WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:02.580 Good morning again to worship. 00:00:02.879 --> 00:00:04.900 I'm Jeff Simpson, I'm one of the pastors here. 00:00:05.540 --> 00:00:06.940 Let me extend a warm welcome, 00:00:07.060 --> 00:00:09.220 especially if you're new and joining us for the first time. 00:00:09.640 --> 00:00:11.380 We'd love to meet you after the service. 00:00:11.540 --> 00:00:13.560 We'll be towards the front on the steps 00:00:13.560 --> 00:00:16.620 and we'd love to get to know you and hear your story. 00:00:17.400 --> 00:00:18.539 The past several weeks, 00:00:18.920 --> 00:00:23.019 the lectionary has taken us through the book of Ephesians. 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:25.240 It's this letter that St. Paul wrote 00:00:25.240 --> 00:00:26.480 to this church in Ephesus. 00:00:27.379 --> 00:00:30.539 And this morning, the lectionary brings us 00:00:30.539 --> 00:00:33.880 to the first half of Ephesians chapter five. 00:00:34.399 --> 00:00:36.520 And since we're in the latter half of this letter, 00:00:36.939 --> 00:00:41.600 let's briefly just review what has come before in this letter. 00:00:41.980 --> 00:00:43.679 In the first half of the book of Ephesians, 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:47.359 Paul unpacks what the gospel message is 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:50.719 and what happens to those who believe the gospel. 00:00:51.299 --> 00:00:53.960 In Jesus, we have been redeemed, we've been forgiven, 00:00:54.159 --> 00:00:55.560 we've been adopted as God's children, 00:00:55.560 --> 00:00:57.700 we've been filled with the Holy Spirit, 00:00:57.820 --> 00:01:00.359 united to Christ, seated at God's right hand, 00:01:00.719 --> 00:01:02.400 and given an eternal inheritance. 00:01:02.540 --> 00:01:03.780 That's Ephesians chapter one. 00:01:04.579 --> 00:01:06.879 That though we were dead in our trespasses and sins, 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:09.680 God rescued us, made us alive in Christ, 00:01:09.840 --> 00:01:11.879 saved us by grace through faith, not by works, 00:01:12.340 --> 00:01:15.040 and has made us fellow citizens of his kingdom 00:01:15.040 --> 00:01:18.359 and members of his household together with a family 00:01:18.359 --> 00:01:20.320 from all the nations on earth. 00:01:20.400 --> 00:01:21.620 That's Ephesians chapter two. 00:01:21.620 --> 00:01:26.780 And then Paul spends chapter three praying that the Ephesians 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:31.900 would have the spiritual power to comprehend all of this, 00:01:32.100 --> 00:01:34.420 not just that they would get it on an intellectual level, 00:01:34.500 --> 00:01:36.500 but that they would have a deep experience 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:39.840 of the incredible riches of God's love for them. 00:01:40.939 --> 00:01:43.280 So Ephesians chapter one through three 00:01:43.280 --> 00:01:47.240 basically is about here's what Christ has done for you, 00:01:47.300 --> 00:01:48.460 here's what the gospel is, 00:01:48.459 --> 00:01:51.679 and here's who you are now, here is your new identity 00:01:51.679 --> 00:01:53.879 based on what Christ has done for you. 00:01:54.479 --> 00:01:56.319 And then in Ephesians four through six, 00:01:57.459 --> 00:02:00.919 the focus is basically given who Christ is 00:02:00.919 --> 00:02:02.359 and given what he's done for you, 00:02:02.739 --> 00:02:04.579 given your new identity in him, 00:02:05.060 --> 00:02:07.219 here is now how we live into that identity. 00:02:07.419 --> 00:02:10.780 Here's how we practically live the Christian life. 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:12.959 That's the structure of the book of Ephesians. 00:02:13.459 --> 00:02:16.319 And so as we come to the beginning of Ephesians chapter five, 00:02:16.319 --> 00:02:18.400 we see that it's the continuation 00:02:18.400 --> 00:02:22.400 of what Paul is talking about in chapter four. 00:02:22.579 --> 00:02:25.579 It's about how to practically live the Christian life, 00:02:25.680 --> 00:02:29.979 how to practically live out our identity in Christ 00:02:29.979 --> 00:02:32.239 as adopted sons and daughters. 