WEBVTT 00:00:00.160 --> 00:00:04.799 Well, good morning. It is lovely to be back at Brunsfield. I got the same butterflies 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:11.220 as I walked down Leamington Terrace. It's great to see many faces I know. 00:00:12.200 --> 00:00:17.240 It's not even greater, but it is also good to see many faces I don't know. I've always 00:00:17.240 --> 00:00:21.519 suspected there's something in the water at Brunsfield where the older people are looking 00:00:21.519 --> 00:00:26.300 younger and the young people are looking so old. Some of them were little boys when I 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:34.179 left and know the hulking bruises of human flesh. I am super nervous, so let me pray 00:00:34.179 --> 00:00:36.060 and then we'll get to work. 00:00:39.159 --> 00:00:46.840 Father God, of all the 336 half-hour slots in our week, what lies before us now is the most 00:00:46.840 --> 00:00:53.659 important by far. Please, Lord, speak to us. Our greatest need is to be nourished by your 00:00:53.659 --> 00:01:00.759 word, changed by your truth, and be captivated again by your Son. We not only need your truth 00:01:00.759 --> 00:01:06.519 penetrating our ears, but also inscribed by your Spirit on our hearts. Please, Lord, give 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:13.140 us open ears, soft hearts, attentive minds, malleable wills, and transform lives. And we 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:19.780 have the audacity to pray this before you, our Father, simply because of Jesus who died, that 00:01:19.780 --> 00:01:27.820 we might live. Amen. I wonder, what are you investing in? What are you investing your 00:01:27.820 --> 00:01:36.520 life in today? So much of our culture is obsessed with investment. I was down in London and so 00:01:36.520 --> 00:01:43.980 much of London works on this idea of putting something in now to reap a great reward in the 00:01:43.980 --> 00:01:52.659 future. What seeds are you sowing that might yield a great harvest down the line? What are you 00:01:52.659 --> 00:01:58.439 thinking about buying a house? You want a house that not only fulfills your needs now, but when it 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:06.240 comes to selling it in a few years' time, will propel you along the property ladder. Which degree 00:02:06.239 --> 00:02:15.019 are you pursuing in order to offer the best possible chance for a vocation once you graduate? Which 00:02:15.019 --> 00:02:21.000 friendships are you pouring yourself into, thinking that they're going to provide support 00:02:21.000 --> 00:02:28.859 and companionship for many years to come? Where are your savings? In the bank earning less 00:02:28.860 --> 00:02:37.660 than 2% or somewhere else, maybe taking a punt on stocks and shares. What are you investing in? 00:02:40.140 --> 00:02:46.620 What are you pouring yourself into? There are lots of good things to pour yourself into. The Apple 00:02:46.620 --> 00:02:53.640 computing company in 1980 would have been a good thing to pour your savings into. One share worth $22 00:02:53.639 --> 00:03:04.919 at the time would now be worth $28,197. That would do you for a while. Or Jeff Bezos and Amazon in 1997, if you 00:03:04.919 --> 00:03:11.239 bought one share for $18 and held on to it, that share once it had been diluted a few times and 00:03:11.239 --> 00:03:22.039 multiplied would now be worth $42,120. A really good investment. Or if in 2009 you'd bought one Bitcoin 00:03:22.039 --> 00:03:31.479 Bitcoin for $0.000 for $0.000 and had held on to it for the subsequent 12 years, that Bitcoin 00:03:33.319 --> 00:03:37.719 would now be worth $59,262.20. 00:03:40.599 --> 00:03:45.319 Investment in Bitcoin would have been very lucrative. If you'd have spent all of a dollar 00:03:45.319 --> 00:03:54.919 on 1,250 Bitcoins, just imagine how much wealth you would have accrued. We spent so much time 00:03:54.919 --> 00:04:01.959 thinking about investment. So much time deciding where we're going to put our stuff in order to get 00:04:01.959 --> 00:04:08.759 more stuff. During my time down in London, I got to hang out with a gentleman who is the longest 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:15.239 serving hedge fund manager in the city of London history. He's been there through boom and bust. 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:24.759 His portfolio is incredibly successful. If he'd have invested one pound with him in 1953 when he started, 00:04:25.800 --> 00:04:33.480 that pound would now be worth £1,680. He's been there through boom and bust. Very long and distinguished 00:04:33.480 --> 00:04:39.720 career. He is a legend of the city of London. And before he left, he shared the one overarching 00:04:39.720 --> 00:04:45.960 investment principle that will serve you a lifetime. It is top secret. And I'm going to share it with 00:04:45.960 --> 00:04:52.920 you now. It is the fail-safe way of investing in a way that will yield nothing but dividends, 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:59.319 nothing but reward and sizable profits along the way. This is very lucrative information. If you've 00:04:59.319 --> 00:05:08.279 got a pen and paper, I would get them out. Priceless information. His advice is that the number one 00:05:08.279 --> 00:05:20.600 thing to invest in is this. Godliness with contentment. Godliness with contentment. 00:05:20.600 --> 00:05:29.560 Godliness with contentment. To be honest, this advice is not his. It's not new. It's not original to him. In 00:05:29.560 --> 00:05:33.800 fact, it is very old indeed and comes from the letter of 1 Timothy that you've been studying 00:05:34.760 --> 00:05:41.480 for the last few weeks. It is right in the middle of our passage this morning in 1 Timothy 6, so please 00:05:41.480 --> 00:05:53.080 turn there with me. 1 Timothy 6 and halfway through verse 2. Paul writes this, 00:05:53.080 --> 00:06:00.200 teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound 00:06:00.200 --> 00:06:06.439 words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:15.800 with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:23.879 about words which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:32.279 who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth. Imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 00:06:32.279 --> 00:06:42.359 Verse 6. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world and we can 00:06:42.359 --> 00:06:48.519 take nothing out of the world. But if we have food and clothing with these, we will be content. 00:06:49.559 --> 00:06:55.399 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires 00:06:55.399 --> 00:07:02.759 that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. 00:07:03.639 --> 00:07:11.399 It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the face and pierced themselves with many pangs. 00:07:13.079 --> 00:07:21.479 The time of writing, the church in Ephesus is thoroughly disordered. There was asceticism being promoted. 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:29.379 There was punch-ups at the prayer meeting. I guess that's one of the reasons to do it on Zoom. There's less chance of a punch-up on Zoom. 00:07:29.740 --> 00:07:36.319 Sunday mornings had become a fashion show. Wayward elders and deacons were bringing scandal on the church. 00:07:36.580 --> 00:07:41.540 There was drunkenness. Other people were dishonestly sponging off the church. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:44.600 Gossip was rife. Accusations were flying. 00:07:44.600 --> 00:07:51.939 And Christians were even slacking off their work because they worked for Christian bosses and thought that it didn't matter. 00:07:53.360 --> 00:07:59.740 1 Timothy is therefore a crisis letter written by the Apostle Paul to his troubleshooting protégé, Timothy. 00:08:00.920 --> 00:08:05.379 Paul has charged Timothy with bringing health back to the church. 00:08:05.379 --> 00:08:15.379 He wants them to, he wants Timothy to close down the distorted leaders who were not teaching the truth. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:22.740 These people were distorting the truth, disturbing believers and ultimately destroying the church. 00:08:23.379 --> 00:08:28.079 Paul envisioned this happening back in Acts chapter 20 when he says to the Ephesian elders, 00:08:28.079 --> 00:08:32.879 from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, 00:08:33.379 --> 00:08:40.379 to draw away disciples after them, not making disciples of the Lord Jesus, but making disciples of themselves. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:44.279 These false teachers are everywhere in the letter. 00:08:45.539 --> 00:08:48.720 So 1 Timothy 1 verse 3, we introduced to them. 00:08:49.079 --> 00:08:57.220 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine. 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:02.100 Nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies which promote speculation, 00:09:02.560 --> 00:09:05.600 rather than the stewardship from God which is by faith. 00:09:06.920 --> 00:09:13.340 And verse 6, certain persons by swerving from these have wandered away into vain discussion. 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.800 And then down in verse 19 of chapter 1. 00:09:18.100 --> 00:09:22.580 By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 00:09:22.580 --> 00:09:27.000 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, 00:09:27.220 --> 00:09:29.960 that they may learn not to blaspheme. 00:09:30.560 --> 00:09:32.980 They crop up again in chapter 4 verse 1. 00:09:33.139 --> 00:09:37.540 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith 00:09:37.540 --> 00:09:41.899 by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:46.160 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 00:09:46.980 --> 00:09:49.560 who forbid marriage and abstinence from foods, 00:09:49.559 --> 00:09:57.339 that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 00:09:57.339 --> 00:09:58.399 They're everywhere. 