WEBVTT

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 And throughout the chapter Paul is emphasizing us towards unity and togetherness and also to move forward in our own faith.

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! And he reminds us at the end to be renewed in the spirit of your minds and to be on the new self created after the likeness of God and through righteousness and holiness.

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 And that word righteousness is what I really want to focus on this evening.

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 Perhaps it's best summed up for us in 2 Corinthians 5 and verse 21 where we have that great transaction.

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 For our sake he made, that's God made him, made Christ to be sin who knew no sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

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 I read the portion in John 17 at the beginning for a purpose.

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 I believe it undergirds what I'd like to share with you tonight.

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 And what it emphasizes is the love and mercy, compassion and security that all of us who are in Christ are blessed with.

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 We are safe and we are protected and guarded and kept by our Lord because we are precious.

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 We're precious in God's sight.

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 And we are a gift from the Father to the Son.

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 As we read there in verse 6 of John 17,

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 Jesus Christ is praying for us continually and interceding for us every moment of our lives.

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 I'm praying for them, we're told in verse 9 of that chapter.

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 I'm not praying for the world, but for those whom you have given me, for they are yours.

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 And we're also told that Jesus is glorified in us, in all his beloved people.

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 We're told in verse 10,

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 All mine are yours and yours are mine, and I am glorified in them.

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 And that's quite a lot to begin, even that short three verses that I read there.

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 It's a lot for us to begin.

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 And perhaps we don't think of these things enough.

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 Especially when we consider the sin that's always about us.

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 The sins that we commit, and yes, the sin that we just cannot shake off while we're in this life.

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 And for a short while this evening, I'd like us to consider something that is deeply biblical,

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 and I believe incredibly liberating for all of us, and it's this.

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 And we're not sinners trying to become righteous.

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 We are the righteousness of God in Christ.

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 And this is a key concept of our faith.

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 And I believe we really need to focus on that much more.

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 Because until that settles properly into our hearts,

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 peace in our daily struggles will always feel just out of reach.

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 We are made righteous in God's eyes,

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 not through our own works, because that's impossible.

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 We just cannot do that.

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 But it's through faith in Jesus Christ.

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 So from that we understand that it's relation-based.

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 It's because of a relationship with Jesus Christ.

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 And it couldn't be any other way.

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 And it's very true that many believers continue to call themselves sinners.

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 And that's primarily because they are honest about their struggles.

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 And now that's not a bad thing,

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 because we certainly don't want to minimize grace or pretend that we never fail.

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 So that's totally understandable.

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 But the problem here is not humility.

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 The problem is identity.

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 When we repeatedly name ourselves by what Jesus has already dealt with,

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 we actually quietly place ourselves back under a burden that he carried for us.

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 We're much too prone to be looking inwards instead of looking upwards.

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 And I believe it's true as islanders,

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 for a lot of people on this island,

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 we have a tendency to look upon the negative

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 instead of resting in and enjoying the positive aspects of our lives.

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 Let me give you a couple of examples.

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 Perhaps one of them you'll know very well.

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 The weather.

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 And is it not true that

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 whenever we may be enjoying a good spell of weather,

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 we might say to someone something like,

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 isn't this just a glorious spell of weather?

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 It's so warm,

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 and we've been getting the sun for so long now.

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 And yet, so often, the answer comes from people,

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 ah, yes, but I'm sure the rain isn't far away.

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 That's very true, isn't it?

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 It tends to be the way we look at things.

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 And even when it comes to our faith,

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 we're not exempt from these negative aspects.

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 I've often been in conversation with other Christians

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 and perhaps said something like,

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 isn't it just amazing that here we are,

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 the two of us,

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 and the two of us are saved now.

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 And too often I get the reply,

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 I hope I am.

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 Well, I don't understand that.

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 I hope I am.

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 And I don't believe it's God honouring either.

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 But yet, at the end of the day,

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 that's us, isn't it?

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 That's just the way we are.

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 Perhaps not just here in Lewis,

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 but certainly a West Coast thing anyway.

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 But I'd like to focus on this word righteous.

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 And as I briefly looked at 2 Corinthians 5,

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 we're told he was made sin

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 so that we might be made righteous.

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 He was condemned so that we might be justified.

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 And his death was in place of our spiritual death.

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 And this means that just as God imputed our sin,

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 just as the Father imputed our sin and guilt to Christ,

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 He made Him to be sin,

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 so the Father also imputes the righteousness of Christ

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 to all who believe in Him.

