WEBVTT

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 Amen.

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 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Titus.

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 We are continuing our series in the book of Titus this morning,

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 and we will be in chapter 2, verses 11 through 15 this morning.

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 Chapter 2, verses 11 through 15.

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 If you're using the few Bibles there in front of you, you can find that on page 938.

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 So if you did not bring a Bible of your own, it'll be here on the screen behind me,

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 but I encourage you to have a Bible open in front of you,

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 because we'll be flipping around a few other places as well,

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 and you can find that on page 938.

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 Titus 2, 11 through 15. Follow along with me as I read.

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 For the grace of God has appeared,

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 bringing salvation for all people,

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 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,

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 and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

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 waiting for our blessed hope,

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 the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

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 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness,

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 and to purify for himself a people for his own possession,

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 who are zealous for good works.

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 Declare these things.

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 Exhort and rebuke with all authority.

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 Let no one disregard you.

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 Let's pray once more.

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 Lord, this is your word.

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 Father, this word is so full of treasures for us to uncover

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 and explore and cherish.

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 And so we pray that we would do that now.

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 Would you help us to grasp,

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 for the first time or for the thousandth time,

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 help us to grasp the goodness of you and your glory,

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 the goodness of the doctrine of God.

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 We pray this in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 There is a poem that I think about often.

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 I don't know many poems,

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 but this is one of the few that I know.

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 It's one of my favorite quotes from John Bunyan.

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 It's not Paul Bunyan,

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 the big lumberjack with the big blue ox.

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 John Bunyan, the great Puritan.

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 It says this,

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 Run, John, run, the law demands,

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 but gives us neither feet nor hands.

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 Far better news the gospel brings.

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 It bids us fly and gives us wings.

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 Another version by Ralph Erskine.

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 It says it like this,

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 A rigid matter was the law,

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 demanding brick, denying straw.

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 But when with gospel tongue it sings,

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 it bids me fly and gives me wings.

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 Here's what it means.

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 The law, it makes demands,

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 but it provides no power to accomplish what it demands.

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 But the gospel provides both the power

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 and the capacity to live a life of godliness.

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 See, our capacity for godliness,

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 it does not come from us.

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 We can't muster up the strength to be godly.

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 We have no ability in ourself

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 to keep the law of God,

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 to please God on our own.

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 We have to look outward,

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 out of ourself.

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 That's called faith.

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 Looking outward,

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 out of yourself,

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 to find that strength.

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 You know, our passage this morning

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 begins with the word for.

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 You see that here in verse 11.

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 For the grace of God has appeared.

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 That word for is a connector.

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 It is connecting this passage,

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 our passage this morning,

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 to the passage right before it.

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 What Paul has just said right before it.

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 You know, sometimes we treat the Bible

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 like it's disconnected.

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 Like Paul somehow forgot

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 what he was saying last week,

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 and now he picks up

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 with some totally new thought this week,

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 and he's disconnected.

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 The Bible isn't written like that.

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 The Bible was written by people,

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 humans.

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 This book, Titus,

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 is a letter written by a person.

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 He was divinely inspired

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 by the Spirit of God, yes,

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 but he's a person

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 who uses words

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 in the same way that we do,

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 who uses thoughts

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 in the same way that we do,

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 who uses words to argue

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 in the same way that we do.

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 So when he says,

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 for the grace of God has appeared,

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 we know that he's given a reason.

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 He's given a basis,

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 an explanation,

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 a foundation

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 for what he has just commanded us

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 in our passage last week,

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 and we do this all the time.

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 Let's go get lunch,

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 for because I'm feeling hungry.

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 Let's go to bed,

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 for because I'm feeling tired.

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 Let's get dressed,

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 for because it's time

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 to go to church.

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 Paul has been building a case

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 here in the book of Titus

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 that faith accords

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 with godliness.

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 Christians should not,

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 like the Cretans were doing,

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 should not profess

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 to know God with our mouths,

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 but then deny him

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 with our actions.

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 If we say that we have received

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 new life in Christ,

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 but nothing is new

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 about our life,

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 Paul says something

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 is dramatically wrong.

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 And so Paul showed us last week

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 what godliness might look like

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 for us,

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 for every member of the church.

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 If you were here last week,

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 there was something

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 for all of us here

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 in chapter 2,

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 verses 1 through 10.

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 There was instructions

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 for old men,

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 young men,

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 older women,

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 younger women,

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 servants in the church,

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 and servants in the home.

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 Every single one of us

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 in Christ is called

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 to a life

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 that is distinct

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 from the world around us.

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 He gave us commands

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 last week.

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 But you may have left

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 last week wondering,

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 how do I do that?

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 How do I do that?

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 How could I possibly

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 live a godly life?

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 What's the basis

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 or the power

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 or the motivation

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 for living a life

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 like this?

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 Hopefully you didn't,

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 but you may have left

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 last week discouraged,

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 feeling like I could

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 never live up

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 to what Paul has described

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 here in verses 1 through 10.

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 So this morning,

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 Paul brings you good news.

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 He says,

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 for the grace of God

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 has appeared.

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 Last week he bid us fly,

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 this week he gives us wings.

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 And we should take note

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 here this morning

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 that this is distinctly different

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 from every other religion

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 in the world.

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 Every world religion

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 gives commands.

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 Every religion

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 gives instructions.

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 Every religion

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 has expectations.

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 No other religion

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 gives the power

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 to do it.

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 Every other religion

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 says,

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 hey, here's how you

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 get to our God.

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 Here's how you do it.

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 Good luck.

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 Earn it.

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 Do it.

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 Do better.

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 Try better.

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 Work harder.

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 Be better.

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 Be the best you can be

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 and maybe,

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 hopefully,

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 you'll make it.

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 Church,

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 we need to know

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 that's not how

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 Christianity works.

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 The gospel says

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 God saves.

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 God calls.

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 God trains.

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 God redeems.

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 God justifies.

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 God sanctifies.

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 God preserves.

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 God sustains.

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 God purifies.

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 God glorifies.

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 God.

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 God is about God.

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 And with that confidence

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 and that dependence

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 upon God,

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 we pursue godliness

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 as his children.

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 As his children.

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 No other religion

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 in the world

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 says anything

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 close to that.

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 Our passage

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 this morning,

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 it roots all

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 of our efforts

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 for godliness,

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 all of our pursuit

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 of the Lord,

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 all of our striving,

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 all of our labor

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 in the good news

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 of what God has done

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 and what God has promised

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 in the gospel

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 of Jesus Christ.

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 This gospel

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 is the motivation

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 and the power

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 for godly living.

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 So Paul gives us

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 two life-changing truths

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 here in our passage

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 this morning.

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 Two life-changing truths.

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 This is our outline

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 this morning.

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 If you're taking notes,

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 I encourage you

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 to follow along

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 this way.

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 This is our motivation

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 and our power

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 for godliness.

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 Two life-changing truths.

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 Christ has come

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 and Christ will come again.

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 Two life-changing truths.

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 If we understand

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 these two truths,

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 we will pursue

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 a life of godliness

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 here in the present age.

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 Two truths.

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 Christ has come

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 and Christ will come again.

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 First,

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 Paul says,

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 live this way,

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 be godly,

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 pursue godliness.

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 Why?

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 What's the basis

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 of our pursuit?

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 Verse 11,

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 he says,

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 for the grace of God

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 has appeared.

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 And so he says,

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 be holy,

00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:19.299
 pursue godliness,

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 for,

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 because,

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 here's the basis,

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 because Christ has come.

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 See,

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 Paul is looking backwards

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 to what we call

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 the incarnation of Christ.

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 He's talking about

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 the first coming

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 of Jesus.

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 The incarnation

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 of the son of God.

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 Christians,

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 we don't believe

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 that Jesus was just

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 another man,

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 just another good teacher,

00:09:42.939 --> 00:09:44.240
 just another religious figure.

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 We believe that

00:09:46.059 --> 00:09:48.620
 just over 2,000 years ago

00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.199
 a miracle happened.

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 The son of God

00:09:51.319 --> 00:09:52.979
 became man.

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 And Paul says,

00:09:54.879 --> 00:09:56.419
 your holiness now,

00:09:56.559 --> 00:09:57.000
 today,

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 in this present age,

00:09:58.579 --> 00:10:00.219
 is only possible

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 because of something

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 that happened

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 2,000 years ago.

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 But why is that?

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 What is it,

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 specifically,

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 about this event

00:10:10.480 --> 00:10:12.279
 2,000 years ago

00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:13.480
 that's still

00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:14.940
 transforming lives

00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:15.600
 today?

00:10:16.180 --> 00:10:16.920
 Look with me

00:10:16.920 --> 00:10:17.519
 to verse 11.

00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:20.940
 It is interesting,

00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:21.500
 isn't it,

00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:23.500
 that Paul is talking

00:10:23.500 --> 00:10:24.160
 about the coming

00:10:24.160 --> 00:10:24.740
 of Christ,

00:10:24.820 --> 00:10:25.540
 but he doesn't say

00:10:25.540 --> 00:10:26.560
 Christ has appeared,

00:10:26.639 --> 00:10:26.920
 does he?

00:10:26.919 --> 00:10:28.439
 What does he say?

00:10:29.899 --> 00:10:30.799
 The grace

00:10:30.799 --> 00:10:31.919
 of God

00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:33.059
 has appeared.

00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.000
 The grace

00:10:35.000 --> 00:10:36.059
 of God

00:10:36.059 --> 00:10:37.379
 has appeared.

00:10:38.579 --> 00:10:39.399
 The first

00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:40.599
 coming of Christ

00:10:40.599 --> 00:10:42.059
 is synonymous

00:10:42.059 --> 00:10:43.219
 with the appearing

00:10:43.219 --> 00:10:45.219
 of God's grace.

