WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.580 All right, we're going to keep slogging through parts of Ephesians. 00:00:05.100 --> 00:00:07.780 If you will open up to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:00:08.779 --> 00:00:13.000 ! I have a large task this morning, which is verses 1 through 22. 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:16.219 ! And I cannot wait to begin it. 00:00:17.539 --> 00:00:25.660 Also, is there any way that I can have that traveling, that children's choir behind me travel with me wherever I go? 00:00:26.460 --> 00:00:29.480 It's so precious and so encouraging. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.200 Like halfway through, I was like, I'm just going to run up and start preaching right now. 00:00:35.500 --> 00:00:40.200 It'll be Ephesians chapter 2, verses 1 through 22. 00:00:41.640 --> 00:00:47.519 Title of my sermon this morning is Our Joyful Deliverance. 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:51.140 Let me start my timer so I don't keep y'all too long. 00:00:53.659 --> 00:00:56.219 Ephesians 1. No, I lied. 00:00:56.219 --> 00:00:58.079 Ephesians 2, 1 through 22. 00:00:58.079 --> 00:00:59.859 Our Joyful Deliverance. 00:01:00.059 --> 00:01:03.359 As per usual, I'll read the text, pray, and then we'll get after it. 00:01:05.359 --> 00:01:08.239 This is God's holy and authoritative word. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:12.599 And you were dead. 00:01:14.019 --> 00:01:21.739 In the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, 00:01:21.739 --> 00:01:39.039 the spirit that is now at work and the sons of disobedience, among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:01:39.040 --> 00:01:55.540 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. 00:01:55.540 --> 00:01:58.220 By grace you have been saved. 00:01:58.320 --> 00:02:13.560 And raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace and kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:02:13.560 --> 00:02:18.199 For by grace you have been saved through faith. 00:02:19.020 --> 00:02:20.800 And this is not your own doing. 00:02:20.960 --> 00:02:25.879 It is the gift of God, not a result of work so that no one may boast. 00:02:26.560 --> 00:02:37.099 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 00:02:37.099 --> 00:02:47.019 Therefore, remember that at one time you Gentiles in the flesh called the uncircumcision by what is called the circumcision, which is made in the flesh by hands. 00:02:47.259 --> 00:03:00.199 Remember that you were at that time separated from Christ, alienated from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 00:03:00.199 --> 00:03:07.859 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 00:03:07.859 --> 00:03:24.859 For he himself is our peace who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility by abolishing the law of commandments expressed in ordinances that he might create in himself one new man in place of the two. 00:03:24.860 --> 00:03:33.320 So making peace and might reconcile us both to God in one body through the cross, thereby killing the hostility. 00:03:33.480 --> 00:03:39.700 And he came and preach peace to you who were far off and peace to those who were near for through him. 00:03:40.020 --> 00:03:42.880 We have both access in one spirit to the father. 00:03:43.660 --> 00:03:54.700 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God built on the foundation. 00:03:54.699 --> 00:04:05.419 Of the apostles and prophets Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone in whom the whole structure being joined together grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 00:04:05.419 --> 00:04:13.139 In him, you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the spirit. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:15.739 Oh God, would you help us this morning? 00:04:16.419 --> 00:04:20.740 Take hold of all of these wonderful realities and be affected by them. 00:04:20.740 --> 00:04:27.939 Lord, help us in a more particular way, see the beauty of your redemption that you've given us. 00:04:30.519 --> 00:04:34.660 Help us to love one another in a way that reflects your love towards us. 00:04:35.460 --> 00:04:40.980 Give us joy in the gospel this morning as I preach your holy word to these dear people. 00:04:42.079 --> 00:04:47.040 Fill me with your spirit for you know my weakness and you know my need for strength. 00:04:47.040 --> 00:04:57.860 Give me joy and passion and clarity and strength and liberty to declare your excellencies. 00:04:59.080 --> 00:05:00.720 Lord, you are so worthy. 00:05:02.320 --> 00:05:03.740 You are so worthy. 00:05:04.759 --> 00:05:05.500 So help us. 00:05:08.320 --> 00:05:09.780 Give us ears to hear. 00:05:11.720 --> 00:05:13.379 Give us hearts to respond. 00:05:13.379 --> 00:05:18.000 Give us emotions to experience joy. 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.959 For your glory and for our good. 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:22.040 Amen. 00:05:24.240 --> 00:05:28.420 Eddie Hall came up from very humble beginnings. 00:05:28.680 --> 00:05:29.680 And some of you may know the name. 00:05:29.759 --> 00:05:31.120 A lot of you obviously may not. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:33.680 Eddie Hall is a strong man. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:34.860 I see someone flexing back there. 00:05:34.939 --> 00:05:35.500 Yes, yes. 00:05:36.199 --> 00:05:38.240 He grew up not having much money. 00:05:38.319 --> 00:05:39.939 He got into a lot of trouble. 00:05:39.939 --> 00:05:45.420 Yet when he was 16 years old, he decided that he is going to become the world's strongest man. 00:05:46.399 --> 00:05:51.560 And when he decided that, he changed the entirety of his life. 00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:59.139 He attained that feat in 2016 when he became the first person to deadlift 500 kilograms, 00:05:59.720 --> 00:06:04.199 which is 1,123 pounds. 00:06:04.199 --> 00:06:07.860 The following year, he won the world's strongest man. 00:06:08.519 --> 00:06:12.560 And the way he did that is because the entirety of his life was transformed. 00:06:13.039 --> 00:06:19.099 He ate in training for the world's strongest man 8,000 calories a day. 00:06:20.360 --> 00:06:22.539 Trained for four and a half hours a day. 00:06:22.620 --> 00:06:25.560 Real quick, let's just look at two of his meals. 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.680 His first breakfast, first meaning there's a second one after this. 00:06:28.680 --> 00:06:34.860 Four sausages, five slices of bacon, four eggs, baked beans, tomatoes, black pudding, 00:06:35.019 --> 00:06:38.240 four slices of toast, and a liter of cranberry juice. 00:06:38.759 --> 00:06:40.000 That's before his second breakfast. 00:06:40.960 --> 00:06:46.840 His lunch was 16 ounces of steak, 300 grams of pasta, 300 grams of veggies, 00:06:47.220 --> 00:06:49.540 and a half of a family-sized cheesecake. 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:53.040 He states that in his training for world's strongest man, 00:06:53.120 --> 00:06:57.720 he did not miss a single training session, meal, or physical therapy session. 00:06:57.720 --> 00:07:01.020 He went to physical therapy six times a week. 00:07:02.540 --> 00:07:04.820 Because of who he was, the world's strongest man, 00:07:04.900 --> 00:07:06.220 because of the goals set before him, 00:07:06.360 --> 00:07:09.260 he no longer could live the same way that he was. 00:07:09.700 --> 00:07:12.860 His relationships with his goals and his relationships with his family, 00:07:13.320 --> 00:07:15.240 friends, food, and a gym completely shifted 00:07:15.240 --> 00:07:17.920 because he was to become the world's strongest man. 00:07:18.700 --> 00:07:20.440 Everything has changed. 00:07:21.420 --> 00:07:23.360 He cannot train the same, he cannot eat the same, 00:07:23.400 --> 00:07:26.760 and those around him are affected by what's transformed inside of him. 00:07:26.759 --> 00:07:29.500 And in our text, we see from Paul 00:07:29.500 --> 00:07:34.740 that the same thing must be true of us 00:07:34.740 --> 00:07:39.920 because of the transformative, resurrecting work of Jesus Christ. 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:41.879 Our whole lives are changed. 00:07:42.000 --> 00:07:44.659 We can no longer be the same in relation to God, 00:07:44.759 --> 00:07:48.199 and we can no longer be the same in relation to one another. 00:07:48.779 --> 00:07:51.480 These two things, our relation to God and relation to one another, 00:07:51.480 --> 00:07:56.040 are permanently transformed because of the resurrection work of the gospel. 