WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.380 Good morning, everyone. 00:00:03.640 --> 00:00:09.339 It's been pretty well almost a year since I spoke here last. 00:00:10.480 --> 00:00:15.700 And as Charles mentioned, I've been busy at Keniston, able to speak there as well. 00:00:16.379 --> 00:00:20.320 Throughout the spring and last weekend I was there as well. 00:00:21.100 --> 00:00:27.199 Today, if you want to turn to Ephesians 5, we're going to be going through 1 to 21. 00:00:27.199 --> 00:00:31.839 And as you turn there, I'm going to give a little introduction. 00:00:33.439 --> 00:00:38.340 Ephesians, Paul was writing to the Ephesians while he was in prison. 00:00:39.960 --> 00:00:49.519 And yeah, he really focuses in on a family and what the family of God looks like. 00:00:50.000 --> 00:00:55.939 And as I was reading through this and going through this book and specifically chapter 5, 00:00:55.939 --> 00:01:08.060 it brought to mind for the last two, three years we've had guys come from college to work with us at our farm. 00:01:09.179 --> 00:01:14.680 And it's interesting for what you think is normal for your family is not always normal for other people. 00:01:14.680 --> 00:01:23.060 Or there's situations within your family which are like expected, kind of normal things that you grew up doing. 00:01:23.480 --> 00:01:29.000 But to someone that comes into that family, they don't know the expectations of your family. 00:01:29.120 --> 00:01:33.100 They don't understand the way that you've been raised. 00:01:33.099 --> 00:01:39.739 And in a similar way, Paul addresses this in chapter 5. 00:01:40.839 --> 00:01:46.179 And so to start, I'm going to look, I'm going to read through 1 to 21. 00:01:47.539 --> 00:01:49.659 And I'll start right now. 00:01:49.659 --> 00:02:16.300 But instead, let there be thanksgiving. 00:02:16.300 --> 00:02:46.280 1 to 21. 00:02:46.300 --> 00:03:16.280 2 to 21. 00:03:16.280 --> 00:03:46.259 2 to 21. 00:03:46.280 --> 00:03:49.479 So going back to verse 1. 00:03:50.620 --> 00:03:51.240 Paul writes, 00:03:51.240 --> 00:03:54.219 Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. 00:03:54.819 --> 00:03:55.580 Verse 2. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:04:01.680 And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:04:02.639 --> 00:04:04.840 And he points out two things here. 00:04:05.740 --> 00:04:08.520 One, he says, be imitators of God. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:09.520 But then he makes the second point. 00:04:09.520 --> 00:04:11.860 But then he makes the second point, as beloved children. 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:23.139 And when we accept Christ into our lives, we are then accepted in as children of God. 00:04:23.139 --> 00:04:25.139 For he declares that we are sons and daughters. 00:04:25.139 --> 00:04:26.000 For he declares that we are sons and daughters. 00:04:26.000 --> 00:04:33.659 But before that, when we're walking in sin, we're walking in the darkness. 00:04:33.660 --> 00:04:35.660 We're lost. 00:04:35.660 --> 00:04:37.500 We're orphans. 00:04:37.500 --> 00:04:40.860 And it says that God adopts us into his family. 00:04:40.860 --> 00:04:51.420 And as he adopts us into his family, his kingdom, there is expectations and requirements that he asks of us. 00:04:51.420 --> 00:04:55.780 And one is, therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. 00:04:56.920 --> 00:05:04.480 And the first one is, and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:05:05.500 --> 00:05:07.660 He's saying, look to Jesus. 00:05:07.780 --> 00:05:08.720 Look what Jesus did. 00:05:09.639 --> 00:05:11.580 Be imitators of him. 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:14.040 Follow him. 00:05:14.340 --> 00:05:14.900 Trust him. 00:05:15.340 --> 00:05:20.660 There's new expectations from what you came from into this new family. 00:05:21.420 --> 00:05:25.800 It's a new way of life. 00:05:26.840 --> 00:05:36.040 And whereas normally, these people are walking in many things, and he makes a list of what they were walking in before. 00:05:36.360 --> 00:05:37.900 For he says in verse 3, 00:05:39.040 --> 00:05:46.340 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper among saints. 00:05:46.339 --> 00:05:58.319 And in Ephesus, it's similar to a lot of the places such as Corinth and Philippi. 00:05:58.579 --> 00:06:03.279 And as Paul's writing, these people have been influenced by the Roman culture around them. 00:06:03.279 --> 00:06:08.539 And with this culture, it is sexually immoral. 00:06:08.739 --> 00:06:10.219 It's a sexual immoral culture. 00:06:10.220 --> 00:06:15.760 Especially in Corinth, where they had many temples. 00:06:16.040 --> 00:06:22.060 And within those temples, they had up to hundreds to thousands of prostitutes serving in those temples. 00:06:22.700 --> 00:06:26.700 And the same would be along Ephesus, Philippi. 00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:31.040 These cities and towns in which Paul is writing to. 00:06:31.040 --> 00:06:32.240 And he's saying, 00:06:32.960 --> 00:06:36.600 You once walked in this way. 00:06:37.480 --> 00:06:39.120 But now be imitators of God. 00:06:39.220 --> 00:06:41.340 Walk in love as Christ loved us. 00:06:41.420 --> 00:06:43.760 And not satisfying your own desires. 00:06:44.040 --> 00:06:45.480 Not satisfying your own flesh. 00:06:47.560 --> 00:06:51.100 When you come into Christ's family, there's new expectations. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:54.840 For he says, 00:06:54.980 --> 00:07:01.820 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper among saints. 00:07:02.980 --> 00:07:08.879 And let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor crude joking, which are out of place. 00:07:08.980 --> 00:07:10.800 But instead, let there be thanksgiving. 00:07:10.800 --> 00:07:21.300 We're called to no longer live in the ways of the world. 00:07:22.220 --> 00:07:28.080 Which, if you look today out at our world, our culture is very sexually immoral. 00:07:28.620 --> 00:07:29.340 There's impurity. 00:07:29.540 --> 00:07:30.580 There's covetousness. 00:07:32.240 --> 00:07:33.500 There's filthiness. 00:07:33.780 --> 00:07:35.620 There's foolish talk and crude joking. 00:07:36.199 --> 00:07:39.199 If you go to any workplace, you'll find these things more than likely. 00:07:40.800 --> 00:07:50.120 Many words that are seen as improper swear words are common language today. 00:07:51.579 --> 00:07:57.060 But this, and this is what Paul is saying, is this should not be among people of the church. 00:08:00.019 --> 00:08:06.100 For we're taken out of that lifestyle, adopted in as sons and daughters into the kingdom of God. 00:08:06.740 --> 00:08:08.560 We're to be imitators of him. 00:08:08.560 --> 00:08:21.439 And just as Jesus walked and walked in love, loving those, caring for the sinners, caring for the people that were despised in their culture. 00:08:21.579 --> 00:08:23.300 And he loves them. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:24.420 He shows care to them. 00:08:25.379 --> 00:08:26.740 We're to do the same. 00:08:26.740 --> 00:08:34.379 I've been working through a few different books and preaching through a few different books. 00:08:34.600 --> 00:08:36.120 And there's a lot of similarities. 00:08:36.480 --> 00:08:40.480 Like James, he talks about true religion is caring for the orphans and widows. 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:45.840 And caring for the despised of culture. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:57.259 And James talks about mourning against the rich who are often the ones that oppress the poor, oppress the needy. 00:08:57.660 --> 00:08:59.040 And he's saying, this is not right. 00:08:59.940 --> 00:09:05.040 In the kingdom of God, we're not to favor others. 