00:10:46.379 --> 00:10:46.839
 Of course,

00:10:46.919 --> 00:10:47.419
 God's grace

00:10:47.419 --> 00:10:48.419
 has appeared

00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:49.099
 all throughout

00:10:49.099 --> 00:10:49.839
 the Old Testament.

00:10:49.979 --> 00:10:50.659
 This isn't the first

00:10:50.659 --> 00:10:51.319
 time we see

00:10:51.319 --> 00:10:52.779
 God's saving power,

00:10:52.959 --> 00:10:54.059
 God's grace

00:10:54.059 --> 00:10:55.799
 appearing here.

00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.159
 God has graciously

00:10:57.159 --> 00:10:58.779
 promised and called

00:10:58.779 --> 00:10:59.859
 and redeemed Israel.

00:11:00.899 --> 00:11:01.279
 He's made

00:11:01.279 --> 00:11:02.459
 gracious promises

00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:03.620
 to Noah

00:11:03.620 --> 00:11:04.279
 and Abraham

00:11:04.279 --> 00:11:04.939
 and David

00:11:04.939 --> 00:11:05.419
 all throughout

00:11:05.419 --> 00:11:06.099
 the Old Testament.

00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:06.779
 His grace is

00:11:06.779 --> 00:11:08.899
 all over every page.

00:11:09.699 --> 00:11:10.479
 But the appearing

00:11:10.479 --> 00:11:11.659
 of Christ

00:11:11.659 --> 00:11:13.299
 is the clearest

00:11:13.299 --> 00:11:15.059
 and most spectacular

00:11:15.059 --> 00:11:16.199
 appearing

00:11:16.199 --> 00:11:17.279
 of the grace

00:11:17.279 --> 00:11:17.859
 of God.

00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:19.559
 This isn't just

00:11:19.559 --> 00:11:20.719
 grace extended

00:11:20.719 --> 00:11:21.319
 as it was

00:11:21.319 --> 00:11:22.019
 in the Old Testament,

00:11:22.159 --> 00:11:22.919
 this is grace

00:11:22.919 --> 00:11:23.779
 embodied

00:11:23.779 --> 00:11:25.199
 in the person

00:11:25.199 --> 00:11:25.879
 of Christ.

00:11:27.519 --> 00:11:27.740
 Now,

00:11:27.860 --> 00:11:28.579
 at risk of

00:11:28.579 --> 00:11:29.600
 overstatement

00:11:29.600 --> 00:11:30.259
 here,

00:11:30.939 --> 00:11:32.659
 there may not be

00:11:32.659 --> 00:11:34.079
 a more easily

00:11:34.079 --> 00:11:35.159
 misunderstood,

00:11:35.620 --> 00:11:37.480
 quickly polarizing,

00:11:38.819 --> 00:11:40.159
 toxically abused

00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:40.839
 doctrine

00:11:40.839 --> 00:11:41.699
 than the doctrine

00:11:41.699 --> 00:11:43.039
 of God's grace.

00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:44.179
 Now,

00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:44.759
 it is important

00:11:44.759 --> 00:11:46.019
 that we get this

00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:46.539
 right.

00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.139
 And one of the reasons

00:11:47.139 --> 00:11:47.699
 why I love

00:11:47.699 --> 00:11:48.480
 the Apostle Paul

00:11:48.480 --> 00:11:49.779
 is he is all the time

00:11:49.779 --> 00:11:50.379
 correcting

00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:52.139
 our misunderstandings

00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:53.039
 of God's grace

00:11:53.039 --> 00:11:53.899
 and showing us

00:11:53.899 --> 00:11:54.679
 how to live

00:11:54.679 --> 00:11:55.379
 in light

00:11:55.379 --> 00:11:56.659
 of that grace

00:11:56.659 --> 00:11:57.220
 of God

00:11:57.220 --> 00:11:57.899
 for the glory

00:11:57.899 --> 00:11:58.899
 of God.

00:11:58.960 --> 00:11:59.399
 So look with me

00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.259
 again at verse 11

00:12:00.259 --> 00:12:01.799
 and we see two functions

00:12:01.799 --> 00:12:02.699
 of God's grace

00:12:02.699 --> 00:12:03.659
 here in this verse.

00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:05.100
 Two functions

00:12:05.100 --> 00:12:06.120
 of God's grace.

00:12:06.960 --> 00:12:07.939
 Grace saves

00:12:07.939 --> 00:12:10.519
 and grace trains.

00:12:11.879 --> 00:12:13.240
 Grace saves

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:16.159
 and grace trains.

00:12:16.259 --> 00:12:16.899
 He says here,

00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:17.460
 verse 11,

00:12:17.539 --> 00:12:18.559
 the grace of God

00:12:18.559 --> 00:12:19.419
 has appeared

00:12:19.419 --> 00:12:20.919
 bringing salvation

00:12:20.919 --> 00:12:21.979
 for all people

00:12:21.979 --> 00:12:24.120
 and training us

00:12:24.120 --> 00:12:24.839
 to renounce

00:12:24.839 --> 00:12:25.579
 ungodliness

00:12:25.579 --> 00:12:27.279
 and worldly passions

00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:28.479
 and to live

00:12:28.479 --> 00:12:29.639
 self-controlled,

00:12:29.879 --> 00:12:30.299
 upright,

00:12:30.500 --> 00:12:31.360
 godly lives

00:12:31.360 --> 00:12:32.740
 in the present age.

00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:32.939
 See,

00:12:32.979 --> 00:12:33.919
 you gotta have both here.

00:12:34.479 --> 00:12:35.179
 You can't have

00:12:35.179 --> 00:12:36.299
 just one.

00:12:36.439 --> 00:12:36.979
 God's grace

00:12:36.979 --> 00:12:37.919
 came saving

00:12:37.919 --> 00:12:39.219
 and God's grace

00:12:39.219 --> 00:12:40.779
 came training.

00:12:42.259 --> 00:12:42.879
 Paul says,

00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:43.779
 grace came

00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:44.879
 bringing salvation

00:12:44.879 --> 00:12:46.939
 for all people.

00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:47.620
 That promise

00:12:47.620 --> 00:12:48.259
 that God made

00:12:48.259 --> 00:12:48.839
 to the Jews

00:12:48.839 --> 00:12:49.699
 in the Old Testament,

00:12:49.700 --> 00:12:51.240
 I will be your God

00:12:51.240 --> 00:12:52.000
 and you will be

00:12:52.000 --> 00:12:52.720
 my people

00:12:52.720 --> 00:12:55.240
 is now through Christ

00:12:55.240 --> 00:12:57.720
 extended to all peoples

00:12:57.720 --> 00:12:58.940
 of the earth.

00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.660
 That's good news

00:13:00.660 --> 00:13:01.580
 for us Gentiles,

00:13:01.680 --> 00:13:01.960
 right?

00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:02.759
 Amen?

00:13:02.759 --> 00:13:02.940
 Amen?

00:13:03.820 --> 00:13:05.000
 On the basis

00:13:05.000 --> 00:13:07.040
 of Christ's perfect obedience,

00:13:08.340 --> 00:13:09.879
 his sacrificial death

00:13:09.879 --> 00:13:10.540
 on the cross

00:13:10.540 --> 00:13:11.660
 in our place,

00:13:11.700 --> 00:13:12.640
 in the place of sinners,

00:13:12.800 --> 00:13:14.600
 his victorious resurrection

00:13:14.600 --> 00:13:15.780
 from the grave

00:13:15.780 --> 00:13:17.180
 received by grace

00:13:17.179 --> 00:13:18.120
 through faith,

00:13:18.479 --> 00:13:20.179
 all people can be saved

00:13:20.179 --> 00:13:22.539
 from the condemnation

00:13:22.539 --> 00:13:25.079
 and the eternal damnation

00:13:25.079 --> 00:13:27.319
 earned from their sin.

00:13:28.399 --> 00:13:28.919
 Now,

00:13:29.559 --> 00:13:31.339
 not every individual

00:13:31.339 --> 00:13:32.639
 will be saved.

00:13:33.639 --> 00:13:34.620
 When he says,

00:13:35.039 --> 00:13:36.299
 grace came bringing salvation

00:13:36.299 --> 00:13:37.539
 for all people,

00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.399
 don't get hung up there.

00:13:38.479 --> 00:13:38.919
 That doesn't mean

00:13:38.919 --> 00:13:40.699
 that every individual person

00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:42.319
 will be saved.

00:13:42.320 --> 00:13:44.560
 only those who hear

00:13:44.560 --> 00:13:46.000
 the good news of Christ,

00:13:46.900 --> 00:13:47.960
 only those who hear

00:13:47.960 --> 00:13:49.660
 the words of the gospel

00:13:49.660 --> 00:13:51.800
 and respond with saving

00:13:51.800 --> 00:13:53.000
 faith and repentance

00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:54.440
 in Christ Jesus

00:13:54.440 --> 00:13:56.240
 will be saved.

00:13:56.320 --> 00:13:56.820
 He's not saying

00:13:56.820 --> 00:13:58.100
 all people will be saved.

00:13:59.040 --> 00:14:00.140
 What he's saying here

00:14:00.140 --> 00:14:00.840
 is that there are

00:14:00.840 --> 00:14:02.320
 no ethnic,

00:14:03.100 --> 00:14:03.620
 racial,

00:14:04.220 --> 00:14:04.800
 social,

00:14:05.300 --> 00:14:05.860
 regional,

00:14:06.240 --> 00:14:07.620
 political limitations

00:14:07.620 --> 00:14:08.920
 on the grace of God.

00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:09.000
 God.

00:14:10.000 --> 00:14:12.000
 This grace is made available

00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.919
 to all the peoples

00:14:13.919 --> 00:14:14.759
 of the earth.

00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:16.759
 And so we pray

00:14:16.759 --> 00:14:17.620
 every Sunday morning.

00:14:17.879 --> 00:14:18.279
 We pray.

