WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.640 Good morning. We're going to read in the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 1, verse 1 to 9. 00:00:11.640 --> 00:00:15.720 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:51.100 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:59.340 For in him you have been enriched in every way, with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:05.019 God does confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 00:01:06.140 --> 00:01:14.599 Therefore, you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 00:01:15.460 --> 00:01:22.500 He will also keep you firm to the end so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:01:23.079 --> 00:01:29.500 God is faithful. Who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:01:30.000 --> 00:01:30.280 Amen. 00:01:31.719 --> 00:01:34.060 Amen. Please join me in a word of prayer. 00:01:34.060 --> 00:01:52.780 Father, you say in your word that the unfolding of your word gives light. 00:01:52.780 --> 00:02:00.060 We pray now that as we think together about the beginning of Paul's letter to the Corinthians, 00:02:01.000 --> 00:02:04.519 that you would shed light in our hearts. 00:02:04.920 --> 00:02:07.480 That we might see you more clearly. 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:11.219 That we might see ourselves and our world more clearly. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:17.620 And that we might see the grace and glory of your Son, Jesus, more clearly. 00:02:17.620 --> 00:02:23.020 So that we might trust him and love him and follow him all our days. 00:02:23.419 --> 00:02:25.039 Please help me to preach. 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:28.620 Please give us ears to hear as your word goes forth. 00:02:29.560 --> 00:02:31.240 We ask these things in Jesus' name. 00:02:32.219 --> 00:02:32.500 Amen. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:39.099 Well, greetings again from Franconia Baptist Church in Northern Virginia. 00:02:39.419 --> 00:02:42.060 We pray for all of you often. 00:02:42.379 --> 00:02:45.780 It is a joy to sing God's praises with you. 00:02:45.879 --> 00:02:49.460 Let me just start by telling you something that surely you know. 00:02:50.060 --> 00:02:57.740 And that is that God has given you a wonderful gift in Steve, your pastor. 00:02:58.479 --> 00:03:00.259 Steve is a dear friend of mine. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:03.280 I worked with him from 2016 to 2018. 00:03:04.079 --> 00:03:09.039 I have learned so much from Steve about ministry, about following Jesus. 00:03:09.199 --> 00:03:12.179 He was really one of the first people to help me learn to preach. 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:13.959 So the next 30 minutes are his fault. 00:03:15.819 --> 00:03:17.280 Steve loves God's word. 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:21.879 One of the passages I pray for myself all the time is from 1 Timothy chapter 2, 00:03:21.959 --> 00:03:27.299 where Paul tells Timothy to be diligent, to work hard, to show himself approved, 00:03:27.300 --> 00:03:32.380 as he handles accurately God's precious word of truth. 00:03:33.080 --> 00:03:34.680 And Steve is that kind of man. 00:03:34.900 --> 00:03:41.460 He loves God's precious word of truth, and he spends his life laboring to handle it accurately 00:03:41.460 --> 00:03:42.620 for the good of God's people. 00:03:42.719 --> 00:03:47.100 One of the verses that we pray for ourselves as elders at Franconia Baptist Church is from 00:03:47.100 --> 00:03:51.880 1 Peter chapter 5, where Peter says that we ought to shepherd the flock of God, 00:03:51.879 --> 00:03:57.979 which Jesus bought with his blood, like Jesus, humbly and lovingly and gently. 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:01.819 And that is the kind of pastor that God has given you in Steve. 00:04:01.900 --> 00:04:05.039 So I thank God for him, and I know you do as well. 00:04:05.039 --> 00:04:12.539 Well, it's a joy to visit another healthy church in another part of the globe. 00:04:13.159 --> 00:04:20.379 Our sermon text this morning was written to perhaps a significantly less healthy church. 00:04:21.420 --> 00:04:24.120 1 Corinthians, and by the way, we say 1 Corinthians. 00:04:24.379 --> 00:04:26.500 I know you say 1 Corinthians. 00:04:27.019 --> 00:04:29.680 So pardon me for saying 1 Corinthians. 00:04:29.680 --> 00:04:38.740 1 Corinthians was written to the church in Corinth by the Apostle Paul in 53 or 54 AD. 00:04:38.900 --> 00:04:45.620 Let me first tell you the story of Paul's relationship with this church in Corinth, 00:04:46.360 --> 00:04:48.819 leading up to the writing of this letter. 00:04:49.340 --> 00:04:56.460 So in Paul's day, Corinth was an extremely wealthy and an extremely worldly city. 00:04:56.459 --> 00:05:04.199 Corinth sat at the intersection of two trade routes, one a land trade route and two a sea trade route. 00:05:04.339 --> 00:05:06.539 And so there was a lot of money in Corinth. 00:05:06.799 --> 00:05:11.839 And as a result, there were a lot of people in Corinth because people tend to flock to money. 00:05:13.000 --> 00:05:17.419 Sexual immorality was extremely prevalent in Corinth. 00:05:17.599 --> 00:05:24.079 One of the famous Greek writers a few hundred years before Paul had coined the term to Corinthize, 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:27.379 which is a way of saying to commit fornication. 00:05:28.120 --> 00:05:34.139 So Corinth was an extremely worldly, pagan, sexually immoral city. 00:05:35.199 --> 00:05:41.180 But around 50 or 51 AD, about 20 years after the Lord Jesus died and rose, 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:48.860 the Apostle Paul brought to Corinth the good news about God's son Jesus, 00:05:48.860 --> 00:05:55.540 that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, 00:05:56.460 --> 00:06:01.520 that he died to atone for the sins of all who would trust in him, 00:06:01.580 --> 00:06:04.240 to wash their sins away by his precious blood, 00:06:04.759 --> 00:06:09.100 that he rose from the dead three days later in victory over sin and death, 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:15.800 and that he will share his righteousness and his eternal life with all who will trust in him. 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:19.460 And Paul brought that message to Corinth. 00:06:21.060 --> 00:06:25.280 And when he did, many of the Corinthians believed. 00:06:26.400 --> 00:06:32.300 They turned from sin and idolatry and they trusted in God's son Jesus. 00:06:32.460 --> 00:06:35.400 And Paul says that they were washed by his blood. 00:06:36.080 --> 00:06:40.240 They were sanctified or made holy by their union with him. 00:06:40.240 --> 00:06:42.100 They were justified. 00:06:42.300 --> 00:06:46.920 They were declared righteous because of what Jesus had done for them. 00:06:47.759 --> 00:06:51.819 The Apostle Paul stayed in the city of Corinth for about a year and a half, 00:06:52.000 --> 00:06:54.759 preaching and nurturing this infant church, 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:57.879 helping them to learn what it means to follow Jesus, 00:06:57.939 --> 00:06:59.460 now that they've been united to him. 00:07:00.160 --> 00:07:02.600 And about a year and a half after he came, 00:07:02.759 --> 00:07:06.300 Paul leaves to continue to spread the gospel in other places. 00:07:06.300 --> 00:07:09.240 Around 52 AD, Paul leaves Corinth. 00:07:09.240 --> 00:07:18.360 And in Paul's absence, the church in Corinth becomes what theologians like to call a hot mess. 00:07:19.759 --> 00:07:21.540 The church begins to fracture. 00:07:22.400 --> 00:07:23.720 There are divisions. 00:07:24.439 --> 00:07:30.960 Certain sects form in the church more devoted to their sort of favorite personal leaders than to Jesus. 00:07:31.120 --> 00:07:33.439 There's lots of quarreling in the church. 00:07:33.439 --> 00:07:39.420 Some of the members are suing each other over petty and insignificant matters. 00:07:40.300 --> 00:07:46.839 Some of the members are imitating the pagan, sexually immoral practices that they had left behind. 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:48.740 They're visiting prostitutes. 00:07:49.540 --> 00:07:52.600 Many in Corinth are flirting with serious doctrinal errors. 00:07:52.720 --> 00:07:56.000 Some of them seem to be leaning toward a denial of the resurrection, 00:07:56.000 --> 00:07:58.500 which is pretty important in Christian doctrine. 00:07:58.500 --> 00:08:01.819 Their worship services are a mess. 00:08:02.540 --> 00:08:06.620 People see corporate worship as a time to sort of big up themselves, 00:08:06.959 --> 00:08:10.160 to highlight their own gifts and prominence, 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:12.339 rather than to build up the body of Christ. 00:08:12.699 --> 00:08:13.639 The Lord's Supper. 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:16.620 Paul says that when the church gathers to take the Lord's Supper, 00:08:16.980 --> 00:08:20.259 some leave hungry, even though it was a potluck meal, 00:08:20.639 --> 00:08:22.180 and some leave drunk. 00:08:22.180 --> 00:08:26.220 And in the midst of all of this mess, 00:08:26.480 --> 00:08:30.180 somehow the Corinthians are becoming terribly proud. 00:08:31.199 --> 00:08:34.340 Their view of themselves is that they're an excellent church. 00:08:34.460 --> 00:08:36.659 They're a next-level church. 00:08:37.399 --> 00:08:39.159 Some of them are gifted orators. 00:08:39.320 --> 00:08:41.759 Many of them are incredibly educated and knowledgeable. 00:08:42.000 --> 00:08:43.600 So they think they're great. 00:08:43.600 --> 00:08:48.540 Well, in 53 or 54 AD, 00:08:48.740 --> 00:08:52.240 after Paul gets a report of how things are going in Corinth, 00:08:52.399 --> 00:08:55.220 Paul sits down to write this letter, 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:57.940 1 Corinthians or 1 Corinthians. 00:08:58.940 --> 00:09:02.740 And you can see that Paul is facing a tricky task, 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:04.080 a complex task. 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:07.920 Paul needs to unify this divided church. 00:09:08.840 --> 00:09:11.120 He needs to challenge their pride. 00:09:11.120 --> 00:09:15.399 He needs to warn them against the sin and the error 00:09:15.399 --> 00:09:17.000 that they are playing with. 00:09:17.960 --> 00:09:20.039 He needs to help them get their act together 00:09:20.039 --> 00:09:21.820 when they gather as a church. 