00:09:58.739 --> 00:10:01.539 But now in chapter 6 he attacks them head on. 00:10:02.119 --> 00:10:03.839 He has them in his sights. 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:12.040 These dodgy preachers are leading a distorted church. 00:10:13.560 --> 00:10:16.899 Because they're not preaching the gospel, there's no power in it. 00:10:17.740 --> 00:10:22.340 And therefore the church has just devolved into an unholy group of sinners 00:10:22.340 --> 00:10:25.500 playing pretend at being church. 00:10:25.560 --> 00:10:26.840 And no wonder there's divisions. 00:10:27.720 --> 00:10:28.900 No wonder it's divisive. 00:10:28.980 --> 00:10:31.460 No wonder it's disintegrating. 00:10:31.460 --> 00:10:35.500 And amidst the chaos of Ephesus, 00:10:35.780 --> 00:10:40.379 Timothy's overarching task is to teach and urge the congregation in sound doctrine 00:10:40.379 --> 00:10:45.160 and to set an example for the church in sound living. 00:10:46.280 --> 00:10:48.040 That is how our passage starts. 00:10:48.120 --> 00:10:50.379 Look with me halfway through verse 2. 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:54.680 Teach and urge these things, Paul writes. 00:10:55.680 --> 00:11:01.259 Now these things are definitely all that he's been teaching since chapter 5 verse 1. 00:11:01.460 --> 00:11:06.980 All the ways that the interpersonal relationships are to happen in the church. 00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:13.800 But the things he's to teach and urge also are what follows in our passage. 00:11:14.560 --> 00:11:16.460 The headline for this morning is this. 00:11:16.560 --> 00:11:18.780 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:11:19.460 --> 00:11:21.440 Godliness for gain is destructive. 00:11:21.440 --> 00:11:32.140 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:11:32.820 --> 00:11:38.900 The letter of 1 Timothy has had two big things already to say about godliness in the letter. 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:42.860 The first is in chapter 3 verse 16. 00:11:42.860 --> 00:11:45.500 This is what it says. 00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:49.460 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness. 00:11:50.720 --> 00:11:55.240 He was manifested in the flesh. 00:11:56.899 --> 00:12:01.440 Paul's teaching is that the mystery of godliness is not a list of rules and regulations. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:04.379 It's not a list of do's and don'ts. 00:12:04.419 --> 00:12:07.700 It's not about pulling your socks up and trying a little bit harder. 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:12.060 The key to godliness is the person and work of the Lord Jesus. 00:12:13.759 --> 00:12:16.740 Great indeed is the mystery of godliness. 00:12:16.900 --> 00:12:18.500 He was manifest in the flesh. 00:12:18.580 --> 00:12:22.540 He was incarnated, what we learned in Matthew 1.21, with Peter. 00:12:24.160 --> 00:12:26.220 He was vindicated by the Spirit. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:29.940 He not only died, but he rose from the dead. 00:12:30.940 --> 00:12:32.040 He ascended. 00:12:32.220 --> 00:12:33.560 He was seen by angels. 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:35.560 He was proclaimed among the nations. 00:12:35.559 --> 00:12:36.299 He was proclaimed. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.559 The gospel went out. 00:12:38.859 --> 00:12:42.039 And there were conversions because people believed. 00:12:43.539 --> 00:12:46.659 And not only that, but it's all coming to a glorious end 00:12:46.659 --> 00:12:51.859 when the Lord Jesus returns and all his people are glorified. 00:12:53.259 --> 00:12:56.000 This is so important when we think about godliness. 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:58.519 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:12:58.619 --> 00:12:59.419 What is godliness? 00:13:00.919 --> 00:13:04.239 Well, it flows from the person of the Lord Jesus. 00:13:05.559 --> 00:13:09.419 Philip Jensen says our greatest problem when we think about godliness 00:13:09.419 --> 00:13:10.659 is that we spell it wrong. 00:13:11.399 --> 00:13:12.859 And we add an extra O. 00:13:13.199 --> 00:13:17.319 That we think godliness is goodliness and it's about behaving well. 00:13:19.219 --> 00:13:21.239 When that's always going to shortchange you, 00:13:21.339 --> 00:13:24.299 the key to godliness is being obsessed with the Lord Jesus. 00:13:24.439 --> 00:13:27.019 And as we focus on him, he rubs off on us. 00:13:28.179 --> 00:13:29.679 You want to be godly? 00:13:29.679 --> 00:13:31.299 Don't make New Year's resolutions. 00:13:32.599 --> 00:13:34.899 Have better personal devotions. 00:13:36.759 --> 00:13:40.579 Godliness flows from the person of the Lord Jesus. 00:13:43.179 --> 00:13:47.279 The second thing we've learnt is in 1 Timothy 4 verse 8. 00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:50.299 This is a great verse if you're a gym buff. 00:13:52.299 --> 00:13:53.799 1 Timothy 4 verse 8. 00:13:53.799 --> 00:13:55.839 For while bodily training is of some value, 00:13:56.019 --> 00:13:58.899 godliness is of value in every way. 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:01.959 As it holds promise for the present life. 00:14:02.620 --> 00:14:04.000 And also for the life to come. 00:14:04.099 --> 00:14:05.539 Yes, hit the gym, says Paul. 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:09.799 Yes, don't be afraid of a protein shake or a bicep curl. 00:14:10.379 --> 00:14:13.099 Or a few squats as you watch Joe Wicks. 00:14:14.339 --> 00:14:14.740 Do it. 00:14:14.839 --> 00:14:15.899 It's of some value. 00:14:15.899 --> 00:14:21.659 But don't confuse something of some value with something that's of ultimate value. 00:14:22.139 --> 00:14:26.199 And the thing of ultimate value is training yourself in godliness. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:31.620 Godliness is the most precious commodity in all of the world. 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:33.840 So invest in that, says Paul. 00:14:34.819 --> 00:14:37.639 Because it will last you a lifetime and on into eternity. 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:41.159 Which is not quite true of your rippling six-pack. 00:14:41.159 --> 00:14:47.639 To invest in godliness is of immeasurable value. 00:14:48.439 --> 00:14:49.799 And eternally so. 00:14:49.939 --> 00:14:52.579 Paul then gives a wonderful illustration. 00:14:52.860 --> 00:14:55.199 Verse 7 of chapter 6. 00:14:58.379 --> 00:15:00.899 For we brought nothing into the world. 00:15:02.059 --> 00:15:05.360 And we cannot take anything out of the world. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:11.399 I remember being at St. Thomas' Hospital on the 3rd of September 2020. 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:16.680 And after a very sleepless night, at 11 o'clock in the morning, 00:15:16.800 --> 00:15:19.460 the midwife handed me Isaac Judson Gemmel. 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:22.220 Though he wasn't called Isaac Judson Gemmel at the time. 00:15:22.279 --> 00:15:24.440 That was a few hours later before we decided on that. 00:15:25.860 --> 00:15:27.039 And there he was. 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:33.240 A little squidgy pink mass of flesh with a very serious look on his face. 00:15:33.240 --> 00:15:37.139 She handed him to me and that was it. 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:40.240 He didn't come with a suitcase or a rucksack. 00:15:40.299 --> 00:15:42.180 He didn't have a wallet or a mobile phone. 00:15:42.700 --> 00:15:45.860 He didn't have house keys or car keys. 00:15:46.620 --> 00:15:49.039 That was him in his entirety. 00:15:52.639 --> 00:15:56.519 Of course he had very strong genes and boyish good looks, as you would expect. 00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:01.180 But he came into the world with nothing. 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:05.799 And that's going to be exactly the same as when he goes out. 00:16:07.560 --> 00:16:12.419 What he's placed in the cradle with is exactly the same thing he's going to be placed in the coffin with. 00:16:13.279 --> 00:16:13.639 Nothing. 00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:18.340 And that's really got to orientate our thinking, I think. 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:26.600 That if we can invest our lives now in something that will last forever, then godliness is your only bet. 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.600 Go for godliness. 00:16:31.200 --> 00:16:33.399 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:37.080 As godliness is the only thing of ultimate value that will last. 00:16:37.080 --> 00:16:46.040 You see, investing life in Jesus, the source of godliness, is the only shrewd decision. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:51.920 At the end of the game, all the chess pieces go in the same box. 00:16:52.759 --> 00:16:58.100 Whether you are a prince or a pauper, a hedge fund manager or a hedge trimmer. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:17:01.180 All goes to the same place. 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:07.680 What Isaac Judson Gemmel came out with is the best it's going to get for him at the end. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:13.440 So it is idiocy to focus all your attention on temporal treasure. 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:17.000 Which will last for this brief moment. 00:17:18.519 --> 00:17:19.960 And then you'll leave it behind. 00:17:19.960 --> 00:17:23.680 What do we actually need? 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.019 Verse 8. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:32.420 But if we have food and clothing with these, we will be content. 00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.740 That's all you need. 00:17:35.380 --> 00:17:39.880 For these three score years and ten, I'm very thankful that all of you have checked the second box. 00:17:40.900 --> 00:17:44.579 I know if you have turned up to be naked worshippers this morning, we've all got clothes. 00:17:44.579 --> 00:17:51.699 And I dare say the struggle for most of us is not too few calories, but too many. 00:17:53.159 --> 00:17:55.339 And so we have all that we need to be content. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:57.740 We have food and clothing. 00:17:59.099 --> 00:18:04.039 And with those two boxes tick, let's go for godliness with contentment. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:13.960 Think how much simpler and more straightforward life would be is if our only goal every day was to tick clothing and to tick food. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:19.200 And then spend the rest of our energy left once those priorities are in place, 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:23.659 forging a stronger and deeper and more intimate relationship with the Lord Jesus. 00:18:25.379 --> 00:18:27.220 That would be life transforming. 00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:34.039 But yet we all spend so much of our life accumulating trinkets, 00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:38.900 polishing things that will only rust and be destroyed. 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:44.620 If you get up every morning and having had a shower and got dressed and your breakfast, 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:47.240 and you say these three things to yourself. 00:18:47.900 --> 00:18:49.839 Am I naked? No. Hallelujah. 00:18:51.120 --> 00:18:53.980 Am I hungry? No. Hallelujah. 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.180 Hallelujah. 00:18:55.920 --> 00:19:01.140 Jesus, help me today to live for you and love you more than I did yesterday. 00:19:02.380 --> 00:19:06.319 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.279 Now, I'm not saying don't be lazy. 00:19:09.240 --> 00:19:10.759 I'm not saying lack ambition. 00:19:10.980 --> 00:19:14.079 I'm not saying don't enjoy all the good things that God gives us. 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:17.759 But I'm saying let all the stuff in your life 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:22.759 find its position behind your relationship with the Lord Jesus. 00:19:23.980 --> 00:19:26.819 Because godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:19:27.559 --> 00:19:31.039 And everything else is a bonus to be enjoyed with thankfulness. 00:19:31.720 --> 00:19:35.099 And to be shared and held very lightly. 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:41.339 Use your treasure to show that your treasure isn't your treasure, 00:19:41.480 --> 00:19:43.839 but that Jesus is your treasure. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:47.700 That investment principle, says my friend Andrew Green, 00:19:47.799 --> 00:19:48.880 it'll last you a lifetime. 00:19:48.880 --> 00:19:52.920 Because godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:58.720 But this clear teaching is sandwiched between the two enemies 00:19:58.720 --> 00:20:03.320 that will so readily impinge on that simplicity. 00:20:04.580 --> 00:20:07.040 So look with me at verses 3 to 5. 00:20:08.400 --> 00:20:11.760 Godliness for gain is destructive. 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:14.759 Godliness for gain is destructive. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.000 Verse 3. 00:20:16.079 --> 00:20:17.759 If anyone teaches a different doctrine 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:21.200 and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.920 and the teaching that accords with godliness, 00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:26.759 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. 00:20:26.759 --> 00:20:32.460 He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words 00:20:32.460 --> 00:20:36.339 which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 00:20:36.599 --> 00:20:38.900 and constant friction among people 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:42.160 who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, 00:20:42.900 --> 00:20:47.539 imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 00:20:47.539 --> 00:20:51.019 If the source of godliness is the Lord Jesus, 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:54.839 then anything that is communicated to you 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:57.659 that doesn't tell the truth of the Lord Jesus 00:20:57.659 --> 00:21:01.720 is incredibly toxic, incredibly erosive. 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:05.599 It should be avoided like the plague. 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:11.000 That cliche has a lot more traction these days 00:21:11.000 --> 00:21:11.940 than it ever used to. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:16.680 This whole passage uses four different phrases to describe 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:19.080 the true teaching about Jesus. 00:21:19.259 --> 00:21:19.460 See? 00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:23.360 The sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:26.799 The teaching that accords with doctrine, 00:21:27.340 --> 00:21:28.460 with godliness. 00:21:28.900 --> 00:21:29.980 They're both in verse 3. 00:21:31.120 --> 00:21:33.820 And then verse 5 we have mention of the truth. 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:38.759 And then in verse 10 the same synonym, the faith. 00:21:39.960 --> 00:21:43.980 Departure from the gospel will lead to a distortion of your priorities. 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:48.039 That is definitely the case in Ephesus. 00:21:48.839 --> 00:21:49.960 Do you see what he says in verse 4? 00:21:50.059 --> 00:21:53.200 If anyone teaches, well they do, 00:21:53.519 --> 00:21:56.539 that's why Timothy is there to shut these guys down, 00:21:57.380 --> 00:22:00.099 then there is great loss. 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:03.319 Godliness with contentment is great gain. 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:07.839 Then anything that erodes godliness is great loss. 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:11.439 And let me show you how terrible these people are. 00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:12.959 Do you see they're errant? 00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:17.099 Verse 4, these people are errant. 00:22:17.199 --> 00:22:18.919 They teach different doctrine. 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:22.559 They teach falsehoods that are in disagreement 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.379 with the sound words of the Lord Jesus. 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:26.419 They don't promote godliness. 00:22:27.859 --> 00:22:29.159 These teachers are corrupt. 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:30.319 They are errant. 00:22:30.319 --> 00:22:33.379 But see also, they are arrogant. 00:22:33.779 --> 00:22:35.639 They are puffed up with conceit. 00:22:36.839 --> 00:22:40.399 A particular pitfall for the new convert 00:22:40.399 --> 00:22:43.039 who becomes an elder in chapter 3 verse 6. 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:45.439 They're like the puffer fish. 00:22:46.439 --> 00:22:47.439 Just full of air. 00:22:47.519 --> 00:22:48.740 Looks scary and impressive, 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:50.559 but then all too quickly deflate 00:22:50.559 --> 00:22:52.359 and show that there's no substance. 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:54.460 They're just windbags. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:56.920 Not only are they arrogant, 00:22:57.039 --> 00:22:58.180 they're also ignorant. 00:22:58.380 --> 00:22:59.579 It's so emphatic. 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:02.960 They understand nothing. 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.779 Rather than singing, 00:23:05.920 --> 00:23:07.380 tell me the old, old story 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:10.340 of Jesus and his love, 00:23:11.400 --> 00:23:12.759 they like singing the song, 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:14.600 let me give you the new, new insights. 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.039 And it's no insight at all 00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.840 because they know nothing. 00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.860 Behind the facade, 00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.539 there is absolute ignorance. 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:24.240 They're just making it up out of their head. 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:26.120 Not only are they errant, 00:23:26.299 --> 00:23:27.240 arrogant and ignorant, 00:23:27.519 --> 00:23:29.279 they're also belligerent. 00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:32.180 They care more about arguments 00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:33.519 than they do about the truth. 00:23:35.120 --> 00:23:35.600 Do you see it there? 00:23:35.640 --> 00:23:37.960 They have an unhealthy craving for controversy. 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:42.039 Any teaching that doesn't humble you under grace 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:44.440 will always result 00:23:44.440 --> 00:23:46.680 in error 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:49.680 and problems 00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:51.559 and pride. 