WEBVTT

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 And turn back in your Bibles to Romans chapter 8.

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 We'll be looking at Romans 8 over the next few weeks.

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!

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 But Romans 8 is lifting up the surface of the Christian life.

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 And showing us something glorious, something victorious.

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 An indestructible hope lies beneath.

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 And what is it? What lies beneath?

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 The glorious Spirit of God is at work in your life.

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 The Holy Spirit is key to this whole chapter, really.

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 Deep down, the Spirit is powerfully at work.

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 And He's doing far more than we realize.

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 Freeing us and strengthening us.

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 Sealing our future.

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 Giving us hope and assurance.

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 It may not look like it.

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 But something triumphant is going on.

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 And the Spirit of God powerfully dwells in you.

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 The Christian life is not a life on our own.

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 Or a life facing things in our own strength.

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 Or facing the future alone and just full of fear.

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 No, the Christian life is life in the Spirit of God.

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 And so if you're not a Christian here today,

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 this is a real insight into what is going on here in the church.

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 What God is doing in this world and among His people,

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 it is something deeper than you may realize.

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 And it is something God is inviting everyone into.

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 And one of the big things we saw last week

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 is that the Spirit has freed us from sin's power.

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 So sin makes us guilty.

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 But sin also is like a prison that traps us.

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 It's this force, this pull that keeps us away from God.

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 But the Spirit has freed us from that.

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 Burst open the prison cells.

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 No condemnation.

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 So we can now actually live for God.

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 And that's where this, today's passage picks up.

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 Paul addresses our freedom in the Christian life.

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 That great, great freedom that we have.

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 And he begins today by saying,

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 with great freedom comes great responsibility.

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 And also great privilege.

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 And those are two things that I want us to see today

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 about the Christian life.

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 The responsibility and the privilege.

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 But I first want us to see that responsibility.

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 Now that we are free,

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 we have an obligation to God.

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 This is the responsibility.

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 And this is the first point.

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 We have an obligation.

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 Look how verse 12 begins.

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 So then.

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 The Spirit has freed us.

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 No guilt.

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 Sin doesn't rule our lives anymore.

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 So then.

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 Something must happen in your life.

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 Verse 12.

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 So then, brothers.

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 We are debtors.

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 Not to the flesh.

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 To live according to the flesh.

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 Now debtors here.

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 It doesn't mean that we still have debts to pay for our sin.

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 No.

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 Christ has paid all of that on the cross.

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 No.

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 Debts here means an obligation.

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 A duty toward God.

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 Now that we are free,

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 there is something we must,

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 must do.

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 We must not live according to the flesh.

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 Now flesh here,

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 it just means sin.

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 Flesh is the sinful aspect to us.

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 So not just muscle and skin and tissue like that.

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 Not simply that flesh.

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 But flesh is disobedience.

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 It's unholiness.

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 Now that we have been freed from sin's power,

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 we must no longer live for sin.

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 No longer give in to it.

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 No longer be happy with it.

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 But instead, verse 13,

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 by the Spirit,

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 you put to death the deeds of the body.

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 Now that we are free from sin's rule over us,

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 we are debtors.

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 We are obligated to put our sin to death.

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 Kill it.

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 Which means positively living lives led by the Spirit.

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 Not sin, but living holy lives.

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 We are debtors to do this.

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 Now that we are free,

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 this is our duty,

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 the must of the Christian life.

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 So if you've ever wondered,

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 well, if we're forgiven,

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 why do we need to care so much about sin?

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 Why bother with sin if it's already been paid for?

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 Well, here is the answer.

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 It's because this is now what is owed to God.

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 Not in order to save us,

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 not to pay for our sin,

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 but now that we are saved,

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 this is essential,

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 essential in the Christian life.

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 putting sin to death.

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 Holiness,

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 it's not this optional extra of the Christian life.

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 It's the very reason

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 why the Spirit has set you free.

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 And so this is telling us

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 something about the Christian life.

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 Yes, we are freed from sin's rule,

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 but sin will still be a reality in our lives.

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 We have left sin,

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 but sin hasn't left us.

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 It's a bit like when you become a British citizen.

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 I know some of you,

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 that's been the case for you.

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 When that happens,

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 you now belong to a new country,

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 don't you?

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 A new ruler.

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 But in a way,

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 your birth country

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 still remains inside of you.

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 Many of you know,

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 my dad moved from Malaysia

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 and became a British citizen,

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 which meant he gave up his Malaysian passport.

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 He now has no obligation

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 to that country anymore.

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 The Malaysian government has no rule over him.

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 It's completely ended.

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 He now has a new ruler.

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 King Charles is his king.

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 He belongs to a totally different realm.

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 He is now British.

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 And some of that adjustment,

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 it happened very quickly.

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 I've been told he instantly fell in love

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 with fish and chips.

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 He loved rhubarb crumble.

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 But some Malaysian instincts still remain.

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 He still loves Malaysian food.

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 He still uses chopsticks.

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 He still wears flip-flops around the house.

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 He's always wearing flip-flops around the house.

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 He left Malaysia,

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 but Malaysia didn't leave him.

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 Well, in the Christian life,

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 we belong to a new ruler.

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 We are freed from sin.

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 We are now ruled by the Spirit.

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 We've left sin,

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 but sin hasn't left us.

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 And it takes time to leave.

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 Some habits, some desires do go quickly,

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 but other things may take a whole lifetime.

