WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.280 There was a time in my life when I enjoyed getting up at four o'clock in the morning 00:00:04.280 --> 00:00:09.200 and driving from Pendleton to near Abbeville, Parsons Mountain, 00:00:10.240 --> 00:00:18.339 sitting out in the cold, black, dark, waiting on a buck to come out at daylight. 00:00:19.339 --> 00:00:21.000 I don't enjoy that anymore. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:24.620 I don't like to be cold like that anymore. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:27.679 But I do miss some things about it. 00:00:27.679 --> 00:00:34.759 Some of you know this, even if you're not a hunter living out in the country 00:00:34.759 --> 00:00:39.060 or just living away from a place where there's just no light around. 00:00:39.719 --> 00:00:45.840 On those cold, clear mornings in the woods before the first light of dawn, 00:00:47.100 --> 00:00:52.679 the stars just fill the sky with bright, flickering lights 00:00:52.679 --> 00:01:00.980 that really just illuminate against that black pitch, black, dark sky. 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:10.060 You know, that is an awesome display, isn't it, of God's glory, His splendor. 00:01:10.060 --> 00:01:16.980 Or are you aware that God wants us to live such Christ-like lives 00:01:16.980 --> 00:01:20.780 in this world of spiritual and moral darkness 00:01:20.780 --> 00:01:26.280 that we, you and me, that we stand out like stars 00:01:26.280 --> 00:01:30.300 in a pitch black, dark sky? 00:01:30.299 --> 00:01:39.280 And we are awesome displays of God's grace and God's glory. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:42.560 I want you to turn with me to Philippians chapter 2 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:46.219 and see how God calls every one of us 00:01:46.219 --> 00:01:51.140 to so live our lives as followers of Jesus in this world 00:01:51.140 --> 00:01:57.099 that we do stand out as light 00:01:57.099 --> 00:02:00.180 in the midst of this world's darkness. 00:02:01.400 --> 00:02:05.739 Philippians chapter 2, and today we'll begin in verse 12. 00:02:07.879 --> 00:02:08.680 Paul says, 00:02:08.680 --> 00:02:10.259 Therefore, my beloved. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:14.280 Some translations say, therefore, my dear friends. 00:02:14.659 --> 00:02:15.960 This is just a reminder now 00:02:15.960 --> 00:02:19.460 as we've gone through this study in the book of Philippians. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:22.080 Paul has a special relationship with these people. 00:02:22.860 --> 00:02:26.159 These are overall faithful Christians. 00:02:26.260 --> 00:02:28.140 They've really supported him in a lot of ways. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:29.100 They've prayed for him. 00:02:29.319 --> 00:02:31.879 They sent money to meet his needs. 00:02:32.879 --> 00:02:34.700 They have been encouragers to him 00:02:34.700 --> 00:02:37.040 and he counts them as dear friends. 00:02:37.240 --> 00:02:40.800 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, 00:02:41.460 --> 00:02:45.140 so now, not only as in my presence, 00:02:45.460 --> 00:02:47.319 but much more in my absence, 00:02:47.319 --> 00:02:50.419 work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 00:02:50.959 --> 00:02:52.799 for it is God who works in you 00:02:52.799 --> 00:02:56.079 both to will and to work for his good pleasure. 00:02:57.500 --> 00:03:02.280 Do all things without grumbling or disputing, arguing, 00:03:03.280 --> 00:03:07.180 that you may be blameless and innocent children of God 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:11.620 without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, 00:03:11.620 --> 00:03:16.560 among whom you shine as lights in the world, 00:03:17.180 --> 00:03:19.000 holding fast to the word of life, 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:21.599 so that in the day of Christ, 00:03:22.060 --> 00:03:26.080 I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain, 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:30.920 even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice, 00:03:31.319 --> 00:03:33.040 sacrificial offering of your faith, 00:03:33.039 --> 00:03:37.379 I am glad and rejoice with you all. 00:03:38.099 --> 00:03:42.319 Likewise, you also should be glad and rejoice with me. 00:03:43.419 --> 00:03:46.560 I want us to note before we get into the body of the message, 00:03:46.979 --> 00:03:48.379 the word therefore in verse 12. 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:51.739 Paul intends as he starts this section 00:03:51.739 --> 00:03:54.219 for us to recall what he's just said, 00:03:54.379 --> 00:03:55.819 which is what we looked at last week. 00:03:56.219 --> 00:03:57.599 In verses five through eight, 00:03:57.599 --> 00:04:01.599 we saw last week how Jesus is the model 00:04:01.599 --> 00:04:04.180 of how to humble ourself. 00:04:05.319 --> 00:04:07.680 He humbled himself by leaving the glory of heaven, 00:04:07.959 --> 00:04:10.159 coming into this world as a man, as a slave, 00:04:11.159 --> 00:04:15.159 and ultimately to die on the cross, 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:17.519 to pay the penalty for our sins. 00:04:18.420 --> 00:04:21.740 We also saw in last week in verses nine through 11, 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:25.019 how God lifted Jesus from the grave 00:04:25.019 --> 00:04:27.620 and exalted him, elevated him 00:04:27.620 --> 00:04:31.299 to the highest place of honor in the universe 00:04:31.299 --> 00:04:32.379 at his right hand. 00:04:33.500 --> 00:04:35.959 And there in that exalted place, 00:04:37.639 --> 00:04:39.399 Jesus is given the name Lord. 00:04:40.979 --> 00:04:44.519 And every knee in the universe 00:04:44.519 --> 00:04:46.399 will one day bow before him. 00:04:47.339 --> 00:04:51.039 Every tongue one day will confess, 00:04:51.359 --> 00:04:52.459 whether they want to or not, 00:04:52.459 --> 00:04:55.299 that Jesus Christ is Lord. 00:04:56.180 --> 00:04:58.000 Now what we find in verses 12 through 18 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:00.439 is a description of how we, 00:05:01.519 --> 00:05:02.519 as Christians, 00:05:03.879 --> 00:05:06.500 who willingly bow before Jesus, 00:05:07.939 --> 00:05:11.500 who wholeheartedly honor him as Lord, 00:05:12.099 --> 00:05:13.319 what we're gonna find in these verses 00:05:13.319 --> 00:05:16.799 is how we are to live now 00:05:16.799 --> 00:05:20.740 under the Lordship of Jesus. 00:05:20.740 --> 00:05:23.579 So I want us to go through this passage 00:05:23.579 --> 00:05:25.620 with the understanding, 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:27.780 what we're gonna be reading now 00:05:27.780 --> 00:05:29.600 is how we will live 00:05:29.600 --> 00:05:33.840 if Jesus is the Lord of our life. 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:35.139 Let's look first. 00:05:35.600 --> 00:05:36.699 If Jesus is our Lord, 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:38.439 it will be evident by the way 00:05:38.439 --> 00:05:40.160 that we relate to God. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:42.620 It'll be seen in our relationship with the Lord. 00:05:43.139 --> 00:05:43.699 First of all, 00:05:43.759 --> 00:05:46.740 we'll demonstrate our ongoing faith in God. 00:05:47.040 --> 00:05:49.840 We'll demonstrate that our faith is real, 00:05:49.839 --> 00:05:50.459 it's living, 00:05:50.619 --> 00:05:51.219 it's active, 00:05:51.379 --> 00:05:52.439 it is continuing 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:55.019 from the time we were converted 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:56.399 to this very moment. 00:05:56.839 --> 00:05:58.019 Look at the first phrase. 00:05:59.039 --> 00:05:59.419 Paul says, 00:05:59.539 --> 00:06:00.560 work out your salvation 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:01.759 with fear and trembling. 00:06:02.359 --> 00:06:03.299 We need to be as clear 00:06:03.299 --> 00:06:04.819 about what this does not mean 00:06:04.819 --> 00:06:06.459 as what it does mean. 00:06:07.319 --> 00:06:08.579 Let me just say point blank. 00:06:09.219 --> 00:06:10.379 Paul is not saying 00:06:10.379 --> 00:06:12.719 that we work for our salvation 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:13.759 or anything like that. 00:06:14.099 --> 00:06:15.279 James Boyce, 00:06:15.279 --> 00:06:17.599 in his commentary, 00:06:18.099 --> 00:06:19.819 he makes this very clear. 00:06:19.899 --> 00:06:20.639 I want you to look at it. 00:06:21.639 --> 00:06:22.000 He says, 00:06:22.239 --> 00:06:23.479 this verse does not say 00:06:23.479 --> 00:06:25.019 work for your salvation 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:27.459 or work toward your salvation 00:06:27.459 --> 00:06:29.699 or work at your salvation. 00:06:30.119 --> 00:06:30.599 It says, 00:06:31.000 --> 00:06:32.939 work out your salvation. 00:06:33.619 --> 00:06:36.279 And no one can work his salvation out 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:40.759 unless God has already worked it in. 00:06:40.759 --> 00:06:44.560 Paul is telling us, 00:06:46.360 --> 00:06:48.319 we who are writing to Christians, 00:06:49.240 --> 00:06:50.259 believers in Jesus, 00:06:51.939 --> 00:06:54.439 people that God has already 00:06:54.439 --> 00:06:55.639 brought about a new birth, 00:06:57.219 --> 00:06:57.779 he is saying, 00:06:58.779 --> 00:07:02.139 you live like the Christian you are. 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:05.379 You show the world 00:07:05.379 --> 00:07:07.240 what it means to be 00:07:07.240 --> 00:07:08.680 a follower of Jesus. 00:07:09.439 --> 00:07:10.600 This is one way of him 00:07:10.600 --> 00:07:11.339 just saying, 00:07:12.240 --> 00:07:14.740 seek to grow and mature 00:07:14.740 --> 00:07:18.000 as the child of God 00:07:18.000 --> 00:07:19.500 that you really are 00:07:19.500 --> 00:07:21.620 by God's grace. 00:07:22.560 --> 00:07:22.719 Now, 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.360 I think it's important 00:07:24.360 --> 00:07:25.560 that we note here 00:07:25.560 --> 00:07:27.540 how the word salvation 00:07:27.540 --> 00:07:28.379 is used 00:07:28.379 --> 00:07:29.779 throughout the New Testament. 00:07:30.259 --> 00:07:30.779 A lot of times, 00:07:30.839 --> 00:07:31.719 people have the idea 00:07:31.719 --> 00:07:33.000 that the word salvation 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:33.379 or saved 00:07:33.939 --> 00:07:35.240 is just talking about 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:37.360 our initial conversion. 