WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.339 I'm going to give a brief overview of Colossians really quickly. 00:00:05.160 --> 00:00:07.520 So chapter 1, verse 1. 00:00:08.540 --> 00:00:12.640 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by God's will, and Timothy, our brother, 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:17.460 to the saints in Christ at Colossae, who are faithful brothers and sisters, 00:00:17.740 --> 00:00:20.379 grace to you and peace from God our Father. 00:00:20.879 --> 00:00:25.580 We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you. 00:00:25.579 --> 00:00:31.059 For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all of the saints 00:00:31.059 --> 00:00:33.259 because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. 00:00:33.859 --> 00:00:38.719 You have already heard about this gospel and the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. 00:00:38.799 --> 00:00:44.179 It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you 00:00:44.179 --> 00:00:47.320 since the day you've heard it and came to truly appreciate God's grace. 00:00:47.799 --> 00:00:49.820 You learned this from Ephraim. 00:00:50.619 --> 00:00:55.060 Our dearly loved fellow servant, he's a faithful minister of Christ 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:58.480 on your behalf, and he has told us about your love in the Spirit. 00:00:59.280 --> 00:01:02.940 For this reason, since the day we heard this, we haven't stopped praying for you. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:06.939 We are now asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will 00:01:06.939 --> 00:01:11.219 in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, 00:01:12.060 --> 00:01:16.400 pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work, and growing in the knowledge of God, 00:01:16.400 --> 00:01:20.240 and being strengthened by all power, according to his glorious might, 00:01:20.239 --> 00:01:23.519 so that you might have great endurance and patience, 00:01:23.739 --> 00:01:30.299 joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has enabled you to share in the saints' inheritance in the light. 00:01:30.739 --> 00:01:35.780 He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son he loves. 00:01:36.239 --> 00:01:39.000 In him we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. 00:01:39.419 --> 00:01:43.519 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation, 00:01:43.519 --> 00:01:49.159 for everything was created by him, in him and on earth, the visible and the invisible, 00:01:49.340 --> 00:01:52.539 whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities, 00:01:52.739 --> 00:01:55.819 all things have been created through him and for him. 00:01:55.899 --> 00:01:59.799 He is before all things, and by him all things hold together. 00:02:00.219 --> 00:02:02.299 He is the head of the body of the church. 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:05.379 He is the beginning, the firstborn from the head, 00:02:05.500 --> 00:02:08.539 so that he might come to have first place in everything. 00:02:08.539 --> 00:02:14.560 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 00:02:14.639 --> 00:02:16.899 and through him to reconcile everything to himself, 00:02:17.259 --> 00:02:19.219 whether things on earth or in heaven, 00:02:19.500 --> 00:02:22.759 by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:26.659 Once you were alienated and hostile in your minds, 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:28.579 expressed in your evil actions, 00:02:29.079 --> 00:02:32.939 but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through his death 00:02:32.939 --> 00:02:36.219 to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before him. 00:02:36.219 --> 00:02:40.199 If indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith 00:02:40.199 --> 00:02:43.740 and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that is before you, 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:47.319 this gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, 00:02:47.439 --> 00:02:49.400 and I, Paul, have become a servant of it. 00:02:49.840 --> 00:02:52.180 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, 00:02:52.379 --> 00:02:56.719 and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for his body, 00:02:56.860 --> 00:02:57.740 that is, the church. 00:02:58.199 --> 00:03:02.219 I have become its servant according to God's commission that was given to me for you, 00:03:02.500 --> 00:03:04.079 to make the word of God fully known, 00:03:04.080 --> 00:03:06.520 the mystery hidden for ages and generations, 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:08.460 but now revealed to his saints. 00:03:09.200 --> 00:03:13.220 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:16.080 which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 00:03:16.480 --> 00:03:18.160 We proclaim him, warning him, 00:03:18.660 --> 00:03:21.080 teaching everyone with all wisdom, 00:03:21.220 --> 00:03:23.500 so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:03:24.100 --> 00:03:25.100 I labor for this, 00:03:25.340 --> 00:03:27.980 striving with his strength that works powerfully in me. 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:30.020 And just up to verse 3 in chapter 2. 00:03:30.020 --> 00:03:30.300 4. 00:03:30.640 --> 00:03:33.380 I want you to know how greatly I am struggling for you, 00:03:33.640 --> 00:03:34.960 for those in Laodicea, 00:03:35.280 --> 00:03:36.760 and for all who have seen me, 00:03:37.020 --> 00:03:39.060 for all who have not seen me in person. 00:03:39.500 --> 00:03:42.160 I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, 00:03:42.240 --> 00:03:45.840 so that they may have all the riches of complete understanding, 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:48.760 and have the knowledge of God's mystery. 00:03:49.460 --> 00:03:49.740 Christ. 00:03:51.140 --> 00:03:52.200 I'm going to pray really quickly, 00:03:52.300 --> 00:03:52.660 and let me begin. 00:03:52.659 --> 00:03:53.740 Heavenly Father, 00:03:53.879 --> 00:03:56.180 I thank you that you are a good and kind king, 00:03:56.259 --> 00:03:57.520 that you sent your Son, 00:03:57.599 --> 00:03:59.699 who is the firstborn of all creation, O Lord. 00:04:00.020 --> 00:04:01.859 I pray for clarity and for boldness 00:04:01.859 --> 00:04:04.359 as I preach and proclaim your word, O Lord. 00:04:04.579 --> 00:04:06.919 I pray for hearts to receive it well, O Lord. 00:04:07.300 --> 00:04:10.579 I pray for all humility on everyone's part, 00:04:10.639 --> 00:04:11.599 including mine, O Lord. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:13.579 I pray against Satan, 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:15.259 against his devices, O Lord, 00:04:15.259 --> 00:04:18.860 and I pray that our attention would be focused on Christ, 00:04:19.040 --> 00:04:19.259 his preeminence, 00:04:19.259 --> 00:04:19.959 his preeminence, 00:04:20.259 --> 00:04:21.039 his reconciliation, 00:04:21.560 --> 00:04:23.800 and now us as ministers of reconciliation. 00:04:24.779 --> 00:04:25.039 Amen. 00:04:27.539 --> 00:04:28.879 So just a note of view. 00:04:29.500 --> 00:04:30.800 First, verse 2, 00:04:31.300 --> 00:04:33.159 this is a letter of encouragement. 00:04:34.159 --> 00:04:37.860 It's not necessarily a letter that's written to rebuke them, 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:39.779 not in any sort of way. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:41.879 We see that in verse 2. 00:04:41.879 --> 00:04:44.120 To the saints in Christ at Colossae, 00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:45.779 who are faithful brothers and sisters. 00:04:45.779 --> 00:04:49.739 He's not writing this to people who need rebuking. 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:52.539 He's writing it to faithful brothers and sisters. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:04:55.919 And you can usually tell that tidbit 00:04:55.919 --> 00:04:58.339 from all of Paul's letter at the beginning. 00:04:59.279 --> 00:05:01.599 Colossians and Ephesians are sister letters 00:05:01.599 --> 00:05:03.959 because they're both letters of encouragement. 00:05:04.599 --> 00:05:06.379 If you look at that tidbit in Ephesians, 00:05:06.439 --> 00:05:07.479 you'll see the same things. 00:05:08.359 --> 00:05:10.659 Faithful saints who are in Ephesus. 00:05:10.660 --> 00:05:14.900 Verse 3 to 8, 00:05:15.500 --> 00:05:19.580 Paul is happy and thankful for the news of good fruit, 00:05:19.740 --> 00:05:22.900 good and godly fruit from these believers 00:05:22.900 --> 00:05:24.120 that he's never met before. 00:05:25.820 --> 00:05:27.900 Verses 9 to 14, 00:05:28.540 --> 00:05:32.640 even though he's thankful for the fruit of salvation 00:05:32.640 --> 00:05:35.480 and all these good things that are coming from them, 00:05:35.860 --> 00:05:38.820 he still prays for spiritual maturity for them. 00:05:38.819 --> 00:05:42.379 He wants them to be fully matured in Christ. 00:05:44.019 --> 00:05:46.540 In verse 15 to 20, 00:05:47.079 --> 00:05:50.139 what I believe is the magnum opus of this chapter, 00:05:50.819 --> 00:05:54.439 Paul gives us a hymn of Christ's preeminence. 00:05:55.579 --> 00:05:58.740 And then to the section that I'll preach on, 00:05:58.939 --> 00:06:01.579 verse 21 to chapter 2, verse 3, 00:06:01.579 --> 00:06:04.019 this, in a sense, 00:06:04.139 --> 00:06:06.459 is the practical application 00:06:06.459 --> 00:06:10.500 of Christ's preeminence over the cosmos. 00:06:12.279 --> 00:06:15.180 Paul has laid out what he believes about Christ, 00:06:15.360 --> 00:06:16.719 what Christ's preeminence is, 00:06:17.219 --> 00:06:18.659 and now we're getting into, 00:06:19.259 --> 00:06:20.459 well, what do we do with this? 00:06:20.459 --> 00:06:24.219 And so my first point, 00:06:24.419 --> 00:06:27.219 verses 19 to 23, 00:06:27.219 --> 00:06:32.060 is we are aliens now reconciled. 00:06:32.319 --> 00:06:34.899 We are aliens now reconciled. 00:06:35.399 --> 00:06:36.439 And to start, 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:39.439 verse 21, 00:06:40.839 --> 00:06:42.159 19 to 21, 00:06:42.160 --> 00:06:45.420 for God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him 00:06:45.420 --> 00:06:48.760 and through him to reconcile everyone to himself, 00:06:49.140 --> 00:06:50.360 whether things on earth, 00:06:50.640 --> 00:06:51.180 in heaven, 00:06:51.420 --> 00:06:54.660 by making peace through his blood shed on the cross. 