00:09:05.180 --> 00:09:07.019 We're not to favor different people. 00:09:07.120 --> 00:09:11.100 But we're to love people as Jesus loved people. 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:19.340 Then it goes on. 00:09:21.440 --> 00:09:22.279 Verse 5. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:32.420 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or who is covetous, that is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of God. 00:09:32.940 --> 00:09:34.220 Kingdom of Christ and God. 00:09:34.220 --> 00:09:34.340 Amen. 00:09:34.340 --> 00:09:34.420 Amen. 00:09:41.100 --> 00:09:47.980 And idolater is choosing something or someone and placing it above God. 00:09:49.440 --> 00:09:51.440 You're placing them above him. 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:57.379 And God says, the very first command, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. 00:09:59.440 --> 00:10:00.960 And we're to do the same. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.700 We're accepted in this family. 00:10:02.700 --> 00:10:08.480 And it's like, we're to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength. 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:13.980 And then, as Jesus said, the second command is like it. 00:10:14.060 --> 00:10:15.620 Love your neighbor as yourself. 00:10:16.460 --> 00:10:17.920 We're to walk in love. 00:10:22.139 --> 00:10:22.980 Verse 6. 00:10:23.080 --> 00:10:24.860 Let no one deceive you with empty words. 00:10:25.220 --> 00:10:29.659 For because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 00:10:29.659 --> 00:10:41.199 And in this time, Paul and many of the apostles, when they're writing, they're writing a good amount of the time against false teachers. 00:10:41.819 --> 00:10:49.839 False teachers who are coming and twisting the scriptures and twisting the word of God and twisting what they think is normal. 00:10:49.839 --> 00:10:53.480 And a lot of that battle is circumcision, uncircumcision. 00:10:55.480 --> 00:10:59.019 Saying that Jesus isn't enough, but you have to do the law as well. 00:10:59.019 --> 00:11:02.159 And there's so many doctrines being pushed. 00:11:02.340 --> 00:11:05.199 And from a Roman society, there's philosophers. 00:11:06.059 --> 00:11:07.379 There's sophists. 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:11.460 There's so many things that are called wisdom coming from the world. 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:16.079 And these men are now fighting against these things. 00:11:16.179 --> 00:11:16.740 Saying, no. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:20.379 Go back to the truth that Jesus spoke. 00:11:21.620 --> 00:11:23.039 Remember the word of God. 00:11:24.240 --> 00:11:25.399 Don't you understand? 00:11:25.399 --> 00:11:31.439 And they're pulling from Old Testament and showing these people. 00:11:31.539 --> 00:11:37.120 And I mean, there's different books that will address Jews or Gentiles. 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:39.259 And this is a book that's addressing Gentiles. 00:11:39.259 --> 00:11:48.460 And for them, it's these false teachers are coming with philosophies, with other doctrines. 00:11:50.460 --> 00:11:56.980 Well, one doctrine is dualism, is the idea of it. 00:11:57.039 --> 00:12:01.539 So it's your mind or your spirit separate from your body. 00:12:01.539 --> 00:12:11.399 And so in this, Paul addresses this in Corinthians, where the people were believing that, oh, I can do whatever I want. 00:12:11.819 --> 00:12:15.939 And it doesn't affect my soul, my spirit, or my mind. 00:12:15.940 --> 00:12:23.460 And so these people were living in sexual immorality, living in impurity, because they didn't think it mattered. 00:12:25.420 --> 00:12:36.940 And others, even in Ephesians here, Paul addresses it somewhat as, some were saying, well, where there's sin, grace abounds. 00:12:36.940 --> 00:12:41.260 And so shouldn't we sin all the more so that grace abounds more? 00:12:41.800 --> 00:12:44.600 And they had a twisted view of what God's grace was. 00:12:46.320 --> 00:12:50.480 Now, it's true where sin is, God's grace does abound. 00:12:51.280 --> 00:12:53.280 And he will continue to give grace. 00:12:53.520 --> 00:12:59.040 But it doesn't mean that we can continue living in sin so that God's grace may abound more. 00:12:59.660 --> 00:13:00.580 It's twisted. 00:13:00.580 --> 00:13:03.720 And here he makes it clear. 00:13:03.860 --> 00:13:06.820 He says, let no one deceive you with empty words. 00:13:07.180 --> 00:13:11.580 For because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:23.320 The wrath of God is coming because of these false doctrines, because of these empty words, because of the deception. 00:13:23.320 --> 00:13:32.740 And in our culture today, they don't want to believe that God is wrathful. 00:13:33.420 --> 00:13:37.620 There's this idea that God is only loving and there's no wrath. 00:13:40.900 --> 00:13:43.100 But that's a false teaching in itself. 00:13:43.100 --> 00:13:51.340 Because without God's love, you need, or to have God's love, you need his wrath. 00:13:51.700 --> 00:13:53.960 And to have his wrath, you need his love. 00:13:56.920 --> 00:14:03.019 See, kind of a way to explain this is to go back to Old Testament, but also come to New. 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:11.500 Old Testament, God commanded the Israelites, I want you to go into this land and I want you to conquer the land. 00:14:13.100 --> 00:14:26.060 Now, many people, the argument today is, how could a loving God command a nation to go destroy hundreds of thousands to even millions of people? 00:14:27.320 --> 00:14:33.620 If God's so loving, then why did he allow them to wipe out a whole country, a whole nation? 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:47.419 But what people forget is that God gave those people some 400 years to repent of their sins, to turn from their wicked ways and come to him. 00:14:50.019 --> 00:14:55.919 And they questioned, well, if God's so loving, God is loving because he gave them 400 years. 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:57.299 And he warned them. 00:14:57.299 --> 00:15:01.079 And he gave them that opportunity to repent and they didn't. 00:15:01.419 --> 00:15:05.740 And finally, he said, enough is enough of this sin. 00:15:06.859 --> 00:15:10.399 I'm going to send my nation in and they're going to wipe them out. 00:15:10.579 --> 00:15:14.419 And it's also an act of love to his people. 00:15:15.279 --> 00:15:18.679 For he promised, I will give you this land. 00:15:19.159 --> 00:15:20.379 You will receive it. 00:15:20.379 --> 00:15:24.019 And it's going to be a land of flowing with milk and honey. 00:15:24.139 --> 00:15:25.500 It's going to be beautiful. 00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:28.139 It's going to be full of blessing. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:32.379 And so he pours out his love and his wrath. 00:15:33.179 --> 00:15:38.100 He pours out his wrath on the sin that the people were doing. 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:41.279 And yet he gives his love to the Israelites. 00:15:41.279 --> 00:15:46.639 So you see an image of both love and wrath coming from God and they're together. 00:15:47.819 --> 00:15:55.299 And in the same way in the New Testament, when you look at the cross, it's an image of God's love and wrath. 00:15:56.839 --> 00:16:03.139 Jesus died on the cross to satisfy God's wrath that was coming because of our sin. 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:07.120 And it still is coming later. 00:16:08.079 --> 00:16:10.919 There's a wrath, there's a judgment that will come eventually. 