00:09:22.100 --> 00:09:25.379 He needs to maintain his relationship with them, 00:09:25.899 --> 00:09:30.159 and he needs to help them start growing again. 00:09:31.200 --> 00:09:34.460 He needs to encourage them to continue to conform 00:09:34.460 --> 00:09:36.419 to the image of Jesus and to follow him. 00:09:36.419 --> 00:09:40.719 Well, if you are the Apostle Paul 00:09:40.719 --> 00:09:43.000 sitting down to write that letter, 00:09:43.799 --> 00:09:46.419 I wonder how you would begin. 00:09:47.879 --> 00:09:52.620 What do you say first as you start that tricky letter 00:09:52.620 --> 00:09:55.599 that's going to need to contain some stinging rebukes? 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:56.779 How do you start? 00:09:56.879 --> 00:09:59.759 What do you say first to set up well 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:02.599 for everything else that follows? 00:10:02.600 --> 00:10:07.899 The heart of this passage, 00:10:07.980 --> 00:10:09.920 which begins Paul's letter, 00:10:10.620 --> 00:10:12.340 is there in verse 4. 00:10:12.980 --> 00:10:16.040 This is how Paul starts his letter 00:10:16.040 --> 00:10:17.399 to the Corinthian church. 00:10:17.480 --> 00:10:18.519 Look there in verse 4. 00:10:18.519 --> 00:10:25.879 I always thank my God for you 00:10:25.879 --> 00:10:33.220 because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:36.340 There's a lot going on in this passage. 00:10:36.419 --> 00:10:38.220 In a moment, we'll walk through these verses, 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:42.079 but the big picture is that Paul begins 00:10:42.079 --> 00:10:44.139 his letter to the Corinthian church 00:10:44.139 --> 00:10:49.259 by thanking God for his grace 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:52.580 given to them in Christ Jesus. 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:55.120 Paul begins by thanking God 00:10:55.120 --> 00:11:00.100 for his grace to the messy Corinthian church. 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:02.699 Let's take just a few minutes now 00:11:02.699 --> 00:11:05.779 and walk through the details of this text. 00:11:05.779 --> 00:11:11.059 So there in verse 1, 00:11:11.579 --> 00:11:14.240 Paul introduces himself as an apostle. 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:15.740 That is to say, 00:11:15.839 --> 00:11:19.240 he is an authorized representative of Jesus. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.360 Jesus has commissioned Paul 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:24.059 to speak his own words to his people. 00:11:24.159 --> 00:11:26.720 So Paul's not just writing with some tips and ideas. 00:11:26.819 --> 00:11:28.579 He's writing the very word of God 00:11:28.579 --> 00:11:29.699 because he is an apostle. 00:11:30.319 --> 00:11:32.059 Paul mentions Sosthenes there. 00:11:32.059 --> 00:11:33.939 Probably Sosthenes is the scribe 00:11:33.939 --> 00:11:36.219 to whom Paul is dictating. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:38.479 There in verse 2, 00:11:38.599 --> 00:11:40.279 Paul identifies to whom he's writing. 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:44.099 He calls them the church of God in Corinth. 00:11:44.919 --> 00:11:46.379 And notice Paul says there in verse 2 00:11:46.379 --> 00:11:49.339 that this church has been sanctified 00:11:49.339 --> 00:11:54.079 or made holy in Jesus Christ. 00:11:54.559 --> 00:11:55.279 Already this morning, 00:11:55.359 --> 00:11:58.239 we've sung about God's holy name. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:12:00.379 What it means for God to be holy 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:03.059 is that God is completely pure. 00:12:03.659 --> 00:12:07.200 There is no sin or evil or falsehood in God. 00:12:07.439 --> 00:12:08.139 And what's more, 00:12:08.240 --> 00:12:10.679 God is separate and distinct 00:12:10.679 --> 00:12:12.439 from the world that he has made. 00:12:12.860 --> 00:12:13.840 To put it mildly, 00:12:13.980 --> 00:12:16.740 God is supremely special. 00:12:17.879 --> 00:12:19.419 So what Paul means when he says 00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:22.860 that the Corinthians have been sanctified 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:24.480 or made holy 00:12:24.480 --> 00:12:26.879 is that through Jesus, 00:12:26.879 --> 00:12:28.779 the Corinthians have been given 00:12:28.779 --> 00:12:32.279 a special relationship with God. 00:12:32.659 --> 00:12:34.779 They belong to him. 00:12:35.720 --> 00:12:39.159 The Corinthians are God's precious possession. 00:12:39.340 --> 00:12:41.259 They've been washed and made holy 00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:42.200 by the blood of Jesus 00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:45.439 and now they belong to God. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:46.939 That's what it means 00:12:46.939 --> 00:12:49.220 that they are sanctified. 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:51.220 What a marvelous privilege 00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:52.740 to belong to God 00:12:52.740 --> 00:12:54.179 as his own purified, 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:55.979 special possession. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:12:58.699 But notice this privilege 00:12:58.699 --> 00:13:00.459 of being sanctified. 00:13:00.599 --> 00:13:01.859 It doesn't only belong 00:13:01.859 --> 00:13:02.439 to the Corinthians. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:04.719 Paul says that they've been sanctified there 00:13:04.719 --> 00:13:08.179 together with all those 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:09.459 everywhere 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:11.500 who call on the name 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.099 of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:13:13.299 --> 00:13:15.839 both their Lord and ours. 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:19.079 Can you see what Paul is doing? 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.820 Already, 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:20.920 already, 00:13:21.540 --> 00:13:23.400 he is both encouraging 00:13:23.400 --> 00:13:24.560 and humbling, 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:25.620 the Corinthians. 00:13:26.639 --> 00:13:27.440 He's pointing out 00:13:27.440 --> 00:13:28.180 that they have this 00:13:28.180 --> 00:13:29.820 inestimable privilege 00:13:29.820 --> 00:13:31.300 of belonging to God 00:13:31.300 --> 00:13:32.360 as his holy people, 00:13:32.540 --> 00:13:34.879 but lest they get big heads about it, 00:13:35.139 --> 00:13:35.420 he says, 00:13:35.500 --> 00:13:35.800 by the way, 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:37.020 that's the same privilege 00:13:37.020 --> 00:13:38.440 that God has given 00:13:38.440 --> 00:13:40.040 to all of his people 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:41.220 everywhere, 00:13:41.800 --> 00:13:43.840 entirely by grace. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.440 There in verse 3, 00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:48.100 Paul tells the Corinthians 00:13:48.100 --> 00:13:51.320 how God feels about them. 00:13:52.480 --> 00:13:52.740 Friend, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.480 do you ever wonder that? 00:13:54.080 --> 00:13:56.440 How God feels about you? 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.700 What his heart in heaven 00:13:58.700 --> 00:13:59.860 is toward you? 00:14:00.320 --> 00:14:01.800 Especially when you're 00:14:01.800 --> 00:14:02.480 a bit of a mess 00:14:02.480 --> 00:14:03.779 like the Corinthians? 00:14:04.940 --> 00:14:05.840 Look there in verse 3. 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.300 Paul says, 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:11.840 grace and peace to you 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:14.060 from God our Father 00:14:14.060 --> 00:14:16.340 and the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:14:16.340 --> 00:14:18.019 Christian, 00:14:18.139 --> 00:14:19.860 if you belong to Jesus, 00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:22.200 if you've turned from sin 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:23.860 and are trusting in him 00:14:23.860 --> 00:14:25.740 to reconcile you to God, 00:14:25.820 --> 00:14:26.840 to make you holy, 00:14:27.300 --> 00:14:29.120 this is God's heart toward you. 00:14:29.280 --> 00:14:31.460 Grace and peace. 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:32.960 What is grace? 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:36.519 Grace is undeserved favor. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:40.980 Grace is free kindness. 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:43.259 It is a generous 00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:45.940 and loving heart attitude 00:14:45.940 --> 00:14:47.340 of God toward us. 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.399 That's what grace is. 00:14:49.240 --> 00:14:50.259 What is peace? 00:14:51.139 --> 00:14:53.920 Peace is relational harmony. 00:14:54.740 --> 00:14:57.800 Peace is when all is well 00:14:57.800 --> 00:15:00.580 between you and someone you love. 00:15:02.340 --> 00:15:02.740 A Christian, 00:15:02.860 --> 00:15:04.000 if you belong to Jesus, 00:15:04.899 --> 00:15:07.560 God's grace and peace 00:15:07.559 --> 00:15:09.219 are yours 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:10.859 because of Christ. 00:15:11.979 --> 00:15:13.359 That's his heart toward you. 00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.479 One full of grace. 00:15:15.079 --> 00:15:17.199 One desiring peace with you, 00:15:17.259 --> 00:15:18.399 having made peace with you 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:18.879 through Jesus. 00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:20.439 Verse 3 tells us about 00:15:20.439 --> 00:15:21.379 God's heart 00:15:21.379 --> 00:15:22.319 toward the Corinthians. 00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:24.099 Verse 4 tells us about 00:15:24.099 --> 00:15:25.459 Paul's heart 00:15:25.459 --> 00:15:26.659 toward the Corinthians. 00:15:27.579 --> 00:15:28.779 Paul has been praying 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:30.139 for the Corinthians. 