WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 When I was training to be a vicar at Ridley Hall in Cambridge quite a few years ago now, there was a New Testament lecturer called Mike Thompson who excelled in the study of Paul and his letters. 00:00:29.980 --> 00:00:47.380 One Friday afternoon that the following week was going to be really difficult for us because we were going to be studying Romans and we all thought, gosh, if Mike says that the study of Romans is difficult, then it must be. 00:00:47.679 --> 00:00:54.240 And it was. And it is. Let's just pray for a moment. 00:00:59.979 --> 00:01:06.519 Lord, we thank you that throughout our lives we've just sung you have been faithful. 00:01:06.519 --> 00:01:14.199 Lord, you are so, so good and your goodness is running after us. 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:25.200 And we thank you, Lord, for your word and we thank you for this letter to the Romans that is so relevant for us today. 00:01:25.680 --> 00:01:37.960 And we pray now you'd pour out your spirit upon us and speak to us through it, Lord, as we think about the passage that Liz has just read for us. 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:42.619 Thank you, Lord. Amen. 00:01:44.419 --> 00:01:53.459 So for this sermon, I used Tom Wright's commentaries called Paul for Everyone and Romans for Everyone. 00:01:53.459 --> 00:01:59.959 I think in your home groups, you're studying Romans for Everyone. 00:02:00.659 --> 00:02:03.439 And I would highly recommend them to you. 00:02:03.659 --> 00:02:11.939 They explain all of Paul's letters so well and in very easy, everyday language. 00:02:13.199 --> 00:02:16.939 Tom Wright says the following about Romans. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:22.079 Paul's letter to the Christians in Rome is his masterpiece. 00:02:22.979 --> 00:02:32.359 It covers many different topics from many different angles, bringing them all together in a fast-moving and compelling line of thought. 00:02:33.280 --> 00:02:40.439 Reading it sometimes feels like being swept along in a small boat on a swirling, bubbling river. 00:02:41.060 --> 00:02:45.039 We need to hold on tight if we're going to stay on board. 00:02:45.039 --> 00:02:51.039 But if we do, the energy and excitement of it all is unbeatable. 00:02:51.840 --> 00:02:53.799 And the reason is obvious. 00:02:54.419 --> 00:03:05.280 Because Romans is all about the God who, as Paul says, unveils his power and his grace through the good news about Jesus. 00:03:05.280 --> 00:03:15.479 And as Paul insists again and again, this power and grace is available for everyone who believes. 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:24.679 I think we all know Jesus' wonderful story of the prodigal son in Luke chapter 15. 00:03:25.379 --> 00:03:30.259 The younger son twists his father's arm for his share of the property. 00:03:30.819 --> 00:03:34.780 He goes off and spends it all and then comes home. 00:03:35.039 --> 00:03:37.259 He thinks in utter disgrace. 00:03:37.259 --> 00:03:46.939 But then, to his astonishment, he finds his father running down the road to meet him and throwing a huge party in his honour. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:51.919 He's welcomed back as a son, even though he doesn't deserve it. 00:03:52.259 --> 00:03:56.280 And even though his older brother is grumbling about it. 00:03:56.280 --> 00:04:03.860 Now, come forward a year or two and imagine a thought creeping into the young man's mind. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:09.300 Life has settled down to a reasonable humdrum existence again. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:14.360 His older brother tolerates having him around, more or less. 00:04:14.939 --> 00:04:16.779 His father is getting older. 00:04:16.779 --> 00:04:24.239 He remembers with a happy sigh the day he came up the road and his father came running to greet him. 00:04:24.879 --> 00:04:27.559 And he thinks, perhaps I'll do it again. 00:04:28.279 --> 00:04:34.079 Why not help himself to enough things to survive, run away for a few weeks, 00:04:34.339 --> 00:04:37.500 and then play the penitent and come back again? 