WEBVTT

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 And let's read together.

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 We're going to read a passage from the New Testament, from Ephesians chapter 4, verses 17 to 24.

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 A very famous moment in Paul's letter.

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 And so this is God's word to us today.

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 Now, this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do,

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 in the futility of their minds.

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 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them

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 due to their hardness of heart.

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 They have become callous.

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 They've given themselves up to sensuality and greed, to practice every kind of impurity.

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 But that is not the way you learned Christ.

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 Assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him as the truth is in Jesus,

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 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires,

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 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,

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 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God and true righteousness and holiness.

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 Amen.

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 This is God's holy word.

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 In verse 17 here, just to look at this passage for a few minutes with you,

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 in verse 17, Paul says this command,

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 Do not walk any longer as the Gentiles do.

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 And just before that, he says,

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 Now this I say and I testify to the Lord.

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 Now when he says,

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 I testify to the Lord,

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 it's a way, it's a phrase he uses to say,

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 I speak right now with the authority of God.

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 So the commands I'm about to give you are the very word of God.

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 I speak with the authority of the Lord.

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 Do not walk as the Gentiles do in darkness.

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 Now what does he mean by that?

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 By the word Gentile, Gentile sometimes in the Bible is used for anybody that's not Jewish.

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 But here that's not what he means, not at all.

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 He's talking to the Ephesians in Ephesus,

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 and there in Ephesus there is a grand temple,

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 very famous, the Temple of Artemis.

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 And at the Temple of Artemis,

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 it's the organizing principle of the whole city of Ephesus.

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 And people go there day in and day out to worship all the gods,

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 and they do so in all kinds of practices.

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 And it's known as a city where people worship the gods

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 and live in any way that they want to live.

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 So it was known as a party city,

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 a place of a lot of darkness at times.

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 And Paul says,

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 if you've become a Christian,

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 if you've experienced the grace of Jesus in your life,

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 if God has brought light through the cross and resurrection of Christ to you,

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 if you believe in Jesus,

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 don't live that life anymore.

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 Don't walk in the way the city teaches you to walk.

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 Put away the normal patterns of the culture.

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 In other words,

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 the word Gentile there just means the normal patterns and assumptions

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 of the default culture of sinful humanity.

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 It just means that by default,

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 we're all carried into the patterns of our culture.

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 And he said,

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 but put that away.

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 You've become a Christian.

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 Your life has been changed.

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 That's what he says.

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 Now,

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 that means,

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 he's talking about something very important on New Year's Day.

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 Verse 15,

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 just before this,

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 we didn't read this.

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 He says,

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 grow up in every way into him like Jesus.

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 And so he says,

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 he says,

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 the goal,

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 the goal of life,

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 grow up in every way like Jesus Christ.

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 Put away the normal patterns and assumptions of the culture around you.

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 Now,

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 what is Paul talking about there?

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 He's talking about change.

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 He's talking about deep change in your life.

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 Put away the normal patterns that the culture teaches you,

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 and instead,

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 put on,

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 become like Christ.

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 Deep change.

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 That is what every single person on January 1st,

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 2025 wants.

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 We want change this year.

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 We want to be different.

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 We want this year to be better than last year.

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 Of course,

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 always.

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 Every new year,

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 we want that.

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 And I was reading this week an article about change and about the industries that make the most money in January every single year.

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 Some of them you will absolutely expect,

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 right?

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 So,

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 of course,

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 who profits most from January 1st?

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 Deep desire to change.

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 Gym memberships,

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 obviously,

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 are always the number one.

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 Book sales increase immensely in January.

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 Counseling and therapy clinics and centers go up by at least 15% on average in the UK and the States by the stats I read in January.

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 The unexpected were not surprising,

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 but I hadn't thought about financial advisors,

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 budgeting apps.

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 After Christmas,

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 you've got to get a budgeting app.

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 And lastly,

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 language learning software,

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 Babel,

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 Duolingo.

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 Duolingo makes almost all of its money from January subscriptions.

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 Why?

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 Because we want to change.

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 Every single person wants to change.

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 Paul tells you here,

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 let me just give you three things about change here for this year,

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 very briefly,

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 that Paul says.

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 First,

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 he says that Christianity actually can provide for you the goal of change,

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 a real goal,

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 something to actually change into.

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 And so,

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 he says in verse 15,

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 grow up in every way into the maturity of becoming like Jesus.

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 And then he says,

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 and put away the patterns of darkness that the culture teaches you.

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 What does he mean by that?

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 I can only give you one thing he means by it today.

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 Verse 19.

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 In verse 19,

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 he says,

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 the Gentiles have given themselves,

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 the normal culture has given itself up to sensuality,

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 greed,

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 and to practice every kind of impurity.

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 Now,

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 what does he say?

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 What does he say?

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 Giving yourself over.

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 This is Paul's special way of saying,

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 it is the normal default pattern of every culture,

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 because of our human disposition towards sin and rebellion against God,

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 to love and to get addicted to things in this life more than we love God.

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 He says,

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 they've given themselves over.

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 And it means that the normal pattern of culture in Ephesus and in Edinburgh in 2024

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 is to love,

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 what does he list?

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 Greed and sensuality,

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 sexuality,

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 lust,

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 money,

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 bank account,

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 success,

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 every type of thing you can get your hands on in this life,

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 to make something of yourself,

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 to find meaning in this life.

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 He says,

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 the normal default position of human beings is that we will chase anything we can in this life

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 to make something of ourselves.

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 That real change,

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 most people are seeking change in 2025.

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 And what change is that?

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 They want to make more money.

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 They want to be more successful.

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 They want to get a hold of their career.

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 They want to have more relationships,

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 better relationships.

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 And he says,

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 that's actually the default pattern,

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 the sense that the most important things in our lives is money,

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 bank account,

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 wealth,

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 success.

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 And he says,

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 but no,

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 that's thinking in darkness.

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 It's not walking in the true light.

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 What does he say?

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 Verse 15,

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 every single human being is made with one ultimate goal.

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 It is what we really want.

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 It is the change that we really need.

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 And that is to make this year about becoming more like Jesus.

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 That the thing that we really need,

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 no matter what the circumstances are,

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 no matter bank account,

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 no matter success or failure in your career,

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 is to become more like Christ.