00:07:56.759 --> 00:07:58.480 Because of what Christ has done, 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:01.160 because he conquered sin, death, hell, and the grave. 00:08:01.460 --> 00:08:05.480 Through the gospel, God has created an unstoppable community 00:08:06.020 --> 00:08:08.860 that is held together by the blood of Christ, 00:08:09.120 --> 00:08:10.759 empowered by the Holy Spirit, 00:08:10.960 --> 00:08:14.280 and one that lives lives to the glory of the Father. 00:08:14.279 --> 00:08:20.979 Paul again here is drilling into them their new identity as saints, 00:08:21.479 --> 00:08:24.399 that they've been reconciled to God, 00:08:24.759 --> 00:08:29.019 that this cosmic reconciliation not only affects their relation with God, 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:31.279 but it spills out over into one another, 00:08:31.619 --> 00:08:33.159 killing the hatred between them. 00:08:33.339 --> 00:08:35.600 Remember, Jews and Gentiles did not mix. 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:43.080 Killing the hatred between them and being a force for godliness in their city. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:46.080 And this is only possible because, as Paul tells them, 00:08:46.399 --> 00:08:52.019 you are being built together by Christ and held together by the Holy Spirit. 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:54.659 And we need this as well. 00:08:55.279 --> 00:08:58.279 Everyone in this room is a new creation. 00:08:58.860 --> 00:09:01.320 Friends, you are not the worst sin you've ever committed. 00:09:01.440 --> 00:09:03.899 You are not the worst thought that has ever crossed your mind. 00:09:03.899 --> 00:09:07.379 You are a beloved and treasured saint. 00:09:08.620 --> 00:09:14.639 You are a citizen of the household of God and a member of this family. 00:09:15.860 --> 00:09:20.980 We need this chapter because we often act like this chapter is not in our Bibles. 00:09:21.100 --> 00:09:25.480 We operate as if we are still dead and hopeless in our sins. 00:09:25.480 --> 00:09:33.980 We operate as if we are isolated and all alone and that there is no one who understands us. 00:09:34.940 --> 00:09:38.360 As if Christ hasn't transformed everything for us. 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:44.080 God has saved us from death in order to display his love, 00:09:44.139 --> 00:09:47.980 to reconcile us to each other and to create an unstoppable community. 00:09:48.159 --> 00:09:52.980 And so, my hope for us is that we would have the courage to believe what the Bible actually says. 00:09:53.139 --> 00:09:54.360 We see these words. 00:09:54.480 --> 00:09:56.000 We understand what these words mean. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:09:59.899 And now it is up to us to have the courage and the faith to say, 00:09:59.899 --> 00:10:01.799 this is true. 00:10:02.939 --> 00:10:07.559 What this Bible says is true of us right now. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:13.659 That we would take an iron grip on all of these promises and utilize them when we are tempted by the enemy 00:10:13.659 --> 00:10:17.240 to think that God would operate in any other way than his mercy and love. 00:10:17.299 --> 00:10:19.759 To think that those around us would think others, 00:10:19.919 --> 00:10:21.759 other of us and less of us, 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:23.240 that we don't actually belong, 00:10:23.340 --> 00:10:27.539 that we are not solidified permanently in the household of God. 00:10:27.539 --> 00:10:32.599 Here's my main point this morning is that our relationship to God and to one another 00:10:32.599 --> 00:10:37.219 are permanently transformed because of the resurrection work of the gospel. 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:41.319 Our relationship to God and to one another are permanently transformed 00:10:41.319 --> 00:10:44.419 because of the resurrection work of the gospel. 00:10:45.059 --> 00:10:48.819 So, this joyful deliverance transforms our relationship with God and with people. 00:10:49.079 --> 00:10:51.179 And we're going to look at this under two headings. 00:10:51.279 --> 00:10:52.679 Heading number one. 00:10:54.240 --> 00:10:54.839 What do we do? 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:59.000 We relate to God through the comfort of the gospel. 00:11:00.160 --> 00:11:02.759 We relate to God through the comfort of the gospel. 00:11:03.340 --> 00:11:04.680 Let me read verses one through three. 00:11:05.860 --> 00:11:10.420 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, 00:11:10.960 --> 00:11:12.620 following the course of this world, 00:11:12.800 --> 00:11:14.560 following the prince of the power of the air, 00:11:14.920 --> 00:11:17.639 the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience, 00:11:17.960 --> 00:11:21.720 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, 00:11:21.720 --> 00:11:24.800 carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, 00:11:24.920 --> 00:11:29.100 and were by nature children of wrath like the rest of mankind. 00:11:31.600 --> 00:11:34.379 Before we experience the comfort of the gospel, 00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:37.560 we must first face the reality of our depravity. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:41.240 We were dead. 00:11:41.240 --> 00:11:41.860 We were dead. 00:11:41.860 --> 00:11:42.240 We were dead. 00:11:42.240 --> 00:11:43.259 Not limping. 00:11:43.740 --> 00:11:44.799 Not hobbling along. 00:11:46.899 --> 00:11:48.259 Not doing okay. 00:11:48.919 --> 00:11:49.899 We were dead. 00:11:51.560 --> 00:11:54.279 Disciples of the devil, if you will. 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:56.639 Doing his bidding. 00:11:57.120 --> 00:11:58.120 Following his will. 00:11:58.259 --> 00:12:00.240 Giving into our fleshly desires. 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:02.779 Caring nothing of Christ in his kingdom. 00:12:04.180 --> 00:12:08.440 Sinclair Ferguson states that Paul knows that the only way we can be brought to appreciate grace 00:12:08.440 --> 00:12:11.880 is if first we understand why we need it so much. 00:12:12.400 --> 00:12:17.060 The gospel Paul preached sobers us before it satisfies us. 00:12:18.180 --> 00:12:23.640 We need the reminders in this text of our spiritual realities of who we once were. 00:12:24.300 --> 00:12:27.700 Dane Ortlund wrote a book called Deeper. 00:12:28.200 --> 00:12:30.320 And chapter two is called Despair. 00:12:30.460 --> 00:12:32.940 It's one of the favorite chapters I've ever read in a book. 00:12:32.940 --> 00:12:35.800 And what he talks about in that chapter, he says, 00:12:35.980 --> 00:12:41.800 we have to, in order to understand and enjoy the grace of the gospel, 00:12:42.060 --> 00:12:44.200 we need to truly despair. 00:12:45.100 --> 00:12:49.180 And he said, it's nuanced because we can't stop in the pit, right? 00:12:49.600 --> 00:12:52.260 But we have to truly, truly despair. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:56.780 We have to truly hate the flesh that wars against the spirit within us. 00:12:56.820 --> 00:13:01.160 We have to truly hate that our desires go against what God commands of us. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:06.360 That if we, if we were able to project every thought that we've had on the screen 00:13:06.360 --> 00:13:10.339 and list it through and read it through, that it would make us vomit. 00:13:12.319 --> 00:13:22.459 Friends, we have to understand the holiness of God. 00:13:23.779 --> 00:13:28.159 It's the only way our sin will affect us appropriately. 00:13:28.159 --> 00:13:31.019 God is not simply holy. 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:34.839 He is holy, holy, holy, thrice holy. 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.839 There is none holier than him. 00:13:37.839 --> 00:13:42.159 When the apostle John saw a glimpse of him, he fell as though he were dead. 00:13:42.319 --> 00:13:45.759 When, when Isaiah was on his knees receiving the call, 00:13:46.240 --> 00:13:48.559 he said, I'm unworthy. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.519 Woe is me. 00:13:50.519 --> 00:13:55.399 God is holy and we are not. 00:13:57.079 --> 00:14:00.259 One commentator writes, the gravity of their previous condition, however, 00:14:00.659 --> 00:14:03.199 serves to magnify the wonder of God's mercy. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:06.019 The past is not recalled because the emphasis falls on him, 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:08.980 but in order to draw attention to God's mighty action in Christ. 00:14:09.439 --> 00:14:10.840 Dane continues in that chapter to say, 00:14:11.059 --> 00:14:15.519 we must truly despair so that the gospel remains as sweet as possible. 