WEBVTT

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 Good morning, everyone. Open up your Bibles to Romans, chapter 15.

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 Well, I hope you've enjoyed going through Romans verse by verse.

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! I pray it's been a minister to your soul and encouragement to you.

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! In these remaining chapters, there's a lot of practical application of what we've been learning in the book so far.

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 But really quickly, just by way of reminder, I kind of usually like to start with where we've been and where we're going

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 to help get people focused and know where we're at in the book.

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 But a lot of people will preach duty or obedience without a doctrinal foundation.

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 And others will preach duty without doctrine.

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 And both are kind of a worthless exercise. Both are essential.

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 And as Paul does in all his letters, he begins talking about our great salvation in Christ.

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 Talking about what Christ has done on our behalf.

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 The great grace that he's shown us.

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 And how we can have salvation and right relationship with God.

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 How to honor God, love God, and worship God in our lives.

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 He usually starts there, our identity in him, before turning his attention to just living obedience required by those who acknowledge those truths.

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 And that's important.

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 He's done that throughout Romans.

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 He's, for many, many, many chapters, talked about our great salvation, our great redemption,

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 and what has been accomplished by the grace of God in Christ.

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 And now he's turning attention to you.

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 Now, in light of these things, live this way.

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 In light of the fact that you have been chosen by God before the foundation of the world.

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 That you have been forgiven.

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 That your sins and your death that stood against you, that condemned you before God,

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 are now canceled because of the work of Christ.

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 That you are now justified in God's courtroom.

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 That you have right standing with him because of Christ's perfect life.

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 In light of all those things, adopted into his family.

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 A guarantee of eternal life.

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 In light of all these things, live this way.

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 And that's where these final chapters kind of take us.

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 In light of all that Paul has said, now live this way.

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 Our maturity means that our learning translates into living.

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 It's not just for our head knowledge or for us to debate other people or to make ourselves feel smart.

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 God's saving grace leads to a new life in Christ.

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 And so Paul begins probably the beginning of chapter 12, all the way up to where we're at today,

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 working out practical gospel living implications.

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 But knowledge has to be laid down first in many ways.

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 Matthew Henry, the Puritan commentator, once wrote,

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 The foundation of Christian practice must be laid in Christian knowledge and faith.

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 We must first understand how we receive Christ Jesus as the Lord.

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 And then we shall know the better how to walk in him.

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 So that's kind of where we've been.

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 And all these things.

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 So now where we're going today in chapter 15, Nathan did a wonderful job in chapter 14.

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 Just so you know, like as a pastor, talking to other pastors, those are hard chapters to navigate and talk through.

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 They tend to invoke a lot of emotion in the congregations.

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 And so I'm very thankful that God used him to help work us through some of the previous chapters.

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 And so where we're at today in chapter 15, Paul just continues expounding on what the new life in Christ looks like.

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 All right.

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 Every true believer is at the same place spiritually before God.

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 Okay.

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 As the saying goes, the ground at the foot of the cross is level.

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 Like no one is better than the other.

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 Every true believer has been justified, regenerated, loved, and accepted by God equally.

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 All right.

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 That is true.

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 However, they're not all equally mature as it goes to our progressive sanctification.

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 There are some believers who are further along in their walk with Christ and have a greater maturity.

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 They have more holiness in their daily life.

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 They obey with a greater fervor than other believers.

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 And so, so you follow me, all were equally, all believers are equally justified before God, but not all believers are equally sanctified before God.

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 As it translates into Christ likeness.

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 And, you know, all it takes is for you to remember maybe when you first became a believer and you knew some of those who were just older in the faith and you just thought, wow, like, I hope one day I can walk as they walk.

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 But then you find out they have their own issues as well.

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 But that's okay.

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 That's a normal thing.

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 That's the thing that's recognized in the scripture.

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 Paul says in 1 Corinthians 3, 1,

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 But brothers, I could not address you as spiritual, meaning mature, spiritual men, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ.

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 So making this comparison that some of you are just very young.

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 I can't address you as spiritual men or someone who has been grown up in the faith.

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 So some just grow faster than others.

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 And that's what Paul is trying to point out here.

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 And in 14 and 15, Paul makes the distinction of those believers who are equally justified, but not equally sanctified.

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 And he classifies them in two ways.

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 There are the strong and there are the weak believers.

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 So don't spend this whole time wondering if you're strong or weak or if the person next to you is strong or weak.

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 That's not really the point of the day.

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 But he makes a strong appeal to the strong to live in unity with those who are weak.

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 So what is on Paul's mind in these last two chapters, chapter 14, chapter 15, is unity in the body.

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 Unity makes the gospel more attractive to an unbelieving world.

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 When they see our love and our care and our fellowship together.

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 As it says in Psalm 133, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity.

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 So unity, we would like to say, sort of adorns the gospel.

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 And it glorifies God.

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 On the other hand, whenever there's conflict, quibbling, and jabbing over minor secondary issues,

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 it's repulsive to the lost world around us.

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 Paul wrote to the Philippians that he longed to hear that they were standing firm in one spirit,

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 with one mind, striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.

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 That's Philippians 1, 27.

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 And what's very interesting, and we agree that there are some major first-tier doctrines that we cannot compromise on.

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 Like if you don't believe in the virgin birth, if you don't believe in salvation by grace alone,

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 through faith alone, and Christ alone, if you don't believe in the inerrancy of Scripture,

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 we probably need to part ways, right?

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 But however, what's really interesting is a lot of the infighting that happens

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 are usually over non-essential disagreements that cause conflict in the body.

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 And Paul is saying here, the strong are called upon to bear with the weak.

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 So he identifies them as strong and weak.

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 And so as we get into this chapter 15, with that in mind, let's read 1 through 7 today.

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 Paul says,

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 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak,

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 and not to please ourselves.

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 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

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 For Christ did not please himself, but as it is written,

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 the reproaches of those who reproach you fell on me.

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 For whatever was written in the former days was written for our instruction,

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 that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures,

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 we might have hope.

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 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another,

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 in accord with Christ Jesus,

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 that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 Therefore, welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.

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 Now, just some more background.

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 I just kind of thought it would be helpful to kind of say this,

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 particularly what Paul is addressing.

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 It kind of translates maybe into some different issues.

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 In our day, it was at this time,

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 there were Jewish believers who were weak

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 because they had difficulty abandoning all the rights and prohibitions

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 that they felt compelled to follow in the Mosaic law.

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 Dietary laws, certain days, Sabbath observance, circumcision,

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 all these different things.

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 They just had a hard time detaching from those things.

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 Weaker Gentile believers,

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 who were really steeped in their pagan idolatry,

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 who worshiped the gods of Rome or the gods of Greece,

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 Apollo, Zeus, Jupiter, Mars, take your pick.

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 They had a hard time just coming in contact with anything

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 that just reminded them of that lifestyle,

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 like eating meat that had been offered up to pagan deities,

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 and celebrating certain festivals or days,

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 or just observing certain days that were tainted by idolatry,

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 and immorality and adultery.

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 So they just had to pull away from those things,

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 but both had very sensitive consciences as new believers.

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 They weren't mature enough to be free from those convictions at that time.

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 However, the strong Jewish believer,

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 who knew their freedom in Christ,

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 understood that the ceremonial requirements of the law,

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 the Mosaic law, were no longer binding on them.

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 Mature Gentile Christians understood that these idols,

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 that they had been offering up meat to,

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 weren't real.

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 Like, they could be knocked over.

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 They weren't a live thing.

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 So they could, therefore, eat that meat

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 that had been worthlessly offered to them.

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 Right?

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 But saying, Paul is saying,

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 act in accordance with your conscience on matters

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 that are not specifically commanded or prohibited in the Scripture.

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 So whether weak or strong,

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 the motive behind the weak or the strong believer,

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 that the motive is to please the Lord

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 and for them to bear with one another.

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 So that is the context, I guess,

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 in which he's addressing these specific things.

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 He doesn't want them to quibble and fight and divide over such issues.

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 Again, it's those non-essential issues

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 that often cause us to do that.

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 And so, he addresses the strong and the weak.

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 So in this first set of heartfelt appeals to the saints in Rome,

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 Paul calls them to please one another,

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 looking to Christ as the example.

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 So there's just, I think there's just five different points for you today.

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 But number one, just to help us walk through this,

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 this could have been two different points,

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 but I was just, as a good reform guy,

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 I was trying to have five points.

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 But the first point is,

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 look to others and away from self.

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 Look to others and away from self.

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 That's verses 1 and 2.

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 Let's read.

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 We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak

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 and not to please ourselves.

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 Let each of us please his neighbor for his good to build him up.

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 So this is an exhortation.

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 We see this distinction of those who are strong.

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 So, I guess you could define those who are strong as those who are strong in faith,

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 strong in truth,

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 strong in their convictions,

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 and in their character before God.

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 He says,

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 That word obligation that we see here means like an owing of debt.

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 Someone that you are bound to repay.

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 It's also used in John 4,

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 the same word,

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 1 John 4,

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 Beloved,

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 if God so loved us,

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 we ought,

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 there's the same word,

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 to love one another.

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 We have an obligation to love one another.

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 And then you see the word that's used here,

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 bear.

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 We have an obligation to bear,

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 which means picking something up to carry a heavy burden.

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 It's used of carrying a pitcher of water in Mark

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 and carrying a man in Acts 21.

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 But those of us in the body who are strong have an obligation.

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 We must bear for those who are weak.

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 Paul wrote in Galatians 6 something very similar.

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 He said,

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 Bear one another's burdens and moral faults,

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 and in this way fulfill perfectly the law of Christ,

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 complete what is lacking.

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 So the strong have a non-negotiable obligation,

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 responsibility to graciously support those who are weak

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 instead of making fun of them or belittling them

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 or selfishly just trying to satisfy their own desires.

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 So Christian living focuses on honoring God by serving others,

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 by serving our brothers and sisters particularly.

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 All right?

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 So he says,

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 that's the exhortation.

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 Strong should bear the failings of the weak.

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 Then if you notice,

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 he says,

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 pleasing ourselves.

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 Man,

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 there is a verse that wraps up what sin kind of does to us.

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 This could be a good one.

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 Our sin has corrupted us in such a way

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 where we have a fallen inclination always to please ourselves.

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 It is what we wake up with every day.

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 It's what follows us around.

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 And I'm not saying it's wrong for you to have,

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 you know,

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 desires that are God-given,

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 but we're speaking in terms of those things

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 where we seek to please ourselves at the expense of someone else.

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 Some people,

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 just without remorse,

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 will stomp or ride right over the interest of others

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 and pursue their own fallen selfish desires.

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 Maybe others may use their intellect

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 to maybe put on a cloak of humility,

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 but in the end of the day,

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 they use their intellect to manipulate the other person

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 to get their own desires served in the end,

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 pleasing themselves.

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 And in a world that yells at us,

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 you know,

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 protect yourself,

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 preserve yourself,

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 promote yourself,

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 entertain yourself,

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 and comfort yourself,

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 Christ comes along and He says,

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 deny yourself,

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 slay yourself,

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 and follow Me.

