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:15.959
 then God will love me and accept me.

00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.139
 Okay?

00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.539
 Does that make sense?

00:19:19.179 --> 00:19:20.099
 So most of us think.

00:19:21.379 --> 00:19:23.959
 Faith in Jesus plus good works

00:19:23.959 --> 00:19:26.359
 or obedience or moral performance

00:19:26.359 --> 00:19:28.819
 leads to my salvation or my acceptance.

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:31.399
 Friends, think about that for a second.

00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:34.039
 How many of us think or feel

00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.639
 that God's love for us

00:19:35.639 --> 00:19:36.980
 or his acceptance of us

00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:39.000
 is based on our recent moral,

00:19:39.500 --> 00:19:40.500
 spiritual performance,

00:19:41.279 --> 00:19:42.579
 our recent lack of sin,

00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:46.480
 or some other thing that we've done for God?

00:19:47.460 --> 00:19:49.200
 Now the problem with this is many.

00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.599
 One of the problems is

00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:53.279
 it makes us insecure about God's love for us, right?

00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:56.039
 Because if our feeling of how much God loves us

00:19:56.039 --> 00:19:57.159
 depends on our performance,

00:19:57.160 --> 00:19:58.500
 or you have a good week,

00:19:58.580 --> 00:20:00.080
 you feel like, yes, God loves me.

00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.779
 You have a bad week,

00:20:01.980 --> 00:20:03.740
 oh, God doesn't love me anymore.

00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:07.620
 We feel insecure about God's love for us.

00:20:07.860 --> 00:20:09.100
 Remember Richard Lovelace said,

00:20:09.540 --> 00:20:10.519
 Christians who are not sure

00:20:10.519 --> 00:20:12.940
 that God loves and accepts us in Jesus,

00:20:13.080 --> 00:20:15.000
 apart from our spiritual performance,

00:20:15.640 --> 00:20:19.320
 are subconsciously radically insecure persons.

00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.660
 But ironically,

00:20:21.120 --> 00:20:23.259
 it also makes us judgmental and arrogant

00:20:23.259 --> 00:20:26.299
 because we cannot help looking down

00:20:26.299 --> 00:20:29.059
 at people that aren't performing as well as us.

00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:31.160
 So I think I'm a pretty good Christian,

00:20:31.339 --> 00:20:33.000
 but I look at my friend Leo there,

00:20:33.160 --> 00:20:34.140
 and shame,

00:20:34.200 --> 00:20:35.259
 he's not doing as well as me,

00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:35.759
 and you know,

00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.799
 I just,

00:20:36.879 --> 00:20:38.579
 I can't help but feel better about myself.

00:20:39.299 --> 00:20:39.819
 But you know what,

00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:41.359
 also when I'm having a bad week

00:20:41.359 --> 00:20:42.920
 and I'm not doing that well,

00:20:43.279 --> 00:20:44.660
 and Leo is suddenly amazing,

00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.379
 he's on stage,

00:20:45.440 --> 00:20:46.220
 and he's leading worship,

00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.299
 what do I do?

00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.879
 I find somebody else

00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:50.359
 that I think I'm doing better at.

00:20:50.440 --> 00:20:51.539
 I cannot help

00:20:51.539 --> 00:20:53.319
 to find somebody lower than me

00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:54.919
 in order to feel better about myself.

00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:57.339
 And so Christians that operate like this

00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:59.159
 are naturally judgmental

00:20:59.159 --> 00:20:59.779
 and arrogant

00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.879
 and bigoted.

00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:03.379
 Here's the third thing it does.

00:21:03.799 --> 00:21:04.919
 It makes us deny

00:21:04.919 --> 00:21:06.319
 and cover up our sin

00:21:06.319 --> 00:21:08.500
 because we just cannot look

00:21:08.500 --> 00:21:10.220
 at what's really going on in our hearts.

00:21:10.559 --> 00:21:11.859
 To look at the real stuff

00:21:11.859 --> 00:21:12.720
 that's going on in our hearts

00:21:12.720 --> 00:21:13.559
 is just too painful.

00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.980
 It makes me feel like a failure.

00:21:14.980 --> 00:21:17.500
 And so I cannot help but cover up

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.240
 and deny

00:21:18.240 --> 00:21:19.920
 or what I tend to do

00:21:19.920 --> 00:21:20.940
 is get defensive

00:21:20.940 --> 00:21:22.799
 or I will admit

00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.460
 to some minor sin,

00:21:24.740 --> 00:21:26.299
 some lesser indiscretion

00:21:26.299 --> 00:21:27.380
 in order to avoid

00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.240
 the real things

00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:29.200
 that's going on in my heart.

00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.740
 Kristen this week

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.779
 reminded me of

00:21:31.779 --> 00:21:33.980
 a pastor a few years ago

00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:36.279
 who was caught embezzling money,

00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:36.599
 right?

00:21:36.660 --> 00:21:37.360
 So taking money

00:21:37.360 --> 00:21:38.299
 from the church coffers

00:21:38.299 --> 00:21:39.980
 and redirecting it

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.099
 to a family business.

00:21:41.880 --> 00:21:43.019
 He was convicted of this

00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.880
 and put in jail.

00:21:43.880 --> 00:21:45.580
 But when he had to face

00:21:45.580 --> 00:21:46.260
 his congregation,

00:21:46.980 --> 00:21:47.900
 this is what he said.

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:48.200
 He said,

00:21:48.300 --> 00:21:49.020
 I'm so sorry

00:21:49.020 --> 00:21:50.620
 if I've caused any hurt

00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.580
 or offense.

00:21:52.560 --> 00:21:52.920
 You see?

00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.440
 It's so much easier

00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:55.920
 to admit to some lesser sinner,

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.120
 I'm sorry if I've hurt you

00:21:57.120 --> 00:21:57.880
 or caused offense,

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.660
 rather than saying,

00:21:59.800 --> 00:22:00.700
 I'm wrong.

00:22:01.180 --> 00:22:02.320
 I shouldn't have done that.

00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.640
 I'm a sinner.

00:22:05.020 --> 00:22:05.400
 Right?

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:08.900
 But the problem is

00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.860
 that when we do that,

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:11.120
 we never really change.

00:22:11.280 --> 00:22:12.460
 In order to really change,

00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:13.060
 we have to be able

00:22:13.060 --> 00:22:14.120
 to look at what's going

00:22:14.120 --> 00:22:14.759
 in our hearts,

00:22:14.840 --> 00:22:15.920
 to have an honest assessment

00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.180
 and bring stuff to the light.

00:22:17.980 --> 00:22:19.000
 But here's the fourth problem

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.460
 with this,

00:22:19.880 --> 00:22:21.120
 is that it blinds us

00:22:21.120 --> 00:22:22.280
 to seeing the reality

00:22:22.280 --> 00:22:23.280
 and the beauty

00:22:23.280 --> 00:22:24.500
 and the majesty

00:22:24.500 --> 00:22:25.800
 of Jesus.

00:22:26.820 --> 00:22:27.560
 That's the problem

00:22:27.560 --> 00:22:28.280
 with the Pharisees,

00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:28.540
 right?

00:22:28.980 --> 00:22:30.100
 Remember the Pharisees?

00:22:30.300 --> 00:22:31.640
 They're always judgmental,

00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:32.680
 they're always arrogant,

00:22:33.080 --> 00:22:34.240
 they're always doing things wrong,

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:35.579
 but the problem is

00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.539
 they never see

00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.539
 the beauty of Jesus.

00:22:38.120 --> 00:22:39.339
 Remember in John chapter 9,

00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.519
 Jesus heals somebody

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.339
 and they say,

00:22:41.559 --> 00:22:43.380
 he must be casting out demons

00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.740
 by satanic power.

00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.299
 Rather than just saying,

00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.339
 man, Jesus,

00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.440
 who are you?

00:22:49.900 --> 00:22:50.640
 Or they say,

00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:52.200
 this man must be a sinner.

00:22:53.059 --> 00:22:54.740
 There's something about Jesus.

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.400
 They cannot see

00:22:56.400 --> 00:22:57.319
 the beauty of Jesus.

00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:57.799
 Friends,

00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:59.019
 when we believe

00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.799
 that God's love

00:22:59.799 --> 00:23:00.740
 and acceptance of us

00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:01.920
 is partly based

00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:03.380
 on how well we perform,

00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.800
 it'll blind us

00:23:04.800 --> 00:23:05.860
 to the beauty of the gospel,

00:23:06.020 --> 00:23:07.100
 to the wonder of Jesus,

00:23:07.240 --> 00:23:07.960
 to the majesty

00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:08.660
 of his grace,

00:23:08.800 --> 00:23:09.580
 to the problem

00:23:09.580 --> 00:23:10.420
 of sin in our lives

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:12.240
 and how glorious he is.

00:23:13.540 --> 00:23:14.400
 That's the problem

00:23:14.400 --> 00:23:15.920
 of performance Christianity.

00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:18.200
 But then there's another side

00:23:18.200 --> 00:23:19.600
 that we can fall off the horse,

00:23:19.680 --> 00:23:19.860
 okay?

00:23:20.080 --> 00:23:21.100
 You don't fall off this side,

00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.400
 you can fall off the other side.

00:23:22.840 --> 00:23:23.920
 And that's what we could call

00:23:23.920 --> 00:23:25.300
 licensed Christianity

00:23:25.300 --> 00:23:26.580
 or relativism.

00:23:27.020 --> 00:23:27.760
 And that says,

00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:29.080
 because we are saved

00:23:29.080 --> 00:23:30.100
 by grace alone,

00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.619
 because Jesus died

00:23:31.619 --> 00:23:32.039
 on the cross

00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:33.500
 to cover our sins,

00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:36.119
 obedience to Jesus,

00:23:36.599 --> 00:23:37.719
 the ethical commands

00:23:37.719 --> 00:23:38.299
 of the scripture

00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:39.399
 are all relative.

00:23:39.919 --> 00:23:40.939
 They're not really important.

00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.159
 Jesus died

00:23:42.159 --> 00:23:43.000
 to cover our sin.

00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:43.579
 It's okay.

00:23:44.159 --> 00:23:45.099
 And so what this is,

00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:47.379
 is faith in Jesus

00:23:47.379 --> 00:23:49.099
 simply means

00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:50.199
 God loves

00:23:50.199 --> 00:23:51.000
 and accepts us

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:52.859
 and who cares

00:23:52.859 --> 00:23:53.519
 about good works

00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:54.439
 or obedience anyway?

00:23:54.819 --> 00:23:56.279
 Because Jesus died

00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:57.240
 to cover our sins,

00:23:57.299 --> 00:23:57.539
 right?

00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.779
 In other words,

00:23:59.180 --> 00:23:59.899
 when we think

00:23:59.899 --> 00:24:00.599
 that the gospel

00:24:00.599 --> 00:24:01.339
 is simply

00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.379
 pray a prayer

00:24:02.379 --> 00:24:03.480
 or put your hand up

00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.099
 and you've got

00:24:04.099 --> 00:24:05.019
 life insurance

00:24:05.019 --> 00:24:06.019
 and fire insurance

00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:06.480
 from hell

00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.399
 and everything's

00:24:07.399 --> 00:24:08.279
 going to be rosy,

00:24:08.960 --> 00:24:09.659
 well you're suddenly

00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.460
 given a license

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.539
 to do whatever you want.