00:14:15.519 --> 00:14:16.120 Possible. 00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:22.360 Once your enemy, now seated at your table, 00:14:23.019 --> 00:14:24.059 Jesus, thank you. 00:14:24.840 --> 00:14:26.159 Jesus, thank you. 00:14:26.720 --> 00:14:29.279 Your blood has washed away my sins. 00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:31.600 Your blood has. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:34.240 But what do I need to do? 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:37.279 Faith, simply believe, which is a gift from God anyway. 00:14:38.960 --> 00:14:40.000 Jesus, thank you. 00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:42.579 Jesus, thank you. 00:14:42.579 --> 00:14:42.600 Thank you. 00:14:42.600 --> 00:14:49.000 And in response to that, we live our lives to please him. 00:14:49.820 --> 00:14:53.659 And that can be done in joy once we remember what we've been saved from. 00:14:53.740 --> 00:14:55.759 Guys, the gospel is good news. 00:14:56.580 --> 00:14:59.460 And the reason, the way you can get excited and affectionate 00:14:59.460 --> 00:15:02.680 and be affected by this good news is to remember how bad you were. 00:15:03.600 --> 00:15:04.680 I was a bad little kid. 00:15:05.340 --> 00:15:05.899 I was terrible. 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:07.460 I'm still a sinner. 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:10.560 Even this morning, I could not even count the ways I've sinned 00:15:10.560 --> 00:15:12.360 and I wouldn't even be aware of it. 00:15:12.920 --> 00:15:14.940 And yet God knows every single one of them. 00:15:15.000 --> 00:15:18.279 And it's just like, yeah, you're dead, but God being rich in mercy, 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:19.200 which is coming up soon. 00:15:21.920 --> 00:15:25.800 We are real sinners with a real savior. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.980 The gospel brings comfort. 00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:31.340 We relate to God, not from our depraved and dead state. 00:15:31.420 --> 00:15:35.500 We relate to God by those who are alive and been brought in as citizens and saints. 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:38.600 The gospel brings comfort because of his love for us. 00:15:38.600 --> 00:15:40.279 Read with me verse four. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:45.800 But God being rich in mercy because of the great love with which he loved us, 00:15:45.800 --> 00:15:50.960 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. 00:15:51.060 --> 00:15:54.139 By grace, you have been saved and raised us up with him 00:15:54.139 --> 00:15:56.980 and seed us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 00:15:56.980 --> 00:16:01.800 so that in the coming ages, he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace 00:16:01.800 --> 00:16:03.639 and kindness towards us in Christ Jesus. 00:16:03.639 --> 00:16:04.679 Are you kidding me? 00:16:04.960 --> 00:16:06.480 No, that's what's in the Bible. 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:09.100 That is the authority under which I stand. 00:16:09.199 --> 00:16:10.059 It is God's word. 00:16:10.279 --> 00:16:13.199 He has declared that Christ has made us alive together. 00:16:13.860 --> 00:16:14.699 He's made us alive. 00:16:14.980 --> 00:16:16.879 You were dead and now you're alive. 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:19.960 We have been resurrected because of what Jesus has done. 00:16:20.139 --> 00:16:23.379 And nobody, nobody, nobody can take that away from you. 00:16:23.799 --> 00:16:28.220 If you stand today in the power of the blood of Christ as a saved, 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:31.040 redeemed, redeemed saint, that is your identity forever, friend. 00:16:31.940 --> 00:16:33.540 Nothing can take that away. 00:16:34.360 --> 00:16:35.100 You are a saint. 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.080 You are beloved. 00:16:36.360 --> 00:16:37.120 You are holy. 00:16:37.379 --> 00:16:38.220 You are treasured. 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:39.200 You are his. 00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:43.480 He's already stamped you with his image, 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:47.820 meaning there is a particular love for you, crown of his creation. 00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:52.960 And then there's a step further where he does not leave you where you are, 00:16:52.960 --> 00:16:54.580 but makes you alive. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:58.560 And that cannot be taken from you. 00:16:59.300 --> 00:17:01.080 We are not left for dead. 00:17:01.160 --> 00:17:03.400 We were dead, but have been made alive. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:05.960 Our relationship to God has been changed forever. 00:17:06.319 --> 00:17:11.519 We don't approach him with a, with a, a fear that his wrath is going to come back towards us. 00:17:11.640 --> 00:17:12.900 His wrath is gone. 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:15.420 It's been absorbed by the son. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:18.180 Therefore we go to him boldly. 00:17:18.259 --> 00:17:20.160 We boldly approach the throne of grace. 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.180 Are you kidding me? 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.539 No, I'm not. 00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:24.599 That's why it's called a throne of grace. 00:17:24.599 --> 00:17:27.720 It is by the grace that we've received in Christ that we can approach him and say, 00:17:27.980 --> 00:17:28.960 God, I need your help. 00:17:29.200 --> 00:17:30.079 God, I am a sinner. 00:17:30.339 --> 00:17:31.379 God, would you forgive me? 00:17:31.579 --> 00:17:32.440 God, pour out your mercy. 00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:34.079 And he says, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes. 00:17:35.259 --> 00:17:37.720 This is what we've received in Christ. 00:17:38.220 --> 00:17:39.619 This is who we are in Christ. 00:17:39.720 --> 00:17:42.480 We are the alive ones, the saints, the holy ones, 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:45.639 the ones who are set apart for God's goodness. 00:17:46.339 --> 00:17:49.119 God is rich in mercy towards us. 00:17:50.680 --> 00:17:52.240 For reason, it's helpful again here. 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:52.819 He says this, 00:17:52.819 --> 00:17:58.140 the gospel truly reveals the deepest heartbeat of God toward us. 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:01.120 Jesus' work did not, nor did it need to, 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:03.579 persuade an angry father to love his wayward children. 00:18:04.440 --> 00:18:08.359 The atonement is not a form of inner Trinitarian blackness. 00:18:08.859 --> 00:18:12.380 No, the father loved us and did not spare his own son for our salvation. 00:18:12.779 --> 00:18:16.079 The son loved us and did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. 00:18:16.079 --> 00:18:20.779 The spirit loved us and is not ashamed to indwell and sanctify us. 00:18:20.779 --> 00:18:26.119 These actions from our God are a bedrock of safety. 00:18:26.119 --> 00:18:29.559 Peter O'Brien writes this, 00:18:29.699 --> 00:18:33.139 men and women outside of Christ were the objects of divine wrath, 00:18:33.239 --> 00:18:34.859 but God had mercy on them. 00:18:35.079 --> 00:18:37.399 We were dead, but he has made us alive with Christ. 00:18:37.579 --> 00:18:39.539 We were in bondage to evil powers, 00:18:39.619 --> 00:18:42.319 but God has seated us with Christ in the heavenly realms. 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:48.879 A completely new situation has arisen because he has taken every necessary step 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:51.440 to reverse our condition of sin. 00:18:51.740 --> 00:18:55.080 We are new and we are made alive. 00:18:56.040 --> 00:19:00.440 So listen, when you are indulging in habitual sin, 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:04.680 giving into your flesh, giving into your petty desires, 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:09.060 that snide comment that tears people down and makes you feel good about yourself, 00:19:09.220 --> 00:19:10.280 what's happening there? 00:19:11.980 --> 00:19:14.100 Listen, track with me here. 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:19.079 Oftentimes we will say there's personality things at play here. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:21.319 I'm just a sarcastic person. 