WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:29.980 Thank you. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:59.980 Thank you. 00:01:00.280 --> 00:01:04.299 Sometimes I just wish that there was an easier way to victory. 00:01:04.780 --> 00:01:07.200 Sometimes I just feel so worn down. 00:01:07.319 --> 00:01:11.079 I feel so vulnerable to temptation in my battles. 00:01:11.439 --> 00:01:15.219 My battles against pride or against anger or bitterness. 00:01:15.980 --> 00:01:19.659 Or my battles against worry or doubt or fear. 00:01:19.659 --> 00:01:27.819 Sometimes I just wish that I had a secret weapon of some sort that would give me instantaneous victory over sin. 00:01:28.239 --> 00:01:29.780 A silver bullet of sorts. 00:01:29.859 --> 00:01:30.939 A nuclear option. 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:33.000 An easy button of some sort. 00:01:33.599 --> 00:01:38.099 And, you know, I think that all of us can probably relate to that. 00:01:38.099 --> 00:01:51.640 And so my question for you is, if the battle against sin seems so hard, if the battle against our sin seems so impossible, then how do we gain victory over sin? 00:01:52.079 --> 00:01:54.140 Can we gain victory over sin? 00:01:54.140 --> 00:02:08.520 If we look to God's word, if we look for examples within God's word of battling temptation, probably the most common example that may come to your mind is Christ's own temptation. 00:02:08.520 --> 00:02:12.820 When he was battling temptation when he was fasting in the wilderness. 00:02:13.480 --> 00:02:17.400 We see accounts of that in the Gospels, Matthew 4, Luke 4. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:19.600 And you're probably familiar with this. 00:02:19.700 --> 00:02:23.300 But first off, Satan comes to Jesus and he tempts him. 00:02:23.800 --> 00:02:27.160 He tempts Jesus to turn a stone into bread. 00:02:27.159 --> 00:02:31.840 Here Jesus was fasting, focusing upon God and prayer. 00:02:32.500 --> 00:02:36.620 And Satan tempted him to turn this bread, this stone into bread. 00:02:36.780 --> 00:02:37.719 So what did Jesus do? 00:02:38.280 --> 00:02:40.019 What was Jesus' response? 00:02:40.340 --> 00:02:42.859 Well, Jesus quoted scripture to Satan. 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:46.800 And he said, man shall not live by what? 00:02:46.939 --> 00:02:48.419 By bread alone, right? 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:53.740 And yet again, Satan tempts Jesus to worship him, to worship Satan. 00:02:53.740 --> 00:02:57.659 And he offers Jesus all the kingdoms of the world. 00:02:58.080 --> 00:03:00.260 And again, Jesus quotes scripture. 00:03:00.640 --> 00:03:07.760 He says to Satan, you shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve. 00:03:08.860 --> 00:03:19.680 The third and final temptation that Jesus faced, Satan tempted Jesus to leap from the pinnacle of the temple and to be rescued by angels. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:23.340 And once again, Jesus, well, he quotes scripture. 00:03:23.340 --> 00:03:28.420 And he says, you shall not put the Lord your God to the test. 00:03:29.360 --> 00:03:36.060 So if we look at that particular example, if we look at Jesus' response to temptation, 00:03:36.920 --> 00:03:46.800 we may be tempted to wrongly conclude that it's the words that we say that can battle the temptations that we face. 00:03:46.800 --> 00:03:49.939 You know, we may misunderstand. 00:03:49.939 --> 00:03:54.840 We may get the wrong idea of exactly how is it that we're supposed to use scripture. 00:03:55.439 --> 00:03:56.780 God gives us scripture. 00:03:57.120 --> 00:04:03.280 And this summer we're doing a sermon series through Psalm 119 upon God's word. 00:04:03.820 --> 00:04:09.340 But the question is, how do we use God's word in relation to our sin? 00:04:09.340 --> 00:04:13.979 How do we relate God's word to our temptation, to our battle? 00:04:14.920 --> 00:04:19.879 And, you know, I'm not trying to be funny or even irreverent by making this analogy. 00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:26.019 But, you know, sometimes I think that people, when they read the account of Christ's temptation in the wilderness, 00:04:26.480 --> 00:04:34.160 they almost see this as some sort of a Harry Potter-like magical wizard's duel between Satan and Jesus. 00:04:34.160 --> 00:04:41.000 And Satan casts his evil spell toward Jesus and Jesus counters it with his scripture spell. 00:04:41.560 --> 00:04:46.540 And then Satan again comes at him with another evil spell of temptation. 00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:50.720 And Jesus waves the wand of God's word and deflects the temptation. 00:04:51.420 --> 00:04:55.120 Sometimes I think we may think that that's what's happening. 00:04:55.120 --> 00:05:04.480 But in reality, if we really look at what God's word has to say about God's word and about our temptation and fighting sin, 00:05:04.939 --> 00:05:11.860 it's not the words that we say that fight off temptation, but it's the truth behind those words. 00:05:12.800 --> 00:05:18.079 You know, if we just think that memorizing scripture, filling our brains with words off of a page, 00:05:18.079 --> 00:05:26.959 if we just think that rattling off and quoting scripture in certain circumstances or instances is enough to give us victory over sin, 00:05:27.959 --> 00:05:29.560 then we're going to be sadly mistaken. 00:05:30.019 --> 00:05:32.159 We can rattle off all the verses we want. 00:05:32.259 --> 00:05:36.099 We can fill our brains with all the words of the scripture that we can. 00:05:36.500 --> 00:05:45.180 But that in and of itself is not alone to rescue us, to save us from the bondage that we have toward our sin. 00:05:45.180 --> 00:05:48.259 It's not knowing God's word. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:50.139 It's not quoting God's word. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:57.100 Rather, it's trusting and obeying God's word that is the key to victory over sin. 00:05:57.980 --> 00:06:00.680 You know, of course, it is important to know God's truth. 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:03.259 If we don't know God's truth, we can't trust it. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:04.139 We can't believe it. 00:06:04.280 --> 00:06:08.660 If we don't know God's truth, then we can't follow it and obey it. 00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:10.939 Of course, it's important to know the truth of God. 00:06:10.939 --> 00:06:12.899 That's not at all what I'm saying. 00:06:13.480 --> 00:06:17.800 I'm not at all trying to discourage us from memorizing or learning or even quoting scripture. 00:06:18.660 --> 00:06:23.240 But we must then, by faith, trust in the truth of God's word. 00:06:23.560 --> 00:06:26.560 Trust in the truth that is behind those words. 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:35.500 And by God's grace, we then can step out and obey the instructions, the truths that we find in God's word. 00:06:35.500 --> 00:06:41.959 You see, it wasn't simply the words that Jesus quoted that gave Jesus the victory over Satan. 00:06:42.079 --> 00:06:42.560 Excuse me. 00:06:42.959 --> 00:06:44.620 It was the truth behind those words. 00:06:45.040 --> 00:06:50.180 By faith, Jesus believed the truth of those words of God. 00:06:50.399 --> 00:06:57.160 And by God's grace, Jesus obeyed the instructions of the words of God. 00:06:58.019 --> 00:07:05.060 You see, it's trusting and it's obeying God's word that is the key to victory over sin in our lives. 00:07:05.720 --> 00:07:08.579 God's word gives us the truth to believe and to practice. 00:07:09.360 --> 00:07:14.420 But God's word is not a magical spell that we can recite to ward off temptation. 00:07:15.000 --> 00:07:21.019 God's word is not a magical wand that we can wave to instantly transform difficult circumstances. 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:35.319 No, instead, when we find ourselves in difficult situations, when we find ourselves in the midst of battle, when we look around us and the world appears to be fuzzy and unclear, and we don't know where to go or what to do, 00:07:36.019 --> 00:07:39.199 God's word, God's word is the, it's the lens. 00:07:39.599 --> 00:07:41.979 It's the lens that brings everything into focus. 