WEBVTT 00:00:00.060 --> 00:00:05.940 Well, our sermon text this morning is 1 Corinthians chapter 3, verses 1 through 9. 00:00:06.020 --> 00:00:08.859 That's page 953 in the Pew Bible. 00:00:08.960 --> 00:00:11.000 Let me invite you to turn there with me. 00:00:11.000 --> 00:00:30.059 Let me read our text for us. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:34.640 Paul writes to the church in Corinth. 00:00:34.640 --> 00:00:44.620 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh, as infants in Christ. 00:00:45.980 --> 00:00:49.600 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. 00:00:50.200 --> 00:00:55.200 And even now, you are not yet ready, for you are still of the flesh. 00:00:56.480 --> 00:01:02.960 For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 00:01:04.640 --> 00:01:09.939 For when one says, I follow Paul, and another, I follow Apollos, are you not being merely human? 00:01:11.939 --> 00:01:13.319 What then is Apollos? 00:01:14.420 --> 00:01:15.439 What is Paul? 00:01:17.120 --> 00:01:17.560 Servants. 00:01:18.420 --> 00:01:21.920 Through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. 00:01:22.879 --> 00:01:26.659 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. 00:01:26.659 --> 00:01:34.200 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:40.179 He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. 00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:42.679 For we are God's fellow workers. 00:01:43.959 --> 00:01:47.879 You are God's field, God's building. 00:01:49.640 --> 00:01:50.560 Let's pray together. 00:01:50.560 --> 00:01:59.640 God, we acknowledge that our eyes are closed to spiritual things, to the things of you. 00:02:00.460 --> 00:02:03.939 Unless you, by your spirit, open our eyes for us. 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:09.599 So God, we ask that you would do just that now, as we consider the message of this passage. 00:02:10.420 --> 00:02:12.199 That you would open blinded eyes. 00:02:13.120 --> 00:02:15.060 That you would soften hardened hearts. 00:02:15.060 --> 00:02:18.240 That you would awaken us from our sleep. 00:02:19.439 --> 00:02:23.539 So that we might see you in your son, Jesus Christ. 00:02:25.000 --> 00:02:30.159 And then we might turn from selfishness and waywardness and worship and trust you alone. 00:02:31.640 --> 00:02:33.460 Father, we pray this in the name of Jesus. 00:02:34.020 --> 00:02:34.240 Amen. 00:02:39.340 --> 00:02:42.659 Well, imagine with me a man named Phil. 00:02:42.659 --> 00:02:49.699 Phil has all the right theological books in his library. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:53.819 On a day like today, Reformation Sunday. 00:02:53.960 --> 00:02:54.519 Did you know that? 00:02:54.699 --> 00:02:55.740 It's Reformation Sunday. 00:02:56.460 --> 00:02:57.359 Is that actually right, John? 00:02:57.680 --> 00:02:58.620 Is today Reformation Sunday? 00:02:58.680 --> 00:02:59.280 I think it is. 00:02:59.780 --> 00:03:05.639 Well, Phil could show you a whole section devoted to the reformers in his library. 00:03:05.800 --> 00:03:09.639 Luther, Calvin, Zwingli, even Melanchthon, and Bucer. 00:03:10.699 --> 00:03:12.500 He's read and digested them all. 00:03:12.659 --> 00:03:13.159 It seems. 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:17.020 And he's got a great stock of commentaries on every book of the Bible. 00:03:17.340 --> 00:03:18.840 Works from every period of the church. 00:03:18.979 --> 00:03:20.520 Phil really knows his stuff. 00:03:21.159 --> 00:03:24.259 Spiritually speaking, he looks like a pretty mature person. 00:03:26.219 --> 00:03:27.340 And then there's Wendy. 00:03:28.719 --> 00:03:30.419 Wendy loves her local church. 00:03:30.960 --> 00:03:33.539 After all, it's a growing, vibrant place. 00:03:33.659 --> 00:03:34.979 People are coming to know Christ. 00:03:35.479 --> 00:03:37.439 People care for and love each other. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:39.699 And she's there every Sunday. 00:03:39.939 --> 00:03:41.060 Singing from her heart. 00:03:41.439 --> 00:03:42.819 Taking notes on the sermon. 00:03:43.340 --> 00:03:45.800 Serving in children's ministry every few weeks. 00:03:46.319 --> 00:03:49.060 Heck, she even comes to the evening service sometimes. 00:03:49.060 --> 00:03:53.539 Wendy loves her church. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:03:58.580 Spiritually speaking, she looks like a pretty mature person. 00:04:01.140 --> 00:04:02.759 And of course, then there's Marcus. 00:04:03.560 --> 00:04:06.280 Marcus has an incredible conversion story. 00:04:06.280 --> 00:04:09.919 He was running headlong away from God. 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:12.860 Worried about no one but himself and his own aspirations. 00:04:12.860 --> 00:04:15.879 Until one day, a friend invited him to church. 00:04:16.560 --> 00:04:22.220 It was a well-known church in a big city with a faithful, godly, well-known pastor. 00:04:22.220 --> 00:04:27.060 And over time, God's grace got a hold of Marcus. 00:04:27.980 --> 00:04:30.200 Pretty soon, everyone could see the difference. 00:04:30.960 --> 00:04:33.780 He had stopped chasing success and fame. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:36.680 And now he was humbly pursuing Christ. 00:04:38.260 --> 00:04:39.860 That was a number of years ago now. 00:04:39.940 --> 00:04:41.780 And Marcus's job has taken him to another city. 00:04:41.980 --> 00:04:43.300 But he's still following Jesus. 00:04:43.420 --> 00:04:45.140 He's still running the race after Christ. 00:04:46.040 --> 00:04:50.120 Spiritually speaking, he too looks like a pretty mature person. 00:04:52.220 --> 00:05:05.740 But what would you say if I told you that in fact, each of these three Christians were still dangerously immature in their faith? 00:05:07.920 --> 00:05:13.340 What if I told you that they were still, to use the Apostle Paul's words in verse 1, infants in Christ? 00:05:15.040 --> 00:05:18.100 You'd probably wonder, how could that be? 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:22.300 I mean, we'd love to have more Phil's and Wendy's and Marcus's in the church, wouldn't we? 00:05:22.640 --> 00:05:25.000 In fact, maybe you see yourself in one of them. 00:05:25.060 --> 00:05:27.400 Maybe some of the people you know are just like them. 00:05:27.620 --> 00:05:29.600 What could possibly be wrong with them? 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:36.439 After all, aren't genuine conversion like Marcus and active fellowship in a local church like Wendy 00:05:36.439 --> 00:05:40.020 and an understanding of the faith? 00:05:40.019 --> 00:05:47.060 Like Phil, aren't these the telltale signs of growing healthy Christianity? 00:05:49.060 --> 00:05:50.799 What could possibly be wrong? 00:05:52.240 --> 00:05:58.719 It would utterly shock us to think that they could be dangerously immature. 00:05:58.720 --> 00:06:07.740 And you know, in the same way, that's probably how the Christians in Corinth felt. 00:06:08.680 --> 00:06:09.240 Shocked. 00:06:10.420 --> 00:06:14.080 When they first heard, read to them this section of Paul's letter. 00:06:15.460 --> 00:06:20.360 Six times in these four verses of chapter 3, these first four verses, 00:06:20.940 --> 00:06:25.300 Paul calls them more or less dangerously immature in Christ. 00:06:25.300 --> 00:06:28.660 But wait a second, some of them must be thinking, 00:06:28.980 --> 00:06:29.439 us? 00:06:30.120 --> 00:06:31.180 Infants in Christ? 00:06:31.800 --> 00:06:33.840 Us behaving in a merely human way? 00:06:34.720 --> 00:06:36.980 Us, not spiritual, but of the flesh? 00:06:37.100 --> 00:06:37.939 Paul, come on. 00:06:38.520 --> 00:06:39.460 That can't be. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:42.699 I mean, think of what we know about the church in Corinth. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:46.740 By the time Paul wrote this letter, the church at Corinth had been around for a number of years, 00:06:46.840 --> 00:06:48.000 probably five or more. 00:06:48.580 --> 00:06:53.199 And for the first year and a half, the apostle Paul himself was their pastor and teacher. 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:57.560 And then after that, they had Apollos, who was known for being a great teacher in the early church. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:03.279 So these weren't some newly planted, half-baked in the faith Christians. 00:07:04.800 --> 00:07:10.019 They seemed to have a good foundation, and they'd been around for a while, relatively speaking. 00:07:10.919 --> 00:07:16.620 And on top of all that, we know that they were not lacking in any spiritual gift, 00:07:16.680 --> 00:07:18.980 as Paul himself said back in chapter 1, verse 7. 00:07:18.980 --> 00:07:24.620 In other words, the Holy Spirit was visibly active in their midst. 00:07:25.200 --> 00:07:30.700 What we might call today miraculous gifts were perhaps a regular thing for them. 00:07:32.980 --> 00:07:38.439 So here it seemed was an established, vibrant, and yes, we would say spiritual church. 00:07:40.100 --> 00:07:45.180 Seminary students from all around were dying to get their internship credits at Corinth. 00:07:45.180 --> 00:07:45.300 Corinth. 00:07:46.900 --> 00:07:50.500 Church growth magazines were always calling for interviews. 00:07:52.240 --> 00:07:54.680 Corinth was the it church. 