WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.720 Let's turn back to our reading in Galatians chapter 5. 00:00:04.120 --> 00:00:08.560 We're going to look at this section, verse 16, down to the end of the chapter. 00:00:09.320 --> 00:00:11.919 Just read again these words at the beginning of the chapter. 00:00:12.820 --> 00:00:19.039 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:00:19.179 --> 00:00:21.240 Walk by the Spirit. 00:00:23.240 --> 00:00:24.960 Have you sinned this week? 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:31.359 Or should I ask maybe, how often have you sinned this week? 00:00:32.060 --> 00:00:35.719 Because that's the reality of the lives that we live. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:39.500 We all sin in so many different ways. 00:00:40.700 --> 00:00:48.060 And there's a phrase used nowadays about people who are continually in and out of prison. 00:00:48.799 --> 00:00:51.240 It's maybe been used for quite some time now. 00:00:51.240 --> 00:00:56.600 It's those who maybe commit a crime, they're sent to prison, maybe they're only in for a short time. 00:00:56.660 --> 00:00:59.320 But before you know it, they're back in prison. 00:00:59.480 --> 00:01:02.200 And the phrase they use is repeat offenders. 00:01:02.480 --> 00:01:04.280 They are repeat offenders. 00:01:05.700 --> 00:01:09.079 They're released, but soon after re-offend. 00:01:09.120 --> 00:01:12.920 And this kind of cycle just goes on and on. 00:01:13.020 --> 00:01:17.280 Unless there's something that will come in to break that cycle. 00:01:17.280 --> 00:01:23.739 But it's not just about those who are in prison in that sense of being put in jail that this can apply to. 00:01:23.859 --> 00:01:27.120 You can apply it to the church here in Galatia. 00:01:27.219 --> 00:01:29.460 You could apply it to ourselves. 00:01:30.280 --> 00:01:37.060 The church in Galatia falls into this bracket because what we have as we read through this letter 00:01:37.060 --> 00:01:40.120 is a sense of being set free. 00:01:40.280 --> 00:01:43.180 The people being set free in Christ. 00:01:43.180 --> 00:01:50.420 But then within a short space of time finding themselves falling back into what we would call the bondage of sin. 00:01:50.620 --> 00:01:51.720 Sin just coming in. 00:01:52.180 --> 00:01:55.760 That repeat offending just going on and on. 00:01:56.400 --> 00:02:01.300 And you think, well, if they've been set free in Christ, surely that's the way that they will go on. 00:02:01.380 --> 00:02:02.980 That's the way that they will continue. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:09.020 But just look at our own lives as well, even as we come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:09.140 --> 00:02:13.560 How often do we find ourselves slipping back into the old ways? 00:02:13.780 --> 00:02:16.439 Slipping back into sinning against God? 00:02:16.480 --> 00:02:17.300 It doesn't leave us. 00:02:17.340 --> 00:02:18.219 It doesn't go. 00:02:18.719 --> 00:02:23.599 And so often part of it is mainly our own fault, our own responsibility, 00:02:23.599 --> 00:02:27.400 because we are neglecting the things of God. 00:02:27.400 --> 00:02:33.120 And that was true with the people in Galatia, as it is probably true of ourselves. 00:02:33.240 --> 00:02:35.700 But what can we do about this? 00:02:36.840 --> 00:02:38.840 Are you a real offender today? 00:02:40.540 --> 00:02:41.259 I am. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:41.960 I know I am. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:44.920 Because God's word tells me. 00:02:45.580 --> 00:02:49.000 Even as you go through the end of this chapter, chapter 5, 00:02:49.060 --> 00:02:53.460 all you have to do is read through verse 19 to verse 21. 00:02:53.460 --> 00:02:58.960 And there you're brought into the kind of the works of the flesh, as it's called there. 00:02:59.480 --> 00:03:06.760 Sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of... 00:03:06.760 --> 00:03:08.040 You know, the list goes on. 00:03:09.260 --> 00:03:11.960 And can you not go through that list today and think to yourself, 00:03:12.100 --> 00:03:13.180 oh man, I've failed. 00:03:13.980 --> 00:03:14.780 I've sinned. 00:03:15.000 --> 00:03:19.460 I know I have because I can see myself in so many of these things. 00:03:19.819 --> 00:03:21.000 I am a real offender. 00:03:21.000 --> 00:03:24.180 I sinned before God. 00:03:25.020 --> 00:03:29.060 And that can give us a sense of feeling helpless. 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:32.860 It can leave us feeling, well, what can we do? 00:03:33.580 --> 00:03:35.180 How can we change? 00:03:36.000 --> 00:03:38.060 And is it about ourselves changing? 00:03:38.180 --> 00:03:39.420 Is it about what we do? 00:03:40.159 --> 00:03:40.920 Well, no. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:46.639 It's a reminder to us that there's only one who can make a difference. 00:03:47.139 --> 00:03:48.300 And that is God. 00:03:48.300 --> 00:03:52.640 God through his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:52.780 --> 00:03:56.620 And God through his Spirit, as we see in this passage. 00:03:56.780 --> 00:04:00.120 Walk by the Spirit, by the Spirit of God. 00:04:00.120 --> 00:04:05.259 Because we all struggle in different ways. 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:08.219 But God is there to help us. 00:04:08.759 --> 00:04:11.620 And the Word of God just reminds us of that. 00:04:12.200 --> 00:04:16.899 It's remarkable how you see these same struggles right throughout the Bible. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:22.519 So many people who you would think, oh, but they must have been so much better than us. 00:04:22.519 --> 00:04:31.459 In chapter 4 of this letter, Galatians, Paul makes reference to Abraham and Sarah and Hagar. 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:34.620 They're from the Old Testament, from the book of Genesis. 00:04:35.319 --> 00:04:37.879 And the struggles that they had. 00:04:38.399 --> 00:04:39.139 They struggled. 00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:42.979 And you think, Abraham, he was a man sent by God. 00:04:43.599 --> 00:04:45.219 He was a father of the faith. 00:04:45.220 --> 00:04:47.340 Surely, he didn't have these struggles. 00:04:48.140 --> 00:04:49.180 But yes, he did. 00:04:49.920 --> 00:04:53.020 He struggled to trust God with his wife, Sarah. 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:57.520 That God could take care of every situation that they were in. 00:04:57.800 --> 00:05:00.560 And instead, they took things into their own hands. 00:05:01.280 --> 00:05:02.320 Just like us. 00:05:03.080 --> 00:05:05.520 Just like the way we live so often. 00:05:05.960 --> 00:05:09.640 That we will do things that God cannot take care of it. 00:05:10.640 --> 00:05:13.500 And you think of Paul himself, who wrote this letter. 00:05:13.500 --> 00:05:19.759 He was a man who had a real past of many regrets, many sins. 00:05:20.459 --> 00:05:22.420 But was he completely changed? 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:24.300 In many ways, you say yes. 00:05:24.759 --> 00:05:31.160 But he still had struggles, as we read of in Romans chapter 7, which he wrote as well. 00:05:31.740 --> 00:05:33.579 And his words in verse 19. 00:05:34.120 --> 00:05:37.240 For what I do is not the good I want to do. 00:05:37.600 --> 00:05:40.220 No, the evil I do not want to do. 00:05:40.220 --> 00:05:42.540 This I keep on doing. 00:05:43.500 --> 00:05:47.079 How many times this week have you said something similar? 