WEBVTT

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 Good evening, everyone, and thank you, Peter and Beth, for reading and praying.

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 As Peter said, my name is Luca, if we've not met before,

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 and we're looking at the second section of James tonight together.

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 I wonder if you've ever heard of the deep sea anglerfish.

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 It's a very ugly, very rare fish that lives only in deep, dark waters.

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 You can Google it at home or pretend to be on your Bible app and we won't notice.

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 It's called an anglerfish because it literally goes fishing, and it goes fishing with a bait.

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 It has a sort of fishing pole protruding from its head, and at the end of it, it has glowing bacteria.

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 And this fishing pole is called a lure because they use it to lure their prey in.

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 And the fish prey is so intrigued by the glowing light that it's all it sees.

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 I will not pay any attention to the big fish behind the light ready to eat it.

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 That light is all it sees.

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 It forgets about everything else, and then it gets closer and closer until it's too late,

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 and it gets swallowed by the anglerfish.

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 James says that's us and temptation.

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 Last week, we read about trials, how the opportunities that God gives us to become more perseverant,

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 and ultimately to strengthen our faith.

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 Today, we've read about temptation and how temptation leads to death.

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 And what's interesting is that in the original Greek, the same word is used for temptation and trials.

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 And yet, James couldn't make it any clearer that they are very different things, opposites, in fact.

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 And that's why our translations use two different words.

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 And the main difference is the outcome of the two.

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 Trials lead to the crown of life.

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 Temptation leads to death.

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 So let's dive in and see what James tells us about temptation.

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 And we're going to split the passage into two sections.

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 We'll look at deadly desires from within in the first few verses, 13 to 15,

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 and saving truth from above in verses 16 to 18.

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 Deadly desires from within and saving truth from above.

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 The Bible is very clear on the fact that God tests us.

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 Abraham in Genesis 22 is an example.

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 God asks him to sacrifice his only son, Isaac,

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 on whom God's personal promise to Abraham of countless descendants entirely depended.

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 And John tells us in his gospel, in chapter 6, verse 5,

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 that Jesus tests Peter when he asks him where he thinks they could possibly buy enough bread

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 for the 5,000 people who gathered to listen to Jesus.

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 And so as James said a few verses before these,

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 the testing of our faith produces perseverance,

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 and perseverance makes us mature and complete until we receive the crown of life.

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 And Archie told us all about it last week.

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 But now James warns us against thinking that since God can allow trials,

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 then he's also responsible if we sin when we fail to resist temptation.

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 So he says in verse 13,

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 when tempted, no one should say God is tempting me.

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 For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone.

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 And so he then gives us a very helpful description of the difference between the two.

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 And so while the aim of trials is to strengthen our faith,

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 temptation on the other hand is there literally just to make us fail.

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 Its whole aim is to get us to sin.

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 And see the steps in this process that James describes in verses 14 and 15.

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 Steps of a process that unfortunately we all know too well

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 from our own everyday personal experience with sin.

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 It all starts with desires.

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 But notice how it's evil desires that drag us away.

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 Because there is such a thing as good desires.

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 We all desire to eat, maybe to have a romantic relationship,

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 to be able to afford caring for ourselves and for our families.

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 But all of these desires can turn into evil desires.

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 When desiring food becomes gluttony,

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 when desiring a romantic relationship turns into adultery,

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 or desiring to earn money turns into greed.

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 And it's these evil desires that drag us away,

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 that lure us in and get us swallowed by the anglerfish.

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 And also the process does not stop there.

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 James uses another very powerful image,

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 conception and birth.

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 And so once desire has conceived,

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 once that line into evil desire has been crossed,

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 then it generates sin.

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 And sin can grow.

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 If we're unrepentant, we can let sin fester.

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 We can let it roam free inside of us

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 and let it grow and grow and grow.

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 And then when it is fully grown,

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 he says sin gives birth to death.

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 Giving birth to death.

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 What a paradox.

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 If we don't believe in Christ,

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 unfortunately the Bible is really clear.

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 If we're not a Christian,

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 we are headed for eternal death.

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 But James is warning us Christians in verse 15

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 about the deadly consequences

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 that unrepentant sin can have in our lives too.

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 He comes back time and time again in this book

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 to the importance of actions

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 that reflect our faith.

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 And so yes,

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 a gospel-believing Christian

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 can let sin grow over time

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 by not taking it to God in repentance

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 and not asking the Spirit for help

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 to keep fighting it.

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 It will lead us astray.

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 It will make us wander away from the truth

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 with terrible consequences for us

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 and those around us.

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 Just because we're saved,

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 we don't get a free pass

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 to let sin grow in us.

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 And James will say in chapter 5

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 that if we help a brother or sister

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 turn from the error of their way,

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 we will save them from death

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 and cover over a multitude of sins.

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 So do we see how different temptation is

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 from trials?

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 It's aimed at making evil desires

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 have the better of us.

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 It's aimed at making us just give up and sin.

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 And so for this reason,

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 temptation doesn't and cannot come from God

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 is what James says in verse 13.

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 God does not tempt it

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 and God is not tempted.

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 And I wonder if you're thinking like I did

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 the first time I read the passage

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 that actually God was indeed tempted

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 in the person of Jesus

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 when he was in the desert.

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 We can read about it

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 in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 4.

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 And he was tempted in the sense

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 that Satan tempted him.

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 Jesus was exposed to temptation

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 and he had desires

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 because he was fully human.

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 But he was also fully God.

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 And so his desires could not go beyond that.

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 God wouldn't let himself be enticed

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 by sinful desires like we do,

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 which is what temptation is about.

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 And so just as God cannot be tempted,

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 he also would never do that to us,

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 tempt us so that we sin.

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 Matthew 7 says that as a father,

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 he'd never give us a stone

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 if we ask for bread or a snake,

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 if we ask for a fish,

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 let alone lure us into sin.

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 The evil desires, says James,

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 come from within us.

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 They're down to our sinful nature,

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 to our condition of broken humans,

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 separated from God,

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 since sin entered the world in Genesis.

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 So if we were to think about

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 how we could apply this to our own lives,

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 I think one very direct application

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 from all of this is, of course,

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 let's not attribute to God any temptations.

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 If we ever think,

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 why would God make me sin in this or that way?