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 That doesn't just mean to not do certain things.

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 It's this idea of relinquishing absolute control

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 of our lives to Christ.

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 And this includes that fallen desire to always please ourselves

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 at the expense of others.

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 All right?

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 And so,

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 the other side of that is,

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 don't seek to please yourself,

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 but please others.

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 All right?

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 If you look in the next part of this,

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 but you see that the gospel beckons us,

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 the us is connected to the strong,

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 if you look at your pronouns

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 and who he's referring to there.

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 The us refers to the strong,

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 the we,

00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:02.740
 in verse 1.

00:17:03.640 --> 00:17:05.180
 To please his neighbor.

00:17:05.400 --> 00:17:07.860
 The neighbor is the weak believer here.

00:17:07.859 --> 00:17:09.779
 For his good,

00:17:09.919 --> 00:17:10.959
 to build him up.

00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:12.839
 I love that word.

00:17:12.959 --> 00:17:13.659
 The old word,

00:17:14.439 --> 00:17:15.479
 if you have an older Bible,

00:17:16.639 --> 00:17:17.519
 New American Standard,

00:17:17.659 --> 00:17:18.179
 King James,

00:17:18.240 --> 00:17:18.939
 or something like that,

00:17:18.979 --> 00:17:20.159
 I use the word edification.

00:17:20.879 --> 00:17:22.159
 Good old word.

00:17:22.819 --> 00:17:23.899
 But it really just means

00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:26.000
 this idea of almost building up a house,

00:17:26.119 --> 00:17:27.399
 like building,

00:17:27.699 --> 00:17:28.119
 strengthening,

00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:30.059
 to build someone up.

00:17:30.059 --> 00:17:32.299
 Instead of tearing something down,

00:17:33.299 --> 00:17:35.240
 you should seek to build them up,

00:17:35.719 --> 00:17:36.759
 to edify them.

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.920
 And this is done through teaching,

00:17:39.119 --> 00:17:40.519
 through discipling,

00:17:40.619 --> 00:17:42.819
 by humbly serving them,

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:44.119
 loving them,

00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.980
 sacrificing them.

00:17:45.460 --> 00:17:45.859
 So,

00:17:46.759 --> 00:17:48.879
 sin causes us to please ourselves,

00:17:49.059 --> 00:17:49.740
 but the gospel

00:17:49.740 --> 00:17:52.059
 brings about this revolution

00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:53.240
 in our understanding,

00:17:53.359 --> 00:17:54.000
 our relationships,

00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:55.759
 where we think of ourselves

00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:56.700
 with humility.

00:17:57.700 --> 00:17:59.240
 As Paul wrote earlier,

00:17:59.240 --> 00:18:00.539
 if you just want to look

00:18:00.539 --> 00:18:02.720
 back at chapter 12, verse 3,

00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.359
 he just says,

00:18:04.079 --> 00:18:06.000
 I say to everyone among you,

00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:08.039
 not to think of himself

00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.819
 more highly

00:18:08.819 --> 00:18:10.000
 than he ought to think,

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.319
 but to think

00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.700
 with sober judgment.

00:18:13.319 --> 00:18:13.859
 To not have

00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:15.359
 an over-inflated view

00:18:15.359 --> 00:18:16.500
 of ourselves,

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:18.579
 but to think of ourselves

00:18:18.579 --> 00:18:19.400
 in humility

00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:20.579
 in light of what Christ

00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:22.480
 has done for us.

00:18:23.200 --> 00:18:23.779
 So,

00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.640
 God has graciously sought

00:18:26.640 --> 00:18:27.819
 our greatest good

00:18:27.819 --> 00:18:28.619
 in Christ,

00:18:29.160 --> 00:18:30.940
 so the goal of all true believers

00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:31.900
 should be seeking

00:18:31.900 --> 00:18:33.500
 the good of others,

00:18:33.500 --> 00:18:34.700
 especially our brothers

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.480
 and sisters

00:18:35.480 --> 00:18:36.799
 in Christ.

00:18:37.940 --> 00:18:39.279
 Paul kind of echoes that

00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.539
 in Philippians chapter 2.

00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.019
 Let each of you

00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:43.000
 look not only

00:18:43.000 --> 00:18:44.220
 to his own interests,

00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:45.259
 we're all familiar with this,

00:18:45.819 --> 00:18:47.660
 but also to the interests

00:18:47.660 --> 00:18:48.420
 of others.

00:18:49.180 --> 00:18:50.099
 Have this mind

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:51.000
 among yourselves,

00:18:51.099 --> 00:18:51.839
 which is yours

00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.859
 in Christ Jesus.

00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.380
 So,

00:18:54.579 --> 00:18:55.619
 this is this idea

00:18:55.619 --> 00:18:56.720
 of being built up

00:18:56.720 --> 00:18:58.160
 such that believers

00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.940
 will one day

00:18:58.940 --> 00:18:59.819
 be conformed

00:18:59.819 --> 00:19:00.539
 to the likeness

00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.099
 of Christ.

00:19:01.639 --> 00:19:02.139
 That's what

00:19:02.139 --> 00:19:03.119
 the good is.

00:19:03.139 --> 00:19:03.480
 That's what

00:19:03.480 --> 00:19:05.980
 Christ's likeness

00:19:05.980 --> 00:19:08.059
 is what Paul talks about

00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:09.259
 as being the good

00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:11.240
 in Romans 8.

00:19:12.379 --> 00:19:12.879
 And so,

00:19:13.440 --> 00:19:14.119
 we're not

00:19:14.119 --> 00:19:15.220
 to merely just

00:19:15.220 --> 00:19:16.480
 tolerate,

00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.240
 that can be

00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:20.220
 very like us,

00:19:20.279 --> 00:19:20.480
 right?

00:19:20.779 --> 00:19:21.920
 We may tolerate

00:19:21.920 --> 00:19:23.460
 the failings

00:19:23.460 --> 00:19:24.119
 of the weak,

00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:25.519
 but we're not really

00:19:25.519 --> 00:19:26.359
 helping them.

00:19:27.399 --> 00:19:28.000
 Some people,

00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:29.519
 I've done it myself,

00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.619
 we can be just critical,

00:19:31.639 --> 00:19:32.339
 condescending,

00:19:32.460 --> 00:19:33.099
 rather than showing

00:19:33.099 --> 00:19:34.720
 respect for their

00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.839
 sincere views

00:19:35.839 --> 00:19:36.660
 that they hold

00:19:36.660 --> 00:19:39.039
 by not being that way

00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:41.139
 and just agreeing

00:19:41.139 --> 00:19:41.359
 like,

00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:41.819
 it's alright,

00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.139
 you know,

00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:42.660
 we don't have to

00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.539
 quite see eye to eye

00:19:43.539 --> 00:19:44.000
 on things.

00:19:44.079 --> 00:19:44.579
 We tend to like

00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.139
 put our stake

00:19:45.139 --> 00:19:45.680
 in the ground

00:19:45.680 --> 00:19:47.160
 and want to show

00:19:47.160 --> 00:19:48.039
 that they're wrong

00:19:48.039 --> 00:19:48.920
 about everything.

00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:51.119
 Rather than doing that,

00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.660
 we genuinely love them

00:19:52.660 --> 00:19:54.420
 in Christ.

00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.339
 The way that Christ

00:19:56.339 --> 00:19:57.359
 loves us

00:19:57.359 --> 00:19:59.699
 is 1 Corinthians 13

00:19:59.699 --> 00:20:00.779
 is love,

00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:01.619
 Christ-like love

00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.279
 is not arrogant

00:20:02.279 --> 00:20:03.039
 or rude.

00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.819
 It does not insist

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.879
 on its own way.

00:20:06.579 --> 00:20:07.599
 It is not irritable

00:20:07.599 --> 00:20:08.439
 or resentful.

00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:09.699
 So,

00:20:09.919 --> 00:20:10.839
 there's a lot

00:20:10.839 --> 00:20:11.439
 in all this,

00:20:11.559 --> 00:20:13.639
 but I think

00:20:13.639 --> 00:20:14.519
 Nathan just covered

00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.159
 so much of this

00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:15.719
 so well

00:20:15.719 --> 00:20:16.319
 that I've been

00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.279
 just thinking

00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:17.699
 through this.

00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:18.219
 And if Paul is

00:20:18.219 --> 00:20:18.979
 continuing to write

00:20:18.979 --> 00:20:19.500
 about this,

00:20:19.519 --> 00:20:20.419
 it's because he knows

00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:21.439
 it's a serious thing

00:20:21.439 --> 00:20:22.539
 that you should

00:20:22.539 --> 00:20:23.079
 pay attention.

00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:24.759
 some of you

00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:26.519
 are older enough

00:20:26.519 --> 00:20:27.000
 in the faith

00:20:27.000 --> 00:20:27.659
 to witness

00:20:27.659 --> 00:20:30.139
 divisions in churches

00:20:30.139 --> 00:20:32.480
 and splits in churches.

00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:35.839
 And most of the time,

00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:37.379
 they're founded

00:20:37.379 --> 00:20:38.339
 in like very

00:20:38.339 --> 00:20:40.279
 non-essential things.

00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:42.599
 It's people's pride

00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:43.419
 being wounded

00:20:43.419 --> 00:20:45.679
 is quivling over

00:20:45.679 --> 00:20:47.659
 just earthly things

00:20:47.659 --> 00:20:48.539
 that are in the church.

00:20:48.539 --> 00:20:51.619
 and God is telling us

00:20:51.619 --> 00:20:53.500
 to not act that way.

00:20:54.119 --> 00:20:54.319
 So,

00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:55.000
 that's why there's

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:56.720
 instruction on these things.

00:20:57.480 --> 00:20:58.200
 A lot of these

00:20:58.200 --> 00:20:59.200
 modern day things

00:20:59.200 --> 00:21:00.720
 that believers

00:21:00.720 --> 00:21:02.940
 may have disagreeing

00:21:02.940 --> 00:21:03.920
 things on,

00:21:04.039 --> 00:21:04.279
 I mean,

00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:04.819
 the big one,

00:21:04.879 --> 00:21:05.240
 obviously,

00:21:05.440 --> 00:21:06.180
 is just alcohol,

00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.220
 things like that.

00:21:07.920 --> 00:21:08.680
 I personally

00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.440
 don't drink alcohol.

00:21:09.579 --> 00:21:10.519
 I think it's kind of gross.

00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:11.460
 I just don't like it.

00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:12.619
 It's just nasty to me.

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:15.180
 I've had it before

00:21:15.180 --> 00:21:15.920
 in the past.

00:21:15.920 --> 00:21:16.920
 But,

00:21:18.140 --> 00:21:18.600
 there are,

00:21:19.519 --> 00:21:20.779
 I kind of grew up

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.300
 in the,

00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:23.039
 what you might call

00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:23.539
 the young,

00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.039
 restless,

00:21:24.200 --> 00:21:25.140
 reformed movement.