00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:20.019
 Not just for what's going on

00:14:20.019 --> 00:14:20.819
 here in Allendal,

00:14:20.919 --> 00:14:21.759
 not just for what's going on

00:14:21.759 --> 00:14:22.559
 in South Carolina.

00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:24.059
 We pray every week

00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:24.919
 for the nations.

00:14:25.099 --> 00:14:25.860
 And you might notice,

00:14:26.219 --> 00:14:27.120
 often we pray

00:14:27.120 --> 00:14:28.719
 for a people group

00:14:28.719 --> 00:14:30.539
 in a specific nation.

00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.599
 A people group.

00:14:32.699 --> 00:14:33.579
 We prayed last week

00:14:33.579 --> 00:14:34.759
 for the people of Macau.

00:14:34.879 --> 00:14:35.659
 And specifically,

00:14:35.899 --> 00:14:36.519
 in Macau,

00:14:36.599 --> 00:14:38.139
 we prayed for the people group

00:14:38.139 --> 00:14:40.199
 the Hui people group.

00:14:41.220 --> 00:14:42.199
 The Hui people group.

00:14:42.279 --> 00:14:43.899
 They're a frontier people.

00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:44.580
 That means that

00:14:44.580 --> 00:14:47.000
 they have never heard

00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:47.779
 the gospel.

00:14:48.740 --> 00:14:50.100
 They have zero access

00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.779
 to the gospel.

00:14:51.899 --> 00:14:52.600
 To our knowledge,

00:14:52.699 --> 00:14:53.899
 no one from the people group,

00:14:53.960 --> 00:14:54.679
 the Hui people group,

00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.519
 have ever heard

00:14:55.519 --> 00:14:56.139
 the name Jesus.

00:14:56.500 --> 00:14:57.960
 And they have zero access

00:14:57.960 --> 00:14:59.340
 to it on their own.

00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.580
 So someone must go.

00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:03.759
 The word must come to them.

00:15:03.840 --> 00:15:05.539
 They'll perish without it.

00:15:05.539 --> 00:15:07.879
 I don't know

00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:08.980
 how many people

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:10.620
 God will choose to save

00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:12.339
 from the Hui people group.

00:15:13.419 --> 00:15:14.179
 But I do know

00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:16.779
 that every tribe,

00:15:17.240 --> 00:15:17.579
 tongue,

00:15:17.899 --> 00:15:18.679
 and nation

00:15:18.679 --> 00:15:19.759
 will be gathered

00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.799
 around the throne

00:15:20.799 --> 00:15:22.379
 of God in glory.

00:15:22.539 --> 00:15:23.919
 He's promised us that.

00:15:24.839 --> 00:15:26.740
 That's what grace accomplished

00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.199
 in the first coming of Christ.

00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:29.139
 And so we pray.

00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:31.839
 And so we send missionaries.

00:15:31.959 --> 00:15:32.659
 So we support

00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:34.099
 missionary efforts.

00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:35.980
 So we proclaim the gospel

00:15:35.980 --> 00:15:37.899
 in every corner of the earth

00:15:37.899 --> 00:15:38.879
 with the confidence

00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:40.440
 that God will do

00:15:40.440 --> 00:15:41.300
 what he's promised.

00:15:42.120 --> 00:15:42.879
 He will save

00:15:42.879 --> 00:15:43.879
 all the peoples

00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:44.879
 of the earth.

00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:46.180
 That's what Paul's saying here.

00:15:46.320 --> 00:15:47.120
 Christ came.

00:15:47.800 --> 00:15:49.040
 The grace of God came

00:15:49.040 --> 00:15:50.399
 bringing salvation

00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:52.560
 for all the peoples

00:15:52.560 --> 00:15:54.040
 of the earth.

00:15:54.159 --> 00:15:55.100
 So we can say it like this.

00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.440
 Not every person

00:15:57.440 --> 00:15:58.279
 will be saved

00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:59.220
 without distinction.

00:15:59.720 --> 00:16:00.360
 No, excuse me.

00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.139
 Run that back.

00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.120
 Run that back.

00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.680
 Not every person

00:16:05.680 --> 00:16:06.480
 will be saved

00:16:06.480 --> 00:16:07.720
 without exception,

00:16:08.060 --> 00:16:08.980
 but all peoples

00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.759
 will be saved

00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:10.740
 without distinction.

00:16:11.480 --> 00:16:12.500
 Say that again.

00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:14.620
 Not every person

00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:15.240
 will be saved

00:16:15.240 --> 00:16:16.120
 without exception,

00:16:16.600 --> 00:16:17.300
 meaning all peoples

00:16:17.300 --> 00:16:17.800
 are saved,

00:16:18.120 --> 00:16:19.759
 but all peoples

00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:20.860
 will be saved

00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:22.560
 without distinction.

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:25.079
 even you.

00:16:27.079 --> 00:16:27.839
 Even me.

00:16:29.639 --> 00:16:30.539
 Here's what this means

00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:31.259
 for us, church.

00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:32.739
 No one in this room

00:16:32.739 --> 00:16:33.179
 can say,

00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:34.899
 man, I wish I could get in

00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.379
 on that saving grace of God,

00:16:36.439 --> 00:16:37.719
 but I don't qualify.

00:16:38.719 --> 00:16:39.839
 Christ's perfect life,

00:16:39.979 --> 00:16:40.699
 not for me.

00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:42.219
 His sacrificial death,

00:16:42.399 --> 00:16:43.099
 not for me.

00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:44.279
 I'm too old.

00:16:44.359 --> 00:16:45.579
 I don't fit the criteria here.

00:16:45.619 --> 00:16:46.379
 I'm too poor.

00:16:46.459 --> 00:16:47.759
 I don't fit the criteria here.

00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:49.379
 I vote this way.

00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.319
 I act this way.

00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.539
 I come from this background.

00:16:51.759 --> 00:16:52.720
 I've done this.

00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.399
 I've done that.

00:16:53.460 --> 00:16:54.500
 I'm addicted to this.

00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:55.519
 I'm addicted to that.

00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.620
 Whatever the excuse may be,

00:16:57.740 --> 00:16:57.980
 church,

00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.539
 grace by definition

00:16:59.539 --> 00:17:00.500
 is undeserved.

00:17:02.139 --> 00:17:03.480
 The very definition

00:17:03.480 --> 00:17:04.460
 of grace

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:06.259
 means you don't fit

00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.000
 the criteria.

00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:09.680
 The only criteria here

00:17:09.680 --> 00:17:10.880
 is that you know

00:17:10.880 --> 00:17:12.240
 you don't deserve

00:17:12.240 --> 00:17:13.779
 what God is giving to you

00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.720
 in Christ.

00:17:14.839 --> 00:17:16.640
 You cannot earn His grace

00:17:16.640 --> 00:17:18.000
 or it's no longer grace.

00:17:19.599 --> 00:17:21.019
 I shared this example

00:17:21.019 --> 00:17:21.960
 with someone the other day

00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:24.339
 trying to explain this to them.

00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.640
 This is like if a child

00:17:25.640 --> 00:17:26.799
 does something they know

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:27.819
 they shouldn't do.

00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.940
 Okay, this is my life.

00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:29.759
 All right?

00:17:30.240 --> 00:17:31.619
 This is where my mind goes

00:17:31.619 --> 00:17:32.660
 with illustrations.

00:17:32.880 --> 00:17:33.599
 Y'all bear with me.

00:17:34.599 --> 00:17:35.939
 The parent saw it

00:17:35.939 --> 00:17:37.179
 the whole way up and down.

00:17:37.299 --> 00:17:39.259
 They know there's no denying it.

00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:40.459
 Something wrong has happened.

00:17:40.879 --> 00:17:41.939
 The child knows

00:17:41.939 --> 00:17:43.199
 that they deserve punishment.

00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:44.799
 They know that they've messed up.

00:17:44.959 --> 00:17:46.459
 They've been caught in the act.

00:17:47.419 --> 00:17:49.399
 But as an act of mercy,

00:17:50.719 --> 00:17:51.539
 the parent says,

00:17:51.539 --> 00:17:52.879
 I will withhold

00:17:52.879 --> 00:17:54.899
 the punishment you deserve.

00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:56.619
 That's mercy.

00:17:57.500 --> 00:17:59.179
 Withholding what you deserve.

00:17:59.319 --> 00:18:00.500
 Mercy, you don't get

00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.459
 what you deserve.

00:18:01.679 --> 00:18:03.259
 But grace goes a step further

00:18:03.259 --> 00:18:04.140
 than that, doesn't it?

00:18:05.420 --> 00:18:06.059
 Grace says,

00:18:06.140 --> 00:18:07.180
 I saw what you did.

00:18:08.579 --> 00:18:10.299
 I know you deserve punishment.

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:11.940
 But instead,

00:18:12.140 --> 00:18:12.700
 I'm going to give you

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:14.160
 the biggest slice of cake

00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:15.359
 I can fit on this plate.

00:18:16.660 --> 00:18:18.180
 I'm going to reward you

00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:20.900
 as if you had obeyed perfectly.

00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:23.220
 You deserve punishment,

00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:23.859
 but instead,

00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:25.440
 you get a big old slice of cake

00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:26.480
 because I love you.

00:18:26.539 --> 00:18:27.299
 I'm going to reward you

00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:29.180
 as if you never did anything wrong,

00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:31.759
 as if you're absolutely perfect.

00:18:31.759 --> 00:18:33.420
 That's grace.

00:18:34.799 --> 00:18:36.099
 Mercy holds back

00:18:36.099 --> 00:18:37.539
 what you do deserve,

00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.680
 namely punishment

00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:40.039
 for your sin.

00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.740
 Grace gives you

00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:43.299
 what you could never deserve.

00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.119
 The blessing

00:18:45.119 --> 00:18:47.140
 and the favor of God.

