WEBVTT

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 The personal work of Jesus Christ alone.

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 And in chapter 6, he spends his time talking about how we are set free from the power of sin.

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 We'll begin reading in verse 15.

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 Beloved, let me remind you that this is God's word to us, written for his glory and our good.

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 And so we would do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 Paul writes,

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 What then? Are we to sin because we are not under law, but under grace? By no means.

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 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey,

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 either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

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 But thanks be to God that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,

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 and having been set free from sin have become slaves of righteousness.

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 I am speaking in human terms because of your natural limitations.

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 For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness,

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 so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.

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 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

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 But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed?

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 For the end of those things is death.

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 But now that you have been set free from sin and become slaves of God,

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 the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

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 For the wages of sin is death.

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 The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

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 Now there is a lot to unpack in this language of Paul's.

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 Some of these sentences are a bit complex,

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 and so sometimes when preparing sermons through texts like this,

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 it seems helpful to try to draw just a clean, straight line through it.

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 If we had more time, I would spend each phrase unpacking each thing,

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 but we're going to have to kind of get a little bit faster than that

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 and a little cursory if we're going to make it through the text today.

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 And so I have a four-point outline for our study,

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 which just for the fun of it, I've alliterated a bunch.

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 So here we go.

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 One of my favorite forms of music is rap music.

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 It's a little-known fact about me,

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 and I don't think I could ever pick up that skill,

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 but this is my little way that I scratch that itch.

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 Alliteration.

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 So here we go.

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 Number one, a question asked and answered.

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 Number two, a principle presented.

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 Number three, a principle practiced.

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 And number four, a glorious future guaranteed.

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 And I actually want to get us to point four fairly quickly this morning.

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 Number one, a question asked and answered.

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 Note there verse 15.

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 At the beginning of our text, Paul asks another anticipatory question.

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 He's been doing that all along.

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 He's anticipating the objections,

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 likely because he had already heard them many times.

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 So as he sits down to write this letter to these Roman Christians,

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 he's anticipating the kinds of objections that will arise.

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 And so he's answering them as he goes throughout the letter.

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 You do well when you read the book of Romans to read it in some swaths

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 because you'll often arrive at those objections

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 that you may be forming in your own thinking as you read it.

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 And there he says,

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 What then are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?

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 Grace, which is the case that he's been making in the previous verses.

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 And this question is really a restatement of the question he asked at the beginning of chapter 6.

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 Notice verse 1 where he says,

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 What shall we say then?

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 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

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 The doctrine of justification by grace alone through faith alone

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 and the person and work of Jesus Christ alone

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 is often met with this objection.

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 If we are saved by grace,

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 if it becomes the ruling principle in our life,

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 then what this bearing does,

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 how does it have God's law act on our lives?

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 On the one hand, you will have the legalist arguing

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 that if you release people from the rule of God's law,

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 then they will forsake it and live however they want,

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 and this will never bring them into God's favor.

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 On the other hand, you have the antinomian,

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 which means without the law,

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 argue that the rule of grace does, in fact,

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 give them license to live however they want

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 because they are in God's favor.

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 And chapter 6 is dedicated to getting this relationship

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 between law and grace right.

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 So, Paul asks a similar question

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 with a slightly different perspective.

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 Are we to sin because we are not under law,

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 the reign of law,

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 but under grace,

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 the reign of grace?

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 Because those who are in Christ Jesus

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 have been set free from sin.

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 Notice verse 14.

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 Sin will have no dominion over you

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 since you are not under law,

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 but under grace.

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 And so Paul asks,

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 so then can we just go on sinning?

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 Can our lives not be transformed

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 if we are in Christ?

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 And his answer is, once again,

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 an emphatic no.

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 This Greek phrase is a strong no.

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 By no means is the way it's translated here in the ESV.

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 By no means.

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 We ought not go on sinning

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 because we have been set free from it.

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 And he seeks,

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 as he furthers his teaching in the text,

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 to help us understand this

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 by presenting to us a principle.

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 Note it here in verse 16.

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 So this is the second point.

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 A principle presented.

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 There he says,

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 do you not know

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 that if you present yourselves

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 to anyone as obedient slaves,

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 you are slaves of the one whom you obey,

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 either of sin,

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 which leads to death,

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 or of obedience,

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 which leads to righteousness?

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 Paul employs here a principle

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 in the form of a question.

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 And the question begins with,

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 do you not know?

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 Suggesting that what Paul is saying

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 is known.

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 The principle here is axiomatic,

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 or it's widely understood.

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 He's saying,

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 you know this is the way the world works.

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 If a person, he says,

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 willingly offers themselves as a slave,

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 then they are bound to their master.

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 Perhaps we could think in terms of

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 being employed someplace.

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 If we go to work,

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 and we say to somebody,

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 you are my boss,

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 then you do what you're told to do,

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 until you change the nature

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 of that relationship.

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 Notice how Paul seems

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 to personify sin,

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 and to personify obedience,

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 as if they are slave masters.

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 Sin is a master that promises

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 the payment of death,

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 but obedience is a master

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 that leads to righteousness,

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 and promises the payment

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 of life everlasting.

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 So Paul is saying,

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 if you have been united to Christ,

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 then God is your master.

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 So you should not have the attitude

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 of the antinomian,

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 thinking that you can go on sinning

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 because you are not under law,

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 but under grace.

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 You have been bought

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 with a price.

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 You belong to God,

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 and therefore,

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 he is your master.

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 It makes no sense

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 that you would go on living

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 how you want to.

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 It only makes sense

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 that you would press on

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 living how he would have you live.

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 Beloved, we were not created

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 to be without authority

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 in our lives.

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 We are people

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 meant to be reigned over.

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 Before the fall,

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 we were to be reigned over by God.

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 This was the state

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 of Adam and Eve

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 in the garden,

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 and what was the very temptation

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 presented to them

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 before they ate of that fruit?

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 That they would be like God.

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 Now we are image bearers of God,

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 which means we are also rulers ourselves.

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 We are given authority

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 over other things.

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 But we are not meant

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 to have ultimate authority

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 over ourselves.

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 We are meant to be brought back

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 into relationship with God

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 by the gospel of Jesus Christ

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 and submit ourselves

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 once again to him.

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 We are, at our very core,

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 all slaves to something.

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 You will serve something.

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 And so you will either be

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 a slave of sin

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 or a slave of obedience.

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 That's the principle

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 that Paul is presenting to us here.

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 So, which one will you

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 submit yourself to?

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 Jesus presents the very same principle

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 in Matthew chapter 6

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 and verse 24.

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 There he says,

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 No one can serve two masters,

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 for either he will hate the one

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 and love the other,

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 or he will be devoted to the one

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 and despise the other.

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 And if you're familiar with that,

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 verse 24 goes on to say,

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 You cannot serve God and money.

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 This could be principle applied

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 anywhere in our lives.

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 Devoted to one,

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 despise the other.

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 Hate one,

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 love the other.

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 We're all slaves to something.

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 So what controls you?

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 So there's a principle presented here,

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 and it's a principle,

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 Paul tells us,

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 is an accommodation

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 to our limited understanding.

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 Notice verse 19,

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 he says,

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 I'm speaking in human terms

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 because of your natural limitations.

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 It's as if he's saying

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 the allegory falls apart

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 at some point,

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 but it's meant to help you

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 understand a bit

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 of the nature of this relationship

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 in which you once walk.

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 This is a simple principle

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 that is worth wrestling with.

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 I know that some of you feel

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 like it is difficult

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 to understand.

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 Your experience complicates

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 the simplicity of it.

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 You desire to do good,

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 yet you find yourself doing things

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 that you do not want to do.

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 And Paul feels this alongside us,

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 and we're going to look at it

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 at length

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 in his coming writing

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 in chapter 7.

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 I must admit,

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 I often do a lot of helpful planning

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 in our Lord's Day,

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 and I get songs sent to me

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 that are planned to be sung,

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 and I didn't even look

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 at the song that we sang

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 just before coming up here,

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 but John Newton is with you

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 if you wrestle with this idea

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 of no longer being a slave to sin

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 and rather being a slave to God,

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 submitting yourself to him.