00:21:25.820 --> 00:21:26.300
 And,

00:21:26.380 --> 00:21:27.180
 there was like

00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:28.060
 this movement

00:21:28.060 --> 00:21:28.500
 where

00:21:28.500 --> 00:21:31.080
 they wanted to

00:21:31.080 --> 00:21:31.759
 replace

00:21:31.759 --> 00:21:33.500
 the Christian man

00:21:33.500 --> 00:21:34.080
 who was like,

00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.180
 kind of like

00:21:35.180 --> 00:21:36.340
 quiet,

00:21:36.620 --> 00:21:36.940
 meek,

00:21:37.060 --> 00:21:37.160
 and

00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:38.380
 dead fish,

00:21:38.480 --> 00:21:39.120
 handshake,

00:21:39.300 --> 00:21:39.980
 and

00:21:39.980 --> 00:21:41.740
 didn't cuss,

00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.560
 didn't drink,

00:21:42.660 --> 00:21:42.980
 you know,

00:21:43.080 --> 00:21:43.360
 and

00:21:43.360 --> 00:21:45.180
 never fought anything.

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.660
 They wanted to

00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:47.320
 replace him

00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:48.240
 with the loud,

00:21:49.120 --> 00:21:50.480
 beer drinking,

00:21:51.480 --> 00:21:52.400
 cigarette smoking,

00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:52.600
 or,

00:21:52.680 --> 00:21:52.820
 you know,

00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:53.900
 cigar smoking,

00:21:54.660 --> 00:21:55.420
 you know,

00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.820
 and cussing,

00:21:56.880 --> 00:21:57.220
 you know,

00:21:57.720 --> 00:21:58.440
 kind of guy.

00:21:58.700 --> 00:21:58.980
 And,

00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.759
 I just felt like

00:22:00.759 --> 00:22:01.320
 something was just

00:22:01.320 --> 00:22:02.019
 not right about

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:02.820
 either one of those.

00:22:02.980 --> 00:22:03.120
 Like,

00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.539
 wait a minute,

00:22:03.620 --> 00:22:04.120
 this is not

00:22:04.120 --> 00:22:06.000
 how Christ has

00:22:06.000 --> 00:22:06.580
 called us.

00:22:06.800 --> 00:22:07.440
 Eve had

00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.820
 liberty in Christ

00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.440
 to drink.

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:11.420
 they were like

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:12.519
 flaunting it around.

00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.340
 They were like

00:22:13.340 --> 00:22:14.680
 boasting about it.

00:22:15.559 --> 00:22:16.480
 And wounding

00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:17.220
 the consciences

00:22:17.220 --> 00:22:18.000
 of a lot of

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.720
 other believers

00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:20.539
 who still had

00:22:20.539 --> 00:22:21.360
 an issue with it.

00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.500
 Right?

00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:24.500
 But I had,

00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:24.759
 you know,

00:22:24.820 --> 00:22:26.039
 one particular friend

00:22:26.039 --> 00:22:26.860
 who did do that.

00:22:26.900 --> 00:22:27.640
 He kind of boasted

00:22:27.640 --> 00:22:28.480
 about his liberty

00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:29.039
 a lot.

00:22:30.080 --> 00:22:30.519
 And,

00:22:30.600 --> 00:22:31.340
 another friend,

00:22:31.440 --> 00:22:32.200
 a different friend,

00:22:33.100 --> 00:22:33.539
 who was,

00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:34.320
 I would classify

00:22:34.320 --> 00:22:35.799
 as a strong believer,

00:22:36.059 --> 00:22:37.160
 a mature believer,

00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:39.560
 who liked to drink

00:22:39.560 --> 00:22:40.420
 on occasion,

00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:41.680
 usually just at home.

00:22:42.680 --> 00:22:43.440
 We were out,

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:44.140
 we were out

00:22:44.140 --> 00:22:45.220
 meeting with

00:22:45.220 --> 00:22:46.740
 another brother

00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:47.279
 who was just

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:48.080
 younger in the faith.

00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:49.080
 He was a new Christian,

00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:50.380
 but he had had

00:22:50.380 --> 00:22:51.220
 kind of a past

00:22:51.220 --> 00:22:51.820
 with alcohol,

00:22:52.180 --> 00:22:52.800
 with addiction.

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.019
 And,

00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.080
 before we actually

00:22:55.080 --> 00:22:56.019
 went to meet up with him,

00:22:56.040 --> 00:22:56.500
 I just told

00:22:56.500 --> 00:22:57.860
 the strong brother,

00:22:59.320 --> 00:22:59.540
 hey,

00:22:59.640 --> 00:22:59.820
 like,

00:22:59.880 --> 00:23:00.920
 let's not tonight.

00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.019
 You know,

00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:02.740
 let's just not,

00:23:03.420 --> 00:23:03.900
 don't order,

00:23:03.900 --> 00:23:04.740
 don't order a beer.

00:23:04.940 --> 00:23:05.040
 Because,

00:23:05.160 --> 00:23:05.340
 like,

00:23:05.680 --> 00:23:05.779
 he,

00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:06.519
 one,

00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:07.259
 he may be tempted

00:23:07.259 --> 00:23:07.720
 by it,

00:23:07.779 --> 00:23:08.180
 but two,

00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.779
 his consciousness

00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.879
 isn't in a good place

00:23:10.879 --> 00:23:11.859
 to see things like that.

00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:11.960
 And,

00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.420
 he was just like,

00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.799
 no problem.

00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:14.160
 Like,

00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.019
 I'll gladly just

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.700
 throw it all away

00:23:15.700 --> 00:23:16.599
 if that would help him.

00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:17.000
 You know,

00:23:17.339 --> 00:23:19.099
 just a mature response.

00:23:19.639 --> 00:23:19.980
 Not like,

00:23:20.039 --> 00:23:20.259
 well,

00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:20.740
 I'm a,

00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.420
 I'm gonna,

00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.440
 I'm in liberty,

00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:23.240
 so I'm gonna drink,

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:23.559
 you know,

00:23:23.579 --> 00:23:24.559
 and do what I want to do.

00:23:24.639 --> 00:23:24.819
 But,

00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.559
 he,

00:23:25.639 --> 00:23:27.139
 he easily just said,

00:23:27.180 --> 00:23:27.859
 no big deal.

00:23:28.059 --> 00:23:28.259
 I'll,

00:23:28.259 --> 00:23:29.359
 I'll seek to please him,

00:23:29.980 --> 00:23:30.259
 you know,

00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.400
 more than myself here.

00:23:32.180 --> 00:23:32.279
 And,

00:23:32.379 --> 00:23:32.460
 like,

00:23:32.519 --> 00:23:32.700
 that's,

00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.900
 those are the examples.

00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.960
 They extend beyond

00:23:34.960 --> 00:23:35.920
 a lot of things.

00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:36.920
 But,

00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:39.960
 we must please others.

00:23:40.460 --> 00:23:41.680
 We must seek to please others.

00:23:42.339 --> 00:23:44.039
 We can't control the weak

00:23:44.039 --> 00:23:45.039
 or difficult brothers,

00:23:45.180 --> 00:23:46.160
 but with God's help,

00:23:46.980 --> 00:23:47.579
 we can,

00:23:47.720 --> 00:23:49.000
 he can help control us

00:23:49.000 --> 00:23:50.519
 as we react to them.

00:23:51.599 --> 00:23:51.839
 And,

00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:53.619
 God often uses difficult,

00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:55.799
 weak brothers or sisters

00:23:55.799 --> 00:23:56.980
 to reveal sin

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.900
 in our own life.

00:23:57.900 --> 00:24:00.560
 how much patience we lack,

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:02.220
 how angry and irritable

00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.620
 we can be

00:24:03.620 --> 00:24:04.780
 with their issues.

00:24:06.120 --> 00:24:07.720
 It keeps us dependent

00:24:07.720 --> 00:24:09.019
 on God.

00:24:09.720 --> 00:24:09.920
 So,

00:24:09.980 --> 00:24:10.720
 that's the first one,

00:24:10.780 --> 00:24:12.100
 is look to others

00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:13.120
 and away

00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:14.160
 from ourselves.

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.980
 Number two,

00:24:17.400 --> 00:24:18.240
 you knew this was coming,

00:24:18.500 --> 00:24:19.860
 look to Christ.

00:24:21.360 --> 00:24:22.320
 Look to Christ.

00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:23.380
 See this in verse three.

00:24:23.380 --> 00:24:24.900
 Now,

00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.620
 this is the reason,

00:24:25.700 --> 00:24:25.880
 right?

00:24:25.960 --> 00:24:26.980
 For Christ did not

00:24:26.980 --> 00:24:27.800
 please himself,

00:24:28.240 --> 00:24:29.400
 but as it is written,

00:24:29.600 --> 00:24:30.880
 the reproaches of those

00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:32.400
 who reproached you

00:24:32.400 --> 00:24:33.600
 fell on me.

00:24:34.880 --> 00:24:35.420
 So,

00:24:35.500 --> 00:24:36.580
 it would be great to know

00:24:36.580 --> 00:24:38.360
 what this looks like.

00:24:39.140 --> 00:24:39.660
 But,

00:24:39.780 --> 00:24:40.420
 in Christ,

00:24:40.540 --> 00:24:41.920
 we have the perfect pattern

00:24:41.920 --> 00:24:42.420
 to follow,

00:24:42.520 --> 00:24:43.660
 the perfect example

00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:45.180
 in Christ.

00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:47.300
 Believers are to follow

00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:48.860
 the self-denying

00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:50.920
 example of Christ

00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:52.539
 and thereby live

00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:53.180
 in harmony

00:24:53.180 --> 00:24:54.380
 with one another.

00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.080
 And,

00:24:56.320 --> 00:24:57.600
 get what Paul is saying here.

00:24:57.680 --> 00:24:59.220
 This isn't just a random,

00:24:59.880 --> 00:25:01.019
 just be like Jesus

00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:02.019
 kind of

00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:03.160
 exhortation.

00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:05.640
 He really means this.

00:25:05.700 --> 00:25:05.800
 So,

00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.300
 why is he

00:25:06.300 --> 00:25:07.600
 pointing this out?

00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.500
 He's trying to say

00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:09.980
 that someone

00:25:09.980 --> 00:25:11.480
 who was the strongest

00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:14.320
 bore the weaknesses

00:25:14.320 --> 00:25:16.000
 of those without strength.

00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.900
 No one

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:19.039
 was as strong,

00:25:19.900 --> 00:25:20.240
 perfect,

00:25:20.240 --> 00:25:21.000
 and innocent

00:25:21.000 --> 00:25:22.460
 as Jesus.

00:25:23.460 --> 00:25:23.680
 And,

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.120
 no one

00:25:24.120 --> 00:25:25.240
 was more weaker,

00:25:26.200 --> 00:25:26.500
 broken,

00:25:26.660 --> 00:25:27.180
 and guilty

00:25:27.180 --> 00:25:28.059
 than us.

00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.140
 And,

00:25:29.180 --> 00:25:30.160
 Christ denied

00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:30.819
 himself.

00:25:31.099 --> 00:25:31.579
 He didn't seek

00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:32.279
 to please

00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.259
 himself,

00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.299
 but to please

00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:35.480
 the Father.