00:05:48.360 --> 00:05:52.040 How many times have you said, I wish I hadn't done that? 00:05:52.959 --> 00:05:57.420 How many times have you said this week, I wish I hadn't said that? 00:05:58.120 --> 00:06:02.899 How many times this week have you said, I wish I hadn't behaved like that? 00:06:02.899 --> 00:06:07.299 Again and again we can relate to these words. 00:06:07.919 --> 00:06:10.519 The good I want to do, I do not do. 00:06:12.719 --> 00:06:15.959 And so we are repeat offenders. 00:06:16.739 --> 00:06:18.279 It's a common struggle. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:20.599 It's a real struggle. 00:06:21.399 --> 00:06:24.899 And it's a struggle that reminds us that we cannot overcome sin alone. 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:28.620 We cannot overcome it by ourselves. 00:06:29.620 --> 00:06:33.639 And that's where we are thankful we can turn to the word of God. 00:06:34.359 --> 00:06:38.560 Because as Paul says in Romans 7 verse 24, when he says, 00:06:39.099 --> 00:06:41.759 What a wretched man I am again. 00:06:42.179 --> 00:06:43.859 Have we said that this week? 00:06:44.539 --> 00:06:46.439 Have we asked the question that he then asked, 00:06:46.439 --> 00:06:50.079 Who will rescue me from this body of death? 00:06:51.660 --> 00:06:52.719 Well, he's able to say, 00:06:52.980 --> 00:06:57.759 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:06:58.259 --> 00:07:01.139 He is able to rescue us. 00:07:01.139 --> 00:07:08.479 And that's what we have a reminder of here in chapter 5 of Galatians as well. 00:07:08.860 --> 00:07:11.419 Very similar to what Paul is saying in Romans. 00:07:11.560 --> 00:07:13.459 The struggle that is real. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:15.539 The struggle that is evident. 00:07:16.459 --> 00:07:19.399 I want us to think about it in two ways this morning. 00:07:20.120 --> 00:07:23.099 First of all, we see the Christians' conflict. 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:25.759 The struggle that is ongoing. 00:07:25.879 --> 00:07:27.219 The Christians' conflict. 00:07:27.220 --> 00:07:31.760 And then secondly, we see the Christians' harmony. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:35.620 The way that we are able to find help. 00:07:36.000 --> 00:07:39.060 So the first thing we see is the Christians' conflict. 00:07:41.040 --> 00:07:44.140 Are you in control of your life today? 00:07:44.880 --> 00:07:46.540 Are you feeling that sense of, 00:07:47.000 --> 00:07:49.220 I've got my plans, I've got my purposes? 00:07:49.860 --> 00:07:53.180 Are you winning in life, as many people would put it? 00:07:53.940 --> 00:07:56.840 Do you feel things are going well? 00:07:57.220 --> 00:08:01.940 Well, the answer probably depends on how you view life. 00:08:02.600 --> 00:08:04.340 And especially when it comes to thinking, 00:08:04.800 --> 00:08:08.980 Am I winning in the sense of walking with God? 00:08:10.320 --> 00:08:14.140 Someone once said that the Christian life is not a playground. 00:08:15.180 --> 00:08:16.220 It is a battlefield. 00:08:16.220 --> 00:08:22.940 Not a playground, but a battlefield. 00:08:23.880 --> 00:08:25.940 But how are you treating your life? 00:08:26.020 --> 00:08:27.600 How are you living your life? 00:08:27.660 --> 00:08:29.240 We've all maybe been in the playground. 00:08:29.960 --> 00:08:32.019 Maybe some of us are still in our younger days. 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:32.779 We're in the playground. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:35.779 And there you think that life is fun. 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:39.220 There's this light-hearted nature to life. 00:08:39.600 --> 00:08:41.000 Not much as serious. 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:46.279 But as you go on in years, and as you go on in life, 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:48.740 you find it's not a playground at all. 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:50.259 It's a battlefield. 00:08:51.240 --> 00:08:52.059 It's a struggle. 00:08:53.240 --> 00:08:57.220 But have we or are we maturing in that sense? 00:08:57.220 --> 00:09:03.220 Are we growing in that sense of seeing life in all of its differences, 00:09:03.399 --> 00:09:05.600 all of its varieties, and all of its struggles? 00:09:07.040 --> 00:09:09.639 And recognizing that, hold on a minute. 00:09:10.540 --> 00:09:13.040 There's something serious about life here. 00:09:13.700 --> 00:09:15.759 It's not just frivolous. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:18.759 It's not just doing what I like, what I enjoy. 00:09:19.700 --> 00:09:22.060 But there are consequences to things. 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:28.719 Paul here is speaking to the Galatians about two different types of lives that they can live. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.139 The first, we all live. 00:09:33.000 --> 00:09:37.479 But the second, we can only live through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:42.899 The first life he's speaking of here is the sinful life. 00:09:43.079 --> 00:09:47.719 The life, as he calls it, under the flesh, with the desires of the flesh. 00:09:47.720 --> 00:09:52.259 The other is the life that we have through the Spirit. 00:09:53.180 --> 00:09:56.759 And they both have an outline of what this entails. 00:09:56.920 --> 00:09:58.820 There's lists for each of them. 00:09:59.460 --> 00:10:04.399 If you are living a life of the flesh, he gives you a list of things that you are caught up in. 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:09.879 If you are to live a life in the Spirit, then he gives you a list that is very different. 00:10:10.740 --> 00:10:12.540 But what does he say about them? 00:10:12.580 --> 00:10:14.779 He's saying that they are contrary to one another. 00:10:14.779 --> 00:10:17.839 They are at conflict with one another. 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:25.220 There is this battle going on, as he says there in the end of verse 17. 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:31.860 The desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, 00:10:31.919 --> 00:10:34.699 to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 00:10:35.100 --> 00:10:37.600 Similar to what Paul was saying in Romans. 00:10:38.240 --> 00:10:40.519 To keep you from doing the things you want to do. 00:10:40.579 --> 00:10:43.159 There's this battle going on. 00:10:44.779 --> 00:10:46.740 We are all born in sin. 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:49.779 We are all born sinners. 00:10:50.939 --> 00:10:55.899 And therefore, you could almost say we just sin in our very nature, in our very being. 00:10:57.799 --> 00:11:01.419 But the grace of the Lord Jesus is able to set us free. 00:11:02.139 --> 00:11:04.879 That's what Paul says at the beginning of this chapter. 00:11:05.059 --> 00:11:06.799 Christ has set us free. 00:11:06.799 --> 00:11:12.219 But that's not just being free from the struggle of sin entirely. 00:11:12.399 --> 00:11:15.399 That struggle goes on while we are in this world. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:18.859 We struggle with sin because we are repeat offenders. 00:11:19.399 --> 00:11:21.539 You see it time and a time again. 00:11:21.719 --> 00:11:25.339 Paul warns that we struggle in this freedom. 00:11:25.439 --> 00:11:27.039 That we can easily fall back. 00:11:27.139 --> 00:11:31.859 And sin can so easily just take over our lives once more. 