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:18.620 But Jesus died for our sins so that we could come to the Father to have that relationship with him. 00:16:19.740 --> 00:16:22.860 And it's his love for us because he offers life. 00:16:25.339 --> 00:16:26.519 It's his grace. 00:16:27.480 --> 00:16:29.019 We deserve to be up there. 00:16:29.959 --> 00:16:31.039 We deserve death. 00:16:32.120 --> 00:16:35.899 But God came down and he said, I'm going to pay that penalty. 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.799 And he died for all people. 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:48.079 Now, some will also twist that and say, well, if he died for all people, then doesn't that mean everyone goes to heaven? 00:16:49.139 --> 00:16:49.659 No. 00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:53.719 Because he comes and he does die for all people. 00:16:54.719 --> 00:16:58.899 But there's a point in which we need to accept his gift. 00:17:00.480 --> 00:17:04.119 We need to humble ourselves and surrender our lives to him. 00:17:05.799 --> 00:17:09.700 Understand our sin and realize that we need him. 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:15.819 We cannot come to the Father unless it's through him. 00:17:18.900 --> 00:17:27.539 It's his blood that satisfies the sin, that atones for our sin, covers us, makes us new. 00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:29.860 We cannot do it on our own. 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:37.159 And if you look at the Israelites, it's a perfect example of that because they never could follow the law perfectly. 00:17:38.599 --> 00:17:43.979 And in James, it talks about if you can live this out perfectly, then you are perfect. 00:17:44.399 --> 00:17:45.379 But you can't. 00:17:46.599 --> 00:17:47.859 That's why we need Jesus. 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:49.039 That's why we need him. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.659 Because we can't do it on our own. 00:17:51.660 --> 00:18:00.560 So we see an image of both God's love and wrath. 00:18:01.340 --> 00:18:11.340 And because of these false doctrines, because of this deception that is in the culture and in polluting their church, 00:18:12.060 --> 00:18:15.900 he says, for this reason, the wrath of God is coming. 00:18:17.240 --> 00:18:21.440 And we read in our Bibles that there will be a day of judgment. 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:24.299 There will be even seven years of judgment. 00:18:24.900 --> 00:18:25.840 The great tribulation. 00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:33.140 And Christ will return a second time and wipe out those that didn't believe. 00:18:34.120 --> 00:18:38.240 Those that chose to follow the Antichrist over him. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:43.360 And then you see new life. 00:18:44.059 --> 00:18:48.820 Where God says, and you see a new heaven and a new earth. 00:18:49.140 --> 00:18:50.500 He's going to make all things new. 00:18:51.440 --> 00:18:54.700 And that's an image of his love. 00:18:56.740 --> 00:19:00.320 He's going to bring us who believe into a life. 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:06.779 Into a perfect place where we will dwell with him again. 00:19:06.960 --> 00:19:08.420 Where there will be no more temptation. 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.840 There will be no more sin. 00:19:10.420 --> 00:19:11.480 There will be no more death. 00:19:11.480 --> 00:19:16.960 And that is still coming in the future. 00:19:16.960 --> 00:19:20.240 But as I was reading yesterday in Revelation 22. 00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:22.900 Jesus says three times. 00:19:23.620 --> 00:19:24.799 Actually, I'll flip there. 00:19:28.000 --> 00:19:28.960 Three times. 00:19:29.100 --> 00:19:30.039 One in verse 7. 00:19:31.400 --> 00:19:33.000 I think that's where the first one is. 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:35.180 And behold, I'm coming soon. 00:19:36.299 --> 00:19:36.900 Verse 12. 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:38.640 Behold, I'm coming soon. 00:19:38.640 --> 00:19:43.080 And lastly, verse 20. 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:47.780 And who testifies to these things says, surely I am coming soon. 00:19:48.560 --> 00:19:48.900 Amen. 00:19:49.120 --> 00:19:49.940 Come Lord Jesus. 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:52.740 And three times. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.840 And three times. 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:55.980 Is important in scripture. 00:19:56.360 --> 00:19:57.160 Such as. 00:19:57.380 --> 00:19:59.380 When you look in Revelation as well. 00:19:59.460 --> 00:19:59.840 It says. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:01.180 The angels cry out. 00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:02.559 Holy, holy, holy. 00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:04.660 Is the Lord God Almighty. 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.220 It's not just holy is the Lord. 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:08.680 It's not just holy, holy is the Lord. 00:20:08.860 --> 00:20:11.039 But it's holy, holy, holy is the Lord. 00:20:11.039 --> 00:20:13.980 And it's this image of completeness. 00:20:14.420 --> 00:20:17.059 It's this image of harmony or perfection. 00:20:18.899 --> 00:20:22.659 And it's saying that God is above all. 00:20:22.980 --> 00:20:26.139 There's nothing that compares to him. 00:20:27.960 --> 00:20:29.720 And Jesus states three times. 00:20:29.839 --> 00:20:31.059 Behold, I'm coming soon. 00:20:32.180 --> 00:20:33.480 And so he will. 00:20:34.159 --> 00:20:35.039 And he is. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:38.779 And for the believer, that should bring joy. 00:20:38.779 --> 00:20:41.379 That should bring praise. 00:20:42.160 --> 00:20:44.940 That things are not always going to be this way. 00:20:46.160 --> 00:20:47.319 On this earth. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:57.920 That the enemy won't have free reign or rule to deceive or to tempt any longer. 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:06.599 But for the unbeliever, this should bring fear. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:13.859 And many are dying and not knowing the truth. 00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:16.240 Not knowing Jesus who saves. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:22.539 And this should also give us an urgency as believers to share the gospel. 00:21:22.799 --> 00:21:24.599 Share the good news of Jesus Christ. 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:26.500 What he did on the cross for us. 00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:32.420 Even the statement of Jesus saying, I am coming soon. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:36.640 He's saying that he's coming soon. 00:21:36.740 --> 00:21:37.859 Time is running out. 00:21:38.700 --> 00:21:39.039 Go. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:42.500 Share the good news to the nations. 00:21:44.779 --> 00:21:47.559 And do we as the church really have this urgency? 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:59.279 And I mean, when end times stuff is brought up, many people are like, well, this stuff has happened many years. 00:22:00.559 --> 00:22:05.619 Like, how do you know that it's going to come soon? 00:22:05.819 --> 00:22:07.799 Like, it could be another thousand years. 00:22:08.919 --> 00:22:09.579 It's true. 00:22:09.720 --> 00:22:10.240 It could be. 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:21.620 But I mean, even when you read in specifically Thessalonians and some other books, it's like the people then were believing that Jesus was coming even in their day. 