WEBVTT 00:00:00.580 --> 00:00:04.440 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning to the book of Colossians. 00:00:04.799 --> 00:00:09.800 We've been walking through the book of Colossians together over the past several weeks. 00:00:10.300 --> 00:00:13.000 If you don't have a copy of God's Word with you, that's okay. 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:15.019 We have them available to you. 00:00:15.099 --> 00:00:17.260 You should be able to find one in a seat back nearby. 00:00:17.980 --> 00:00:22.660 But as always, I would encourage you to have a copy of God's Word open as we walk through 00:00:22.660 --> 00:00:24.420 this text together. 00:00:24.780 --> 00:00:29.699 Now, our passage this morning is chapter 3, verses 5 through 17. 00:00:30.660 --> 00:00:34.880 And we're continuing on with Paul's encouragements to the church in Colossae. 00:00:34.980 --> 00:00:41.079 We saw in chapter 2, verse 6, his kind of main thesis statement over this section of the 00:00:41.079 --> 00:00:43.560 letter was, walk in Him. 00:00:44.560 --> 00:00:49.439 Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so walk in Him. 00:00:50.159 --> 00:00:55.799 Last week, we saw that that walk requires a renewed mind that's set on heavenly things. 00:00:55.799 --> 00:01:00.899 Next week, Lord willing, we'll see that that walking in Him, it gives us renewed relationships 00:01:00.899 --> 00:01:02.619 in every sphere of life. 00:01:02.839 --> 00:01:10.159 And this week, we see that walking in Him engages a whole renewed way of life for the believer 00:01:10.159 --> 00:01:11.359 in Christ. 00:01:11.500 --> 00:01:16.280 So if you would, if you found that passage, Colossians 3, verses 5 through 17, let's stand 00:01:16.280 --> 00:01:19.320 in honor of the reading of the Word of the Lord this morning. 00:01:19.319 --> 00:01:25.619 Paul says, 00:01:25.620 --> 00:01:31.880 Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you, sexual immorality, impurity, passion, 00:01:32.640 --> 00:01:36.000 evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 00:01:36.800 --> 00:01:39.140 On account of these, the wrath of God is coming. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:44.200 In these two you once walked when you were living in them, but now you must put them all 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:44.560 away. 00:01:45.100 --> 00:01:50.520 Anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. 00:01:50.519 --> 00:01:55.439 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices 00:01:55.439 --> 00:02:00.959 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its 00:02:00.959 --> 00:02:01.340 Creator. 00:02:02.259 --> 00:02:09.199 Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:12.639 free, but Christ is all and in all. 00:02:12.639 --> 00:02:21.579 Put on, then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, 00:02:21.979 --> 00:02:27.619 humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another, and if one has a complaint against 00:02:27.619 --> 00:02:34.599 another, forgiving one another, as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. 00:02:35.419 --> 00:02:40.519 And above all these, put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. 00:02:40.520 --> 00:02:46.640 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body, 00:02:47.000 --> 00:02:47.900 and be thankful. 00:02:48.900 --> 00:02:54.060 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all 00:02:54.060 --> 00:03:00.040 wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 00:03:00.700 --> 00:03:07.700 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks 00:03:07.699 --> 00:03:10.459 to God the Father through Him. 00:03:10.759 --> 00:03:16.519 The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:03:16.719 --> 00:03:21.319 Father God, we ask now once more, would you bless the preaching of your word? 00:03:22.099 --> 00:03:24.219 Would you sanctify us in the truth? 00:03:24.919 --> 00:03:26.280 Your word is truth. 00:03:26.560 --> 00:03:27.739 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:28.759 Amen. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:30.560 You may be seated. 00:03:30.560 --> 00:03:38.920 When I was growing up, my dad would sometimes share a story about his mom, my grandmother. 00:03:39.879 --> 00:03:45.780 She raised four boys, and every now and then, whether it was mother's intuition or maybe she 00:03:45.780 --> 00:03:51.219 knew that something was going on, I don't know, but every now and then, she would gather 00:03:51.219 --> 00:03:55.280 her boys and tell them, remember, you are a chancy. 00:03:56.400 --> 00:03:57.740 You'd better act like it. 00:03:57.740 --> 00:04:03.719 And then when I went off to college in Milledgeville, Georgia, my grandmother lived about 10 minutes 00:04:03.719 --> 00:04:07.060 away from the campus, and she had eyes everywhere. 00:04:07.659 --> 00:04:12.960 And I would go to her house for a home-cooked meal or do some laundry every now and then. 00:04:13.240 --> 00:04:18.000 And on occasion, she would sit me down at the dinner table and look me in the eye and say, 00:04:18.079 --> 00:04:21.360 now, Jonathan, remember, you are a chancy. 00:04:22.480 --> 00:04:24.960 You had better behave like it. 00:04:24.959 --> 00:04:31.939 In other words, in her mind, there was a standard that came with the family name. 00:04:33.219 --> 00:04:40.819 There was an expectation, a way of life that ought to be a reflection of your identity. 00:04:41.099 --> 00:04:44.139 Who you are determines what you do. 00:04:45.199 --> 00:04:50.359 Well, here in Colossians chapter 3, Paul is saying something very similar to the church 00:04:50.360 --> 00:04:53.720 in Colossae and to us here at Seawee Bay this morning. 00:04:53.819 --> 00:04:56.400 He says, remember who you are. 00:04:57.720 --> 00:04:59.100 You are a Christian. 00:05:00.620 --> 00:05:05.240 You are a son or a daughter of the living God. 00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:09.660 You belong to the family of God in the church of Jesus Christ. 00:05:09.660 --> 00:05:13.100 So, live like a Christian. 00:05:13.100 --> 00:05:20.280 The call of this passage here in Colossians 3 is a call to be who you are in Christ. 00:05:21.640 --> 00:05:26.879 And it's very important that we get this emphasis right because the false teachers here in Colossae 00:05:26.879 --> 00:05:29.100 were trying to switch up the order. 00:05:29.660 --> 00:05:34.760 They had a long list of things that you had to do, ways that you had to behave 00:05:34.760 --> 00:05:38.240 in order to become a true child of God. 00:05:38.240 --> 00:05:43.579 But Paul shows us, again, by God's grace, he has made you his child. 00:05:44.759 --> 00:05:49.420 Therefore, go and live in a God-glorifying way. 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:53.759 Live as one who has been raised up with Christ. 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:58.139 And so, let's ask this morning, what does the Christian life look like in practice? 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:03.040 What does the Christian life look like in practice? 