00:06:55.040 --> 00:06:56.320 Once you were aliens, 00:06:57.260 --> 00:06:58.820 hostile in your minds, 00:06:59.000 --> 00:07:00.460 expressed in your evil actions. 00:07:02.660 --> 00:07:04.540 So at one point, 00:07:04.740 --> 00:07:05.980 if you're a believer now, 00:07:06.540 --> 00:07:08.500 you were totally depraved. 00:07:10.000 --> 00:07:11.180 Total depravity. 00:07:11.180 --> 00:07:13.040 It's what I want to start with. 00:07:13.740 --> 00:07:14.980 I want to start with that 00:07:14.980 --> 00:07:17.040 because it says you were alienated 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.540 and hostile in your minds, 00:07:18.639 --> 00:07:20.840 expressed in your evil actions. 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:23.560 What total depravity means 00:07:23.560 --> 00:07:25.019 is that from birth, 00:07:25.379 --> 00:07:27.259 we inherit a sinful nature 00:07:27.259 --> 00:07:30.720 and we are beings now bent towards sinning. 00:07:31.280 --> 00:07:34.180 All of our being is bent towards sinning. 00:07:34.280 --> 00:07:35.079 That is our desire. 00:07:36.120 --> 00:07:36.960 And honestly, 00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:38.040 whenever I think of this, 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:39.780 I think of Lord of the Rings. 00:07:41.180 --> 00:07:43.959 I think in particularly of one character, 00:07:44.060 --> 00:07:44.800 I think of Gollum. 00:07:46.139 --> 00:07:47.459 I think of Gollum 00:07:47.459 --> 00:07:51.019 because of how much he loves the ring. 00:07:51.680 --> 00:07:53.420 Gollum starts off as a hobbit, 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:54.319 as Smeagol, 00:07:54.939 --> 00:07:57.139 and is kind of good. 00:07:58.240 --> 00:08:00.040 He's just a river folk, 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:01.340 chilling, 00:08:02.040 --> 00:08:03.040 having fun, 00:08:03.280 --> 00:08:04.319 enjoying creation. 00:08:04.319 --> 00:08:07.800 And then the ring enters the picture. 00:08:08.699 --> 00:08:10.500 It poisons his mind, 00:08:11.279 --> 00:08:12.360 poisons it so much 00:08:12.360 --> 00:08:14.420 that he hates the light. 00:08:14.519 --> 00:08:15.420 He hates the moon 00:08:15.420 --> 00:08:17.159 and he hates the sun. 00:08:17.659 --> 00:08:19.819 That he goes into a cave of darkness 00:08:19.819 --> 00:08:22.019 where he dwells there for 500 years 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:24.659 and is obsessed with this ring, 00:08:25.259 --> 00:08:26.000 this precious. 00:08:26.000 --> 00:08:28.459 And then we continue the story 00:08:28.459 --> 00:08:30.279 that at the end of it, 00:08:30.339 --> 00:08:31.540 he would even give his life. 00:08:31.779 --> 00:08:34.820 He dies to be with this ring 00:08:34.820 --> 00:08:36.399 of how much he loves it. 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:40.840 That is a picture of total depravity and sin. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.720 Sin loves the darkness. 00:08:45.840 --> 00:08:47.019 It loves the darkness. 00:08:47.700 --> 00:08:49.299 There is no one that I know 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:50.220 who is sinning 00:08:50.220 --> 00:08:51.799 who wants to reveal that sin. 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:53.679 Sin loves darkness. 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:58.419 And sin wants to bring us to death. 00:08:58.839 --> 00:09:00.679 The wages of sin is death. 00:09:02.559 --> 00:09:05.379 We are working to death in our sinning. 00:09:05.839 --> 00:09:07.519 And for those who are not saved, 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:09.239 you are totally depraved now. 00:09:11.559 --> 00:09:13.179 But what precious verses 00:09:13.179 --> 00:09:19.899 for us in verse 19 and 20, 00:09:20.579 --> 00:09:22.339 that Christ is sent 00:09:22.340 --> 00:09:24.160 to reconcile us. 00:09:25.519 --> 00:09:27.780 Christ is sent to save us. 00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:31.720 Christ, the firstborn of all creation, 00:09:32.180 --> 00:09:33.840 he was sent by God, 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:36.860 promised by the prophets to come 00:09:36.860 --> 00:09:39.860 to take on the weight of the world, 00:09:40.000 --> 00:09:41.720 to live a perfect life, 00:09:42.460 --> 00:09:44.019 and to suffer, to bleed, 00:09:44.560 --> 00:09:46.680 and to hang on a cross and die. 00:09:47.379 --> 00:09:48.540 And three days later, 00:09:48.620 --> 00:09:50.120 he rose from the grave. 00:09:50.120 --> 00:09:52.039 And that is the only thing 00:09:52.039 --> 00:09:53.340 that we could believe in 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:54.299 that would save us 00:09:54.299 --> 00:09:56.019 from total depravity, 00:09:56.100 --> 00:09:57.700 from this nature 00:09:57.700 --> 00:09:59.399 that is bent towards sinning. 00:10:00.139 --> 00:10:01.639 And I love that it says 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:06.039 that we once were alienated, 00:10:06.360 --> 00:10:07.720 past tense. 00:10:08.580 --> 00:10:09.740 We are no more. 00:10:10.340 --> 00:10:11.340 We are no more 00:10:11.340 --> 00:10:14.000 in this total nature. 00:10:14.159 --> 00:10:15.600 Yes, we still have a sin nature, 00:10:15.600 --> 00:10:17.980 but we are now reconciled, believer. 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:23.659 Romans 3, 19 to 18 00:10:23.659 --> 00:10:25.279 gives us a great picture 00:10:25.279 --> 00:10:29.180 of what depravity looks like 00:10:29.180 --> 00:10:30.600 in the human. 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.139 You don't have to turn there. 00:10:33.220 --> 00:10:33.980 I could just read it. 00:10:33.980 --> 00:10:38.399 Let's read this part. 00:10:38.519 --> 00:10:39.720 There is no one righteous, 00:10:40.220 --> 00:10:41.379 not even one. 00:10:41.820 --> 00:10:43.519 There is no one who understands. 00:10:44.279 --> 00:10:45.840 There is no one who seeks God. 00:10:46.279 --> 00:10:47.340 All have turned away. 00:10:48.220 --> 00:10:49.820 All alike have become worthless, 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.360 and there is no one 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:52.240 who does what is good, 00:10:52.340 --> 00:10:53.060 not even one. 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:56.360 Their throat is an open grave. 00:10:56.759 --> 00:10:58.379 They deceive with their tongues. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:01.240 Vipers' venom is under their lips. 00:11:01.240 --> 00:11:04.100 Their mouth is full of cursing bitterness. 00:11:04.899 --> 00:11:07.620 Their feet is swift to shed blood of ruin, 00:11:07.940 --> 00:11:09.539 and wretchedness are in their path, 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:12.120 and the path of peace they have not known, 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:15.180 and there is no fear of God in their eyes. 00:11:15.539 --> 00:11:16.799 That is total depravity. 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.820 What does that mean? 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:22.200 That means that you, us, 00:11:22.799 --> 00:11:24.220 would have picked up a stone 00:11:24.220 --> 00:11:25.580 and stoned Stephen 00:11:25.580 --> 00:11:27.879 as he was preaching the gospel with us. 00:11:27.879 --> 00:11:30.080 You, me, us, 00:11:30.179 --> 00:11:32.419 we would have yelled crucified 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.980 to the Messiah 00:11:33.980 --> 00:11:35.679 because of our depravity. 00:11:36.279 --> 00:11:37.700 You, I, us, 00:11:37.799 --> 00:11:39.039 we are Barabbas. 00:11:39.439 --> 00:11:40.700 We are murderers. 00:11:41.059 --> 00:11:42.259 We are defilers. 00:11:42.360 --> 00:11:43.019 We are evil. 00:11:43.820 --> 00:11:45.559 But Christ takes our place 00:11:45.559 --> 00:11:47.539 as he took Barabbas'. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:50.220 He saves him 00:11:50.220 --> 00:11:51.320 from this punishment 00:11:51.320 --> 00:11:52.720 that he deserves. 00:11:52.720 --> 00:11:57.440 But even more than that, 00:11:57.840 --> 00:11:58.980 verse 23, 00:11:59.440 --> 00:12:01.019 verse 22 to 23, 00:12:01.680 --> 00:12:04.840 but now he has reconciled you 00:12:04.840 --> 00:12:07.019 by his physical body 00:12:07.019 --> 00:12:08.220 through his death 00:12:08.220 --> 00:12:09.200 to present you 00:12:09.200 --> 00:12:10.060 holy, 00:12:10.840 --> 00:12:11.340 faultless, 00:12:11.460 --> 00:12:12.320 and blameless 00:12:12.320 --> 00:12:13.259 before him 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:16.019 if you indeed remain grounded 00:12:16.019 --> 00:12:17.820 and steadfast in the faith 00:12:17.820 --> 00:12:19.220 and are not shifted away 00:12:19.220 --> 00:12:20.500 from the hope of the gospel 00:12:20.500 --> 00:12:21.259 that you have heard. 00:12:21.259 --> 00:12:23.139 Even more, 00:12:23.639 --> 00:12:24.679 brothers and sisters, 00:12:25.500 --> 00:12:26.960 taking our place, 00:12:27.439 --> 00:12:28.200 dying for us, 00:12:28.480 --> 00:12:29.399 he will present us 00:12:29.399 --> 00:12:30.000 as what? 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:30.860 Holy. 00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.840 Who's the only person 00:12:33.840 --> 00:12:34.319 that I know 00:12:34.319 --> 00:12:34.879 that is holy? 00:12:35.220 --> 00:12:36.220 The Lord Almighty. 00:12:36.960 --> 00:12:38.340 He will present us 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:38.980 as holy, 00:12:39.939 --> 00:12:40.580 faultless. 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:42.299 Who's the only person 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:42.740 that I know 00:12:42.740 --> 00:12:43.500 that is faultless? 00:12:43.840 --> 00:12:44.799 The Lord Almighty. 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:47.039 And blameless. 00:12:47.659 --> 00:12:48.819 Who is the only person 00:12:48.819 --> 00:12:49.299 that I know 00:12:49.299 --> 00:12:50.019 that is blameless? 00:12:50.019 --> 00:12:51.480 The Lord Almighty. 00:12:53.179 --> 00:12:54.939 And he will present us 00:12:54.939 --> 00:12:56.439 as these things 00:12:56.439 --> 00:12:57.759 to his father. 00:12:58.860 --> 00:13:00.279 Let me remind you 00:13:00.279 --> 00:13:01.659 who God is 00:13:01.659 --> 00:13:03.879 and who will be presented to. 00:13:04.019 --> 00:13:05.220 God is the king 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.019 of the cosmos. 