WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.040 It's really great to be with you this evening. 00:00:14.140 --> 00:00:14.800 Thank you so much, Paul. 00:00:14.880 --> 00:00:14.800 ! 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:40.679 May our hearts be humble and gracious. 00:00:42.000 --> 00:00:44.280 May we glorify you. 00:00:44.359 --> 00:00:46.159 May your name be glorified through all of this. 00:00:46.240 --> 00:00:47.019 May you be exalted. 00:00:48.100 --> 00:00:49.620 And may we turn to you as king. 00:00:50.539 --> 00:00:51.560 In Jesus' name. 00:00:52.120 --> 00:00:52.340 Amen. 00:00:52.340 --> 00:00:52.440 Amen. 00:00:55.080 --> 00:01:01.720 So, Paul very helpfully read for us from Deuteronomy 7 and Judges 1. 00:01:03.120 --> 00:01:13.859 And this opening chapter of the book of Judges sets a little bit of an ominous tone for the rest of the book. 00:01:13.859 --> 00:01:23.299 One commentator describes the overarching theme of Judges as the Canaanization of Israel. 00:01:24.459 --> 00:01:34.700 We heard from Deuteronomy 7 the charge that God gave to Israel regarding the inhabitants of the land that God had given them. 00:01:35.460 --> 00:01:37.539 Do not show mercy. 00:01:37.960 --> 00:01:39.019 Destroy them. 00:01:40.859 --> 00:01:42.560 Devote them to destruction. 00:01:42.560 --> 00:01:45.680 And yet, we jump to Judges chapter 1. 00:01:46.740 --> 00:01:49.960 And this is not happening. 00:01:51.480 --> 00:01:55.939 The previous book, Joshua, recounts the general invasion and conquest. 00:01:56.719 --> 00:02:05.920 And what's happening now is what one describes as an extended mopping up operation to clear the land completely of the Canaanites. 00:02:05.920 --> 00:02:12.640 And now there's initial faithfulness and obedience in verses 3 to 17. 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:15.460 We didn't hear those. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:16.680 We heard verse 17. 00:02:16.840 --> 00:02:23.360 Judah went with Simeon, his brother, and they defeated the Canaanites who inhabited Zephath and devoted it to destruction. 00:02:23.360 --> 00:02:28.760 So the name of the city was Horma, which means utter destruction. 00:02:29.600 --> 00:02:31.780 But this soon changes. 00:02:32.740 --> 00:02:41.440 So three things that I want us to consider this evening is we must drive out sin. 00:02:41.439 --> 00:02:46.060 We must not tolerate sin. 00:02:48.159 --> 00:02:52.240 Secondly, sin will grow if we don't. 00:02:55.539 --> 00:02:59.120 And the way we do this is through Christ. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:03.980 There's a common refrain in this first chapter of Judges. 00:03:04.099 --> 00:03:05.920 I'm not sure if you heard it. 00:03:05.960 --> 00:03:11.180 It emphasizes the disobedience and faithlessness of Israel. 00:03:12.379 --> 00:03:14.480 God commanded them to destroy the Canaanites. 00:03:14.560 --> 00:03:15.300 But what do we see? 00:03:15.719 --> 00:03:18.360 They did not drive them out. 00:03:18.360 --> 00:03:24.460 This refrain is repeated eight times in the passage. 00:03:24.660 --> 00:03:28.940 Seven times in verses 27 to 33 alone. 00:03:29.520 --> 00:03:31.260 They did not drive them out. 00:03:31.600 --> 00:03:34.260 They did not drive them out. 00:03:36.700 --> 00:03:39.340 They showed mercy. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:43.900 In verse 28, we read, 00:03:43.900 --> 00:03:58.159 So we might think that forced labor is hardly showing mercy. 00:03:58.879 --> 00:04:01.400 It's hardly endorsing the Canaanites. 00:04:02.939 --> 00:04:05.860 No, it was disobedience. 00:04:07.240 --> 00:04:10.280 God had said destroy them, and they did not. 00:04:10.280 --> 00:04:14.180 God had said, and we heard this in Deuteronomy, 00:04:15.140 --> 00:04:19.579 Do not make a covenant with them and show no mercy to them. 00:04:20.819 --> 00:04:22.420 And what Israel's doing there, 00:04:23.879 --> 00:04:26.519 subjecting them to forced labor, slavery, 00:04:27.160 --> 00:04:30.959 is entering into a covenant with the Canaanites. 00:04:33.199 --> 00:04:35.340 You will be our slaves, 00:04:35.620 --> 00:04:38.600 and we will not drive you out completely. 00:04:40.279 --> 00:04:45.139 It's an act of mercy on the part of Israel to the Canaanites. 00:04:45.259 --> 00:04:46.379 This is disobedience. 00:04:46.519 --> 00:04:49.619 And the angel of the Lord in Judges 2 explicitly says so. 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:51.719 You have not obeyed my voice. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:52.979 What is this you have done? 00:04:55.479 --> 00:04:57.939 They did not drive them out. 00:04:58.739 --> 00:05:00.839 Now, I guess there's various reasons why they might have done this, 00:05:00.839 --> 00:05:04.299 and why we sometimes do this in our lives. 00:05:04.300 --> 00:05:07.939 Why do we tolerate sin? 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:11.199 There's three reasons, I think, 00:05:11.400 --> 00:05:12.980 or there's many reasons we could say. 00:05:14.660 --> 00:05:16.000 We love sin. 00:05:19.120 --> 00:05:22.759 We love doing, and we enjoy doing, 00:05:22.860 --> 00:05:23.939 that which is wrong. 00:05:24.620 --> 00:05:25.920 I know I should not do this, 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:27.600 but I'm going to do it anyway. 00:05:27.600 --> 00:05:30.980 I'll let this sinful thought, 00:05:31.500 --> 00:05:32.680 whatever it is, 00:05:32.740 --> 00:05:34.780 linger in my mind 00:05:34.780 --> 00:05:37.720 just for a few moments longer than I should. 00:05:37.800 --> 00:05:39.220 I'll indulge myself today. 00:05:39.800 --> 00:05:42.520 Or unlike the psalmist in Psalm 37, 00:05:42.760 --> 00:05:44.879 I will envy those who do wrong. 00:05:44.879 --> 00:05:51.420 Maybe it's a fear of man. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:57.519 We tolerate sin because we don't want to be legalists. 00:05:57.659 --> 00:05:59.019 We don't want to be judgmental. 00:06:02.180 --> 00:06:02.779 We, you know, 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:04.740 taking the Lord's name in vain, 00:06:05.000 --> 00:06:07.279 you know, it's not that big a problem, is it? 00:06:10.779 --> 00:06:12.420 In churches, in society. 00:06:12.420 --> 00:06:16.259 But I think the main reason here, 00:06:17.280 --> 00:06:18.300 with Israel, 00:06:18.439 --> 00:06:20.120 is they underestimate sin. 00:06:24.400 --> 00:06:26.780 They did not drive out the Canaanites completely, 00:06:27.020 --> 00:06:29.040 and they were okay with that. 00:06:30.840 --> 00:06:34.379 Presumably, if you can subject the Canaanites to forced labor, 00:06:34.460 --> 00:06:36.660 they could have driven them out completely. 00:06:37.280 --> 00:06:40.080 But they did not know the gravity 00:06:40.080 --> 00:06:41.920 of what they were doing. 00:06:42.420 --> 00:06:44.699 By tolerating the Canaanites. 00:06:47.100 --> 00:06:47.660 And maybe that's, 00:06:47.780 --> 00:06:50.000 they forgot what God thinks about sin. 00:06:52.720 --> 00:06:55.100 We know the cross was necessary 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:56.939 because of our sin. 00:06:59.319 --> 00:07:02.280 God's pouring out of his wrath on the cross 00:07:02.280 --> 00:07:05.620 shows us what God thinks of sin. 00:07:05.620 --> 00:07:08.300 And Israel should have known. 00:07:08.300 --> 00:07:11.480 And Israel should have known what God thinks of sin. 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:15.439 So when we ponder those glorious truths of God's grace and mercy 00:07:15.439 --> 00:07:16.959 and forgiveness of our sins, 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:18.899 it's because of the cross, 00:07:19.000 --> 00:07:19.680 our sins, 00:07:20.579 --> 00:07:22.000 nailing Jesus to the cross. 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:24.519 And I know you know this. 00:07:24.519 --> 00:07:24.779 You know, 00:07:24.819 --> 00:07:26.599 you've been going through Romans in the morning. 00:07:27.299 --> 00:07:27.560 You know, 00:07:27.799 --> 00:07:28.979 those early chapters. 00:07:30.479 --> 00:07:32.659 It's on and on about our sin 00:07:32.659 --> 00:07:36.539 because we should not forget it. 00:07:36.540 --> 00:07:40.060 There is none who does good. 00:07:40.120 --> 00:07:40.260 No, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:40.760 not one. 00:07:40.939 --> 00:07:42.720 We are sinners. 00:07:44.960 --> 00:07:47.260 But God does not condone sin. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:50.279 But we do, 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:51.139 don't we? 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:55.579 We find acceptable what God finds unacceptable. 