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 That's the true goal,

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 the true resolution,

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 the ultimate resolution,

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 is to become more and more like Christ this year.

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 It's,

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 I think,

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 pretty common today in therapy,

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 counseling,

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 the books that will be purchased in January,

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 even maybe through a friend,

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 that it's pretty easy for us to identify

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 the problems that we struggle with in our lives.

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 You can go to counseling.

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 You can go to therapy.

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 You can pick up a lot of really good books

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 at Blackwell's and Waterstones.

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 And they will help you realize

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 that maybe you struggle with greed.

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 Maybe you struggle with careerism.

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 You're too dedicated to it.

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 Maybe you struggle with relationship

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 after relationship after relationship.

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 You chase and you chase and you chase.

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 The modern world has gotten pretty good

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 at identifying the problems.

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 It's not too hard to see.

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 Your friend can tell you

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 if you don't know what your big problem is.

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 But then who should you become?

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 You know,

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 you can go

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 and get all these really good helps

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 to identify the problems

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 that you have deep down in your life,

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 in your soul,

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 that everybody else around you

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 maybe can see already.

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 But then the question is left,

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 okay, you've put away greed,

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 but now what?

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 What's the goal?

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 Who should you become?

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 And Christianity comes and says

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 there is one supreme goal in this life,

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 and it's to become more and more conformed

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 to the image of Jesus Christ Himself.

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 Will you think about this?

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 Will you make 2025

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 a year

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 where you say,

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 I want to experience

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 more and more

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 the wisdom

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 of Jesus Christ in my life?

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 I want to experience

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 more and more

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 the courage of Christ,

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 the insight,

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 the passion,

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 the zeal

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 for life and ministry

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 that He had,

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 the compassion

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 for people.

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 I want this year

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 to be a year

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 where I'll become

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 more patient,

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 more loving,

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 more faithful,

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 more gentle,

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 more meek,

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 more mild,

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 more strong,

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 courageous like He was.

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 I want to,

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 I want above all else

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 much more

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 than I want to learn French

00:09:34.139 --> 00:09:34.719
 on Duolingo,

00:09:34.879 --> 00:09:35.699
 much more than that.

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 I want

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 to have the overwhelming joy

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 that Jesus Christ has.

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 And Paul says in verse 15

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 that that is exactly

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 what you're made for,

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 to become more and more like Him.

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 So second,

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 how,

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 the path,

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 how can you get there,

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 the path to change?

00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:54.759
 Paul says here,

00:09:54.919 --> 00:09:55.439
 very briefly,

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 number one,

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 let me give you two,

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 two ways to seek this.

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 The first is this.

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 Paul says,

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 be who you are this year.

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 Be who you are.

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 What does he mean?

00:10:07.799 --> 00:10:08.379
 He says,

00:10:08.539 --> 00:10:10.199
 stop walking in the cultural addictions

00:10:10.199 --> 00:10:11.240
 of the Gentiles,

00:10:11.359 --> 00:10:12.679
 the normal default rhythm

00:10:12.679 --> 00:10:14.379
 of the culture of Ephesus

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 or Edinburgh.

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 And he says,

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 instead,

00:10:16.459 --> 00:10:17.379
 that is not the way

00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:18.240
 you learn Christ.

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 And so,

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 down here,

00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:20.819
 he turns

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 and uses three verbs

00:10:23.700 --> 00:10:24.340
 to talk about,

00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:25.740
 these educational verbs

00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:26.340
 to talk about

00:10:26.340 --> 00:10:27.520
 the way to change.

00:10:27.600 --> 00:10:27.940
 And he says,

00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:28.440
 it's not the way

00:10:28.440 --> 00:10:29.100
 you learn Christ.

00:10:29.460 --> 00:10:30.680
 It's not what you've heard.

00:10:30.780 --> 00:10:31.800
 It's not what you've been taught.

00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:33.160
 And immediately,

00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.300
 there's a sense

00:10:34.300 --> 00:10:34.960
 in which you might come

00:10:34.960 --> 00:10:35.379
 and say,

00:10:35.800 --> 00:10:37.460
 is Paul here talking about,

00:10:37.560 --> 00:10:37.920
 well,

00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:38.500
 the real path

00:10:38.500 --> 00:10:39.340
 to become like Jesus?

00:10:39.740 --> 00:10:40.520
 The real path

00:10:40.520 --> 00:10:41.700
 to seek change in my life

00:10:41.700 --> 00:10:42.740
 is education.

00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:44.360
 You know,

00:10:44.360 --> 00:10:44.580
 he says,

00:10:44.640 --> 00:10:45.100
 that's not the way

00:10:45.100 --> 00:10:46.020
 you learned Christ.

00:10:46.100 --> 00:10:46.620
 That's not the way

00:10:46.620 --> 00:10:47.220
 you were taught.

00:10:47.340 --> 00:10:47.880
 That's not the way

00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.220
 you heard.

00:10:48.360 --> 00:10:50.259
 I need to be educated more.

00:10:50.919 --> 00:10:51.580
 I need to be more,

00:10:51.820 --> 00:10:52.600
 I need to merely

00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:53.340
 have more discipline

00:10:53.340 --> 00:10:54.159
 and more education

00:10:54.159 --> 00:10:54.919
 and I can become

00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.139
 more and more like Christ

00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.100
 and reach my goals.

00:10:57.220 --> 00:10:58.720
 And it starts to sound like,

00:10:58.759 --> 00:10:59.580
 if you go that route,

00:11:00.820 --> 00:11:01.980
 like Christianity

00:11:01.980 --> 00:11:03.200
 has become

00:11:03.200 --> 00:11:04.720
 like every other world religion.

00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:07.360
 That deep change

00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:07.899
 in your life

00:11:07.899 --> 00:11:09.159
 is something that you have

00:11:09.159 --> 00:11:09.899
 to completely do

00:11:09.899 --> 00:11:10.320
 by yourself.

00:11:11.100 --> 00:11:12.080
 It's about education.

00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:12.759
 It's about discipline.

00:11:12.919 --> 00:11:14.019
 It's about a path

00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:14.600
 that you pursue.