00:13:07.179 --> 00:13:07.960 Hubble telescope 00:13:07.960 --> 00:13:09.659 can take a snippet 00:13:09.659 --> 00:13:10.360 of his kingdom 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:12.120 and still not fully reveal it. 00:13:12.779 --> 00:13:13.899 He holds together 00:13:13.899 --> 00:13:15.699 the fabric of time and space 00:13:15.699 --> 00:13:17.460 by the word of his mouth. 00:13:17.460 --> 00:13:20.080 He is omnipresent. 00:13:20.300 --> 00:13:20.960 He is everywhere. 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:22.780 He is omniscient. 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:23.680 He knows everything 00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:24.300 in his kingdom. 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:26.120 He is omnipotent. 00:13:26.460 --> 00:13:27.080 There is nothing 00:13:27.080 --> 00:13:28.200 that he cannot do. 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:29.940 Shall I continue? 00:13:30.040 --> 00:13:31.580 He is enthroned in heaven 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:33.460 and earth is his footstool. 00:13:34.800 --> 00:13:36.160 He is holy, 00:13:36.480 --> 00:13:37.519 holy, holy. 00:13:37.720 --> 00:13:38.840 The king of kings 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.840 and the Lord of lords. 00:13:39.840 --> 00:13:40.820 The majesty, 00:13:41.000 --> 00:13:41.960 the perfect one. 00:13:42.220 --> 00:13:44.040 That's who will be presented to 00:13:44.039 --> 00:13:45.959 as holy, perfect, 00:13:46.360 --> 00:13:47.019 and blameless. 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.500 We should be trembling 00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.240 before that. 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.699 As Isaiah says, 00:13:54.019 --> 00:13:54.759 tremble before 00:13:54.759 --> 00:13:56.519 the word of the Lord. 00:13:57.000 --> 00:13:58.399 As Isaiah sees 00:13:58.399 --> 00:13:59.539 the Lord high 00:13:59.539 --> 00:14:00.299 and lifted up, 00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:01.079 he says, 00:14:01.339 --> 00:14:02.079 woe is me, 00:14:03.620 --> 00:14:05.039 a man of unclean lips, 00:14:05.179 --> 00:14:06.319 living amongst people 00:14:06.319 --> 00:14:07.360 of unclean lips. 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.759 When we are before 00:14:08.759 --> 00:14:09.719 the Lord God, 00:14:09.939 --> 00:14:10.939 our face should be 00:14:10.939 --> 00:14:11.519 to the ground 00:14:11.519 --> 00:14:12.199 and we should be 00:14:12.200 --> 00:14:12.940 like dead men. 00:14:13.300 --> 00:14:13.580 Instead, 00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.400 we are presented 00:14:14.400 --> 00:14:15.280 by Christ 00:14:15.280 --> 00:14:16.520 as holy, 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.100 faultless, 00:14:18.180 --> 00:14:18.700 and blameless. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.379 But there's also 00:14:21.379 --> 00:14:22.860 an if in verse 23. 00:14:23.420 --> 00:14:24.400 If you indeed 00:14:24.400 --> 00:14:25.220 remain grounded 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:26.280 and steadfast 00:14:26.280 --> 00:14:26.820 in the faith 00:14:26.820 --> 00:14:28.000 and are not shifted away 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:29.080 from the hope 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:29.720 of the gospel 00:14:29.720 --> 00:14:30.460 that you have heard. 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:34.820 Let me ask you this, church. 00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:35.840 Is the gospel 00:14:35.840 --> 00:14:37.840 still precious to you? 00:14:40.160 --> 00:14:41.940 Are you like Jesus' relative 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:44.240 who when brought 00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:44.980 before them 00:14:44.980 --> 00:14:45.760 in their community, 00:14:45.920 --> 00:14:46.880 he could not perform 00:14:46.880 --> 00:14:48.440 miracles because of 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:50.200 relations with them? 00:14:50.940 --> 00:14:51.720 Has the gospel, 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:53.000 has grace, 00:14:53.260 --> 00:14:54.020 has salvation, 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.260 has all these 00:14:55.260 --> 00:14:56.260 glorious truths 00:14:56.260 --> 00:14:59.740 become common to you? 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:03.340 Or is it just 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.960 like water rolling 00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.000 off the duck's back 00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:07.000 that you're just like, 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:07.960 yeah, salvation, 00:15:09.300 --> 00:15:09.740 grace. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:09.840 grace. 00:15:10.840 --> 00:15:11.539 So like, 00:15:11.580 --> 00:15:12.940 I can spend my day 00:15:12.940 --> 00:15:14.120 without thinking about it. 00:15:15.220 --> 00:15:16.139 Has it become 00:15:16.139 --> 00:15:17.180 these common objects 00:15:17.180 --> 00:15:17.580 to you? 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.639 If it has, 00:15:19.779 --> 00:15:19.940 repent. 00:15:20.960 --> 00:15:22.039 It should not be 00:15:22.039 --> 00:15:22.500 like that. 00:15:23.259 --> 00:15:24.779 The king of the cosmos 00:15:24.779 --> 00:15:26.919 deserves eternal worship. 00:15:28.019 --> 00:15:29.519 Not a second thought. 00:15:29.840 --> 00:15:30.600 If these things 00:15:30.600 --> 00:15:31.799 are common to you, 00:15:32.220 --> 00:15:33.659 as it should not be, 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.399 repent. 00:15:35.740 --> 00:15:36.799 Do not become 00:15:36.799 --> 00:15:37.439 like relatives 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.019 of Jesus 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.979 where because 00:15:38.979 --> 00:15:40.000 of relations, 00:15:40.199 --> 00:15:41.419 because of time 00:15:41.419 --> 00:15:42.199 spent with him, 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.240 you say, 00:15:43.339 --> 00:15:43.899 I already know 00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:44.459 about grace. 00:15:45.319 --> 00:15:45.719 I already know 00:15:45.719 --> 00:15:46.439 about these things. 00:15:48.099 --> 00:15:49.219 Do not be like that. 00:15:49.579 --> 00:15:50.019 Repent 00:15:50.019 --> 00:15:51.199 and believe 00:15:51.199 --> 00:15:52.059 in the gospel. 00:15:53.059 --> 00:15:53.859 And if you are 00:15:53.859 --> 00:15:54.779 holding fast to that, 00:15:55.199 --> 00:15:55.679 praise God. 00:15:56.779 --> 00:15:57.419 Praise God, 00:15:57.479 --> 00:15:57.679 truly. 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.939 But does this verse 00:16:00.939 --> 00:16:01.279 mean, 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.939 if you hold fast, 00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.519 does it mean 00:16:04.519 --> 00:16:05.419 that you can lose 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:06.079 your salvation? 00:16:06.919 --> 00:16:07.939 By no means. 00:16:08.919 --> 00:16:09.980 This is not what that means. 00:16:10.059 --> 00:16:10.980 This is not accurate 00:16:10.980 --> 00:16:11.559 with scripture. 00:16:12.679 --> 00:16:13.399 It says 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.639 in the scriptures, 00:16:15.259 --> 00:16:16.360 he who has found, 00:16:16.480 --> 00:16:17.559 he is the founder 00:16:17.559 --> 00:16:18.299 and finisher 00:16:18.299 --> 00:16:19.120 of your faith. 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.519 He is the author 00:16:20.519 --> 00:16:21.559 of salvation. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.799 He is the perfecter 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.460 of your faith. 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.159 He is the author 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:26.340 of all creation. 00:16:26.539 --> 00:16:27.360 He is writing 00:16:27.360 --> 00:16:28.720 what I am speaking 00:16:28.720 --> 00:16:29.259 right now. 00:16:31.600 --> 00:16:32.159 But, 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:33.100 what Paul 00:16:33.100 --> 00:16:34.080 is getting to 00:16:34.080 --> 00:16:35.399 is what he talks 00:16:35.399 --> 00:16:35.800 about 00:16:35.800 --> 00:16:36.960 in 00:16:36.960 --> 00:16:38.879 2 Corinthians 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:40.320 13.5. 00:16:40.560 --> 00:16:41.300 You want to turn 00:16:41.300 --> 00:16:41.680 over there 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:42.200 really quickly? 00:16:57.500 --> 00:16:58.700 2 Corinthians 00:16:58.700 --> 00:17:02.100 13.5. 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.540 Test yourselves 00:17:03.540 --> 00:17:04.480 to see if you 00:17:04.480 --> 00:17:05.180 are in the faith. 00:17:06.120 --> 00:17:07.120 Examine yourselves 00:17:07.120 --> 00:17:09.440 or do yourselves 00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.279 not recognize 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.259 as Jesus Christ 00:17:11.259 --> 00:17:11.980 is in you. 00:17:12.980 --> 00:17:13.660 Test yourselves, 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.340 brothers and sisters, 00:17:14.620 --> 00:17:15.360 to see if you are 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:15.840 in the faith. 00:17:17.500 --> 00:17:18.420 More recently, 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:19.299 I mean, 00:17:19.340 --> 00:17:19.980 the person that I 00:17:19.980 --> 00:17:20.720 can think of 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.460 is Carlos. 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.319 A person who, 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:25.920 at one point, 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:26.500 I would have called 00:17:26.500 --> 00:17:26.940 a brother. 00:17:29.299 --> 00:17:30.140 Test yourself 00:17:30.140 --> 00:17:31.019 to see if you 00:17:31.019 --> 00:17:31.720 are in the faith. 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.200 And then, 00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:33.640 again, 00:17:33.940 --> 00:17:34.480 in the book 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:35.039 of James, 00:17:35.299 --> 00:17:36.059 turn with me 00:17:36.059 --> 00:17:37.079 if you can 00:17:37.079 --> 00:17:37.619 to James 00:17:37.619 --> 00:17:39.119 chapter 5. 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.220 Or, 00:17:41.259 --> 00:17:41.480 sorry, 00:17:41.660 --> 00:17:43.519 James chapter 2, 00:17:43.619 --> 00:17:45.299 18 to 26. 