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:24.259 And that's been 2,000 years ago. 00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:26.319 They had this urgency. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:28.839 They had the desire that Jesus is coming soon. 00:22:28.839 --> 00:22:35.699 And so for us, 2,000 years later, how much more urgency should we have that he's coming soon? 00:22:38.500 --> 00:22:47.099 And when Jesus gives the list of signs of like, you will see these things start to happen, we're starting to see them more and more and more. 00:22:51.459 --> 00:22:53.259 But what should that drive us to? 00:22:53.359 --> 00:22:56.500 It should drive us to share the good news even more. 00:22:56.500 --> 00:23:00.000 Of what Jesus did for us. 00:23:06.019 --> 00:23:06.900 Verse 7. 00:23:08.819 --> 00:23:11.420 Therefore, do not become partners with them. 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.779 Saying, do not join them. 00:23:14.119 --> 00:23:15.900 You're part of a new family now. 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:21.180 I've brought you out of the darkness, out of your sin. 00:23:21.900 --> 00:23:23.059 Brought you to new life. 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:26.819 Do not join with them in these things that they're doing. 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:35.679 And I've heard over the years some people where, some believers were like, okay, well. 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:41.500 I, for example, the party scene. 00:23:43.159 --> 00:23:45.079 They're like, well, I go to the parties. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:49.599 Because then I might have an opportunity to share Christ with them. 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:55.679 And, I mean, all right. 00:23:55.879 --> 00:23:58.439 That's, you can choose that. 00:23:59.119 --> 00:24:00.119 But be careful. 00:24:00.220 --> 00:24:06.019 Because it's in a place where you can easily be enticed into doing what they're doing. 00:24:06.019 --> 00:24:08.759 You want to influence them, yes. 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:10.500 You want to share the gospel with them. 00:24:10.940 --> 00:24:16.299 But it might be hard to share the good news with someone who's hardly able to stand up because they're so drunk. 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:20.119 It's kind of difficult. 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:24.619 Not saying it's impossible because God's power is beyond that. 00:24:24.619 --> 00:24:35.759 But there is a point in which we need to be careful not to put ourselves in a place of temptation and fall into it in these situations. 00:24:36.079 --> 00:24:39.239 And here it makes clear, do not join them. 00:24:39.319 --> 00:24:41.859 Do not become partners with them. 00:24:44.199 --> 00:24:47.339 There's opportunities to reach these people outside of that scene. 00:24:47.339 --> 00:24:56.339 Jesus, for example, he did eat with sinners. 00:24:56.859 --> 00:25:01.559 He did spend time with people that did things that weren't right. 00:25:03.359 --> 00:25:11.119 So I'm not saying never go to certain things in hopes of sharing the truth with non-believers. 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.139 That's not what I'm saying. 00:25:12.140 --> 00:25:18.720 But what I am saying is you don't have to join them in what they're doing to reach them. 00:25:19.660 --> 00:25:21.120 That's a common misconception. 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:27.620 I've heard it to the extreme of people sinning to reach other people. 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:35.980 And this was to the extreme of this guy became a drag queen to reach other drag queens. 00:25:36.540 --> 00:25:37.759 It's not right. 00:25:42.140 --> 00:25:46.120 Jesus was perfect and did not sin, yet he was with sinners. 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:48.440 He didn't join in with them. 00:25:48.520 --> 00:25:50.040 He didn't partner with them. 00:25:51.600 --> 00:25:52.759 But he loved them. 00:25:54.340 --> 00:25:55.420 And he cared for them. 00:25:56.300 --> 00:25:57.640 That's what we're called to do. 00:25:59.700 --> 00:26:02.660 Be imitators of God. 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.300 Verse 8. 00:26:06.380 --> 00:26:10.460 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:12.079 Walk as children of light. 00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:16.480 For the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true. 00:26:17.039 --> 00:26:19.680 And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:26:22.380 --> 00:26:27.160 For at one time, verse 8, you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:29.440 Walk as children of the light. 00:26:31.120 --> 00:26:35.160 We're brought out of darkness into the light. 00:26:35.160 --> 00:26:38.300 And we're to walk in that light. 00:26:38.420 --> 00:26:41.820 That light which is Jesus, who said, I'm the light of the world. 00:26:43.900 --> 00:26:46.480 I'm the way, the truth, and the life. 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:56.019 We're no longer walking in darkness. 00:27:00.900 --> 00:27:03.039 And he's just explaining it more. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:10.000 Like from verse 3 and 4, explaining these things. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:16.000 Sexual immorality, impurity, covetousness, idolatry, filthiness, foolish talk, crude joking. 00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:18.200 All these different things. 00:27:18.680 --> 00:27:22.640 And he's saying, remember, that was where you came from. 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:25.279 That's darkness that you were walking in. 00:27:26.339 --> 00:27:30.200 But now you're called out of that into the light. 00:27:30.200 --> 00:27:39.100 Light reveals all things. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:46.420 If you're in a dark room and you can't see in front of you, you turn a flashlight on and it illuminates the whole room. 00:27:48.779 --> 00:27:49.740 And you can see. 00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.980 You can see clearly. 00:27:54.900 --> 00:27:56.519 And we're to walk in the light. 00:27:56.519 --> 00:28:02.299 When you walk in the light, you're less likely to stumble because you can see in front of you. 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:08.259 But if you walk in the darkness, you're kind of, you're paranoid, right? 00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:10.900 Because you're like, where's that desk? 00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.859 Where's that stand? 00:28:12.279 --> 00:28:13.240 You're kind of feeling. 00:28:14.559 --> 00:28:18.319 And that's how people are walking in this world today because they're walking in darkness. 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:26.259 They walk into situations and they're like, then they fall off a cliff. 00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:32.059 It's like, God comes and he's like, I'm going to light this up. 00:28:32.139 --> 00:28:35.099 I'm going to bring life to this darkness. 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:38.119 I'm going to bring light to your life. 00:28:41.440 --> 00:28:46.599 In verse 10, and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:28:47.720 --> 00:28:49.920 And the question is, how do we do that? 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:56.640 How do we discern what is pleasing to the Lord? 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.440 We go to this. 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:04.279 We go to God's word each and every day. 00:29:04.640 --> 00:29:05.580 For he makes it clear. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:08.380 And he will make it clear to us. 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:10.539 As we go before him. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:16.680 How are you supposed to be an imitator of God if you don't know anything about him? 00:29:18.159 --> 00:29:20.960 Jesus came so that we could have relationship with him. 00:29:21.920 --> 00:29:23.720 And relationship is getting to know. 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.519 You're growing together. 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:29.740 And you get to know that person. 00:29:30.220 --> 00:29:31.940 And marriage is a good example of this. 00:29:31.940 --> 00:29:39.000 Over the years, you start to even, in one sense, become one. 00:29:40.120 --> 00:29:43.500 And marriage talks about when you do get married, you become one. 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:45.000 That's what you're considered as. 00:29:45.000 --> 00:29:55.240 But from watching even my parents, it's like, they almost, in one sense, know what the other one's thinking. 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:57.319 Before it's even said. 00:29:58.059 --> 00:30:04.380 And they live together so long that they know each other so well. 00:30:04.640 --> 00:30:07.019 They know what frustrates one another. 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:08.980 They know how to please the other. 00:30:09.319 --> 00:30:11.140 They know how to care for one another well. 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:17.120 And in the same way, God is desiring that we will come to him in a relationship and get to know him. 00:30:19.100 --> 00:30:23.700 And he's put scripture together to teach us about his ways. 00:30:24.240 --> 00:30:26.220 To reveal to us who he is. 00:30:26.340 --> 00:30:29.900 And we can come to him because of Christ in prayer. 00:30:32.680 --> 00:30:37.520 Jesus came and he, as Hebrews talks about, he's our high priest. 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:45.619 And the high priest was a representative of the people that could come before God once a year into the Holy of Holies. 00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:49.740 And make atonement for the sin of that nation. 00:30:50.400 --> 00:30:59.099 Now, if that high priest entered into the Holy of Holies any other time besides when God said, come, he was struck down. 00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:03.220 When Jesus died on the cross, that curtain was torn in two. 00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:06.940 When Jesus said, it is finished, that curtain was torn. 00:31:06.940 --> 00:31:19.019 He opened up the way that we could come before the Father in holiness, atoned for, made right before him. 00:31:20.559 --> 00:31:30.440 He opened that door that we can come now through Jesus into essentially the throne room of God. 00:31:31.140 --> 00:31:32.660 We can come before him. 00:31:32.660 --> 00:31:42.100 In verse 12, for it is, oh, sorry, verse 11. 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:47.019 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.620 What exposes them? 00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.300 The light. 00:31:53.800 --> 00:31:55.820 The light exposes darkness. 00:31:55.819 --> 00:32:00.119 And what are we called to do? 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:01.119 We're called to be light. 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:07.460 Bears were to be the light of the world by Jesus Christ. 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:12.579 Speaking the truth, bringing light to the darkness. 00:32:12.579 --> 00:32:21.240 In verse 12, for it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 00:32:23.039 --> 00:32:26.439 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible. 00:32:26.440 --> 00:32:36.660 And this last week, I was up at North Battleford visiting my sister. 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:41.039 We watched a documentary on the topic of human trafficking. 00:32:42.320 --> 00:32:49.660 And it's one of the things that these men and women are trying to speak out against because it's been in the darkness so long. 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:54.180 Many people think this is a situation that's overseas. 00:32:54.420 --> 00:32:55.900 It's not happening in our country. 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:59.660 Yet, they said it's the leading... 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:05.660 Or... 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:07.060 What's the word for it? 00:33:10.259 --> 00:33:14.500 Basically, it's the next leading illegal trade in the world. 00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:19.660 So it's already passed the illegal arms trade and it's about to pass the illegal drug trade. 00:33:21.380 --> 00:33:30.900 And the top country that's both providing and abusing these people, these kids, is America. 00:33:31.980 --> 00:33:34.960 And it's going across the U.S.-Mexican border. 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:38.120 It is being exposed. 00:33:38.440 --> 00:33:46.180 And what has happened to these young kids, both young girls and boys, 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:50.960 is a shameful thing to even speak of. 00:33:53.700 --> 00:33:55.880 But it is being exposed to light. 00:33:56.000 --> 00:34:01.079 The light is shining upon this and making it look. 00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:02.740 Look what's going on, people. 00:34:04.960 --> 00:34:08.179 And it's part of the darkness. 00:34:08.440 --> 00:34:09.659 It's sexual immorality. 00:34:10.000 --> 00:34:10.760 It's impurity. 00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.920 It is not right. 00:34:18.480 --> 00:34:20.199 We're to walk in the light. 00:34:21.059 --> 00:34:23.260 As God has called us, being imitators of God. 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:26.860 And I'm reminded when I think of that. 00:34:28.420 --> 00:34:29.519 Reminded of what 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:31.900 Jesus said. 00:34:31.900 --> 00:34:35.220 That if anyone causes one of these little ones to stumble, 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:39.800 it is better for them to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea. 00:34:40.519 --> 00:34:42.720 What is being done is disgusting. 00:34:46.860 --> 00:34:48.840 And yet many in denial will say, 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:50.320 no, it's not in our country. 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:54.940 But it is. 00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.460 And this is just one of the things 00:34:56.460 --> 00:35:00.440 that is coming out. 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:06.860 What saves us from the darkness, 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:09.539 what can bring us out of this life, 00:35:10.539 --> 00:35:11.840 is only Jesus. 00:35:11.840 --> 00:35:12.039 Jesus. 00:35:12.039 --> 00:35:17.800 Verse 14. 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:19.679 For anything that becomes visible is light. 00:35:19.800 --> 00:35:20.500 Therefore it says, 00:35:20.699 --> 00:35:21.739 Awake, O sleeper, 00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:23.380 and arise from the dead, 00:35:23.840 --> 00:35:25.360 and Christ will shine on you. 