00:24:11.920 --> 00:24:12.519
 You can sin

00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.240
 however you want,

00:24:13.680 --> 00:24:14.240
 you can say

00:24:14.240 --> 00:24:14.879
 whatever you want,

00:24:15.000 --> 00:24:15.759
 live however you want,

00:24:15.839 --> 00:24:16.519
 because Jesus

00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.399
 is some big

00:24:17.399 --> 00:24:19.420
 grandfather in the sky

00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.940
 that just

00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:20.980
 loves to forgive.

00:24:21.500 --> 00:24:22.379
 Remember Voltaire

00:24:22.379 --> 00:24:23.139
 on his deathbed,

00:24:23.220 --> 00:24:24.460
 he supposedly said this,

00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.619
 of course God's

00:24:25.619 --> 00:24:26.180
 going to forgive me.

00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.019
 That's his job,

00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.399
 right?

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.920
 Or some people think

00:24:28.920 --> 00:24:29.839
 I enjoy sinning,

00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:31.079
 God enjoys forgiving sins.

00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:32.019
 This is a good arrangement.

00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:35.279
 But friends,

00:24:35.680 --> 00:24:36.940
 if that's how we think

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.579
 of the gospel,

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:40.379
 there's many problems.

00:24:41.440 --> 00:24:42.399
 One is the problem

00:24:42.399 --> 00:24:43.099
 is it'll again

00:24:43.099 --> 00:24:44.079
 blind us to the beauty

00:24:44.079 --> 00:24:45.159
 and the reality of Jesus,

00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.799
 but the other problem

00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:48.059
 is it'll never deal

00:24:48.059 --> 00:24:49.139
 with the real stuff

00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:50.200
 that's going in our hearts

00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.879
 and we never

00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:52.279
 therefore change.

00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.920
 We never change.

00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.920
 Look at what Paul

00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.920
 says to Peter here.

00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:58.039
 When Peter

00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:59.360
 is acting hypocritically,

00:24:59.900 --> 00:25:00.680
 what does he do?

00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.220
 He calls him out

00:25:02.220 --> 00:25:03.460
 and he says,

00:25:03.640 --> 00:25:03.860
 Peter,

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.800
 you're not walking

00:25:04.800 --> 00:25:06.000
 in step with the gospel.

00:25:06.740 --> 00:25:07.120
 He says,

00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.060
 because the gospel

00:25:08.060 --> 00:25:08.500
 is true,

00:25:08.580 --> 00:25:09.220
 because Jesus

00:25:09.220 --> 00:25:10.200
 died on the cross,

00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:10.840
 the righteous

00:25:10.840 --> 00:25:11.840
 for the unrighteous

00:25:11.840 --> 00:25:12.700
 that he might bring us

00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.120
 to God,

00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:14.560
 this has implications

00:25:14.560 --> 00:25:15.279
 for our lives.

00:25:15.740 --> 00:25:16.779
 How we treat people,

00:25:17.440 --> 00:25:18.279
 how we forgive those

00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.120
 that have hurt us,

00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.900
 whether we fear people,

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:22.779
 what we do with grudges

00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.500
 and unforgiveness

00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.160
 in our hearts,

00:25:24.160 --> 00:25:25.740
 how we handle money

00:25:25.740 --> 00:25:26.420
 and sexuality.

00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:28.860
 There is a gospel conduct

00:25:28.860 --> 00:25:30.140
 which is not the essence

00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:30.820
 of the gospel.

00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.220
 The essence of the gospel

00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:33.580
 is Jesus died on the cross

00:25:33.580 --> 00:25:34.660
 for sinners like me

00:25:34.660 --> 00:25:36.180
 and sinners like you.

00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.080
 That's the essence,

00:25:37.320 --> 00:25:39.660
 but there is a consequence

00:25:39.660 --> 00:25:40.279
 of the gospel

00:25:40.279 --> 00:25:41.820
 which is our conduct.

00:25:42.360 --> 00:25:43.100
 In other words,

00:25:43.279 --> 00:25:44.380
 the life of the Christian

00:25:44.380 --> 00:25:46.259
 looks something like this.

00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.080
 Let's see if I can get

00:25:47.080 --> 00:25:48.040
 this maths right.

00:25:48.160 --> 00:25:49.200
 I was never really good

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:49.580
 at maths,

00:25:49.640 --> 00:25:50.080
 but let's see if I can

00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:50.580
 get this right.

00:25:50.579 --> 00:25:52.679
 The life of the Christian

00:25:52.679 --> 00:25:53.740
 looks something like this.

00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:56.839
 Faith in Jesus Christ

00:25:56.839 --> 00:25:58.619
 leads to our salvation.

00:25:59.639 --> 00:26:00.740
 But our salvation,

00:26:00.939 --> 00:26:02.039
 because it changes us,

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.299
 it gives us a new identity,

00:26:03.559 --> 00:26:04.299
 a new motivation,

00:26:04.480 --> 00:26:05.059
 a new heart,

00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:07.299
 does lead to a new

00:26:07.299 --> 00:26:08.119
 kind of lifestyle,

00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.179
 a good works,

00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:09.919
 an obedience,

00:26:10.059 --> 00:26:11.599
 a morality that is different

00:26:11.599 --> 00:26:12.799
 from our life

00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.619
 apart from Jesus.

00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.839
 Obeying the ethical teachings

00:26:15.839 --> 00:26:16.439
 of the Bible

00:26:16.439 --> 00:26:17.579
 doesn't contribute

00:26:17.579 --> 00:26:19.220
 to your salvation at all.

00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:20.700
 Not one little bit,

00:26:21.299 --> 00:26:22.339
 but it is a consequence

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:24.079
 of loving and trusting Jesus.

00:26:24.740 --> 00:26:25.700
 Obeying the teachings

00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.200
 of Jesus,

00:26:26.380 --> 00:26:27.700
 loving and trusting Him

00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:29.279
 doesn't contribute

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.240
 to God's acceptance

00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:31.559
 of you at all,

00:26:32.220 --> 00:26:33.440
 but it is a consequence

00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:34.420
 that does flow out

00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:35.240
 of God's acceptance

00:26:35.240 --> 00:26:35.660
 for you.

00:26:36.279 --> 00:26:36.579
 Friends,

00:26:36.640 --> 00:26:37.519
 if on the one hand

00:26:37.519 --> 00:26:38.339
 we approach God

00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:39.480
 either out of performance

00:26:39.480 --> 00:26:40.120
 mindset,

00:26:40.620 --> 00:26:41.579
 like I've got to earn

00:26:41.579 --> 00:26:42.279
 God's love

00:26:42.279 --> 00:26:43.819
 by my good moral works,

00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.660
 or if on the other hand

00:26:45.660 --> 00:26:46.559
 we approach God

00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.980
 out of license mindset,

00:26:47.980 --> 00:26:49.160
 anything goes.

00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.339
 I can just sin like I want

00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:51.240
 because who cares?

00:26:51.559 --> 00:26:52.480
 Jesus is coming for it.

00:26:53.279 --> 00:26:54.680
 Both of those problems

00:26:54.680 --> 00:26:55.799
 will rob us

00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:57.640
 of the power of the gospel

00:26:57.640 --> 00:26:59.380
 to change us.

00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:00.860
 Both of those

00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:02.299
 will rob the gospel

00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.960
 of its power

00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.019
 to save us,

00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.519
 but both of those

00:27:05.519 --> 00:27:06.599
 will also rob us

00:27:06.599 --> 00:27:08.140
 of the beauty of Jesus,

00:27:08.860 --> 00:27:10.660
 of the horror of sin

00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.400
 in our lives,

00:27:11.860 --> 00:27:12.620
 of the wonder

00:27:12.620 --> 00:27:13.480
 of what Jesus did

00:27:13.480 --> 00:27:14.440
 on the cross for us.

00:27:14.440 --> 00:27:16.720
 both of those

00:27:16.720 --> 00:27:17.680
 will leave us

00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.880
 with the gospel

00:27:18.880 --> 00:27:19.920
 being irrelevant

00:27:19.920 --> 00:27:21.340
 and powerless

00:27:21.340 --> 00:27:22.900
 in our lives.

00:27:25.840 --> 00:27:27.059
 And that brings us

00:27:27.059 --> 00:27:28.500
 to Colossians chapter 2.

00:27:29.920 --> 00:27:31.460
 In Colossians chapter 2,

00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.400
 the apostle Paul

00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.279
 is going to unpack

00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:33.840
 the gospel

00:27:33.840 --> 00:27:35.220
 and then he's going

00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:36.000
 to show us

00:27:36.000 --> 00:27:37.759
 how both of these errors

00:27:37.759 --> 00:27:38.480
 are wrong

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.720
 and to call us

00:27:39.720 --> 00:27:40.220
 to Jesus.

00:27:40.620 --> 00:27:40.759
 Okay?

00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:42.700
 In the beginning

00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:43.299
 of chapter 2,

00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.079
 he says this.

00:27:44.220 --> 00:27:44.519
 He says,

00:27:44.640 --> 00:27:45.460
 Brothers and sisters,

00:27:45.640 --> 00:27:46.819
 I want you to know

00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:48.279
 how much I have been

00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:49.680
 wrestling and struggling

00:27:49.680 --> 00:27:50.240
 with you

00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.740
 that you may know

00:27:51.740 --> 00:27:52.759
 deeply and be

00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.599
 deeply assured

00:27:53.599 --> 00:27:54.299
 of the hope

00:27:54.299 --> 00:27:54.960
 of the gospel

00:27:54.960 --> 00:27:56.319
 which is Christ in you,

00:27:56.379 --> 00:27:57.059
 the hope of glory.

00:27:57.599 --> 00:27:58.299
 So Paul says,

00:27:58.420 --> 00:27:59.240
 I've been wrestling,

00:27:59.379 --> 00:28:00.200
 I've been struggling

00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:00.900
 in prayer.

00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:02.240
 I've sent Epaphras

00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.039
 from Rome

00:28:03.039 --> 00:28:04.339
 all the way to Colossae.

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.940
 I'm doing everything I can.

00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.220
 I want you to know,

00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:08.220
 brothers and sisters,

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.960
 deeply in your hearts

00:28:09.960 --> 00:28:12.100
 the riches of Christ in you,

00:28:12.380 --> 00:28:13.140
 the hope of glory.

00:28:13.460 --> 00:28:13.600
 Okay?

00:28:13.640 --> 00:28:14.160
 That's what he says

00:28:14.160 --> 00:28:15.660
 in verses 1 to 4.

00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:18.519
 And then in verses 8 to 15,

00:28:18.900 --> 00:28:20.000
 he unpacks

00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.180
 what is this gospel.

00:28:22.100 --> 00:28:22.559
 I don't know

00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:23.259
 if you've ever had

00:28:23.259 --> 00:28:24.700
 friends or family members

00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.980
 visiting you from afar

00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:28.100
 and they open their suitcase

00:28:28.100 --> 00:28:29.240
 and there's a whole lot

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.559
 of goodies and treats inside.

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.319
 Do you know what I mean?