00:02:33.060 --> 00:02:34.400 And so that's what we're gonna look at this morning. 00:02:34.900 --> 00:02:37.799 We're gonna look at two images that Paul gives us 00:02:37.799 --> 00:02:42.240 for what it means to practically live out the Christian life 00:02:42.240 --> 00:02:46.500 that are centered on this theme of walking in love. 00:02:47.200 --> 00:02:49.980 Walking in love is one of the main themes 00:02:49.980 --> 00:02:51.820 of the Christian life. 00:02:51.879 --> 00:02:53.900 And we're gonna look at walking in love 00:02:53.900 --> 00:02:57.600 as beloved children and walking in love 00:02:57.600 --> 00:02:58.740 as God's holy people. 00:02:59.040 --> 00:03:00.879 Walking in love as God's beloved children 00:03:00.879 --> 00:03:03.900 and walking in love as God's holy people. 00:03:03.980 --> 00:03:05.500 That's what we're gonna look at this morning. 00:03:06.200 --> 00:03:09.020 So first of all, let's look at walking in love 00:03:09.020 --> 00:03:11.560 as God's beloved children. 00:03:12.400 --> 00:03:14.180 In verses one and two, Paul says, 00:03:14.400 --> 00:03:17.560 therefore be imitators of God as beloved children 00:03:17.560 --> 00:03:20.860 and walk in love as Christ loved us 00:03:20.860 --> 00:03:22.439 and gave himself up for us, 00:03:22.900 --> 00:03:26.040 a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:28.080 Throughout the Old Testament, 00:03:28.360 --> 00:03:31.320 the image of walking is an image 00:03:31.320 --> 00:03:34.580 that meant to refer to your whole life, 00:03:35.000 --> 00:03:36.340 every aspect of your life. 00:03:36.340 --> 00:03:39.060 In Genesis 17, God tells Abraham, 00:03:39.620 --> 00:03:43.340 Abraham, walk before me and be blameless. 00:03:43.599 --> 00:03:45.580 In other words, live your whole life, 00:03:45.680 --> 00:03:47.980 live every aspect of your life in obedience to me. 00:03:48.659 --> 00:03:50.180 And walking is a helpful image 00:03:50.180 --> 00:03:52.699 not only because it involves our whole life, 00:03:52.740 --> 00:03:54.599 but because it involves purpose. 00:03:55.319 --> 00:03:56.460 It involves direction. 00:03:56.680 --> 00:03:58.379 It involves a destination and a goal. 00:03:59.640 --> 00:04:01.460 So what is the destination? 00:04:01.840 --> 00:04:02.460 What is the goal? 00:04:02.560 --> 00:04:03.939 What is the direction of the Christian life? 00:04:03.939 --> 00:04:06.900 Well, Paul says here, verses one and two, 00:04:07.000 --> 00:04:08.079 it's to imitate God. 00:04:08.620 --> 00:04:11.419 It's to become like God by walking in love, 00:04:11.579 --> 00:04:13.000 to love God and love others 00:04:13.000 --> 00:04:15.219 in the same way that Christ loved us 00:04:15.219 --> 00:04:19.180 by giving himself up for us and sacrificing himself. 00:04:19.379 --> 00:04:22.360 And we actually remind ourselves of this truth 00:04:22.360 --> 00:04:23.699 every week in worship, 00:04:23.699 --> 00:04:25.600 where we do the summary of the law. 00:04:25.699 --> 00:04:27.860 We're to love God with everything that we have 00:04:27.860 --> 00:04:30.100 and we're to love our neighbors as ourselves. 00:04:30.100 --> 00:04:33.360 There's lots of things that we're supposed to learn and do 00:04:33.360 --> 00:04:35.160 in order to grow as a Christian. 00:04:35.840 --> 00:04:37.160 But this is the destination. 00:04:37.879 --> 00:04:40.560 This is the goal, to become like God 00:04:40.560 --> 00:04:43.220 by learning to love like God. 00:04:44.060 --> 00:04:47.939 And we're to walk in love as people 00:04:47.939 --> 00:04:50.640 who are already beloved. 00:04:51.560 --> 00:04:53.960 And the order of this, the sequence of this 00:04:53.960 --> 00:04:57.420 is absolutely crucial to understand in scripture, 00:04:57.420 --> 00:05:00.300 in the Christian life, the indicatives 00:05:00.300 --> 00:05:03.759 always empower the imperatives. 