WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.980 We're reading from Romans 7, the first verse from Romans 7. 00:00:10.880 --> 00:00:17.679 Last week, Bo recapped for us in lightning speed, Romans 1 to 6, 00:00:18.339 --> 00:00:23.339 and he recapped for us that we're all sinners and can come to God by grace 00:00:23.339 --> 00:00:26.500 through faith in Jesus Christ, and that's the only way. 00:00:26.500 --> 00:00:31.920 And Paul is writing to a church that's split with both Jewish and Gentile believers 00:00:31.920 --> 00:00:35.079 and to unite them in Christ. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:42.439 So starting at verse 1 of chapter 7, Paul says, 00:00:43.280 --> 00:00:47.320 Or do you not know, brothers, for I'm speaking to those who know the law, 00:00:48.060 --> 00:00:52.039 that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives? 00:00:52.039 --> 00:00:58.159 For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives. 00:00:59.259 --> 00:01:03.359 But if her husband dies, she's released from the law of marriage. 00:01:04.739 --> 00:01:08.259 Accordingly, she'll be called an adulteress if she lives with another man 00:01:08.259 --> 00:01:10.379 whilst her husband is alive. 00:01:11.659 --> 00:01:15.200 But if her husband dies, she is freed from that law, 00:01:15.939 --> 00:01:19.640 and if she marries another man, she's not an adulteress. 00:01:19.640 --> 00:01:29.739 Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, 00:01:30.060 --> 00:01:36.200 so that you may belong to another, to him who's been raised from the dead, 00:01:36.780 --> 00:01:40.280 in order that we may bear fruit for God. 00:01:41.599 --> 00:01:47.040 For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions aroused by the law 00:01:47.040 --> 00:01:51.219 were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 00:01:52.880 --> 00:01:56.820 But now we're released from the law, 00:01:57.280 --> 00:01:59.420 having died to that which held us captive, 00:02:00.040 --> 00:02:03.219 so that we serve in the new way of the spirit 00:02:03.219 --> 00:02:07.600 and not in the old way of the written code. 00:02:07.599 --> 00:02:14.859 Well, good morning, everyone. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:19.959 My name's David. I'm one of the pastors here. 00:02:21.019 --> 00:02:23.719 Will you please pray with me as we come to God's word? 00:02:23.959 --> 00:02:24.240 Let's pray. 00:02:24.240 --> 00:02:36.340 Lord, we always need your help to even want to listen to you. 00:02:37.000 --> 00:02:41.340 We need your help to understand what you're saying in your word. 00:02:42.120 --> 00:02:44.760 We need your help to believe it. 00:02:44.759 --> 00:02:51.139 We need your help to know how you want us to change in light of it. 00:02:51.299 --> 00:02:55.780 So I just beg for your help for all of us this morning. 00:02:55.959 --> 00:02:57.539 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:03:01.539 --> 00:03:10.079 Well, my relationship with my dentist is based on my teeth. 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:15.640 What brings us together isn't mutual support in life. 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:17.340 It's not our common interest in soccer. 00:03:18.320 --> 00:03:19.520 It's my teeth. 00:03:19.720 --> 00:03:21.040 That's what brings us together. 00:03:22.280 --> 00:03:23.700 It's the main thing we talk about. 00:03:24.240 --> 00:03:25.560 We love talking about my teeth. 00:03:26.860 --> 00:03:28.640 He cleans and repairs my teeth, 00:03:28.760 --> 00:03:30.939 and I somewhat willingly pay him for it. 00:03:32.720 --> 00:03:36.439 I don't get offended like I would if you pointed out 00:03:36.439 --> 00:03:42.560 that my teeth are stained or that he advises more flossing and mouthwash. 00:03:42.620 --> 00:03:45.479 I don't get offended because our relationship is based on teeth. 00:03:46.159 --> 00:03:47.599 It's what we're here to talk about. 00:03:48.259 --> 00:03:51.759 It's a teeth-mediated relationship. 00:03:53.180 --> 00:03:56.419 Teeth are the thing through which me and my dentist have a relationship. 00:03:57.060 --> 00:03:58.900 It's what our relationship is based on. 00:03:58.900 --> 00:04:03.460 Now, you might be thinking, I've gone bonkers, 00:04:04.439 --> 00:04:09.259 and you're either a little nervous or excited to see how crazy this sermon is going to be. 00:04:09.980 --> 00:04:13.240 But like your relationship with your dentist is based on teeth, 00:04:13.599 --> 00:04:16.579 what is your relationship to God based on? 00:04:18.160 --> 00:04:20.040 What do you relate through? 00:04:20.240 --> 00:04:21.360 What brings you together? 00:04:21.360 --> 00:04:32.300 Now, we know from Romans so far that being converted and going to heaven is by grace 00:04:32.300 --> 00:04:35.540 and not by doing the works of the law. 00:04:36.980 --> 00:04:43.259 But it's so ingrained in us as human beings to think and assume 00:04:43.259 --> 00:04:48.040 that our relationship with God, our ongoing relationship, 00:04:48.360 --> 00:04:51.240 is based on the law. 00:04:51.360 --> 00:04:56.580 It's the main thing God is looking at and looking for in us. 00:04:58.199 --> 00:04:59.460 Are you performing? 00:05:01.460 --> 00:05:05.699 We think that God wants to relate to us through his law. 00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:10.920 And if we think like that, I'm going to put it to you that you can't really enjoy 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:13.460 friendship with God so much. 00:05:14.600 --> 00:05:18.620 Because God is more like a boss who's always looking at your performance. 00:05:18.980 --> 00:05:20.120 And he can fire you. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:23.220 You can't enjoy that relationship. 00:05:26.740 --> 00:05:28.860 Thinking we relate to God through law, 00:05:29.580 --> 00:05:33.540 we will think that the way I change my behaviour, 00:05:34.300 --> 00:05:38.240 my thinking, is by laying down God's law more heavily. 00:05:38.580 --> 00:05:43.540 Just saying, God wants me to be over here when I know full well I'm way back here. 00:05:43.540 --> 00:05:48.120 We think God is just saying, be here, be here, be here. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:54.700 When we fall short and we fall back into the same sin this week as I did last week, 00:05:55.220 --> 00:05:57.500 we sense only his disappointment. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:01.980 We doubt he could love us. 00:06:01.980 --> 00:06:12.240 Sometimes a law-based relationship with God will feel like we're angry at God 00:06:12.240 --> 00:06:18.080 because he's not giving me the happy life my recent performance deserves. 00:06:18.079 --> 00:06:23.779 And we can actually be a bit annoyed at God. 00:06:23.779 --> 00:06:32.679 As we come to Romans chapter 7, we're going to find that our relationship with God is not based on his law. 00:06:33.339 --> 00:06:37.299 He doesn't want us to think of him through his law. 00:06:37.300 --> 00:06:44.180 So to understand where we're going to go, 00:06:45.240 --> 00:06:51.840 we need to understand Romans, another quick recap, another super speedy recap. 00:06:52.920 --> 00:06:58.060 In the first four chapters, Paul has clearly demonstrated that there's a great problem 00:06:58.060 --> 00:07:01.100 that faces the whole human race and that is God's wrath. 00:07:01.100 --> 00:07:06.920 Because all of us have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. 00:07:07.640 --> 00:07:12.900 Whether non-religious people who have a conscience or religious people, 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:16.780 even the Jewish people who had God's law and try and keep it, 00:07:17.460 --> 00:07:19.240 all are under the same problem. 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:20.140 Why? 00:07:20.740 --> 00:07:24.260 Because no one lives up to what we know is right. 00:07:24.640 --> 00:07:25.260 None of us do. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:28.920 I can't remember the doll's name. 00:07:29.060 --> 00:07:30.939 Like, whatever that doll was. 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:31.960 Catacorn. 00:07:35.640 --> 00:07:37.500 There is one way to be justified. 00:07:39.300 --> 00:07:40.900 Justified, declared innocent. 00:07:42.460 --> 00:07:44.460 Be at peace with God. 00:07:45.920 --> 00:07:47.360 To be reconciled. 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:48.620 There's one way, we're told. 00:07:49.379 --> 00:07:51.980 It's not by performance, but the law. 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:54.340 It's only by faith in Jesus, what he's done. 00:07:55.439 --> 00:07:57.280 Sharing in his resurrection life. 00:07:57.279 --> 00:08:03.039 And what Paul does in chapter 5 is he zooms out and looks at all history. 00:08:03.379 --> 00:08:10.779 If you want to look at the human race, really it's two families with two fathers at the head of the families. 00:08:10.779 --> 00:08:13.459 Adam, the first human being. 00:08:13.459 --> 00:08:15.539 And Jesus. 00:08:17.059 --> 00:08:22.099 All people since Adam, all people have inherited his sinful nature. 00:08:23.679 --> 00:08:25.579 Sin has been in charge. 00:08:25.579 --> 00:08:29.759 It's been ruling, reigning since Adam. 00:08:30.759 --> 00:08:32.620 And sin produces death. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:34.480 It cuts us from fellowship with God. 00:08:34.559 --> 00:08:35.919 It produces physical death. 00:08:36.879 --> 00:08:39.960 Death has been reigning since Adam. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:50.639 All who belong to Adam, which is all people, naturally, are under the rule of sin. 00:08:50.639 --> 00:08:58.240 I think we think of sin like we're basically good people and we kind of slip up here and there. 00:08:58.340 --> 00:08:59.220 We commit sins. 00:08:59.360 --> 00:09:00.759 We fall in and out of sins. 00:09:01.139 --> 00:09:04.360 Whereas the Bible paints a bleaker picture than that. 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:08.460 Sin is ruling us. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:10.559 We're under it. 00:09:11.819 --> 00:09:14.220 We have to obey it. 00:09:14.399 --> 00:09:15.600 I'm not talking as a Christian here. 00:09:15.899 --> 00:09:16.899 I'm talking in Adam. 00:09:16.899 --> 00:09:23.319 But the gospel is a new head of the family has come. 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:25.799 There's a new family. 00:09:26.720 --> 00:09:28.059 And there's a new rule. 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:29.819 Sin isn't ruling. 00:09:30.279 --> 00:09:31.779 Grace is ruling. 00:09:33.959 --> 00:09:35.519 God's undeserved favour. 00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:37.860 Chapter 5, verse 21. 00:09:38.659 --> 00:09:44.360 So that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign. 00:09:45.460 --> 00:09:46.799 Grace is ruling. 00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:50.039 So there's two types of people. 00:09:50.439 --> 00:09:55.059 Not religious people who are good and irreligious people who are bad. 00:09:55.220 --> 00:09:56.360 That's not the two types of people. 00:09:57.179 --> 00:10:09.139 The two types of people are religious and irreligious people who belong to Adam, Adam's family, or if you're in the new family, in Jesus' family, where grace is ruling. 00:10:09.139 --> 00:10:19.860 Now, if it's all by grace, you're completely forgiven. 00:10:21.539 --> 00:10:22.580 Completely forgiven. 00:10:22.799 --> 00:10:23.720 Every sin is forgiven. 00:10:24.340 --> 00:10:28.039 God will only show you undeserved favour. 00:10:28.240 --> 00:10:28.539 Only. 00:10:28.539 --> 00:10:33.279 Why doesn't that produce a person that just does whatever you want? 00:10:34.980 --> 00:10:36.539 Just a lawless person. 00:10:37.500 --> 00:10:38.059 Great. 00:10:38.279 --> 00:10:39.539 I've got a licence to sin. 00:10:39.959 --> 00:10:45.679 Why doesn't grace motivate you just to sin as much as you want? 00:10:46.099 --> 00:10:47.419 Why doesn't it produce that? 00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:52.519 Well, that's chapter 6. 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:54.559 We've died with Jesus. 00:10:54.959 --> 00:10:56.079 We've died to sin. 00:10:56.080 --> 00:11:01.280 What we want now has fundamentally changed. 00:11:03.400 --> 00:11:06.860 Sin, when it was ruling us, was like a master. 00:11:07.139 --> 00:11:08.620 We've died to that master now. 00:11:08.620 --> 00:11:12.259 It's like a boss that calls us up. 00:11:13.039 --> 00:11:14.639 We don't work for them anymore. 