00:06:03.040 --> 00:06:08.400 And we'll see two clear practices and one power. 00:06:08.580 --> 00:06:09.819 This will be our outline this morning. 00:06:10.319 --> 00:06:12.560 Two practices and one power. 00:06:12.680 --> 00:06:13.900 And he does it kind of like a sandwich. 00:06:14.180 --> 00:06:18.340 So, it's practice number one, then the power, and then practice number two. 00:06:18.560 --> 00:06:24.340 First, practice number one, he says we are to put sin to death. 00:06:25.640 --> 00:06:28.500 Put sin to death. 00:06:28.500 --> 00:06:31.379 He says that starting here in verse 5, if you look there with me. 00:06:31.480 --> 00:06:34.620 Paul gives a very clear command here for believers. 00:06:35.480 --> 00:06:38.939 Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you. 00:06:40.019 --> 00:06:44.639 Put to death, therefore, what is earthly in you. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:45.740 Of course, it is true. 00:06:45.879 --> 00:06:49.560 Paul's told us that we are no longer of the earth. 00:06:49.660 --> 00:06:53.920 He's told us that if we're in Christ by faith, we have died with Christ. 00:06:54.579 --> 00:06:57.980 He's told us that we have been raised up with Christ. 00:06:57.980 --> 00:07:04.100 It's true, Paul just told us, that when Christ appears, we also will appear with him in glory. 00:07:04.259 --> 00:07:09.560 We have a sinless, perfected, glorified future awaiting us who believe. 00:07:10.400 --> 00:07:20.220 But it's also true that until then, each and every one of us wrestles with what we call indwelling sin in our hearts. 00:07:20.340 --> 00:07:24.040 We still have what is earthly at work in us. 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:33.780 There is a presence of sin in each and every one of our hearts that is an enemy that resists the rule and the reign of God. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:37.300 This is what Paul often calls the flesh. 00:07:38.400 --> 00:07:40.560 This is what's earthly in us. 00:07:41.640 --> 00:07:46.980 And Paul draws our attention here to several ways that that earthliness can manifest itself in our lives. 00:07:46.980 --> 00:07:49.939 I see three main categories here that we're called to put to death. 00:07:50.420 --> 00:07:52.540 The first is our sinful desires. 00:07:53.640 --> 00:08:02.980 We are to put to death sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. 00:08:04.060 --> 00:08:07.759 Does it surprise you to know that Christians still wrestle with sinful desires? 00:08:07.759 --> 00:08:16.259 According to a Barna Group study, this is from 2024, so it's a couple of years old now at this point. 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:29.019 But according to this study, 75% of Christian men and 40% of Christian women acknowledge that they view pornography to some extent. 00:08:29.019 --> 00:08:36.779 They say, according to this study, quote, among Christians who have attended church services within the last month, 00:08:36.840 --> 00:08:43.679 so are at least somewhat active in church community, more than half say that they view pornography at least occasionally. 00:08:44.759 --> 00:08:46.100 This is even more concerning. 00:08:46.819 --> 00:08:54.600 49% of those practicing Christians say that they are, quote, comfortable with how much they consume. 00:08:54.600 --> 00:09:02.560 Another study from Pew Research, also from 2024, says 57% of American Christians, 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:06.399 and I realize, by the way, that is a broad category, right? 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:16.139 But 57% of self-identifying Christians say that homosexuality should be accepted as a normal way of life. 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:22.279 So that may be normal out there in our culture. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:28.639 That may be totally normal for the non-believing world, but this is what we have been redeemed from. 00:09:29.860 --> 00:09:36.360 We are called to flee from sexual immorality, Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6, verse 18. 00:09:37.339 --> 00:09:44.839 Now you see why Paul calls us to lift our minds away from earthly things and set our minds on things that are above, 00:09:44.980 --> 00:09:50.819 set our minds on the Word of God, not on what is normal here on earth. 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:53.379 These are sinful desires of the flesh. 00:09:54.620 --> 00:09:59.640 Now all of us are prone to covet and to crave what doesn't belong to us. 00:09:59.680 --> 00:10:01.820 And would you notice how he defines covetousness here? 00:10:02.580 --> 00:10:05.020 He says that it is idolatry. 00:10:06.500 --> 00:10:09.860 It is worship of a false man-made God. 00:10:09.860 --> 00:10:22.800 At the root of all sin, sexual sin included, is misdirected desire, misdirected worship, misdirected affections of the heart. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:29.980 And we're called to set our affections on the Lord and make no idols of any earthly thing. 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:33.000 And he gives us a pretty compelling reason why here, verse 6. 00:10:33.000 --> 00:10:38.919 He says, on account of these, the wrath of God is coming. 00:10:39.159 --> 00:10:40.039 Do you see it this way? 00:10:41.879 --> 00:10:43.539 Do you take it this seriously? 00:10:44.980 --> 00:10:47.000 Paul says in Ephesians 5, he says, 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:55.320 You may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or is covetous, that is, an idolater, 00:10:56.039 --> 00:10:58.759 has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 00:10:59.399 --> 00:11:01.559 Let no one deceive you with empty words. 00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:05.879 For because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 00:11:06.720 --> 00:11:09.299 Therefore, do not become partners with them. 00:11:10.100 --> 00:11:14.279 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:11:14.399 --> 00:11:16.679 So walk as children of the light. 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:17.819 This is the call, church. 00:11:19.899 --> 00:11:21.679 We're called to put to death sinful desires. 00:11:22.439 --> 00:11:24.779 Second category, sinful attitudes. 00:11:26.179 --> 00:11:27.019 Sinful attitudes. 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:30.500 Would it surprise you to know that Christians still wrestle with sinful attitudes? 00:11:33.099 --> 00:11:34.239 Verse 7, he says, 00:11:34.319 --> 00:11:36.819 And these two you once walked when you were living in them, 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:38.659 but now you must put them all away. 00:11:38.919 --> 00:11:39.879 Put away anger. 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:41.299 Put away wrath. 00:11:41.419 --> 00:11:42.679 Put away malice. 00:11:42.679 --> 00:11:45.500 You know, one of the most confusing verses in the Bible to me, 00:11:45.500 --> 00:11:47.639 Be angry and do not sin. 