00:04:38.159 --> 00:04:40.000 Maybe I'll get another party. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:46.959 Now, we might think this is absurd, but don't believe it. 00:04:47.060 --> 00:04:50.540 It's exactly what a great many people think. 00:04:51.180 --> 00:04:54.660 A famous philosopher two centuries ago said, 00:04:54.839 --> 00:04:56.220 God will forgive me. 00:04:56.620 --> 00:04:57.819 That's his job. 00:04:58.779 --> 00:05:02.240 And a great many people today do believe that. 00:05:02.420 --> 00:05:03.980 We, I'm sure, believe that. 00:05:03.980 --> 00:05:11.780 But they perhaps also think that the only topic the church should say to anyone is the message of forgiveness. 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:15.200 If you do something wrong, it's okay. 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:17.300 God will forgive you. 00:05:17.900 --> 00:05:21.360 The only thing to say to someone who sins is, 00:05:21.620 --> 00:05:22.420 that's fine. 00:05:23.000 --> 00:05:25.180 God loves you and forgives you. 00:05:26.120 --> 00:05:30.400 Yes, God loves, reaches us while we're still sinners. 00:05:30.399 --> 00:05:32.699 As Corrie ten Boom said, 00:05:33.019 --> 00:05:38.319 there is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still. 00:05:39.039 --> 00:05:45.560 But God doesn't want us to keep on sinning in order that his love may go on reaching us. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:47.219 It's the very opposite. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:50.319 God loves us just as we are. 00:05:50.699 --> 00:05:55.219 But he loves us so much, he doesn't want us to stay as we are. 00:05:55.220 --> 00:06:01.240 God is in the business of transformation and turning our lives around. 00:06:02.040 --> 00:06:07.680 And part of that process lies with us deciding to lead our sinful lives 00:06:07.680 --> 00:06:14.360 and choosing to be led by Jesus and trusting in him for our lives. 00:06:15.100 --> 00:06:18.080 As it says in John 10, verse 10, 00:06:18.460 --> 00:06:22.800 I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. 00:06:22.800 --> 00:06:29.079 And in Romans chapter 6, Paul is trying to explain this. 00:06:29.639 --> 00:06:35.100 I would encourage you to take time this week to read the whole of chapter 6. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:39.439 If you really want to, I'd encourage you to read chapter 7 and 8. 00:06:39.660 --> 00:06:41.300 They're all linked. 00:06:41.620 --> 00:06:43.240 In fact, read the whole of Romans. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:44.439 In fact, read the whole Bible. 00:06:44.699 --> 00:06:48.360 I don't know what your week's looking like this week. 00:06:48.360 --> 00:06:50.720 But I could go on and on recommending. 00:06:51.280 --> 00:06:54.300 But certainly read Romans chapter 6. 00:06:54.939 --> 00:06:57.319 And really, pray before you read. 00:06:57.520 --> 00:07:01.780 I'm not telling you to read an ordinary book and just a chapter of it. 00:07:01.879 --> 00:07:07.100 This is a God-breathed book that will really speak into your lives. 00:07:07.199 --> 00:07:10.680 And as you pray and ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you through it, 00:07:10.780 --> 00:07:11.660 he really will. 00:07:11.660 --> 00:07:14.740 And the passage will come alive for you. 00:07:15.560 --> 00:07:21.020 And verses will be highlighted for you to focus on. 00:07:23.220 --> 00:07:27.640 Sometimes we hear in the news of someone who's suffered a bad accident 00:07:27.640 --> 00:07:30.360 or a particular kind of illness. 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:33.460 And they can no longer remember who they are. 00:07:33.640 --> 00:07:37.240 It must be, you know, a really horrible situation to be in. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:40.759 Both for the person concerned who's lost their memory 00:07:40.759 --> 00:07:45.120 and for their family and friends and those trying to help them. 00:07:45.720 --> 00:07:49.079 We're so used to people knowing their name, where they live, 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:51.740 what job they do, who their family are. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:56.579 So the thought of talking to someone who genuinely can't remember 00:07:56.579 --> 00:08:00.160 any of these things is quite alarming, isn't it? 00:08:00.900 --> 00:08:05.100 There are even those more rare occasions when we hear of a child 00:08:05.100 --> 00:08:06.480 who's been lost as a baby. 00:08:07.160 --> 00:08:12.680 And they're found sometime later, having been brought up by animals 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:17.080 without any idea of what a human is. 00:08:17.180 --> 00:08:19.460 They've had no human contact. 00:08:21.060 --> 00:08:23.240 And faced with one of these situations, 00:08:23.660 --> 00:08:27.920 what we long to be able to do is to help the person concerned 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:32.100 to discover who they are so that they can bring their lives 00:08:32.100 --> 00:08:34.899 back into line with their identity. 00:08:36.040 --> 00:08:40.360 People who suffer memory loss can often be eased back, 00:08:40.480 --> 00:08:43.139 bit by bit, into normal life, 00:08:43.320 --> 00:08:45.740 into finding their way around once more, 00:08:46.040 --> 00:08:49.220 and gradually sometimes the memory returns. 00:08:50.340 --> 00:08:54.240 The child brought up in the jungle can discover overnight 00:08:54.240 --> 00:08:58.180 all kinds of undreamed-of human possibilities, 00:08:58.840 --> 00:09:01.840 such as speaking as a human speaks. 00:09:03.100 --> 00:09:06.480 Paul's aim in this passage that we read for us 00:09:06.480 --> 00:09:09.840 is to do something of the same with people 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:13.840 who need to learn, again, what they've forgotten. 00:09:14.420 --> 00:09:18.560 And actually, we need to be reminded of our new identity 00:09:18.560 --> 00:09:20.920 that we have as baptized Christians. 00:09:21.300 --> 00:09:22.519 We often forget. 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:24.820 We have a bit of memory loss. 00:09:26.300 --> 00:09:30.879 Imagine also, for a moment, a map with two types of humanity on it, 00:09:30.879 --> 00:09:34.259 those in Adam and those in Jesus Christ. 00:09:34.259 --> 00:09:37.039 We all begin life in Adam, 00:09:37.259 --> 00:09:39.439 and when we give our lives to Jesus, 00:09:39.840 --> 00:09:44.919 we move to the other side and become those in Christ Jesus. 00:09:45.620 --> 00:09:47.740 Our old life is crucified, 00:09:48.419 --> 00:09:51.519 and sin has no more claim on us. 00:09:51.720 --> 00:09:54.480 We're free from all its charges. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:58.220 Even if we feel like we're still in Adam, 00:09:58.220 --> 00:10:01.200 and that our old life has a hold on us, 00:10:01.300 --> 00:10:02.840 it's not true. 00:10:03.139 --> 00:10:04.700 It's not the truth. 00:10:05.680 --> 00:10:08.340 We are now in Jesus Christ. 00:10:08.980 --> 00:10:14.019 So, what is true of Jesus is true of us as well. 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:16.300 However unlikely it sounds, 00:10:16.720 --> 00:10:20.019 and however much it doesn't yet feel true, 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:21.840 it is the truth. 00:10:23.159 --> 00:10:24.899 And what is true of Jesus, 00:10:25.259 --> 00:10:27.980 ever since the glory of Easter Day, 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.159 is that he is alive again, 00:10:30.319 --> 00:10:32.980 with a life that death cannot touch. 00:10:33.779 --> 00:10:36.460 He hasn't come back into the same life, 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.240 as Jairus' daughter did, 00:10:39.399 --> 00:10:40.360 and Lazarus, 00:10:40.639 --> 00:10:43.779 and others who were raised to life by Jesus. 00:10:43.779 --> 00:10:46.600 He has gone on through death, 00:10:46.959 --> 00:10:48.579 and out the other side, 00:10:48.919 --> 00:10:52.959 into a new bodily life beyond the reach of death. 00:10:53.759 --> 00:10:56.799 A concept which can be quite hard to grasp, 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:01.319 but about which the early Christians are very clear. 