00:11:14.860 --> 00:11:15.919
 It's the same sense

00:11:15.919 --> 00:11:17.559
 in which Islam comes

00:11:17.559 --> 00:11:18.000
 and says,

00:11:18.119 --> 00:11:18.199
 look,

00:11:18.259 --> 00:11:19.059
 if you want to experience

00:11:19.059 --> 00:11:19.799
 change in your life,

00:11:19.859 --> 00:11:20.799
 there's a five-fold path,

00:11:21.419 --> 00:11:21.959
 five pillars.

00:11:22.119 --> 00:11:23.239
 If the Buddha came

00:11:23.239 --> 00:11:23.959
 and what did he say?

00:11:24.739 --> 00:11:25.319
 He said,

00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:26.579
 there's an eight-fold path

00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:28.859
 to have deep change

00:11:28.859 --> 00:11:29.239
 in your life,

00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:29.959
 change that lasts,

00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:30.699
 change that matters.

00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:32.239
 And you can come today

00:11:32.239 --> 00:11:33.199
 and you can have

00:11:33.199 --> 00:11:33.879
 really good helps

00:11:33.879 --> 00:11:34.299
 in your life,

00:11:34.359 --> 00:11:34.759
 practices,

00:11:34.959 --> 00:11:36.699
 cognitive behavioral therapy,

00:11:36.799 --> 00:11:37.519
 all sorts of things

00:11:37.519 --> 00:11:38.799
 that are very, very good.

00:11:39.199 --> 00:11:40.399
 But for a moment,

00:11:41.299 --> 00:11:42.279
 it could come across

00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:42.759
 and seem here

00:11:42.759 --> 00:11:43.579
 like Paul is talking

00:11:43.579 --> 00:11:45.500
 about some kind of pathway

00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:46.219
 that you pursue

00:11:46.219 --> 00:11:46.879
 of education

00:11:46.879 --> 00:11:48.399
 to better yourself

00:11:48.399 --> 00:11:50.139
 and to really seek

00:11:50.139 --> 00:11:50.820
 to become like Jesus

00:11:50.820 --> 00:11:51.279
 in your life.

00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.559
 And verse 22

00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:54.879
 is absolutely critical,

00:11:54.980 --> 00:11:55.519
 absolutely key.

00:11:55.580 --> 00:11:56.039
 What does he say

00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:56.580
 in verse 22?

00:11:57.279 --> 00:11:57.759
 He says,

00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:58.460
 put to,

00:11:58.620 --> 00:11:59.320
 you've learned this,

00:11:59.399 --> 00:12:00.700
 to put off your old self,

00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:01.840
 which belongs

00:12:01.840 --> 00:12:02.980
 to your former manner

00:12:02.980 --> 00:12:04.059
 of life

00:12:04.059 --> 00:12:05.080
 and is corrupt

00:12:05.080 --> 00:12:06.240
 through deceitful desires

00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:07.500
 and to be renewed

00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.399
 in the spirit of your minds

00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.559
 and to put on the new self.

00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:11.239
 Now he says,

00:12:11.339 --> 00:12:12.059
 you've got to put off

00:12:12.059 --> 00:12:12.559
 your old self,

00:12:12.599 --> 00:12:13.099
 you've got to put on

00:12:13.099 --> 00:12:13.539
 your new self,

00:12:13.599 --> 00:12:13.879
 but look,

00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:15.299
 you've got to see,

00:12:15.599 --> 00:12:16.000
 you've got to be

00:12:16.000 --> 00:12:16.719
 really careful here

00:12:16.719 --> 00:12:17.579
 and to see exactly

00:12:17.579 --> 00:12:18.279
 what Paul says

00:12:18.279 --> 00:12:19.059
 for just one minute.

00:12:19.839 --> 00:12:20.239
 And it's this,

00:12:20.299 --> 00:12:20.939
 John Stott,

00:12:21.799 --> 00:12:23.079
 the great English commentator,

00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:24.299
 he points this out.

00:12:24.339 --> 00:12:24.559
 He says,

00:12:24.619 --> 00:12:25.239
 when you really look

00:12:25.239 --> 00:12:25.899
 at these verbs,

00:12:26.359 --> 00:12:27.000
 when you really look

00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.500
 at the language

00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.699
 that's being used here,

00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:30.059
 this language,

00:12:30.219 --> 00:12:31.839
 to put off your old self,

00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:32.500
 look,

00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:32.959
 it's not the way

00:12:32.959 --> 00:12:33.619
 you learned Christ.

00:12:33.759 --> 00:12:33.899
 No,

00:12:34.079 --> 00:12:34.939
 put off your old self.

00:12:35.000 --> 00:12:35.159
 No,

00:12:35.379 --> 00:12:36.139
 it doesn't say that.

00:12:37.000 --> 00:12:37.340
 It says,

00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:38.699
 to put off your old self

00:12:38.699 --> 00:12:40.480
 and to put on

00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:41.340
 your new self,

00:12:41.439 --> 00:12:42.000
 the new self.

00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:44.019
 And John Stott says this,

00:12:44.319 --> 00:12:45.580
 these are past tense,

00:12:46.059 --> 00:12:47.259
 middle infinitive verbs.

00:12:47.899 --> 00:12:48.179
 Right?

00:12:48.840 --> 00:12:49.120
 Yeah?

00:12:50.059 --> 00:12:50.580
 Past tense,

00:12:50.679 --> 00:12:51.240
 middle infinitives.

00:12:51.360 --> 00:12:52.199
 That's very important.

00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.600
 Why is it so important?

00:12:53.659 --> 00:12:54.080
 It's important.

00:12:54.460 --> 00:12:54.699
 Okay,

00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.519
 move on from that.

00:12:55.559 --> 00:12:56.480
 It's important for this reason.

00:12:58.679 --> 00:12:59.860
 Because it could be

00:12:59.860 --> 00:13:01.039
 translated like this,

00:13:01.279 --> 00:13:02.279
 having put off

00:13:02.279 --> 00:13:02.939
 your old self

00:13:02.939 --> 00:13:04.139
 and having put on

00:13:04.139 --> 00:13:04.899
 your new self,

00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:06.340
 be renewed.

00:13:07.919 --> 00:13:08.279
 Meaning,

00:13:08.759 --> 00:13:10.139
 he's not talking about here,

00:13:10.459 --> 00:13:11.340
 he's not talking here

00:13:11.340 --> 00:13:11.959
 about a command.