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:48.740 Have you all figured that one out yet? 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:51.059 I haven't figured that out yet. 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:54.279 There is such a thing as righteous anger, 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:57.059 but that's usually not what happens in my heart, is it? 00:11:58.019 --> 00:12:03.639 And the reason why is because our anger so often is self-centered, isn't it? 00:12:03.639 --> 00:12:07.639 No, we get angry because we didn't get what we wanted, 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:11.080 or when we wanted, or how we wanted, 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:14.519 or we lash out because our pride has been stepped on. 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:17.360 We get angry because we've grown impatient. 00:12:17.580 --> 00:12:20.939 We get all riled up because somebody has sinned against us, 00:12:20.960 --> 00:12:24.139 and so we think, well, that gives us an excuse to sin against them. 00:12:24.139 --> 00:12:28.519 But David Powlison wrote a book on anger, 00:12:28.740 --> 00:12:31.559 and one of the diagnostic questions that he gives, 00:12:31.600 --> 00:12:34.580 I think this is really helpful when we get angry, 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:38.299 ask yourself, whose kingdom am I defending? 00:12:40.179 --> 00:12:45.659 Is it me and my glory and my pride and my possessions, 00:12:45.659 --> 00:12:48.500 or is it God's kingdom and God's glory? 00:12:48.500 --> 00:12:50.860 James 1 says, 00:12:51.000 --> 00:12:55.960 We are to be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger. 00:12:56.159 --> 00:12:56.419 Why? 00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:59.759 For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 00:13:00.679 --> 00:13:06.000 This type of angry attitude is evidence of the indwelling sin in our hearts. 00:13:07.559 --> 00:13:10.779 Not only this, he gives a third and final category here, 00:13:10.860 --> 00:13:12.840 which is sinful speech. 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.700 He says, 00:13:14.700 --> 00:13:17.500 As God's people, we are to put away slander, 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:20.080 and obscene talk from your mouth. 00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:23.080 Do not lie to one another, he says in verse 9. 00:13:23.860 --> 00:13:25.279 Again, in Ephesians, Paul says, 00:13:25.480 --> 00:13:27.960 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:31.279 but only such as is good for building up, 00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:33.059 as fits the occasion, 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:35.799 that it may give grace to those who hear. 00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:40.059 Does it surprise you to know that Christians still wrestle with sinful speech? 00:13:41.740 --> 00:13:45.340 Does it surprise you to know that God cares about the way that you speak? 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:48.379 And here's where we have to be so careful, 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:49.960 because as you know, 00:13:50.060 --> 00:13:54.519 so often what comes out is a direct reflection of what goes in, isn't it? 00:13:55.660 --> 00:14:00.780 If all you intake, all you listen to is crude, obscene music, 00:14:00.780 --> 00:14:05.120 don't be surprised if that's what winds up coming out of your mouth. 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:10.820 If all you watch on television or the movies that you partake in 00:14:10.820 --> 00:14:14.639 is crude, obscene language, crude, obscene joking, 00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:18.299 don't be surprised if that's what spills out of your own mouth. 00:14:18.399 --> 00:14:20.820 If all you consume is political media, 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:25.200 if ever there was an example of slander, 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:29.700 and corrupting talk, and bold-faced lying, 00:14:29.700 --> 00:14:36.040 if all you consume is that sort of language coming into your mind and into your ears, 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:41.220 don't be surprised if you start to reflect that same sort of language in your own daily speech. 00:14:43.300 --> 00:14:49.800 We are called to put to death everything that is earthly in us. 00:14:49.860 --> 00:14:52.720 This is a call to mortify your sin. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:57.200 Do not take a passive approach to your sin. 00:14:59.040 --> 00:14:59.840 Mortify it. 00:15:01.040 --> 00:15:01.740 Kill it. 00:15:01.980 --> 00:15:02.920 And take no prisoners. 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.420 Don't ignore it. 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:06.879 Don't minimize it. 00:15:06.940 --> 00:15:08.300 Don't make excuses for it. 00:15:08.340 --> 00:15:10.200 Don't say, well, I'm just like everyone else. 00:15:10.279 --> 00:15:11.840 Everybody acts this way. 00:15:12.060 --> 00:15:15.680 We are called to take a militant approach to our sin. 00:15:15.779 --> 00:15:18.399 Jesus says if your right hand causes you to sin, then what? 00:15:18.820 --> 00:15:19.680 Cut it off. 00:15:19.679 --> 00:15:23.120 In the words of John Owen, 00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:27.179 be killing sin or sin will be killing you. 00:15:28.879 --> 00:15:31.620 You may ask, how in the world are we supposed to do this? 00:15:31.719 --> 00:15:35.339 What is the power behind this way of life? 00:15:35.479 --> 00:15:36.139 Paul shows us. 00:15:36.359 --> 00:15:39.419 Second, let's consider the power here. 00:15:40.439 --> 00:15:44.120 The power for this mortification of sin 00:15:44.120 --> 00:15:47.279 and the power for the new Christian life, 00:15:47.279 --> 00:15:48.559 which we'll see in just a moment, 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:52.479 is in Christ and who you are in Him. 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:59.179 Again, John Owen, he says this principle of this putting off and putting on 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:01.739 is not the strength of our own resolutions, 00:16:02.319 --> 00:16:04.959 but in the power of the work of the Holy Spirit, 00:16:05.839 --> 00:16:09.199 who alone creates in us the graces of the new man. 00:16:09.200 --> 00:16:16.740 The power to live the Christian life is in our identity as children of the living God. 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:20.259 Spirit indwelt children of the living God. 00:16:20.420 --> 00:16:21.520 Look what he says in verse 9. 00:16:22.720 --> 00:16:25.120 Why are we called not to lie to one another? 00:16:25.220 --> 00:16:27.980 It's because we've put off the old self with its practices. 00:16:28.540 --> 00:16:30.440 And we have put on the new self, 00:16:30.640 --> 00:16:34.320 which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. 