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 Why is it still so difficult?

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 Having been set free,

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 being under grace

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 and not under law,

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 why is our life still hard?

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 But that does not change this truth.

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 Experience does not define

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 the truth for us.

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 Scripture defines the truth for us.

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 And the work, then,

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 the labor is to bring ourselves

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 into conformity with it.

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 So Paul, we're going to see

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 in chapter 7,

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 helps us to see

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 and helps us to understand

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 what is happening

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 as we battle against our flesh.

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 But before he does,

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 he works out this principle

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 a bit for us

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 in today's text.

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 So you see beginning in verse 17,

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 this principle practice.

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 This is point number 3.

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 Let's note this morning

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 how this principle is practiced

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 in two ways.

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 First, let's notice

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 how it's practiced

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 as we were.

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 Now, when I say it that way,

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 as we were,

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 I'm speaking of the Christian.

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 If you have not repented

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 of your sin

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 and turned by grace

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 through faith

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 to Jesus Christ,

00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.139
 then this is the present state

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:05.220
 of your soul.

00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.259
 For those who have repented

00:13:07.259 --> 00:13:07.840
 of our sin

00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:09.060
 and turned by grace

00:13:09.060 --> 00:13:09.639
 through faith

00:13:09.639 --> 00:13:10.580
 to Jesus Christ,

00:13:11.100 --> 00:13:13.360
 then this is who we once were.

00:13:13.460 --> 00:13:14.019
 And that is the way

00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:15.279
 Paul is addressing us

00:13:15.279 --> 00:13:16.980
 in his letter.

00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:19.060
 Verse 17, he says,

00:13:19.059 --> 00:13:22.479
 But thanks be to God.

00:13:23.219 --> 00:13:23.819
 Why?

00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:25.119
 Because we are justified

00:13:25.119 --> 00:13:26.239
 by grace alone,

00:13:26.479 --> 00:13:27.579
 through faith alone,

00:13:27.759 --> 00:13:30.179
 in Christ alone.

00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:32.559
 If we have been changed

00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:34.639
 from one nature to another,

00:13:35.339 --> 00:13:36.139
 we're not the ones

00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.919
 who did the changing.

00:13:37.119 --> 00:13:39.179
 God changed us.

00:13:39.739 --> 00:13:42.119
 We were once slaves of sin

00:13:42.119 --> 00:13:43.419
 and have now become

00:13:43.419 --> 00:13:45.039
 slaves of obedience.

00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:47.139
 It was a work that God did

00:13:47.139 --> 00:13:48.919
 in our hearts.

00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:51.579
 So notice who we were,

00:13:51.899 --> 00:13:52.039
 right?

00:13:52.099 --> 00:13:52.839
 Verse 17,

00:13:53.319 --> 00:13:54.919
 slaves of sin.

00:13:55.479 --> 00:13:56.519
 Verse 19,

00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:57.899
 we once presented

00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:58.639
 our members

00:13:58.639 --> 00:14:00.339
 as slaves to impurity

00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:01.519
 and to lawlessness,

00:14:01.719 --> 00:14:03.879
 leading to more lawlessness.

00:14:04.659 --> 00:14:05.539
 Verse 20,

00:14:05.839 --> 00:14:07.539
 we were slaves of sin.

00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:08.719
 We were free

00:14:08.719 --> 00:14:10.079
 in regard to righteousness,

00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:11.519
 but we were slaves of sin.

00:14:12.299 --> 00:14:13.519
 And notice verse 21,

00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:15.259
 the end of those things

00:14:15.259 --> 00:14:16.879
 is death.

00:14:16.879 --> 00:14:18.379
 So rebels,

00:14:18.659 --> 00:14:19.679
 cut off from God,

00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:20.340
 right?

00:14:20.340 --> 00:14:21.700
 Presenting ourselves

00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.159
 for things that are

00:14:23.159 --> 00:14:25.580
 unpleasing to God.

00:14:26.340 --> 00:14:27.360
 Before Christ,

00:14:27.799 --> 00:14:29.960
 we were slaves of sin.

00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.500
 Our old self

00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:32.840
 was obedient to sin,

00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:35.379
 and we loved it.

00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.740
 Notice that we presented

00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.340
 our members as slaves

00:14:39.899 --> 00:14:40.679
 to impurity

00:14:40.679 --> 00:14:41.779
 and to lawlessness,

00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:44.460
 leading to more lawlessness.

00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.680
 That is,

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.160
 we willingly gave ourselves

00:14:47.160 --> 00:14:48.820
 to this activity.

00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.560
 The phrase impurity

00:14:51.560 --> 00:14:53.160
 and lawlessness

00:14:53.160 --> 00:14:55.460
 refers both to an inward

00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:57.940
 and an outward sinfulness.

00:14:58.800 --> 00:15:00.360
 Every ounce of our being,

00:15:00.620 --> 00:15:01.460
 Paul doesn't leave

00:15:01.460 --> 00:15:03.420
 any of it unattended to.

00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.100
 Every bit of us,

00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.139
 our being

00:15:06.139 --> 00:15:07.900
 and our doing,

00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:08.980
 was given

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:10.400
 to sin.

00:15:10.399 --> 00:15:12.179
 Paul tells us

00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.120
 this lawlessness

00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.500
 leads to more

00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:17.139
 lawlessness.

00:15:17.720 --> 00:15:19.939
 It just compounds itself.

00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:21.659
 John MacArthur,

00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:22.620
 in his commentary

00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.759
 on this phrase,

00:15:24.199 --> 00:15:24.439
 wrote,

00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.379
 like a cancer

00:15:25.379 --> 00:15:26.679
 that reproduces itself

00:15:26.679 --> 00:15:27.919
 until the whole body

00:15:27.919 --> 00:15:28.720
 is destroyed.

00:15:29.579 --> 00:15:30.959
 Sin reproduces itself

00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:32.159
 until the whole person

00:15:32.159 --> 00:15:34.399
 is destroyed.

00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:35.539
 Now,

00:15:36.340 --> 00:15:37.740
 your experience

00:15:37.740 --> 00:15:39.960
 may not feel this way.

00:15:40.100 --> 00:15:40.740
 You perhaps

00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.940
 were converted early

00:15:41.940 --> 00:15:43.700
 in your life.

00:15:43.779 --> 00:15:45.279
 I believe that I was.

00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.259
 But it's

00:15:46.259 --> 00:15:47.480
 but for the grace of God

00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.200
 that I didn't become

00:15:48.200 --> 00:15:49.240
 worse and worse

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:50.399
 and worse and worse

00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.159
 in my sin.

00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.799
 Some of you have felt

00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.460
 the weight

00:15:54.460 --> 00:15:55.379
 and the depth

00:15:55.379 --> 00:15:56.740
 of your sinfulness.

00:15:57.779 --> 00:15:59.139
 Thanks be to God,

00:15:59.240 --> 00:15:59.399
 right,

00:15:59.419 --> 00:15:59.980
 that we are now

00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:01.080
 set free

00:16:01.080 --> 00:16:02.940
 from that power.

00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.259
 Oscar Wilde,

00:16:05.299 --> 00:16:06.720
 the 19th century writer

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.899
 and deviant.

00:16:08.080 --> 00:16:08.899
 You can look up

00:16:08.899 --> 00:16:10.000
 why he was a deviant.

00:16:10.720 --> 00:16:11.620
 When his rebellious

00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.620
 lifestyle was made,

00:16:12.720 --> 00:16:13.759
 Public wrote this,

00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.200
 I forgot

00:16:15.200 --> 00:16:16.200
 that when a man

00:16:16.200 --> 00:16:16.980
 is in secret,

00:16:17.120 --> 00:16:17.879
 he will someday

00:16:17.879 --> 00:16:19.040
 shout aloud

00:16:19.040 --> 00:16:20.480
 from the housetop.

00:16:21.259 --> 00:16:22.639
 Become proud

00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:25.080
 of our rebellion.