00:11:02.899 --> 00:11:06.179 Paul's point is that if we're in Jesus Christ, 00:11:06.679 --> 00:11:08.659 then that is where we are. 00:11:09.399 --> 00:11:11.939 Of course, we're not yet bodily raised, 00:11:11.940 --> 00:11:13.780 as one day we shall be, 00:11:14.040 --> 00:11:16.120 that remains in the future. 00:11:16.820 --> 00:11:20.860 That future is secure and certain for all of us. 00:11:21.880 --> 00:11:24.300 But part of the point of being a Christian 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:28.580 is that the future has come forward into the present, 00:11:29.080 --> 00:11:31.940 in the person and achievement of Jesus, 00:11:32.900 --> 00:11:34.740 so that we, his followers, 00:11:35.020 --> 00:11:37.400 can taste the reality of the future 00:11:37.400 --> 00:11:39.580 while living in the present. 00:11:39.580 --> 00:11:45.460 The Christian stands on resurrection ground. 00:11:45.879 --> 00:11:47.020 We're not in Adam. 00:11:47.379 --> 00:11:49.259 We are in Jesus Christ, 00:11:49.680 --> 00:11:53.379 the one who died and is now alive forevermore. 00:11:55.000 --> 00:11:57.280 Paul declares in verse 11 00:11:57.280 --> 00:11:58.940 that we must count this, 00:11:59.300 --> 00:12:00.960 or calculate this. 00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:04.280 And the word calculate that he uses 00:12:04.279 --> 00:12:06.439 is a word used in bookkeeping, 00:12:07.000 --> 00:12:08.600 in calculating accounts, 00:12:08.740 --> 00:12:11.220 in working out profit and loss figures. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:14.459 Now, of course, when you do a calculation, 00:12:15.139 --> 00:12:16.240 you get an answer, 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:20.079 which, in a sense, didn't exist before. 00:12:21.079 --> 00:12:22.480 But in another sense, 00:12:22.699 --> 00:12:24.279 all that the calculation does 00:12:25.000 --> 00:12:26.899 is to make you aware 00:12:26.899 --> 00:12:30.419 of what, in fact, was true all along. 00:12:30.419 --> 00:12:33.459 It doesn't create a new reality. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.339 Until you add up the money in the till, 00:12:36.599 --> 00:12:38.099 you don't know how much 00:12:38.099 --> 00:12:39.879 your day's takings were worth. 00:12:40.519 --> 00:12:42.740 But actually adding it up 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:44.419 doesn't make the day's takings 00:12:45.039 --> 00:12:47.319 a penny larger or smaller 00:12:47.319 --> 00:12:49.339 than they already are. 00:12:50.360 --> 00:12:53.079 Paul is telling us to do the sums, 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:54.939 to add it up, 00:12:55.219 --> 00:12:56.379 to work it out, 00:12:56.519 --> 00:12:57.399 the calculation, 00:12:57.399 --> 00:12:59.439 and not give up 00:12:59.439 --> 00:13:01.079 our spiritual courage 00:13:01.079 --> 00:13:03.419 for a fresh leap of faith 00:13:03.419 --> 00:13:05.159 in which we imagine ourselves 00:13:05.159 --> 00:13:07.299 to be completely sinless. 00:13:08.860 --> 00:13:10.480 And here is the point. 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:12.740 It's often hard to believe 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:15.079 the result of the calculation. 00:13:16.079 --> 00:13:17.840 But faith, at this point, 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:20.759 consists not of shutting our eyes 00:13:20.759 --> 00:13:22.699 and trying to believe the impossible, 00:13:23.399 --> 00:13:25.860 but actually opening our eyes 00:13:25.860 --> 00:13:27.860 to the reality of Jesus 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:30.480 and his death and resurrection. 00:13:31.440 --> 00:13:32.600 And to the reality 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:34.460 of our standing 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:37.779 as baptized and believing members 00:13:37.779 --> 00:13:39.340 of Jesus' people, 00:13:39.879 --> 00:13:42.560 those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:46.639 That's the challenge of verse 11. 