WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:05.360 Please take your Bibles and open them up this morning again to the book of Colossians. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:13.160 ! We are in chapter 2 this morning and our passage is chapter 2 verses 6-10. 00:00:13.759 --> 00:00:19.080 We have made our way past the long introduction of Paul's letter to the church at Colossae 00:00:19.080 --> 00:00:23.280 and now we're getting into his body, the main section of the letter. 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:29.760 Chapter 2 verses 6-10 is really a good summary of what Paul hopes to achieve in writing this 00:00:29.760 --> 00:00:32.500 letter to the church in Colossae. 00:00:32.600 --> 00:00:38.439 So when you found that, Colossians chapter 2 verses 6-10, let's stand together in honor 00:00:38.439 --> 00:00:39.600 of the reading of the Word of God. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:50.120 Paul says, 00:00:50.120 --> 00:00:57.020 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in 00:00:57.020 --> 00:01:02.420 him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. 00:01:03.480 --> 00:01:10.020 See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:15.040 according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ. 00:01:15.760 --> 00:01:21.700 For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him who 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:24.519 is the head of all rule and authority. 00:01:25.240 --> 00:01:29.840 Grass withers and the flower fades, but the word of the Lord endures forever. 00:01:30.240 --> 00:01:36.159 Father God, we ask once more that would you reveal your glory through the preaching of your 00:01:36.159 --> 00:01:36.460 word. 00:01:36.600 --> 00:01:42.180 God, would you show us Christ this morning so that we would not be taken captive by every 00:01:42.180 --> 00:01:44.500 wind and wave of false doctrine. 00:01:44.500 --> 00:01:48.400 God, would you make this church a pillar and buttress of the truth. 00:01:50.299 --> 00:01:53.659 We pray that we would hold fast to Christ. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:55.680 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:01:56.659 --> 00:01:56.920 Amen. 00:01:57.719 --> 00:01:58.599 You may be seated. 00:02:00.939 --> 00:02:09.500 A local area pastor shared a story earlier this week that he had pastored a church somewhere 00:02:09.500 --> 00:02:15.539 else years ago, and he said that many years ago a young man approached me to tell me that 00:02:15.539 --> 00:02:18.860 he was leaving the church that I pastored at the time. 00:02:19.740 --> 00:02:23.340 And he said that this young man came into his office and he beat his chest and said, 00:02:23.460 --> 00:02:25.960 the gospel, the gospel. 00:02:26.620 --> 00:02:30.400 I am so sick and tired of hearing about the gospel. 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:31.960 I need more. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:38.800 In other words, he needed more than just this elementary basic stuff. 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:40.680 I've already heard about Jesus. 00:02:40.920 --> 00:02:42.700 I've already received Christ. 00:02:42.939 --> 00:02:45.620 It's time to move on now to bigger and better things. 00:02:45.719 --> 00:02:49.100 When can we finally graduate beyond Christ? 00:02:50.980 --> 00:02:53.500 And truth be told, that's not an uncommon experience. 00:02:53.719 --> 00:02:58.520 I think if you exist in ministry long enough, you are bound to hear something along those same 00:02:58.520 --> 00:02:58.960 lines. 00:02:58.960 --> 00:03:01.879 You may have felt something like that yourself, if you're honest. 00:03:02.719 --> 00:03:08.020 The great reformer, Martin Luther, you may have heard this story from his ministry. 00:03:08.180 --> 00:03:12.480 For 34 years, he preached at St. Mary's Church in Wittenberg, Germany. 00:03:13.040 --> 00:03:17.719 And of course, Martin Luther preached relentlessly about the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:03:17.879 --> 00:03:24.860 And this was the soul of his ministry, that we are justified before God, meaning we are declared 00:03:24.860 --> 00:03:31.400 righteous in the sight of a holy God, not by virtue of anything in us, not by our works, 00:03:31.400 --> 00:03:34.980 but sheerly because of Jesus Christ. 00:03:35.680 --> 00:03:41.599 He preached Christ in his life, Christ in his death, Christ in his resurrection, Christ 00:03:41.599 --> 00:03:42.840 in his coming again. 00:03:43.040 --> 00:03:44.200 He preached Christ. 00:03:44.300 --> 00:03:50.200 And eventually, some in his congregation came to him and asked, Pastor, when can we move on 00:03:50.200 --> 00:03:51.060 from all of this? 00:03:51.060 --> 00:03:55.500 Why do you keep preaching the gospel every week? 00:03:57.020 --> 00:04:00.500 And to which he replied, because every week you forget it. 00:04:00.500 --> 00:04:09.759 One of the greatest and clearest signs of our weakness and our frailty as sinful men and 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:15.699 women is that we can forget such an incredibly glorious message as the gospel. 00:04:15.699 --> 00:04:22.939 And we can grow bored of the most incredible person who has ever stepped foot on the earth. 00:04:23.039 --> 00:04:25.360 And we can grow tired of hearing about Jesus. 00:04:26.479 --> 00:04:32.959 And we can sometimes be easily lured away into a pursuit of something more. 00:04:34.419 --> 00:04:39.560 You know, this boredom with Christ and this pursuit of more is exactly the issue that the 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:44.279 Colossian church was facing here as Paul writes this letter to the church at Colossae. 00:04:44.279 --> 00:04:46.839 The Colossians had received Christ Jesus. 00:04:47.039 --> 00:04:49.139 They had received the good news of the gospel. 00:04:49.419 --> 00:04:51.919 But now these false teachers have come in. 00:04:52.000 --> 00:04:56.559 They've crept in with this message of true spiritual fullness. 00:04:57.259 --> 00:05:02.659 And true spiritual fullness can be had outside of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:05:02.839 --> 00:05:07.859 We have to move beyond all these basic things in order for us to get there. 00:05:09.359 --> 00:05:13.959 Paul responds to this dangerous false teaching by saying, no, no, no, no, no. 00:05:14.279 --> 00:05:22.819 You have to remember that you are filled in Christ who is himself the very fullness of God. 00:05:23.459 --> 00:05:25.819 You have everything you need in him. 00:05:27.699 --> 00:05:33.459 This morning I want to ask the question, what must we do in order to live the full Christian life? 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:40.259 What must we do in order to live the full Christian life? 00:05:40.319 --> 00:05:43.139 And Paul gives us two very simple answers to that question. 00:05:43.379 --> 00:05:45.060 One, walk in him. 00:05:45.919 --> 00:05:48.599 And two, resist everything else. 00:05:49.719 --> 00:05:52.799 What must we do to live the full Christian life? 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:57.699 We must walk in him and resist everything else. 00:05:57.699 --> 00:06:03.699 First, Paul says the full Christian life is marked by walking in him. 00:06:04.539 --> 00:06:06.800 We see this in verses 6 and 7 if you look there with me. 00:06:07.279 --> 00:06:12.180 And would you just notice here with me that this is the first command in the entire letter of Colossians. 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:18.899 I mean, how many weeks have we gone through this letter unpacking Paul's first 34 verses here in Colossians. 00:06:18.899 --> 00:06:28.539 He has spent 34 verses unveiling this glorious Christ and showing us who he is, how great he is, and what he's done. 00:06:28.819 --> 00:06:34.500 He lays that doctrinal foundation so that now he can begin to give us our marching orders here. 00:06:34.599 --> 00:06:35.060 And he says, 00:06:35.060 --> 00:06:48.459 You want to live the full Christian life? 00:06:48.579 --> 00:06:53.439 Well, as you received him, so now walk in him. 00:06:53.639 --> 00:06:58.459 Far too often, someone may come to faith in Christ at some point in their life. 00:06:58.459 --> 00:07:02.120 And maybe they heard the gospel at a young age and they believed. 00:07:02.180 --> 00:07:06.379 Maybe a friend or a neighbor shared the good news with them, but they heard it. 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:09.259 And by the grace of God, they put their faith in Christ. 00:07:09.399 --> 00:07:14.519 But then years go by and nothing really changes in their life. 00:07:15.539 --> 00:07:17.399 They don't open up their Bible. 00:07:17.599 --> 00:07:19.259 They neglect time in prayer. 00:07:19.379 --> 00:07:21.479 They don't value the community of the local church. 00:07:21.480 --> 00:07:28.900 They start to realize they're falling into the same old patterns and the same old habits that they had before they put their faith in Christ. 