00:16:26.420 --> 00:16:27.320
 And let's be careful

00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:28.639
 not to forget

00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:30.120
 who we once

00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:31.220
 were.

00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.000
 I think it's problematic

00:16:33.000 --> 00:16:33.980
 if we read

00:16:33.980 --> 00:16:34.580
 verse 17

00:16:34.580 --> 00:16:36.220
 and don't find

00:16:36.220 --> 00:16:37.180
 some pause

00:16:37.180 --> 00:16:37.860
 in our souls

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:38.520
 at the phrase

00:16:38.520 --> 00:16:39.860
 but thanks be

00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:41.100
 to God.

00:16:42.740 --> 00:16:43.600
 Let's go back

00:16:43.600 --> 00:16:44.600
 to Romans chapter 1

00:16:44.600 --> 00:16:45.720
 verse 28

00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.480
 and following.

00:16:48.660 --> 00:16:49.800
 Paul includes

00:16:49.800 --> 00:16:50.400
 us

00:16:50.400 --> 00:16:51.420
 in this text.

00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.840
 He is not

00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.680
 excluding us

00:16:53.680 --> 00:16:54.120
 from it.

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.080
 And since they

00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:56.639
 did not

00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:57.340
 see fit

00:16:57.340 --> 00:16:58.440
 to acknowledge God,

00:16:59.220 --> 00:17:00.000
 God gave them up

00:17:00.000 --> 00:17:00.900
 to a debased mind

00:17:00.900 --> 00:17:01.280
 to do

00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:02.000
 what ought not

00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.780
 be done.

00:17:02.779 --> 00:17:04.480
 They were filled

00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.279
 with all manner

00:17:05.279 --> 00:17:06.139
 of unrighteousness,

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:06.579
 evil,

00:17:06.879 --> 00:17:07.579
 covetousness,

00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:08.339
 malice.

00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:09.779
 They are full

00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.299
 of envy,

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:10.759
 murder,

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:11.339
 strife,

00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:11.799
 deceit,

00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.579
 maliciousness.

00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.920
 They are gossips,

00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.980
 slanderers,

00:17:15.379 --> 00:17:16.139
 haters of God,

00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:16.779
 insolent,

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.299
 haughty,

00:17:17.460 --> 00:17:17.839
 boastful,

00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:18.960
 inventors of evil,

00:17:19.220 --> 00:17:20.559
 disobedient to parents,

00:17:21.279 --> 00:17:21.660
 foolish,

00:17:22.180 --> 00:17:22.660
 faithless,

00:17:23.039 --> 00:17:23.559
 heartless,

00:17:24.119 --> 00:17:24.420
 ruthless.

00:17:25.599 --> 00:17:26.119
 Though they know

00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.279
 God's righteous decree

00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:28.420
 that those who practice

00:17:28.420 --> 00:17:28.940
 such things

00:17:28.940 --> 00:17:30.079
 deserve to die,

00:17:30.660 --> 00:17:31.740
 they not only do them

00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:33.079
 but give approval

00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:33.900
 to those

00:17:33.900 --> 00:17:35.519
 who practice them.

00:17:36.420 --> 00:17:37.579
 If we're in Christ,

00:17:37.700 --> 00:17:39.240
 that's who we once were,

00:17:39.400 --> 00:17:40.839
 presenting ourselves,

00:17:41.240 --> 00:17:42.799
 presenting our members

00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:44.000
 as slaves

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:44.799
 to impurity

00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.740
 and to lawlessness,

00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.000
 leading to more

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.579
 lawlessness.

00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:50.620
 But,

00:17:51.099 --> 00:17:52.960
 thanks be

00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.120
 to God.

00:17:55.259 --> 00:17:56.160
 By God's grace

00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:57.579
 and only by grace

00:17:57.579 --> 00:17:59.039
 through faith

00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:00.200
 are we no longer

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:01.379
 slaves to sin.

00:18:02.279 --> 00:18:02.779
 Praise God

00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:04.000
 that in Christ Jesus

00:18:04.000 --> 00:18:05.500
 we have been set free

00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:07.500
 from its tyranny.

00:18:08.539 --> 00:18:09.799
 So that's how you see

00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.559
 in this text

00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.559
 that principle

00:18:11.559 --> 00:18:12.799
 practiced

00:18:12.799 --> 00:18:13.740
 as we

00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:14.879
 were,

00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.680
 but you also see it

00:18:16.680 --> 00:18:17.559
 and more importantly

00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.319
 you see it

00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.799
 as we now

00:18:19.799 --> 00:18:21.139
 are.

00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.539
 So again,

00:18:22.599 --> 00:18:22.940
 look through

00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.700
 these verses

00:18:23.700 --> 00:18:24.279
 with me,

00:18:24.339 --> 00:18:25.619
 verses 17 through 22.

00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:27.279
 Again,

00:18:27.399 --> 00:18:28.239
 thanks be to God

00:18:28.239 --> 00:18:29.000
 that you who

00:18:29.000 --> 00:18:30.359
 were once

00:18:30.359 --> 00:18:31.000
 slaves

00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.879
 of sin,

00:18:32.159 --> 00:18:33.399
 no longer

00:18:33.399 --> 00:18:34.079
 slaves of sin

00:18:34.079 --> 00:18:34.879
 but we were

00:18:34.879 --> 00:18:35.899
 once slaves

00:18:35.899 --> 00:18:36.399
 of sin,

00:18:36.859 --> 00:18:37.799
 have become

00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.819
 obedient from

00:18:38.819 --> 00:18:39.559
 the heart

00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.679
 to the standard

00:18:40.679 --> 00:18:41.259
 of teaching

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.319
 to which you

00:18:42.319 --> 00:18:42.859
 were committed.

00:18:43.399 --> 00:18:44.619
 We have been

00:18:44.619 --> 00:18:45.439
 changed in our

00:18:45.439 --> 00:18:46.459
 very nature.

00:18:46.659 --> 00:18:47.000
 This language

00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:47.639
 from the heart

00:18:47.639 --> 00:18:48.319
 means at the very

00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:49.199
 core of

00:18:49.199 --> 00:18:50.959
 who we are,

00:18:50.959 --> 00:18:51.579
 we have been

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:52.559
 changed.

00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:54.059
 And out of us

00:18:54.059 --> 00:18:55.339
 therefore comes

00:18:55.339 --> 00:18:56.940
 good and proper

00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:58.259
 things.

00:18:58.919 --> 00:18:59.519
 And,

00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.519
 verse 18 says,

00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.700
 we've been set free

00:19:01.700 --> 00:19:02.259
 from sin

00:19:02.259 --> 00:19:03.000
 and rather have

00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:04.399
 become slaves

00:19:04.399 --> 00:19:05.740
 of righteousness,

00:19:06.159 --> 00:19:07.419
 committing ourselves

00:19:07.419 --> 00:19:08.579
 to it.

00:19:09.119 --> 00:19:09.440
 And so the

00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.460
 encouragement becomes

00:19:10.460 --> 00:19:11.619
 in verse 19

00:19:11.619 --> 00:19:12.460
 that we are to

00:19:12.460 --> 00:19:13.919
 present our members

00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:14.639
 as slaves

00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:15.279
 to righteousness

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.639
 which leads

00:19:16.639 --> 00:19:18.200
 to sanctification,

00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.740
 the setting apart,

00:19:19.940 --> 00:19:21.319
 the ever-growing

00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:22.659
 holiness that exists

00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.319
 in those

00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:24.079
 who belong

00:19:24.079 --> 00:19:25.220
 to Christ.

00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.839
 When we are

00:19:26.839 --> 00:19:27.259
 converted,

00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:28.099
 we are changed

00:19:28.099 --> 00:19:28.639
 in nature,

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.500
 we are set free

00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.960
 from sin,

00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.919
 we become slaves

00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:31.539
 of righteousness,

00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.599
 but we do not

00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.559
 become perfect.

00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.700
 I wish that we did.