00:23:51.559 --> 00:23:56.019 without the gospel of grace, 00:23:56.200 --> 00:23:57.819 there's always arguments to be won 00:23:57.819 --> 00:23:59.519 and factions 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.839 to be formed. 00:24:02.119 --> 00:24:03.139 And they produce 00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:04.119 terrible things 00:24:04.119 --> 00:24:05.359 amongst their hearers. 00:24:05.899 --> 00:24:07.119 They produce envy 00:24:07.119 --> 00:24:08.720 that all of a sudden 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:09.679 these people teaching 00:24:09.679 --> 00:24:10.440 false doctrine 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:11.639 gather a few disciples 00:24:11.639 --> 00:24:12.399 after themselves 00:24:12.399 --> 00:24:13.119 and there's a split 00:24:13.119 --> 00:24:14.159 in the church. 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:16.279 That leads to dissension. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.899 There is now a chasm building 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:19.559 between the seeming haves 00:24:19.559 --> 00:24:20.559 and the have-nots. 00:24:21.139 --> 00:24:22.619 The people who have been inducted 00:24:22.619 --> 00:24:23.639 into this new teaching 00:24:23.639 --> 00:24:24.440 and those that are still 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.200 in the kindergarten 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.519 seemingly just clinging to Jesus 00:24:27.519 --> 00:24:29.420 and trusting the gospel. 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.200 After this dissension 00:24:32.200 --> 00:24:33.139 and factionalism, 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.500 this then manifests itself 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:35.940 in talking past each other. 00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:37.539 Slander, 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.779 trash talk, 00:24:39.200 --> 00:24:39.779 lies, 00:24:39.779 --> 00:24:41.579 all kinds of falsehood. 00:24:42.059 --> 00:24:43.319 That manifests into 00:24:43.319 --> 00:24:44.480 evil suspicions 00:24:44.480 --> 00:24:45.779 that this is now just words 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.399 but this is 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:47.660 heartfelt motives 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.500 that are espoused 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:49.559 on other people. 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:52.420 And before you know it, 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.299 a great chasm 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:55.440 has erupted. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.279 There's now going to be 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:57.279 a church plant. 00:24:58.279 --> 00:24:59.619 A split disguised 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.680 as a church plant. 00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.180 So the false teachers 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:04.099 contaminate 00:25:04.099 --> 00:25:06.200 and corrupt their hearers. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.599 It's not a nice place to be. 00:25:08.599 --> 00:25:10.639 constant friction 00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:12.879 among people. 00:25:14.899 --> 00:25:16.079 The members meeting, 00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:17.099 the hymn books fly 00:25:17.099 --> 00:25:19.539 and no wonder 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.539 there's punch-ups 00:25:20.539 --> 00:25:22.399 at the prayer meeting. 00:25:23.719 --> 00:25:24.519 This is, 00:25:24.679 --> 00:25:25.399 if you like, 00:25:25.459 --> 00:25:26.659 the complete antithesis 00:25:26.659 --> 00:25:27.879 of the fruit of the Spirit. 00:25:28.679 --> 00:25:29.699 Rather than love, 00:25:29.819 --> 00:25:30.000 joy, 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.459 peace, 00:25:30.599 --> 00:25:30.959 patience, 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.419 kindness, 00:25:31.659 --> 00:25:31.959 goodness, 00:25:32.219 --> 00:25:32.719 faithfulness, 00:25:32.839 --> 00:25:33.219 gentleness, 00:25:33.359 --> 00:25:34.240 and self-control, 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.759 there is instead 00:25:35.759 --> 00:25:36.899 from this teaching 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:38.279 the fruit of 00:25:38.279 --> 00:25:38.839 conceit, 00:25:38.960 --> 00:25:39.339 ignorance, 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:39.980 quarrelling, 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.379 envy, 00:25:40.539 --> 00:25:40.940 dissension, 00:25:41.139 --> 00:25:41.480 slander, 00:25:41.599 --> 00:25:43.099 evil suspicions, 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:45.500 and constant friction. 00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:49.059 it's not a good option, 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:49.619 is it? 00:25:50.380 --> 00:25:51.880 False teaching from the front 00:25:51.880 --> 00:25:54.640 leads to terrible things 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.819 in the pew, 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:57.680 all germinating from the falsehood 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:59.880 of these conceited teachers. 00:26:00.720 --> 00:26:02.039 Rather than pointing people 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:03.359 to be happy and holy 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.099 in Jesus, 00:26:05.099 --> 00:26:06.599 this teaching only drives people 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:08.019 to greater and greater levels 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.880 of depravity 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:10.519 as their worldly mind 00:26:10.519 --> 00:26:11.359 is kept focused 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:12.480 on worldly things. 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:14.180 It's a terrifying couplet 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:15.519 that Paul finishes with. 00:26:17.240 --> 00:26:18.500 Depraved in mind 00:26:18.500 --> 00:26:19.279 and deprived 00:26:19.279 --> 00:26:20.319 of the truth. 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.880 The truth has been usurped 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:23.200 and their lives 00:26:23.200 --> 00:26:23.980 are not godly, 00:26:24.559 --> 00:26:25.620 they're depraved. 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.860 See how verse 5 finishes? 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.519 They imagine 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.440 that godliness 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:32.680 is a means of gain. 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.299 Scary truth. 00:26:35.259 --> 00:26:36.079 Leave revelation 00:26:36.079 --> 00:26:37.059 and all you have 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:37.940 is speculation 00:26:37.940 --> 00:26:39.319 and imagination. 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:41.639 This is where it ends up, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.159 godliness 00:26:42.159 --> 00:26:44.319 as a means of gain. 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:46.079 This is an infection 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.639 that is still 00:26:46.639 --> 00:26:47.960 in our churches today. 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:50.000 You'll find it in this city 00:26:50.000 --> 00:26:51.379 on many corners. 00:26:52.659 --> 00:26:53.579 Even, I dare say, 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.299 it crouches 00:26:54.299 --> 00:26:55.539 in our own hearts. 00:26:56.700 --> 00:26:57.659 But we have twisted 00:26:57.659 --> 00:26:58.319 the truth 00:26:58.319 --> 00:27:00.500 and godliness 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.200 has become 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:02.379 a means of getting 00:27:02.379 --> 00:27:04.200 rather than 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.179 an end in itself. 00:27:06.220 --> 00:27:06.899 Where Jesus 00:27:06.899 --> 00:27:08.079 is not our fulfillment 00:27:08.079 --> 00:27:09.579 but Jesus 00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.679 is our way 00:27:10.679 --> 00:27:11.679 of finding fulfillment 00:27:11.679 --> 00:27:12.779 in something else. 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.639 It is subtle 00:27:14.639 --> 00:27:15.919 and absolutely pernicious. 00:27:17.279 --> 00:27:17.639 Godliness 00:27:17.639 --> 00:27:19.000 of a means of gain 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:20.799 is the prosperity gospel 00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.480 in a nutshell. 00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.099 You're poor, 00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:23.960 you want to be rich, 00:27:24.039 --> 00:27:24.679 come to Jesus 00:27:24.679 --> 00:27:25.339 as the means 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:26.139 and the ends will be 00:27:26.139 --> 00:27:27.000 you are rich. 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:27.539 Godliness 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:29.639 as a means of gain. 00:27:30.859 --> 00:27:32.099 The therapeutic gospel, 00:27:33.240 --> 00:27:34.220 you feel dissatisfied 00:27:34.220 --> 00:27:35.119 and incomplete. 