00:07:56.720 --> 00:07:58.060 But Paul says, 00:07:59.220 --> 00:08:01.819 I could not even address you as spiritual people. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:06.620 You're so woefully, dangerously immature. 00:08:10.019 --> 00:08:13.439 So what did Paul see that the Corinthians didn't? 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.860 Look at verse 3. 00:08:17.680 --> 00:08:19.560 Less than halfway into that verse, he says, 00:08:19.680 --> 00:08:22.439 For while there is still jealousy and strife among you, 00:08:23.339 --> 00:08:28.220 are you not of the flesh and behaving only in a human way? 00:08:29.480 --> 00:08:30.420 There it is. 00:08:31.360 --> 00:08:33.419 Jealousy and strife. 00:08:35.779 --> 00:08:37.320 Or perhaps we could put it this way. 00:08:38.899 --> 00:08:41.440 Comparison and competition. 00:08:43.440 --> 00:08:49.280 What this text is telling us is that if our hearts are ruled by jealousy and strife, 00:08:49.280 --> 00:08:52.860 if they're riddled with comparison and competition, 00:08:52.860 --> 00:08:55.700 if our minds are constantly asking, 00:08:56.180 --> 00:08:57.200 where do I fit? 00:08:57.860 --> 00:09:00.460 Am I ahead or falling behind? 00:09:00.900 --> 00:09:03.260 How can I make myself look a little better? 00:09:03.259 --> 00:09:09.019 Then we are still, friends, infants in Christ. 00:09:09.840 --> 00:09:13.960 Then we're still living out of our old, fallen nature. 00:09:15.059 --> 00:09:17.100 And at the general level, that's certainly true. 00:09:17.559 --> 00:09:22.179 Jealousy and strife in any form are signs that we need to keep growing in our walk with Christ. 00:09:22.279 --> 00:09:22.960 But at Corinth, 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:28.259 this comparison and competition took a specific form, 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:29.759 a particular shape. 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:32.600 Look at verse 4. 00:09:34.179 --> 00:09:34.939 For when one says, 00:09:35.179 --> 00:09:35.980 I follow Paul, 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:36.939 and another, 00:09:37.179 --> 00:09:38.480 I follow Apollos, 00:09:38.679 --> 00:09:41.039 are you not being merely human? 00:09:42.779 --> 00:09:45.759 Now we've seen this problem in previous weeks, 00:09:45.819 --> 00:09:46.240 haven't we? 00:09:46.759 --> 00:09:49.919 The church in Corinth was becoming divided into factions 00:09:49.919 --> 00:09:54.019 based on which leader or teacher they identified with. 00:09:54.539 --> 00:09:55.679 And literally they were saying, 00:09:55.899 --> 00:09:57.899 not I follow Paul or Apollos, 00:09:58.019 --> 00:10:00.019 but literally I'm of Paul. 00:10:00.379 --> 00:10:01.939 I'm of Apollos. 00:10:02.059 --> 00:10:04.459 I belong to this or that leader. 00:10:05.259 --> 00:10:07.159 And that makes me something special. 00:10:08.199 --> 00:10:09.579 That makes me a cut above. 00:10:12.299 --> 00:10:13.899 And that kind of comparison, 00:10:14.319 --> 00:10:15.500 that kind of competition, 00:10:15.659 --> 00:10:16.179 Paul says, 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:19.659 proved that they were still infants in Christ. 00:10:20.539 --> 00:10:21.139 Immature. 00:10:22.059 --> 00:10:22.860 Merely human. 00:10:25.479 --> 00:10:29.559 But is this a specific problem that we deal with today? 00:10:30.899 --> 00:10:31.299 I mean, 00:10:31.319 --> 00:10:32.439 maybe not in the same way, right? 00:10:32.599 --> 00:10:34.159 But it still crops up 00:10:34.159 --> 00:10:36.339 in some less obvious forms. 00:10:37.339 --> 00:10:40.139 Think about Phil with his great theological library. 00:10:40.819 --> 00:10:41.139 Of course, 00:10:41.199 --> 00:10:43.019 a deep understanding of the faith is a good thing. 00:10:43.079 --> 00:10:45.419 We should all strive to grow in our biblical knowledge. 00:10:46.059 --> 00:10:47.159 Remember the church in Acts? 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:50.000 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching. 00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:50.839 And so should we. 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:53.039 At one point in Israel's history, 00:10:53.139 --> 00:10:54.299 God even said through the prophet Hosea 00:10:54.299 --> 00:10:57.699 that my people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge. 00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:00.000 Growing in our understanding of the faith 00:11:00.000 --> 00:11:01.240 is incredibly important. 00:11:02.860 --> 00:11:03.839 But when Phil, 00:11:03.959 --> 00:11:05.819 with his great theological library, 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.120 hears about some of the books 00:11:07.120 --> 00:11:08.860 that his fellow church members are reading, 00:11:09.860 --> 00:11:13.279 he sometimes can't help but look down his nose. 00:11:13.279 --> 00:11:16.439 And you should have seen his face 00:11:16.439 --> 00:11:18.600 when someone recommended he read a new devotional 00:11:18.600 --> 00:11:19.500 that just came out. 00:11:21.179 --> 00:11:21.539 Devotional? 00:11:22.120 --> 00:11:22.500 Really? 00:11:22.779 --> 00:11:23.240 He thought. 00:11:24.079 --> 00:11:25.339 That's a little beneath me. 00:11:26.039 --> 00:11:26.539 I mean, 00:11:26.579 --> 00:11:28.199 I'm reading Calvin's Institutes. 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.100 Again. 00:11:30.379 --> 00:11:31.179 In the Latin. 00:11:32.299 --> 00:11:33.240 And in the French. 00:11:33.240 --> 00:11:37.639 I don't think I'll have time for your quaint devotional. 00:11:40.039 --> 00:11:40.980 But here's the thing. 00:11:41.940 --> 00:11:43.919 That devotional could have been full of the gospel. 00:11:44.899 --> 00:11:46.299 Full of Christ crucified. 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:48.700 Phil wasn't rejecting it 00:11:48.700 --> 00:11:50.600 because it was full of errors or heresy. 00:11:50.919 --> 00:11:52.700 He was rejecting it because in his mind 00:11:52.700 --> 00:11:54.620 he only reads big important Christian books, 00:11:54.700 --> 00:11:55.560 the real theology. 00:11:55.960 --> 00:11:56.500 In other words, 00:11:56.560 --> 00:11:58.379 he had propped up his identity 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.200 in the church 00:12:00.200 --> 00:12:02.080 among other Christians 00:12:02.080 --> 00:12:04.000 over against other Christians 00:12:04.000 --> 00:12:05.960 with his reading habits 00:12:05.960 --> 00:12:07.120 and preferences. 00:12:09.600 --> 00:12:10.659 And in so doing, 00:12:10.759 --> 00:12:11.980 he was setting himself over 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:14.120 against his brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:16.919 Just because they recommended something 00:12:16.919 --> 00:12:18.500 a little less weighty and academic. 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.759 And just like Corinth, 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:23.700 the church is divided. 00:12:26.100 --> 00:12:27.039 Or think about Wendy 00:12:27.039 --> 00:12:28.899 who loved her local church. 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:29.719 That, of course, 00:12:29.779 --> 00:12:30.939 is a great thing. 00:12:32.339 --> 00:12:33.279 Healthy Christianity 00:12:33.279 --> 00:12:34.519 is always lived out 00:12:34.519 --> 00:12:35.299 in a concrete, 00:12:35.659 --> 00:12:37.360 face-to-face body of Christ 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:38.740 that we call the local church. 00:12:39.259 --> 00:12:40.579 Again, remember the church in Acts. 00:12:40.579 --> 00:12:42.339 They devoted themselves 00:12:42.339 --> 00:12:43.719 to the fellowship. 00:12:45.799 --> 00:12:47.519 Not to the podcast. 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:49.279 To the fellowship. 00:12:51.939 --> 00:12:53.139 But Wendy, 00:12:53.839 --> 00:12:55.159 while she's thrilled 00:12:55.159 --> 00:12:56.740 about her own church, 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:59.620 she isn't so thrilled 00:12:59.620 --> 00:13:00.419 about the fact 00:13:00.419 --> 00:13:02.319 that there's a new church 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:03.219 starting up in town. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:06.419 Some of her friends 00:13:06.419 --> 00:13:07.439 visited the other Sunday 00:13:07.439 --> 00:13:08.679 and they told her 00:13:08.679 --> 00:13:09.159 that the gospel 00:13:09.159 --> 00:13:10.599 was really clearly preached. 00:13:12.399 --> 00:13:12.959 Wendy even went 00:13:12.959 --> 00:13:13.860 and checked out their website. 00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.459 And there doesn't seem 00:13:15.459 --> 00:13:16.279 to be anything wrong 00:13:16.279 --> 00:13:16.839 with the church. 00:13:18.579 --> 00:13:19.679 But that just makes her 00:13:19.679 --> 00:13:20.919 all the more uneasy 00:13:20.919 --> 00:13:21.819 and upset. 00:13:23.159 --> 00:13:24.240 Because people should want 00:13:24.240 --> 00:13:25.219 to come to her church. 00:13:25.220 --> 00:13:25.300 church. 00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.940 Not some other place. 00:13:27.720 --> 00:13:29.180 She wants her church 00:13:29.180 --> 00:13:29.460 to grow, 00:13:29.540 --> 00:13:30.060 not theirs. 