00:05:04.960 --> 00:05:07.520 What is true about us in Christ 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:10.759 fuels what we're to do. 00:05:11.220 --> 00:05:13.939 What God has done for us 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:17.300 motivates what we're to do for him. 00:05:17.920 --> 00:05:20.259 God doesn't love us because we obey. 00:05:21.360 --> 00:05:25.360 We obey because we are already loved in Christ. 00:05:25.360 --> 00:05:27.439 And if you've never heard the Christian life 00:05:27.439 --> 00:05:28.540 talk about this way, 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:31.139 it is absolutely crucial and essential 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:32.920 that you get this. 00:05:33.040 --> 00:05:34.020 Because it's completely different 00:05:34.020 --> 00:05:35.460 from every other religion or philosophy. 00:05:36.180 --> 00:05:37.580 If you feel like this is something 00:05:37.580 --> 00:05:38.960 that you've heard a million times, 00:05:39.580 --> 00:05:40.439 well, that's good. 00:05:41.020 --> 00:05:43.120 Because you need to hear it another million times. 00:05:43.439 --> 00:05:44.720 Because this is the center, 00:05:44.840 --> 00:05:47.759 it's the core of how we grow as a Christian. 00:05:48.240 --> 00:05:49.800 It's critical to understand 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:52.120 that obedience in the Christian life 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:57.000 isn't about becoming something 00:05:57.000 --> 00:05:58.860 that we're not yet. 00:06:00.139 --> 00:06:01.360 Growing as a Christian 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:03.759 isn't about becoming somebody 00:06:03.759 --> 00:06:06.180 that we hope to be in the future. 00:06:06.879 --> 00:06:09.500 No, it's actually about becoming more and more 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:12.360 of who we already are in Christ. 00:06:13.420 --> 00:06:14.439 Let me say that again. 00:06:15.000 --> 00:06:17.139 It's about becoming more and more 00:06:17.139 --> 00:06:21.120 of who we already are in Christ by grace. 00:06:21.479 --> 00:06:22.399 It's easy, I think, 00:06:22.419 --> 00:06:24.240 to think of the Christian life 00:06:24.240 --> 00:06:25.740 or obedience as a Christian 00:06:25.740 --> 00:06:29.539 as over time depositing money 00:06:29.539 --> 00:06:30.680 into our bank account 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:32.300 and seeing our bank account 00:06:32.300 --> 00:06:34.319 grow slowly over time. 00:06:35.259 --> 00:06:36.819 A little prayer here, 00:06:36.939 --> 00:06:37.560 it's a deposit. 00:06:38.719 --> 00:06:40.219 Attend church, 00:06:40.919 --> 00:06:41.620 that's a deposit. 00:06:43.300 --> 00:06:44.620 Serve in kids ministry, 00:06:44.620 --> 00:06:46.800 that's a big deposit, right? 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:48.660 It's easy to think about the Christian life 00:06:48.660 --> 00:06:52.540 as depositing into our bank account. 00:06:52.620 --> 00:06:53.899 But that's the opposite 00:06:53.899 --> 00:06:55.019 of what the Christian life is. 00:06:55.100 --> 00:06:55.519 No, rather, 00:06:55.639 --> 00:06:56.699 obedience as a Christian 00:06:56.699 --> 00:06:58.240 is the reverse. 00:06:58.560 --> 00:06:59.879 It's about learning 00:06:59.879 --> 00:07:03.000 to withdraw funds 00:07:03.000 --> 00:07:05.139 from a trust fund 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:05.980 that you've inherited 00:07:05.980 --> 00:07:07.420 that has $100 billion. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:10.579 That's more what obedience 00:07:10.579 --> 00:07:11.860 in the Christian life is. 00:07:11.939 --> 00:07:12.420 We become, 00:07:12.420 --> 00:07:14.620 we learn to live into our identity. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:15.740 We become more and more 00:07:15.740 --> 00:07:17.040 of who we already are in Christ. 00:07:17.120 --> 00:07:18.280 We learn to experience 00:07:18.280 --> 00:07:19.740 the privileges 00:07:19.740 --> 00:07:21.939 and the inheritance that we have 00:07:21.939 --> 00:07:24.400 that's already ours. 00:07:24.460 --> 00:07:25.540 We learn to experience 00:07:25.540 --> 00:07:26.360 those privileges 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.840 at a deeper level. 