00:27:36.159 --> 00:27:36.879 You don't like 00:27:36.880 --> 00:27:37.500 how your life 00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.560 has turned out. 00:27:39.740 --> 00:27:40.660 Come to Jesus 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.220 and you'll find 00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.140 yourself happier, 00:27:43.020 --> 00:27:43.540 healthier, 00:27:44.200 --> 00:27:45.280 more fulfilled 00:27:45.280 --> 00:27:46.260 and with real purpose 00:27:46.260 --> 00:27:46.800 in your life. 00:27:47.400 --> 00:27:47.840 Godliness 00:27:47.840 --> 00:27:49.420 as a means of gain. 00:27:49.700 --> 00:27:50.280 Not Jesus 00:27:50.280 --> 00:27:51.220 in and of himself 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:53.040 but Jesus 00:27:53.040 --> 00:27:53.540 as a way 00:27:53.540 --> 00:27:54.260 of getting something 00:27:54.260 --> 00:27:55.800 for yourself. 00:27:56.960 --> 00:27:57.960 This is the gospel 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.620 of me-ism 00:27:58.620 --> 00:27:59.420 in a nutshell. 00:28:00.620 --> 00:28:01.100 You feel like 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:01.900 you've been overlooked 00:28:01.900 --> 00:28:03.100 for most of your life 00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:05.219 and yet coming 00:28:05.219 --> 00:28:05.759 to Jesus 00:28:05.759 --> 00:28:06.779 gives you power. 00:28:07.699 --> 00:28:08.419 People will listen 00:28:08.419 --> 00:28:09.079 to you. 00:28:09.959 --> 00:28:10.699 People will honor 00:28:10.699 --> 00:28:11.679 and value you 00:28:11.679 --> 00:28:12.740 and see you 00:28:12.740 --> 00:28:13.339 for the tremendous 00:28:13.339 --> 00:28:13.879 individual 00:28:13.879 --> 00:28:15.079 that you've always been. 00:28:17.379 --> 00:28:18.740 Jesus not the ends 00:28:18.740 --> 00:28:19.359 but a means 00:28:19.359 --> 00:28:20.259 to an ends. 00:28:21.639 --> 00:28:22.980 Jesus not a destination 00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.439 but the delivery boy 00:28:24.439 --> 00:28:26.179 who will get you 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:27.119 what you've always wanted. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:29.359 This is the gospel 00:28:29.359 --> 00:28:31.099 we so easily believe 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.859 in our own 00:28:31.859 --> 00:28:33.319 sinful hearts. 00:28:34.479 --> 00:28:34.879 Godliness 00:28:34.879 --> 00:28:36.179 of a means of gain. 00:28:37.319 --> 00:28:38.500 Jesus I went to church 00:28:38.500 --> 00:28:39.239 you now owe me 00:28:39.239 --> 00:28:40.279 I would like this. 00:28:41.819 --> 00:28:43.259 Or I've served you 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.039 so faithfully 00:28:44.039 --> 00:28:44.859 for all these years 00:28:44.859 --> 00:28:46.259 and I get this diagnosis 00:28:46.259 --> 00:28:47.479 are you kidding me? 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.299 That is godliness 00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:52.319 as a means of gain. 00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:54.439 Jesus as a means 00:28:54.439 --> 00:28:54.939 of getting 00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:56.000 rather than a glorious 00:28:56.000 --> 00:28:57.019 ends in himself. 00:28:57.119 --> 00:29:00.059 What is pictured here 00:29:00.059 --> 00:29:01.279 is the dipolar opposite 00:29:01.279 --> 00:29:03.019 of godliness 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:04.479 with contentment. 00:29:05.799 --> 00:29:06.419 It's godliness 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:08.339 as a means 00:29:08.339 --> 00:29:09.119 to greater levels 00:29:09.119 --> 00:29:09.779 of consumption. 00:29:11.039 --> 00:29:11.539 So I was thinking 00:29:11.539 --> 00:29:12.500 about this this week 00:29:12.500 --> 00:29:14.159 I think a key diagnostic 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:14.879 of whether we're 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.779 going down this 00:29:15.779 --> 00:29:19.859 terrible track 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:21.139 is in our prayer life. 00:29:21.639 --> 00:29:22.039 I don't think 00:29:22.039 --> 00:29:22.679 it's any wonder 00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:23.699 that 1 Timothy 2 00:29:23.699 --> 00:29:25.079 starts with the prayer meeting 00:29:25.079 --> 00:29:26.799 because I think 00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:27.720 it's in the prayer meeting 00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:28.460 we diagnose 00:29:28.460 --> 00:29:29.960 whether we are errant 00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:31.960 and arrogant 00:29:31.960 --> 00:29:32.740 and ignorant 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:35.259 and belligerent. 00:29:36.259 --> 00:29:37.000 When I think 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:37.700 about my prayers 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:38.440 are they consumed 00:29:38.440 --> 00:29:39.579 with God's glory 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.659 and his purposes 00:29:40.659 --> 00:29:41.440 in the world 00:29:41.440 --> 00:29:42.819 or are they consumed 00:29:42.819 --> 00:29:43.700 with little old me 00:29:43.700 --> 00:29:44.440 and what's going on 00:29:44.440 --> 00:29:45.220 in my life? 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:48.380 is Jesus the gravitational 00:29:48.380 --> 00:29:49.579 center of my life 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.600 or am I the gravitational 00:29:50.600 --> 00:29:51.980 center of my life? 00:29:53.039 --> 00:29:53.940 Am I praying 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:55.140 for God's glory 00:29:55.140 --> 00:29:56.039 in the world 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.779 or am I praying 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:58.440 for my own 00:29:58.440 --> 00:29:59.140 personal 00:29:59.140 --> 00:30:00.299 benefit? 00:30:00.299 --> 00:30:03.500 if I had a friend 00:30:03.500 --> 00:30:05.220 who was obsessed 00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.000 with his goldfish 00:30:06.000 --> 00:30:06.720 called Dipper 00:30:06.720 --> 00:30:09.059 and every time 00:30:09.059 --> 00:30:09.480 we spoke 00:30:09.480 --> 00:30:10.059 all he did 00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:10.599 was tell me 00:30:10.599 --> 00:30:11.180 about Dipper 00:30:11.180 --> 00:30:12.019 the goldfish 00:30:12.019 --> 00:30:14.059 the weight 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.740 he'd put on 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.299 the number 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.859 of laps 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:16.240 he'd done 00:30:16.240 --> 00:30:17.200 of his tank 00:30:17.200 --> 00:30:19.740 let me tell you 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.299 we're not going 00:30:20.299 --> 00:30:20.940 to be friends 00:30:20.940 --> 00:30:21.839 for very long 00:30:21.839 --> 00:30:23.680 because that is 00:30:23.680 --> 00:30:24.399 really dull 00:30:24.399 --> 00:30:24.960 and boring 00:30:24.960 --> 00:30:25.720 if your life 00:30:25.720 --> 00:30:26.359 is completely 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:27.379 subsumed 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.800 by your goldfish 00:30:28.800 --> 00:30:29.380 called Dipper 00:30:29.380 --> 00:30:31.920 and then I wonder 00:30:31.920 --> 00:30:32.620 how much of my 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.140 prayer life 00:30:33.140 --> 00:30:33.860 is taken up 00:30:33.860 --> 00:30:34.460 with my little 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.460 goldfish life 00:30:35.460 --> 00:30:37.860 coming to God 00:30:37.860 --> 00:30:38.420 with my own 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.300 little complaints 00:30:39.300 --> 00:30:39.860 and my own 00:30:39.860 --> 00:30:41.160 little things 00:30:41.160 --> 00:30:42.320 and me at the 00:30:42.320 --> 00:30:42.780 center 00:30:42.780 --> 00:30:46.080 do my prayers 00:30:46.080 --> 00:30:47.120 portray a certainty 00:30:47.120 --> 00:30:47.840 that godliness 00:30:47.840 --> 00:30:48.540 with contentment 00:30:48.540 --> 00:30:49.320 is great gain 00:30:49.320 --> 00:30:51.420 or do I think 00:30:51.420 --> 00:30:52.080 my godliness 00:30:52.080 --> 00:30:53.120 and my prayer life 00:30:53.120 --> 00:30:53.840 is only a means 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.580 of me getting 00:30:54.580 --> 00:30:55.360 for myself 00:30:55.359 --> 00:30:57.539 so destructive 00:30:57.539 --> 00:30:59.839 stems from a 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.199 corrupted view 00:31:01.199 --> 00:31:01.979 of the gospel 00:31:01.979 --> 00:31:04.539 from the front 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.519 falsehood is taught 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.139 and in your own 00:31:06.139 --> 00:31:07.479 heart grows the 00:31:07.479 --> 00:31:09.039 unfruit of the 00:31:09.039 --> 00:31:09.799 unspirit 00:31:09.799 --> 00:31:12.219 it's destructive 00:31:12.219 --> 00:31:14.939 it's the cul-de-sac 00:31:14.939 --> 00:31:15.659 of stupidity 00:31:15.659 --> 00:31:16.159 I don't have 00:31:16.159 --> 00:31:16.839 enough stuff 00:31:16.839 --> 00:31:18.599 doesn't satisfy me 00:31:18.599 --> 00:31:19.259 so I'll get 00:31:19.259 --> 00:31:19.959 some more stuff 00:31:19.959 --> 00:31:21.399 thinking that a 00:31:21.399 --> 00:31:21.939 little bit more 00:31:21.939 --> 00:31:22.319 of something 00:31:22.319 --> 00:31:22.819 that doesn't 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:23.519 satisfy will 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:23.959 satisfy 00:31:23.959 --> 00:31:24.359 and it's 00:31:24.359 --> 00:31:24.819 ridiculous 