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 He just didn't.

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 The trials that we endure

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 and that strengthen our faith

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 are trials that we endure

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 because we are trying to live a Christian life.

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 But sins are our own doing.

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 They're our own choice.

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 And the challenges that we face

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 for having fallen into sin,

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 they have nothing to do with God.

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 What we're called to do is

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 draw near to God,

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 to resist temptation

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 when it comes our way.

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 And secondly,

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 as another application for us,

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 let's not play with fire.

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 We must not underestimate

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 the danger of evil desires and sin.

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 We have to learn to recognize sin

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 in its early stages

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 by being in communion with God,

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 by dwelling in his word

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 and letting the spirit

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 convict us of sin.

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 James gives us in these verses

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 a very stark reminder

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 that sin is serious business.

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 It doesn't matter how many years

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 I've been a Christian for,

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 how many generations

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 my family has been going to church for,

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 we are all vulnerable to sin.

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 And don't we know it all too well,

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 unfortunately,

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 how easy it is to underestimate sin,

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 how comfortable sometimes

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 it can feel to play with it,

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 to let that desire grow

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 rather than run to God

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 and get rid of it

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 there and then.

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 And so can I invite us all

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 to have a serious think about

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 what sins

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 we maybe are being too relaxed about?

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 Do we tend to join in

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 during banter at work

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 that we know brings anything

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 but glory to God

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 because it's just for a laugh

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 so we can make an exception?

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 Maybe sometimes we even make up excuses

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 that we're doing it

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 just to mingle,

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 to integrate,

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 so that we'll have opportunities

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 to evangelize.

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 Do we let jealousy

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 shape some of our comments

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 on that other family member

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 and it's fine

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 because it's family after all?

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 Or is it sexual sins

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 that we will not confront

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 because we just get

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 too much pleasure out of them?

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 I think we can all imagine

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 we all know

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 how all of this

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 can grow over time

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 and have deadly consequences.

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 So James tells us

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 sin is not something

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 that we get to feel

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 and be violent about.

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 Something that we know is bad

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 but we can let a bit of it in

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 because we will know

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 when to stop.

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 No, he says sin

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 is here to kill.

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 And so as Christians

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 we have no excuse

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 to dwell on it.

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 We must run away from it.

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 We must run straight to God.

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 And that's for us to do.

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 Helped by the Spirit.

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 God doesn't,

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 will not tempt us

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 but we must turn away from sin

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 and turn to him.

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 So let's not attribute

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 temptation to God

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 and let's take sin seriously

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 and not play with fire.

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 Let's move on to verses 16 to 18 now.

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 We've talked about

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 deadly desires from within

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 but thankfully

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 James does not stop

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 at this bleak picture

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 because verses 16 to 18

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 tell us that there is

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 a saving truth

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 coming to the rescue

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 from above.

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 He opens verse 16 with

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 don't be deceived.

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 He must have reasons

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 to believe that these Christians

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 are being deceived.

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 There's some sort of deception

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 going on

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 and maybe

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 they got things mixed up

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 or maybe they're exposed

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 to the teachings

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 of someone who did

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 or maybe he's just worried

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 that they'll misunderstand

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 the whole relation

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 between God's trials

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 and Satan's temptations.

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 So after explaining

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 what does not

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 come from above

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 he tells us now

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 what does

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 come from God

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 and that's

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 every good

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 and perfect gift.

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 Every good

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 and perfect gift

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 comes from above.

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 And he goes on

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 to give us

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 a spectacular

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 description

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 of our gift

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 dispensing God

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 and he does that

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 in just a handful

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 of words

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 in verse 17.

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 The father

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 of the heavenly

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 lights

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 who does not change

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 like shifting

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 shadows.

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 What else

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 could come

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 from such a God

00:13:33.440 --> 00:13:34.440
 other than

00:13:34.440 --> 00:13:35.440
 every good

00:13:35.440 --> 00:13:36.759
 and perfect gift?

00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:39.600
 I find that

00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.319
 there's nothing

00:13:40.319 --> 00:13:40.939
 like a good

00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:41.480
 reminder

00:13:41.480 --> 00:13:42.639
 that our God

00:13:42.639 --> 00:13:43.939
 is the creator

00:13:43.939 --> 00:13:44.759
 of the universe

00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:45.419
 the father

00:13:45.419 --> 00:13:46.580
 of the heavenly

00:13:46.580 --> 00:13:47.100
 lights

00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:47.960
 to give us

00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:48.519
 perspective

00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:49.299
 when we're

00:13:49.299 --> 00:13:50.779
 lost in the

00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:51.740
 chaos of our

00:13:51.740 --> 00:13:53.259
 everyday struggles.

00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:54.620
 Maybe you climb

00:13:54.620 --> 00:13:55.700
 up a hill

00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:57.179
 and look around you

00:13:57.179 --> 00:13:58.299
 maybe you just

00:13:58.299 --> 00:13:59.200
 watch the grass

00:13:59.200 --> 00:14:00.480
 on your lawn

00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:02.000
 grow out of

00:14:02.000 --> 00:14:02.679
 just rain

00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:03.259
 and sunlight

00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:03.840
 or maybe you

00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:04.740
 watch a David Attenborough