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.000
 You see that in

00:25:37.000 --> 00:25:37.759
 John 5,

00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.420
 verse 30.

00:25:38.599 --> 00:25:39.160
 John 8,

00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.819
 39.

00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.839
 My desire is to do

00:25:41.839 --> 00:25:42.700
 the will of him

00:25:42.700 --> 00:25:43.460
 who sent me.

00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.599
 It was extremely

00:25:45.599 --> 00:25:46.920
 difficult and painful

00:25:46.920 --> 00:25:48.700
 and eventually

00:25:48.700 --> 00:25:49.359
 cost Jesus'

00:25:49.359 --> 00:25:50.059
 his own life

00:25:50.059 --> 00:25:50.799
 on the cross

00:25:50.799 --> 00:25:52.719
 to seek to honor

00:25:52.719 --> 00:25:53.699
 and please

00:25:53.699 --> 00:25:54.259
 his Father.

00:25:54.899 --> 00:25:55.139
 So,

00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:56.139
 both in his life

00:25:56.139 --> 00:25:56.879
 and in his

00:25:56.879 --> 00:25:58.859
 agonizing death,

00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:00.619
 we vividly see

00:26:00.619 --> 00:26:02.279
 his utmost concern

00:26:02.279 --> 00:26:03.119
 to please the Father

00:26:03.119 --> 00:26:04.079
 and to seek

00:26:04.079 --> 00:26:04.979
 our good

00:26:04.979 --> 00:26:06.579
 and accomplishing

00:26:06.579 --> 00:26:07.219
 the work

00:26:07.219 --> 00:26:08.319
 of redemption.

00:26:09.179 --> 00:26:09.919
 He didn't look

00:26:09.920 --> 00:26:10.900
 to his own desires.

00:26:11.100 --> 00:26:11.560
 He didn't look

00:26:11.560 --> 00:26:12.060
 out for his

00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:13.220
 own benefit.

00:26:14.800 --> 00:26:15.180
 Christ,

00:26:15.340 --> 00:26:15.600
 I mean,

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.420
 the ultimate example

00:26:16.420 --> 00:26:17.259
 of that is in

00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:18.120
 Gethsemane where

00:26:18.120 --> 00:26:19.660
 he basically just

00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.980
 prays like God,

00:26:21.440 --> 00:26:21.800
 Father,

00:26:22.900 --> 00:26:24.480
 with drops of blood,

00:26:24.560 --> 00:26:24.779
 right?

00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:26.420
 If there is any

00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.039
 other way

00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:29.180
 for this cup

00:26:29.180 --> 00:26:30.240
 to pass from me,

00:26:31.360 --> 00:26:31.860
 nonetheless,

00:26:32.580 --> 00:26:33.700
 let your will be

00:26:33.700 --> 00:26:34.080
 done

00:26:34.080 --> 00:26:35.580
 and not mine.

00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.360
 He has submitted

00:26:36.360 --> 00:26:37.700
 himself to that.

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:38.860
 So,

00:26:38.900 --> 00:26:40.500
 Christ is the

00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:41.100
 highest,

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:42.100
 supreme example

00:26:42.100 --> 00:26:42.600
 of living

00:26:42.600 --> 00:26:44.100
 for God's glory

00:26:44.100 --> 00:26:44.880
 under hardship.

00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:47.000
 And showing that,

00:26:47.059 --> 00:26:47.759
 he quotes a

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:49.100
 messianic psalm,

00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.380
 Psalm 69,

00:26:50.660 --> 00:26:51.279
 verse 9,

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:52.680
 which reads,

00:26:52.779 --> 00:26:53.500
 in its context,

00:26:53.680 --> 00:26:55.620
 For zeal for your

00:26:55.620 --> 00:26:57.019
 house has consumed

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.279
 me,

00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:58.200
 or eaten me up,

00:26:59.000 --> 00:27:00.120
 and the reproaches

00:27:00.120 --> 00:27:01.500
 of those who

00:27:01.500 --> 00:27:02.240
 reproached and

00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:03.059
 insulted you

00:27:03.059 --> 00:27:04.059
 have fallen upon

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.440
 me.

00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:05.500
 So,

00:27:05.580 --> 00:27:06.440
 reproach means

00:27:06.440 --> 00:27:08.160
 reviled,

00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.720
 persecuted,

00:27:10.140 --> 00:27:10.620
 insulted.

00:27:10.840 --> 00:27:11.220
 That's what

00:27:11.220 --> 00:27:12.380
 reproach means.

00:27:13.380 --> 00:27:14.759
 And Paul applies

00:27:14.759 --> 00:27:15.559
 this text to

00:27:15.559 --> 00:27:16.080
 Jesus,

00:27:16.920 --> 00:27:17.920
 expressing those

00:27:17.920 --> 00:27:18.600
 words of a

00:27:18.600 --> 00:27:19.360
 righteous man

00:27:19.360 --> 00:27:20.120
 who endures

00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:21.460
 insults and

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.039
 scorn for the

00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.740
 sake of God's

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.220
 glory.

00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.080
 We need to

00:27:26.080 --> 00:27:26.759
 understand that

00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.940
 it was Christ's

00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:29.140
 zeal and passion

00:27:29.140 --> 00:27:30.640
 for God that

00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.900
 brought suffering

00:27:31.900 --> 00:27:32.600
 upon him.

00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.860
 Passion actually

00:27:34.859 --> 00:27:36.500
 means the

00:27:36.500 --> 00:27:37.039
 degree of

00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.959
 difficulty that

00:27:37.959 --> 00:27:38.539
 you're willing to

00:27:38.539 --> 00:27:39.359
 go through to

00:27:39.359 --> 00:27:40.159
 accomplish the

00:27:40.159 --> 00:27:40.399
 goal.

00:27:40.479 --> 00:27:40.839
 That's what a

00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:41.599
 passion means.

00:27:42.379 --> 00:27:43.099
 It isn't like

00:27:43.099 --> 00:27:44.039
 rah-rah or

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.479
 passionate.

00:27:44.639 --> 00:27:44.859
 It's like

00:27:44.859 --> 00:27:46.139
 whatever you

00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:46.599
 say, that

00:27:46.599 --> 00:27:47.339
 thing is worth

00:27:47.339 --> 00:27:48.119
 everything, worth

00:27:48.119 --> 00:27:49.179
 sacrificing for,

00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.099
 worth dying for.

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.819
 And for Christ,

00:27:51.919 --> 00:27:53.779
 it was zeal and

00:27:53.779 --> 00:27:55.000
 love for his

00:27:55.000 --> 00:27:55.619
 father, and that

00:27:55.619 --> 00:27:56.919
 brought great

00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:58.039
 suffering upon

00:27:58.039 --> 00:27:58.319
 him.

00:27:59.059 --> 00:27:59.559
 And that's what

00:27:59.559 --> 00:28:00.339
 Paul is challenging

00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:01.139
 us with here,

00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:02.599
 for us to bear

00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.399
 the weaknesses

00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.379
 of others in

00:28:04.379 --> 00:28:04.779
 living to

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.500
 please God by

00:28:06.500 --> 00:28:07.319
 pleasing our

00:28:07.319 --> 00:28:08.779
 neighbor, and

00:28:08.779 --> 00:28:09.799
 making real

00:28:09.799 --> 00:28:11.099
 everyday choices

00:28:11.099 --> 00:28:13.079
 of self-denial,

00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.539
 even limiting our

00:28:14.539 --> 00:28:15.199
 liberties if

00:28:15.199 --> 00:28:17.319
 necessary, giving

00:28:17.319 --> 00:28:18.039
 them up for the

00:28:18.039 --> 00:28:18.939
 spiritual good of

00:28:18.939 --> 00:28:19.639
 those who are

00:28:19.639 --> 00:28:20.000
 weak.

00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.559
 But it's almost

00:28:22.559 --> 00:28:25.079
 sort of laughable

00:28:25.079 --> 00:28:25.779
 though, to be

00:28:25.779 --> 00:28:26.119
 honest.

00:28:26.379 --> 00:28:28.559
 It's yet, when it

00:28:28.559 --> 00:28:29.559
 comes to us, by

00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:30.460
 comparison, that

00:28:30.460 --> 00:28:32.859
 scale is like

00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:33.720
 Christ gave up

00:28:33.720 --> 00:28:34.639
 all he had to

00:28:34.639 --> 00:28:35.839
 suffer and endure

00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.740
 for our good.

00:28:37.259 --> 00:28:37.799
 It just makes

00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:39.460
 what he's asking

00:28:39.460 --> 00:28:40.200
 us to give up,

00:28:40.240 --> 00:28:40.759
 just a little bit

00:28:40.759 --> 00:28:41.799
 of liberty, kind

00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:42.379
 of seems like

00:28:42.379 --> 00:28:43.279
 trifling a little

00:28:43.279 --> 00:28:43.579
 bit.

00:28:44.079 --> 00:28:44.879
 Almost just like,

00:28:44.960 --> 00:28:46.000
 yeah, I don't

00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:47.039
 have any excuse

00:28:47.039 --> 00:28:48.819
 to complain because

00:28:48.819 --> 00:28:49.839
 of all that he

00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:51.039
 sacrificed for me.

00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.619
 The scale of his

00:28:52.619 --> 00:28:53.980
 personal passion and

00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:55.899
 sacrifice in

00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.740
 comparison to the

00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.519
 restriction of our

00:28:57.519 --> 00:28:58.799
 liberty for the

00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.619
 sake of weaker

00:28:59.619 --> 00:29:01.980
 brothers is a

00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.799
 trifling thing,

00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.579
 really.

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.759
 But he's

00:29:04.759 --> 00:29:05.659
 highlighting that,

00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.339
 like follow

00:29:06.339 --> 00:29:07.899
 Christ's example.

00:29:08.879 --> 00:29:09.480
 But how many of

00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:12.700
 you just the, I

00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:14.720
 kind of grew up as

00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.299
 a really early

00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.039
 Christian wearing

00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.180
 the WWJD

00:29:17.180 --> 00:29:20.720
 bracelet, and then

00:29:20.720 --> 00:29:21.240
 it just kind of

00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:21.859
 donged at me, I

00:29:21.859 --> 00:29:22.460
 really, really

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.279
 stink at doing

00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.519
 what Jesus does.

00:29:25.919 --> 00:29:26.720
 And it kind of

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.619
 occurred to you

00:29:27.619 --> 00:29:28.240
 that it's not

00:29:28.240 --> 00:29:29.960
 just be like

00:29:29.960 --> 00:29:31.220
 him and that's

00:29:31.220 --> 00:29:31.500
 it.

00:29:32.299 --> 00:29:33.859
 It can be

00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.460
 discouraging.

00:29:34.579 --> 00:29:35.120
 We all have

00:29:35.120 --> 00:29:36.720
 failed to live

00:29:36.720 --> 00:29:37.500
 like Christ

00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:38.500
 day after day.