00:07:42.120 --> 00:07:44.959 It's the lens through which we must view our lives. 00:07:44.959 --> 00:07:47.139 It's not just the words in and of themselves. 00:07:47.500 --> 00:07:49.219 It is a worldview. 00:07:49.819 --> 00:07:51.680 It is a new perspective. 00:07:52.620 --> 00:08:01.859 When the world around us is corrupt and dirty and polluted, God's word is the filter that we must funnel our lives through. 00:08:01.860 --> 00:08:12.960 When things around us aren't turning out how we expected them to or how we wanted them to, God's word is the standard by which we must measure our lives. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:16.739 And against which we must judge our expectations. 00:08:17.379 --> 00:08:20.339 God's word is our lens, our filter, our standard. 00:08:20.719 --> 00:08:21.979 It's a light unto our path. 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:24.560 And so that brings us then to our question. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:33.720 As we're going through the Psalm 119 series this summer, what does God's word have to say about God's word and our, God's word and our sin? 00:08:34.059 --> 00:08:37.819 How is it that we can have victory over sin in our lives? 00:08:37.820 --> 00:08:43.640 Well, I can assure you that we are not the first people to ask those types of questions. 00:08:43.960 --> 00:08:49.379 So let me invite you, if you would please, to turn in your Bibles to the book of Psalms. 00:08:50.379 --> 00:08:51.680 Psalm 119. 00:08:52.100 --> 00:08:58.180 If you're using one of the Pew Bibles, I believe it's page 957. 00:09:00.040 --> 00:09:04.000 And the book of Psalms, it's located almost exactly in the middle of our Bibles. 00:09:04.600 --> 00:09:07.220 Psalm 119 is the longest chapter there. 00:09:07.820 --> 00:09:17.920 And this morning, we're going to be looking at the second paragraph of this chapter, verses 9 through 16, and especially honing in on verse 11. 00:09:21.400 --> 00:09:23.660 We started off this sermon series. 00:09:23.820 --> 00:09:30.260 Mike opened up last week, this last month, this series on God's word as our treasure. 00:09:30.800 --> 00:09:33.760 Something that we can value above all else. 00:09:33.760 --> 00:09:37.300 Something that is more valuable than everything else. 00:09:37.299 --> 00:09:39.919 And we looked at God's word and our praise. 00:09:40.359 --> 00:09:48.719 And Ben led us in a study through God's word and how that affects and interacts with our praise, our response to God. 00:09:49.939 --> 00:09:54.019 Samir led us in a message through God's word and our path. 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:56.399 God's word is a lamp unto our feet. 00:09:56.519 --> 00:10:00.740 It's a light unto our path, our lifestyle, our way of living. 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:10.600 And then last week, we were reminded that even if we are children of God, even if you are a believer, affliction is not going to be a stranger. 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:17.759 We looked at the fact that God's word has something to say about our struggles, about our hardships, about our afflictions. 00:10:17.759 --> 00:10:32.460 And so the overarching theme, all throughout this longest chapter of the Bible, Psalm 119, and therefore the overarching theme of our summer series, is God's word and how it affects our everyday lives. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:36.899 God's word and how it affects every aspect of our lives. 00:10:36.899 --> 00:10:47.559 And so throughout Psalm 119, the psalm writer uses about eight different words, eight different terms, eight different descriptions to refer to God's word. 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:49.620 We see the word law. 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:51.120 We see the word word. 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:59.139 We see the word laws and statute and command and decrees and precepts and promise. 00:11:00.120 --> 00:11:05.039 And notice that not all of these terms referring to God's word are rule-related. 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:11.779 They're not all laws or commands, which we may tend to react to and think, ooh, that sounds negative. 00:11:12.099 --> 00:11:19.279 But some of these terms are referring to God's truths and God's promises to his people. 00:11:19.860 --> 00:11:25.219 And so we should find great encouragement in the truths of God's word. 00:11:25.819 --> 00:11:30.480 God's word is both a rebuke and it is an encouragement at the same time. 00:11:30.480 --> 00:11:37.039 And so our main passage today, Psalm 119, verses 9 through 16, and our main verse today is going to be verse 11. 00:11:37.180 --> 00:11:40.820 So what does Psalm 119 have to say about God's word and our sin? 00:11:41.080 --> 00:11:45.240 How is it that we can have victory over sin in our lives? 00:11:45.420 --> 00:11:47.560 What is our relationship to sin? 00:11:48.360 --> 00:11:50.460 Well, let's begin reading in verse 9. 00:11:50.600 --> 00:11:51.920 Psalm 119, verse 9. 00:11:51.919 --> 00:11:55.139 How can a young man keep his way pure? 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:57.799 By guarding it according to your word. 00:11:58.240 --> 00:12:00.620 With my whole heart I seek you. 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:03.240 Let me not wander from your commandments. 00:12:04.179 --> 00:12:08.339 I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.879 Blessed are you, O Lord. 00:12:11.219 --> 00:12:12.639 Teach me your statutes. 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:16.419 With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth. 00:12:17.259 --> 00:12:21.360 In the way of your testimonies I delight, as much as in all riches. 00:12:21.919 --> 00:12:26.579 I will meditate upon your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways. 00:12:26.819 --> 00:12:28.879 I will delight in your statutes. 00:12:29.219 --> 00:12:31.779 I will not forget your word. 00:12:33.419 --> 00:12:40.019 Trusting and obeying God's word is the key to victory over sin in our lives. 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:46.199 And so our plan for the rest of the morning here together is we're just going to look at two simple truths today. 00:12:46.399 --> 00:12:51.120 And then we're going to close with a little bit of very practical, down-to-earth application. 00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:55.360 How can we take those two truths and apply them to our everyday lives? 00:12:55.500 --> 00:13:01.980 So we're going to look at the fact that we need to trust God's word and we need to obey God's word. 00:13:02.220 --> 00:13:13.580 So the first truth is that we see here in scripture that by faith we must trust, we must believe, we must put our faith in the truths of God's word. 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:18.259 Now if we look at that opening verse of this paragraph, verse 9, it says, 00:13:18.500 --> 00:13:20.540 How can a young man keep his way pure? 00:13:21.480 --> 00:13:28.540 So that being said, let me just encourage you, if you don't consider yourself young, this verse still applies to you. 00:13:28.720 --> 00:13:32.379 If you are not a man, this verse still applies to you. 00:13:32.460 --> 00:13:35.420 So this isn't just for 25% of the people in the room here. 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:38.979 This paragraph, these truths are for all of us. 00:13:39.339 --> 00:13:46.099 And we're actually going to be looking at verse 9 in more detail, God's word and our purity, in a couple of weeks here. 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:47.360 We're looking forward to doing that. 00:13:47.719 --> 00:13:51.679 But that being said, that verse sets up this paragraph, asks the question, 00:13:51.679 --> 00:14:03.339 How can we, we could really understand that phrase, young man, as being, how can we as students of God's word, as apprentices of God, as disciples or followers of God, 00:14:03.519 --> 00:14:07.120 how can we learn the lessons that God wants us to learn? 