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:39.740 We repent of our sin 00:07:39.740 --> 00:07:40.860 and put our trust in Jesus. 00:07:41.660 --> 00:07:43.319 We are saved. 00:07:43.480 --> 00:07:44.420 We think about that. 00:07:44.519 --> 00:07:45.620 That's what salvation is. 00:07:45.860 --> 00:07:46.100 Well, 00:07:46.500 --> 00:07:47.680 that's only a part 00:07:47.680 --> 00:07:49.759 of how the word salvation 00:07:49.759 --> 00:07:50.400 is used 00:07:50.400 --> 00:07:51.240 in the New Testament. 00:07:51.720 --> 00:07:52.860 More often than not, 00:07:52.920 --> 00:07:53.300 in fact, 00:07:53.800 --> 00:07:54.460 the New Testament 00:07:54.460 --> 00:07:55.819 uses the word salvation 00:07:55.819 --> 00:07:58.460 to describe a process 00:07:58.460 --> 00:08:00.400 that takes place 00:08:00.400 --> 00:08:01.699 throughout our Christian lives. 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:02.660 Let's look at it 00:08:02.660 --> 00:08:03.639 under three categories. 00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:04.180 First, 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:06.740 salvation actually begins 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.639 when we trust Christ. 00:08:09.360 --> 00:08:10.379 The biblical word, 00:08:10.459 --> 00:08:11.180 the theological word, 00:08:11.240 --> 00:08:12.120 is the word justification. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:13.900 When a person 00:08:13.900 --> 00:08:14.500 puts their faith 00:08:14.500 --> 00:08:15.240 and trust in Jesus, 00:08:15.400 --> 00:08:16.340 God looks at them 00:08:16.340 --> 00:08:17.280 at that moment 00:08:17.280 --> 00:08:18.519 and declares them 00:08:18.519 --> 00:08:19.780 to be righteous, 00:08:20.439 --> 00:08:21.060 justified, 00:08:21.240 --> 00:08:21.600 if you want to use 00:08:21.600 --> 00:08:22.019 that word. 00:08:22.680 --> 00:08:24.280 No matter who a person is, 00:08:24.340 --> 00:08:24.939 what they've done, 00:08:25.019 --> 00:08:26.600 how awful they have been, 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:28.360 when they repent 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:28.819 of their sin 00:08:28.819 --> 00:08:29.620 and trust Jesus, 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.139 they become one 00:08:31.139 --> 00:08:32.720 with Jesus by faith. 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:33.920 And when God 00:08:33.920 --> 00:08:34.840 looks at that person, 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:35.779 they've not done 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:36.680 one thing 00:08:36.680 --> 00:08:38.139 to please God 00:08:38.139 --> 00:08:38.840 their whole life. 00:08:39.879 --> 00:08:41.000 God looks at that person 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:41.420 and declares 00:08:41.420 --> 00:08:42.320 they are right 00:08:42.320 --> 00:08:44.639 because united to Jesus, 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:45.840 the penalty for their sin 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:46.440 has been paid. 00:08:46.800 --> 00:08:47.700 United to Jesus, 00:08:48.779 --> 00:08:51.320 they have His righteousness, 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:53.720 His obedience 00:08:53.720 --> 00:08:55.500 credited to their account. 00:08:55.500 --> 00:08:57.940 So, salvation begins 00:08:57.940 --> 00:08:58.879 when we trust Christ 00:08:58.879 --> 00:09:00.580 and we might call it, 00:09:00.740 --> 00:09:01.460 we might describe it 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:01.860 like this, 00:09:02.039 --> 00:09:03.500 I have been saved. 00:09:04.320 --> 00:09:05.320 If you're a Christian, 00:09:06.379 --> 00:09:07.899 you might even say 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:09.240 I was saved 00:09:09.240 --> 00:09:10.320 at a certain point 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:10.919 in my life. 00:09:11.620 --> 00:09:12.340 That's good. 00:09:12.879 --> 00:09:13.700 But that's not the only way 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:14.559 salvation is used. 00:09:14.940 --> 00:09:16.919 Salvation continues. 00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:18.799 Our salvation, 00:09:18.879 --> 00:09:19.419 your salvation, 00:09:19.740 --> 00:09:21.919 continues as we follow Christ. 00:09:22.240 --> 00:09:23.039 The theological word 00:09:23.039 --> 00:09:24.000 is sanctification. 00:09:24.000 --> 00:09:25.759 To be set apart. 00:09:27.200 --> 00:09:28.179 You are a saint 00:09:28.179 --> 00:09:29.139 if you're a Christian 00:09:29.139 --> 00:09:31.059 by virtue of 00:09:31.059 --> 00:09:32.159 God declaring you 00:09:32.159 --> 00:09:32.840 to be a saint. 00:09:33.840 --> 00:09:34.720 But from the moment 00:09:34.720 --> 00:09:35.580 He declares us 00:09:35.580 --> 00:09:36.440 to be righteous, 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:37.679 a saint, 00:09:38.320 --> 00:09:40.019 He begins to work in us 00:09:40.019 --> 00:09:40.899 through His Spirit. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:41.840 When God saves us, 00:09:41.879 --> 00:09:42.659 He puts His Holy Spirit 00:09:42.659 --> 00:09:43.139 in us 00:09:43.139 --> 00:09:44.960 and from that point on 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:46.200 He works in us 00:09:46.200 --> 00:09:48.500 to actually make us 00:09:48.500 --> 00:09:49.860 like Jesus. 00:09:50.419 --> 00:09:51.139 Now it's a 00:09:51.139 --> 00:09:52.600 lifelong process. 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:54.159 In this room, 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:58.019 we are spread out 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:00.159 along the continuum 00:10:00.159 --> 00:10:02.720 of growing in Christ's likeness. 00:10:03.200 --> 00:10:05.399 Some people are just, 00:10:05.879 --> 00:10:06.120 you know, 00:10:06.120 --> 00:10:07.139 haven't grown a whole lot. 00:10:07.720 --> 00:10:08.820 Some have shown 00:10:08.820 --> 00:10:10.040 great strides 00:10:10.040 --> 00:10:11.220 in Christian maturity 00:10:11.220 --> 00:10:12.240 by God's grace. 00:10:13.060 --> 00:10:13.899 We're all somewhere 00:10:13.899 --> 00:10:14.680 on that line. 00:10:15.320 --> 00:10:16.240 When God saved us, 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:17.160 put His Spirit in us, 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.279 He began the process 00:10:18.279 --> 00:10:18.860 of making us 00:10:18.860 --> 00:10:19.600 more like Jesus. 00:10:19.600 --> 00:10:23.680 We could say like this, 00:10:25.040 --> 00:10:26.659 I am being saved 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:28.340 right now 00:10:28.340 --> 00:10:29.899 as God works in us, 00:10:30.300 --> 00:10:31.639 developing us, 00:10:32.000 --> 00:10:32.680 our character 00:10:32.680 --> 00:10:33.700 to make us 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.320 more like Jesus. 00:10:34.840 --> 00:10:35.800 Third way salvation 00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:36.300 is used, 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:38.600 salvation concludes 00:10:39.120 --> 00:10:39.500 when we go 00:10:39.500 --> 00:10:40.300 to be with Jesus. 00:10:41.580 --> 00:10:42.360 One day, 00:10:42.759 --> 00:10:44.160 we're all going to die. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:44.759 If we're Christians, 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.340 we're going to go 00:10:45.340 --> 00:10:45.860 to be with the Lord 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:46.680 or He could return 00:10:46.680 --> 00:10:47.240 before we die. 00:10:47.240 --> 00:10:49.080 That's when we will 00:10:49.080 --> 00:10:50.080 be glorified. 00:10:50.779 --> 00:10:51.680 That's the word, 00:10:51.779 --> 00:10:52.299 the big word, 00:10:52.419 --> 00:10:53.080 glorification. 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:54.740 That's when we will 00:10:54.740 --> 00:10:56.600 actually be made 00:10:56.600 --> 00:10:57.879 like Jesus 00:10:57.879 --> 00:10:59.680 without blemish. 00:10:59.799 --> 00:11:00.340 We've already talked 00:11:00.340 --> 00:11:01.840 about in a previous study. 00:11:03.080 --> 00:11:04.320 That's when we'll overcome 00:11:04.320 --> 00:11:06.419 or our sinful nature 00:11:06.419 --> 00:11:08.139 will be totally eradicated. 00:11:09.279 --> 00:11:11.200 We may describe that 00:11:11.200 --> 00:11:13.519 as I will be saved. 00:11:14.580 --> 00:11:15.779 Salvation will be complete. 00:11:15.779 --> 00:11:17.860 Paul is using 00:11:17.860 --> 00:11:18.600 the word salvation 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.639 here in verse 12 00:11:19.639 --> 00:11:20.879 to describe how 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:22.299 we continue 00:11:22.299 --> 00:11:24.539 to follow Jesus 00:11:24.539 --> 00:11:26.519 after our conversion. 00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.039 He's talking about 00:11:28.039 --> 00:11:28.779 our sanctification. 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:30.419 When he says, 00:11:30.659 --> 00:11:31.620 work out your salvation, 00:11:32.039 --> 00:11:32.539 he could say, 00:11:32.839 --> 00:11:34.179 work out your sanctification. 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:36.919 He's describing 00:11:36.919 --> 00:11:37.779 our growing relationship 00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:41.279 as children of God 00:11:41.279 --> 00:11:42.740 developing the character 00:11:42.740 --> 00:11:43.299 of Jesus. 00:11:43.299 --> 00:11:43.459 Jesus. 00:11:44.459 --> 00:11:44.859 Now, 00:11:45.740 --> 00:11:46.879 what does that mean? 00:11:47.519 --> 00:11:48.740 What does that look like 00:11:48.740 --> 00:11:49.279 if we grow? 00:11:49.559 --> 00:11:49.779 Well, 00:11:51.039 --> 00:11:52.919 in verses 14 through 16, 00:11:54.179 --> 00:11:55.240 Paul is explaining 00:11:55.240 --> 00:11:56.199 what it means, 00:11:56.500 --> 00:11:57.519 what it'll look like 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:59.419 as we 00:11:59.419 --> 00:12:02.639 grow like this, 00:12:02.679 --> 00:12:03.179 as we work out 00:12:03.179 --> 00:12:03.659 our salvation. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.279 Look at this. 00:12:05.699 --> 00:12:06.399 He says, 00:12:06.919 --> 00:12:07.419 after he said, 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.559 work out your salvation 00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:09.599 with fear and trembling 00:12:09.599 --> 00:12:10.500 for God works in you 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:11.000 to will and work 00:12:11.000 --> 00:12:11.539 for his new pleasure. 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:13.179 Do all things 00:12:13.179 --> 00:12:13.839 without grumbling 00:12:13.839 --> 00:12:14.620 or disputing, 00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:15.959 that you may be 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:17.159 blameless and innocent, 00:12:17.699 --> 00:12:18.480 children of God 00:12:18.480 --> 00:12:19.659 without blemish 00:12:19.659 --> 00:12:20.779 in the midst 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:21.399 of a crooked 00:12:21.399 --> 00:12:23.120 and twisted generation, 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:25.000 among whom you shine 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.679 as lights in the world, 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.199 holding fast 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:29.659 to the word of life. 00:12:30.939 --> 00:12:31.899 That's describing 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:34.079 how we're to live, 00:12:34.500 --> 00:12:35.319 how we're to grow, 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:36.759 how we're to mature, 00:12:37.019 --> 00:12:38.539 how we're to change. 00:12:38.539 --> 00:12:39.819 Now, 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.079 let's just stop here 00:12:41.079 --> 00:12:41.480 for a moment. 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:44.399 Look at yourself. 00:12:45.899 --> 00:12:47.279 Can you see signs 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:49.579 that you are growing 00:12:49.579 --> 00:12:52.480 like these signs? 00:12:52.659 --> 00:12:53.480 Can you see signs 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:54.439 that you are growing 00:12:54.439 --> 00:12:56.120 in living 00:12:56.120 --> 00:12:59.240 a Christ-like life? 00:13:00.000 --> 00:13:00.719 Can you see signs 00:13:00.719 --> 00:13:01.639 of spiritual growth? 00:13:02.500 --> 00:13:03.379 Think about it this way. 00:13:03.379 --> 00:13:05.799 Are you, 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:07.740 more often than not, 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:11.360 somebody who just grumbles, 00:13:13.139 --> 00:13:14.320 complains, 00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:16.159 whines, 00:13:16.860 --> 00:13:18.019 likes to argue 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:19.600 about everything under the sun? 00:13:19.720 --> 00:13:20.840 Are you just basically 00:13:20.840 --> 00:13:23.379 a negative person? 00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:28.200 Do you easily 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:29.179 take offense 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:32.100 at something somebody says 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:33.419 or the way they look at you 00:13:33.419 --> 00:13:34.439 or slight you? 00:13:36.120 --> 00:13:37.840 Do you like to talk about 00:13:37.840 --> 00:13:39.360 how life's not fair? 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.759 You get the short end 00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.620 of the stick all the time. 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:45.139 Deep down, 00:13:45.299 --> 00:13:46.939 you're halfway mad at God 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:47.620 a lot of times 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:49.200 because life doesn't work 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:49.720 the way you think 00:13:49.720 --> 00:13:50.340 it ought to work, 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.600 at least for you. 00:13:51.600 --> 00:13:53.600 more, 00:13:54.540 --> 00:13:55.639 now let's just be honest. 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.940 Everybody gripes 00:13:58.940 --> 00:14:00.279 and complains at times. 00:14:01.920 --> 00:14:03.220 Everybody has a pity party 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:03.899 at times. 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.500 Everybody thinks 00:14:05.500 --> 00:14:06.360 life's not fair 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:07.460 to me at times. 00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.460 Let's just be open 00:14:08.460 --> 00:14:09.379 and honest about that. 00:14:10.519 --> 00:14:11.040 But is that 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:12.440 just the way you are? 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:14.080 Is that your nature? 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.100 Is that your character? 00:14:18.860 --> 00:14:19.379 Or, 00:14:19.379 --> 00:14:21.740 are you more often 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.639 than not 00:14:22.639 --> 00:14:26.360 seeking to obey God? 00:14:27.820 --> 00:14:28.240 I mean, 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.019 you really want to. 00:14:29.559 --> 00:14:30.500 You put forth the effort 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.279 to do what you know 00:14:31.279 --> 00:14:32.320 God wants you to do. 00:14:33.820 --> 00:14:35.019 Do you more often 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:35.879 than not 00:14:35.879 --> 00:14:39.240 see the needs 00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.100 of other people, 00:14:40.500 --> 00:14:41.659 think about other people, 00:14:42.659 --> 00:14:45.519 or instead of just 00:14:45.519 --> 00:14:45.960 always thinking 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:46.539 about yourself? 00:14:46.539 --> 00:14:49.199 Do you more often 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:49.899 than not 00:14:49.899 --> 00:14:52.959 not take offense? 00:14:54.019 --> 00:14:54.879 Not wear your 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:56.120 feelings on your sleeve? 00:14:57.759 --> 00:14:58.919 Do you more often 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.539 than not 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:01.559 count your blessings, 00:15:02.079 --> 00:15:02.659 be thankful 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:03.459 for what God 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.719 has and is doing, 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.819 what He's promised 00:15:05.819 --> 00:15:06.319 to do, 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:09.099 rather than 00:15:09.099 --> 00:15:10.059 be disappointed? 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:12.559 Are you quick 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:13.000 to forgive? 00:15:13.000 --> 00:15:13.279 forgive? 00:15:15.340 --> 00:15:15.840 Well, 00:15:16.879 --> 00:15:18.159 cooperating with God 00:15:18.159 --> 00:15:19.100 as He works 00:15:19.100 --> 00:15:20.320 in us 00:15:20.320 --> 00:15:21.500 to make us 00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:22.379 more like Jesus, 00:15:23.379 --> 00:15:27.639 if we do that, 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:31.159 we won't be doing 00:15:31.159 --> 00:15:31.940 all this 00:15:31.940 --> 00:15:33.799 grumbling 00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:35.259 and disputing, 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.299 but we'll be 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.240 developing this 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.539 more blameless 00:15:39.539 --> 00:15:40.620 Christ-like character. 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:42.500 That's just 00:15:42.500 --> 00:15:43.060 a fact. 00:15:44.060 --> 00:15:45.560 So look at yourself, 00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:47.060 evaluate yourself 00:15:47.060 --> 00:15:47.980 and where you are 00:15:47.980 --> 00:15:48.519 in your relationship 00:15:48.519 --> 00:15:49.120 with God. 00:15:50.320 --> 00:15:50.519 Now, 00:15:51.799 --> 00:15:52.840 as we do, 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:53.659 as we cooperate 00:15:53.659 --> 00:15:54.279 with God, 00:15:55.279 --> 00:15:57.960 as He works 00:15:57.960 --> 00:15:58.519 in us, 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.159 we need to take 00:16:00.159 --> 00:16:01.440 this very seriously. 00:16:02.200 --> 00:16:02.759 Look at what else 00:16:02.759 --> 00:16:03.159 He says. 00:16:03.539 --> 00:16:04.500 Work out your salvation 00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:05.279 with fear 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:06.580 and trembling. 00:16:07.600 --> 00:16:08.600 God has graciously 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:09.560 saved us, 00:16:09.559 --> 00:16:10.839 He's made us 00:16:10.839 --> 00:16:11.559 His children, 00:16:11.959 --> 00:16:12.959 and God wants us 00:16:12.959 --> 00:16:13.539 to know Him 00:16:13.539 --> 00:16:15.000 as our loving 00:16:15.000 --> 00:16:15.739 Heavenly Father. 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:16.819 He wants us 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.339 to have a close 00:16:17.339 --> 00:16:18.239 relationship with Him, 00:16:18.799 --> 00:16:19.399 be able to come 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.399 into His presence 00:16:20.399 --> 00:16:21.619 and talk to Him, 00:16:22.039 --> 00:16:22.819 fellowship with Him, 00:16:22.939 --> 00:16:23.519 praise Him, 00:16:23.639 --> 00:16:24.179 thank Him. 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.359 He does that. 00:16:29.000 --> 00:16:30.059 Jesus even taught us 00:16:30.059 --> 00:16:30.419 to pray, 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:31.479 our Father. 00:16:32.879 --> 00:16:33.219 So, 00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:34.779 I don't want to 00:16:34.779 --> 00:16:35.759 minimize in any way 00:16:35.759 --> 00:16:36.759 the fact that we 00:16:36.759 --> 00:16:37.159 as Christians 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.839 have a close 00:16:37.839 --> 00:16:38.739 relationship with God 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.539 as a Father. 