00:07:56.699 --> 00:07:59.779 We find pleasing what displeases God. 00:08:00.899 --> 00:08:02.319 Evil that we call good. 00:08:03.219 --> 00:08:06.199 Good that we call evil. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:06.759 And yet, 00:08:07.659 --> 00:08:08.939 we're to drive it up completely. 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.039 Psalm 9710, 00:08:10.139 --> 00:08:13.420 let those who love the Lord hate evil. 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:17.480 We're to put to death 00:08:17.480 --> 00:08:19.540 the deeds of the body. 00:08:20.180 --> 00:08:21.640 Put them to death. 00:08:22.500 --> 00:08:23.819 But we underestimate this. 00:08:23.920 --> 00:08:25.800 We underestimate sin in our lives. 00:08:26.600 --> 00:08:29.680 We let it linger and fester and grow 00:08:29.680 --> 00:08:30.939 because they're not major. 00:08:33.019 --> 00:08:35.639 But they do grow and destroy 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:38.000 and lead to destruction. 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:42.180 White lie here and there is not too big a problem. 00:08:42.179 --> 00:08:44.859 I don't need to disclose all my income. 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:47.399 I'll, you know, 00:08:47.459 --> 00:08:48.359 flattery. 00:08:49.500 --> 00:08:51.279 A bit of gossip doesn't hurt anyone. 00:08:52.879 --> 00:08:54.699 It's okay to be rude and mock someone 00:08:54.699 --> 00:08:55.779 if it's behind their back. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:58.899 I have every right to be bitter. 00:09:00.879 --> 00:09:02.079 They wronged me. 00:09:03.299 --> 00:09:04.139 Thank you, Lord. 00:09:04.199 --> 00:09:05.739 I'm not like those other sinners. 00:09:07.839 --> 00:09:09.659 We all have this tendency, 00:09:10.279 --> 00:09:11.039 don't we, 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:12.240 to overlook. 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:16.199 But this also applies to the church. 00:09:18.099 --> 00:09:18.860 It's great 00:09:18.860 --> 00:09:20.259 and wonderful 00:09:20.259 --> 00:09:21.659 that there are many wings of the church. 00:09:21.779 --> 00:09:23.099 I know the IPC have been very 00:09:23.099 --> 00:09:25.480 firm on this, 00:09:25.599 --> 00:09:26.179 defending 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:27.819 marriage 00:09:27.819 --> 00:09:29.819 when it's been coming under attack 00:09:29.819 --> 00:09:30.659 in our culture. 00:09:31.539 --> 00:09:32.679 But sometimes, 00:09:33.539 --> 00:09:34.939 it can feel 00:09:34.939 --> 00:09:36.860 like we haven't really 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:37.959 valued marriage. 00:09:37.960 --> 00:09:40.639 maybe in the way we've tolerated 00:09:40.639 --> 00:09:42.440 cohabitation 00:09:42.440 --> 00:09:42.780 or 00:09:42.780 --> 00:09:44.080 fornication 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:44.379 or 00:09:44.379 --> 00:09:46.500 the marrying of unbelievers. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:49.620 We've seen this in many different churches. 00:09:52.200 --> 00:09:53.879 And so that's why we're given instructions 00:09:53.879 --> 00:09:54.519 in the New Testament 00:09:54.519 --> 00:09:54.980 about 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:57.280 the requirements for leadership, 00:09:57.400 --> 00:09:58.500 about church discipline. 00:09:58.860 --> 00:09:59.940 They're there for a reason. 00:09:59.940 --> 00:10:03.960 when we tolerate members openly 00:10:03.960 --> 00:10:04.980 and willfully in sin 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:06.480 serving in churches, 00:10:06.880 --> 00:10:08.520 the next thing we see 00:10:08.520 --> 00:10:10.280 is they are leading churches. 00:10:11.920 --> 00:10:13.900 Church discipline is a godly tool 00:10:13.900 --> 00:10:15.980 to drive people to repentance 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.720 and restoration. 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:18.340 So that kind of signals, 00:10:18.920 --> 00:10:19.220 doesn't it, 00:10:19.240 --> 00:10:20.480 what are the consequences 00:10:20.480 --> 00:10:21.720 of what happens 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:22.259 when we 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:23.480 tolerate 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:24.540 sin. 00:10:25.899 --> 00:10:26.740 Well, God tells 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:27.360 Israel 00:10:27.360 --> 00:10:28.620 in 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.960 chapter 2, 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:30.680 Judges 2, 00:10:30.759 --> 00:10:31.600 verses 2 and 3, 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:36.240 I will not 00:10:36.240 --> 00:10:37.279 drive them out. 00:10:37.340 --> 00:10:37.840 Verse 3, 00:10:37.940 --> 00:10:38.580 I will not 00:10:38.580 --> 00:10:39.460 drive them out 00:10:39.460 --> 00:10:40.080 before you, 00:10:40.440 --> 00:10:41.639 but they shall become 00:10:41.639 --> 00:10:43.139 thorns in your sides 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:44.200 and their gods 00:10:44.200 --> 00:10:46.440 shall be a snare 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:48.520 for you, 00:10:48.780 --> 00:10:49.280 to you. 00:10:50.560 --> 00:10:51.320 And this is what 00:10:51.320 --> 00:10:52.400 Israel saw 00:10:52.400 --> 00:10:53.879 in the rest of Judges 00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:55.620 and really the Old Testament, 00:10:55.800 --> 00:10:56.980 this cycle 00:10:56.980 --> 00:10:58.100 of faithfulness, 00:10:58.680 --> 00:10:59.300 compromise, 00:10:59.879 --> 00:11:00.620 idolatry, 00:11:01.300 --> 00:11:01.660 judgment, 00:11:02.660 --> 00:11:03.200 restoration. 00:11:04.180 --> 00:11:05.220 But ultimately 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:06.280 spiraling downwards. 00:11:07.200 --> 00:11:08.740 We see these cycles 00:11:08.740 --> 00:11:09.660 of the Judges. 00:11:11.640 --> 00:11:13.120 So there is repentance here 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:14.360 as soon as the Lord 00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:15.220 spoke these words 00:11:15.220 --> 00:11:15.740 to all the people 00:11:15.740 --> 00:11:16.100 of Israel. 00:11:16.159 --> 00:11:17.060 The people lifted up 00:11:17.060 --> 00:11:17.519 their voices 00:11:17.519 --> 00:11:18.120 and wept. 00:11:20.860 --> 00:11:22.000 But the apostasy 00:11:22.000 --> 00:11:23.620 comes soon after. 00:11:24.860 --> 00:11:26.080 And by the end, 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.159 Israel's wickedness 00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:29.039 is deep 00:11:29.039 --> 00:11:30.940 and endemic. 00:11:31.820 --> 00:11:33.299 By the end of Judges, 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:34.379 we've seen apostasy, 00:11:35.000 --> 00:11:35.519 adultery, 00:11:35.860 --> 00:11:36.220 rape, 00:11:36.720 --> 00:11:37.060 murder, 00:11:37.539 --> 00:11:38.159 intermarrying, 00:11:38.940 --> 00:11:39.519 a descent 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.460 into depravity. 00:11:40.560 --> 00:11:40.860 The book 00:11:40.860 --> 00:11:42.820 literally ends 00:11:42.820 --> 00:11:44.300 with the tribe 00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:45.620 of the Benjaminites 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:47.399 nearly being wiped out 00:11:47.399 --> 00:11:48.560 for their wickedness. 00:11:51.680 --> 00:11:52.539 And in a sense, 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:55.480 we see this 00:11:55.480 --> 00:11:57.259 in chapter one, 00:11:57.779 --> 00:11:58.720 in Judges already, 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:00.700 this signal 00:12:00.700 --> 00:12:01.759 that things are going 00:12:01.759 --> 00:12:03.300 to get worse. 00:12:04.560 --> 00:12:05.539 Notice the change. 00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:06.279 Verse 29, 00:12:06.539 --> 00:12:08.080 Ephraim did not drive out 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:08.600 the Canaanites 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.279 who lived in Gaza, 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:10.439 so the Canaanites 00:12:10.439 --> 00:12:11.620 lived in Gaza 00:12:11.620 --> 00:12:12.539 among them. 00:12:12.659 --> 00:12:13.220 Verse 29, 00:12:13.659 --> 00:12:14.939 but then in verse 33, 00:12:15.399 --> 00:12:16.519 Naphtali did not 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:17.600 drive out the inhabitants 00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.600 of Beth Shemesh 00:12:18.600 --> 00:12:19.379 or the inhabitants 00:12:19.379 --> 00:12:20.100 of Beth Anath, 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:22.079 so they lived 00:12:22.079 --> 00:12:23.980 among the Canaanites. 