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:24.659 I'm wired this way. 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:27.259 This is how I typically am. 00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:30.179 So here's the, here's my struggle. 00:19:30.919 --> 00:19:32.759 When you are acting out in your sin, 00:19:32.879 --> 00:19:36.379 you are actually operating outside of your identity. 00:19:36.939 --> 00:19:41.039 You're actually operating counterintuitive to how God has made you alive. 00:19:41.039 --> 00:19:45.220 He didn't make you alive to stay back and be dead. 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:48.500 That was the dead person's way of operating. 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.460 You are a new creation. 00:19:50.779 --> 00:19:51.339 What's the song? 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:52.539 The old has gone. 00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.500 The new has come. 00:19:56.099 --> 00:19:57.500 What you complete is completely done. 00:19:57.700 --> 00:20:00.039 Christ has transformed us. 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:04.859 Who you are is rooted in celestial royalty. 00:20:05.879 --> 00:20:06.879 That's who you are. 00:20:07.519 --> 00:20:09.940 I love reformed theology so much. 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:14.019 I love the joy of the doctrines of grace and how it transforms us. 00:20:14.380 --> 00:20:16.180 But in the culture of reformed theology, 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:21.740 I think we think that the more we can just stay down in the dumps about who we are 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:24.180 and kind of self-flagellate ourselves, 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:25.400 it means that we are being holier. 00:20:25.759 --> 00:20:27.519 Stop and listen to me. 00:20:28.200 --> 00:20:32.860 What that does is it weakens the power of the gospel. 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:35.120 You are new creations. 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:37.980 You are saints. 00:20:37.980 --> 00:20:41.920 That's how Paul starts his whole letter to the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful. 00:20:42.099 --> 00:20:42.279 How? 00:20:42.480 --> 00:20:43.740 In Christ Jesus. 00:20:43.740 --> 00:20:48.140 When you are rooted in Christ Jesus, you're able to say, yes, I am actually of celestial 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.860 royalty. 00:20:48.860 --> 00:20:56.099 I am a majestic, redeemed member of the household of God, which means you ought to be dignified, 00:20:56.539 --> 00:21:02.019 demonstrating the fruits of the spirit, patient, loving, and loving in such a way that it exudes 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:03.920 and overflows with the love of Christ. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:07.980 You have been given such a love that your cup is overflowing into those around you. 00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.560 This is what the gospel does. 00:21:11.060 --> 00:21:15.259 And I think we can get so afraid of being like, you know, wishy-washy and being like, 00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:17.640 oh, I'm beloved by Jesus and everything's fine. 00:21:17.920 --> 00:21:19.720 It's like, that's actually a bit more accurate. 00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:22.480 Like Christ really loves you. 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:25.120 Later on, oh, that's tonight. 00:21:25.119 --> 00:21:30.479 We'll talk about the love of Christ this evening in a very particular way. 00:21:31.919 --> 00:21:38.439 We need these promises from God readily available to us, not in just how we assess our own selves, 00:21:38.559 --> 00:21:41.679 but when suffering comes into our lives. 00:21:41.680 --> 00:21:50.480 So we have seven children, but we've also had four miscarriages. 00:21:53.680 --> 00:22:04.860 And each one felt more devastating than the last because it was like, again, Lord, another life lost. 00:22:04.859 --> 00:22:18.819 But in that suffering, we were able to be comforted because we were made alive in Christ, 00:22:19.079 --> 00:22:22.579 because we've been brought into the family of God. 00:22:22.959 --> 00:22:28.519 And I remember each instance in particular how the family of God, the household of God, 00:22:28.519 --> 00:22:33.460 the saints that I've been forged into by the blood of Jesus Christ, 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:36.160 cared for me and my wife and cared for my kids. 00:22:38.819 --> 00:22:42.099 Because it hits different when the kids are excited about a baby and you have to explain. 00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:45.200 The baby's no longer alive, son. 00:22:47.500 --> 00:22:50.079 And I remember in particular, Joseph Stagora, one of the other pastors, 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:53.519 came over with a box of donuts and just read a book to the kids, 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:57.579 bringing some sense of normalcy in the midst of our devastation. 00:22:57.579 --> 00:22:58.460 What is that? 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:06.500 That's the household of God loving one another out of an overflow of the love we've received from Jesus Christ himself. 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:13.379 It is transformative to know that you've been made alive in Christ. 00:23:13.480 --> 00:23:16.759 It is transformative to know that God is rich in mercy. 00:23:16.900 --> 00:23:20.500 It is transformative to know that his kindness overflows to us. 00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:26.180 Whatever your circumstance is, lack of finances, relational tension, anxiety, 00:23:26.180 --> 00:23:28.340 general hopelessness, apathy. 00:23:31.140 --> 00:23:34.039 Sometimes what happens is people see how passionate I am. 00:23:34.140 --> 00:23:35.220 They're like, do I even care? 00:23:36.160 --> 00:23:37.799 It's like, yes, you do, right? 00:23:37.799 --> 00:23:43.859 But there's a form of apathy that actually is unhelpful. 00:23:43.859 --> 00:23:49.359 These things matter for eternity. 00:23:50.899 --> 00:23:53.039 It's okay to get passionate about these things. 00:23:53.359 --> 00:23:54.479 And obviously, passion looks different. 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.619 I'm a loud person no matter what. 00:23:55.619 --> 00:24:06.099 But in your way, in the way that God has created you, what does it look like to be made alive and to be passionate and not apathetic towards the realities that are in this text? 00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:10.919 What does it look like to cultivate a joy in the reality that you are saved still? 00:24:11.719 --> 00:24:12.419 Are you kidding me? 00:24:13.079 --> 00:24:20.419 And what I love is the longer you walk with Christ, the more you see how much you needed to be forgiven. 00:24:20.740 --> 00:24:25.740 And the more you appreciate that God has not given up on you and he loves you the same. 00:24:26.919 --> 00:24:27.519 The same. 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:31.159 We can't increase God's love for us because it's already maximized. 00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:35.960 There is comfort in this gift from God. 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:43.840 Your life is a testimony to what it looks like to be loved and to belong. 00:24:43.940 --> 00:24:45.700 You look at what's happening out in the world. 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:51.460 You pick whatever hobby horse or whatever social problem is going on out there. 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:57.320 Every single one of them is trying to find belonging and trying to find community and trying to say, I'm loved and I belong. 00:24:57.320 --> 00:25:00.860 All of that is truly found from Christ himself. 00:25:01.460 --> 00:25:12.340 And you, when you're out in the workplace, you, when you're out with those people who are desperately searching for some type of community and love and joy and acceptance, you get to be a testimony of, actually, I found it. 00:25:12.400 --> 00:25:16.120 And it's right here in the walls of the church with these people. 00:25:16.740 --> 00:25:19.540 We are the family of God. 00:25:19.539 --> 00:25:23.839 But here's what we often do, right? 00:25:23.859 --> 00:25:27.440 When we think about our life, think about what we've done, think about what we hope to do. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:34.779 To paraphrase Ray Orland, he says, our greatest achievements and moments of Christian triumph, we often write in the sand. 00:25:35.720 --> 00:25:39.519 And our greatest regrets and mistakes are etched in marble. 00:25:39.519 --> 00:25:48.119 We're quick to remember our failings and we need help internalizing the truth of the grace and love that we've received in Christ. 00:25:48.279 --> 00:25:49.700 Friends, that needs to be flipped. 00:25:49.700 --> 00:25:55.700 When Christ pours out his grace in a particular way and there's something joyful, remember that, right? 00:25:55.740 --> 00:25:58.259 The Ebenezer, the stone of help, look back and remember. 00:25:58.360 --> 00:26:02.660 One of the most common commands in scripture is remember, remember, remember, remember, remember. 00:26:02.779 --> 00:26:02.900 Why? 00:26:02.980 --> 00:26:03.860 Because we're forgetful. 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:07.299 Remember the grace that has come to us in Christ. 00:26:07.379 --> 00:26:09.259 Remember what he has done for you. 00:26:10.219 --> 00:26:18.240 God wants us to respond by having the unbelievable privilege and joy of our salvation and the news of the gospel infect everything that we touch. 00:26:18.459 --> 00:26:25.099 Every person we come in contact with, every thought that crosses our mind must be infected, if you will, with the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:26:26.479 --> 00:26:28.599 Jess Ray, one of my favorite songwriters, has a song. 00:26:28.679 --> 00:26:32.039 And in the chorus, she says, and it seems too good to be understood. 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:34.359 But it's not too good to be true. 00:26:35.139 --> 00:26:44.639 When we sit and we think and we contemplate the realities of what we've received in Christ and the realities of how we get to relate to God because of the blood of Christ, it does not make sense. 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.519 Oh, but it's true. 00:26:47.359 --> 00:26:49.559 That's why they call it the scandal of grace. 00:26:50.099 --> 00:26:54.039 So that is the first heading on which our joyful deliverance transforms. 00:26:54.159 --> 00:26:55.220 And the second is this. 00:26:55.519 --> 00:26:59.180 We relate to one another through the love of the gospel. 00:26:59.180 --> 00:27:04.500 We relate to one another through the love of the gospel. 00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:13.160 This text matters because I think we can often neglect the communal implications of the gospel of Jesus Christ. 00:27:13.539 --> 00:27:16.480 But Paul ties and links them together right here for us in his passage. 00:27:16.799 --> 00:27:21.720 The gospel resurrects us into a new creation and implants us into a new community. 00:27:22.279 --> 00:27:23.779 The gospel is the cure for loneliness. 00:27:23.940 --> 00:27:26.299 The gospel is the cure for our feelings of isolation. 00:27:26.299 --> 00:27:36.599 And when the gospel functions appropriately, we will truly recognize how deeply we are loved, both by God and by one another. 00:27:37.019 --> 00:27:40.359 You are not hope to be, not eventually will become. 00:27:40.619 --> 00:27:48.759 You are members of the household of God and are formed together, built upon the foundation of Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. 00:27:48.859 --> 00:27:50.240 I love the Holy Spirit. 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.299 He gets things done. 00:27:51.299 --> 00:28:01.359 He doesn't rely on us and our willpower or our strength or our social skills to create a household of God. 00:28:01.619 --> 00:28:03.599 It is by his spirit. 00:28:03.680 --> 00:28:04.960 It is by his power. 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:11.519 We are united by blood and connected through the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:28:12.000 --> 00:28:17.639 But here is the lie that we often believe, that God is steadily growing weary and tired of us. 00:28:18.680 --> 00:28:20.139 And others are as well. 00:28:20.140 --> 00:28:31.060 But the promises in here are for the real Christians, the one who speak the lingo and know what to say and have gone to seminary training or whatever it is, but not for ordinary Christians like me. 00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:34.900 Or that the community only comes through other common denominators. 00:28:35.060 --> 00:28:39.580 Well, we all went to this school or we did this thing together or they grew up together or they know each other from the past. 00:28:39.640 --> 00:28:42.340 And therefore, it makes sense. 00:28:42.540 --> 00:28:45.140 Or they are the same ethnicity and that makes sense. 00:28:45.140 --> 00:28:46.740 And I'm kind of on the outside here. 00:28:47.000 --> 00:28:50.120 To that, God would say false, no, stop. 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:58.060 The blood of Christ that flows through each and every one of us, that covers each and every one of us, 00:28:58.060 --> 00:29:02.660 has made us so united. 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:07.660 We are family. 00:29:07.660 --> 00:29:17.560 I could have grown up in the same house with an individual, even if I had a twin and we grew up and did the same things all the time. 00:29:17.820 --> 00:29:20.019 And one of us is saved and one of us is not. 00:29:20.180 --> 00:29:23.820 If we find another believer, we will have more in common with that believer than the person we grew up with. 00:29:24.440 --> 00:29:25.500 That's the power of the gospel. 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:27.880 We're talking about eternal matters here. 00:29:28.100 --> 00:29:31.580 One million years of the new heavens and the new earth with God. 00:29:31.579 --> 00:29:34.359 And then some and then some and then some and then some and then some. 00:29:34.480 --> 00:29:38.119 Our minds can't even grasp the eternality of what we're discussing here. 00:29:40.339 --> 00:29:48.980 But we have to remember that Christ brought us peace, that Christ brought us near, that Christ brought us together. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.159 And we need to know this. 00:29:50.220 --> 00:29:55.480 And we need to remember how difficult this would be for the receivers of this letter. 00:29:56.659 --> 00:29:57.059 Right? 00:29:57.059 --> 00:30:02.539 Remember, former pagans, witches, now they are Christians, Jews. 00:30:02.700 --> 00:30:06.960 So we've got Gentile-Jew relations, which were horrific and absolutely terrible. 00:30:07.279 --> 00:30:10.460 They wanted nothing to do with each other. 00:30:12.440 --> 00:30:18.599 And Paul is saying, yeah, you guys are a community of people who have peace with Christ and a future in heaven that will be greater than anything you can read about or imagine. 00:30:19.579 --> 00:30:21.399 And they're saying, what are you talking about? 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:30.780 In verses 14 through 18, he talks about how the wall of hostility has been broken down and that there is now one new man. 00:30:30.820 --> 00:30:33.720 Let me read parts of this section. 00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:37.280 He talks about them being brought near. 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:39.140 For he himself, this is verse 14, 00:30:39.140 --> 00:30:59.840 Yes, there was hostility between us and God. 00:30:59.839 --> 00:31:01.199 We talked about that a lot last night. 00:31:01.439 --> 00:31:03.939 But there's also hostility between one another. 00:31:05.099 --> 00:31:07.220 Because sin is active in community. 00:31:07.220 --> 00:31:09.220 Because we are bringing the sin into the community. 00:31:09.359 --> 00:31:09.519 Right? 00:31:10.119 --> 00:31:11.839 Yes, we are a household of God. 00:31:11.959 --> 00:31:13.159 Yes, the Spirit empowers us. 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:16.000 But also, we are dragging and bringing stuff in. 00:31:16.119 --> 00:31:17.159 And it all mixes together. 00:31:17.319 --> 00:31:18.959 And it makes community difficult. 00:31:19.399 --> 00:31:20.559 Community is hard work. 00:31:20.819 --> 00:31:22.740 It's not just like, okay, well, we're indwelt by the Holy Spirit. 00:31:22.819 --> 00:31:24.000 So we're chilling and everything's great. 00:31:24.240 --> 00:31:25.019 No, no, no. 00:31:25.379 --> 00:31:26.439 It takes effort. 00:31:27.000 --> 00:31:28.179 It takes forgiveness. 00:31:28.180 --> 00:31:29.860 It takes sacrifice. 00:31:30.580 --> 00:31:34.120 That's what we are called to when we are coming together to be united. 00:31:34.259 --> 00:31:35.660 That's what life together looks like. 00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:37.660 Life together is actually really difficult. 