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.159
 I think that God

00:19:37.159 --> 00:19:38.159
 in His sovereignty

00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:40.179
 means to work out

00:19:40.179 --> 00:19:41.059
 in us

00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:43.079
 our great need

00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:43.919
 for Him.

00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:45.819
 He means to help

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.819
 us recognize

00:19:46.819 --> 00:19:47.659
 the sinfulness

00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:49.220
 of our sin.

00:19:49.819 --> 00:19:50.639
 One day we'll be

00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.520
 delivered from it

00:19:51.520 --> 00:19:52.120
 and we'll praise

00:19:52.120 --> 00:19:53.200
 Him for eternity

00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:53.880
 because we'll

00:19:53.880 --> 00:19:55.040
 understand some

00:19:55.040 --> 00:19:56.860
 measure of its

00:19:56.860 --> 00:19:57.280
 depth.

00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.640
 I think that He

00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.280
 means for us

00:19:59.280 --> 00:20:00.280
 to relate to

00:20:00.280 --> 00:20:00.740
 others,

00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:02.280
 not to present

00:20:02.280 --> 00:20:02.980
 ourselves as

00:20:02.980 --> 00:20:04.020
 perfect because

00:20:04.020 --> 00:20:04.720
 we're not,

00:20:04.780 --> 00:20:05.220
 but to say,

00:20:05.400 --> 00:20:05.780
 yes,

00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.980
 yes,

00:20:07.300 --> 00:20:08.020
 this is who I

00:20:08.020 --> 00:20:08.640
 once was,

00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.400
 and now being

00:20:09.400 --> 00:20:10.040
 set free from

00:20:10.040 --> 00:20:10.259
 sin,

00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:11.640
 I still go back

00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.860
 to that sin

00:20:12.860 --> 00:20:14.040
 and I need

00:20:14.040 --> 00:20:15.220
 Christ as much

00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.480
 as you do.

00:20:18.020 --> 00:20:18.580
 We are to

00:20:18.580 --> 00:20:19.560
 present ourselves,

00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.039
 we are to

00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:21.200
 submit ourselves

00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.399
 to God

00:20:22.399 --> 00:20:23.879
 as a slave,

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.119
 Him giving to

00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.099
 us good

00:20:26.099 --> 00:20:26.899
 and proper

00:20:26.899 --> 00:20:28.440
 direction.

00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:30.799
 Verse 21,

00:20:32.059 --> 00:20:33.379
 notice one of

00:20:33.379 --> 00:20:34.299
 the marks of a

00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.599
 converted person

00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.779
 is that the

00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.720
 things we once

00:20:37.720 --> 00:20:38.159
 did,

00:20:38.419 --> 00:20:39.359
 we are now

00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:40.759
 ashamed of.

00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.960
 We don't

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.799
 desire to do

00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.299
 those things,

00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:44.240
 although we do

00:20:44.240 --> 00:20:45.159
 still do them,

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.319
 but we are

00:20:46.319 --> 00:20:47.599
 ashamed of those

00:20:47.599 --> 00:20:48.159
 things that we

00:20:48.160 --> 00:20:48.940
 once did,

00:20:49.120 --> 00:20:50.080
 willingly presenting

00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:51.440
 ourselves to

00:20:51.440 --> 00:20:53.400
 sin in this

00:20:53.400 --> 00:20:53.720
 way.

00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.100
 But now,

00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.060
 verse 22 says,

00:20:56.440 --> 00:20:57.240
 we've been set

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.019
 free from it

00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.640
 and we have

00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.720
 become slaves

00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.800
 of God.

00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:02.700
 The fruit you

00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:04.160
 get leads to

00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.940
 sanctification

00:21:04.940 --> 00:21:06.880
 and its end,

00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.360
 eternal life.

00:21:08.840 --> 00:21:09.720
 Having changed

00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.100
 hearts,

00:21:10.240 --> 00:21:10.980
 God brings

00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.840
 forth from

00:21:11.840 --> 00:21:12.759
 who we are

00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:15.040
 good fruit.

00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:16.079
 and this

00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.680
 evidences the

00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.220
 faith that He

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.700
 is working

00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.059
 in us.

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:21.119
 It's important

00:21:21.119 --> 00:21:21.619
 that we get

00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.359
 this balance

00:21:22.359 --> 00:21:22.879
 right.

00:21:23.879 --> 00:21:25.019
 Law and

00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.420
 grace.

00:21:25.779 --> 00:21:26.319
 We're saved

00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:26.740
 by grace

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:26.960
 alone,

00:21:27.019 --> 00:21:27.379
 through faith

00:21:27.379 --> 00:21:27.700
 alone,

00:21:28.059 --> 00:21:28.559
 in Christ

00:21:28.559 --> 00:21:28.859
 alone.

00:21:28.960 --> 00:21:29.220
 And that

00:21:29.220 --> 00:21:29.839
 is a faith

00:21:29.839 --> 00:21:30.740
 that works

00:21:30.740 --> 00:21:31.819
 out in

00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.220
 our lives.

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.019
 And it

00:21:34.019 --> 00:21:34.799
 happens and

00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.779
 ebbs and

00:21:35.779 --> 00:21:36.180
 it happens

00:21:36.180 --> 00:21:36.700
 and flows.

00:21:37.379 --> 00:21:37.879
 That's why

00:21:37.879 --> 00:21:38.819
 if you're here

00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.180
 this morning

00:21:39.180 --> 00:21:39.539
 and you're not

00:21:39.539 --> 00:21:39.980
 a member of

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.279
 a local

00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:40.519
 church,

00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:40.940
 you need to

00:21:40.940 --> 00:21:41.279
 be a member

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.639
 of a local

00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.159
 church because

00:21:42.159 --> 00:21:42.659
 this is one

00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:42.920
 of the

00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.639
 authorities that

00:21:43.639 --> 00:21:43.940
 God has

00:21:43.940 --> 00:21:44.759
 given to you

00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:45.660
 to help

00:21:45.660 --> 00:21:47.059
 you discern

00:21:47.059 --> 00:21:47.599
 whether or

00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:47.900
 not you

00:21:47.900 --> 00:21:48.579
 are in

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:49.740
 fact in

00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:50.180
 the faith.

00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:50.879
 To help

00:21:50.879 --> 00:21:51.960
 you examine

00:21:51.960 --> 00:21:52.799
 your life.

00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:53.900
 When you

00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.299
 join a

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:54.640
 church,

00:21:54.779 --> 00:21:55.099
 the church

00:21:55.099 --> 00:21:55.500
 is saying

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:56.019
 to you,

00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:56.940
 with the

00:21:56.940 --> 00:21:57.559
 kind of

00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.099
 judgment

00:21:58.099 --> 00:21:58.500
 we can

00:21:58.500 --> 00:21:58.980
 pass as

00:21:58.980 --> 00:21:59.299
 people,

00:21:59.660 --> 00:22:00.319
 we believe

00:22:00.319 --> 00:22:00.740
 that you're

00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.920
 in Christ.

00:22:02.339 --> 00:22:03.019
 We see

00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:03.700
 faithfulness

00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:04.160
 coming out

00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.359
 of you.

00:22:04.440 --> 00:22:04.700
 We are

00:22:04.700 --> 00:22:05.000
 bearing

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.839
 witness to

00:22:05.839 --> 00:22:06.819
 the good

00:22:06.819 --> 00:22:08.160
 fruit that

00:22:08.160 --> 00:22:08.700
 exists.

00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.319
 We want

00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:09.680
 you to be

00:22:09.680 --> 00:22:10.299
 called

00:22:10.299 --> 00:22:11.200
 gods.

00:22:12.799 --> 00:22:13.160
 In the

00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:13.599
 same way,

00:22:13.720 --> 00:22:14.619
 we practice

00:22:14.619 --> 00:22:15.139
 discipline.

00:22:15.739 --> 00:22:16.259
 To say

00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.559
 to people

00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:16.859
 who we

00:22:16.859 --> 00:22:17.379
 once had

00:22:17.379 --> 00:22:17.839
 a confidence

00:22:17.839 --> 00:22:18.219
 they were

00:22:18.219 --> 00:22:18.439
 in the

00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:18.659
 faith,

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.319
 we're not

00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:19.979
 as sure

00:22:19.979 --> 00:22:20.459
 as we

00:22:20.459 --> 00:22:21.299
 once were.