00:12:25.839 --> 00:12:27.179 You see that change there. 00:12:27.339 --> 00:12:28.120 The land that God 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:28.779 had given them, 00:12:30.100 --> 00:12:30.899 they tolerated 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:31.620 the Canaanites 00:12:31.620 --> 00:12:32.559 living amongst them. 00:12:34.139 --> 00:12:35.379 And next thing you know, 00:12:35.539 --> 00:12:36.039 you're living 00:12:36.039 --> 00:12:37.899 amongst the Canaanites. 00:12:37.899 --> 00:12:39.860 is there the striking 00:12:39.860 --> 00:12:41.899 parallels to the apostasy 00:12:41.899 --> 00:12:43.120 we're seeing in our culture 00:12:43.120 --> 00:12:46.539 where sin is paraded 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:47.240 and celebrated 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:48.079 by our institutions 00:12:48.079 --> 00:12:49.360 which once openly 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:50.980 proclaimed Christ. 00:12:52.059 --> 00:12:53.100 The queen at her 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:54.159 coronation, 1953, 00:12:54.360 --> 00:12:55.159 was given a Bible 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:55.600 saying, 00:12:56.179 --> 00:12:56.840 these are the lively 00:12:56.840 --> 00:12:57.480 oracle gods. 00:12:57.579 --> 00:12:58.299 Here is wisdom. 00:13:00.539 --> 00:13:02.120 She vowed to uphold 00:13:02.120 --> 00:13:05.759 the Protestant religion. 00:13:05.759 --> 00:13:11.159 And so what was 00:13:11.159 --> 00:13:12.159 the taboo then 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:13.259 is celebrated, 00:13:14.019 --> 00:13:15.100 taught in our schools. 00:13:16.740 --> 00:13:18.600 What was unthinkable then 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:21.639 now being celebrated. 00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.379 But what else 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.580 does God warn Israel about? 00:13:27.179 --> 00:13:28.039 Well, we see this 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:29.120 in the earlier passage, 00:13:29.259 --> 00:13:31.539 Deuteronomy 7, 00:13:31.740 --> 00:13:32.759 verses 3 and 4, 00:13:32.759 --> 00:13:47.220 The world 00:13:47.220 --> 00:13:48.039 has a close 00:13:48.039 --> 00:13:49.639 to a 100% 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.519 success rate 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:51.179 at passing on 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:51.600 their faith. 00:13:54.159 --> 00:13:55.059 They estimate 00:13:55.059 --> 00:13:55.740 in the church 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:56.899 it's about 50%. 00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:58.279 Some put it even lower. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:01.639 And this warning 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.419 that God gives them 00:14:02.419 --> 00:14:02.980 comes true. 00:14:03.299 --> 00:14:04.519 Judges 2, 10. 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:07.039 And all that generation 00:14:07.039 --> 00:14:07.779 were gathered 00:14:07.779 --> 00:14:08.379 to their fathers. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:08.919 They died 00:14:08.919 --> 00:14:10.079 and there arose 00:14:10.079 --> 00:14:11.339 another generation 00:14:11.339 --> 00:14:12.079 after them 00:14:12.079 --> 00:14:13.659 who did not know 00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.360 the Lord 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.879 or the work 00:14:15.879 --> 00:14:17.000 he had done 00:14:17.000 --> 00:14:17.939 for Israel. 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.220 So God 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:23.439 rescues Israel, 00:14:25.919 --> 00:14:26.620 enters them 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.480 into the promised land. 00:14:28.279 --> 00:14:29.579 and a generation 00:14:29.579 --> 00:14:30.220 raises up 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:30.860 who does not know 00:14:30.860 --> 00:14:31.120 the Lord 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:31.720 and does not know 00:14:31.720 --> 00:14:32.339 what he's done. 00:14:38.240 --> 00:14:38.919 So I do want 00:14:38.919 --> 00:14:39.879 to encourage you here. 00:14:40.659 --> 00:14:41.100 Generally, 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.439 it's such a joy 00:14:42.439 --> 00:14:43.039 for me 00:14:43.039 --> 00:14:43.720 to be here 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.980 and to be worshipping 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:46.959 with the full church, 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.779 young and old. 00:14:49.199 --> 00:14:50.179 It's a real blessing 00:14:50.179 --> 00:14:51.100 for me to be here 00:14:51.100 --> 00:14:52.659 and to be with them. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:54.659 So I do want 00:14:54.659 --> 00:14:55.299 to encourage you 00:14:55.299 --> 00:14:55.620 in that. 00:14:55.620 --> 00:14:55.620 00:14:58.279 --> 00:15:00.419 And so we see 00:15:00.419 --> 00:15:01.779 this exchange 00:15:01.779 --> 00:15:02.220 happening. 00:15:03.459 --> 00:15:04.620 Not just in society, 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:05.139 we've seen it 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:05.740 in our churches 00:15:05.740 --> 00:15:06.240 as well. 00:15:09.459 --> 00:15:10.659 We saw the Methodist 00:15:10.659 --> 00:15:11.179 church earlier 00:15:11.179 --> 00:15:11.620 this year 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.819 embracing 00:15:12.819 --> 00:15:14.059 gay marriage, 00:15:14.319 --> 00:15:14.959 cohabitation, 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.399 denying the uniqueness 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:17.179 of Christ. 00:15:18.459 --> 00:15:18.919 Evangelicals 00:15:18.919 --> 00:15:19.500 are aliens 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.419 in their own church. 00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:24.279 but the roots 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:24.759 of that 00:15:24.759 --> 00:15:25.740 probably go back 00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:26.519 a few generations. 00:15:28.479 --> 00:15:29.679 It doesn't happen 00:15:29.679 --> 00:15:30.079 overnight. 00:15:31.399 --> 00:15:32.419 It starts 00:15:32.419 --> 00:15:33.459 with tolerating 00:15:33.459 --> 00:15:34.219 sin. 00:15:37.419 --> 00:15:38.240 I'm sure Paul 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:38.659 maybe knows 00:15:38.659 --> 00:15:39.399 much more about this. 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.779 The United Reformed Church 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:42.799 are 00:15:42.799 --> 00:15:44.759 the roots 00:15:44.759 --> 00:15:45.519 of why they are 00:15:45.519 --> 00:15:46.240 the way they are 00:15:46.240 --> 00:15:48.320 probably goes back 00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:49.500 generations. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.279 It's a former 00:15:53.279 --> 00:15:53.980 Presbyterian Church 00:15:53.980 --> 00:15:54.279 of England. 00:15:57.539 --> 00:15:58.279 But it probably 00:15:58.279 --> 00:15:58.860 goes back 00:15:58.860 --> 00:15:59.500 to lots of 00:15:59.500 --> 00:15:59.899 long, 00:16:00.680 --> 00:16:01.460 a long way back 00:16:01.460 --> 00:16:01.980 to lots of 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.519 subtle 00:16:02.519 --> 00:16:04.240 yet significant 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.500 tolerances 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.700 and decisions. 00:16:09.100 --> 00:16:09.879 So we see this 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.360 in society, 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:11.120 we see this in churches 00:16:11.120 --> 00:16:11.580 and we see it 00:16:11.580 --> 00:16:12.220 in our own lives. 00:16:13.419 --> 00:16:13.720 Deep, 00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:14.460 grievous 00:16:14.460 --> 00:16:15.019 sin 00:16:15.019 --> 00:16:16.480 almost 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.259 always 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:17.759 starts 00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.919 far earlier. 