00:11:15.080 --> 00:11:17.700 They call us up at 9.15 going, where are you? 00:11:18.000 --> 00:11:19.419 I've got things for you to do today. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:24.500 We can say to sin, no, I don't work for you. 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:27.620 We've got a new master now. 00:11:28.320 --> 00:11:30.720 We've got this fundamental change. 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:33.399 We don't love sin like we did. 00:11:34.440 --> 00:11:37.240 It's not got power over us in the same way. 00:11:38.620 --> 00:11:42.740 So that's the first part of Paul's answer. 00:11:42.980 --> 00:11:45.000 Now, where does God's law fit in? 00:11:47.039 --> 00:11:49.100 That's what we're coming to in Romans 7. 00:11:50.000 --> 00:11:55.720 Surely God's law empowers you to do what is right. 00:11:56.379 --> 00:12:01.899 Surely God's good law empowers you to live a life that pleases God. 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:06.399 And Paul gives a shocking answer. 00:12:06.399 --> 00:12:11.259 It's an answer I'm not sure I've ever been so nervous preaching. 00:12:13.360 --> 00:12:16.279 It's such a surprising answer. 00:12:20.759 --> 00:12:28.079 As we come to chapter 7, really it's just explaining what Paul has said in chapter 5, verse 20, 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:29.340 if you want to have a look there. 00:12:29.340 --> 00:12:33.399 Now, the law came in. 00:12:35.680 --> 00:12:36.200 Why? 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:39.440 To be a solution to sin? 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:41.639 No. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:44.500 To increase sin. 00:12:47.280 --> 00:12:47.700 Whoa. 00:12:48.280 --> 00:12:50.080 That is surprising, is it not? 00:12:50.180 --> 00:12:52.340 The law increases sin. 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:57.000 And we're going to need the rest of chapter 7 to understand that. 00:13:00.060 --> 00:13:04.320 Paul has made a remarkable claim in chapter 6, verse 14. 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.920 Sin will no longer rule over you. 00:13:07.460 --> 00:13:07.860 Why? 00:13:08.000 --> 00:13:10.340 Because you're not under law anymore. 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:12.360 You're under grace. 00:13:14.120 --> 00:13:15.740 We're not under law anymore. 00:13:15.740 --> 00:13:24.940 Surely, removing the obligation to obey God's law will make a person lawless, right? 00:13:25.440 --> 00:13:27.080 It will make you a law to yourself. 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:31.620 You remove the law, you're going to be lawless. 00:13:32.580 --> 00:13:37.740 You remove the rules, you're going to be a rebel, aren't you? 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:43.519 What on earth are you saying, Paul? 00:13:45.600 --> 00:13:50.639 Why does not being under law but under grace produce a life that pleases God? 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:56.379 Why does that happen rather than a life of lawlessness, doing whatever you want? 00:13:57.060 --> 00:13:57.899 Why is that? 00:13:58.620 --> 00:14:00.180 That's our question this morning. 00:14:00.179 --> 00:14:14.939 Let's approach this humbly, prayerfully, carefully, but also boldly. 00:14:15.319 --> 00:14:17.879 Let's go where God's word takes us. 00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:29.279 Can I urge us to be careful not to say we're not under law and then just sneak the law in the back door going, 00:14:29.460 --> 00:14:31.240 yeah, we kind of still are. 00:14:31.919 --> 00:14:32.700 Let's be careful. 00:14:32.779 --> 00:14:35.500 Let's not do that if scripture doesn't take us there. 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:42.899 But let's also not be careful going, oh, well, Old Testament, who cares? 00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.919 Let's just be New Testament Christians. 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:47.740 Let's be careful of both extremes. 00:14:47.879 --> 00:14:55.879 So verse 1, Paul states a general principle. 00:14:57.259 --> 00:15:00.220 Verses 2 or 3, we've got an illustration of marriage. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:06.759 Verse 4 is the heart of the reality now if you're a Christian. 00:15:09.019 --> 00:15:12.179 It's the theological point as a believer. 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:20.079 And in verse 5 and 6, they explain why being under law is a problem. 00:15:21.179 --> 00:15:27.659 And the result of this change from law to grace isn't lawlessness. 00:15:27.939 --> 00:15:30.379 It's actually serving in a completely new way. 00:15:31.519 --> 00:15:32.339 So that's where we're headed. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:35.940 So come with me, verse 1. 00:15:38.100 --> 00:15:41.480 Paul is speaking to those who know the law. 00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:46.820 Now maybe he's just talking to Jewish Christians, but not necessarily. 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:50.680 All Christians are going to be instructed in the Old Testament. 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:52.759 We're all going to know the Old Testament. 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:57.860 So I think he's saying you ought to know this from the Old Testament. 00:15:58.899 --> 00:15:59.679 Here's the principle. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:06.439 The law is binding on a person only as long as he lives, she lives. 00:16:06.440 --> 00:16:11.140 And then he illustrates the principle with marriage. 00:16:11.980 --> 00:16:14.000 Now it's easy to understand, isn't it? 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:16.240 I don't think I have to explain it too much. 00:16:16.680 --> 00:16:25.480 When a couple stand at the altar, they are making promises to enter into a covenant until death do us part. 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:29.500 That covenant ends at death. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:34.600 The obligation is broken at death. 00:16:34.600 --> 00:16:39.100 So that's the first point he's illustrating. 