WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.520 We're reading in Philippians chapter 3. 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:07.259 So our time we're going to look at the first three verses here in this chapter. 00:00:07.700 --> 00:00:10.259 Philippians chapter 3, again we read at verse 1. 00:00:11.359 --> 00:00:14.019 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord. 00:00:15.000 --> 00:00:19.620 To write the same things to you is no trouble to me and is safe for you. 00:00:20.559 --> 00:00:23.839 Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, 00:00:24.440 --> 00:00:26.859 look out for those who mutilate the flesh. 00:00:26.859 --> 00:00:33.359 For we are the real circumcision who worship by the Spirit of God 00:00:33.359 --> 00:00:39.179 and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh. 00:00:41.399 --> 00:00:49.120 Are you someone who is easily distracted in these times when there's so much going on around us 00:00:49.120 --> 00:00:53.060 and our television screens are full of what's happening around our land? 00:00:53.060 --> 00:00:57.980 We can maybe think to ourselves, well just before I go and sit and read my Bible, 00:00:58.120 --> 00:01:02.440 go and have my own quiet time, just for a few moments switch on the telly 00:01:02.440 --> 00:01:04.620 and just see what's happening now. 00:01:05.200 --> 00:01:11.359 Only an hour later, an hour and a half later, you're still sitting there watching what's happening. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:16.520 It can happen so easily in our lives, not just when there's some major incident going on, 00:01:16.879 --> 00:01:20.820 some major event, but day after day we can easily be distracted 00:01:20.819 --> 00:01:22.819 from the main thing that we should be doing. 00:01:23.759 --> 00:01:26.159 And as we read in the book of Philippians, 00:01:26.559 --> 00:01:31.780 we read Paul writing to a people and to a congregation of God's people 00:01:31.780 --> 00:01:37.000 who were often in danger of being distracted by the things that were going on around them. 00:01:37.659 --> 00:01:40.679 And what he's doing is he's writing in a real pastoral way, 00:01:40.759 --> 00:01:43.659 just bringing them back to what they are meant to be doing 00:01:43.659 --> 00:01:46.619 and where their focus is meant to be. 00:01:47.299 --> 00:01:50.599 That they are to be a people who rejoice in the Lord. 00:01:51.239 --> 00:01:54.200 It's a recurring theme throughout this letter, 00:01:54.280 --> 00:01:58.000 the joy of the Lord and the fact that we are to rejoice in the Lord. 00:01:58.159 --> 00:02:02.179 So you find him saying again and again, this is what we are to be doing. 00:02:02.959 --> 00:02:06.259 Now as you look at the beginning of chapter 3 here, 00:02:06.939 --> 00:02:10.099 we're in the middle, very center point of the letter. 00:02:10.099 --> 00:02:16.259 It's halfway through the letter in terms of the chapters as they are laid out before us. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:19.599 But you see, Paul begins chapter 3 by saying, 00:02:19.719 --> 00:02:21.199 finally, my brothers. 00:02:22.759 --> 00:02:26.180 It's maybe like a bit like a minister saying in conclusion, 00:02:27.060 --> 00:02:29.560 and you think to yourself, well, he's going to be finished early tonight. 00:02:29.900 --> 00:02:33.219 But then he goes on and repeats everything that he said before. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:35.900 And he goes on for about the same amount of time again. 00:02:36.459 --> 00:02:38.620 Is that what Paul is doing here? 00:02:38.620 --> 00:02:42.060 Is he just saying finally, but then just going on to repeat himself 00:02:42.060 --> 00:02:46.159 with actually no real gain, nothing to be gained or no purpose in it? 00:02:46.960 --> 00:02:48.719 Well, it's not at all. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:52.039 Although he covers the points again, 00:02:52.140 --> 00:02:54.980 he does so in a way where he's giving even more insight 00:02:54.980 --> 00:02:56.580 to what the people are to be doing, 00:02:57.000 --> 00:02:59.740 even more insight into the Lord that they are worshiping, 00:03:00.200 --> 00:03:03.620 even more insight into the glory that there is in Christ 00:03:03.620 --> 00:03:05.719 and the way that they are to live. 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:10.060 It's not just a finally in terms of we're nearly there. 00:03:10.420 --> 00:03:13.719 It's like a finally in sense of it's just pause for a moment 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:16.439 and reflect on what we've heard already 00:03:16.439 --> 00:03:20.560 before we go on and look at it again in even more depth. 00:03:21.060 --> 00:03:23.599 There is repetition in the points he's made, 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:25.140 but they're profitable. 00:03:25.139 --> 00:03:28.979 And it's no great, as he says here, 00:03:29.119 --> 00:03:33.099 it's no trouble to me to say the same things to you 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:35.079 because it's of benefit to you. 00:03:35.159 --> 00:03:38.339 It's good for you to hear these things again and again. 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:41.719 Let us, he's saying, focus and prepare ourselves 00:03:41.719 --> 00:03:44.099 to go into the world in which we live, 00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:46.339 to face up to the challenges that are around us, 00:03:46.519 --> 00:03:50.119 to be aware of the distractions that will easily come our way 00:03:50.120 --> 00:03:55.480 and to be focused on what we are doing, rejoicing in the Lord. 00:03:56.140 --> 00:03:59.539 And so in these days when we can be so easily distracted, 00:04:00.240 --> 00:04:03.819 let us always bear heed to what Paul is saying, 00:04:03.860 --> 00:04:05.420 what the scriptures are saying to us, 00:04:05.939 --> 00:04:10.920 that our first and main purpose is to be a people who worship God. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:14.280 How many times do you have to hear something 00:04:14.280 --> 00:04:16.699 before you understand it? 00:04:16.699 --> 00:04:21.060 If you're like me, there's some things that almost doesn't seem to matter 00:04:21.060 --> 00:04:22.839 how many times you hear it, 00:04:23.240 --> 00:04:25.379 you still can't just grasp it properly. 00:04:26.279 --> 00:04:28.479 It's like learning algebra in school. 00:04:29.060 --> 00:04:31.420 The teacher's repeating it again and again, 00:04:31.560 --> 00:04:32.599 telling you how to do it. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:34.180 It's just not sinking in. 00:04:34.219 --> 00:04:35.219 It's just not registering. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:37.500 No matter how many times you're hearing it, 00:04:37.519 --> 00:04:40.079 there's certain things that it really doesn't matter 00:04:40.079 --> 00:04:41.219 how often we hear it. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:43.019 It's just not sinking in. 00:04:43.019 --> 00:04:46.060 Now maybe in our own lives, 00:04:46.759 --> 00:04:49.199 think about how many sermons you heard 00:04:49.199 --> 00:04:51.099 and it just wasn't registering. 00:04:51.939 --> 00:04:54.120 The word of God wasn't penetrating. 00:04:54.500 --> 00:04:56.779 You were hearing the word again and again, 00:04:57.279 --> 00:04:59.539 whether it was in church, in Sunday school, 00:04:59.979 --> 00:05:01.439 from other people around you. 00:05:01.799 --> 00:05:04.879 You're hearing the word, but it's not penetrating. 00:05:06.019 --> 00:05:09.719 How often do you have to hear it to understand it? 00:05:09.799 --> 00:05:12.120 Well, the gospel is different in that sense. 00:05:13.019 --> 00:05:15.680 It's only by God's grace and by his spirit 00:05:15.680 --> 00:05:18.480 in opening our hearts that we begin to receive 00:05:18.480 --> 00:05:20.000 and to understand. 00:05:21.019 --> 00:05:23.399 But as Paul is writing to the church at Philippi, 00:05:23.480 --> 00:05:25.840 as well as many of the other churches he wrote through 00:05:25.840 --> 00:05:27.259 in the New Testament, 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:30.899 what you find is repeating the same things 00:05:30.899 --> 00:05:32.259 again and again, prayerfully, 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:34.500 that that word would penetrate 00:05:34.500 --> 00:05:36.840 and work in people's hearts. 00:05:37.680 --> 00:05:38.720 And so we keep hearing, 00:05:39.060 --> 00:05:40.240 we keep coming to hear, 00:05:40.240 --> 00:05:43.000 yes, it can sound the same thing again and again, 00:05:43.460 --> 00:05:45.660 but all the time it's working away in us 00:05:45.660 --> 00:05:47.120 and building us up in the faith, 00:05:47.680 --> 00:05:49.240 reminding us of who we worship. 00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:50.860 And as we go on, 00:05:51.259 --> 00:05:53.360 we're strengthened in our faith. 00:05:54.259 --> 00:05:56.500 John Flavel once said, 00:05:56.860 --> 00:05:59.860 there was a time when 3,000 souls 00:05:59.860 --> 00:06:03.180 were born to Christ at one sermon. 00:06:04.079 --> 00:06:06.079 Again, about the day of Pentecost. 