00:16:19.980 --> 00:16:20.539 Tolerating 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:21.439 sin in our lives, 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:22.100 it will grow 00:16:22.100 --> 00:16:23.480 and fester 00:16:23.480 --> 00:16:24.279 and destroy. 00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.819 That's why 00:16:25.819 --> 00:16:26.659 Christ says 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:28.199 those words, 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:29.139 if your eye 00:16:29.139 --> 00:16:30.039 causes you to sin, 00:16:30.139 --> 00:16:30.679 gouge it out. 00:16:33.139 --> 00:16:33.899 Throw it 00:16:33.899 --> 00:16:34.319 away. 00:16:35.779 --> 00:16:36.240 Adultery, 00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:36.720 deception, 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:37.360 abuse, 00:16:37.980 --> 00:16:38.639 abusive behaviors 00:16:38.639 --> 00:16:39.919 almost always, 00:16:40.179 --> 00:16:41.079 whatever it is, 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:42.620 starts 00:16:42.620 --> 00:16:43.679 far earlier 00:16:43.679 --> 00:16:44.360 with something 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:45.000 small being 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:46.000 tolerated. 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.240 The consequences 00:16:49.240 --> 00:16:50.840 of tolerating 00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.259 sin 00:16:51.259 --> 00:16:52.700 in society, 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:53.399 the church 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.220 and in our lives 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:55.320 are serious. 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:59.240 So how, 00:16:59.740 --> 00:17:01.220 what do we do? 00:17:01.320 --> 00:17:01.820 How do we 00:17:01.820 --> 00:17:03.100 do this? 00:17:03.320 --> 00:17:04.380 So we have 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:04.880 this call 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.339 to drive 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.880 out sin 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:08.279 without mercy, 00:17:08.400 --> 00:17:09.500 to not tolerate it. 00:17:09.500 --> 00:17:11.859 but what's that 00:17:11.859 --> 00:17:12.980 in the positive? 00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:14.880 Well, 00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.539 Jesus tells us 00:17:15.539 --> 00:17:16.079 in Matthew 5 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:16.859 that we are 00:17:16.859 --> 00:17:17.279 the salt 00:17:17.279 --> 00:17:17.740 of the earth 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:18.359 and that we 00:17:18.359 --> 00:17:18.960 are the light 00:17:18.960 --> 00:17:19.339 of the blood. 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.940 Driving out sin 00:17:20.940 --> 00:17:22.059 is being salt 00:17:22.059 --> 00:17:22.519 and light. 00:17:22.640 --> 00:17:23.099 We cannot 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.700 lose our 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.420 saltiness. 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:25.859 Salt 00:17:25.859 --> 00:17:27.660 preserves taste 00:17:27.660 --> 00:17:28.480 and prevents decay 00:17:28.480 --> 00:17:29.740 and we 00:17:29.740 --> 00:17:30.440 as Christians 00:17:30.440 --> 00:17:31.120 should 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:31.740 impact 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.319 the world 00:17:32.319 --> 00:17:34.000 around us. 00:17:34.500 --> 00:17:35.460 Wherever it is 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:35.880 that God 00:17:35.880 --> 00:17:36.900 has placed us 00:17:36.900 --> 00:17:39.220 and the world 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.180 will see our light 00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:41.039 through our good works 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.460 and obedience 00:17:41.460 --> 00:17:42.740 to Christ. 00:17:44.220 --> 00:17:44.500 So in fact, 00:17:44.559 --> 00:17:45.099 Paul writes 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.819 in Ephesians 5, 00:17:45.819 --> 00:17:47.679 walk as children 00:17:47.679 --> 00:17:48.339 of light, 00:17:48.720 --> 00:17:49.960 take no part 00:17:49.960 --> 00:17:50.879 in the unfruitful 00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:51.839 works of darkness 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.679 but instead 00:17:52.679 --> 00:17:54.059 expose them 00:17:54.059 --> 00:17:55.819 for it is shameful 00:17:55.819 --> 00:17:57.339 even to speak 00:17:57.339 --> 00:17:58.000 of the things 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.539 that they do 00:17:58.539 --> 00:17:59.039 in secret. 00:17:59.859 --> 00:18:00.179 But 00:18:00.179 --> 00:18:01.919 when anything 00:18:01.919 --> 00:18:03.000 is exposed 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.439 by the light 00:18:04.439 --> 00:18:06.299 and we're 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.339 children of light, 00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.259 when anything 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.119 is exposed 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:10.059 by the light 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:11.480 it becomes 00:18:11.480 --> 00:18:12.619 visible. 00:18:13.179 --> 00:18:13.899 For anything 00:18:13.899 --> 00:18:14.439 that becomes 00:18:14.439 --> 00:18:15.059 visible is light. 00:18:15.059 --> 00:18:16.179 So we let 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:16.859 our light 00:18:16.859 --> 00:18:17.399 shine 00:18:17.399 --> 00:18:20.460 and it makes 00:18:20.460 --> 00:18:21.019 the darkness 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.899 visible. 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:22.819 It makes 00:18:22.819 --> 00:18:23.419 the darkness 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.259 light. 00:18:27.619 --> 00:18:28.039 So that 00:18:28.039 --> 00:18:28.899 looks very 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.259 different 00:18:29.259 --> 00:18:30.559 in different 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:31.200 contexts. 00:18:31.839 --> 00:18:32.179 We've been 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:32.539 looking in 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.119 our own lives, 00:18:33.179 --> 00:18:33.500 we're looking 00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:35.240 in our churches, 00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:35.819 we're looking 00:18:35.819 --> 00:18:36.819 in society. 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:38.039 That would look 00:18:38.039 --> 00:18:38.519 different 00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.379 wherever we 00:18:39.379 --> 00:18:40.099 are. 00:18:41.339 --> 00:18:41.740 It's what 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.740 we're 00:18:42.740 --> 00:18:45.660 trying to do 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:47.059 at Christian 00:18:47.059 --> 00:18:47.539 Concern 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.960 is trying 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.700 to expose 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.200 darkness 00:18:50.200 --> 00:18:51.500 through 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:52.960 exposing 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:54.759 bad 00:18:54.759 --> 00:18:55.240 legislation 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:56.660 on LGBT 00:18:56.660 --> 00:18:58.019 or abortion 00:18:58.019 --> 00:19:00.640 by 00:19:00.640 --> 00:19:01.920 contending 00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:02.539 and speaking 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.740 with trying 00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:06.000 to shine 00:19:06.000 --> 00:19:07.480 that light. 00:19:07.480 --> 00:19:09.579 it would 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.019 look different 00:19:10.019 --> 00:19:10.400 in our 00:19:10.400 --> 00:19:10.720 own 00:19:10.720 --> 00:19:12.319 contexts 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:13.240 for us 00:19:13.240 --> 00:19:13.819 as individuals 00:19:13.819 --> 00:19:14.360 in our 00:19:14.360 --> 00:19:15.360 workplaces 00:19:15.360 --> 00:19:15.920 wherever it 00:19:15.920 --> 00:19:16.180 is. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.380 But it 00:19:18.380 --> 00:19:18.940 can come 00:19:18.940 --> 00:19:19.880 at a cost. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:21.420 So a close 00:19:21.420 --> 00:19:21.839 pastor, 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.559 it was a church 00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.019 that I used 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.440 to be in, 00:19:24.220 --> 00:19:24.579 a close 00:19:24.579 --> 00:19:25.059 pastor friend 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:25.279 of mine, 00:19:25.380 --> 00:19:25.940 I think this 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.579 is an example 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.900 of tolerating 00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:28.299 sin 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.960 and it 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.440 having 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.299 consequences. 00:19:32.860 --> 00:19:33.279 A close 00:19:33.279 --> 00:19:34.420 friend of mine, 00:19:34.420 --> 00:19:35.080 one of his 00:19:35.080 --> 00:19:35.740 small group 00:19:35.740 --> 00:19:36.160 leaders 00:19:36.160 --> 00:19:37.039 came out 00:19:37.039 --> 00:19:37.420 as a 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:37.779 lesbian, 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:39.779 one who 00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.160 wasn't 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:42.940 going to 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:45.480 abstain. 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:46.779 And 00:19:46.779 --> 00:19:50.019 he said, 00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:51.400 he agreed 00:19:51.400 --> 00:19:53.100 to allow 00:19:53.100 --> 00:19:53.720 her to remain 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.039 to be a 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:54.360 small group 00:19:54.360 --> 00:19:54.580 leader. 00:19:54.759 --> 00:19:55.080 So I know 00:19:55.080 --> 00:19:55.740 alarm bells, 00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:56.900 I know. 00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:58.640 He agreed 00:19:58.640 --> 00:19:59.420 to let her 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:00.200 remain as a 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.500 small group 00:20:00.500 --> 00:20:01.120 leader but 00:20:01.120 --> 00:20:02.480 asked, 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.580 can we meet 00:20:03.579 --> 00:20:04.039 for coffee 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.500 and I'll 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.000 share with 00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.480 you from 00:20:05.480 --> 00:20:05.859 the scriptures 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:06.240 why I 00:20:06.240 --> 00:20:07.039 believe marriage 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:07.419 is one 00:20:07.419 --> 00:20:07.539 man, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:07.879 one woman. 00:20:08.939 --> 00:20:09.460 And she 00:20:09.460 --> 00:20:11.460 refused because 00:20:11.460 --> 00:20:11.759 that would 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.119 have been an 00:20:12.119 --> 00:20:13.119 abusive situation. 00:20:14.399 --> 00:20:15.759 And months 00:20:15.759 --> 00:20:16.339 go by, 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.299 she becomes 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:17.579 a bit of 00:20:17.579 --> 00:20:17.939 an activist 00:20:17.939 --> 00:20:18.399 in church. 00:20:19.720 --> 00:20:20.099 Anyway, 00:20:20.659 --> 00:20:22.099 the vicar's 00:20:22.099 --> 00:20:23.699 associate 00:20:23.699 --> 00:20:25.679 takes on 00:20:25.679 --> 00:20:26.539 the responsibilities 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.059 of leading 00:20:27.059 --> 00:20:27.439 the small 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:28.220 groups and 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.759 they're a 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.019 bit more 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:30.500 hardline. 00:20:30.500 --> 00:20:34.500 and removes 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.200 the small 00:20:35.200 --> 00:20:35.559 group leader. 00:20:36.039 --> 00:20:36.420 A small 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.779 group leader 00:20:36.779 --> 00:20:37.279 goes to 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.799 the press 00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:39.759 about the 00:20:39.759 --> 00:20:40.720 trauma and 00:20:40.720 --> 00:20:41.279 the abuse 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.700 that she's 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.259 experienced in 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.680 the church 00:20:42.680 --> 00:20:45.019 for asking 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.920 her not to 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.460 lead a small 00:20:46.460 --> 00:20:46.740 group. 00:20:48.619 --> 00:20:49.279 And she 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:49.920 was refusing 00:20:49.920 --> 00:20:50.480 to meet with 00:20:50.480 --> 00:20:50.940 the pastor 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:52.059 to hear the 00:20:52.059 --> 00:20:52.380 orthodox 00:20:52.380 --> 00:20:52.839 real marriage. 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.920 Goes to the 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.500 local press, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:56.960 goes to 00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:00.059 the 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.200 denomination, 00:21:02.480 --> 00:21:03.420 investigation, 00:21:05.700 --> 00:21:07.000 all these 00:21:07.000 --> 00:21:07.380 kinds of 00:21:07.380 --> 00:21:07.660 things. 00:21:10.779 --> 00:21:11.920 No support 00:21:11.920 --> 00:21:12.759 from the 00:21:12.759 --> 00:21:13.160 denomination, 00:21:14.600 --> 00:21:14.940 from the 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:15.460 diocese, 00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:15.860 I guess. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:19.620 Tolerating 00:21:19.620 --> 00:21:22.400 sin and 00:21:22.400 --> 00:21:23.059 seeing what 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.180 happens. 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:25.340 So the 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:25.860 cost is 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.259 great in 00:21:26.259 --> 00:21:26.920 our culture 00:21:26.920 --> 00:21:27.460 today. 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:28.819 In our 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.339 lives, 00:21:29.879 --> 00:21:31.119 in our 00:21:31.119 --> 00:21:32.839 workplaces, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:33.119 you know, 00:21:33.200 --> 00:21:33.400 Christian 00:21:33.400 --> 00:21:33.700 concern, 00:21:33.779 --> 00:21:34.119 we defend 00:21:34.119 --> 00:21:34.379 a lot of 00:21:34.379 --> 00:21:34.859 people who 00:21:34.859 --> 00:21:35.660 articulate 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:36.680 Christian 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.220 positions on 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.539 things and 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:37.920 lose their 00:21:37.920 --> 00:21:38.259 jobs. 00:21:39.859 --> 00:21:40.579 Whatever it 00:21:40.579 --> 00:21:40.779 is, 00:21:41.019 --> 00:21:41.379 complaining 00:21:41.379 --> 00:21:43.019 about sex 00:21:43.019 --> 00:21:43.559 education in 00:21:43.559 --> 00:21:43.920 schools, 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:45.779 being 00:21:45.779 --> 00:21:47.839 insulted by 00:21:47.839 --> 00:21:48.539 teachers and 00:21:48.539 --> 00:21:49.140 headmasters. 00:21:50.579 --> 00:21:51.279 Whatever it 00:21:51.279 --> 00:21:52.119 is, it'll 00:21:52.119 --> 00:21:52.619 be a cost. 00:21:52.619 --> 00:21:56.899 But in 00:21:56.899 --> 00:21:57.339 one sense, 00:21:57.399 --> 00:21:57.599 yeah, the 00:21:57.599 --> 00:21:57.939 cost is 00:21:57.939 --> 00:21:58.339 great, but 00:21:58.339 --> 00:21:58.559 the other 00:21:58.559 --> 00:21:59.039 sense, the 00:21:59.039 --> 00:21:59.399 cost is 00:21:59.399 --> 00:21:59.679 small. 00:22:01.539 --> 00:22:01.939 Light 00:22:01.939 --> 00:22:02.539 momentary 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.019 affliction 00:22:03.019 --> 00:22:07.199 compared to 00:22:07.199 --> 00:22:08.899 the eternal 00:22:08.899 --> 00:22:09.199 weight of 00:22:09.199 --> 00:22:09.619 glory that 00:22:09.619 --> 00:22:10.039 God is 00:22:10.039 --> 00:22:10.479 preparing. 