00:15:30.339 --> 00:15:31.639 He's been pouring out 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.459 his heart to God 00:15:32.459 --> 00:15:33.279 about this church 00:15:33.279 --> 00:15:34.119 that's caused him 00:15:34.119 --> 00:15:35.939 so much pain and trouble. 00:15:35.940 --> 00:15:37.200 What do you think Paul 00:15:37.200 --> 00:15:37.980 has been praying 00:15:37.980 --> 00:15:39.180 for the Corinthians? 00:15:40.160 --> 00:15:41.280 Probably many things, 00:15:41.380 --> 00:15:42.380 but the first thing, 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:44.320 the thing he always prays 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.740 when he prays for them 00:15:45.740 --> 00:15:47.580 is to give thanks 00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:49.160 to God for them. 00:15:50.020 --> 00:15:50.960 And so he tells them, 00:15:50.980 --> 00:15:51.180 he says, 00:15:51.260 --> 00:15:51.480 Corinthians, 00:15:51.720 --> 00:15:53.840 I'm so thankful for you. 00:15:54.220 --> 00:15:56.100 Every time I open my mouth 00:15:56.100 --> 00:15:56.880 in prayer to God, 00:15:57.000 --> 00:15:58.340 I thank him. 00:15:58.540 --> 00:15:59.540 I don't thank you, 00:15:59.700 --> 00:15:59.900 Corinthians, 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:01.060 but I thank God 00:16:01.060 --> 00:16:02.620 for his kindness, 00:16:02.780 --> 00:16:04.260 his grace to you, 00:16:04.320 --> 00:16:05.860 the way that he's poured out 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.840 his favor on you. 00:16:08.300 --> 00:16:09.720 All the love that he's shown you 00:16:09.720 --> 00:16:11.139 in saving you through Jesus 00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:12.340 and all the work 00:16:12.340 --> 00:16:13.379 that he's doing in you 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.539 through his Holy Spirit. 00:16:14.700 --> 00:16:16.539 I thank God 00:16:16.539 --> 00:16:18.019 for his grace to you 00:16:18.019 --> 00:16:20.659 given in Jesus Christ. 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:22.580 Because you have him, 00:16:22.659 --> 00:16:24.080 because you belong to him. 00:16:25.399 --> 00:16:26.139 And then in the rest 00:16:26.139 --> 00:16:26.720 of this passage 00:16:26.720 --> 00:16:28.180 from verses 5 to 9, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.039 Paul unpacks, 00:16:30.379 --> 00:16:30.920 explains, 00:16:31.480 --> 00:16:32.800 what the grace of God 00:16:32.800 --> 00:16:34.200 at work in the Corinthians 00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:35.680 has looked like. 00:16:36.780 --> 00:16:37.560 There in verse 5, 00:16:37.640 --> 00:16:38.720 Paul says that God's 00:16:38.720 --> 00:16:40.020 Holy Spirit, 00:16:40.460 --> 00:16:42.420 whom Jesus sends 00:16:42.420 --> 00:16:43.900 to live inside 00:16:43.900 --> 00:16:44.900 all who trust in him, 00:16:45.140 --> 00:16:46.220 he says that the Holy Spirit 00:16:46.220 --> 00:16:47.540 has enriched them 00:16:47.540 --> 00:16:48.780 with gifts, 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:50.100 with all speech 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:51.100 and knowledge. 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:51.660 Interestingly, 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.540 later in the letter, 00:16:52.920 --> 00:16:53.879 Paul will go after 00:16:53.879 --> 00:16:54.340 the Corinthians 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:55.480 for misusing 00:16:55.480 --> 00:16:56.440 their speech 00:16:56.440 --> 00:16:57.140 and their knowledge 00:16:57.140 --> 00:16:58.720 in selfish ways. 00:16:59.200 --> 00:16:59.600 But here, 00:16:59.600 --> 00:17:00.700 Paul encourages them, 00:17:01.259 --> 00:17:02.019 that the Spirit 00:17:02.019 --> 00:17:03.399 has gifted them. 00:17:04.160 --> 00:17:04.900 He sees that, 00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.620 verse 6, 00:17:05.720 --> 00:17:06.559 as evidence 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.519 that the gospel 00:17:07.519 --> 00:17:08.160 is true. 00:17:08.259 --> 00:17:08.819 You could look 00:17:08.819 --> 00:17:09.960 at the Corinthians' lives 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:10.740 and the ways 00:17:10.740 --> 00:17:11.519 that the Spirit 00:17:11.519 --> 00:17:12.860 was transforming 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:13.940 and empowering them 00:17:13.940 --> 00:17:14.559 and you could see, 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:14.759 hey, 00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:15.960 this message 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.559 about Jesus 00:17:16.559 --> 00:17:17.400 is true. 00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.819 He really died 00:17:18.819 --> 00:17:19.220 and rose 00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.000 and ascended to heaven 00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:21.279 and gave these people 00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:22.299 his Holy Spirit. 00:17:23.059 --> 00:17:24.019 The Spirit's work 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.079 in them confirms, 00:17:25.279 --> 00:17:25.640 Paul says, 00:17:25.700 --> 00:17:26.180 the truth 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.340 of the gospel. 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:29.519 There in verse 7, 00:17:29.600 --> 00:17:30.160 Paul says that 00:17:30.160 --> 00:17:30.740 as a result, 00:17:30.799 --> 00:17:31.420 because they have 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.960 the Holy Spirit, 00:17:32.360 --> 00:17:34.039 they have everything 00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:35.100 they need 00:17:35.100 --> 00:17:36.820 as they wait 00:17:36.820 --> 00:17:37.900 for Jesus 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.980 to come back 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.940 and finish 00:17:40.940 --> 00:17:42.160 their salvation 00:17:42.160 --> 00:17:43.259 by drawing them 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.880 to himself 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.120 as they wait 00:17:45.120 --> 00:17:45.860 for the appearance 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:47.019 of Jesus. 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.279 And Paul says 00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.680 in verse 8 00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.560 that he's very confident 00:17:49.560 --> 00:17:51.140 that God will 00:17:51.140 --> 00:17:52.060 keep them 00:17:52.060 --> 00:17:53.299 standing firm 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:53.980 until Jesus 00:17:53.980 --> 00:17:54.519 comes back, 00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.140 not because the 00:17:55.140 --> 00:17:56.140 Corinthians are so great, 00:17:56.700 --> 00:17:57.220 not because they're 00:17:57.220 --> 00:17:58.200 so stable and solid, 00:17:58.320 --> 00:17:58.779 but because, 00:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.320 verse 9, 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:01.440 God is faithful. 00:18:02.420 --> 00:18:03.320 God is the one 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.860 who called them. 00:18:05.299 --> 00:18:05.900 I'm sure you've 00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.519 heard about that 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.000 as you've been 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.560 studying through Romans. 00:18:08.720 --> 00:18:09.380 God is the one 00:18:09.380 --> 00:18:10.759 who spoke to them 00:18:10.759 --> 00:18:11.100 in a way 00:18:11.100 --> 00:18:11.900 that their hearts 00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:13.120 could not resist 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.480 so that they responded 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.519 to his gospel 00:18:15.519 --> 00:18:16.660 with faith. 00:18:17.039 --> 00:18:18.240 God called them, 00:18:18.380 --> 00:18:18.779 Paul says, 00:18:18.840 --> 00:18:19.500 and that's why 00:18:19.500 --> 00:18:20.160 he's confident 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:21.420 that God will 00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:22.000 keep them 00:18:22.000 --> 00:18:22.920 standing firm 00:18:22.920 --> 00:18:23.440 in their faith 00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:23.900 in Jesus 00:18:23.900 --> 00:18:25.900 until the very 00:18:25.900 --> 00:18:26.900 end. 00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:29.620 Well, 00:18:29.640 --> 00:18:30.300 a few minutes ago 00:18:30.300 --> 00:18:31.060 I told you 00:18:31.060 --> 00:18:32.000 the story 00:18:32.000 --> 00:18:33.740 of the Corinthian church 00:18:33.740 --> 00:18:35.140 in all its messiness 00:18:35.140 --> 00:18:35.500 and everything 00:18:35.500 --> 00:18:36.060 that I said 00:18:36.060 --> 00:18:37.080 was true. 00:18:38.160 --> 00:18:39.019 But it's clear 00:18:39.019 --> 00:18:39.800 that Paul 00:18:39.800 --> 00:18:41.519 sees a much 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:43.019 bigger story 00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.019 going on 00:18:44.019 --> 00:18:45.100 in the life 00:18:45.100 --> 00:18:46.220 of the Corinthian church. 00:18:47.180 --> 00:18:47.660 See, 00:18:47.720 --> 00:18:48.860 it's not primarily 00:18:48.860 --> 00:18:49.759 a story 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:50.980 about the Corinthians 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.000 and their problems. 00:18:52.640 --> 00:18:53.579 It's not primarily 00:18:53.579 --> 00:18:54.019 a story 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:55.359 about how messy 00:18:55.359 --> 00:18:56.480 that church is. 00:18:56.700 --> 00:18:57.640 It's not primarily 00:18:57.640 --> 00:18:58.180 a story 00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:59.240 about how gifted 00:18:59.240 --> 00:19:00.200 that church is. 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.019 That's what the 00:19:01.019 --> 00:19:01.759 Corinthians thought 00:19:01.759 --> 00:19:02.660 the story was about. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:04.599 When Paul looks 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.119 at the Corinthians, 00:19:05.420 --> 00:19:06.279 he sees 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.480 a story 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:08.900 about the grace 00:19:08.900 --> 00:19:09.660 of God 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:10.900 in Christ Jesus 00:19:10.900 --> 00:19:11.859 at work 00:19:11.859 --> 00:19:13.539 in sinful people 00:19:13.539 --> 00:19:14.859 to save 00:19:14.859 --> 00:19:16.460 and transform him. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.859 The big story 00:19:17.859 --> 00:19:18.659 in Corinth 00:19:18.659 --> 00:19:19.659 is not, 00:19:19.819 --> 00:19:20.059 wow, 00:19:20.139 --> 00:19:20.579 look at those 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.979 gifted superstars. 00:19:22.699 --> 00:19:23.459 It's not, 00:19:23.699 --> 00:19:23.899 wow, 00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.039 look at those losers. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.339 It's, 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:26.819 wow, 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.939 look at the grace 00:19:28.939 --> 00:19:29.579 of God 00:19:29.579 --> 00:19:30.339 at work 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.399 in sinful people 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:33.059 through Jesus Christ. 00:19:33.419 --> 00:19:34.059 Look at the 00:19:34.059 --> 00:19:35.659 transforming power 00:19:35.659 --> 00:19:36.459 of God. 00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:37.699 Look at the 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:39.139 almighty favor 00:19:39.139 --> 00:19:39.879 of God 00:19:39.879 --> 00:19:40.819 given 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:42.439 to the Corinthians 00:19:42.439 --> 00:19:43.119 freely, 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.839 graciously 00:19:43.839 --> 00:19:45.019 through Jesus. 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.180 Jesus. 00:19:46.859 --> 00:19:48.139 And so Paul 00:19:48.139 --> 00:19:49.920 begins this 00:19:49.920 --> 00:19:50.519 letter to the 00:19:50.519 --> 00:19:50.839 Corinthians 00:19:50.839 --> 00:19:51.639 by directing 00:19:51.639 --> 00:19:52.379 their attention 00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:54.139 away from 00:19:54.139 --> 00:19:54.859 themselves 00:19:54.859 --> 00:19:56.220 and towards 00:19:56.220 --> 00:19:57.139 God's kindness 00:19:57.139 --> 00:19:58.599 in Jesus. 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.440 And here's the 00:19:59.440 --> 00:19:59.799 point. 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:00.879 Here's the point 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.579 for you and me. 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.920 That is where 00:20:03.920 --> 00:20:04.740 their eyes 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:05.799 need to be fixed 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.940 if they are 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.639 going to grow. 00:20:09.039 --> 00:20:09.720 If the 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:10.000 Corinthians 00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:10.680 are going to 00:20:10.680 --> 00:20:10.980 grow 00:20:10.980 --> 00:20:12.079 into the 00:20:12.079 --> 00:20:12.680 mature, 00:20:13.559 --> 00:20:14.139 godly, 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.860 holy, 00:20:15.180 --> 00:20:16.040 unified people 00:20:16.040 --> 00:20:16.520 that God 00:20:16.520 --> 00:20:17.240 is calling 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:17.780 them to be, 00:20:17.940 --> 00:20:18.860 their eyes 00:20:18.860 --> 00:20:20.259 must be 00:20:20.259 --> 00:20:20.780 fixed, 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.440 not on their 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:22.060 problems, 00:20:22.520 --> 00:20:23.100 not on their 00:20:23.100 --> 00:20:23.759 gifts and 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.280 excellencies, 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:25.940 but on God's 00:20:25.940 --> 00:20:27.020 grace to 00:20:27.020 --> 00:20:28.160 them in 00:20:28.160 --> 00:20:29.000 Jesus Christ. 00:20:30.160 --> 00:20:30.759 And brothers and 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.040 sisters, 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:33.220 we grow 00:20:33.220 --> 00:20:34.800 when our 00:20:34.800 --> 00:20:35.740 eyes are 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:37.340 fixed on 00:20:37.340 --> 00:20:38.300 God's grace 00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:39.220 in Jesus 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.740 Christ. 00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.940 That's the 00:20:40.940 --> 00:20:41.259 takeaway. 00:20:41.259 --> 00:20:42.960 we grow 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:44.160 as Christians 00:20:44.160 --> 00:20:44.859 when our 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.700 attention 00:20:45.700 --> 00:20:47.279 is riveted 00:20:47.279 --> 00:20:48.920 on God's 00:20:48.920 --> 00:20:49.599 grace, 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.480 his kindness, 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.200 his favor, 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.039 his love 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.859 for us, 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.299 given to us 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.240 in Jesus 00:20:55.240 --> 00:20:56.160 Christ. 00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.740 If we want to 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.379 grow in wisdom, 00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.059 in love, 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:58.660 in humility, 00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.259 in unity, 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.920 in holiness, 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:02.059 the saving 00:21:02.059 --> 00:21:03.079 grace of 00:21:03.079 --> 00:21:03.859 God in 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.299 Jesus must 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.960 dominate 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.400 our attention. 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.019 We need to 00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:09.240 sing and pray 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:10.059 and teach 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.900 and talk 00:21:10.900 --> 00:21:11.579 about it. 00:21:12.099 --> 00:21:12.599 We need to 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.380 read about 00:21:13.380 --> 00:21:14.059 and meditate 00:21:14.059 --> 00:21:14.620 on it 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.859 day after 00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.160 day. 00:21:16.339 --> 00:21:17.140 We grow 00:21:17.140 --> 00:21:18.420 when our 00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.440 eyes are 00:21:19.440 --> 00:21:20.680 fixed on 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.460 God's grace 00:21:21.460 --> 00:21:22.400 in Jesus 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:22.799 Christ. 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:23.200 Let me give 00:21:23.200 --> 00:21:23.680 you two 00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:25.079 reasons why 00:21:25.079 --> 00:21:25.519 that is the 00:21:25.519 --> 00:21:25.900 case. 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.259 Two reasons 00:21:27.259 --> 00:21:28.220 why we 00:21:28.220 --> 00:21:28.599 grow when 00:21:28.599 --> 00:21:28.940 our eyes 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.259 are fixed 00:21:29.259 --> 00:21:29.700 on God's 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.120 grace in 00:21:30.120 --> 00:21:30.319 Jesus. 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:30.880 The first 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.740 is that 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.500 God's grace 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.279 humbles 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:34.700 our pride. 00:21:35.900 --> 00:21:36.920 God's grace 00:21:36.920 --> 00:21:37.559 in Jesus 00:21:37.559 --> 00:21:38.579 Christ humbles 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:39.619 our pride. 00:21:39.699 --> 00:21:39.939 Christian, 00:21:40.019 --> 00:21:40.559 let me tell 00:21:40.559 --> 00:21:41.519 you a story. 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.159 It's our 00:21:43.159 --> 00:21:43.579 story. 00:21:44.439 --> 00:21:45.019 Once upon 00:21:45.019 --> 00:21:45.460 a time, 00:21:45.839 --> 00:21:46.439 we did 00:21:46.439 --> 00:21:46.960 not love 00:21:46.960 --> 00:21:47.279 God. 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:49.000 Once upon 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.299 a time, 00:21:49.379 --> 00:21:49.819 we lived 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.359 in rebellion 00:21:50.359 --> 00:21:51.159 against God. 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.299 We broke 00:21:52.299 --> 00:21:52.819 his law 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:53.220 when we 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.740 felt like 00:21:53.740 --> 00:21:53.879 it. 00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.399 Even when 00:21:54.399 --> 00:21:54.960 we kept 00:21:54.960 --> 00:21:55.460 his law 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.079 outwardly, 00:21:56.199 --> 00:21:56.779 it was 00:21:56.779 --> 00:21:57.619 not because 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.139 we loved 00:21:58.139 --> 00:21:58.500 God. 00:21:59.279 --> 00:21:59.859 And right 00:21:59.859 --> 00:22:00.099 in the 00:22:00.099 --> 00:22:00.539 middle of 00:22:00.539 --> 00:22:01.539 us not 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.899 loving 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.419 God, 00:22:02.839 --> 00:22:03.439 God 00:22:03.439 --> 00:22:04.539 loved 00:22:04.539 --> 00:22:05.399 us. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.079 And he 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.559 gave his 00:22:07.559 --> 00:22:08.139 son Jesus 00:22:08.140 --> 00:22:08.980 to die 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.740 and rise 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.300 to save 00:22:10.300 --> 00:22:10.540 us. 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.360 He did 00:22:11.360 --> 00:22:11.880 what he 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.320 did for 00:22:12.320 --> 00:22:12.480 the 00:22:12.480 --> 00:22:12.820 Corinthians 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:14.160 for us. 00:22:14.340 --> 00:22:15.280 He called 00:22:15.280 --> 00:22:15.860 us into 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.220 fellowship 00:22:16.220 --> 00:22:16.580 with his 00:22:16.580 --> 00:22:16.759 son. 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.320 He sent 00:22:17.320 --> 00:22:17.759 his spirit 00:22:17.759 --> 00:22:18.200 to open 00:22:18.200 --> 00:22:18.540 our eyes 00:22:18.540 --> 00:22:18.820 and give 00:22:18.820 --> 00:22:19.400 us faith. 00:22:19.900 --> 00:22:20.200 And now 00:22:20.200 --> 00:22:20.580 by the 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:20.940 grace of 00:22:20.940 --> 00:22:21.140 God, 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.720 we too 00:22:21.720 --> 00:22:22.000 are 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.100 sanctified. 00:22:23.800 --> 00:22:24.300 We are 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:24.759 holy. 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.100 We are 00:22:25.100 --> 00:22:25.380 in a 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:25.860 special 00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.440 relationship 00:22:26.440 --> 00:22:26.700 with 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.000 Jesus. 00:22:27.720 --> 00:22:28.040 And ever 00:22:28.040 --> 00:22:28.880 since our 00:22:28.880 --> 00:22:29.480 conversion, 00:22:29.640 --> 00:22:30.460 we're still 00:22:30.460 --> 00:22:30.980 not that 00:22:30.980 --> 00:22:32.040 good at 00:22:32.040 --> 00:22:32.660 loving God, 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.160 at obeying 00:22:33.160 --> 00:22:33.320 him, 00:22:33.360 --> 00:22:33.660 at living 00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.280 holy lives. 00:22:34.340 --> 00:22:34.860 Even as a 00:22:34.860 --> 00:22:35.140 Christian, 00:22:35.280 --> 00:22:36.000 we are so 00:22:36.000 --> 00:22:36.420 often, 00:22:36.520 --> 00:22:37.320 I am so 00:22:37.319 --> 00:22:38.659 often selfish 00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:40.480 and insensitive 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:42.220 and proud 00:22:42.220 --> 00:22:43.220 and foolish 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:44.000 and moody. 00:22:44.960 --> 00:22:46.399 We are far 00:22:46.399 --> 00:22:47.079 often, 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.579 far more 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:49.059 like the 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.359 Corinthians 00:22:49.359 --> 00:22:49.919 than we 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.480 would like 00:22:50.480 --> 00:22:51.079 to admit. 00:22:52.339 --> 00:22:52.579 And yet 00:22:52.579 --> 00:22:53.200 again and 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:53.779 again and 00:22:53.779 --> 00:22:54.079 again, 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:54.839 God showers 00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:56.039 his grace, 00:22:56.399 --> 00:22:57.519 his forgiveness, 00:22:57.759 --> 00:22:58.899 his favor on 00:22:58.899 --> 00:22:59.599 us through 00:22:59.599 --> 00:23:00.500 Jesus. 00:23:00.500 --> 00:23:02.119 and we 00:23:02.119 --> 00:23:02.599 know that 00:23:02.599 --> 00:23:03.039 we'll make 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.359 it to the 00:23:03.359 --> 00:23:03.779 end because 00:23:03.779 --> 00:23:04.319 God, 00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:05.099 who called 00:23:05.099 --> 00:23:05.359 us, 00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.299 is faithful 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:07.579 to keep 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:07.940 us in 00:23:07.940 --> 00:23:08.259 fellowship 00:23:08.259 --> 00:23:08.660 with his 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:08.980 son, 00:23:09.660 --> 00:23:09.940 Jesus. 00:23:11.259 --> 00:23:11.819 Let me 00:23:11.819 --> 00:23:12.079 tell you, 00:23:12.119 --> 00:23:12.480 when I 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.339 remember that 00:23:13.339 --> 00:23:14.519 that's my 00:23:14.519 --> 00:23:15.200 story, 00:23:15.839 --> 00:23:16.700 it's really 00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.220 hard to be 00:23:17.220 --> 00:23:17.559 proud. 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.039 It's really 00:23:19.039 --> 00:23:19.700 hard to 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.740 think too 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.579 highly or 00:23:21.579 --> 00:23:22.539 too much 00:23:22.539 --> 00:23:22.980 or too 00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:24.279 often of 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.880 myself. 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.079 See, 00:23:26.140 --> 00:23:26.480 like the 00:23:26.480 --> 00:23:26.859 Corinthians, 00:23:26.859 --> 00:23:28.219 so many 00:23:28.219 --> 00:23:29.439 of my 00:23:29.439 --> 00:23:30.099 problems 00:23:30.099 --> 00:23:31.259 stem from 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:32.219 my pride. 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.419 The reason 00:23:33.419 --> 00:23:34.199 I quarrel 00:23:34.199 --> 00:23:34.799 with people 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.839 is my 00:23:35.839 --> 00:23:36.179 pride. 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.619 The reason 00:23:37.619 --> 00:23:38.199 I get 00:23:38.199 --> 00:23:38.659 moody 00:23:38.659 --> 00:23:39.740 is because 00:23:39.740 --> 00:23:40.219 of my 00:23:40.219 --> 00:23:40.740 pride. 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.019 I think 00:23:41.019 --> 00:23:41.619 I'm not 00:23:41.619 --> 00:23:42.000 getting what 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.459 I deserve. 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:42.819 The reason 00:23:42.819 --> 00:23:43.139 I am 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:44.119 discontent 00:23:44.119 --> 00:23:45.179 is because 00:23:45.179 --> 00:23:45.539 of my 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:45.939 pride. 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.039 The reason 00:23:47.039 --> 00:23:47.359 that I am 00:23:47.359 --> 00:23:48.259 selfish toward 00:23:48.259 --> 00:23:48.699 others is 00:23:48.699 --> 00:23:49.359 because of 00:23:49.359 --> 00:23:50.359 my pride. 00:23:50.459 --> 00:23:50.959 But when 00:23:50.959 --> 00:23:51.699 I fix 00:23:51.699 --> 00:23:52.219 my eyes 00:23:52.219 --> 00:23:52.919 on God's 00:23:52.919 --> 00:23:53.779 grace 00:23:53.779 --> 00:23:55.079 toward me 00:23:55.079 --> 00:23:56.039 in Jesus 00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:56.379 Christ, 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:57.080 my pride 00:23:57.080 --> 00:23:58.140 is leveled. 00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.340 It's humbled 00:23:59.340 --> 00:24:00.640 because I 00:24:00.640 --> 00:24:01.240 see what I 00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:01.780 deserve in 00:24:01.780 --> 00:24:02.360 the cross 00:24:02.360 --> 00:24:03.460 and I 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:03.820 see what 00:24:03.820 --> 00:24:04.140 I've been 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:05.220 given in 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.760 the resurrection. 00:24:06.920 --> 00:24:07.520 God's 00:24:07.520 --> 00:24:08.160 grace 00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:09.040 humbles 00:24:09.040 --> 00:24:10.200 our pride. 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.220 Let me 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.580 give you a 00:24:11.580 --> 00:24:12.300 second reason 00:24:12.300 --> 00:24:13.300 that we 00:24:13.300 --> 00:24:14.520 grow when 00:24:14.520 --> 00:24:15.160 our eyes 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.980 are fixed 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:16.800 on God's 00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:18.020 grace in 00:24:18.020 --> 00:24:18.640 Jesus Christ. 00:24:19.060 --> 00:24:19.480 God's 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:19.960 grace 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:21.320 guards us 00:24:21.320 --> 00:24:22.000 from 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:22.700 despair. 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.340 God's 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.620 grace 00:24:24.620 --> 00:24:25.300 guards us 00:24:25.300 --> 00:24:25.760 from despair. 00:24:25.759 --> 00:24:26.619 I said 00:24:26.619 --> 00:24:27.119 earlier that 00:24:27.119 --> 00:24:27.680 in this 00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:27.940 letter, 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.539 Paul will 00:24:28.539 --> 00:24:29.019 need to 00:24:29.019 --> 00:24:29.579 deliver some 00:24:29.579 --> 00:24:30.740 hard-hitting 00:24:30.740 --> 00:24:32.099 rebukes in 00:24:32.099 --> 00:24:32.839 this letter. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:33.799 And he 00:24:33.799 --> 00:24:34.180 does. 00:24:34.640 --> 00:24:35.039 I read it 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:35.200 through. 00:24:35.299 --> 00:24:35.640 You'll see 00:24:35.640 --> 00:24:36.160 he calls 00:24:36.160 --> 00:24:37.180 them spiritual 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.000 infants. 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:39.779 At one 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:39.940 point, 00:24:39.980 --> 00:24:40.299 he just 00:24:40.299 --> 00:24:40.900 tells them 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.359 point blank. 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:41.700 He says, 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:42.319 you are 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:42.740 arrogant. 