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:52.659 But some 00:17:52.659 --> 00:17:53.399 will say, 00:17:53.700 --> 00:17:54.359 you have faith 00:17:54.359 --> 00:17:55.419 and I have works. 00:17:55.799 --> 00:17:56.639 Show me your faith 00:17:56.639 --> 00:17:57.259 without works 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:58.119 and I will show you 00:17:58.119 --> 00:17:58.839 my faith 00:17:58.839 --> 00:18:00.059 by my works. 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:00.960 You believe 00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.759 that God is one. 00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:02.379 Good. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:03.720 Even the demons 00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:04.740 believe and they shudder. 00:18:05.159 --> 00:18:06.220 Senseless person, 00:18:06.579 --> 00:18:07.139 are you willing 00:18:07.139 --> 00:18:08.240 to learn that faith 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:08.960 without works 00:18:08.960 --> 00:18:09.519 is useless? 00:18:09.960 --> 00:18:10.899 Wasn't Abraham, 00:18:11.099 --> 00:18:12.180 our father, 00:18:12.680 --> 00:18:13.159 justified 00:18:13.160 --> 00:18:14.200 by works 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:15.160 in offering Isaac 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.220 his son on the altar? 00:18:16.779 --> 00:18:17.860 You see that faith 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.880 was active 00:18:18.880 --> 00:18:20.180 together with his works 00:18:20.180 --> 00:18:21.519 and by works 00:18:21.519 --> 00:18:23.440 faith was made complete. 00:18:23.820 --> 00:18:24.320 And the scripture 00:18:24.320 --> 00:18:25.500 was fulfilled to say, 00:18:25.880 --> 00:18:27.259 Abraham believed God 00:18:27.259 --> 00:18:28.000 and it was credited 00:18:28.000 --> 00:18:29.100 to him as righteousness 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:30.860 and he was called 00:18:30.860 --> 00:18:32.019 God's friend. 00:18:32.560 --> 00:18:33.340 See that a person 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:34.220 is justified 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:35.380 by works 00:18:35.380 --> 00:18:37.040 and not by faith alone. 00:18:37.820 --> 00:18:39.060 In the same way, 00:18:39.300 --> 00:18:40.140 wasn't Rahab, 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.980 the prostitute, 00:18:40.980 --> 00:18:42.019 also justified 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.180 by works 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:44.339 in receiving 00:18:44.339 --> 00:18:45.259 the messengers 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.319 and sending them 00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:48.319 out by a different route. 00:18:48.640 --> 00:18:50.319 Just as this body 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:51.500 without the spirit 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:51.880 is dead, 00:18:52.000 --> 00:18:52.599 so faith 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:53.740 without works 00:18:53.740 --> 00:18:55.000 is dead. 00:18:55.940 --> 00:18:57.519 You cannot have faith 00:18:57.519 --> 00:19:05.519 and truly be pleasing 00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:05.980 to God 00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:06.720 without works. 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.140 as it says 00:19:08.140 --> 00:19:09.500 in Colossians 00:19:09.500 --> 00:19:10.799 1, 00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.500 21, 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.259 once you were alienated 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.880 and hostile 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.500 in your minds 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:14.900 expressed 00:19:14.900 --> 00:19:16.180 in your evil actions, 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.279 you show 00:19:17.279 --> 00:19:18.480 that you were alienated 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:18.960 and hostile 00:19:18.960 --> 00:19:19.420 to God 00:19:19.420 --> 00:19:19.779 expressed 00:19:19.779 --> 00:19:21.839 by your evil actions. 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.059 You show 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.500 that you were 00:19:23.500 --> 00:19:24.120 in the faith 00:19:24.120 --> 00:19:24.779 and that you love 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:25.100 God 00:19:25.100 --> 00:19:26.100 by your actions. 00:19:26.880 --> 00:19:27.700 You cannot have 00:19:27.700 --> 00:19:28.680 one without the other. 00:19:29.640 --> 00:19:29.880 Truly, 00:19:30.440 --> 00:19:31.259 but I'm also 00:19:31.259 --> 00:19:31.980 not preaching 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.819 for a works-based 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.380 salvation 00:19:34.380 --> 00:19:35.380 by no means. 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:36.400 I do not believe that. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.420 I do not believe 00:19:37.420 --> 00:19:38.060 that you can 00:19:38.060 --> 00:19:39.220 bring anything, 00:19:39.540 --> 00:19:40.420 that you can add 00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.820 anything 00:19:40.820 --> 00:19:41.920 to Christ's 00:19:41.920 --> 00:19:42.560 finished work 00:19:42.560 --> 00:19:43.340 on the cross. 00:19:44.640 --> 00:19:45.620 But God 00:19:45.620 --> 00:19:46.900 is true 00:19:46.900 --> 00:19:47.880 in what he says 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:48.480 that if 00:19:48.480 --> 00:19:50.160 by your works 00:19:50.160 --> 00:19:51.460 you are shown 00:19:51.460 --> 00:19:52.220 fruitless, 00:19:52.480 --> 00:19:53.560 if you are a branch 00:19:53.560 --> 00:19:54.680 that produces nothing, 00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:56.120 you will be cut off 00:19:56.120 --> 00:19:57.100 and thrown 00:19:57.100 --> 00:19:58.000 into the fire 00:19:58.000 --> 00:19:59.900 to burn 00:19:59.900 --> 00:20:00.580 forever. 00:20:03.000 --> 00:20:04.060 Test yourself. 00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.880 Are you in the faith? 00:20:06.400 --> 00:20:07.240 What are your fruits? 00:20:07.540 --> 00:20:08.140 Can anyone 00:20:08.140 --> 00:20:08.640 here 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:09.840 affirm your fruits? 00:20:11.759 --> 00:20:12.960 What do they look like? 00:20:25.920 --> 00:20:26.720 Verse 23. 00:20:27.920 --> 00:20:29.040 Verse 23b. 00:20:29.039 --> 00:20:31.019 The gospel 00:20:31.019 --> 00:20:32.420 has been proclaimed 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.200 in all creation 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:33.839 under heaven 00:20:33.839 --> 00:20:34.819 and I, Paul, 00:20:34.879 --> 00:20:35.680 have become a servant 00:20:35.680 --> 00:20:36.059 of it. 00:20:36.399 --> 00:20:37.039 I just want to, 00:20:37.539 --> 00:20:38.119 there's many ways 00:20:38.119 --> 00:20:38.680 that I can go. 00:20:39.220 --> 00:20:39.940 Just suffice it 00:20:39.940 --> 00:20:40.759 to say this, 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:41.619 that this should be 00:20:41.619 --> 00:20:42.039 interpreted 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.359 in cosmic terms 00:20:43.359 --> 00:20:44.420 instead of 00:20:44.420 --> 00:20:45.799 geographical terms 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.740 because honestly 00:20:46.740 --> 00:20:47.779 that would be a lie. 00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:49.119 The gospel now 00:20:49.119 --> 00:20:49.759 has not been 00:20:49.759 --> 00:20:50.180 proclaimed 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:51.059 in all creation. 00:20:51.879 --> 00:20:52.700 The gospel then 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.500 in Paul's days 00:20:53.500 --> 00:20:54.339 has not been 00:20:54.339 --> 00:20:54.879 proclaimed 00:20:54.879 --> 00:20:55.539 in all creation. 00:20:56.279 --> 00:20:56.619 The Americas 00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:57.479 weren't even found. 00:20:59.579 --> 00:21:01.279 But we should 00:21:01.279 --> 00:21:01.779 emphasize 00:21:01.779 --> 00:21:03.159 or see an emphasis 00:21:03.159 --> 00:21:03.779 in the word 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.799 all creation 00:21:04.799 --> 00:21:06.000 as in Christ 00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.879 is the firstborn 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.899 of all creation. 00:21:08.079 --> 00:21:09.500 Viewed in cosmic terms, 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.919 he is preeminent 00:21:11.919 --> 00:21:13.079 over all creation. 00:21:13.219 --> 00:21:13.899 His gospel, 00:21:14.679 --> 00:21:16.079 his kingship 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:16.839 is over 00:21:16.839 --> 00:21:17.899 all creation. 00:21:17.900 --> 00:21:20.040 that does not mean 00:21:20.040 --> 00:21:20.900 that when 00:21:20.900 --> 00:21:22.500 he died 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:23.460 and rose on the cross 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.340 that that went out 00:21:24.340 --> 00:21:25.720 to all creation. 00:21:25.880 --> 00:21:26.100 No, 00:21:26.519 --> 00:21:28.000 that also does not mean 00:21:28.000 --> 00:21:29.560 that God's glory, 00:21:29.960 --> 00:21:30.940 his eternal power 00:21:30.940 --> 00:21:31.660 being revealed 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:32.420 by his creation 00:21:32.420 --> 00:21:34.000 is what's saving people. 00:21:34.580 --> 00:21:34.780 No, 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.800 it is cosmic proportion 00:21:36.800 --> 00:21:37.720 to this gospel 00:21:37.720 --> 00:21:38.640 has gone out 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.940 to all creation. 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.460 But 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:45.200 that's what I want to say 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:46.000 in that section. 00:21:46.000 --> 00:21:46.259 Now, 00:21:46.440 --> 00:21:46.819 section, 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:48.500 verse 24 00:21:48.500 --> 00:21:52.259 to chapter 2-3, 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.579 the three things 00:21:53.579 --> 00:21:54.619 that I want us to consider 00:21:54.619 --> 00:21:55.359 in this portion 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.059 of Colossians. 