00:16:41.259 --> 00:16:42.340 But even as our 00:16:42.340 --> 00:16:43.240 Heavenly Father, 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:44.560 God never ceases 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.299 to be 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:47.200 the God that He is, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.299 the holy, 00:16:48.899 --> 00:16:49.620 the pure, 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.000 the awesome, 00:16:51.539 --> 00:16:52.279 the glorious, 00:16:52.820 --> 00:16:54.299 the sovereign God 00:16:54.299 --> 00:16:55.299 who's created 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.299 all things 00:16:56.299 --> 00:16:58.000 and for whom 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.299 everything exists. 00:16:59.299 --> 00:17:03.479 we must never lose 00:17:03.479 --> 00:17:06.359 a healthy fear 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:08.200 or reverence 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.220 for God 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.619 no matter 00:17:09.619 --> 00:17:11.480 how long we live 00:17:11.480 --> 00:17:12.059 as Christians. 00:17:13.339 --> 00:17:13.759 We, 00:17:13.879 --> 00:17:14.379 you and me, 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.419 as children of God, 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.619 we should never cease 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:18.079 to be in awe 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:18.919 and wonder 00:17:18.919 --> 00:17:21.079 of who God is. 00:17:22.659 --> 00:17:24.000 A long time ago, 00:17:24.399 --> 00:17:25.759 I watched a movie 00:17:25.759 --> 00:17:27.619 that centered around 00:17:27.619 --> 00:17:29.140 the personal life 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:31.279 of a fictitious 00:17:31.279 --> 00:17:32.339 President of the 00:17:32.339 --> 00:17:33.000 United States. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.000 The President's 00:17:35.000 --> 00:17:36.279 closest advisor 00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:37.619 was his 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.160 lifelong friend. 00:17:40.160 --> 00:17:40.859 Late one night, 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.440 they were 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:43.019 in the White House 00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:45.339 shooting pool together, 00:17:46.420 --> 00:17:47.579 no one around, 00:17:47.579 --> 00:17:49.940 and talking about 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:52.000 a serious issue. 00:17:52.000 --> 00:17:54.160 The advisor 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.039 kept calling 00:17:55.039 --> 00:17:55.779 the President 00:17:55.779 --> 00:17:57.380 Mr. President. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:17:58.259 Yes, 00:17:58.380 --> 00:17:58.940 Mr. President, 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.579 Mr. President, 00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.200 this and that. 00:18:01.279 --> 00:18:02.359 The President 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:03.460 finally looked at him 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:03.980 and said, 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:05.799 we have known 00:18:05.799 --> 00:18:06.420 each other 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.259 practically all 00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:08.200 of our lives. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.279 You are my 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:11.940 closest friend. 00:18:12.900 --> 00:18:14.039 No one is here 00:18:14.039 --> 00:18:15.019 but you and me. 00:18:16.039 --> 00:18:16.819 Please quit 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.619 calling me 00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.640 Mr. President 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:20.160 and call me 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:20.640 Phil. 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:22.540 And without 00:18:22.540 --> 00:18:23.120 hesitating, 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:23.680 the advisor 00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:24.080 said, 00:18:24.480 --> 00:18:24.820 yes, 00:18:25.280 --> 00:18:25.960 Mr. President. 00:18:28.180 --> 00:18:28.580 You see, 00:18:28.780 --> 00:18:29.460 he knew 00:18:29.460 --> 00:18:30.540 there are some 00:18:30.540 --> 00:18:31.500 relationships 00:18:31.500 --> 00:18:33.080 that we just 00:18:33.080 --> 00:18:33.920 must never 00:18:33.920 --> 00:18:34.700 lose sight 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.300 of 00:18:35.300 --> 00:18:36.360 our 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:37.800 superior's 00:18:37.800 --> 00:18:39.220 authority 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:41.300 and dignity. 00:18:42.520 --> 00:18:43.560 And we always 00:18:43.560 --> 00:18:44.360 show respect. 00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:46.420 That's the way 00:18:46.420 --> 00:18:46.680 it should be 00:18:46.680 --> 00:18:47.220 in our relationship 00:18:47.220 --> 00:18:47.759 with God. 00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:50.579 call him 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:51.099 father. 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:52.819 Think about 00:18:52.819 --> 00:18:53.140 how much 00:18:53.140 --> 00:18:53.980 he loves us, 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.019 loves you. 00:18:56.140 --> 00:18:56.720 How he called 00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:57.059 you to be 00:18:57.059 --> 00:18:57.720 his child. 00:18:58.920 --> 00:18:59.539 Enjoy 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.220 closeness 00:19:00.220 --> 00:19:00.839 with him 00:19:00.839 --> 00:19:02.740 but never 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:03.559 cease to 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:04.920 also see 00:19:04.920 --> 00:19:05.299 him 00:19:05.299 --> 00:19:06.660 as the 00:19:06.660 --> 00:19:07.319 holy God 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.079 that he is. 00:19:09.140 --> 00:19:09.740 And that we 00:19:09.740 --> 00:19:10.619 must always 00:19:10.619 --> 00:19:11.259 in how we 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.279 approach him, 00:19:12.420 --> 00:19:13.119 talk to him, 00:19:13.500 --> 00:19:14.299 live before him, 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:15.259 treat him 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:15.779 with the utmost 00:19:15.779 --> 00:19:16.700 reverence 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:18.019 and respect. 00:19:19.480 --> 00:19:20.299 If Jesus 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:20.700 is our 00:19:20.700 --> 00:19:21.019 Lord, 00:19:22.140 --> 00:19:22.579 it'll be 00:19:22.579 --> 00:19:23.500 seen by our 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.240 ongoing, 00:19:24.480 --> 00:19:24.940 continuing 00:19:24.940 --> 00:19:25.859 faith 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:27.019 in God. 00:19:27.579 --> 00:19:28.119 Always remember, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.079 saving faith 00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.759 is continuing 00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.259 faith 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.079 throughout the 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.339 Bible. 00:19:32.339 --> 00:19:32.799 But also, 00:19:32.900 --> 00:19:33.200 if Jesus 00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:33.519 is our 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:33.839 Lord, 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:34.900 we'll 00:19:34.900 --> 00:19:35.299 demonstrate 00:19:35.299 --> 00:19:35.960 our ongoing 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.559 obedience 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:37.160 to God. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:37.539 Look at this 00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.140 next verse 00:19:38.140 --> 00:19:39.579 13. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:40.440 For it is 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:40.799 God who 00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.379 works in you 00:19:41.379 --> 00:19:41.839 both to 00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.240 will and 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:42.759 to work 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.359 for his 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.920 good pleasure. 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:46.000 This 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.779 explains 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:47.840 how 00:19:47.840 --> 00:19:48.800 we are 00:19:48.800 --> 00:19:49.140 to work 00:19:49.140 --> 00:19:49.500 out our 00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:50.220 own 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:50.900 salvation 00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:52.840 because God 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.240 is at work 00:19:53.240 --> 00:19:53.720 in us. 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.380 We work 00:19:55.380 --> 00:19:55.680 out our 00:19:55.680 --> 00:19:55.900 own 00:19:55.900 --> 00:19:56.320 salvation 00:19:56.320 --> 00:19:56.720 with fear 00:19:56.720 --> 00:19:57.080 and trembling 00:19:57.080 --> 00:19:57.800 because God 00:19:57.800 --> 00:19:58.539 works in us 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:59.720 giving us 00:19:59.720 --> 00:20:01.220 the desire 00:20:01.220 --> 00:20:03.700 and ability 00:20:03.700 --> 00:20:05.320 to please 00:20:05.320 --> 00:20:05.600 him. 00:20:06.820 --> 00:20:07.320 I put an 00:20:07.320 --> 00:20:07.740 article in 00:20:07.740 --> 00:20:08.200 this week's 00:20:08.200 --> 00:20:08.980 newsletter by 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:10.200 Paul Tripp. 00:20:11.000 --> 00:20:11.980 It explains 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.720 this verse, 00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.660 this whole 00:20:13.660 --> 00:20:14.840 concept very 00:20:14.840 --> 00:20:15.640 well. 