00:22:11.739 --> 00:22:12.339 But where 00:22:12.339 --> 00:22:12.679 does this 00:22:12.679 --> 00:22:12.939 come from? 00:22:12.959 --> 00:22:13.179 Where do we 00:22:13.179 --> 00:22:13.599 have this 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:14.319 strength? 00:22:14.719 --> 00:22:15.239 Where does 00:22:15.239 --> 00:22:15.779 this light 00:22:15.779 --> 00:22:16.319 shine? 00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:18.339 How do we 00:22:18.339 --> 00:22:18.939 remain salty? 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:19.539 How do we 00:22:19.539 --> 00:22:20.099 remain light? 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:22.480 How do I 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.399 keep snuffing 00:22:23.399 --> 00:22:24.619 out that 00:22:24.619 --> 00:22:25.319 sin in my 00:22:25.319 --> 00:22:25.719 life? 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.099 It keeps 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:27.419 coming, 00:22:27.559 --> 00:22:28.099 keeps popping 00:22:28.099 --> 00:22:28.359 up. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.139 Some 00:22:32.139 --> 00:22:32.779 commentators 00:22:32.779 --> 00:22:33.480 have interpreted 00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:34.299 judges as 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:35.679 an apologetic 00:22:35.679 --> 00:22:36.480 for Israel's 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.699 need for a 00:22:37.699 --> 00:22:37.980 king. 00:22:39.279 --> 00:22:39.959 The last 00:22:39.959 --> 00:22:41.219 verse of 00:22:41.219 --> 00:22:41.799 the book, 00:22:42.039 --> 00:22:42.339 it says, 00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:43.039 in those 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.719 days there 00:22:43.719 --> 00:22:44.199 was no 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:44.500 king. 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.339 Everyone 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:45.919 did what 00:22:45.919 --> 00:22:46.480 was right 00:22:46.480 --> 00:22:46.919 in their 00:22:46.919 --> 00:22:47.719 own eyes. 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:49.699 But I'm 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.400 not convinced 00:22:51.400 --> 00:22:51.860 by that. 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.420 Later in 00:22:53.420 --> 00:22:54.140 1 Samuel 8, 00:22:54.220 --> 00:22:54.700 the elders 00:22:54.700 --> 00:22:55.220 of Israel 00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.740 gather and 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.440 they say to 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.779 the prophet 00:22:57.779 --> 00:22:58.160 Samuel, 00:22:58.279 --> 00:22:58.940 appoint for 00:22:58.940 --> 00:22:59.480 us a king 00:22:59.480 --> 00:22:59.980 to judge 00:22:59.980 --> 00:23:00.400 us like 00:23:00.400 --> 00:23:00.680 all the 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:00.980 nations. 00:23:01.140 --> 00:23:01.700 And Samuel 00:23:01.700 --> 00:23:02.640 seeks the 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:03.039 Lord and 00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.680 God says 00:23:03.680 --> 00:23:04.019 to him, 00:23:04.559 --> 00:23:05.519 obey the 00:23:05.519 --> 00:23:06.180 voice of 00:23:06.180 --> 00:23:06.680 the people 00:23:06.680 --> 00:23:07.299 in all 00:23:07.299 --> 00:23:08.180 that they 00:23:08.180 --> 00:23:08.620 say to 00:23:08.620 --> 00:23:08.840 you. 00:23:09.340 --> 00:23:09.779 For they 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.200 have not 00:23:10.200 --> 00:23:10.580 rejected 00:23:10.580 --> 00:23:10.819 you, 00:23:10.900 --> 00:23:11.380 but they 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:12.319 have rejected 00:23:12.319 --> 00:23:13.500 me from 00:23:13.500 --> 00:23:14.160 being king 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.779 over them. 00:23:17.319 --> 00:23:17.880 Judges 00:23:17.880 --> 00:23:18.400 is about 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.600 rejecting 00:23:19.600 --> 00:23:20.740 God as 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:21.140 king. 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:22.560 Their 00:23:22.560 --> 00:23:22.960 descent 00:23:22.960 --> 00:23:23.259 into 00:23:23.259 --> 00:23:23.840 depravity 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.259 is because 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:24.800 they reject 00:23:24.800 --> 00:23:25.240 God as 00:23:25.240 --> 00:23:25.500 Lord. 00:23:26.860 --> 00:23:27.259 That's 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:27.480 what we're 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.000 seeing now. 00:23:28.740 --> 00:23:29.380 As a 00:23:29.380 --> 00:23:29.740 nation 00:23:29.740 --> 00:23:31.500 that has 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.100 rejected 00:23:32.100 --> 00:23:33.160 God. 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:34.920 In 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.780 Romans 1, 00:23:35.840 --> 00:23:36.019 we've 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:36.540 exchanged 00:23:36.540 --> 00:23:37.040 the truth 00:23:37.040 --> 00:23:37.640 about God 00:23:37.640 --> 00:23:38.060 for a 00:23:38.060 --> 00:23:38.300 lie. 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:39.180 We're 00:23:39.180 --> 00:23:39.600 worshipping 00:23:39.600 --> 00:23:40.160 and serving 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:41.860 the creation, 00:23:42.100 --> 00:23:42.540 not the 00:23:42.540 --> 00:23:43.440 creator. 00:23:44.240 --> 00:23:44.800 We're doing 00:23:44.800 --> 00:23:45.400 what is right 00:23:45.400 --> 00:23:46.019 in our own 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.300 eyes. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:47.360 Claiming to 00:23:47.360 --> 00:23:48.000 be wise, 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:48.319 we've 00:23:48.319 --> 00:23:48.619 become 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.140 fools. 00:23:50.640 --> 00:23:50.900 In fact, 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.480 what's 00:23:51.480 --> 00:23:51.720 happening 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:53.519 now is 00:23:53.519 --> 00:23:53.920 God 00:23:53.920 --> 00:23:54.619 answering 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:54.880 the 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.220 prayer 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:55.519 of the 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:55.880 nation 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.420 that we 00:23:56.420 --> 00:23:56.960 want to 00:23:56.960 --> 00:23:57.180 be 00:23:57.180 --> 00:23:57.579 without 00:23:57.579 --> 00:23:57.980 God. 00:24:00.920 --> 00:24:01.460 He's 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:01.819 handing 00:24:01.819 --> 00:24:02.119 over. 00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:02.480 We see 00:24:02.480 --> 00:24:02.680 that 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.460 repeatedly 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:03.900 in Romans 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.079 1, 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.319 don't we? 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:04.579 God 00:24:04.579 --> 00:24:05.000 hands 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.180 them 00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:05.440 over. 00:24:10.700 --> 00:24:11.220 But 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:12.279 Christ 00:24:12.279 --> 00:24:12.680 is 00:24:12.680 --> 00:24:13.000 king 00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:13.380 and 00:24:13.380 --> 00:24:13.619 lord. 00:24:13.619 --> 00:24:14.239 God 00:24:14.239 --> 00:24:16.179 of 00:24:16.179 --> 00:24:16.479 us 00:24:16.479 --> 00:24:17.019 here 00:24:17.019 --> 00:24:17.739 individually 00:24:17.739 --> 00:24:18.079 as a 00:24:18.079 --> 00:24:18.479 church, 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:20.559 in our 00:24:20.559 --> 00:24:21.079 families 00:24:21.079 --> 00:24:22.919 and in 00:24:22.919 --> 00:24:23.759 society. 