00:13:48.240 --> 00:13:50.000 We need to remember 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:51.680 who we really are 00:13:51.680 --> 00:13:54.120 so that we can act accordingly. 00:13:54.120 --> 00:13:57.840 Imagine renting a house 00:13:57.840 --> 00:13:58.720 from a landlord 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.639 who turns out to be a bully, 00:14:01.039 --> 00:14:03.639 always demanding extra payments, 00:14:04.139 --> 00:14:05.379 coming into the house 00:14:05.379 --> 00:14:06.460 without asking, 00:14:07.080 --> 00:14:07.919 threatening you 00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:09.919 with legal action or violence 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:11.100 if you don't give in 00:14:11.100 --> 00:14:12.100 to his demands. 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:13.980 You get used to doing 00:14:13.980 --> 00:14:15.659 what he says out of fear. 00:14:16.179 --> 00:14:17.139 There doesn't seem 00:14:17.139 --> 00:14:18.419 to be a way out. 00:14:19.340 --> 00:14:20.379 But then to your relief, 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:22.200 you find somewhere else to live. 00:14:22.200 --> 00:14:24.720 Someone pays off your remaining rent 00:14:24.720 --> 00:14:26.300 and you can leave. 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:27.420 You move out 00:14:27.420 --> 00:14:29.759 and you settle in your new home. 00:14:30.660 --> 00:14:31.759 But to your horror, 00:14:32.160 --> 00:14:33.660 a few days later, 00:14:34.060 --> 00:14:36.360 the old landlord shows up at the door 00:14:36.360 --> 00:14:38.759 and barges into your home. 00:14:39.300 --> 00:14:41.960 He's angry and demands more money. 00:14:42.759 --> 00:14:44.860 He threatens to take you to court. 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.640 The old habit returns. 00:14:47.639 --> 00:14:49.759 You are strongly tempted 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:51.620 to pay him what he demands 00:14:51.620 --> 00:14:53.439 just to get him to leave. 00:14:53.759 --> 00:14:54.620 But you know 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:56.600 you're not his tenant anymore. 00:14:57.500 --> 00:14:59.080 You've seen the paperwork. 00:14:59.600 --> 00:15:01.379 His final bill was paid. 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.659 Nothing more is owing. 00:15:04.480 --> 00:15:05.019 Trembling, 00:15:05.399 --> 00:15:06.199 you get up 00:15:06.199 --> 00:15:07.879 and tell him to leave 00:15:07.879 --> 00:15:10.179 because he has no claim on you. 00:15:11.620 --> 00:15:12.620 Now, depending on 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.960 how unpleasant a character 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:14.939 the landlord is, 00:15:15.200 --> 00:15:16.259 you may or may not 00:15:16.259 --> 00:15:17.620 have to call the police. 00:15:18.399 --> 00:15:19.819 But Paul's appeal 00:15:19.819 --> 00:15:21.139 in verse 11 00:15:21.139 --> 00:15:22.159 of our reading 00:15:22.159 --> 00:15:23.740 is exactly that. 00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.360 Remind yourself 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.419 of the paperwork. 00:15:27.659 --> 00:15:28.159 Remember 00:15:28.159 --> 00:15:29.700 who you really are 00:15:29.700 --> 00:15:30.840 in Christ Jesus. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.500 Don't give in 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.259 to the voices 00:15:33.259 --> 00:15:34.319 that tell you 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.519 you're still in Adam 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:36.460 after all 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:38.179 and should be behaving 00:15:38.179 --> 00:15:40.000 just like you used to. 00:15:41.439 --> 00:15:42.860 Resisting temptation 00:15:42.860 --> 00:15:44.059 isn't a matter 00:15:44.059 --> 00:15:44.860 of pretending 00:15:44.860 --> 00:15:45.919 you wouldn't find 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:46.720 it easier 00:15:46.720 --> 00:15:47.560 to give in. 