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:35.340 He's warned of it at the end of that section. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:38.180 And in the beginning of this chapter, verse 1 to 15. 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:40.039 The end in verse 15. 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:46.180 But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. 00:11:46.300 --> 00:11:48.720 There's this turning against one another. 00:11:48.840 --> 00:11:51.279 Don't be consumed by one another. 00:11:51.279 --> 00:11:57.379 And so now he's going on in verse 16 to the end of the chapter to give us warning. 00:11:57.860 --> 00:12:03.360 To be on our guard against this sinful struggle that life entails. 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:06.980 And you could almost put it into four different categories. 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:10.339 In verse 17. 00:12:11.019 --> 00:12:13.299 Now the work of the flesh are evident. 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:15.899 And then he goes on to give a list of things there. 00:12:15.959 --> 00:12:18.360 You could put it into four categories. 00:12:18.360 --> 00:12:28.580 Four problem areas in Galatians. 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:31.220 The days of Paul writing to the Galatians. 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:34.360 And many other churches that he was writing to. 00:12:35.139 --> 00:12:37.360 But areas that we all struggle with. 00:12:37.480 --> 00:12:40.600 So many struggle with in our day as well. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:44.060 When you think of life of the flesh. 00:12:44.340 --> 00:12:46.019 As he is talking about here. 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.320 And life of the spirit. 00:12:47.600 --> 00:12:49.620 Being contrary to each other. 00:12:49.680 --> 00:12:51.100 Against each other. 00:12:51.139 --> 00:12:56.259 We are reminded of how Jesus spoke about there being two paths in life. 00:12:56.980 --> 00:12:59.180 Two ways that we can go. 00:12:59.300 --> 00:13:00.620 There is the broad road. 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.399 And there is the narrow road. 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.519 And here initially we've got the broad way. 00:13:06.399 --> 00:13:08.879 The way that so many walk in today. 00:13:08.879 --> 00:13:11.820 And it's almost like we live in a world that says. 00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:13.799 If this isn't the way that you are walking. 00:13:14.039 --> 00:13:15.439 Then you are not normal. 00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:19.059 But this is the way that everyone should live their lives. 00:13:19.179 --> 00:13:20.379 This broad way. 00:13:21.379 --> 00:13:23.939 And think about the broad way that you see here. 00:13:24.399 --> 00:13:26.620 Paul outlining in verse 17. 00:13:28.039 --> 00:13:31.379 He's talking there about the broad way of relationships. 00:13:31.379 --> 00:13:35.139 In verse 17 he says. 00:13:38.720 --> 00:13:41.120 The desires of the flesh are against the spirit. 00:13:41.179 --> 00:13:43.139 The desires of the spirit are against the flesh. 00:13:43.240 --> 00:13:44.799 For they are opposed to each other. 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:47.759 But then if you are led by the spirit. 00:13:47.939 --> 00:13:48.659 It's to be different. 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:49.899 But in verse 19 he says. 00:13:50.019 --> 00:13:51.399 Now the works of the flesh are evident. 00:13:51.580 --> 00:13:52.460 Sexual immorality. 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:53.200 Impurity. 00:13:54.379 --> 00:13:54.860 Sensuality. 00:13:55.320 --> 00:13:57.779 These are all things related to relationships. 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.179 Relationships. 00:13:58.980 --> 00:14:00.659 Relationships that we see our world saying. 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:02.419 Just do what you want. 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.899 Live how you want. 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:06.120 Be free to do what you want. 00:14:06.879 --> 00:14:09.240 Going against what God has given us. 00:14:09.299 --> 00:14:10.559 And ordained for us. 00:14:11.399 --> 00:14:13.879 But one man and one woman being together. 00:14:14.980 --> 00:14:16.360 All of these kinds of things. 00:14:16.720 --> 00:14:18.419 The world says the flesh is. 00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.379 That doesn't matter. 00:14:20.139 --> 00:14:21.519 That makes no difference. 00:14:21.519 --> 00:14:25.519 But it leads us away to destruction. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:30.059 And the same is true for all of these things. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:31.659 Think about the way of religion. 00:14:32.879 --> 00:14:34.819 He's talking there in verse 17. 00:14:34.960 --> 00:14:39.100 The works of the flesh are idolatry and sorcery. 00:14:39.699 --> 00:14:41.319 What has God said to us? 00:14:41.379 --> 00:14:44.439 He has said you will have no other gods before me. 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:49.340 But yet here the works of the flesh are going down a way where we see. 00:14:49.340 --> 00:14:50.899 We can have many gods. 00:14:50.980 --> 00:14:53.000 And any god that we want. 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:54.000 It doesn't matter. 00:14:56.120 --> 00:14:58.560 Think of the broad way of society. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:01.860 We are told we can just live as we want. 00:15:02.800 --> 00:15:13.480 You see it here when it speaks about enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy. 00:15:14.139 --> 00:15:15.759 All of these things. 00:15:15.759 --> 00:15:20.500 How often have you struggled with that this week? 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:23.799 How often have you sinned in these ways this week? 00:15:24.980 --> 00:15:27.279 Rivalry, jealousy, ambition. 00:15:27.799 --> 00:15:33.200 Everything coming between us and the people around us and between us and God. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:37.520 There are so many struggles that we have there. 00:15:38.259 --> 00:15:48.340 The broad way of socializing we have here as well as Paul warns against drunkenness, orgies and things like these. 00:15:48.340 --> 00:15:58.320 We think our own day, our own nation has its struggles with drunkenness and immorality and all of these issues. 00:15:58.800 --> 00:16:00.040 It's not a new thing. 00:16:00.120 --> 00:16:01.800 It's been there for years. 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.840 It was rife in the days of Paul. 00:16:04.139 --> 00:16:08.000 As he went round all these different places, this was a great problem. 00:16:08.000 --> 00:16:13.240 And he's saying these struggles are real. 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:19.899 So when you go through all of these things, ask yourself, are you in control of your life? 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:23.799 Are you handling all of these things well? 00:16:24.159 --> 00:16:27.159 Are you not sinning in any of these areas? 00:16:27.820 --> 00:16:28.580 We struggle. 00:16:28.580 --> 00:16:36.480 And if we struggle and go on struggling, he says you will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.879 There are consequences. 