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.160 One, 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.299 we will suffer. 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:01.039 Two, 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:02.539 the mystery 00:22:02.539 --> 00:22:03.640 is revealed. 00:22:03.900 --> 00:22:04.440 And three, 00:22:05.299 --> 00:22:06.319 we must labor 00:22:06.319 --> 00:22:07.779 as Paul labored. 00:22:08.259 --> 00:22:08.880 I'll say that again. 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.720 We will suffer. 00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:10.859 The mystery 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.460 is revealed. 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:13.359 We must labor 00:22:13.359 --> 00:22:14.859 as Paul labored. 00:22:14.859 --> 00:22:17.859 verse 24. 00:22:18.139 --> 00:22:18.259 Now, 00:22:18.399 --> 00:22:18.979 I rejoice 00:22:18.979 --> 00:22:20.000 in my sufferings 00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.479 for you 00:22:20.479 --> 00:22:21.539 and I am completing 00:22:21.539 --> 00:22:22.299 in my flesh 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:23.019 what is lacking 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:24.439 in Christ's afflictions 00:22:24.439 --> 00:22:25.519 for his body, 00:22:25.699 --> 00:22:26.159 that is, 00:22:26.319 --> 00:22:26.879 the church. 00:22:27.639 --> 00:22:28.479 Just a note 00:22:28.479 --> 00:22:29.719 on Paul's suffering here. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.899 He is by no means, 00:22:30.979 --> 00:22:31.319 again, 00:22:31.699 --> 00:22:33.099 adding to Christ's works. 00:22:34.399 --> 00:22:35.240 That's not 00:22:35.240 --> 00:22:36.119 what he's saying here. 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:37.259 What he is saying 00:22:37.259 --> 00:22:38.619 is he is following 00:22:38.619 --> 00:22:40.479 his preeminent Savior, 00:22:40.859 --> 00:22:41.639 the one who goes 00:22:41.639 --> 00:22:42.740 before all Christians 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.279 and saying, 00:22:43.680 --> 00:22:44.480 I am following 00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.019 a crucifix life 00:22:46.019 --> 00:22:48.259 as my Savior followed. 00:22:48.660 --> 00:22:49.799 I am taking up 00:22:49.799 --> 00:22:50.880 my cross daily 00:22:50.880 --> 00:22:51.940 and suffering 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:53.700 as all Christians 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:55.559 are promised suffering. 00:22:56.440 --> 00:22:57.359 Christ is the firstborn, 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:58.039 the preeminent, 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:59.480 the one who leads the way. 00:23:01.120 --> 00:23:02.640 We must follow 00:23:02.640 --> 00:23:04.079 in Christ, 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:06.759 we must follow Christ. 00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:08.700 He says in Matthew 5, 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:10.180 blessed are you 00:23:10.180 --> 00:23:11.680 when others revile you 00:23:11.680 --> 00:23:12.840 and persecute you 00:23:12.840 --> 00:23:14.380 and other all kinds 00:23:14.380 --> 00:23:15.539 of evil against you 00:23:15.539 --> 00:23:17.380 falsely on my account. 00:23:17.559 --> 00:23:19.059 Rejoice and be glad 00:23:19.059 --> 00:23:20.200 for your reward 00:23:20.200 --> 00:23:21.420 is great in heaven 00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.779 for so they persecuted 00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.840 the prophets 00:23:23.840 --> 00:23:24.720 who were before you. 00:23:25.680 --> 00:23:26.519 Paul's reward 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:28.279 is great in heaven. 00:23:29.580 --> 00:23:30.160 Truly, 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.779 rejoice when you 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:32.460 are persecuted 00:23:32.460 --> 00:23:33.360 and follow 00:23:33.360 --> 00:23:35.080 in Paul's example 00:23:35.080 --> 00:23:35.880 of suffering. 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:36.400 Rejoice. 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.940 did not shy away 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.620 from suffering. 00:23:39.120 --> 00:23:40.700 He despaired so much 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.519 in life at one point 00:23:41.519 --> 00:23:42.700 that he wanted to die. 00:23:43.460 --> 00:23:44.820 Yet because of Christ, 00:23:45.080 --> 00:23:46.259 he continued going. 00:23:48.380 --> 00:23:49.500 The second point, 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.680 the mystery is revealed. 00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.440 I've become 00:23:55.440 --> 00:23:56.300 its servant, 00:23:56.580 --> 00:23:57.200 verse 25, 00:23:57.320 --> 00:23:58.220 I've become its servant 00:23:58.220 --> 00:23:59.500 according to God's commission 00:23:59.500 --> 00:24:00.620 that was given to me 00:24:00.620 --> 00:24:02.740 for you to make 00:24:02.740 --> 00:24:03.320 the word of God 00:24:03.320 --> 00:24:03.940 fully known. 00:24:04.140 --> 00:24:04.700 The mystery, 00:24:04.960 --> 00:24:05.720 hidden for ages 00:24:05.720 --> 00:24:06.519 and generation, 00:24:06.799 --> 00:24:07.779 but now revealed 00:24:07.779 --> 00:24:08.519 to his saints. 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:10.460 God wanted to make 00:24:10.460 --> 00:24:11.960 known among the Gentiles 00:24:11.960 --> 00:24:13.079 the glorious wealth 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:14.000 of this mystery, 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.620 which is Christ in you, 00:24:15.900 --> 00:24:16.720 the hope of glory. 00:24:16.940 --> 00:24:17.960 We proclaim him, 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.519 warning him, 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:19.259 and teaching him, 00:24:19.700 --> 00:24:20.400 everyone, 00:24:21.140 --> 00:24:22.000 with all wisdom 00:24:22.000 --> 00:24:23.100 so that we may present 00:24:23.100 --> 00:24:24.400 everyone mature in Christ 00:24:24.400 --> 00:24:25.819 and labor for this, 00:24:26.579 --> 00:24:28.160 striving with strength 00:24:28.160 --> 00:24:29.299 that works powerful in me. 00:24:29.360 --> 00:24:30.279 For I want you to know 00:24:30.279 --> 00:24:31.180 how greatly I am 00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:32.059 struggling for you, 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:33.579 for those in Laodicea, 00:24:33.579 --> 00:24:34.579 and for all who have not 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.379 seen me in person. 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.740 I want their hearts 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.339 to be encouraged 00:24:37.339 --> 00:24:38.119 and joined together 00:24:38.119 --> 00:24:38.899 in love so that 00:24:38.899 --> 00:24:40.240 they may have 00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:40.839 all the riches 00:24:40.839 --> 00:24:42.319 of complete understanding 00:24:42.319 --> 00:24:43.679 and the knowledge 00:24:43.679 --> 00:24:44.859 of God's mystery, 00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.779 Christ, 00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.559 in him are hidden 00:24:47.559 --> 00:24:48.839 all the treasures 00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:50.159 and wisdom of knowledge. 00:24:52.659 --> 00:24:53.259 Mystery. 00:24:54.119 --> 00:24:55.359 Paul has mentioned 00:24:55.359 --> 00:24:55.799 the mystery 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.939 like five times 00:24:56.939 --> 00:24:58.039 in three verses 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:59.339 or five verses, 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.859 and he talks about 00:25:00.859 --> 00:25:01.579 the mystery 00:25:01.579 --> 00:25:03.099 in Ephesians. 00:25:03.220 --> 00:25:05.000 What is this mystery? 00:25:05.399 --> 00:25:05.699 Simply, 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.399 the mystery is Christ. 00:25:09.639 --> 00:25:12.339 Christ and the gospel, 00:25:12.559 --> 00:25:13.419 and the mystery 00:25:13.419 --> 00:25:14.279 is Christ 00:25:14.279 --> 00:25:16.439 and his prophetic, 00:25:17.019 --> 00:25:19.199 these prophetic words 00:25:19.199 --> 00:25:19.879 that were promised 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.459 of him. 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.019 Christ revealed 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.059 in the Old Testament 00:25:23.059 --> 00:25:23.859 is this mystery, 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.799 and the gospel 00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:26.339 that is before us 00:25:26.339 --> 00:25:27.220 is that mystery. 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:29.279 You might think 00:25:29.279 --> 00:25:30.299 the gospel, 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:31.620 Christ, 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.920 a mystery? 00:25:34.360 --> 00:25:35.220 I've known that 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:35.799 since birth. 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:38.120 I've been sitting 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.740 in these pews 00:25:38.740 --> 00:25:39.500 since conception. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.920 This isn't a mystery. 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:43.500 It's not new to me. 00:25:44.620 --> 00:25:45.559 But two things 00:25:45.559 --> 00:25:46.519 to consider on this. 00:25:46.700 --> 00:25:46.980 First, 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.500 Gentiles had no part 00:25:49.500 --> 00:25:50.100 in the covenant 00:25:50.100 --> 00:25:50.920 with Yahweh. 00:25:51.440 --> 00:25:52.240 We were aliens. 00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:55.200 If a non-Jew 00:25:55.200 --> 00:25:56.059 came to Israel, 00:25:56.200 --> 00:25:56.859 they were called 00:25:56.859 --> 00:25:58.140 resident aliens. 00:25:58.500 --> 00:25:59.420 They didn't belong there. 