00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.660
 No?

00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:32.940
 Okay.

00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.200
 Last,

00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.019
 about a year ago,

00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:36.980
 my parents-in-law,

00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.700
 Claire's parents,

00:28:37.819 --> 00:28:38.620
 came to visit us

00:28:38.620 --> 00:28:39.140
 for Christmas.

00:28:40.020 --> 00:28:41.680
 And it was Claire's dad's

00:28:41.680 --> 00:28:42.740
 first time in Hong Kong.

00:28:42.880 --> 00:28:43.400
 And so they opened

00:28:43.400 --> 00:28:43.880
 their suitcase

00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:45.500
 and there were all these

00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.580
 treats from South Africa.

00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:47.740
 First thing,

00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:48.900
 rooibos tea.

00:28:49.520 --> 00:28:50.460
 Great South African tea.

00:28:50.600 --> 00:28:50.680
 Okay?

00:28:51.140 --> 00:28:51.920
 Second thing,

00:28:52.280 --> 00:28:52.920
 zoo biscuits.

00:28:53.800 --> 00:28:54.800
 Zoo biscuits are like

00:28:54.800 --> 00:28:56.540
 these wonderful cookies

00:28:56.540 --> 00:28:57.420
 that our kids love.

00:28:57.520 --> 00:28:57.680
 Okay?

00:28:58.560 --> 00:28:59.360
 Third thing,

00:28:59.860 --> 00:29:02.040
 a home-baked Christmas cake.

00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:04.100
 A massive Christmas cake

00:29:04.100 --> 00:29:05.400
 baked by my mother-in-law.

00:29:06.300 --> 00:29:07.160
 The fourth thing,

00:29:07.900 --> 00:29:09.940
 a frozen leg of lamb.

00:29:10.560 --> 00:29:10.740
 Okay?

00:29:11.380 --> 00:29:12.620
 We wanted roast lamb

00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.200
 for Christmas.

00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.280
 They figured it was cheap

00:29:14.280 --> 00:29:14.920
 in South Africa.

00:29:15.540 --> 00:29:16.660
 They put it in their suitcase.

00:29:16.820 --> 00:29:18.360
 Cathay Pacific didn't know

00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:19.040
 they were bringing

00:29:19.040 --> 00:29:20.800
 roast lamb into Hong Kong.

00:29:21.019 --> 00:29:21.280
 Okay?

00:29:22.860 --> 00:29:23.860
 That's kind of what Paul

00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.660
 is going to do now

00:29:24.660 --> 00:29:25.800
 in the next couple of verses.

00:29:26.200 --> 00:29:27.840
 He's opening his gospel suitcase

00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.759
 and he's going to bring out

00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:30.360
 one truth after another

00:29:30.360 --> 00:29:31.980
 of showing these Colossians

00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.920
 what is the gospel

00:29:32.920 --> 00:29:33.980
 and then he's going to show

00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:35.140
 the implications of it.

00:29:35.420 --> 00:29:36.599
 So let's look at what he says.

00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:37.940
 Look at verse 8.

00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.200
 Okay?

00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.960
 He says this in verse 8.

00:29:40.380 --> 00:29:40.559
 Sorry,

00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.640
 can you see the slides?

00:29:41.759 --> 00:29:42.480
 Should I move these things?

00:29:43.140 --> 00:29:44.480
 Okay, let's...

00:29:44.480 --> 00:29:46.660
 You get the point.

00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:46.880
 Okay?

00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.920
 Let's move that out the way.

00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:50.700
 In verse 8,

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.420
 he says this.

00:29:51.920 --> 00:29:52.960
 Be careful

00:29:52.960 --> 00:29:55.180
 that no one takes you captive

00:29:55.180 --> 00:29:57.099
 through human philosophy,

00:29:57.839 --> 00:29:58.779
 empty deceit

00:29:58.779 --> 00:30:00.039
 based on human tradition,

00:30:00.039 --> 00:30:01.480
 based on the elements

00:30:01.480 --> 00:30:02.200
 of this world

00:30:02.200 --> 00:30:03.339
 rather than Christ.

00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:04.379
 So he's saying,

00:30:04.460 --> 00:30:05.099
 brothers and sisters,

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.899
 Watermark Church,

00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:07.259
 make sure that you don't get

00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.619
 veered off the gospel,

00:30:09.039 --> 00:30:10.480
 don't fall off the horse

00:30:10.480 --> 00:30:11.799
 by human tradition

00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.659
 and human philosophy.

00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:14.139
 Make sure that Jesus,

00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.139
 who Christ is,

00:30:15.180 --> 00:30:16.240
 is front and central

00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:16.819
 in your eyes.

00:30:17.500 --> 00:30:18.159
 Then in verse 9,

00:30:18.220 --> 00:30:18.779
 he pulls out

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:19.899
 the first gospel truth

00:30:19.899 --> 00:30:20.500
 out of his bag.

00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:21.259
 Look at what he says.

00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:22.920
 For the entire fullness

00:30:22.920 --> 00:30:23.940
 of God's nature

00:30:23.940 --> 00:30:26.740
 dwells bodily in Christ

00:30:26.740 --> 00:30:29.099
 and you have been filled

00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:29.899
 in Him.

00:30:30.740 --> 00:30:31.839
 So Paul is saying here,

00:30:32.359 --> 00:30:33.680
 a Christian is not just

00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:34.359
 someone who's had

00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:35.159
 their sins forgiven,

00:30:35.420 --> 00:30:36.139
 though that is true.

00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:37.960
 A Christian is not just

00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:39.000
 somebody who one day

00:30:39.000 --> 00:30:40.259
 will get to be with God

00:30:40.259 --> 00:30:40.819
 in glory,

00:30:41.079 --> 00:30:41.920
 though that is true.

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.559
 A Christian is someone

00:30:43.559 --> 00:30:44.779
 who is now spiritually

00:30:44.779 --> 00:30:46.720
 united with God

00:30:46.720 --> 00:30:47.980
 in Christ.

00:30:48.339 --> 00:30:49.420
 There is a fusion

00:30:49.420 --> 00:30:50.359
 that has taken place.

00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.359
 It's like a marriage.

00:30:51.500 --> 00:30:53.159
 The two have become one.

00:30:53.379 --> 00:30:54.240
 Christ is in us

00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.819
 and we are in Christ.

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.359
 Every good promise

00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:59.079
 of the gospel

00:30:59.079 --> 00:31:00.639
 is a result of us

00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:01.539
 being united

00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:02.399
 or fused

00:31:02.399 --> 00:31:03.339
 into Christ.

00:31:03.819 --> 00:31:04.919
 So the reason why

00:31:04.919 --> 00:31:05.539
 as a Christian

00:31:05.539 --> 00:31:06.539
 your sins are forgiven

00:31:06.539 --> 00:31:08.000
 is not just because

00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.099
 God offers this

00:31:09.099 --> 00:31:10.200
 blanket amnesty

00:31:10.200 --> 00:31:10.879
 to anyone.

00:31:11.279 --> 00:31:12.240
 It's not just because

00:31:12.240 --> 00:31:13.359
 God is this kind

00:31:13.359 --> 00:31:14.819
 grandfather in the sky

00:31:14.819 --> 00:31:15.859
 that just loves

00:31:15.859 --> 00:31:17.159
 to dish out forgiveness.

00:31:17.559 --> 00:31:18.319
 It's because

00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.859
 we have been fused

00:31:19.859 --> 00:31:20.639
 and united

00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.379
 with Jesus

00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:22.800
 and what happened

00:31:22.800 --> 00:31:23.300
 to Jesus

00:31:23.300 --> 00:31:24.160
 happens to us.

00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.360
 And so Jesus

00:31:25.360 --> 00:31:26.420
 dies on the cross,

00:31:26.840 --> 00:31:27.740
 pays the penalty

00:31:27.740 --> 00:31:28.360
 for sin,

00:31:28.740 --> 00:31:30.580
 it is finished

00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:31.860
 and that

00:31:31.860 --> 00:31:33.180
 dealing with sin

00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:33.920
 is now credited

00:31:33.920 --> 00:31:34.420
 to us

00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:35.080
 because we are

00:31:35.080 --> 00:31:35.900
 in Christ.

00:31:36.320 --> 00:31:37.520
 The life that Jesus

00:31:37.520 --> 00:31:38.280
 lived is now

00:31:38.280 --> 00:31:38.860
 our life.

00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:40.240
 The death that Jesus

00:31:40.240 --> 00:31:41.560
 died is now credited

00:31:41.560 --> 00:31:42.120
 to us.

00:31:42.640 --> 00:31:43.620
 Jesus' acceptance

00:31:43.620 --> 00:31:44.480
 before the Father

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.700
 is now given to us

00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.320
 because we are

00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:47.200
 in Christ.

00:31:47.820 --> 00:31:48.600
 Christ is in us

00:31:48.600 --> 00:31:49.860
 and we are in Christ.

00:31:50.320 --> 00:31:51.120
 Does that make sense?

00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.400
 Okay.

00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:53.860
 The first gospel truth.

00:31:54.420 --> 00:31:54.980
 Second thing,

00:31:55.060 --> 00:31:55.600
 look where he pulls

00:31:55.600 --> 00:31:56.360
 out his bag here.

00:31:56.760 --> 00:31:57.540
 Look at verse 11.

00:31:58.380 --> 00:31:58.700
 He says,

00:31:58.860 --> 00:31:59.400
 you were also

00:31:59.400 --> 00:32:00.640
 circumcised with him

00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:02.100
 when you were buried

00:32:02.100 --> 00:32:02.660
 with him

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.740
 in baptism.

00:32:04.860 --> 00:32:06.020
 In the New Testament,

00:32:06.520 --> 00:32:07.080
 circumcision

00:32:07.080 --> 00:32:08.680
 is always a picture

00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:10.500
 of cutting off

00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.960
 the old way of life

00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:14.220
 and dealing with it

00:32:14.220 --> 00:32:14.980
 and moving on

00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:16.020
 to a new way of life.

00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:16.560
 Okay?

00:32:16.820 --> 00:32:17.700
 So you cut off

00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.040
 the past way of thinking,

00:32:19.420 --> 00:32:20.120
 old behavior,

00:32:20.420 --> 00:32:21.140
 old way of life,

00:32:21.140 --> 00:32:22.160
 and you're welcomed

00:32:22.160 --> 00:32:23.280
 into a new way of life.

00:32:23.620 --> 00:32:24.420
 It's kind of like

00:32:24.420 --> 00:32:25.440
 the picture of baptism.

00:32:25.820 --> 00:32:26.800
 When you get baptized,

00:32:27.600 --> 00:32:28.780
 you go under the water.

00:32:29.320 --> 00:32:29.680
 Hopefully,

00:32:29.800 --> 00:32:30.259
 we bring you out

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:30.860
 of the water again.

00:32:30.980 --> 00:32:31.740
 You go under the water.

00:32:31.840 --> 00:32:32.300
 It's a picture

00:32:32.300 --> 00:32:33.160
 of your old life

00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:33.900
 being buried.

00:32:34.040 --> 00:32:34.600
 It's dead.

00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:35.440
 And you come out

00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:35.840
 of the water.