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:28.579 Look carefully then how you walk, 00:35:28.639 --> 00:35:29.460 not as unwise, 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.320 but as wise, 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:32.759 making the best use of the time, 00:35:32.820 --> 00:35:33.980 because the days are evil. 00:35:34.980 --> 00:35:36.320 Therefore do not be foolish, 00:35:36.440 --> 00:35:38.559 but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:41.779 saying, 00:35:41.900 --> 00:35:42.420 Wake up. 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:46.179 Don't be caught sleeping. 00:35:50.380 --> 00:35:51.299 Be on guard. 00:35:51.400 --> 00:35:52.059 Be watching. 00:35:53.519 --> 00:35:54.019 It says, 00:35:54.119 --> 00:35:55.599 Look carefully then how you walk, 00:35:55.659 --> 00:35:56.420 not as unwise, 00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.179 but as wise. 00:35:58.119 --> 00:35:59.460 Be careful of every step. 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:05.579 The days are evil. 00:36:06.980 --> 00:36:07.840 And Jesus said, 00:36:08.559 --> 00:36:11.360 As it draws near to the last days, 00:36:11.860 --> 00:36:13.000 there will be a great deception 00:36:13.000 --> 00:36:14.519 that will come. 00:36:23.279 --> 00:36:25.599 But to look carefully then how you walk, 00:36:25.679 --> 00:36:26.519 not as unwise, 00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:27.079 but as wise. 00:36:28.019 --> 00:36:29.159 And as James says, 00:36:29.279 --> 00:36:30.980 if you lack wisdom, 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.139 then ask the Lord. 00:36:32.980 --> 00:36:34.059 Ask Him for wisdom. 00:36:34.059 --> 00:36:37.799 Dig into His word. 00:36:38.400 --> 00:36:39.219 Seek the wisdom. 00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:40.279 Look, 00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.799 how am I supposed to walk? 00:36:42.000 --> 00:36:42.259 Lord, 00:36:42.940 --> 00:36:44.820 light up my path before me 00:36:44.820 --> 00:36:45.980 that I may see 00:36:45.980 --> 00:36:47.699 what I'm to do. 00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:52.960 Therefore do not be foolish, 00:36:53.139 --> 00:36:54.980 but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:36:55.420 --> 00:36:55.799 Again, 00:36:55.900 --> 00:36:56.820 how do we know that will? 00:36:58.079 --> 00:36:58.739 Seek Him. 00:37:00.519 --> 00:37:01.519 Seek Him in His word. 00:37:01.659 --> 00:37:02.500 Seek Him in prayer. 00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:05.119 Come to Him each day. 00:37:07.679 --> 00:37:08.480 And 18, 00:37:08.579 --> 00:37:09.940 And do not get drunk with wine, 00:37:10.019 --> 00:37:11.059 for that is debauchery, 00:37:11.559 --> 00:37:13.400 but be filled with the Spirit. 00:37:17.599 --> 00:37:20.039 Many will turn to physical things 00:37:20.039 --> 00:37:22.519 to care for the need that's inside. 00:37:23.960 --> 00:37:25.360 And one of them is drinking. 00:37:25.360 --> 00:37:26.539 In our culture, 00:37:26.539 --> 00:37:31.539 it's pretty controlling. 00:37:33.079 --> 00:37:33.500 I mean, 00:37:33.599 --> 00:37:34.719 most of my high school 00:37:34.719 --> 00:37:36.219 was kids that looked forward 00:37:36.219 --> 00:37:37.000 to every weekend 00:37:37.000 --> 00:37:37.840 so that they could go 00:37:37.840 --> 00:37:38.420 and get drunk 00:37:38.420 --> 00:37:39.759 and have just 00:37:39.759 --> 00:37:41.500 a break 00:37:41.500 --> 00:37:43.039 from the stresses of life. 00:37:45.940 --> 00:37:47.139 Now I have some, 00:37:47.279 --> 00:37:48.519 even of my own classmates, 00:37:48.519 --> 00:37:50.019 that are fighting addiction. 00:37:50.019 --> 00:37:55.559 fighting these things 00:37:55.559 --> 00:37:56.659 that they did in high school. 00:37:56.820 --> 00:37:57.259 And it's, 00:37:58.659 --> 00:38:01.159 it leads them down 00:38:01.159 --> 00:38:02.239 a path of pain 00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:04.500 and sin. 00:38:04.699 --> 00:38:05.199 And for that is, 00:38:05.639 --> 00:38:06.159 and it says, 00:38:06.280 --> 00:38:07.480 and do not get drunk with wine, 00:38:07.559 --> 00:38:08.539 for that is debauchery. 00:38:08.599 --> 00:38:09.579 What is debauchery? 00:38:11.739 --> 00:38:13.679 It is an extreme indulgence 00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:15.079 of bodily pleasures. 00:38:15.079 --> 00:38:18.819 And normally, 00:38:19.099 --> 00:38:20.360 when this happens, 00:38:20.519 --> 00:38:21.619 a lot of other stuff, 00:38:22.679 --> 00:38:24.059 debauchery is basically just 00:38:24.059 --> 00:38:28.119 sin in many ways. 00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:29.179 It's, 00:38:30.099 --> 00:38:32.719 basically, 00:38:32.900 --> 00:38:33.799 it will lead 00:38:33.799 --> 00:38:35.259 to much sin. 00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.599 And often with drinking, 00:38:38.299 --> 00:38:39.460 like Scripture says, 00:38:40.299 --> 00:38:42.059 do not get drunk. 00:38:42.059 --> 00:38:44.639 But it also says, 00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.739 and warns 00:38:46.739 --> 00:38:48.360 of sexual immorality, 00:38:48.980 --> 00:38:49.440 adultery, 00:38:49.599 --> 00:38:49.940 lust, 00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:50.820 and often 00:38:50.820 --> 00:38:53.519 drinking and sexual immorality 00:38:53.519 --> 00:38:54.619 are very much connected. 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:56.880 At least in our culture, 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.079 it is. 00:39:02.179 --> 00:39:03.199 When you're drunk, 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:03.579 you're, 00:39:03.619 --> 00:39:04.880 you're not in control 00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:07.119 fully of your body. 00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:11.199 And with that, 00:39:11.199 --> 00:39:12.279 leads 00:39:12.279 --> 00:39:14.939 down a dark road. 00:39:18.500 --> 00:39:19.259 But it says, 00:39:19.359 --> 00:39:20.139 but be filled 00:39:20.139 --> 00:39:21.239 with the Spirit. 00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:24.759 How can we be filled 00:39:24.759 --> 00:39:25.379 with the Spirit? 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:26.939 By believing 00:39:26.939 --> 00:39:27.839 in Jesus. 00:39:28.579 --> 00:39:29.679 By coming to Him. 00:39:32.379 --> 00:39:33.519 And then it goes on 00:39:33.519 --> 00:39:35.799 and it talks more 00:39:35.799 --> 00:39:37.000 of what's, 00:39:37.079 --> 00:39:38.159 what's our call 00:39:38.159 --> 00:39:38.819 as children. 00:39:38.820 --> 00:39:40.320 We're to address 00:39:40.320 --> 00:39:41.000 one another 00:39:41.000 --> 00:39:41.580 in psalms 00:39:41.580 --> 00:39:42.059 and hymns 00:39:42.059 --> 00:39:43.160 and spiritual songs, 00:39:43.620 --> 00:39:44.460 singing and making 00:39:44.460 --> 00:39:45.559 melody to the Lord 00:39:45.559 --> 00:39:46.280 with your heart, 00:39:47.059 --> 00:39:47.780 giving thanks 00:39:47.780 --> 00:39:48.900 always and for everything 00:39:48.900 --> 00:39:49.920 to God the Father 00:39:49.920 --> 00:39:51.360 in the name 00:39:51.360 --> 00:39:52.700 of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:39:52.700 --> 00:39:53.840 and submitting 00:39:53.840 --> 00:39:54.500 to one another 00:39:54.500 --> 00:39:55.180 out of reverence 00:39:55.180 --> 00:39:55.840 for Christ. 00:39:55.840 --> 00:39:55.900 Christ. 