00:18:47.299 --> 00:18:48.819
 Salvation from our sin

00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.859
 and eternal life

00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:52.019
 in Christ Jesus,

00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.220
 our Lord.

00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:56.279
 God's grace saves.

00:18:57.279 --> 00:18:58.960
 But not only that,

00:19:00.299 --> 00:19:01.500
 we don't stop there.

00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:04.620
 God's grace trains.

00:19:05.920 --> 00:19:07.000
 Look to verse 11 again.

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.100
 Look to verse 11 again.

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:09.480
 He says,

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:10.740
 The grace of God

00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:11.539
 has appeared,

00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.039
 bringing salvation

00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:14.220
 for all people

00:19:14.220 --> 00:19:16.220
 and training us

00:19:16.220 --> 00:19:17.759
 to renounce ungodliness

00:19:17.759 --> 00:19:18.839
 and worldly passions

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:20.980
 and to live self-controlled,

00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:21.920
 upright,

00:19:22.120 --> 00:19:23.319
 and godly lives

00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:25.480
 in the present age.

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.640
 See,

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.319
 the grace of God

00:19:26.319 --> 00:19:27.279
 came saving

00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:29.460
 and the grace of God

00:19:29.460 --> 00:19:30.940
 came training.

00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.960
 You can't have one

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.559
 without the other.

00:19:33.640 --> 00:19:34.860
 This is what we've been seeing

00:19:34.860 --> 00:19:36.079
 all through the book of Titus,

00:19:36.120 --> 00:19:36.539
 isn't it?

00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:38.119
 If you have been given

00:19:38.119 --> 00:19:39.700
 the gift of salvation,

00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.599
 you have been enrolled,

00:19:41.859 --> 00:19:42.339
 enlisted,

00:19:42.539 --> 00:19:43.240
 you have been given

00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.920
 the gift of sanctification.

00:19:46.200 --> 00:19:46.940
 And that pace

00:19:46.940 --> 00:19:48.279
 and that progress

00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:49.099
 may look different

00:19:49.099 --> 00:19:50.119
 from person to person,

00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:51.079
 Christian to Christian,

00:19:51.259 --> 00:19:52.259
 but the trajectory

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:53.579
 is the same.

00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:54.960
 Everyone who's been saved

00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:55.720
 by grace

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:57.519
 will be trained by grace

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.220
 for godliness

00:19:58.220 --> 00:20:00.879
 in the present age.

00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.279
 In other words,

00:20:03.500 --> 00:20:04.220
 Jesus Christ

00:20:04.220 --> 00:20:05.879
 did not just come

00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.960
 to save you

00:20:06.960 --> 00:20:07.540
 and leave you

00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:08.200
 as you are.

00:20:09.840 --> 00:20:10.740
 Jesus Christ

00:20:10.740 --> 00:20:12.380
 came to save you

00:20:12.380 --> 00:20:13.500
 and to change

00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.480
 who you are.

00:20:15.960 --> 00:20:16.960
 He did not come

00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.500
 to save you

00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.100
 and leave you

00:20:18.100 --> 00:20:18.740
 as you are.

00:20:18.840 --> 00:20:19.920
 Come as you are

00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.680
 to Christ

00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.480
 and expect

00:20:21.480 --> 00:20:22.900
 that he will transform you

00:20:22.900 --> 00:20:23.800
 from the inside out.

00:20:23.880 --> 00:20:25.620
 You will not be the same.

00:20:27.280 --> 00:20:27.980
 Jesus Christ

00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.920
 did not come

00:20:28.920 --> 00:20:30.640
 just to save you.

00:20:30.700 --> 00:20:32.640
 He came to transform you.

00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.200
 That change process,

00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:36.000
 it begins

00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.600
 the moment

00:20:36.600 --> 00:20:37.360
 you put your faith

00:20:37.360 --> 00:20:37.880
 in Christ,

00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:38.819
 but that's not the end

00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:39.759
 for us, Christian.

00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.799
 It continues all the way

00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.120
 until either we die

00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:44.620
 or Christ returns.

00:20:44.799 --> 00:20:45.500
 Your coming to faith

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:45.880
 in Christ

00:20:45.880 --> 00:20:46.720
 was the beginning

00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:48.259
 of your Christian walk.

00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.120
 It's not the end.

00:20:49.660 --> 00:20:50.400
 It's the beginning.

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.559
 We've all been enrolled

00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.500
 in a lifelong training program

00:20:54.500 --> 00:20:55.660
 called sanctification.

00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.279
 That means you are

00:20:58.279 --> 00:21:00.660
 being made holy.

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:02.700
 We've not arrived, church.

00:21:03.740 --> 00:21:05.300
 There are parts of you

00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:07.340
 and there are parts of me

00:21:07.340 --> 00:21:09.360
 that need changing.

00:21:09.600 --> 00:21:10.380
 Praise God,

00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.140
 by his grace,

00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.500
 he's doing it.

00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.860
 Do not buy cheap grace

00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.820
 that saves

00:21:17.820 --> 00:21:19.960
 but does not train.

00:21:22.040 --> 00:21:23.640
 Christians are those

00:21:23.640 --> 00:21:26.259
 who, because of God's saving grace,

00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:28.460
 welcome God's training grace

00:21:28.460 --> 00:21:29.200
 in their lives.

00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:31.620
 And so we say things like,

00:21:31.860 --> 00:21:32.680
 I'm struggling

00:21:32.680 --> 00:21:33.819
 with this particular sin.

00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:35.120
 Can you help me?

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.100
 Will you pray for me?

00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:36.759
 I can't seem

00:21:36.759 --> 00:21:38.079
 to put this to death.

00:21:38.160 --> 00:21:38.779
 I'm wrestling

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:40.019
 with this in my life.

00:21:40.299 --> 00:21:40.819
 I can't seem

00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:41.480
 to understand it

00:21:41.480 --> 00:21:42.279
 but I know God

00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:43.299
 is at work in me.

00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:44.660
 He's working in me

00:21:44.660 --> 00:21:45.140
 through this.

00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.400
 He's training me.

00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.240
 Christians depend

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:49.079
 on God's grace

00:21:49.079 --> 00:21:49.799
 to save

00:21:49.799 --> 00:21:51.000
 and his grace

00:21:51.000 --> 00:21:51.860
 to train.

00:21:52.000 --> 00:21:53.299
 We don't say things

00:21:53.299 --> 00:21:53.559
 like,

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.200
 I'm good

00:21:54.200 --> 00:21:55.480
 just the way I am.

00:21:55.559 --> 00:21:55.960
 Thank you.

00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.579
 I don't need any help.

00:21:58.640 --> 00:21:59.019
 Thank you.

00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.000
 No change needed here.

00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.539
 I'm fine.

00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.720
 I said my prayer

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.500
 when I was 10

00:22:03.500 --> 00:22:04.620
 and that's it for me.

00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:05.400
 Now I check out

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.279
 and I just got

00:22:06.279 --> 00:22:07.279
 the free pass to glory.

00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:07.700
 I'm good.

00:22:07.779 --> 00:22:08.140
 Thank you.

00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.440
 No.

00:22:08.440 --> 00:22:09.539
 No change needed here.

00:22:11.279 --> 00:22:12.500
 One sign

00:22:12.500 --> 00:22:13.579
 that God's grace

00:22:13.579 --> 00:22:15.019
 is at work in you

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.920
 is that you begin

00:22:16.920 --> 00:22:17.680
 to realize

00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:19.360
 how much you need it

00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.380
 every day.

00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.420
 Every day.

00:22:22.420 --> 00:22:25.660
 you begin to depend on it.

00:22:25.720 --> 00:22:27.300
 You want more of God

00:22:27.300 --> 00:22:28.160
 not less.

00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.779
 You want less of sin

00:22:29.779 --> 00:22:30.840
 not more.

00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:32.220
 You begin to realize

00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.539
 that by God's grace

00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:34.800
 not on your own strength

00:22:34.800 --> 00:22:36.840
 and not on your own effort

00:22:36.840 --> 00:22:37.940
 not your own grit

00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.660
 but by God's grace alone

00:22:39.660 --> 00:22:42.300
 you can say no to sin.

00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:45.440
 Church, that's a miracle.

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:48.460
 And you want to do it.

00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:49.680
 By God's grace alone

00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:51.840
 you can say no to anger.

00:22:53.320 --> 00:22:54.500
 By God's grace

00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.420
 you can say no

00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:56.960
 to drunkenness.

00:22:57.220 --> 00:22:58.460
 You can say no

00:22:58.460 --> 00:23:00.220
 to sexual addiction

00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:01.000
 to pornography.

00:23:01.440 --> 00:23:02.160
 You can say no

00:23:02.160 --> 00:23:02.940
 to gossip

00:23:02.940 --> 00:23:04.259
 and to slander.

00:23:04.400 --> 00:23:05.120
 You can say no

00:23:05.120 --> 00:23:06.460
 to divisive behavior.

00:23:06.640 --> 00:23:07.279
 You can say no

00:23:07.279 --> 00:23:08.440
 to laziness

00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.620
 or gluttonousness.

00:23:09.820 --> 00:23:11.000
 You have been rescued

00:23:11.000 --> 00:23:12.960
 from slavery to sin

00:23:12.960 --> 00:23:14.600
 and now are being trained

00:23:14.600 --> 00:23:15.920
 in godliness.

00:23:16.060 --> 00:23:17.259
 So we pursue it

00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.840
 by the grace of God.

00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:18.879
 God.

00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:22.980
 If you want to grow

00:23:22.980 --> 00:23:23.699
 in godliness

00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.359
 remember

00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:26.579
 Christ has come

00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:29.139
 to save

00:23:29.139 --> 00:23:30.859
 and to train.

00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.639
 But not only that

00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:34.500
 second

00:23:34.500 --> 00:23:37.399
 remember Christ

00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:38.240
 will come

00:23:38.240 --> 00:23:39.039
 again.