00:32:36.620 --> 00:32:37.240
 It's a picture

00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:38.220
 of your new life

00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.759
 in Christ.

00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:40.420
 The old is cut off.

00:32:40.520 --> 00:32:41.380
 It's done away with.

00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:41.980
 It's dead.

00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:42.580
 It's buried.

00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:43.640
 The new life

00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.480
 is given to you

00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.320
 in Christ.

00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.460
 Baptism is a picture

00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:46.860
 of that.

00:32:47.480 --> 00:32:48.320
 Paul is saying

00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:49.420
 this is what happens

00:32:49.420 --> 00:32:50.440
 when you're born again

00:32:50.440 --> 00:32:51.019
 in the gospel.

00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:52.500
 Your old way of life,

00:32:52.960 --> 00:32:53.759
 your old self,

00:32:54.220 --> 00:32:55.640
 with its selfish motivations,

00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:56.220
 ambitions,

00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.220
 and passes away,

00:32:57.600 --> 00:32:58.660
 your old way of living

00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.440
 for yourself,

00:32:59.580 --> 00:33:00.279
 by yourself,

00:33:00.500 --> 00:33:01.300
 with your only hope

00:33:01.300 --> 00:33:02.060
 being in yourself,

00:33:02.279 --> 00:33:03.220
 that has died.

00:33:03.320 --> 00:33:04.200
 It's been cut off.

00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:05.220
 It is buried.

00:33:05.360 --> 00:33:06.080
 And now you're given

00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:06.860
 a new identity

00:33:06.860 --> 00:33:07.940
 in Christ.

00:33:08.600 --> 00:33:09.200
 This is what Oscar

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:10.340
 was telling us last week.

00:33:10.820 --> 00:33:11.820
 If anyone is in Christ,

00:33:11.900 --> 00:33:12.960
 he is a new creation.

00:33:13.120 --> 00:33:14.060
 The old has gone.

00:33:14.599 --> 00:33:15.519
 The new has come.

00:33:16.379 --> 00:33:17.179
 It's kind of like,

00:33:17.240 --> 00:33:17.759
 and this is not

00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.500
 a great analogy,

00:33:18.659 --> 00:33:19.220
 so work with me

00:33:19.220 --> 00:33:19.679
 for a second.

00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:21.220
 Just imagine,

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:23.419
 your father

00:33:23.419 --> 00:33:25.679
 has got an old car.

00:33:26.119 --> 00:33:26.299
 Okay?

00:33:26.659 --> 00:33:29.259
 An old blue Toyota van.

00:33:29.659 --> 00:33:30.019
 Burn it.

00:33:31.639 --> 00:33:31.960
 Okay?

00:33:32.339 --> 00:33:33.079
 You've got an old car.

00:33:33.179 --> 00:33:34.299
 And it's always

00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.419
 costing money.

00:33:35.639 --> 00:33:36.099
 It's always

00:33:36.099 --> 00:33:37.059
 breaking down.

00:33:37.500 --> 00:33:38.720
 The seats are torn.

00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.779
 The steering wheel

00:33:39.779 --> 00:33:40.859
 is a little bit dodgy.

00:33:41.679 --> 00:33:42.700
 And your father's

00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.379
 got this old car,

00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:44.160
 and he's always

00:33:44.160 --> 00:33:45.080
 late for meetings

00:33:45.080 --> 00:33:46.140
 because he's breaking down

00:33:46.140 --> 00:33:47.220
 on the side of the road.

00:33:47.800 --> 00:33:48.820
 And you get given

00:33:48.820 --> 00:33:49.740
 this massive bonus

00:33:49.740 --> 00:33:50.880
 at work one day,

00:33:51.020 --> 00:33:51.720
 and so you decide,

00:33:51.860 --> 00:33:52.620
 I'm going to buy

00:33:52.620 --> 00:33:53.780
 my dad a new car.

00:33:54.180 --> 00:33:54.340
 Okay?

00:33:55.480 --> 00:33:55.880
 Finally.

00:33:56.640 --> 00:33:57.540
 So you go to your dad.

00:33:57.660 --> 00:33:59.300
 Dad, he has a brand new Tesla.

00:33:59.440 --> 00:34:00.180
 Out of the box.

00:34:00.360 --> 00:34:01.580
 Brand spanking new.

00:34:01.960 --> 00:34:02.640
 And your dad

00:34:02.640 --> 00:34:03.360
 is so grateful.

00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.440
 He's so pleased.

00:34:04.580 --> 00:34:05.400
 Thank you so much.

00:34:06.060 --> 00:34:06.840
 A month later,

00:34:07.380 --> 00:34:08.240
 you're driving

00:34:08.240 --> 00:34:09.220
 down the road,

00:34:09.640 --> 00:34:10.200
 and you see

00:34:10.200 --> 00:34:12.240
 this old blue van

00:34:12.239 --> 00:34:13.599
 with its hood up

00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.939
 on the side of the road,

00:34:15.000 --> 00:34:15.659
 and your dad

00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:16.839
 is peering into the hood

00:34:16.839 --> 00:34:18.099
 looking at what's wrong

00:34:18.099 --> 00:34:19.159
 with his broken car.

00:34:19.879 --> 00:34:20.739
 And so you pull over

00:34:20.739 --> 00:34:21.079
 and you say,

00:34:21.159 --> 00:34:22.419
 Dad, what's up with this car?

00:34:22.739 --> 00:34:23.659
 Where's your Tesla

00:34:23.659 --> 00:34:24.939
 that I gave you?

00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.039
 And he says,

00:34:26.099 --> 00:34:26.500
 No, no.

00:34:26.599 --> 00:34:27.639
 Thank you so much

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.159
 for the gift.

00:34:28.519 --> 00:34:29.619
 I took out the seats

00:34:29.619 --> 00:34:30.659
 and I've put them in here.

00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.419
 I took out the steering wheel

00:34:32.419 --> 00:34:32.979
 from the Tesla

00:34:32.979 --> 00:34:34.000
 and I've put it in my car.

00:34:34.239 --> 00:34:35.019
 It is so much

00:34:35.019 --> 00:34:35.619
 more comfortable.

00:34:35.859 --> 00:34:36.759
 Thank you for making

00:34:36.760 --> 00:34:38.260
 my blue Toyota

00:34:38.260 --> 00:34:39.740
 so much more comfortable.

00:34:40.040 --> 00:34:41.760
 If only I can fix the engine,

00:34:42.060 --> 00:34:43.780
 it drives so much nicer now.

00:34:44.360 --> 00:34:45.380
 Does that make sense?

00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:47.440
 That would be crazy, right?

00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:48.800
 Friends,

00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:50.100
 Jesus doesn't come

00:34:50.100 --> 00:34:51.480
 to just help us

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.520
 improve our lives.

00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.720
 Jesus didn't come

00:34:53.720 --> 00:34:54.260
 just to give us

00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:55.020
 new car seats

00:34:55.020 --> 00:34:55.820
 or to make our lives

00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.680
 slightly better.

00:34:57.400 --> 00:34:57.980
 Jesus says,

00:34:58.100 --> 00:34:59.300
 The old is gone.

00:34:59.860 --> 00:35:01.020
 You've been circumcised

00:35:01.020 --> 00:35:01.400
 in Christ.

00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:02.300
 You've been buried

00:35:02.300 --> 00:35:02.940
 in baptism.

00:35:03.100 --> 00:35:03.640
 The old life

00:35:03.640 --> 00:35:04.460
 is thrown away.

00:35:04.980 --> 00:35:05.600
 He has given you

00:35:05.600 --> 00:35:06.360
 a new life

00:35:06.360 --> 00:35:07.740
 in Christ.

00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:08.740
 Friends,

00:35:08.980 --> 00:35:11.519
 because the gospel

00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:12.640
 gives us a new heart,

00:35:12.860 --> 00:35:13.680
 a new motivation,

00:35:14.180 --> 00:35:15.519
 that means that we will

00:35:15.519 --> 00:35:16.960
 act and behave differently.

00:35:17.440 --> 00:35:18.740
 We will fear people less.

00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:19.740
 We will love

00:35:19.740 --> 00:35:20.599
 our enemies more.

00:35:21.340 --> 00:35:22.120
 We will give away

00:35:22.120 --> 00:35:22.579
 more money.

00:35:23.140 --> 00:35:24.079
 We will love our wives

00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.720
 and our children.

00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:26.059
 But these things

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:27.420
 are done as a consequence

00:35:27.420 --> 00:35:28.519
 of God's love

00:35:28.519 --> 00:35:29.079
 and acceptance

00:35:29.079 --> 00:35:30.240
 melting and shaping

00:35:30.240 --> 00:35:30.780
 our hearts,

00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:32.280
 not in order to try

00:35:32.280 --> 00:35:33.360
 and earn God's love

00:35:33.360 --> 00:35:33.900
 and acceptance.

00:35:35.280 --> 00:35:36.079
 Look at the third thing

00:35:36.079 --> 00:35:36.960
 Paul pulls out

00:35:36.960 --> 00:35:37.519
 of his bag.

00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.480
 He says this,

00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:39.139
 verse 13,

00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:40.159
 Previously,

00:35:40.420 --> 00:35:41.159
 because of our sin,

00:35:41.559 --> 00:35:42.539
 we were dead

00:35:42.539 --> 00:35:43.519
 in trespasses,

00:35:43.860 --> 00:35:44.900
 but now he has made

00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:46.279
 us alive with Christ

00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:47.319
 for giving us

00:35:47.319 --> 00:35:47.860
 our sins.

00:35:48.900 --> 00:35:49.920
 When the Bible says

00:35:49.920 --> 00:35:51.099
 that apart from God,

00:35:51.219 --> 00:35:51.840
 we are dead

00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.639
 in our sins,

00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:56.119
 that doesn't mean,

00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:56.699
 he's not talking

00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:58.059
 about physical inability.

00:35:58.440 --> 00:35:59.000
 It's not like

00:35:59.000 --> 00:36:00.139
 half of your cells

00:36:00.139 --> 00:36:00.639
 in your body

00:36:00.639 --> 00:36:01.119
 are dead

00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.799
 and then you become

00:36:01.799 --> 00:36:02.279
 a Christian

00:36:02.279 --> 00:36:02.980
 and your cells

00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.460
 wake up

00:36:03.460 --> 00:36:04.079
 and come alive.

00:36:04.760 --> 00:36:05.340
 He's not talking

00:36:05.340 --> 00:36:06.840
 about mental incapacity.

00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:08.280
 Your brain is half dead

00:36:08.280 --> 00:36:08.780
 but you become

00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.220
 a Christian

00:36:09.220 --> 00:36:10.059
 and suddenly you can

00:36:10.059 --> 00:36:11.559
 think new thoughts.

00:36:12.220 --> 00:36:12.780
 He's not talking

00:36:12.780 --> 00:36:13.820
 about personality,

00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.460
 even though some people

00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:16.760
 maybe do need

00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:18.340
 a fresh personality

00:36:18.340 --> 00:36:18.820
 awakening.