00:14:07.319 --> 00:14:11.819 How can we live our lives in a way that is pleasing to God? 00:14:12.839 --> 00:14:17.839 And so if you're somebody who's asking the question, what does God's word have to say about my sin? 00:14:17.840 --> 00:14:23.340 Then this passage, these truths are for you, whether you're a young man or not. 00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:31.680 And so the first reality that we need to keep in mind is that what we, that we trust in the things that we value. 00:14:32.019 --> 00:14:36.340 The things that are important to us, those are the things that we value. 00:14:37.200 --> 00:14:42.720 The things that we enjoy, those are the things that we put an emphasis upon. 00:14:42.720 --> 00:14:46.300 And so let's look here at our key verse today, verse 11. 00:14:46.299 --> 00:14:47.859 And the psalmist says, 00:14:48.219 --> 00:14:54.399 I have stored up your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. 00:14:55.359 --> 00:15:01.659 In other words, the psalmist here recognizes that God's word is vitally important. 00:15:02.199 --> 00:15:03.439 He stores it up. 00:15:03.539 --> 00:15:09.339 He gathers it like a farmer piling up produce in the barn and in the silo. 00:15:09.340 --> 00:15:16.920 He stockpiles it away like somebody would precious metals or jewels in a vault. 00:15:18.139 --> 00:15:25.420 The Bible here says, the psalmist here says, that he has stored up God's word in his heart. 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:26.960 He values it. 00:15:27.040 --> 00:15:28.920 He recognizes it as being important. 00:15:29.180 --> 00:15:29.860 He hid it. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:30.960 He treasured it. 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:36.879 And therefore, the things that he valued influence the way that he lives. 00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:42.220 The things that we, the things that we trust in are the things that we value. 00:15:42.900 --> 00:15:46.879 And so what was this psalmist, what was the writer here trusting in, 00:15:47.560 --> 00:15:52.320 in order to have victory over the struggles that he had with sin in his life? 00:15:52.320 --> 00:15:58.720 He was trusting in, he was relying upon, not simply filling his brain with the words off of a page, 00:15:58.920 --> 00:16:01.400 but upon the truths behind those words. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:03.240 He was filling his life. 00:16:03.720 --> 00:16:05.620 He was filtering his perspective. 00:16:06.140 --> 00:16:11.600 He was bringing everything into perspective through the lens of God's word. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.280 I've stored your word up in my heart. 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:14.920 Why? 00:16:15.260 --> 00:16:17.620 That I might not sin against you. 00:16:17.620 --> 00:16:27.000 The truths we must trust in, we must follow, we must put our faith in, by faith, 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:32.659 putting our trust in the truths and the promises of God's word. 00:16:33.440 --> 00:16:37.879 Now, when the psalmist was writing this, he wasn't just writing in abstract terms here. 00:16:37.879 --> 00:16:43.879 He wasn't just coming up with poetic language about filling up his heart with these words. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:47.960 But he was referencing back to other well-known passages. 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:50.960 One that comes to mind is Jeremiah 31. 00:16:51.939 --> 00:16:53.460 And this is God speaking. 00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:54.360 And it says, 00:16:54.559 --> 00:16:59.439 Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant. 00:16:59.960 --> 00:17:04.640 In other words, God says, I am going to make a new covenant, a new promise with my people, 00:17:04.759 --> 00:17:06.119 for my people, to my people. 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.599 Skipping down a little bit further, 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:11.619 God says, I will put my law within them. 00:17:11.619 --> 00:17:13.579 I will write it on their hearts. 00:17:13.759 --> 00:17:15.119 I will be their God. 00:17:15.459 --> 00:17:17.000 They shall be my people. 00:17:17.899 --> 00:17:20.419 And down at the end of that paragraph in Jeremiah 31, 00:17:20.899 --> 00:17:24.759 God says, I will forgive their iniquity, their sin, 00:17:25.119 --> 00:17:28.699 and I will remember their sin no more. 00:17:29.759 --> 00:17:36.439 So what we're started off looking at here is we must trust in the truths of God's word. 00:17:36.440 --> 00:17:39.660 And so one of the vital truths here of God's word is, 00:17:39.700 --> 00:17:42.660 as we've been looking throughout this summer series, 00:17:42.960 --> 00:17:44.799 is that God's word is valuable. 00:17:45.180 --> 00:17:46.279 God's word is precious. 00:17:46.539 --> 00:17:48.940 God's word is our way of life. 00:17:49.039 --> 00:17:49.799 It's our path. 00:17:50.059 --> 00:17:51.600 It is the light to our path. 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:57.200 God's word transforms our response to God so that we have a heart of praise. 00:17:58.080 --> 00:18:04.140 God's word transforms our perspective when we're facing adversity and difficulty and discouragement. 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:10.620 We must trust in, by faith, put our trust in the truths of God's word. 00:18:11.280 --> 00:18:14.680 And God says, I will make a new promise, a new covenant with my people. 00:18:15.020 --> 00:18:18.960 I will not just write words on a page, but I will take those truths. 00:18:19.220 --> 00:18:21.840 I will write them upon the hearts of my people. 00:18:22.259 --> 00:18:24.540 It will be their way of life. 00:18:24.860 --> 00:18:28.680 It will transform who they are and what they do and how they live. 00:18:28.680 --> 00:18:35.080 And God says, and I will forgive them their iniquity and I will remember their sin no more. 00:18:36.100 --> 00:18:42.019 So our first point this morning is that by faith we must trust, we must believe the truths of God. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:45.259 So my question for you is, do you believe that? 00:18:45.620 --> 00:18:46.940 Are you a child of God? 00:18:47.019 --> 00:18:52.500 And do you believe that if you're a child of God, that God has given you a new heart? 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:55.579 He has done a divine heart transplant. 00:18:56.180 --> 00:18:59.119 He has given you his law upon your heart. 00:18:59.220 --> 00:19:00.859 He has transformed your perspective. 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:03.680 He has forgiven you already your iniquity. 00:19:04.019 --> 00:19:07.900 And he says, I will remember your sin no more. 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:13.660 You know, so often, even those of us that are believers can wallow in our discouragement. 00:19:14.000 --> 00:19:15.700 We can be disappointed. 00:19:15.900 --> 00:19:20.460 We can become frustrated with our failures and with our struggles. 00:19:20.460 --> 00:19:25.819 So let me encourage you to, by faith, trust in the truths of God's word. 00:19:26.180 --> 00:19:30.720 And specifically, trust in the fact that God, if you are a child of his, 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:33.840 has forgiven you all of your iniquities. 00:19:34.160 --> 00:19:36.519 And he will remember your sin no more. 00:19:37.900 --> 00:19:39.180 Two simple truths today. 00:19:39.340 --> 00:19:41.039 By faith, we must trust. 00:19:41.140 --> 00:19:42.880 We must believe the truths of God. 00:19:43.220 --> 00:19:45.620 And by trusting in the truths of God, 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:50.779 that directly leads us to our second truth today. 00:19:51.179 --> 00:19:54.399 That by God's grace, we must obey. 00:19:54.679 --> 00:19:57.419 We must follow the truths of God's word. 00:19:57.659 --> 00:20:00.039 So first, we have to put our faith in, our trust in, 00:20:00.179 --> 00:20:03.799 and then we have to step out by God's grace 00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:06.719 and act upon the truths of God's word. 00:20:06.720 --> 00:20:10.700 The psalmist here says in our text, verse 11, 00:20:11.019 --> 00:20:12.620 I have stored up your word in my heart. 