00:07:27.960 --> 00:07:28.600 That's what it means 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:31.620 to grow and obey Christ. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:34.100 Grace empowers obedience. 00:07:34.639 --> 00:07:35.840 What God has done for us 00:07:35.840 --> 00:07:37.300 motivates what we're to do for him. 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:38.879 And so what this means, 00:07:38.879 --> 00:07:42.180 based on verses one and two, 00:07:42.639 --> 00:07:45.980 is that much of the Christian life 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:47.339 involves coming back 00:07:47.339 --> 00:07:49.420 again and again and again 00:07:49.420 --> 00:07:51.560 to our identity in Christ 00:07:51.560 --> 00:07:53.420 as beloved sons and daughters. 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:55.779 It means asking ourselves, 00:07:56.420 --> 00:07:58.659 do I really believe 00:07:58.659 --> 00:08:00.500 that God loves me 00:08:00.500 --> 00:08:03.719 as much as he says he does 00:08:03.719 --> 00:08:04.519 in his word? 00:08:04.519 --> 00:08:07.079 And I think if we're honest, 00:08:07.159 --> 00:08:08.419 I think a lot of us would say, 00:08:09.219 --> 00:08:09.819 yeah, yeah, yeah. 00:08:09.899 --> 00:08:11.240 I know God loves me. 00:08:11.439 --> 00:08:12.120 Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 00:08:12.199 --> 00:08:13.339 I've heard that a million times. 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:14.099 God loves me. 00:08:14.180 --> 00:08:14.379 Great. 00:08:16.939 --> 00:08:17.599 But do you? 00:08:18.479 --> 00:08:18.839 Really? 00:08:20.299 --> 00:08:21.919 Do you really understand 00:08:21.919 --> 00:08:23.560 on an experiential level 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:26.599 what a beloved son you are? 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:28.359 Do you really understand 00:08:28.359 --> 00:08:29.299 on an experiential level 00:08:29.299 --> 00:08:31.079 what a beloved daughter you are, 00:08:31.079 --> 00:08:32.600 that he delights in you, 00:08:33.299 --> 00:08:36.340 that he feels great affection towards you, 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.100 that he likes you, 00:08:37.199 --> 00:08:39.500 that as Zephaniah 3 says, 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:42.699 that he rejoices over you 00:08:42.699 --> 00:08:44.279 with loud singing, 00:08:44.460 --> 00:08:45.279 that if you're a parent, 00:08:45.399 --> 00:08:46.720 that the amount of love 00:08:46.720 --> 00:08:47.939 and delight you feel for your kids 00:08:47.939 --> 00:08:50.000 is just a small shadow 00:08:50.000 --> 00:08:51.799 of how God feels towards you. 00:08:52.519 --> 00:08:53.439 I think if we're honest, 00:08:53.500 --> 00:08:55.259 I think we all struggle to believe 00:08:55.259 --> 00:08:59.079 that God really loves us like this 00:08:59.079 --> 00:09:00.639 as much as his word says it. 00:09:00.639 --> 00:09:01.419 If I'm honest, 00:09:01.460 --> 00:09:02.139 this is certainly 00:09:02.139 --> 00:09:03.819 one of my greatest struggles 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:04.639 in my Christian life. 00:09:06.340 --> 00:09:07.500 I think that many of us 00:09:07.500 --> 00:09:08.699 are so loaded down 00:09:08.699 --> 00:09:10.299 with shame 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:12.539 and perfectionism 00:09:12.539 --> 00:09:14.779 and even self-criticism 00:09:14.779 --> 00:09:15.740 and self-hatred. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:17.819 For many of us, 00:09:17.860 --> 00:09:18.559 the love of God 00:09:18.559 --> 00:09:19.799 is more of an abstract 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:20.740 theological doctrine 00:09:20.740 --> 00:09:22.399 than an experiential reality. 