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:42.220 Broad is a way that leads to destruction. 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:50.379 But he's not saying you will not inherit the kingdom if you have committed these sins at any time. 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:54.720 He is saying you will not inherit the kingdom if you are going on sinning. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:58.480 If you keep on going in these ways. 00:16:58.580 --> 00:17:03.660 But if you are struggling with these things today, don't despair. 00:17:05.019 --> 00:17:08.240 Yes, they can leave us feeling hopeless just like Paul. 00:17:09.220 --> 00:17:11.460 Wretched man that I am. 00:17:12.860 --> 00:17:14.539 Because there's a Christian struggle. 00:17:14.640 --> 00:17:18.180 But we see here there is also the Christian's harmony. 00:17:19.759 --> 00:17:21.960 So instead of being in conflict, 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:26.600 instead of just being struggling without any hope, 00:17:26.599 --> 00:17:31.599 we realize that there is a way to find hope even in our struggles. 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:34.759 And that is to walk by the Spirit. 00:17:35.719 --> 00:17:37.099 When we walk by the Spirit, 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:40.679 there's this harmony then with the Lord and with others. 00:17:42.039 --> 00:17:44.500 As Jesus taught, there's another way, 00:17:44.599 --> 00:17:46.799 not just the broad way that leads to destruction, 00:17:47.240 --> 00:17:48.779 but there is a narrow path, 00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:50.959 and that road leads to life. 00:17:50.960 --> 00:17:54.660 And only a few will find it. 00:17:55.460 --> 00:18:00.579 As Paul said in Romans 7 verse 25, 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.600 Who will help me? 00:18:01.640 --> 00:18:02.579 Who will rescue me? 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:07.019 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:18:07.500 --> 00:18:10.059 And that is our great hope today. 00:18:10.059 --> 00:18:13.339 That in all the struggles with our sins, 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.919 in all the struggles with our fears, 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:17.720 and our worries, and our anxieties, 00:18:18.419 --> 00:18:21.179 thanks be to God that we can have victory. 00:18:22.379 --> 00:18:25.839 And it's through the Spirit we will find this harmony. 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:28.000 As we see in verse 16, 00:18:28.059 --> 00:18:30.599 But I say, walk by the Spirit, 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:34.500 and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:36.980 Walk by the Spirit. 00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:41.120 This literally means, 00:18:41.960 --> 00:18:43.059 wherever you go, 00:18:43.519 --> 00:18:44.779 and as you go, 00:18:45.299 --> 00:18:46.860 walk with the Spirit. 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:50.160 Don't leave the Spirit behind. 00:18:51.259 --> 00:18:53.660 Don't leave the Spirit of God 00:18:53.660 --> 00:18:56.079 at a place outside a door that you go through 00:18:56.079 --> 00:18:56.500 and think, 00:18:56.880 --> 00:18:58.319 I'll do my own thing now. 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.680 I'll live my own way, 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:01.700 and then I'll come back to the Spirit. 00:19:02.759 --> 00:19:05.400 This is saying, be led by the Spirit. 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:07.960 Because He is your helper. 00:19:08.540 --> 00:19:11.140 Have Him with you at all times. 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:14.740 And that word, being led, 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:16.940 is linked to having a helper. 00:19:17.920 --> 00:19:19.040 And you think of those 00:19:19.040 --> 00:19:20.700 who have been released from prison. 00:19:21.440 --> 00:19:23.200 They're not just left to go off 00:19:23.200 --> 00:19:25.820 their own way with no one alongside them. 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:28.259 Most of them are given a parole officer, 00:19:28.420 --> 00:19:29.900 someone they have to report to, 00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.880 someone to keep an eye on them. 00:19:31.880 --> 00:19:34.460 And this is for us as well, 00:19:34.560 --> 00:19:35.500 what we have here. 00:19:36.340 --> 00:19:37.980 We are repeat offenders. 00:19:38.160 --> 00:19:39.280 We keep on sinning. 00:19:40.180 --> 00:19:42.160 But it's not that we don't have anyone to help. 00:19:42.240 --> 00:19:43.380 We have the Holy Spirit, 00:19:43.680 --> 00:19:45.380 the one who is called alongside, 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:47.940 the parole officer, if you like. 00:19:48.600 --> 00:19:49.820 He is there to help us. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.840 So if we walk by the Spirit, 00:19:51.940 --> 00:19:53.720 that we are helped to overcome 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:56.300 the desires of the flesh. 00:19:56.299 --> 00:20:01.139 Through the Spirit and walking by the Spirit, 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:03.480 we come closer to God 00:20:03.480 --> 00:20:07.960 and the one who is able to help us. 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:11.919 Because there is this ongoing conflict. 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:14.500 You see it here in verse 17. 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:16.019 For the desires of the flesh 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:17.200 are against the Spirit, 00:20:17.299 --> 00:20:19.039 and the desires of the Spirit 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:20.500 are against the flesh. 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:22.619 For they are opposed to each other 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:24.659 to keep me from doing the things 00:20:24.659 --> 00:20:26.099 you want to do. 00:20:27.859 --> 00:20:28.739 Martin Luther, 00:20:29.559 --> 00:20:31.359 the one who was used by God 00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.899 back in the 16th century 00:20:32.899 --> 00:20:35.459 to bring a reformation to the church. 00:20:35.539 --> 00:20:36.319 You think of him. 00:20:36.759 --> 00:20:38.439 He must have been a godly man. 00:20:38.479 --> 00:20:40.519 He must have been so close to God. 00:20:40.519 --> 00:20:42.739 And everything was going well with him. 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.939 He struggled. 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:47.359 He struggled in life. 00:20:48.939 --> 00:20:49.859 And it was this verse, 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:52.539 verse 17 in Galatians chapter 5, 00:20:52.619 --> 00:20:54.299 that really helped him 00:20:54.299 --> 00:20:55.759 to see that struggle 00:20:55.759 --> 00:20:58.979 and where his help would come from. 00:21:01.139 --> 00:21:03.059 He had the same struggle as Paul, 00:21:03.199 --> 00:21:05.819 for what I do is not the good I want to do. 00:21:06.159 --> 00:21:08.119 No, the evil I do not want to do. 00:21:08.239 --> 00:21:09.979 This I keep on doing. 