00:36:19.619 --> 00:36:20.619
 What he's talking

00:36:20.619 --> 00:36:21.940
 about is that

00:36:21.940 --> 00:36:23.059
 the most important

00:36:23.059 --> 00:36:24.460
 part of our lives,

00:36:24.820 --> 00:36:25.900
 our relationship

00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:26.619
 with God,

00:36:26.780 --> 00:36:27.539
 our heart,

00:36:27.720 --> 00:36:28.720
 and knowing God

00:36:28.720 --> 00:36:29.619
 and walking with Him

00:36:29.619 --> 00:36:30.880
 is dead,

00:36:31.059 --> 00:36:31.780
 spiritually dead.

00:36:31.780 --> 00:36:33.060
 We are dead to God

00:36:33.060 --> 00:36:34.019
 and God is dead

00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.280
 to us spiritually.

00:36:36.500 --> 00:36:37.900
 We are blind

00:36:37.900 --> 00:36:38.980
 to the glory of Jesus,

00:36:39.440 --> 00:36:40.260
 deaf to the voice

00:36:40.260 --> 00:36:40.860
 of His Spirit.

00:36:41.019 --> 00:36:41.840
 We have no love

00:36:41.840 --> 00:36:42.240
 for God,

00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:43.019
 no awareness

00:36:43.019 --> 00:36:43.820
 of His presence,

00:36:43.980 --> 00:36:45.100
 no conviction of sin,

00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.840
 no longing to please Him

00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.340
 and know Him.

00:36:47.440 --> 00:36:48.260
 That's our state

00:36:48.260 --> 00:36:49.800
 outside of Christ.

00:36:50.500 --> 00:36:51.420
 But in the Gospels

00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.840
 we see God reaches

00:36:52.840 --> 00:36:53.760
 into the deepest

00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:54.740
 and the most fundamental

00:36:54.740 --> 00:36:56.019
 part of our lives

00:36:56.019 --> 00:36:56.580
 and our hearts

00:36:56.580 --> 00:36:57.560
 and He breathes

00:36:57.560 --> 00:36:58.680
 fresh life into us.

00:36:59.000 --> 00:37:00.140
 He pours His love

00:37:00.140 --> 00:37:00.840
 into our hearts

00:37:00.840 --> 00:37:01.740
 that causes

00:37:01.740 --> 00:37:02.640
 the deepest part

00:37:02.640 --> 00:37:04.000
 of us to come alive,

00:37:04.240 --> 00:37:05.220
 to know God

00:37:05.220 --> 00:37:05.940
 and to love Him,

00:37:06.039 --> 00:37:06.660
 to trust Him

00:37:06.660 --> 00:37:07.480
 and to walk with Him

00:37:07.480 --> 00:37:08.380
 and to obey Him.

00:37:08.860 --> 00:37:09.740
 And that, friends,

00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:10.620
 changes everything.

00:37:11.240 --> 00:37:11.960
 It changes the way

00:37:11.960 --> 00:37:12.820
 we relate to people.

00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.240
 It changes the way

00:37:14.240 --> 00:37:15.260
 we handle success

00:37:15.260 --> 00:37:16.640
 but it also changes

00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:17.240
 the way we handle

00:37:17.240 --> 00:37:18.059
 disappointments.

00:37:18.760 --> 00:37:19.860
 It frees us up

00:37:19.860 --> 00:37:21.019
 to love and serve people

00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:21.700
 without strings

00:37:21.700 --> 00:37:22.320
 being attached.

00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.500
 It allows us

00:37:23.500 --> 00:37:24.579
 to give of our time

00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:25.280
 and our lives

00:37:25.280 --> 00:37:26.780
 but not in order

00:37:26.780 --> 00:37:28.160
 to receive God's love

00:37:28.160 --> 00:37:29.820
 but because we have

00:37:29.820 --> 00:37:30.620
 received it.

00:37:31.619 --> 00:37:32.799
 Look at the final thing

00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.239
 that He says

00:37:33.239 --> 00:37:34.759
 in verse 14 and 15.

00:37:35.359 --> 00:37:37.139
 This is the roast leg of lamb.

00:37:37.279 --> 00:37:38.099
 This is the big one.

00:37:38.799 --> 00:37:39.460
 He says,

00:37:40.139 --> 00:37:41.000
 all of this

00:37:41.000 --> 00:37:42.239
 is because Jesus

00:37:42.239 --> 00:37:43.219
 died on the cross

00:37:43.219 --> 00:37:44.480
 to take our sin,

00:37:44.940 --> 00:37:46.380
 our record of death,

00:37:46.779 --> 00:37:48.059
 He took it to the cross,

00:37:48.339 --> 00:37:50.139
 He nailed it to the cross

00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:51.799
 and He left it there.

00:37:52.699 --> 00:37:53.119
 Friends,

00:37:53.219 --> 00:37:54.400
 the record of death

00:37:54.400 --> 00:37:55.199
 in my life,

00:37:55.299 --> 00:37:55.920
 my sin,

00:37:56.079 --> 00:37:56.739
 has been nailed

00:37:56.739 --> 00:37:57.440
 to the cross

00:37:57.440 --> 00:37:58.960
 and is left there

00:37:58.960 --> 00:37:59.920
 no longer

00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:00.500
 to be held

00:38:00.500 --> 00:38:01.300
 against me.

00:38:02.039 --> 00:38:03.019
 Remember that old hymn?

00:38:03.519 --> 00:38:04.420
 He took my sins

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:05.159
 and my sorrows,

00:38:05.460 --> 00:38:06.200
 He made them

00:38:06.200 --> 00:38:06.980
 His very own,

00:38:07.460 --> 00:38:08.460
 He bore the burden

00:38:08.460 --> 00:38:09.179
 to Calvary

00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:09.760
 and suffered

00:38:09.760 --> 00:38:10.860
 and died alone.

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:12.320
 How marvelous,

00:38:12.579 --> 00:38:13.159
 how wonderful

00:38:13.159 --> 00:38:14.340
 our song shall ever be.

00:38:14.840 --> 00:38:15.500
 How marvelous,

00:38:15.679 --> 00:38:16.240
 how wonderful

00:38:16.240 --> 00:38:18.039
 is my Savior's love

00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.440
 for me.

00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:19.400
 Friends,

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.240
 that's the wonder

00:38:20.240 --> 00:38:21.480
 of what Jesus did

00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.099
 on the cross.

00:38:22.099 --> 00:38:24.179
 He died for sinners

00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:25.000
 like you and I

00:38:25.000 --> 00:38:26.159
 to welcome us

00:38:26.159 --> 00:38:26.860
 into His family.

00:38:28.619 --> 00:38:29.019
 Now,

00:38:30.539 --> 00:38:31.900
 we're going to wrap up soon.

00:38:33.759 --> 00:38:34.779
 Paul then goes

00:38:34.779 --> 00:38:36.360
 in the rest of chapter 2 and 3

00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:37.480
 and actually the rest

00:38:37.480 --> 00:38:38.119
 of Colossians,

00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:40.099
 he unpacks the implications

00:38:40.099 --> 00:38:40.639
 for this.

00:38:41.360 --> 00:38:42.319
 What are the implications?

00:38:42.519 --> 00:38:43.079
 There's many,

00:38:43.179 --> 00:38:44.279
 but I want us just to focus

00:38:44.279 --> 00:38:44.960
 on two of them.

00:38:45.559 --> 00:38:46.619
 The first implication

00:38:46.619 --> 00:38:47.039
 is this,

00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:48.559
 because of the gospel,

00:38:49.480 --> 00:38:51.500
 forsake performance

00:38:51.500 --> 00:38:52.139
 Christianity.

00:38:52.500 --> 00:38:53.739
 Don't fall off the horse.

00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.480
 Because of the gospel,

00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:57.559
 get rid of performance

00:38:57.559 --> 00:38:58.099
 Christianity,

00:38:58.719 --> 00:38:59.739
 get rid of

00:38:59.739 --> 00:39:02.320
 dead religious rituals.

00:39:02.440 --> 00:39:03.420
 Look at how he says this

00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:04.800
 in verse 16.

00:39:05.380 --> 00:39:05.699
 He says,

00:39:05.940 --> 00:39:06.559
 because of the truth

00:39:06.559 --> 00:39:07.059
 of the gospel,

00:39:07.199 --> 00:39:08.059
 because you've died

00:39:08.059 --> 00:39:08.539
 with Christ,

00:39:08.639 --> 00:39:09.059
 because you've been

00:39:09.059 --> 00:39:09.940
 raised with Christ,

00:39:10.059 --> 00:39:10.559
 because you've been

00:39:10.559 --> 00:39:11.559
 given a new identity

00:39:11.559 --> 00:39:12.039
 in Christ,

00:39:12.380 --> 00:39:13.260
 because your record

00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:14.340
 of sin has been

00:39:14.340 --> 00:39:15.320
 nailed to the cross,

00:39:15.420 --> 00:39:16.320
 because of what

00:39:16.320 --> 00:39:17.280
 Jesus did for us,

00:39:17.360 --> 00:39:17.679
 therefore,

00:39:17.920 --> 00:39:18.559
 verse 16,

00:39:19.380 --> 00:39:20.340
 do not let anyone

00:39:20.340 --> 00:39:21.119
 judge you

00:39:21.119 --> 00:39:21.980
 with regard

00:39:21.980 --> 00:39:23.019
 to food and drink

00:39:23.019 --> 00:39:24.119
 on the matter

00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:24.819
 of a festival

00:39:24.819 --> 00:39:25.599
 or a new moon

00:39:25.599 --> 00:39:26.159
 or a Sabbath.

00:39:26.679 --> 00:39:27.359
 These things

00:39:27.359 --> 00:39:28.299
 are just a shadow

00:39:28.299 --> 00:39:29.259
 of what is to come,

00:39:29.579 --> 00:39:30.639
 but the substance,

00:39:30.799 --> 00:39:31.420
 the reality,

00:39:31.599 --> 00:39:32.299
 is Christ.

00:39:32.839 --> 00:39:33.719
 So what's happening here

00:39:33.719 --> 00:39:34.819
 is some people

00:39:34.819 --> 00:39:35.759
 are coming to the church

00:39:35.759 --> 00:39:36.279
 and they're saying,

00:39:36.779 --> 00:39:37.559
 oh, you're a Christian.

00:39:37.900 --> 00:39:38.500
 That's good.

00:39:39.019 --> 00:39:40.239
 Well, because you're a Christian,

00:39:40.599 --> 00:39:41.900
 that means that,

00:39:42.099 --> 00:39:42.279
 you know,

00:39:42.359 --> 00:39:43.759
 you better not do this,

00:39:43.839 --> 00:39:44.839
 you better eat this food,

00:39:45.159 --> 00:39:46.059
 not eat that food,

00:39:46.440 --> 00:39:47.179
 you've got to drink this,

00:39:47.259 --> 00:39:47.980
 don't drink that.

00:39:48.480 --> 00:39:49.300
 You have to go

00:39:49.300 --> 00:39:50.019
 to that festival

00:39:50.019 --> 00:39:51.280
 and observe that Sabbath.

00:39:51.780 --> 00:39:52.599
 There are all these

00:39:52.599 --> 00:39:53.820
 religious rituals

00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.440
 that are now

00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:55.579
 putting on top of them

00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:55.980
 to saying,

00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:57.219
 if you really want God

00:39:57.219 --> 00:39:57.900
 to love you

00:39:57.900 --> 00:39:58.599
 and accept you,

00:39:58.880 --> 00:39:59.400
 you're going to have

00:39:59.400 --> 00:40:00.280
 to do all these rituals

00:40:00.280 --> 00:40:00.719
 as well.