00:16:34.320 --> 00:16:37.360 We have already put off the old man. 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.420 This is repentance. 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:41.060 This is the fruit of regeneration. 00:16:42.560 --> 00:16:46.320 This is what the Spirit does in the hearts of those who belong to the Lord. 00:16:46.500 --> 00:16:48.960 This is what happened when you became a Christian. 00:16:49.100 --> 00:16:50.740 You heard the good news of the gospel. 00:16:52.060 --> 00:16:56.340 You heard the good news that Jesus has come to save you from your sin. 00:16:56.340 --> 00:17:01.660 You heard the good news that Jesus has lived perfectly in your place, 00:17:01.759 --> 00:17:04.100 that he's died in your place for your sin, 00:17:04.319 --> 00:17:06.220 that he has risen from the grave. 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:09.019 You heard that, and by God's grace, 00:17:09.700 --> 00:17:11.840 the Spirit took that message, 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:15.480 and he put in your heart faith in Jesus, 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:20.259 and he put in your heart a distaste for this life of sin that you've been walking. 00:17:21.079 --> 00:17:23.000 So you turn from your sin, 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:25.500 and you put your faith completely in Christ. 00:17:25.500 --> 00:17:27.000 You turn from your sin, 00:17:27.059 --> 00:17:29.539 and you cast yourself into the arms of Jesus. 00:17:29.819 --> 00:17:31.680 You put off the old man, 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:33.559 and you put on the new. 00:17:34.920 --> 00:17:36.779 And that new self we see here, 00:17:36.839 --> 00:17:39.240 that one that is now united to Christ, 00:17:39.359 --> 00:17:43.619 that one that has been resurrected and raised to walk in newness of life, 00:17:43.720 --> 00:17:49.240 that new self is now being remade after the image of your creator. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:51.799 It's called sanctification. 00:17:53.099 --> 00:17:54.640 The work of the Spirit. 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.799 And the children of God. 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:01.220 And again, would you just notice how different this is from the idea, 00:18:01.319 --> 00:18:03.420 the false idea that the teachers, 00:18:03.539 --> 00:18:06.180 the false teachers were trying to sell there in Colossae. 00:18:06.380 --> 00:18:14.779 They were trying to sell this idea of all that you have to do in order to be spiritually complete. 00:18:14.779 --> 00:18:16.799 Don't do this. 00:18:16.799 --> 00:18:18.019 Don't do that. 00:18:18.099 --> 00:18:20.960 They had a long list of rules and regulations. 00:18:21.200 --> 00:18:23.160 You have to observe certain holy days. 00:18:23.279 --> 00:18:25.119 You have to be circumcised. 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.899 You have to worship angels. 00:18:27.039 --> 00:18:29.200 You must be this and that and this and that. 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:30.579 The list is unending. 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.960 It's like you're an old broken down house, 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.779 and they're the realtor. 00:18:33.779 --> 00:18:42.339 And they have this list of things that you ought to do to make yourself more marketable to God. 00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:50.799 You know, if you would just paint the walls and fix the plumbing and clean the baseboards and get rid of the mold, 00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:55.559 then maybe, maybe God would look at you and He would purchase you. 00:18:55.559 --> 00:18:59.819 This is the lie of man-made religion. 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:06.200 The gospel, it takes all of this and it turns it completely upside down. 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:08.299 This is not how it works. 00:19:08.539 --> 00:19:15.200 We're told God has purchased you, sinner, with the blood of His own Son, Jesus Christ. 00:19:15.919 --> 00:19:21.539 Not when you were very good, but when you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you walked. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:28.960 And now that you are His, now He's getting to work by the power of His Spirit at work in you. 00:19:29.139 --> 00:19:36.379 He's getting to work to renovate and fix up this old dwelling place to be a dwelling place for His own Spirit. 00:19:36.559 --> 00:19:38.740 You are a Christian by His grace. 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:42.500 Therefore, we're called to live as a Christian. 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:45.460 You are in the family of God. 00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:48.899 Therefore, live as one who is in the family of God. 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:51.620 You are no longer of the earth. 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:55.320 Therefore, live as one who has put to death earthly things. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:01.060 This is the one and only path to belonging to the family of God. 00:20:02.120 --> 00:20:03.440 It's not by works. 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:06.460 It's all of His grace. 00:20:07.620 --> 00:20:09.240 By the power of His Spirit. 00:20:10.380 --> 00:20:12.080 By putting your faith in Christ. 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.519 This is what he means in verse 11. 00:20:13.519 --> 00:20:19.960 He says there's no distinction here between Greeks and Jews and circumcised and uncircumcised. 00:20:20.319 --> 00:20:22.139 Barbarians and Scythian slave and free. 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:24.339 Get rid of all of these distinctions. 00:20:24.700 --> 00:20:25.599 Christ is all. 00:20:26.539 --> 00:20:27.559 Christ is all. 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.720 Simply by faith in Christ. 00:20:30.839 --> 00:20:34.759 You are adopted and accepted and justified. 00:20:34.759 --> 00:20:40.000 And then you are set on this lifelong path of transformation into His image. 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:43.759 Man-made religion. 00:20:44.140 --> 00:20:47.759 It says clean yourself up and God will choose you. 00:20:47.980 --> 00:20:52.299 The gospel says God chose you in Christ before the foundation of the world. 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:55.900 You are God's chosen ones. 00:20:56.059 --> 00:20:58.299 Therefore, put on Christ's likeness. 00:20:58.379 --> 00:20:58.920 Verse 12. 00:20:58.920 --> 00:21:02.360 The gospel says by faith in Christ. 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:05.740 God's already declared you holy in Christ. 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:08.320 Even as you wrestle with sin here and now. 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:11.600 You are covered with the righteousness of Christ. 