00:31:38.360 --> 00:31:39.080 It's hard. 00:31:39.340 --> 00:31:40.120 Because we are sinners. 00:31:40.460 --> 00:31:41.420 And we love to sin. 00:31:41.600 --> 00:31:43.759 And we think other people will sin way worse than we do. 00:31:44.039 --> 00:31:50.759 When in reality, we have to remember the grace that has come to us from God must be poured out, overflowing to others. 00:31:50.860 --> 00:31:53.680 Meaning, I need to be quick to forgive and quick to repent. 00:31:53.880 --> 00:31:56.460 And recognize that I need to repent in my relationships. 00:31:56.460 --> 00:31:59.900 I need to ask forgiveness in my relationships. 00:32:02.539 --> 00:32:05.579 Real quick, a quote from Peter O'Brien on the Jew and Gentile relations. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:13.200 He said, Jews and Gentiles who had been deeply divided and at enmity with one another are recreated in one new person. 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:19.680 Nothing less than a new creation, an entirely new entity was needed to transcend the deep rift between the two. 00:32:20.240 --> 00:32:22.080 It was affected through Christ's death. 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:26.799 The new humanity is not achieved by transforming Gentiles into Jews or vice versa. 00:32:26.799 --> 00:32:33.019 It is an entirely new creation in Christ that truly makes peace. 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:38.539 And this commitment takes work. 00:32:39.500 --> 00:32:44.480 And we have to regularly work to reconcile. 00:32:44.779 --> 00:32:45.740 I should share the story. 00:32:47.799 --> 00:32:50.700 And there was a person who I discipled. 00:32:50.700 --> 00:32:55.680 We would meet and we would actually talk a lot about ethnic harmony and these different kinds of things. 00:32:55.840 --> 00:32:57.700 And we walked through some books together. 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.500 It was really helpful. 00:32:59.059 --> 00:33:01.440 And some things changed. 00:33:02.240 --> 00:33:04.000 One could say that 2020 happened. 00:33:05.279 --> 00:33:08.240 And this individual shifted hard. 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:13.579 And it is one of the most painful texts I've ever received in pastoral ministry. 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:17.279 There were slurs hurled against me. 00:33:19.519 --> 00:33:21.620 There was accusations made against me. 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:25.480 And it ended with, thank you for radicalizing me. 00:33:25.920 --> 00:33:27.120 I love being white. 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:30.640 I see that text. 00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.880 I set my phone down. 00:33:33.660 --> 00:33:34.640 And I weep. 00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:37.059 I don't respond. 00:33:38.240 --> 00:33:39.720 And about a year goes by. 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:42.059 And I see this individual again. 00:33:44.440 --> 00:33:46.299 And I wasn't preparing for this. 00:33:46.359 --> 00:33:47.819 I didn't know what to do. 00:33:48.019 --> 00:33:50.000 I was like, oh, he's probably going to come and accost me again. 00:33:51.740 --> 00:33:53.980 And he came up with tears in his eyes. 00:33:54.019 --> 00:33:55.500 And he said, I'm so sorry. 00:33:56.859 --> 00:33:59.240 I was just saying things to try and hurt you. 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:02.099 Will you forgive me? 00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:07.359 And this is, if I had planned a response, 00:34:07.359 --> 00:34:09.839 it probably would have been snarky. 00:34:10.539 --> 00:34:11.799 It probably would have been petty. 00:34:12.799 --> 00:34:14.000 Probably would have been very sinful. 00:34:15.719 --> 00:34:16.960 But the spirit took over. 00:34:18.319 --> 00:34:19.519 And I said, of course. 00:34:20.359 --> 00:34:21.239 I love you. 00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:22.880 And we hugged. 00:34:22.880 --> 00:34:26.500 The only way that is possible. 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:31.480 This is nothing of JT in that. 00:34:32.840 --> 00:34:35.500 That is the power of the Holy Spirit. 00:34:35.500 --> 00:34:41.019 And that power is what is uniting us in our community here. 00:34:41.239 --> 00:34:44.099 It's what's uniting Trinity Cambridge Church. 00:34:45.320 --> 00:34:50.300 That power transforms. 00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:55.620 That power allows you to delight in fellowship. 00:34:55.620 --> 00:34:57.080 And watch movies together. 00:34:57.080 --> 00:34:58.740 And hang out and play cards at night. 00:34:59.180 --> 00:35:04.860 That power allows you to sit with one another in the midst of suffering. 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:06.940 And to put your arm around one another. 00:35:07.060 --> 00:35:08.340 And to weep with those who weep. 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.640 And rejoice with those who rejoice. 00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:17.019 That power gives you strength to own your own sin. 00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:19.320 And say, I should not have said that. 00:35:19.440 --> 00:35:20.759 I should not have done that. 00:35:22.659 --> 00:35:26.659 I talked about the situation that was supposed to be private with this group over here. 00:35:26.759 --> 00:35:27.679 Will you forgive me? 00:35:29.420 --> 00:35:33.059 And then what happens then is God does what he does. 00:35:33.480 --> 00:35:36.719 And makes beauty out of things that we can really mess up. 00:35:39.699 --> 00:35:41.480 In the midst of conflict with one another, 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:44.960 we have to run to Jesus and see how he handled our cosmic conflict. 00:35:44.960 --> 00:35:47.039 He went and he died for us. 00:35:47.800 --> 00:35:49.340 And therefore, since we've been brought near, 00:35:49.480 --> 00:35:52.380 let's engage with one another of the same love. 00:35:52.440 --> 00:35:55.679 This means that we ought to have a particular love for the church. 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:59.059 It means that we shouldn't be comfortable rolling our eyes at the church, 00:35:59.199 --> 00:36:00.579 pointing out her flaws graciously, 00:36:00.740 --> 00:36:02.960 and primarily being aware of her imperfections. 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:07.119 We need to love the church like Christ loves the church. 00:36:07.260 --> 00:36:09.240 That's another way we strengthen one another, right? 00:36:10.720 --> 00:36:12.039 Let's say Sean has an off week, 00:36:12.099 --> 00:36:13.039 which I don't think he does. 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:16.820 But let's say that he does and you're out there getting lunch. 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:20.039 Is that the first time you talk about the sermon? 00:36:21.199 --> 00:36:24.039 Like, ah, man, this was not his best work, 00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:25.179 or I didn't like this application. 00:36:25.800 --> 00:36:27.199 Or do you mostly say, 00:36:27.360 --> 00:36:30.940 what a gift it is that we get this type of teaching every week? 00:36:31.039 --> 00:36:34.139 Or when you hear someone start to critique and bring things down, 00:36:34.199 --> 00:36:35.619 which obviously critique is okay. 00:36:35.880 --> 00:36:37.420 It can be done in a constructive way. 00:36:37.480 --> 00:36:38.519 Probably not at lunch with all your friends. 00:36:38.599 --> 00:36:39.279 Maybe send him an email. 00:36:39.280 --> 00:36:44.760 But what does it look like to go against that kind of like, 00:36:46.580 --> 00:36:48.140 because it's a fine line, right, 00:36:48.180 --> 00:36:50.700 of like wanting to improve things where they are, 00:36:50.860 --> 00:36:51.980 and also just like, 00:36:52.060 --> 00:36:55.440 I'm just going to pick at this and critique this thing. 00:36:55.580 --> 00:36:56.880 And yeah, yeah, yeah, all this is good, 00:36:56.940 --> 00:36:58.380 but what about this thing? 00:36:59.260 --> 00:37:02.360 But what does it look like to have the spirit empower you 00:37:02.360 --> 00:37:06.039 to show the fruits of the spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, 00:37:06.140 --> 00:37:08.220 kindness, gentleness, goodness, self-control, 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:09.099 all those other things. 00:37:09.180 --> 00:37:09.880 Maybe I missed one. 00:37:11.140 --> 00:37:13.320 But what does it look like to apply those things 00:37:13.320 --> 00:37:15.740 to how you evaluate the church? 00:37:16.820 --> 00:37:18.620 Friends, there is so much good that happens. 