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.619 This is my 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:44.859 favorite. 00:24:45.000 --> 00:24:45.319 In chapter 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:45.859 15, 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:46.420 he says, 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.599 wake up 00:24:47.599 --> 00:24:48.140 from your 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:48.759 drunken 00:24:48.759 --> 00:24:49.579 stupor 00:24:49.579 --> 00:24:50.079 as is 00:24:50.079 --> 00:24:50.799 right and 00:24:50.799 --> 00:24:51.220 do not 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:51.740 go on 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.220 sinning. 00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:54.079 If they 00:24:54.079 --> 00:24:54.360 didn't get 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:54.700 the message, 00:24:54.779 --> 00:24:55.140 he follows 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.539 that up 00:24:55.539 --> 00:24:56.140 by saying, 00:24:56.360 --> 00:24:56.779 I say 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.200 this to 00:24:57.200 --> 00:24:57.420 your 00:24:57.420 --> 00:24:57.920 shame. 00:24:58.480 --> 00:24:58.779 He says, 00:24:58.900 --> 00:24:59.700 you ought 00:24:59.700 --> 00:25:00.079 to feel 00:25:00.079 --> 00:25:00.620 bad about 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:00.880 this, 00:25:00.960 --> 00:25:01.519 Paul says. 00:25:02.900 --> 00:25:03.079 And 00:25:03.079 --> 00:25:03.400 brothers and 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:03.600 sisters, 00:25:03.720 --> 00:25:04.019 there will 00:25:04.019 --> 00:25:04.740 be times 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.579 in our 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.079 lives, 00:25:06.140 --> 00:25:06.360 there are 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:07.000 times in 00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:07.680 my life 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.700 when we 00:25:08.700 --> 00:25:09.240 need 00:25:09.240 --> 00:25:10.160 rebuke 00:25:10.160 --> 00:25:11.460 from 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:11.900 God's 00:25:11.900 --> 00:25:12.279 word, 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.440 from 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:13.799 other 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.180 brothers 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:14.539 or 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:14.900 sisters. 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.019 Sometimes 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.460 we will 00:25:16.460 --> 00:25:16.720 need 00:25:16.720 --> 00:25:17.339 reproof. 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:17.980 We will 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.500 need to 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.059 be told 00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.900 what you're 00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.279 doing is 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:20.600 wrong. 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:22.740 That was 00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.079 wrong. 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:23.500 That was 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:24.059 foolish. 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:25.259 That was 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.599 selfish. 00:25:25.719 --> 00:25:26.039 Sometimes 00:25:26.039 --> 00:25:26.839 we'll need 00:25:26.839 --> 00:25:27.299 to hear 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:27.599 that. 00:25:28.419 --> 00:25:28.599 And I 00:25:28.599 --> 00:25:29.139 don't know 00:25:29.139 --> 00:25:29.539 about you, 00:25:29.659 --> 00:25:30.859 but sometimes 00:25:30.859 --> 00:25:31.439 when I 00:25:31.439 --> 00:25:32.379 am rebuked 00:25:32.379 --> 00:25:33.480 or reproved, 00:25:34.379 --> 00:25:35.259 I start 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.959 to interpret 00:25:35.959 --> 00:25:36.740 that reproof 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:36.980 as 00:25:36.980 --> 00:25:38.119 condemnation. 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:39.439 Someone 00:25:39.439 --> 00:25:40.240 is reproving 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.399 me, 00:25:40.480 --> 00:25:40.759 and I 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.359 quickly 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:41.759 interpret 00:25:41.759 --> 00:25:42.379 that as 00:25:42.379 --> 00:25:43.859 condemnation. 00:25:44.019 --> 00:25:44.299 When I 00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.599 hear, 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:44.839 hey, 00:25:44.899 --> 00:25:45.219 what you 00:25:45.219 --> 00:25:45.639 did was 00:25:45.639 --> 00:25:46.059 not good, 00:25:46.179 --> 00:25:47.079 I instead 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.099 understand, 00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:48.939 I am 00:25:48.939 --> 00:25:49.639 not okay. 00:25:50.599 --> 00:25:51.119 And so 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.719 I slide 00:25:51.719 --> 00:25:52.179 toward 00:25:52.179 --> 00:25:53.079 despair, 00:25:53.459 --> 00:25:54.079 that I'm 00:25:54.079 --> 00:25:54.599 not okay. 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.319 And when 00:25:57.319 --> 00:25:58.019 I respond 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.799 to rebuke 00:25:58.799 --> 00:25:59.819 with despair, 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.219 that's 00:26:01.219 --> 00:26:01.819 actually the 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.179 enemy 00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:03.259 of my 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.639 growth. 00:26:05.219 --> 00:26:05.779 Despair 00:26:05.779 --> 00:26:06.299 is actually 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:06.899 the enemy 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:07.659 of my 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:07.879 growth, 00:26:07.939 --> 00:26:08.339 because if 00:26:08.339 --> 00:26:09.399 rebuke leads 00:26:09.399 --> 00:26:09.699 me to 00:26:09.699 --> 00:26:10.039 despair, 00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:10.819 I will 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.339 not want 00:26:11.339 --> 00:26:11.539 to hear 00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:11.980 rebuke. 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:12.879 I will 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.679 be defensive. 00:26:14.439 --> 00:26:14.819 I will 00:26:14.819 --> 00:26:15.259 make it my 00:26:15.259 --> 00:26:15.779 habit to 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.459 focus on 00:26:16.459 --> 00:26:16.799 others' 00:26:16.799 --> 00:26:17.079 flaws 00:26:17.079 --> 00:26:17.659 instead of 00:26:17.659 --> 00:26:18.119 my own. 00:26:18.119 --> 00:26:19.799 And what's 00:26:19.799 --> 00:26:19.939 more, 00:26:19.979 --> 00:26:20.299 we don't 00:26:20.299 --> 00:26:20.879 really 00:26:20.879 --> 00:26:21.239 function 00:26:21.239 --> 00:26:21.779 very well 00:26:21.779 --> 00:26:22.139 when we 00:26:22.139 --> 00:26:22.419 feel 00:26:22.419 --> 00:26:22.979 condemned. 00:26:23.879 --> 00:26:24.119 I don't 00:26:24.119 --> 00:26:24.399 know about 00:26:24.399 --> 00:26:24.559 you, 00:26:24.599 --> 00:26:24.799 but if 00:26:24.799 --> 00:26:25.599 you feel 00:26:25.599 --> 00:26:25.959 like you're 00:26:25.959 --> 00:26:26.739 under God's 00:26:26.739 --> 00:26:27.439 condemnation, 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.199 it can feel 00:26:28.199 --> 00:26:28.699 really hard 00:26:28.699 --> 00:26:29.219 to love 00:26:29.219 --> 00:26:29.479 God, 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:29.759 even though 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.359 his condemnation 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.419 is just. 00:26:32.639 --> 00:26:33.039 And so 00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:33.479 if we want 00:26:33.479 --> 00:26:33.799 to grow, 00:26:33.899 --> 00:26:34.279 we need to 00:26:34.279 --> 00:26:34.699 fix our 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:35.899 eyes on 00:26:35.899 --> 00:26:36.479 God's 00:26:36.479 --> 00:26:37.039 grace, 00:26:37.779 --> 00:26:38.519 on the 00:26:38.519 --> 00:26:39.279 reality that 00:26:39.279 --> 00:26:40.159 even though 00:26:40.159 --> 00:26:40.559 we are 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.299 works in 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.039 progress, 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.579 even though 00:26:43.579 --> 00:26:44.559 much sin 00:26:44.559 --> 00:26:45.199 and corruption 00:26:45.199 --> 00:26:45.939 and fault 00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.699 remains in 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:46.960 us, 00:26:47.319 --> 00:26:48.059 we are 00:26:48.059 --> 00:26:48.640 loved. 00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.580 God does 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.240 not reject 00:26:51.240 --> 00:26:51.700 us. 00:26:52.279 --> 00:26:53.039 We remain 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:54.000 sanctified. 00:26:54.140 --> 00:26:54.559 We remain 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.519 God's special 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:56.640 holy possession. 00:26:57.120 --> 00:26:57.840 He continues 00:26:57.840 --> 00:26:58.500 to pour 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.500 his favor 00:26:59.500 --> 00:26:59.980 on us 00:26:59.980 --> 00:27:00.259 and to 00:27:00.259 --> 00:27:00.660 live at 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.240 peace with 00:27:01.240 --> 00:27:01.500 us. 00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:02.400 When we 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.340 know that, 00:27:03.960 --> 00:27:05.039 that's when 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.700 we have the 00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:07.539 security to 00:27:07.539 --> 00:27:08.480 hear the 00:27:08.480 --> 00:27:09.340 rebuke that 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:09.900 we need 00:27:09.900 --> 00:27:11.259 because we 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:11.759 know that 00:27:11.759 --> 00:27:12.220 we're not 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.140 being condemned. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:14.660 We know 00:27:14.660 --> 00:27:14.960 that as 00:27:14.960 --> 00:27:15.220 Proverbs 00:27:15.220 --> 00:27:15.460 says, 00:27:15.460 --> 00:27:16.039 God's 00:27:16.039 --> 00:27:16.660 discipline 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.640 for us 00:27:17.640 --> 00:27:19.259 comes from 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.319 his love 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.819 and so 00:27:21.819 --> 00:27:22.079 we'll be 00:27:22.079 --> 00:27:22.559 able to 00:27:22.559 --> 00:27:22.860 grow. 00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.900 God's 00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.460 grace 00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.039 humbles 00:27:27.039 --> 00:27:27.840 our pride 00:27:27.840 --> 00:27:28.620 and guards 00:27:28.620 --> 00:27:29.480 us from 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:29.940 despair. 00:27:30.039 --> 00:27:30.519 That's why 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.000 we need to 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.680 fix our 00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.180 eyes on 00:27:32.180 --> 00:27:32.960 how gracious 00:27:32.960 --> 00:27:33.900 he has 00:27:33.900 --> 00:27:34.340 been to 00:27:34.340 --> 00:27:34.860 us through 00:27:34.860 --> 00:27:35.259 Jesus 00:27:35.259 --> 00:27:36.500 if we 00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.440 are to 00:27:37.440 --> 00:27:37.740 grow. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:40.440 Maybe the 00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:41.039 best way 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:41.600 that we 00:27:41.600 --> 00:27:42.420 can apply 00:27:42.420 --> 00:27:43.100 this passage 00:27:43.100 --> 00:27:43.819 is to do 00:27:43.819 --> 00:27:44.399 just what 00:27:44.399 --> 00:27:44.779 we'll do 00:27:44.779 --> 00:27:45.740 in a few 00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.019 minutes 00:27:46.019 --> 00:27:46.359 which is 00:27:46.359 --> 00:27:46.819 to sing 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:47.359 about the 00:27:47.359 --> 00:27:48.399 grace of 00:27:48.399 --> 00:27:48.939 God given 00:27:48.939 --> 00:27:49.480 to us in 00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.159 Jesus Christ 00:27:50.159 --> 00:27:51.220 to remind 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.859 ourselves that 00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:53.079 God is 00:27:53.079 --> 00:27:54.019 for us 00:27:54.019 --> 00:27:55.859 that he is 00:27:55.859 --> 00:27:56.579 for us with 00:27:56.579 --> 00:27:57.159 his almighty 00:27:57.159 --> 00:27:57.799 favor because 00:27:57.799 --> 00:27:58.399 of Jesus. 00:27:58.859 --> 00:27:59.339 Before we 00:27:59.339 --> 00:27:59.519 close, 00:27:59.579 --> 00:27:59.839 there's just 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:01.000 one final 00:28:01.000 --> 00:28:02.319 way that we 00:28:02.319 --> 00:28:03.019 ought to apply 00:28:03.019 --> 00:28:03.399 the text. 00:28:03.480 --> 00:28:03.779 There's one 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.220 way that we 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.799 can help 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.439 one another 00:28:05.439 --> 00:28:06.679 fix our 00:28:06.679 --> 00:28:08.000 eyes on 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.779 God's grace 00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.399 in Jesus 00:28:09.400 --> 00:28:10.880 Christ and 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:11.080 that is 00:28:11.080 --> 00:28:11.340 that we 00:28:11.340 --> 00:28:12.019 can learn 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.440 to encourage 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.660 one another 00:28:14.660 --> 00:28:16.060 and we 00:28:16.060 --> 00:28:16.380 can learn 00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.180 to encourage 00:28:17.180 --> 00:28:17.940 one another. 00:28:18.040 --> 00:28:18.340 Christian, 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:19.759 the way 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.360 that you 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.460 treat one 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:21.840 another 00:28:21.840 --> 00:28:23.280 ought to 00:28:23.280 --> 00:28:24.780 reflect the 00:28:24.780 --> 00:28:25.340 way that 00:28:25.340 --> 00:28:26.000 God has 00:28:26.000 --> 00:28:26.680 treated you 00:28:26.680 --> 00:28:28.200 in Jesus. 00:28:29.740 --> 00:28:29.980 See, 00:28:30.040 --> 00:28:30.420 the Corinthians 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:31.280 must have 00:28:31.280 --> 00:28:32.140 known on 00:28:32.140 --> 00:28:32.920 some level 00:28:32.920 --> 00:28:34.300 that they 00:28:34.300 --> 00:28:35.259 were kind 00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:35.460 of the 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:35.740 problem 00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.180 church. 00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:38.060 They must 00:28:38.060 --> 00:28:38.920 have sensed 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.680 the growing 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.940 tension in 00:28:40.940 --> 00:28:41.640 their relationship 00:28:41.640 --> 00:28:43.039 with Paul. 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:44.820 How would 00:28:44.820 --> 00:28:45.160 they have 00:28:45.160 --> 00:28:46.380 felt when 00:28:46.380 --> 00:28:47.060 they opened 00:28:47.060 --> 00:28:48.100 this letter 00:28:48.100 --> 00:28:49.340 and the 00:28:49.340 --> 00:28:50.560 first lines 00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:51.539 are lines 00:28:51.539 --> 00:28:52.259 of kindness, 00:28:53.180 --> 00:28:53.519 lines of 00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:54.160 encouragement, 00:28:55.060 --> 00:28:55.539 lines of 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.940 grace and 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.340 favor? 00:28:58.560 --> 00:28:58.940 They would 00:28:58.940 --> 00:28:59.420 have seen 00:28:59.420 --> 00:29:00.580 in Paul's 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.340 encouragement 00:29:01.340 --> 00:29:02.820 a reflection 00:29:02.820 --> 00:29:04.279 of God's 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:05.180 kindness. 00:29:05.660 --> 00:29:06.000 Christian, 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:07.300 do you 00:29:07.300 --> 00:29:07.519 want to 00:29:07.519 --> 00:29:08.900 display God's 00:29:08.900 --> 00:29:09.880 grace to 00:29:09.880 --> 00:29:10.220 others? 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:10.920 Learn to 00:29:10.920 --> 00:29:12.019 be an 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:12.540 encourager. 00:29:12.660 --> 00:29:12.960 Don't be 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.740 a flatterer. 00:29:14.240 --> 00:29:14.620 Don't say 00:29:14.620 --> 00:29:15.019 things that 00:29:15.019 --> 00:29:15.340 are not 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:15.820 true. 00:29:16.580 --> 00:29:16.980 Don't 00:29:16.980 --> 00:29:18.220 refuse also 00:29:18.220 --> 00:29:18.600 to say 00:29:18.600 --> 00:29:19.440 hard things, 00:29:20.140 --> 00:29:20.640 but learn 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:21.259 to see 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:22.000 the grace 00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.820 of God 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.460 at work 00:29:23.460 --> 00:29:23.820 in your 00:29:23.820 --> 00:29:24.320 brothers and 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:24.680 sisters, 00:29:25.500 --> 00:29:26.380 and truly 00:29:26.380 --> 00:29:27.100 and genuinely 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:28.740 to encourage 00:29:28.740 --> 00:29:29.019 them, 00:29:29.740 --> 00:29:30.259 to point 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.100 out God's 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:31.620 grace at 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.560 work in 00:29:32.560 --> 00:29:32.880 others. 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.060 From 00:29:34.060 --> 00:29:34.920 2016 to 00:29:34.920 --> 00:29:35.440 2018, 00:29:36.240 --> 00:29:37.220 I worked 00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:38.200 for Steve 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.539 at a 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.339 church in 00:29:39.339 --> 00:29:40.039 Liverpool. 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:41.559 And at 00:29:41.559 --> 00:29:41.920 the end 00:29:41.920 --> 00:29:42.380 of my 00:29:42.380 --> 00:29:42.980 time there, 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.480 after two 00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:43.940 years of 00:29:43.940 --> 00:29:44.440 working for 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:44.960 Steve when 00:29:44.960 --> 00:29:45.240 I was 00:29:45.240 --> 00:29:46.120 21 to 00:29:46.120 --> 00:29:46.660 23, 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.360 Steve called 00:29:48.360 --> 00:29:48.839 me up in 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.160 front of the 00:29:49.160 --> 00:29:49.440 church, 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:50.640 and he 00:29:50.640 --> 00:29:51.680 did not 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.240 tell the 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:53.500 story of 00:29:53.500 --> 00:29:54.120 how I 00:29:54.120 --> 00:29:54.680 slept 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.319 through 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.460 preparing for 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.019 an important 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.700 evangelistic 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:58.039 event. 