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 Not only does the believer receive

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 a right standing before God

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 on the basis of his or her faith in Jesus,

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 but Paul tells us that in Christ,

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 the believer actually shares

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 in the righteousness

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 that characterises God himself.

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 God regards or counts believers as forgiven

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 and God declares and treats them as forgiven.

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 because God the Father has imputed,

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 or perhaps another word is attributed,

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 God has attributed the believer's sin to Christ.

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 And because God the Father

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 likewise imputes Christ's righteousness

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 to the believer.

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 God the Father has not been able to do

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 for the believer.

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 with that,

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 and with that thinking,

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 I tend to think that we take the first part of that verse

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 and keep it in our minds that,

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 and of course it's not wrong,

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 because Jesus was made to be sin for us,

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 but also the fact that,

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 that we are now made righteous

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 in the sight of God

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 is so important

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 and perhaps something

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 that we don't think of

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 as often as perhaps we ought to.

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 Every believer

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 is a reflection

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 of God's own image in Christ.

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 and that is,

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 that's the express image

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 of his person.

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 God sees

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 a reflection

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 of himself

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 in every believer

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 in Christ

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 and through Christ.

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 And we need to really

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 grasp hold of that.

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 And that is that

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 every time God looks at us

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 individually

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 as believers,

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 he sees a reflection

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 of himself

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 in us

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 in Christ.

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 And we have a special place

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 in the heart of God.

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 This is a perfect

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 God-given righteousness.

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 And it is that

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 and that alone

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 that enables

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 every believer

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 to go into the presence

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 of a holy God

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 because we are made righteous,

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 our sins are forgiven,

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 we are made righteous

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 in Christ

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 and we are now enabled

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 to go into the presence

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 of a holy God.

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 And so we need to be

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 very clear

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 and Paul writes plainly,

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 you know,

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 scripture doesn't define

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 believers

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 by what they once were.

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 And notice the exchange

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 that goes on here,

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 this great transaction,

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 Jesus did not merely

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 forgive sin,

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 he became sin

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 for us.

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 And we did not merely

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 get a clean slate

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 as it were

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 because of that.

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 we also became righteous,

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 we were made righteous

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 immediately

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 in the sight of God.

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 And this is not

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 poetic language,

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 this is covenant truth.

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 Because yes,

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 you and I,

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 we still stumble,

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 we stumble in the flesh

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 and yet growth

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 is ongoing.

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 But it's not about

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 our failures

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 in this life.

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 we're always going

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 to fall in some way

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 in our lives

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 as Christians.

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 We're always going

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 to stumble.

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 But it's about

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 repenting

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 of that sin

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 which we are now

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 led to do

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 as believers,

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 led by the Spirit

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 to do.

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 It's about repenting

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 and it's about

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 picking ourselves

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 up again

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 and it's about

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 looking to Jesus

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 and it's like

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 shaking the dust

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 off us

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 looking to the

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 empty cross now,

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 looking to our

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 resurrected Lord

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 and moving on.

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 Because we have

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 to keep going

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 on this walk

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 or this race

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 as Scripture

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 often puts us

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 to run

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 this race.

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 I mentioned

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 the word identity

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 and this is what

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 it's all about

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 being

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 a child of God

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 and a reflection

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 of God's image

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 and the righteousness

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 of Christ.

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 Our identity

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 is not built

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 on our washed moments

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 but it's built

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 on Christ's

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 finished work.

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 And

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 in 1 Corinthians

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 chapter 6

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 and verse 11

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 that tells us

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 you were washed,

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 you were sanctified,

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 you were justified

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 in the name

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 of the Lord Jesus.

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 But notice

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 that is all

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 past tense.

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 you were washed,

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 you were sanctified,

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 you were justified.

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 Something

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 that has

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 already

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 been done

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 for us.

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 And living

00:13:06.019 --> 00:13:06.740
 with the mindset

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 of

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 I'm just

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 a sinner

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 that can

00:13:11.360 --> 00:13:12.980
 very easily

00:13:12.980 --> 00:13:13.820
 trap us

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 in cycles

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 of shame

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 and

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 in cycles

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 of fear

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 and self-focus

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 particularly

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 because

00:13:21.779 --> 00:13:22.919
 what that does

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 is it very subtly

00:13:24.259 --> 00:13:25.679
 teaches us

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 to look inwards

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 instead of upwards.