00:06:06.079 --> 00:06:07.899 And as Peter preached the word, 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:10.439 3,000 souls were saved. 00:06:11.039 --> 00:06:12.259 But he went on to say, 00:06:13.259 --> 00:06:16.919 it may now be 3,000 sermons may be preached 00:06:16.919 --> 00:06:19.240 and not one soul converted. 00:06:20.839 --> 00:06:22.579 But does that mean we lose hope? 00:06:23.240 --> 00:06:24.799 Does that mean we lose heart? 00:06:25.299 --> 00:06:27.779 Because every time we come under the word of God 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:29.639 or gather together around God's word, 00:06:29.740 --> 00:06:31.419 that it seems to be doing little 00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:32.680 or having no effect? 00:06:32.680 --> 00:06:33.120 No. 00:06:34.740 --> 00:06:36.060 Paul, as he says here, 00:06:36.379 --> 00:06:38.060 he's just reminding them again and again 00:06:38.060 --> 00:06:39.520 to go on in faith, 00:06:39.640 --> 00:06:41.000 to go on in the strength of the Lord, 00:06:41.140 --> 00:06:43.340 always rejoicing in the Lord 00:06:43.340 --> 00:06:45.680 and always make sure that in your own heart, 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:48.120 your priority is first and foremost 00:06:48.120 --> 00:06:49.840 to worship God, 00:06:50.600 --> 00:06:51.759 not to be distracted, 00:06:52.480 --> 00:06:53.939 not to be distracted by the devil 00:06:53.939 --> 00:06:56.020 and the way he'll try to discourage you, 00:06:56.420 --> 00:06:57.819 not to be distracted by things 00:06:57.819 --> 00:06:58.980 that are going on around us. 00:06:58.980 --> 00:07:00.580 First and foremost, 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:03.720 to always rejoice in the Lord. 00:07:04.720 --> 00:07:06.600 If you put on a fire and leave it, 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.720 it's going to burn out. 00:07:08.520 --> 00:07:09.960 If you keep feeding that fire, 00:07:10.040 --> 00:07:11.040 it's going to keep burning. 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:13.939 And that's what Paul is saying here to the people. 00:07:14.520 --> 00:07:15.879 Keep feeding your souls. 00:07:16.660 --> 00:07:18.060 Keep coming to the Lord 00:07:18.060 --> 00:07:20.640 and being strengthened in your faith. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:23.920 Yes, you come to faith, 00:07:24.420 --> 00:07:27.980 but unless you continue to refuel your faith 00:07:27.980 --> 00:07:29.800 and come to the source of your faith, 00:07:30.040 --> 00:07:31.800 it's going to burn out. 00:07:32.439 --> 00:07:34.600 We are to be a people who again and again 00:07:34.600 --> 00:07:37.140 approach God in worship. 00:07:38.060 --> 00:07:39.480 And that's why there's wisdom 00:07:39.480 --> 00:07:42.120 in gathering in the middle of the week. 00:07:43.280 --> 00:07:45.100 Perhaps we're doing so in the midst 00:07:45.100 --> 00:07:46.600 of a busy week. 00:07:46.600 --> 00:07:48.360 And in a busy week, 00:07:48.360 --> 00:07:51.200 all we're doing is giving out all the time, 00:07:52.040 --> 00:07:53.420 giving out of our strength, 00:07:54.100 --> 00:07:55.220 giving out of our time, 00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:57.000 giving out in our work. 00:07:57.140 --> 00:07:58.000 We're giving to others 00:07:58.000 --> 00:07:59.800 as we serve in different ways. 00:08:00.200 --> 00:08:01.860 All the time giving out. 00:08:02.879 --> 00:08:04.439 But then there's a time when we come 00:08:04.439 --> 00:08:06.379 to take in, 00:08:06.760 --> 00:08:09.460 to take in what God is saying to us, 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:11.640 to recharge our batteries, 00:08:11.860 --> 00:08:13.700 to refresh our souls, 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:16.240 to refresh ourselves among one another 00:08:16.240 --> 00:08:17.560 and around God's word 00:08:17.560 --> 00:08:19.360 and in singing his praise, 00:08:20.360 --> 00:08:23.639 to delight and to worship God at all times. 00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:26.539 Psalm 42 speaks about that 00:08:26.539 --> 00:08:29.439 and its sense of thirsting for God. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:32.120 It says that's the kind of people 00:08:32.120 --> 00:08:33.439 that we are to be 00:08:33.439 --> 00:08:35.039 and longing to meet with God. 00:08:35.120 --> 00:08:36.519 I knew the psalmist says 00:08:36.519 --> 00:08:39.419 we should long to come together 00:08:39.419 --> 00:08:40.519 and worship God. 00:08:40.519 --> 00:08:43.159 We should be thirsting for our God. 00:08:43.259 --> 00:08:44.860 We all need to recharge 00:08:44.860 --> 00:08:47.579 and to come to the source of our faith, 00:08:47.720 --> 00:08:48.199 the Lord, 00:08:48.819 --> 00:08:51.240 and to refresh ourselves in him. 00:08:52.059 --> 00:08:54.159 That's what Paul was constantly doing, 00:08:54.199 --> 00:08:55.460 no matter where he was, 00:08:55.860 --> 00:08:57.899 whether he was on his missionary journeys, 00:08:58.460 --> 00:09:00.399 whether he was writing from a prison cell. 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:02.840 He was able to rejoice in the Lord 00:09:02.840 --> 00:09:05.240 and find his strength in him. 00:09:05.980 --> 00:09:07.639 So here in these first three verses 00:09:07.639 --> 00:09:08.980 of chapter three, 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:11.559 Paul pauses to reflect here 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:14.259 and he takes us back to the heart of worship 00:09:14.259 --> 00:09:17.240 with encouragement and warnings as well. 00:09:18.199 --> 00:09:19.360 And these we're going to look at 00:09:19.360 --> 00:09:21.080 just for a few moments. 00:09:21.620 --> 00:09:23.519 He's taking us back to Christ. 00:09:23.659 --> 00:09:24.819 It's all about him. 00:09:25.699 --> 00:09:27.059 It's not about what we do 00:09:27.059 --> 00:09:28.539 or what we are. 00:09:29.080 --> 00:09:30.919 It's about who he is 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.740 and what he has done. 00:09:33.659 --> 00:09:34.659 So there's three things 00:09:34.659 --> 00:09:36.179 I want us to take from these verses, 00:09:36.179 --> 00:09:37.599 each verse individually. 00:09:38.299 --> 00:09:39.719 Verse one, first of all, 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:42.339 tells us that we are to remember. 00:09:43.479 --> 00:09:44.219 To remember. 00:09:45.539 --> 00:09:47.059 They're all reminders to us 00:09:47.059 --> 00:09:48.079 of what worship is. 00:09:48.179 --> 00:09:50.120 First thing is to remember. 00:09:51.659 --> 00:09:52.659 Finally, my brothers, 00:09:53.099 --> 00:09:54.599 rejoice in the Lord. 00:09:55.179 --> 00:09:56.919 To write the same things to you 00:09:56.919 --> 00:09:58.139 is no trouble to me 00:09:58.139 --> 00:10:00.779 and is safe for you. 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:04.099 He's just reminding the people 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:05.899 this is what it's about. 00:10:06.759 --> 00:10:08.120 This is what our lives 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:10.000 are to be focused on. 00:10:10.680 --> 00:10:12.040 This is where we are to look to 00:10:12.040 --> 00:10:13.540 at all times. 00:10:14.540 --> 00:10:16.399 Rejoice in the Lord. 00:10:17.600 --> 00:10:19.340 It's like a command. 00:10:20.220 --> 00:10:21.860 A command to continue 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:23.440 in this way. 00:10:23.800 --> 00:10:25.480 To go forward in this way. 00:10:25.519 --> 00:10:25.840 Otherwise, 00:10:26.320 --> 00:10:27.759 you're going to go off track. 00:10:27.980 --> 00:10:29.139 You're going to lose your way. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.139 If you start getting distracted 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.500 by what's going on around you, 00:10:32.539 --> 00:10:33.639 what other people are doing, 00:10:33.759 --> 00:10:35.699 or what gods they are worshipping, 00:10:35.779 --> 00:10:37.279 or how they are living their lives, 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:39.439 you're going to get off track. 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:40.779 But he's saying, 00:10:41.100 --> 00:10:41.559 brothers, 00:10:42.179 --> 00:10:43.960 rejoice in the Lord. 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:46.139 And it's no trouble 00:10:46.139 --> 00:10:48.100 for me to say this to you. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.600 And it's safe for you. 00:10:49.659 --> 00:10:50.740 This is where you are to find 00:10:50.740 --> 00:10:52.319 your salvation and your safety. 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:55.220 It is always in the Lord. 00:10:55.220 --> 00:10:57.920 That is the great recurring theme 00:10:57.920 --> 00:10:59.340 in this letter. 00:10:59.440 --> 00:11:00.740 And what he constantly wants 00:11:00.740 --> 00:11:02.519 the people to remember. 00:11:02.800 --> 00:11:04.560 And what he repeats here. 