00:25:59.779 --> 00:26:00.660 They had no part 00:26:00.660 --> 00:26:01.220 in the covenant, 00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.519 in the Old Covenant. 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.960 But Jews did. 00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.200 But now, 00:26:07.400 --> 00:26:08.859 Christ offers a way 00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:10.779 for even Gentiles 00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.819 to worship 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:13.019 the King of Kings, 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.180 and the mystery 00:26:14.180 --> 00:26:14.880 is revealed 00:26:14.880 --> 00:26:15.920 to the world, 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.720 not just to the Jews. 00:26:18.519 --> 00:26:19.559 Praise God for that. 00:26:20.379 --> 00:26:20.779 Second, 00:26:21.639 --> 00:26:22.179 consider 00:26:22.179 --> 00:26:24.220 our spiritual heritage. 00:26:25.619 --> 00:26:26.059 Adam, 00:26:26.480 --> 00:26:27.379 who walks with God 00:26:27.379 --> 00:26:27.960 in the garden, 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:30.119 and after a royal screw-up 00:26:30.119 --> 00:26:31.259 that any of us 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:33.679 would do, 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.759 is left with a conscience 00:26:35.759 --> 00:26:37.019 of what did I just do 00:26:37.019 --> 00:26:37.599 to the world? 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.779 Noah, 00:26:39.159 --> 00:26:40.019 who was a man 00:26:40.019 --> 00:26:41.279 found right, 00:26:41.480 --> 00:26:42.559 who was the only man 00:26:42.559 --> 00:26:43.240 found righteous 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.879 on the planet, 00:26:44.039 --> 00:26:45.039 he builds an ark 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.079 trusting what God 00:26:46.079 --> 00:26:46.759 says is true. 00:26:47.779 --> 00:26:49.139 Faithful father Abraham, 00:26:49.140 --> 00:26:50.360 who leaves his hometown 00:26:50.360 --> 00:26:50.880 of Ur 00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.780 to follow God 00:26:51.780 --> 00:26:52.560 into the wilderness. 00:26:53.040 --> 00:26:53.400 Sarah, 00:26:53.640 --> 00:26:54.220 by faith, 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:55.340 even Sarah, 00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:57.100 who was past childbearing, 00:26:57.180 --> 00:26:58.960 was enabled 00:26:58.960 --> 00:27:00.160 to bear child 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:01.080 because she considered 00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:01.720 him faithful, 00:27:02.180 --> 00:27:03.120 who made the promise. 00:27:03.259 --> 00:27:03.700 Isaac, 00:27:04.300 --> 00:27:04.740 Rebecca, 00:27:05.440 --> 00:27:05.759 Jacob, 00:27:06.320 --> 00:27:06.660 Joseph, 00:27:07.140 --> 00:27:07.440 Moses, 00:27:07.880 --> 00:27:08.340 Phineas, 00:27:08.620 --> 00:27:09.060 Miriam, 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.740 Aaron, 00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:10.400 Caleb, 00:27:10.820 --> 00:27:11.200 Joshua, 00:27:11.520 --> 00:27:11.960 Rahab, 00:27:12.240 --> 00:27:12.640 Gideon, 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:13.240 Hannah, 00:27:13.640 --> 00:27:14.020 Ehud, 00:27:14.280 --> 00:27:14.620 Deborah, 00:27:14.980 --> 00:27:15.380 Samson, 00:27:15.640 --> 00:27:15.980 David, 00:27:16.300 --> 00:27:16.660 Samuel, 00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.259 Nathan, 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:17.860 Isaiah, 00:27:17.859 --> 00:27:18.859 I could keep going. 00:27:19.259 --> 00:27:20.219 These men and women 00:27:20.219 --> 00:27:21.199 who were faithful 00:27:21.199 --> 00:27:23.139 did not have this mystery 00:27:23.139 --> 00:27:23.659 revealed. 00:27:25.399 --> 00:27:26.779 They were not given 00:27:26.779 --> 00:27:27.419 the privilege 00:27:27.419 --> 00:27:29.000 of knowing who Christ is 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:30.179 and who the gospel is. 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:33.479 They were never, 00:27:33.740 --> 00:27:34.839 this was never fully 00:27:34.839 --> 00:27:35.779 revealed to them, 00:27:36.339 --> 00:27:37.639 but it is 00:27:37.639 --> 00:27:38.859 to you. 00:27:40.139 --> 00:27:40.879 And praise God 00:27:40.879 --> 00:27:42.259 that he chose 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:43.359 that you would be born 00:27:43.359 --> 00:27:45.139 in this half 00:27:45.139 --> 00:27:45.839 of the covenant, 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.959 in this new covenant, 00:27:47.159 --> 00:27:48.119 this age, 00:27:48.199 --> 00:27:49.000 this modern period, 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.819 this country, 00:27:50.199 --> 00:27:50.839 this time 00:27:50.839 --> 00:27:51.659 for you to have 00:27:51.659 --> 00:27:52.579 freedom of religion 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.519 and know 00:27:53.519 --> 00:27:55.399 what the gospel is. 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.519 Oh, 00:27:57.579 --> 00:27:58.459 great is our God 00:27:58.459 --> 00:28:00.679 that in his kindness 00:28:00.679 --> 00:28:01.539 that he would reveal 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.619 this mystery to us 00:28:02.619 --> 00:28:03.699 because there's still 00:28:03.699 --> 00:28:04.799 people in America 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.839 who this mystery 00:28:05.839 --> 00:28:06.619 is not revealed to. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:08.559 Praise him. 00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:10.839 last point 00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:12.000 on this section 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:13.119 is that we must 00:28:13.119 --> 00:28:13.960 labor 00:28:13.960 --> 00:28:16.159 as Paul labored. 00:28:18.059 --> 00:28:19.279 Verse 28 00:28:19.279 --> 00:28:21.799 onward. 00:28:21.799 --> 00:28:27.579 We proclaim him 00:28:27.579 --> 00:28:28.879 warning and teaching 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:30.519 everyone with all wisdom 00:28:30.519 --> 00:28:31.619 so that we may present 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:33.159 everyone mature 00:28:33.159 --> 00:28:33.899 in Christ. 00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:35.940 I labor for this 00:28:35.940 --> 00:28:36.460 striving 00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:37.759 with his strength 00:28:37.759 --> 00:28:39.019 that works powerfully 00:28:39.019 --> 00:28:39.359 in me. 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.319 These verses, 00:28:42.599 --> 00:28:43.180 Christ's church, 00:28:43.480 --> 00:28:45.000 must be ours. 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.299 We're a new work. 00:28:48.500 --> 00:28:49.680 This is the work 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.359 that we're doing. 00:28:50.359 --> 00:28:52.419 Let me read that again. 00:28:53.379 --> 00:28:54.419 We proclaim him 00:28:54.419 --> 00:28:56.439 warning and teaching 00:28:56.439 --> 00:28:57.979 everyone with all wisdom 00:28:57.979 --> 00:28:59.699 so that we might present 00:28:59.699 --> 00:29:01.139 them mature in Christ. 00:29:02.000 --> 00:29:03.500 I labor for this 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:04.179 striving 00:29:04.179 --> 00:29:05.699 with all strength 00:29:05.699 --> 00:29:06.740 that works powerfully 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:07.079 in me. 00:29:07.919 --> 00:29:09.139 That is our work. 00:29:09.959 --> 00:29:12.099 That is what we must champion. 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:14.199 All this theology, 00:29:14.599 --> 00:29:15.819 Christ's preeminence, 00:29:16.099 --> 00:29:17.279 him being the firstborn, 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.679 the suffering servant, 00:29:18.959 --> 00:29:19.599 his glory, 00:29:19.599 --> 00:29:20.619 his ministry 00:29:20.619 --> 00:29:21.579 of reconciliation, 00:29:22.459 --> 00:29:23.179 now ours. 00:29:24.219 --> 00:29:27.219 As Sam read earlier, 00:29:27.379 --> 00:29:28.159 turn with me to 00:29:28.159 --> 00:29:30.719 2 Corinthians 5, 17. 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:39.799 Therefore, 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.220 if anyone, 00:29:41.400 --> 00:29:42.000 let me say that again, 00:29:42.220 --> 00:29:42.420 therefore, 00:29:42.559 --> 00:29:43.240 if anyone, 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:45.339 not select people, 00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.440 not apostles, 00:29:46.680 --> 00:29:47.680 not evangelists, 00:29:48.180 --> 00:29:48.460 therefore, 00:29:48.680 --> 00:29:50.559 if anyone is in Christ, 00:29:50.660 --> 00:29:51.819 he is a new creation, 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:53.660 the old has passed away 00:29:53.660 --> 00:29:54.640 and see the new has come. 00:29:55.240 --> 00:29:56.700 Everything is from God 00:29:56.700 --> 00:29:58.339 who has reconciled us 00:29:58.339 --> 00:29:59.639 himself through Christ 00:29:59.639 --> 00:30:01.359 and has given us, 00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:03.079 everyone who is in Christ, 00:30:03.279 --> 00:30:05.159 the ministry of reconciliation. 00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:06.379 That is, 00:30:06.500 --> 00:30:07.079 in Christ, 00:30:07.220 --> 00:30:08.480 God was reconciling 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:10.000 the world to himself, 00:30:10.619 --> 00:30:12.359 not counting their trespasses 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:13.039 against them, 00:30:13.039 --> 00:30:14.759 and he has committed 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:17.399 the message of reconciliation 00:30:17.399 --> 00:30:18.399 to us, 00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:20.299 to those who are in Christ. 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:22.500 It's not only Christ's church 00:30:22.500 --> 00:30:23.960 that this labor belongs to, 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.259 it belongs to all who are in Christ. 00:30:27.000 --> 00:30:27.519 Meaning, 00:30:27.899 --> 00:30:28.940 let me read that again, 00:30:28.940 --> 00:30:31.220 we who are in Christ 00:30:31.220 --> 00:30:32.860 must proclaim him, 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.299 warning, 00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.539 teaching everyone 00:30:36.539 --> 00:30:37.600 with all wisdom 00:30:37.600 --> 00:30:39.640 so that we might present 00:30:39.640 --> 00:30:41.400 everyone mature in Christ. 