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.440 It's just the principle. 00:16:41.580 --> 00:16:45.240 Death breaks the covenant, the obligation. 00:16:47.740 --> 00:17:00.120 The second point he seems to be making is that if the wife was still, while still married to the husband and the obligation is still in place, she is not free to go to another husband. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:05.559 Now, don't get distracted by teaching on divorce and stuff. 00:17:05.920 --> 00:17:07.720 He's making a theological point. 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:09.079 There's more that the Bible talks about. 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:10.980 Don't get distracted by that. 00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:19.660 His point is, once that death breaks the obligation, she is free to have a new husband. 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:22.279 So he's making two points. 00:17:22.720 --> 00:17:33.120 I don't think we should get caught up in the detail of this illustration because the point of an analogy is saying these things are like each other and here's my point. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.640 So don't get caught up in the detail. 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.480 Two points. 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.840 Death breaks the obligation. 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:44.939 You're free to have a new husband. 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:48.199 They're pretty simple points. 00:17:51.500 --> 00:17:59.220 I suspect he uses the illustration of marriage because it illustrates two covenants. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:02.599 That's where he's going to go in verse 6. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:05.819 He's using language that we are under a completely new covenant. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:14.179 Now, I can't be sure of that, why he uses the marriage illustration, but definitely to make those two points. 00:18:16.419 --> 00:18:16.980 So verse 4. 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:19.059 Here's what it means for you, Christian. 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:20.919 Here's the reality. 00:18:22.679 --> 00:18:25.839 Here's what should determine our understanding of the illustration. 00:18:25.839 --> 00:18:36.819 Likewise, my brothers and sisters, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ. 00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:44.259 In Jesus' body, your obligation to the law has ended. 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:50.359 His death has satisfied the condemnation of the law, the curse of the law. 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:54.919 His righteous life has satisfied the requirement to keep the law. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:19:04.459 His death, because we are in him and we died with him, our obligation is ended. 00:19:05.679 --> 00:19:07.179 That covenant is over. 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:11.419 Are we floating around now? 00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:13.359 Are we single? 00:19:14.179 --> 00:19:15.199 To put it like that. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:19.959 I'm not saying being single is negative, but are we just floating around now? 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.919 A law to ourselves? 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.379 No. 00:19:23.619 --> 00:19:24.980 That's his second point. 00:19:24.980 --> 00:19:32.660 The purpose of being released from that first covenant is so that you're bound to a new husband. 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:37.519 So that you may belong to another. 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:39.400 You don't belong to yourself. 00:19:39.680 --> 00:19:40.700 You belong to another. 00:19:42.700 --> 00:19:44.559 To him who is raised from the dead. 00:19:45.860 --> 00:19:48.160 In order that we might bear fruit for God. 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:52.240 The purpose of all this is to have a new husband. 00:19:54.100 --> 00:19:55.279 A new obligation. 00:19:58.120 --> 00:20:01.060 He's been raised from the dead, this new husband. 00:20:01.660 --> 00:20:05.840 And chapter 6 verse 9 tells us, because of that, he's never going to die again. 00:20:05.920 --> 00:20:09.480 In other words, this covenant cannot be broken by death. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:11.860 It's permanent. 00:20:16.599 --> 00:20:24.440 Going from under law, which can be broken by death, under grace, that covenant, you belong to the resurrected one. 00:20:25.000 --> 00:20:25.980 It's not going to end. 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:28.059 Which is wonderful news. 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:32.919 So why? 00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:39.399 Why does being under grace and not law produce a life that pleases God rather than just being a law to yourself? 00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:43.279 Well, because the point of all that is to belong to another. 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.679 You've got a new obligation. 00:20:46.879 --> 00:20:47.519 It's not the law. 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.460 It's Christ. 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:53.559 And his grace produces fruit in us. 00:20:55.539 --> 00:20:57.100 So what's wrong with the law? 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:01.180 Why did we need to die to it? 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:09.799 This is where verses 5 and 6 give us a summary answer and then the rest of chapter 7, we're going to explore that in the next couple of weeks. 00:21:12.900 --> 00:21:14.240 So verse 5, 4. 00:21:15.019 --> 00:21:15.900 4, that little word. 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.600 Here's the reason. 00:21:16.599 --> 00:21:18.439 Why? 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:19.740 We were living in the flesh. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:23.319 And remember, flesh is more than just body for Paul. 00:21:23.639 --> 00:21:26.559 It's our flesh is Adam's flesh. 00:21:26.659 --> 00:21:28.679 We've inherited his sinful nature. 00:21:30.399 --> 00:21:42.459 So while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit for death. 00:21:44.079 --> 00:21:44.519 Whoa. 00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:44.579 Whoa. 00:21:46.599 --> 00:21:47.599 Whoa. 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:47.759 Whoa. 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.159 Whoa. 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:48.599 Whoa. 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:49.240 Whoa. 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:51.559 The law didn't produce good fruit. 00:21:53.859 --> 00:21:55.740 Is that not surprising? 00:21:56.699 --> 00:21:59.179 It doesn't put sin to sleep. 00:21:59.599 --> 00:22:01.339 It stirs sin. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.980 It wakes it up. 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:08.079 It doesn't weaken our sinful passions. 00:22:08.459 --> 00:22:10.659 The law strengthens our sinful passions. 00:22:10.660 --> 00:22:14.980 That sounds heretical, right? 00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:19.660 Are you saying the problem is with God's law? 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:22.620 Well, no, and we're going to come to that next week. 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.440 Nothing wrong with the law. 00:22:24.620 --> 00:22:25.340 The law is good. 00:22:25.540 --> 00:22:26.019 It's holy. 00:22:27.019 --> 00:22:30.580 But the law shows us how deep our problem with sin really is. 00:22:30.579 --> 00:22:35.980 The law can't stop our sinful nature. 00:22:36.679 --> 00:22:42.679 Sinful nature just takes the law and makes us utterly sinful. 00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:50.140 Paul's already said, remember, in 5 verse 20. 00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:54.180 Now the law came in to increase the trespass. 00:22:55.180 --> 00:22:56.920 It wasn't a solution to sin. 00:22:56.920 --> 00:23:00.320 It increases sin. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:07.160 I don't know about you, but I think we all know this from experience even. 00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:16.300 When a wrong habit plagues you, the more you tell yourself it's wrong, it's wrong, it doesn't take the desire away. 00:23:17.120 --> 00:23:19.500 It can actually increase the desire. 00:23:21.320 --> 00:23:25.700 I don't know if that resonates with you or not. 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:33.560 You want to get teenagers to do the wrong thing? 00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.779 Tell them it's wrong. 00:23:36.279 --> 00:23:36.759 Right? 00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.380 What is that? 00:23:38.640 --> 00:23:40.019 Something stirs in us. 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.740 Just say it's wrong. 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:42.759 Don't park here. 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:44.980 I really want that spot now. 00:23:45.240 --> 00:23:46.940 Something happens. 00:23:47.740 --> 00:23:49.300 Anyway, we'll come to that next week. 00:23:52.500 --> 00:23:56.900 So why does being under grace and not law produce a life that pleases God and not laws? 00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:59.400 Because the law never produces good fruit. 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.660 It never did. 00:24:01.180 --> 00:24:02.279 That wasn't the purpose of it. 00:24:03.420 --> 00:24:05.600 It rouses the sinful nature. 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:09.720 And the good news of the gospel is we're dead to that. 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:15.240 That obligation to the law is over. 00:24:15.680 --> 00:24:18.440 It need not rouse that sinful nature like it did. 00:24:18.440 --> 00:24:23.620 And we're in a new situation. 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.799 We're in a new covenant. 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:28.759 So that's verse 6. 00:24:29.720 --> 00:24:32.720 For while we were living in the flesh, but now. 00:24:33.820 --> 00:24:35.660 Here's a new reality now. 00:24:36.840 --> 00:24:40.440 We're in a totally new situation after Christ. 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:45.840 We're released from the law. 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.160 No obligation. 00:24:48.039 --> 00:24:48.519 Discharged. 00:24:49.320 --> 00:24:50.500 That covenant is ended. 00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.640 Galatians 3. 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:55.240 Didn't put the verse. 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:55.759 23. 00:24:56.220 --> 00:25:00.320 Talks about being held captive by the law until Christ came. 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:03.539 We're held captive, but not anymore. 00:25:03.899 --> 00:25:05.000 We're in a new situation. 00:25:05.419 --> 00:25:07.379 And we serve God in a new way. 00:25:07.899 --> 00:25:11.000 It doesn't produce being a law to yourself. 00:25:11.159 --> 00:25:13.639 It produces a new way of serving God. 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.839 It's a totally new way. 00:25:16.500 --> 00:25:19.179 By the spirit and not by the written code. 00:25:19.180 --> 00:25:26.560 Paul contrasts the spirit and the written code in 2 Corinthians 3. 00:25:27.060 --> 00:25:28.279 You can check that out later. 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:31.940 That's clearly talking about the change in the covenants. 00:25:34.840 --> 00:25:39.019 I think it picks up the promise of the new covenant in Jeremiah 31. 00:25:41.120 --> 00:25:44.600 Jeremiah prophesied, I will put my law within them. 00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:47.060 It's not something external anymore. 00:25:47.059 --> 00:25:49.679 It's within them, and I'll write it on their hearts. 