00:40:01.000 --> 00:40:01.740 We're to be 00:40:01.740 --> 00:40:02.340 a children, 00:40:02.740 --> 00:40:03.400 a family 00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:05.740 that walks 00:40:05.740 --> 00:40:06.360 in love 00:40:06.360 --> 00:40:07.860 as Christ 00:40:07.860 --> 00:40:08.600 loved us. 00:40:09.640 --> 00:40:10.820 And if we do that, 00:40:10.920 --> 00:40:12.220 even when we reflect 00:40:12.220 --> 00:40:13.079 on Christ's love 00:40:13.079 --> 00:40:13.780 on the cross, 00:40:14.140 --> 00:40:14.900 what He did for us 00:40:14.900 --> 00:40:15.780 when we understand 00:40:15.780 --> 00:40:16.840 the weight 00:40:16.840 --> 00:40:17.700 of our own sin, 00:40:17.699 --> 00:40:22.399 we then should address 00:40:22.399 --> 00:40:22.899 one another 00:40:22.899 --> 00:40:23.619 in psalms 00:40:23.619 --> 00:40:24.500 and hymns 00:40:24.500 --> 00:40:25.579 and spiritual songs, 00:40:25.759 --> 00:40:26.419 singing and making 00:40:26.419 --> 00:40:27.919 melody to the Lord 00:40:27.919 --> 00:40:28.699 with your heart. 00:40:29.719 --> 00:40:30.299 We should be giving 00:40:30.299 --> 00:40:31.019 thanks 00:40:31.019 --> 00:40:32.599 always 00:40:32.599 --> 00:40:33.500 and for everything 00:40:33.500 --> 00:40:34.399 to God the Father 00:40:34.399 --> 00:40:34.839 in the name 00:40:34.839 --> 00:40:35.839 of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:40:35.899 --> 00:40:36.299 We should 00:40:36.299 --> 00:40:38.739 explode with praise 00:40:38.739 --> 00:40:39.960 of what Jesus 00:40:39.960 --> 00:40:41.099 has done for us. 00:40:41.099 --> 00:40:48.119 He's given us 00:40:48.119 --> 00:40:49.159 all that we need. 00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.940 And when I say 00:40:57.940 --> 00:41:00.739 a family that loves 00:41:00.739 --> 00:41:02.460 or in walk in love, 00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:03.880 I think it's important 00:41:03.880 --> 00:41:04.719 to be reminded 00:41:04.719 --> 00:41:06.159 of what love is. 00:41:07.119 --> 00:41:08.339 And Paul makes this clear 00:41:08.339 --> 00:41:10.500 in 1 Corinthians. 00:41:11.099 --> 00:41:12.099 13. 00:41:15.500 --> 00:41:16.420 For the love 00:41:16.420 --> 00:41:17.299 that the world says 00:41:17.299 --> 00:41:18.079 and for the love 00:41:18.079 --> 00:41:19.400 that Christ says 00:41:19.400 --> 00:41:20.659 are two very different things. 00:41:21.500 --> 00:41:23.259 1 Corinthians 13, 4 00:41:23.259 --> 00:41:25.139 says, 00:41:25.360 --> 00:41:26.579 Love is patient and kind. 00:41:27.139 --> 00:41:28.119 Love does not envy 00:41:28.119 --> 00:41:28.739 or boast. 00:41:29.000 --> 00:41:30.019 It is not arrogant 00:41:30.019 --> 00:41:31.119 or rude. 00:41:31.719 --> 00:41:32.819 It does not insist 00:41:32.819 --> 00:41:33.739 on its own way. 00:41:34.339 --> 00:41:35.279 It is not irritable 00:41:35.279 --> 00:41:36.059 or resentful. 00:41:36.619 --> 00:41:37.819 It does not rejoice 00:41:37.819 --> 00:41:38.639 at wrongdoing 00:41:38.639 --> 00:41:40.000 but rejoices 00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:40.900 with the truth. 00:41:41.099 --> 00:41:43.259 Love bears all things, 00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:45.079 believes all things, 00:41:45.259 --> 00:41:46.519 hopes all things, 00:41:47.219 --> 00:41:48.440 endures all things, 00:41:48.880 --> 00:41:50.299 and finally, 00:41:50.679 --> 00:41:51.880 love never ends. 00:41:51.880 --> 00:41:59.140 Jesus says, 00:41:59.200 --> 00:42:00.079 there's no greater love 00:42:00.079 --> 00:42:00.519 than this, 00:42:00.599 --> 00:42:02.480 that one may lay down 00:42:02.480 --> 00:42:03.720 his life for his friend. 00:42:04.280 --> 00:42:05.400 There's no greater love. 00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:09.740 But when we look at Jesus, 00:42:09.900 --> 00:42:11.119 he laid down his life 00:42:11.119 --> 00:42:11.740 for his enemies. 00:42:11.739 --> 00:42:11.879 enemies. 00:42:18.299 --> 00:42:19.579 Jesus talks about it might, 00:42:20.679 --> 00:42:21.799 for a man to lay down 00:42:21.799 --> 00:42:22.919 his life for his friend, 00:42:23.099 --> 00:42:23.879 he's more willing. 00:42:25.219 --> 00:42:26.839 But even at that point, 00:42:26.899 --> 00:42:27.599 he might not. 00:42:29.479 --> 00:42:30.859 But to lay your life down 00:42:30.859 --> 00:42:31.500 for an enemy, 00:42:31.899 --> 00:42:33.019 someone who hates you, 00:42:33.699 --> 00:42:36.099 that takes love. 00:42:36.099 --> 00:42:39.699 And Jesus came into the world 00:42:39.699 --> 00:42:40.960 where we were not 00:42:40.960 --> 00:42:41.900 seeking him. 00:42:43.440 --> 00:42:44.259 In fact, 00:42:45.259 --> 00:42:47.639 they killed him. 00:42:49.639 --> 00:42:51.039 But it was for God's glory, 00:42:51.159 --> 00:42:52.599 it was for God's grace 00:42:52.599 --> 00:42:53.539 to be poured out. 00:42:56.039 --> 00:42:57.460 When we're living in darkness, 00:42:57.579 --> 00:42:58.699 we're enemies to God. 00:42:58.699 --> 00:43:02.779 But he brings us in, 00:43:03.619 --> 00:43:05.819 reveals his light to us. 00:43:07.699 --> 00:43:08.859 He makes us in 00:43:08.859 --> 00:43:10.919 to a family, 00:43:11.039 --> 00:43:12.199 a new creation 00:43:12.199 --> 00:43:14.759 that is not to walk in darkness, 00:43:14.879 --> 00:43:15.619 but walk in light. 00:43:21.879 --> 00:43:23.599 We are a part of a new family, 00:43:23.719 --> 00:43:24.759 taken and redeemed 00:43:24.759 --> 00:43:27.439 from a broken mess. 00:43:27.440 --> 00:43:30.200 And adopted into a new one. 00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:32.400 And more than that, 00:43:32.440 --> 00:43:33.440 we have become heirs. 00:43:33.980 --> 00:43:35.659 Hebrews 12 talks about it like, 00:43:36.019 --> 00:43:37.059 we're not just adopted 00:43:37.059 --> 00:43:37.840 in as servants, 00:43:38.039 --> 00:43:39.420 but we're adopted in 00:43:39.420 --> 00:43:40.740 as sons and daughters. 00:43:44.720 --> 00:43:45.800 Where we will rule 00:43:45.800 --> 00:43:46.820 with Christ one day. 00:43:47.039 --> 00:43:48.039 And even Paul says, 00:43:48.099 --> 00:43:48.420 he's like, 00:43:48.639 --> 00:43:49.440 do you not know 00:43:49.440 --> 00:43:50.679 that you will judge angels? 00:43:51.720 --> 00:43:52.280 It's like, 00:43:53.000 --> 00:43:53.300 oh, 00:43:53.519 --> 00:43:54.280 what, 00:43:54.480 --> 00:43:56.019 what does this mean? 00:43:57.440 --> 00:43:58.639 This is not something 00:43:58.639 --> 00:43:59.500 to take lightly, 00:43:59.920 --> 00:44:01.159 but is one to be shared 00:44:01.159 --> 00:44:01.780 of the love 00:44:01.780 --> 00:44:02.800 of our Heavenly Father. 00:44:04.179 --> 00:44:05.039 We are commanded 00:44:05.039 --> 00:44:06.179 to tell the good news 00:44:06.179 --> 00:44:06.679 of Jesus. 00:44:07.900 --> 00:44:08.860 The love of God, 00:44:08.940 --> 00:44:10.500 which God dying for us, 00:44:10.559 --> 00:44:11.440 paying the price 00:44:11.440 --> 00:44:12.039 on the cross 00:44:12.039 --> 00:44:13.300 to satisfy his wrath 00:44:13.300 --> 00:44:14.400 toward us sinners, 00:44:15.400 --> 00:44:16.599 so that we who were dead 00:44:16.599 --> 00:44:17.599 in our trespasses 00:44:17.599 --> 00:44:18.219 and sins, 00:44:18.380 --> 00:44:19.219 Ephesians 2, 00:44:20.079 --> 00:44:20.900 may have a right 00:44:20.900 --> 00:44:22.079 relationship with God, 00:44:22.960 --> 00:44:24.519 just as in the Garden of Eden, 00:44:25.960 --> 00:44:26.659 where Adam and Eve 00:44:26.659 --> 00:44:27.639 walked with God 00:44:27.639 --> 00:44:29.500 in perfect relationship. 00:44:32.380 --> 00:44:34.039 And even in that, 00:44:34.139 --> 00:44:35.360 I've heard it talked about 00:44:35.360 --> 00:44:36.139 where Adam and Eve 00:44:36.139 --> 00:44:37.779 were covered in light, 00:44:38.699 --> 00:44:39.960 but when they sinned, 00:44:40.019 --> 00:44:40.980 that light was removed. 00:44:40.980 --> 00:44:47.740 Why are we to have 00:44:47.740 --> 00:44:48.559 a right relationship 00:44:48.559 --> 00:44:49.019 with God 00:44:49.019 --> 00:44:50.480 so that God might use us 00:44:50.480 --> 00:44:51.539 who were dead and broken 00:44:51.539 --> 00:44:53.039 to share of his love 00:44:53.039 --> 00:44:53.699 and mercy 00:44:53.699 --> 00:44:55.039 to a world that is dead 00:44:55.039 --> 00:44:57.119 in need of a new life, 00:44:58.039 --> 00:44:59.099 in need of the Savior, 00:44:59.240 --> 00:44:59.940 Jesus Christ? 