00:13:30.519 --> 00:13:31.620
 But the gospel

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 calls us

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 to a different

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 posture

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 and

00:13:35.639 --> 00:13:36.659
 Colossians

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 chapter 2

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 and verse 10

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 reminds us

00:13:40.939 --> 00:13:41.779
 of these words

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 and you

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 have been

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 filled

00:13:44.819 --> 00:13:46.299
 in him.

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 We're not

00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.200
 lacking

00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:49.860
 righteousness.

00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.500
 We're not

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 missing

00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:53.220
 something

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 essential.

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 We are

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 filled

00:13:55.939 --> 00:13:57.600
 in Christ.

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 So much

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 to think

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 about

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 with these

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 words.

00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:05.899
 this truth

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 is not

00:14:08.319 --> 00:14:08.659
 meant to

00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:09.000
 produce

00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:09.980
 pride in us.

00:14:10.980 --> 00:14:11.919
 It produces

00:14:11.919 --> 00:14:12.600
 rest.

00:14:13.259 --> 00:14:13.939
 And when we

00:14:13.939 --> 00:14:15.559
 truly

00:14:15.559 --> 00:14:16.720
 understand

00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:17.419
 that we

00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:18.019
 are righteous

00:14:18.019 --> 00:14:18.779
 in Christ

00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:20.059
 then

00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:21.539
 our obedience

00:14:21.539 --> 00:14:23.120
 it stops

00:14:23.120 --> 00:14:23.779
 being driven

00:14:23.779 --> 00:14:24.500
 by fear

00:14:24.500 --> 00:14:26.120
 and it

00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:27.059
 really does

00:14:27.059 --> 00:14:28.019
 start flowing

00:14:28.019 --> 00:14:28.939
 from love.

00:14:30.399 --> 00:14:31.340
 And we

00:14:31.340 --> 00:14:32.080
 start living

00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:33.519
 from the

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:33.980
 security

00:14:33.980 --> 00:14:34.539
 of it

00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.460
 because we

00:14:35.460 --> 00:14:35.840
 know

00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:36.600
 that we

00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.340
 are safe

00:14:37.340 --> 00:14:38.519
 in Christ.

00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.659
 The word

00:14:39.659 --> 00:14:40.379
 tells us

00:14:40.379 --> 00:14:40.720
 so.

00:14:42.240 --> 00:14:42.779
 And just

00:14:42.779 --> 00:14:43.340
 as John

00:14:43.340 --> 00:14:44.779
 reminds us

00:14:44.779 --> 00:14:45.799
 in his epistle

00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.699
 in 1 John

00:14:46.699 --> 00:14:47.559
 chapter 4

00:14:47.559 --> 00:14:48.340
 and verse 13

00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:48.860
 he says

00:14:48.860 --> 00:14:50.460
 by this

00:14:50.460 --> 00:14:51.180
 we know

00:14:51.180 --> 00:14:52.440
 that we

00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:53.100
 abide in

00:14:53.100 --> 00:14:53.360
 him

00:14:53.360 --> 00:14:55.860
 and he

00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.460
 in us

00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:58.000
 because he

00:14:58.000 --> 00:14:58.500
 has given

00:14:58.500 --> 00:14:58.899
 us

00:14:58.899 --> 00:14:59.500
 of his

00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:00.000
 spirit.

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:02.200
 God's

00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:02.440
 own

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.000
 spirit

00:15:03.000 --> 00:15:04.419
 dwelling

00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.120
 within us

00:15:05.120 --> 00:15:05.899
 and leading

00:15:05.899 --> 00:15:06.480
 and guiding

00:15:06.480 --> 00:15:06.879
 us

00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:08.120
 each step

00:15:08.120 --> 00:15:09.159
 of our way

00:15:09.159 --> 00:15:09.480
 in this

00:15:09.480 --> 00:15:09.879
 world.

00:15:10.759 --> 00:15:11.220
 And God's

00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.840
 presence in

00:15:11.840 --> 00:15:12.080
 us

00:15:12.080 --> 00:15:13.440
 is certainly

00:15:13.440 --> 00:15:14.100
 not based

00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.480
 on our

00:15:14.480 --> 00:15:15.120
 performance

00:15:15.120 --> 00:15:17.179
 it's based

00:15:17.179 --> 00:15:18.039
 on his

00:15:18.039 --> 00:15:18.860
 promise.

00:15:20.539 --> 00:15:21.000
 And that's

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:21.519
 a promise

00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:22.340
 that can

00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.220
 never ever

00:15:23.220 --> 00:15:24.360
 be broken.