00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:12.779
 He's not saying,

00:13:13.340 --> 00:13:13.559
 this year,

00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:14.299
 the most important thing

00:13:14.299 --> 00:13:14.779
 you can do

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:16.000
 is put off your old self

00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.740
 and put off your new self.

00:13:16.819 --> 00:13:17.539
 That's not the first thing.

00:13:17.579 --> 00:13:17.779
 No.

00:13:18.279 --> 00:13:18.679
 He's saying,

00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:20.539
 having put off your old self

00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:22.740
 and having already received

00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.459
 the new self,

00:13:24.199 --> 00:13:24.860
 renew your mind.

00:13:26.039 --> 00:13:26.439
 Meaning,

00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:27.740
 he's saying

00:13:27.740 --> 00:13:28.879
 that when you come

00:13:28.879 --> 00:13:29.720
 to Jesus Christ,

00:13:30.159 --> 00:13:31.220
 the change

00:13:31.220 --> 00:13:32.759
 has already happened.

00:13:33.819 --> 00:13:34.759
 It's already happened.

00:13:34.899 --> 00:13:35.039
 Now,

00:13:35.519 --> 00:13:37.059
 the first thing

00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:37.720
 that Paul says

00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.600
 the pathway to change

00:13:38.600 --> 00:13:39.279
 is this year,

00:13:39.399 --> 00:13:39.720
 2025,

00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:40.419
 you've got to be

00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.039
 who you are.

00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:42.159
 You've got to be

00:13:42.159 --> 00:13:42.620
 who you are.

00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:43.600
 What is he saying?

00:13:44.139 --> 00:13:44.399
 You know,

00:13:44.419 --> 00:13:45.019
 you look at yourself

00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:45.500
 and say,

00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.559
 but I am greedy.

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.360
 I am selfish.

00:13:48.779 --> 00:13:49.639
 I do struggle

00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.759
 with lusts

00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:51.500
 of all kinds,

00:13:51.659 --> 00:13:52.220
 loving things

00:13:52.220 --> 00:13:52.699
 in this world

00:13:52.699 --> 00:13:53.559
 far too much.

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.079
 The old man,

00:13:55.179 --> 00:13:56.079
 the old self in me

00:13:56.079 --> 00:13:57.360
 is doing a lot of battle

00:13:57.360 --> 00:13:58.240
 and sometimes winning.

00:13:59.240 --> 00:13:59.939
 But here,

00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:00.679
 Paul says,

00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:00.939
 no,

00:14:01.139 --> 00:14:01.840
 your old self

00:14:01.840 --> 00:14:02.899
 has already been taken away.

00:14:03.579 --> 00:14:04.279
 And you've got to see

00:14:04.279 --> 00:14:04.639
 what he's saying.

00:14:04.699 --> 00:14:05.079
 He's saying,

00:14:05.199 --> 00:14:05.819
 the first thing,

00:14:06.600 --> 00:14:07.879
 when God looks at you

00:14:07.879 --> 00:14:09.519
 through Jesus,

00:14:09.740 --> 00:14:10.480
 because of Jesus,

00:14:10.919 --> 00:14:11.799
 he sees an emerald.

00:14:12.879 --> 00:14:13.740
 He sees a diamond.

00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:15.799
 He sees a finished product.

00:14:16.699 --> 00:14:17.500
 He sees somebody

00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:18.279
 who is beautiful

00:14:18.279 --> 00:14:18.899
 in character

00:14:18.899 --> 00:14:19.419
 and integrity.

00:14:19.559 --> 00:14:19.840
 Why?

00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.740
 Because when Jesus Christ

00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.600
 went to the cross,

00:14:23.279 --> 00:14:24.139
 he took on

00:14:24.139 --> 00:14:25.360
 all of your injustice.

00:14:26.039 --> 00:14:26.899
 This is the metaphor

00:14:26.899 --> 00:14:27.519
 of clothing.

00:14:27.519 --> 00:14:29.439
 He took on

00:14:29.439 --> 00:14:30.059
 the clothing

00:14:30.059 --> 00:14:31.120
 of your selfishness.

00:14:32.000 --> 00:14:32.659
 He took on

00:14:32.659 --> 00:14:33.240
 the clothing

00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.980
 of your injustice

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:36.159
 so that you could

00:14:36.159 --> 00:14:37.019
 receive his clothing,

00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.539
 the clothing of his righteousness,

00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:40.120
 so that you could be

00:14:40.120 --> 00:14:40.879
 in God's sight

00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:41.639
 made beautiful,

00:14:41.759 --> 00:14:42.480
 pronounced beautiful,

00:14:42.699 --> 00:14:43.860
 even though you're struggling,

00:14:44.059 --> 00:14:45.100
 even though you aren't always.

00:14:45.699 --> 00:14:46.259
 First thing,

00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:47.539
 and we'll move

00:14:47.539 --> 00:14:48.159
 to the final point,

00:14:49.299 --> 00:14:50.720
 Christianity is unlike

00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.159
 every other world religion,

00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:53.919
 everything on offer

00:14:53.919 --> 00:14:55.059
 in the bookshelf

00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:55.759
 at Waterstones.

00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:57.539
 There's nothing like it

00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.200
 because what it says

00:14:58.200 --> 00:14:58.639
 is this,

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.960
 the true path to change,

00:15:00.080 --> 00:15:00.779
 to becoming like Christ,

00:15:00.860 --> 00:15:01.539
 is to first see

00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:02.460
 that when you come

00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:03.220
 to faith in Jesus,

00:15:03.500 --> 00:15:04.720
 God changes you.

00:15:05.460 --> 00:15:06.159
 In his sight,

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.879
 you are pronounced clean,

00:15:08.419 --> 00:15:08.740
 forgiven,

00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:09.659
 beautiful,

00:15:10.039 --> 00:15:10.939
 having the character

00:15:10.939 --> 00:15:12.139
 of Jesus Christ himself

00:15:12.139 --> 00:15:12.939
 even though

00:15:12.939 --> 00:15:14.600
 it's not visible yet.

00:15:15.720 --> 00:15:16.539
 Be who you are.

00:15:17.840 --> 00:15:18.179
 Lastly,

00:15:18.559 --> 00:15:18.960
 that means,

00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:19.200
 okay,

00:15:19.259 --> 00:15:19.939
 what do you do with that?