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 Speak to the oldest,

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 most mature Christian here today.

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 They know best of all,

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 the Christian life,

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 it is a tension between sin and holiness.

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 And so with this tension inside of us,

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 we are debtors.

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 We have an obligation to not entertain that sin,

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 but to put it to death

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 and to live for holiness,

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 led by the Spirit.

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 It's like if you have a heart transplant

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 and you're given a new heart.

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 You've been given a second chance,

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 a new life,

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 and it's a wonderful free gift.

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 No one can take that away,

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 but you are now a debtor.

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 You can't go back to that old life

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 of abusing your heart.

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 No, you are a debtor,

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 obligated to live properly now.

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 Well, we are all debtors to live for God.

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 And so that means doing something,

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 recognizing our sin and killing it.

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 And notice,

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 it doesn't say sit back

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 and wait for it to be killed.

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 No, actively put it to death.

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 Because it's always,

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 when we let sin linger

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 and ignore it,

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 that's when it only festers

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 and grows in our life, doesn't it?

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 We let that grumbling and bitterness

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 just sit in our hearts,

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 and it's so easy to ignore.

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 It's actually nice to just sit in it.

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 But slowly,

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 it gets worse and worse,

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 and before we know it,

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 grumbling is just all that we can do.

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 Sin, it's like mold.

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 It loves to grow in the dark,

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 but bringing it into the light,

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 that's how it dies.

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 Well, now that we are free from sin,

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 this is our duty.

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 Bring sin into the light and kill it.

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 And that takes real,

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 humble self-reflection, doesn't it?

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 And recognizing,

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 where is that sin lingering in my life?

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 Well, this now is the Spirit calling us to that.

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 Now that we are free,

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 sin is no longer our ruler.

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 We have left sin,

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 but what sin hasn't left us?

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 Well, God,

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 he's calling us to something drastic.

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 If there is grumbling,

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 filling your life,

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 just a bitterness,

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 that life is not what we've been freed for.

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 We need to repent

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 and confess it to the Lord

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 and put it to death in our life.

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 Cut it out.

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 If there is lust,

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 whatever thoughts,

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 whatever we're watching,

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 whatever's going on in that relationship,

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 Christ came to free us from that.

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 And so we are debtors.

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 It needs to be put to death.

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 Those lies,

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 that stealing at work,

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 that anger in the home,

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 it all belongs to the flesh

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 and we now have an obligation

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 to repent,

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 fight it

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 and put it all to death.

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 Now this side of heaven,

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 it will never be perfect.

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 The Christian life,

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 it's a lifetime of battle against sin,

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 a lifetime of relying on God's grace

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 every single day,

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 knowing his forgiveness

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 every single day.

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 And that can often be so discouraging

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 because it feels like we're never winning.

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 Many of us here

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 will have just come from a week

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 in the trenches

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 and we can just think,

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 my life is a mess.

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 This is futile.

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 But,

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 the fact that you face a battle

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 is not failure in the Christian life.

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 It is actually a sign of victory.

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 Underneath the surface,

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 beneath the mess,

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 your battle with sin

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 is a sign

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 that the Spirit has freed you.

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 Prisoners do not fight in this battle,

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 only the free.

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 Look at verse 13.

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 If by the Spirit

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 you put to death

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 the deeds of the body.

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 For the Christian,

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 the Spirit is inside of you now

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 giving you strength

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 to put that sin to death.

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 It's a divine work in you

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 and so whatever battles you face,

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 as you go back home

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 and you go to work tomorrow,

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 you are never alone.

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 The Spirit is the one

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 giving you strength in this fight

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 and it can all seem draining

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 and pointless,

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 but actually,

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 this is the path

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 to life.

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 If by the Spirit

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 you put to death

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 the deeds of the body,

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 you will live.

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 God's commands,

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 they are never burdensome.

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 They never ruin your life.

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 No,

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 however hard it is

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 to put those things to death

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 and it feels like

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 a part of you is dying,

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 that is actually true living.

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 That is God-given life

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 in the Spirit.

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 And so if you're here this morning

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 and you're looking in

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 to what it means

00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.139
 to be a Christian,

00:13:08.279 --> 00:13:08.919
 what it means

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 to follow Jesus,

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 but you look in

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 and you see

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 what you might have to give up

00:13:14.779 --> 00:13:17.360
 or what might have to change

00:13:17.360 --> 00:13:18.179
 in your life

00:13:18.179 --> 00:13:19.539
 and it feels like,

00:13:20.299 --> 00:13:20.379
 well,

00:13:20.419 --> 00:13:21.059
 if I do this,

00:13:21.120 --> 00:13:22.379
 my life's just going to get worse.

00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:25.279
 This all just seems restrictive.

00:13:25.519 --> 00:13:27.059
 I won't be able to get to live

00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:28.379
 the life that I want

00:13:28.379 --> 00:13:29.059
 to the full

00:13:29.059 --> 00:13:30.340
 in all the ways

00:13:30.340 --> 00:13:31.159
 that I want.

00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:33.019
 Well,

00:13:33.059 --> 00:13:33.459
 actually,

00:13:34.100 --> 00:13:35.339
 when we think that,

00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:37.120
 we've got it all backwards.

00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:39.659
 The Christian life

00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:40.799
 isn't restrictive.

00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:42.719
 It is true freedom.