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:48.860 It's a matter 00:15:48.860 --> 00:15:49.840 of learning 00:15:49.840 --> 00:15:50.539 somehow 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.740 to think straight 00:15:51.740 --> 00:15:53.340 and to act 00:15:53.340 --> 00:15:54.639 on what you know 00:15:54.639 --> 00:15:55.639 to be true 00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:57.759 and what the truth is. 00:15:58.200 --> 00:15:59.120 That the old 00:15:59.120 --> 00:15:59.820 has gone 00:15:59.820 --> 00:16:01.279 and you are now 00:16:01.279 --> 00:16:02.180 a creation, 00:16:02.539 --> 00:16:03.600 a new creation 00:16:03.600 --> 00:16:05.480 in Christ Jesus, 00:16:05.919 --> 00:16:07.039 dead to sin 00:16:07.039 --> 00:16:08.460 and alive 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.240 to God. 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.340 God. 00:16:11.340 --> 00:16:12.639 So the choice 00:16:12.639 --> 00:16:13.379 for us 00:16:13.379 --> 00:16:14.779 is being slaves 00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:15.500 to sin 00:16:15.500 --> 00:16:17.519 or to God 00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:18.460 and his plans 00:16:18.460 --> 00:16:19.360 and purposes 00:16:19.360 --> 00:16:20.740 for our lives. 00:16:21.740 --> 00:16:22.360 Embracing 00:16:22.360 --> 00:16:23.820 our true identity 00:16:23.820 --> 00:16:24.700 as freed 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:25.419 from sin 00:16:25.419 --> 00:16:26.379 and presenting 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.019 ourselves 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:28.279 fully to God 00:16:28.279 --> 00:16:29.480 and his covenant 00:16:29.480 --> 00:16:30.080 justice 00:16:30.080 --> 00:16:31.560 is a choice 00:16:31.560 --> 00:16:32.440 that only 00:16:32.440 --> 00:16:33.759 we can make. 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:36.039 But I can assure you 00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:36.659 that when you 00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:37.759 choose to say 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.740 no to sin 00:16:38.740 --> 00:16:39.740 and yes 00:16:39.740 --> 00:16:40.480 to God, 00:16:40.919 --> 00:16:42.100 you will never 00:16:42.100 --> 00:16:42.939 regret it. 00:16:43.120 --> 00:16:44.100 It will be the best 00:16:44.100 --> 00:16:44.720 choice 00:16:44.720 --> 00:16:46.120 you ever make. 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:49.639 I'm conscious 00:16:49.639 --> 00:16:50.939 that I've said 00:16:50.939 --> 00:16:52.200 a lot this morning 00:16:52.200 --> 00:16:53.399 and it's 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.120 meaty 00:16:54.120 --> 00:16:55.039 and challenging. 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.200 Let's just 00:16:56.200 --> 00:16:57.559 pause for a moment, 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:58.179 perhaps 00:16:58.179 --> 00:16:58.759 close 00:16:59.580 --> 00:17:00.600 our eyes 00:17:00.600 --> 00:17:01.860 and just 00:17:01.860 --> 00:17:02.740 allow the Holy 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:03.220 Spirit 00:17:03.220 --> 00:17:04.400 to help us 00:17:04.400 --> 00:17:05.539 as we reflect 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.620 on what 00:17:06.620 --> 00:17:08.019 Paul 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.460 said to the 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:09.880 Romans 00:17:09.880 --> 00:17:12.200 that was read 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:12.900 to us 00:17:12.900 --> 00:17:13.860 and what I 00:17:13.860 --> 00:17:14.620 have spoken 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:16.039 about it 00:17:16.039 --> 00:17:16.720 this morning. 00:17:19.819 --> 00:17:20.460 Let's 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.160 imagine 00:17:21.160 --> 00:17:21.980 for a moment 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.799 that Paul 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.759 is writing 00:17:24.759 --> 00:17:25.539 this letter 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:26.839 and he looks 00:17:26.839 --> 00:17:27.200 up 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.140 and glances 00:17:28.140 --> 00:17:29.300 around the 00:17:29.300 --> 00:17:29.960 church. 