00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:20.980
 How do you really

00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:21.700
 take a hold of that

00:15:21.700 --> 00:15:22.519
 in your life this year?

00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:23.559
 Let me get very practical

00:15:23.559 --> 00:15:24.600
 and very,

00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:25.659
 right here at the

00:15:25.659 --> 00:15:26.039
 very end.

00:15:26.779 --> 00:15:26.980
 Okay,

00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:27.539
 he says this,

00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.500
 practice this change.

00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:29.379
 All right,

00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.360
 now that you know,

00:15:30.959 --> 00:15:31.860
 if you've come to Jesus,

00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:32.699
 if you have faith

00:15:32.699 --> 00:15:33.259
 in your life,

00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:34.959
 in God's eyes,

00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.639
 you are already

00:15:35.639 --> 00:15:36.079
 an emerald.

00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:38.500
 And now you've got

00:15:38.500 --> 00:15:39.339
 to practice that.

00:15:39.579 --> 00:15:39.839
 And so,

00:15:39.939 --> 00:15:40.179
 yes,

00:15:40.259 --> 00:15:41.079
 now the command,

00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:42.819
 put off your old self,

00:15:43.500 --> 00:15:44.279
 be renewed

00:15:44.279 --> 00:15:45.299
 in the spirit of your mind,

00:15:45.500 --> 00:15:46.719
 and put on the new self.

00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:47.139
 Paul says,

00:15:47.199 --> 00:15:47.740
 how do you do that?

00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:49.179
 All he means is this,

00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.459
 first,

00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:50.360
 put off the old self,

00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.819
 now practice this,

00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:52.559
 be who you are,

00:15:52.679 --> 00:15:53.339
 practice it,

00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:54.759
 take it up,

00:15:54.899 --> 00:15:56.180
 take hold of these goods

00:15:56.180 --> 00:15:56.960
 that you've been given.

00:15:57.899 --> 00:15:58.580
 Here's how you do it.

00:15:58.879 --> 00:15:59.180
 First,

00:15:59.320 --> 00:16:00.180
 putting off the old self

00:16:00.180 --> 00:16:01.040
 simply means this,

00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:04.720
 it means that when you are alone,

00:16:05.560 --> 00:16:07.540
 you've got to live

00:16:07.540 --> 00:16:09.280
 in the presence of God

00:16:09.280 --> 00:16:09.759
 in that moment.

00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.440
 Putting off the old self

00:16:12.440 --> 00:16:14.320
 means that in the most

00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.379
 important moments of your life,

00:16:15.440 --> 00:16:16.420
 which are the small moments,

00:16:17.360 --> 00:16:17.920
 the moments,

00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.120
 especially when you are

00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:19.759
 by yourself,

00:16:19.759 --> 00:16:21.539
 you've got to embrace

00:16:21.539 --> 00:16:22.539
 the reality that you are

00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:23.659
 living in the presence of God.

00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.919
 Put away the old self.

00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:27.340
 That means when temptation comes,

00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:29.759
 you've got to fight,

00:16:29.939 --> 00:16:30.159
 fight,

00:16:30.279 --> 00:16:30.559
 fight,

00:16:30.620 --> 00:16:31.539
 to say in that moment,

00:16:31.899 --> 00:16:32.819
 I am in the presence

00:16:32.819 --> 00:16:33.580
 of the living God,

00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:35.740
 and I've already been changed,

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.960
 and I want to live into that.

00:16:39.779 --> 00:16:41.259
 It's all about the small moments,

00:16:41.360 --> 00:16:41.980
 not the big moments,

00:16:42.059 --> 00:16:42.740
 the small moments.

00:16:43.740 --> 00:16:44.279
 And then he says,

00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.779
 step two,

00:16:45.039 --> 00:16:46.059
 and then be renewed

00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:46.980
 in the spirit of your mind.

00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:47.500
 What is that?

00:16:47.960 --> 00:16:48.960
 It doesn't say be renewed

00:16:48.960 --> 00:16:50.460
 in the Holy Spirit of your mind.

00:16:50.519 --> 00:16:51.320
 That's not the word

00:16:51.320 --> 00:16:52.139
 being used here.

00:16:52.500 --> 00:16:53.100
 It's be renewed

00:16:53.100 --> 00:16:54.720
 in the spirit of your mind,

00:16:55.139 --> 00:16:56.560
 meaning your spirit,

00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.180
 your heart,

00:16:57.300 --> 00:16:57.780
 your soul,

00:16:57.900 --> 00:16:58.780
 your affections

00:16:58.780 --> 00:16:59.980
 have to be renewed

00:16:59.980 --> 00:17:00.540
 in that moment.

00:17:01.040 --> 00:17:03.040
 Your mind has to work hard

00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:03.759
 in that moment

00:17:03.759 --> 00:17:05.759
 to renew your spirit,

00:17:06.000 --> 00:17:06.700
 your affections,

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.180
 your heart.

00:17:07.420 --> 00:17:07.900
 So what do you do?

00:17:07.960 --> 00:17:08.600
 First you say,

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.880
 in the moment of temptation,

00:17:11.420 --> 00:17:12.940
 in the moment where you desire

00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.600
 to sin,

00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:15.240
 to walk away from God

00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:15.700
 in darkness,

00:17:16.279 --> 00:17:17.360
 you've got to first say,

00:17:17.359 --> 00:17:19.299
 I've already been changed.

00:17:19.919 --> 00:17:20.679
 I'm an emerald.

00:17:21.519 --> 00:17:22.819
 I want to say no to that.

00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:23.719
 Put it off.

00:17:24.179 --> 00:17:24.399
 Secondly,

00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:25.659
 now,

00:17:25.899 --> 00:17:26.319
 mind,

00:17:26.699 --> 00:17:27.319
 talk to spirit,

00:17:27.579 --> 00:17:28.119
 talk to your heart,

00:17:28.219 --> 00:17:28.719
 talk to yourself,

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.179
 and say,

00:17:29.919 --> 00:17:30.240
 self,

00:17:31.199 --> 00:17:32.839
 you are already changed.

00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.719
 You've got to be who you are.

00:17:35.219 --> 00:17:36.719
 It's to talk to yourself

00:17:36.719 --> 00:17:37.399
 and to allow that

00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.259
 to become prayer.