00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.100 Why? 00:20:13.240 --> 00:20:14.100 Why did he do that? 00:20:14.220 --> 00:20:17.059 So that he'd have a bunch of fun facts to know and share? 00:20:17.279 --> 00:20:22.059 So that he could win in his sword drills and things like that in his Sunday school class? 00:20:22.160 --> 00:20:25.160 No, the reason that he stored up God's word in his heart 00:20:25.160 --> 00:20:28.500 was so that he would not sin against God. 00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:32.400 His perspective, his outlook on life, 00:20:32.640 --> 00:20:35.180 was transformed by God's word 00:20:35.180 --> 00:20:38.859 so that he could live in a way that was pleasing to God. 00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:41.400 But here's what I want to remind us of. 00:20:41.440 --> 00:20:42.720 And this is a very key point. 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:44.279 This is a very important point. 00:20:45.779 --> 00:20:51.619 We obey God's word as a result of our salvation. 00:20:52.180 --> 00:20:57.279 We don't obey God's word in any way in order to earn our salvation. 00:20:57.279 --> 00:21:00.980 We don't start cleaning up our lives and getting our act together 00:21:00.980 --> 00:21:03.299 so that God will save us. 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.759 Quite the opposite. 00:21:05.500 --> 00:21:09.440 As a result of God's saving work in our lives, 00:21:10.220 --> 00:21:12.899 we therefore, in response to that, 00:21:13.559 --> 00:21:18.359 step out by God's grace and obey as a result of our salvation. 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:22.579 I'm not just playing word games here and switching around the order of things. 00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:24.839 The order is crucially important. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:30.079 It is a significant difference between us obeying to earn salvation 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:35.779 or us obeying as a result of God's salvation in our lives. 00:21:36.839 --> 00:21:40.779 Let's think back to that Jeremiah 31 passage that I referenced a few minutes ago. 00:21:41.299 --> 00:21:42.079 And God says, 00:21:42.079 --> 00:22:05.480 Here's that wonderful, life-transforming perspective, 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.640 that promise that God gives us, 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:09.180 that new promise to his people. 00:22:09.620 --> 00:22:10.079 God says, 00:22:10.500 --> 00:22:13.360 I will forgive their iniquity, 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:17.019 and I will remember their sin no more. 00:22:18.660 --> 00:22:19.900 By faith, 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:22.140 how is it that we're supposed to have victory over sin? 00:22:22.299 --> 00:22:24.420 How does God give us victory over sin? 00:22:24.640 --> 00:22:27.980 What is the relationship between God's word and our sin? 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:29.680 Well, by faith, 00:22:29.960 --> 00:22:31.220 we must trust in, 00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:33.819 believe in the truths of God's word. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:35.880 And by God's grace, 00:22:36.240 --> 00:22:39.140 we must step out and obey and follow 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:43.920 and act upon the truths and promises and commands of God's word. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:47.400 So those are our two teaching points today. 00:22:47.640 --> 00:22:49.200 But it may leave you wondering, 00:22:49.700 --> 00:22:51.019 what does that mean for me? 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.539 How can I take those truths, 00:22:52.900 --> 00:22:54.319 trusting in God's word, 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.559 obeying God's word? 00:22:55.559 --> 00:23:00.899 How can I take those truths and apply them to our everyday lives? 00:23:01.659 --> 00:23:04.779 Let me ask you to turn to the book of Ephesians. 00:23:05.159 --> 00:23:06.879 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:23:08.700 --> 00:23:11.059 Before our summer series in Psalms, 00:23:11.159 --> 00:23:13.079 we were studying through the book of Ephesians 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:16.200 and most recently looking in chapter 4. 00:23:16.819 --> 00:23:19.879 And so I want to turn once again to the book of Ephesians, 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.039 look at chapter 4, 00:23:21.419 --> 00:23:23.799 and let's just pull out two examples, 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:26.680 two very practical, real-life applications 00:23:26.680 --> 00:23:28.779 of these lessons of trusting, 00:23:29.440 --> 00:23:30.599 putting our faith in, 00:23:30.779 --> 00:23:31.919 and by God's grace, 00:23:32.039 --> 00:23:34.940 obeying the truths of God. 00:23:36.839 --> 00:23:38.639 All right, I mentioned in my opening 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:41.799 that oftentimes I become discouraged and frustrated 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:45.919 and feel like I wish I could have greater victory 00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:48.759 in a variety of areas that I struggle. 00:23:48.919 --> 00:23:50.680 One of those being pride. 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:53.279 And I think that pride is something 00:23:53.279 --> 00:23:55.019 that takes different shapes and forms 00:23:55.019 --> 00:23:56.039 and has different flavors, 00:23:56.320 --> 00:23:58.180 but I think if we're all honest with ourselves, 00:23:58.600 --> 00:24:01.860 pride is something that each and every one of us struggle with. 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:06.840 And so let's take that example of one sin of pride 00:24:06.840 --> 00:24:09.700 and let's see how can we take those two truths, 00:24:10.080 --> 00:24:12.259 trusting in the truth of God's word, 00:24:12.580 --> 00:24:15.920 obeying by God's grace the commands of God's word, 00:24:16.039 --> 00:24:17.840 how can we apply that to our lives 00:24:17.839 --> 00:24:19.819 from the book of Ephesians? 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.659 All right, so if we're thinking, 00:24:21.899 --> 00:24:23.199 if we're wrongly thinking, 00:24:23.500 --> 00:24:25.399 that simply memorizing a verse 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:27.819 and quoting it as needed, 00:24:28.259 --> 00:24:30.699 throwing that out at a specific situation, 00:24:30.919 --> 00:24:34.859 if we think that that is going to give us victory over our sin, 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:38.619 then we might look at Ephesians chapter 4, verse 2. 00:24:39.619 --> 00:24:40.399 And we might say, 00:24:40.459 --> 00:24:41.139 oh, that says, 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:43.160 with all humility and gentleness, 00:24:43.360 --> 00:24:44.240 with patience, 00:24:44.620 --> 00:24:46.500 bear with one another in love. 00:24:46.540 --> 00:24:48.040 Okay, so I need to memorize that. 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:50.060 With all humility and gentleness, 00:24:50.300 --> 00:24:50.840 with patience, 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:52.100 bear with one another in love. 00:24:52.259 --> 00:24:53.520 With all humility and gentleness, 00:24:53.700 --> 00:24:54.180 with patience, 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.560 bear with one another in love. 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:56.620 And when I become, 00:24:56.880 --> 00:24:59.759 when I start to feel pride rising up inside of me, 00:25:00.240 --> 00:25:03.180 I may wrongly think that if I can simply memorize 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:06.600 and spit that verse out at that moment in time, 00:25:06.599 --> 00:25:09.639 that I will instantaneously have victory. 