00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.659
 And it's

00:15:26.659 --> 00:15:27.259
 just as

00:15:27.259 --> 00:15:28.659
 Calumura

00:15:28.659 --> 00:15:29.320
 spoke of

00:15:29.320 --> 00:15:30.060
 last Sunday

00:15:30.060 --> 00:15:30.379
 in his

00:15:30.379 --> 00:15:30.720
 sermon

00:15:30.720 --> 00:15:32.299
 that we

00:15:32.299 --> 00:15:32.639
 have been

00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:33.940
 given an

00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:35.060
 inexpressible

00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:35.620
 gift

00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.879
 from God

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:37.360
 himself.

00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:41.379
 a gift

00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:42.080
 that is

00:15:42.080 --> 00:15:42.480
 full of

00:15:42.480 --> 00:15:42.940
 joy

00:15:42.940 --> 00:15:44.419
 that joy

00:15:44.419 --> 00:15:44.899
 that we're

00:15:44.899 --> 00:15:45.419
 told that

00:15:45.419 --> 00:15:45.840
 in and of

00:15:45.840 --> 00:15:46.539
 itself is

00:15:46.539 --> 00:15:47.580
 inexpressible

00:15:47.580 --> 00:15:48.740
 and full

00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:49.320
 of glory.

00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.080
 And

00:15:52.080 --> 00:15:53.700
 just as

00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:54.060
 with the

00:15:54.060 --> 00:15:54.659
 gift of

00:15:54.659 --> 00:15:55.659
 God's

00:15:55.659 --> 00:15:56.039
 love

00:15:56.039 --> 00:15:57.279
 that is

00:15:57.279 --> 00:15:57.919
 now shed

00:15:57.919 --> 00:15:58.360
 abroad

00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:59.019
 in our

00:15:59.019 --> 00:15:59.460
 hearts

00:15:59.460 --> 00:16:01.340
 and we

00:16:01.340 --> 00:16:01.940
 now also

00:16:01.940 --> 00:16:02.840
 experience

00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:04.080
 the peace

00:16:04.080 --> 00:16:04.700
 of God

00:16:04.700 --> 00:16:07.060
 that our

00:16:07.060 --> 00:16:07.460
 scripture

00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:07.960
 says

00:16:07.960 --> 00:16:08.420
 passes

00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.320
 all

00:16:09.320 --> 00:16:10.080
 understanding

00:16:10.080 --> 00:16:11.560
 and yet

00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:12.600
 it is so

00:16:12.600 --> 00:16:13.300
 deep within

00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:13.660
 us

00:16:13.660 --> 00:16:14.580
 and so

00:16:14.580 --> 00:16:15.400
 foundational

00:16:15.400 --> 00:16:16.860
 with regard

00:16:16.860 --> 00:16:17.780
 to our

00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:18.200
 faith

00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:19.340
 in Christ.