00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:39.979
 And to say,

00:17:40.079 --> 00:17:40.240
 Lord,

00:17:40.319 --> 00:17:41.559
 I'm in your presence right now,

00:17:41.599 --> 00:17:42.459
 and right now,

00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.839
 I need strength.

00:17:44.299 --> 00:17:45.240
 I need renewal.

00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:47.000
 And third step,

00:17:47.099 --> 00:17:47.559
 final step,

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.000
 put on the new self.

00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:49.900
 And what is that?

00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:50.839
 It's the choice,

00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:51.319
 the fight,

00:17:51.400 --> 00:17:52.420
 to say today,

00:17:52.620 --> 00:17:53.140
 right now,

00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.819
 in this moment,

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.519
 I'm going to choose

00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:56.819
 patience over impatience.

00:17:58.120 --> 00:17:59.680
 I'm going to be slow to anger

00:17:59.680 --> 00:18:00.519
 instead of quick to anger.

00:18:01.539 --> 00:18:02.660
 I'm going to choose

00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:04.720
 the affection I have

00:18:04.720 --> 00:18:05.579
 for Jesus Christ,

00:18:05.640 --> 00:18:06.000
 my Savior,

00:18:06.079 --> 00:18:06.880
 more than my lust.

00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:10.420
 It's a fight.

00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.440
 You already are

00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:12.980
 in God's sight,

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.380
 the emerald.

00:18:14.300 --> 00:18:14.700
 Justification,

00:18:15.060 --> 00:18:15.780
 and now seek

00:18:15.780 --> 00:18:16.720
 sanctification.

00:18:17.160 --> 00:18:17.700
 Practice it.

00:18:18.720 --> 00:18:19.540
 Become who you are.

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:20.340
 Become who you are.

00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:20.860
 And let me give you

00:18:20.860 --> 00:18:21.480
 two applications

00:18:21.480 --> 00:18:22.040
 and we'll finish.

00:18:23.320 --> 00:18:24.200
 First is this.

00:18:25.060 --> 00:18:25.860
 Deep change,

00:18:26.080 --> 00:18:27.140
 fighting idols in your life,

00:18:27.260 --> 00:18:28.500
 becoming like Christ this year.

00:18:29.780 --> 00:18:30.100
 Boy,

00:18:30.440 --> 00:18:31.620
 what is on offer here?

00:18:31.860 --> 00:18:32.520
 What is on offer

00:18:32.520 --> 00:18:33.740
 is a life of joy.

00:18:34.140 --> 00:18:34.940
 More and more joy,

00:18:35.440 --> 00:18:37.100
 more and more glorification of God.

00:18:37.780 --> 00:18:39.120
 More and more becoming like Jesus

00:18:39.120 --> 00:18:40.180
 means more and more joy,

00:18:40.300 --> 00:18:40.680
 deep joy,

00:18:40.820 --> 00:18:41.900
 surprising joy in your life.

00:18:41.900 --> 00:18:44.080
 And I just want to say

00:18:44.080 --> 00:18:45.320
 that that is not exactly,

00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.440
 that will not come to you

00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.960
 like a gym membership

00:18:47.960 --> 00:18:49.080
 brings you benefits.

00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.740
 So maybe you joined the gym

00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:53.600
 last week

00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.640
 to prepare for today.

00:18:56.440 --> 00:18:57.420
 Whatever else it is

00:18:57.420 --> 00:18:58.180
 you're seeking change

00:18:58.180 --> 00:18:58.880
 in practical ways

00:18:58.880 --> 00:18:59.540
 in your life this year.

00:19:00.420 --> 00:19:01.400
 If you go to the gym

00:19:01.400 --> 00:19:01.840
 every day,

00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.820
 most days this month,

00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:05.100
 and you eat really well,

00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.820
 really healthily,

00:19:05.880 --> 00:19:06.960
 on January 30th,

00:19:07.080 --> 00:19:08.560
 you will look in the mirror

00:19:08.560 --> 00:19:09.580
 and what will happen?

00:19:10.080 --> 00:19:10.560
 You will see,

00:19:10.559 --> 00:19:11.480
 I have changed.

00:19:12.159 --> 00:19:13.419
 Maybe it's a small change,

00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:14.519
 but you will notice

00:19:14.519 --> 00:19:15.279
 there will be something

00:19:15.279 --> 00:19:16.079
 that will have changed,

00:19:16.119 --> 00:19:16.299
 right?

00:19:16.740 --> 00:19:18.159
 The normal pathway to fitness.

00:19:20.179 --> 00:19:21.039
 Becoming like Jesus

00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:21.839
 is not like that.

00:19:23.440 --> 00:19:24.559
 It's probably not the case

00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.179
 that you will look up

00:19:25.179 --> 00:19:26.099
 on January 30th

00:19:26.099 --> 00:19:27.819
 and see all the ways

00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.700
 that you've changed,

00:19:29.179 --> 00:19:29.879
 that you've become

00:19:29.879 --> 00:19:30.779
 more and more the emerald,

00:19:30.940 --> 00:19:31.859
 the sanctified emerald

00:19:31.859 --> 00:19:33.179
 that God has pronounced

00:19:33.179 --> 00:19:33.740
 that you are

00:19:33.740 --> 00:19:34.480
 through justification.

00:19:35.419 --> 00:19:35.700
 Instead,

00:19:35.859 --> 00:19:36.619
 probably what you need

00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:37.200
 to think about

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.500
 is coming back here

00:19:38.500 --> 00:19:39.799
 or wherever you may be

00:19:39.799 --> 00:19:40.159
 in the world.

00:19:40.700 --> 00:19:41.639
 On January 1st,

00:19:41.659 --> 00:19:42.599
 2026,

00:19:43.919 --> 00:19:44.559
 and saying,

00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:46.019
 in what ways

00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:47.659
 did God change me

00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:48.259
 last year?

00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:50.399
 From a person

00:19:50.399 --> 00:19:51.200
 who lacked joy

00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:52.259
 into a person

00:19:52.259 --> 00:19:52.799
 full of joy,

00:19:52.960 --> 00:19:53.779
 from a person

00:19:53.779 --> 00:19:54.559
 who is very negative

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.099
 all the time

00:19:55.099 --> 00:19:55.899
 to a person

00:19:55.899 --> 00:19:56.819
 of gratitude.