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:31.860 She wants her place 00:13:31.860 --> 00:13:33.180 to be doing the exciting work 00:13:33.180 --> 00:13:34.259 and getting the new visitors 00:13:34.259 --> 00:13:35.620 and starting the new programs. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:37.160 Of course, 00:13:37.220 --> 00:13:37.740 she might not 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.000 consciously admit 00:13:39.000 --> 00:13:39.740 to all that. 00:13:40.800 --> 00:13:42.519 But the pit in her stomach 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.820 says it all the same. 00:13:46.040 --> 00:13:46.300 Wendy, 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:47.320 without even thinking of it, 00:13:47.340 --> 00:13:48.019 had been comparing 00:13:48.019 --> 00:13:48.699 and competing 00:13:48.699 --> 00:13:49.639 with other believers. 00:13:50.639 --> 00:13:52.179 Pitting her own congregation 00:13:52.179 --> 00:13:53.139 against another one. 00:13:53.199 --> 00:13:54.480 Even though they both 00:13:54.480 --> 00:13:55.659 preach 00:13:55.659 --> 00:13:57.179 Christ crucified. 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:00.919 Lastly, 00:14:00.980 --> 00:14:01.679 what about Marcus? 00:14:03.279 --> 00:14:04.199 In his new city, 00:14:04.299 --> 00:14:05.120 Marcus has been faithful 00:14:05.120 --> 00:14:06.079 to find a new church. 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:08.120 But you know, 00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.840 he can't help 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.620 always feeling 00:14:09.620 --> 00:14:10.620 a bit disappointed. 00:14:12.340 --> 00:14:13.639 The pastor of his old church 00:14:13.639 --> 00:14:14.960 always seemed to speak 00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.840 right to him. 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:17.700 And in his new church, 00:14:17.980 --> 00:14:19.360 he has a harder time 00:14:19.360 --> 00:14:20.700 connecting with the sermons. 00:14:21.860 --> 00:14:22.540 In his old church, 00:14:22.600 --> 00:14:24.100 he had a great group of guys 00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:24.879 who discipled him. 00:14:24.940 --> 00:14:25.460 But now, 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:26.980 these guys, 00:14:27.340 --> 00:14:28.820 they all seem to be 00:14:28.820 --> 00:14:29.620 in different stages 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:30.680 of life than him. 00:14:31.379 --> 00:14:32.100 And he's not sure 00:14:32.100 --> 00:14:32.980 he has a lot to learn 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:33.420 from them. 00:14:35.280 --> 00:14:36.600 Nothing seems to measure up 00:14:36.600 --> 00:14:37.280 to his old church. 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:37.740 In fact, 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:38.860 he still listens 00:14:38.860 --> 00:14:39.440 to the podcast 00:14:39.440 --> 00:14:40.220 from his old church 00:14:40.220 --> 00:14:41.120 on Saturday nights. 00:14:41.980 --> 00:14:43.360 But then every Sunday morning 00:14:43.360 --> 00:14:44.220 in his new church, 00:14:44.379 --> 00:14:45.400 he just feels more 00:14:45.399 --> 00:14:47.419 and more disappointed. 00:14:51.419 --> 00:14:52.259 So you see, 00:14:52.360 --> 00:14:52.600 friends, 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:54.720 even if today, 00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:55.939 our churches 00:14:55.939 --> 00:14:56.659 might not be 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:58.220 ripping into factions 00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.740 around specific leaders, 00:15:00.539 --> 00:15:01.699 we can still 00:15:01.699 --> 00:15:03.019 let that same 00:15:03.019 --> 00:15:04.799 spirit of comparison 00:15:04.799 --> 00:15:06.340 and competition 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:07.620 creep in. 00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:09.759 Whether it's pride 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:10.899 over which Christian authors 00:15:10.899 --> 00:15:12.059 we do or don't read, 00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.220 or jealousy 00:15:13.220 --> 00:15:14.100 over whose church 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:14.639 is attracting 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.680 the most new visitors, 00:15:15.879 --> 00:15:16.860 or disappointment 00:15:16.860 --> 00:15:17.860 over a new church 00:15:17.860 --> 00:15:18.779 that doesn't match 00:15:18.779 --> 00:15:19.440 the memories 00:15:19.440 --> 00:15:20.240 of an old one. 00:15:22.060 --> 00:15:22.980 And when we let 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:24.500 these sorts of things 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.340 grow, 00:15:25.680 --> 00:15:27.460 according to this passage, 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:30.120 we're living like infants 00:15:30.120 --> 00:15:30.960 in Christ. 00:15:32.060 --> 00:15:32.519 In fact, 00:15:32.600 --> 00:15:34.120 Paul is so bold 00:15:34.120 --> 00:15:35.060 even to say 00:15:35.060 --> 00:15:36.220 that we're acting 00:15:36.220 --> 00:15:37.759 as if we're still 00:15:37.759 --> 00:15:40.679 of the flesh. 00:15:46.439 --> 00:15:47.500 Now that's really 00:15:47.500 --> 00:15:48.559 strong language. 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:51.500 The flesh 00:15:51.500 --> 00:15:52.419 in the New Testament 00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:54.000 means our old, 00:15:54.539 --> 00:15:55.120 selfish, 00:15:55.620 --> 00:15:56.080 sinful, 00:15:56.399 --> 00:15:57.399 unredeemed nature. 00:15:57.399 --> 00:16:00.959 This text is saying 00:16:00.959 --> 00:16:01.699 that when we let 00:16:01.699 --> 00:16:02.639 that kind of 00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.500 jealousy and strife, 00:16:03.579 --> 00:16:04.399 this sort of comparison 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.019 and competition 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:05.559 creep in, 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:07.059 it's as if we're living 00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:08.220 like we don't even 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.179 know Christ 00:16:09.179 --> 00:16:09.939 at all. 00:16:10.759 --> 00:16:11.860 It's as if we're living 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:12.779 like the Holy Spirit 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.620 isn't living 00:16:13.620 --> 00:16:14.439 inside of us 00:16:14.439 --> 00:16:15.220 in any way. 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.199 Now Paul clearly 00:16:19.199 --> 00:16:19.799 addresses them 00:16:19.799 --> 00:16:20.459 as believers, 00:16:21.000 --> 00:16:21.319 right? 00:16:21.939 --> 00:16:22.600 He calls them 00:16:22.600 --> 00:16:23.419 brothers and sisters. 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:25.100 He says they're 00:16:25.100 --> 00:16:26.300 in Christ 00:16:26.300 --> 00:16:27.060 even if they are 00:16:27.060 --> 00:16:27.960 infants in Christ. 00:16:29.120 --> 00:16:29.800 In other words, 00:16:29.840 --> 00:16:30.639 he considers them 00:16:30.639 --> 00:16:31.519 to be Christians. 00:16:32.720 --> 00:16:33.600 But then he turns 00:16:33.600 --> 00:16:34.180 around and says 00:16:34.180 --> 00:16:35.379 they're of the flesh. 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:37.899 So is Paul 00:16:37.899 --> 00:16:39.180 contradicting himself? 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.700 Are they Christians 00:16:40.700 --> 00:16:41.220 or not? 00:16:44.360 --> 00:16:44.759 Well, 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:45.740 I think in some sense 00:16:45.740 --> 00:16:47.820 that's the point 00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:49.240 he's trying to make. 00:16:50.480 --> 00:16:51.160 Paul's saying 00:16:51.160 --> 00:16:51.840 that when you 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.620 and I 00:16:52.620 --> 00:16:53.440 as believers 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.840 live like this, 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:57.639 riddled with 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:58.540 comparison and 00:16:58.540 --> 00:16:59.000 jealousy, 00:17:00.740 --> 00:17:01.420 caught up with 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:02.680 strife and competition, 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:05.599 it's like we're 00:17:05.599 --> 00:17:06.259 walking 00:17:06.259 --> 00:17:07.620 contradictions. 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.059 Walking 00:17:10.059 --> 00:17:11.680 contradictions. 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.160 We know Christ 00:17:14.160 --> 00:17:14.599 but we're not 00:17:14.599 --> 00:17:15.279 living like it. 00:17:16.079 --> 00:17:17.220 We have the spirit, 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.059 we're a new creation 00:17:18.059 --> 00:17:18.620 but we're acting 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.500 like mere humans, 00:17:19.620 --> 00:17:20.099 like our old 00:17:20.099 --> 00:17:20.900 sinful selves. 