00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:44.899
 Jesus came

00:13:44.899 --> 00:13:46.179
 that you may have life

00:13:46.179 --> 00:13:47.980
 and life to the full.

00:13:49.379 --> 00:13:50.740
 And we are debtors

00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.419
 to do this,

00:13:51.639 --> 00:13:52.980
 debtors to now live

00:13:52.980 --> 00:13:54.719
 life to the full,

00:13:55.559 --> 00:13:56.939
 life in the Spirit.

00:13:56.940 --> 00:14:00.220
 And that life,

00:14:00.640 --> 00:14:01.720
 it is not only

00:14:01.720 --> 00:14:02.780
 a sign of victory,

00:14:03.060 --> 00:14:04.080
 it is a sign

00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:05.680
 that we are

00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:07.260
 children of God.

00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.860
 With great freedom,

00:14:10.020 --> 00:14:10.240
 yes,

00:14:10.340 --> 00:14:11.420
 comes great responsibility,

00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:12.560
 but also,

00:14:12.700 --> 00:14:13.540
 with great freedom,

00:14:13.880 --> 00:14:15.120
 comes great,

00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.100
 great privilege.

00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.420
 And this is the second thing

00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:19.100
 I want us to see

00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:19.920
 about the Christian life,

00:14:19.980 --> 00:14:20.420
 the privilege.

00:14:20.560 --> 00:14:21.140
 I want us to see

00:14:21.140 --> 00:14:22.460
 that we are children

00:14:22.460 --> 00:14:23.580
 of God.

00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:25.340
 We are children of God.

00:14:25.540 --> 00:14:26.780
 Look at these wonderful words

00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:27.860
 in verse 14.

00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.620
 For all who are led

00:14:30.620 --> 00:14:31.939
 by the Spirit of God

00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:33.919
 are sons of God.

00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:37.220
 This is part of the reason

00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.459
 we're to fight that sin.

00:14:39.259 --> 00:14:40.399
 We are adopted

00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:41.319
 into God's family.

00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:43.100
 We are children of God.

00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:45.519
 And a new family,

00:14:45.819 --> 00:14:47.860
 it means a new way of life.

00:14:48.919 --> 00:14:50.319
 So every family

00:14:50.319 --> 00:14:51.339
 has its own ways

00:14:51.339 --> 00:14:52.000
 and instincts,

00:14:52.379 --> 00:14:52.699
 don't they?

00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:54.120
 So think about

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.240
 your Christmas Day routines.

00:14:55.319 --> 00:14:55.899
 We were thinking about this

00:14:55.899 --> 00:14:56.600
 with the kids earlier.

00:14:56.779 --> 00:14:58.919
 Every family

00:14:58.919 --> 00:15:00.379
 has their own way

00:15:00.379 --> 00:15:01.720
 on Christmas Day.

00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:02.500
 Some families,

00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.720
 what do you do first?

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:05.000
 Maybe you do stockings first.

00:15:05.799 --> 00:15:06.720
 Some do straight,

00:15:06.839 --> 00:15:07.360
 go downstairs,

00:15:07.720 --> 00:15:08.819
 do the big presents first.

00:15:08.899 --> 00:15:10.220
 Some wait till after church.

00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.839
 Every family

00:15:11.839 --> 00:15:13.199
 has different standards

00:15:13.199 --> 00:15:14.039
 and expectations.

00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.240
 It's just the way

00:15:15.240 --> 00:15:16.279
 the family does things.

00:15:17.679 --> 00:15:18.759
 And that's why also

00:15:18.759 --> 00:15:20.120
 the first year of marriage

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:20.980
 can be so tricky,

00:15:21.159 --> 00:15:21.459
 can't it?

00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:23.860
 you have two families

00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.560
 merging,

00:15:24.560 --> 00:15:26.780
 and so two ways of life

00:15:26.780 --> 00:15:28.019
 can clash.

00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:30.900
 Well, the Christian life

00:15:30.900 --> 00:15:33.480
 is coming into God's family.

00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:36.480
 And the way of this family

00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:38.600
 is holiness.

00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:41.879
 And we aren't used to that.

00:15:42.639 --> 00:15:44.420
 And so there will be a clash,

00:15:44.519 --> 00:15:46.259
 that tension inside of us.

00:15:47.259 --> 00:15:49.080
 And so what God's big plan

00:15:49.080 --> 00:15:49.879
 is for the church,

00:15:49.980 --> 00:15:51.420
 his plan in your life,

00:15:52.200 --> 00:15:53.860
 God is shaping us

00:15:53.860 --> 00:15:55.580
 into his family

00:15:55.580 --> 00:15:57.060
 and after his likeness.

00:15:58.159 --> 00:16:00.080
 To be a son of God,

00:16:00.320 --> 00:16:02.279
 it's to be like our father.

00:16:03.120 --> 00:16:04.100
 The great calling

00:16:04.100 --> 00:16:05.339
 of the Christian life

00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:07.620
 is to be like our God,

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:08.419
 godliness.

00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.419
 We are shaped

00:16:11.419 --> 00:16:12.100
 by our parents,

00:16:12.179 --> 00:16:12.439
 aren't we?

00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.559
 You can look at a boy

00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:14.879
 and think,

00:16:14.959 --> 00:16:16.360
 well, he's just like his dad.

00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:17.379
 You can look at a girl,

00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.659
 she's just like her mum.