00:16:22.460 --> 00:16:23.460
 Progress

00:16:23.460 --> 00:16:24.220
 happens

00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:26.040
 when

00:16:26.040 --> 00:16:27.960
 our

00:16:27.960 --> 00:16:28.600
 perspective

00:16:28.600 --> 00:16:30.300
 with regard

00:16:30.300 --> 00:16:30.680
 to our

00:16:30.680 --> 00:16:31.040
 faith

00:16:31.040 --> 00:16:31.500
 shifts

00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:31.879
 from

00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.840
 I'm

00:16:32.840 --> 00:16:33.540
 constantly

00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.480
 falling

00:16:34.480 --> 00:16:35.039
 short

00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.740
 and I'm

00:16:35.740 --> 00:16:36.079
 sure

00:16:36.079 --> 00:16:37.480
 so many

00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:37.740
 of us

00:16:37.740 --> 00:16:38.339
 are guilty

00:16:38.339 --> 00:16:40.339
 in saying

00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:40.839
 that and

00:16:40.839 --> 00:16:41.659
 I'm no

00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.079
 different

00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:43.399
 but it

00:16:43.399 --> 00:16:43.879
 needs to

00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:44.579
 shift to

00:16:44.579 --> 00:16:45.539
 I am

00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:46.099
 learning

00:16:46.099 --> 00:16:47.579
 to live

00:16:47.579 --> 00:16:47.939
 out

00:16:47.939 --> 00:16:49.039
 who I

00:16:49.039 --> 00:16:49.659
 already

00:16:49.659 --> 00:16:50.039
 am

00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:50.879
 in

00:16:50.879 --> 00:16:51.399
 Christ

00:16:51.399 --> 00:16:53.620
 and we

00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.379
 learn that

00:16:54.379 --> 00:16:55.059
 as we

00:16:55.059 --> 00:16:55.399
 grow and

00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:55.659
 grace

00:16:55.659 --> 00:16:56.000
 through

00:16:56.000 --> 00:16:56.459
 what

00:16:56.459 --> 00:16:57.439
 the

00:16:57.439 --> 00:16:57.959
 Thessalonians

00:16:57.959 --> 00:16:58.500
 call the

00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.159
 sanctification

00:16:59.159 --> 00:17:00.399
 process

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:02.500
 because

00:17:02.500 --> 00:17:02.959
 growth

00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:04.079
 does not

00:17:04.079 --> 00:17:04.660
 come from

00:17:04.660 --> 00:17:05.059
 shame

00:17:05.059 --> 00:17:06.599
 it comes

00:17:06.599 --> 00:17:06.799
 from

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.180
 truth

00:17:07.180 --> 00:17:08.879
 and the

00:17:08.879 --> 00:17:09.440
 truth is

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:09.879
 that

00:17:09.879 --> 00:17:10.940
 Jesus

00:17:10.940 --> 00:17:12.480
 did not

00:17:12.480 --> 00:17:12.759
 save

00:17:12.759 --> 00:17:13.180
 sinners

00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:14.079
 and just

00:17:14.079 --> 00:17:14.940
 leave them

00:17:14.940 --> 00:17:15.759
 that way

00:17:15.759 --> 00:17:16.920
 he made

00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.819
 every one

00:17:17.819 --> 00:17:18.160
 of us

00:17:18.160 --> 00:17:18.879
 sons and

00:17:18.879 --> 00:17:19.359
 daughters

00:17:19.359 --> 00:17:20.660
 clothed

00:17:20.660 --> 00:17:21.759
 in his

00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.339
 righteousness

00:17:22.339 --> 00:17:25.500
 so when

00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:25.980
 we fall

00:17:25.980 --> 00:17:26.439
 we don't

00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:26.799
 say

00:17:26.799 --> 00:17:28.259
 this proves

00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:28.779
 I am a

00:17:28.779 --> 00:17:28.980
 sinner

00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:31.539
 we see

00:17:31.539 --> 00:17:33.099
 this does

00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.759
 not align

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.199
 with who

00:17:34.199 --> 00:17:34.480
 I am

00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.079
 in Christ

00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.720
 and that

00:17:35.720 --> 00:17:36.279
 is a huge

00:17:36.279 --> 00:17:36.839
 difference

00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:37.939
 in these

00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:38.379
 words

00:17:38.379 --> 00:17:40.119
 one keeps

00:17:40.119 --> 00:17:40.740
 us stuck

00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.659
 exactly

00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:42.099
 where we

00:17:42.099 --> 00:17:42.379
 are

00:17:42.379 --> 00:17:43.799
 and the

00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.000
 other

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.000
 invites

00:17:45.000 --> 00:17:46.299
 continued

00:17:46.299 --> 00:17:47.000
 transformation

00:17:47.000 --> 00:17:48.279
 in our

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.699
 lives

00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:52.500