00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.019 God's. 00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:25.460 Now as an aside, 00:17:26.259 --> 00:17:28.200 some people have 00:17:28.200 --> 00:17:28.820 thought that in this 00:17:28.820 --> 00:17:29.620 passage Paul is 00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:31.120 teaching that there 00:17:31.120 --> 00:17:32.460 can be such a thing 00:17:32.460 --> 00:17:34.040 as a genuine 00:17:34.040 --> 00:17:35.400 Christian who 00:17:35.400 --> 00:17:36.480 never really 00:17:36.480 --> 00:17:37.240 pursues holiness 00:17:37.240 --> 00:17:39.060 and lives just 00:17:39.060 --> 00:17:39.720 like the world 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:40.680 their whole life 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:42.540 and yet will still 00:17:42.540 --> 00:17:43.580 be saved in the end. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.980 this was sometimes 00:17:45.980 --> 00:17:46.740 referred to 00:17:46.740 --> 00:17:47.799 as a carnal 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.240 Christian 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.099 as opposed to 00:17:49.099 --> 00:17:49.899 a spirit-filled 00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:50.439 Christian. 00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:51.839 Carnal being another 00:17:51.839 --> 00:17:52.539 way of translating 00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.299 of the flesh 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:54.159 in our passage. 00:17:56.059 --> 00:17:57.019 But I think it's 00:17:57.019 --> 00:17:57.559 clear 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.919 that Paul's 00:17:58.919 --> 00:17:59.299 actually 00:17:59.299 --> 00:18:00.419 not teaching 00:18:00.419 --> 00:18:00.899 that here. 00:18:01.379 --> 00:18:01.819 Isn't it? 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.819 He's not trying 00:18:03.819 --> 00:18:04.399 to introduce 00:18:04.399 --> 00:18:05.359 two sort of 00:18:05.359 --> 00:18:06.139 categories of 00:18:06.139 --> 00:18:06.919 Christians here. 00:18:08.659 --> 00:18:09.159 No, 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.519 he's saying 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:10.279 there's one 00:18:10.279 --> 00:18:10.960 sort of Christian, 00:18:11.460 --> 00:18:12.039 the growing 00:18:12.039 --> 00:18:12.519 kind. 00:18:12.920 --> 00:18:13.339 And if you're 00:18:13.339 --> 00:18:14.019 not growing, 00:18:14.200 --> 00:18:14.720 something is 00:18:14.720 --> 00:18:16.200 horribly wrong. 00:18:18.319 --> 00:18:19.119 Beth and I 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.720 just had 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.839 an infant. 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.799 And friends, 00:18:24.659 --> 00:18:25.639 if our infant 00:18:25.639 --> 00:18:28.119 never grew up 00:18:28.119 --> 00:18:28.899 and started 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.599 eating solid 00:18:29.599 --> 00:18:30.039 foods, 00:18:30.819 --> 00:18:31.480 if Owen 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:32.359 always hit 00:18:32.359 --> 00:18:33.000 himself in the 00:18:33.000 --> 00:18:33.799 face like he 00:18:33.799 --> 00:18:34.339 does now, 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.639 if he always 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.079 pooped his 00:18:36.079 --> 00:18:37.059 pants like he 00:18:37.059 --> 00:18:38.200 does now every 00:18:38.200 --> 00:18:38.700 two to three 00:18:38.700 --> 00:18:39.119 hours, 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:41.119 friends, 00:18:41.119 --> 00:18:42.879 you wouldn't 00:18:42.879 --> 00:18:43.059 say, 00:18:43.179 --> 00:18:43.259 oh, 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.799 that's just 00:18:43.799 --> 00:18:44.259 a normal 00:18:44.259 --> 00:18:45.259 human being. 00:18:46.039 --> 00:18:46.279 No, 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:46.879 something would 00:18:46.879 --> 00:18:48.319 be dreadfully 00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.799 wrong. 00:18:51.879 --> 00:18:52.479 In fact, 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:52.979 Paul will go 00:18:52.979 --> 00:18:53.419 on to say 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.259 in 2 Corinthians 00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:55.500 that if you 00:18:55.500 --> 00:18:56.419 persist in 00:18:56.419 --> 00:18:56.799 blatant, 00:18:56.899 --> 00:18:57.719 unrepentant sin 00:18:57.719 --> 00:18:58.579 and disobedience, 00:18:59.579 --> 00:19:00.759 then perhaps 00:19:00.759 --> 00:19:01.599 your conversion 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.599 wasn't genuine 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:03.479 to begin with. 00:19:05.979 --> 00:19:06.659 Examine 00:19:06.659 --> 00:19:07.319 yourself, 00:19:08.059 --> 00:19:08.639 Paul will 00:19:08.639 --> 00:19:09.419 say in 2 00:19:09.420 --> 00:19:10.279 Corinthians 13 00:19:10.279 --> 00:19:10.759 5. 00:19:11.759 --> 00:19:12.200 Examine 00:19:12.200 --> 00:19:13.259 yourself 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.820 to see 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:15.300 whether you 00:19:15.300 --> 00:19:16.140 are in 00:19:16.140 --> 00:19:16.640 the faith. 00:19:21.539 --> 00:19:22.420 But Paul's 00:19:22.420 --> 00:19:22.960 not quite 00:19:22.960 --> 00:19:24.100 there yet 00:19:24.100 --> 00:19:24.960 with the 00:19:24.960 --> 00:19:25.279 Corinthians. 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:27.279 Here he's 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:28.660 still addressing 00:19:28.660 --> 00:19:29.120 them as 00:19:29.120 --> 00:19:29.480 believers. 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:31.160 He's still 00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:31.759 trying to 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:32.539 jolt them 00:19:32.539 --> 00:19:33.759 awake to 00:19:33.759 --> 00:19:34.180 get them 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.840 to grow 00:19:34.840 --> 00:19:37.500 up by 00:19:37.500 --> 00:19:37.980 helping 00:19:37.980 --> 00:19:38.420 them to 00:19:38.420 --> 00:19:39.200 see how 00:19:39.200 --> 00:19:40.160 contradictory 00:19:40.160 --> 00:19:40.880 their lives 00:19:40.880 --> 00:19:41.420 have become. 00:19:47.059 --> 00:19:47.539 Now, 00:19:47.599 --> 00:19:47.859 if we take 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.099 a step 00:19:48.099 --> 00:19:48.519 back, 00:19:49.519 --> 00:19:50.880 it's worth 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.279 asking, 00:19:51.380 --> 00:19:51.700 isn't it? 00:19:53.460 --> 00:19:54.079 Is all 00:19:54.079 --> 00:19:54.480 this really 00:19:54.480 --> 00:19:55.079 so bad 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:56.400 as Paul 00:19:56.400 --> 00:19:56.740 makes it 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.240 out to be? 00:19:58.359 --> 00:19:58.779 I mean, 00:19:59.140 --> 00:19:59.960 come on, 00:20:00.839 --> 00:20:01.200 the Corinthians 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.779 haven't killed 00:20:01.779 --> 00:20:02.200 anybody. 00:20:03.619 --> 00:20:04.339 They're just 00:20:04.339 --> 00:20:05.359 squabbling 00:20:05.359 --> 00:20:06.259 and one-upping 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:06.799 each other 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.159 through their 00:20:07.159 --> 00:20:07.639 petty little 00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.119 factions. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.439 It's foolish, 00:20:09.899 --> 00:20:10.279 sure, 00:20:10.939 --> 00:20:11.639 but is Paul 00:20:11.639 --> 00:20:12.240 just a little 00:20:12.240 --> 00:20:13.539 overreactive 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:13.899 here? 00:20:14.639 --> 00:20:14.879 I mean, 00:20:14.919 --> 00:20:15.579 who cares 00:20:15.579 --> 00:20:16.419 if I get a 00:20:16.419 --> 00:20:16.919 little jealous 00:20:16.919 --> 00:20:17.399 at the church 00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:17.899 across the 00:20:17.899 --> 00:20:18.219 street? 00:20:18.500 --> 00:20:19.339 And who cares 00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.819 if I look 00:20:19.819 --> 00:20:20.500 down my nose 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.899 at those 00:20:20.899 --> 00:20:21.559 fluffy, 00:20:21.719 --> 00:20:22.240 foolish books 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.619 that those 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:23.019 people are 00:20:23.019 --> 00:20:23.379 reading over 00:20:23.379 --> 00:20:23.719 there? 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:24.939 And who cares 00:20:24.939 --> 00:20:25.439 if I put 00:20:25.439 --> 00:20:26.039 my previous 00:20:26.039 --> 00:20:26.799 pastor on a 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.439 pedestal that 00:20:27.439 --> 00:20:27.959 no one can 00:20:27.959 --> 00:20:28.240 reach? 00:20:28.439 --> 00:20:28.779 Does that 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:29.500 really mean 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:30.319 I'm a walking 00:20:30.319 --> 00:20:31.240 contradiction? 