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:13.799 But when Martin Luther was suffering 00:21:13.799 --> 00:21:15.479 under this weight of guilt 00:21:15.479 --> 00:21:17.059 in his sin, 00:21:17.639 --> 00:21:19.399 a Christian friend of his 00:21:19.399 --> 00:21:21.939 called Johannes Staupitz 00:21:21.940 --> 00:21:23.259 said, Martin, 00:21:23.900 --> 00:21:26.100 quit looking at your sin 00:21:26.100 --> 00:21:29.580 and start looking at Jesus. 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:32.660 He was so focused 00:21:32.660 --> 00:21:34.559 on where he was going wrong. 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:37.240 He was taking his eyes off Jesus. 00:21:38.740 --> 00:21:40.039 And isn't that great advice 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:41.019 to you and to me? 00:21:41.740 --> 00:21:43.340 When we are seeing ourselves 00:21:43.340 --> 00:21:45.720 just caught up in this life of sin, 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:47.360 feeling hopeless, 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:50.519 stop looking at your sin 00:21:50.519 --> 00:21:54.359 and start looking at Jesus. 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:57.659 Keep your eyes on him. 00:21:57.740 --> 00:21:59.959 That is what Paul is saying here 00:21:59.959 --> 00:22:00.919 as he goes on. 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:02.859 As he goes on to speak 00:22:02.859 --> 00:22:05.359 about walking in the Spirit. 00:22:06.500 --> 00:22:07.459 And he speaks then 00:22:07.459 --> 00:22:09.299 of the fruit of the Spirit 00:22:09.299 --> 00:22:10.799 in verse 22. 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:14.819 We are to be careful 00:22:14.819 --> 00:22:16.879 how we walk. 00:22:18.419 --> 00:22:20.680 But then he does give us ways 00:22:20.680 --> 00:22:21.519 to walk. 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:23.019 If we are to walk in the Spirit, 00:22:23.419 --> 00:22:25.139 how are we walking? 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:27.759 How are we to keep ourselves 00:22:27.759 --> 00:22:30.039 in step with the Spirit? 00:22:31.399 --> 00:22:32.259 You maybe think 00:22:32.259 --> 00:22:33.339 there's going to be something 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:34.680 dramatic, 00:22:35.639 --> 00:22:37.299 something powerful, 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:38.419 maybe something only that 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:40.420 a few people can do. 00:22:42.000 --> 00:22:43.800 And yet as Paul is teaching here, 00:22:43.920 --> 00:22:46.039 there's a simplicity to it. 00:22:46.860 --> 00:22:47.920 There's a simplicity 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:49.060 to these things, 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:50.960 the fruits of the Spirit. 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:54.060 And if we practice these things, 00:22:54.200 --> 00:22:55.440 we find ourselves then 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:58.259 walking closely to the Lord. 00:22:59.300 --> 00:23:01.180 And that is what keeps us. 00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.580 That is what guards us. 00:23:03.640 --> 00:23:05.620 And just look at the list there, 00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:06.860 the fruits of the Spirit. 00:23:06.860 --> 00:23:08.320 Love, joy, 00:23:08.680 --> 00:23:09.100 peace, 00:23:09.539 --> 00:23:10.160 patience, 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:10.840 kindness, 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:11.820 goodness, 00:23:12.300 --> 00:23:12.940 faithfulness, 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.779 gentleness, 00:23:14.539 --> 00:23:15.380 self-control. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:17.860 I'm sure if you look through 00:23:17.860 --> 00:23:18.900 the first list, 00:23:20.320 --> 00:23:22.080 the fruits of the flesh, 00:23:22.220 --> 00:23:22.779 if you like, 00:23:23.880 --> 00:23:25.320 you see yourself there 00:23:25.320 --> 00:23:25.740 and you're saying, 00:23:25.940 --> 00:23:26.580 I failed, 00:23:26.920 --> 00:23:27.560 I failed, 00:23:28.160 --> 00:23:28.800 I failed. 00:23:30.080 --> 00:23:31.340 What about when you read 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.140 the second list, 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.240 the fruit of the Spirit? 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.259 Love, 00:23:35.740 --> 00:23:36.080 joy, 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.940 peace, 00:23:37.380 --> 00:23:37.860 patience, 00:23:37.859 --> 00:23:38.039 patience. 00:23:39.199 --> 00:23:40.000 Do you say again, 00:23:40.099 --> 00:23:40.259 oh, 00:23:40.379 --> 00:23:40.939 I failed. 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:43.979 I failed to show love. 00:23:44.479 --> 00:23:45.779 I failed to have joy. 00:23:46.339 --> 00:23:47.879 I failed to show patience. 00:23:48.000 --> 00:23:49.339 I failed to be kind. 00:23:49.339 --> 00:23:50.740 again, 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:53.319 it can leave us feeling helpless 00:23:53.319 --> 00:23:54.480 and hopeless again. 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:58.759 But it's not there to make us feel worse. 00:23:59.939 --> 00:24:04.839 It's there to remind us what we have as we come close to God once again. 00:24:04.839 --> 00:24:06.500 Love. 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:06.519 Love. 00:24:06.519 --> 00:24:06.579 Love. 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:09.399 The fruit of the Spirit is love. 00:24:11.159 --> 00:24:14.000 We are to love God with all our heart 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:16.720 and to love our neighbor as ourself. 00:24:16.939 --> 00:24:18.799 We cannot do that by ourselves. 00:24:19.419 --> 00:24:21.699 We need God to help us. 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.159 Joy. 00:24:23.160 --> 00:24:23.240 Joy. 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:27.220 So often the fruits of the flesh 00:24:27.220 --> 00:24:29.519 are what the world will tell us. 00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:31.200 This is where you will find joy. 00:24:31.759 --> 00:24:33.100 But there's no joy. 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:36.340 But the fruit of the Spirit is joy. 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.040 Real joy. 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.000 True joy. 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:41.300 The joy of the Lord 00:24:41.300 --> 00:24:42.640 as our strength, 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:44.180 as it says in Nehemiah. 00:24:44.180 --> 00:24:45.180 Patience. 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.380 Peace. 00:24:48.779 --> 00:24:49.740 We so often feel 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:51.640 that we're lacking peace. 00:24:52.519 --> 00:24:54.140 But walk with the Spirit. 00:24:54.320 --> 00:24:55.519 Walk close to God. 00:24:55.820 --> 00:24:57.180 And He can give you a peace 00:24:57.180 --> 00:24:58.180 that passes understanding. 00:25:01.480 --> 00:25:02.039 Patience. 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:05.220 We fail so often 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:06.539 to be patient. 00:25:07.580 --> 00:25:08.200 But again, 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:10.060 come close to the Lord. 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.500 Walk in the Spirit. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:13.720 Trust in the Lord Jesus. 