00:25:50.379 --> 00:25:52.859 And I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:55.200 They shall all know me. 00:25:55.940 --> 00:25:58.460 From the least of them to the greatest, declares the Lord. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:03.399 For I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:08.399 This is a new covenant because Israel broke the old covenant, 00:26:08.519 --> 00:26:10.419 even though God was like a husband to them. 00:26:11.419 --> 00:26:12.980 This is a new covenant. 00:26:14.139 --> 00:26:15.039 Complete forgiveness. 00:26:15.039 --> 00:26:18.599 A personal relationship with God. 00:26:18.659 --> 00:26:21.639 Not just knowing about God, but a personal relationship with God. 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:25.139 And the law is internal. 00:26:25.559 --> 00:26:27.259 It changes the heart. 00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.319 The desires within. 00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:39.659 So why does being under grace and not law produce a life that pleases God rather than lawlessness? 00:26:39.659 --> 00:26:43.819 Because having died to the law, we belong to a new husband. 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:46.339 We're not just floating around as individuals. 00:26:46.659 --> 00:26:48.139 We've got a new husband. 00:26:48.299 --> 00:26:49.980 We're bound to someone else now. 00:26:51.139 --> 00:26:53.439 The law never produced good fruit. 00:26:53.839 --> 00:26:54.899 It was never the solution. 00:26:54.900 --> 00:27:00.220 And the new covenant, we serve in a completely new way. 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:02.040 The way of the Spirit. 00:27:02.380 --> 00:27:03.400 And it produces fruit. 00:27:03.400 --> 00:27:16.960 So, I think it would be easy for us at this point to just declare we're dead to the law 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:28.240 and then kind of live and think and relate to God as if to some degree, somehow we're still bound to it. 00:27:28.240 --> 00:27:35.839 So, I want to take a step further and ask what Paul is meaning here. 00:27:37.620 --> 00:27:42.079 He's painting a picture of grace in Romans that is so big. 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:49.279 Grace is so huge that if you think you need to add law to do the right thing, 00:27:49.420 --> 00:27:52.120 you just, the problem is you don't have a big enough view of grace. 00:27:52.119 --> 00:27:58.039 Grace is so everything we need. 00:28:02.039 --> 00:28:06.539 A common reformed view follows John Calvin. 00:28:06.799 --> 00:28:08.559 So, here we go. 00:28:08.739 --> 00:28:10.619 Let's disagree with John Calvin, shall we? 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:19.079 He said that the condemnation of the law is gone for the Christian. 00:28:19.079 --> 00:28:24.599 So, definitely say, definitely make it to heaven. 00:28:24.740 --> 00:28:25.379 Praise God. 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:30.319 But then he said, the law is still the believer's rule for life. 00:28:32.679 --> 00:28:40.119 Now, I think that creates complexity because we then need to ask, like, what parts of the law still apply? 00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:41.359 Let's be consistent here. 00:28:41.439 --> 00:28:48.379 If you're saying it's still the rule for life, like, we're wearing clothes that have two different types of fabric. 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:51.740 Is your conscience eating away at you? 00:28:51.819 --> 00:28:53.339 Because we've got to be consistent. 00:28:54.599 --> 00:29:02.799 And a common answer to that question is, well, we have to obey the moral law, but not the civic or the ceremonial. 00:29:02.919 --> 00:29:07.039 So, not the stuff like property damage and all that stuff. 00:29:07.119 --> 00:29:08.099 We don't have to obey that stuff. 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:13.439 We don't have to do the whole sacrifices and priestly system, the ceremonial stuff, but the moral part. 00:29:13.440 --> 00:29:25.860 Now, if that's your understanding, don't let me cut across your conscience. 00:29:27.440 --> 00:29:30.820 Study Romans and you need to be convinced of it yourself. 00:29:31.160 --> 00:29:36.600 So, if that's how you think it is, I don't think it goes far enough. 00:29:36.599 --> 00:29:39.559 And let me explain why. 00:29:40.819 --> 00:29:42.019 Paul doesn't qualify. 00:29:43.639 --> 00:29:49.399 Nowhere does it say that break up the law in terms of these three categories. 00:29:49.599 --> 00:29:53.579 That's a helpful way to understand what's in the law. 00:29:54.699 --> 00:29:56.659 But we're not told that in the New Testament. 00:29:57.959 --> 00:29:59.019 He doesn't qualify. 00:29:59.219 --> 00:29:59.799 It's absolute. 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:03.359 This old husband, this covenant, gone. 00:30:03.679 --> 00:30:04.579 Death has broken it. 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:10.039 The purpose is to belong to another, not to go back to the law. 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:12.519 He's using absolute language. 00:30:14.599 --> 00:30:20.879 Another thing I noticed this week is, we're going to come to it as we study the next few verses next week, 00:30:20.939 --> 00:30:23.299 but he uses one of the Ten Commandments. 00:30:23.500 --> 00:30:28.359 What we, part of the moral law of you shall not covet, 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:35.379 he uses that as part of his argument that it does not produce not coveting. 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:37.199 It actually is part of the problem. 00:30:37.719 --> 00:30:40.399 He uses the moral law as an illustration. 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:44.699 But again, we'll come to that next week. 00:30:44.700 --> 00:30:56.759 I think another way of thinking about this is, Paul is clearly argued that we are not justified by works of the law. 00:30:56.920 --> 00:31:03.140 I think he's arguing here, we're not sanctified by works of the law. 00:31:03.799 --> 00:31:07.299 We don't live the Christian life by works of the law. 00:31:07.299 --> 00:31:17.740 So, should the Christian basically avoid reading the Old Testament in favour of the New Testament? 