00:29:39.400 --> 00:29:39.940
 And an

00:29:39.940 --> 00:29:40.880
 encouraging word

00:29:40.880 --> 00:29:41.960
 for those of you

00:29:41.960 --> 00:29:42.440
 who may feel

00:29:42.440 --> 00:29:43.279
 that way is that

00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:44.859
 it's been said

00:29:44.859 --> 00:29:45.640
 by Wiser

00:29:45.640 --> 00:29:46.440
 Man that Christ

00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:48.299
 is first our

00:29:48.299 --> 00:29:49.859
 Savior before

00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:50.500
 he's our

00:29:50.500 --> 00:29:51.099
 example.

00:29:51.960 --> 00:29:52.200
 All right?

00:29:52.259 --> 00:29:53.779
 So he, we

00:29:53.779 --> 00:29:54.779
 come to him as

00:29:54.779 --> 00:29:55.900
 broken sinners in

00:29:55.900 --> 00:29:56.620
 need of his

00:29:56.620 --> 00:29:58.080
 saving grace.

00:29:59.080 --> 00:29:59.660
 And he

00:29:59.660 --> 00:30:00.800
 transforms us

00:30:00.800 --> 00:30:01.360
 and promises

00:30:01.360 --> 00:30:02.300
 never to leave

00:30:02.300 --> 00:30:03.080
 us or forsake

00:30:03.080 --> 00:30:03.320
 us.

00:30:03.380 --> 00:30:04.519
 And he gives

00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.019
 us his

00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:06.220
 resurrection life.

00:30:06.880 --> 00:30:07.600
 Give us what

00:30:07.600 --> 00:30:08.720
 we need to

00:30:08.720 --> 00:30:10.420
 serve him as

00:30:10.420 --> 00:30:10.880
 we come to

00:30:10.880 --> 00:30:11.480
 him daily.

00:30:12.240 --> 00:30:13.160
 So if you're

00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:14.080
 having an issue

00:30:14.080 --> 00:30:14.600
 with that, he's

00:30:14.600 --> 00:30:15.740
 provided a way

00:30:15.740 --> 00:30:17.040
 for you to

00:30:17.040 --> 00:30:18.180
 follow him by

00:30:18.180 --> 00:30:18.900
 going to him.

00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:20.300
 So look to

00:30:20.300 --> 00:30:20.740
 Christ.

00:30:20.880 --> 00:30:21.280
 Then number

00:30:21.280 --> 00:30:22.240
 three, look to

00:30:22.240 --> 00:30:22.779
 the scripture.

00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.519
 Verse four.

00:30:26.460 --> 00:30:27.160
 For whatever

00:30:27.160 --> 00:30:27.759
 was written in

00:30:27.759 --> 00:30:29.039
 former days was

00:30:29.039 --> 00:30:29.599
 written for our

00:30:29.599 --> 00:30:30.319
 instruction that

00:30:30.319 --> 00:30:31.059
 through endurance

00:30:31.059 --> 00:30:32.079
 and through the

00:30:32.079 --> 00:30:32.799
 encouragement of

00:30:32.799 --> 00:30:33.279
 the scriptures,

00:30:33.279 --> 00:30:34.120
 we might have

00:30:34.120 --> 00:30:34.539
 hope.

00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.359
 So as it is with

00:30:36.359 --> 00:30:37.099
 all things in the

00:30:37.099 --> 00:30:37.859
 Christian life,

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.140
 we are to look

00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:40.519
 upon God's glory

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.620
 in his word and

00:30:41.620 --> 00:30:42.440
 be transformed

00:30:42.440 --> 00:30:43.440
 by it.

00:30:44.920 --> 00:30:45.920
 I think I fell

00:30:45.920 --> 00:30:46.599
 into a habit

00:30:46.599 --> 00:30:47.160
 maybe in the

00:30:47.160 --> 00:30:47.880
 last few months

00:30:47.880 --> 00:30:48.559
 of just more

00:30:48.559 --> 00:30:50.640
 or less reading

00:30:50.640 --> 00:30:51.460
 the scripture out

00:30:51.460 --> 00:30:54.640
 of duty rather

00:30:54.640 --> 00:30:55.299
 than delight,

00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:55.980
 more out of

00:30:55.980 --> 00:30:57.120
 obligation than

00:30:57.120 --> 00:31:00.120
 desire, and

00:31:00.120 --> 00:31:01.620
 failing to

00:31:01.620 --> 00:31:02.559
 recognize that

00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:05.039
 God will use

00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:05.900
 this to help

00:31:05.900 --> 00:31:07.360
 make me more

00:31:07.360 --> 00:31:08.059
 like Christ.

00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:08.720
 God will use

00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.160
 this to help

00:31:09.160 --> 00:31:10.539
 strengthen my

00:31:10.539 --> 00:31:10.920
 heart.

00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.680
 So although the

00:31:12.680 --> 00:31:13.460
 New Testament is

00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.420
 inspired by God,

00:31:14.480 --> 00:31:14.799
 that's a whole

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:15.640
 other message.

00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:17.360
 Paul specifically

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:18.160
 has in mind the

00:31:18.160 --> 00:31:18.660
 Old Testament

00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:19.400
 scriptures here.

00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.259
 He says,

00:31:20.380 --> 00:31:20.740
 for whatever is

00:31:20.740 --> 00:31:21.299
 written in the

00:31:21.299 --> 00:31:21.960
 former days,

00:31:22.799 --> 00:31:23.639
 and I mean,

00:31:23.700 --> 00:31:24.740
 just read Romans,

00:31:24.819 --> 00:31:25.019
 right?

00:31:25.099 --> 00:31:25.799
 Like he references

00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:27.859
 the Old Testament

00:31:27.859 --> 00:31:28.839
 many, many, many

00:31:28.839 --> 00:31:29.879
 times to prove

00:31:29.879 --> 00:31:30.359
 his point,

00:31:30.399 --> 00:31:31.359
 and he just did

00:31:31.359 --> 00:31:32.460
 by quoting

00:31:32.460 --> 00:31:33.579
 Psalm 69.

00:31:35.059 --> 00:31:36.079
 He's reminding

00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.619
 us of this

00:31:36.619 --> 00:31:37.279
 importance,

00:31:38.339 --> 00:31:39.079
 that full

00:31:39.079 --> 00:31:39.899
 confidence that

00:31:39.899 --> 00:31:40.559
 the Old Testament

00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.419
 was written down

00:31:41.419 --> 00:31:42.480
 for our instruction

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.960
 in the encouragement

00:31:43.960 --> 00:31:45.279
 of God's people.

00:31:46.039 --> 00:31:46.960
 Sort of indirectly

00:31:46.960 --> 00:31:47.980
 implying that all

00:31:47.980 --> 00:31:49.299
 of God's words

00:31:49.299 --> 00:31:50.639
 scriptures are God's

00:31:50.639 --> 00:31:51.579
 words.

00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:53.359
 He inspired them.

00:31:53.460 --> 00:31:54.319
 He put them down

00:31:54.319 --> 00:31:55.559
 for us.

00:31:55.599 --> 00:31:56.180
 And those things

00:31:56.180 --> 00:31:56.680
 that were written

00:31:56.680 --> 00:31:57.759
 a long time ago

00:31:57.759 --> 00:31:59.480
 don't just serve

00:31:59.480 --> 00:32:00.240
 the needs of those

00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.519
 people, but continue

00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.960
 on to serve the

00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:04.059
 needs of his people

00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:04.619
 today.

00:32:04.879 --> 00:32:06.079
 It goes on for

00:32:06.079 --> 00:32:07.099
 later centuries.

00:32:07.940 --> 00:32:09.419
 So, saying to the

00:32:09.419 --> 00:32:10.279
 strong believer,

00:32:10.680 --> 00:32:12.139
 then, go back

00:32:12.139 --> 00:32:13.500
 and read the

00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:13.799
 scriptures.

00:32:13.799 --> 00:32:15.579
 If you're struggling

00:32:15.579 --> 00:32:16.700
 with being patient,

00:32:16.819 --> 00:32:17.419
 if you're struggling

00:32:17.419 --> 00:32:19.579
 with being discouraged

00:32:19.579 --> 00:32:20.960
 at the growth of

00:32:20.960 --> 00:32:22.139
 these weaker

00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:23.359
 brothers or sisters,

00:32:23.839 --> 00:32:24.899
 if you're struggling

00:32:24.899 --> 00:32:25.440
 with that,

00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:26.379
 if you feel

00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.159
 faint-hearted,

00:32:28.119 --> 00:32:29.019
 go to the

00:32:29.019 --> 00:32:29.339
 scriptures.

00:32:29.579 --> 00:32:30.399
 If you're feeling

00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:31.500
 exasperated,

00:32:32.659 --> 00:32:33.339
 in the scriptures

00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:34.019
 you will find

00:32:34.019 --> 00:32:34.720
 instruction.

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.700
 That means like

00:32:35.700 --> 00:32:36.799
 teaching,

00:32:37.079 --> 00:32:37.539
 training,

00:32:38.319 --> 00:32:39.059
 to help us

00:32:39.059 --> 00:32:40.099
 know how to

00:32:40.099 --> 00:32:40.659
 bear with

00:32:40.659 --> 00:32:41.720
 the weaker

00:32:41.720 --> 00:32:42.519
 believers.

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.900
 And then,

00:32:44.119 --> 00:32:45.059
 that will also

00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:46.139
 help us establish

00:32:46.139 --> 00:32:47.099
 endurance,

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.579
 which this word

00:32:48.579 --> 00:32:49.279
 endurance means

00:32:49.279 --> 00:32:50.220
 to bear up

00:32:50.220 --> 00:32:51.799
 under extreme

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:52.599
 difficulty

00:32:52.599 --> 00:32:54.259
 and to persevere.

00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.099
 So, just think

00:32:56.099 --> 00:32:56.579
 about it.

00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:57.879
 Does the Bible

00:32:57.879 --> 00:32:59.859
 have any stories

00:32:59.859 --> 00:33:00.460
 like that?

00:33:01.559 --> 00:33:02.279
 Many, many.

00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:03.920
 Noah,

00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:05.839
 Joseph,

00:33:06.799 --> 00:33:07.259
 Moses,

00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:08.500
 David.

00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.279
 Take your pick.

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:11.500
 Like, all stories

00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:12.759
 of God

00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.519
 helping His

00:33:13.519 --> 00:33:14.440
 people bear up

00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:15.200
 under extreme

00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.000
 difficulty.

00:33:16.859 --> 00:33:17.539
 So, look to

00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.019
 those

00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:20.000
 in the

00:33:20.000 --> 00:33:20.279
 scripture

00:33:20.279 --> 00:33:21.099
 who look to

00:33:21.099 --> 00:33:21.920
 God to go

00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.480
 through difficult

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.000
 times.

00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:24.299
 And then,

00:33:24.619 --> 00:33:25.259
 beside that,

00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:25.779
 if you're feeling

00:33:25.779 --> 00:33:26.380
 disheartened,

00:33:26.480 --> 00:33:27.160
 like massively

00:33:27.160 --> 00:33:28.059
 discouraged,

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.359
 it says that the

00:33:29.359 --> 00:33:30.079
 scriptures can

00:33:30.079 --> 00:33:30.460
 give you

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.079
 encouragement.