00:22:21.419 --> 00:22:21.659
 We no

00:22:21.659 --> 00:22:22.219
 longer think

00:22:22.219 --> 00:22:22.579
 we can

00:22:22.579 --> 00:22:23.559
 call you

00:22:23.559 --> 00:22:24.559
 brother.

00:22:25.399 --> 00:22:25.839
 For your

00:22:25.839 --> 00:22:26.379
 sake,

00:22:26.799 --> 00:22:27.139
 we're not

00:22:27.139 --> 00:22:27.379
 going to

00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:27.899
 let you

00:22:27.899 --> 00:22:28.419
 go on

00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:28.739
 thinking

00:22:28.739 --> 00:22:29.159
 that you're

00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:29.679
 in Christ

00:22:29.679 --> 00:22:30.359
 because all

00:22:30.359 --> 00:22:30.619
 of the

00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:30.939
 fruit that

00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.059
 you're

00:22:31.059 --> 00:22:31.359
 bearing

00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:32.279
 runs in

00:22:32.279 --> 00:22:32.959
 contradiction

00:22:32.959 --> 00:22:34.279
 to that

00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:34.799
 profession.

00:22:36.879 --> 00:22:37.699
 John Calvin

00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:38.019
 in his

00:22:38.019 --> 00:22:38.799
 commentary on

00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.659
 Romans wrote

00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.119
 the following

00:22:40.119 --> 00:22:40.519
 quote,

00:22:40.519 --> 00:22:41.779
 as soon

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:42.059
 as the

00:22:42.059 --> 00:22:42.400
 godly

00:22:42.400 --> 00:22:42.879
 begin to

00:22:42.879 --> 00:22:43.039
 be

00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.500
 enlightened

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:43.960
 by the

00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.339
 spirit of

00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:44.759
 Christ

00:22:44.759 --> 00:22:45.460
 and the

00:22:45.460 --> 00:22:45.779
 preaching

00:22:45.779 --> 00:22:46.200
 of the

00:22:46.200 --> 00:22:46.619
 gospel,

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.059
 they freely

00:22:48.059 --> 00:22:48.639
 acknowledge

00:22:48.639 --> 00:22:49.039
 that the

00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.639
 whole of

00:22:49.639 --> 00:22:50.119
 their past

00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:50.559
 life,

00:22:50.879 --> 00:22:51.319
 which they

00:22:51.319 --> 00:22:52.139
 lived without

00:22:52.139 --> 00:22:52.619
 Christ,

00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.279
 is worthy

00:22:53.279 --> 00:22:54.720
 of condemnation.

00:22:55.579 --> 00:22:56.339
 So far

00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:56.799
 from trying

00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:57.400
 to excuse

00:22:57.400 --> 00:22:57.539
 it,

00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:57.819
 they are

00:22:57.819 --> 00:22:58.420
 in fact

00:22:58.420 --> 00:22:59.019
 ashamed

00:22:59.019 --> 00:22:59.220
 of

00:22:59.220 --> 00:22:59.660
 themselves.

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.000
 Indeed,

00:23:01.079 --> 00:23:01.359
 they go

00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:01.980
 farther and

00:23:01.980 --> 00:23:02.500
 continually

00:23:02.500 --> 00:23:03.119
 bear their

00:23:03.119 --> 00:23:03.900
 disgrace in

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.379
 mind so

00:23:04.379 --> 00:23:04.700
 that the

00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.139
 shame of

00:23:05.139 --> 00:23:05.400
 it may

00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:05.920
 make them

00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:06.740
 more truly

00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:08.019
 and willingly

00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.779
 humble

00:23:08.779 --> 00:23:10.339
 before God.

00:23:11.480 --> 00:23:12.019
 To give you

00:23:12.019 --> 00:23:12.859
 my simple

00:23:12.859 --> 00:23:13.420
 summary of

00:23:13.420 --> 00:23:13.759
 what he's

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.120
 saying,

00:23:14.319 --> 00:23:15.180
 he's going

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.559
 to this

00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.980
 little phrase

00:23:16.980 --> 00:23:17.759
 in our

00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:18.279
 text,

00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:19.299
 verse 21,

00:23:19.720 --> 00:23:20.279
 the things

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.819
 of which

00:23:20.819 --> 00:23:21.759
 you are

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.259
 now

00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.440
 ashamed.

00:23:24.120 --> 00:23:24.400
 And he's

00:23:24.400 --> 00:23:24.720
 saying that

00:23:24.720 --> 00:23:25.559
 this becomes

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.440
 a fuel

00:23:26.440 --> 00:23:27.259
 for us

00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.120
 to not

00:23:28.120 --> 00:23:28.620
 do those

00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.120
 things any

00:23:29.120 --> 00:23:29.559
 longer,

00:23:29.839 --> 00:23:30.160
 to not

00:23:30.160 --> 00:23:30.740
 return

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.759
 to those

00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:32.640
 things,

00:23:32.859 --> 00:23:33.579
 to make

00:23:33.579 --> 00:23:34.279
 us humble,

00:23:34.539 --> 00:23:35.519
 but by

00:23:35.519 --> 00:23:36.180
 the grace

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.019
 of God.

00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.299
 Paul says

00:23:39.299 --> 00:23:39.960
 of himself,

00:23:40.680 --> 00:23:41.000
 a sure

00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:41.480
 and confident

00:23:41.480 --> 00:23:41.920
 thing,

00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:42.500
 that he is

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.259
 the chief

00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.759
 of sinners

00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.039
 and we

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:44.720
 all ought

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.320
 to feel

00:23:45.320 --> 00:23:46.299
 the same.

00:23:46.380 --> 00:23:46.660
 If it

00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.100
 weren't

00:23:47.100 --> 00:23:47.860
 for the

00:23:47.860 --> 00:23:48.060
 grace

00:23:48.060 --> 00:23:48.519
 of God,

00:23:48.660 --> 00:23:49.539
 I would

00:23:49.539 --> 00:23:50.320
 be the

00:23:50.320 --> 00:23:50.740
 worst.

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:51.820
 So back

00:23:51.820 --> 00:23:52.000
 to the

00:23:52.000 --> 00:23:52.200
 beginning

00:23:52.200 --> 00:23:52.560
 of verse

00:23:52.560 --> 00:23:52.960
 17,

00:23:53.080 --> 00:23:53.740
 but thanks

00:23:53.740 --> 00:23:55.380
 be to

00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.720
 God.

00:23:56.120 --> 00:23:56.340
 He's

00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:56.680
 given us

00:23:56.680 --> 00:23:57.660
 such reason

00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.820
 to present

00:23:58.820 --> 00:23:59.279
 ourselves

00:23:59.279 --> 00:23:59.759
 to him

00:23:59.759 --> 00:24:00.340
 and to

00:24:00.340 --> 00:24:00.759
 pursue

00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.980
 holiness.

00:24:03.160 --> 00:24:03.620
 And on

00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:03.960
 top of

00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.279
 all of

00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:04.660
 that,

00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:05.060
 right,

00:24:05.059 --> 00:24:06.720
 this changing

00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.159
 in our

00:24:07.159 --> 00:24:07.559
 nature,

00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.399
 this has

00:24:08.399 --> 00:24:09.059
 promised

00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.659
 for us

00:24:09.659 --> 00:24:10.099
 something

00:24:10.099 --> 00:24:11.500
 to come,

00:24:11.579 --> 00:24:11.799
 which is

00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:13.039
 our last

00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.500
 and final

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:14.000
 point,

00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.980
 a glorious

00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.779
 future

00:24:15.779 --> 00:24:17.500
 guaranteed.