00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:20.720
 My girls,

00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.439
 they're all little northerners,

00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:23.339
 like their mum.

00:16:23.860 --> 00:16:25.039
 They all say grass

00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:26.000
 and bath.

00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.379
 I feel very left out.

00:16:28.779 --> 00:16:29.679
 And why is that?

00:16:31.079 --> 00:16:32.259
 Parents shape us.

00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:35.579
 Children take after their parents.

00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:37.159
 Well, to be a Christian

00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:40.159
 is to be a child of God.

00:16:40.819 --> 00:16:42.279
 It is to have God

00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:44.240
 as our father,

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.199
 being shaped by him,

00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.379
 by his spirit.

00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.559
 And so the reason

00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:50.579
 we have this tension,

00:16:50.740 --> 00:16:51.980
 that the reason as Christians

00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.620
 we have just come

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:55.639
 from a week of sin struggles

00:16:55.639 --> 00:16:56.600
 and repentance

00:16:56.600 --> 00:16:57.899
 and needing forgiveness

00:16:57.899 --> 00:17:00.100
 and fighting this messy battle,

00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:02.120
 it is because

00:17:02.279 --> 00:17:03.919
 we are children of God.

00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:07.220
 So often in the Christian life,

00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.839
 we can fall into despair

00:17:08.839 --> 00:17:10.379
 because in the battle,

00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:11.980
 we only see the failures

00:17:11.980 --> 00:17:13.180
 and we can tell ourselves,

00:17:13.519 --> 00:17:14.579
 well, this must mean,

00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.839
 I guess I'm not a Christian.

00:17:15.839 --> 00:17:19.259
 But that battle means

00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.859
 you are being led by the spirit.

00:17:22.019 --> 00:17:22.980
 And so verse 14,

00:17:23.179 --> 00:17:24.079
 all who are led

00:17:24.079 --> 00:17:25.359
 by the spirit of God

00:17:25.359 --> 00:17:27.399
 are sons of God.

00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:30.220
 It all means God

00:17:30.220 --> 00:17:30.939
 is your father

00:17:30.939 --> 00:17:32.379
 and you belong to him.

00:17:34.259 --> 00:17:34.799
 And so now,

00:17:34.919 --> 00:17:36.639
 notice how all this relates

00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.399
 to the spirit.

00:17:37.399 --> 00:17:38.399
 Verse 15,

00:17:38.400 --> 00:17:40.700
 to be saved by Christ

00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:42.420
 means we have now received

00:17:42.420 --> 00:17:44.600
 the spirit of adoption.

00:17:45.960 --> 00:17:47.400
 So remember that the key

00:17:47.400 --> 00:17:48.000
 to Romans 8

00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:49.200
 is the Holy Spirit.

00:17:50.140 --> 00:17:50.940
 While Paul again

00:17:50.940 --> 00:17:52.580
 is lifting up the surface

00:17:52.580 --> 00:17:53.340
 of the Christian life

00:17:53.340 --> 00:17:54.600
 and showing us

00:17:54.600 --> 00:17:56.100
 an even deeper work

00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:56.740
 of the spirit.

00:17:57.640 --> 00:18:00.200
 The spirit not only frees you,

00:18:00.200 --> 00:18:02.900
 but the spirit adopts you,

00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:05.559
 grafts you into

00:18:05.559 --> 00:18:06.940
 God's family forever.

00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:09.500
 So the Christian life,

00:18:09.559 --> 00:18:11.640
 it doesn't only exist

00:18:11.640 --> 00:18:13.420
 in the court of God's justice,

00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:15.420
 not only no condemnation

00:18:15.420 --> 00:18:16.259
 before the judge,

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.900
 but it's actually a lot more.

00:18:19.779 --> 00:18:20.680
 The Christian life,

00:18:20.680 --> 00:18:23.039
 it exists in the home

00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:24.160
 of God's family.

00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:27.039
 And here in Romans 8,

00:18:27.120 --> 00:18:28.720
 Paul is opening up

00:18:28.720 --> 00:18:30.180
 just the sheer privilege

00:18:30.180 --> 00:18:31.700
 of what that means.

00:18:32.900 --> 00:18:34.500
 For every single believer

00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.140
 here today,

00:18:35.220 --> 00:18:36.380
 you have a relationship

00:18:36.380 --> 00:18:37.920
 with God like no other.

00:18:39.080 --> 00:18:40.140
 By the spirit,

00:18:40.320 --> 00:18:40.640
 do you see,

00:18:40.779 --> 00:18:42.360
 we can cry to God,

00:18:43.140 --> 00:18:44.220
 Abba, Father.

00:18:45.960 --> 00:18:47.220
 Now the word Abba,

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.960
 it's a term of intimacy.

00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.380
 It's what a child

00:18:51.380 --> 00:18:53.080
 calls their loving father.

00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.840
 You don't call

00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:55.019
 the prime minister Abba,

00:18:55.460 --> 00:18:57.660
 you call your father Abba.

00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:57.779
 Abba.

00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.960
 It's the same word

00:18:59.960 --> 00:19:01.120
 as Jesus prayed,

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.560
 actually,

00:19:01.900 --> 00:19:02.779
 to the father

00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.540
 in Gethsemane.

00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:06.220
 And this is what Jesus

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.420
 has called us into.