00:19:57.519 --> 00:19:58.799
 A person who really

00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.940
 struggles with impatience

00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:00.480
 into a person

00:20:00.480 --> 00:20:01.000
 of patience.

00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.720
 You'll probably need

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.539
 to give it a year

00:20:03.539 --> 00:20:05.339
 of fighting,

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.639
 fighting,

00:20:05.759 --> 00:20:06.039
 fighting,

00:20:06.039 --> 00:20:07.319
 to become more

00:20:07.319 --> 00:20:07.919
 and more like Christ,

00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.619
 to see results,

00:20:08.759 --> 00:20:09.159
 to see,

00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.079
 to visibly see.

00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.079
 Boy,

00:20:11.159 --> 00:20:11.599
 your spouse,

00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:12.099
 your friend,

00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:12.579
 your partner,

00:20:12.700 --> 00:20:13.079
 they'll be able

00:20:13.079 --> 00:20:13.480
 to tell you

00:20:13.480 --> 00:20:14.220
 faster than that.

00:20:16.299 --> 00:20:17.779
 But it's slow.

00:20:18.700 --> 00:20:19.279
 There's a lot

00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.839
 of patience here.

00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.179
 Lastly,

00:20:21.559 --> 00:20:22.980
 no, yes,

00:20:23.179 --> 00:20:23.480
 lastly.

00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.519
 I thought I had

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.019
 something else there,

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.399
 but I don't.

00:20:26.679 --> 00:20:27.079
 Lastly,

00:20:27.220 --> 00:20:27.639
 the risk.

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.679
 There's a risk here

00:20:28.679 --> 00:20:29.779
 on January 1st,

00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.200
 2025,

00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:32.079
 of doing what we all

00:20:32.079 --> 00:20:32.980
 struggle with so much,

00:20:33.259 --> 00:20:34.500
 and that's never starting.

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:36.660
 Never starting.

00:20:36.819 --> 00:20:36.980
 Not,

00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.420
 boy,

00:20:37.640 --> 00:20:38.000
 don't hear.

00:20:38.759 --> 00:20:39.519
 You are saved

00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.640
 by grace through faith.

00:20:41.099 --> 00:20:41.599
 That is why

00:20:41.599 --> 00:20:42.400
 Jesus,

00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.240
 through the cross

00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:43.720
 and resurrection,

00:20:43.940 --> 00:20:44.700
 God looks at you,

00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:45.920
 if you're a Christian today,

00:20:45.940 --> 00:20:46.160
 and says,

00:20:46.240 --> 00:20:47.420
 you're already an emerald.

00:20:47.920 --> 00:20:48.720
 Pronounced clean,

00:20:48.859 --> 00:20:49.160
 forgiven.

00:20:50.859 --> 00:20:51.660
 And now,

00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:52.259
 fight.

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.559
 Work out your salvation

00:20:53.559 --> 00:20:54.279
 with fear and trembling.

00:20:54.519 --> 00:20:55.500
 Fight to become

00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:56.039
 the emerald

00:20:56.039 --> 00:20:56.900
 in this life

00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.480
 that you are

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.460
 in God's sight.

00:20:58.839 --> 00:20:59.140
 That's what we're,

00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.119
 sanctification is what

00:21:00.119 --> 00:21:00.680
 we're talking about.

00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.819
 There's a risk

00:21:01.819 --> 00:21:03.660
 of never growing

00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.319
 very much.

00:21:04.880 --> 00:21:05.579
 As a Christian.

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.720
 You can be a Christian

00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.579
 and never grow

00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.519
 very much in your life.

00:21:09.200 --> 00:21:10.119
 Never really experience

00:21:10.119 --> 00:21:10.799
 the depths of joy

00:21:10.799 --> 00:21:11.460
 that are on offer.

00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.579
 Jean-Paul Sartre,

00:21:13.980 --> 00:21:14.960
 not a Christian,

00:21:15.200 --> 00:21:16.119
 but a very famous

00:21:16.119 --> 00:21:17.240
 French existentialist

00:21:17.240 --> 00:21:17.680
 philosopher,

00:21:18.420 --> 00:21:19.859
 he said it like this,

00:21:19.900 --> 00:21:20.460
 something very true.

00:21:20.559 --> 00:21:20.759
 He said,

00:21:21.759 --> 00:21:23.160
 I have led

00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:24.480
 a toothless life,

00:21:25.039 --> 00:21:26.200
 a toothless life.

00:21:27.140 --> 00:21:27.980
 I have never

00:21:27.980 --> 00:21:29.279
 bitten into anything.

00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.599
 I was waiting.

00:21:30.980 --> 00:21:31.839
 I was reserving

00:21:31.839 --> 00:21:33.319
 my teeth for later on,

00:21:33.319 --> 00:21:34.599
 and I've looked up

00:21:34.599 --> 00:21:35.240
 and just noticed

00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:36.000
 that now my teeth

00:21:36.000 --> 00:21:36.379
 are gone.

00:21:38.019 --> 00:21:38.939
 Now there's a real danger

00:21:38.939 --> 00:21:39.480
 and real risk

00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.059
 of always saying,

00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:40.579
 tomorrow,

00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:43.460
 I will fight this

00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.960
 vice and bad habit.

00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.439
 Tomorrow,

00:21:45.799 --> 00:21:46.759
 I will get serious

00:21:46.759 --> 00:21:47.879
 about becoming

00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.480
 more like Jesus.

00:21:48.659 --> 00:21:49.079
 Tomorrow,

00:21:49.659 --> 00:21:50.399
 next month,

00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.000
 2026 will be the year.

00:21:52.419 --> 00:21:53.599
 When I leave university,

00:21:53.939 --> 00:21:54.899
 that will be the time.

00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:57.600
 when this move

00:21:57.600 --> 00:21:58.220
 is passed,

00:21:58.340 --> 00:21:59.259
 when this change

00:21:59.259 --> 00:21:59.980
 in our circumstances

00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.380
 is passed,

00:22:00.460 --> 00:22:01.019
 then I'll be able

00:22:01.019 --> 00:22:02.220
 to pray and read scripture

00:22:02.220 --> 00:22:03.259
 and be a more patient person.