00:24:18.799 --> 00:24:19.859
 Verse 23,

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.279
 for the

00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.819
 wages of

00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.519
 sin is

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.980
 death,

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.139
 but the

00:24:24.139 --> 00:24:24.720
 free gift

00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.240
 of God

00:24:25.240 --> 00:24:25.819
 is eternal

00:24:25.819 --> 00:24:26.779
 life in

00:24:26.779 --> 00:24:27.639
 Jesus Christ,

00:24:28.639 --> 00:24:29.200
 our Lord.

00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.759
 Before we

00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.159
 can address

00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:31.659
 the glorious

00:24:31.659 --> 00:24:32.599
 future guaranteed

00:24:32.599 --> 00:24:33.200
 in this text,

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.580
 we must

00:24:33.580 --> 00:24:34.160
 first address

00:24:34.160 --> 00:24:34.900
 the absolute

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:36.059
 truth that

00:24:36.059 --> 00:24:36.580
 those who

00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:37.380
 continue in

00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.940
 their sin,

00:24:38.380 --> 00:24:38.759
 those who

00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.420
 do not,

00:24:39.900 --> 00:24:40.400
 by grace

00:24:40.400 --> 00:24:41.000
 through faith,

00:24:41.200 --> 00:24:41.700
 turn from

00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:42.100
 their sin

00:24:42.100 --> 00:24:42.539
 and flee

00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:43.100
 to Christ,

00:24:43.620 --> 00:24:44.680
 deserve the

00:24:44.680 --> 00:24:45.080
 penalty

00:24:45.080 --> 00:24:46.640
 of death.

00:24:47.360 --> 00:24:48.160
 It is the

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.100
 wage that

00:24:49.100 --> 00:24:49.600
 they have

00:24:49.600 --> 00:24:50.380
 earned.

00:24:51.380 --> 00:24:52.039
 That is not

00:24:52.039 --> 00:24:52.480
 how I want

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:52.759
 to spend

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.080
 the last

00:24:53.080 --> 00:24:53.640
 moments of

00:24:53.640 --> 00:24:54.000
 our time

00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.380
 together.

00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:54.740
 Rather,

00:24:54.840 --> 00:24:55.160
 I want to

00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.240
 remind you

00:24:56.240 --> 00:24:57.460
 a future

00:24:57.460 --> 00:24:58.620
 reward.

00:24:58.940 --> 00:24:59.380
 Those of

00:24:59.380 --> 00:24:59.860
 us who are

00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.799
 in Christ,

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:01.180
 I want

00:25:01.180 --> 00:25:01.579
 us to

00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:01.819
 drink

00:25:01.819 --> 00:25:02.379
 deeply

00:25:02.379 --> 00:25:02.720
 at the

00:25:02.720 --> 00:25:03.099
 well of

00:25:03.099 --> 00:25:03.419
 God's

00:25:03.419 --> 00:25:03.960
 grace as

00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.659
 we remember

00:25:04.659 --> 00:25:05.579
 what he

00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.059
 has granted

00:25:06.059 --> 00:25:06.819
 to us

00:25:06.819 --> 00:25:08.099
 in Christ.

00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:09.779
 I think

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.480
 that we

00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:11.359
 understand

00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:12.200
 that a

00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:12.859
 gift is

00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.259
 free,

00:25:14.079 --> 00:25:14.500
 but lest

00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:15.079
 Paul leave

00:25:15.079 --> 00:25:15.339
 us with

00:25:15.339 --> 00:25:16.079
 any doubt

00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:16.559
 of God's

00:25:16.559 --> 00:25:16.919
 gracious

00:25:16.919 --> 00:25:17.359
 kindness

00:25:17.359 --> 00:25:17.819
 toward us,

00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:18.480
 he says

00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:19.579
 the free

00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:20.279
 gift

00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.139
 of God.

00:25:21.440 --> 00:25:21.619
 It wants

00:25:21.619 --> 00:25:22.000
 to be so

00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.960
 clear that

00:25:22.960 --> 00:25:23.359
 we are

00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.220
 saved

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.980
 by

00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:26.019
 grace,

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.319
 right?

00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:27.639
 Undeserving.

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.039
 And that

00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:29.619
 free gift

00:25:29.619 --> 00:25:30.099
 is eternal

00:25:30.099 --> 00:25:30.659
 life.

00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.680
 In Christ

00:25:31.680 --> 00:25:32.159
 Jesus,

00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.240
 our Lord.

00:25:34.359 --> 00:25:35.299
 The scope

00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:36.099
 of eternity

00:25:36.099 --> 00:25:37.740
 future is

00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:39.220
 incomprehensible

00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.139
 for our

00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.899
 feeble minds.

00:25:41.339 --> 00:25:41.720
 What will

00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.440
 that look

00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:42.779
 like?

00:25:42.899 --> 00:25:43.319
 Life

00:25:43.319 --> 00:25:43.899
 forever

00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:45.079
 more.

00:25:46.220 --> 00:25:46.940
 But the

00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.720
 glory that

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.119
 is found

00:25:48.119 --> 00:25:48.659
 in it is

00:25:48.659 --> 00:25:49.599
 not diminished

00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:50.200
 by our

00:25:50.200 --> 00:25:51.059
 weakness to

00:25:51.059 --> 00:25:51.819
 comprehend it.

00:25:52.419 --> 00:25:53.099
 It is an

00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.619
 incredible,

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:54.639
 vast thing

00:25:54.639 --> 00:25:55.119
 for us

00:25:55.119 --> 00:25:56.099
 to think

00:25:56.099 --> 00:25:56.399
 about.

00:25:57.279 --> 00:25:58.019
 This is

00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.839
 the promise

00:25:58.839 --> 00:25:59.500
 that pulls

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.079
 us through

00:26:00.079 --> 00:26:00.720
 the trouble

00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.179
 of this

00:26:02.179 --> 00:26:02.639
 life,

00:26:02.799 --> 00:26:04.039
 the pain,

00:26:04.179 --> 00:26:05.639
 the persecution,

00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.139
 the problem

00:26:07.139 --> 00:26:07.500
 of our

00:26:07.500 --> 00:26:08.019
 flesh,

00:26:08.659 --> 00:26:09.460
 the sickness

00:26:09.460 --> 00:26:10.460
 and the

00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:10.879
 sorrow,

00:26:11.619 --> 00:26:12.500
 the weariness

00:26:12.500 --> 00:26:13.720
 and the

00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.240
 wars,

00:26:14.519 --> 00:26:15.879
 the destruction

00:26:15.879 --> 00:26:17.539
 and the

00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.000
 death.

00:26:18.579 --> 00:26:19.279
 The future

00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.259
 reward is

00:26:20.259 --> 00:26:21.119
 what spurs

00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.779
 us on.

00:26:23.419 --> 00:26:24.519
 This life

00:26:24.519 --> 00:26:25.819
 is but a

00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.119
 vapor.

00:26:26.119 --> 00:26:28.059
 we can

00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:28.819
 bear up

00:26:28.819 --> 00:26:29.339
 and we

00:26:29.339 --> 00:26:30.459
 can press

00:26:30.459 --> 00:26:30.859
 on.

00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:32.079
 We can be

00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.619
 ashamed of

00:26:32.619 --> 00:26:33.000
 those things

00:26:33.000 --> 00:26:33.519
 we once

00:26:33.519 --> 00:26:34.419
 did and

00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:34.739
 present

00:26:34.739 --> 00:26:35.339
 ourselves

00:26:35.339 --> 00:26:36.239
 as slaves

00:26:36.239 --> 00:26:36.959
 of righteousness

00:26:36.959 --> 00:26:37.439
 that we

00:26:37.439 --> 00:26:38.399
 might press

00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.119
 on to

00:26:39.119 --> 00:26:40.679
 the end,

00:26:41.219 --> 00:26:41.539
 kept

00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:43.099
 by our

00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:43.519
 God.

00:26:44.919 --> 00:26:45.539
 So we

00:26:45.539 --> 00:26:45.939
 are to do

00:26:45.939 --> 00:26:46.339
 this,

00:26:46.819 --> 00:26:47.259
 present our

00:26:47.259 --> 00:26:47.779
 members as

00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:48.919
 slaves to

00:26:48.919 --> 00:26:49.359
 righteousness,

00:26:49.719 --> 00:26:51.099
 which leads

00:26:51.099 --> 00:26:53.459
 sanctification.