00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:28.460 godliness 00:31:28.460 --> 00:31:29.019 as a means 00:31:29.019 --> 00:31:29.619 of gain 00:31:29.619 --> 00:31:31.259 is destructive 00:31:31.259 --> 00:31:33.720 and secondly 00:31:33.720 --> 00:31:35.379 imagining 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:36.259 that godliness 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.879 greediness 00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.259 for more 00:31:38.259 --> 00:31:38.859 brings ruin 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.179 do you see 00:31:39.179 --> 00:31:39.700 how it finishes 00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.500 in verse 9 00:31:40.500 --> 00:31:42.500 but those 00:31:42.500 --> 00:31:42.960 who desire 00:31:42.960 --> 00:31:43.500 to be rich 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:43.939 fall into 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:44.419 temptation 00:31:44.419 --> 00:31:45.139 into a snare 00:31:45.139 --> 00:31:45.619 into many 00:31:45.619 --> 00:31:46.139 senseless 00:31:46.139 --> 00:31:46.679 and harmful 00:31:46.679 --> 00:31:47.200 desires 00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.740 that plunge 00:31:47.740 --> 00:31:48.279 people into 00:31:48.279 --> 00:31:48.679 ruin 00:31:48.679 --> 00:31:49.980 and destruction 00:31:49.980 --> 00:31:51.819 if the first 00:31:51.819 --> 00:31:52.120 enemy 00:31:52.120 --> 00:31:52.940 is from the 00:31:52.940 --> 00:31:53.519 front 00:31:53.519 --> 00:31:54.539 to your 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:54.880 heart 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.480 leading to 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:55.960 ruin 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:57.700 then this 00:31:57.700 --> 00:31:58.059 is from 00:31:58.059 --> 00:31:58.620 your heart 00:31:58.620 --> 00:31:59.059 to your 00:31:59.059 --> 00:31:59.559 life 00:31:59.559 --> 00:32:00.480 and it 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.240 leads to 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:02.400 ruin 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:05.519 it's a terrible 00:32:05.519 --> 00:32:06.259 thing that 00:32:06.259 --> 00:32:07.740 not a conceited 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.599 mind is driving 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:09.220 this but a 00:32:09.220 --> 00:32:10.319 covetous heart 00:32:10.319 --> 00:32:11.920 an insatiable 00:32:11.920 --> 00:32:12.559 desire for 00:32:12.559 --> 00:32:12.759 more 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.420 I must be 00:32:13.420 --> 00:32:13.900 rich 00:32:13.900 --> 00:32:15.200 at any 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.819 cost 00:32:15.819 --> 00:32:18.099 the picture 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.599 painted 00:32:18.599 --> 00:32:19.359 draws so 00:32:19.359 --> 00:32:20.039 many images 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:20.700 as it charts 00:32:20.700 --> 00:32:21.220 the downward 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:21.879 wandering 00:32:21.879 --> 00:32:23.700 spiral away 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.099 from the 00:32:24.099 --> 00:32:24.720 church 00:32:24.720 --> 00:32:25.799 away from 00:32:25.799 --> 00:32:26.279 the eternal 00:32:26.279 --> 00:32:26.779 worth of 00:32:26.779 --> 00:32:27.159 godliness 00:32:27.159 --> 00:32:28.259 with contentment 00:32:28.259 --> 00:32:30.919 do you see 00:32:30.919 --> 00:32:31.359 what it says 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:31.819 but those 00:32:31.819 --> 00:32:32.579 who desire 00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.299 to be rich 00:32:33.299 --> 00:32:34.740 fall into 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:35.319 temptation 00:32:35.319 --> 00:32:37.359 a sudden 00:32:37.359 --> 00:32:37.960 departure 00:32:37.960 --> 00:32:38.799 from truth 00:32:38.799 --> 00:32:39.939 a sudden 00:32:39.939 --> 00:32:41.419 not pursuing 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:41.939 Jesus 00:32:41.939 --> 00:32:42.759 but pursuing 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.559 stuff 00:32:43.559 --> 00:32:45.359 they fall 00:32:45.359 --> 00:32:46.959 into 00:32:46.959 --> 00:32:47.539 temptation 00:32:47.539 --> 00:32:49.419 and once 00:32:49.419 --> 00:32:49.979 they've fallen 00:32:49.979 --> 00:32:50.779 into temptation 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.179 and gone 00:32:51.179 --> 00:32:51.759 after stuff 00:32:51.759 --> 00:32:52.259 they become 00:32:52.259 --> 00:32:53.000 ensnared by 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.539 their stuff 00:32:53.539 --> 00:32:53.939 the things 00:32:53.939 --> 00:32:54.500 they own 00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.299 end up 00:32:55.299 --> 00:32:55.599 owning 00:32:55.599 --> 00:32:56.299 them 00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:57.859 I now 00:32:57.859 --> 00:32:58.159 have a 00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:58.419 mortgage 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.839 I can't 00:32:58.839 --> 00:32:59.079 afford 00:32:59.079 --> 00:32:59.419 so I've 00:32:59.419 --> 00:32:59.619 got to 00:32:59.619 --> 00:32:59.979 be all 00:32:59.979 --> 00:33:00.279 in 00:33:00.279 --> 00:33:01.219 I've 00:33:01.219 --> 00:33:01.359 now 00:33:01.359 --> 00:33:01.659 got to 00:33:01.659 --> 00:33:01.939 follow 00:33:01.939 --> 00:33:03.019 good money 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:04.039 after bad 00:33:04.039 --> 00:33:04.819 to keep 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.500 the stuff 00:33:05.500 --> 00:33:06.479 that I've 00:33:06.479 --> 00:33:07.139 accumulated 00:33:07.139 --> 00:33:09.699 I now 00:33:09.699 --> 00:33:10.479 become one 00:33:10.479 --> 00:33:10.919 who takes 00:33:10.919 --> 00:33:11.799 riskier and 00:33:11.799 --> 00:33:12.299 riskier 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:12.819 decisions 00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:14.759 to keep 00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.200 the stuff 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:15.500 that I 00:33:15.500 --> 00:33:15.980 have 00:33:15.980 --> 00:33:17.059 and to 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:17.379 afford 00:33:17.379 --> 00:33:17.559 the 00:33:17.559 --> 00:33:18.359 repayments 00:33:18.359 --> 00:33:19.379 that I've 00:33:19.379 --> 00:33:20.079 accrued 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:22.079 I need 00:33:22.079 --> 00:33:22.339 to be 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:22.779 rich 00:33:22.779 --> 00:33:24.539 therefore 00:33:24.539 --> 00:33:24.859 a little 00:33:24.859 --> 00:33:25.200 bit of 00:33:25.200 --> 00:33:25.799 embezzling 00:33:25.799 --> 00:33:26.359 funds from 00:33:26.359 --> 00:33:26.879 my work 00:33:26.879 --> 00:33:27.180 doesn't 00:33:27.180 --> 00:33:27.519 matter 00:33:27.519 --> 00:33:29.019 I need 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.299 to be 00:33:29.299 --> 00:33:29.539 rich 00:33:29.539 --> 00:33:29.819 therefore 00:33:29.819 --> 00:33:30.140 lying 00:33:30.140 --> 00:33:30.400 about 00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:30.740 people 00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.019 to get 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.440 a promotion 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.019 before them 00:33:32.019 --> 00:33:32.660 is fine 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:34.019 I need 00:33:34.019 --> 00:33:34.259 to be 00:33:34.259 --> 00:33:34.480 rich 00:33:34.480 --> 00:33:34.759 therefore 00:33:34.759 --> 00:33:35.019 I'll 00:33:35.019 --> 00:33:35.319 steal 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:35.700 and borrow 00:33:35.700 --> 00:33:36.240 this 00:33:36.240 --> 00:33:37.440 I need 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:37.660 to be 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:37.859 rich 00:33:37.859 --> 00:33:38.059 I'll 00:33:38.059 --> 00:33:38.319 invest 00:33:38.319 --> 00:33:38.859 in that 00:33:38.859 --> 00:33:39.319 shady 00:33:39.319 --> 00:33:39.859 enterprise 00:33:39.859 --> 00:33:40.440 or this 00:33:40.440 --> 00:33:41.240 shady 00:33:41.240 --> 00:33:41.980 enterprise 00:33:41.980 --> 00:33:43.440 and it 00:33:43.440 --> 00:33:43.720 ends 00:33:43.720 --> 00:33:44.279 after being 00:33:44.279 --> 00:33:44.799 entrapped 00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.299 with people 00:33:45.299 --> 00:33:46.000 having bigger 00:33:46.000 --> 00:33:46.319 and bigger 00:33:46.319 --> 00:33:46.960 imaginations 00:33:46.960 --> 00:33:47.500 bigger and 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:48.160 bigger dreams 00:33:48.160 --> 00:33:49.140 and writing 00:33:49.140 --> 00:33:49.660 checks that 00:33:49.660 --> 00:33:50.259 they can never 00:33:50.259 --> 00:33:51.299 afford to 00:33:51.299 --> 00:33:51.900 cash 00:33:51.900 --> 00:33:54.099 and after the 00:33:54.099 --> 00:33:54.960 imagination of 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.339 riches 00:33:55.339 --> 00:33:57.079 they think 00:33:57.079 --> 00:33:57.720 will satisfy 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:59.660 we end up 00:33:59.660 --> 00:34:00.380 being plunged 00:34:00.380 --> 00:34:00.819 literally 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:02.039 shipwrecked 00:34:02.039 --> 00:34:03.720 the exact same 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:04.180 thing of 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:04.860 Hymenaeus and 00:34:04.860 --> 00:34:05.519 Alexander in 00:34:05.519 --> 00:34:06.039 chapter 1 00:34:06.039 --> 00:34:06.839 verse 19 00:34:06.839 --> 00:34:08.960 