00:23:41.220 --> 00:23:42.500
 The second life

00:23:42.500 --> 00:23:43.339
 changing truth

00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:44.279
 here in our passage.

00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:45.899
 Christ has come

00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:47.580
 and Christ

00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.820
 will come

00:23:48.820 --> 00:23:49.980
 again.

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:53.980
 If we want to be

00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:55.100
 moved and

00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:55.880
 motivated

00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.720
 toward godliness

00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.040
 we not only

00:23:58.040 --> 00:23:58.880
 look backwards

00:23:58.880 --> 00:24:00.259
 to what Christ

00:24:00.259 --> 00:24:00.840
 has done

00:24:00.840 --> 00:24:01.560
 we must also

00:24:01.560 --> 00:24:02.640
 look forward

00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:03.440
 to what's

00:24:03.440 --> 00:24:04.320
 to come.

00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.900
 Christ

00:24:04.900 --> 00:24:05.740
 will come

00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.820
 again.

00:24:06.940 --> 00:24:07.220
 Look with me

00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:08.019
 to verse 13.

00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.460
 Verse 13 here.

00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:12.240
 Paul says

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.000
 we are to live

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.319
 self-controlled

00:24:14.319 --> 00:24:15.059
 upright

00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:15.960
 and godly

00:24:15.960 --> 00:24:16.460
 lives

00:24:16.460 --> 00:24:17.220
 in the present

00:24:17.220 --> 00:24:17.759
 age

00:24:17.759 --> 00:24:18.640
 waiting

00:24:18.640 --> 00:24:20.360
 for our

00:24:20.360 --> 00:24:21.160
 blessed hope

00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.519
 the appearing

00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:23.259
 of the glory

00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:23.900
 of our great

00:24:23.900 --> 00:24:24.980
 God and Savior

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.700
 Jesus Christ.

00:24:27.620 --> 00:24:28.700
 If you write

00:24:28.700 --> 00:24:29.480
 in your Bibles

00:24:29.480 --> 00:24:29.980
 I want you to

00:24:29.980 --> 00:24:30.500
 take a pen

00:24:30.500 --> 00:24:31.640
 and mark

00:24:31.640 --> 00:24:32.319
 these two things

00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:33.059
 down here.

00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.460
 If you're using

00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:34.940
 a pew Bible

00:24:34.940 --> 00:24:35.480
 go ahead and

00:24:35.480 --> 00:24:36.019
 write in that one

00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.140
 too.

00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.620
 That's okay.

00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:37.799
 Next person

00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:38.900
 can see this note.

00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:40.200
 I want you to

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.780
 circle up

00:24:40.780 --> 00:24:41.840
 in verse 11

00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.340
 where it says

00:24:42.340 --> 00:24:42.960
 the grace

00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.560
 of God

00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:44.259
 has appeared

00:24:44.259 --> 00:24:47.040
 and then again

00:24:47.040 --> 00:24:48.540
 down in verse 13

00:24:48.540 --> 00:24:49.160
 where it says

00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.840
 the appearing

00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:51.160
 of the glory

00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:52.340
 of our great

00:24:52.340 --> 00:24:53.300
 God and Savior

00:24:53.300 --> 00:24:54.800
 Jesus Christ.

00:24:56.640 --> 00:24:57.540
 See these

00:24:57.540 --> 00:24:58.160
 these two

00:24:58.160 --> 00:24:59.040
 appearings

00:24:59.040 --> 00:25:00.460
 are everything

00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.720
 for us.

00:25:02.600 --> 00:25:03.500
 We have the

00:25:03.500 --> 00:25:04.259
 first appearing

00:25:04.259 --> 00:25:05.259
 the first coming

00:25:05.259 --> 00:25:05.820
 of Christ

00:25:05.820 --> 00:25:06.280
 appearing

00:25:06.280 --> 00:25:07.420
 bringing salvation

00:25:07.420 --> 00:25:08.380
 for undeserving

00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:08.860
 sinners

00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:09.779
 and then the

00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:10.519
 second coming

00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:11.079
 of Christ

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.859
 the appearing

00:25:11.859 --> 00:25:13.579
 of the glory

00:25:13.579 --> 00:25:14.619
 of God

00:25:14.619 --> 00:25:16.279
 our risen Savior

00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.179
 who will come

00:25:17.179 --> 00:25:18.139
 and will finish

00:25:18.139 --> 00:25:18.919
 what he came

00:25:18.919 --> 00:25:19.659
 to do.

00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:20.419
 See our lives

00:25:20.419 --> 00:25:21.139
 are lived here

00:25:21.139 --> 00:25:21.719
 in the middle.

00:25:22.740 --> 00:25:23.599
 We're stuck

00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.099
 in the middle

00:25:24.099 --> 00:25:24.799
 between these

00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.819
 two comings.

00:25:25.939 --> 00:25:26.539
 We live in

00:25:26.539 --> 00:25:27.699
 between the two

00:25:27.699 --> 00:25:29.119
 advents of Christ.

00:25:29.219 --> 00:25:30.000
 That's the present

00:25:30.000 --> 00:25:30.979
 age that Paul

00:25:30.979 --> 00:25:31.679
 is talking about

00:25:31.679 --> 00:25:33.059
 here in verse 12

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.459
 and so to live

00:25:34.459 --> 00:25:35.779
 godly lives

00:25:35.779 --> 00:25:36.919
 in this present

00:25:36.919 --> 00:25:38.139
 age here in the

00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:38.360
 middle.

00:25:38.800 --> 00:25:39.259
 Christians are

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.700
 those who are

00:25:39.700 --> 00:25:40.500
 constantly looking

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:42.080
 backwards to

00:25:42.080 --> 00:25:42.840
 the first coming

00:25:42.840 --> 00:25:43.440
 of Christ

00:25:43.440 --> 00:25:44.480
 looking backwards

00:25:44.480 --> 00:25:45.259
 to the first

00:25:45.259 --> 00:25:46.080
 appearing of

00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:46.860
 God's grace

00:25:46.860 --> 00:25:47.820
 grace embodied

00:25:47.820 --> 00:25:49.259
 and we are

00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:50.480
 looking forward

00:25:50.480 --> 00:25:51.660
 constantly in

00:25:51.660 --> 00:25:52.620
 hope of the

00:25:52.620 --> 00:25:53.580
 coming of

00:25:53.580 --> 00:25:54.060
 Christ the

00:25:54.060 --> 00:25:55.080
 appearing of

00:25:55.080 --> 00:25:56.620
 the glory of

00:25:56.620 --> 00:25:57.140
 God.

00:25:58.580 --> 00:25:59.340
 I remember

00:25:59.340 --> 00:25:59.759
 when I was

00:25:59.759 --> 00:26:01.520
 younger I'd be

00:26:01.520 --> 00:26:01.900
 willing to bet

00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:02.440
 I'm not alone

00:26:02.440 --> 00:26:03.180
 in this.

00:26:04.140 --> 00:26:04.740
 I was taught

00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.580
 that before you

00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.400
 cross the street

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:06.900
 you need to

00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.200
 what?

00:26:09.280 --> 00:26:10.380
 Look both ways.

00:26:10.580 --> 00:26:10.759
 Yeah.

00:26:11.840 --> 00:26:12.280
 And sometimes

00:26:12.280 --> 00:26:12.840
 I'd even tell me

00:26:12.840 --> 00:26:13.640
 hey look that way

00:26:13.640 --> 00:26:14.680
 and then look that

00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.240
 way and then hey

00:26:15.240 --> 00:26:15.660
 you need to look

00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.420
 that way again.

00:26:16.540 --> 00:26:16.980
 Something might have

00:26:16.980 --> 00:26:17.340
 changed.

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.160
 You gotta look

00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.420
 both ways.

00:26:19.900 --> 00:26:21.060
 And then you can

00:26:21.060 --> 00:26:22.700
 safely take a step

00:26:22.700 --> 00:26:23.420
 forward.

00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.160
 But it was clear

00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.360
 you don't just go

00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.019
 stepping without

00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.380
 looking.

00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:28.100
 And that's a recipe

00:26:28.100 --> 00:26:28.840
 for disaster.

00:26:29.019 --> 00:26:29.759
 You have to look

00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:31.280
 both ways before

00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:32.080
 you can safely

00:26:32.080 --> 00:26:33.160
 take a step

00:26:33.160 --> 00:26:33.900
 forward.

00:26:33.900 --> 00:26:34.519
 That's what Paul

00:26:34.519 --> 00:26:35.440
 is saying here.

00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:37.720
 Christian before

00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.580
 we can take a

00:26:38.580 --> 00:26:39.880
 single step

00:26:39.880 --> 00:26:40.880
 towards Christ

00:26:40.880 --> 00:26:41.680
 likeness.

00:26:42.340 --> 00:26:43.100
 Before we can

00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:43.920
 take a single

00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:45.140
 step towards

00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:46.040
 godliness.

00:26:46.280 --> 00:26:46.960
 We can't do it

00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.680
 without looking

00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:49.120
 both ways.

00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.700
 To the grace

00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.259
 of God that

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.900
 has come and

00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.640
 to the glory

00:26:51.640 --> 00:26:52.380
 of God that

00:26:52.380 --> 00:26:53.840
 is to come.

00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:56.259
 If you want

00:26:56.259 --> 00:26:57.300
 to take a step

00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:58.000
 forward in

00:26:58.000 --> 00:26:58.519
 godliness

00:26:58.519 --> 00:27:00.780
 this is where

00:27:00.780 --> 00:27:01.640
 you look first.

00:27:01.640 --> 00:27:01.700
 first.

00:27:02.700 --> 00:27:03.540
 Then you can

00:27:03.540 --> 00:27:04.280
 take a step.

00:27:04.560 --> 00:27:05.680
 Then you can

00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:07.480
 safely progress.