00:37:18.860 --> 00:37:21.220 I am like, and this is like an extroverted dream, 00:37:21.280 --> 00:37:23.120 to just dive into the deep end of a church 00:37:23.120 --> 00:37:24.740 and to spend like a bunch of days with you guys 00:37:24.740 --> 00:37:25.539 and to get to know you. 00:37:25.539 --> 00:37:29.179 And you guys are a sweet church. 00:37:30.039 --> 00:37:33.480 There is so much grace present in this room right now. 00:37:34.860 --> 00:37:37.179 And it's a gift from God. 00:37:37.719 --> 00:37:39.539 And what that ought to do is you ought to be like, 00:37:39.679 --> 00:37:40.759 how is this possible? 00:37:40.820 --> 00:37:42.259 Well, first of all, it's only possible 00:37:42.259 --> 00:37:44.139 because the son of God died. 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:47.119 It's only possible because our sins are forgiven 00:37:47.119 --> 00:37:48.500 and he's made us new. 00:37:48.679 --> 00:37:50.599 And in his kindness, he's brought us together. 00:37:50.699 --> 00:37:51.759 That's the only way it's possible. 00:37:51.980 --> 00:37:53.539 And then on top of that, it's like, 00:37:53.539 --> 00:37:55.519 this church is so good. 00:37:55.639 --> 00:37:56.860 We love the gospel. 00:37:57.000 --> 00:37:59.039 We are submitting to the word of God. 00:37:59.219 --> 00:38:02.000 These are graces that are not to be taken for granted. 00:38:03.539 --> 00:38:05.259 And so there ought to be a joy and a gratitude. 00:38:05.500 --> 00:38:06.980 You want a stronger community? 00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:09.059 Come in with joy and come in with gratitude. 00:38:09.380 --> 00:38:11.800 It transforms the way you see everything. 00:38:12.119 --> 00:38:14.340 And when we've been rescued from what we needed 00:38:14.340 --> 00:38:15.199 to be rescued from, 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:18.519 how can we not simply respond in joy and gratitude? 00:38:19.219 --> 00:38:19.980 It's like, are you kidding? 00:38:19.980 --> 00:38:21.199 We get to do this every week? 00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:24.980 I was talking to our church once on a Sunday 00:38:24.980 --> 00:38:27.619 and I was like, every Sunday feels like a Thanksgiving meal. 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:30.179 It's like the whole family comes together. 00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:32.260 We get to feast upon the word of God. 00:38:32.340 --> 00:38:34.000 We get to see people that we love 00:38:34.000 --> 00:38:35.679 and feel like we haven't seen in a long time 00:38:35.679 --> 00:38:37.219 if there's been a particularly busy season. 00:38:37.519 --> 00:38:39.179 Every single week is Thanksgiving 00:38:39.179 --> 00:38:41.599 and we are smashing the food 00:38:41.599 --> 00:38:44.740 because we are just feasting on the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:38:44.740 --> 00:38:46.880 over and over and over again. 00:38:46.880 --> 00:38:49.039 It's such a delight. 00:38:50.559 --> 00:38:53.220 We are now, I'm going along. 00:38:53.480 --> 00:38:55.599 We are now, I'm going to move through this. 00:38:55.960 --> 00:38:58.880 We are now the household of God. 00:38:59.579 --> 00:39:01.619 Right now, you are the house of God. 00:39:01.720 --> 00:39:03.440 Let's like, these verses are insane. 00:39:03.720 --> 00:39:05.140 Verses 19 through 22. 00:39:05.139 --> 00:39:08.539 So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, 00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:11.099 but you are fellow citizens with the saints 00:39:11.099 --> 00:39:13.339 and members of the household of God. 00:39:13.819 --> 00:39:16.940 Built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, 00:39:17.400 --> 00:39:20.799 Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone. 00:39:21.279 --> 00:39:22.900 Which means it's unstoppable, by the way. 00:39:23.559 --> 00:39:24.960 The church is unstoppable 00:39:24.960 --> 00:39:27.319 because it's on the foundation of Christ himself. 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:33.000 In whom the whole structure being joined together 00:39:33.000 --> 00:39:35.300 grows into a holy temple in the Lord. 00:39:35.700 --> 00:39:37.580 In him, you are also being built together 00:39:37.580 --> 00:39:41.640 into a dwelling place for God by the spirit. 00:39:43.280 --> 00:39:45.840 Brand new supernatural community because of the gospel. 00:39:46.780 --> 00:39:48.539 Built on the love of Jesus. 00:39:49.480 --> 00:39:51.280 We are a living new creation 00:39:51.280 --> 00:39:53.300 that operates in an active community 00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:55.760 that is animated by the Holy Spirit. 00:39:57.320 --> 00:39:59.559 This is your community. 00:39:59.700 --> 00:40:02.700 So we ought to own it and pursue one another in love. 00:40:02.880 --> 00:40:03.960 Not just in the fun things, 00:40:04.019 --> 00:40:05.900 but also serving together, praying together, 00:40:06.260 --> 00:40:08.100 worshiping together, pursuing God together, 00:40:08.400 --> 00:40:09.920 building your life together towards God. 00:40:11.240 --> 00:40:12.660 You are a dwelling place. 00:40:12.760 --> 00:40:13.559 Why dwelling place? 00:40:13.580 --> 00:40:14.920 Why is that significant? 00:40:16.320 --> 00:40:17.880 All throughout the Old Testament, 00:40:19.559 --> 00:40:22.840 people were fighting and desiring to be where God dwelt. 00:40:24.160 --> 00:40:25.200 In the garden, 00:40:25.199 --> 00:40:28.659 Adam and Eve were not mourning the loss 00:40:28.659 --> 00:40:32.099 of all the fruit trees when they were kicked out. 00:40:33.079 --> 00:40:36.319 They were mourning walking with God. 00:40:36.779 --> 00:40:38.559 The loss of that relational community 00:40:38.559 --> 00:40:41.219 of being in the dwelling place where God was. 00:40:42.379 --> 00:40:45.059 God's dwelling place used to be only in the temple. 00:40:45.179 --> 00:40:48.139 He would particularly put himself in the temple 00:40:48.139 --> 00:40:50.759 and that's where they would go to be with God. 00:40:50.760 --> 00:40:51.480 Peter O'Brien says, 00:40:51.780 --> 00:40:53.340 it's changed now. 00:40:54.440 --> 00:40:58.720 You are the dwelling place of God. 00:41:02.320 --> 00:41:04.280 God dwells in you. 00:41:05.300 --> 00:41:07.660 The spirit is inside of you. 00:41:07.740 --> 00:41:08.760 Listen to these words. 00:41:09.180 --> 00:41:09.940 Peter O'Brien writes, 00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:12.000 the dwelling place was significantly used 00:41:12.000 --> 00:41:13.400 in the Old Testament of God's dwelling 00:41:13.400 --> 00:41:14.420 in the temple at Jerusalem 00:41:14.420 --> 00:41:17.100 and of his heavenly dwelling place. 00:41:17.099 --> 00:41:18.900 Here in Ephesians 2, 00:41:18.980 --> 00:41:20.559 the temple is God's heavenly abode, 00:41:20.639 --> 00:41:21.759 the place of his dwelling. 00:41:22.279 --> 00:41:25.719 Yet that temple is his people 00:41:25.719 --> 00:41:29.039 in whom he lives by the Holy Spirit. 00:41:30.460 --> 00:41:31.539 Believers on earth, 00:41:31.880 --> 00:41:33.099 recipients of this letter, 00:41:33.480 --> 00:41:35.059 are linked with the heavenly realm 00:41:35.059 --> 00:41:38.019 in and through the spirit of the risen Lord. 00:41:38.179 --> 00:41:40.420 You are a dwelling place. 00:41:41.799 --> 00:41:43.679 God is with you. 00:41:43.679 --> 00:41:46.440 And Christ is the cornerstone. 00:41:46.559 --> 00:41:47.839 He will keep us. 00:41:48.019 --> 00:41:50.159 It is all built upon what he's done 00:41:50.159 --> 00:41:50.799 and who he is. 00:41:50.859 --> 00:41:52.559 It is not up to us to keep our salvation. 00:41:52.919 --> 00:41:54.379 It is not up to us to keep our hope. 00:41:54.460 --> 00:41:55.460 We cannot lose him. 00:41:55.679 --> 00:41:57.539 Yes, we grip to Christ with all that we have, 00:41:57.819 --> 00:41:59.279 constantly readjusting our graves 00:41:59.279 --> 00:42:00.259 to be brought to the cross, 00:42:00.319 --> 00:42:02.419 which was the event that ultimately made 00:42:02.419 --> 00:42:04.419 all of these promises become our reality. 00:42:05.099 --> 00:42:06.339 But as much as we cling to him, 00:42:06.419 --> 00:42:08.480 his grip around us is even stronger. 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:10.139 I'm sure you've heard a similar illustration 00:42:10.139 --> 00:42:10.879 in this kind of way, 00:42:10.960 --> 00:42:12.039 but we were just recently, 00:42:12.139 --> 00:42:12.799 about two weeks ago, 00:42:12.800 --> 00:42:13.480 at the beach, 00:42:13.740 --> 00:42:15.960 and my kids love the water. 00:42:16.120 --> 00:42:16.880 They would sleep in it 00:42:16.880 --> 00:42:18.280 if they could figure out how to do it. 00:42:19.440 --> 00:42:21.539 And one of my daughters is particularly spunky. 