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.980 I especially 00:20:17.980 --> 00:20:18.740 like the way 00:20:18.740 --> 00:20:19.380 he describes 00:20:19.380 --> 00:20:20.640 some signs 00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:22.000 that God 00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.460 is working 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.160 in us 00:20:23.160 --> 00:20:24.040 to will 00:20:24.040 --> 00:20:24.440 and work 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:24.680 for his 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.120 good pleasure. 00:20:25.440 --> 00:20:25.660 Look at 00:20:25.660 --> 00:20:25.960 this. 00:20:26.960 --> 00:20:27.180 Tripp 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:27.560 says, 00:20:28.420 --> 00:20:28.660 so when 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:28.980 you have 00:20:28.980 --> 00:20:29.420 a hunger 00:20:29.420 --> 00:20:30.080 to know 00:20:30.080 --> 00:20:30.480 what is 00:20:30.480 --> 00:20:31.840 right in 00:20:31.840 --> 00:20:32.259 God's 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.640 eyes, 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.100 think about 00:20:33.100 --> 00:20:33.400 this. 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.080 Do you 00:20:36.080 --> 00:20:37.000 ever have 00:20:37.000 --> 00:20:37.180 that? 00:20:37.840 --> 00:20:38.279 So when 00:20:38.279 --> 00:20:38.600 you have 00:20:38.600 --> 00:20:39.259 a hunger 00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.460 to know 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:41.160 what is 00:20:41.160 --> 00:20:41.759 right in 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.140 God's 00:20:42.140 --> 00:20:42.500 eyes, 00:20:42.500 --> 00:20:43.359 when you 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:43.920 care about 00:20:43.920 --> 00:20:44.799 his glory, 00:20:45.160 --> 00:20:45.660 when you 00:20:45.660 --> 00:20:46.079 willingly 00:20:46.079 --> 00:20:46.920 submit to 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.680 his will, 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:48.259 when you 00:20:48.259 --> 00:20:48.839 forsake 00:20:48.839 --> 00:20:49.779 your plan 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.240 for his 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.640 plan, 00:20:50.980 --> 00:20:51.299 and when 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.700 you find 00:20:51.700 --> 00:20:52.420 joy in 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:52.940 surrendering 00:20:52.940 --> 00:20:53.440 to his 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:54.119 lordship, 00:20:54.859 --> 00:20:55.559 you know 00:20:55.559 --> 00:20:56.579 that you 00:20:56.579 --> 00:20:56.920 have been 00:20:56.920 --> 00:20:57.440 visited 00:20:57.440 --> 00:20:59.039 by rescuing 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.140 grace. 00:21:00.140 --> 00:21:00.240 grace. 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.560 Do you 00:21:03.560 --> 00:21:04.380 see signs 00:21:04.380 --> 00:21:04.780 in your 00:21:04.780 --> 00:21:05.259 life 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:08.080 that God 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.600 is giving 00:21:08.600 --> 00:21:09.100 you 00:21:09.100 --> 00:21:10.360 true 00:21:10.360 --> 00:21:11.940 desires, 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:15.200 an act 00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:15.520 of the 00:21:15.520 --> 00:21:15.980 will 00:21:15.980 --> 00:21:16.880 kind of 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.259 desire, 00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:19.120 and the 00:21:19.120 --> 00:21:19.580 ability 00:21:19.580 --> 00:21:20.080 to please 00:21:20.080 --> 00:21:20.320 him? 00:21:22.320 --> 00:21:23.120 Think about 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.300 it. 00:21:23.940 --> 00:21:24.259 Can you 00:21:24.259 --> 00:21:24.600 look at 00:21:24.600 --> 00:21:24.860 your life, 00:21:24.960 --> 00:21:25.400 the way you 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:25.900 think and 00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.040 the way 00:21:26.040 --> 00:21:26.440 you live, 00:21:26.440 --> 00:21:28.279 can you 00:21:28.279 --> 00:21:29.380 point to 00:21:29.380 --> 00:21:30.080 signs? 00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:31.559 I see 00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.000 that God 00:21:32.000 --> 00:21:32.519 is working 00:21:32.519 --> 00:21:33.000 in me, 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:33.920 giving me 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.720 these kind 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.380 of desires 00:21:35.380 --> 00:21:36.580 to please 00:21:36.580 --> 00:21:36.799 him, 00:21:37.380 --> 00:21:38.100 enabling me 00:21:38.100 --> 00:21:38.420 to act 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:38.740 on those 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:39.180 desires. 00:21:41.180 --> 00:21:41.779 Let's think 00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:42.900 about how it 00:21:42.900 --> 00:21:43.500 actually would 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:44.059 work out. 00:21:44.059 --> 00:21:45.680 Do you have 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.259 a real desire 00:21:46.259 --> 00:21:46.680 to please 00:21:46.680 --> 00:21:47.400 God as a 00:21:47.400 --> 00:21:47.940 husband to 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.580 your wife? 00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:52.240 Do you 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.799 have a true 00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:53.279 heartfelt 00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.939 desire as 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.599 a wife 00:21:54.599 --> 00:21:56.960 to be the 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.519 kind that 00:21:57.519 --> 00:21:58.480 a wife 00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:58.659 or your 00:21:58.659 --> 00:21:58.939 husband 00:21:58.939 --> 00:21:59.199 that God 00:21:59.199 --> 00:21:59.500 wants you 00:21:59.500 --> 00:21:59.759 to be? 00:22:01.439 --> 00:22:01.960 As you 00:22:01.960 --> 00:22:02.439 think about 00:22:02.439 --> 00:22:03.399 being a 00:22:03.399 --> 00:22:04.460 parent at 00:22:04.460 --> 00:22:05.099 any age, 00:22:06.439 --> 00:22:06.599 do you 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:06.839 have a 00:22:06.839 --> 00:22:07.980 desire to 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:08.339 be a 00:22:08.339 --> 00:22:08.819 godly 00:22:08.819 --> 00:22:09.240 parent, 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:09.619 to have 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:11.159 the influence 00:22:11.159 --> 00:22:11.559 on your 00:22:11.559 --> 00:22:12.619 child that 00:22:12.619 --> 00:22:12.960 God wants 00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.099 you to 00:22:13.099 --> 00:22:13.279 have, 00:22:13.419 --> 00:22:14.039 to teach 00:22:14.039 --> 00:22:14.419 them and 00:22:14.419 --> 00:22:15.039 train them 00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:15.720 according to 00:22:15.720 --> 00:22:16.019 the way 00:22:16.019 --> 00:22:16.500 God has 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:16.859 taught us 00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.099 in his 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:17.559 word? 00:22:18.099 --> 00:22:18.500 Children, 00:22:18.579 --> 00:22:19.019 boys and 00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.439 girls, 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:21.599 many of 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:21.859 you in 00:22:21.859 --> 00:22:22.139 here, 00:22:23.259 --> 00:22:24.279 you would 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:24.519 say, 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.019 I am a 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.399 Christian. 00:22:26.539 --> 00:22:27.159 Some of 00:22:27.159 --> 00:22:27.539 you I've 00:22:27.539 --> 00:22:27.919 baptized. 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.139 Do you 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.419 have a 00:22:31.419 --> 00:22:33.159 desire to 00:22:33.159 --> 00:22:33.859 honor your 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:34.500 parents, 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.799 to obey 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:37.419 them because 00:22:37.419 --> 00:22:37.720 you know 00:22:37.720 --> 00:22:38.159 that's what 00:22:38.159 --> 00:22:38.819 God wants 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:39.439 you to do? 00:22:41.980 --> 00:22:42.500 Do you 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:42.720 have a 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:42.960 kind of 00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.659 desire to 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:44.720 be a 00:22:44.720 --> 00:22:45.079 Christian 00:22:45.079 --> 00:22:45.679 friend? 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:48.939 you go 00:22:48.939 --> 00:22:49.240 to work 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:49.720 tomorrow 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:51.240 or today? 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:53.039 Do you 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.539 desire, 00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.839 have that 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:55.359 God-given 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:57.619 desire to 00:22:57.619 --> 00:22:58.619 be an 00:22:58.619 --> 00:22:59.399 employee or 00:22:59.399 --> 00:22:59.899 employer 00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:03.019 that truly 00:23:03.019 --> 00:23:03.919 honors God 00:23:03.919 --> 00:23:04.240 by the way 00:23:04.240 --> 00:23:04.639 you treat 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.119 people and 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.539 interact with 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:05.859 people? 00:23:08.439 --> 00:23:08.879 Now, 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.639 let's take it 00:23:09.639 --> 00:23:09.819 a step 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.199 further. 