00:17:30.759 --> 00:17:31.540 What might 00:17:31.540 --> 00:17:32.300 he say 00:17:32.300 --> 00:17:33.320 about us 00:17:33.320 --> 00:17:33.960 today? 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.380 Would he 00:17:36.380 --> 00:17:37.320 see a church 00:17:37.320 --> 00:17:38.320 full of people 00:17:38.320 --> 00:17:39.540 who are dead 00:17:39.540 --> 00:17:40.220 to sin 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:41.759 and alive 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.740 to God? 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.880 I sense 00:17:46.880 --> 00:17:47.700 that we all 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.280 need to be 00:17:48.280 --> 00:17:48.780 reminded 00:17:48.780 --> 00:17:50.280 that we are 00:17:50.280 --> 00:17:51.000 in Christ 00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.520 Jesus. 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:54.020 The old 00:17:54.020 --> 00:17:54.800 has gone. 00:17:56.280 --> 00:17:57.140 We are 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.080 dead to sin. 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.560 and alive 00:17:59.560 --> 00:18:00.520 to Christ. 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:04.440 But perhaps 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:05.100 there are some 00:18:05.100 --> 00:18:05.600 of us here 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:06.180 this morning 00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.620 who are 00:18:06.620 --> 00:18:07.080 struggling 00:18:07.080 --> 00:18:08.580 to leave 00:18:08.580 --> 00:18:09.280 the old 00:18:09.280 --> 00:18:10.400 life behind. 00:18:11.160 --> 00:18:12.180 It's as if 00:18:12.180 --> 00:18:12.720 it's got a 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.720 hold on you 00:18:13.720 --> 00:18:14.640 that you 00:18:14.640 --> 00:18:15.480 can't let 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.960 go. 00:18:17.640 --> 00:18:18.560 God wants 00:18:18.560 --> 00:18:19.259 to remind 00:18:19.259 --> 00:18:19.960 you that 00:18:19.960 --> 00:18:20.759 you are 00:18:20.759 --> 00:18:21.300 a new 00:18:21.300 --> 00:18:22.060 creation. 00:18:23.020 --> 00:18:23.880 No more 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:25.220 in condemnation 00:18:25.220 --> 00:18:26.819 and you 00:18:26.819 --> 00:18:27.720 can stand 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:28.640 boldly 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:30.200 in his 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.779 grace 00:18:30.779 --> 00:18:31.880 and forgiveness. 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.240 Perhaps 00:18:36.240 --> 00:18:37.279 you are 00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:37.799 struggling 00:18:37.799 --> 00:18:38.660 with 00:18:38.660 --> 00:18:39.480 temptation. 00:18:40.480 --> 00:18:40.819 May the 00:18:40.819 --> 00:18:41.600 Holy Spirit 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:42.839 strengthen you 00:18:42.839 --> 00:18:44.299 and flood 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.039 your being 00:18:45.039 --> 00:18:45.940 with a fresh 00:18:45.940 --> 00:18:46.600 sense 00:18:46.600 --> 00:18:47.600 of Jesus' 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.600 love for 00:18:48.600 --> 00:18:48.920 you. 00:18:48.920 --> 00:18:51.180 I'm going 00:18:51.180 --> 00:18:52.019 to invite 00:18:52.019 --> 00:18:53.039 Julian and 00:18:53.039 --> 00:18:53.560 the worship 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:54.180 group 00:18:54.180 --> 00:18:56.800 to come 00:18:56.800 --> 00:18:58.440 and play 00:18:58.440 --> 00:18:59.220 for us 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:01.340 and let's 00:19:01.340 --> 00:19:02.539 just spend 00:19:02.539 --> 00:19:03.500 a little bit 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.180 