00:14:04.740 --> 00:14:05.340
 documentary

00:14:05.340 --> 00:14:06.820
 and remember

00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.639
 that if God

00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:08.420
 was able to

00:14:08.420 --> 00:14:09.320
 make all of

00:14:09.320 --> 00:14:09.980
 this happen

00:14:09.980 --> 00:14:11.360
 he must be

00:14:11.360 --> 00:14:12.440
 a powerful

00:14:12.440 --> 00:14:13.720
 a creative

00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.840
 a good

00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:15.500
 God

00:14:15.500 --> 00:14:16.720
 the father

00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.639
 of the heavenly

00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.080
 lights

00:14:18.080 --> 00:14:18.980
 who doesn't

00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:19.580
 change like

00:14:19.580 --> 00:14:20.540
 shifting shadows

00:14:20.540 --> 00:14:22.100
 and maybe even

00:14:22.100 --> 00:14:22.720
 better than a

00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.360
 David Attenborough

00:14:23.360 --> 00:14:23.920
 documentary

00:14:23.920 --> 00:14:24.639
 when it comes

00:14:24.639 --> 00:14:26.440
 to a sound

00:14:26.440 --> 00:14:27.220
 description of

00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:27.480
 God

00:14:27.480 --> 00:14:28.160
 would be the

00:14:28.160 --> 00:14:28.920
 Bible itself

00:14:28.920 --> 00:14:29.759
 which is why

00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.180
 we read

00:14:30.180 --> 00:14:32.240
 Psalm 145

00:14:32.240 --> 00:14:33.580
 it describes

00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.200
 that same

00:14:34.200 --> 00:14:34.720
 God

00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.360
 that James

00:14:35.360 --> 00:14:35.840
 is talking

00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.540
 about here

00:14:36.540 --> 00:14:38.019
 verse 9

00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.460
 of the psalm

00:14:38.460 --> 00:14:38.720
 says

00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.220
 a Lord

00:14:39.220 --> 00:14:39.860
 who is

00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.420
 good to

00:14:40.420 --> 00:14:40.879
 all

00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.740
 that's why

00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.320
 every good

00:14:42.320 --> 00:14:42.840
 and perfect

00:14:42.840 --> 00:14:43.639
 gift comes

00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:44.200
 from him

00:14:44.200 --> 00:14:45.139
 in verse

00:14:45.139 --> 00:14:45.879
 12

00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:46.460
 the psalmist

00:14:46.460 --> 00:14:46.740
 says

00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.220
 a Lord

00:14:47.220 --> 00:14:48.080
 whose kingdom

00:14:48.080 --> 00:14:48.580
 is covered

00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:49.360
 in glorious

00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:50.480
 splendor

00:14:50.480 --> 00:14:51.040
 because he's

00:14:51.040 --> 00:14:51.399
 the father

00:14:51.399 --> 00:14:52.019
 of the heavenly

00:14:52.019 --> 00:14:52.560
 light

00:14:52.560 --> 00:14:53.580
 he created

00:14:53.580 --> 00:14:54.000
 everything

00:14:54.000 --> 00:14:54.700
 that we see

00:14:54.700 --> 00:14:55.820
 and in verse

00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:56.320
 13

00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:56.700
 the psalm

00:14:56.700 --> 00:14:56.940
 says

00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.279
 a Lord

00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:57.740
 whose kingdom

00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.980
 is everlasting

00:14:58.980 --> 00:15:00.340
 because he

00:15:00.340 --> 00:15:00.899
 doesn't

00:15:00.899 --> 00:15:01.620
 change

00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:02.460
 like shifting

00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.000
 shadows

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.879
 and I'd

00:15:04.879 --> 00:15:05.399
 encourage you

00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:05.720
 to read

00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.080
 the whole

00:15:06.080 --> 00:15:06.440
 psalm

00:15:06.440 --> 00:15:06.980
 again

00:15:06.980 --> 00:15:07.539
 maybe in

00:15:07.539 --> 00:15:07.879
 your own

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.259
 time

00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:08.980
 maybe to

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.600
 start the

00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:09.879
 week

00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:10.320
 tomorrow

00:15:10.320 --> 00:15:10.860
 it's a

00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:11.179
 really

00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:12.039
 uplifting

00:15:12.039 --> 00:15:13.460
 praise of

00:15:13.460 --> 00:15:13.759
 God

00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.379
 for who

00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.700
 he is

00:15:15.700 --> 00:15:16.039
 as a

00:15:16.039 --> 00:15:16.360
 good

00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:17.100
 a loving

00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:17.820
 a sovereign

00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:18.779
 and eternal

00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.259
 father

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:20.799
 and so

00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:21.379
 just like

00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.080
 the psalmist

00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:23.159
 James wants

00:15:23.159 --> 00:15:23.480
 us to

00:15:23.480 --> 00:15:23.940
 realize

00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:24.799
 that all

00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:25.120
 of this

00:15:25.120 --> 00:15:25.879
 continuous

00:15:25.879 --> 00:15:27.080
 shifting

00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:28.360
 this instability

00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.159
 that is so

00:15:29.159 --> 00:15:29.879
 intrinsically

00:15:29.879 --> 00:15:30.480
 part of

00:15:30.480 --> 00:15:31.100
 our nature

00:15:31.100 --> 00:15:31.960
 as fallen

00:15:31.960 --> 00:15:32.840
 human beings

00:15:32.840 --> 00:15:33.700
 this constant

00:15:33.700 --> 00:15:34.259
 changing

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.740
 and often

00:15:34.740 --> 00:15:35.399
 for the worse

00:15:35.399 --> 00:15:35.720
 if we're

00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:35.980
 honest

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:36.580
 that we

00:15:36.580 --> 00:15:36.899
 live

00:15:36.899 --> 00:15:37.919
 day in

00:15:37.919 --> 00:15:39.100
 day out

00:15:39.100 --> 00:15:39.800
 this is

00:15:39.800 --> 00:15:40.720
 in no way

00:15:40.720 --> 00:15:41.659
 a trait

00:15:41.659 --> 00:15:42.340
 of our

00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:42.800
 God

00:15:42.800 --> 00:15:43.720
 so while

00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:44.000
 we're

00:15:44.000 --> 00:15:44.919
 dragged away

00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.480
 by our

00:15:45.480 --> 00:15:46.019
 desires

00:15:46.019 --> 00:15:46.680
 that then

00:15:46.680 --> 00:15:47.279
 give birth