00:27:09.380 --> 00:27:10.120
 Paul says here

00:27:10.120 --> 00:27:11.660
 in verse 13

00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.320
 he says we are

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.820
 waiting for our

00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:15.020
 blessed hope.

00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:15.780
 We are waiting

00:27:15.780 --> 00:27:17.320
 for his coming.

00:27:17.460 --> 00:27:18.440
 We are waiting.

00:27:18.640 --> 00:27:19.220
 Christians by

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.180
 definition are a

00:27:20.180 --> 00:27:21.640
 waiting people.

00:27:21.800 --> 00:27:22.420
 And I know I'm

00:27:22.420 --> 00:27:22.980
 not the only one

00:27:22.980 --> 00:27:23.440
 in the room who

00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.400
 doesn't like to

00:27:24.400 --> 00:27:24.640
 wait.

00:27:24.800 --> 00:27:24.960
 Amen?

00:27:24.960 --> 00:27:25.100
 Amen?

00:27:27.800 --> 00:27:28.720
 But this isn't

00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.660
 waiting like you

00:27:29.660 --> 00:27:30.480
 wait for a hurricane.

00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:34.620
 I don't think I

00:27:34.620 --> 00:27:35.320
 was the only one

00:27:35.320 --> 00:27:36.320
 my wife and I

00:27:36.320 --> 00:27:38.240
 who stayed up

00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:39.420
 Thursday evening

00:27:39.420 --> 00:27:40.000
 watching the

00:27:40.000 --> 00:27:40.920
 radar waiting

00:27:40.920 --> 00:27:41.960
 waiting

00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:43.000
 waiting

00:27:43.000 --> 00:27:43.020
 waiting

00:27:43.020 --> 00:27:43.759
 when is he

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.040
 going to get

00:27:44.040 --> 00:27:44.300
 here?

00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.180
 What's he

00:27:45.180 --> 00:27:45.560
 going to do?

00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:47.500
 Woke up Friday

00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:48.540
 morning wind

00:27:48.540 --> 00:27:49.120
 rain

00:27:49.120 --> 00:27:50.180
 check the radar

00:27:50.180 --> 00:27:51.040
 again check the

00:27:51.040 --> 00:27:52.040
 forecast waiting

00:27:52.040 --> 00:27:52.560
 is it going to

00:27:52.560 --> 00:27:53.020
 get worse?

00:27:53.100 --> 00:27:53.420
 Is it going to

00:27:53.420 --> 00:27:54.220
 do more damage?

00:27:54.360 --> 00:27:55.160
 What kind of

00:27:55.160 --> 00:27:56.660
 destruction is this

00:27:56.660 --> 00:27:57.520
 going to bring?

00:27:57.620 --> 00:27:58.200
 We don't wait

00:27:58.200 --> 00:27:59.540
 like that for the

00:27:59.540 --> 00:28:00.380
 coming of Christ.

00:28:00.380 --> 00:28:00.460
 Christ.

00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:03.200
 Unbelievers ought

00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:04.060
 to wait like that

00:28:04.060 --> 00:28:04.880
 for the coming of

00:28:04.880 --> 00:28:05.300
 Christ.

00:28:06.760 --> 00:28:08.380
 But for us in

00:28:08.380 --> 00:28:11.040
 Christ this is a

00:28:11.040 --> 00:28:12.600
 hopeful waiting.

00:28:13.920 --> 00:28:15.200
 It is a hopeful

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:16.260
 waiting.

00:28:16.380 --> 00:28:17.760
 Not wishful waiting

00:28:17.760 --> 00:28:18.800
 it is the Christian

00:28:18.800 --> 00:28:19.400
 hope.

00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:20.060
 The Christian hope

00:28:20.060 --> 00:28:21.060
 is certain.

00:28:21.280 --> 00:28:22.640
 This is good news.

00:28:22.800 --> 00:28:24.720
 Christ will return.

00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.600
 Christ will accomplish

00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.700
 what he set out to

00:28:27.700 --> 00:28:28.260
 accomplish.

00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:29.680
 Christ will finish

00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.940
 what he began in

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.819
 you and we are to

00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.740
 wait for it with

00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.720
 patience and the

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.619
 Bible says with

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.799
 eagerness.

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.539
 You know one of the

00:28:37.539 --> 00:28:38.279
 most common ways

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:39.000
 that the Bible talks

00:28:39.000 --> 00:28:39.559
 about the second

00:28:39.559 --> 00:28:40.599
 coming of Christ

00:28:40.599 --> 00:28:42.339
 is eagerness.

00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:44.079
 I want to take you

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.599
 to just a few

00:28:44.599 --> 00:28:45.240
 passages here.

00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:45.859
 You can mark this

00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:47.200
 down for later.

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.119
 Eagerness.

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.720
 Are you eager for

00:28:49.720 --> 00:28:50.960
 the return of Christ?

00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:52.119
 Romans 8 23

00:28:52.119 --> 00:28:54.980
 says not only the

00:28:54.980 --> 00:28:56.059
 creation but we

00:28:56.059 --> 00:28:57.200
 ourselves who have

00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:58.319
 the first fruits of

00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.700
 the spirit grown

00:28:59.700 --> 00:29:00.940
 inwardly as we

00:29:00.940 --> 00:29:02.859
 wait eagerly for

00:29:02.859 --> 00:29:04.039
 our adoption as

00:29:04.039 --> 00:29:04.519
 sons.

00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:05.899
 The redemption of

00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.339
 our bodies.

00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:07.039
 You hear that word?

00:29:07.599 --> 00:29:07.839
 Eager.

00:29:09.639 --> 00:29:11.899
 Galatians 5 5 for

00:29:11.899 --> 00:29:13.319
 through the spirit

00:29:13.319 --> 00:29:15.639
 by faith we

00:29:15.639 --> 00:29:17.179
 ourselves eagerly

00:29:17.179 --> 00:29:18.379
 wait for the hope

00:29:18.379 --> 00:29:19.299
 of righteousness.

00:29:19.539 --> 00:29:19.879
 That's what we're

00:29:19.879 --> 00:29:20.460
 waiting for.

00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.700
 The hope of

00:29:21.700 --> 00:29:22.399
 righteousness is

00:29:22.399 --> 00:29:22.759
 coming.

00:29:22.899 --> 00:29:23.679
 Are we are we

00:29:23.680 --> 00:29:24.580
 eager for it to

00:29:24.580 --> 00:29:24.860
 come?

00:29:26.360 --> 00:29:28.279
 Hebrews 9 28

00:29:28.279 --> 00:29:30.740
 So Christ having

00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:31.700
 been offered once

00:29:31.700 --> 00:29:32.700
 to bear the sins

00:29:32.700 --> 00:29:33.600
 of many that's

00:29:33.600 --> 00:29:34.480
 his first coming

00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:35.640
 Christ Christ came

00:29:35.640 --> 00:29:36.600
 to save grace

00:29:36.600 --> 00:29:37.880
 appeared to save

00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:39.220
 to bear the sins

00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:42.120
 of many will appear

00:29:42.120 --> 00:29:43.480
 a second time not

00:29:43.480 --> 00:29:45.600
 to deal with sin but

00:29:45.600 --> 00:29:46.820
 to save those who

00:29:46.820 --> 00:29:48.460
 are eagerly waiting

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.620
 for him.

00:29:49.619 --> 00:29:52.659
 See we are eagerly

00:29:52.659 --> 00:29:54.459
 waiting our final

00:29:54.459 --> 00:29:55.419
 salvation the

00:29:55.419 --> 00:29:56.339
 fulfillment of what

00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.859
 he came to do.

00:29:57.959 --> 00:29:59.659
 This is a joyful a

00:29:59.659 --> 00:30:01.339
 happy and eager a

00:30:01.339 --> 00:30:03.519
 hopeful a joy filled

00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:05.199
 waiting and it's it's

00:30:05.199 --> 00:30:06.219
 difficult not because

00:30:06.219 --> 00:30:07.479
 we dread what's coming

00:30:07.479 --> 00:30:08.299
 but because we cannot

00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:10.179
 wait for it to get

00:30:10.179 --> 00:30:10.579
 here.

00:30:12.659 --> 00:30:14.059
 I saw on the news

00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.979
 again as I'm sure

00:30:14.979 --> 00:30:15.959
 many of you did there

00:30:15.959 --> 00:30:17.259
 were people stranded

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.459
 in Florida because of

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.279
 the hurricane out

00:30:19.279 --> 00:30:20.380
 standing on the top

00:30:20.380 --> 00:30:21.539
 of their cars waiting

00:30:21.539 --> 00:30:22.640
 for help to come.

00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:26.400
 Christian are waiting

00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.779
 as if we were were

00:30:27.779 --> 00:30:29.960
 stranded here waiting

00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.900
 for deliverance to

00:30:30.900 --> 00:30:31.180
 come.

00:30:31.880 --> 00:30:32.799
 Knowing it has been

00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:34.160
 promised knowing knowing

00:30:34.160 --> 00:30:35.120
 he's kind of he's

00:30:35.120 --> 00:30:35.740
 going to come he's

00:30:35.740 --> 00:30:36.440
 going to arrive we

00:30:36.440 --> 00:30:37.140
 don't know when we

00:30:37.140 --> 00:30:37.700
 don't know at what

00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.620
 moment he'll be here

00:30:38.620 --> 00:30:40.299
 but he will come he

00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:41.600
 will come he will

00:30:41.600 --> 00:30:42.840
 rescue us he will

00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:44.100
 come and so we wait

00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:46.480
 with eager anticipation

00:30:46.480 --> 00:30:47.960
 how eager are you for

00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.539
 his return.