00:07:29.100 --> 00:07:32.980 And they wonder why their spiritual life isn't very full. 00:07:34.240 --> 00:07:40.800 And so then they leave these things behind in pursuit of something else to fill that gap in their life. 00:07:42.439 --> 00:07:46.819 Paul sums up the solution pretty well here in just these few words. 00:07:46.819 --> 00:07:51.379 As you received him, so walk in him. 00:07:52.480 --> 00:07:56.759 Just as you received Christ, meaning just as you were taught of him, 00:07:57.100 --> 00:07:59.780 and just as you heard the truth about him from Epaphras, 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:04.660 just as you received it with faith, that you heard it, you understood the word of God and truth, 00:08:04.960 --> 00:08:07.300 so now keep going in it. 00:08:08.780 --> 00:08:12.819 Or to give another example, it's like a newly married couple. 00:08:12.819 --> 00:08:14.900 This couple gets married on their wedding day. 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:16.200 They say their vows. 00:08:16.920 --> 00:08:20.020 And the pastor asks, do you commit to be faithful? 00:08:20.300 --> 00:08:21.420 They say, yes, I do. 00:08:22.379 --> 00:08:24.720 Do you commit to love one another? 00:08:24.879 --> 00:08:25.960 Yes, I do. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:26.439 I do. 00:08:26.819 --> 00:08:27.879 Till death do us part. 00:08:27.960 --> 00:08:28.300 I do. 00:08:28.400 --> 00:08:28.759 I do. 00:08:29.860 --> 00:08:33.620 But then time goes by and for whatever reason, they grow distant. 00:08:33.759 --> 00:08:34.460 They don't speak. 00:08:34.560 --> 00:08:35.519 They don't touch. 00:08:35.639 --> 00:08:36.340 They don't talk. 00:08:36.440 --> 00:08:37.200 They don't laugh. 00:08:37.200 --> 00:08:42.540 And they wonder why they don't feel this fullness in their relationship with one another. 00:08:42.680 --> 00:08:47.520 And so they begin to search for fullness somewhere else. 00:08:47.519 --> 00:08:56.679 Paul says, your coming to faith in Christ is just the beginning of our lifelong walk with Christ. 00:08:56.759 --> 00:08:59.539 It's a lifelong oneness with Christ. 00:08:59.539 --> 00:09:04.620 So just as you received him, just as you said, I do, now do. 00:09:05.620 --> 00:09:08.339 Just as you received him, so walk in him. 00:09:08.939 --> 00:09:14.339 Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, so now live under his lordship. 00:09:14.340 --> 00:09:19.080 And you remember, Paul prayed exactly for this in chapter 1, didn't he? 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:22.600 If you look back at chapter 1, verses 9 and 10, you see he prayed. 00:09:22.780 --> 00:09:27.540 From the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled 00:09:27.540 --> 00:09:35.980 with all knowledge of his will and all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in 00:09:35.980 --> 00:09:41.400 a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him. 00:09:41.399 --> 00:09:47.579 And this walk that he's calling us to is a whole manner of life. 00:09:47.699 --> 00:09:49.340 Our walk is our practice. 00:09:50.399 --> 00:09:52.459 Our walk is what we do. 00:09:52.579 --> 00:09:55.059 It's wherever you go and whatever you do. 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:57.679 The Christian is called to do it in him. 00:09:58.659 --> 00:10:03.000 And if we're wondering what that walk looks like, he gives us two images here to help explain 00:10:03.000 --> 00:10:03.819 what he means. 00:10:03.899 --> 00:10:07.639 He says, for one thing, we are to be rooted in him. 00:10:08.439 --> 00:10:10.620 This is an agricultural image. 00:10:11.399 --> 00:10:13.379 Horticultural image. 00:10:14.419 --> 00:10:20.000 The full Christian life, he says, it's like a healthy plant that has its roots established 00:10:20.000 --> 00:10:21.740 deep into healthy soil. 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:24.019 And this is where the life source comes from. 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:27.439 If you uproot the plant from the soil, what's going to happen? 00:10:27.699 --> 00:10:29.299 It's going to shrivel up and die. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:34.939 If you transplant those roots from healthy soil into unhealthy soil, what's going to happen? 00:10:35.399 --> 00:10:37.399 The plant is going to shrivel up and die. 00:10:37.399 --> 00:10:42.220 You have to remain rooted in him in order to live the full Christian life. 00:10:43.100 --> 00:10:45.840 Jesus says something very similar in John 15, doesn't he? 00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.220 What does he say? 00:10:48.000 --> 00:10:50.559 I am the vine and you are the branches. 00:10:51.059 --> 00:10:55.559 Abide in me and you will bear much fruit. 00:10:56.699 --> 00:11:01.179 This walking is very similar, closely linked to this idea of abiding. 00:11:01.179 --> 00:11:04.339 So church, we have to ask, are we walking in him? 00:11:05.439 --> 00:11:08.079 Are we abiding in him? 00:11:09.199 --> 00:11:13.079 Are we hearing from him daily in his word? 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:15.859 Are we speaking to him daily in prayer? 00:11:16.039 --> 00:11:18.699 Are we meditating on his word day and night? 00:11:18.779 --> 00:11:24.079 Are we setting our mind on things above where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God? 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:29.360 You might think of the image from the psalm that we read this morning, Psalm chapter 1. 00:11:29.480 --> 00:11:33.560 This blessed man who meditates on the law of the Lord day and night. 00:11:33.759 --> 00:11:34.300 What does it say? 00:11:34.520 --> 00:11:37.240 He is like a tree planted by streams of water. 00:11:38.220 --> 00:11:40.460 He's rooted in the Lord. 00:11:40.620 --> 00:11:44.820 He's established, as Paul says in verse 7, in the Lord. 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:49.100 The full Christian life is rooted in Christ. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:56.040 But not only this, second image he gives us, Paul says we're also to be built up in him. 00:11:56.120 --> 00:11:58.440 This is now an architectural image. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:02.540 Christ isn't just a stepping stone on the way to something else. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:07.120 Christ is the cornerstone on which the whole structure of the church is built. 00:12:08.500 --> 00:12:12.480 As I thought through this this week, my mind stuck on that agricultural image. 00:12:12.580 --> 00:12:13.779 So I want to stay there for just a minute. 00:12:13.779 --> 00:12:16.519 I went to Isaiah chapter 61. 00:12:16.519 --> 00:12:24.919 And if you know Isaiah 61, it gives this beautiful image of Christ proclaiming the good news to the end 00:12:24.919 --> 00:12:29.600 and the effect that his people may be, it says, oaks of righteousness. 00:12:30.899 --> 00:12:32.360 Oaks of righteousness. 00:12:33.659 --> 00:12:34.699 Now you think about an oak tree. 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.340 That's a big tree, right? 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:39.299 Now you think of that one that's out here in my front yard? 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:42.240 People comment on that tree all the time. 00:12:42.519 --> 00:12:42.840 Why? 00:12:43.159 --> 00:12:44.379 Because it is big. 00:12:44.460 --> 00:12:45.100 It's massive. 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:46.659 It's healthy. 00:12:46.980 --> 00:12:47.659 It's sturdy. 00:12:47.860 --> 00:12:48.639 It's established. 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:50.259 It's tall. 00:12:50.399 --> 00:12:51.080 It's flourishing. 00:12:51.180 --> 00:12:52.300 It's weathered storms. 00:12:52.379 --> 00:12:54.460 It was here for Hugo 37 years ago. 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:56.500 And every hurricane since. 00:12:56.940 --> 00:12:59.399 And the winds blew and it tossed it back and forth. 00:12:59.460 --> 00:13:01.360 But that thing is still there. 00:13:01.740 --> 00:13:02.259 Stable. 00:13:02.700 --> 00:13:03.220 Sturdy. 00:13:03.580 --> 00:13:03.980 Healthy. 00:13:04.700 --> 00:13:05.220 Established. 00:13:06.060 --> 00:13:06.980 It's strong. 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.019 Church. 00:13:09.019 --> 00:13:09.100 Church. 00:13:10.299 --> 00:13:13.379 I want us to be oaks of righteousness. 00:13:15.480 --> 00:13:16.980 Don't you want that for yourself? 00:13:18.779 --> 00:13:24.579 And we don't want to be just little shrippled up twigs on the ground that when the wind blows it just tosses them far away. 00:13:24.580 --> 00:13:32.040 We want to be anchored and sturdy and rooted and strong and healthy and thriving and established in Christ. 00:13:32.240 --> 00:13:37.740 So that when the winds and the waves come and they strike, we are still there unfazed. 00:13:38.300 --> 00:13:44.720 So that when people see us and they look at Sea Wee Bay, they ask, what is the secret to your strength? 