00:40:01.320 --> 00:40:02.039
 And Paul says,

00:40:02.380 --> 00:40:03.179
 you're in Christ.

00:40:03.699 --> 00:40:04.199
 Those things

00:40:04.199 --> 00:40:04.980
 are just a shadow.

00:40:05.119 --> 00:40:06.460
 The reality is Jesus.

00:40:07.000 --> 00:40:08.300
 Fix your eyes on Jesus.

00:40:09.519 --> 00:40:10.719
 Look again at verse 20.

00:40:11.320 --> 00:40:11.519
 It says,

00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:12.340
 why do you submit

00:40:12.340 --> 00:40:13.360
 to these regulations?

00:40:13.820 --> 00:40:14.559
 Do not handle,

00:40:14.960 --> 00:40:15.719
 do not taste,

00:40:16.039 --> 00:40:16.679
 do not touch.

00:40:16.679 --> 00:40:17.759
 These things

00:40:17.759 --> 00:40:18.839
 have a reputation

00:40:18.839 --> 00:40:20.519
 for promoting wisdom

00:40:20.519 --> 00:40:22.039
 or self-made religion.

00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:23.000
 These things

00:40:23.000 --> 00:40:24.619
 make you falsely humble,

00:40:25.000 --> 00:40:26.960
 but they are of no value

00:40:26.960 --> 00:40:29.419
 in curbing self-indulgence.

00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:31.119
 Isn't that what we said earlier?

00:40:31.480 --> 00:40:32.519
 You veer away

00:40:32.519 --> 00:40:33.139
 from the gospel,

00:40:33.679 --> 00:40:34.940
 you can act like a Christian,

00:40:35.419 --> 00:40:36.099
 you can behave

00:40:36.099 --> 00:40:36.739
 like a Christian,

00:40:37.179 --> 00:40:37.699
 you can do

00:40:37.699 --> 00:40:38.639
 all the Christian things,

00:40:39.039 --> 00:40:40.819
 but that has no power

00:40:40.819 --> 00:40:42.440
 to actually change

00:40:42.440 --> 00:40:43.519
 the inner motivations

00:40:43.519 --> 00:40:44.179
 of my heart.

00:40:44.179 --> 00:40:45.559
 It has no power

00:40:45.559 --> 00:40:46.319
 to change

00:40:46.319 --> 00:40:47.379
 what's really going

00:40:47.379 --> 00:40:48.039
 on in my heart.

00:40:48.679 --> 00:40:49.579
 And so I can act

00:40:49.579 --> 00:40:50.099
 the talk,

00:40:50.219 --> 00:40:50.919
 I can put on

00:40:50.919 --> 00:40:52.119
 a good false image,

00:40:52.460 --> 00:40:53.099
 falsely humble,

00:40:53.639 --> 00:40:54.599
 that doesn't make me

00:40:54.599 --> 00:40:55.239
 more like Jesus.

00:40:56.379 --> 00:40:56.779
 Friends,

00:40:56.859 --> 00:40:58.000
 can I confess something?

00:40:59.079 --> 00:40:59.519
 Pastors

00:40:59.519 --> 00:41:00.699
 are the worst

00:41:00.699 --> 00:41:01.199
 at this.

00:41:02.099 --> 00:41:03.039
 Because we have

00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:03.639
 to pretend

00:41:03.639 --> 00:41:04.299
 like we've got it

00:41:04.299 --> 00:41:04.779
 all together,

00:41:05.000 --> 00:41:05.219
 right?

00:41:05.299 --> 00:41:05.759
 No one wants

00:41:05.759 --> 00:41:06.419
 to go to church

00:41:06.419 --> 00:41:07.039
 with a pastor

00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:07.559
 that looks like

00:41:07.559 --> 00:41:08.679
 his life is falling apart.

00:41:09.519 --> 00:41:10.139
 And so as pastors,

00:41:10.460 --> 00:41:11.460
 we are the best

00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:12.319
 at acting it.

00:41:12.399 --> 00:41:13.019
 We are the best

00:41:13.019 --> 00:41:13.880
 at faking it

00:41:13.880 --> 00:41:15.219
 and looking like

00:41:15.219 --> 00:41:16.179
 our Christian life

00:41:16.179 --> 00:41:16.880
 is all in order.

00:41:17.800 --> 00:41:18.280
 Paul says,

00:41:18.500 --> 00:41:20.519
 if your Christian faith

00:41:20.519 --> 00:41:21.539
 is I've got to do

00:41:21.539 --> 00:41:22.179
 the right thing

00:41:22.179 --> 00:41:23.380
 and play the right part

00:41:23.380 --> 00:41:25.320
 in order to be accepted

00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:26.019
 and loved,

00:41:26.619 --> 00:41:27.920
 your Christian faith

00:41:27.920 --> 00:41:28.920
 is a fake.

00:41:29.579 --> 00:41:30.579
 It has no power

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.320
 to save you

00:41:31.320 --> 00:41:32.239
 and it has no power

00:41:32.239 --> 00:41:33.460
 to change you.

00:41:35.199 --> 00:41:35.940
 And so what's

00:41:35.940 --> 00:41:36.599
 the implication?

00:41:37.599 --> 00:41:38.039
 Forsake

00:41:38.039 --> 00:41:39.980
 empty religious rituals.

00:41:40.880 --> 00:41:41.280
 Friends,

00:41:41.280 --> 00:41:42.040
 looking to your

00:41:42.040 --> 00:41:43.040
 spiritual sincerity,

00:41:43.400 --> 00:41:44.340
 your religious effort,

00:41:44.920 --> 00:41:46.240
 the relative infrequency

00:41:46.240 --> 00:41:46.860
 of sin

00:41:46.860 --> 00:41:48.320
 to assure you

00:41:48.320 --> 00:41:49.040
 of God's love

00:41:49.040 --> 00:41:50.140
 is powerless

00:41:50.140 --> 00:41:50.900
 and deceiving.

00:41:51.060 --> 00:41:51.960
 It cannot save you

00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:53.000
 and it cannot change you.

00:41:53.720 --> 00:41:54.040
 Friends,

00:41:54.140 --> 00:41:54.900
 look to Jesus.

00:41:55.700 --> 00:41:56.580
 Look to Jesus.

00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:57.900
 Look to the one

00:41:57.900 --> 00:41:58.700
 who died on the cross

00:41:58.700 --> 00:41:59.060
 for you.

00:42:00.019 --> 00:42:00.340
 Friends,

00:42:00.440 --> 00:42:01.500
 if you've come to Christ

00:42:01.500 --> 00:42:02.460
 in faith and repentance,

00:42:02.640 --> 00:42:03.800
 you are united in Him.

00:42:03.880 --> 00:42:04.900
 Your life is in Him.

00:42:05.019 --> 00:42:06.200
 His death is your death.

00:42:06.540 --> 00:42:07.680
 His life is your life.

00:42:08.000 --> 00:42:08.600
 His obedience

00:42:08.600 --> 00:42:09.480
 is your obedience.

00:42:09.480 --> 00:42:10.380
 His acceptance

00:42:10.380 --> 00:42:11.219
 before the Father

00:42:11.219 --> 00:42:11.960
 is your acceptance

00:42:11.960 --> 00:42:12.800
 before the Father.

00:42:13.420 --> 00:42:13.980
 Look to Him.

00:42:14.800 --> 00:42:15.579
 Look to Jesus.

00:42:17.139 --> 00:42:17.619
 Friends,

00:42:17.719 --> 00:42:18.280
 this day,

00:42:18.699 --> 00:42:19.420
 this week,

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:20.099
 look to Jesus.

00:42:21.300 --> 00:42:22.260
 Don't look to yourself.

00:42:22.460 --> 00:42:22.980
 Don't look to your

00:42:22.980 --> 00:42:23.840
 moral performance.

00:42:24.480 --> 00:42:25.199
 Look to Jesus.

00:42:26.440 --> 00:42:27.599
 Here's the second implication.

00:42:28.659 --> 00:42:29.159
 Forsake

00:42:29.159 --> 00:42:30.980
 licentious Christianity.

00:42:32.260 --> 00:42:33.179
 Forsake the lie

00:42:33.179 --> 00:42:33.539
 that says

00:42:33.539 --> 00:42:34.539
 because Jesus died

00:42:34.539 --> 00:42:35.579
 I can live however I want.

00:42:35.619 --> 00:42:36.219
 It doesn't matter.

00:42:37.159 --> 00:42:38.079
 In chapter 3,

00:42:38.079 --> 00:42:39.179
 Paul says this.

00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:40.380
 He says the same thing

00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:40.980
 that he's just said

00:42:40.980 --> 00:42:41.519
 in chapter 2.

00:42:41.619 --> 00:42:41.900
 He says,

00:42:42.019 --> 00:42:43.019
 your life is with Christ.

00:42:43.340 --> 00:42:44.579
 You're united with Christ.

00:42:44.659 --> 00:42:45.579
 You've died with Christ.

00:42:45.659 --> 00:42:46.719
 You've been raised with Christ.

00:42:47.039 --> 00:42:48.299
 Your identity is in Christ.

00:42:48.400 --> 00:42:49.519
 Your hope is in Christ.

00:42:50.000 --> 00:42:51.819
 Your meaning is in Christ.

00:42:51.960 --> 00:42:53.259
 Your purpose is in Christ.

00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:54.360
 Your future is in Christ.

00:42:54.539 --> 00:42:55.119
 And then he says,

00:42:55.199 --> 00:42:55.739
 verse 5,

00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:56.840
 therefore,

00:42:57.440 --> 00:42:58.659
 because of that,

00:42:59.319 --> 00:43:00.219
 put to death

00:43:00.219 --> 00:43:00.880
 what belongs

00:43:00.880 --> 00:43:01.860
 to your earthly nature.

00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:03.559
 Sexual immorality,

00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:04.819
 impurity,

00:43:05.619 --> 00:43:05.960
 lust.

00:43:05.960 --> 00:43:06.000
 Christ.

00:43:06.400 --> 00:43:06.860
 Remember,

00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:07.760
 we looked at this verse

00:43:07.760 --> 00:43:08.440
 two years ago

00:43:08.440 --> 00:43:09.119
 and we said,

00:43:09.639 --> 00:43:09.800
 friends,

00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:12.179
 John Owen said it like this,

00:43:12.480 --> 00:43:13.340
 be killing sin

00:43:13.340 --> 00:43:14.519
 or sin be killing you.

00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:15.320
 Friends,

00:43:15.360 --> 00:43:15.900
 if we struggle

00:43:15.900 --> 00:43:16.960
 with sexual immorality,

00:43:17.500 --> 00:43:18.199
 put a shotgun

00:43:18.199 --> 00:43:18.960
 to your computer.

00:43:19.639 --> 00:43:20.320
 Take a hammer

00:43:20.320 --> 00:43:22.220
 and smash your iPhone.