00:21:12.820 --> 00:21:16.500 The gospel says you don't have to earn God's love. 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:19.300 You don't have to clean up your act so that God will love you. 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:22.200 The gospel says God demonstrates His love for us. 00:21:22.259 --> 00:21:26.560 And that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 00:21:26.559 --> 00:21:29.119 Do you hear the good news, church? 00:21:30.379 --> 00:21:34.659 You have been adopted into the family of God. 00:21:36.639 --> 00:21:39.179 Live as His child. 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:43.139 Live as His child. 00:21:43.259 --> 00:21:45.899 This is what the rest of the passage shows us. 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.859 This is not a list of have to. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:48.899 I hope you see this. 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:52.879 This is not a I have to do this list. 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:57.340 This is the new life that is possible for us who have been born again by His Spirit. 00:21:58.840 --> 00:21:59.860 So let's take a look. 00:21:59.920 --> 00:22:03.220 And third, we see another practice here. 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:06.400 Third, we're not only called to put sin to death. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:09.600 We're also called to put on Christ's likeness. 00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:13.660 Put on Christ's likeness. 00:22:14.620 --> 00:22:16.160 We see the starting verse 12. 00:22:16.160 --> 00:22:22.840 Paul says we're all called in the family of God to put on Christ's character. 00:22:24.200 --> 00:22:28.540 Put on then as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved. 00:22:28.680 --> 00:22:29.160 Do you hear that? 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.740 This is who you are. 00:22:30.820 --> 00:22:31.560 You are chosen. 00:22:31.779 --> 00:22:32.480 You are holy. 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.340 You are beloved. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:40.200 So then put on compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:42.320 This is Christian character. 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:52.500 As we are being remade in the image of the Lord, we are to reflect the character of Christ, 00:22:52.819 --> 00:22:56.079 who is Himself the image of the invisible God. 00:22:57.179 --> 00:22:59.019 We are to be Christ-like. 00:22:59.119 --> 00:23:01.000 Well, what does that look like? 00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:04.079 He says, well, for one thing, it looks like compassion. 00:23:04.079 --> 00:23:11.759 By the power of the Holy Spirit, Christian, put on compassionate hearts. 00:23:13.139 --> 00:23:18.359 We're told Jesus saw the crowds and saw that they were harassed and helpless like sheep without a shepherd, 00:23:18.539 --> 00:23:21.379 and He had compassion on them. 00:23:21.679 --> 00:23:25.179 Church, when we put on compassion for those who are lost in sin, 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:27.899 when we don't get angry at them for their sinfulness, 00:23:28.779 --> 00:23:34.819 when we don't get bitter at them for not walking a Christian life as we expect them to do, 00:23:35.000 --> 00:23:39.599 when we have compassion on the lost, we reflect the heart of Christ. 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:45.559 When we interact with those people in our life who are just difficult and hard to engage with, 00:23:45.679 --> 00:23:47.599 and hard to, you know who I'm talking about. 00:23:48.599 --> 00:23:53.379 When we're not impatient or rude with them, but we're compassionate with them, 00:23:53.539 --> 00:23:56.199 we show the world what Christ is like. 00:23:58.099 --> 00:24:00.319 He says it looks like putting on kindness. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:03.119 By the power of the Spirit, put on kindness. 00:24:03.119 --> 00:24:12.939 Jesus says in Luke 6, 35, that God the Father is kind, 00:24:13.439 --> 00:24:16.019 both to the ungrateful and to the evil, 00:24:16.239 --> 00:24:18.899 and He is especially kind to His children. 00:24:20.159 --> 00:24:23.619 When we put on kindness, we reflect the glory of God the Father. 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:27.159 When we think more about the needs of others than our own needs, 00:24:27.160 --> 00:24:29.180 we reflect the kindness of King Jesus. 00:24:29.800 --> 00:24:34.160 When we go out of our way to help and to love and to serve one another, 00:24:34.480 --> 00:24:37.360 we reflect the kindness of the Lord. 00:24:39.460 --> 00:24:44.140 He says by the power of the Spirit, it looks like putting on humility. 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:46.200 Who is more humble than King Jesus? 00:24:48.140 --> 00:24:50.960 Who emptied Himself by taking the form of a servant, 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:56.160 being born in the likeness of men and being found in human form. 00:24:56.279 --> 00:25:00.680 He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, 00:25:00.940 --> 00:25:04.500 even death on a cross, Philippians 2 tells us. 00:25:06.259 --> 00:25:10.200 Church, when we put on humility and meekness, 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:12.559 when we clothe ourselves with humility, 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:15.799 and we resist the urge to be right all the time, 00:25:15.799 --> 00:25:21.359 and we resist that selfish desire to be the most important person in the room all the time, 00:25:22.180 --> 00:25:25.119 when we set aside our own needs for the good of others, 00:25:25.279 --> 00:25:28.139 we show the world what Jesus is like. 00:25:30.440 --> 00:25:34.279 He says it looks like clothing ourselves with patience. 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:35.099 Are you patient? 00:25:37.500 --> 00:25:39.159 Has God been patient with you? 00:25:41.379 --> 00:25:45.319 Our God is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:49.079 and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness. 00:25:49.259 --> 00:25:53.960 Is this the type of character that you reflect in your own life, church? 00:25:55.939 --> 00:25:58.480 That sort of character is odd in the world, 00:25:58.599 --> 00:26:02.119 but it is a powerful witness to the glory of God. 00:26:03.879 --> 00:26:08.919 We're not only called to clothe ourselves with Christ-likeness as individuals, 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:13.259 we're also called to put on Christ-likeness in our interactions with one another 00:26:13.259 --> 00:26:14.980 in the community of the church. 00:26:14.980 --> 00:26:18.500 Do you see how this isn't just an individual pursuit? 00:26:19.640 --> 00:26:21.960 This is a community pursuit. 00:26:22.079 --> 00:26:25.860 You realize that these aren't just commands for us as individual Christians. 00:26:26.599 --> 00:26:28.940 These are commands for us as a church. 