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.800 And what he repeats again, 00:11:06.840 --> 00:11:08.220 as you see in chapter 4, 00:11:08.960 --> 00:11:10.300 where he says in verse 4 00:11:10.300 --> 00:11:10.920 of that chapter, 00:11:11.060 --> 00:11:12.440 rejoice in the Lord always. 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.040 Again, I will say, 00:11:14.600 --> 00:11:15.080 rejoice. 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:18.019 Repeating it again 00:11:18.019 --> 00:11:19.120 and again and again. 00:11:20.759 --> 00:11:22.500 But it's for the people's good. 00:11:22.540 --> 00:11:23.480 And it's for our good 00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.860 to hear it as well. 00:11:24.920 --> 00:11:26.060 That we are to be a people 00:11:26.060 --> 00:11:29.159 rejoicing in the Lord always. 00:11:30.560 --> 00:11:32.620 He knows it for himself. 00:11:33.300 --> 00:11:34.500 He knows the blessing 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:35.519 that there is in this. 00:11:35.899 --> 00:11:37.940 In the midst of all his distractions, 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:39.180 his own distractions, 00:11:40.080 --> 00:11:41.460 he finds his strength 00:11:41.460 --> 00:11:44.480 in rejoicing in the Lord. 00:11:46.120 --> 00:11:47.300 And so what does that mean 00:11:47.300 --> 00:11:49.100 for ourselves tonight? 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:50.740 Well, again, 00:11:50.740 --> 00:11:52.039 it's just this reminder. 00:11:52.039 --> 00:11:53.919 Whatever circumstances 00:11:53.919 --> 00:11:55.519 we find ourselves in, 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:57.579 whether it's internationally, 00:11:58.279 --> 00:12:00.459 nationally, locally, 00:12:01.179 --> 00:12:03.139 or just personal to ourselves, 00:12:03.240 --> 00:12:04.159 whatever is going on 00:12:04.159 --> 00:12:04.879 in our hearts, 00:12:05.539 --> 00:12:06.659 whatever our troubles, 00:12:06.899 --> 00:12:07.879 whatever our joys, 00:12:08.519 --> 00:12:10.120 whatever our fears and worries, 00:12:10.779 --> 00:12:12.120 we bring them to the Lord. 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:14.279 We bring them to him 00:12:14.279 --> 00:12:16.120 and we rejoice in him. 00:12:17.059 --> 00:12:18.740 That he is a God who hears. 00:12:18.740 --> 00:12:21.440 That we are coming to a living Savior. 00:12:22.220 --> 00:12:23.100 That we are coming 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:24.700 through the Holy Spirit, 00:12:24.820 --> 00:12:25.840 as he says here, 00:12:25.899 --> 00:12:26.580 that we worship 00:12:26.580 --> 00:12:28.899 by the Spirit of God 00:12:28.899 --> 00:12:31.139 and glory in Christ Jesus. 00:12:31.940 --> 00:12:33.600 This is our great privilege 00:12:33.600 --> 00:12:35.659 as a people of worship. 00:12:36.120 --> 00:12:38.960 That we come to a living God. 00:12:38.960 --> 00:12:42.360 And so we come 00:12:42.360 --> 00:12:44.379 and we come again 00:12:44.379 --> 00:12:45.540 and again 00:12:45.540 --> 00:12:46.460 and again. 00:12:46.879 --> 00:12:48.040 We come together. 00:12:48.660 --> 00:12:49.860 We come in our own time. 00:12:49.980 --> 00:12:51.019 We come and approach 00:12:51.019 --> 00:12:52.480 the living God 00:12:52.480 --> 00:12:53.100 who is able 00:12:53.100 --> 00:12:55.160 to refresh our souls 00:12:55.160 --> 00:12:56.920 and to bless us. 00:12:56.919 --> 00:13:00.719 And if we don't, 00:13:01.259 --> 00:13:02.360 what happens? 00:13:03.360 --> 00:13:04.599 We are in danger 00:13:04.599 --> 00:13:06.000 of falling. 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.740 We are in danger 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:09.199 of just slipping back 00:13:09.199 --> 00:13:10.779 bit by bit. 00:13:11.579 --> 00:13:12.779 We are in danger 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:14.000 of just our hearts 00:13:14.000 --> 00:13:15.819 being on fire 00:13:15.819 --> 00:13:17.459 but being quenched 00:13:17.459 --> 00:13:19.259 little by little. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:21.459 It is always the danger 00:13:21.459 --> 00:13:22.459 that we have, 00:13:22.599 --> 00:13:23.459 the warning we have 00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.459 throughout Scripture, 00:13:24.460 --> 00:13:27.820 do not forget the Lord. 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:29.700 You go back to Deuteronomy 00:13:29.700 --> 00:13:32.139 and it's a recurring warning 00:13:32.139 --> 00:13:32.920 in that book. 00:13:33.500 --> 00:13:34.120 Your people, 00:13:34.300 --> 00:13:35.440 Moses' people, 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:36.160 God's people 00:13:36.160 --> 00:13:36.700 are going into 00:13:36.700 --> 00:13:37.620 the promised land 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.900 with this warning 00:13:38.900 --> 00:13:39.900 ringing in their ears. 00:13:40.040 --> 00:13:41.139 Do not get distracted. 00:13:42.440 --> 00:13:43.580 Do not lose your focus. 00:13:44.400 --> 00:13:46.259 Do not forget the Lord. 00:13:47.040 --> 00:13:47.540 Remember, 00:13:48.300 --> 00:13:49.440 first and foremost, 00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:51.120 we worship God. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:53.080 What is it 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.600 to worship God? 00:13:56.280 --> 00:13:57.180 You were asked 00:13:57.180 --> 00:13:57.800 that question. 00:13:57.879 --> 00:13:58.379 How would you 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.280 answer that? 00:13:59.360 --> 00:13:59.879 What does it mean 00:13:59.879 --> 00:14:01.700 for you to worship God? 00:14:02.920 --> 00:14:03.160 Well, 00:14:03.180 --> 00:14:03.840 some people have 00:14:03.840 --> 00:14:04.720 put it down 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.920 in different ways. 00:14:07.400 --> 00:14:08.620 But a man called 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.540 William Temple, 00:14:10.420 --> 00:14:11.040 who was once 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:12.440 Archbishop of Canterbury, 00:14:12.580 --> 00:14:13.480 he said this, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.540 defining worship 00:14:14.540 --> 00:14:15.240 in this way, 00:14:15.900 --> 00:14:16.980 as quickening 00:14:16.980 --> 00:14:18.060 the conscience 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:19.440 by the holiness 00:14:19.440 --> 00:14:20.200 of God, 00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:22.040 feeding the mind 00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:22.759 with the truth 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.360 of God, 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.379 purging the imagination 00:14:25.379 --> 00:14:26.159 by the beauty 00:14:26.159 --> 00:14:26.759 of God, 00:14:27.539 --> 00:14:28.639 opening the heart 00:14:28.639 --> 00:14:29.620 to the love 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.199 of God, 00:14:30.779 --> 00:14:31.620 and devoting 00:14:31.620 --> 00:14:32.319 the will 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:33.860 to the purpose 00:14:33.860 --> 00:14:34.839 of God. 00:14:35.719 --> 00:14:36.620 There's much 00:14:36.620 --> 00:14:37.559 in that quote, 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:39.039 so much in it, 00:14:39.599 --> 00:14:40.679 but what is worship? 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.360 It's about God, 00:14:42.679 --> 00:14:43.759 all about him, 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:45.419 our conscience 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.079 being crooked 00:14:46.079 --> 00:14:47.500 by the holiness 00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:48.279 of God, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:49.639 feeding the mind 00:14:49.639 --> 00:14:50.500 through the truth 00:14:50.500 --> 00:14:51.319 of God, 00:14:51.960 --> 00:14:53.080 purging the imagination 00:14:53.080 --> 00:14:53.939 by the beauty 00:14:53.939 --> 00:14:54.460 of God. 00:14:54.519 --> 00:14:54.879 He becomes 00:14:54.879 --> 00:14:55.559 more precious 00:14:55.559 --> 00:14:56.220 to us, 00:14:56.759 --> 00:14:57.779 opening the heart 00:14:57.779 --> 00:14:59.039 to the love 00:14:59.039 --> 00:14:59.919 of God 00:14:59.919 --> 00:15:01.259 and devoting 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:01.819 the will 00:15:01.819 --> 00:15:03.039 to the purpose 00:15:03.039 --> 00:15:03.699 of God. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.319 It affects 00:15:05.319 --> 00:15:06.319 change in us, 00:15:06.879 --> 00:15:07.759 not just 00:15:07.759 --> 00:15:08.519 by sitting 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.819 and taking it in, 00:15:10.340 --> 00:15:11.000 but by going 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:11.860 away with it 00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.059 and putting it out. 00:15:13.539 --> 00:15:14.319 We come in, 00:15:14.399 --> 00:15:15.080 we refuel 00:15:15.080 --> 00:15:16.120 so we can 00:15:16.120 --> 00:15:17.220 put out again. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.340 We come 00:15:18.340 --> 00:15:19.480 to remember 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:19.980 the Lord 00:15:19.980 --> 00:15:21.060 as we worship him. 00:15:22.280 --> 00:15:22.960 Second thing 00:15:22.960 --> 00:15:23.520 we see here 00:15:23.520 --> 00:15:24.480 is in verse 2. 00:15:25.300 --> 00:15:25.920 And here's just 00:15:25.920 --> 00:15:26.700 a warning, 00:15:27.080 --> 00:15:27.920 don't be distracted 00:15:27.920 --> 00:15:28.700 by what's going 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.600 on around you. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:31.080 Refuse to get drawn 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.920 into these things. 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.139 Look out for the dogs, 00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:34.980 look out for the evildoers, 00:15:35.120 --> 00:15:36.180 look out for those 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.360 who mutilate 00:15:37.360 --> 00:15:38.340 the flesh. 00:15:39.340 --> 00:15:40.540 What is he saying here? 00:15:41.080 --> 00:15:41.340 Well, 00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:43.080 he's reminding them here 00:15:45.080 --> 00:15:45.879 that there are many 00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.520 who will seek 00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:47.420 to take them away 00:15:47.420 --> 00:15:48.020 from what they are 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:48.800 meant to be doing 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:50.340 in worshipping God. 00:15:51.040 --> 00:15:52.120 And in particular, 00:15:52.120 --> 00:15:53.120 he's talking here 00:15:53.120 --> 00:15:53.620 about those 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.300 who are saying 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:55.759 you have to be 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.720 circumcised. 00:15:57.320 --> 00:15:58.240 Without circumcision, 00:15:58.360 --> 00:15:58.980 there's no way 00:15:58.980 --> 00:16:00.139 you can approach God. 00:16:00.520 --> 00:16:01.400 This is almost 00:16:01.400 --> 00:16:02.300 what's at the heart 00:16:02.300 --> 00:16:02.879 of worship 00:16:02.879 --> 00:16:04.240 for so many people 00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:05.660 around in Paul's day. 00:16:06.080 --> 00:16:06.600 Without this, 00:16:06.680 --> 00:16:07.360 there's no way 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:08.580 you can approach God. 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:11.040 But Paul is reminding them, 00:16:11.560 --> 00:16:12.620 refuse to be drawn 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.379 into this. 00:16:13.920 --> 00:16:14.780 Don't be distracted 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.379 by this. 00:16:16.079 --> 00:16:16.839 Worship isn't about 00:16:16.839 --> 00:16:17.600 what you do, 00:16:18.079 --> 00:16:18.779 but what I do 00:16:18.779 --> 00:16:19.519 and what I have done 00:16:19.519 --> 00:16:20.240 for you. 00:16:21.100 --> 00:16:21.919 That's what he goes on 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:22.879 to expand on 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.559 in verse 3. 00:16:24.179 --> 00:16:25.039 We are the real 00:16:25.039 --> 00:16:25.839 circumcision 00:16:25.839 --> 00:16:26.319 who worship 00:16:26.319 --> 00:16:27.120 by the spirit 00:16:27.120 --> 00:16:28.019 of God 00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:28.519 and glory 00:16:28.519 --> 00:16:29.419 in Christ Jesus. 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.459 No confidence 00:16:30.459 --> 00:16:31.279 in the flesh. 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.360 So the warning 00:16:33.360 --> 00:16:33.939 is there. 00:16:34.439 --> 00:16:35.519 Don't be distracted 00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.339 by those around you 00:16:37.339 --> 00:16:37.899 who will seek 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.019 to lead you away 00:16:39.019 --> 00:16:40.559 in another direction. 00:16:41.559 --> 00:16:41.959 And again, 00:16:42.039 --> 00:16:43.179 it's such a warning 00:16:43.179 --> 00:16:43.860 to ourselves 00:16:43.860 --> 00:16:44.800 today as well 00:16:44.800 --> 00:16:45.620 when there are 00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.379 so many things 00:16:46.379 --> 00:16:47.519 that will distract us, 00:16:47.600 --> 00:16:48.279 so many things 00:16:48.279 --> 00:16:49.440 that people will tell us 00:16:49.440 --> 00:16:50.659 are important 00:16:50.659 --> 00:16:51.759 and how we're to live, 00:16:52.279 --> 00:16:53.519 even how we're to worship. 00:16:55.820 --> 00:16:56.879 What we worship 00:16:56.879 --> 00:16:58.320 is the living God, 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.680 not man. 00:17:00.680 --> 00:17:01.460 And so we listen 00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:02.159 to what the word 00:17:02.159 --> 00:17:03.580 of God says to us. 00:17:04.740 --> 00:17:05.420 The Judea, 00:17:05.779 --> 00:17:06.740 the Jews around 00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.440 at this time 00:17:07.440 --> 00:17:08.559 were trying to force 00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:09.940 people to follow 00:17:09.940 --> 00:17:10.579 the law. 00:17:10.579 --> 00:17:13.019 the law was a big thing 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.679 for them. 00:17:14.159 --> 00:17:15.099 And if you didn't keep 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:15.539 the law, 00:17:15.619 --> 00:17:16.379 you weren't right 00:17:16.379 --> 00:17:17.019 with God. 00:17:17.259 --> 00:17:18.159 There was no way 00:17:18.159 --> 00:17:19.839 you could come near 00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:20.399 to God 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.319 and yet the law 00:17:21.319 --> 00:17:22.559 could never be upheld. 00:17:23.359 --> 00:17:24.019 You could never 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:25.240 keep it perfectly. 00:17:26.379 --> 00:17:27.379 You were enslaved 00:17:27.379 --> 00:17:28.139 in this way 00:17:28.139 --> 00:17:28.980 to trying to keep 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.500 the law, 00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:30.839 something that was 00:17:30.839 --> 00:17:32.439 impossible to do. 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.699 But what Paul 00:17:34.699 --> 00:17:35.159 is saying, 00:17:35.579 --> 00:17:36.559 refuse to get 00:17:36.559 --> 00:17:37.659 pulled into this. 00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:39.440 you come 00:17:39.440 --> 00:17:40.360 and worship 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.860 God freely, 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:43.800 not burdened 00:17:43.800 --> 00:17:44.420 by the law, 00:17:44.820 --> 00:17:46.120 but free in Christ 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:47.600 who has fulfilled 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:48.800 the law for you. 00:17:49.160 --> 00:17:50.580 What we could not do, 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:51.640 he has done 00:17:51.640 --> 00:17:52.880 for us. 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:55.060 And so we have 00:17:55.060 --> 00:17:55.880 this freedom 00:17:55.880 --> 00:17:57.180 to approach 00:17:57.180 --> 00:17:58.440 God in this way. 00:17:59.019 --> 00:17:59.820 But are we? 00:18:01.320 --> 00:18:02.560 Or are we still 00:18:02.560 --> 00:18:03.880 trying in our own way 00:18:03.880 --> 00:18:05.700 to satisfy God 00:18:05.700 --> 00:18:06.519 and to fulfill 00:18:06.519 --> 00:18:07.359 God's law 00:18:07.359 --> 00:18:08.259 and make sure 00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.039 that we are doing 00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:09.879 everything right 00:18:09.879 --> 00:18:10.599 ourselves? 00:18:12.339 --> 00:18:13.299 Human effort 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:14.579 plays a big part 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.680 in so many people's 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.460 religion today. 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:17.579 It's about 00:18:17.579 --> 00:18:18.539 what we do. 00:18:20.220 --> 00:18:21.160 If you try 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:22.180 your best, 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.559 as somebody 00:18:23.559 --> 00:18:24.240 once said, 00:18:24.859 --> 00:18:25.319 even though 00:18:25.319 --> 00:18:26.460 you aren't perfect, 00:18:27.119 --> 00:18:28.059 God will say, 00:18:28.460 --> 00:18:29.299 I let you 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:29.879 into heaven 00:18:29.879 --> 00:18:30.539 because you 00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:32.299 tried so hard. 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:34.680 is that 00:18:34.680 --> 00:18:35.200 the answer 00:18:35.200 --> 00:18:35.859 to life's 00:18:35.859 --> 00:18:36.500 troubles today? 