00:09:22.939 --> 00:09:23.519 And this is why 00:09:23.519 --> 00:09:25.139 if you go back two chapters 00:09:25.139 --> 00:09:25.919 to chapter three, 00:09:26.299 --> 00:09:27.539 this is why Paul is praying 00:09:27.539 --> 00:09:28.080 that they would have 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:29.340 spiritual power 00:09:29.340 --> 00:09:31.160 to know the depths 00:09:31.160 --> 00:09:32.120 of God's love for them 00:09:32.120 --> 00:09:33.060 because experiencing 00:09:33.060 --> 00:09:33.860 the love of God 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.580 isn't just about 00:09:34.580 --> 00:09:35.379 intellectual insight. 00:09:37.000 --> 00:09:38.180 It requires 00:09:38.180 --> 00:09:39.879 the power of the Spirit. 00:09:41.240 --> 00:09:42.620 When is the last time 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:44.400 that you asked God 00:09:44.400 --> 00:09:47.420 for a deeper experience 00:09:47.420 --> 00:09:48.240 of his love? 00:09:49.500 --> 00:09:50.520 That the Holy Spirit 00:09:50.520 --> 00:09:51.460 would so fill your heart 00:09:51.460 --> 00:09:51.840 with love 00:09:51.840 --> 00:09:52.600 that you would know 00:09:52.600 --> 00:09:53.220 in your soul 00:09:53.220 --> 00:09:54.740 that you belong to him, 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.680 that you're secure, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:09:58.000 that you're his child, 00:09:58.899 --> 00:10:00.279 that you are the object 00:10:00.279 --> 00:10:01.200 of his affection, 00:10:01.320 --> 00:10:02.419 that he delights in you. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:04.860 Maybe this is something 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:07.060 that you need to receive 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:08.759 prayer for today. 00:10:08.899 --> 00:10:10.919 Maybe after you receive communion, 00:10:11.060 --> 00:10:11.980 ask somebody over here 00:10:11.980 --> 00:10:14.279 to come and pray this over you. 00:10:14.899 --> 00:10:16.399 Whatever area of your heart 00:10:16.399 --> 00:10:18.039 fails to understand 00:10:18.039 --> 00:10:18.759 God's love for you, 00:10:18.799 --> 00:10:19.539 maybe this is something 00:10:19.539 --> 00:10:21.200 you need to spend time 00:10:21.200 --> 00:10:22.440 praying with somebody 00:10:22.440 --> 00:10:23.759 about this week. 00:10:24.740 --> 00:10:26.840 It's not just about 00:10:26.840 --> 00:10:27.480 intellectual insight. 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:28.620 We actually need the power 00:10:28.620 --> 00:10:29.860 of the Spirit to get this. 00:10:30.740 --> 00:10:31.919 And don't miss the sequence. 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.060 The sequence here 00:10:33.060 --> 00:10:34.120 is so important. 00:10:35.259 --> 00:10:37.259 It's as beloved children 00:10:37.259 --> 00:10:39.240 walk in love. 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:41.259 As Christ loved us 00:10:41.259 --> 00:10:42.680 and gave himself up for us, 00:10:43.539 --> 00:10:44.200 walk in love. 00:10:45.019 --> 00:10:45.840 So that's the first thing 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:46.639 we see in this passage, 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:48.320 that we're to walk in love 00:10:48.320 --> 00:10:50.159 as God's beloved children. 00:10:50.940 --> 00:10:52.720 But the second image 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:53.980 that Paul gives us here 00:10:53.980 --> 00:10:55.259 is that we're to walk in love 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:57.080 as God's holy people. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:10:58.560 As God's holy people. 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.360 The reason why it's important 00:11:00.360 --> 00:11:01.779 to follow this sequence, 00:11:01.899 --> 00:11:02.420 this order, 00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:03.960 that the indicatives 00:11:03.960 --> 00:11:05.659 empower the imperatives, 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:08.100 that grace empowers obedience, 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:09.539 that what is true 00:11:09.539 --> 00:11:11.000 informs what we're to do, 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:14.300 is that learning to walk in love 00:11:14.300 --> 00:11:16.980 involves confronting 00:11:17.779 --> 00:11:18.800 the darkness within. 