00:23:11.759 --> 00:23:12.299 Do you 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.679 act on 00:23:12.679 --> 00:23:13.319 those desires? 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:15.460 do you 00:23:15.460 --> 00:23:16.559 willingly and 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.159 regularly, 00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:17.839 nobody does 00:23:17.839 --> 00:23:18.339 it perfectly, 00:23:18.480 --> 00:23:18.939 nobody does 00:23:18.939 --> 00:23:19.299 it all the 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.659 time, 00:23:20.339 --> 00:23:20.819 but do you 00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.539 willingly and 00:23:21.539 --> 00:23:22.339 purposefully 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:25.039 say no 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:26.720 to getting 00:23:26.720 --> 00:23:28.480 your way 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:30.599 in your 00:23:30.599 --> 00:23:31.079 relationships 00:23:31.079 --> 00:23:31.720 at home? 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:35.960 Do you 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:37.879 willingly put 00:23:37.879 --> 00:23:38.299 forth the 00:23:38.299 --> 00:23:38.799 effort to 00:23:38.799 --> 00:23:39.879 serve your 00:23:39.879 --> 00:23:40.399 spouse, 00:23:41.539 --> 00:23:42.720 your children, 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.980 your parents? 00:23:45.839 --> 00:23:46.360 This takes 00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:46.819 an act of 00:23:46.819 --> 00:23:47.160 God, 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:48.100 your brothers 00:23:48.100 --> 00:23:48.759 and sisters. 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:55.000 If we are 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.420 Christians, 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.480 the Spirit of 00:23:56.480 --> 00:23:57.000 God lives 00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.700 within us. 00:23:58.279 --> 00:23:58.920 What Paul is 00:23:58.920 --> 00:23:59.460 saying here, 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:00.519 he gives us 00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.120 the desire, 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.240 the will, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:03.559 the want 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:03.839 to, 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:07.079 to actually 00:24:07.079 --> 00:24:08.259 do or 00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:08.759 live this 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:08.980 kind of 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:09.339 life. 00:24:09.960 --> 00:24:10.100 Now, 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.019 I want to 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:11.480 be clear about 00:24:11.480 --> 00:24:11.980 what Paul is 00:24:11.980 --> 00:24:12.460 saying here in 00:24:12.460 --> 00:24:13.000 verse 13. 00:24:14.420 --> 00:24:15.220 Be clear. 00:24:15.620 --> 00:24:16.279 God is the 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:16.940 one who gives 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.519 us both the 00:24:17.519 --> 00:24:18.200 desire and 00:24:18.200 --> 00:24:19.279 the ability to 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:19.819 live an obedient 00:24:19.819 --> 00:24:20.519 Christian life. 00:24:21.539 --> 00:24:22.539 So we are 00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:23.299 dependent upon 00:24:23.299 --> 00:24:23.600 God. 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.259 We don't just 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.980 muster this 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.600 stuff up. 00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:29.380 God gives 00:24:29.380 --> 00:24:30.160 us the desire 00:24:30.160 --> 00:24:30.640 and then the 00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.220 ability to act 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.420 on that desire 00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:33.100 to live a 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.579 faithful Christian 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:33.920 life. 00:24:34.100 --> 00:24:34.640 So we are 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.240 dependent upon 00:24:35.240 --> 00:24:35.640 God. 00:24:36.279 --> 00:24:39.039 But we do 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.579 have to, 00:24:39.579 --> 00:24:40.179 you and I, 00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:40.879 we have to 00:24:40.879 --> 00:24:41.799 act on the 00:24:41.799 --> 00:24:42.480 desires. 00:24:44.019 --> 00:24:44.659 We have to 00:24:44.659 --> 00:24:45.119 actually put 00:24:45.119 --> 00:24:45.539 forth the 00:24:45.539 --> 00:24:46.099 effort to do 00:24:46.099 --> 00:24:46.439 what God 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.019 calls us to 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.240 do. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:49.879 So we must 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:51.240 discipline 00:24:51.240 --> 00:24:54.220 ourselves in 00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:54.899 order to obey 00:24:54.899 --> 00:24:55.279 God. 00:24:56.919 --> 00:24:57.359 The Christian 00:24:57.359 --> 00:24:58.000 writer Jerry 00:24:58.000 --> 00:24:58.879 Bridges says 00:24:58.879 --> 00:24:59.519 that faithful 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.460 Christian living 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.419 requires that we 00:25:01.419 --> 00:25:03.439 practice dependent 00:25:03.439 --> 00:25:04.919 discipline. 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:07.320 Now here's a 00:25:07.320 --> 00:25:07.860 good example 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.440 from the life 00:25:08.440 --> 00:25:09.000 of Paul. 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:10.580 It comes from 00:25:10.580 --> 00:25:11.420 Colossians chapter 00:25:11.420 --> 00:25:11.920 one. 00:25:13.000 --> 00:25:13.700 He's talking 00:25:13.700 --> 00:25:14.460 about his 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.120 ministry, his 00:25:15.120 --> 00:25:15.680 preaching. 00:25:16.519 --> 00:25:18.039 He says, he, 00:25:18.120 --> 00:25:18.800 that is Jesus, 00:25:19.340 --> 00:25:20.160 is the one we 00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:20.800 proclaim, 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:22.539 admonishing and 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.440 teaching everyone 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.880 with all wisdom 00:25:24.880 --> 00:25:26.120 so that we may 00:25:26.120 --> 00:25:27.360 present everyone 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:29.120 fully mature in 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:29.660 Christ. 00:25:30.460 --> 00:25:31.779 To this end, 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.840 I strenuously 00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:35.799 contend with 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:37.079 all the energy 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.419 Christ so 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:40.099 powerfully works 00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.779 in me. 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.000 I want you to 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:45.379 see, Paul is 00:25:45.379 --> 00:25:46.319 saying that he 00:25:46.319 --> 00:25:47.079 disciplined 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:49.279 himself to 00:25:49.279 --> 00:25:51.579 work hard at 00:25:51.579 --> 00:25:52.220 his ministry. 00:25:52.740 --> 00:25:53.859 I strenuously 00:25:53.859 --> 00:25:55.039 contend. 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.579 If you read 00:25:57.579 --> 00:25:58.319 in the book of 00:25:58.319 --> 00:25:58.819 Acts and some 00:25:58.819 --> 00:25:59.359 of his letters, 00:26:01.159 --> 00:26:01.919 Paul worked 00:26:01.919 --> 00:26:03.799 hard knowing 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:05.599 he was going 00:26:05.599 --> 00:26:06.339 to be arrested, 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.399 beaten, put in 00:26:08.399 --> 00:26:08.779 prison. 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.180 Sometimes he had 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.619 to support 00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.099 himself. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.559 He was a 00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.200 tent maker. 00:26:13.579 --> 00:26:13.740 And so 00:26:13.740 --> 00:26:14.879 sometimes he'd 00:26:14.879 --> 00:26:15.480 work all day 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.299 and preach late 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.240 at night or he 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:17.799 would preach 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.339 throughout the day 00:26:18.339 --> 00:26:18.899 and work late 00:26:18.899 --> 00:26:19.519 at night to 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.159 support himself. 00:26:22.379 --> 00:26:24.139 Paul worked 00:26:24.139 --> 00:26:26.359 hard to the 00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.299 point of exhaustion 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:27.980 at times. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:28.359 That's what the 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:28.960 word is talking 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.259 about. 00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:31.079 in order to 00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.779 be faithful, 00:26:32.480 --> 00:26:33.859 in order to 00:26:33.859 --> 00:26:36.859 fulfill the 00:26:36.859 --> 00:26:37.640 desires that 00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.259 the Lord gave 00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.440 him. 00:26:39.619 --> 00:26:40.359 But he never 00:26:40.359 --> 00:26:41.039 thought it was 00:26:41.039 --> 00:26:41.740 all about him. 