00:33:31.339 --> 00:33:31.660
 That means

00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.140
 comfort,

00:33:32.359 --> 00:33:32.799
 strength,

00:33:33.440 --> 00:33:34.200
 consolation.

00:33:35.039 --> 00:33:35.619
 So, far

00:33:35.619 --> 00:33:36.400
 beyond the

00:33:36.400 --> 00:33:37.119
 limited value

00:33:37.119 --> 00:33:37.740
 just for

00:33:37.740 --> 00:33:38.299
 Christians,

00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.599
 the record of

00:33:39.599 --> 00:33:40.299
 all God's

00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:40.859
 dealings with

00:33:40.859 --> 00:33:41.319
 His people

00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.079
 in the past

00:33:42.079 --> 00:33:43.039
 have been

00:33:43.039 --> 00:33:43.659
 deliberately

00:33:43.659 --> 00:33:44.799
 preserved for

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.500
 our good,

00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:46.459
 our encouragement,

00:33:47.439 --> 00:33:48.659
 spiritual benefit.

00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.359
 There's just one

00:33:50.359 --> 00:33:51.059
 place I have for you

00:33:51.059 --> 00:33:51.699
 to turn today.

00:33:51.859 --> 00:33:52.740
 Well, actually two,

00:33:52.899 --> 00:33:54.179
 but before we

00:33:54.179 --> 00:33:54.819
 close, but look at

00:33:54.819 --> 00:33:55.799
 Psalm, hold your

00:33:55.799 --> 00:33:56.379
 hand in Romans,

00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:56.859
 but look at

00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:57.899
 Psalm 119.

00:33:59.379 --> 00:33:59.959
 Look at

00:33:59.959 --> 00:34:03.059
 Psalm 119,

00:34:03.219 --> 00:34:04.159
 verse 49.

00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:04.279
 Psalm 119.

00:34:06.980 --> 00:34:08.079
 The psalmist,

00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.159
 speaking of the

00:34:09.159 --> 00:34:10.380
 goodness of God's

00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:11.260
 Word, God's

00:34:11.260 --> 00:34:13.880
 law, he says

00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:16.480
 in verse 49,

00:34:16.680 --> 00:34:17.480
 remember your

00:34:17.480 --> 00:34:18.420
 word to your

00:34:18.420 --> 00:34:20.059
 servant in which

00:34:20.059 --> 00:34:21.039
 you have made

00:34:21.039 --> 00:34:21.760
 me hope.

00:34:22.780 --> 00:34:23.760
 So, God's

00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:25.119
 voice, God's

00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:25.980
 Word incites

00:34:25.980 --> 00:34:27.639
 real hope in

00:34:27.639 --> 00:34:28.159
 His people.

00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:30.039
 Verse 50,

00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:31.300
 this is my

00:34:31.300 --> 00:34:32.019
 comfort and

00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:33.360
 affliction that

00:34:33.360 --> 00:34:34.139
 your promise

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:35.139
 gives me life.

00:34:37.079 --> 00:34:37.960
 Maybe go down

00:34:37.960 --> 00:34:38.799
 to verse 52,

00:34:39.039 --> 00:34:39.639
 the whole thing,

00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.239
 but really just

00:34:40.239 --> 00:34:41.000
 for sake of time.

00:34:41.079 --> 00:34:41.619
 Verse 52,

00:34:42.319 --> 00:34:42.940
 when I think

00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.839
 of your rules

00:34:43.839 --> 00:34:44.659
 from of old,

00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:46.219
 I take comfort,

00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.960
 O Lord.

00:34:48.339 --> 00:34:48.960
 The saying that

00:34:48.960 --> 00:34:50.059
 God's Word gives

00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:50.759
 us genuine

00:34:50.759 --> 00:34:51.859
 comfort and

00:34:51.859 --> 00:34:52.299
 life.

00:34:53.119 --> 00:34:54.299
 Verse 54,

00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.460
 your statutes

00:34:55.460 --> 00:34:57.519
 have been my

00:34:57.519 --> 00:34:58.980
 songs in the

00:34:58.980 --> 00:34:59.819
 house of my

00:34:59.819 --> 00:35:00.279
 sojourning.

00:35:01.000 --> 00:35:01.759
 So, God's

00:35:01.759 --> 00:35:02.420
 Word is the

00:35:02.420 --> 00:35:03.039
 song that we

00:35:03.039 --> 00:35:03.759
 sing as we

00:35:03.760 --> 00:35:04.560
 travel through

00:35:04.560 --> 00:35:06.000
 this foreign

00:35:06.000 --> 00:35:06.940
 land called

00:35:06.940 --> 00:35:07.680
 earth.

00:35:08.180 --> 00:35:08.880
 This life

00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:10.320
 that gives us

00:35:10.320 --> 00:35:11.640
 joy and hope

00:35:11.640 --> 00:35:12.140
 to press

00:35:12.140 --> 00:35:12.600
 forward.

00:35:12.760 --> 00:35:13.020
 It's to our

00:35:13.020 --> 00:35:13.580
 H81.

00:35:14.160 --> 00:35:14.700
 My soul

00:35:14.700 --> 00:35:15.580
 longs for

00:35:15.580 --> 00:35:16.360
 your salvation.

00:35:16.580 --> 00:35:17.420
 I hope in

00:35:17.420 --> 00:35:18.380
 your Word.

00:35:19.540 --> 00:35:20.000
 So, if you're

00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:21.020
 feeling discouraged,

00:35:21.120 --> 00:35:21.500
 you feel like

00:35:21.500 --> 00:35:22.180
 your endurance

00:35:22.180 --> 00:35:23.060
 is wavering,

00:35:23.160 --> 00:35:23.960
 God's Word is

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:25.260
 meant to give

00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:26.060
 us hope,

00:35:26.280 --> 00:35:27.380
 to hold fast,

00:35:27.440 --> 00:35:27.980
 to cherish

00:35:27.980 --> 00:35:28.480
 hope,

00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:30.280
 so that we

00:35:30.280 --> 00:35:30.760
 will believe

00:35:30.760 --> 00:35:31.099
 that those

00:35:31.099 --> 00:35:31.719
 weaker brothers

00:35:31.719 --> 00:35:32.260
 or sisters

00:35:32.260 --> 00:35:32.960
 may one

00:35:32.960 --> 00:35:33.780
 day mature,

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.519
 overcome.

00:35:35.940 --> 00:35:36.539
 Fourthly,

00:35:37.079 --> 00:35:37.780
 back in

00:35:37.780 --> 00:35:38.219
 Romans,

00:35:39.559 --> 00:35:42.539
 verse 5,

00:35:43.579 --> 00:35:43.920
 and he

00:35:43.920 --> 00:35:44.380
 goes from

00:35:44.380 --> 00:35:44.699
 talking about

00:35:44.699 --> 00:35:45.139
 the Scriptures

00:35:45.139 --> 00:35:46.179
 to prayer,

00:35:47.139 --> 00:35:47.960
 and Paul

00:35:47.960 --> 00:35:48.320
 says,

00:35:48.400 --> 00:35:48.679
 may the

00:35:48.679 --> 00:35:49.079
 God of

00:35:49.079 --> 00:35:49.719
 endurance and

00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:50.260
 encouragement

00:35:50.260 --> 00:35:50.840
 grant you

00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.380
 to live in

00:35:51.380 --> 00:35:52.059
 such harmony

00:35:52.059 --> 00:35:53.000
 with one

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.920
 another in

00:35:53.920 --> 00:35:55.239
 accord with

00:35:55.239 --> 00:35:56.079
 Christ Jesus.

00:35:56.799 --> 00:35:57.380
 So, there is

00:35:57.380 --> 00:35:58.179
 a dependence

00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:59.059
 on God's

00:35:59.059 --> 00:35:59.579
 power here.

00:35:59.679 --> 00:36:00.440
 This cannot

00:36:00.440 --> 00:36:00.860
 be done.

00:36:00.940 --> 00:36:01.199
 Have you ever

00:36:01.199 --> 00:36:01.679
 just tried

00:36:01.679 --> 00:36:02.119
 putting up

00:36:02.119 --> 00:36:02.500
 with somebody

00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:02.960
 in your own

00:36:02.960 --> 00:36:03.400
 strength?

00:36:03.820 --> 00:36:04.299
 Putting up

00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:04.579
 with your

00:36:04.579 --> 00:36:06.699
 own friends

00:36:06.699 --> 00:36:07.299
 or family

00:36:07.299 --> 00:36:08.279
 that can

00:36:08.279 --> 00:36:08.860
 sometimes just

00:36:08.860 --> 00:36:09.360
 be hard to

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:09.840
 deal with,

00:36:10.179 --> 00:36:10.659
 or just a

00:36:10.659 --> 00:36:11.719
 weaker brother

00:36:11.719 --> 00:36:12.559
 in the Lord?

00:36:13.380 --> 00:36:14.279
 Try doing it

00:36:14.279 --> 00:36:14.679
 in your own

00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:15.079
 strength,

00:36:15.159 --> 00:36:15.500
 and you'll be

00:36:15.500 --> 00:36:15.880
 pulling your

00:36:15.880 --> 00:36:16.299
 hair out

00:36:16.299 --> 00:36:16.940
 and throwing

00:36:16.940 --> 00:36:17.420
 things.

00:36:18.279 --> 00:36:18.900
 But God

00:36:18.900 --> 00:36:19.759
 gives us

00:36:19.759 --> 00:36:20.539
 what we need.

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:22.559
 He alone

00:36:22.559 --> 00:36:23.139
 can give us

00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:23.679
 what we need

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.320
 to patiently

00:36:24.320 --> 00:36:25.219
 endure and

00:36:25.219 --> 00:36:25.860
 persevere.

00:36:26.519 --> 00:36:27.059
 Whatever He

00:36:27.059 --> 00:36:28.079
 requires of us

00:36:28.079 --> 00:36:28.759
 in His commandments,

00:36:28.900 --> 00:36:29.340
 He gives us

00:36:29.340 --> 00:36:29.920
 the grace

00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:31.800
 to follow.

00:36:32.300 --> 00:36:33.320
 That famous

00:36:33.320 --> 00:36:34.019
 prayer by

00:36:34.019 --> 00:36:35.340
 St. Augustine,

00:36:35.420 --> 00:36:35.579
 Lord,

00:36:35.719 --> 00:36:36.019
 grant,

00:36:36.619 --> 00:36:37.300
 command what

00:36:37.300 --> 00:36:37.779
 you will,

00:36:38.099 --> 00:36:38.619
 but grant

00:36:38.619 --> 00:36:39.119
 what you

00:36:39.119 --> 00:36:39.480
 command.

00:36:39.579 --> 00:36:39.840
 Give us

00:36:39.840 --> 00:36:40.360
 the grace

00:36:40.360 --> 00:36:41.639
 to follow

00:36:41.639 --> 00:36:42.639
 your commands.