00:11:18.799 --> 00:11:18.939 sin. 00:11:19.979 --> 00:11:21.279 It involves confronting 00:11:21.279 --> 00:11:22.620 the sin that dwells in us. 00:11:22.679 --> 00:11:24.500 It involves what Paul calls 00:11:24.500 --> 00:11:25.659 in chapter 4, verse 22, 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:27.779 taking off the old self. 00:11:28.719 --> 00:11:30.479 If we're to walk in love 00:11:30.479 --> 00:11:31.639 towards our destination 00:11:31.639 --> 00:11:32.299 as Christians, 00:11:32.419 --> 00:11:33.539 to imitate God, 00:11:33.620 --> 00:11:34.419 to be like him, 00:11:36.199 --> 00:11:38.299 then there are some things in us 00:11:38.299 --> 00:11:41.299 that need to be put to death. 00:11:42.219 --> 00:11:43.279 Christians across the ages 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.360 have called this 00:11:44.360 --> 00:11:46.100 mortifying the flesh 00:11:46.100 --> 00:11:49.000 or mortifying the flesh. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:50.579 It's a helpful term. 00:11:50.699 --> 00:11:51.439 The word mortify 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:52.699 means to put to death. 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.480 And that's what we have to do 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:55.000 to our sin. 00:11:55.759 --> 00:11:57.699 We have to put it to death. 00:11:57.799 --> 00:11:58.699 This is what Paul 00:11:58.699 --> 00:12:00.100 is addressing 00:12:00.100 --> 00:12:01.079 in verses 3 and 4 00:12:01.079 --> 00:12:01.620 when he says, 00:12:01.699 --> 00:12:02.399 but among you 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.819 there must not even be a hint 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:06.100 of sexual immorality 00:12:06.100 --> 00:12:08.279 or of any kind of impurity 00:12:08.279 --> 00:12:09.019 or of greed 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:11.539 because these are improper 00:12:11.539 --> 00:12:13.079 for God's holy people. 00:12:13.720 --> 00:12:15.340 Nor should there be obscenity 00:12:15.340 --> 00:12:16.399 or foolish talk 00:12:16.399 --> 00:12:17.279 or coarse joking 00:12:17.279 --> 00:12:19.179 which are out of place 00:12:19.179 --> 00:12:20.419 but rather thanksgiving. 00:12:22.000 --> 00:12:23.360 And I think there's, 00:12:23.480 --> 00:12:24.500 for the average person, 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:26.120 I think this is actually 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.100 the kind of thing 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.240 that people expect to hear 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:29.659 when they hear about 00:12:29.659 --> 00:12:30.220 what it means 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:30.799 to be a Christian. 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:32.379 Basically, 00:12:32.559 --> 00:12:33.740 someone sort of wagging 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:34.759 their finger at you 00:12:34.759 --> 00:12:36.139 and giving you a list 00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:37.220 of things that you can't do. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:38.939 You gotta be holy. 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:41.000 No sexual immorality. 00:12:41.100 --> 00:12:41.539 No greed. 00:12:42.439 --> 00:12:43.639 Stop making coarse jokes. 00:12:44.039 --> 00:12:44.220 Right? 00:12:44.779 --> 00:12:45.559 This is what people 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:46.340 expect to hear 00:12:46.340 --> 00:12:47.279 about this is what it means 00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:49.019 to be a Christian. 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.279 But if you, 00:12:50.439 --> 00:12:51.659 if that is how you read 00:12:51.659 --> 00:12:52.199 these verses, 00:12:53.699 --> 00:12:54.220 number one, 00:12:54.299 --> 00:12:55.519 you've clearly not read 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:56.480 the two verses before 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:57.860 and you've also not read 00:12:57.860 --> 00:12:59.600 Ephesians chapter 1 through 4. 