00:20:31.240 --> 00:20:35.799 Well, 00:20:35.839 --> 00:20:35.960 friends, 00:20:36.019 --> 00:20:36.440 if we take 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:36.960 the gospel 00:20:36.960 --> 00:20:37.839 seriously, 00:20:38.680 --> 00:20:39.960 then the 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:40.480 answer is 00:20:40.480 --> 00:20:40.940 yes. 00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.259 On the 00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:44.539 one hand, 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:45.000 at the very 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:46.559 basic level, 00:20:47.559 --> 00:20:48.480 these kinds 00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.180 of divisions 00:20:49.180 --> 00:20:50.079 in the church 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:51.720 misrepresent 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.819 the God 00:20:52.819 --> 00:20:53.660 who saved 00:20:53.660 --> 00:20:54.099 us. 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.880 Amidst 00:20:56.880 --> 00:20:57.339 the three 00:20:57.339 --> 00:20:57.960 eternal 00:20:57.960 --> 00:20:58.920 persons of 00:20:58.920 --> 00:20:59.359 the Trinity, 00:20:59.559 --> 00:20:59.880 Father, 00:21:00.240 --> 00:21:00.579 Son, 00:21:00.579 --> 00:21:01.240 and Holy 00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.539 Spirit, 00:21:01.639 --> 00:21:01.980 there is 00:21:01.980 --> 00:21:02.720 perfect 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.579 unity. 00:21:03.939 --> 00:21:05.099 So perfect 00:21:05.099 --> 00:21:05.960 that Christians 00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:06.759 believe not in 00:21:06.759 --> 00:21:07.639 three gods, 00:21:07.859 --> 00:21:08.779 but in one 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:09.240 God, 00:21:10.139 --> 00:21:10.679 Father, 00:21:11.240 --> 00:21:11.559 Son, 00:21:11.939 --> 00:21:12.500 and Holy 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:12.899 Spirit. 00:21:14.179 --> 00:21:14.740 And if the 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.179 church is 00:21:15.179 --> 00:21:15.519 meant to be 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.279 a reflection 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:16.879 of the 00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.859 glory of 00:21:17.859 --> 00:21:18.379 the God 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:18.939 who saved 00:21:18.939 --> 00:21:19.119 us, 00:21:19.319 --> 00:21:19.679 then that 00:21:19.679 --> 00:21:20.539 partly happens 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.259 through reflecting 00:21:21.259 --> 00:21:22.399 God's 00:21:22.399 --> 00:21:23.179 supreme, 00:21:23.720 --> 00:21:24.379 beautiful, 00:21:24.939 --> 00:21:25.419 lovely 00:21:25.419 --> 00:21:26.460 unity. 00:21:29.539 --> 00:21:30.139 Divisions 00:21:30.140 --> 00:21:30.460 in the 00:21:30.460 --> 00:21:30.820 church are 00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.340 serious 00:21:31.340 --> 00:21:31.920 friends because 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:32.520 they tell 00:21:32.520 --> 00:21:33.460 a lie 00:21:33.460 --> 00:21:34.840 to the 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:35.220 watching 00:21:35.220 --> 00:21:36.040 world about 00:21:36.040 --> 00:21:37.500 who God 00:21:37.500 --> 00:21:38.480 is. 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.960 God is 00:21:40.960 --> 00:21:41.580 not a 00:21:41.580 --> 00:21:41.940 God of 00:21:41.940 --> 00:21:42.620 strife 00:21:42.620 --> 00:21:44.020 and conflict, 00:21:44.020 --> 00:21:45.200 but a 00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.520 God of 00:21:45.520 --> 00:21:46.360 perfect 00:21:46.360 --> 00:21:47.420 unity. 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.759 But pushing 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.040 a little 00:21:52.040 --> 00:21:52.340 deeper, 00:21:52.440 --> 00:21:52.780 there's another 00:21:52.780 --> 00:21:53.280 reason why 00:21:53.280 --> 00:21:54.720 divisions are 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.100 such a 00:21:55.100 --> 00:21:55.800 contradiction to 00:21:55.800 --> 00:21:56.340 the gospel. 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:56.439 people. 00:21:57.619 --> 00:21:58.359 Because 00:21:58.359 --> 00:21:59.059 underneath all 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.740 the jealousy, 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.699 the strife, 00:22:00.799 --> 00:22:01.539 the comparison, 00:22:01.720 --> 00:22:02.379 the competition, 00:22:02.599 --> 00:22:03.379 what I'm 00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.439 doing in 00:22:04.439 --> 00:22:05.699 all that is 00:22:05.699 --> 00:22:06.639 putting my 00:22:06.639 --> 00:22:07.980 identity and 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.339 my significance 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:11.599 in a 00:22:11.599 --> 00:22:12.379 human person 00:22:12.379 --> 00:22:13.819 and in so 00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:14.599 doing trying 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.179 to make 00:22:15.179 --> 00:22:16.799 much of 00:22:16.799 --> 00:22:17.539 myself. 00:22:19.339 --> 00:22:20.159 When the 00:22:20.159 --> 00:22:20.359 Corinthians 00:22:20.359 --> 00:22:20.879 said I'm 00:22:20.879 --> 00:22:21.500 of Paul or 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:21.779 I'm of 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.279 Apollos, 00:22:22.399 --> 00:22:22.939 don't you see 00:22:22.939 --> 00:22:23.139 what they were 00:22:23.139 --> 00:22:23.339 doing? 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:23.759 They were 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.399 getting their 00:22:24.399 --> 00:22:24.919 self-worth 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.220 and their 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:26.259 status from 00:22:26.259 --> 00:22:26.980 their attachment 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.500 to those 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:28.319 human leaders 00:22:28.319 --> 00:22:28.919 and they 00:22:28.919 --> 00:22:29.740 were trying 00:22:29.740 --> 00:22:30.220 in doing 00:22:30.220 --> 00:22:30.799 that to 00:22:30.799 --> 00:22:31.439 make themselves 00:22:31.439 --> 00:22:32.399 better than 00:22:32.399 --> 00:22:32.959 each other 00:22:32.959 --> 00:22:34.939 through some 00:22:34.939 --> 00:22:35.339 sort of 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.119 connection to 00:22:36.119 --> 00:22:36.599 this or 00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:38.379 that popular 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:40.119 teacher. 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:43.039 And in 00:22:43.039 --> 00:22:43.459 the same 00:22:43.459 --> 00:22:43.899 way, 00:22:44.519 --> 00:22:45.619 when you 00:22:45.619 --> 00:22:47.259 are jealous 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.459 or suspicious 00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:50.220 of another 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.959 local church 00:22:50.959 --> 00:22:51.579 or ministry 00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.379 across town, 00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:54.140 when you 00:22:54.140 --> 00:22:54.820 only read 00:22:54.820 --> 00:22:55.420 certain books 00:22:55.420 --> 00:22:55.780 and not 00:22:55.780 --> 00:22:56.160 others, 00:22:56.800 --> 00:22:58.020 when you're 00:22:58.020 --> 00:22:58.860 unimpressed 00:22:58.860 --> 00:22:59.760 by your 00:22:59.760 --> 00:23:00.680 current church 00:23:00.680 --> 00:23:02.020 or even 00:23:02.020 --> 00:23:02.680 more generally, 00:23:03.200 --> 00:23:03.700 when you 00:23:03.700 --> 00:23:04.700 compare yourself 00:23:04.700 --> 00:23:05.220 to someone 00:23:05.220 --> 00:23:05.660 else in 00:23:05.660 --> 00:23:06.560 any way 00:23:06.560 --> 00:23:07.860 and when 00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.340 you see 00:23:08.340 --> 00:23:08.980 yourself as 00:23:08.980 --> 00:23:09.520 being in 00:23:09.520 --> 00:23:10.040 competition 00:23:10.040 --> 00:23:10.920 with them, 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:12.180 then your 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.100 focus 00:23:13.100 --> 00:23:14.740 and your 00:23:14.740 --> 00:23:15.640 praise 00:23:15.640 --> 00:23:16.940 is on 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.860 you, 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:19.040 is it 00:23:19.040 --> 00:23:19.320 not? 