00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:55.619
 I want to

00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.099
 read from

00:26:56.099 --> 00:26:56.559
 you just a

00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.059
 little bit

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.319
 from,

00:26:57.719 --> 00:26:58.319
 this is

00:26:58.319 --> 00:26:58.859
 John MacArthur's

00:26:58.859 --> 00:26:59.459
 commentary,

00:26:59.719 --> 00:27:00.459
 this is a

00:27:00.459 --> 00:27:02.119
 quotation

00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.819
 inception,

00:27:03.759 --> 00:27:03.959
 because I'm

00:27:03.959 --> 00:27:04.039
 going to

00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:04.439
 read from

00:27:04.439 --> 00:27:05.059
 John MacArthur's

00:27:05.059 --> 00:27:05.439
 commentary,

00:27:05.659 --> 00:27:06.319
 him citing

00:27:06.319 --> 00:27:06.799
 Dietrich

00:27:06.799 --> 00:27:07.679
 Bonhoeffer from

00:27:07.679 --> 00:27:08.079
 his book,

00:27:08.419 --> 00:27:08.740
 The Cost of

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.359
 Discipleship,

00:27:09.619 --> 00:27:10.879
 in which he

00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:12.179
 quotes Martin

00:27:12.179 --> 00:27:12.399
 Luther.

00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:17.480
 Bonhoeffer,

00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:17.820
 I commend

00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:18.040
 the book

00:27:18.040 --> 00:27:18.259
 to you,

00:27:18.320 --> 00:27:18.660
 Bonhoeffer

00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:18.940
 wrote a

00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.360
 book called

00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:19.700
 The Cost

00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:20.440
 of Discipleship,

00:27:20.680 --> 00:27:20.900
 and it was

00:27:20.900 --> 00:27:21.400
 just easier to

00:27:21.400 --> 00:27:21.700
 find this

00:27:21.700 --> 00:27:22.640
 quotation in

00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:23.000
 MacArthur

00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.940
 than in the

00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:24.140
 book,

00:27:24.380 --> 00:27:26.460
 but in

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.860
 there he

00:27:26.860 --> 00:27:28.140
 juxtaposes

00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.560
 cheap grace

00:27:29.560 --> 00:27:30.680
 and costly

00:27:30.680 --> 00:27:31.100
 grace,

00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.060
 and he

00:27:32.060 --> 00:27:32.580
 does this

00:27:32.580 --> 00:27:33.820
 at great

00:27:33.820 --> 00:27:34.700
 length,

00:27:35.000 --> 00:27:35.300
 and you've

00:27:35.300 --> 00:27:35.700
 heard me

00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.259
 present this

00:27:36.259 --> 00:27:36.840
 idea to

00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.680
 you before,

00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.200
 the difference

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.800
 between cheap

00:27:38.800 --> 00:27:39.220
 grace,

00:27:39.800 --> 00:27:40.660
 people who

00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.080
 think that

00:27:41.080 --> 00:27:42.160
 they are

00:27:42.160 --> 00:27:42.700
 saved,

00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.380
 therefore they

00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:43.720
 can live

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.180
 however they

00:27:44.180 --> 00:27:44.560
 want to,

00:27:44.600 --> 00:27:45.420
 the antinomian

00:27:45.420 --> 00:27:45.740
 he would

00:27:45.740 --> 00:27:46.279
 have called

00:27:46.279 --> 00:27:47.620
 cheap grace

00:27:47.620 --> 00:27:48.600
 Christians.

00:27:49.480 --> 00:27:50.040
 So he

00:27:50.040 --> 00:27:50.700
 says this,

00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.700
 Cheap grace

00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.320
 amounts to

00:27:54.320 --> 00:27:54.940
 the justification

00:27:54.940 --> 00:27:56.180
 of sin

00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:57.120
 without the

00:27:57.120 --> 00:27:57.580
 justification

00:27:57.580 --> 00:27:58.220
 of the

00:27:58.220 --> 00:27:58.740
 repentant

00:27:58.740 --> 00:27:59.220
 sinner who

00:27:59.220 --> 00:27:59.860
 departs from

00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.320
 sin and

00:28:00.320 --> 00:28:00.940
 from whom

00:28:00.940 --> 00:28:02.720
 sin departs.

00:28:03.540 --> 00:28:04.060
 Cheap grace

00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:04.519
 is not the

00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:04.920
 kind of

00:28:04.920 --> 00:28:05.540
 forgiveness of

00:28:05.540 --> 00:28:05.900
 sin which

00:28:05.900 --> 00:28:06.380
 frees us

00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.840
 from the

00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.420
 toils of

00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:07.759
 sin.

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.080
 Cheap grace

00:28:09.080 --> 00:28:09.860
 is grace

00:28:09.860 --> 00:28:10.540
 without

00:28:10.540 --> 00:28:11.240
 discipleship,

00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.000
 grace

00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:12.539
 without the

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:12.980
 cross,

00:28:13.480 --> 00:28:13.720
 grace

00:28:13.720 --> 00:28:14.200
 without

00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.160
 Jesus

00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.039
 Christ.

00:28:17.339 --> 00:28:17.940
 Costly

00:28:17.940 --> 00:28:18.339
 grace,

00:28:18.759 --> 00:28:19.240
 on the

00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:19.779
 other hand,

00:28:20.440 --> 00:28:20.940
 is the

00:28:20.940 --> 00:28:21.440
 call of

00:28:21.440 --> 00:28:21.660
 Jesus

00:28:21.660 --> 00:28:22.240
 Christ at

00:28:22.240 --> 00:28:22.599
 which the

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:22.980
 disciple

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:23.720
 leaves his

00:28:23.720 --> 00:28:24.380
 nets and

00:28:24.380 --> 00:28:25.480
 follows him.

00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:26.980
 When Martin

00:28:26.980 --> 00:28:27.539
 Luther spoke

00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:27.940
 of grace,

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.579
 he always

00:28:28.579 --> 00:28:29.539
 implied as a

00:28:29.539 --> 00:28:30.180
 corollary that

00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.799
 it cost him

00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:31.460
 his own

00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:32.119
 life,

00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:32.960
 the life

00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:33.259
 which was

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:34.200
 now subjected

00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:34.940
 to the

00:28:34.940 --> 00:28:35.500
 absolute

00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.180
 obedience

00:28:36.180 --> 00:28:37.720
 of Christ.

00:28:38.880 --> 00:28:39.359
 Happier

00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:39.900
 they who,

00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:40.619
 knowing that

00:28:40.619 --> 00:28:41.059
 grace,

00:28:41.179 --> 00:28:41.859
 can live in

00:28:41.859 --> 00:28:42.219
 the world

00:28:42.219 --> 00:28:42.899
 without being

00:28:42.899 --> 00:28:43.439
 of it,

00:28:43.819 --> 00:28:44.219
 who by

00:28:44.219 --> 00:28:44.699
 following

00:28:44.699 --> 00:28:45.059
 Jesus

00:28:45.059 --> 00:28:45.859
 Christ are

00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.939
 so assured

00:28:46.939 --> 00:28:47.479
 of their

00:28:47.479 --> 00:28:47.919
 heavenly

00:28:47.919 --> 00:28:48.500
 citizenship

00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.519
 that they

00:28:49.519 --> 00:28:50.000
 are truly

00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:50.479
 free to

00:28:50.479 --> 00:28:51.059
 live their

00:28:51.059 --> 00:28:52.479
 lives in

00:28:52.479 --> 00:28:53.119
 this world.

00:28:54.399 --> 00:28:55.099
 Costly

00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.199
 grace that

00:28:56.199 --> 00:28:57.559
 grants us

00:28:57.559 --> 00:28:58.759
 a sure,

00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.799
 a guaranteed

00:28:59.799 --> 00:29:01.919
 reward.