00:30:50.600 --> 00:30:52.200
 Does it consume your

00:30:52.200 --> 00:30:54.960
 thoughts and influence

00:30:54.960 --> 00:30:56.019
 your actions you know

00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:57.720
 if we if we really set

00:30:57.720 --> 00:30:59.059
 our our minds and our

00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:00.480
 thoughts and our hearts

00:31:00.480 --> 00:31:01.700
 there thought hard had

00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:02.579
 our hearts full of

00:31:02.579 --> 00:31:04.100
 longing for this this

00:31:04.100 --> 00:31:05.380
 return of Christ I'm

00:31:05.380 --> 00:31:06.299
 certain there would be

00:31:06.299 --> 00:31:07.880
 an explosive difference

00:31:07.880 --> 00:31:09.319
 in the way we go about

00:31:09.319 --> 00:31:09.960
 our lives.

00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:16.240
 see our holiness is fueled

00:31:16.240 --> 00:31:19.840
 by our eagerness not only

00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:21.720
 is this a hopeful waiting

00:31:21.720 --> 00:31:24.400
 it is also a holy waiting

00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:27.960
 our holiness this holiness

00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:29.579
 that that Paul is calling

00:31:29.579 --> 00:31:31.240
 us to it's fueled by

00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:33.299
 eagerness waiting longing

00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:35.600
 looking anticipating the

00:31:35.600 --> 00:31:37.759
 return of Christ we've

00:31:37.759 --> 00:31:39.000
 already spent time here so

00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:39.940
 I won't belabor the

00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:41.140
 point but it's clear Paul

00:31:41.140 --> 00:31:42.519
 he's bringing it up again

00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:44.480
 here and he reminds us

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:47.160
 again in verse 14 of why

00:31:47.160 --> 00:31:49.119
 Christ came what Christ

00:31:49.119 --> 00:31:50.180
 came to do look at verse

00:31:50.180 --> 00:31:53.140
 14 says he gave himself

00:31:53.140 --> 00:31:55.319
 for us to redeem us from

00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:56.960
 all unlawing it from all

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:59.339
 lawlessness and to purify

00:31:59.339 --> 00:32:01.519
 for himself a people for

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:05.059
 his own possession to save

00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:08.720
 you and to change you to

00:32:08.720 --> 00:32:10.879
 make you holy to to redeem

00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:13.720
 you and to purify you those

00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:16.200
 he came to save he promises

00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:19.559
 to purify so that we would

00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:21.039
 profess to know him with our

00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:23.259
 mouths and adorn the doctrine

00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:26.240
 of God with our actions and

00:32:26.240 --> 00:32:27.759
 so our time of waiting now

00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:29.819
 church is a time of being made

00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:32.299
 holy he will not leave you as

00:32:32.299 --> 00:32:36.299
 you are two main ways that

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:40.619
 this happens in our lives one

00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:44.299
 is what happens to us I'll

00:32:44.299 --> 00:32:45.480
 tell you something that you

00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:48.099
 already know that terrible

00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:51.200
 things happen to everyone in

00:32:51.200 --> 00:32:55.460
 this life believer non-believer

00:32:55.460 --> 00:32:58.399
 tall short rich poor all of us

00:32:58.400 --> 00:33:02.960
 suffer in this life becoming a

00:33:02.960 --> 00:33:05.000
 Christian will not protect you

00:33:05.000 --> 00:33:07.800
 from suffering quite the

00:33:07.800 --> 00:33:10.840
 opposite but what a difference

00:33:10.840 --> 00:33:14.759
 it makes for us in Christ to be

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:16.519
 able to to look ahead and to

00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:18.280
 know and to remember that Christ

00:33:18.280 --> 00:33:21.480
 will return that he's coming to

00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:23.380
 make all things right that we may

00:33:23.380 --> 00:33:25.160
 not understand and and may not

00:33:25.160 --> 00:33:27.420
 quite grasp what God is doing but

00:33:27.420 --> 00:33:30.800
 we know that God is at work that

00:33:30.800 --> 00:33:32.160
 he's using every trial in the

00:33:32.160 --> 00:33:34.060
 present age to prepare his

00:33:34.060 --> 00:33:36.580
 people for glory for the

00:33:36.580 --> 00:33:38.060
 believer in Christ God is using

00:33:38.060 --> 00:33:40.080
 every second every every

00:33:40.080 --> 00:33:41.900
 moment every trial that we

00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:44.920
 endure to purify you in Christ

00:33:44.920 --> 00:33:46.620
 and to prepare you for eternity

00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:49.000
 with him so Christians we

00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:50.779
 believe that all of our lives

00:33:50.779 --> 00:33:53.519
 every moment is ordained by God

00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:56.220
 for our good and for his glory he

00:33:56.220 --> 00:34:00.519
 is purifying us for himself and

00:34:00.519 --> 00:34:03.440
 what this means Christian is that our

00:34:03.440 --> 00:34:08.780
 trials are not meaningless God is at

00:34:08.780 --> 00:34:14.099
 work your sickness is not meaningless

00:34:14.099 --> 00:34:18.679
 your suffering is not meaningless your

00:34:18.679 --> 00:34:23.059
 struggle is not meaningless God is at

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:27.099
 work I know there are are many in our

00:34:27.099 --> 00:34:29.320
 church family who are are struggling

00:34:29.320 --> 00:34:31.559
 with all sorts of of sickness all

00:34:31.559 --> 00:34:33.779
 sorts of loss all sorts of of

00:34:33.779 --> 00:34:37.239
 suffering if you are in Christ you are

00:34:37.239 --> 00:34:41.440
 walking through purifying fire God is

00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:44.559
 preparing you for the glory to come are

00:34:44.559 --> 00:34:48.400
 you paying attention are you looking for

00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:53.099
 what he's doing in you the second way

00:34:53.099 --> 00:34:55.539
 that we grow in purity the second way

00:34:55.539 --> 00:34:57.079
 that we grow in holiness in this

00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:59.440
 present age is by our own active

00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:02.780
 pursuit of it by our own active

00:35:02.780 --> 00:35:05.680
 pursuit of it by the grace of God God

00:35:05.680 --> 00:35:08.760
 gives us the desire to grow gives us

00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:10.860
 the desire to pursue him and so we take

00:35:10.860 --> 00:35:13.160
 it upon ourselves to commit to pursuing

00:35:13.160 --> 00:35:15.900
 him through the ordinary means of grace

00:35:15.900 --> 00:35:20.300
 Bible reading prayer confessing sin

00:35:20.300 --> 00:35:22.680
 corporate worship gathering with other

00:35:22.680 --> 00:35:24.840
 saints together committing to to walk

00:35:24.840 --> 00:35:28.920
 alongside other believers this is what

00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:32.840
 D.A. Carson calls grace driven effort I

00:35:32.840 --> 00:35:36.800
 love this quote from D.A. Carson he says

00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:40.440
 this people do not drift towards holiness

00:35:40.440 --> 00:35:45.519
 apart from grace driven effort people do

00:35:45.519 --> 00:35:48.340
 not gravitate toward godliness prayer

00:35:48.340 --> 00:35:51.480
 obedience to scripture faith and delight

00:35:51.480 --> 00:35:54.860
 in the Lord we drift toward compromise and

00:35:54.860 --> 00:35:57.380
 call it tolerance we drift toward

00:35:57.380 --> 00:36:00.119
 disobedience and call it freedom we

00:36:00.119 --> 00:36:01.860
 drift toward superstition and call it

00:36:01.860 --> 00:36:05.960
 faith we cherish the indiscipline of lost

00:36:05.960 --> 00:36:10.019
 self-control and call it relaxation we

00:36:10.019 --> 00:36:12.119
 slouch toward prayerlessness and delude

00:36:12.119 --> 00:36:14.079
 ourselves into thinking we have escaped

00:36:14.079 --> 00:36:18.099
 legalism we slide toward godlessness and

00:36:18.099 --> 00:36:21.539
 convince ourselves we have been liberated

00:36:21.539 --> 00:36:27.159
 you know another way we misunderstand the

00:36:27.159 --> 00:36:31.019
 grace of God is to say we don't have to do

00:36:31.019 --> 00:36:36.400
 anything it's all of God it's all God's

00:36:36.400 --> 00:36:39.039
 grace I can sit back and relax I don't

00:36:39.039 --> 00:36:40.920
 need to to pray I don't need to open my

00:36:40.920 --> 00:36:42.619
 Bible I don't need to share my faith I

00:36:42.619 --> 00:36:46.500
 don't have to pursue godliness that sounds

00:36:46.500 --> 00:36:49.960
 a lot like the Cretans doesn't it that

00:36:49.960 --> 00:36:52.920
 sounds a lot like the error here in Crete no

00:36:52.920 --> 00:36:56.320
 God's grace empowers your pursuit of

00:36:56.320 --> 00:36:59.960
 godliness God's grace is what undergirds and

00:36:59.960 --> 00:37:02.900
 empowers all of your efforts to please him it

00:37:02.900 --> 00:37:06.480
 is God who works in you to will and to work for

00:37:06.480 --> 00:37:09.740
 his good pleasure church you will not grow in

00:37:09.740 --> 00:37:13.559
 godliness apart from grace driven effort

00:37:13.559 --> 00:37:17.780
 let's not deceive ourselves church if we are

00:37:17.780 --> 00:37:21.340
 not pursuing godliness we are not neutral

00:37:21.340 --> 00:37:25.880
 and we will not drift towards holiness our

00:37:25.880 --> 00:37:29.300
 natural drift is away from the Lord I'll tell

00:37:29.300 --> 00:37:31.400
 you I tend to drift more towards television

00:37:31.400 --> 00:37:33.320
 easier than I drift towards opening my Bible

00:37:33.320 --> 00:37:37.260
 I'll be honest with you I drift more towards

00:37:37.260 --> 00:37:39.539
 looking at my phone than I do towards prayer

00:37:39.539 --> 00:37:44.580
 it's discipline it's grace driven discipline

00:37:44.580 --> 00:37:46.720
 that will will bring about the change that we

00:37:46.720 --> 00:37:50.460
 need to see in our lives as we pursue the Lord

00:37:50.460 --> 00:37:54.420
 together how can you grow in grace driven effort

00:37:54.420 --> 00:38:00.760
 what are some areas of of of slack that we can shore up