00:36:43.659 --> 00:36:43.900
 So,

00:36:44.019 --> 00:36:44.980
 God grants,

00:36:45.059 --> 00:36:45.480
 you see this

00:36:45.480 --> 00:36:45.820
 word,

00:36:46.119 --> 00:36:46.599
 graciously

00:36:46.599 --> 00:36:48.159
 supplies us

00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:48.920
 the ability

00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:49.559
 to live in

00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:50.320
 such mutual

00:36:50.320 --> 00:36:50.880
 harmony

00:36:50.880 --> 00:36:52.559
 and understanding

00:36:52.559 --> 00:36:53.160
 with one

00:36:53.160 --> 00:36:53.580
 another

00:36:53.580 --> 00:36:54.620
 in accord

00:36:54.620 --> 00:36:55.240
 with Christ

00:36:55.240 --> 00:36:55.640
 Jesus.

00:36:56.240 --> 00:36:56.440
 So,

00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:56.860
 Christ is

00:36:56.860 --> 00:36:57.820
 that unifying

00:36:57.820 --> 00:36:58.300
 point.

00:36:58.360 --> 00:36:58.640
 We all

00:36:58.640 --> 00:36:59.240
 come back

00:36:59.240 --> 00:37:00.280
 to Him.

00:37:01.180 --> 00:37:01.360
 So,

00:37:01.400 --> 00:37:01.920
 just sort of

00:37:01.920 --> 00:37:02.460
 stating it

00:37:02.460 --> 00:37:03.160
 very plainly

00:37:03.160 --> 00:37:03.460
 to wrap

00:37:03.460 --> 00:37:03.880
 this up

00:37:03.880 --> 00:37:04.100
 here,

00:37:04.780 --> 00:37:05.880
 your hope

00:37:05.880 --> 00:37:06.400
 and mine

00:37:06.400 --> 00:37:06.840
 is not

00:37:06.840 --> 00:37:07.400
 found in

00:37:07.400 --> 00:37:08.160
 our ability

00:37:08.160 --> 00:37:08.660
 or our

00:37:08.660 --> 00:37:09.019
 willingness

00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.400
 or our

00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:09.980
 resolve

00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:11.420
 to endure,

00:37:11.640 --> 00:37:12.120
 but in

00:37:12.120 --> 00:37:12.660
 God's

00:37:12.660 --> 00:37:13.500
 unshakable

00:37:13.500 --> 00:37:14.200
 enduring

00:37:14.200 --> 00:37:14.800
 commitment

00:37:14.800 --> 00:37:16.019
 never to

00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.700
 turn from

00:37:16.700 --> 00:37:17.120
 the work

00:37:17.120 --> 00:37:17.640
 of grace

00:37:17.640 --> 00:37:18.180
 in us.

00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:19.940
 our hope

00:37:19.940 --> 00:37:20.500
 to be

00:37:20.500 --> 00:37:20.919
 faithful

00:37:20.919 --> 00:37:21.819
 is that

00:37:21.819 --> 00:37:22.039
 we have

00:37:22.039 --> 00:37:22.579
 been welcomed

00:37:22.579 --> 00:37:22.980
 into

00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:23.599
 communion

00:37:23.599 --> 00:37:24.679
 with the

00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.039
 one

00:37:25.039 --> 00:37:25.980
 who will

00:37:25.980 --> 00:37:26.419
 endure

00:37:26.419 --> 00:37:27.019
 no matter

00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.399
 what.

00:37:28.239 --> 00:37:28.500
 Right?

00:37:28.579 --> 00:37:28.719
 So,

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.139
 why is that

00:37:29.139 --> 00:37:29.659
 important to

00:37:29.659 --> 00:37:29.940
 learn?

00:37:30.500 --> 00:37:30.980
 It's important

00:37:30.980 --> 00:37:31.639
 because at

00:37:31.639 --> 00:37:32.259
 best,

00:37:32.799 --> 00:37:33.539
 our endurance

00:37:33.539 --> 00:37:34.000
 is just

00:37:34.000 --> 00:37:34.500
 spotty.

00:37:35.000 --> 00:37:35.599
 We forget

00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:37.399
 who we are

00:37:37.399 --> 00:37:38.779
 and we think

00:37:38.779 --> 00:37:39.219
 that grace

00:37:39.219 --> 00:37:39.739
 is just not

00:37:39.739 --> 00:37:40.179
 essential

00:37:40.179 --> 00:37:40.899
 throughout our

00:37:40.899 --> 00:37:41.899
 daily lives.

00:37:42.319 --> 00:37:42.779
 We get

00:37:42.779 --> 00:37:43.299
 discouraged

00:37:43.299 --> 00:37:43.759
 and throw

00:37:43.759 --> 00:37:44.299
 in the towel

00:37:44.299 --> 00:37:45.419
 on doing

00:37:45.420 --> 00:37:46.220
 good things

00:37:46.220 --> 00:37:46.700
 and serving

00:37:46.700 --> 00:37:47.240
 people.

00:37:47.740 --> 00:37:48.559
 We rebel.

00:37:49.519 --> 00:37:49.820
 There are

00:37:49.820 --> 00:37:50.260
 times that

00:37:50.260 --> 00:37:50.440
 we,

00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.320
 myself,

00:37:52.180 --> 00:37:52.880
 I fail

00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:53.300
 and I

00:37:53.300 --> 00:37:54.159
 attack those

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:54.860
 around me.

00:37:55.159 --> 00:37:55.740
 Not because

00:37:55.740 --> 00:37:56.500
 I don't know

00:37:56.500 --> 00:37:56.960
 it's wrong,

00:37:57.039 --> 00:37:57.420
 but just in

00:37:57.420 --> 00:37:57.820
 that moment,

00:37:57.920 --> 00:37:58.159
 I just

00:37:58.159 --> 00:37:58.700
 don't care.

00:37:59.680 --> 00:37:59.980
 Sin has

00:37:59.980 --> 00:38:00.360
 caused me

00:38:00.360 --> 00:38:00.960
 to forget.

00:38:01.980 --> 00:38:02.220
 So,

00:38:02.400 --> 00:38:02.840
 our hope

00:38:02.840 --> 00:38:03.440
 of endurance

00:38:03.440 --> 00:38:03.780
 is not

00:38:03.780 --> 00:38:04.300
 found in

00:38:04.300 --> 00:38:04.740
 our own

00:38:04.740 --> 00:38:05.159
 strength

00:38:05.159 --> 00:38:06.000
 and character,

00:38:06.659 --> 00:38:07.079
 but in

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.599
 God's

00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.099
 alone.

00:38:09.019 --> 00:38:09.340
 So,

00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:10.079
 Paul wrote

00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.559
 that to

00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:11.980
 the Colossians

00:38:11.980 --> 00:38:12.300
 that he

00:38:12.300 --> 00:38:12.700
 prayed that

00:38:12.700 --> 00:38:12.900
 they would

00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:13.500
 be strengthened

00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:14.159
 with all

00:38:14.159 --> 00:38:14.700
 power.

00:38:14.699 --> 00:38:16.159
 according to

00:38:16.159 --> 00:38:16.759
 his glorious

00:38:16.759 --> 00:38:17.299
 might,

00:38:17.939 --> 00:38:18.460
 for all

00:38:18.460 --> 00:38:19.059
 endurance

00:38:19.059 --> 00:38:19.759
 and patience

00:38:19.759 --> 00:38:20.399
 with joy.

00:38:20.500 --> 00:38:20.960
 Colossians

00:38:20.960 --> 00:38:21.299
 1,

00:38:21.359 --> 00:38:21.759
 11.

00:38:22.299 --> 00:38:22.519
 So,

00:38:22.579 --> 00:38:22.779
 may that

00:38:22.779 --> 00:38:23.079
 be our

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:23.339
 prayer.

00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:23.599
 So,

00:38:23.699 --> 00:38:23.939
 Paul is

00:38:23.939 --> 00:38:24.179
 sort of

00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:24.460
 wrapping

00:38:24.460 --> 00:38:24.899
 that up

00:38:24.899 --> 00:38:26.919
 saying to

00:38:26.919 --> 00:38:27.500
 the believers,

00:38:27.619 --> 00:38:28.219
 despite your

00:38:28.219 --> 00:38:29.119
 differing views

00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:29.719
 on some of

00:38:29.719 --> 00:38:30.480
 these things,

00:38:31.399 --> 00:38:32.099
 be loving

00:38:32.099 --> 00:38:34.099
 and live in

00:38:34.099 --> 00:38:34.739
 harmony with

00:38:34.739 --> 00:38:35.379
 one another

00:38:35.379 --> 00:38:35.819
 with the

00:38:35.819 --> 00:38:36.559
 common Savior

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.619
 Jesus Christ.

00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:38.799
 Right?

00:38:38.839 --> 00:38:38.939
 So,

00:38:39.019 --> 00:38:39.339
 what's the

00:38:39.339 --> 00:38:40.179
 goal of

00:38:40.179 --> 00:38:40.859
 everything we've

00:38:40.859 --> 00:38:41.339
 just said?

00:38:41.960 --> 00:38:42.460
 What's the

00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:42.759
 purpose?

00:38:43.899 --> 00:38:44.599
 That leads

00:38:44.599 --> 00:38:44.940
 to the

00:38:44.940 --> 00:38:45.480
 last point.

00:38:45.960 --> 00:38:46.400
 Look to

00:38:46.400 --> 00:38:46.819
 God's

00:38:46.819 --> 00:38:47.319
 glory,

00:38:47.500 --> 00:38:48.039
 verse 6

00:38:48.039 --> 00:38:48.539
 and 7.

00:38:49.159 --> 00:38:49.480
 He says,

00:38:49.860 --> 00:38:50.420
 so that

00:38:50.420 --> 00:38:51.960
 together you

00:38:51.960 --> 00:38:52.380
 may with

00:38:52.380 --> 00:38:53.119
 one voice

00:38:53.119 --> 00:38:54.259
 glorify the

00:38:54.259 --> 00:38:54.799
 God and

00:38:54.799 --> 00:38:56.019
 Father of

00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:56.440
 our Lord

00:38:56.440 --> 00:38:57.259
 Jesus Christ.

00:38:58.199 --> 00:38:58.599
 Therefore,

00:38:58.819 --> 00:38:59.400
 welcome one

00:38:59.400 --> 00:39:00.239
 another as

00:39:00.239 --> 00:39:00.819
 Christ has

00:39:00.819 --> 00:39:01.500
 welcomed you

00:39:01.500 --> 00:39:02.519
 for the

00:39:02.519 --> 00:39:03.360
 glory of

00:39:03.360 --> 00:39:03.739
 God.

00:39:04.880 --> 00:39:05.360
 And so,

00:39:05.539 --> 00:39:06.500
 Paul continues

00:39:06.500 --> 00:39:06.920
 praying,

00:39:07.019 --> 00:39:07.159
 says,

00:39:07.259 --> 00:39:07.980
 main purpose

00:39:07.980 --> 00:39:08.420
 here being

00:39:08.420 --> 00:39:09.319
 Christian unity,

00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:10.699
 the main

00:39:10.699 --> 00:39:11.039
 point of

00:39:11.039 --> 00:39:11.400
 unity,

00:39:11.400 --> 00:39:11.820
 being just

00:39:11.820 --> 00:39:12.119
 for the

00:39:12.119 --> 00:39:12.460
 sake of

00:39:12.460 --> 00:39:12.760
 other

00:39:12.760 --> 00:39:13.220
 believers.