00:29:59.120 --> 00:29:59.579 He did 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.200 not tell 00:30:00.200 --> 00:30:00.720 the story 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.160 of how I 00:30:01.160 --> 00:30:01.660 accidentally 00:30:01.660 --> 00:30:02.880 dropped the 00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:03.200 church 00:30:03.200 --> 00:30:04.220 teapot lid 00:30:04.220 --> 00:30:04.660 into the 00:30:04.660 --> 00:30:04.819 River 00:30:04.819 --> 00:30:05.160 Mersey. 00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.259 He did 00:30:07.259 --> 00:30:07.720 not bring 00:30:07.720 --> 00:30:08.019 me up in 00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.180 front of 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.460 the church 00:30:08.460 --> 00:30:08.920 and say, 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.759 David is a 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.500 23-year-old 00:30:10.500 --> 00:30:11.140 who thinks 00:30:11.140 --> 00:30:11.600 that he knows 00:30:11.600 --> 00:30:12.140 quite a lot 00:30:12.140 --> 00:30:12.720 more than 00:30:12.720 --> 00:30:13.079 he does, 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:13.500 which he 00:30:13.500 --> 00:30:13.880 could have 00:30:13.880 --> 00:30:14.259 said. 00:30:15.440 --> 00:30:16.180 He said, 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.180 David, 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:17.440 you've done 00:30:17.440 --> 00:30:17.960 a good job. 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:19.559 We thank 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.319 God for 00:30:20.319 --> 00:30:20.880 his grace 00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.259 at work 00:30:21.259 --> 00:30:21.660 in you 00:30:21.660 --> 00:30:22.539 and for 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:22.779 the way 00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.160 that he's 00:30:23.160 --> 00:30:23.900 blessed us 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.980 through you. 00:30:25.860 --> 00:30:26.200 And that's 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.779 a small 00:30:26.779 --> 00:30:27.180 thing. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.579 It's a 00:30:28.579 --> 00:30:29.180 small thing. 00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.500 But here's 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:30.819 why it 00:30:30.819 --> 00:30:31.240 matters. 00:30:31.240 --> 00:30:33.279 That is 00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:33.799 what Jesus 00:30:33.799 --> 00:30:34.440 Christ is 00:30:34.440 --> 00:30:34.819 like. 00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.660 Brothers and 00:30:37.660 --> 00:30:37.859 sisters, 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:38.620 one day we 00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:39.380 will stand 00:30:39.380 --> 00:30:40.400 before the 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:41.019 judgment seat 00:30:41.019 --> 00:30:41.539 of Jesus 00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:43.000 and we 00:30:43.000 --> 00:30:43.299 will give 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:43.759 an account 00:30:43.759 --> 00:30:44.980 for all 00:30:44.980 --> 00:30:45.620 our thoughts, 00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:46.700 all our 00:30:46.700 --> 00:30:47.180 words, 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.200 and all 00:30:48.200 --> 00:30:48.819 our deeds. 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.740 And because 00:30:50.740 --> 00:30:51.740 of his 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.880 own grace, 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.620 Jesus will 00:30:54.620 --> 00:30:55.480 cover 00:30:55.480 --> 00:30:57.380 and forgive 00:30:57.380 --> 00:30:58.960 all 00:30:58.960 --> 00:30:59.720 our 00:30:59.720 --> 00:31:00.599 sins. 00:31:01.240 --> 00:31:02.220 And because 00:31:02.220 --> 00:31:02.500 of his 00:31:02.500 --> 00:31:02.759 grace, 00:31:02.839 --> 00:31:03.140 he will 00:31:03.140 --> 00:31:03.539 say to 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.160 people like 00:31:04.160 --> 00:31:05.420 you and 00:31:05.420 --> 00:31:06.220 people like 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:06.779 me, 00:31:07.859 --> 00:31:09.140 well done, 00:31:09.740 --> 00:31:10.839 good and 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.599 faithful servant. 00:31:12.519 --> 00:31:13.339 And he 00:31:13.339 --> 00:31:13.859 will get the 00:31:13.859 --> 00:31:15.019 glory for 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.599 his grace 00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:17.120 to us and 00:31:17.120 --> 00:31:17.700 in us. 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.079 Brothers and 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.299 sisters, 00:31:19.440 --> 00:31:20.240 we grow 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:20.680 when our 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.460 eyes are 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.819 fixed on 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.400 that grace. 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:24.240 Let me 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.200 pray before 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:25.599 we sing. 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:25.599 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:25.599 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:25.599 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:25.599 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:25.599 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:25.599 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:44.940 Father, 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.380 thank you 00:31:45.380 --> 00:31:45.819 for your 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.559 grace to 00:31:46.559 --> 00:31:47.059 us in 00:31:47.059 --> 00:31:47.680 Christ Jesus 00:31:47.680 --> 00:31:48.099 that through 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.579 his death 00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:49.099 and resurrection 00:31:49.099 --> 00:31:49.640 we are 00:31:49.640 --> 00:31:50.440 sanctified, 00:31:50.599 --> 00:31:50.839 we are 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.819 yours forever. 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.599 Thank you, 00:31:53.680 --> 00:31:53.740 Lord, 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.180 that we can 00:31:54.180 --> 00:31:54.559 be certain 00:31:54.559 --> 00:31:54.880 that you 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.539 will hold 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.200 us fast, 00:31:56.339 --> 00:31:56.779 keep us 00:31:56.779 --> 00:31:57.519 standing firm 00:31:57.519 --> 00:31:57.980 in Christ 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.599 until the 00:31:58.599 --> 00:31:59.200 day he is 00:31:59.200 --> 00:31:59.620 revealed, 00:31:59.720 --> 00:32:00.079 until he 00:32:00.079 --> 00:32:00.639 comes again. 00:32:01.639 --> 00:32:01.899 Father, 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:02.579 we pray that 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:03.359 each one of 00:32:03.359 --> 00:32:03.559 us, 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.159 day after 00:32:04.159 --> 00:32:04.359 day, 00:32:04.439 --> 00:32:04.960 would rivet 00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:05.699 our attention 00:32:05.699 --> 00:32:06.199 on the 00:32:06.199 --> 00:32:06.759 grace that 00:32:06.759 --> 00:32:07.079 you have 00:32:07.079 --> 00:32:07.859 poured out 00:32:07.859 --> 00:32:08.220 on us 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.740 through Jesus, 00:32:09.679 --> 00:32:10.039 that your 00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.559 grace would 00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:11.379 humble us 00:32:11.379 --> 00:32:11.839 out of our 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.460 pride as we 00:32:12.460 --> 00:32:13.159 remember how 00:32:13.159 --> 00:32:14.059 good you've 00:32:14.059 --> 00:32:14.559 been to us 00:32:14.559 --> 00:32:14.980 in spite of 00:32:14.980 --> 00:32:15.559 our sins, 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:16.759 and that your 00:32:16.759 --> 00:32:17.279 grace would 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:18.059 guard us 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:18.720 from despair 00:32:18.720 --> 00:32:19.220 so that even 00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:19.859 as we see 00:32:19.859 --> 00:32:20.500 sin remaining 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:20.919 in us, 00:32:21.000 --> 00:32:21.319 we are 00:32:21.319 --> 00:32:22.899 secure in 00:32:22.899 --> 00:32:23.519 your love. 00:32:24.839 --> 00:32:25.179 Would we 00:32:25.179 --> 00:32:25.740 pray that 00:32:25.740 --> 00:32:26.500 we would 00:32:26.500 --> 00:32:27.439 reflect your 00:32:27.439 --> 00:32:28.399 own grace 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:28.879 to one 00:32:28.879 --> 00:32:29.960 another in 00:32:29.960 --> 00:32:30.180 the way 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.579 that we 00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.440 celebrate 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:31.880 your grace 00:32:31.880 --> 00:32:32.160 in each 00:32:32.160 --> 00:32:32.420 other's 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:32.779 lives. 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:33.120 Lord, 00:32:33.160 --> 00:32:33.420 give us 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:34.000 joy now 00:32:34.000 --> 00:32:34.279 as we 00:32:34.279 --> 00:32:34.680 sing of 00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:34.799 your 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.259 kindness. 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.120 In Jesus' 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:36.500 name, 00:32:36.500 --> 00:32:37.120 amen.