00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:08.160
 this week with grace driven effort it is hopeful it is holy and finally one more

00:38:08.160 --> 00:38:16.340
 here this is a helpful waiting this is to be a a helpful waiting

00:38:16.340 --> 00:38:23.160
 Paul says he gave himself to redeem us to purify for himself a people for his own

00:38:23.159 --> 00:38:32.279
 possession who are zealous for good works this is one of the effects of God's grace in us he makes a

00:38:32.279 --> 00:38:38.859
 people who are zealous for good works in other words Christ Christ came to create a people who share

00:38:38.859 --> 00:38:45.819
 and extend the heart of God to others and while we wait for Christ to return we're not sitting on

00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:55.820
 our hands and and biding our time and watching the the minutes on the clock roll by we are to be actively seeking ways to do good works to be helpful

00:38:55.820 --> 00:38:57.820
 to be helpful

00:38:57.820 --> 00:39:03.820
 now Christians ought to care more about doing good works than anybody else in the world

00:39:03.820 --> 00:39:14.820
 and we ought to expend ourselves more for the good of others than anyone else in the world not because we earn God's favor by our good works

00:39:14.820 --> 00:39:30.820
 but because as we experience the life-changing grace of God in our lives as we experience his goodness towards us in Christ we can't help but extend that same grace and love and kindness to others around us

00:39:30.820 --> 00:39:39.620
 we are saved by faith alone as Martin Luther says but the faith that saves is never alone

00:39:39.620 --> 00:39:53.380
 have you heard that quote before we are saved by faith alone but the faith that saves is never alone he means it's always accompanied by good works

00:39:53.380 --> 00:40:05.180
 Christ came to create zealots for good works those who are passionate about about extending the heart of God to others

00:40:05.180 --> 00:40:20.700
 church Christ will return and he will reward every good work done for his glory in the present age and so we we live every day in the present age in light of that coming day when Christ will appear

00:40:20.699 --> 00:40:24.699
 and the glory of God will be made manifest

00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:29.599
 one practical thing for us to pray I think this week

00:40:29.599 --> 00:40:32.460
 Lord make us zealous for good works

00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:36.259
 it's a dangerous prayer but I encourage you to pray

00:40:36.259 --> 00:40:43.739
 Lord make me zealous for good works show me what the needs are around me show me how I can love my neighbor as myself

00:40:43.739 --> 00:40:50.639
 show me how I can be selfless show me how I can how I can exhibit the love of Christ towards others this week

00:40:50.639 --> 00:40:56.439
 let me show the power of your grace by my godliness and by my good works

00:40:56.439 --> 00:41:00.199
 let our light so shine before others

00:41:00.199 --> 00:41:06.899
 that they may see our good works and give glory to our father who is in heaven

00:41:06.900 --> 00:41:07.900
 amen

00:41:07.900 --> 00:41:11.940
 the book of Titus

00:41:11.940 --> 00:41:13.900
 calls you

00:41:13.900 --> 00:41:14.720
 Christian

00:41:14.720 --> 00:41:17.039
 to be distinct

00:41:17.039 --> 00:41:23.460
 not just in our pursuit of godliness but in the basis of our pursuit

00:41:23.460 --> 00:41:29.400
 we don't seek to earn our way to God by our goodness

00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:32.139
 our chances of earning God's approval

00:41:32.139 --> 00:41:38.339
 earning God's pleasure do not change one decimal point with our holiness

00:41:38.339 --> 00:41:45.039
 with our self-improvement rather we rest on the good news of the gospel

00:41:45.039 --> 00:41:53.039
 run John run the law demands but gives us neither feet nor hands

00:41:53.039 --> 00:42:00.119
 far better news the gospel brings which bids us fly and gives us wings

00:42:00.119 --> 00:42:02.679
 see our salvation

00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:06.679
 and our sanctification are found in the fact that Christ

00:42:06.679 --> 00:42:08.019
 has come

00:42:08.019 --> 00:42:10.239
 the grace of God

00:42:10.239 --> 00:42:11.779
 has appeared and our

00:42:11.779 --> 00:42:14.119
 our certain hope of glory

00:42:14.119 --> 00:42:19.639
 our hope that that Christ will accomplish what he came to do is found in the fact that

00:42:19.639 --> 00:42:21.940
 that God's glory is coming

00:42:21.940 --> 00:42:24.099
 the second coming

00:42:24.099 --> 00:42:25.239
 of Christ

00:42:25.239 --> 00:42:26.179
 all of grace

00:42:26.179 --> 00:42:26.960
 church

00:42:26.960 --> 00:42:29.960
 we're going to stand

00:42:29.960 --> 00:42:32.840
 and sing in just a moment a hymn that

00:42:32.840 --> 00:42:34.340
 I know is familiar

00:42:34.340 --> 00:42:35.559
 that's everyone in the room

00:42:35.559 --> 00:42:37.639
 we've probably sung this a thousand times

00:42:37.639 --> 00:42:41.059
 before but I want you to consider these words as we sing them

00:42:41.059 --> 00:42:43.220
 don't let it just be routine

00:42:43.220 --> 00:42:44.099
 repetition

00:42:44.099 --> 00:42:46.619
 let it be worship

00:42:46.619 --> 00:42:49.740
 worship him for the truths of what we sing

00:42:49.740 --> 00:42:51.019
 amazing grace

00:42:51.019 --> 00:42:52.340
 how sweet the sound

00:42:52.340 --> 00:42:53.340
 grace

00:42:53.340 --> 00:42:55.120
 that saved a wretch like me

00:42:55.120 --> 00:42:58.660
 I once was lost but now I'm found

00:42:58.660 --> 00:42:59.480
 was blind

00:42:59.480 --> 00:43:01.400
 but now I see

00:43:01.400 --> 00:43:02.360
 grace saving

00:43:02.360 --> 00:43:04.800
 grace redeeming

00:43:04.800 --> 00:43:06.260
 grace rescuing

00:43:06.260 --> 00:43:09.680
 it was grace that taught my heart to fear

00:43:09.680 --> 00:43:11.720
 and grace my fears relieved

00:43:11.720 --> 00:43:14.620
 how precious did that grace appear

00:43:14.620 --> 00:43:16.700
 the hour I first believed

00:43:16.700 --> 00:43:17.579
 grace training

00:43:17.579 --> 00:43:19.600
 grace teaching

00:43:19.600 --> 00:43:20.800
 grace comforting

00:43:20.800 --> 00:43:21.780
 grace assuring

00:43:21.780 --> 00:43:24.260
 through many dangers

00:43:24.260 --> 00:43:25.340
 toils and snares

00:43:25.340 --> 00:43:26.700
 I have already come

00:43:26.700 --> 00:43:28.280
 the

00:43:28.280 --> 00:43:30.780
 tis grace that brought me safe thus far

00:43:30.780 --> 00:43:33.080
 and grace will lead me home

00:43:33.080 --> 00:43:34.019
 grace preserving

00:43:34.019 --> 00:43:35.860
 grace sustaining

00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:36.220
 grace

00:43:36.220 --> 00:43:37.480
 grace drawing us

00:43:37.480 --> 00:43:38.780
 bringing us all the way

00:43:38.780 --> 00:43:39.880
 through the trial

00:43:39.880 --> 00:43:40.280
 to

00:43:40.280 --> 00:43:41.220
 glory

00:43:41.220 --> 00:43:42.300
 when we've been there

00:43:42.300 --> 00:43:43.640
 ten thousand years

00:43:43.640 --> 00:43:46.700
 bright shining as the sun

00:43:46.700 --> 00:43:48.980
 we have no less days

00:43:48.980 --> 00:43:50.340
 grace to sing God's praise

00:43:50.340 --> 00:43:53.280
 than when we first begun

00:43:53.280 --> 00:43:55.380
 grace glorifying

00:43:55.380 --> 00:43:58.400
 grace exulting

00:43:58.400 --> 00:44:00.940
 in the glory of God

00:44:00.940 --> 00:44:02.980
 let's pray

00:44:02.980 --> 00:44:08.219
 father we praise you

00:44:08.219 --> 00:44:10.340
 for your grace at work in us

00:44:10.340 --> 00:44:10.960
 who believe

00:44:10.960 --> 00:44:13.199
 we praise you that

00:44:13.199 --> 00:44:14.539
 godliness is not

00:44:14.539 --> 00:44:16.719
 something that we could ever

00:44:16.719 --> 00:44:18.539
 dream up on our own

00:44:18.539 --> 00:44:21.340
 that our efforts though they're weak

00:44:21.340 --> 00:44:21.860
 lord

00:44:21.860 --> 00:44:24.699
 father we pray and we thank you

00:44:24.699 --> 00:44:26.360
 we praise you that you've provided

00:44:26.360 --> 00:44:29.139
 everything we need for life and godliness

00:44:29.139 --> 00:44:30.860
 through the gospel of Christ

00:44:30.860 --> 00:44:33.579
 and father if there are any

00:44:33.579 --> 00:44:36.019
 here who have not yet received that

00:44:36.019 --> 00:44:37.759
 saving grace we pray even now

00:44:37.759 --> 00:44:38.199
 that you would

00:44:38.199 --> 00:44:39.920
 you would call them draw them to

00:44:39.920 --> 00:44:40.360
 yourself

00:44:40.360 --> 00:44:43.740
 and for the rest of us lord we pray

00:44:43.740 --> 00:44:45.139
 for growth in godliness

00:44:45.139 --> 00:44:47.539
 for your glory

00:44:47.539 --> 00:44:49.000
 we ask in Christ's name

00:44:49.000 --> 00:44:50.059
 amen