00:25:10.480 --> 00:25:12.959 Got my wand of God's word, 00:25:13.379 --> 00:25:15.439 my scripture spell, 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:18.500 in order to give me victory over that temptation. 00:25:19.279 --> 00:25:20.539 But the fact of the matter is, 00:25:20.599 --> 00:25:23.379 if we just look at verse 2 in and of itself, 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.559 we're cutting ourselves off 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:28.059 from the rest of the truth of God's word. 00:25:28.199 --> 00:25:30.899 We're cutting ourselves off from the grace 00:25:30.899 --> 00:25:33.099 that we so desperately need 00:25:33.099 --> 00:25:35.000 in order to fulfill God's word. 00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:37.880 And so let's actually look at verses 1 through 5 00:25:37.880 --> 00:25:40.200 and see how does verse 2 fit within there. 00:25:40.519 --> 00:25:41.940 Yes, we are supposed to be humble. 00:25:42.319 --> 00:25:44.279 Yes, we are supposed to be gentle and patient. 00:25:44.539 --> 00:25:46.900 And we are supposed to bear with each other in love. 00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:49.000 But how can we do that? 00:25:50.140 --> 00:25:52.519 Verse 1 of Ephesians chapter 4, 00:25:52.900 --> 00:25:53.480 Paul says, 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:55.339 I therefore, a prisoner for God, 00:25:55.720 --> 00:25:57.200 urge you to walk, 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.420 and here's the key, 00:25:59.900 --> 00:26:03.079 in a manner worthy of the calling 00:26:03.079 --> 00:26:05.059 to which you have been called. 00:26:05.819 --> 00:26:07.879 So Paul here is writing to believers. 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.939 Paul here is writing to people 00:26:09.939 --> 00:26:12.480 who have had that divine heart transplant. 00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:15.159 Paul is writing to people saying, 00:26:15.899 --> 00:26:17.960 live out the reality in your lives 00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:20.199 that has already occurred in your heart. 00:26:21.079 --> 00:26:23.500 Live in a way that reflects 00:26:23.500 --> 00:26:26.179 what God has already done in your lives. 00:26:26.299 --> 00:26:27.299 So he doesn't just say, 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:28.059 try harder. 00:26:28.059 --> 00:26:29.639 He doesn't just say, 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:32.480 keep trying to be better. 00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:33.519 But he says, 00:26:34.059 --> 00:26:35.019 live out the reality 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:36.799 that has already occurred in your life. 00:26:37.139 --> 00:26:38.759 I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, 00:26:38.859 --> 00:26:41.099 urge you to walk in a manner worthy, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.799 walk in a way 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:44.720 that reflects the calling 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.799 to which you've been called. 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:47.399 If you're a child of God, 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.879 you have been called, 00:26:49.240 --> 00:26:51.700 you have been called from a life of sin 00:26:51.700 --> 00:26:54.819 to a life of victory and freedom in Christ. 00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:56.720 And then verse two says, 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:58.439 with all humility and gentleness, 00:26:58.599 --> 00:26:59.159 with patient, 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:01.039 bearing with one another in love, 00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:03.819 eager to maintain the unity of the spirit 00:27:03.819 --> 00:27:05.039 and the bond of peace. 00:27:05.419 --> 00:27:06.099 Verse four, 00:27:06.839 --> 00:27:07.279 why? 00:27:07.480 --> 00:27:08.480 What is our motivation? 00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:10.559 What is the truth of God's word 00:27:10.559 --> 00:27:13.319 that we by faith must cling to 00:27:13.319 --> 00:27:14.480 if we're going to have victory 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.879 in the area of our pride? 00:27:16.519 --> 00:27:17.159 Verse four, 00:27:18.079 --> 00:27:20.359 there is one body and one spirit, 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:21.759 just as you were called 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.759 to the one hope 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:24.200 that belongs to your call. 00:27:24.200 --> 00:27:25.340 One Lord, 00:27:25.500 --> 00:27:26.100 one faith, 00:27:26.200 --> 00:27:26.900 one baptism, 00:27:27.420 --> 00:27:29.200 one God and Father of all, 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.519 who's over all 00:27:30.519 --> 00:27:31.759 and through all 00:27:31.759 --> 00:27:33.259 and in all. 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:36.160 And so if you this morning 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.220 came in here 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.620 and you were looking around 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:39.559 and you were 00:27:39.559 --> 00:27:42.080 battling thoughts of pride, 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.400 if you were looking down 00:27:43.400 --> 00:27:44.340 upon other people 00:27:44.340 --> 00:27:45.920 because they look differently 00:27:45.920 --> 00:27:46.900 or act differently 00:27:46.900 --> 00:27:47.980 or sing differently 00:27:47.980 --> 00:27:49.279 or smell differently 00:27:49.279 --> 00:27:50.240 or talk differently 00:27:50.240 --> 00:27:51.380 than you do, 00:27:51.539 --> 00:27:52.779 if you were looking around here 00:27:52.779 --> 00:27:53.319 this morning 00:27:53.319 --> 00:27:54.500 and in pride, 00:27:54.779 --> 00:27:56.319 looking down upon other people, 00:27:57.059 --> 00:27:57.960 scripture here says 00:27:57.960 --> 00:27:58.920 the truth that we need 00:27:58.920 --> 00:28:00.759 to by faith cling to, 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.980 by faith trust in, 00:28:02.200 --> 00:28:04.119 says we're all part 00:28:04.119 --> 00:28:04.879 of one body. 00:28:05.579 --> 00:28:06.200 If we are, 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.599 if you are a child of God, 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.599 we are all part 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:10.099 of the family of God 00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:12.359 and we have all been called 00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:13.519 by the same faith, 00:28:13.619 --> 00:28:14.339 the same hope. 00:28:14.519 --> 00:28:16.000 It's all by God's grace 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:17.379 that we are what we are. 00:28:17.380 --> 00:28:18.640 It's by God's grace 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:20.480 that we are who we are. 00:28:21.180 --> 00:28:22.360 And so it's connecting 00:28:22.360 --> 00:28:23.900 the reality of the gospel 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:26.460 that apart from God's saving faith 00:28:26.460 --> 00:28:27.200 in our lives, 00:28:27.420 --> 00:28:28.500 apart from that, 00:28:29.120 --> 00:28:30.700 we have nothing to be proud of. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:32.300 We have nothing to think 00:28:32.300 --> 00:28:33.980 so highly of ourselves 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.120 or to look downly 00:28:35.120 --> 00:28:35.980 upon other people. 00:28:36.120 --> 00:28:38.020 But it's only the gospel, 00:28:38.960 --> 00:28:40.020 that one calling, 00:28:40.140 --> 00:28:40.700 that one Lord, 00:28:40.800 --> 00:28:41.400 that one faith, 00:28:41.500 --> 00:28:42.300 that one baptism, 00:28:42.700 --> 00:28:44.720 it's God's saving grace 00:28:44.720 --> 00:28:45.680 in our lives 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:46.799 that even gives us 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.360 the opportunity 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:48.620 to be who we are 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:50.340 and to do what we do. 