00:30:41.559 --> 00:30:42.580 That is the charge 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.539 given to a Christian. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:46.860 I labor for this, 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:48.539 striving with his strength 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:50.200 that works powerfully in me. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.620 That means 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.840 that you do not do this 00:30:53.840 --> 00:30:54.620 in your own strength. 00:30:54.619 --> 00:30:56.939 Paul 00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:58.539 was given 00:30:58.539 --> 00:30:59.959 39 lash 00:30:59.959 --> 00:31:01.019 minus one 00:31:01.019 --> 00:31:01.659 from the Jews 00:31:01.659 --> 00:31:02.599 five times. 00:31:03.239 --> 00:31:04.439 He faced dangers 00:31:04.439 --> 00:31:05.579 on the seas, 00:31:05.679 --> 00:31:06.319 on the roads. 00:31:06.419 --> 00:31:07.339 He was without food, 00:31:07.579 --> 00:31:08.199 without clothes, 00:31:08.279 --> 00:31:09.039 with frost. 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:11.059 How can one do that 00:31:11.059 --> 00:31:12.059 in their own strength? 00:31:14.319 --> 00:31:15.239 Verse 29, 00:31:15.379 --> 00:31:16.459 I labor for this, 00:31:16.939 --> 00:31:17.979 striving with 00:31:17.979 --> 00:31:19.419 his strength 00:31:19.419 --> 00:31:22.299 that works powerfully in me. 00:31:22.299 --> 00:31:24.980 In this new work, 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:25.919 if you are striving 00:31:25.919 --> 00:31:27.059 in your own strength, 00:31:27.159 --> 00:31:27.799 if you are already 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.539 getting tired, 00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.980 consider that you're 00:31:29.980 --> 00:31:31.099 striving in your own strength. 00:31:33.299 --> 00:31:34.379 Consider that 00:31:34.379 --> 00:31:36.099 and then repent. 00:31:37.319 --> 00:31:38.480 Turn to the Lord. 00:31:38.859 --> 00:31:39.720 Ask for strength. 00:31:41.839 --> 00:31:43.019 Striving means 00:31:43.019 --> 00:31:45.480 to endeavor 00:31:45.480 --> 00:31:46.519 to reach 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.599 or strain 00:31:47.599 --> 00:31:48.639 for something 00:31:48.639 --> 00:31:49.039 above 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:49.940 or beyond. 00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.559 We all know 00:31:51.559 --> 00:31:52.320 how to strive. 00:31:52.720 --> 00:31:54.180 We were all once, 00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:54.799 Isaiah 00:31:54.799 --> 00:31:55.820 or Reuben, 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:57.200 reaching 00:31:57.200 --> 00:31:59.519 to grab something. 00:32:00.039 --> 00:32:00.880 We all know 00:32:00.880 --> 00:32:01.440 how to strive. 00:32:01.980 --> 00:32:03.019 We all know 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:04.059 how to strain 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.740 for something. 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.920 Apply that 00:32:07.920 --> 00:32:09.640 to your Christian life. 00:32:10.440 --> 00:32:11.580 You must strive. 00:32:12.720 --> 00:32:13.640 And if you're not, 00:32:14.600 --> 00:32:15.080 then according 00:32:15.080 --> 00:32:15.900 to this verse, 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:18.460 you are not walking 00:32:18.460 --> 00:32:19.019 as a Christian 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.539 should be. 00:32:19.539 --> 00:32:22.519 If you're just 00:32:22.519 --> 00:32:23.579 living the Christian life, 00:32:23.639 --> 00:32:24.599 you are not walking 00:32:24.599 --> 00:32:26.019 how a Christian 00:32:26.019 --> 00:32:26.779 should be living. 00:32:27.579 --> 00:32:28.859 You should be living 00:32:28.859 --> 00:32:29.879 in a way 00:32:29.879 --> 00:32:31.279 to present everyone 00:32:31.279 --> 00:32:32.339 mature in Christ. 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:34.799 Show me your fruits. 00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.559 Where's the fruit of that? 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:43.500 Continue really quickly. 00:32:45.920 --> 00:32:46.700 Verse 21, 00:32:46.819 --> 00:32:47.619 I want their hearts 00:32:47.619 --> 00:32:48.059 to be, 00:32:48.059 --> 00:32:48.919 verse 2, 00:32:49.000 --> 00:32:49.200 sorry, 00:32:49.200 --> 00:32:50.039 I want their hearts 00:32:50.039 --> 00:32:51.019 to be encouraged 00:32:51.019 --> 00:32:51.859 and joined together 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.339 in love 00:32:52.339 --> 00:32:53.339 so that they might 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.339 have all riches 00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:55.740 of complete understanding 00:32:55.740 --> 00:32:57.019 and have the knowledge 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.919 of God's mystery, 00:32:58.059 --> 00:32:58.399 Christ. 00:32:58.720 --> 00:32:59.460 In Him are hidden 00:32:59.460 --> 00:33:00.599 all the treasures 00:33:00.599 --> 00:33:01.759 of wisdom and knowledge. 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:04.259 You should want this 00:33:04.259 --> 00:33:04.960 for other people. 00:33:05.200 --> 00:33:05.799 You should be praying 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.659 this for other people. 00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.639 You should be desiring 00:33:07.639 --> 00:33:08.579 this for other people. 00:33:08.579 --> 00:33:11.659 If you're older in here 00:33:11.659 --> 00:33:12.899 and you have a far 00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:13.819 longer time 00:33:13.819 --> 00:33:15.480 with the Lord 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:17.679 than I ever have, 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:19.559 do not put those books 00:33:19.559 --> 00:33:20.599 on the bookshelf 00:33:20.599 --> 00:33:22.319 and just say, 00:33:22.559 --> 00:33:24.359 young people don't need me. 00:33:25.039 --> 00:33:26.159 I need fathers. 00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:28.799 I need those shelves 00:33:28.799 --> 00:33:29.519 off the books. 00:33:29.519 --> 00:33:31.319 I need those books 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.039 off the shelf 00:33:32.039 --> 00:33:33.059 for you guys 00:33:33.059 --> 00:33:33.599 to teach me. 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:36.220 I need old people. 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:38.200 Do not consider 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.339 that I am too young. 00:33:40.579 --> 00:33:41.839 Wisdom has no age limit. 00:33:44.339 --> 00:33:45.839 Wisdom is Christ incarnate. 00:33:46.839 --> 00:33:48.299 Solomon asked for wisdom 00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:49.279 and wisdom was given 00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.759 to him at a young age. 00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.779 Wisdom is doing 00:33:52.779 --> 00:33:53.980 what is right, 00:33:54.400 --> 00:33:55.639 doing what is godly. 00:33:55.839 --> 00:33:56.839 It's not experiential. 00:33:56.839 --> 00:33:58.279 That is worldly wisdom. 00:33:59.279 --> 00:34:00.839 Wisdom has no age limit. 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:02.539 Young people, 00:34:02.639 --> 00:34:03.379 you can be wise. 00:34:03.679 --> 00:34:04.220 I'm a young person. 00:34:04.879 --> 00:34:05.599 I can be wise. 00:34:06.059 --> 00:34:07.119 That's the Lord for it. 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:12.599 But that's all. 00:34:13.039 --> 00:34:13.719 I want to close 00:34:13.719 --> 00:34:15.000 with some application points. 00:34:16.059 --> 00:34:16.679 Here are some ways 00:34:16.679 --> 00:34:17.259 to struggle 00:34:17.259 --> 00:34:18.860 and to strive. 00:34:19.519 --> 00:34:21.360 First, pray. 00:34:25.819 --> 00:34:26.340 Ephesians, 00:34:26.340 --> 00:34:27.680 chapter 6. 00:34:34.280 --> 00:34:35.539 Ephesians 6, 18. 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:40.019 Pray at all times 00:34:40.019 --> 00:34:40.620 in the spirit 00:34:40.620 --> 00:34:42.140 with every prayer 00:34:42.140 --> 00:34:43.380 and request 00:34:43.380 --> 00:34:44.200 and stay alert 00:34:44.200 --> 00:34:45.700 with all perseverance 00:34:45.700 --> 00:34:46.920 and intercession 00:34:46.920 --> 00:34:48.240 for the saints. 00:34:48.559 --> 00:34:50.059 19, pray also for me 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.360 the message 00:34:51.360 --> 00:34:52.600 may be given to me 00:34:52.600 --> 00:34:54.140 when I open my mouth 00:34:54.140 --> 00:34:54.800 and make known 00:34:54.800 --> 00:34:55.840 the boldness 00:34:55.840 --> 00:34:56.380 of the mystery 00:34:56.380 --> 00:34:57.000 of the gospel. 00:34:58.280 --> 00:34:59.160 At the end 00:34:59.160 --> 00:35:00.420 of everything 00:35:00.420 --> 00:35:01.500 that Paul is saying 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.500 with the armor of God, 00:35:02.560 --> 00:35:03.340 he ends it with pray. 00:35:04.440 --> 00:35:04.920 Truly, 00:35:05.080 --> 00:35:06.640 that is the Christian's weapon. 00:35:07.080 --> 00:35:07.360 Prayer. 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:09.260 Strive in prayer. 00:35:10.100 --> 00:35:10.820 Labor in prayer. 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.620 You don't have time 00:35:11.620 --> 00:35:12.180 to go and share 00:35:12.180 --> 00:35:12.680 the gospel? 00:35:13.019 --> 00:35:13.180 Pray. 00:35:13.179 --> 00:35:13.799 Pray. 00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:15.980 There's no one 00:35:15.980 --> 00:35:16.559 underneath you 00:35:16.559 --> 00:35:17.159 who you're teaching? 00:35:17.500 --> 00:35:17.679 Pray. 00:35:18.379 --> 00:35:19.619 Pray for Christ's church. 00:35:20.559 --> 00:35:21.179 Pray for strength 00:35:21.179 --> 00:35:21.819 for Christ's church. 00:35:21.980 --> 00:35:22.759 Pray for the loss. 00:35:23.279 --> 00:35:24.000 Pray for maturity. 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:25.339 Pray for other churches 00:35:25.339 --> 00:35:26.719 as Paul is praying 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.579 for another church. 