 we read

00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.019
 there in

00:17:53.019 --> 00:17:53.700
 Ephesians

00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.620
 chapter 4

00:17:54.620 --> 00:17:57.539
 in verse

00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.220
 24 it

00:17:58.220 --> 00:17:58.600
 tells us

00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:58.920
 put on

00:17:58.920 --> 00:17:59.279
 the new

00:17:59.279 --> 00:17:59.600
 self

00:17:59.600 --> 00:18:00.180
 created

00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.759
 after the

00:18:00.759 --> 00:18:01.160
 likeness

00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.680
 of God

00:18:01.680 --> 00:18:03.019
 and through

00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:04.039
 righteousness

00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.700
 and holiness

00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:07.259
 and we're

00:18:07.259 --> 00:18:07.819
 not creating

00:18:07.819 --> 00:18:08.600
 something new

00:18:08.600 --> 00:18:11.519
 we are

00:18:11.519 --> 00:18:12.160
 putting on

00:18:12.160 --> 00:18:13.360
 we're not

00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.000
 sinners

00:18:14.000 --> 00:18:15.039
 sorry

00:18:15.039 --> 00:18:15.460
 we are

00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:15.960
 putting on

00:18:15.960 --> 00:18:16.799
 what already

00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:17.380
 belongs to

00:18:17.380 --> 00:18:17.680
 us

00:18:17.680 --> 00:18:20.660
 it's been

00:18:20.660 --> 00:18:21.420
 gifted to

00:18:21.420 --> 00:18:21.759
 us

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:23.500
 and

00:18:23.500 --> 00:18:24.420
 this is

00:18:24.420 --> 00:18:24.960
 our truth

00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:25.440
 that really

00:18:25.440 --> 00:18:25.779
 ought to

00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:26.100
 bring

00:18:26.100 --> 00:18:27.519
 peace to

00:18:27.519 --> 00:18:28.100
 our hearts

00:18:28.100 --> 00:18:28.640
 tonight

00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.940
 and we

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.259
 need to

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.680
 understand

00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:31.880
 this

00:18:31.880 --> 00:18:32.060
 that

00:18:32.060 --> 00:18:32.820
 God

00:18:32.820 --> 00:18:33.460
 is not

00:18:33.460 --> 00:18:34.460
 disappointed

00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.100
 in us

00:18:35.100 --> 00:18:37.759
 he's not

00:18:37.759 --> 00:18:38.400
 surprised

00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:38.840
 by your

00:18:38.840 --> 00:18:39.420
 weakness

00:18:39.420 --> 00:18:41.259
 he's not

00:18:41.259 --> 00:18:42.560
 withholding

00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:42.940
 love

00:18:42.940 --> 00:18:43.660
 until we

00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.220
 get it

00:18:44.220 --> 00:18:44.600
 right

00:18:44.600 --> 00:18:46.039
 that's

00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.360
 not the

00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:46.519
 way

00:18:46.519 --> 00:18:46.840
 God

00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.740
 is for

00:18:47.740 --> 00:18:48.079
 us

00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.819
 until we

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:51.019
 start getting

00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.919
 everything

00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.500
 together

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:54.359
 but the

00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:54.839
 way God

00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.459
 sees us

00:18:55.459 --> 00:18:56.259
 as righteous

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:58.220
 and accepted

00:18:58.220 --> 00:19:00.240
 and secure

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:02.359
 we're not

00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:02.819
 sinners

00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:04.720
 trying to reach

00:19:04.720 --> 00:19:05.199
 God

00:19:05.199 --> 00:19:07.339
 but we are

00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:08.099
 the righteousness

00:19:08.099 --> 00:19:08.839
 of God

00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.480
 and Christ

00:19:09.480 --> 00:19:11.039
 learning

00:19:11.039 --> 00:19:12.259
 to walk

00:19:12.259 --> 00:19:13.059
 in grace

00:19:13.059 --> 00:19:14.159
 or by grace

00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:16.240
 day by day

00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:19.379
 and surely

00:19:19.379 --> 00:19:20.359
 that for ourselves

00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.179
 ought to be

00:19:21.179 --> 00:19:22.700
 a great comfort

00:19:22.700 --> 00:19:24.319
 a great encouragement

00:19:24.319 --> 00:19:25.819
 to our souls

00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:28.819
 that our Lord is with us