shipwrecked 00:34:08.960 --> 00:34:09.340 by their 00:34:09.340 --> 00:34:09.819 internal 00:34:09.819 --> 00:34:10.400 desires 00:34:10.400 --> 00:34:11.699 decoupling 00:34:11.699 --> 00:34:12.099 them from 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.420 Jesus 00:34:12.420 --> 00:34:13.279 and capsizing 00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:13.779 their whole 00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.420 lives 00:34:14.420 --> 00:34:16.400 resulting in 00:34:16.400 --> 00:34:16.759 eternal 00:34:16.759 --> 00:34:17.460 loss 00:34:17.460 --> 00:34:19.619 so Paul 00:34:19.619 --> 00:34:20.059 comes into 00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:20.460 land with 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:20.679 this 00:34:20.679 --> 00:34:21.119 it is the 00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:21.559 love of 00:34:21.559 --> 00:34:21.920 money 00:34:21.920 --> 00:34:23.239 that is 00:34:23.239 --> 00:34:23.579 the root 00:34:23.579 --> 00:34:23.900 of all 00:34:23.900 --> 00:34:24.099 evil 00:34:24.099 --> 00:34:24.480 notice 00:34:24.480 --> 00:34:24.900 it's the 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:25.319 love of 00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:25.500 money 00:34:25.500 --> 00:34:26.000 not money 00:34:26.000 --> 00:34:26.579 itself 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:28.079 money's 00:34:28.079 --> 00:34:28.639 quite useful 00:34:28.639 --> 00:34:29.079 if you need 00:34:29.079 --> 00:34:29.360 to buy 00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:29.920 clothes and 00:34:29.920 --> 00:34:30.159 food 00:34:30.159 --> 00:34:30.579 it turns 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.079 out 00:34:31.079 --> 00:34:32.559 the bartering 00:34:32.559 --> 00:34:33.139 system is 00:34:33.139 --> 00:34:34.179 not as 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:34.779 prevalent in 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:35.079 Edinburgh 00:34:35.079 --> 00:34:35.500 as perhaps 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:35.880 it once 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.420 was 00:34:36.420 --> 00:34:38.900 the 00:34:38.900 --> 00:34:39.320 destructive 00:34:39.320 --> 00:34:40.159 influence is 00:34:40.159 --> 00:34:40.659 not money 00:34:40.659 --> 00:34:41.079 but it's 00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.519 the love 00:34:41.519 --> 00:34:42.059 of money 00:34:42.059 --> 00:34:43.519 where it's 00:34:43.519 --> 00:34:44.320 not godliness 00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:45.519 with contentment 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:47.280 it is 00:34:47.280 --> 00:34:48.079 greediness 00:34:48.079 --> 00:34:48.820 for 00:34:48.820 --> 00:34:49.980 cash 00:34:49.980 --> 00:34:52.380 it's the 00:34:52.380 --> 00:34:52.900 mantra of 00:34:52.900 --> 00:34:53.340 our world 00:34:53.340 --> 00:34:53.780 of upward 00:34:53.780 --> 00:34:54.360 mobility 00:34:54.360 --> 00:34:54.980 be a bit 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.300 richer 00:34:55.300 --> 00:34:55.820 get a bit 00:34:55.820 --> 00:34:56.180 more 00:34:56.180 --> 00:34:56.880 do a bit 00:34:56.880 --> 00:34:57.200 better 00:34:57.200 --> 00:34:57.639 be a bit 00:34:57.639 --> 00:34:57.840 more 00:34:57.840 --> 00:34:58.360 respected 00:34:58.360 --> 00:35:01.079 the people 00:35:01.079 --> 00:35:01.420 who think 00:35:01.420 --> 00:35:01.940 their luck 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.539 is a living 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.039 hell 00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:04.740 and therefore 00:35:04.740 --> 00:35:05.440 money becomes 00:35:05.440 --> 00:35:06.000 their functional 00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.739 saviour that 00:35:06.739 --> 00:35:07.179 lifts them 00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:07.659 out of the 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:08.019 hell 00:35:08.019 --> 00:35:09.019 they're in 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:10.320 it finishes 00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.199 with a grotesque 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.739 image 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:13.920 it is through 00:35:13.920 --> 00:35:14.800 this craving 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.340 that some 00:35:15.340 --> 00:35:15.980 have wandered 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.420 away from 00:35:16.420 --> 00:35:16.980 the faith 00:35:16.980 --> 00:35:18.119 and have 00:35:18.119 --> 00:35:18.579 pierced 00:35:18.579 --> 00:35:18.900 themselves 00:35:18.900 --> 00:35:19.300 literally 00:35:19.300 --> 00:35:20.079 impaled 00:35:20.079 --> 00:35:21.239 themselves 00:35:21.239 --> 00:35:22.900 with many 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.559 pangs 00:35:23.559 --> 00:35:25.480 the stuff 00:35:25.480 --> 00:35:25.639 the stuff that 00:35:25.639 --> 00:35:26.239 they've accrued 00:35:26.239 --> 00:35:26.639 has turned 00:35:26.639 --> 00:35:27.079 out to be 00:35:27.079 --> 00:35:27.539 incredibly 00:35:27.539 --> 00:35:28.179 sharp 00:35:28.179 --> 00:35:29.840 and they've 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.139 actually 00:35:30.139 --> 00:35:30.659 impaled 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:31.239 themselves 00:35:31.239 --> 00:35:33.159 they thought 00:35:33.159 --> 00:35:33.460 it was going 00:35:33.460 --> 00:35:33.820 to be a 00:35:33.820 --> 00:35:34.639 long life 00:35:34.639 --> 00:35:36.340 of leisurely 00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.259 lunches 00:35:37.259 --> 00:35:39.360 enjoying the 00:35:39.360 --> 00:35:39.799 stuff that 00:35:39.799 --> 00:35:40.619 they'd accrued 00:35:40.619 --> 00:35:42.559 but instead 00:35:42.559 --> 00:35:43.019 it tripped 00:35:43.019 --> 00:35:43.539 them up 00:35:43.539 --> 00:35:44.840 and they 00:35:44.840 --> 00:35:45.639 actually impaled 00:35:45.639 --> 00:35:46.259 themselves 00:35:46.259 --> 00:35:47.619 on the things 00:35:47.619 --> 00:35:48.059 that they were 00:35:48.059 --> 00:35:48.480 storing 00:35:48.480 --> 00:35:50.099 so the 00:35:50.099 --> 00:35:50.539 message is 00:35:50.539 --> 00:35:51.039 very clear 00:35:51.039 --> 00:35:51.579 friends be 00:35:51.579 --> 00:35:52.340 very careful 00:35:52.340 --> 00:35:53.699 making your 00:35:53.699 --> 00:35:54.280 life about 00:35:54.280 --> 00:35:54.980 stuff and 00:35:54.980 --> 00:35:55.639 money is the 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:56.000 way to 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:56.699 present and 00:35:56.699 --> 00:35:57.440 eternal loss 00:35:57.440 --> 00:35:58.240 it just is 00:35:58.240 --> 00:36:01.300 making your 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:01.820 life about 00:36:01.820 --> 00:36:02.559 Jesus and the 00:36:02.559 --> 00:36:03.240 godliness that 00:36:03.240 --> 00:36:03.980 flows from being 00:36:03.980 --> 00:36:04.579 coupled with 00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:04.920 him 00:36:04.920 --> 00:36:06.840 that is a 00:36:06.840 --> 00:36:07.139 life of 00:36:07.139 --> 00:36:07.960 contentment 00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.780 and worth 00:36:08.780 --> 00:36:09.840 and eternal 00:36:09.840 --> 00:36:10.300 gain 00:36:10.300 --> 00:36:12.400 godliness 00:36:12.400 --> 00:36:12.680 with 00:36:12.680 --> 00:36:13.560 contentment 00:36:13.560 --> 00:36:14.800 will do 00:36:14.800 --> 00:36:15.140 you all 00:36:15.140 --> 00:36:15.420 of this 00:36:15.420 --> 00:36:16.240 present life 00:36:16.240 --> 00:36:17.500 and will 00:36:17.500 --> 00:36:17.920 last you 00:36:17.920 --> 00:36:18.260 for all 00:36:18.260 --> 00:36:18.740 eternity 00:36:18.740 --> 00:36:20.100 as well 00:36:20.100 --> 00:36:20.580 be clear 00:36:20.580 --> 00:36:21.120 this is where 00:36:21.120 --> 00:36:21.600 the investment 00:36:21.600 --> 00:36:22.140 needs to be 00:36:22.140 --> 00:36:22.539 made 00:36:22.539 --> 00:36:24.539 think of this 00:36:24.539 --> 00:36:24.920 when you go 00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:25.460 into work 00:36:25.460 --> 00:36:25.900 on Monday 00:36:25.900 --> 00:36:26.280 morning 00:36:26.280 --> 00:36:28.380 think of this 00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:28.960 when it comes 00:36:28.960 --> 00:36:29.580 to making 00:36:29.580 --> 00:36:30.560 bigger purchases 00:36:30.560 --> 00:36:31.800 and seemingly 00:36:31.800 --> 00:36:32.760 better purchases 00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:35.019 is the 00:36:35.019 --> 00:36:35.820 overriding 00:36:35.820 --> 00:36:36.600 mantra of your 00:36:36.600 --> 00:36:37.380 life godliness 00:36:37.380 --> 00:36:38.280 with contentment 00:36:38.280 --> 00:36:38.840 and then if it 00:36:38.840 --> 00:36:40.060 is make 00:36:40.059 --> 00:36:40.679 very shrewd 00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.079 decisions 00:36:41.079 --> 00:36:41.639 but ensure 00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:41.980 that your 00:36:41.980 --> 00:36:42.380 treasure 00:36:42.380 --> 00:36:43.619 isn't your 00:36:43.619 --> 00:36:44.000 ultimate 00:36:44.000 --> 00:36:44.920 treasure 00:36:44.920 --> 00:36:46.860 this in a 00:36:46.860 --> 00:36:47.699 culture is to 00:36:47.699 --> 00:36:48.360 stick out like 00:36:48.360 --> 00:36:49.159 a very healthy 00:36:49.159 --> 00:36:49.599 thumb 00:36:49.599 --> 00:36:51.139 because our 00:36:51.139 --> 00:36:51.579 world is 00:36:51.579 --> 00:36:52.320 materialistic 00:36:52.320 --> 00:36:52.759 and it's 00:36:52.759 --> 00:36:53.159 more more 00:36:53.159 --> 00:36:53.960 me more 00:36:53.960 --> 00:36:54.360 and it's 00:36:54.360 --> 00:36:55.039 me me me 