00:22:04.660 --> 00:22:05.240
 And boy,

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.940
 the risk is not

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.840
 losing God's grace.

00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.160
 No,

00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.120
 forgive me,

00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:10.860
 that's not the risk.

00:22:10.960 --> 00:22:11.040
 No,

00:22:11.280 --> 00:22:11.800
 but the risk

00:22:11.800 --> 00:22:12.960
 is looking up

00:22:12.960 --> 00:22:13.519
 year in,

00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.060
 year out,

00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.640
 and saying,

00:22:15.019 --> 00:22:16.120
 decades have gone by

00:22:16.120 --> 00:22:17.140
 and I've not yet

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:18.340
 experienced the joy

00:22:18.340 --> 00:22:19.580
 that the scriptures

00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:20.340
 talk about

00:22:20.340 --> 00:22:21.400
 in this life.

00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:23.620
 The change

00:22:23.620 --> 00:22:24.420
 that's on offer to me

00:22:24.420 --> 00:22:25.320
 of becoming more like Jesus

00:22:25.320 --> 00:22:26.000
 in this life,

00:22:27.040 --> 00:22:27.980
 sanctification is this,

00:22:28.060 --> 00:22:28.780
 Ephesians 1, 3,

00:22:28.900 --> 00:22:30.019
 you already have

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.980
 every spiritual blessing.

00:22:31.160 --> 00:22:32.040
 Jesus has already

00:22:32.040 --> 00:22:33.200
 given it in the gospel.

00:22:33.960 --> 00:22:34.400
 So now,

00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.240
 take hold of it.

00:22:36.100 --> 00:22:36.900
 The final word.

00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.240
 It would be like

00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:41.140
 a starving man,

00:22:41.320 --> 00:22:42.160
 a starving woman,

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:44.900
 starving to death

00:22:44.900 --> 00:22:46.519
 and being gifted,

00:22:47.200 --> 00:22:47.940
 totally gifted

00:22:47.940 --> 00:22:49.680
 with a whole storeroom,

00:22:49.740 --> 00:22:50.880
 a kitchen full of food,

00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:51.200
 ready.

00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:52.040
 To eat.

00:22:52.800 --> 00:22:53.460
 And someone comes

00:22:53.460 --> 00:22:54.200
 to that starving man,

00:22:54.259 --> 00:22:54.880
 that starving woman

00:22:54.880 --> 00:22:55.420
 and says,

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:58.540
 do you have food to eat?

00:22:58.640 --> 00:22:59.360
 And objectively,

00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:01.340
 they have every blessing.

00:23:02.480 --> 00:23:03.240
 Everything has already

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.780
 been given to them.

00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:04.720
 Every pronouncement

00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.460
 has been made over them.

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.460
 The kitchen is full.

00:23:06.540 --> 00:23:07.360
 The storehouse is full.

00:23:07.900 --> 00:23:09.500
 But they're not walking in

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.460
 and opening the cabinet.

00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:11.600
 Subjectively,

00:23:11.700 --> 00:23:12.519
 they're not taking it.

00:23:12.660 --> 00:23:13.680
 They're not taking hold of it.

00:23:14.340 --> 00:23:16.120
 Don't starve yourself this year.

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.600
 Take up and eat.

00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:18.600
 Become like Jesus.

00:23:18.880 --> 00:23:19.220
 Fight.

00:23:19.220 --> 00:23:19.279
 Fight.

00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.640
 Because you have already

00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.360
 been given grace.

00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.380
 Because you are already

00:23:23.380 --> 00:23:24.380
 an emerald in his sight.

00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.779
 Let us pray.

00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:26.420
 Father,

00:23:26.559 --> 00:23:27.240
 we ask

00:23:27.240 --> 00:23:30.640
 that this year

00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.440
 would be a year

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.319
 of deep change.

00:23:32.440 --> 00:23:33.640
 The real change we need.

00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:36.500
 not merely the beautiful things

00:23:36.500 --> 00:23:37.259
 of learning languages

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:38.180
 and getting fitter

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.420
 and reading more books

00:23:39.420 --> 00:23:40.500
 and eating better

00:23:40.500 --> 00:23:41.500
 or whatever it is, Lord,

00:23:41.540 --> 00:23:42.560
 but the real change

00:23:42.560 --> 00:23:43.540
 of being conformed

00:23:43.540 --> 00:23:44.500
 to the image of the Son.

00:23:45.960 --> 00:23:47.040
 Give us, Lord,

00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:48.560
 a desire for the fight

00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:49.759
 to put off,

00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:50.380
 to mortify,

00:23:50.480 --> 00:23:51.000
 to kill

00:23:51.000 --> 00:23:51.880
 the habits,

00:23:52.020 --> 00:23:52.380
 the sins,

00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.480
 the vices of darkness

00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:54.720
 that our city teaches us,

00:23:55.040 --> 00:23:56.240
 that our selfishness

00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:57.160
 calls for,

00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.060
 and to put on

00:23:59.060 --> 00:24:00.340
 the fruit of the Spirit.

00:24:00.339 --> 00:24:01.639
 So we want to be

00:24:01.639 --> 00:24:02.859
 more like Jesus, Lord,

00:24:02.919 --> 00:24:04.619
 because we want more joy

00:24:04.619 --> 00:24:05.259
 in our lives

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:06.939
 and because it gives you glory

00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:08.159
 and because we want

00:24:08.159 --> 00:24:09.179
 to enjoy you forever,

00:24:09.379 --> 00:24:10.480
 even in these moments now.

00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:11.439
 From one degree of glory

00:24:11.439 --> 00:24:12.000
 to the other,

00:24:12.439 --> 00:24:13.220
 we ask that you would

00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.119
 grow us up in this year.

00:24:14.379 --> 00:24:15.299
 And we pray that through

00:24:15.299 --> 00:24:17.439
 because of the ground

00:24:17.439 --> 00:24:18.319
 of your grace,

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.939
 not in order to get it.

00:24:20.119 --> 00:24:20.759
 And we pray that

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.419
 in Jesus' name.

00:24:21.720 --> 00:24:21.939
 Amen.

00:24:21.939 --> 00:24:22.039
 Amen.

00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.059
 Amen.

00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.119
 Amen.

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:22.119


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