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:30.099
 every single step

00:19:30.099 --> 00:19:33.220
 walking with us

00:19:33.220 --> 00:19:34.159
 in our walk

00:19:34.159 --> 00:19:35.039
 day by day

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:38.279
 I read something

00:19:38.279 --> 00:19:39.180
 quite recently

00:19:39.180 --> 00:19:41.579
 and it's

00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.819
 it's the words

00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:44.399
 of a song

00:19:44.399 --> 00:19:46.000
 that has been

00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:46.440
 feeling right

00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.019
 and I just want

00:19:47.019 --> 00:19:47.759
 to just

00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:49.240
 read a

00:19:49.240 --> 00:19:50.940
 very small part

00:19:50.940 --> 00:19:51.579
 of it for you

00:19:51.579 --> 00:19:52.039
 it says

00:19:52.039 --> 00:19:54.039
 do you know

00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.720
 what God

00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.579
 did for me

00:19:55.579 --> 00:19:57.500
 he broke

00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:58.339
 my chains

00:19:58.339 --> 00:19:59.339
 and set me

00:19:59.339 --> 00:19:59.700
 free

00:19:59.700 --> 00:20:01.460
 he pulled

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.099
 my heart

00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.920
 from misery

00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.680
 mercy

00:20:04.680 --> 00:20:05.480
 found me

00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:06.639
 right there

00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:07.420
 on my knees

00:20:07.420 --> 00:20:09.059
 he washed

00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.879
 my sins

00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:11.379
 in Calvary's

00:20:11.379 --> 00:20:11.720
 stream

00:20:11.720 --> 00:20:13.639
 gave me life

00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:15.019
 where death

00:20:15.019 --> 00:20:15.700
 had been

00:20:15.700 --> 00:20:17.279
 he took

00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.899
 my shame

00:20:17.900 --> 00:20:19.280
 he took

00:20:19.280 --> 00:20:19.920
 my fear

00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:21.180
 and now

00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:22.000
 I stand

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:23.120
 redeemed

00:20:23.120 --> 00:20:24.240
 and clean

00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:28.100
 it's about us

00:20:28.100 --> 00:20:29.740
 adopting

00:20:29.740 --> 00:20:31.500
 a really

00:20:31.500 --> 00:20:32.640
 positive attitude

00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:33.240
 about our

00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.800
 Christianity

00:20:33.800 --> 00:20:34.680
 and about our

00:20:34.680 --> 00:20:35.120
 faith

00:20:35.120 --> 00:20:37.460
 and to

00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.019
 remember

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.840
 especially

00:20:38.840 --> 00:20:39.920
 our identity

00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:41.500
 which is in

00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:42.640
 Christ Jesus

00:20:42.640 --> 00:20:45.860
 we are seen

00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.220
 as being

00:20:46.220 --> 00:20:46.900
 perfect

00:20:46.900 --> 00:20:47.500
 righteous

00:20:47.500 --> 00:20:48.299
 and holy

00:20:48.299 --> 00:20:49.119
 in Christ

00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:50.960
 we make

00:20:50.960 --> 00:20:51.940
 mistakes here

00:20:51.940 --> 00:20:54.220
 but he is

00:20:54.220 --> 00:20:54.680
 with us

00:20:54.680 --> 00:20:55.279
 every step

00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.720
 of the way

00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.559
 building us

00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:56.900
 up

00:20:56.900 --> 00:20:57.980
 slowly

00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.660
 but surely

00:20:58.660 --> 00:20:59.799
 as we go

00:20:59.799 --> 00:21:00.220
 on in this

00:21:00.220 --> 00:21:00.559
 life

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.480
 we may not

00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:02.019
 see it

00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.059
 we may not

00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:03.539
 have that

00:21:03.539 --> 00:21:04.180
 awareness

00:21:04.180 --> 00:21:04.839
 of it

00:21:04.839 --> 00:21:05.839
 but he is

00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.460
 building us

00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:06.680
 up

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.579
 and he is

00:21:07.579 --> 00:21:08.019
 making us

00:21:08.019 --> 00:21:08.940
 more Christ

00:21:08.940 --> 00:21:09.339
 like

00:21:09.339 --> 00:21:10.480
 as we go

00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.440
 on in our

00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.920
 lives

00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:14.240
 until that

00:21:14.240 --> 00:21:14.599
 day

00:21:14.599 --> 00:21:15.819
 when we

00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:16.160
 will be

00:21:16.160 --> 00:21:16.839
 taken home

00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.539
 to be with

00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:17.899
 God

00:21:17.899 --> 00:21:19.980
 and we

00:21:19.980 --> 00:21:20.659
 will fully

00:21:20.659 --> 00:21:21.220
 realise

00:21:21.220 --> 00:21:21.679
 then

00:21:21.679 --> 00:21:23.419
 and experience

00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:25.159
 this perfect

00:21:25.159 --> 00:21:25.839
 righteousness

00:21:25.839 --> 00:21:27.480
 in every

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:28.179
 aspect

00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:29.319
 of our

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.740