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.840 So we have absolutely 00:28:51.840 --> 00:28:53.779 no reason for pride at all. 00:28:54.000 --> 00:28:54.779 So do you see 00:28:54.779 --> 00:28:56.060 how much more effective that is? 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:57.080 Do you see how much more 00:28:57.080 --> 00:28:58.380 helpful that is? 00:28:58.660 --> 00:28:59.500 I hope that's a lot 00:28:59.500 --> 00:29:00.580 more encouraging to you 00:29:00.580 --> 00:29:01.440 than simply thinking, 00:29:01.720 --> 00:29:02.940 I need to memorize this verse 00:29:02.940 --> 00:29:04.460 and I need to spit it out 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.160 word for word. 00:29:05.360 --> 00:29:06.680 I need to memorize this verse 00:29:06.680 --> 00:29:08.080 and I need to say it 00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:09.180 when I'm being tempted. 00:29:09.640 --> 00:29:10.039 Instead, 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.120 connect the reality, 00:29:12.320 --> 00:29:13.220 connect the truth 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:15.140 that's behind those words 00:29:15.140 --> 00:29:17.080 that I'm no longer 00:29:17.080 --> 00:29:18.480 in bondage to sin. 00:29:18.820 --> 00:29:20.259 God has freed me 00:29:20.259 --> 00:29:21.180 from that sin 00:29:21.180 --> 00:29:22.300 and God has done that 00:29:22.300 --> 00:29:23.220 to everybody else 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:24.300 within the family of God, 00:29:24.360 --> 00:29:25.660 within the household of God. 00:29:25.780 --> 00:29:26.880 And I'm no better, 00:29:27.000 --> 00:29:27.800 I'm no different 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:29.340 than anybody else here. 00:29:29.460 --> 00:29:30.180 We're connecting 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:31.620 the reality of the gospel 00:29:31.620 --> 00:29:32.740 to the sins 00:29:32.740 --> 00:29:34.000 that we are struggling with. 00:29:34.180 --> 00:29:35.520 We are trusting 00:29:35.520 --> 00:29:36.800 in the truths 00:29:36.800 --> 00:29:38.220 of God's word. 00:29:39.120 --> 00:29:40.040 And then we are 00:29:40.040 --> 00:29:40.759 stepping out 00:29:40.759 --> 00:29:42.120 by God's grace 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.519 and we are acting 00:29:43.519 --> 00:29:44.979 upon the reality 00:29:44.979 --> 00:29:46.399 that God has already done 00:29:46.399 --> 00:29:47.139 in our lives. 00:29:47.139 --> 00:29:48.119 We trust 00:29:48.119 --> 00:29:49.579 God's truths 00:29:49.579 --> 00:29:50.559 and we step out 00:29:50.559 --> 00:29:51.299 by faith 00:29:51.299 --> 00:29:52.979 and by God's grace 00:29:52.979 --> 00:29:53.959 and we obey 00:29:53.959 --> 00:29:54.619 the truths 00:29:54.619 --> 00:29:55.359 of God's word. 00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:55.919 All right, 00:29:55.939 --> 00:29:56.879 so let's take another 00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:58.399 very practical example 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.139 from the book 00:29:59.139 --> 00:30:00.079 of Ephesians here 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.539 as we conclude 00:30:01.539 --> 00:30:03.000 our lesson this morning. 00:30:03.959 --> 00:30:05.059 Anybody ever struggle 00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.779 with anger 00:30:05.779 --> 00:30:08.699 or irritation maybe? 00:30:09.239 --> 00:30:10.019 Maybe a little bit 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.139 better sounding 00:30:11.139 --> 00:30:11.859 of a word, right? 00:30:11.900 --> 00:30:12.920 Or frustration. 00:30:13.139 --> 00:30:14.359 Oh, I'm just so frustrated. 00:30:15.099 --> 00:30:16.379 What about bitterness? 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:17.839 Something that anger 00:30:17.839 --> 00:30:18.400 and irritation 00:30:18.400 --> 00:30:19.019 and frustration 00:30:19.019 --> 00:30:20.099 can lead to. 00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:20.799 You know, 00:30:20.839 --> 00:30:22.180 I think that if we're honest, 00:30:22.259 --> 00:30:22.759 once again, 00:30:22.839 --> 00:30:23.799 just like pride 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.680 is one of those 00:30:24.680 --> 00:30:25.700 universal sins 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:27.039 that affects all of us, 00:30:27.440 --> 00:30:28.980 anger and irritation 00:30:28.980 --> 00:30:30.200 and frustration 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:32.319 and resulting bitterness 00:30:32.319 --> 00:30:33.440 is something 00:30:33.440 --> 00:30:34.299 that all of us 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.139 struggle with. 00:30:35.980 --> 00:30:36.619 So again, 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.879 if we're simply looking 00:30:37.879 --> 00:30:39.839 for a quick fix approach, 00:30:40.019 --> 00:30:41.279 to have victory 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.299 over temptation, 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:44.200 we may turn to 00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.660 verse 26 00:30:45.660 --> 00:30:47.240 of Ephesians chapter 4. 00:30:47.460 --> 00:30:48.519 Look at verse 26 00:30:48.519 --> 00:30:49.079 if you would, 00:30:49.440 --> 00:30:50.839 Ephesians chapter 4. 00:30:52.680 --> 00:30:53.299 Paul says, 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:54.839 Be angry and do not sin. 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:56.059 Do not let the sun 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:57.480 go down on your anger. 00:30:57.839 --> 00:30:58.700 And so we could keep 00:30:58.700 --> 00:30:59.279 repeating that 00:30:59.279 --> 00:30:59.839 over and over 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:00.480 and over again. 00:31:00.700 --> 00:31:01.940 Be angry and do not sin. 00:31:02.039 --> 00:31:03.079 Be angry and do not sin. 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:03.900 Do not let the sun 00:31:03.900 --> 00:31:04.740 go down on your anger. 00:31:04.839 --> 00:31:05.519 Do not let the sun 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.440 go down upon your anger. 00:31:06.440 --> 00:31:08.480 But simply saying 00:31:08.480 --> 00:31:09.400 those words 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.559 in isolation 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:12.080 from the truth 00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:13.120 of God's word, 00:31:13.500 --> 00:31:15.500 simply filling our minds 00:31:15.500 --> 00:31:17.240 and filling our mouths 00:31:17.240 --> 00:31:18.460 with these words 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:19.779 is not enough 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:21.059 to give us the victory 00:31:21.059 --> 00:31:21.740 that we need. 00:31:21.880 --> 00:31:22.820 We need to connect 00:31:22.820 --> 00:31:23.539 the reality 00:31:23.539 --> 00:31:24.759 of those truths 00:31:24.759 --> 00:31:26.960 to our standing 00:31:26.960 --> 00:31:28.039 in Christ. 00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:30.080 So let's look 00:31:30.080 --> 00:31:30.880 at verse 26 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:31.840 and then we'll skip 00:31:31.840 --> 00:31:32.960 down a couple of verses 00:31:32.960 --> 00:31:34.500 and read verses 30 00:31:34.500 --> 00:31:35.240 through 32. 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:36.440 So again, 00:31:36.519 --> 00:31:36.960 Paul says, 00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:38.359 Be angry and do not sin. 00:31:38.460 --> 00:31:39.119 Is that true? 00:31:39.380 --> 00:31:40.940 Yes, absolutely it's true. 00:31:41.180 --> 00:31:42.059 Is this a good verse 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.579 to memorize? 