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:21.759 how 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.259 significant 00:23:22.259 --> 00:23:23.220 you are, 00:23:24.220 --> 00:23:25.019 how you 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.319 can be 00:23:25.319 --> 00:23:25.740 better than 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.460 someone else. 00:23:27.899 --> 00:23:28.679 You're 00:23:28.679 --> 00:23:29.279 consumed 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.419 with 00:23:30.419 --> 00:23:30.960 yourself 00:23:30.960 --> 00:23:33.639 and whether 00:23:33.639 --> 00:23:33.899 you're 00:23:33.899 --> 00:23:34.419 succeeding 00:23:34.419 --> 00:23:35.460 and you 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.059 feel great 00:23:36.059 --> 00:23:36.899 or whether 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.579 you're failing 00:23:37.579 --> 00:23:38.519 and you feel 00:23:38.519 --> 00:23:39.059 horrible, 00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:41.119 you're still 00:23:41.119 --> 00:23:41.559 all about 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:41.939 you. 00:23:41.940 --> 00:23:45.559 and when 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:45.860 we do 00:23:45.860 --> 00:23:46.279 that, 00:23:46.820 --> 00:23:47.799 we've 00:23:47.799 --> 00:23:48.360 completely 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.140 lost 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.820 sight 00:23:49.820 --> 00:23:50.460 of the 00:23:50.460 --> 00:23:50.880 truth 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.920 of the 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.340 gospel 00:23:52.340 --> 00:23:55.360 because at 00:23:55.360 --> 00:23:55.720 the center 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:55.960 of the 00:23:55.960 --> 00:23:56.340 gospel 00:23:56.340 --> 00:23:57.600 is not 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:57.900 me 00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:59.480 and it's 00:23:59.480 --> 00:24:00.019 not you 00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:02.200 but Jesus 00:24:02.200 --> 00:24:02.779 Christ 00:24:02.779 --> 00:24:04.400 and him 00:24:04.400 --> 00:24:05.340 crucified. 00:24:05.339 --> 00:24:07.919 we preach 00:24:07.919 --> 00:24:08.859 Christ 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:10.220 crucified, 00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:11.359 Paul said 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:11.740 in chapter 00:24:11.740 --> 00:24:12.059 one. 00:24:13.379 --> 00:24:14.179 That's the 00:24:14.179 --> 00:24:14.699 central 00:24:14.699 --> 00:24:15.919 message of 00:24:15.919 --> 00:24:16.459 Christianity 00:24:16.459 --> 00:24:18.159 that we 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:18.939 were so 00:24:18.939 --> 00:24:20.019 helpless 00:24:20.019 --> 00:24:21.980 and sinful 00:24:21.980 --> 00:24:24.259 that only 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.439 the death 00:24:25.439 --> 00:24:26.379 of God's 00:24:26.379 --> 00:24:27.439 perfect 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:28.500 beautiful 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.119 son 00:24:29.119 --> 00:24:30.159 could save 00:24:30.159 --> 00:24:30.480 us. 00:24:31.639 --> 00:24:32.480 But at 00:24:32.480 --> 00:24:32.959 the same 00:24:32.959 --> 00:24:33.419 time, 00:24:33.500 --> 00:24:34.139 God loved 00:24:34.139 --> 00:24:34.720 us so 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.159 much 00:24:35.160 --> 00:24:36.040 that he 00:24:36.040 --> 00:24:36.400 willingly 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.320 gave his 00:24:37.320 --> 00:24:37.600 son 00:24:37.600 --> 00:24:38.540 and that 00:24:38.540 --> 00:24:38.900 the son 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.440 willingly 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:40.200 came to 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.900 do just 00:24:40.900 --> 00:24:41.759 that, 00:24:42.040 --> 00:24:43.019 to die 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.800 on the 00:24:43.800 --> 00:24:44.400 cross 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.259 for the 00:24:45.259 --> 00:24:45.880 sins of 00:24:45.880 --> 00:24:46.920 absolutely 00:24:46.920 --> 00:24:47.920 everyone 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:48.740 who will 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.840 turn and 00:24:49.840 --> 00:24:50.380 trust in 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:50.660 him. 00:24:52.040 --> 00:24:52.660 We 00:24:52.660 --> 00:24:53.519 bring 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.160 him 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.160 nothing 00:24:55.160 --> 00:24:56.480 no matter 00:24:56.480 --> 00:24:57.040 who 00:24:57.040 --> 00:24:58.000 we are 00:24:58.000 --> 00:25:00.300 and he 00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.259 gives us 00:25:01.259 --> 00:25:02.560 everything 00:25:02.560 --> 00:25:04.380 no matter 00:25:04.380 --> 00:25:04.880 who. 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.980 we are. 00:25:08.180 --> 00:25:08.980 That's the 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.360 good news 00:25:09.360 --> 00:25:09.600 of the 00:25:09.600 --> 00:25:09.980 gospel, 00:25:10.140 --> 00:25:10.360 friends. 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.840 And when 00:25:12.840 --> 00:25:13.360 God by 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:13.940 the Holy 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:14.440 Spirit 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.320 causes that 00:25:15.320 --> 00:25:16.060 reality to 00:25:16.060 --> 00:25:16.920 sink down 00:25:16.920 --> 00:25:17.500 into your 00:25:17.500 --> 00:25:17.759 heart, 00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.759 it will be 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:19.500 the death 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.420 knoll to 00:25:20.420 --> 00:25:21.519 all comparison 00:25:21.519 --> 00:25:22.400 and competition. 00:25:22.900 --> 00:25:23.240 Why? 00:25:24.460 --> 00:25:25.320 Because now 00:25:25.320 --> 00:25:25.840 instead of 00:25:25.840 --> 00:25:26.220 having to 00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:27.220 belong to 00:25:27.220 --> 00:25:27.840 this leader 00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.320 or that 00:25:28.320 --> 00:25:28.779 leader to 00:25:28.779 --> 00:25:29.480 prop yourself 00:25:29.480 --> 00:25:29.880 up with 00:25:29.880 --> 00:25:30.400 theological 00:25:30.400 --> 00:25:31.040 tomes, 00:25:31.040 --> 00:25:31.580 to get 00:25:31.579 --> 00:25:31.740 your 00:25:31.740 --> 00:25:32.319 significance 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.720 or your 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.220 worth, 00:25:33.599 --> 00:25:34.159 instead of 00:25:34.159 --> 00:25:34.619 needing to 00:25:34.619 --> 00:25:36.019 build yourself 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:37.039 up and prop 00:25:37.039 --> 00:25:37.819 yourself up in 00:25:37.819 --> 00:25:38.419 this way or 00:25:38.419 --> 00:25:39.019 that way, 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.980 you can rest 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:40.939 on the great 00:25:40.939 --> 00:25:41.579 and glorious 00:25:41.579 --> 00:25:42.259 fact that 00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:43.960 now you 00:25:43.960 --> 00:25:45.480 belong to 00:25:45.480 --> 00:25:45.939 God. 00:25:47.679 --> 00:25:48.919 You're God's 00:25:48.919 --> 00:25:49.480 field, 00:25:50.399 --> 00:25:51.019 Paul says 00:25:51.019 --> 00:25:51.960 at the end 00:25:51.960 --> 00:25:52.619 of our text. 00:25:52.619 --> 00:25:52.659 Christ, 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.279 you don't 00:25:54.279 --> 00:25:54.799 belong to 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.279 Paul or 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:55.939 Apollos, 00:25:56.219 --> 00:25:56.759 you don't 00:25:56.759 --> 00:25:57.299 even belong 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:58.259 to yourself, 00:25:58.519 --> 00:25:59.159 whether you're 00:25:59.159 --> 00:26:00.399 a total success 00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:01.199 worldly speaking 00:26:01.199 --> 00:26:01.859 or a total 00:26:01.859 --> 00:26:02.559 failure. 00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.099 And the 00:26:04.099 --> 00:26:04.699 gospel were 00:26:04.699 --> 00:26:05.179 all the 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:05.519 same. 00:26:06.619 --> 00:26:07.659 You belong 00:26:07.659 --> 00:26:09.119 to God. 00:26:10.259 --> 00:26:11.139 He defines 00:26:11.139 --> 00:26:11.659 you now. 00:26:12.359 --> 00:26:13.299 Just like 00:26:13.299 --> 00:26:14.419 Isaiah saw 00:26:14.419 --> 00:26:15.819 so many 00:26:15.819 --> 00:26:16.579 years ago 00:26:16.579 --> 00:26:17.299 that God 00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:17.839 would pour 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.279 out his 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:19.259 spirit and 00:26:19.259 --> 00:26:19.579 we would 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.159 be writing 00:26:20.159 --> 00:26:20.619 on our 00:26:20.619 --> 00:26:21.179 hands, 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:22.439 the Lord's 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:24.000 and we 00:26:24.000 --> 00:26:24.580 would grow 00:26:24.580 --> 00:26:25.580 up like a 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:26.059 field in 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.620 the desert 00:26:26.620 --> 00:26:28.220 full of 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:29.480 life and 00:26:29.480 --> 00:26:29.880 beauty. 