00:13:45.520 --> 00:13:47.720 What is the secret to your stability? 00:13:47.720 --> 00:13:52.139 And we can say we are rooted and built up in Christ. 00:13:56.600 --> 00:13:58.560 You notice how many times it says in him? 00:13:59.259 --> 00:14:00.480 All through chapter 2. 00:14:01.660 --> 00:14:02.660 Walk in him. 00:14:03.040 --> 00:14:03.820 Verse 6. 00:14:04.660 --> 00:14:06.200 Rooted, built up in him. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:06.860 In him. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:07.840 Verse 9. 00:14:07.920 --> 00:14:08.320 In him. 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.259 Verse 10. 00:14:09.560 --> 00:14:10.180 In him. 00:14:10.300 --> 00:14:10.940 Verse 11. 00:14:11.060 --> 00:14:12.279 And then it shifts to with him. 00:14:12.480 --> 00:14:13.180 Verse 12. 00:14:13.379 --> 00:14:14.019 With him. 00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:14.940 Verse 13. 00:14:15.040 --> 00:14:15.940 Back to in him. 00:14:15.940 --> 00:14:16.899 Verse 15. 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:18.039 Do you get the idea here? 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:25.360 The full Christian life is all about life in Christ. 00:14:26.779 --> 00:14:33.179 We thrive and live in him and with him and for him. 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.679 It is about him. 00:14:34.980 --> 00:14:37.779 For from him and to him and through him are all things. 00:14:37.879 --> 00:14:40.439 To him be all the glory forever and ever. 00:14:40.519 --> 00:14:40.740 Amen. 00:14:41.460 --> 00:14:42.480 Is this how you see it? 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.779 Is this how you see it? 00:14:46.899 --> 00:14:49.639 Or are you tired of hearing about Christ? 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:54.959 And do you want to sink your roots down deeper into him? 00:14:55.000 --> 00:14:58.840 Or do you wish that I could just move on and talk about something else for a little bit? 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:09.459 One way to check your heart here is to ask, am I abounding in thanksgiving for who he is and what he's done? 00:15:09.460 --> 00:15:13.620 I love how Paul connects these truths here. 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:14.820 In verse 7. 00:15:14.920 --> 00:15:17.540 He says, walk in him just as you were taught. 00:15:17.639 --> 00:15:18.560 Don't move past it. 00:15:18.639 --> 00:15:19.480 Abide in him. 00:15:19.660 --> 00:15:21.080 Think on the gospel. 00:15:22.080 --> 00:15:24.379 Remember the glory of Jesus. 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.840 Don't move on past it. 00:15:27.160 --> 00:15:32.560 Sink your roots down deep into the fact that you are justified by faith in Christ. 00:15:32.559 --> 00:15:38.299 Be built up by the truth that you are adopted as a son or a daughter of God. 00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.679 By faith in him. 00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:47.559 Be anchored and rooted and nourished and strengthened by the fact that his blood has washed away all of your sins. 00:15:48.379 --> 00:15:51.659 And by faith in him you are forgiven of all of your sins. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:53.619 You are loved by God. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:56.419 You have been reconciled to God by his blood. 00:15:57.279 --> 00:16:01.960 Sink your roots down deep into the fact that you are redeemed by Christ. 00:16:02.860 --> 00:16:08.799 And in Christ you have a certain hope ahead of you that no matter what comes today or tomorrow or next week or next year. 00:16:09.019 --> 00:16:12.360 You have glory ahead of you because you are in Christ. 00:16:15.659 --> 00:16:19.480 When you consider what it is that you've been given in Christ. 00:16:19.879 --> 00:16:22.519 Church, how can your heart not abound in thanksgiving? 00:16:23.620 --> 00:16:29.620 And when your heart abounds in thanksgiving, when you're full of thankfulness for Christ and what he's done, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:36.580 you will have no appetite for any who would lead you astray with a promise of more beyond Jesus. 00:16:39.100 --> 00:16:43.860 The full Christian life is a call to walk in Christ. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:47.940 And second, it is a call to resist everything else. 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:52.879 We see this in our second point this morning here in verses 8 through 10. 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:54.059 Look there starting in verse 8. 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:56.460 And this is the second command that he gives in the letter. 00:16:56.720 --> 00:16:58.659 He says, walk in him and second. 00:16:59.179 --> 00:17:02.620 See to it that no one takes you captive. 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:08.079 See to it that no one takes you captive. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:11.200 He's shifting now to war language, isn't he? 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.220 This is battle language. 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:16.960 Church, do you realize that we are not in peacetime right now? 00:17:16.960 --> 00:17:21.220 Do you understand that we are at war? 00:17:22.620 --> 00:17:24.740 Peacetime will come when Christ comes. 00:17:25.380 --> 00:17:28.720 Right now we are in a very real spiritual war. 00:17:28.860 --> 00:17:31.980 J.C. Ryle, in his book on holiness, he says, 00:17:31.980 --> 00:17:34.319 True Christianity is a fight. 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:40.920 And the Christian is a soldier from the day of his baptism until the day of his death. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:44.259 He has to fight against a world that loves error, 00:17:44.759 --> 00:17:47.019 against a devil who is a master of deception, 00:17:47.460 --> 00:17:49.319 and against his own fleshly heart. 00:17:50.079 --> 00:17:53.940 If you think that you can float down the stream of time into heaven without a struggle, 00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:56.240 you are terribly deceived. 00:17:56.240 --> 00:18:01.559 William Gurnall, 17th century Puritan. 00:18:02.380 --> 00:18:04.480 He wrote a series of sermons on Ephesians 6, 00:18:04.599 --> 00:18:08.400 which calls us to put on the whole armor of God, 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:11.279 that we may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 00:18:11.400 --> 00:18:14.059 He says, for we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:16.700 but against the rulers, against the authorities, 00:18:17.200 --> 00:18:19.660 against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:23.420 against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 00:18:23.420 --> 00:18:26.360 He wrote a series of sermons on this passage 00:18:26.360 --> 00:18:29.220 that eventually became a classic book on spiritual warfare 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:32.480 called The Christian in Complete Armor. 00:18:33.220 --> 00:18:36.440 I would recommend any and all of you to take it up and read. 00:18:37.160 --> 00:18:38.400 In it, he says this, 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:42.180 The Christian's life is a continual warfare. 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:47.740 The peace of the soul is a garrison peace. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:51.360 It is maintained by a constant guard. 00:18:51.359 --> 00:18:55.879 We must not expect to be kept from our enemies, 00:18:56.019 --> 00:18:58.500 but rather to be kept in the midst of them. 00:18:59.319 --> 00:19:02.519 He says this war is a spiritual holocaust. 00:19:03.819 --> 00:19:06.899 Either you destroy the power of Satan in your life 00:19:06.899 --> 00:19:10.079 by putting on the whole armor of God and keeping it on, 00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:12.839 or Satan will destroy you. 00:19:12.919 --> 00:19:15.679 Do you realize the severity and the seriousness of this, church? 00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:17.539 We are not in peacetime. 00:19:17.539 --> 00:19:22.619 Every single one of us is in the midst of a spiritual battle. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:25.240 This is how Paul understood the issue here in Colossae. 00:19:26.200 --> 00:19:27.359 And so, Paul says, 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:31.420 We must see to it that no one takes you captive. 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:34.579 Literally, that word means to be carried off as a slave, 00:19:35.000 --> 00:19:37.539 to be hijacked, 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:40.940 taken away like military plunder, 00:19:41.059 --> 00:19:41.960 to be stolen. 00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:44.059 But just think about that image for a minute. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:50.460 If you knew that someone was trying to take you captive, 00:19:50.639 --> 00:19:51.359 what would you do? 00:19:52.700 --> 00:19:55.359 I mean, you would do everything in your power 00:19:55.359 --> 00:19:56.899 to keep that from happening, wouldn't you? 00:19:58.119 --> 00:19:59.399 If you knew that someone was coming 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:01.539 to take you away from your home, 00:20:01.679 --> 00:20:02.980 take you away from your family, 00:20:03.119 --> 00:20:04.819 take you away from your job, 00:20:04.940 --> 00:20:06.339 take you away from your possessions, 00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.980 what would you do? 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:12.120 You would fortify your defenses, wouldn't you? 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:16.120 You'd probably buy some guns and ammo, wouldn't you? 00:20:16.200 --> 00:20:17.420 Some of you live like this already. 00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:20.559 And you would stock up. 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:22.220 You might learn some self-defense. 00:20:22.460 --> 00:20:23.980 You would seal up the doors. 00:20:24.660 --> 00:20:26.140 You would lock them well at night. 00:20:26.220 --> 00:20:28.620 You would probably put alarms in your home. 00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:31.140 You would be mindful of your surroundings. 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:33.240 You would be mindful of who was near you. 00:20:33.339 --> 00:20:35.180 You would pay attention to their mannerisms. 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:37.860 You would listen closely to what they had to say. 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.620 You would be on guard. 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:40.799 You would see to it 00:20:40.799 --> 00:20:43.759 that no one took you captive, wouldn't you? 00:20:46.779 --> 00:20:48.680 Paul says, in fact, there are some 00:20:48.680 --> 00:20:51.759 who would take you captive. 00:20:54.080 --> 00:20:55.480 The threat is very real. 00:20:57.340 --> 00:21:00.519 There are some who would take you captive 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:01.480 out in the world 00:21:01.480 --> 00:21:03.720 who would very much like to steal you away 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:05.740 and take you as their slave. 00:21:05.860 --> 00:21:06.960 But they don't come by force. 00:21:07.039 --> 00:21:08.579 They don't come knocking down your door. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:10.720 They come to take you captive 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.740 not with weapons, 00:21:12.980 --> 00:21:14.079 but with words. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:17.140 With ideas. 00:21:19.059 --> 00:21:21.900 With false systems of thought 00:21:21.900 --> 00:21:23.100 that are, as Paul says, 00:21:23.160 --> 00:21:25.660 not according to Christ. 00:21:25.660 --> 00:21:28.240 The enemy would seek to take you captive 00:21:28.240 --> 00:21:30.220 by lying to you 00:21:30.220 --> 00:21:31.900 and leading you to believe 00:21:31.900 --> 00:21:33.900 any system of thought 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:36.440 that is not according to Christ. 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:36.920 Meaning, 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:38.620 any system of thought 00:21:38.620 --> 00:21:41.039 that belittles the glory of God. 00:21:43.339 --> 00:21:44.299 And Paul says, 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.039 see to it 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:48.319 that no one takes you captive 00:21:48.319 --> 00:21:50.920 with philosophy 00:21:50.920 --> 00:21:53.380 and empty deceit. 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:54.460 This word philosophy, 00:21:54.680 --> 00:21:56.460 this isn't like philosophy in general, 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:58.420 like what you might have studied in school, 00:21:58.559 --> 00:22:00.059 like Plato and Aristotle. 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:01.759 This is a word 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.720 that's used in Paul's day 00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:05.059 to refer to any system of thought, 00:22:05.180 --> 00:22:06.579 any system of teaching. 00:22:06.900 --> 00:22:07.380 And again, 00:22:07.579 --> 00:22:08.740 he's contrasting 00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:10.259 this system of teaching 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:12.160 with the faith 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:13.059 that they received. 00:22:14.799 --> 00:22:16.059 The truth 00:22:16.059 --> 00:22:17.360 that they were taught 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.200 by Epaphras. 00:22:18.920 --> 00:22:20.100 This false teaching 00:22:20.100 --> 00:22:21.299 is not according to 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.559 the tradition. 00:22:22.759 --> 00:22:23.500 It is according to 00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:24.720 human tradition. 00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:26.360 It's not according to Christ. 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.460 It's according to 00:22:27.460 --> 00:22:28.700 the elemental spirits 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.600 of the world. 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.539 And there's a variety 00:22:30.539 --> 00:22:31.720 of understanding 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.319 and opinions 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:33.779 on what that phrase means. 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:35.360 I think most likely 00:22:35.360 --> 00:22:36.539 he's referring to demons 00:22:36.539 --> 00:22:37.259 here. 00:22:37.799 --> 00:22:39.460 But most importantly though, 00:22:39.519 --> 00:22:40.079 here's the key, 00:22:40.360 --> 00:22:41.839 it is not according 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.860 to Christ. 00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.339 And do you notice 00:22:45.339 --> 00:22:46.220 the irony here? 00:22:47.700 --> 00:22:49.059 These false teachers 00:22:49.059 --> 00:22:50.539 promise fullness 00:22:50.539 --> 00:22:52.019 by their teaching, 00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.740 but how does Paul 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.359 describe it? 00:22:53.480 --> 00:22:57.039 It is empty deceit. 00:22:59.319 --> 00:23:00.420 False teaching 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.420 promises fullness 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.579 and joy apart 00:23:02.579 --> 00:23:03.759 from Christ, 00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.799 but at the end of the day 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:06.519 it can never deliver. 00:23:06.720 --> 00:23:07.599 We must see 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.700 to it 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.180 that we are not 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:10.880 taken 00:23:10.880 --> 00:23:12.220 captive. 00:23:13.900 --> 00:23:14.940 John MacArthur 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:16.539 preached a sermon 00:23:16.539 --> 00:23:17.579 on this text 00:23:17.579 --> 00:23:18.039 and I'm thankful 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.579 that he did 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:20.460 because he identified 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.559 several components 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.720 of this particular 00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:23.519 false teaching 00:23:23.519 --> 00:23:24.039 that's happening 00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:24.939 here in Colossae. 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.220 Again, 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:25.679 we don't know 00:23:25.679 --> 00:23:27.480 exactly what it was 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.439 specifically to be able 00:23:28.439 --> 00:23:29.519 to put a label on it, 00:23:29.639 --> 00:23:30.679 but he identified 00:23:30.679 --> 00:23:32.139 four key components 00:23:32.139 --> 00:23:32.639 of it. 00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.159 For one, 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.659 he says, 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.819 this false teaching 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:36.319 has hints of humanism. 00:23:38.019 --> 00:23:38.819 It has in it, 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:40.119 it's rooted in 00:23:40.119 --> 00:23:41.079 human tradition, 00:23:42.359 --> 00:23:43.139 human wisdom, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:46.419 love of human ideas. 