00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:47.879
 to sin

00:15:47.879 --> 00:15:48.580
 and lead

00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.279
 to death

00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:50.120
 God

00:15:50.120 --> 00:15:50.639
 remains

00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.379
 unmovable

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.279
 he's the

00:15:52.279 --> 00:15:52.659
 father

00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.519
 of the

00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:53.820
 whole

00:15:53.820 --> 00:15:54.379
 creation

00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.360
 and he's

00:15:55.360 --> 00:15:55.680
 been in

00:15:55.680 --> 00:15:56.300
 his splendid

00:15:56.300 --> 00:15:56.840
 kingdom

00:15:56.840 --> 00:15:57.899
 since the

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.259
 beginning

00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.759
 and while

00:15:59.759 --> 00:15:59.980
 we're

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.559
 shifting

00:16:00.559 --> 00:16:01.639
 or slipping

00:16:01.639 --> 00:16:02.299
 into sin

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.580
 he stays

00:16:03.580 --> 00:16:03.980
 there

00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:04.840
 like a

00:16:04.840 --> 00:16:05.299
 rock

00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:07.240
 and what's

00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:07.659
 key in

00:16:07.659 --> 00:16:07.980
 all of

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.340
 is in

00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:09.039
 verse 18

00:16:09.039 --> 00:16:10.039
 is that

00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.460
 he's not

00:16:10.460 --> 00:16:11.200
 just sitting

00:16:11.200 --> 00:16:11.500
 on the

00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:11.960
 clouds

00:16:11.960 --> 00:16:13.259
 looking down

00:16:13.259 --> 00:16:13.720
 on us

00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:14.740
 and scoffing

00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.279
 at our

00:16:15.279 --> 00:16:15.939
 incapability

00:16:15.939 --> 00:16:16.600
 to resist

00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.220
 temptation

00:16:17.220 --> 00:16:18.879
 he offers

00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:19.299
 us

00:16:19.299 --> 00:16:20.259
 salvation

00:16:20.259 --> 00:16:21.740
 he gives

00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.659
 us birth

00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:23.840
 through the

00:16:23.840 --> 00:16:24.399
 word of

00:16:24.399 --> 00:16:24.860
 truth

00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.480
 he says

00:16:25.480 --> 00:16:27.039
 and here's

00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.500
 that same

00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.000
 image of

00:16:28.000 --> 00:16:29.059
 given birth

00:16:29.059 --> 00:16:29.600
 that we

00:16:29.600 --> 00:16:29.980
 had in

00:16:29.980 --> 00:16:30.720
 verse 15

00:16:30.720 --> 00:16:31.600
 but this

00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.019
 isn't the

00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.460
 birth of

00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.000
 death

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:34.299
 this is

00:16:34.299 --> 00:16:35.360
 our second

00:16:35.360 --> 00:16:36.019
 birth

00:16:36.019 --> 00:16:37.100
 as saved

00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:37.779
 children of

00:16:37.779 --> 00:16:38.179
 God

00:16:38.179 --> 00:16:39.399
 just like

00:16:39.399 --> 00:16:40.340
 Jesus had

00:16:40.340 --> 00:16:40.879
 explained to

00:16:40.879 --> 00:16:41.679
 Nicodemus in

00:16:41.679 --> 00:16:42.480
 John chapter

00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:42.899
 3

00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:44.480
 he gives

00:16:44.480 --> 00:16:45.259
 us birth

00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.259
 through the

00:16:46.259 --> 00:16:46.799
 word of

00:16:46.799 --> 00:16:47.419
 truth

00:16:47.419 --> 00:16:49.159
 and what's

00:16:49.159 --> 00:16:49.620
 the word of

00:16:49.620 --> 00:16:49.940
 truth

00:16:49.940 --> 00:16:50.759
 it's the

00:16:50.759 --> 00:16:51.139
 gospel

00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:51.919
 it's a

00:16:51.919 --> 00:16:52.659
 message that

00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.259
 Jesus

00:16:53.259 --> 00:16:54.179
 God's only

00:16:54.179 --> 00:16:54.580
 son

00:16:54.580 --> 00:16:55.500
 died on

00:16:55.500 --> 00:16:55.879
 the cross

00:16:55.879 --> 00:16:56.379
 for our

00:16:56.379 --> 00:16:56.879
 sins

00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.899
 and this

00:16:58.899 --> 00:16:59.419
 word of

00:16:59.419 --> 00:16:59.879
 truth

00:16:59.879 --> 00:17:00.720
 this message

00:17:00.720 --> 00:17:01.340
 of salvation

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.740
 it has

00:17:01.740 --> 00:17:02.399
 such a

00:17:02.399 --> 00:17:02.679
 radical

00:17:02.679 --> 00:17:03.200
 effect

00:17:03.200 --> 00:17:03.620
 on us

00:17:03.620 --> 00:17:04.279
 that it's

00:17:04.279 --> 00:17:05.359
 like we're

00:17:05.359 --> 00:17:06.240
 born again

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.619
 out with the

00:17:07.619 --> 00:17:08.059
 old

00:17:08.059 --> 00:17:09.559
 in with the

00:17:09.559 --> 00:17:09.859
 new

00:17:09.859 --> 00:17:10.819
 and how could

00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.059
 it be

00:17:11.059 --> 00:17:11.519
 otherwise

00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.700
 when accepting

00:17:12.700 --> 00:17:13.420
 the word of

00:17:13.420 --> 00:17:13.859
 truth

00:17:13.859 --> 00:17:14.660
 completely

00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.660
 subverts

00:17:15.660 --> 00:17:16.779
 the whole

00:17:16.779 --> 00:17:17.779
 of eternity

00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.480
 for us

00:17:18.480 --> 00:17:19.440
 we go from

00:17:19.440 --> 00:17:20.420
 eternal death

00:17:20.420 --> 00:17:21.059
 after this

00:17:21.059 --> 00:17:21.900
 earthly life

00:17:21.900 --> 00:17:23.519
 to eternal

00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.259
 life

00:17:24.259 --> 00:17:26.400
 there's a

00:17:26.400 --> 00:17:26.860
 beautiful

00:17:26.860 --> 00:17:28.080
 word in

00:17:28.080 --> 00:17:28.740
 verse 18

00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.300
 that I

00:17:29.300 --> 00:17:29.960
 missed the

00:17:29.960 --> 00:17:30.440
 first couple

00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:30.880
 of times

00:17:30.880 --> 00:17:31.120
 that I

00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.440
 read the

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:31.900
 passage

00:17:31.900 --> 00:17:32.960
 and it's

00:17:32.960 --> 00:17:33.519
 chose

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.560
 it says

00:17:34.560 --> 00:17:35.140
 that God

00:17:35.140 --> 00:17:36.180
 chose

00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.180
 to save

00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.540
 us

00:17:37.540 --> 00:17:38.860
 we have

00:17:38.860 --> 00:17:39.440
 to realize

00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.380
 that there's

00:17:40.380 --> 00:17:41.320