00:18:36.579 --> 00:18:36.839 Is that 00:18:36.839 --> 00:18:37.220 the way 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:37.700 to heaven? 00:18:38.319 --> 00:18:38.539 Well, 00:18:38.559 --> 00:18:38.879 the person 00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:39.279 went on 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:39.639 to say, 00:18:39.859 --> 00:18:40.700 if that is 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:41.279 what the Bible 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.779 teaches, 00:18:42.079 --> 00:18:43.059 then it is so. 00:18:44.359 --> 00:18:45.220 But if it is 00:18:45.220 --> 00:18:45.659 contrary 00:18:45.659 --> 00:18:46.500 to what the Bible 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:47.099 teaches, 00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.299 then trying 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.819 your best 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.379 to get into 00:18:49.379 --> 00:18:49.700 heaven 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:51.180 is like 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:51.919 trying your 00:18:51.919 --> 00:18:52.399 best 00:18:52.399 --> 00:18:53.240 to jump 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:53.819 across 00:18:53.819 --> 00:18:54.559 the Grand 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.059 Canyon. 00:18:56.139 --> 00:18:57.019 You're not 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.919 going to make 00:18:57.920 --> 00:18:58.160 it. 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:00.120 No matter 00:19:00.120 --> 00:19:00.720 how hard 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.300 you try, 00:19:01.660 --> 00:19:02.660 it's impossible. 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:03.759 We cannot 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.320 do it. 00:19:05.279 --> 00:19:05.759 And if we 00:19:05.759 --> 00:19:06.240 are thinking 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.560 the way 00:19:06.560 --> 00:19:06.900 to heaven 00:19:06.900 --> 00:19:07.580 is to try 00:19:07.580 --> 00:19:08.080 our best, 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:08.440 to do 00:19:08.440 --> 00:19:09.100 our best, 00:19:09.820 --> 00:19:10.300 we will 00:19:10.300 --> 00:19:10.880 not make 00:19:10.880 --> 00:19:11.120 it. 00:19:12.060 --> 00:19:12.800 The only 00:19:12.800 --> 00:19:13.300 way is 00:19:13.300 --> 00:19:14.060 through faith 00:19:14.060 --> 00:19:15.000 in the 00:19:15.000 --> 00:19:15.640 Lord Jesus 00:19:15.640 --> 00:19:16.300 Christ. 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.539 And we 00:19:18.539 --> 00:19:18.759 say, 00:19:18.880 --> 00:19:19.060 yes, 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.680 my faith 00:19:19.680 --> 00:19:20.060 is in 00:19:20.060 --> 00:19:20.519 Christ. 00:19:21.700 --> 00:19:22.400 But yet 00:19:22.400 --> 00:19:22.779 there are 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.320 times when 00:19:23.320 --> 00:19:23.600 we can 00:19:23.600 --> 00:19:24.420 still be 00:19:24.420 --> 00:19:25.120 pulled back 00:19:25.120 --> 00:19:25.519 into a 00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:25.820 way of 00:19:25.820 --> 00:19:26.140 thinking, 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:27.259 but I've 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.599 got to 00:19:27.599 --> 00:19:28.200 do this. 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.420 I'm 00:19:30.420 --> 00:19:30.640 letting 00:19:30.640 --> 00:19:31.200 the Lord 00:19:31.200 --> 00:19:31.500 down 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.039 because I've 00:19:32.039 --> 00:19:32.640 done this 00:19:32.640 --> 00:19:33.559 or I haven't 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:34.019 done this 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:34.379 and feeling 00:19:34.379 --> 00:19:35.019 this burden 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:35.720 of guilt. 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:37.920 But on the 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:38.339 cross he 00:19:38.339 --> 00:19:38.660 said, 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.079 it is 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:39.559 finished. 00:19:40.480 --> 00:19:41.119 It is 00:19:41.119 --> 00:19:41.460 done. 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.240 And you 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:43.619 put your 00:19:43.619 --> 00:19:45.019 trust in 00:19:45.019 --> 00:19:45.359 me. 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:47.039 Let us 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:47.379 not be 00:19:47.379 --> 00:19:47.960 distracted 00:19:47.960 --> 00:19:48.579 by others 00:19:48.579 --> 00:19:48.879 who will 00:19:48.879 --> 00:19:49.220 say, 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:50.160 you have 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:50.460 to do 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:50.779 this, 00:19:50.920 --> 00:19:51.140 that, 00:19:51.200 --> 00:19:51.420 or the 00:19:51.420 --> 00:19:51.960 next thing. 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.259 You need 00:19:53.259 --> 00:19:53.839 faith in 00:19:53.839 --> 00:19:54.200 the Lord 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.660 Jesus. 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:56.059 And your 00:19:56.059 --> 00:19:56.619 faith will 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:57.000 lead to 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:57.599 works. 00:19:58.079 --> 00:19:58.900 Not works 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.160 that will 00:19:59.160 --> 00:19:59.880 save you, 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:00.900 but works 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:01.160 that will 00:20:01.160 --> 00:20:02.000 fulfill you 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.700 as you 00:20:02.700 --> 00:20:03.240 do all 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:03.960 to the 00:20:03.960 --> 00:20:04.539 glory of 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:04.819 God. 00:20:04.880 --> 00:20:05.359 Not adding 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:05.880 anything to 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:06.779 your salvation, 00:20:07.500 --> 00:20:07.900 but just 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.500 doing all 00:20:08.500 --> 00:20:09.059 for him 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.960 who gave 00:20:09.960 --> 00:20:10.440 his all 00:20:10.440 --> 00:20:11.039 for you. 00:20:12.420 --> 00:20:13.319 So why 00:20:13.319 --> 00:20:14.140 do we 00:20:14.140 --> 00:20:14.539 do what 00:20:14.539 --> 00:20:14.920 we do? 00:20:16.059 --> 00:20:16.799 If someone 00:20:16.799 --> 00:20:17.079 was going to 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:17.559 ask you 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.039 tonight as 00:20:18.039 --> 00:20:18.339 you leave 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.000 the church, 00:20:19.480 --> 00:20:19.880 what were 00:20:19.880 --> 00:20:20.299 you doing 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.740 in there? 00:20:21.960 --> 00:20:22.440 What 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.099 response 00:20:23.099 --> 00:20:23.420 would you 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:23.819 give to 00:20:23.819 --> 00:20:24.000 them? 00:20:24.000 --> 00:20:26.319 we 00:20:26.319 --> 00:20:26.480 were 00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:27.000 worshipping 00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.500 God. 00:20:27.980 --> 00:20:28.440 We 00:20:28.440 --> 00:20:28.579 were 00:20:28.579 --> 00:20:28.960 together 00:20:28.960 --> 00:20:29.339 singing 00:20:29.339 --> 00:20:29.799 God's 00:20:29.799 --> 00:20:30.119 praise. 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.299 We 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.420 were 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:30.759 hearing 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:31.299 God's 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.720 word. 00:20:32.259 --> 00:20:32.539 Would 00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:32.740 that 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.140 answer 00:20:33.140 --> 00:20:33.359 their 00:20:33.359 --> 00:20:33.960 questions? 00:20:35.400 --> 00:20:35.960 You 00:20:35.960 --> 00:20:36.299 may have 00:20:36.299 --> 00:20:36.720 to go 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.539 a little 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.000 further, 00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:38.900 but remember 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.480 the scripture 00:20:39.480 --> 00:20:40.119 says you 00:20:40.119 --> 00:20:40.859 always have a 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.880 reason for 00:20:41.880 --> 00:20:42.259 the hope 00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.519 that you 00:20:42.519 --> 00:20:43.200 have within. 