00:35:28.419 --> 00:35:29.539 Is there another church 00:35:29.539 --> 00:35:30.219 that you know of 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:30.899 that you're praying for? 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:32.399 Do you want them 00:35:32.399 --> 00:35:33.480 to be mature in Christ? 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:35.760 Is this your only bubble? 00:35:38.119 --> 00:35:38.559 Pray. 00:35:38.960 --> 00:35:39.800 Pray for other churches. 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.659 Pray for pastors. 00:35:40.860 --> 00:35:41.460 Pray for ministers. 00:35:42.119 --> 00:35:43.460 Pray that we may be 00:35:43.460 --> 00:35:44.679 mature in Christ. 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.019 Pray that our ministry 00:35:46.019 --> 00:35:47.280 would be going out 00:35:47.280 --> 00:35:49.019 and bringing those in 00:35:49.019 --> 00:35:51.380 to make them mature in Christ. 00:35:51.940 --> 00:35:52.340 Two. 00:35:52.900 --> 00:35:53.440 Fast. 00:35:54.440 --> 00:35:55.400 I don't know why. 00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:57.119 I don't know how. 00:35:57.800 --> 00:35:58.619 But it works. 00:35:58.619 --> 00:36:01.759 It works. 00:36:03.259 --> 00:36:04.259 Fasting works. 00:36:05.759 --> 00:36:07.859 A dependence upon God works. 00:36:08.900 --> 00:36:09.739 Saying, Lord, 00:36:09.900 --> 00:36:11.679 I'm emptying myself. 00:36:11.920 --> 00:36:13.480 Look upon my struggling. 00:36:14.699 --> 00:36:15.519 Help me, Lord. 00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.299 Listen to these things 00:36:17.299 --> 00:36:18.159 that I'm praying for. 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:20.559 Do you fast now? 00:36:20.960 --> 00:36:22.859 Do you do the quarterly fast 00:36:22.859 --> 00:36:23.699 just because 00:36:23.699 --> 00:36:25.679 the Holocaust is doing it? 00:36:27.219 --> 00:36:27.739 Fast. 00:36:28.619 --> 00:36:29.059 Works. 00:36:30.960 --> 00:36:31.440 Three. 00:36:31.859 --> 00:36:32.859 Go evangelize. 00:36:33.920 --> 00:36:35.259 I love evangelism. 00:36:38.019 --> 00:36:39.400 Ephesians 6.16. 00:36:39.779 --> 00:36:41.259 In every situation... 00:36:43.259 --> 00:36:46.179 Sorry, not 6.16. 00:36:49.880 --> 00:36:50.319 15. 00:36:50.759 --> 00:36:51.779 And your feet sandaled 00:36:51.779 --> 00:36:52.400 with readiness 00:36:52.400 --> 00:36:53.819 for the gospel of peace. 00:36:54.440 --> 00:36:55.239 Go evangelize. 00:36:56.199 --> 00:36:56.719 If you're a mom 00:36:56.719 --> 00:36:57.500 and you have kids, 00:36:57.859 --> 00:36:58.420 go to the park. 00:36:59.420 --> 00:37:00.559 If you're a single person, 00:37:01.559 --> 00:37:03.179 you got a bunch of time. 00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:05.079 Maybe. 00:37:05.759 --> 00:37:06.699 Go evangelize. 00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:08.299 If you're just married, 00:37:08.500 --> 00:37:09.119 go to the park 00:37:09.119 --> 00:37:09.859 with your family. 00:37:11.059 --> 00:37:12.079 Go evangelize. 00:37:12.659 --> 00:37:14.059 If you're a new couple, 00:37:14.400 --> 00:37:15.359 go evangelize. 00:37:16.440 --> 00:37:18.339 It is the best way 00:37:18.339 --> 00:37:19.279 to be persecuted. 00:37:21.019 --> 00:37:22.000 Rack up your rewards 00:37:22.000 --> 00:37:22.359 in heaven 00:37:22.359 --> 00:37:23.440 by being persecuted. 00:37:23.440 --> 00:37:27.780 Go get the loss. 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:30.780 Four. 00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.420 Moms, 00:37:32.500 --> 00:37:33.179 bring your kids 00:37:33.179 --> 00:37:33.800 in the gospel. 00:37:35.300 --> 00:37:36.260 People are watching. 00:37:36.960 --> 00:37:38.019 There are so many people 00:37:38.019 --> 00:37:38.700 who are watching 00:37:38.700 --> 00:37:40.380 kids who are obedient now. 00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:41.159 They're like, 00:37:41.380 --> 00:37:41.880 why are your kids 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.400 so obedient? 00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:43.720 Because I'm not 00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.400 gentle parenting. 00:37:45.400 --> 00:37:46.659 Because I spanked my kids 00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:47.420 because the word 00:37:47.420 --> 00:37:48.159 commands me to. 00:37:48.159 --> 00:37:51.440 dads, 00:37:51.679 --> 00:37:52.679 work hard 00:37:52.679 --> 00:37:54.599 without grumbling. 00:37:54.940 --> 00:37:55.500 Your coworkers 00:37:55.500 --> 00:37:56.059 are watching. 00:37:57.420 --> 00:37:58.679 If you work 00:37:58.679 --> 00:37:59.500 with a bunch of believers, 00:37:59.699 --> 00:38:00.159 that's awesome. 00:38:00.799 --> 00:38:01.359 I don't. 00:38:01.360 --> 00:38:03.160 I work with a bunch 00:38:03.160 --> 00:38:03.840 of non-believers. 00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:05.620 I get the ability 00:38:05.620 --> 00:38:07.120 to preach the gospel 00:38:07.120 --> 00:38:07.840 all the time. 00:38:08.380 --> 00:38:09.599 But if my work 00:38:09.599 --> 00:38:10.720 is just sloppy 00:38:10.720 --> 00:38:12.099 and terrible, 00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:14.380 why would they 00:38:14.380 --> 00:38:15.019 listen to me? 00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:18.620 Rejoice in trials. 00:38:19.380 --> 00:38:20.559 Do not be anxious 00:38:20.559 --> 00:38:21.360 in trials. 00:38:22.079 --> 00:38:23.920 That is a fool's errand 00:38:23.920 --> 00:38:25.180 to be anxious 00:38:25.180 --> 00:38:25.720 in trial. 00:38:26.180 --> 00:38:27.240 Do not be anxious. 00:38:28.260 --> 00:38:29.120 Turn to the Lord 00:38:29.120 --> 00:38:30.340 in the same way 00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:31.220 that we strive 00:38:31.220 --> 00:38:32.320 with His strength. 00:38:32.519 --> 00:38:33.920 We need His strength 00:38:33.920 --> 00:38:34.740 in trials. 00:38:35.620 --> 00:38:36.360 That's the only way 00:38:36.360 --> 00:38:37.180 that we can rejoice 00:38:37.180 --> 00:38:38.480 when we lose a baby. 00:38:39.440 --> 00:38:40.420 That's the only way 00:38:40.420 --> 00:38:41.340 that we can rejoice 00:38:41.340 --> 00:38:42.920 when we lose a loved one. 00:38:43.200 --> 00:38:43.880 That's the only way 00:38:43.880 --> 00:38:44.620 we can rejoice 00:38:44.620 --> 00:38:46.519 when we have no money 00:38:46.519 --> 00:38:48.360 and we just got fired 00:38:48.360 --> 00:38:50.120 and our house is on fire. 00:38:51.079 --> 00:38:52.300 That's the only way 00:38:52.300 --> 00:38:53.860 is with His strength. 00:38:55.240 --> 00:38:55.980 And then 00:38:55.980 --> 00:38:58.620 the last application point, 00:38:58.940 --> 00:39:00.260 rest in Christ. 00:39:01.320 --> 00:39:03.000 How do we get strength? 00:39:03.640 --> 00:39:04.940 It's by resting in Christ. 00:39:05.460 --> 00:39:05.760 Meaning, 00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:06.740 read God's word 00:39:06.740 --> 00:39:07.500 and pray daily. 00:39:09.420 --> 00:39:09.900 Truly, 00:39:10.120 --> 00:39:10.800 read God's word 00:39:10.800 --> 00:39:11.480 and pray daily. 00:39:12.180 --> 00:39:13.180 This is not a, 00:39:13.320 --> 00:39:14.059 you must do this 00:39:14.059 --> 00:39:14.640 to be saved. 00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:15.400 It is a, 00:39:15.700 --> 00:39:16.800 that is the only way 00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:18.100 for you to receive strength. 00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:19.960 It's by asking the Lord, 00:39:20.960 --> 00:39:22.019 going before Him, 00:39:22.260 --> 00:39:23.180 being on your knees, 00:39:23.340 --> 00:39:24.340 reading His word, 00:39:24.660 --> 00:39:25.380 being encouraged 00:39:25.380 --> 00:39:26.079 in the faith. 00:39:26.079 --> 00:39:28.900 He is your daily bread. 00:39:29.239 --> 00:39:30.360 He is your sustenance. 00:39:32.860 --> 00:39:34.460 All my application points, 00:39:35.099 --> 00:39:36.099 but to close, 00:39:36.500 --> 00:39:37.480 I just want to read 00:39:37.480 --> 00:39:39.599 the lyrics to this song, 00:39:39.739 --> 00:39:40.539 which is, 00:39:40.599 --> 00:39:41.299 He is our strength. 00:39:41.300 --> 00:39:42.800 Lord, 00:39:43.000 --> 00:39:44.780 send your church 00:39:44.780 --> 00:39:45.840 to the nation afar. 00:39:46.980 --> 00:39:48.080 Burden our hearts 00:39:48.080 --> 00:39:48.740 for the hearts 00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.380 that are hard. 00:39:50.100 --> 00:39:51.240 Please be our strength. 00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:52.900 You send your spirit 00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:54.100 to help in your place. 00:39:54.280 --> 00:39:54.600 Behold, 00:39:54.680 --> 00:39:55.340 you are with us 00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:56.039 forever always. 00:39:56.039 --> 00:39:57.820 He is our strength. 00:39:57.820 --> 00:39:59.160 Lord, 00:39:59.260 --> 00:40:00.059 we're unable 00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:01.780 unless you enable. 00:40:02.760 --> 00:40:03.760 Graciously give us 00:40:03.760 --> 00:40:04.260 your strength 00:40:04.260 --> 00:40:05.480 to go make disciples 00:40:05.480 --> 00:40:06.280 of every land 00:40:06.280 --> 00:40:08.019 so we may stand 00:40:08.019 --> 00:40:08.880 and worship 00:40:08.880 --> 00:40:09.760 and adore the Lamb. 00:40:10.380 --> 00:40:11.600 He is our strength. 00:40:12.200 --> 00:40:12.860 Every nation 00:40:12.860 --> 00:40:13.580 and every tongue 00:40:13.580 --> 00:40:14.500 hear of His goodness 00:40:14.500 --> 00:40:15.720 and what He has done. 00:40:16.360 --> 00:40:17.440 He is our strength. 00:40:18.360 --> 00:40:18.559 Lord, 00:40:18.720 --> 00:40:19.940 send Christ's church 00:40:19.940 --> 00:40:21.480 into the world 00:40:21.480 --> 00:40:22.260 for your glory. 00:40:23.660 --> 00:40:26.039 Graciously give us strength 00:40:26.039 --> 00:40:28.320 to desire your glory 00:40:28.320 --> 00:40:29.300 above all else. 00:40:30.059 --> 00:40:31.159 I need your grace. 00:40:31.360 --> 00:40:32.340 We need your grace. 00:40:32.719 --> 00:40:33.960 Help us deny ourselves. 00:40:35.219 --> 00:40:36.840 You are my strength. 00:40:37.119 --> 00:40:38.119 Though for the gospel 00:40:38.119 --> 00:40:39.980 we may lose our life, 00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:41.500 it's incomparable 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:43.340 to Jesus Christ 00:40:43.340 --> 00:40:45.960 who is our strength.