00:19:08.120 --> 00:19:09.019
 As Christians,

00:19:09.120 --> 00:19:10.040
 we can stand

00:19:10.040 --> 00:19:11.380
 side by side

00:19:11.380 --> 00:19:12.860
 with the Lord Jesus Christ

00:19:12.860 --> 00:19:13.340
 himself,

00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:14.820
 our older brother,

00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.600
 and with him

00:19:16.600 --> 00:19:18.360
 we can cry to God,

00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:20.259
 Abba, Father.

00:19:20.259 --> 00:19:22.940
 It's a relationship

00:19:22.940 --> 00:19:23.720
 like no other,

00:19:23.819 --> 00:19:24.619
 a dignity

00:19:24.619 --> 00:19:25.579
 that you have

00:19:25.579 --> 00:19:26.379
 like no other.

00:19:27.799 --> 00:19:29.019
 Any other religion,

00:19:29.140 --> 00:19:30.079
 any other religion

00:19:30.079 --> 00:19:31.180
 at best

00:19:31.180 --> 00:19:32.920
 can only say,

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:33.759
 Oh God.

00:19:34.700 --> 00:19:36.319
 But we can cry,

00:19:37.099 --> 00:19:37.940
 Abba, Father.

00:19:39.599 --> 00:19:40.660
 And this means

00:19:40.660 --> 00:19:41.599
 just like a father,

00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.440
 our God

00:19:42.440 --> 00:19:43.879
 intimately knows us.

00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:45.859
 He knows

00:19:45.859 --> 00:19:46.379
 the struggles

00:19:46.379 --> 00:19:46.900
 you face.

00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:48.660
 He knows

00:19:48.660 --> 00:19:49.440
 the battles

00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:50.080
 you are in.

00:19:51.000 --> 00:19:51.600
 He knows

00:19:51.600 --> 00:19:52.360
 the fears

00:19:52.360 --> 00:19:53.259
 and anxieties

00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:54.220
 you have for the future.

00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:54.900
 He knows

00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.620
 what's going on

00:19:55.620 --> 00:19:56.280
 in your family.

00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:57.700
 He knows

00:19:57.700 --> 00:19:58.400
 the problems

00:19:58.400 --> 00:19:59.019
 going on

00:19:59.019 --> 00:19:59.660
 in your body.

00:20:00.160 --> 00:20:00.560
 He knows

00:20:00.560 --> 00:20:01.019
 the troubles

00:20:01.019 --> 00:20:01.700
 at school,

00:20:02.360 --> 00:20:02.720
 the troubles

00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:03.220
 at work.

00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:03.680
 He knows

00:20:03.680 --> 00:20:04.340
 your hopes,

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.000
 your plans,

00:20:06.280 --> 00:20:06.940
 your desires.

00:20:08.280 --> 00:20:09.180
 He is

00:20:09.180 --> 00:20:10.100
 your Abba,

00:20:10.400 --> 00:20:10.680
 Father.

00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.420
 And in your need,

00:20:13.900 --> 00:20:14.880
 you can cry

00:20:14.880 --> 00:20:15.380
 to him

00:20:15.380 --> 00:20:17.120
 and he will help.

00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.120
 This language

00:20:19.120 --> 00:20:19.780
 of crying

00:20:19.780 --> 00:20:20.460
 in verse 15,

00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:21.720
 it's the picture

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:23.040
 of a child

00:20:23.040 --> 00:20:23.720
 in danger

00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.600
 crying out

00:20:24.600 --> 00:20:25.120
 for help.

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.300
 And any father

00:20:27.300 --> 00:20:27.520
 here,

00:20:27.620 --> 00:20:28.280
 when you hear

00:20:28.280 --> 00:20:29.320
 your little one

00:20:29.320 --> 00:20:30.540
 crying for help,

00:20:30.680 --> 00:20:31.560
 shouting your name,

00:20:31.860 --> 00:20:32.480
 you're there

00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:33.120
 in a flash,

00:20:33.280 --> 00:20:33.460
 aren't you?

00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.960
 It's unthinkable

00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.420
 that you would

00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.880
 leave them.

00:20:38.060 --> 00:20:38.280
 Well,

00:20:38.420 --> 00:20:39.780
 how much more

00:20:39.780 --> 00:20:40.800
 with our

00:20:40.800 --> 00:20:41.860
 heavenly Father?

00:20:43.520 --> 00:20:44.480
 The Christian life

00:20:44.480 --> 00:20:45.000
 is not one

00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.660
 of fear,

00:20:46.339 --> 00:20:46.680
 wondering,

00:20:46.860 --> 00:20:47.460
 will God

00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.220
 condemn me?

00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:48.880
 Is he there

00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.240
 to help?

00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.000
 Does he even

00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:50.420
 care?

00:20:51.120 --> 00:20:51.319
 No,

00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:52.079
 you have

00:20:52.079 --> 00:20:52.660
 life

00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:53.900
 in the spirit

00:20:53.900 --> 00:20:54.839
 of adoption.

00:20:56.160 --> 00:20:56.420
 And so,

00:20:56.480 --> 00:20:57.259
 the Christian life

00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.940
 is one of great

00:20:57.940 --> 00:20:58.460
 comfort,

00:20:58.599 --> 00:20:59.059
 belonging

00:20:59.059 --> 00:21:00.240
 to God

00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:01.200
 as children.