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.559 He knew he was 00:26:43.559 --> 00:26:44.359 dependent upon the 00:26:44.359 --> 00:26:45.460 Lord to enable 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:45.859 him to do 00:26:45.859 --> 00:26:46.480 whatever he did. 00:26:46.559 --> 00:26:47.119 That's that last 00:26:47.119 --> 00:26:48.180 phrase, with all 00:26:48.180 --> 00:26:49.480 the energy Christ 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.799 so powerfully 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:52.680 works in me. 00:26:52.680 --> 00:26:56.759 I want you to 00:26:56.759 --> 00:26:57.140 understand. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.720 If you're a 00:27:00.720 --> 00:27:01.100 Christian, it's 00:27:01.100 --> 00:27:01.759 by the grace of 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.060 God. 00:27:02.960 --> 00:27:04.279 God chose to 00:27:04.279 --> 00:27:04.880 save you. 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.860 You heard the 00:27:07.860 --> 00:27:08.299 gospel. 00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.120 You repented of 00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.460 your sin. 00:27:09.560 --> 00:27:10.180 You trusted 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:10.660 Jesus. 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.060 God put his 00:27:12.060 --> 00:27:13.019 spirit in you. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.640 And from that 00:27:14.640 --> 00:27:15.400 moment on, God's 00:27:15.400 --> 00:27:16.019 been working in 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:17.279 you to cause you 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:19.320 to desire and be 00:27:19.320 --> 00:27:20.519 able to grow as a 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:20.799 Christian. 00:27:20.920 --> 00:27:21.320 We'll put it that 00:27:21.320 --> 00:27:21.539 way. 00:27:22.680 --> 00:27:25.220 God gives you 00:27:25.220 --> 00:27:25.940 those desires. 00:27:28.060 --> 00:27:30.519 And as people of 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:32.860 God, it is our 00:27:32.860 --> 00:27:34.140 responsibility to 00:27:34.140 --> 00:27:35.019 act on those 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:36.340 desires, even if 00:27:36.340 --> 00:27:38.000 it means it's hard, 00:27:40.120 --> 00:27:40.920 we have to 00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.820 rearrange some of 00:27:41.820 --> 00:27:42.460 our schedule. 00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:44.940 We just have to 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.460 do it. 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:51.180 I don't know a 00:27:51.180 --> 00:27:51.680 better way to say 00:27:51.680 --> 00:27:51.980 this. 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.519 We have to 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.259 learn to suck it 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.039 up and do it. 00:27:55.079 --> 00:27:55.460 You know, there's 00:27:55.460 --> 00:27:56.099 tomorrow. 00:27:56.860 --> 00:27:57.360 Everybody in this 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.180 room who's going to 00:27:58.180 --> 00:27:58.640 go to work, 00:27:58.819 --> 00:27:59.460 everybody's not 00:27:59.460 --> 00:27:59.940 going to want to 00:27:59.940 --> 00:28:00.480 jump up in the 00:28:00.480 --> 00:28:01.460 morning and just 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.000 go to work. 00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:04.940 Sometimes we just 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.860 have to make 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:07.799 ourselves go and 00:28:07.799 --> 00:28:08.339 do what we need to 00:28:08.339 --> 00:28:09.440 do to work, to 00:28:09.440 --> 00:28:10.180 support our family. 00:28:10.900 --> 00:28:11.660 We have to suck it 00:28:11.660 --> 00:28:12.120 up and go. 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.660 If you ever play 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:15.819 sports, they're 00:28:15.819 --> 00:28:16.599 going to run you 00:28:16.599 --> 00:28:17.500 and condition you 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:18.140 and put you through 00:28:18.140 --> 00:28:18.740 more than you ever 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.799 really wanted to do. 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:21.079 But if you want to 00:28:21.079 --> 00:28:21.919 play the sport, you 00:28:21.919 --> 00:28:22.859 got to suck it up and 00:28:22.859 --> 00:28:23.339 do it. 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:27.279 God saves us by 00:28:27.279 --> 00:28:28.119 his grace. 00:28:29.480 --> 00:28:30.180 God puts his 00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:31.299 spirit in us who 00:28:31.299 --> 00:28:32.500 gives us the desire 00:28:32.500 --> 00:28:33.980 and will give us the 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.519 ability. 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:35.799 But we got to suck it 00:28:35.799 --> 00:28:36.759 up and do it. 00:28:37.339 --> 00:28:37.779 Serve. 00:28:38.539 --> 00:28:39.759 Suffer if necessary. 00:28:40.139 --> 00:28:41.799 Be inconvenienced if 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.299 necessary. 00:28:42.299 --> 00:28:43.899 In our home, at 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:45.279 church, out in this 00:28:45.279 --> 00:28:45.919 world. 00:28:46.759 --> 00:28:47.019 Because we're 00:28:47.019 --> 00:28:47.980 supposed to shine 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:51.519 like light in the 00:28:51.519 --> 00:28:51.980 midst of the 00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.500 darkness. 00:28:55.019 --> 00:28:55.859 When it comes to 00:28:55.859 --> 00:28:56.299 living a faithful 00:28:56.299 --> 00:28:57.000 Christian life, we 00:28:57.000 --> 00:28:58.099 are totally dependent 00:28:58.099 --> 00:28:58.740 upon God. 00:29:00.099 --> 00:29:01.259 The desires and the 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:02.319 ability, it comes 00:29:02.319 --> 00:29:02.680 from him. 00:29:03.599 --> 00:29:04.700 But even God's 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.980 supernatural work 00:29:05.980 --> 00:29:10.220 within us does not 00:29:10.220 --> 00:29:11.919 make our efforts to 00:29:11.920 --> 00:29:13.039 discipline ourselves 00:29:13.039 --> 00:29:14.360 unnecessary. 00:29:16.240 --> 00:29:16.980 If you're a 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:19.440 Christian, we'll 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.620 wind this down and 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.539 think about some 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:23.539 serious things here. 00:29:24.380 --> 00:29:25.060 If you're a 00:29:25.060 --> 00:29:27.600 Christian, you are 00:29:27.600 --> 00:29:28.600 about as spiritually 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.600 mature as you want 00:29:29.600 --> 00:29:29.920 to be. 00:29:30.920 --> 00:29:31.660 And so am I. 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.960 You say, that's not 00:29:34.960 --> 00:29:35.220 true. 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.480 Well, it is. 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:39.259 Think about it. 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:41.839 God has saved you by 00:29:41.839 --> 00:29:42.980 his grace through 00:29:42.980 --> 00:29:43.660 faith in Jesus. 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.220 He has forgiven you. 00:29:45.400 --> 00:29:46.120 He has made you his 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.600 child. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.180 He has put his 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:50.059 spirit within you to 00:29:50.059 --> 00:29:50.980 give you the desired 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:52.480 ability to please him. 00:29:54.140 --> 00:29:57.100 The way you respond to 00:29:57.100 --> 00:29:58.440 what God is doing in 00:29:58.440 --> 00:30:00.319 your life shows how 00:30:00.319 --> 00:30:03.420 serious you are about 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:04.380 your own personal 00:30:04.380 --> 00:30:05.380 spiritual growth. 00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.539 How can you argue 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.840 that? 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.759 It's convicting, 00:30:11.980 --> 00:30:12.320 isn't it? 00:30:13.320 --> 00:30:14.100 It is to me. 00:30:16.160 --> 00:30:17.180 If Jesus is our 00:30:17.180 --> 00:30:17.660 Lord, it will be 00:30:17.660 --> 00:30:18.500 evident in the way 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:19.180 that we relate to 00:30:19.180 --> 00:30:19.480 God. 00:30:19.480 --> 00:30:21.900 In our ongoing faith 00:30:21.900 --> 00:30:22.460 and in the way we 00:30:22.460 --> 00:30:23.039 obey him. 00:30:23.820 --> 00:30:24.380 But I will look at 00:30:24.380 --> 00:30:24.840 one thing. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:26.019 We're just going to 00:30:26.019 --> 00:30:27.220 look at the title 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.519 here. 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.320 If Jesus is our 00:30:29.320 --> 00:30:29.800 Lord, it will be 00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:30.580 evident by the way 00:30:30.580 --> 00:30:31.860 we relate to people. 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:33.339 There is no 00:30:33.339 --> 00:30:34.279 relationship with God 00:30:34.279 --> 00:30:34.659 that doesn't 00:30:34.659 --> 00:30:36.459 correspond, work out 00:30:36.459 --> 00:30:37.240 in relationships to 00:30:37.240 --> 00:30:37.519 people. 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:40.059 If Jesus is Lord, it 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.579 will be evident by 00:30:40.579 --> 00:30:41.319 we relate to people. 00:30:41.459 --> 00:30:42.879 First, we will work 00:30:42.879 --> 00:30:43.679 on having healthy 00:30:43.679 --> 00:30:44.719 relationships with our 00:30:44.719 --> 00:30:45.399 brothers and sisters 00:30:45.399 --> 00:30:45.959 in Christ. 