 nothing random

00:17:41.320 --> 00:17:42.100
 about God's

00:17:42.100 --> 00:17:43.000
 work in

00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:43.780
 our lives

00:17:43.780 --> 00:17:45.360
 there's God

00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:45.940
 who doesn't

00:17:45.940 --> 00:17:46.560
 change like

00:17:46.560 --> 00:17:47.500
 shifting shadows

00:17:47.500 --> 00:17:48.019
 didn't just

00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:48.860
 get fed up

00:17:48.860 --> 00:17:49.580
 with our

00:17:49.580 --> 00:17:50.300
 pleas for

00:17:50.300 --> 00:17:50.900
 help one

00:17:50.900 --> 00:17:51.660
 day and

00:17:51.660 --> 00:17:52.480
 then reluctantly

00:17:52.480 --> 00:17:53.820
 decided to

00:17:53.820 --> 00:17:54.560
 offer us a

00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.120
 way out of

00:17:55.120 --> 00:17:55.640
 our misery

00:17:55.640 --> 00:17:56.759
 no he chose

00:17:56.759 --> 00:17:57.800
 to give us

00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:58.840
 birth through

00:17:58.840 --> 00:17:59.460
 the word of

00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.480
 truth or in

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.240
 other words to

00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:01.940
 save us from

00:18:01.940 --> 00:18:02.759
 eternal death

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.480
 and give us

00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.320
 eternal life

00:18:04.320 --> 00:18:04.860
 instead

00:18:04.860 --> 00:18:09.160
 so let me

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.840
 encourage us all

00:18:09.840 --> 00:18:10.560
 to think about

00:18:10.560 --> 00:18:11.480
 a very practical

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.400
 application again

00:18:12.400 --> 00:18:13.800
 for all of

00:18:13.800 --> 00:18:14.440
 us to

00:18:14.440 --> 00:18:16.040
 yeah to

00:18:16.040 --> 00:18:16.580
 ponder on off

00:18:16.580 --> 00:18:17.000
 the back of

00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.560
 these verses

00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.220
 and especially

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.360
 off the back of

00:18:19.360 --> 00:18:20.560
 James's exhortation

00:18:20.559 --> 00:18:21.359
 to not be

00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:22.399
 deceived in

00:18:22.399 --> 00:18:23.639
 verse 16

00:18:23.639 --> 00:18:25.480
 as I prepared

00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:26.099
 for this I

00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:26.619
 thought in

00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.559
 what ways

00:18:27.559 --> 00:18:30.359
 might I be

00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.179
 deceived in

00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:32.799
 21st century

00:18:32.799 --> 00:18:33.379
 Edinburgh

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:34.500
 when it comes to

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.279
 these truths

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.440
 that James is

00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.359
 reminding us of

00:18:37.359 --> 00:18:38.119
 that every good

00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.179
 and perfect gift

00:18:39.179 --> 00:18:40.220
 comes from

00:18:40.220 --> 00:18:40.659
 God

00:18:40.659 --> 00:18:41.619
 and there are

00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:43.139
 so many ways

00:18:43.139 --> 00:18:43.720
 of thinking

00:18:43.720 --> 00:18:44.200
 so many

00:18:44.200 --> 00:18:45.019
 philosophies all

00:18:45.019 --> 00:18:45.539
 around us

00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.899
 that try to

00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:48.139
 undermine the

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.819
 character of

00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.200
 God

00:18:49.200 --> 00:18:50.519
 and to be

00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:50.939
 honest some

00:18:50.939 --> 00:18:51.519
 might not be

00:18:51.519 --> 00:18:52.240
 that different

00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.700
 from what

00:18:53.700 --> 00:18:54.299
 was out there

00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.119
 2000 years

00:18:55.119 --> 00:18:55.819
 ago

00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:57.460
 a society

00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:57.939
 may be trying

00:18:57.939 --> 00:18:58.439
 to convince

00:18:58.439 --> 00:18:59.079
 us that the

00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.939
 God of the

00:18:59.939 --> 00:19:00.679
 gospel is only

00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:01.279
 one of the

00:19:01.279 --> 00:19:01.759
 many gods

00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.399
 that are out

00:19:02.399 --> 00:19:02.740
 there

00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.240
 or that God

00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.759
 doesn't even

00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.639
 exist and

00:19:05.639 --> 00:19:06.159
 everything that

00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:06.859
 comes our way

00:19:06.859 --> 00:19:07.379
 is the result

00:19:07.379 --> 00:19:08.079
 of chance

00:19:08.079 --> 00:19:10.379
 or perhaps

00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.539
 not that

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.259
 things

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.720
 happen by

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.240
 chance

00:19:14.240 --> 00:19:14.939
 but as a

00:19:14.939 --> 00:19:15.859
 direct result

00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:16.559
 of our

00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:17.099
 actions

00:19:17.099 --> 00:19:17.699
 because we

00:19:17.699 --> 00:19:17.980
 are the

00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:18.339
 makers

00:19:18.339 --> 00:19:19.079
 of our

00:19:19.079 --> 00:19:19.759
 own fate

00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:21.579
 or maybe

00:19:21.579 --> 00:19:22.139
 we're told

00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:22.559
 that the

00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.000
 God of the

00:19:23.000 --> 00:19:23.259
 Bible

00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.919
 has to be

00:19:24.919 --> 00:19:25.500
 a mean

00:19:25.500 --> 00:19:26.039
 God

00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:27.240
 not the

00:19:27.240 --> 00:19:27.899
 source of

00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:28.339
 every good

00:19:28.339 --> 00:19:28.659
 thing

00:19:28.659 --> 00:19:29.279
 because he

00:19:29.279 --> 00:19:29.759
 allows us

00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:30.319
 to suffer

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.139
 and so

00:19:32.139 --> 00:19:33.039
 like the

00:19:33.039 --> 00:19:33.460
 people that

00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.179
 James writes

00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:34.679
 to we have

00:19:34.679 --> 00:19:35.119
 to be careful

00:19:35.119 --> 00:19:35.759
 not to be

00:19:35.759 --> 00:19:36.240
 deceived

00:19:36.240 --> 00:19:37.779
 perhaps not

00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:38.279