of time 00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:05.120 allowing the 00:19:05.120 --> 00:19:05.620 fact that 00:19:05.620 --> 00:19:06.140 we're dead 00:19:06.140 --> 00:19:06.880 to sin 00:19:06.880 --> 00:19:08.039 and alive 00:19:08.039 --> 00:19:08.779 to God 00:19:08.779 --> 00:19:09.639 to take 00:19:09.639 --> 00:19:10.200 as it 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:10.839 were a 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.539 fresh 00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.599 root 00:19:12.599 --> 00:19:13.180 within 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:13.720 us 00:19:13.720 --> 00:19:16.039 and let's 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.859 just be 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.420 thinking 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.519 about 00:19:18.519 --> 00:19:19.059 that. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.279 We are 00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.899 dead to 00:19:20.899 --> 00:19:21.339 sin 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.680 and alive 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.440 to God. 00:19:30.119 --> 00:19:31.240 Lord we 00:19:31.240 --> 00:19:32.059 thank you 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.639 for speaking 00:19:32.639 --> 00:19:33.180 to us 00:19:33.180 --> 00:19:33.779 this morning 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:35.059 through this 00:19:35.059 --> 00:19:35.619 wonderful 00:19:35.619 --> 00:19:36.079 letter 00:19:36.079 --> 00:19:36.720 to the 00:19:36.720 --> 00:19:37.139 Romans. 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:39.740 thank you 00:19:39.740 --> 00:19:40.160 that we 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:41.039 are all 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:41.759 a new 00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.519 creation 00:19:42.519 --> 00:19:43.599 in Christ 00:19:43.599 --> 00:19:44.099 Jesus. 00:19:45.079 --> 00:19:45.960 That is 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.700 the truth 00:19:46.700 --> 00:19:47.940 and that 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.639 can never 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:49.519 change 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:51.899 and it's 00:19:51.899 --> 00:19:52.559 the case 00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.399 even when 00:19:53.399 --> 00:19:53.980 it doesn't 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.779 feel like 00:19:54.779 --> 00:19:55.200 it. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.500 Help us 00:19:58.500 --> 00:19:59.039 Lord by 00:19:59.039 --> 00:19:59.619 the power 00:19:59.619 --> 00:19:59.980 of your 00:19:59.980 --> 00:20:00.420 spirit 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:01.319 to put 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.059 our sinful 00:20:02.059 --> 00:20:02.940 lives to 00:20:02.940 --> 00:20:03.399 death 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:04.440 and to 00:20:04.440 --> 00:20:05.259 be alive 00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:06.119 to you 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.940 and the 00:20:06.940 --> 00:20:07.819 life you 00:20:07.819 --> 00:20:08.299 have 00:20:08.299 --> 00:20:09.000 in store 00:20:09.000 --> 00:20:09.759 for us. 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:14.039 Thank you 00:20:14.039 --> 00:20:14.579 that you 00:20:14.579 --> 00:20:15.240 sent your 00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:16.099 Holy Spirit 00:20:16.099 --> 00:20:17.779 to help 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:18.339 us to 00:20:18.339 --> 00:20:19.419 lead lives 00:20:19.419 --> 00:20:19.960 that are 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:20.599 good for 00:20:20.599 --> 00:20:21.200 us 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.720 and that 00:20:22.720 --> 00:20:23.399 glorify 00:20:23.399 --> 00:20:24.119 you. 00:20:24.119 --> 00:20:28.519 Amen.