00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.299
 And so,

00:21:03.339 --> 00:21:04.160
 whatever your need

00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:04.660
 is right now,

00:21:04.740 --> 00:21:05.660
 whatever your need

00:21:05.660 --> 00:21:06.039
 is,

00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:07.299
 your heavenly

00:21:07.299 --> 00:21:08.279
 Father wants

00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.960
 you to cry

00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.299
 to him

00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.120
 and he will

00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:11.420
 always give

00:21:11.420 --> 00:21:11.920
 you the grace

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.420
 that you need.

00:21:13.480 --> 00:21:14.900
 It's unthinkable

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.360
 that he would

00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:15.820
 leave you

00:21:15.820 --> 00:21:18.259
 because something

00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:18.980
 lies beneath

00:21:18.980 --> 00:21:19.500
 the surface

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.080
 in your life.

00:21:20.180 --> 00:21:20.640
 You have

00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.420
 the spirit

00:21:21.420 --> 00:21:22.460
 of adoption.

00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:24.420
 He helps

00:21:24.420 --> 00:21:25.180
 us cry this.

00:21:25.279 --> 00:21:26.060
 When you feel

00:21:26.060 --> 00:21:26.500
 helpless

00:21:26.500 --> 00:21:27.800
 and you turn

00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.400
 to God,

00:21:28.740 --> 00:21:29.640
 that's the spirit

00:21:29.640 --> 00:21:30.460
 at work right there.

00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.460
 And verse 16,

00:21:32.580 --> 00:21:33.539
 the spirit himself

00:21:33.539 --> 00:21:34.279
 bears witness

00:21:34.279 --> 00:21:35.200
 with our spirit

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:36.279
 that we are

00:21:36.279 --> 00:21:37.220
 children of God.

00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.340
 When we know

00:21:38.340 --> 00:21:39.140
 in our spirit,

00:21:39.660 --> 00:21:40.720
 I just know

00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:41.279
 that I belong

00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.720
 to God.

00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.100
 Of course,

00:21:43.220 --> 00:21:43.700
 I can come

00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:44.539
 to God right now.

00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.000
 That's the spirit

00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.940
 at work right there.

00:21:48.519 --> 00:21:49.079
 And so,

00:21:49.160 --> 00:21:49.880
 the church

00:21:49.880 --> 00:21:50.839
 is at heart

00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:52.220
 a place

00:21:52.220 --> 00:21:52.799
 of belonging.

00:21:54.220 --> 00:21:55.160
 This is where

00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:55.860
 the spirit

00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.440
 of adoption

00:21:56.440 --> 00:21:57.019
 is at work,

00:21:57.100 --> 00:21:57.579
 where the spirit

00:21:57.579 --> 00:21:58.400
 dwells.

00:21:58.860 --> 00:21:59.100
 And so,

00:21:59.160 --> 00:21:59.700
 this is where

00:21:59.700 --> 00:22:00.440
 you come

00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:00.900
 to belong

00:22:00.900 --> 00:22:01.579
 to God's family.

00:22:02.579 --> 00:22:03.180
 This is where

00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:04.019
 you belong

00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.360
 to God,

00:22:05.559 --> 00:22:06.440
 our Father.

00:22:07.519 --> 00:22:08.220
 Where we

00:22:08.220 --> 00:22:09.480
 belong to Christ

00:22:09.480 --> 00:22:10.480
 as our older brother

00:22:10.480 --> 00:22:11.140
 and it's where

00:22:11.140 --> 00:22:11.960
 we belong

00:22:11.960 --> 00:22:13.259
 to each other

00:22:13.259 --> 00:22:14.579
 as brothers

00:22:14.579 --> 00:22:15.180
 and sisters.

00:22:16.940 --> 00:22:17.680
 That is what

00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.860
 is so encouraging

00:22:18.860 --> 00:22:20.019
 about our church.

00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:21.779
 As soon as

00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.620
 someone is in need,

00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.980
 the family surrounds

00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.160
 them,

00:22:24.220 --> 00:22:24.500
 don't they?

00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:26.559
 And we must see

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:27.559
 that for what it is.

00:22:28.380 --> 00:22:30.039
 That is the spirit

00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.860
 of adoption

00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.599
 at work.

00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.740
 Your prayers

00:22:33.740 --> 00:22:34.380
 for each other

00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.319
 as we rejoice

00:22:35.319 --> 00:22:36.000
 with each other,

00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:38.000
 weep with each other.

00:22:38.000 --> 00:22:40.480
 that is the spirit

00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.200
 of adoption.

00:22:42.759 --> 00:22:43.000
 And so,

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:43.640
 if you are here

00:22:43.640 --> 00:22:44.859
 today and loneliness

00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:46.660
 is a real difficulty

00:22:46.660 --> 00:22:47.319
 in your life

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:49.400
 and maybe your

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:50.339
 earthly family

00:22:50.339 --> 00:22:51.339
 has disappointed

00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:51.720
 you

00:22:51.720 --> 00:22:53.380
 and you're just

00:22:53.380 --> 00:22:54.160
 needing somewhere

00:22:54.160 --> 00:22:54.720
 to belong,

00:22:54.839 --> 00:22:54.940
 well,

00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.819
 this is where

00:22:55.819 --> 00:22:56.519
 you come

00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.539
 to belong.