 many of us

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:38.920
 would recognize

00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:39.759
 any of these

00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:40.420
 statements

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:41.339
 these philosophies

00:19:41.339 --> 00:19:42.039
 as actively

00:19:42.039 --> 00:19:42.660
 dangerous

00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.140
 for us

00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:43.640
 personally

00:19:43.640 --> 00:19:44.259
 nothing that

00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:44.599
 we would

00:19:44.599 --> 00:19:46.160
 ever easily

00:19:46.160 --> 00:19:47.140
 accept as a

00:19:47.140 --> 00:19:47.559
 truth

00:19:47.559 --> 00:19:48.740
 but we

00:19:48.740 --> 00:19:49.339
 certainly don't

00:19:49.339 --> 00:19:49.779
 want to make

00:19:49.779 --> 00:19:50.339
 the mistake

00:19:50.339 --> 00:19:51.160
 of letting

00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:51.759
 our guards

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.140
 down

00:19:52.140 --> 00:19:53.680
 as Christians

00:19:53.680 --> 00:19:54.000
 we would

00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.640
 probably not

00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.220
 go around

00:19:55.220 --> 00:19:55.779
 saying that

00:19:55.779 --> 00:19:56.519
 we believe

00:19:56.519 --> 00:19:56.940
 that we are

00:19:56.940 --> 00:19:57.339
 the makers

00:19:57.339 --> 00:19:57.960
 of our own

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.359
 fate

00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:58.960
 that everything

00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.620
 that happens

00:19:59.620 --> 00:20:00.180
 to us

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:00.839
 is thanks

00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.480
 to us

00:20:01.480 --> 00:20:03.220
 but is that

00:20:03.220 --> 00:20:03.680
 what our

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.140
 actions

00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:04.980
 and our

00:20:04.980 --> 00:20:05.400
 everyday

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:06.180
 conversation

00:20:06.180 --> 00:20:07.180
 show

00:20:07.180 --> 00:20:08.360
 as we

00:20:08.360 --> 00:20:08.960
 live

00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.440
 have to

00:20:09.440 --> 00:20:09.680
 live

00:20:09.680 --> 00:20:10.360
 in an

00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:11.340
 individualistic

00:20:11.340 --> 00:20:12.240
 capitalistic

00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:12.820
 society

00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:14.720
 and so

00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:14.960
 I think

00:20:14.960 --> 00:20:15.340
 the question

00:20:15.340 --> 00:20:15.680
 for us

00:20:15.680 --> 00:20:16.100
 is where

00:20:16.100 --> 00:20:16.480
 do we

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:16.779
 go

00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.580
 to get

00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:17.799
 our

00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:18.340
 understanding

00:20:18.340 --> 00:20:18.799
 of who

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.120
 God

00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.420
 is

00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.039
 do we

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.340
 go to

00:20:20.340 --> 00:20:20.720
 the word

00:20:20.720 --> 00:20:21.279
 of truth

00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.080
 as James

00:20:22.080 --> 00:20:22.539
 calls it

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.120
 the gospel

00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:24.060
 or do we

00:20:24.060 --> 00:20:24.460
 let what

00:20:24.460 --> 00:20:25.039
 the world

00:20:25.039 --> 00:20:25.940
 around us

00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:26.519
 thinks

00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.180
 of God

00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:27.880
 slowly

00:20:27.880 --> 00:20:28.640
 but surely

00:20:28.640 --> 00:20:29.720
 get into

00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.400
 our heads

00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.340
 and in

00:20:31.340 --> 00:20:31.620
 turn

00:20:31.620 --> 00:20:32.400
 then inform

00:20:32.400 --> 00:20:32.940
 our actions

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.320
 and our

00:20:33.320 --> 00:20:33.799
 words

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.120
 how much

00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:35.400
 do we

00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:35.720
 actually

00:20:35.720 --> 00:20:36.180
 protect

00:20:36.180 --> 00:20:36.660
 our minds

00:20:36.660 --> 00:20:37.320
 and hearts

00:20:37.320 --> 00:20:38.120
 from the

00:20:38.120 --> 00:20:38.580
 current

00:20:38.580 --> 00:20:39.259
 world

00:20:39.259 --> 00:20:40.019
 thinking

00:20:40.019 --> 00:20:42.380
 do we

00:20:42.380 --> 00:20:42.720
 do that

00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.200
 by running

00:20:43.200 --> 00:20:43.560
 to the

00:20:43.560 --> 00:20:44.160
 only source

00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.860
 of truth

00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.580
 the word

00:20:45.580 --> 00:20:46.000
 of God

00:20:46.000 --> 00:20:46.800
 by regularly

00:20:46.800 --> 00:20:47.900
 sitting with

00:20:47.900 --> 00:20:48.280
 it and

00:20:48.280 --> 00:20:48.880
 listening to

00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.500
 God speak

00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:49.840
 to our

00:20:49.840 --> 00:20:50.200
 hearts

00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.759
 through it

00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:52.660
 and I know

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.320
 from personal

00:20:53.320 --> 00:20:53.820
 experience

00:20:53.820 --> 00:20:54.440
 I imagine

00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:55.080
 many of you

00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.800
 would be able

00:20:55.800 --> 00:20:56.440
 to relate

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.420
 that there

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:57.900
 can often

00:20:57.900 --> 00:20:58.420
 be a

00:20:58.420 --> 00:20:58.840
 dangerous

00:20:58.840 --> 00:20:59.420
 imbalance

00:20:59.420 --> 00:21:00.160
 between

00:21:00.160 --> 00:21:01.019
 how much

00:21:01.019 --> 00:21:01.440
 time I

00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:01.980
 spend with

00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.380
 the word

00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:02.840
 of God

00:21:02.840 --> 00:21:03.280
 whether it's

00:21:03.280 --> 00:21:03.960
 by reading

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.320
 it by

00:21:04.320 --> 00:21:04.840
 myself

00:21:04.840 --> 00:21:05.660
 listening to

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.520
 sermons

00:21:06.520 --> 00:21:07.120
 praying

00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.500
 reading

00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:07.940
 Christian

00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:08.280
 books