00:13:00.519 --> 00:13:01.919 Paul isn't wagging his finger 00:13:01.919 --> 00:13:02.620 telling people 00:13:02.620 --> 00:13:04.000 to be more holy. 00:13:04.120 --> 00:13:04.279 No, 00:13:04.360 --> 00:13:05.319 he actually says the opposite. 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:06.319 What does he say in verse 3? 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:07.740 These things are improper 00:13:07.740 --> 00:13:10.919 for God's holy people. 00:13:11.060 --> 00:13:11.580 He's saying, 00:13:12.659 --> 00:13:13.960 because of who you are 00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:14.539 in Christ, 00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:15.200 what? 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:17.419 You are holy. 00:13:18.299 --> 00:13:19.680 You are holy 00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:20.580 because of what 00:13:20.580 --> 00:13:21.860 Christ did for you 00:13:21.860 --> 00:13:22.600 and because you, 00:13:22.700 --> 00:13:23.220 by the Spirit, 00:13:23.299 --> 00:13:23.820 are united 00:13:23.820 --> 00:13:24.759 to him. 00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:26.720 And that is so crucial. 00:13:27.600 --> 00:13:28.960 Because what this means 00:13:28.960 --> 00:13:30.659 is that pursuing holiness 00:13:30.659 --> 00:13:32.079 and obedience, 00:13:32.539 --> 00:13:33.579 confronting our sin, 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.699 mortifying the flesh, 00:13:35.219 --> 00:13:36.339 taking off the old self 00:13:36.339 --> 00:13:38.240 isn't about just avoiding 00:13:38.240 --> 00:13:39.719 some checklist 00:13:39.719 --> 00:13:41.579 of bad behaviors. 00:13:42.699 --> 00:13:42.959 No, 00:13:43.019 --> 00:13:43.779 it's about becoming 00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:44.779 more and more 00:13:44.779 --> 00:13:45.819 of who we already are 00:13:45.819 --> 00:13:46.339 in Christ, 00:13:46.439 --> 00:13:48.799 of God's holy people. 00:13:50.059 --> 00:13:51.120 And doing that means 00:13:51.120 --> 00:13:52.639 learning to walk in love. 00:13:52.759 --> 00:13:54.319 Putting our sin to death 00:13:54.319 --> 00:13:55.279 and pursuing holiness 00:13:55.279 --> 00:13:57.639 is about increasing 00:13:57.639 --> 00:13:59.720 our capacity 00:13:59.720 --> 00:14:01.559 for love. 00:14:02.899 --> 00:14:03.980 Your soul 00:14:03.980 --> 00:14:05.419 is like a balloon. 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.259 Think of your soul 00:14:07.259 --> 00:14:07.860 like a balloon. 00:14:08.279 --> 00:14:09.279 When you first believe 00:14:09.279 --> 00:14:09.740 the gospel, 00:14:09.919 --> 00:14:10.860 God fills you 00:14:10.860 --> 00:14:11.600 with his Spirit. 00:14:12.339 --> 00:14:13.120 He fills you 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:13.699 with his life 00:14:13.699 --> 00:14:14.279 like a balloon 00:14:14.279 --> 00:14:15.100 fills with air. 00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.699 And that balloon 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:19.059 always has air in it, 00:14:19.100 --> 00:14:20.579 but it can be stretched, 00:14:20.720 --> 00:14:21.319 it can grow. 00:14:21.659 --> 00:14:23.199 Its capacity for air 00:14:23.200 --> 00:14:24.879 can grow. 00:14:24.980 --> 00:14:25.860 And that's the Christian life. 00:14:25.940 --> 00:14:26.600 We've been filled 00:14:26.600 --> 00:14:27.379 with God's love 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.259 through his Spirit. 00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:30.400 And God never lets us go, 00:14:30.500 --> 00:14:31.360 but God wants us 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:33.040 to stretch our hearts. 00:14:33.440 --> 00:14:33.940 He wants us 00:14:33.940 --> 00:14:34.720 to stretch our souls 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.320 to experience 00:14:35.320 --> 00:14:36.600 more of his life, 00:14:36.700 --> 00:14:37.540 more of his love. 