00:20:44.579 --> 00:20:44.960 To say, 00:20:45.039 --> 00:20:45.220 I was 00:20:45.220 --> 00:20:45.839 coming to 00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:46.500 worship the 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.720 Lord who 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.460 died for 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.279 my sins. 00:20:49.279 --> 00:20:50.399 I 00:20:50.399 --> 00:20:51.139 believe in 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:51.460 him, 00:20:51.839 --> 00:20:52.299 that I 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:52.680 might have 00:20:52.680 --> 00:20:53.879 life through 00:20:53.879 --> 00:20:54.240 him. 00:20:54.740 --> 00:20:55.420 Something as 00:20:55.420 --> 00:20:56.000 simple as 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.339 that, but 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.740 you're giving 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:58.099 a response. 00:20:58.579 --> 00:20:59.019 If you 00:20:59.019 --> 00:20:59.399 leave here 00:20:59.399 --> 00:20:59.899 tonight and 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:00.519 someone asks 00:21:00.519 --> 00:21:00.879 you, what 00:21:00.879 --> 00:21:01.119 were you 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.440 doing? 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:02.799 Well, I 00:21:02.799 --> 00:21:03.099 was just 00:21:03.099 --> 00:21:03.460 doing what 00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:03.720 I do 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.299 every week. 00:21:05.299 --> 00:21:05.920 I don't 00:21:05.920 --> 00:21:06.359 know what 00:21:06.359 --> 00:21:06.619 I was 00:21:06.619 --> 00:21:07.079 doing in 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.200 there. 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:07.359 I don't 00:21:07.359 --> 00:21:07.680 know why 00:21:07.680 --> 00:21:08.000 I was 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:08.460 doing it. 00:21:08.720 --> 00:21:09.139 That's 00:21:09.139 --> 00:21:09.940 not explaining 00:21:09.940 --> 00:21:10.099 it. 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:10.420 We have 00:21:10.420 --> 00:21:10.639 to have 00:21:10.639 --> 00:21:11.019 an answer 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.440 to give 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:12.099 to people. 00:21:13.160 --> 00:21:13.420 There's a 00:21:13.420 --> 00:21:14.000 little story 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.680 told about 00:21:14.680 --> 00:21:15.460 a church 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.139 in Denmark. 00:21:17.420 --> 00:21:17.879 And every 00:21:17.880 --> 00:21:18.920 time the 00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:20.600 worshipers 00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:21.100 would enter 00:21:21.100 --> 00:21:22.140 the church, 00:21:23.060 --> 00:21:23.740 they would 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.300 turn to 00:21:24.300 --> 00:21:24.860 the right 00:21:24.860 --> 00:21:25.940 and they 00:21:25.940 --> 00:21:26.620 would bow 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.540 to the 00:21:27.540 --> 00:21:27.920 wall. 00:21:29.740 --> 00:21:30.360 And someone 00:21:30.360 --> 00:21:30.880 was visiting 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.440 the church 00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:32.060 this day. 00:21:32.460 --> 00:21:32.940 And he 00:21:32.940 --> 00:21:33.360 was seeing 00:21:33.360 --> 00:21:33.760 the people 00:21:33.760 --> 00:21:34.360 coming in, 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.240 looking to 00:21:35.240 --> 00:21:35.640 the right 00:21:35.640 --> 00:21:36.140 and bowing 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:36.400 to the 00:21:36.400 --> 00:21:36.700 wall and 00:21:36.700 --> 00:21:37.040 then going 00:21:37.040 --> 00:21:37.420 to their 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:37.860 seats. 00:21:38.980 --> 00:21:39.240 And he 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.980 was just 00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:40.680 so curious 00:21:40.680 --> 00:21:41.300 as to why 00:21:41.300 --> 00:21:41.560 they were 00:21:41.560 --> 00:21:41.920 doing this. 00:21:41.980 --> 00:21:42.300 He was a 00:21:42.300 --> 00:21:42.560 visitor. 00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:42.860 He didn't 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.640 know what 00:21:43.640 --> 00:21:43.840 they were 00:21:43.840 --> 00:21:44.060 doing, 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:44.720 but everyone 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.020 who came 00:21:45.020 --> 00:21:45.280 in who 00:21:45.280 --> 00:21:45.780 was local, 00:21:46.260 --> 00:21:46.660 they'd went 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.280 through this 00:21:47.280 --> 00:21:47.740 motion. 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.420 At the 00:21:49.420 --> 00:21:49.700 end of 00:21:49.700 --> 00:21:50.240 the service, 00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:50.700 he went 00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.160 to ask 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:51.460 some of 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.960 the people. 00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:53.520 He said, 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.260 why were 00:21:54.260 --> 00:21:54.860 you bowing 00:21:54.860 --> 00:21:55.460 to the 00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:55.840 wall as 00:21:55.840 --> 00:21:56.120 you came 00:21:56.120 --> 00:21:56.340 in? 00:21:57.860 --> 00:21:58.100 He said, 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.400 the only 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.000 answer I 00:21:59.000 --> 00:21:59.700 got was, 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:00.780 we've 00:22:00.780 --> 00:22:01.540 always done 00:22:01.540 --> 00:22:01.900 it this 00:22:01.900 --> 00:22:02.160 way. 00:22:03.560 --> 00:22:04.100 It's a 00:22:04.100 --> 00:22:04.380 common 00:22:04.380 --> 00:22:04.820 answer we 00:22:04.820 --> 00:22:05.120 have to 00:22:05.120 --> 00:22:05.540 things today. 00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:05.800 We've 00:22:05.800 --> 00:22:06.400 always done 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:06.740 it this 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:06.980 way. 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:07.900 We don't 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:08.120 actually 00:22:08.120 --> 00:22:08.820 understand 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.740 why we're 00:22:09.740 --> 00:22:10.140 doing it. 00:22:10.140 --> 00:22:10.560 So the 00:22:10.560 --> 00:22:11.060 man wasn't 00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:11.320 going to 00:22:11.320 --> 00:22:11.580 leave it 00:22:11.580 --> 00:22:12.000 at that. 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.260 He decided 00:22:13.260 --> 00:22:13.520 to go 00:22:13.520 --> 00:22:14.040 away and 00:22:14.040 --> 00:22:14.220 do a 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:14.560 little bit 00:22:14.560 --> 00:22:15.280 of research. 00:22:16.080 --> 00:22:16.320 And what 00:22:16.320 --> 00:22:16.760 he found 00:22:16.760 --> 00:22:17.340 out was 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.699 that the 00:22:17.699 --> 00:22:18.439 church used 00:22:18.439 --> 00:22:18.819 to be a 00:22:18.819 --> 00:22:19.199 Catholic 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:20.579 church before 00:22:20.579 --> 00:22:21.139 the time 00:22:21.139 --> 00:22:21.399 of the 00:22:21.399 --> 00:22:21.980 Reformation. 00:22:22.679 --> 00:22:23.439 And in the 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:24.059 church on the 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:24.599 right-hand 00:22:24.599 --> 00:22:25.439 wall was a 00:22:25.439 --> 00:22:26.019 picture of 00:22:26.019 --> 00:22:26.500 Mary, a 00:22:26.500 --> 00:22:27.000 painting of 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.279 Mary. 00:22:27.699 --> 00:22:28.500 Not a 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.079 painting that 00:22:29.079 --> 00:22:29.519 we'd hang, 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:29.899 but just 00:22:29.899 --> 00:22:30.599 actually on 00:22:30.599 --> 00:22:31.119 the wall. 00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:32.319 people would 00:22:32.319 --> 00:22:32.799 come in. 00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:34.299 So as people 00:22:34.299 --> 00:22:34.859 would come in 00:22:34.859 --> 00:22:35.519 in the days of 00:22:35.519 --> 00:22:36.219 the Catholic 00:22:36.219 --> 00:22:36.779 church, they 00:22:36.779 --> 00:22:37.479 would bow to 00:22:37.479 --> 00:22:38.039 Mary as they 00:22:38.039 --> 00:22:38.539 were going in 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:39.539 and then go and 00:22:39.539 --> 00:22:40.419 take their seats. 