00:21:08.280 --> 00:21:09.240
 compared to

00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.820
 how much

00:21:09.820 --> 00:21:10.680
 time I

00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.280
 spend letting

00:21:11.280 --> 00:21:11.680
 what the

00:21:11.680 --> 00:21:12.480
 world thinks

00:21:12.480 --> 00:21:13.480
 creep into

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.020
 my heart

00:21:14.020 --> 00:21:14.560
 and mind

00:21:14.560 --> 00:21:15.540
 and it

00:21:15.540 --> 00:21:16.280
 does show

00:21:16.280 --> 00:21:17.500
 in subtle

00:21:17.500 --> 00:21:18.020
 ways in

00:21:18.020 --> 00:21:18.380
 how we

00:21:18.380 --> 00:21:18.800
 conduct

00:21:18.800 --> 00:21:19.260
 ourselves

00:21:19.260 --> 00:21:19.660
 in how

00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.260
 we speak

00:21:20.260 --> 00:21:20.620
 and how

00:21:20.620 --> 00:21:21.220
 we think

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.820
 maybe in

00:21:21.820 --> 00:21:22.120
 how we

00:21:22.120 --> 00:21:22.640
 manage our

00:21:22.640 --> 00:21:23.700
 time and

00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.000
 money

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:25.900
 so as a

00:21:25.900 --> 00:21:26.220
 Christian

00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:26.900
 where do I

00:21:26.900 --> 00:21:27.360
 get my

00:21:27.360 --> 00:21:28.000
 understanding

00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:28.740
 of who

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.440
 God is

00:21:29.440 --> 00:21:30.680
 is it

00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:31.120
 the latest

00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:31.559
 Netflix

00:21:31.559 --> 00:21:32.340
 series that

00:21:32.340 --> 00:21:32.680
 I've been

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.059
 watching

00:21:33.059 --> 00:21:33.480
 is it

00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.059
 the celebrity

00:21:34.059 --> 00:21:34.440
 that I

00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:34.860
 follow on

00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:35.200
 Instagram

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.740
 is it

00:21:35.740 --> 00:21:36.759
 politics or

00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:37.779
 sport commentators

00:21:37.779 --> 00:21:38.440
 whatever you're

00:21:38.440 --> 00:21:39.039
 exposed to

00:21:39.039 --> 00:21:40.519
 even family

00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.259
 or friends

00:21:41.259 --> 00:21:42.100
 and I'm not

00:21:42.100 --> 00:21:42.740
 saying we'd

00:21:42.740 --> 00:21:43.700
 be repeating

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.519
 verbatim what

00:21:44.519 --> 00:21:44.980
 any of these

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.519
 people say

00:21:45.519 --> 00:21:46.100
 about God

00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:47.340
 but unless

00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:48.039
 I am in

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:48.860
 communion with

00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.759
 him through

00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:50.480
 his word

00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.220
 and nothing

00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.860
 will raise a

00:21:51.860 --> 00:21:52.539
 red flag in

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:53.140
 my mind

00:21:53.140 --> 00:21:53.759
 as I'm

00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.680
 exposed to

00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:55.559
 lies about

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:56.400
 him and

00:21:56.400 --> 00:21:56.660
 they will

00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.539
 start creeping

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:57.840
 in

00:21:57.839 --> 00:22:00.119
 and then

00:22:00.119 --> 00:22:00.519
 if any of

00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:00.939
 us are not

00:22:00.939 --> 00:22:01.500
 quite sure

00:22:01.500 --> 00:22:01.959
 where we

00:22:01.959 --> 00:22:02.559
 sit what

00:22:02.559 --> 00:22:03.059
 we think

00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.619
 about God

00:22:03.619 --> 00:22:03.879
 and the

00:22:03.879 --> 00:22:04.819
 gospel or

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.299
 maybe we

00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:05.919
 think we're

00:22:05.919 --> 00:22:06.480
 sure it's

00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:07.119
 not for us

00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:07.679
 it's certainly

00:22:07.679 --> 00:22:08.220
 not the

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.579
 truth then

00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:10.019
 I'll ask

00:22:10.019 --> 00:22:10.419
 you why

00:22:10.419 --> 00:22:10.659
 are you

00:22:10.659 --> 00:22:11.879
 basing that

00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:13.299
 on is it

00:22:13.299 --> 00:22:13.839
 what anyone

00:22:13.839 --> 00:22:14.439
 out there has

00:22:14.439 --> 00:22:15.039
 to say about

00:22:15.039 --> 00:22:16.000
 it are you

00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.639
 letting God

00:22:16.639 --> 00:22:17.119
 introduce

00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:18.319
 yourself himself

00:22:18.319 --> 00:22:21.399
 to you so

00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:21.799
 that you can

00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:22.099
 make an

00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.019
 informed decision

00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.139
 and yes there

00:22:24.139 --> 00:22:24.720
 are difficult

00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.079
 parts but you

00:22:26.079 --> 00:22:26.819
 might be surprised

00:22:26.819 --> 00:22:27.759
 how direct and

00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:28.559
 simple the main

00:22:28.559 --> 00:22:29.099
 message of

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:30.000
 salvation actually

00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:31.440
 is and then

00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:31.960
 yes there will

00:22:31.960 --> 00:22:32.660
 be questions

00:22:32.660 --> 00:22:33.900
 and in which

00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:34.579
 case please do

00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.700
 come to us

00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.980
 him anyone in

00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.359
 the leadership

00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.279
 team anyone you

00:22:38.279 --> 00:22:38.960
 know from church

00:22:38.960 --> 00:22:39.480
 anyone in your

00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.359
 family who could

00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.079
 sit with you and

00:22:41.079 --> 00:22:42.279
 help you and

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.680
 wrestle with God's

00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.240
 message

00:22:44.240 --> 00:22:48.359
 so as we conclude

00:22:48.359 --> 00:22:50.140
 tonight and as

00:22:50.140 --> 00:22:50.859
 we prepare our

00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:51.980
 hearts for communion