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.539 The gospel is meant to shape us, 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:33.579 not just as individuals into the image of Christ, 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:37.860 but as a church community, as a family in the image of Christ. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:42.000 I love how Paul does this because you know Paul has been around some churches, 00:26:42.519 --> 00:26:50.219 and he has experienced life in the church long enough to know that when membership actually means something, 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:55.419 and when you're not just a name on a roll or an invisible face in a crowd, 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:59.479 when it actually means something to be a member of a local body of believers, 00:26:59.899 --> 00:27:00.339 guess what? 00:27:00.339 --> 00:27:04.639 At some point or another, you're going to rub somebody else the wrong way. 00:27:06.139 --> 00:27:07.799 Somebody's going to step on your toes. 00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:12.519 You will offend somebody, and you will be offended by somebody. 00:27:12.659 --> 00:27:13.319 It's inevitable. 00:27:13.459 --> 00:27:14.879 That's how family works, isn't it? 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:17.459 You love each other. 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:18.659 You're committed to each other. 00:27:18.660 --> 00:27:20.160 You want what's best for one another, 00:27:20.259 --> 00:27:23.019 but sometimes y'all just get on each other's nerves. 00:27:23.080 --> 00:27:23.600 Be honest. 00:27:25.680 --> 00:27:27.160 How do we handle that? 00:27:28.860 --> 00:27:31.500 By putting on Christ. 00:27:31.640 --> 00:27:32.060 He says, 00:27:32.220 --> 00:27:33.860 Bearing with one another, 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:37.120 and if one has a complaint against another, 00:27:37.580 --> 00:27:38.680 forgiving one another. 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:41.240 As the Lord has forgiven you, 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:43.460 so you also must forgive. 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.480 And above all of these, 00:27:45.580 --> 00:27:46.320 put on love, 00:27:46.400 --> 00:27:48.120 which binds everything together. 00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:50.219 in perfect harmony. 00:27:50.319 --> 00:27:52.500 Don't you want to be a family like that? 00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:58.199 You know, the ways of the modern church 00:27:58.199 --> 00:28:00.519 go something like this. 00:28:00.559 --> 00:28:02.079 Either you're so invisible 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:04.839 that there is no opportunity to step on anyone's toes. 00:28:06.099 --> 00:28:08.419 You just go to an event once a week. 00:28:08.500 --> 00:28:09.659 You're in, you're out, you're invisible. 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:11.479 Nobody really knows you. 00:28:11.559 --> 00:28:12.919 You're not really in each other's lives. 00:28:12.919 --> 00:28:16.139 Or, as soon as I get offended, 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.879 boom, I am out. 00:28:18.739 --> 00:28:19.979 Down the road. 00:28:20.879 --> 00:28:22.139 I'll go to another church 00:28:22.139 --> 00:28:23.119 with other people 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:24.259 who are bound to offend me 00:28:24.259 --> 00:28:25.279 at some point in time. 00:28:27.979 --> 00:28:31.000 Church, we are called to love one another 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:33.279 as God has loved us. 00:28:33.319 --> 00:28:35.459 We are called to forgive one another 00:28:35.459 --> 00:28:37.979 as God has forgiven us. 00:28:37.980 --> 00:28:40.259 We are called to love one another 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:43.000 enough to bear with one another in love. 00:28:45.200 --> 00:28:46.500 Charles Spurgeon says, 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:48.640 If you must reckon up your injuries, 00:28:48.759 --> 00:28:50.019 let them be written in water. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:53.460 But let your mercies be carved in granite. 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.240 If a brother has offended you, 00:28:56.480 --> 00:28:57.160 forgive him. 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:58.920 If he has offended you again, 00:28:59.259 --> 00:29:00.039 forgive him. 00:29:00.200 --> 00:29:02.319 If he has offended you 70 times 7, 00:29:02.440 --> 00:29:03.920 still forgive him, 00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:06.460 because Christ has forgiven you. 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.400 This is what we're called to be 00:29:09.400 --> 00:29:10.279 as a church family. 00:29:12.220 --> 00:29:14.160 And we're called to let the peace of Christ 00:29:14.160 --> 00:29:15.220 rule in our hearts 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.080 to which we are called 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:17.680 in one body. 00:29:17.740 --> 00:29:19.720 Don't you want to be a family like this? 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:23.440 I desire for Sea Wee Bay 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:24.960 to be a family that reflects 00:29:24.960 --> 00:29:26.180 the glory of Christ. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.680 Don't you? 00:29:28.220 --> 00:29:29.900 I want to be a family 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:32.579 that is bound together in love. 00:29:33.339 --> 00:29:35.220 A family that reflects 00:29:35.220 --> 00:29:36.640 the character of Christ. 00:29:36.779 --> 00:29:38.059 A family that's eager 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:39.259 and quick to forgive. 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:41.839 Quick to show grace to one another. 00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.220 A family that is, 00:29:44.279 --> 00:29:45.480 in verse 16 he says, 00:29:45.539 --> 00:29:47.140 a family that's full 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:49.000 of the word of God. 00:29:49.000 --> 00:29:50.480 Look there to verse 16. 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.400 He says, 00:29:52.740 --> 00:29:52.759 Church, 00:29:53.180 --> 00:29:54.599 let the word of Christ 00:29:54.599 --> 00:29:56.660 dwell in you richly, 00:29:57.240 --> 00:29:58.500 teaching and admonishing 00:29:58.500 --> 00:29:59.119 one another 00:29:59.119 --> 00:30:00.500 in all wisdom. 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:01.960 And would you look at this? 00:30:02.140 --> 00:30:04.299 One very specific way 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:05.539 that he gives us to do this, 00:30:06.599 --> 00:30:07.119 he says, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.960 is in our singing. 