 being

00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.879
 throughout the

00:21:30.879 --> 00:21:31.759
 endless ages

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:32.740
 of eternity

00:21:32.740 --> 00:21:32.859
 eternity

00:21:32.859 --> 00:21:35.359
 until that

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:35.700
 day

00:21:35.700 --> 00:21:37.460
 let's keep

00:21:37.460 --> 00:21:38.660
 looking upwards

00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:40.599
 rather than

00:21:40.599 --> 00:21:41.140
 inwards

00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:42.720
 let's pray

00:21:42.720 --> 00:21:47.380
 father we

00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.140
 just thank you

00:21:48.140 --> 00:21:48.579
 tonight

00:21:48.579 --> 00:21:50.680
 for all the

00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.039
 blessings

00:21:51.039 --> 00:21:51.940
 that we

00:21:51.940 --> 00:21:52.839
 receive from

00:21:52.839 --> 00:21:53.100
 you

00:21:53.100 --> 00:21:55.319
 we thank

00:21:55.319 --> 00:21:55.839
 you for

00:21:55.839 --> 00:21:57.940
 we thank

00:21:57.940 --> 00:21:58.400
 you for the

00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.299
 preciousness

00:21:59.299 --> 00:21:59.779
 of this

00:21:59.779 --> 00:22:00.660
 life that we

00:22:00.660 --> 00:22:01.480
 have in

00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:01.940
 Christ

00:22:01.940 --> 00:22:04.819
 we thank

00:22:04.819 --> 00:22:05.360
 you father

00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:07.600
 for everything

00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:08.420
 you do for

00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:08.920
 us day

00:22:08.920 --> 00:22:09.100
 day by

00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:09.460
 day

00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:11.820
 because we

00:22:11.820 --> 00:22:12.180
 know that

00:22:12.180 --> 00:22:12.600
 we're not

00:22:12.600 --> 00:22:13.440
 we're not

00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:13.880
 a servant

00:22:13.880 --> 00:22:14.320
 of even

00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:14.940
 the least

00:22:14.940 --> 00:22:15.180
 of your

00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.620
 mercies

00:22:15.620 --> 00:22:16.200
 and yet

00:22:16.200 --> 00:22:17.720
 we just

00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:18.440
 cannot but

00:22:18.440 --> 00:22:19.360
 gasp in awe

00:22:19.360 --> 00:22:20.039
 and wonder

00:22:20.039 --> 00:22:21.980
 at your love

00:22:21.980 --> 00:22:23.300
 and your

00:22:23.300 --> 00:22:23.740
 mercy

00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.840
 and your

00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.500
 long suffering

00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.480
 towards us

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:28.720
 help us

00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.560
 truly to

00:22:29.560 --> 00:22:30.640
 focus on

00:22:30.640 --> 00:22:31.259
 your word

00:22:31.259 --> 00:22:32.920
 and help

00:22:32.920 --> 00:22:33.379
 us truly

00:22:33.379 --> 00:22:34.220
 to focus

00:22:34.220 --> 00:22:35.420
 on this

00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.339
 great gift

00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:37.180
 of righteousness

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.940
 that you

00:22:37.940 --> 00:22:39.299
 have bestowed

00:22:39.299 --> 00:22:40.420
 upon each

00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:40.960
 one of your

00:22:40.960 --> 00:22:41.519
 own people

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:43.440
 it's hard

00:22:43.440 --> 00:22:44.039
 for us to

00:22:44.039 --> 00:22:44.660
 understand

00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:46.779
 that we

00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.279
 are seen

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:47.700
 as being

00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:48.299
 perfectly

00:22:48.299 --> 00:22:49.079
 pure and

00:22:49.079 --> 00:22:49.519
 holy

00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:51.240
 in your

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.700
 sight

00:22:51.700 --> 00:22:53.859
 but we

00:22:53.859 --> 00:22:54.299
 acknowledge

00:22:54.299 --> 00:22:54.559
 with

00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:55.379
 thankfulness

00:22:55.379 --> 00:22:56.940
 Christ's

00:22:56.940 --> 00:22:57.539
 finished work

00:22:57.539 --> 00:22:58.180
 at Calvary

00:22:58.180 --> 00:23:00.259
 for his

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:00.680
 death

00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:01.600
 and for

00:23:01.600 --> 00:23:01.820
 his

00:23:01.820 --> 00:23:02.420
 resurrection

00:23:02.420 --> 00:23:04.660
 and for

00:23:04.660 --> 00:23:04.820
 his

00:23:04.820 --> 00:23:05.460
 ascension

00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.140
 Lord

00:23:06.140 --> 00:23:06.660
 and we

00:23:06.660 --> 00:23:07.860
 we pray

00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.960
 to be kept

00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:10.420
 every single

00:23:10.420 --> 00:23:10.860
 day

00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.539
 keep us

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:12.900
 Lord

00:23:12.900 --> 00:23:13.539
 day by

00:23:13.539 --> 00:23:13.940
 day

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.320
 until

00:23:15.320 --> 00:23:16.279
 our Lord

00:23:16.279 --> 00:23:17.039
 surely

00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:17.820
 comes again

00:23:17.820 --> 00:23:19.180
 we ask

00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.820
 these things

00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:21.660
 in Jesus

00:23:21.660 --> 00:23:22.180
 name and

00:23:22.180 --> 00:23:22.560
 for his

00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:22.860
 sake

00:23:22.860 --> 00:23:23.519
 Amen