00:30:46.419 --> 00:30:47.159 That's what we were 00:30:47.159 --> 00:30:47.839 talking about in 00:30:47.839 --> 00:30:48.879 verses 14 and 15, 00:30:48.979 --> 00:30:50.199 about not grumbling 00:30:50.199 --> 00:30:50.919 and arguing and 00:30:50.919 --> 00:30:51.559 fussing and carrying 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:51.819 on. 00:30:53.240 --> 00:30:54.019 And then we'll work 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:55.000 on being positive 00:30:55.000 --> 00:30:55.879 witnesses to 00:30:55.879 --> 00:30:57.240 unbelievers around us. 00:30:57.639 --> 00:30:58.219 We shine. 00:30:58.339 --> 00:31:00.099 We stand out in the 00:31:00.099 --> 00:31:01.399 midst of a very dark, 00:31:01.400 --> 00:31:02.440 sinful world. 00:31:04.360 --> 00:31:05.220 Now, Paul Tripp 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.019 concluded that 00:31:06.019 --> 00:31:06.920 article I had in my 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:08.220 newsletter with this 00:31:08.220 --> 00:31:08.660 statement. 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:11.280 Every moment of our 00:31:11.280 --> 00:31:13.320 obedience is an 00:31:13.320 --> 00:31:15.820 evidence of and a 00:31:15.820 --> 00:31:17.600 celebration of the 00:31:17.600 --> 00:31:19.519 grace that not only 00:31:19.519 --> 00:31:21.620 forgives us, but 00:31:21.620 --> 00:31:22.480 rescues. 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:25.100 And not only rescues, 00:31:25.540 --> 00:31:26.400 but transforms. 00:31:26.860 --> 00:31:27.360 Look at that. 00:31:28.360 --> 00:31:30.340 Every moment of our 00:31:30.339 --> 00:31:32.399 obedience is an 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.459 evidence of and a 00:31:33.459 --> 00:31:34.959 celebration of the 00:31:34.959 --> 00:31:38.220 grace that not only 00:31:38.220 --> 00:31:39.720 forgives us, but 00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:41.240 rescues, and not only 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:43.299 rescues, but transforms. 00:31:45.119 --> 00:31:47.119 Now think, how many 00:31:47.119 --> 00:31:49.759 moments during the week 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:53.799 do you actually live in 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.679 obedience to God? 00:31:54.680 --> 00:32:02.400 How much do you really 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:04.080 live your life, seek to 00:32:04.080 --> 00:32:05.519 live your life in 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.440 obedience to God? 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:12.060 What does that say about 00:32:12.060 --> 00:32:14.920 your desire to please 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:15.259 God? 00:32:16.700 --> 00:32:17.840 If we don't really 00:32:17.840 --> 00:32:20.259 desire and put forth the 00:32:20.259 --> 00:32:21.320 effort to please God, 00:32:21.320 --> 00:32:23.660 what does that say about 00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:23.900 us? 00:32:25.580 --> 00:32:26.300 What does your 00:32:26.300 --> 00:32:28.980 obedience say about the 00:32:28.980 --> 00:32:29.980 way that you discipline 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:32.320 yourself to act on the 00:32:32.320 --> 00:32:35.720 desires that God gives 00:32:35.720 --> 00:32:36.560 you to please Him? 00:32:38.840 --> 00:32:39.779 Think about that. 00:32:41.060 --> 00:32:42.060 Or would you have to 00:32:42.060 --> 00:32:42.700 admit that you don't 00:32:42.700 --> 00:32:43.600 really have a desire to 00:32:43.600 --> 00:32:44.660 please God, bottom line? 00:32:45.600 --> 00:32:46.519 Let's be real honest. 00:32:46.519 --> 00:32:50.960 Would you say this 00:32:50.960 --> 00:32:52.779 morning, I don't really 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:54.299 have a desire to please 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:56.420 God, and that's why I'll 00:32:56.420 --> 00:32:57.399 ever put forth any effort 00:32:57.399 --> 00:32:58.200 to obey God. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:01.680 If that is your true, 00:33:02.720 --> 00:33:03.559 you know, if that's a true 00:33:03.559 --> 00:33:04.599 description of who you are, 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:08.160 you're not a Christian. 00:33:09.980 --> 00:33:11.019 Because the Holy Spirit 00:33:11.019 --> 00:33:12.039 doesn't live within you. 00:33:14.180 --> 00:33:15.619 And Paul tells us in Romans 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:16.740 chapter 8, if the Spirit of 00:33:16.740 --> 00:33:18.299 God's not in us, the Spirit of 00:33:18.299 --> 00:33:19.359 Christ is not in us, we're not 00:33:19.359 --> 00:33:19.680 Christians. 00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:22.360 But if He's in us, what Paul 00:33:22.360 --> 00:33:23.720 is saying here, He works in 00:33:23.720 --> 00:33:25.100 us to give us the desire and 00:33:25.100 --> 00:33:26.240 the ability to obey God. 00:33:26.660 --> 00:33:27.460 So if we never have that 00:33:27.460 --> 00:33:28.460 desire and ever put forth the 00:33:28.460 --> 00:33:29.500 effort to obey God, how could 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.140 we be Christians? 00:33:32.060 --> 00:33:34.740 But I will say this, if you 00:33:34.740 --> 00:33:37.720 tell me, I know exactly what 00:33:37.720 --> 00:33:38.299 you're talking about. 00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:43.640 I do believe I'm a Christian. 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:46.940 I have had those desires in a 00:33:46.940 --> 00:33:47.480 day gone by. 00:33:47.480 --> 00:33:48.740 I put forth the effort in a 00:33:48.740 --> 00:33:49.299 day gone by. 00:33:50.299 --> 00:33:51.680 But the truth is right now, I 00:33:51.680 --> 00:33:53.900 am, I'm rebelling against God. 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:56.700 I've, I've turned away. 00:33:58.940 --> 00:34:00.599 And I don't desire like I used 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:00.779 to. 00:34:02.920 --> 00:34:04.079 And I certainly am not 00:34:04.079 --> 00:34:04.500 obeying. 00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:07.240 If you're truly a child of God, 00:34:07.339 --> 00:34:08.840 God will discipline you. 00:34:09.619 --> 00:34:12.860 Because Hebrews, Hebrews chapter 00:34:12.860 --> 00:34:15.480 13 tells us, 12 tells us that 00:34:15.480 --> 00:34:16.699 God disciplines His children 00:34:16.699 --> 00:34:17.440 whom He loves. 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.840 So I'm going to encourage you, 00:34:20.539 --> 00:34:22.960 if you're not a Christian, let 00:34:22.960 --> 00:34:24.139 this be a wake-up call. 00:34:25.199 --> 00:34:27.099 Don't think about you profess 00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:28.679 faith, you've been baptized, you're 00:34:28.679 --> 00:34:29.440 a member of the church, or 00:34:29.440 --> 00:34:30.039 anything like that. 00:34:30.860 --> 00:34:32.000 Evaluate where you are in your 00:34:32.000 --> 00:34:32.780 relationship with God right now 00:34:32.780 --> 00:34:33.599 like this. 00:34:33.820 --> 00:34:35.320 Do I have a desire to please God? 00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:38.080 And do I desire to put forth the 00:34:38.080 --> 00:34:40.980 effort and actually do to please 00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:41.280 God? 00:34:41.700 --> 00:34:42.800 That's a sign of a Christian. 00:34:43.340 --> 00:34:45.260 If you don't, it's a sign you're 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.760 not a Christian. 00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:48.240 If you're not a Christian, that 00:34:48.240 --> 00:34:48.940 bothers you. 00:34:49.100 --> 00:34:49.760 You want to be. 00:34:50.019 --> 00:34:51.160 This is a wake-up call for you. 00:34:52.660 --> 00:34:54.420 Humbly bow before God. 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.260 Repent of your sin. 00:34:56.960 --> 00:34:58.320 Trust Jesus as your Lord and 00:34:58.320 --> 00:34:58.600 Savior. 00:34:59.240 --> 00:35:00.660 Call upon Him to save you now. 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:03.879 And if you'd say, I am a 00:35:03.879 --> 00:35:05.519 Christian, but I've fallen far, 00:35:06.059 --> 00:35:07.079 let this be a wake-up call to 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.279 you. 00:35:07.679 --> 00:35:09.039 Come back to the Lord humbly and 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.139 confess your sin. 00:35:10.960 --> 00:35:11.440 Repent. 00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:15.000 Draw back close to the Lord and 00:35:15.000 --> 00:35:18.159 ask Him to just reawaken you, 00:35:18.379 --> 00:35:21.779 your conscience, your heart, so 00:35:21.779 --> 00:35:24.000 that you will have those desires 00:35:24.000 --> 00:35:24.500 again. 00:35:25.960 --> 00:35:27.440 And as you have those desires 00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:30.639 again, act on them. 00:35:31.619 --> 00:35:33.019 Ask God to help you to follow 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.940 through on them. 00:35:34.759 --> 00:35:36.159 Because that's how we are to 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:37.019 live in this world. 00:35:37.859 --> 00:35:40.539 If Jesus is really our Lord. 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.679 Let's pray. 00:35:42.960 --> 00:35:45.279 Dear God, show us now how we 00:35:45.279 --> 00:35:46.039 should respond. 00:35:48.199 --> 00:35:49.779 Show us now, Father, how we can 00:35:49.779 --> 00:35:51.480 leave here this morning 00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:56.319 demonstrating that Jesus is the 00:35:56.319 --> 00:35:57.119 Lord of my life. 00:35:58.259 --> 00:35:59.159 Let's just, in attitude of 00:35:59.159 --> 00:36:00.319 prayer, listen to God. 00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:05.199 And then do what He's telling 00:36:05.199 --> 00:36:05.759 you to do. 00:36:06.940 --> 00:36:08.259 Respond as He wants you to this 00:36:08.259 --> 00:36:08.480 morning. 00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:08.759 Thank you. 00:36:08.759 --> 00:36:09.440 Thank you. 00:36:09.440 --> 00:36:11.119 Thank you. 00:36:15.039 --> 00:36:15.980 Thank you. 00:36:15.980 --> 00:36:17.139 Thank you. 00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:17.800 Thank you. 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.360 Thank you. 00:36:19.099 --> 00:36:19.579 See you.