00:30:10.640 --> 00:30:12.579 Singing psalms and hymns 00:30:12.579 --> 00:30:13.660 and spiritual songs 00:30:13.660 --> 00:30:15.240 with thankfulness in your hearts 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:15.720 to God. 00:30:15.799 --> 00:30:16.700 Do you realize, church, 00:30:16.700 --> 00:30:17.920 that our singing 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:21.600 is one of the primary ways 00:30:21.600 --> 00:30:23.880 that we teach one another 00:30:23.880 --> 00:30:24.640 the word of God. 00:30:26.279 --> 00:30:27.320 Our singing 00:30:27.320 --> 00:30:29.539 is one of the ways 00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.500 that we allow 00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.560 the word of Christ 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:33.060 to dwell in us. 00:30:33.120 --> 00:30:33.600 Have you ever thought 00:30:33.600 --> 00:30:34.240 about it like that? 00:30:35.500 --> 00:30:36.500 Some of you who are newer 00:30:36.500 --> 00:30:37.720 to the faith have told me 00:30:37.720 --> 00:30:39.519 at first you thought 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.539 that it was kind of odd, 00:30:40.620 --> 00:30:40.940 right, 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.900 for us to come together 00:30:42.900 --> 00:30:44.840 and for us to sing out loud 00:30:44.840 --> 00:30:45.540 and it's a little bit 00:30:45.540 --> 00:30:46.360 uncomfortable, right? 00:30:46.400 --> 00:30:47.380 You notice that the lights 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.340 are on, 00:30:48.620 --> 00:30:50.620 the music is not overbearing, 00:30:51.060 --> 00:30:51.759 and we can actually 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:53.140 hear you singing 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:54.060 if you will actually 00:30:54.060 --> 00:30:55.040 sing out a little bit. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.580 It's a little bit 00:30:55.580 --> 00:30:56.600 uncomfortable at first, 00:30:56.680 --> 00:30:57.220 but guess what? 00:30:57.420 --> 00:30:58.519 That's intentional. 00:30:59.640 --> 00:31:00.960 Why do we sing? 00:31:01.840 --> 00:31:03.060 And why do we sing 00:31:03.060 --> 00:31:04.060 the way that we sing? 00:31:04.140 --> 00:31:04.800 Why do we sing 00:31:04.800 --> 00:31:06.300 the songs that we sing? 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:07.519 It's because right here 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.080 we're told 00:31:08.080 --> 00:31:09.080 our singing 00:31:09.080 --> 00:31:10.640 is one of the primary 00:31:10.640 --> 00:31:11.840 teaching ministries 00:31:11.840 --> 00:31:12.520 of the church. 00:31:14.460 --> 00:31:15.360 Our singing together 00:31:15.360 --> 00:31:16.320 is not a performance 00:31:16.320 --> 00:31:17.680 of one or two 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.980 performing for a crowd. 00:31:19.740 --> 00:31:20.920 It's not a concert 00:31:20.920 --> 00:31:21.860 where we come 00:31:21.860 --> 00:31:23.360 to be entertained, 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.400 where we may sing along 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:26.340 if we know the song 00:31:26.340 --> 00:31:27.100 or know the words 00:31:27.100 --> 00:31:28.300 or happen to like the song. 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:30.800 Our singing together 00:31:30.800 --> 00:31:33.660 has two primary directions. 00:31:33.840 --> 00:31:34.320 Do you see it? 00:31:35.000 --> 00:31:35.540 Do you see it here? 00:31:36.860 --> 00:31:38.860 On a horizontal plane, 00:31:39.000 --> 00:31:40.100 we are singing 00:31:40.099 --> 00:31:42.139 psalms and hymns 00:31:42.139 --> 00:31:43.759 and spiritual songs 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:46.139 to one another. 00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:48.980 I need to hear you sing. 00:31:50.039 --> 00:31:51.179 You need to hear 00:31:51.179 --> 00:31:52.439 one another sing. 00:31:52.539 --> 00:31:52.779 Why? 00:31:53.019 --> 00:31:54.179 Because in our singing, 00:31:54.359 --> 00:31:55.339 we are teaching 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.419 and admonishing 00:31:56.419 --> 00:31:57.279 one another 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.899 with the word of God. 00:31:59.699 --> 00:32:01.379 And so we sing songs 00:32:01.379 --> 00:32:02.480 that are true 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.679 and filled 00:32:03.679 --> 00:32:04.740 with the word of God. 00:32:04.819 --> 00:32:05.579 We sing songs 00:32:05.579 --> 00:32:07.679 that teach proper doctrine. 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.599 We sing songs 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:10.599 that let the word of Christ 00:32:10.599 --> 00:32:12.059 dwell in us richly 00:32:12.059 --> 00:32:12.779 as we go out 00:32:12.779 --> 00:32:13.480 with that tune 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.519 stuck in our head. 00:32:15.119 --> 00:32:16.619 We want to fill our minds 00:32:16.619 --> 00:32:17.319 and our hearts 00:32:17.319 --> 00:32:19.579 with this word of God. 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:22.579 Singing is a gift from God 00:32:22.579 --> 00:32:23.639 to allow that to happen. 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:27.159 And then on a vertical plane, 00:32:27.299 --> 00:32:29.000 we sing unto the Lord. 00:32:29.099 --> 00:32:29.359 It says, 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:30.459 we sing in worship 00:32:30.459 --> 00:32:31.559 with thankfulness 00:32:31.559 --> 00:32:32.199 in our hearts 00:32:32.199 --> 00:32:33.480 to God. 00:32:33.699 --> 00:32:35.019 It is a both and. 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:36.119 It's not just you 00:32:36.119 --> 00:32:36.619 and the Lord 00:32:36.619 --> 00:32:37.219 here this morning, 00:32:37.219 --> 00:32:37.599 is it? 00:32:38.159 --> 00:32:39.019 Well, you look around, 00:32:39.099 --> 00:32:39.979 you have a family 00:32:39.979 --> 00:32:40.899 around you. 00:32:41.500 --> 00:32:42.579 It's not just you 00:32:42.579 --> 00:32:43.419 being transformed 00:32:43.419 --> 00:32:44.500 into the image of Christ. 00:32:44.619 --> 00:32:45.959 It is us together. 00:32:46.639 --> 00:32:48.439 This is a community project. 00:32:50.639 --> 00:32:51.919 We want to be a community 00:32:51.919 --> 00:32:53.099 that's shaped 00:32:53.099 --> 00:32:54.299 by the grace of God 00:32:54.299 --> 00:32:56.379 for the glory of God, 00:32:56.459 --> 00:32:58.279 which is where Paul closes. 