00:25:14.180 --> 00:25:16.180 He gives you a patience. 00:25:17.600 --> 00:25:18.200 Kindness. 00:25:19.759 --> 00:25:21.019 This is what we are to do 00:25:21.019 --> 00:25:23.019 to those around us. 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:27.060 Instead of jealousy, 00:25:27.340 --> 00:25:28.080 fits of anger, 00:25:28.380 --> 00:25:28.960 rivalries, 00:25:29.100 --> 00:25:29.700 dissensions, 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.460 divisions, 00:25:31.460 --> 00:25:32.180 the fruit of the Spirit 00:25:32.180 --> 00:25:33.320 is the opposite. 00:25:33.640 --> 00:25:34.400 Kindness. 00:25:35.600 --> 00:25:35.980 Goodness. 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:39.700 Christian love in action. 00:25:41.880 --> 00:25:42.560 Faithfulness. 00:25:42.559 --> 00:25:45.759 An ability to trust God 00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:47.220 and obey Him. 00:25:49.019 --> 00:25:49.539 Gentleness. 00:25:50.879 --> 00:25:51.720 A restraint. 00:25:53.259 --> 00:25:54.480 It's not a weakness. 00:25:55.799 --> 00:25:56.779 But it's more 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.559 what you would describe 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.179 as power 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.799 under control. 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.720 Self-control. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.720 Refusing to do 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.440 the things 00:26:05.440 --> 00:26:06.339 that you have 00:26:06.339 --> 00:26:06.899 in your power 00:26:06.899 --> 00:26:07.240 to do 00:26:07.240 --> 00:26:08.200 that you know are wrong. 00:26:08.200 --> 00:26:10.640 who can rescue me 00:26:10.640 --> 00:26:11.600 from these things? 00:26:12.600 --> 00:26:13.819 Thanks be to God 00:26:13.819 --> 00:26:15.680 in Christ Jesus 00:26:15.680 --> 00:26:16.860 our Lord. 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.220 So we have this list 00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:22.039 not to make us feel worse, 00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:25.000 but to bring us closer. 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:28.160 To recognize our sin 00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:31.200 in the list of the flesh, 00:26:31.200 --> 00:26:33.600 but to recognize 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:35.380 the grace of God 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.400 as we walk 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.000 by the Spirit 00:26:37.000 --> 00:26:37.700 and the fruit 00:26:37.700 --> 00:26:38.860 of the Spirit. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.960 When you link 00:26:42.960 --> 00:26:43.360 to the list 00:26:43.360 --> 00:26:43.819 of the fruit 00:26:43.819 --> 00:26:44.360 of the Spirit, 00:26:44.519 --> 00:26:45.600 they're so opposite 00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.880 to the majority 00:26:46.880 --> 00:26:47.580 of life 00:26:47.580 --> 00:26:48.160 that we see 00:26:48.160 --> 00:26:48.920 around us. 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:50.819 It's about 00:26:50.819 --> 00:26:51.880 pleasing ourselves, 00:26:52.100 --> 00:26:53.759 living for ourselves. 00:26:53.759 --> 00:26:55.660 But as we looked 00:26:55.660 --> 00:26:56.220 at recently 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.900 in our communion 00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:58.299 weekend, 00:26:58.519 --> 00:26:59.579 Romans 12 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.980 verse 1 and 2, 00:27:01.559 --> 00:27:02.259 we are to offer 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:02.900 our lives 00:27:02.900 --> 00:27:04.279 as a living sacrifice. 00:27:05.759 --> 00:27:06.539 And that is part 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.519 of what our walking 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.660 in the Spirit is. 00:27:09.599 --> 00:27:10.700 Giving ourselves 00:27:10.700 --> 00:27:12.059 over to God. 00:27:12.740 --> 00:27:13.980 It's not my desires 00:27:13.980 --> 00:27:14.720 that are first 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.460 and foremost, 00:27:16.019 --> 00:27:16.879 but yours. 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.779 Take my life, 00:27:22.000 --> 00:27:22.640 we see. 00:27:22.640 --> 00:27:24.320 let it be 00:27:24.320 --> 00:27:26.040 consecrated 00:27:26.040 --> 00:27:27.040 to them, 00:27:27.900 --> 00:27:29.380 given to God. 00:27:30.560 --> 00:27:31.720 So there's a reminder 00:27:31.720 --> 00:27:32.640 for us here 00:27:32.640 --> 00:27:34.320 to be faithfully 00:27:34.320 --> 00:27:35.060 living 00:27:35.060 --> 00:27:36.140 a life 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:37.000 in the Spirit. 00:27:37.780 --> 00:27:38.380 There's a sense 00:27:38.380 --> 00:27:38.980 of this almost 00:27:38.980 --> 00:27:39.920 being a quiet 00:27:39.920 --> 00:27:41.400 behind-the-scenes 00:27:41.400 --> 00:27:42.320 way of living. 00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.740 It's a call 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.700 to be faithful, 00:27:47.080 --> 00:27:47.540 a call 00:27:47.540 --> 00:27:48.400 to be close 00:27:48.400 --> 00:27:49.580 to God. 00:27:51.200 --> 00:27:51.860 And it's there 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:52.400 for us, 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:53.259 for every one 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:53.720 of us. 00:27:54.280 --> 00:27:55.820 Not just for some, 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.740 but for all. 00:27:59.580 --> 00:28:00.500 It doesn't look 00:28:00.500 --> 00:28:01.040 impressive, 00:28:01.200 --> 00:28:01.420 maybe, 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.200 to the world. 00:28:03.800 --> 00:28:04.600 Maybe it looks 00:28:04.600 --> 00:28:05.340 too simple 00:28:05.340 --> 00:28:06.140 for ourselves 00:28:06.140 --> 00:28:06.620 today. 00:28:07.200 --> 00:28:08.120 But it's there 00:28:08.120 --> 00:28:08.900 for our reason. 00:28:09.900 --> 00:28:10.680 It's there 00:28:10.680 --> 00:28:11.460 for our good. 00:28:12.220 --> 00:28:12.860 It's there 00:28:12.860 --> 00:28:13.440 because it's 00:28:13.440 --> 00:28:14.240 the narrow way 00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:15.259 that leads 00:28:15.259 --> 00:28:15.980 to life 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:17.060 in the Lord 00:28:17.059 --> 00:28:18.119 Jesus Christ. 00:28:19.119 --> 00:28:19.919 And so we are 00:28:19.919 --> 00:28:20.559 to walk 00:28:20.559 --> 00:28:22.000 by the Spirit. 00:28:23.200 --> 00:28:23.740 How would you 00:28:23.740 --> 00:28:24.220 judge 00:28:24.220 --> 00:28:26.179 the success 00:28:26.179 --> 00:28:27.259 of an inmate 00:28:27.259 --> 00:28:27.659 who's been 00:28:27.659 --> 00:28:28.359 released from 00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:28.779 prison? 00:28:29.919 --> 00:28:30.460 How would you 00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:31.099 judge if it's 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:32.039 been a success? 00:28:33.740 --> 00:28:34.259 Well, 00:28:34.339 --> 00:28:34.960 very often 00:28:34.960 --> 00:28:36.279 it's those 00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.019 you don't hear 00:28:37.019 --> 00:28:37.720 anything of 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.139 again. 