00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:56.880 and so to be 00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.539 somebody who 00:36:57.539 --> 00:36:58.420 exhibits godliness 00:36:58.420 --> 00:36:59.599 with contentment 00:36:59.599 --> 00:37:01.380 is to be someone 00:37:01.380 --> 00:37:02.039 who sticks out 00:37:02.039 --> 00:37:02.619 like a healthy 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:02.980 thumb 00:37:02.980 --> 00:37:05.119 somebody who's 00:37:05.119 --> 00:37:05.500 going to be 00:37:05.500 --> 00:37:06.159 given lots of 00:37:06.159 --> 00:37:06.739 opportunities 00:37:06.739 --> 00:37:08.179 to give the 00:37:08.179 --> 00:37:08.840 reason for the 00:37:08.840 --> 00:37:09.940 hope that 00:37:09.940 --> 00:37:10.659 they have 00:37:10.659 --> 00:37:12.659 the great 00:37:12.659 --> 00:37:13.139 sickness of 00:37:13.139 --> 00:37:13.559 our world 00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:14.039 is not that 00:37:14.039 --> 00:37:14.340 we have 00:37:14.340 --> 00:37:14.760 nothing to 00:37:14.760 --> 00:37:15.179 be thankful 00:37:15.179 --> 00:37:15.720 for 00:37:15.720 --> 00:37:16.880 it's that 00:37:16.880 --> 00:37:17.179 we have 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:17.679 no one to 00:37:17.679 --> 00:37:18.099 be thankful 00:37:18.099 --> 00:37:18.480 to 00:37:18.480 --> 00:37:20.139 and the 00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:20.579 lord jesus 00:37:20.579 --> 00:37:21.000 has saved 00:37:21.000 --> 00:37:21.320 you from 00:37:21.320 --> 00:37:21.740 that 00:37:21.740 --> 00:37:23.400 he saved 00:37:23.400 --> 00:37:23.840 you to be 00:37:23.840 --> 00:37:24.380 somebody who 00:37:24.380 --> 00:37:24.800 knows that 00:37:24.800 --> 00:37:25.240 every good 00:37:25.240 --> 00:37:25.700 and perfect 00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:26.260 gift comes 00:37:26.260 --> 00:37:26.639 down from 00:37:26.639 --> 00:37:27.119 above 00:37:27.119 --> 00:37:28.300 from your 00:37:28.300 --> 00:37:28.780 father in 00:37:28.780 --> 00:37:29.179 heaven who 00:37:29.179 --> 00:37:29.539 does not 00:37:29.539 --> 00:37:30.139 change like 00:37:30.139 --> 00:37:30.559 sinking 00:37:30.559 --> 00:37:31.579 sand 00:37:31.579 --> 00:37:33.300 so i want 00:37:33.300 --> 00:37:33.659 to come into 00:37:33.659 --> 00:37:34.059 land with 00:37:34.059 --> 00:37:34.760 this experiment 00:37:34.760 --> 00:37:36.920 i wonder if 00:37:36.920 --> 00:37:37.520 we all clubbed 00:37:37.520 --> 00:37:38.180 together and 00:37:38.180 --> 00:37:39.100 made a tv 00:37:39.100 --> 00:37:40.240 home makeover 00:37:40.240 --> 00:37:40.640 show 00:37:40.640 --> 00:37:42.280 i'd like to 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:42.520 call it 00:37:42.520 --> 00:37:42.840 moderate 00:37:42.840 --> 00:37:43.620 designs 00:37:43.620 --> 00:37:48.200 each episode 00:37:48.200 --> 00:37:48.700 it would take 00:37:48.700 --> 00:37:49.500 five minutes 00:37:49.500 --> 00:37:52.219 the host would 00:37:52.219 --> 00:37:52.820 give a guided 00:37:52.820 --> 00:37:53.519 tour of a 00:37:53.519 --> 00:37:54.380 family home 00:37:54.380 --> 00:37:56.360 and then the 00:37:56.360 --> 00:37:56.840 builders and 00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.500 experts and 00:37:57.500 --> 00:37:58.320 architects and 00:37:58.320 --> 00:37:58.980 workmen would 00:37:58.980 --> 00:37:59.440 say something 00:37:59.440 --> 00:38:00.219 like this 00:38:00.219 --> 00:38:02.019 as you can see 00:38:02.019 --> 00:38:02.639 this home is 00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:03.119 brimming with 00:38:03.119 --> 00:38:03.699 potential 00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:05.179 there were all 00:38:05.179 --> 00:38:05.599 kinds of 00:38:05.599 --> 00:38:06.380 renovations that 00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.039 could be done 00:38:07.039 --> 00:38:08.320 an extension that 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:09.099 could be erected 00:38:09.099 --> 00:38:10.000 by folding doors 00:38:10.000 --> 00:38:10.739 that could be 00:38:10.739 --> 00:38:11.420 utilized 00:38:11.420 --> 00:38:12.780 not to mention 00:38:12.780 --> 00:38:13.400 room for a 00:38:13.400 --> 00:38:13.960 garage with 00:38:13.960 --> 00:38:14.599 self-contained 00:38:14.599 --> 00:38:15.539 apartment above 00:38:15.539 --> 00:38:17.820 however it does 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.420 the job pretty 00:38:18.420 --> 00:38:19.619 well as it is 00:38:19.619 --> 00:38:21.460 it is warm and 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:21.940 dry and 00:38:21.940 --> 00:38:22.340 comfortable 00:38:22.340 --> 00:38:23.880 there are no 00:38:23.880 --> 00:38:24.720 structural problems 00:38:24.720 --> 00:38:26.420 and it is fairly 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:27.619 energy efficient 00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:29.159 i'm going to 00:38:29.159 --> 00:38:30.900 encourage the 00:38:30.900 --> 00:38:31.559 family to be 00:38:31.559 --> 00:38:32.200 content and 00:38:32.200 --> 00:38:32.800 leave it as it 00:38:32.800 --> 00:38:34.539 is take all of 00:38:34.539 --> 00:38:35.920 the worry and 00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.340 all of the 00:38:36.340 --> 00:38:37.880 wealth and 00:38:37.880 --> 00:38:39.280 pour it over to 00:38:39.280 --> 00:38:39.880 the gospel of 00:38:39.880 --> 00:38:40.639 Jesus Christ 00:38:40.639 --> 00:38:42.219 then we would 00:38:42.219 --> 00:38:42.719 run the final 00:38:42.719 --> 00:38:43.259 credits 00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:46.480 you see this is 00:38:46.480 --> 00:38:47.039 the truth this 00:38:47.039 --> 00:38:47.500 morning but 00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.199 godliness with 00:38:48.199 --> 00:38:48.900 contentment is 00:38:48.900 --> 00:38:49.500 great gain 00:38:49.500 --> 00:38:51.980 for we brought 00:38:51.980 --> 00:38:52.739 nothing into the 00:38:52.739 --> 00:38:53.219 world and we 00:38:53.219 --> 00:38:54.279 can take nothing 00:38:54.279 --> 00:38:56.000 out of the 00:38:56.000 --> 00:38:56.400 world 00:38:56.400 --> 00:38:57.980 may that be true 00:38:57.980 --> 00:38:58.739 of your life 00:38:58.739 --> 00:39:00.420 may that be true 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:01.559 of my life 00:39:01.559 --> 00:39:03.420 go for godliness 00:39:03.420 --> 00:39:05.699 it is the only 00:39:05.699 --> 00:39:06.239 thing of any 00:39:06.239 --> 00:39:07.940 value that is 00:39:07.940 --> 00:39:08.659 worth you investing 00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:09.619 any of your life 00:39:09.619 --> 00:39:10.539 in let me pray 00:39:10.539 --> 00:39:13.940 father god we 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.559 confess that we 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.139 know the song 00:39:15.139 --> 00:39:16.259 turn your eyes 00:39:16.259 --> 00:39:17.139 upon jesus 00:39:17.139 --> 00:39:18.400 really well 00:39:18.400 --> 00:39:20.639 falls off our 00:39:20.639 --> 00:39:22.619 tongue about the 00:39:22.619 --> 00:39:23.199 things of earth 00:39:23.199 --> 00:39:23.940 growing strangely 00:39:23.940 --> 00:39:26.300 dim and yet in 00:39:26.300 --> 00:39:27.279 all honesty we are 00:39:27.279 --> 00:39:28.139 captivated by 00:39:28.139 --> 00:39:30.179 stuff enamored by 00:39:30.179 --> 00:39:32.460 things and more 00:39:32.460 --> 00:39:33.340 preoccupied with 00:39:33.340 --> 00:39:34.000 earthly bank 00:39:34.000 --> 00:39:35.539 balances than 00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.059 with heavenly 00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:38.420 treasure father god 00:39:38.420 --> 00:39:39.380 please assure us 00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:39.720 of your 00:39:39.720 --> 00:39:40.659 bounteous goodness 00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:41.360 your loving 00:39:41.360 --> 00:39:42.940 provision and 00:39:42.940 --> 00:39:43.500 our glorious 00:39:43.500 --> 00:39:45.639 future and may 00:39:45.639 --> 00:39:46.240 these truths 00:39:46.240 --> 00:39:47.460 reorientate us to 00:39:47.460 --> 00:39:48.139 be those who 00:39:48.139 --> 00:39:49.119 strive for godliness 00:39:49.119 --> 00:39:50.380 with contentment 00:39:50.380 --> 00:39:52.820 father this needs 00:39:52.820 --> 00:39:53.619 a work of your 00:39:53.619 --> 00:39:55.579 spirit to renovate 00:39:55.579 --> 00:39:56.480 us from the inside 00:39:56.480 --> 00:39:57.240 out and truly 00:39:57.240 --> 00:39:58.980 captivate us with 00:39:58.980 --> 00:39:59.619 the promise of 00:39:59.619 --> 00:40:00.139 life 00:40:00.139 --> 00:40:03.400 father may this 00:40:03.400 --> 00:40:04.159 eclipse the 00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.819 trinkets and 00:40:04.819 --> 00:40:06.460 trappings of 00:40:06.460 --> 00:40:07.079 our existence 00:40:07.079 --> 00:40:09.139 we pray that you 00:40:09.139 --> 00:40:10.359 would truly be we 00:40:10.359 --> 00:40:11.079 pray that we would 00:40:11.079 --> 00:40:12.079 be truly captivated 00:40:12.079 --> 00:40:14.199 by jesus and 00:40:14.199 --> 00:40:15.259 ever satisfied in 00:40:15.259 --> 00:40:15.579 him 00:40:15.579 --> 00:40:18.039 we are so thankful 00:40:18.039 --> 00:40:18.980 to be given another 00:40:18.980 --> 00:40:19.900 chance to be changed 00:40:19.900 --> 00:40:20.460 by you 00:40:20.460 --> 00:40:22.879 so please come and 00:40:22.879 --> 00:40:24.039 reprioritize our 00:40:24.039 --> 00:40:25.759 affections and 00:40:25.759 --> 00:40:26.940 reform our desires 00:40:26.940 --> 00:40:28.960 we pray this in the 00:40:28.960 --> 00:40:29.820 wonderful ever 00:40:29.820 --> 00:40:30.679 satisfying and 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:31.679 eternally glorious 00:40:31.679 --> 00:40:33.200 name of jesus 00:40:33.200 --> 00:40:34.679 christ amen