00:32:58.419 --> 00:32:58.759 It's like, 00:32:59.339 --> 00:33:00.000 just in case 00:33:00.000 --> 00:33:01.139 he left anything out, 00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:03.000 he says, 00:33:03.000 --> 00:33:03.960 whatever you do 00:33:03.960 --> 00:33:05.700 in word or deed, 00:33:05.859 --> 00:33:06.960 do everything 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:08.299 in the name 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:09.960 of the Lord Jesus, 00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:10.900 giving thanks 00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:12.079 to God the Father 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:13.400 through him. 00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:15.059 This is what 00:33:15.059 --> 00:33:16.420 the Christian life 00:33:16.420 --> 00:33:17.779 is meant to be. 00:33:19.779 --> 00:33:20.299 Church, 00:33:20.359 --> 00:33:21.079 by the power 00:33:21.079 --> 00:33:23.160 of the grace of God, 00:33:23.279 --> 00:33:24.079 of his spirit 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:25.000 at work in us, 00:33:25.119 --> 00:33:26.039 we are called 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.339 to put sin 00:33:27.339 --> 00:33:28.119 to death. 00:33:28.200 --> 00:33:29.579 Whatever is earthly 00:33:29.579 --> 00:33:30.480 in us, 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:32.700 and we are called 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:34.200 by his grace 00:33:34.200 --> 00:33:36.500 to live together 00:33:36.500 --> 00:33:37.620 as a community 00:33:37.620 --> 00:33:40.099 shaped by the gospel, 00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:42.099 putting on Christlikeness, 00:33:42.460 --> 00:33:43.620 reflecting his image 00:33:43.620 --> 00:33:44.360 to the world, 00:33:44.720 --> 00:33:45.819 extending his grace 00:33:45.819 --> 00:33:46.579 to one another, 00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:48.680 doing all things 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:50.380 for the glory of God. 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:50.799 Why? 00:33:51.720 --> 00:33:55.120 Because he has made us his. 00:33:57.180 --> 00:33:58.140 Sinclair Ferguson 00:33:58.140 --> 00:34:00.120 says it like this. 00:34:00.119 --> 00:34:00.519 He says, 00:34:00.599 --> 00:34:01.419 sanctification 00:34:01.419 --> 00:34:03.619 is the process 00:34:03.619 --> 00:34:04.399 of becoming 00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:05.419 who you already 00:34:05.419 --> 00:34:06.359 are in Christ. 00:34:07.579 --> 00:34:08.539 You put off 00:34:08.539 --> 00:34:09.559 the old clothes 00:34:09.559 --> 00:34:10.539 because they no longer 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:12.059 belong to your new status. 00:34:12.900 --> 00:34:13.839 You put on 00:34:13.839 --> 00:34:14.699 the new clothes 00:34:14.699 --> 00:34:15.920 because you are now 00:34:15.920 --> 00:34:16.779 a child 00:34:16.779 --> 00:34:17.960 of the King. 00:34:19.900 --> 00:34:20.440 You know, 00:34:20.500 --> 00:34:20.839 if you have 00:34:20.839 --> 00:34:22.500 listened 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.400 to all of this 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:23.859 this morning 00:34:23.859 --> 00:34:24.639 and all you heard 00:34:24.639 --> 00:34:25.859 was a long list 00:34:25.859 --> 00:34:26.819 of do's and don'ts, 00:34:26.839 --> 00:34:27.579 a bunch of stuff 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:29.380 that you have to do, 00:34:29.380 --> 00:34:29.980 if you're not 00:34:29.980 --> 00:34:30.740 a believer, 00:34:30.740 --> 00:34:32.059 would you please 00:34:32.059 --> 00:34:33.039 don't try 00:34:33.039 --> 00:34:34.180 and do any of this 00:34:34.180 --> 00:34:34.539 at all? 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:36.360 Not yet. 00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.920 You know why? 00:34:39.000 --> 00:34:39.440 It's because 00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.800 in your own strength 00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.800 you can't do it. 00:34:43.160 --> 00:34:44.260 What you need 00:34:44.260 --> 00:34:45.180 more than anything 00:34:45.180 --> 00:34:46.500 is to become 00:34:46.500 --> 00:34:47.840 a child of God 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:49.039 by putting your faith 00:34:49.039 --> 00:34:49.660 in Christ. 00:34:50.480 --> 00:34:51.200 And then, 00:34:51.440 --> 00:34:52.960 and then, 00:34:53.019 --> 00:34:53.619 for the Christian 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:54.300 in the room, 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.300 and then, 00:34:55.380 --> 00:34:56.019 by the power 00:34:56.019 --> 00:34:57.580 of His Spirit, 00:34:58.120 --> 00:34:59.500 put off the old man 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.600 and put on 00:35:00.600 --> 00:35:01.360 the new. 00:35:02.500 --> 00:35:03.320 And by His grace, 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:04.039 would you remember 00:35:04.039 --> 00:35:05.100 who you are 00:35:05.100 --> 00:35:06.140 in Christ? 00:35:06.500 --> 00:35:06.980 Remember 00:35:06.980 --> 00:35:08.360 what God has done 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:08.920 for you 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.900 in the gospel 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.420 of Jesus. 00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:11.360 Remember that 00:35:11.360 --> 00:35:12.060 you are dead 00:35:12.060 --> 00:35:12.720 to sin 00:35:12.720 --> 00:35:13.640 and alive 00:35:13.640 --> 00:35:14.120 to God 00:35:14.120 --> 00:35:14.620 in Christ. 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.600 Remember that 00:35:15.600 --> 00:35:16.480 sin no more 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.300 has dominion 00:35:17.300 --> 00:35:17.940 over you. 00:35:18.340 --> 00:35:18.840 Remember that 00:35:18.840 --> 00:35:19.680 you are a new 00:35:19.680 --> 00:35:20.340 creation 00:35:20.340 --> 00:35:21.360 in Christ Jesus, 00:35:21.780 --> 00:35:22.680 raised to walk 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:23.619 in newness of life. 00:35:23.980 --> 00:35:25.419 You are a Christian. 00:35:26.659 --> 00:35:27.139 Therefore, 00:35:27.379 --> 00:35:29.359 live as a Christian. 00:35:30.619 --> 00:35:31.099 Father, 00:35:33.219 --> 00:35:36.980 the Christian life 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.599 is impossible 00:35:37.599 --> 00:35:38.519 apart from your help. 00:35:40.460 --> 00:35:41.359 We praise you 00:35:41.359 --> 00:35:42.199 that you have supplied 00:35:42.199 --> 00:35:42.879 all that we need 00:35:42.879 --> 00:35:43.419 by the power 00:35:43.419 --> 00:35:44.059 of your Spirit. 00:35:45.799 --> 00:35:46.739 We praise you 00:35:46.739 --> 00:35:47.519 for the finished work 00:35:47.519 --> 00:35:48.159 of Christ 00:35:48.159 --> 00:35:50.319 that is our only hope. 00:35:51.339 --> 00:35:52.319 And we pray 00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:53.780 God that by 00:35:53.780 --> 00:35:54.600 your grace 00:35:54.600 --> 00:35:55.280 would you empower 00:35:55.280 --> 00:35:56.160 this church 00:35:56.160 --> 00:35:56.860 to reflect 00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:57.600 the holy image 00:35:57.600 --> 00:35:58.080 of Christ 00:35:58.080 --> 00:35:58.660 to the world. 00:35:58.760 --> 00:35:59.100 We pray this 00:35:59.100 --> 00:35:59.760 in Jesus' name. 00:36:00.640 --> 00:36:00.920 Amen.