00:28:38.140 --> 00:28:41.020 they go back 00:28:41.020 --> 00:28:42.460 out of prison. 00:28:43.420 --> 00:28:44.200 They've turned 00:28:44.200 --> 00:28:45.020 from that way 00:28:45.020 --> 00:28:45.580 of life. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.960 And they live 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.840 a quieter, 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.259 better way 00:28:49.259 --> 00:28:49.820 of life. 00:28:49.819 --> 00:28:51.879 they don't 00:28:51.879 --> 00:28:53.220 re-offend. 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:55.539 We are 00:28:55.539 --> 00:28:56.859 repeat offenders 00:28:56.859 --> 00:28:57.740 ourselves. 00:28:58.919 --> 00:28:59.819 But what would 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.659 be a success 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.539 story in your 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:01.919 life, 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:02.679 in my life 00:29:02.679 --> 00:29:03.119 today? 00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.500 Would it not 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.079 be just to 00:29:06.079 --> 00:29:07.279 go on quietly 00:29:07.279 --> 00:29:07.679 living, 00:29:08.579 --> 00:29:09.259 knowing that 00:29:09.259 --> 00:29:09.859 we sin, 00:29:10.960 --> 00:29:11.639 but not to 00:29:11.639 --> 00:29:12.399 go on seeing 00:29:12.399 --> 00:29:12.960 as that is 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:13.919 the only way, 00:29:14.879 --> 00:29:15.439 but to see 00:29:15.439 --> 00:29:16.259 a better way 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.539 and to seek 00:29:17.539 --> 00:29:18.240 to walk 00:29:18.240 --> 00:29:20.500 close to 00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.140 the Spirit, 00:29:22.160 --> 00:29:22.759 a life 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:24.460 close to 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:24.799 Him. 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:26.960 Because as 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.519 we do, 00:29:28.259 --> 00:29:28.900 the fruit of 00:29:28.900 --> 00:29:29.460 the Spirit 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.380 is then ours. 00:29:31.299 --> 00:29:31.779 And we can 00:29:31.779 --> 00:29:32.819 live in light 00:29:32.819 --> 00:29:33.500 of all of 00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.120 these things, 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.620 love, 00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.180 joy, 00:29:35.440 --> 00:29:35.799 peace, 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.460 patience, 00:29:36.660 --> 00:29:36.980 kindness, 00:29:37.599 --> 00:29:37.880 goodness, 00:29:38.200 --> 00:29:38.720 faithfulness, 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:39.380 gentleness, 00:29:40.200 --> 00:29:41.039 self-control. 00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.559 Come and 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:45.200 walk with 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:45.460 Him. 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:46.819 That is the 00:29:46.819 --> 00:29:47.460 invitation 00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:48.539 of the 00:29:48.539 --> 00:29:49.000 gospel, 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.319 to find 00:29:50.319 --> 00:29:51.019 your freedom 00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:52.519 in Christ, 00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.980 not to go 00:29:53.980 --> 00:29:54.799 on sinning, 00:29:55.559 --> 00:29:56.759 but to come 00:29:56.759 --> 00:29:57.200 and walk 00:29:57.200 --> 00:29:58.079 closely with 00:29:58.079 --> 00:29:58.319 Him, 00:29:59.019 --> 00:29:59.579 knowing that 00:29:59.579 --> 00:30:00.220 even then 00:30:00.220 --> 00:30:00.819 in our 00:30:00.819 --> 00:30:01.259 sin, 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.440 we have 00:30:02.440 --> 00:30:02.799 one who 00:30:02.799 --> 00:30:03.259 is able 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.299 to forgive 00:30:04.299 --> 00:30:04.819 us. 00:30:05.660 --> 00:30:06.160 But day 00:30:06.160 --> 00:30:06.740 by day, 00:30:07.380 --> 00:30:08.259 coming closer, 00:30:09.180 --> 00:30:09.579 walking 00:30:09.579 --> 00:30:10.579 with Him, 00:30:11.259 --> 00:30:11.779 learning 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.960 and living 00:30:12.960 --> 00:30:14.059 in light 00:30:14.059 --> 00:30:14.860 of His 00:30:14.860 --> 00:30:15.279 Word. 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:16.200 Let us 00:30:16.200 --> 00:30:16.400 pray. 00:30:17.460 --> 00:30:19.460 Lord, 00:30:19.539 --> 00:30:19.700 our 00:30:19.700 --> 00:30:20.160 gracious 00:30:20.160 --> 00:30:20.660 God, 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:20.980 we do 00:30:20.980 --> 00:30:21.500 thank 00:30:21.500 --> 00:30:21.700 You 00:30:21.700 --> 00:30:22.319 for Your 00:30:22.319 --> 00:30:23.019 Word that 00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.900 so often 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:24.840 challenges us, 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:25.660 it convicts 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:25.940 us, 00:30:26.519 --> 00:30:27.120 for we know 00:30:27.120 --> 00:30:27.880 our sins 00:30:27.880 --> 00:30:28.240 that are 00:30:28.240 --> 00:30:28.559 many. 00:30:29.319 --> 00:30:29.720 But we 00:30:29.720 --> 00:30:30.220 thank You 00:30:30.220 --> 00:30:30.539 too, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:30.860 Lord, 00:30:30.920 --> 00:30:31.500 that reminds 00:30:31.500 --> 00:30:32.100 us of 00:30:32.100 --> 00:30:32.740 Your mercy, 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:33.920 Your mercy 00:30:33.920 --> 00:30:34.620 that's always 00:30:34.620 --> 00:30:35.059 more, 00:30:35.640 --> 00:30:36.140 Your mercy 00:30:36.140 --> 00:30:36.799 that helps 00:30:36.799 --> 00:30:37.460 us to 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:37.940 overcome, 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:39.259 and Your 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.819 mercy that 00:30:39.819 --> 00:30:40.440 helps us 00:30:40.440 --> 00:30:41.140 to live 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:42.440 more closely 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.039 to You. 00:30:43.039 --> 00:30:44.039 and we 00:30:44.039 --> 00:30:44.359 pray, 00:30:44.539 --> 00:30:44.639 Lord, 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:44.899 that You 00:30:44.899 --> 00:30:45.399 would help 00:30:45.399 --> 00:30:45.879 us to 00:30:45.879 --> 00:30:47.039 know the 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.420 fruit of 00:30:47.420 --> 00:30:47.960 the Spirit 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:48.480 in our 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.279 own lives, 00:30:49.819 --> 00:30:50.220 that that 00:30:50.220 --> 00:30:50.680 is how we 00:30:50.680 --> 00:30:51.240 would long 00:30:51.240 --> 00:30:51.819 to live 00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.740 and how we 00:30:52.740 --> 00:30:53.259 would long 00:30:53.259 --> 00:30:53.940 to walk, 00:30:54.339 --> 00:30:54.859 with that 00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.940 helper beside 00:30:55.940 --> 00:30:56.460 us, 00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.359 with that 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.319 helper with 00:30:58.319 --> 00:30:58.659 us. 00:30:59.079 --> 00:30:59.920 So teach us 00:30:59.920 --> 00:31:00.740 by Your Word 00:31:00.740 --> 00:31:01.480 and guide us 00:31:01.480 --> 00:31:02.019 through Your 00:31:02.019 --> 00:31:02.539 Spirit, 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.539 as we ask 00:31:03.539 --> 00:31:04.039 all in the 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.379 name of 00:31:04.379 --> 00:31:04.799 Jesus. 