00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.460
 That's

00:39:14.460 --> 00:39:14.860
 important.

00:39:15.860 --> 00:39:16.340
 But,

00:39:16.880 --> 00:39:17.519
 the purpose

00:39:17.519 --> 00:39:17.960
 is to

00:39:17.960 --> 00:39:18.579
 honor and

00:39:18.579 --> 00:39:19.300
 please God

00:39:19.300 --> 00:39:19.660
 both in

00:39:19.660 --> 00:39:19.800
 our

00:39:19.800 --> 00:39:20.420
 individual,

00:39:21.220 --> 00:39:21.619
 public,

00:39:21.880 --> 00:39:22.240
 corporate

00:39:22.240 --> 00:39:22.820
 lives.

00:39:23.440 --> 00:39:23.619
 So,

00:39:23.660 --> 00:39:24.119
 here's the

00:39:24.119 --> 00:39:24.639
 beautiful

00:39:24.639 --> 00:39:25.039
 thing.

00:39:25.480 --> 00:39:26.039
 When we

00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:26.519
 love one

00:39:26.519 --> 00:39:27.400
 another in

00:39:27.400 --> 00:39:27.920
 Christ,

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:28.700
 when we

00:39:28.700 --> 00:39:29.200
 bear with

00:39:29.200 --> 00:39:29.780
 the failings

00:39:29.780 --> 00:39:30.059
 of the

00:39:30.059 --> 00:39:30.340
 weak,

00:39:31.300 --> 00:39:31.840
 when we

00:39:31.840 --> 00:39:32.720
 bear

00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:33.400
 patiently

00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:33.760
 their

00:39:33.760 --> 00:39:34.340
 failings

00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:34.660
 and their

00:39:34.660 --> 00:39:35.260
 issues,

00:39:36.260 --> 00:39:36.980
 when we

00:39:36.980 --> 00:39:37.579
 endure with

00:39:37.579 --> 00:39:38.000
 those who

00:39:38.000 --> 00:39:38.480
 are difficult

00:39:38.480 --> 00:39:39.219
 to live

00:39:39.219 --> 00:39:39.539
 with,

00:39:39.960 --> 00:39:40.360
 and when

00:39:40.360 --> 00:39:40.840
 we love

00:39:40.840 --> 00:39:41.980
 each other

00:39:41.980 --> 00:39:42.920
 despite minor

00:39:42.920 --> 00:39:43.500
 differences,

00:39:44.440 --> 00:39:45.240
 it reflects

00:39:45.240 --> 00:39:46.119
 God's unity

00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:47.000
 in Himself

00:39:47.000 --> 00:39:47.500
 and it

00:39:47.500 --> 00:39:48.219
 brings Him

00:39:48.219 --> 00:39:48.740
 glory.

00:39:49.719 --> 00:39:49.980
 And this

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.400
 is the last

00:39:50.400 --> 00:39:50.619
 thing I

00:39:50.619 --> 00:39:50.960
 wanted you

00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.300
 to turn

00:39:51.300 --> 00:39:51.500
 to.

00:39:52.059 --> 00:39:52.760
 This was

00:39:52.760 --> 00:39:53.280
 Christ's

00:39:53.280 --> 00:39:53.820
 prayer for

00:39:53.820 --> 00:39:54.079
 us.

00:39:54.139 --> 00:39:54.559
 He prayed

00:39:54.559 --> 00:39:55.000
 this.

00:39:56.900 --> 00:39:57.440
 You could

00:39:57.440 --> 00:39:57.840
 say one

00:39:57.840 --> 00:39:58.079
 of His

00:39:58.079 --> 00:39:58.619
 dying

00:39:58.619 --> 00:39:59.860
 prayers,

00:40:00.059 --> 00:40:00.260
 one of

00:40:00.260 --> 00:40:00.380
 His

00:40:00.380 --> 00:40:00.699
 dying

00:40:00.699 --> 00:40:01.280
 desires

00:40:01.280 --> 00:40:02.340
 was for

00:40:02.340 --> 00:40:02.760
 unity.

00:40:03.039 --> 00:40:04.000
 John 17

00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:06.079
 verse 21.

00:40:06.639 --> 00:40:07.440
 John 17

00:40:07.440 --> 00:40:08.179
 verse 21.

00:40:08.480 --> 00:40:11.340
 He's

00:40:11.340 --> 00:40:11.960
 praying for

00:40:11.960 --> 00:40:14.240
 all future

00:40:14.240 --> 00:40:15.119
 believers here,

00:40:15.199 --> 00:40:16.039
 including us,

00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:16.340
 and He

00:40:16.340 --> 00:40:16.880
 prays in

00:40:16.880 --> 00:40:17.500
 verse 21,

00:40:18.059 --> 00:40:18.480
 that they

00:40:18.480 --> 00:40:19.199
 may all

00:40:19.199 --> 00:40:20.119
 be one,

00:40:20.980 --> 00:40:21.719
 just as

00:40:21.719 --> 00:40:22.059
 You,

00:40:22.320 --> 00:40:22.599
 Father,

00:40:22.840 --> 00:40:23.260
 are in

00:40:23.260 --> 00:40:23.519
 Me,

00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:24.059
 and I

00:40:24.059 --> 00:40:24.719
 in You,

00:40:25.440 --> 00:40:25.960
 that they

00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:27.139
 also may

00:40:27.139 --> 00:40:27.500
 be in

00:40:27.500 --> 00:40:27.860
 us,

00:40:28.099 --> 00:40:28.740
 so the

00:40:28.740 --> 00:40:29.539
 world may

00:40:29.539 --> 00:40:30.360
 believe that

00:40:30.360 --> 00:40:30.800
 You have

00:40:30.800 --> 00:40:31.300
 sent Me.

00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:31.579
 You see,

00:40:31.659 --> 00:40:32.240
 that idea of

00:40:32.240 --> 00:40:33.360
 our unity

00:40:33.360 --> 00:40:34.800
 reflects the

00:40:34.800 --> 00:40:35.219
 relationship

00:40:35.219 --> 00:40:35.840
 between the

00:40:35.840 --> 00:40:36.360
 Father and

00:40:36.360 --> 00:40:36.880
 the Son and

00:40:36.880 --> 00:40:37.240
 the Spirit.

00:40:38.480 --> 00:40:39.019
 Verse 22,

00:40:39.119 --> 00:40:39.659
 the glory

00:40:39.659 --> 00:40:40.000
 that You

00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:40.460
 have given

00:40:40.460 --> 00:40:40.860
 Me,

00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:41.740
 I have

00:40:41.740 --> 00:40:42.119
 given to

00:40:42.119 --> 00:40:42.480
 them,

00:40:42.960 --> 00:40:43.340
 that they

00:40:43.340 --> 00:40:43.960
 may be

00:40:43.960 --> 00:40:44.440
 one,

00:40:44.699 --> 00:40:45.860
 even as

00:40:45.860 --> 00:40:46.639
 We are

00:40:46.639 --> 00:40:47.019
 one.

00:40:47.760 --> 00:40:48.260
 I in

00:40:48.260 --> 00:40:48.599
 them,

00:40:48.900 --> 00:40:49.240
 and You

00:40:49.240 --> 00:40:49.639
 in Me,

00:40:50.019 --> 00:40:50.480
 that they

00:40:50.480 --> 00:40:50.840
 may be

00:40:50.840 --> 00:40:51.380
 perfectly

00:40:51.380 --> 00:40:52.139
 one,

00:40:52.740 --> 00:40:53.340
 so that

00:40:53.340 --> 00:40:53.880
 the world

00:40:53.880 --> 00:40:54.559
 may know

00:40:54.559 --> 00:40:55.000
 that You

00:40:55.000 --> 00:40:55.460
 have sent

00:40:55.460 --> 00:40:55.740
 Me,

00:40:56.179 --> 00:40:56.840
 and love

00:40:56.840 --> 00:40:57.719
 them even

00:40:57.719 --> 00:40:58.159
 as You

00:40:58.159 --> 00:40:58.840
 have loved

00:40:58.840 --> 00:40:59.539
 Me.

00:40:59.539 --> 00:41:02.139
 So in

00:41:02.139 --> 00:41:02.599
 conclusion,

00:41:02.779 --> 00:41:03.480
 when God's

00:41:03.480 --> 00:41:04.179
 people live

00:41:04.179 --> 00:41:05.800
 together in

00:41:05.800 --> 00:41:06.519
 one accord

00:41:06.519 --> 00:41:06.779
 and we

00:41:06.779 --> 00:41:07.480
 worship Him

00:41:07.480 --> 00:41:08.199
 together with

00:41:08.199 --> 00:41:09.139
 one voice,

00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:09.960
 we can

00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:11.360
 truly glorify

00:41:11.360 --> 00:41:12.019
 the God and

00:41:12.019 --> 00:41:12.539
 Father of

00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:13.000
 our Lord

00:41:13.000 --> 00:41:14.279
 Jesus Christ.

00:41:14.679 --> 00:41:15.460
 He's promising

00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:16.259
 to empower

00:41:16.259 --> 00:41:17.460
 us to do

00:41:17.460 --> 00:41:17.800
 that,

00:41:18.340 --> 00:41:18.759
 and therefore

00:41:18.759 --> 00:41:19.360
 He wraps it

00:41:19.360 --> 00:41:19.539
 up.

00:41:19.639 --> 00:41:19.940
 Therefore,

00:41:20.940 --> 00:41:21.940
 welcome one

00:41:21.940 --> 00:41:22.659
 another as

00:41:22.659 --> 00:41:23.259
 Christ has

00:41:23.259 --> 00:41:24.139
 welcomed you

00:41:24.139 --> 00:41:24.960
 for the

00:41:24.960 --> 00:41:25.779
 glory of

00:41:25.779 --> 00:41:26.119
 God.

00:41:26.119 --> 00:41:26.159
 God.

00:41:27.039 --> 00:41:28.000
 So whether

00:41:28.000 --> 00:41:28.659
 we're strong,

00:41:28.839 --> 00:41:29.199
 whether we're

00:41:29.199 --> 00:41:29.519
 weak,

00:41:30.099 --> 00:41:30.679
 whether we

00:41:30.679 --> 00:41:31.279
 need help,

00:41:31.920 --> 00:41:32.639
 we all

00:41:32.639 --> 00:41:33.139
 ought to

00:41:33.139 --> 00:41:34.259
 seek to

00:41:34.259 --> 00:41:35.019
 please one

00:41:35.019 --> 00:41:35.380
 another.

00:41:36.119 --> 00:41:36.799
 The mutual

00:41:36.799 --> 00:41:38.179
 acceptance of

00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:38.699
 one another

00:41:38.699 --> 00:41:39.139
 will bring

00:41:39.139 --> 00:41:39.980
 glory to

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.319
 God.

00:41:41.099 --> 00:41:42.000
 Let's pray

00:41:42.000 --> 00:41:42.339
 together.