00:23:46.420 --> 00:23:48.420 And for another, 00:23:48.560 --> 00:23:50.060 it involves legalism, 00:23:50.220 --> 00:23:51.740 this extra-biblical 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.539 commands of 00:23:52.539 --> 00:23:53.400 do not handle, 00:23:53.560 --> 00:23:54.340 do not taste, 00:23:54.460 --> 00:23:55.200 do not touch, 00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:56.300 these extra-biblical 00:23:56.300 --> 00:23:57.900 rules and regulations, 00:23:58.140 --> 00:23:59.039 all of which were rooted 00:23:59.039 --> 00:23:59.980 in Jewish teaching, 00:24:00.080 --> 00:24:00.539 by the way. 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:02.980 Third, 00:24:03.100 --> 00:24:04.360 it involved mysticism, 00:24:04.880 --> 00:24:06.660 this worship of angels, 00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:08.660 obsession with the 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.660 spiritual realms 00:24:09.660 --> 00:24:10.400 and authorities. 00:24:11.600 --> 00:24:12.420 And fourth, 00:24:12.840 --> 00:24:13.539 it involved 00:24:13.539 --> 00:24:14.519 asceticism, 00:24:14.519 --> 00:24:16.400 harshness 00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.680 to the body, 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:19.019 cutting the body 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.299 to enhance the spiritual. 00:24:20.519 --> 00:24:21.059 This is what the 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.039 Colossians were facing 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.119 and all of it 00:24:23.119 --> 00:24:24.339 sounds convincing enough 00:24:24.339 --> 00:24:24.920 and all of it 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:26.299 looks impressive enough, 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.259 all of it on the surface 00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.639 looks appealing. 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:31.079 Paul says, 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:31.639 none of it 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.859 is according to Christ. 00:24:34.960 --> 00:24:36.019 These false teachers, 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.879 maybe they mean well 00:24:36.879 --> 00:24:37.639 in their own mind, 00:24:37.660 --> 00:24:38.139 I don't know, 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:38.960 I'm sure that they're 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.160 convinced that they are 00:24:40.160 --> 00:24:40.779 right, 00:24:40.779 --> 00:24:42.379 but they're playing 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.160 a role 00:24:43.160 --> 00:24:45.200 in a demonic agenda 00:24:45.200 --> 00:24:46.560 to undermine 00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:47.300 the purity 00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:48.180 of the church 00:24:48.180 --> 00:24:49.360 and to take people 00:24:49.360 --> 00:24:49.860 captive 00:24:49.860 --> 00:24:51.200 to lies. 00:24:51.440 --> 00:24:52.300 Do you realize 00:24:52.300 --> 00:24:53.680 we still face 00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.560 these same threats 00:24:54.560 --> 00:24:54.900 today? 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:58.320 We face 00:24:58.320 --> 00:24:59.180 our own isms. 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.620 They may not be 00:25:01.620 --> 00:25:02.980 the exact same things 00:25:02.980 --> 00:25:03.580 that the Colossians 00:25:03.580 --> 00:25:04.100 were facing, 00:25:04.340 --> 00:25:05.320 but the enemy 00:25:05.320 --> 00:25:06.240 is not done 00:25:06.240 --> 00:25:07.120 trying to take 00:25:07.120 --> 00:25:07.860 people captive 00:25:07.860 --> 00:25:08.400 and undermine 00:25:08.400 --> 00:25:08.840 the purity 00:25:08.840 --> 00:25:09.400 of the church, 00:25:09.480 --> 00:25:09.779 is he? 00:25:09.779 --> 00:25:12.859 How tempted 00:25:12.859 --> 00:25:13.399 is the church 00:25:13.399 --> 00:25:13.839 today 00:25:13.839 --> 00:25:14.639 to pursue 00:25:14.639 --> 00:25:15.639 legalism? 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:16.519 Do not handle, 00:25:17.039 --> 00:25:18.180 do not taste, 00:25:18.639 --> 00:25:19.480 do not touch. 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:20.660 It is unbelievable 00:25:20.660 --> 00:25:21.660 how quickly 00:25:21.660 --> 00:25:22.440 a church 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.940 can develop 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:23.399 a culture 00:25:23.399 --> 00:25:24.180 of legalism, 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.379 adding rules 00:25:25.379 --> 00:25:26.599 and expectations 00:25:26.599 --> 00:25:27.980 that have nothing 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.819 to do with Christ 00:25:28.819 --> 00:25:29.460 and the gospel, 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.420 but what must 00:25:31.420 --> 00:25:31.960 be followed 00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.960 in order to be in. 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.500 That's legalism. 00:25:35.960 --> 00:25:36.799 How tempted 00:25:36.799 --> 00:25:37.460 is the church 00:25:37.460 --> 00:25:38.259 to pursue 00:25:38.259 --> 00:25:39.559 modernism? 00:25:40.619 --> 00:25:41.500 To reject 00:25:41.500 --> 00:25:42.399 this whole 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:43.599 doctrinal thing, 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.740 this whole 00:25:44.740 --> 00:25:45.920 truth thing, 00:25:46.000 --> 00:25:46.539 and to reject 00:25:46.539 --> 00:25:47.399 church tradition 00:25:47.399 --> 00:25:48.220 in order to 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:49.319 appeal to 00:25:49.319 --> 00:25:50.680 a new generation, 00:25:50.859 --> 00:25:51.440 to be modern 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.379 and to be fresh. 00:25:52.460 --> 00:25:53.099 I went to a church 00:25:53.099 --> 00:25:53.740 years ago 00:25:53.740 --> 00:25:55.079 in a different city 00:25:55.079 --> 00:25:56.599 and all I remember 00:25:56.599 --> 00:25:57.259 from that service 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:57.779 was they played 00:25:57.779 --> 00:25:58.539 a Rocky clip 00:25:58.539 --> 00:25:59.139 on the screen 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.920 and a Taylor Swift 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.799 song from the stage. 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.359 I don't remember 00:26:01.359 --> 00:26:02.039 what was preached. 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.220 How tempted 00:26:05.220 --> 00:26:05.720 is the church 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:06.299 to pursue 00:26:06.299 --> 00:26:07.379 modernism? 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:07.839 How tempted 00:26:07.839 --> 00:26:08.619 is the church 00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:09.259 to run 00:26:09.259 --> 00:26:10.279 after theological 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:11.279 liberalism? 00:26:12.679 --> 00:26:13.279 Do you realize 00:26:13.279 --> 00:26:15.199 that entire 00:26:15.199 --> 00:26:16.139 denominations 00:26:16.139 --> 00:26:17.339 are falling apart 00:26:17.339 --> 00:26:17.759 because they 00:26:17.759 --> 00:26:18.539 have embraced 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:19.519 the lie, 00:26:19.779 --> 00:26:20.359 the idea 00:26:20.359 --> 00:26:21.379 that the atoning 00:26:21.379 --> 00:26:22.459 work of Jesus 00:26:22.459 --> 00:26:23.459 Christ is somehow 00:26:23.459 --> 00:26:24.459 secondary to 00:26:24.459 --> 00:26:25.359 affirmation and 00:26:25.359 --> 00:26:26.339 acceptance of 00:26:26.339 --> 00:26:26.899 things that the 00:26:26.899 --> 00:26:27.879 Bible clearly calls 00:26:27.879 --> 00:26:28.839 us to understand 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.319 are sinful. 00:26:31.239 --> 00:26:32.159 How tempted 00:26:32.159 --> 00:26:32.779 is the church 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.419 to obsess 00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.800 over political 00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:35.620 activism? 00:26:37.759 --> 00:26:38.200 Insisting 00:26:38.200 --> 00:26:38.900 that real 00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:39.840 Christians must 00:26:39.840 --> 00:26:41.160 vote this way, 00:26:41.500 --> 00:26:42.519 do this thing, 00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.380 promote this 00:26:43.380 --> 00:26:44.180 candidate in order 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.900 to be truly 00:26:44.900 --> 00:26:45.759 faithful to the 00:26:45.759 --> 00:26:45.980 Lord. 00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.220 I mean, 00:26:46.259 --> 00:26:46.960 be engaged 00:26:46.960 --> 00:26:47.759 all you want. 00:26:47.840 --> 00:26:48.779 That is wonderful. 