00:42:21.620 --> 00:42:22.300 Her name is Carolyn. 00:42:22.519 --> 00:42:23.220 She's so sweet. 00:42:23.300 --> 00:42:23.780 She's crazy. 00:42:24.380 --> 00:42:27.320 And she sees these giant waves 00:42:27.320 --> 00:42:28.039 and she's just like, 00:42:28.080 --> 00:42:28.980 let's get them, Dad. 00:42:29.039 --> 00:42:30.920 I'm like, girl, like, okay. 00:42:31.100 --> 00:42:31.580 And she's like, 00:42:32.080 --> 00:42:32.940 but you need to hold me. 00:42:32.980 --> 00:42:33.380 I was like, okay. 00:42:34.760 --> 00:42:36.260 And so I'm holding her 00:42:36.260 --> 00:42:38.300 and she's gripping me with all her strength. 00:42:38.300 --> 00:42:40.600 And we're getting smashed by these waves. 00:42:40.599 --> 00:42:44.480 But the reason she's not flying out 00:42:44.480 --> 00:42:45.719 into the water, 00:42:45.819 --> 00:42:46.940 into the unknown ocean, 00:42:47.279 --> 00:42:50.159 is not because of her grip on me, 00:42:50.219 --> 00:42:51.599 but it's because of my grip on her. 00:42:52.099 --> 00:42:54.380 I am not going to let her go. 00:42:54.960 --> 00:42:57.659 And God is not going to let you go. 00:42:58.839 --> 00:43:00.719 He's going to keep you 00:43:00.719 --> 00:43:03.819 because he loves you. 00:43:03.820 --> 00:43:06.700 He's placed you in the family of God 00:43:06.700 --> 00:43:08.620 because you are his. 00:43:09.720 --> 00:43:11.420 You are adopted and brought 00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:13.420 into the family of God. 00:43:15.000 --> 00:43:16.460 And you are precious to him. 00:43:18.760 --> 00:43:20.160 I feel like the Lord wants to 00:43:20.160 --> 00:43:22.220 pause for just a moment 00:43:22.220 --> 00:43:27.620 because I feel like if it was on an exam, 00:43:27.740 --> 00:43:28.980 we would all pass it. 00:43:28.980 --> 00:43:35.240 But in the heart of your own hearts, 00:43:35.740 --> 00:43:37.840 do you believe 00:43:37.840 --> 00:43:40.599 that God loves you to this degree? 00:43:42.699 --> 00:43:44.519 Or does your own self-assessment 00:43:44.519 --> 00:43:45.420 of your worth 00:43:45.420 --> 00:43:48.300 think that God would better spend 00:43:48.300 --> 00:43:50.460 his time loving those around me? 00:43:51.139 --> 00:43:52.260 Not that he hates you, 00:43:52.780 --> 00:43:55.119 just that others are a bit more deserving 00:43:55.119 --> 00:43:55.860 and that's okay. 00:43:55.860 --> 00:44:00.420 That is a lie from Satan. 00:44:01.660 --> 00:44:02.500 And real quick, 00:44:03.079 --> 00:44:05.380 when Satan is lying to you 00:44:05.380 --> 00:44:06.740 and deceiving you, 00:44:07.640 --> 00:44:08.680 I've said this before, 00:44:08.880 --> 00:44:11.320 he doesn't show up in a red jumpsuit 00:44:11.320 --> 00:44:13.800 with horns and a trident. 00:44:14.680 --> 00:44:16.200 He sounds a lot like you. 00:44:18.079 --> 00:44:20.320 It is your voice slowly whispering 00:44:20.320 --> 00:44:22.800 these things that you know aren't true. 00:44:22.800 --> 00:44:25.700 But what we have to do 00:44:25.700 --> 00:44:27.240 is we have to look at 00:44:27.240 --> 00:44:29.680 what God actually says. 00:44:30.019 --> 00:44:31.160 And we have to reconcile 00:44:31.160 --> 00:44:32.280 what we feel 00:44:32.280 --> 00:44:33.200 and what we believe 00:44:33.200 --> 00:44:35.320 with what God actually says. 00:44:35.380 --> 00:44:36.900 And what God actually says 00:44:36.900 --> 00:44:37.460 is that 00:44:37.460 --> 00:44:39.960 it is because of the great love 00:44:39.960 --> 00:44:41.800 with which he loved us. 00:44:44.900 --> 00:44:46.500 This is getting me very excited 00:44:46.500 --> 00:44:47.300 for this evening. 00:44:47.640 --> 00:44:49.200 One of my favorite verses 00:44:49.200 --> 00:44:50.080 in the Bible. 00:44:51.400 --> 00:44:51.920 Preview. 00:44:52.800 --> 00:44:57.860 Paul calls upon 00:44:57.860 --> 00:44:59.840 the power of the Holy Spirit 00:44:59.840 --> 00:45:00.960 to do something 00:45:00.960 --> 00:45:01.880 in chapter three. 00:45:03.320 --> 00:45:04.460 It is not to be strengthened 00:45:04.460 --> 00:45:05.320 for holy living. 00:45:07.400 --> 00:45:09.840 It is not to love one another 00:45:09.840 --> 00:45:11.860 in a way that reflects Christ's love. 00:45:12.340 --> 00:45:13.440 It is simply 00:45:13.440 --> 00:45:15.340 to understand 00:45:15.340 --> 00:45:16.960 the love of God. 00:45:16.960 --> 00:45:20.000 It takes supernatural 00:45:20.000 --> 00:45:21.900 power 00:45:21.900 --> 00:45:23.400 to comprehend 00:45:23.400 --> 00:45:25.559 the uncomprehendable love 00:45:25.559 --> 00:45:26.480 of God. 00:45:28.240 --> 00:45:29.539 We have been brought near 00:45:29.539 --> 00:45:31.179 to God. 00:45:32.260 --> 00:45:33.340 Let me end with Spurgeon. 00:45:33.519 --> 00:45:34.199 I promise I won't do this 00:45:34.199 --> 00:45:34.599 every sermon 00:45:34.599 --> 00:45:35.740 but these first two I will. 00:45:36.840 --> 00:45:37.340 He says, 00:45:37.340 --> 00:45:38.559 now I have stated 00:45:38.559 --> 00:45:39.200 that truth. 00:45:39.680 --> 00:45:40.600 I want you now 00:45:40.600 --> 00:45:41.400 to feed on it 00:45:41.400 --> 00:45:41.940 for a minute 00:45:41.940 --> 00:45:43.320 and draw the natural 00:45:43.320 --> 00:45:43.880 conclusions 00:45:43.880 --> 00:45:46.440 and feel the fit emotion. 00:45:47.860 --> 00:45:48.340 Beloved, 00:45:49.140 --> 00:45:50.320 if you are brought 00:45:50.320 --> 00:45:51.519 so near to God, 00:45:51.680 --> 00:45:53.059 what manner of lives 00:45:53.059 --> 00:45:54.100 ought you to lead? 00:45:54.680 --> 00:45:55.000 Oh, 00:45:55.079 --> 00:45:56.579 how we ought to love God 00:45:56.579 --> 00:45:57.820 who has made us nigh. 00:45:58.240 --> 00:45:59.500 A people near 00:45:59.500 --> 00:46:00.160 unto him. 00:46:00.380 --> 00:46:01.780 How ought heavenly things 00:46:01.780 --> 00:46:02.579 and holy things 00:46:02.579 --> 00:46:03.300 to engross 00:46:03.300 --> 00:46:04.240 our attention. 00:46:04.239 --> 00:46:05.379 how joyously 00:46:05.379 --> 00:46:06.659 we ought to live too 00:46:06.659 --> 00:46:08.299 for with such high favors 00:46:08.299 --> 00:46:08.959 as these 00:46:08.959 --> 00:46:10.239 it would be ungrateful 00:46:10.239 --> 00:46:11.239 to be unhappy. 00:46:11.719 --> 00:46:12.059 We 00:46:12.059 --> 00:46:13.579 are near 00:46:13.579 --> 00:46:14.959 to God. 00:46:16.139 --> 00:46:17.139 So let us live 00:46:17.139 --> 00:46:18.299 in light of these 00:46:18.299 --> 00:46:19.619 glorious realities 00:46:19.619 --> 00:46:20.059 together. 00:46:20.339 --> 00:46:20.959 Let's pray. 00:46:22.419 --> 00:46:23.359 Heavenly Father, 00:46:24.000 --> 00:46:26.779 thank you for rescuing us. 00:46:28.279 --> 00:46:29.699 Thank you for seeing us 00:46:29.699 --> 00:46:31.399 in our dead state 00:46:31.399 --> 00:46:32.979 and not leaving us there 00:46:32.980 --> 00:46:33.840 but pursuing us 00:46:33.840 --> 00:46:34.440 in love. 00:46:35.599 --> 00:46:36.900 Thank you for your kindness 00:46:36.900 --> 00:46:37.440 towards us. 00:46:37.559 --> 00:46:38.199 Thank you for 00:46:38.199 --> 00:46:40.119 recognizing our weakness 00:46:40.119 --> 00:46:41.320 and not only 00:46:41.320 --> 00:46:42.360 rescuing us 00:46:42.360 --> 00:46:42.699 but 00:46:42.699 --> 00:46:45.539 bringing us 00:46:45.539 --> 00:46:46.480 into your family 00:46:46.480 --> 00:46:47.300 and giving us 00:46:47.300 --> 00:46:48.500 the family of God. 00:46:48.599 --> 00:46:49.119 Thank you for 00:46:49.119 --> 00:46:52.119 that God didn't count, 00:46:52.559 --> 00:46:53.400 that Jesus didn't count 00:46:53.400 --> 00:46:54.300 equality with God 00:46:54.300 --> 00:46:55.280 a thing to be grasped 00:46:55.280 --> 00:46:57.159 but that he emptied himself. 00:46:58.840 --> 00:46:59.880 That he was obedient 00:46:59.880 --> 00:47:00.760 to the point of death, 00:47:00.800 --> 00:47:01.840 even death on a cross. 00:47:02.980 --> 00:47:04.300 and because of that 00:47:04.300 --> 00:47:05.019 we are now brought 00:47:05.019 --> 00:47:06.579 into the family of God. 00:47:07.300 --> 00:47:08.380 Give us joy. 00:47:08.719 --> 00:47:09.199 Give us 00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:09.960 gratitude. 00:47:10.960 --> 00:47:11.960 Give us the 00:47:11.960 --> 00:47:13.240 fit emotion, 00:47:13.340 --> 00:47:14.599 the proper emotion 00:47:14.599 --> 00:47:15.059 to 00:47:15.059 --> 00:47:16.240 respond to 00:47:16.240 --> 00:47:17.039 the truths 00:47:17.039 --> 00:47:18.059 that are in this text 00:47:18.059 --> 00:47:19.099 for your glory 00:47:19.099 --> 00:47:19.920 and for our good. 00:47:09.199 --> 00:47:17.719 gratitude. Give us the fit emotion, the proper emotion to respond to the truths that are in this 00:47:17.719 --> 00:47:22.239 text for your glory and for our good. Listen, Jesus, let me pray. Amen.