00:22:58.680 --> 00:22:59.960
 This is the

00:22:59.960 --> 00:23:00.859
 true family

00:23:00.859 --> 00:23:01.779
 where you will

00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.440
 be loved

00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:04.440
 by the Father

00:23:04.440 --> 00:23:04.819
 in the most

00:23:04.819 --> 00:23:05.480
 perfect way

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:07.579
 and surrounded

00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.180
 by brothers

00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.759
 and sisters

00:23:08.759 --> 00:23:09.339
 and you will

00:23:09.339 --> 00:23:09.980
 get to stand

00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:11.500
 side by side

00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.099
 with the Lord

00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.440
 Jesus

00:23:12.440 --> 00:23:13.299
 and by faith

00:23:13.299 --> 00:23:13.640
 in him

00:23:13.640 --> 00:23:14.720
 you will get

00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.200
 to be a

00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.079
 co-heir

00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.759
 with Christ.

00:23:18.019 --> 00:23:18.500
 Look at this

00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:19.299
 final privilege

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.839
 of the Christian

00:23:19.839 --> 00:23:20.120
 life,

00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:20.779
 verse 17.

00:23:21.680 --> 00:23:22.339
 If we are

00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:22.819
 children,

00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.160
 then heirs,

00:23:25.200 --> 00:23:26.000
 heirs of God

00:23:26.000 --> 00:23:26.799
 and fellow heirs

00:23:26.799 --> 00:23:27.480
 with Christ,

00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:28.880
 provided we

00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.480
 suffer with him

00:23:29.480 --> 00:23:30.059
 in order that

00:23:30.059 --> 00:23:30.680
 we may also

00:23:30.680 --> 00:23:31.860
 be glorified

00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.240
 with him.

00:23:32.240 --> 00:23:34.420
 To be a

00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:34.819
 child,

00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.559
 it means

00:23:35.559 --> 00:23:36.140
 an inheritance.

00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:38.359
 Our earthly

00:23:38.359 --> 00:23:38.859
 parents have

00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.640
 secured something

00:23:39.640 --> 00:23:40.180
 for our future,

00:23:40.240 --> 00:23:40.559
 haven't they?

00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.200
 To be a

00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:43.140
 child means

00:23:43.140 --> 00:23:43.900
 we are heirs

00:23:43.900 --> 00:23:44.559
 of something

00:23:44.559 --> 00:23:45.140
 to come.

00:23:45.640 --> 00:23:45.779
 Well,

00:23:45.819 --> 00:23:46.420
 as children

00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:47.000
 of God,

00:23:47.380 --> 00:23:48.160
 what is our

00:23:48.160 --> 00:23:48.599
 inheritance?

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.700
 Look at the

00:23:49.700 --> 00:23:50.259
 end of verse

00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:50.720
 17.

00:23:52.099 --> 00:23:52.660
 Glorified

00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:53.720
 with Christ.

00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:55.599
 Glory.

00:23:57.339 --> 00:23:57.900
 Everlasting

00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.519
 resurrection

00:23:58.519 --> 00:23:59.500
 life in a

00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.980
 restored creation,

00:24:01.440 --> 00:24:02.220
 beholding

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:02.819
 the face

00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.180
 of our

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.600
 God,

00:24:03.880 --> 00:24:04.519
 that is

00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:04.819
 what is

00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:05.980
 waiting for

00:24:05.980 --> 00:24:06.700
 every single

00:24:06.700 --> 00:24:07.220
 Christian here

00:24:07.220 --> 00:24:07.519
 today.

00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.420
 The spirit

00:24:09.420 --> 00:24:10.319
 inside of you

00:24:10.319 --> 00:24:12.000
 guarantees this

00:24:12.000 --> 00:24:12.539
 inheritance.

00:24:13.819 --> 00:24:14.920
 If you look

00:24:14.920 --> 00:24:15.819
 under the

00:24:15.819 --> 00:24:16.500
 surface of the

00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.079
 Christian life,

00:24:17.180 --> 00:24:17.660
 beneath the

00:24:17.660 --> 00:24:18.660
 battles and

00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.519
 the mess and

00:24:19.519 --> 00:24:20.220
 the failures,

00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:22.319
 something glorious

00:24:22.319 --> 00:24:23.240
 is going on.

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.200
 We not only

00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.019
 see the spirit

00:24:26.019 --> 00:24:26.620
 doing something

00:24:26.620 --> 00:24:27.200
 now,

00:24:27.559 --> 00:24:28.600
 we see the

00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:30.019
 spirit guaranteeing

00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.640
 your future.

00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:31.240
 glory,

00:24:31.240 --> 00:24:32.680
 we stand

00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.440
 side by

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.020
 side with

00:24:34.020 --> 00:24:34.320
 Christ,

00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.120
 not only in

00:24:35.120 --> 00:24:35.560
 prayer,

00:24:36.440 --> 00:24:37.240
 but waiting

00:24:37.240 --> 00:24:38.080
 for the same

00:24:38.080 --> 00:24:38.600
 inheritance,

00:24:39.740 --> 00:24:40.180
 glory,

00:24:41.300 --> 00:24:42.520
 fellow heirs

00:24:42.520 --> 00:24:43.360
 with Christ.

00:24:44.920 --> 00:24:45.360
 But look how

00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:45.860
 we get there,

00:24:46.860 --> 00:24:48.200
 provided we

00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:48.960
 suffer with

00:24:48.960 --> 00:24:50.540
 him in order

00:24:50.540 --> 00:24:51.040
 that we may

00:24:51.040 --> 00:24:51.820
 also be glorified

00:24:51.820 --> 00:24:52.180
 with him.