00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:49.820 But when a church 00:26:49.820 --> 00:26:50.620 looks more like a 00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:51.560 political rally 00:26:51.560 --> 00:26:52.180 than a worship 00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.620 service, 00:26:52.620 --> 00:26:53.560 we have a problem. 00:26:56.560 --> 00:26:57.300 How tempted 00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:58.039 is the church 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:59.900 to chase 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:01.560 reactionarianism? 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.300 That's not a word. 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:03.000 I made that one up. 00:27:04.440 --> 00:27:05.339 You won't find that 00:27:05.339 --> 00:27:05.839 in a dictionary. 00:27:07.440 --> 00:27:08.619 I can't tell you 00:27:08.619 --> 00:27:09.359 how many times 00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:10.339 I have seen 00:27:10.339 --> 00:27:11.259 or heard 00:27:11.259 --> 00:27:12.159 someone say 00:27:12.159 --> 00:27:13.099 something like, 00:27:13.339 --> 00:27:14.139 if your church 00:27:14.139 --> 00:27:15.259 doesn't talk about 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:16.419 fill in the blank 00:27:16.419 --> 00:27:17.159 this Sunday, 00:27:17.399 --> 00:27:18.119 you better find 00:27:18.119 --> 00:27:18.839 a new church. 00:27:19.279 --> 00:27:20.139 Give me a break. 00:27:22.519 --> 00:27:22.720 Now, 00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.119 I'm not saying 00:27:23.119 --> 00:27:23.899 turn a blind eye 00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.539 to the culture. 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.440 Of course, 00:27:25.579 --> 00:27:25.980 pay attention 00:27:25.980 --> 00:27:26.619 to the culture. 00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:28.659 But there are 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:30.059 always cultural 00:27:30.059 --> 00:27:30.819 issues to 00:27:30.819 --> 00:27:31.639 obsess over. 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:32.279 There's always 00:27:32.279 --> 00:27:32.899 a cultural 00:27:32.899 --> 00:27:33.279 emergency 00:27:33.279 --> 00:27:34.259 to respond to. 00:27:34.519 --> 00:27:35.139 Can we just 00:27:35.139 --> 00:27:35.579 be busy 00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.119 talking about 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:36.440 Jesus? 00:27:39.599 --> 00:27:40.220 One more. 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:40.980 Have I stepped 00:27:40.980 --> 00:27:41.720 on any toes yet? 00:27:43.940 --> 00:27:44.539 One more 00:27:44.539 --> 00:27:44.859 for our 00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:45.259 denomination 00:27:45.259 --> 00:27:46.160 in particular. 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.099 How tempted 00:27:48.099 --> 00:27:48.660 is the church 00:27:48.660 --> 00:27:49.039 to run 00:27:49.039 --> 00:27:50.200 after pragmatism? 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.839 Chasing a 00:27:52.839 --> 00:27:53.839 whatever works 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.899 mindset 00:27:54.899 --> 00:27:56.200 and philosophy 00:27:56.200 --> 00:27:56.799 of ministry 00:27:56.799 --> 00:27:57.440 over what 00:27:57.440 --> 00:27:58.339 has God 00:27:58.339 --> 00:27:58.940 said? 00:27:59.639 --> 00:28:00.139 Philosophy 00:28:00.140 --> 00:28:01.080 of ministry. 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:02.259 Choosing 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:02.980 rather to do 00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.759 whatever will 00:28:03.759 --> 00:28:04.500 fill empty 00:28:04.500 --> 00:28:05.240 seats than 00:28:05.240 --> 00:28:06.100 to trust the 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.800 word of God 00:28:06.800 --> 00:28:07.280 to do the 00:28:07.280 --> 00:28:07.680 work of 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.100 ministry. 00:28:08.520 --> 00:28:08.680 See, 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.360 the forms 00:28:09.360 --> 00:28:10.400 of the lie 00:28:10.400 --> 00:28:10.980 may look a 00:28:10.980 --> 00:28:11.540 little different 00:28:11.540 --> 00:28:12.560 from generation 00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:13.400 to generation. 00:28:13.660 --> 00:28:14.380 Our isms 00:28:14.380 --> 00:28:15.100 may be different 00:28:15.100 --> 00:28:15.720 than the isms 00:28:15.720 --> 00:28:16.000 that the 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.700 Colossian church 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.080 faced. 00:28:17.320 --> 00:28:18.060 But church, 00:28:18.340 --> 00:28:19.040 the essence 00:28:19.040 --> 00:28:20.240 is the same. 00:28:21.240 --> 00:28:21.920 The playbook 00:28:21.920 --> 00:28:22.560 of the enemy 00:28:22.560 --> 00:28:23.240 has not 00:28:23.240 --> 00:28:23.920 changed. 00:28:23.920 --> 00:28:25.800 He wants 00:28:25.800 --> 00:28:26.440 to take 00:28:26.440 --> 00:28:27.500 you captive 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:29.400 with the 00:28:29.400 --> 00:28:30.000 idea 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.580 that something 00:28:31.580 --> 00:28:32.640 beyond Christ 00:28:32.640 --> 00:28:33.120 is what we 00:28:33.120 --> 00:28:33.600 really need 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:34.039 to obsess 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.380 over. 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:36.500 Do 00:28:36.500 --> 00:28:37.440 not 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.160 let 00:28:38.160 --> 00:28:38.820 them 00:28:38.820 --> 00:28:39.580 do it. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:41.660 See 00:28:41.660 --> 00:28:42.539 to it 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:44.060 that no 00:28:44.060 --> 00:28:44.360 one 00:28:44.360 --> 00:28:45.480 takes you 00:28:45.480 --> 00:28:46.000 captive 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.400 by any 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:47.920 teaching 00:28:47.920 --> 00:28:49.140 that is 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:49.460 not 00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.080 according 00:28:50.080 --> 00:28:51.580 to Christ. 00:28:51.860 --> 00:28:52.140 Why? 00:28:52.140 --> 00:28:53.980 Because 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:54.440 church, 00:28:54.820 --> 00:28:55.340 Christ 00:28:55.340 --> 00:28:56.100 Jesus 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.480 is all 00:28:57.480 --> 00:28:58.060 that we 00:28:58.060 --> 00:28:58.700 need. 00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.180 Haven't 00:29:01.180 --> 00:29:01.860 we seen 00:29:01.860 --> 00:29:03.060 who Jesus 00:29:03.060 --> 00:29:03.660 is? 00:29:04.900 --> 00:29:05.280 And Paul 00:29:05.280 --> 00:29:05.960 reminds us 00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:06.560 once again 00:29:06.560 --> 00:29:07.540 who Jesus 00:29:07.540 --> 00:29:08.480 is here 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:09.300 at the end 00:29:09.300 --> 00:29:09.940 of our passage. 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.780 I want to show 00:29:10.780 --> 00:29:11.240 you two 00:29:11.240 --> 00:29:12.400 breathtaking truths 00:29:12.400 --> 00:29:12.920 here as we 00:29:12.920 --> 00:29:13.259 close. 00:29:13.540 --> 00:29:13.900 Where Paul 00:29:13.900 --> 00:29:14.380 shows us 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:14.660 in verses 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.600 9 and 10 00:29:15.600 --> 00:29:16.860 he brings us 00:29:16.860 --> 00:29:17.420 back to where 00:29:17.420 --> 00:29:18.000 we need to 00:29:18.000 --> 00:29:18.900 fix our eyes. 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.440 He brings us 00:29:19.440 --> 00:29:20.000 back to the 00:29:20.000 --> 00:29:21.000 glory of Christ. 00:29:21.360 --> 00:29:21.720 He says 00:29:21.720 --> 00:29:22.519 first truth 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.900 in him 00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:25.019 all the 00:29:25.019 --> 00:29:25.600 fullness of 00:29:25.600 --> 00:29:26.299 deity dwells 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:26.640 bodily. 00:29:28.200 --> 00:29:28.960 Who is 00:29:28.960 --> 00:29:29.299 Jesus? 00:29:30.299 --> 00:29:31.240 He is 00:29:31.240 --> 00:29:31.880 the fullness 00:29:31.880 --> 00:29:32.880 of God 00:29:32.880 --> 00:29:33.519 in the 00:29:33.519 --> 00:29:33.900 flesh. 00:29:34.059 --> 00:29:34.420 You remember 00:29:34.420 --> 00:29:34.799 that issue 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.799 of asceticism? 