00:43:22.780 --> 00:43:23.820
 Buy a dummy phone

00:43:23.820 --> 00:43:24.760
 that can't access

00:43:24.760 --> 00:43:25.199
 the internet.

00:43:25.740 --> 00:43:26.980
 Do whatever it takes.

00:43:27.099 --> 00:43:27.860
 Put to death

00:43:27.860 --> 00:43:28.659
 the sinful nature.

00:43:29.199 --> 00:43:30.159
 It's serious.

00:43:30.280 --> 00:43:31.000
 It really is.

00:43:31.599 --> 00:43:32.720
 What about hypocrisy?

00:43:32.920 --> 00:43:34.900
 Peter put hypocrisy to death.

00:43:35.500 --> 00:43:36.519
 That's not how Christ

00:43:36.519 --> 00:43:37.340
 calls us to live.

00:43:37.920 --> 00:43:38.220
 He says,

00:43:38.340 --> 00:43:39.220
 evil desires,

00:43:39.519 --> 00:43:40.320
 selfish greed,

00:43:40.720 --> 00:43:41.680
 these are idolatry.

00:43:41.800 --> 00:43:42.579
 Put them away.

00:43:43.200 --> 00:43:44.300
 Anger and wrath,

00:43:44.840 --> 00:43:45.220
 malice,

00:43:45.280 --> 00:43:46.380
 that means unforgiveness

00:43:46.380 --> 00:43:46.960
 in our hearts.

00:43:47.780 --> 00:43:48.300
 Slander,

00:43:48.420 --> 00:43:49.320
 filthy language.

00:43:49.980 --> 00:43:51.300
 Do not lie to one another.

00:43:51.500 --> 00:43:51.800
 Why?

00:43:52.900 --> 00:43:54.019
 So that God will love us?

00:43:54.220 --> 00:43:54.960
 No, no, no.

00:43:55.599 --> 00:43:57.039
 Because you have put off

00:43:57.039 --> 00:43:57.740
 your old self

00:43:57.740 --> 00:43:58.619
 with its practices.

00:43:59.139 --> 00:44:00.079
 You have been given

00:44:00.079 --> 00:44:01.500
 a new self in Christ.

00:44:01.619 --> 00:44:02.380
 You are renewed

00:44:02.380 --> 00:44:03.400
 according to the image

00:44:03.400 --> 00:44:04.139
 of your creator.

00:44:04.900 --> 00:44:05.119
 Friends,

00:44:05.179 --> 00:44:06.059
 the gospel doesn't come

00:44:06.059 --> 00:44:06.679
 and tell us

00:44:06.679 --> 00:44:07.719
 to pull up our socks

00:44:07.719 --> 00:44:10.579
 in order to be loved

00:44:10.579 --> 00:44:11.699
 and accepted by God.

00:44:12.079 --> 00:44:12.619
 No, it says,

00:44:12.900 --> 00:44:13.759
 because we have come

00:44:13.759 --> 00:44:14.819
 to Jesus in faith

00:44:14.819 --> 00:44:15.359
 and repentance,

00:44:15.519 --> 00:44:16.480
 we are accepted.

00:44:16.599 --> 00:44:17.420
 We are loved.

00:44:17.699 --> 00:44:18.179
 We are given

00:44:18.179 --> 00:44:18.960
 a new identity,

00:44:19.139 --> 00:44:19.819
 a new life,

00:44:19.879 --> 00:44:20.500
 a new power,

00:44:20.599 --> 00:44:21.199
 a new purpose,

00:44:21.279 --> 00:44:21.980
 a new motivation.

00:44:22.579 --> 00:44:23.239
 And that leads

00:44:23.239 --> 00:44:24.659
 to a powerful change

00:44:24.659 --> 00:44:25.480
 in our lives.

00:44:27.239 --> 00:44:27.819
 Last thing,

00:44:27.879 --> 00:44:28.460
 I want to say this.

00:44:28.460 --> 00:44:30.300
 in Ephesians chapter 4

00:44:30.300 --> 00:44:30.820
 and 5,

00:44:31.420 --> 00:44:32.260
 the apostle Paul

00:44:32.260 --> 00:44:33.380
 wants the Christians

00:44:33.380 --> 00:44:35.000
 to live forgiving

00:44:35.000 --> 00:44:36.579
 and loving lives.

00:44:37.380 --> 00:44:37.840
 And so this is

00:44:37.840 --> 00:44:38.440
 what he says.

00:44:39.380 --> 00:44:39.900
 He says,

00:44:40.619 --> 00:44:41.380
 therefore be imitators

00:44:41.380 --> 00:44:41.880
 of God

00:44:41.880 --> 00:44:42.960
 as dearly loved children

00:44:42.960 --> 00:44:44.159
 and walk in love.

00:44:44.860 --> 00:44:45.079
 He says,

00:44:45.159 --> 00:44:45.740
 brothers and sisters,

00:44:45.900 --> 00:44:46.539
 walk in love.

00:44:46.619 --> 00:44:47.360
 Now is that a good thing

00:44:47.360 --> 00:44:47.679
 to do?

00:44:48.119 --> 00:44:48.960
 Yeah, that's a good thing

00:44:48.960 --> 00:44:49.380
 we should do.

00:44:49.740 --> 00:44:50.820
 Is that a gospel conduct?

00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:51.800
 Yeah, that's a good thing

00:44:51.800 --> 00:44:52.119
 to do.

00:44:52.500 --> 00:44:53.619
 But what's the motivation?

00:44:53.779 --> 00:44:54.839
 Why should we be loving?

00:44:55.500 --> 00:44:56.199
 Is it so that God

00:44:56.199 --> 00:44:56.799
 will love us?

00:44:57.380 --> 00:44:58.079
 Is it so that we'll be

00:44:58.079 --> 00:44:58.739
 more acceptable

00:44:58.739 --> 00:44:59.839
 before God the Father?

00:45:00.579 --> 00:45:02.079
 Is it so that Jesus

00:45:02.079 --> 00:45:03.039
 will be more favorable,

00:45:03.259 --> 00:45:03.799
 more blessed,

00:45:04.159 --> 00:45:05.539
 will be more blessed

00:45:05.539 --> 00:45:06.039
 in our life?

00:45:06.799 --> 00:45:07.359
 No, he says,

00:45:07.500 --> 00:45:07.819
 friends,

00:45:07.940 --> 00:45:09.079
 walk in love

00:45:09.079 --> 00:45:11.279
 just as Christ loved us

00:45:11.279 --> 00:45:12.699
 and gave himself for us.

00:45:14.440 --> 00:45:15.460
 Gave himself up

00:45:15.460 --> 00:45:16.739
 as a sacrificial offering

00:45:16.739 --> 00:45:17.239
 to God.

00:45:17.940 --> 00:45:18.159
 Friends,

00:45:18.239 --> 00:45:19.219
 because you've received

00:45:19.219 --> 00:45:20.519
 the immeasurable love

00:45:20.519 --> 00:45:21.159
 of Christ,

00:45:21.719 --> 00:45:22.659
 because your heart

00:45:22.659 --> 00:45:23.339
 has been melted

00:45:23.340 --> 00:45:24.200
 by God's love

00:45:24.200 --> 00:45:24.860
 for you in Christ,

00:45:25.160 --> 00:45:26.220
 because you're secure

00:45:26.220 --> 00:45:26.660
 in his love,

00:45:26.740 --> 00:45:27.640
 because you've been humbled

00:45:27.640 --> 00:45:28.400
 by his love,

00:45:28.980 --> 00:45:29.380
 therefore,

00:45:29.539 --> 00:45:30.400
 dear brothers and sisters,

00:45:30.500 --> 00:45:31.160
 walk in love.

00:45:31.880 --> 00:45:32.120
 Friends,

00:45:32.180 --> 00:45:33.019
 throughout the New Testament,

00:45:33.180 --> 00:45:34.579
 the paradigm of obedience

00:45:34.579 --> 00:45:35.780
 and holy living

00:45:35.780 --> 00:45:37.019
 is this,

00:45:37.160 --> 00:45:38.700
 because you're a new creation

00:45:38.700 --> 00:45:39.240
 in Christ,

00:45:39.600 --> 00:45:40.640
 because of the gospel,

00:45:40.860 --> 00:45:41.840
 therefore obey Jesus,

00:45:42.220 --> 00:45:43.420
 because you're in Christ,

00:45:43.420 --> 00:45:44.640
 therefore pursue holiness,

00:45:45.100 --> 00:45:45.900
 because your life

00:45:45.900 --> 00:45:46.740
 is in Christ,

00:45:47.079 --> 00:45:48.100
 forsake immorality,

00:45:48.539 --> 00:45:49.440
 because you're rich

00:45:49.440 --> 00:45:49.940
 in Christ,

00:45:50.260 --> 00:45:51.160
 therefore be generous

00:45:51.160 --> 00:45:51.860
 with your riches,

00:45:52.240 --> 00:45:53.260
 because you're secure

00:45:53.260 --> 00:45:54.020
 in Christ's love,

00:45:54.300 --> 00:45:55.320
 therefore give yourself

00:45:55.320 --> 00:45:56.180
 away in serving

00:45:56.180 --> 00:45:57.140
 and loving others.

00:45:57.700 --> 00:45:58.100
 Friends,

00:45:58.180 --> 00:45:59.160
 this stunning announcement,

00:45:59.740 --> 00:46:00.800
 though we were dead

00:46:00.800 --> 00:46:01.420
 in our sins,

00:46:01.660 --> 00:46:02.620
 cut off from God,

00:46:03.000 --> 00:46:04.000
 under God's wrath

00:46:04.000 --> 00:46:04.720
 and his judgment

00:46:04.720 --> 00:46:05.500
 and his fury,

00:46:06.620 --> 00:46:07.860
 Jesus died for us

00:46:07.860 --> 00:46:08.320
 on the cross

00:46:08.320 --> 00:46:09.180
 to take our sin,

00:46:09.720 --> 00:46:10.860
 to reconcile us

00:46:10.860 --> 00:46:11.400
 to the Father,

00:46:11.720 --> 00:46:13.080
 to bring us home again.

00:46:13.240 --> 00:46:14.360
 Jesus did what we could

00:46:14.360 --> 00:46:15.340
 not do for ourselves,

00:46:15.820 --> 00:46:16.540
 so that we can be

00:46:16.540 --> 00:46:17.400
 united with him.

00:46:17.900 --> 00:46:18.300
 Friends,

00:46:18.400 --> 00:46:19.680
 that is why we must,

00:46:19.800 --> 00:46:20.320
 we must,

00:46:20.320 --> 00:46:20.920
 we must,

00:46:21.380 --> 00:46:22.380
 as followers of Jesus,

00:46:22.600 --> 00:46:23.320
 get the gospel

00:46:23.320 --> 00:46:24.340
 deeper into us.

00:46:24.760 --> 00:46:24.960
 Friends,

00:46:25.000 --> 00:46:25.820
 that's why if you're not

00:46:25.820 --> 00:46:26.900
 a follower of Jesus today,

00:46:27.000 --> 00:46:28.300
 you must believe the gospel.

00:46:28.960 --> 00:46:30.260
 You must become a Christian.

00:46:30.380 --> 00:46:31.320
 It's your only hope.