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:05.599 Amen. 00:31:05.599 --> 00:31:10.299 We're going 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:11.039 to conclude 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:11.579 by singing 00:31:11.579 --> 00:31:12.199 to God's 00:31:12.199 --> 00:31:12.719 praise in 00:31:12.719 --> 00:31:13.859 Psalm 56, 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.219 the Sing 00:31:15.219 --> 00:31:16.079 Psalms version, 00:31:16.259 --> 00:31:17.299 Psalm 56. 00:31:20.759 --> 00:31:21.539 We'll sing 00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.119 from verse 00:31:22.119 --> 00:31:23.519 10 down 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.000 to the end 00:31:24.000 --> 00:31:24.279 of the 00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:24.579 Psalm, 00:31:24.879 --> 00:31:26.019 Psalm 56, 00:31:27.359 --> 00:31:29.899 page 74, 00:31:30.019 --> 00:31:30.379 the tune 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.199 of Stuttgart. 00:31:31.799 --> 00:31:32.199 In the 00:31:32.199 --> 00:31:32.519 Lord, 00:31:32.619 --> 00:31:33.119 whose word 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:33.559 I honour, 00:31:33.699 --> 00:31:34.099 in my 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.459 God, 00:31:34.539 --> 00:31:35.199 I praise 00:31:35.200 --> 00:31:35.700 His Word, 00:31:35.759 --> 00:31:36.200 I will 00:31:36.200 --> 00:31:37.480 trust and 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:37.960 not be 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.440 fearful, 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.120 what can 00:31:39.120 --> 00:31:40.180 man do 00:31:40.180 --> 00:31:40.640 to me, 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:40.960 Lord? 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.600 We'll sing 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:41.980 from verse 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.559 10 to the 00:31:42.559 --> 00:31:42.819 end of 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:43.279 the Psalm 00:31:43.279 --> 00:31:44.240 to God's 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:44.660 praise. 00:31:48.660 --> 00:31:51.259 In the 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:53.000 Lord's 00:31:53.000 --> 00:31:54.539 word I 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.580 honour, 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.940 in my 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:59.620 God I 00:31:59.620 --> 00:32:00.640 praise 00:32:00.640 --> 00:32:01.580 His 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.759 word. 00:32:03.220 --> 00:32:04.860 I will 00:32:04.859 --> 00:32:06.859 trust and 00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.339 not be 00:32:08.339 --> 00:32:09.619 fearful, 00:32:09.619 --> 00:32:11.339 what can 00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:13.799 man do 00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:14.679 to me, 00:32:14.679 --> 00:32:16.679 Lord? 00:32:16.679 --> 00:32:19.979 I have 00:32:19.979 --> 00:32:21.139 taken 00:32:21.139 --> 00:32:22.779 hours 00:32:22.779 --> 00:32:23.679 before 00:32:23.679 --> 00:32:25.079 you, 00:32:25.379 --> 00:32:27.039 to my 00:32:27.039 --> 00:32:28.179 God 00:32:28.179 --> 00:32:29.679 I will 00:32:29.679 --> 00:32:30.619 be 00:32:30.619 --> 00:32:31.459 true, 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:32.460 sacrifice 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:37.100 of 00:32:37.100 --> 00:32:39.140 thanksgiving 00:32:39.140 --> 00:32:39.460 ! 00:32:39.460 --> 00:32:41.460 I will 00:32:41.460 --> 00:32:42.740 gladly 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:44.259 give 00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:44.940 to 00:32:44.940 --> 00:32:46.940 you, 00:32:46.940 --> 00:32:48.380 for 00:32:48.380 --> 00:32:49.100 you 00:32:49.100 --> 00:32:50.279 kept 00:32:50.279 --> 00:32:51.100 my 00:32:51.100 --> 00:32:52.100 feet 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:52.860 from 00:32:52.860 --> 00:32:54.140 stumbling, 00:32:54.140 --> 00:32:55.140 and 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:56.539 from 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.579 death 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.140 you 00:32:58.140 --> 00:32:59.279 set 00:32:59.279 --> 00:32:59.899 me 00:32:59.899 --> 00:33:00.920 free, 00:33:01.980 --> 00:33:02.440 so 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:03.879 that 00:33:03.879 --> 00:33:04.759 I 00:33:04.759 --> 00:33:05.420 may 00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.579 walk 00:33:06.579 --> 00:33:07.759 before 00:33:07.759 --> 00:33:08.960 you, 00:33:09.299 --> 00:33:10.200 and 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.099 the 00:33:11.099 --> 00:33:12.000 light 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.899 of 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.879 life 00:33:13.879 --> 00:33:14.960 may 00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.539 see. 00:33:15.539 --> 00:33:18.420 after 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:18.559 the 00:33:18.559 --> 00:33:18.920 benediction 00:33:18.920 --> 00:33:19.159 I'll 00:33:19.159 --> 00:33:19.420 go to 00:33:19.420 --> 00:33:19.559 the 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:19.920 door to 00:33:19.920 --> 00:33:20.059 my 00:33:20.059 --> 00:33:20.339 right, 00:33:20.399 --> 00:33:20.539 we'll 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:20.899 close 00:33:20.899 --> 00:33:21.059 with 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.159 the 00:33:21.159 --> 00:33:21.559 benediction. 00:33:22.279 --> 00:33:22.680 Now may 00:33:22.680 --> 00:33:23.159 grace, 00:33:23.460 --> 00:33:23.740 mercy, 00:33:23.899 --> 00:33:24.039 and 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.420 peace 00:33:24.420 --> 00:33:24.700 from 00:33:24.700 --> 00:33:25.099 God, 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.659 Father, 00:33:25.879 --> 00:33:26.079 Son, 00:33:26.159 --> 00:33:26.299 and 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:26.619 Holy 00:33:26.619 --> 00:33:27.079 Spirit 00:33:27.079 --> 00:33:27.659 rest 00:33:27.659 --> 00:33:28.000 upon 00:33:28.000 --> 00:33:28.180 and 00:33:28.180 --> 00:33:28.579 abide 00:33:28.579 --> 00:33:28.879 with 00:33:28.879 --> 00:33:29.079 you 00:33:29.079 --> 00:33:29.359 all 00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.079 now 00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.259 and 00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.599 forever 00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:30.980 more. 00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:31.740 Amen. 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:45.700 00:33:45.700 --> 00:34:15.679 Thank you.