00:22:40.419 --> 00:22:40.759 And for years 00:22:40.759 --> 00:22:41.619 after the 00:22:41.619 --> 00:22:42.939 Reformation, even 00:22:42.939 --> 00:22:43.239 though the 00:22:43.239 --> 00:22:43.699 painting had 00:22:43.699 --> 00:22:44.299 been painted 00:22:44.299 --> 00:22:45.379 over, the 00:22:45.379 --> 00:22:46.519 ritual continued. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:47.939 And over 00:22:47.939 --> 00:22:49.319 time, people, 00:22:49.619 --> 00:22:50.299 generations 00:22:50.299 --> 00:22:51.539 passed, and 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.359 yet still the 00:22:52.359 --> 00:22:52.859 people, the 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.579 only answer 00:22:53.579 --> 00:22:54.359 they had was, 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:55.359 it's the way 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.000 we've always 00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:56.539 done it. 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:58.559 But it was 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.379 no part of 00:22:59.379 --> 00:22:59.720 worship. 00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:01.359 It was just 00:23:01.359 --> 00:23:02.059 a ritual. 00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.839 And Paul is 00:23:03.839 --> 00:23:04.279 saying here, 00:23:04.399 --> 00:23:05.119 don't let your 00:23:05.119 --> 00:23:05.940 worship become 00:23:05.940 --> 00:23:06.680 just a ritual. 00:23:07.759 --> 00:23:08.420 Don't let 00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:09.440 anyone come to 00:23:09.440 --> 00:23:09.740 you and ask, 00:23:09.819 --> 00:23:10.099 what were you 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.299 doing? 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:10.539 And you say, 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.180 well, just 00:23:11.180 --> 00:23:11.619 doing what we 00:23:11.619 --> 00:23:12.339 always done. 00:23:12.659 --> 00:23:13.119 It's the way 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.720 we've always 00:23:13.720 --> 00:23:14.279 done it. 00:23:15.359 --> 00:23:16.019 Our worship 00:23:16.019 --> 00:23:16.879 is living and 00:23:16.879 --> 00:23:18.139 active, day 00:23:18.139 --> 00:23:19.139 after day, week 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:19.819 after week. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:21.039 We're not just 00:23:21.039 --> 00:23:21.799 doing it out of 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:22.460 habit, we're 00:23:22.460 --> 00:23:23.059 doing it out of 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.500 love, out of 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:25.500 love for our 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.859 Savior. 00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.619 And that is 00:23:27.619 --> 00:23:28.019 where our 00:23:28.019 --> 00:23:28.839 focus is to 00:23:28.839 --> 00:23:29.700 be, to 00:23:29.700 --> 00:23:30.460 worship the 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.680 Lord and 00:23:31.680 --> 00:23:33.119 no other, not 00:23:33.119 --> 00:23:33.980 to be distracted 00:23:33.980 --> 00:23:35.379 by anything 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:35.920 else. 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.339 Look out, he 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:38.440 says, for the 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:39.200 dogs, look out 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:39.480 for the 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:40.279 evildoers, look 00:23:40.279 --> 00:23:41.119 out for those 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:42.399 who mutilate the 00:23:42.399 --> 00:23:42.680 flesh. 00:23:42.779 --> 00:23:43.139 Be on your 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.759 guard against 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.180 being led 00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:45.279 away from 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.799 anything that 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.139 isn't 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.180 worshiping God 00:23:47.180 --> 00:23:49.059 in spirit and 00:23:49.059 --> 00:23:49.700 in truth. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:51.460 And the 00:23:51.460 --> 00:23:51.899 third and 00:23:51.899 --> 00:23:52.700 final thing we 00:23:52.700 --> 00:23:53.359 see here is in 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:53.879 verse 3. 00:23:54.379 --> 00:23:55.000 And again, it's 00:23:55.000 --> 00:23:55.920 just a reminder 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.980 to us of 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:58.340 what we are 00:23:58.340 --> 00:23:58.960 as a people 00:23:58.960 --> 00:23:59.460 of worship. 00:23:59.960 --> 00:24:00.600 We are the 00:24:00.600 --> 00:24:02.220 real circumcision 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.279 who worship 00:24:03.279 --> 00:24:03.960 by the 00:24:03.960 --> 00:24:04.560 spirit of 00:24:04.560 --> 00:24:05.100 God and 00:24:05.100 --> 00:24:06.259 glory in 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:07.180 Christ Jesus 00:24:07.180 --> 00:24:08.500 and put no 00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:10.160 confidence in 00:24:10.160 --> 00:24:10.840 the flesh. 00:24:12.019 --> 00:24:12.759 Our faith 00:24:12.759 --> 00:24:14.180 relies on 00:24:14.180 --> 00:24:15.100 Christ Jesus 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:16.180 as Lord. 00:24:16.800 --> 00:24:17.840 Not confidence 00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:18.600 in ourselves, 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.960 not confidence 00:24:19.960 --> 00:24:20.600 in anything that 00:24:20.600 --> 00:24:21.160 we've done, not 00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:22.019 confidence in the 00:24:22.019 --> 00:24:22.360 flesh. 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.259 We are the 00:24:23.259 --> 00:24:24.460 real circumcision. 00:24:24.599 --> 00:24:24.980 He says, 00:24:25.519 --> 00:24:26.799 our hearts are 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:27.660 circumcised. 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:28.960 Our hearts are 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:30.059 melted by the 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:31.119 glory of God 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:32.460 in the person 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:33.220 of Christ. 00:24:34.920 --> 00:24:36.460 Otherwise, we're 00:24:36.460 --> 00:24:37.019 relying on 00:24:37.019 --> 00:24:37.640 something that 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.740 cannot save us, 00:24:39.359 --> 00:24:39.900 ourselves. 00:24:41.359 --> 00:24:42.000 Robert Murray 00:24:42.000 --> 00:24:43.339 McShane, I 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.859 think I quoted 00:24:43.859 --> 00:24:44.539 him a couple of 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:46.000 weeks ago, a 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:46.740 famous minister 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.500 in Dundee. 00:24:48.099 --> 00:24:48.980 He died before 00:24:48.980 --> 00:24:49.879 he was 30 and 00:24:49.879 --> 00:24:50.440 yet he had such 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:51.140 a powerful 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:52.320 ministry in 00:24:52.320 --> 00:24:52.940 that city. 00:24:54.000 --> 00:24:54.519 And it was 00:24:54.519 --> 00:24:55.140 him that wrote 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.860 the hymn 00:24:55.860 --> 00:24:56.440 Jehovah's 00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.059 and Kenyu. 00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.380 And if you 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:59.080 hear the 00:24:59.080 --> 00:25:00.700 words of 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.259 that hymn, 00:25:01.340 --> 00:25:01.980 it reminds 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:03.100 you of what 00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.980 he was and 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.700 what he became 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:05.460 and how it 00:25:05.460 --> 00:25:06.360 all changed. 00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:08.019 He was a 00:25:08.019 --> 00:25:08.740 stranger to 00:25:08.740 --> 00:25:09.860 grace and 00:25:09.860 --> 00:25:10.400 to God. 00:25:11.180 --> 00:25:11.759 Then one 00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.700 day it all 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.440 changed. 