00:31:17.940 --> 00:31:19.579 Is that the implication here? 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.819 No way. 00:31:22.059 --> 00:31:26.700 But how we use the Old Testament law has completely changed. 00:31:28.139 --> 00:31:32.419 All the law helps us understand Christ and the grace we have in him. 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:37.160 Is the law good in knowing God's character, what it means for him to be holy? 00:31:37.539 --> 00:31:37.900 Yes. 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:46.180 We need the law to understand who God beautifully is, what it means for Christ to be holy. 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:47.420 He's holy. 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:49.580 So, yes, it's good for that. 00:31:50.700 --> 00:31:54.420 Is it good for understanding what sin is and the depths of our problem? 00:31:54.600 --> 00:31:54.960 Yes. 00:31:54.960 --> 00:32:01.680 The law helps us despair of trying to think we can be good enough for God. 00:32:03.160 --> 00:32:06.960 It helps us not go down the road of self-salvation. 00:32:07.620 --> 00:32:08.320 So, read it. 00:32:08.480 --> 00:32:09.259 We need that. 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:13.320 Does it point forward to the solution? 00:32:13.700 --> 00:32:15.120 We need a better priest. 00:32:15.320 --> 00:32:16.420 We need a better temple. 00:32:16.560 --> 00:32:17.600 We need a better sacrifice. 00:32:17.880 --> 00:32:18.259 Yes. 00:32:18.340 --> 00:32:20.380 It's always pushing towards the solution. 00:32:20.560 --> 00:32:26.060 You can't understand what Christ has done if we don't understand the Old Testament law. 00:32:27.420 --> 00:32:30.820 Does it give me wisdom to understand what love looks like? 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:34.759 Love can look like this and it can look like this in this situation. 00:32:34.960 --> 00:32:36.099 It gives us wisdom. 00:32:36.240 --> 00:32:36.919 Yes, it does. 00:32:36.920 --> 00:32:49.340 But is the law a code that we must live by, a set of rules that God relates to us through, 00:32:49.740 --> 00:32:53.120 determining our blessing or not based on that, our performance? 00:32:53.779 --> 00:32:55.340 I'm going to say absolutely not. 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:59.059 That old obligation is gone. 00:33:00.299 --> 00:33:03.519 So, how we use the law has completely changed. 00:33:03.519 --> 00:33:12.119 Because Christians, we are to no longer serve in the old way of the written code. 00:33:13.619 --> 00:33:17.859 We're to serve in a completely new way of the spirit. 00:33:17.859 --> 00:33:22.779 Now, I want to go into that now. 00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:27.119 But we need the rest of 7 and 8, don't we? 00:33:27.659 --> 00:33:29.039 The beautiful Romans 8. 00:33:30.859 --> 00:33:33.099 But I am going to go into it a little bit. 00:33:33.379 --> 00:33:34.379 I can't help myself. 00:33:35.179 --> 00:33:36.179 I want to highlight. 00:33:36.959 --> 00:33:41.000 There's a bit of a contrast between the written code and the spirit. 00:33:41.000 --> 00:33:46.480 Just a few things taken from chapter 7 and 8. 00:33:49.240 --> 00:33:57.180 The written code, rather than giving motivation to fight sin, it just exposes how far short I fall. 00:33:58.440 --> 00:34:00.539 It even arouses sin, Paul says. 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:07.119 But the spirit applies what Christ has done to me. 00:34:07.740 --> 00:34:08.900 I'm in Christ. 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.920 I'm in a new family. 00:34:11.000 --> 00:34:12.760 It gives me every grace. 00:34:13.679 --> 00:34:15.480 The spirit gives me every grace. 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:19.559 And it completely changes the battle with sin. 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:23.119 I'm going to borrow Tim Keller here because he helped me understand. 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:24.059 Hopefully he helps you. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:31.119 When you become a Christian, you don't move from warfare with sin to peace. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.320 That's not the change. 00:34:33.320 --> 00:34:42.980 You move from a battle you could not win to a new battle which you can't lose. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:47.320 I love that. 00:34:49.119 --> 00:34:50.440 Because we're under grace. 00:34:50.820 --> 00:34:52.179 We can't lose it anymore. 00:34:52.280 --> 00:34:53.039 It's still a battle. 00:34:54.480 --> 00:34:55.480 We can't lose. 00:34:55.480 --> 00:35:08.539 The written code says, when I fall back into the same sin this week as I did last week, I deserve condemnation. 00:35:08.539 --> 00:35:14.519 Whereas the spirit applying the work of Christ under grace says, no condemnation. 00:35:14.519 --> 00:35:18.599 My new husband continues to embrace me. 00:35:18.599 --> 00:35:20.539 Even though I go after other lovers. 00:35:20.539 --> 00:35:28.539 Sorry. 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:30.199 I do well to cry. 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:38.539 The written code leaves me in a constant state of fear that God isn't pleased with me. 00:35:39.840 --> 00:35:41.840 At best, he's just putting up with me. 00:35:41.840 --> 00:35:48.760 The spirit applying the work of Christ to me assures me I'm a love child of God. 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:53.039 Abba, Father. 00:35:56.400 --> 00:36:00.280 The written code places demands on me on the outside. 00:36:00.400 --> 00:36:02.039 It says, here's the holy standard. 00:36:02.180 --> 00:36:03.039 You should be here. 00:36:03.180 --> 00:36:04.079 You should be here. 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:07.180 But it provides no help to get there. 00:36:07.179 --> 00:36:15.139 The spirit applying the work of Christ under grace creates and creates. 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:16.839 We don't do it. 00:36:16.980 --> 00:36:19.799 He creates a new desire from within. 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:24.819 To learn to love the holiness of our new husband. 