00:29:36.940 --> 00:29:37.279 We need 00:29:37.279 --> 00:29:38.000 to be hard 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.660 on the body 00:29:38.660 --> 00:29:39.120 and put 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:39.700 away the 00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.059 body 00:29:40.059 --> 00:29:41.460 and eliminate 00:29:41.460 --> 00:29:42.079 the body 00:29:42.079 --> 00:29:42.400 in order 00:29:42.400 --> 00:29:43.000 to emphasize 00:29:43.000 --> 00:29:43.980 the spiritual. 00:29:44.799 --> 00:29:45.279 Paul says 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.839 y'all got 00:29:45.839 --> 00:29:46.160 this all 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:46.579 backwards. 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:46.880 No, 00:29:46.920 --> 00:29:47.019 no, 00:29:47.019 --> 00:29:47.140 no, 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.259 no, 00:29:47.259 --> 00:29:47.400 no. 00:29:47.660 --> 00:29:48.160 Jesus 00:29:48.160 --> 00:29:49.240 is God 00:29:49.240 --> 00:29:50.539 incarnate. 00:29:50.539 --> 00:29:51.819 He is 00:29:51.819 --> 00:29:52.180 God 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.700 in the 00:29:52.700 --> 00:29:53.259 flesh. 00:29:54.259 --> 00:29:54.559 Jesus 00:29:54.559 --> 00:29:55.159 took on 00:29:55.159 --> 00:29:55.759 a body. 00:29:55.940 --> 00:29:56.359 He entered 00:29:56.359 --> 00:29:57.519 into skin 00:29:57.519 --> 00:29:58.180 and flesh 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.079 and blood 00:29:59.079 --> 00:29:59.779 and bone 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.399 and he 00:30:00.399 --> 00:30:00.899 is even 00:30:00.899 --> 00:30:01.619 now in 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.039 glory. 00:30:02.220 --> 00:30:02.819 He lives 00:30:02.819 --> 00:30:03.519 and reigns 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.059 and rules 00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:04.599 in a 00:30:04.599 --> 00:30:05.420 resurrected 00:30:05.420 --> 00:30:06.159 body, 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:06.980 the same 00:30:06.980 --> 00:30:07.579 exact type 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:07.940 of body 00:30:07.940 --> 00:30:08.240 you and 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:08.579 I will 00:30:08.579 --> 00:30:08.859 have 00:30:08.859 --> 00:30:09.119 when we 00:30:09.119 --> 00:30:09.759 join him 00:30:09.759 --> 00:30:10.740 in glory. 00:30:11.819 --> 00:30:12.200 This is 00:30:12.200 --> 00:30:12.599 check and 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:12.980 mate for 00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.440 these false 00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:13.839 teachers. 00:30:14.259 --> 00:30:14.740 The problem 00:30:14.740 --> 00:30:15.299 isn't the 00:30:15.299 --> 00:30:15.740 body. 00:30:16.579 --> 00:30:17.299 Jesus came 00:30:17.299 --> 00:30:17.819 in the body 00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.379 to redeem 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:18.899 the body. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:20.580 Your body 00:30:20.580 --> 00:30:21.160 is very 00:30:21.160 --> 00:30:21.680 much a 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.060 part of 00:30:22.060 --> 00:30:22.340 God's 00:30:22.340 --> 00:30:22.680 plan of 00:30:22.680 --> 00:30:23.080 redemption. 00:30:24.480 --> 00:30:25.080 The whole 00:30:25.080 --> 00:30:26.160 fullness of 00:30:26.160 --> 00:30:27.140 deity dwells 00:30:27.140 --> 00:30:27.759 in him 00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:28.620 bodily. 00:30:28.880 --> 00:30:29.180 And he 00:30:29.180 --> 00:30:29.740 says second 00:30:29.740 --> 00:30:30.220 truth, 00:30:31.160 --> 00:30:32.019 you have 00:30:32.019 --> 00:30:32.759 been filled 00:30:32.759 --> 00:30:33.940 in him 00:30:33.940 --> 00:30:36.360 who is the 00:30:36.360 --> 00:30:36.800 head of 00:30:36.800 --> 00:30:37.259 all rule 00:30:37.259 --> 00:30:37.800 and authority. 00:30:37.960 --> 00:30:38.280 So why 00:30:38.280 --> 00:30:38.580 would I 00:30:38.580 --> 00:30:39.120 worship an 00:30:39.120 --> 00:30:41.480 angel or 00:30:41.480 --> 00:30:42.019 submit to 00:30:42.019 --> 00:30:42.440 the teaching 00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:42.720 of a 00:30:42.720 --> 00:30:44.519 demon when 00:30:44.519 --> 00:30:44.800 I can 00:30:44.800 --> 00:30:45.700 worship the 00:30:45.700 --> 00:30:46.100 one who 00:30:46.100 --> 00:30:46.380 is the 00:30:46.380 --> 00:30:46.940 head of 00:30:46.940 --> 00:30:47.640 all rule 00:30:47.640 --> 00:30:48.640 and 00:30:48.640 --> 00:30:49.160 authority. 00:30:51.320 --> 00:30:52.040 He is 00:30:52.040 --> 00:30:52.500 God in 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:53.100 the flesh 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:54.759 and you 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.180 have been 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.780 filled in 00:30:56.780 --> 00:30:57.100 him. 00:30:57.200 --> 00:30:57.440 This is 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:57.680 what it 00:30:57.680 --> 00:30:58.000 means to 00:30:58.000 --> 00:30:58.280 be a 00:30:58.280 --> 00:30:58.640 Christian 00:30:58.640 --> 00:30:59.360 church. 00:31:00.500 --> 00:31:01.060 You 00:31:01.060 --> 00:31:01.540 have been 00:31:01.540 --> 00:31:03.259 filled in 00:31:03.259 --> 00:31:03.600 him. 00:31:03.800 --> 00:31:06.540 So what 00:31:06.540 --> 00:31:07.080 could anyone 00:31:07.080 --> 00:31:07.700 else add 00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.340 to you that 00:31:08.340 --> 00:31:09.020 Jesus is 00:31:09.020 --> 00:31:09.660 not already 00:31:09.660 --> 00:31:10.660 for you? 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.680 You have 00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.240 been filled 00:31:13.240 --> 00:31:13.960 in him who 00:31:13.960 --> 00:31:14.420 is the 00:31:14.420 --> 00:31:15.160 very fullness 00:31:15.160 --> 00:31:16.880 of God. 00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:17.420 Are you 00:31:17.420 --> 00:31:18.100 filled in 00:31:18.100 --> 00:31:18.519 Christ? 00:31:20.860 --> 00:31:21.640 If not, 00:31:21.740 --> 00:31:22.600 then friend, 00:31:22.680 --> 00:31:23.080 the call of 00:31:23.080 --> 00:31:23.680 this passage 00:31:23.680 --> 00:31:24.660 is to put 00:31:24.660 --> 00:31:25.279 your faith 00:31:25.279 --> 00:31:26.100 in Christ, 00:31:26.220 --> 00:31:27.080 to shun 00:31:27.080 --> 00:31:27.480 and turn 00:31:27.480 --> 00:31:27.900 away from 00:31:27.900 --> 00:31:28.279 the empty 00:31:28.279 --> 00:31:28.800 deceit of 00:31:28.800 --> 00:31:29.220 the world 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:29.540 and to 00:31:29.540 --> 00:31:30.040 come to 00:31:30.040 --> 00:31:30.600 Christ to 00:31:30.600 --> 00:31:31.300 find full 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:31.940 satisfaction 00:31:31.940 --> 00:31:32.820 in him, 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.140 to put 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.560 your faith 00:31:33.560 --> 00:31:33.940 in him 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:34.779 and find 00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.100 what it 00:31:35.100 --> 00:31:35.440 means to 00:31:35.440 --> 00:31:36.019 be truly 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.980 spiritually 00:31:36.980 --> 00:31:38.560 satisfied. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:41.680 Charles 00:31:41.680 --> 00:31:42.140 Spurgeon, 00:31:42.720 --> 00:31:43.519 in his book 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:43.980 The Soul 00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.379 Winner, 00:31:44.639 --> 00:31:45.339 gave some 00:31:45.339 --> 00:31:46.539 advice for 00:31:46.539 --> 00:31:46.980 Christian 00:31:46.980 --> 00:31:47.559 preaching, 00:31:47.940 --> 00:31:48.220 good 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:48.859 Christian 00:31:48.859 --> 00:31:49.339 gospel 00:31:49.339 --> 00:31:49.740 preaching. 00:31:49.859 --> 00:31:50.119 He said 00:31:50.119 --> 00:31:50.440 this, 00:31:50.859 --> 00:31:51.079 he said, 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.500 I believe 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:51.879 that those 00:31:51.879 --> 00:31:52.319 sermons 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.740 which are 00:31:52.740 --> 00:31:53.339 the fullest 00:31:53.339 --> 00:31:54.160 of Christ 00:31:54.160 --> 00:31:55.119 are the 00:31:55.119 --> 00:31:55.779 most likely 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:56.139 to be 00:31:56.139 --> 00:31:56.480 blessed 00:31:56.480 --> 00:31:56.859 to the 00:31:56.859 --> 00:31:57.259 conversion 00:31:57.259 --> 00:31:57.619 of the 00:31:57.619 --> 00:31:58.099 hearers. 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.819 Let 00:31:59.819 --> 00:32:00.119 your 00:32:00.119 --> 00:32:00.559 sermons 00:32:00.559 --> 00:32:01.160 be full 00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:01.779 of Christ 00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.619 from 00:32:02.619 --> 00:32:03.000 beginning 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.599 to end 00:32:03.599 --> 00:32:04.519 crammed 00:32:04.519 --> 00:32:05.079 full of 00:32:05.079 --> 00:32:05.680 the gospel. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.359 As for 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:07.740 myself, 00:32:07.879 --> 00:32:08.160 brethren, 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:08.639 I cannot 00:32:08.639 --> 00:32:09.039 preach 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.420 anything 00:32:09.420 --> 00:32:10.160 but Christ 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:10.500 and his 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:10.879 cross, 00:32:10.980 --> 00:32:11.220 for I 00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.359 know 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:11.660 nothing 00:32:11.660 --> 00:32:12.059 else. 00:32:12.619 --> 00:32:13.079 And long 00:32:13.079 --> 00:32:13.399 ago, 00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:13.759 like the 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.079 apostle 00:32:14.079 --> 00:32:14.480 Paul, 00:32:15.000 --> 00:32:15.559 I determined 00:32:15.559 --> 00:32:16.220 not to 00:32:16.220 --> 00:32:16.419 know 00:32:16.419 --> 00:32:16.740 anything 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.199 else 00:32:17.199 --> 00:32:17.500 save 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:17.899 Jesus 00:32:17.899 --> 00:32:18.379 Christ 00:32:18.379 --> 00:32:18.559 and 00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:18.779 him 00:32:18.779 --> 00:32:19.299 crucified. 00:32:20.679 --> 00:32:20.960 People 00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:21.099 have 00:32:21.099 --> 00:32:21.379 often 00:32:21.379 --> 00:32:21.799 asked 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.079 me, 00:32:22.460 --> 00:32:22.659 what's 00:32:22.659 --> 00:32:22.819 the 00:32:22.819 --> 00:32:23.019 secret 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.159 of 00:32:23.159 --> 00:32:23.279 your 00:32:23.279 --> 00:32:23.819 success? 00:32:24.679 --> 00:32:25.139 I've 00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.579 always 00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:25.980 answered 00:32:25.980 --> 00:32:26.720 that I 00:32:26.720 --> 00:32:27.199 have no 00:32:27.199 --> 00:32:27.460 other 00:32:27.460 --> 00:32:27.819 secret 00:32:27.819 --> 00:32:28.399 but this, 00:32:28.659 --> 00:32:28.899 that I 00:32:28.899 --> 00:32:29.079 have 00:32:29.079 --> 00:32:29.460 preached 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:29.699 the 00:32:29.699 --> 00:32:30.159 gospel, 00:32:30.460 --> 00:32:30.720 not 00:32:30.720 --> 00:32:31.139 about 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:31.359 the 00:32:31.359 --> 00:32:31.779 gospel, 00:32:32.139 --> 00:32:32.259 but 00:32:32.259 --> 00:32:32.480 the 00:32:32.480 --> 00:32:32.960 gospel, 00:32:33.699 --> 00:32:33.819 the 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:34.419 full, 00:32:34.659 --> 00:32:35.240 free, 00:32:35.619 --> 00:32:36.159 glorious 00:32:36.159 --> 00:32:36.779 gospel 00:32:36.779 --> 00:32:37.299 of the 00:32:37.299 --> 00:32:37.579 living 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:38.119 Christ, 00:32:38.379 --> 00:32:38.720 who is 00:32:38.720 --> 00:32:38.919 the 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:39.500 incarnation 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:40.319 of the 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:40.619 good 00:32:40.619 --> 00:32:41.039 news. 00:32:41.419 --> 00:32:41.779 Preach 00:32:41.779 --> 00:32:42.220 Jesus 00:32:42.220 --> 00:32:42.740 Christ, 00:32:42.879 --> 00:32:43.180 brethren, 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.279 always and 00:32:44.279 --> 00:32:44.799 everywhere, 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:45.720 and every 00:32:45.720 --> 00:32:46.319 time you 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:46.740 preach, 00:32:46.960 --> 00:32:47.579 be sure to 00:32:47.579 --> 00:32:48.180 have much 00:32:48.180 --> 00:32:48.700 of Jesus 00:32:48.700 --> 00:32:49.339 Christ in 00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:49.720 the sermon. 00:32:52.200 --> 00:32:52.960 You know, 00:32:53.000 --> 00:32:53.460 that's not just 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.379 advice for good 00:32:54.379 --> 00:32:55.139 Christian preaching. 00:32:55.140 --> 00:32:57.840 that is advice 00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.660 for good 00:32:58.660 --> 00:32:59.759 Christian living. 00:33:02.040 --> 00:33:02.900 Let your 00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.800 life be 00:33:03.800 --> 00:33:04.600 full of 00:33:04.600 --> 00:33:05.040 Christ 00:33:05.040 --> 00:33:06.680 from 00:33:06.680 --> 00:33:07.060 beginning 00:33:07.060 --> 00:33:07.980 to end, 00:33:09.420 --> 00:33:09.860 crammed 00:33:09.860 --> 00:33:10.759 full of 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:11.400 the gospel. 00:33:13.020 --> 00:33:13.440 Know 00:33:13.440 --> 00:33:14.460 nothing else 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:15.400 save Christ 00:33:15.400 --> 00:33:15.740 and him 00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.259 crucified. 00:33:16.680 --> 00:33:16.960 And when 00:33:16.960 --> 00:33:17.780 others ask 00:33:17.780 --> 00:33:18.100 you what 00:33:18.100 --> 00:33:18.560 your secret 00:33:18.560 --> 00:33:18.900 is, 00:33:19.040 --> 00:33:19.900 always have 00:33:19.900 --> 00:33:20.320 the answer 00:33:20.320 --> 00:33:20.780 to give 00:33:20.780 --> 00:33:21.340 that you 00:33:21.340 --> 00:33:22.259 have received 00:33:22.259 --> 00:33:23.039 Christ, 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.640 the full, 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:25.640 free, 00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:26.720 glorious 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.539 Christ. 00:33:28.279 --> 00:33:29.019 And so 00:33:29.019 --> 00:33:29.599 you walk 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:30.039 in him 00:33:30.039 --> 00:33:31.660 and resist 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:33.099 everything else. 00:33:33.940 --> 00:33:34.879 Let's pray. 00:33:35.200 --> 00:33:35.559 Father, 00:33:36.039 --> 00:33:38.500 we ask 00:33:38.500 --> 00:33:39.099 would you 00:33:39.099 --> 00:33:41.119 root us 00:33:41.119 --> 00:33:42.000 and build 00:33:42.000 --> 00:33:42.599 us up 00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:43.420 and establish 00:33:43.420 --> 00:33:44.420 us in 00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.420 Christ. 00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:45.539 Christ. 00:33:47.340 --> 00:33:48.080 We ask 00:33:48.080 --> 00:33:48.480 would you 00:33:48.480 --> 00:33:50.039 fill our 00:33:50.039 --> 00:33:50.539 hearts with 00:33:50.539 --> 00:33:51.360 thankfulness 00:33:51.360 --> 00:33:52.140 to Jesus 00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:52.720 for who he 00:33:52.720 --> 00:33:53.019 is and 00:33:53.019 --> 00:33:53.320 what he's 00:33:53.320 --> 00:33:53.940 done so 00:33:53.940 --> 00:33:54.680 full that 00:33:54.680 --> 00:33:54.940 we have 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:55.600 no room 00:33:55.600 --> 00:33:56.259 to listen 00:33:56.259 --> 00:33:56.539 to the 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:56.920 lies of 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:57.300 the enemy. 00:33:57.620 --> 00:33:57.980 Would you 00:33:57.980 --> 00:33:58.640 guard this 00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.200 church 00:33:59.200 --> 00:34:01.740 from every 00:34:01.740 --> 00:34:02.700 false system 00:34:02.700 --> 00:34:03.340 of doctrine 00:34:03.340 --> 00:34:03.860 that would 00:34:03.860 --> 00:34:04.480 undermine 00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.120 the glory 00:34:05.120 --> 00:34:05.620 of Jesus? 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:07.560 Would you 00:34:07.560 --> 00:34:07.860 help us 00:34:07.860 --> 00:34:08.360 constantly 00:34:08.360 --> 00:34:08.760 to look 00:34:08.760 --> 00:34:09.200 to him 00:34:09.200 --> 00:34:10.519 with joyful 00:34:10.519 --> 00:34:11.180 faith 00:34:11.180 --> 00:34:12.880 for who 00:34:12.880 --> 00:34:13.139 he is 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.380 and what 00:34:13.380 --> 00:34:13.519 he's 00:34:13.519 --> 00:34:13.740 done? 00:34:13.840 --> 00:34:14.220 We love 00:34:14.220 --> 00:34:14.340 you, 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.559 Father. 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:14.880 We pray 00:34:14.880 --> 00:34:15.139 this in 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.360 Jesus' 00:34:15.519 --> 00:34:15.699 name. 00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.079 Amen.