00:29:03.559 --> 00:29:04.239
 Revelation

00:29:04.239 --> 00:29:05.259
 chapter 21

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:06.479
 verse 1

00:29:06.480 --> 00:29:07.039
 through 4,

00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.579
 John gives

00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.380
 us a

00:29:09.380 --> 00:29:10.519
 glimpse of

00:29:10.519 --> 00:29:10.880
 what will

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.400
 come.

00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:12.860
 There he

00:29:12.860 --> 00:29:13.140
 says,

00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:13.400
 Then I

00:29:13.400 --> 00:29:14.099
 saw a

00:29:14.099 --> 00:29:14.839
 new heaven

00:29:14.839 --> 00:29:15.640
 and a

00:29:15.640 --> 00:29:16.200
 new earth,

00:29:16.599 --> 00:29:17.079
 for the

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.579
 first heaven

00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:17.799
 and the

00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.319
 first earth

00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.900
 had passed

00:29:18.900 --> 00:29:19.500
 away and

00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.079
 the sea

00:29:20.079 --> 00:29:20.900
 was no

00:29:20.900 --> 00:29:21.240
 more.

00:29:21.860 --> 00:29:22.380
 And I

00:29:22.380 --> 00:29:22.799
 saw the

00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.579
 holy city,

00:29:23.819 --> 00:29:24.460
 new Jerusalem,

00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.180
 coming down

00:29:25.180 --> 00:29:25.620
 out of heaven

00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.200
 from God,

00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.319
 prepared as a

00:29:27.319 --> 00:29:28.400
 bride adorned

00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:28.819
 for her

00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.160
 husband.

00:29:29.880 --> 00:29:30.259
 And I

00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:30.539
 heard a

00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:31.360
 loud voice

00:29:31.360 --> 00:29:31.819
 from the

00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.620
 throne saying,

00:29:33.259 --> 00:29:33.819
 Behold,

00:29:34.039 --> 00:29:34.559
 the dwelling

00:29:34.559 --> 00:29:35.099
 place of

00:29:35.099 --> 00:29:35.720
 God is

00:29:35.720 --> 00:29:36.339
 with man.

00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.220
 He will

00:29:37.220 --> 00:29:37.759
 dwell with

00:29:37.759 --> 00:29:38.319
 them and

00:29:38.319 --> 00:29:38.599
 they will

00:29:38.599 --> 00:29:38.940
 be his

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:39.559
 people and

00:29:39.559 --> 00:29:40.339
 God himself

00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:40.700
 will be

00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.279
 with them

00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.039
 as their

00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:42.460
 God.

00:29:43.139 --> 00:29:43.579
 He will

00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.359
 wipe away

00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:45.139
 every tear

00:29:45.139 --> 00:29:45.700
 from their

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.779
 eyes and

00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.539
 death shall

00:29:47.539 --> 00:29:48.279
 be no

00:29:48.279 --> 00:29:48.659
 more.

00:29:49.419 --> 00:29:49.619
 Neither

00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:50.019
 shall there

00:29:50.019 --> 00:29:50.500
 be mourning

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.179
 nor crying

00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:51.819
 nor pain

00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.319
 anymore,

00:29:52.519 --> 00:29:53.319
 for the

00:29:53.319 --> 00:29:54.419
 former things

00:29:54.419 --> 00:29:55.659
 have passed

00:29:55.659 --> 00:29:56.819
 away.

00:29:58.139 --> 00:29:58.879
 And so we

00:29:58.879 --> 00:29:59.539
 have in this

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:00.899
 text a

00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.759
 question asked

00:30:01.759 --> 00:30:02.279
 and answered.

00:30:02.679 --> 00:30:03.000
 Should we

00:30:03.000 --> 00:30:03.339
 go on

00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:03.659
 sinning?

00:30:03.660 --> 00:30:04.740
 Absolutely

00:30:04.740 --> 00:30:05.640
 not.

00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:06.880
 A principle

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.460
 presented,

00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:08.060
 like we're

00:30:08.060 --> 00:30:09.540
 all slaves

00:30:09.540 --> 00:30:10.440
 to something.

00:30:10.759 --> 00:30:11.400
 To what

00:30:11.400 --> 00:30:11.960
 do you

00:30:11.960 --> 00:30:12.519
 present

00:30:12.519 --> 00:30:14.100
 yourself

00:30:14.100 --> 00:30:15.500
 and a

00:30:15.500 --> 00:30:16.019
 glorious

00:30:16.019 --> 00:30:16.660
 future

00:30:16.660 --> 00:30:18.259
 guaranteed?

00:30:19.580 --> 00:30:19.860
 So,

00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:21.019
 some brief

00:30:21.019 --> 00:30:21.779
 application.

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:22.920
 Firstly,

00:30:23.040 --> 00:30:23.340
 if you have

00:30:23.340 --> 00:30:24.000
 not repented

00:30:24.000 --> 00:30:24.340
 of your

00:30:24.340 --> 00:30:24.840
 sin and

00:30:24.840 --> 00:30:25.400
 fled to

00:30:25.400 --> 00:30:25.840
 Christ for

00:30:25.840 --> 00:30:26.240
 the salvation

00:30:26.240 --> 00:30:26.580
 of your

00:30:26.580 --> 00:30:26.860
 soul,

00:30:27.640 --> 00:30:28.279
 do so

00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.420
 today,

00:30:29.860 --> 00:30:30.160
 for the

00:30:30.160 --> 00:30:31.019
 wages of

00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.340
 sin is

00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:32.720
 death.

00:30:33.660 --> 00:30:34.580
 Secondly,

00:30:34.700 --> 00:30:34.900
 if you

00:30:34.900 --> 00:30:35.360
 are in

00:30:35.360 --> 00:30:35.759
 Christ,

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.259
 and I

00:30:36.259 --> 00:30:36.900
 do hope

00:30:36.900 --> 00:30:37.180
 that you

00:30:37.180 --> 00:30:37.480
 are,

00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.720
 remember

00:30:38.720 --> 00:30:39.259
 who you

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.240
 once

00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:40.900
 were,

00:30:41.779 --> 00:30:42.540
 be ashamed

00:30:42.540 --> 00:30:42.840
 of your

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.600
 former sins

00:30:43.600 --> 00:30:44.300
 and do

00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:45.400
 not return

00:30:45.400 --> 00:30:46.620
 to them.

00:30:47.480 --> 00:30:48.040
 Hold in

00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:48.560
 your mind

00:30:48.560 --> 00:30:48.900
 that you

00:30:48.900 --> 00:30:49.240
 have been

00:30:49.240 --> 00:30:50.220
 set free

00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:51.320
 from your

00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.019
 past

00:30:52.019 --> 00:30:53.100
 sinfulness.

00:30:54.720 --> 00:30:55.040
 And third,

00:30:55.120 --> 00:30:55.540
 if you are

00:30:55.540 --> 00:30:56.400
 in Christ,

00:30:56.740 --> 00:30:57.160
 and I hope

00:30:57.160 --> 00:30:57.420
 that you

00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:57.680
 are,

00:30:58.440 --> 00:30:59.000
 remember

00:30:59.000 --> 00:31:00.200
 who you

00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:00.779
 are.

00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:01.859
 you

00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.119
 have a

00:31:02.119 --> 00:31:02.599
 glorious

00:31:02.599 --> 00:31:03.119
 forever

00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:03.599
 future

00:31:03.599 --> 00:31:04.139
 awaiting

00:31:04.139 --> 00:31:04.440
 you.

00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:05.460
 Let this

00:31:05.460 --> 00:31:06.059
 wonderful

00:31:06.059 --> 00:31:06.960
 future

00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.440
 truth

00:31:07.440 --> 00:31:08.119
 drive

00:31:08.119 --> 00:31:08.519
 your

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.059
 pursuit

00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:09.779
 of

00:31:09.779 --> 00:31:10.099
 holiness

00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.879
 now.

00:31:11.379 --> 00:31:12.079
 Let's pray

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.359
 together.

00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:12.059
 Let's pray

00:31:12.059 --> 00:31:12.359
 together.

00:31:12.359 --> 00:31:12.740
 Let's pray

00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:12.359
 together.