00:36:26.879 --> 00:36:29.679 Gives me every right in my weakness. 00:36:29.839 --> 00:36:34.859 Hebrews talks about when I'm weak, I have the right to approach the throne of grace for help. 00:36:37.179 --> 00:36:38.960 We think we can't pray in that moment. 00:36:40.359 --> 00:36:40.839 No. 00:36:41.279 --> 00:36:42.119 We're under grace. 00:36:42.839 --> 00:36:44.619 You have every right to ask for help. 00:36:46.179 --> 00:36:49.899 In fact, Romans 8 talks about the spirit is praying for you. 00:36:51.259 --> 00:36:54.039 Christ is interceding in heaven for you. 00:36:56.539 --> 00:36:58.559 The spirit counsels us. 00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.199 Teaching us. 00:37:01.460 --> 00:37:02.679 Giving us power to fight. 00:37:02.679 --> 00:37:12.359 The written code says, you've got to keep obeying the rest of your life or else God has the right to remove blessing from you. 00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:21.239 The spirit applying the work of Christ under grace says, God is working all things for your good. 00:37:22.139 --> 00:37:24.859 Somehow, sovereignly, even your sin. 00:37:24.860 --> 00:37:32.559 He's transforming us to be like his son. 00:37:32.680 --> 00:37:34.260 He's the one transforming us. 00:37:35.559 --> 00:37:38.480 We've got a part to play in that, but it's down to him in the end. 00:37:40.460 --> 00:37:44.160 The written code puts up a mirror to see myself. 00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:47.680 And I see that I've got a conscience. 00:37:48.320 --> 00:37:49.120 The law is good. 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:54.239 But then I also see that I've got this innate desire to be self-sufficient. 00:37:54.420 --> 00:37:55.639 I want to rebel against that. 00:37:55.719 --> 00:37:56.739 I want to do what I want. 00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:59.319 That's what the written code does. 00:37:59.639 --> 00:38:00.599 Shows me who I am. 00:38:00.659 --> 00:38:03.279 I've got this battle going on. 00:38:04.219 --> 00:38:05.599 The problem is, they're both me. 00:38:07.819 --> 00:38:09.099 That's what the law says. 00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:09.960 They're both me. 00:38:10.239 --> 00:38:11.279 Yes, the law is good. 00:38:12.339 --> 00:38:13.299 I don't love it. 00:38:13.300 --> 00:38:16.800 Is that who I am? 00:38:16.920 --> 00:38:17.320 I don't love it. 00:38:17.460 --> 00:38:19.640 But the spirit has changed me. 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:26.039 The spirit applies the work of Christ and has created a new inner self. 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:32.360 The resurrected me, the real me, now delights in God's law. 00:38:33.180 --> 00:38:34.280 Why do I keep on sinning? 00:38:34.460 --> 00:38:37.160 Because sin is remaining in my sinful flesh. 00:38:38.039 --> 00:38:39.480 But it's not me, in a sense. 00:38:39.560 --> 00:38:40.080 It's sin. 00:38:40.640 --> 00:38:42.740 The fundamental me has changed. 00:38:42.739 --> 00:38:43.719 It's a new battle. 00:38:45.859 --> 00:38:55.379 And the spirit gives hope that we cannot lose this battle in the end because our sinful flesh will be raised to be like Christ's glorious body. 00:38:56.519 --> 00:38:58.519 We will win this battle. 00:39:02.799 --> 00:39:05.259 It's two completely different ways of serving. 00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.799 One's under law. 00:39:09.359 --> 00:39:11.379 One's under grace in Christ. 00:39:12.739 --> 00:39:20.500 I just want to finish by saying how great is our God that he doesn't want to relate to us through his good law. 00:39:20.500 --> 00:39:36.179 What brings us together to God, what he wants the focus of our relationship to be, what he wants us to see in him and receive from him, it's not our performance. 00:39:37.400 --> 00:39:39.639 But his super abounding grace. 00:39:39.639 --> 00:39:40.639 He wants us to be. 00:39:40.639 --> 00:39:41.639 He wants us to be. 00:39:41.639 --> 00:39:43.059 That's what brings you together. 00:39:45.699 --> 00:39:46.879 Super abounding. 00:39:47.199 --> 00:39:49.739 It's like a flood has been unleashed. 00:39:52.539 --> 00:39:54.139 A tsunami of grace. 00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:55.139 He wants us to be. 00:39:55.139 --> 00:39:56.139 He wants us to be. 00:39:56.139 --> 00:39:57.139 He wants us to be. 00:39:57.139 --> 00:39:58.139 He wants us to be. 00:39:58.139 --> 00:39:59.139 He wants us to be. 00:39:59.139 --> 00:40:01.279 He wants our dependence on his grace. 00:40:03.099 --> 00:40:05.000 He isn't concerned on our performance. 00:40:05.139 --> 00:40:06.159 He wants our praise. 00:40:09.019 --> 00:40:11.179 He isn't wanting us to try harder. 00:40:11.319 --> 00:40:12.639 He wants our thankfulness. 00:40:12.639 --> 00:40:19.359 We have a grace-mediated relationship with God. 00:40:19.539 --> 00:40:22.259 That's how he wants us to see him. 00:40:23.159 --> 00:40:27.059 And no other religion comes even close to this God. 00:40:34.059 --> 00:40:35.219 Romans 8 verse 3. 00:40:35.219 --> 00:40:38.219 For God has done, done, he's done. 00:40:38.219 --> 00:40:45.539 What the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do by sending his own son. 00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:54.779 Instead of living in fear of never measuring up to God's law, we can fall into the arms of our new husband. 00:40:58.079 --> 00:41:03.500 Thanks be to God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, that we are not under law. 00:41:03.759 --> 00:41:04.699 We are under grace. 00:41:08.219 --> 00:41:10.219 Let's pray to God. 00:41:22.939 --> 00:41:32.679 Oh Lord, we believe Satan's lie in the garden that you are not good. 00:41:32.679 --> 00:41:39.139 That you want us to relate through law. 00:41:39.319 --> 00:41:49.019 When you created us by grace and you've saved us by grace, please help us to grasp the gospel more deeply through your word. 00:41:49.619 --> 00:41:53.619 So that we might just see the world of grace we now live in. 00:41:54.659 --> 00:42:00.839 Do this because we know that that honors you and will produce a life that pleases you. 00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:04.259 I pray this in Jesus' name. 00:42:04.440 --> 00:42:04.699 Amen.