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.099 Society 00:24:26.099 --> 00:24:26.839 is not 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:28.259 a neutral 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:29.000 space 00:24:29.000 --> 00:24:31.039 with no 00:24:31.039 --> 00:24:31.359 king. 00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.779 Christ 00:24:32.779 --> 00:24:33.479 is king. 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.259 So we 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.759 have to 00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.259 submit 00:24:35.259 --> 00:24:36.739 to him 00:24:36.739 --> 00:24:38.059 as king. 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:40.819 And so 00:24:40.819 --> 00:24:41.179 it's easy 00:24:41.179 --> 00:24:41.599 to become 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:42.079 depressed 00:24:42.079 --> 00:24:42.779 and discouraged. 00:24:43.399 --> 00:24:43.720 But that's 00:24:43.720 --> 00:24:44.179 the reality 00:24:44.179 --> 00:24:44.720 of sin. 00:24:44.879 --> 00:24:45.220 Well, 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:45.740 the reality 00:24:45.740 --> 00:24:46.139 of the 00:24:46.139 --> 00:24:47.099 bad news 00:24:47.099 --> 00:24:47.440 that we 00:24:47.440 --> 00:24:47.700 are 00:24:47.700 --> 00:24:47.940 fallen, 00:24:48.079 --> 00:24:48.299 that we 00:24:48.299 --> 00:24:48.859 do sin, 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:49.599 that we 00:24:49.599 --> 00:24:49.899 do 00:24:49.899 --> 00:24:50.399 rebel. 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:51.619 But 00:24:51.619 --> 00:24:54.200 we do 00:24:54.200 --> 00:24:54.579 not 00:24:54.579 --> 00:24:55.179 stand 00:24:55.179 --> 00:24:56.099 in our 00:24:56.099 --> 00:24:56.460 own 00:24:56.460 --> 00:24:57.379 strength. 00:24:57.480 --> 00:24:57.960 We stand 00:24:57.960 --> 00:24:59.139 in Christ's 00:24:59.139 --> 00:24:59.500 strength. 00:24:59.700 --> 00:24:59.919 It's 00:24:59.919 --> 00:25:00.779 his power, 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:02.200 his strength, 00:25:02.559 --> 00:25:02.779 his 00:25:02.779 --> 00:25:03.440 righteousness. 00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.879 And so 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.659 our engagement 00:25:06.659 --> 00:25:07.019 with the 00:25:07.019 --> 00:25:07.379 world 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:09.480 our 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:10.560 being salt 00:25:10.560 --> 00:25:11.180 and light, 00:25:12.280 --> 00:25:12.900 our 00:25:12.900 --> 00:25:13.440 driving out 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.200 sin in 00:25:14.200 --> 00:25:15.100 our lives, 00:25:16.440 --> 00:25:16.940 our 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.300 church 00:25:17.300 --> 00:25:17.880 discipline 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:18.300 in our 00:25:18.300 --> 00:25:18.840 churches, 00:25:19.760 --> 00:25:20.820 it's all 00:25:20.820 --> 00:25:21.640 an overflow 00:25:21.640 --> 00:25:22.400 of following 00:25:22.400 --> 00:25:23.700 Christ, 00:25:24.020 --> 00:25:24.580 of being 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.340 his disciple. 00:25:26.780 --> 00:25:27.180 So yes, 00:25:27.260 --> 00:25:27.680 the Christian 00:25:27.680 --> 00:25:28.460 life is a 00:25:28.460 --> 00:25:28.920 life of 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.360 repentance, 00:25:29.800 --> 00:25:30.380 but it's 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.000 one of 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.660 joy as 00:25:32.660 --> 00:25:33.200 we delight 00:25:33.200 --> 00:25:33.880 in God's 00:25:33.880 --> 00:25:34.340 goodness 00:25:34.340 --> 00:25:34.960 and mercy 00:25:34.960 --> 00:25:35.440 and grace. 00:25:37.380 --> 00:25:37.780 So when I'm 00:25:37.780 --> 00:25:38.160 saying we 00:25:38.160 --> 00:25:38.500 should not 00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.300 tolerate sin, 00:25:39.380 --> 00:25:39.820 it's so that 00:25:39.820 --> 00:25:40.180 we can 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.720 actually 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.920 experience 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:42.580 God's 00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.020 grace 00:25:43.020 --> 00:25:44.100 evermore 00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:45.180 in that 00:25:45.180 --> 00:25:45.620 repentance, 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.160 in that 00:25:47.160 --> 00:25:47.860 turning to 00:25:47.860 --> 00:25:48.100 him. 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:48.160 Amen. 00:25:57.680 --> 00:25:58.200 In 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.120 Judges 1, 00:25:59.340 --> 00:26:00.560 in verse 19, 00:26:00.780 --> 00:26:02.240 it says about 00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:03.340 they could not 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:03.840 drive out the 00:26:03.840 --> 00:26:04.220 inhabitants 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.880 because they 00:26:04.880 --> 00:26:05.600 had chariots 00:26:05.600 --> 00:26:06.279 of iron. 00:26:08.100 --> 00:26:08.339 You know, 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.839 the world's so 00:26:09.839 --> 00:26:10.700 powerful, 00:26:10.799 --> 00:26:11.180 the chariots 00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.519 of iron, 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.720 surely that's 00:26:12.720 --> 00:26:13.600 not disobedience. 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.000 But God 00:26:16.000 --> 00:26:16.559 said to them, 00:26:16.640 --> 00:26:17.319 Joshua 17, 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.600 18, 00:26:17.700 --> 00:26:18.160 you shall 00:26:18.160 --> 00:26:19.000 drive out 00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.660 the Canaanites 00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.460 though they 00:26:20.460 --> 00:26:21.380 have chariots 00:26:21.380 --> 00:26:21.880 of iron 00:26:21.880 --> 00:26:22.799 and though 00:26:22.799 --> 00:26:23.400 they are 00:26:23.400 --> 00:26:23.759 strong. 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.460 And so we 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:26.160 know God 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:26.500 was with 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:26.740 them in 00:26:26.740 --> 00:26:27.240 their battles. 00:26:30.240 --> 00:26:30.819 But they 00:26:30.819 --> 00:26:31.259 chose, 00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:31.640 anyway, 00:26:31.759 --> 00:26:32.200 they chose 00:26:32.200 --> 00:26:32.759 disobedience, 00:26:32.839 --> 00:26:33.360 they didn't. 00:26:34.220 --> 00:26:35.880 Submit 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.559 to him 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.360 as king. 00:26:39.220 --> 00:26:40.000 We trust 00:26:40.000 --> 00:26:40.519 God in 00:26:40.519 --> 00:26:41.079 all that 00:26:41.079 --> 00:26:41.539 we do. 00:26:42.319 --> 00:26:42.700 However 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.299 difficult 00:26:43.299 --> 00:26:43.940 it looks, 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:46.079 and so 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.500 that's not 00:26:46.500 --> 00:26:47.900 me saying 00:26:47.900 --> 00:26:48.799 that, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.140 oh, 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.400 okay, 00:26:49.620 --> 00:26:50.019 so all we 00:26:50.019 --> 00:26:50.339 need to do 00:26:50.339 --> 00:26:50.620 now is 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.140 trust God 00:26:51.140 --> 00:26:51.600 and every 00:26:51.600 --> 00:26:52.180 battle in 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.579 life is 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:52.839 won. 00:26:53.600 --> 00:26:54.180 Not at 00:26:54.180 --> 00:26:54.380 all. 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.519 But it's 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:56.940 saying that 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.620 we submit 00:26:58.620 --> 00:26:59.819 to God, 00:27:00.860 --> 00:27:01.600 trusting him, 00:27:01.860 --> 00:27:02.400 knowing that 00:27:02.400 --> 00:27:03.000 he is in 00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:03.500 control. 