00:31:43.160 --> 00:31:44.279 Absolutely it is. 00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:46.380 These are wonderful truths. 00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:48.039 These are precious truths. 00:31:48.500 --> 00:31:49.220 Do not let the sun 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:50.180 go down on your anger. 00:31:50.559 --> 00:31:51.720 Is that a valuable, 00:31:52.200 --> 00:31:54.079 is that a valuable truth 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:55.059 for us to follow? 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.519 Is that a command 00:31:56.519 --> 00:31:57.240 that we should put 00:31:57.240 --> 00:31:58.200 into place in our lives? 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.859 Yes, it is. 00:31:59.119 --> 00:32:00.720 But let's connect 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.380 those commands 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.259 to the gospel. 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:04.440 Let's put our faith, 00:32:04.500 --> 00:32:06.660 our trust in the truths 00:32:06.660 --> 00:32:07.720 of God's word 00:32:07.720 --> 00:32:09.839 and by God's grace, 00:32:09.839 --> 00:32:11.039 let's step out 00:32:11.039 --> 00:32:12.319 and live in the reality 00:32:12.319 --> 00:32:13.200 of those truths. 00:32:13.400 --> 00:32:14.400 So look at verse 30. 00:32:14.539 --> 00:32:15.420 Ephesians chapter 4, 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:16.079 verse 30. 00:32:16.640 --> 00:32:17.700 And do not grieve 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:19.759 the Holy Spirit of God 00:32:19.759 --> 00:32:21.920 by whom you were sealed 00:32:21.920 --> 00:32:23.660 for the day of redemption. 00:32:24.440 --> 00:32:25.400 Again, Paul's writing 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.319 to believers here 00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:27.019 and he says, 00:32:27.220 --> 00:32:28.839 If you are a child of God, 00:32:28.960 --> 00:32:30.000 then the Holy Spirit 00:32:30.000 --> 00:32:32.140 has put his seal upon you. 00:32:32.140 --> 00:32:33.320 The Holy Spirit 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:34.800 has sealed you 00:32:34.800 --> 00:32:36.060 and called you 00:32:36.060 --> 00:32:37.759 and is preserving you 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:39.940 for the day of redemption. 00:32:41.080 --> 00:32:41.720 And therefore, 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.440 because of that reality 00:32:43.440 --> 00:32:45.000 that has already occurred 00:32:45.000 --> 00:32:45.700 in your life, 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:47.900 because God has done 00:32:47.900 --> 00:32:49.500 this work of sovereign grace 00:32:49.500 --> 00:32:50.380 in your life, 00:32:50.520 --> 00:32:51.780 and because the Holy Spirit 00:32:51.780 --> 00:32:53.640 is doing the continuing work 00:32:53.640 --> 00:32:55.080 of empowering you 00:32:55.080 --> 00:32:56.140 and growing you 00:32:56.140 --> 00:32:57.360 and enlightening you 00:32:57.360 --> 00:32:58.520 to the truths of God's word, 00:32:58.640 --> 00:32:59.520 because those things 00:32:59.519 --> 00:33:00.400 are a reality, 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:02.079 verse 31. 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.920 Now you can 00:33:03.920 --> 00:33:05.240 let all bitterness 00:33:05.240 --> 00:33:06.259 and wrath 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:06.960 and anger 00:33:06.960 --> 00:33:07.960 and clamor 00:33:07.960 --> 00:33:08.680 and slander 00:33:08.680 --> 00:33:10.220 be put away from you, 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.859 along with all malice, 00:33:12.299 --> 00:33:13.700 and be kind to one another, 00:33:14.059 --> 00:33:14.619 tenderhearted, 00:33:14.799 --> 00:33:15.799 forgiving one another. 00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:16.920 Well, that first half 00:33:16.920 --> 00:33:17.639 of verse 32, 00:33:17.740 --> 00:33:18.740 that might be another one 00:33:18.740 --> 00:33:19.480 that we're tempted 00:33:19.480 --> 00:33:20.339 to just memorize 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:22.139 and use in isolation, 00:33:22.579 --> 00:33:24.259 but do not cut yourself off 00:33:24.259 --> 00:33:25.379 from the grace of God. 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:26.740 Do not ignore 00:33:26.740 --> 00:33:27.579 the second half 00:33:27.579 --> 00:33:28.200 of that verse. 00:33:28.480 --> 00:33:29.379 Be kind to one another, 00:33:29.380 --> 00:33:30.080 tenderhearted, 00:33:30.240 --> 00:33:31.200 forgiving one another, 00:33:31.560 --> 00:33:33.680 as God in Christ 00:33:33.680 --> 00:33:35.220 forgave you. 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:37.800 If you are a child of God, 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.540 then you have experienced 00:33:39.540 --> 00:33:41.160 the transforming grace 00:33:41.160 --> 00:33:42.560 of God in your life. 00:33:43.100 --> 00:33:44.580 Do not cut yourself off 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.500 from the power 00:33:45.500 --> 00:33:46.340 of the gospel. 00:33:47.100 --> 00:33:48.180 Allow the reality 00:33:48.180 --> 00:33:50.020 of that divine heart transplant 00:33:50.020 --> 00:33:51.660 to be lived out 00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:52.760 in the way that we 00:33:52.760 --> 00:33:54.900 interact with those around us. 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:55.660 And so, 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:56.540 why are we kind 00:33:56.540 --> 00:33:57.080 to each other? 00:33:57.700 --> 00:33:58.880 Why are we tenderhearted? 00:33:58.880 --> 00:34:00.320 Why do we forgive others? 00:34:00.840 --> 00:34:01.820 Because that's exactly 00:34:01.820 --> 00:34:03.160 what God has done for us. 00:34:03.340 --> 00:34:04.940 We do it to the extent 00:34:04.940 --> 00:34:06.560 that God has done it for us. 00:34:06.840 --> 00:34:08.280 God has forgiven us 00:34:08.280 --> 00:34:09.619 everything. 00:34:09.980 --> 00:34:11.440 If you are a child of God, 00:34:11.579 --> 00:34:12.840 you are forgiven, 00:34:13.059 --> 00:34:13.860 you are free, 00:34:14.160 --> 00:34:14.980 and you no longer 00:34:14.980 --> 00:34:16.640 are in bondage to sin. 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:17.500 And so, 00:34:18.000 --> 00:34:18.840 first of all, 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.480 put your trust in, 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:21.420 your faith in, 00:34:21.500 --> 00:34:23.300 the reality of that truth. 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:24.360 You are free 00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.599 from the bondage of sin. 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.920 And then secondly, 00:34:27.279 --> 00:34:29.059 by God's grace, 00:34:29.319 --> 00:34:30.759 live out the reality 00:34:30.759 --> 00:34:31.659 of that truth. 00:34:32.019 --> 00:34:33.980 That you are free 00:34:33.980 --> 00:34:35.179 from the bondage of sin, 00:34:35.380 --> 00:34:35.940 and therefore, 00:34:35.940 --> 00:34:36.940 you can live 00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:38.179 and interact with others 00:34:38.179 --> 00:34:38.799 in a way 00:34:38.799 --> 00:34:40.940 that is pleasing to God. 00:34:42.239 --> 00:34:42.380 All right, 00:34:42.380 --> 00:34:43.400 so there are two people, 00:34:43.559 --> 00:34:44.339 two types of people 00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:44.920 in this room. 00:34:45.380 --> 00:34:46.219 And verse 9 00:34:46.219 --> 00:34:47.679 talks about a young man. 00:34:47.839 --> 00:34:48.619 I'm not talking about 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.239 young people 00:34:49.239 --> 00:34:50.319 and not-so-young people. 00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:51.400 I'm not talking about 00:34:51.400 --> 00:34:52.039 men and women. 00:34:52.039 --> 00:34:53.360 But there are really 00:34:53.360 --> 00:34:54.579 only two types of people 00:34:54.579 --> 00:34:55.239 in this room. 