00:46:32.200 --> 00:46:32.460
 Friends,

00:46:32.519 --> 00:46:33.320
 that's why as a church,

00:46:33.380 --> 00:46:34.059
 we must be getting

00:46:34.059 --> 00:46:34.900
 the gospel deeper

00:46:34.900 --> 00:46:35.680
 inside of us.

00:46:36.380 --> 00:46:36.680
 Jesus,

00:46:36.800 --> 00:46:37.340
 our Christ,

00:46:37.740 --> 00:46:38.280
 our Lord

00:46:38.280 --> 00:46:39.280
 and our King.

00:46:39.640 --> 00:46:40.880
 Let's pray together.

00:46:40.880 --> 00:46:40.980
 Father,

00:46:41.980 --> 00:46:44.920
 O Lord Jesus,

00:46:45.940 --> 00:46:46.360
 God,

00:46:46.460 --> 00:46:47.200
 we need you.

00:46:48.260 --> 00:46:48.680
 God,

00:46:48.740 --> 00:46:49.340
 we so,

00:46:49.660 --> 00:46:50.380
 so need you.

00:46:50.940 --> 00:46:51.340
 Father,

00:46:51.420 --> 00:46:52.680
 we need you more today

00:46:52.680 --> 00:46:53.539
 than we needed you

00:46:53.539 --> 00:46:54.099
 ever before.

00:46:54.700 --> 00:46:55.680
 We need you more

00:46:55.680 --> 00:46:56.220
 this week,

00:46:56.340 --> 00:46:56.519
 God,

00:46:56.579 --> 00:46:57.280
 than ever before.

00:46:58.500 --> 00:46:58.920
 God,

00:46:58.960 --> 00:46:59.740
 we need a work

00:46:59.740 --> 00:47:00.680
 of your Holy Spirit

00:47:00.680 --> 00:47:01.980
 to be getting inside of us.

00:47:02.380 --> 00:47:02.860
 We need you,

00:47:02.940 --> 00:47:03.039
 God,

00:47:03.079 --> 00:47:04.079
 to open the eyes

00:47:04.079 --> 00:47:04.780
 of our hearts

00:47:04.780 --> 00:47:06.860
 to see our sin,

00:47:07.599 --> 00:47:08.680
 to see our brokenness,

00:47:08.740 --> 00:47:09.700
 but to see you,

00:47:09.800 --> 00:47:10.039
 Jesus,

00:47:10.119 --> 00:47:10.760
 and what you've done

00:47:10.760 --> 00:47:11.400
 for us.

00:47:12.200 --> 00:47:12.600
 God,

00:47:12.660 --> 00:47:13.300
 won't you give us

00:47:13.300 --> 00:47:14.200
 a fresh revelation

00:47:14.200 --> 00:47:14.740
 of the gospel.

00:47:15.500 --> 00:47:15.760
 God,

00:47:15.800 --> 00:47:17.220
 I pray for Watermark

00:47:17.220 --> 00:47:17.820
 like we've prayed

00:47:17.820 --> 00:47:18.640
 so many times.

00:47:19.160 --> 00:47:19.500
 God,

00:47:19.560 --> 00:47:20.540
 may you get the gospel

00:47:20.540 --> 00:47:21.720
 deeper inside of us.

00:47:22.360 --> 00:47:22.960
 I pray,

00:47:23.120 --> 00:47:23.520
 Lord Jesus,

00:47:23.640 --> 00:47:24.600
 that if there's one thing

00:47:24.600 --> 00:47:25.500
 that marks us

00:47:25.500 --> 00:47:26.220
 as a church,

00:47:26.780 --> 00:47:28.040
 though we are very far

00:47:28.040 --> 00:47:28.840
 from being perfect,

00:47:29.600 --> 00:47:29.880
 God,

00:47:29.900 --> 00:47:30.720
 if there's one thing

00:47:30.720 --> 00:47:31.340
 that marks us,

00:47:31.420 --> 00:47:32.020
 may it be this,

00:47:32.080 --> 00:47:32.540
 that God,

00:47:32.620 --> 00:47:33.640
 we know

00:47:33.640 --> 00:47:35.060
 and trust in

00:47:35.060 --> 00:47:36.520
 and love deeply

00:47:36.520 --> 00:47:37.680
 and respond to

00:47:37.680 --> 00:47:39.000
 and walk in obedience

00:47:39.000 --> 00:47:39.780
 to you,

00:47:39.860 --> 00:47:40.160
 Christ,

00:47:40.159 --> 00:47:40.539
 our King

00:47:40.539 --> 00:47:41.099
 and our Lord.

00:47:43.119 --> 00:47:43.519
 God,

00:47:43.579 --> 00:47:44.299
 show us the gospel

00:47:44.299 --> 00:47:44.899
 once again.

00:47:46.039 --> 00:47:46.960
 Show us how it relates

00:47:46.960 --> 00:47:47.539
 to our lives,

00:47:47.659 --> 00:47:47.819
 Lord.

00:47:49.339 --> 00:47:49.719
 Father,

00:47:49.799 --> 00:47:50.639
 where we have

00:47:50.639 --> 00:47:52.339
 put our hope

00:47:52.339 --> 00:47:52.899
 or our trust

00:47:52.899 --> 00:47:53.839
 in empty religion,

00:47:54.139 --> 00:47:54.299
 God,

00:47:54.379 --> 00:47:54.940
 forgive us.

00:47:56.980 --> 00:47:57.920
 Where we've put our hope

00:47:57.920 --> 00:47:58.460
 or our trust

00:47:58.460 --> 00:47:59.099
 in ourselves,

00:47:59.299 --> 00:47:59.500
 God,

00:47:59.599 --> 00:48:01.839
 in our spiritual performance,

00:48:02.879 --> 00:48:04.299
 in our moral performance

00:48:04.300 --> 00:48:05.580
 or in some recent

00:48:05.580 --> 00:48:07.620
 spirituality,

00:48:08.240 --> 00:48:09.700
 Father,

00:48:09.820 --> 00:48:10.300
 forgive us

00:48:10.300 --> 00:48:11.120
 of the idolatry

00:48:11.120 --> 00:48:11.560
 of that.

00:48:14.100 --> 00:48:14.740
 Forgive us,

00:48:14.820 --> 00:48:14.920
 God,

00:48:14.940 --> 00:48:15.980
 of trusting ourselves.

00:48:18.660 --> 00:48:19.100
 Father,

00:48:19.180 --> 00:48:19.700
 where we've

00:48:19.700 --> 00:48:20.800
 taken your grace,

00:48:20.960 --> 00:48:22.440
 taken advantage

00:48:22.440 --> 00:48:23.180
 of your grace,

00:48:23.920 --> 00:48:25.180
 where we have not

00:48:25.180 --> 00:48:26.000
 realized that it's

00:48:26.000 --> 00:48:26.600
 your kindness

00:48:26.600 --> 00:48:27.280
 that leads us

00:48:27.280 --> 00:48:27.960
 to repentance,

00:48:28.260 --> 00:48:28.519
 God,

00:48:28.519 --> 00:48:28.579
 God.

00:48:30.019 --> 00:48:30.320
 Oh,

00:48:30.380 --> 00:48:30.539
 Father,

00:48:30.619 --> 00:48:31.420
 forgive us as well,

00:48:31.480 --> 00:48:31.900
 we pray.

00:48:33.900 --> 00:48:34.300
 God,

00:48:34.320 --> 00:48:34.619
 we pray,

00:48:34.719 --> 00:48:35.539
 come and change us.

00:48:36.320 --> 00:48:36.900
 We pray,

00:48:37.019 --> 00:48:37.219
 Jesus,

00:48:37.280 --> 00:48:38.219
 that we really will be

00:48:38.219 --> 00:48:38.860
 salt and light

00:48:38.860 --> 00:48:39.320
 in the city.

00:48:39.480 --> 00:48:40.460
 We pray that as followers

00:48:40.460 --> 00:48:40.880
 of Jesus,

00:48:40.980 --> 00:48:41.860
 we will stand out,

00:48:41.980 --> 00:48:42.659
 we will be different.

00:48:43.380 --> 00:48:44.119
 We pray there will be

00:48:44.119 --> 00:48:45.539
 a different conduct,

00:48:45.699 --> 00:48:46.480
 a different ethic,

00:48:46.619 --> 00:48:47.579
 a different morality,

00:48:47.579 --> 00:48:49.380
 not because we're

00:48:49.380 --> 00:48:50.539
 trying to be good

00:48:50.539 --> 00:48:50.900
 Christians,

00:48:51.019 --> 00:48:51.619
 but because we're

00:48:51.619 --> 00:48:52.619
 overwhelmed by your

00:48:52.619 --> 00:48:53.440
 love that you have

00:48:53.440 --> 00:48:53.900
 for us.

00:48:54.380 --> 00:48:55.279
 We are secure

00:48:55.279 --> 00:48:55.880
 in your gospel.

00:48:56.039 --> 00:48:56.500
 We've been given

00:48:56.500 --> 00:48:57.279
 a new identity,

00:48:57.480 --> 00:48:57.719
 God.

00:48:58.880 --> 00:48:59.159
 Oh,

00:48:59.179 --> 00:48:59.460
 Christ,

00:48:59.519 --> 00:48:59.819
 I pray,

00:48:59.940 --> 00:49:00.380
 do that.

00:49:02.340 --> 00:49:02.739
 Father,

00:49:02.819 --> 00:49:03.019
 finally,

00:49:03.079 --> 00:49:03.519
 I want to pray

00:49:03.519 --> 00:49:04.159
 for those of us

00:49:04.159 --> 00:49:04.880
 that don't know you

00:49:04.880 --> 00:49:05.400
 this morning.

00:49:07.239 --> 00:49:07.980
 Maybe we've been

00:49:07.980 --> 00:49:08.819
 very religious,

00:49:10.259 --> 00:49:11.239
 we've tried to do

00:49:11.239 --> 00:49:11.880
 all the right things,

00:49:11.960 --> 00:49:12.460
 but we've never

00:49:12.460 --> 00:49:13.299
 been born again.

00:49:14.539 --> 00:49:14.940
 Oh,

00:49:15.000 --> 00:49:15.219
 God,

00:49:15.259 --> 00:49:16.360
 I pray this morning,

00:49:16.699 --> 00:49:17.179
 give us your

00:49:17.179 --> 00:49:17.739
 Holy Spirit,

00:49:18.480 --> 00:49:19.399
 give us faith

00:49:19.399 --> 00:49:20.259
 to trust you,

00:49:22.219 --> 00:49:22.919
 cause us to be

00:49:22.919 --> 00:49:23.359
 born again.

00:49:23.460 --> 00:49:23.599
 God,

00:49:23.639 --> 00:49:24.199
 I pray for my

00:49:24.199 --> 00:49:24.940
 brothers and sisters,

00:49:25.039 --> 00:49:26.159
 I pray for those of us

00:49:26.159 --> 00:49:27.639
 here that don't know you,

00:49:27.739 --> 00:49:27.919
 God.

00:49:31.159 --> 00:49:31.839
 Come and do what

00:49:31.839 --> 00:49:32.500
 only you can do,

00:49:32.619 --> 00:49:32.779
 Lord.