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:07.799 we know 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.200 and hold 00:27:08.200 --> 00:27:10.380 fast to 00:27:10.380 --> 00:27:10.720 the fact 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.079 that he 00:27:11.079 --> 00:27:11.839 does work 00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.319 all things 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:13.240 together for 00:27:13.240 --> 00:27:13.600 good for 00:27:13.600 --> 00:27:14.319 those who 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:15.000 love him, 00:27:15.660 --> 00:27:16.420 according to 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:16.799 his purpose, 00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:17.120 that he 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.600 does. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.880 His promises 00:27:19.880 --> 00:27:20.480 are true, 00:27:20.539 --> 00:27:20.980 his covenant 00:27:20.980 --> 00:27:21.600 is true 00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:23.400 for our 00:27:23.400 --> 00:27:23.900 children and 00:27:23.900 --> 00:27:24.480 our children's 00:27:24.480 --> 00:27:24.700 children. 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.400 will 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:25.880 will 00:27:25.880 --> 00:27:26.840 will 00:27:26.840 --> 00:27:28.059 will 00:27:28.059 --> 00:27:28.220 have 00:27:28.220 --> 00:27:28.660 will 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:28.660 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:28.660 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:30.360 will 00:27:30.360 --> 00:27:30.759 ! 00:27:30.759 --> 00:27:35.440 nation on our backs as though it's our responsibility to fix everything. It's our 00:27:35.440 --> 00:27:45.299 responsibility to drive out sin where we are. In fact, as Matthew Roberts writes, we are salt and 00:27:45.299 --> 00:27:51.140 light by faithfully serving God in the callings he has given us, not in trying to be more than God 00:27:51.140 --> 00:27:56.680 has called us to be. If we imagine that unless we're making massive changes to society, we're 00:27:56.680 --> 00:28:03.060 not doing what we should, we have forgotten that God is God and Christ is Christ and we are neither. 00:28:04.100 --> 00:28:10.860 Faithful, humble godliness in ordinary things is how God uses us. So at Christian Concern, I can often 00:28:10.860 --> 00:28:15.180 fall into despair. People ask me, how's work going? I'm like, well, the nation seems to be getting worse, 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:17.160 so I don't think it's going well. 00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:28.320 You know, but you can't fall into despair. God's in control. 00:28:32.060 --> 00:28:39.920 It was, you know, all the issues that we're seeing in society, if I keep my eyes fixed on them, 00:28:39.920 --> 00:28:47.740 then I'll fall into despair. It's the 54th anniversary of the Passing of the Abortion Act, 00:28:48.340 --> 00:28:53.360 a week and a half ago. 9.7 million abortions since then. 00:28:56.200 --> 00:29:04.600 So how can I, how are we going to possibly fix that? How can I possibly end that? 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:12.539 That's just the wrong question to ask. It's about God ruling and reigning. 00:29:14.159 --> 00:29:22.240 In fact, he's making a footstool out of his enemies as we speak. He's sitting. 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:30.399 And so it's not talking about making lots of progress and seeing huge changes in society, 00:29:30.619 --> 00:29:34.179 necessarily seeing huge changes in society, it's about being faithful. 00:29:34.599 --> 00:29:37.939 As an overflow of God's love for us. 00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:43.079 Patient, faithful gospel ministry and the power and strength of Christ through the Holy Spirit. 00:29:43.819 --> 00:29:45.599 So we don't need to lose hope. 00:29:47.419 --> 00:29:53.579 Keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, knowing that he who is in us is greater than he who is in the world. 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:57.839 We take heart. Christ has overcome the world. 00:29:59.679 --> 00:30:02.419 He's in control. He's sovereign. 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:08.939 God's plans will not fail. 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:21.799 The government, the lobbyists, the Marie Stopes, they can't thwart God's plans. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:30.299 You know, and even through the midst of judges and the Old Testament, through all the depravity, 00:30:31.099 --> 00:30:40.220 God was working to make sure everything was working out for his son to come. 00:30:40.220 --> 00:30:44.860 His plans never fail. 00:30:45.559 --> 00:30:49.279 We read the call in Deuteronomy 7. 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:52.200 It's important that we just read those verses afterwards. 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:55.819 What God says in verses 6 to 11. 00:30:55.819 --> 00:31:00.639 For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. 00:31:01.159 --> 00:31:08.359 The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession. 00:31:09.179 --> 00:31:16.519 Out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth, it was not because you were more in number than any other people 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:21.139 that the Lord set his love on you and chose you. 00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:25.320 But it is because the Lord loves you. 00:31:26.780 --> 00:31:30.780 Know, therefore, that the Lord your God is God. 00:31:31.480 --> 00:31:36.100 The faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him 00:31:36.100 --> 00:31:39.380 and keep his commandments to a thousand generations. 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:43.500 God chose us because he loved us. 00:31:43.580 --> 00:31:46.540 He set his love on us. 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:54.440 So much so that he sent his son to die to pay the penalty that was due us. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:58.639 Everything in Judges in the Old Testament is cyclical. 00:32:00.019 --> 00:32:03.940 Never true restoration because it needed the perfect Savior. 00:32:05.039 --> 00:32:09.420 The perfect sacrifice who came in the person of Jesus Christ. 00:32:10.000 --> 00:32:11.960 Who bore the penalty that was due us. 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:14.860 He took our place. 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:17.360 Saved by grace. 00:32:18.480 --> 00:32:19.259 Through faith. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:22.500 Not by our own works. 00:32:23.140 --> 00:32:24.160 So that none may boast. 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:27.740 We're utterly dependent on Christ. 00:32:29.819 --> 00:32:38.360 So please don't confuse anything I've said about a kind of legalistic, rules-based salvation. 00:32:39.259 --> 00:32:40.200 Not at all. 00:32:40.200 --> 00:32:46.420 Note the way, you know, God talks to David as a man after God's own heart. 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:48.200 And he sinned, he majorly sinned. 00:32:49.160 --> 00:32:50.700 About faithfulness. 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:55.340 In response to Christ's love for us. 00:32:56.360 --> 00:32:59.900 A people that he chose to set his love on. 00:33:00.960 --> 00:33:03.980 A call to holiness and obedience in light of Christ's work. 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:06.200 He is faithful. 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:10.519 And whoever comes to him, he will never cast out. 00:33:11.700 --> 00:33:13.240 So he has to be holy for God is holy. 00:33:13.319 --> 00:33:16.720 But no, we're made holy by God's love and grace and mercy. 00:33:16.839 --> 00:33:18.380 We do not need to despair. 00:33:18.380 --> 00:33:22.980 For if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just. 00:33:23.520 --> 00:33:27.380 To forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:30.680 That is glorious good news. 00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:34.520 That we all once were lost but now found. 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.840 Blind but now see. 00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:39.300 To keep our eyes fixed on the King. 00:33:40.260 --> 00:33:40.600 Jesus. 00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:45.160 To carry out the tasks that he set before us faithfully. 00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:47.180 Wherever we are. 00:33:47.180 --> 00:33:49.259 To be salt and light. 00:33:50.720 --> 00:33:52.039 To drive out sin. 00:33:54.420 --> 00:33:57.000 But in response to his love for us. 00:33:58.680 --> 00:33:58.960 Amen.