00:24:53.540 --> 00:24:54.740
 Glory lies

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:55.080
 ahead,

00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:55.439
 but the

00:24:55.439 --> 00:24:56.220
 path to

00:24:56.220 --> 00:24:57.919
 glory is

00:24:57.919 --> 00:24:58.339
 pretty

00:24:58.339 --> 00:24:59.279
 unglorious.

00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.659
 It's

00:25:00.659 --> 00:25:01.299
 suffering,

00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:03.779
 suffering with

00:25:03.779 --> 00:25:04.519
 Christ,

00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.659
 because he

00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.879
 took the

00:25:07.879 --> 00:25:08.439
 same path.

00:25:09.399 --> 00:25:10.119
 He is right

00:25:10.119 --> 00:25:10.980
 now in heaven,

00:25:11.179 --> 00:25:11.779
 sat at the

00:25:11.779 --> 00:25:12.720
 right hand of

00:25:12.720 --> 00:25:13.919
 God, but he

00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:15.119
 went through the

00:25:15.119 --> 00:25:16.000
 cross to get

00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.240
 there.

00:25:17.559 --> 00:25:18.279
 Well, we are

00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.319
 all one family,

00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.500
 so we all walk

00:25:20.500 --> 00:25:21.259
 the same path.

00:25:22.939 --> 00:25:23.359
 And so the

00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:24.119
 struggles that you

00:25:24.119 --> 00:25:24.799
 face in life,

00:25:24.879 --> 00:25:25.539
 that fighting

00:25:25.539 --> 00:25:26.139
 sin, those

00:25:26.139 --> 00:25:27.239
 daily battles

00:25:27.239 --> 00:25:28.179
 that you face,

00:25:28.500 --> 00:25:29.259
 the pressure

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.119
 from the world,

00:25:30.659 --> 00:25:31.399
 the pressure

00:25:31.399 --> 00:25:32.099
 from our own

00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.939
 hearts, the

00:25:32.939 --> 00:25:34.219
 pains and the

00:25:34.219 --> 00:25:34.919
 trials that you

00:25:34.919 --> 00:25:35.619
 are going through,

00:25:35.979 --> 00:25:37.079
 helplessly crying,

00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.439
 Abba, Father,

00:25:38.579 --> 00:25:39.559
 please help me.

00:25:40.719 --> 00:25:41.299
 And you just

00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:42.059
 feel like you

00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:43.139
 are holding on

00:25:43.139 --> 00:25:44.299
 to Christ by a

00:25:44.299 --> 00:25:44.619
 thread.

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.819
 On the surface,

00:25:45.959 --> 00:25:46.459
 it all seems

00:25:46.459 --> 00:25:47.159
 weak and

00:25:47.159 --> 00:25:47.839
 pointless and

00:25:47.839 --> 00:25:49.119
 pretty unglorious,

00:25:49.659 --> 00:25:50.739
 but actually,

00:25:51.679 --> 00:25:53.039
 that is a sign

00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.879
 you are on the

00:25:53.880 --> 00:25:54.800
 way to glory.

00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.180
 What you are

00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.780
 going through is

00:25:57.780 --> 00:25:58.460
 not pointless,

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.500
 it has a great

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.100
 purpose.

00:26:00.680 --> 00:26:01.700
 God is shaping

00:26:01.700 --> 00:26:02.700
 you into his

00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.920
 family and he's

00:26:03.920 --> 00:26:04.920
 using it to

00:26:04.920 --> 00:26:05.900
 bring you to

00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:06.220
 glory.

00:26:07.340 --> 00:26:08.600
 We suffer with

00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.960
 Christ in order

00:26:09.960 --> 00:26:10.840
 that we may also

00:26:10.840 --> 00:26:11.700
 be glorified with

00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:11.880
 him.

00:26:13.520 --> 00:26:14.160
 The Christian

00:26:14.160 --> 00:26:16.140
 life may seem

00:26:16.140 --> 00:26:18.140
 messy and

00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:19.040
 insignificant and

00:26:19.040 --> 00:26:19.720
 like one

00:26:19.720 --> 00:26:21.020
 constant battle,

00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:21.079
 people.

00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.039
 But beneath the

00:26:23.039 --> 00:26:23.579
 surface, there

00:26:23.579 --> 00:26:24.420
 is something

00:26:24.420 --> 00:26:25.139
 glorious.

00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:28.019
 You have the

00:26:28.019 --> 00:26:28.579
 spirit of

00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:28.900
 adoption.

00:26:29.740 --> 00:26:31.079
 You belong to

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:31.740
 the Father and

00:26:31.740 --> 00:26:32.420
 so you are an

00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:32.700
 heir.

00:26:33.559 --> 00:26:34.819
 You are part of

00:26:34.819 --> 00:26:36.000
 something eternal.

00:26:37.379 --> 00:26:37.920
 And so the

00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.700
 Father has

00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.319
 something in

00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.819
 store for you.

00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.000
 Put your hope

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:42.519
 in Christ,

00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.599
 suffer with

00:26:44.599 --> 00:26:46.359
 Christ, and

00:26:46.359 --> 00:26:47.019
 you will be

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.680
 glorified with

00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:47.799
 him.

00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:49.339
 Let's pray.

00:26:49.339 --> 00:26:49.359
 Let's pray.