00:25:14.100 --> 00:25:14.279 And he 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:14.720 says in the 00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:14.900 hymn, 00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:15.360 when free 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:16.160 grace awoke 00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:17.259 me by 00:25:17.259 --> 00:25:17.860 light from 00:25:17.860 --> 00:25:18.360 on high, 00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.640 then legal 00:25:19.640 --> 00:25:20.680 fear shook 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.560 me, I 00:25:21.560 --> 00:25:22.560 trembled to 00:25:22.560 --> 00:25:22.920 die. 00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.300 No refuge, 00:25:24.540 --> 00:25:25.320 no safety, 00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.720 in self could 00:25:26.720 --> 00:25:27.400 I see. 00:25:28.060 --> 00:25:28.940 Jehovah's and 00:25:28.940 --> 00:25:29.660 Kenyu my 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.200 savior must 00:25:31.200 --> 00:25:31.540 be. 00:25:32.220 --> 00:25:32.759 He saw 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.700 nothing in 00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.300 this world 00:25:34.300 --> 00:25:34.740 that could 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.220 save him. 00:25:35.620 --> 00:25:35.940 He knew 00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.920 only Jehovah's 00:25:36.920 --> 00:25:37.540 and Kenyu 00:25:37.540 --> 00:25:39.180 my savior must 00:25:39.180 --> 00:25:39.480 be. 00:25:40.640 --> 00:25:41.380 And he saw 00:25:41.380 --> 00:25:42.500 everything that 00:25:42.500 --> 00:25:43.080 he had placed 00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:43.860 his confidence 00:25:43.860 --> 00:25:45.040 in was just 00:25:45.040 --> 00:25:45.540 empty. 00:25:46.500 --> 00:25:47.300 He must have 00:25:47.300 --> 00:25:48.220 Christ as his 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.600 hope. 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.579 And that's 00:25:49.579 --> 00:25:49.819 what he 00:25:49.819 --> 00:25:50.259 found. 00:25:50.919 --> 00:25:51.039 My 00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:51.839 terrors all 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:53.079 vanished before 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:53.719 the sweet 00:25:53.719 --> 00:25:54.079 name. 00:25:54.679 --> 00:25:55.219 My guilty 00:25:55.219 --> 00:25:56.259 fears banished 00:25:56.259 --> 00:25:57.219 with boldness 00:25:57.219 --> 00:25:58.419 I came to 00:25:58.419 --> 00:25:59.079 drink at the 00:25:59.079 --> 00:25:59.519 fountain, 00:26:00.000 --> 00:26:00.659 life giving 00:26:00.659 --> 00:26:01.259 and free. 00:26:01.819 --> 00:26:02.819 Jehovah's and 00:26:02.819 --> 00:26:04.419 Kenyu is all 00:26:04.419 --> 00:26:05.699 things to 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.059 me. 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:07.980 His life was 00:26:07.980 --> 00:26:09.579 transformed by 00:26:09.579 --> 00:26:10.639 meeting Christ, 00:26:11.099 --> 00:26:12.579 by coming to 00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.299 that living 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.480 water, to 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.480 drink at the 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.359 fountain, life 00:26:16.359 --> 00:26:17.019 giving and 00:26:17.019 --> 00:26:17.359 free. 00:26:17.359 --> 00:26:18.299 that is 00:26:18.299 --> 00:26:18.740 where he 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.939 found what 00:26:19.939 --> 00:26:21.119 worship was. 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.219 It was to 00:26:22.219 --> 00:26:23.479 love Christ 00:26:23.479 --> 00:26:24.339 Jesus with 00:26:24.339 --> 00:26:25.179 all his 00:26:25.179 --> 00:26:25.679 heart. 00:26:26.439 --> 00:26:27.299 Nothing else 00:26:27.299 --> 00:26:28.639 could save 00:26:28.639 --> 00:26:28.859 him. 00:26:29.959 --> 00:26:30.759 What the 00:26:30.759 --> 00:26:31.379 Lord has 00:26:31.379 --> 00:26:32.759 done for 00:26:32.759 --> 00:26:34.699 us, as we 00:26:34.699 --> 00:26:35.379 look to the 00:26:35.379 --> 00:26:36.119 cross, as we 00:26:36.119 --> 00:26:36.740 see what he 00:26:36.740 --> 00:26:37.459 has done for 00:26:37.459 --> 00:26:38.779 us, it 00:26:38.779 --> 00:26:40.379 deserves our 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:40.859 worship. 00:26:41.419 --> 00:26:41.659 It 00:26:41.659 --> 00:26:43.359 deserves our 00:26:43.359 --> 00:26:44.119 all, all 00:26:44.119 --> 00:26:44.959 other forms, 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:45.940 glory in 00:26:45.940 --> 00:26:46.680 the flesh, 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.539 but through 00:26:48.539 --> 00:26:49.059 worship 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.799 exalts 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.720 Christ. 00:26:51.420 --> 00:26:51.680 It 00:26:51.680 --> 00:26:52.840 honors God 00:26:52.840 --> 00:26:54.200 and worship 00:26:54.200 --> 00:26:55.799 flows from 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.519 a heart that 00:26:56.519 --> 00:26:57.279 is redeemed 00:26:57.279 --> 00:26:58.600 by him. 00:26:59.900 --> 00:27:00.920 So we 00:27:00.920 --> 00:27:02.299 come to 00:27:02.299 --> 00:27:02.660 him. 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.220 We come 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:05.500 to worship 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:06.340 him, as he 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:07.039 says here, 00:27:07.500 --> 00:27:08.160 as the real 00:27:08.160 --> 00:27:09.059 circumcision, 00:27:09.240 --> 00:27:10.180 who worshiped 00:27:10.180 --> 00:27:11.120 by the spirit 00:27:11.119 --> 00:27:11.979 of God and 00:27:11.979 --> 00:27:12.639 glory in 00:27:12.639 --> 00:27:13.500 Christ Jesus, 00:27:14.119 --> 00:27:14.759 putting no 00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:16.759 confidence in 00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.479 the flesh. 00:27:19.000 --> 00:27:19.719 Is that how 00:27:19.719 --> 00:27:21.279 we come to 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:21.799 worship? 00:27:22.319 --> 00:27:22.819 Tonight, 00:27:23.899 --> 00:27:24.459 tomorrow, 00:27:25.179 --> 00:27:25.559 the day 00:27:25.559 --> 00:27:26.719 after, this 00:27:26.719 --> 00:27:27.539 Lord's Day? 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:28.639 Are we 00:27:28.639 --> 00:27:29.000 coming 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.039 distracted, 00:27:31.000 --> 00:27:31.379 or are we 00:27:31.379 --> 00:27:32.719 coming focused 00:27:32.719 --> 00:27:33.319 on the one 00:27:33.319 --> 00:27:34.059 we come to 00:27:34.059 --> 00:27:35.399 worship, and 00:27:35.399 --> 00:27:35.899 what he has 00:27:35.899 --> 00:27:36.659 done for 00:27:36.659 --> 00:27:37.099 us? 00:27:38.059 --> 00:27:38.699 Let us not 00:27:38.699 --> 00:27:39.639 be distracted. 00:27:39.640 --> 00:27:40.960 let us not 00:27:40.960 --> 00:27:41.440 lose our 00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.960 focus, but 00:27:42.960 --> 00:27:43.540 day after 00:27:43.540 --> 00:27:44.960 day, worship 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:46.380 him, not 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:47.520 losing heart, 00:27:48.240 --> 00:27:48.820 but living 00:27:48.820 --> 00:27:50.320 for him, and 00:27:50.320 --> 00:27:50.680 letting the 00:27:50.680 --> 00:27:51.100 love of 00:27:51.100 --> 00:27:52.060 Christ shine 00:27:52.060 --> 00:27:52.460 in our 00:27:52.460 --> 00:27:53.860 hearts, and 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:55.080 going out and 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:55.700 showing that 00:27:55.700 --> 00:27:56.820 love for 00:27:56.820 --> 00:27:57.259 others. 00:27:58.020 --> 00:27:58.680 The more we 00:27:58.680 --> 00:27:59.800 come and 00:27:59.800 --> 00:28:00.920 refuel ourselves 00:28:00.920 --> 00:28:02.280 in him, the 00:28:02.280 --> 00:28:02.940 more we have 00:28:02.940 --> 00:28:03.540 to go and 00:28:03.540 --> 00:28:04.840 give out to 00:28:04.840 --> 00:28:05.360 others. 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:07.180 So as the 00:28:07.180 --> 00:28:07.680 psalmist 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.240 says, 00:28:08.940 --> 00:28:09.560 O come, 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.720 and let 00:28:10.720 --> 00:28:12.120 us worship 00:28:12.120 --> 00:28:12.620 him. 00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.759 May we go 00:28:13.759 --> 00:28:14.980 on in that 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:16.020 way, day 00:28:16.020 --> 00:28:16.640 after day. 00:28:17.460 --> 00:28:17.820 Amen. 00:28:17.920 --> 00:28:18.259 May God 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:19.500 bless these 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:19.960 thoughts. 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.160 Amen.