00:22:51.980 --> 00:22:52.940
 in a few minutes

00:22:52.940 --> 00:22:54.619
 let's take what

00:22:54.619 --> 00:22:55.400
 the word of God

00:22:55.400 --> 00:22:56.200
 teaches us through

00:22:56.200 --> 00:22:57.920
 James in this

00:22:57.920 --> 00:22:59.420
 passage our

00:22:59.420 --> 00:23:00.059
 condition of

00:23:00.059 --> 00:23:00.799
 broken sinners

00:23:00.799 --> 00:23:02.960
 is serious and

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:03.700
 the responsibility

00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:05.600
 for our sins is

00:23:05.600 --> 00:23:06.720
 ours we cannot

00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.259
 look for

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.519
 scapegoats and

00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.880
 God will

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:09.740
 certainly not be

00:23:09.740 --> 00:23:11.600
 one if God

00:23:11.600 --> 00:23:12.539
 tests us it's

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.340
 for our benefit

00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:15.360
 if we sin it's

00:23:15.360 --> 00:23:15.980
 because we don't

00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.620
 let the spirit

00:23:16.620 --> 00:23:18.000
 work in us and

00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.720
 we let ourselves

00:23:18.720 --> 00:23:19.600
 get dragged away

00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.680
 by our own

00:23:20.680 --> 00:23:21.720
 desires but it's

00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:23.140
 not God who put

00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:24.020
 the angler fish

00:23:24.020 --> 00:23:25.560
 there and when

00:23:25.560 --> 00:23:26.580
 we are attracted

00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:27.440
 by the angler

00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.280
 fish when we see

00:23:28.280 --> 00:23:29.340
 that lure dangling

00:23:29.340 --> 00:23:30.080
 in front of our

00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.020
 eyes and we

00:23:31.020 --> 00:23:31.780
 can't see anything

00:23:31.780 --> 00:23:33.040
 else what we

00:23:33.040 --> 00:23:33.840
 can't do what we

00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:35.060
 must do is just

00:23:35.060 --> 00:23:36.860
 turn around and

00:23:36.860 --> 00:23:38.300
 swim swim into the

00:23:38.300 --> 00:23:39.060
 arms of our

00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:40.120
 creator because he

00:23:40.120 --> 00:23:41.960
 is there offering

00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.160
 salvation the

00:23:43.160 --> 00:23:43.940
 creator of the

00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:46.120
 whole universe he

00:23:46.120 --> 00:23:48.020
 chose to save us

00:23:48.020 --> 00:23:49.280
 despite our sinful

00:23:49.280 --> 00:23:51.580
 condition Romans 5

00:23:51.579 --> 00:23:53.839
 8 reads that God

00:23:53.839 --> 00:23:54.980
 shows his love for

00:23:54.980 --> 00:23:56.319
 us and that while

00:23:56.319 --> 00:23:57.000
 we were still

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:58.960
 sinners Christ died

00:23:58.960 --> 00:24:00.539
 for us and he

00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:02.059
 died to give us

00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:03.519
 birth and it's his

00:24:03.519 --> 00:24:04.659
 death that we're

00:24:04.659 --> 00:24:05.339
 going to be

00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:07.199
 remembering prayerfully

00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:10.220
 in a moment so

00:24:10.220 --> 00:24:11.859
 let's rejoice and be

00:24:11.859 --> 00:24:13.119
 thankful in the

00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:13.899
 knowledge that the

00:24:13.899 --> 00:24:15.099
 same word of God

00:24:15.099 --> 00:24:16.960
 that so clearly shows

00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:18.779
 us how unworthy we

00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:20.619
 are just as clearly

00:24:20.619 --> 00:24:22.359
 invites us to accept

00:24:22.359 --> 00:24:23.339
 the salvation that's

00:24:23.339 --> 00:24:24.519
 being offered to us

00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.559
 by the God who

00:24:26.559 --> 00:24:28.399
 dispenses every good

00:24:28.399 --> 00:24:30.079
 and perfect gift

00:24:30.079 --> 00:24:31.899
 let's pray

00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:36.299
 father we praise you

00:24:36.299 --> 00:24:38.139
 as the creator of the

00:24:38.139 --> 00:24:39.239
 whole universe father

00:24:39.239 --> 00:24:42.179
 father you are a rock

00:24:42.179 --> 00:24:43.779
 you don't change

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:47.219
 you the same that you

00:24:47.219 --> 00:24:48.079
 always were

00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:50.460
 and we thank you for

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:53.639
 your perfect gift of

00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:54.220
 salvation

00:24:54.220 --> 00:24:58.619
 we ask you to forgive

00:24:58.619 --> 00:24:59.539
 us for all the

00:24:59.539 --> 00:25:03.740
 things that we

00:25:03.740 --> 00:25:04.919
 attribute to you

00:25:04.919 --> 00:25:05.980
 father when we're not

00:25:05.980 --> 00:25:08.699
 in communion with you

00:25:08.699 --> 00:25:09.699
 when we're not

00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:13.039
 basing our thoughts and

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.179
 words on what the

00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:16.740
 word teaches us about

00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:19.099
 you and we ask for

00:25:19.099 --> 00:25:20.160
 forgiveness for every

00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:21.180
 single time that we're

00:25:21.180 --> 00:25:23.079
 so ready to just jump

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:26.339
 into sin and we thank

00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.160
 you father for that

00:25:27.160 --> 00:25:28.900
 word of truth for the

00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:29.759
 gospel for that

00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:35.420
 sacrifice that has

00:25:35.420 --> 00:25:37.559
 given us eternal life

00:25:37.559 --> 00:25:40.099
 and so father we ask

00:25:40.099 --> 00:25:41.539
 you we ask your spirit

00:25:41.539 --> 00:25:43.680
 help in resisting

00:25:43.680 --> 00:25:44.599
 temptation

00:25:44.599 --> 00:25:49.359
 in being aware of

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.019
 sin father

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:56.039
 and we ask you to help

00:25:56.039 --> 00:25:57.960
 us as brothers and

00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.940
 sisters father as a

00:25:58.940 --> 00:26:00.539
 congregation also point

00:26:00.539 --> 00:26:03.639
 each other to you and

00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.740
 look out for each other

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:06.680
 when we're struggling

00:26:06.680 --> 00:26:13.440
 so father thank you for

00:26:13.440 --> 00:26:15.319
 for the good news in

00:26:15.319 --> 00:26:16.420
 your bible thank you in

00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.279
 your word thank you for

00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:19.279
 the good news in this

00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:23.640
 passage that you are our

00:26:23.640 --> 00:26:25.039
 savior father you've

00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:27.400
 chosen to save us we

00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.539
 cannot thank you enough

00:26:28.539 --> 00:26:29.279
 for this father

00:26:29.279 --> 00:26:30.279
 amen

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:32.339
 you