00:45:01.420 --> 00:45:02.599 And what are we to do? 00:45:03.320 --> 00:45:04.860 We're to share the good news 00:45:04.860 --> 00:45:05.340 that Jesus, 00:45:05.519 --> 00:45:05.940 our Savior, 00:45:06.099 --> 00:45:06.940 paid the price 00:45:06.940 --> 00:45:08.360 and is alive 00:45:08.360 --> 00:45:09.780 and wants to give that life 00:45:09.780 --> 00:45:10.740 to those that are dead. 00:45:10.980 --> 00:45:14.519 So church gets sharing, 00:45:14.659 --> 00:45:14.920 is there? 00:45:15.599 --> 00:45:16.760 If there's disunity, 00:45:16.960 --> 00:45:18.260 reconcile with one another. 00:45:20.139 --> 00:45:21.099 If there's sin, 00:45:21.260 --> 00:45:21.940 repent of it. 00:45:22.059 --> 00:45:23.420 Our time here on earth 00:45:23.420 --> 00:45:24.019 is short 00:45:24.019 --> 00:45:26.480 because Jesus said, 00:45:26.579 --> 00:45:27.440 I'm coming soon. 00:45:34.300 --> 00:45:34.780 Therefore, 00:45:34.880 --> 00:45:36.019 be imitators of God 00:45:36.019 --> 00:45:36.920 as beloved children 00:45:36.920 --> 00:45:38.619 and walk in love 00:45:38.619 --> 00:45:39.699 as Christ loved us 00:45:39.699 --> 00:45:40.960 and gave himself up for us. 00:45:40.980 --> 00:45:42.880 a fragrant offering 00:45:42.880 --> 00:45:44.260 and sacrifice to God. 00:45:44.659 --> 00:45:45.099 God. 00:45:45.099 --> 00:46:02.420 I remember 00:46:02.420 --> 00:46:04.559 I was, 00:46:04.619 --> 00:46:04.980 uh, 00:46:05.779 --> 00:46:08.039 driving with a high school friend 00:46:08.039 --> 00:46:09.299 and we were talking about, 00:46:09.299 --> 00:46:11.759 about the gospel 00:46:11.759 --> 00:46:12.380 and the truth 00:46:12.380 --> 00:46:13.380 and I told him, 00:46:13.380 --> 00:46:13.880 I was like, 00:46:14.519 --> 00:46:16.800 imagine 00:46:16.800 --> 00:46:19.280 it in this way. 00:46:19.480 --> 00:46:19.619 So, 00:46:20.360 --> 00:46:21.220 the unbeliever 00:46:21.220 --> 00:46:24.140 doesn't know God. 00:46:24.400 --> 00:46:25.599 They're living in their own way 00:46:25.599 --> 00:46:26.940 but they're in darkness. 00:46:27.820 --> 00:46:29.019 So you're driving a car 00:46:29.019 --> 00:46:29.920 in the middle of the night 00:46:29.920 --> 00:46:31.099 and it's a dark night. 00:46:31.220 --> 00:46:31.380 Like, 00:46:31.460 --> 00:46:32.220 there's no stars, 00:46:32.320 --> 00:46:32.780 no moon, 00:46:33.140 --> 00:46:34.760 there's no lights around you. 00:46:34.820 --> 00:46:35.500 It's just darkness. 00:46:35.500 --> 00:46:38.280 And for the unbeliever, 00:46:38.380 --> 00:46:39.199 that is their life. 00:46:40.119 --> 00:46:41.280 They're driving their car 00:46:41.280 --> 00:46:42.179 at high speeds, 00:46:42.440 --> 00:46:44.059 not knowing what's coming, 00:46:44.179 --> 00:46:45.860 not knowing what's ahead. 00:46:48.519 --> 00:46:49.559 And they're just hoping 00:46:49.559 --> 00:46:50.199 for the best. 00:46:50.360 --> 00:46:50.539 They're like, 00:46:50.619 --> 00:46:50.800 well, 00:46:50.920 --> 00:46:52.619 hopefully if I'm good enough, 00:46:53.619 --> 00:46:54.820 then God will accept me. 00:46:56.380 --> 00:46:57.719 That's if they believe in God. 00:46:57.880 --> 00:46:58.639 Or hopefully, 00:46:59.300 --> 00:47:00.659 humans can make something 00:47:00.659 --> 00:47:01.599 that we can live forever. 00:47:01.599 --> 00:47:03.519 And right now, 00:47:03.599 --> 00:47:04.420 our culture's 00:47:04.420 --> 00:47:06.019 striving for that. 00:47:10.460 --> 00:47:11.699 But at any moment, 00:47:11.819 --> 00:47:12.880 their lives could be done, 00:47:13.059 --> 00:47:13.319 taken. 00:47:16.199 --> 00:47:17.420 And being good enough 00:47:17.420 --> 00:47:18.360 is not enough. 00:47:20.739 --> 00:47:22.000 Because as Jesus said, 00:47:22.059 --> 00:47:22.639 if you lie, 00:47:22.739 --> 00:47:23.500 then you've committed 00:47:23.500 --> 00:47:25.019 the whole lot. 00:47:25.099 --> 00:47:26.079 If you sin once, 00:47:26.380 --> 00:47:27.500 you've committed it all. 00:47:31.599 --> 00:47:33.500 But for the believer, 00:47:34.259 --> 00:47:37.400 we're still in this darkness, 00:47:38.299 --> 00:47:40.460 but the lights are on 00:47:40.460 --> 00:47:41.380 in the vehicle. 00:47:42.579 --> 00:47:43.880 And that light is God 00:47:43.880 --> 00:47:44.880 shining in this world. 00:47:45.319 --> 00:47:46.299 As believers, 00:47:46.539 --> 00:47:47.559 we are still 00:47:47.559 --> 00:47:49.839 in the darkness, 00:47:50.440 --> 00:47:51.619 but we're lights. 00:47:53.519 --> 00:47:54.719 Sharing the truth 00:47:54.719 --> 00:47:55.980 of who God is. 00:47:57.039 --> 00:47:58.199 His spirit comes in 00:47:58.199 --> 00:47:59.719 and gives us new life 00:47:59.719 --> 00:48:00.679 so that we can 00:48:00.679 --> 00:48:02.980 walk in the light. 00:48:03.980 --> 00:48:04.739 So that we 00:48:04.739 --> 00:48:05.879 can know, 00:48:06.419 --> 00:48:06.759 okay, 00:48:06.859 --> 00:48:07.759 where are we supposed 00:48:07.759 --> 00:48:08.399 to go, Lord? 00:48:09.099 --> 00:48:09.639 Lead us, 00:48:09.759 --> 00:48:10.319 guide us. 00:48:18.219 --> 00:48:19.199 And one day, 00:48:20.480 --> 00:48:22.439 the darkness 00:48:22.439 --> 00:48:23.599 will be gone. 00:48:26.379 --> 00:48:27.099 This life 00:48:27.099 --> 00:48:28.159 in which we now know 00:48:28.159 --> 00:48:29.659 will be passed away. 00:48:30.079 --> 00:48:30.940 And it talks of 00:48:30.940 --> 00:48:31.699 in the new heaven 00:48:31.699 --> 00:48:32.339 and new earth, 00:48:32.699 --> 00:48:34.539 even in the millennial 00:48:34.539 --> 00:48:35.500 reign of Christ, 00:48:35.579 --> 00:48:36.440 that there will be 00:48:36.440 --> 00:48:37.299 no sun, 00:48:37.599 --> 00:48:38.239 no moon, 00:48:38.799 --> 00:48:39.379 but it will be 00:48:39.379 --> 00:48:40.699 light everywhere. 00:48:45.500 --> 00:48:46.399 Because Jesus, 00:48:46.619 --> 00:48:47.099 our King, 00:48:47.739 --> 00:48:48.679 who is the light, 00:48:49.239 --> 00:48:49.879 is there. 00:48:53.299 --> 00:48:54.980 So question for you today, 00:48:54.980 --> 00:48:55.940 are you 00:48:55.940 --> 00:48:58.000 a child of God 00:48:58.000 --> 00:48:59.000 walking in the light, 00:48:59.800 --> 00:49:00.380 made new? 00:49:01.219 --> 00:49:02.300 Or are you still 00:49:02.300 --> 00:49:02.960 in the darkness 00:49:02.960 --> 00:49:04.159 and lost 00:49:04.159 --> 00:49:06.639 and trying to feel 00:49:06.639 --> 00:49:07.460 your way around 00:49:07.460 --> 00:49:08.240 this world, 00:49:08.340 --> 00:49:08.980 being told 00:49:08.980 --> 00:49:11.119 so many lies 00:49:11.119 --> 00:49:14.360 and being deceived? 00:49:18.940 --> 00:49:20.000 And if you are 00:49:20.000 --> 00:49:20.599 in the darkness, 00:49:20.760 --> 00:49:21.380 there's hope. 00:49:21.380 --> 00:49:21.420 hope. 00:49:23.180 --> 00:49:23.980 And it's in 00:49:23.980 --> 00:49:24.780 Jesus Christ. 00:49:27.800 --> 00:49:28.660 And if you don't 00:49:28.660 --> 00:49:29.119 know him, 00:49:29.460 --> 00:49:30.119 take the time 00:49:30.119 --> 00:49:31.140 to study his word. 00:49:36.160 --> 00:49:37.220 Seek his kingdom. 00:49:41.300 --> 00:49:41.880 So I'm going to 00:49:41.880 --> 00:49:42.740 leave you with that. 00:49:44.840 --> 00:49:45.640 And for those 00:49:45.640 --> 00:49:46.280 that are believers, 00:49:46.500 --> 00:49:46.720 therefore, 00:49:46.840 --> 00:49:48.220 be imitators of God, 00:49:48.820 --> 00:49:49.700 his beloved children, 00:49:49.699 --> 00:49:51.579 and walk in love 00:49:51.579 --> 00:49:52.599 as Christ loved us 00:49:52.599 --> 00:49:53.460 and gave himself up 00:49:53.460 --> 00:49:53.879 for us, 00:49:54.500 --> 00:49:55.619 a fragrant offering 00:49:55.619 --> 00:49:56.939 and sacrifice to God. 00:49:57.879 --> 00:49:58.500 Thank you. 00:49:58.500 --> 00:49:58.539 Thank you.