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:57.279 Either you are a Christian, 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:59.860 either you are a child of God, 00:35:00.239 --> 00:35:02.279 you've placed your faith in God, 00:35:02.480 --> 00:35:04.239 and you've placed your trust 00:35:04.239 --> 00:35:05.320 in Christ alone 00:35:05.320 --> 00:35:06.340 for the forgiveness 00:35:06.340 --> 00:35:07.159 of your sins. 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:09.059 Either that describes you, 00:35:09.779 --> 00:35:11.300 or you are not a Christian, 00:35:11.480 --> 00:35:12.719 you are not a child of God, 00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:13.559 and you're trusting 00:35:13.559 --> 00:35:15.000 in something other than, 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:16.079 or you're trusting 00:35:16.079 --> 00:35:17.800 in something in addition 00:35:17.800 --> 00:35:19.239 to Christ 00:35:19.239 --> 00:35:20.139 for the forgiveness 00:35:20.139 --> 00:35:21.139 of your sin. 00:35:22.039 --> 00:35:23.739 The reality, 00:35:23.920 --> 00:35:25.159 the truth of God's word 00:35:25.159 --> 00:35:28.059 speaks to both groups of people 00:35:28.059 --> 00:35:29.300 in this room today. 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:30.159 And so, 00:35:30.320 --> 00:35:31.519 if you are a believer, 00:35:31.659 --> 00:35:32.599 if you are a Christian, 00:35:32.860 --> 00:35:33.960 let me encourage you 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:35.679 that there is hope 00:35:35.679 --> 00:35:36.960 for you today. 00:35:37.940 --> 00:35:40.079 You can have victory over sin 00:35:40.079 --> 00:35:41.679 by faith, 00:35:42.099 --> 00:35:42.579 trusting, 00:35:42.940 --> 00:35:43.779 and believing 00:35:43.779 --> 00:35:44.920 in the truths 00:35:44.920 --> 00:35:46.360 of God's word. 00:35:46.820 --> 00:35:47.619 You can, 00:35:47.739 --> 00:35:48.599 by God's grace, 00:35:48.759 --> 00:35:50.119 obey the truths 00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:50.960 of God's word. 00:35:50.960 --> 00:35:52.360 By God's grace, 00:35:52.500 --> 00:35:53.720 you can have victory 00:35:53.720 --> 00:35:54.740 over your sin. 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.980 By God's grace, 00:35:56.179 --> 00:35:58.179 you have already been forgiven 00:35:58.179 --> 00:35:59.740 for your sin. 00:35:59.980 --> 00:36:01.400 There's no condemnation. 00:36:01.960 --> 00:36:02.880 By God's grace, 00:36:03.380 --> 00:36:04.659 live out the reality 00:36:04.659 --> 00:36:06.260 of the gospel transformation 00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:07.880 that has already happened 00:36:07.880 --> 00:36:08.679 in your life. 00:36:09.079 --> 00:36:09.559 Obey, 00:36:10.559 --> 00:36:12.340 because you have been forgiven 00:36:12.340 --> 00:36:13.199 by God. 00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:14.280 Be free, 00:36:14.880 --> 00:36:16.199 because you have already 00:36:16.199 --> 00:36:17.019 been freed 00:36:17.019 --> 00:36:18.659 from the slavery of sin. 00:36:18.659 --> 00:36:20.359 Be encouraged, 00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:20.819 believer, 00:36:21.139 --> 00:36:22.500 that God's word 00:36:22.500 --> 00:36:23.699 speaks to you 00:36:23.699 --> 00:36:25.779 that you can be free, 00:36:26.039 --> 00:36:27.299 that you are free, 00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.699 that you can be forgiven, 00:36:28.920 --> 00:36:30.239 that you are forgiven 00:36:30.239 --> 00:36:32.219 by God's grace. 00:36:33.039 --> 00:36:33.259 Well, 00:36:33.299 --> 00:36:34.000 what about for those 00:36:34.000 --> 00:36:35.079 that are not Christians? 00:36:35.219 --> 00:36:35.940 What about for those 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.879 that are not believers? 00:36:37.199 --> 00:36:38.159 What about those here? 00:36:38.480 --> 00:36:39.299 What if you are 00:36:39.299 --> 00:36:41.179 not trusting in Christ alone? 00:36:41.579 --> 00:36:42.719 What if the idea 00:36:42.719 --> 00:36:45.519 of doing good things 00:36:45.519 --> 00:36:46.399 as a result 00:36:46.399 --> 00:36:47.259 of your relationship 00:36:47.260 --> 00:36:47.840 to God 00:36:47.840 --> 00:36:48.780 as opposed to 00:36:48.780 --> 00:36:49.580 doing good things 00:36:49.580 --> 00:36:50.520 to build 00:36:50.520 --> 00:36:51.420 or earn a relationship 00:36:51.420 --> 00:36:52.200 with God? 00:36:52.360 --> 00:36:52.940 What if that 00:36:52.940 --> 00:36:54.400 is a better description 00:36:54.400 --> 00:36:55.100 of how you've been 00:36:55.100 --> 00:36:55.820 living your life? 00:36:56.580 --> 00:36:57.340 Let me tell you 00:36:57.340 --> 00:36:58.620 that there is hope 00:36:58.620 --> 00:37:00.660 for you today as well. 00:37:02.120 --> 00:37:03.500 You, by faith, 00:37:03.720 --> 00:37:05.180 can place your trust 00:37:05.180 --> 00:37:06.680 in Christ alone 00:37:06.680 --> 00:37:08.260 for the forgiveness 00:37:08.260 --> 00:37:09.580 of your sins. 00:37:09.860 --> 00:37:11.200 And by God's grace, 00:37:11.360 --> 00:37:12.920 he will save you. 00:37:13.080 --> 00:37:13.940 The Bible promises 00:37:13.940 --> 00:37:14.860 that anyone 00:37:14.860 --> 00:37:16.019 who calls 00:37:16.019 --> 00:37:16.640 on the name 00:37:16.640 --> 00:37:17.300 of the Lord 00:37:17.300 --> 00:37:20.059 will be saved. 00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:22.360 So what does the Bible 00:37:22.360 --> 00:37:22.940 have to say 00:37:22.940 --> 00:37:23.940 about sin, 00:37:24.160 --> 00:37:25.440 about our sin 00:37:25.440 --> 00:37:27.099 and God's word? 00:37:27.880 --> 00:37:29.200 The Bible says 00:37:29.200 --> 00:37:31.500 that we should trust 00:37:31.500 --> 00:37:32.519 in the truths 00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:33.440 of God's word 00:37:33.440 --> 00:37:35.200 and by God's grace, 00:37:35.200 --> 00:37:36.539 we should live out 00:37:36.539 --> 00:37:37.340 the truths 00:37:37.340 --> 00:37:38.400 of God's word. 00:37:38.880 --> 00:37:39.599 The psalmist says, 00:37:39.599 --> 00:37:40.839 I have stored up 00:37:40.839 --> 00:37:42.059 your word in my heart 00:37:42.059 --> 00:37:43.119 by faith trusting 00:37:43.119 --> 00:37:44.219 in the truths of God 00:37:44.219 --> 00:37:45.360 that I might not 00:37:45.360 --> 00:37:46.539 sin against you 00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.920 by God's grace 00:37:47.920 --> 00:37:48.980 living out 00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.539 God's truths. 00:37:51.299 --> 00:37:52.480 Trust and obey 00:37:52.480 --> 00:37:53.299 the truths 00:37:53.299 --> 00:37:54.199 of God's word 00:37:54.199 --> 00:37:55.880 and find the victory 00:37:55.880 --> 00:37:56.980 and the forgiveness 00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.900 that you are looking 00:37:57.900 --> 00:37:59.139 for today. 00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.279 Let's pray. 00:38:03.239 --> 00:38:04.519 God, we thank you 00:38:04.519 --> 00:38:05.639 for your word. 00:38:05.759 --> 00:38:06.339 We thank you 00:38:06.339 --> 00:38:07.339 for the truths 00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.200 and the promises 00:38:08.200 --> 00:38:09.500 in your word 00:38:09.500 --> 00:38:10.940 about our sin. 00:38:12.260 --> 00:38:12.980 And we thank you 00:38:12.980 --> 00:38:13.780 for the grace 00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.660 and the forgiveness 00:38:14.660 --> 00:38:15.980 in your word 00:38:15.980 --> 00:38:17.460 for our sin. 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.500 God, I just pray 00:38:18.500 --> 00:38:18.920 that you would 00:38:18.920 --> 00:38:20.039 encourage our hearts 00:38:20.039 --> 00:38:21.460 with these truths today. 00:38:21.840 --> 00:38:22.940 I ask that you 00:38:22.940 --> 00:38:24.240 by your spirit 00:38:24.240 --> 00:38:25.600 would empower us 00:38:25.600 --> 00:38:26.780 to trust you 00:38:26.780 --> 00:38:27.720 by faith 00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:29.000 and to obey you 00:38:29.000 --> 00:38:30.200 by grace. 00:38:30.460 --> 00:38:31.720 And we ask these things 00:38:31.720 --> 00:38:32.920 in Christ's name. 00:38:33.360 --> 00:38:33.620 Amen.