00:26:34.039 --> 00:26:34.600 Verses 00:26:34.600 --> 00:26:35.059 five through 00:26:35.059 --> 00:26:35.380 nine, 00:26:35.460 --> 00:26:35.779 the end of 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.200 our text 00:26:36.200 --> 00:26:36.500 are there 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:36.840 to give 00:26:36.840 --> 00:26:37.920 us some 00:26:37.920 --> 00:26:38.500 much needed 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:39.259 perspective. 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:41.440 Christian 00:26:41.440 --> 00:26:42.019 leaders aren't 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.620 celebrities, 00:26:43.240 --> 00:26:43.799 Paul says, 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.460 they're servants. 00:26:46.600 --> 00:26:47.279 They're field 00:26:47.279 --> 00:26:49.640 workers and 00:26:49.640 --> 00:26:50.299 God has sent 00:26:50.299 --> 00:26:50.960 them out each 00:26:50.960 --> 00:26:51.500 with their own 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:52.200 task, each 00:26:52.200 --> 00:26:52.660 in their own 00:26:52.660 --> 00:26:53.019 time. 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.740 One plants, 00:26:54.120 --> 00:26:54.720 one waters, 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.480 in and of 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:55.980 themselves, 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.960 they're nothing. 00:26:58.420 --> 00:26:59.200 Ultimately, it's 00:26:59.200 --> 00:27:00.319 only God who 00:27:00.319 --> 00:27:00.759 gives the 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.100 growth. 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:02.880 And these 00:27:02.880 --> 00:27:03.740 laborers, 00:27:03.980 --> 00:27:05.080 they're on the 00:27:05.080 --> 00:27:06.019 same team. 00:27:06.940 --> 00:27:07.660 They're one. 00:27:08.180 --> 00:27:08.980 They're fellow 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:09.819 workers. 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:10.440 Yes, they'll 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.019 receive their 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:11.920 individual wages 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:12.400 for the work 00:27:12.400 --> 00:27:12.779 they've done, 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.420 but ultimately 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:13.940 they work 00:27:13.940 --> 00:27:15.080 together in 00:27:15.080 --> 00:27:15.740 the field that 00:27:15.740 --> 00:27:16.279 belongs to 00:27:16.279 --> 00:27:16.660 God. 00:27:19.059 --> 00:27:19.840 Brief side 00:27:19.840 --> 00:27:20.400 advertisement, 00:27:20.400 --> 00:27:21.420 if you're 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:21.860 thinking about 00:27:21.860 --> 00:27:22.280 going into 00:27:22.280 --> 00:27:22.740 ministry, 00:27:23.620 --> 00:27:24.780 this is the 00:27:24.780 --> 00:27:25.160 calling, 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.580 not glamour. 00:27:27.780 --> 00:27:28.259 Pick up your 00:27:28.259 --> 00:27:29.340 shovel and 00:27:29.340 --> 00:27:29.680 hit the 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:30.120 fields. 00:27:34.600 --> 00:27:35.160 So friends, 00:27:35.220 --> 00:27:35.400 if you're 00:27:35.400 --> 00:27:35.780 tempted to 00:27:35.780 --> 00:27:36.140 make too 00:27:36.140 --> 00:27:36.660 much of a 00:27:36.660 --> 00:27:36.940 Christian 00:27:36.940 --> 00:27:37.259 leader, 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:38.100 to get your 00:27:38.100 --> 00:27:38.600 significance 00:27:38.600 --> 00:27:39.080 through your 00:27:39.080 --> 00:27:39.680 connection to 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:39.960 them, 00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:40.660 you need to 00:27:40.660 --> 00:27:41.240 remember that 00:27:41.240 --> 00:27:41.700 they're merely 00:27:41.700 --> 00:27:42.160 servants, 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:42.720 they're farm 00:27:42.720 --> 00:27:43.240 hands, 00:27:43.880 --> 00:27:44.420 and it's 00:27:44.420 --> 00:27:44.800 God who 00:27:44.800 --> 00:27:45.120 gives the 00:27:45.120 --> 00:27:45.460 growth. 00:27:45.460 --> 00:27:48.120 pastors and 00:27:48.120 --> 00:27:48.840 teachers are 00:27:48.840 --> 00:27:49.860 means. 00:27:51.579 --> 00:27:52.240 Be thankful 00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.680 for their 00:27:52.680 --> 00:27:53.460 faithful labors. 00:27:53.759 --> 00:27:54.079 Yes, 00:27:54.500 --> 00:27:55.240 honor them 00:27:55.240 --> 00:27:55.860 appropriately. 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:56.759 Yes, 00:27:57.319 --> 00:27:57.840 but don't 00:27:57.840 --> 00:27:58.539 worship them. 00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:01.460 And when we're 00:28:01.460 --> 00:28:02.259 tempted to pit 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.100 my leader over 00:28:03.100 --> 00:28:03.720 against your 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.019 leader, 00:28:04.200 --> 00:28:05.100 or my local 00:28:05.100 --> 00:28:05.660 church over 00:28:05.660 --> 00:28:06.380 against that 00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:07.039 local church, 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.200 or my campus 00:28:08.200 --> 00:28:08.960 fellowship over 00:28:08.960 --> 00:28:09.640 against your 00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:10.460 campus fellowship, 00:28:10.880 --> 00:28:11.720 or my favorite 00:28:11.720 --> 00:28:12.480 Christian writer over 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.019 against your 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.680 favorite Christian 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.019 writers, 00:28:14.019 --> 00:28:16.539 remember that 00:28:16.539 --> 00:28:16.920 they're all 00:28:16.920 --> 00:28:17.379 one. 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.319 Insofar as they 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:20.799 hold to the 00:28:20.799 --> 00:28:21.559 biblical gospel, 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.019 they're all on 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.819 the same team. 00:28:24.700 --> 00:28:25.059 Yes, 00:28:25.139 --> 00:28:25.480 God will 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.139 ultimately hold 00:28:26.139 --> 00:28:26.700 them accountable 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:27.259 individually, 00:28:27.639 --> 00:28:29.660 but ultimately 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:30.200 they're all 00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.759 playing their 00:28:30.759 --> 00:28:31.200 part. 00:28:31.819 --> 00:28:32.319 They're all 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.740 doing the 00:28:32.740 --> 00:28:33.639 work God 00:28:33.639 --> 00:28:34.680 assigned to 00:28:34.680 --> 00:28:34.980 them. 00:28:39.359 --> 00:28:40.019 And friends, 00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:40.559 if we really 00:28:40.559 --> 00:28:41.700 internalize this 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.200 vision, 00:28:42.200 --> 00:28:44.059 it means that 00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.799 we can be 00:28:44.799 --> 00:28:45.600 genuinely 00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.900 thankful 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:48.620 for the 00:28:48.620 --> 00:28:49.740 plurality of 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.799 gospel-believing 00:28:50.799 --> 00:28:51.440 churches in 00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:51.880 New Haven, 00:28:52.880 --> 00:28:53.960 we're not 00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.480 competing, 00:28:54.860 --> 00:28:55.980 we're cooperating. 00:28:56.740 --> 00:28:57.279 We can 00:28:57.279 --> 00:28:58.059 encourage each 00:28:58.059 --> 00:28:58.500 other without 00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.140 unhealthy 00:28:59.140 --> 00:28:59.779 comparison, 00:28:59.779 --> 00:29:00.660 as long as we 00:29:00.660 --> 00:29:01.640 preach Christ 00:29:01.640 --> 00:29:02.220 crucified, 00:29:02.640 --> 00:29:03.220 we're on the 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.840 same team. 00:29:05.500 --> 00:29:06.180 After all, 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.720 if we're really 00:29:06.720 --> 00:29:07.380 going to see our 00:29:07.380 --> 00:29:08.080 whole city and 00:29:08.080 --> 00:29:08.799 our region reach 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.420 for Christ, 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.140 wouldn't you 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.880 agree that we'll 00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:11.460 need God to 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:12.120 raise up a 00:29:12.120 --> 00:29:12.620 lot more 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:13.660 sowers and 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.200 a lot more 00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:15.000 waterers. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.720 We'll need God 00:29:17.720 --> 00:29:18.380 to raise up a 00:29:18.380 --> 00:29:19.140 lot more 00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:19.960 healthy local 00:29:19.960 --> 00:29:20.460 churches. 00:29:23.140 --> 00:29:23.800 And as you 00:29:23.800 --> 00:29:24.320 think about your 00:29:24.320 --> 00:29:25.120 own story in the 00:29:25.120 --> 00:29:25.460 faith, 00:29:26.760 --> 00:29:27.100 friend, be 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.960 thankful for the 00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.480 teachers and 00:29:28.480 --> 00:29:29.120 pastors you've 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:29.580 learned from in 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:29.920 the past. 00:29:30.080 --> 00:29:30.800 Praise God for 00:29:30.800 --> 00:29:31.060 them. 00:29:32.320 --> 00:29:33.220 But don't use 00:29:33.220 --> 00:29:33.660 them as the 00:29:33.660 --> 00:29:34.740 gold standard 00:29:34.740 --> 00:29:35.500 whereby you 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:36.540 negatively judge 00:29:36.540 --> 00:29:37.340 all the teachers 00:29:37.340 --> 00:29:37.920 in your life 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:40.640 right now or 00:29:40.640 --> 00:29:41.279 in the future. 00:29:42.860 --> 00:29:43.920 In God's 00:29:43.920 --> 00:29:45.220 wisdom, one 00:29:45.220 --> 00:29:47.140 sowed and 00:29:47.140 --> 00:29:47.980 now by God's 00:29:47.980 --> 00:29:48.600 same wisdom, 00:29:48.880 --> 00:29:49.440 another is 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:49.860 watering. 00:29:51.380 --> 00:29:52.140 Trust the 00:29:52.140 --> 00:29:52.840 owner of the 00:29:52.840 --> 00:29:53.480 garden that he 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.200 knows what he's 00:29:54.200 --> 00:29:55.300 doing and that 00:29:55.300 --> 00:29:56.039 his timing is 00:29:56.039 --> 00:29:57.019 always perfect. 00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.259 So friends, if 00:30:01.259 --> 00:30:02.180 you see comparison 00:30:02.180 --> 00:30:03.400 and competition 00:30:03.400 --> 00:30:04.240 lurking in your 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:05.860 heart, if it's 00:30:05.860 --> 00:30:06.539 coloring your 00:30:06.539 --> 00:30:08.180 relationships, then 00:30:08.180 --> 00:30:08.599 I hope you 00:30:08.599 --> 00:30:10.039 listen to the 00:30:10.039 --> 00:30:11.639 rebuke of this 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.379 passage because 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:12.940 that's what it 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:13.319 is. 00:30:15.240 --> 00:30:16.099 And I hope 00:30:16.099 --> 00:30:16.859 you'll set them 00:30:16.859 --> 00:30:18.579 aside along 00:30:18.579 --> 00:30:19.680 with the rest of 00:30:19.680 --> 00:30:20.460 your old sinful 00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:20.899 nature. 00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:23.579 Stop living as a 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:24.799 walking contradiction 00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:26.539 and start living 00:30:26.539 --> 00:30:28.259 the beauty that 00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.960 God has ushered 00:30:29.960 --> 00:30:30.460 you into. 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.619 That you are a 00:30:32.619 --> 00:30:33.359 part of his 00:30:33.359 --> 00:30:34.299 field. 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:35.480 The one 00:30:35.480 --> 00:30:37.700 awesome church 00:30:37.700 --> 00:30:38.279 of God 00:30:38.279 --> 00:30:40.299 that he bought 00:30:40.299 --> 00:30:40.920 with his own 00:30:40.920 --> 00:30:43.180 blood and that 00:30:43.180 --> 00:30:44.599 he will see 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:46.319 forth into 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:46.860 glory. 00:30:49.000 --> 00:30:49.980 Let's pray. 00:30:49.980 --> 00:30:50.039 Amen. 00:31:01.319 --> 00:31:02.299 God, we pray that 00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:02.960 you would convict 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:06.559 us now of 00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.120 these things in 00:31:07.120 --> 00:31:07.600 our hearts. 00:31:08.420 --> 00:31:09.220 Lord, we know 00:31:09.220 --> 00:31:09.720 that we need 00:31:09.720 --> 00:31:10.600 your Holy Spirit 00:31:10.600 --> 00:31:11.620 to do that. 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.980 We're so quick 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:14.579 to excuse 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:15.559 ourselves otherwise. 00:31:17.880 --> 00:31:18.640 So, Lord, would 00:31:18.640 --> 00:31:19.279 you show us in 00:31:19.279 --> 00:31:19.880 very practical 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:20.880 ways now how 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.380 we've been 00:31:21.380 --> 00:31:22.279 comparing ourselves 00:31:22.279 --> 00:31:22.940 to one another, 00:31:24.400 --> 00:31:26.019 how we've been 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:28.160 competing in 00:31:28.160 --> 00:31:28.940 ungodly ways 00:31:28.940 --> 00:31:29.440 even in your 00:31:29.440 --> 00:31:29.860 church. 00:31:29.859 --> 00:31:29.919 church. 00:31:32.859 --> 00:31:33.539 And, Lord, we 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.619 turn to the 00:31:34.619 --> 00:31:35.240 work of Christ 00:31:35.240 --> 00:31:35.839 for forgiveness. 00:31:38.479 --> 00:31:39.439 We pray, God, that 00:31:39.439 --> 00:31:39.839 we would have a 00:31:39.839 --> 00:31:40.539 new sense that we 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.439 belong to you, 00:31:42.019 --> 00:31:42.619 each and every 00:31:42.619 --> 00:31:43.299 one of us, 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:44.959 that we're equal 00:31:44.959 --> 00:31:45.879 before the cross, 00:31:46.939 --> 00:31:48.259 that you love us 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:48.919 all, that you've 00:31:48.919 --> 00:31:50.099 shed your blood for 00:31:50.099 --> 00:31:50.719 everyone who 00:31:50.719 --> 00:31:51.159 believes. 00:31:53.219 --> 00:31:54.079 And, God, give us 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.740 a vision for 00:31:54.740 --> 00:31:55.500 ministry in our 00:31:55.500 --> 00:31:57.799 time that embraces 00:31:57.799 --> 00:31:58.599 not just our own 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:00.139 little tribe, but 00:32:00.139 --> 00:32:00.779 all those who 00:32:00.779 --> 00:32:01.459 take the name of 00:32:01.459 --> 00:32:02.240 Christ crucified. 00:32:02.459 --> 00:32:02.779 And, would you 00:32:02.779 --> 00:32:05.059 raise up in this 00:32:05.059 --> 00:32:06.000 field of yours 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:08.439 many new plants, 00:32:09.139 --> 00:32:09.819 many oaks of 00:32:09.819 --> 00:32:10.339 righteousness, 00:32:11.359 --> 00:32:13.779 many lush gardens, 00:32:14.579 --> 00:32:16.179 many fruitful 00:32:16.179 --> 00:32:16.879 trees. 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.659 God, would we 00:32:18.659 --> 00:32:19.699 see in our day 00:32:19.699 --> 00:32:21.039 great growth. 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:23.240 God, would we 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:23.879 not thank 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:25.220 ourselves or 00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:26.379 exult in 00:32:26.379 --> 00:32:27.379 ourselves because 00:32:27.379 --> 00:32:28.099 of the work that 00:32:28.099 --> 00:32:28.759 we've done, but 00:32:28.759 --> 00:32:29.480 would we look to 00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:31.159 you, God, and 00:32:31.159 --> 00:32:32.859 praise you and 00:32:32.859 --> 00:32:33.680 say that it's you 00:32:33.680 --> 00:32:34.579 and you alone who 00:32:34.579 --> 00:32:35.279 gives the growth. 00:32:37.859 --> 00:32:38.619 Father, we pray 00:32:38.619 --> 00:32:39.559 this in Jesus' name. 00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.180 Amen. 00:32:40.180 --> 00:32:40.339 Amen. 00:32:40.579 --> 00:32:41.099 Amen. 00:32:41.099 --> 00:32:42.259 Amen. 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.819 Amen. 00:32:42.819 --> 00:32:43.039 Amen. 00:32:43.039 --> 00:32:43.480 Amen. 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:43.539 Amen. 00:32:43.539 --> 00:32:43.599 Amen. 00:32:43.599 --> 00:32:44.379 Amen. 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:45.059 Amen. 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.220 Amen. 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:45.379 Amen. 00:32:45.379 --> 00:32:45.500 Amen. 00:32:45.500 --> 00:32:46.159 Amen. 00:32:46.159 --> 00:32:46.420 Amen. 00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:47.059 Amen. 00:32:47.059 --> 00:32:47.339 Amen. 00:32:47.339 --> 00:32:47.460 Amen. 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.139 Amen. 00:32:48.139 --> 00:32:48.200 Amen.