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.379 And this, by the way, 00:14:39.400 --> 00:14:40.280 is what all the spiritual 00:14:40.280 --> 00:14:41.120 disciplines are for. 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.960 Whether it's prayer 00:14:41.960 --> 00:14:42.740 or reading scripture 00:14:42.740 --> 00:14:43.720 or worship 00:14:43.720 --> 00:14:44.300 or fasting 00:14:44.300 --> 00:14:45.240 or confessing our sins, 00:14:45.280 --> 00:14:45.879 what we're doing 00:14:45.879 --> 00:14:47.800 is we're opening ourselves 00:14:47.800 --> 00:14:48.560 up to the work 00:14:48.560 --> 00:14:49.020 of the Spirit. 00:14:50.259 --> 00:14:50.960 And we're asking 00:14:50.960 --> 00:14:51.440 the Spirit 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:52.240 to stretch 00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:52.720 the balloon 00:14:52.720 --> 00:14:54.060 balloons of our hearts 00:14:54.060 --> 00:14:55.660 to increase 00:14:55.660 --> 00:14:56.879 our capacity for love, 00:14:57.160 --> 00:14:58.279 to both receive 00:14:58.279 --> 00:14:58.899 God's love 00:14:58.899 --> 00:15:01.180 and to love others. 00:15:02.600 --> 00:15:03.920 And this informs 00:15:03.920 --> 00:15:05.060 how we're to think 00:15:05.060 --> 00:15:06.340 about this list 00:15:06.340 --> 00:15:06.759 of things 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:07.540 that Paul tells us 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:08.220 we should avoid. 00:15:08.379 --> 00:15:10.220 If pursuing holiness 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:11.100 is about becoming 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.540 more and more 00:15:12.540 --> 00:15:13.420 of who we already are 00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:13.860 in Christ, 00:15:13.960 --> 00:15:15.759 about his beloved people, 00:15:15.860 --> 00:15:17.060 his holy people, 00:15:18.320 --> 00:15:19.600 if pursuing holiness 00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:20.660 is about increasing 00:15:20.659 --> 00:15:21.399 our capacity 00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.559 to love, 00:15:22.719 --> 00:15:23.919 then this frames 00:15:23.919 --> 00:15:24.959 how we're to think 00:15:24.959 --> 00:15:26.100 about what it means 00:15:26.100 --> 00:15:27.120 to confront our sin. 00:15:28.519 --> 00:15:29.679 This list, 00:15:30.319 --> 00:15:31.620 sexual immorality, 00:15:31.819 --> 00:15:32.299 impurity, 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:32.819 greed, 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.980 foolish talk, 00:15:34.399 --> 00:15:34.980 crude joking, 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:39.000 what do all of these things 00:15:39.000 --> 00:15:39.519 have in common? 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:42.759 Well, seen in light 00:15:42.759 --> 00:15:43.319 of this text, 00:15:43.399 --> 00:15:43.939 what they have 00:15:43.939 --> 00:15:44.699 all in common 00:15:44.700 --> 00:15:46.020 is that they are 00:15:46.020 --> 00:15:48.640 ways that we live 00:15:48.640 --> 00:15:51.220 more like orphans 00:15:51.220 --> 00:15:53.640 than as beloved 00:15:53.640 --> 00:15:54.900 sons and daughters. 00:15:54.980 --> 00:15:56.040 Instead of looking 00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:56.780 to our Father 00:15:56.780 --> 00:15:57.620 to meet our needs 00:15:57.620 --> 00:15:58.759 and trusting in his love 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.860 and his provision, 00:16:00.000 --> 00:16:00.640 we seek to meet 00:16:00.640 --> 00:16:02.040 our needs elsewhere. 00:16:03.780 --> 00:16:05.720 Sin is any time 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:07.200 we seek to meet 00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.220 a legitimate need 00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:10.900 in an illegitimate way. 00:16:11.899 --> 00:16:12.779 Sin is any time 00:16:12.779 --> 00:16:13.399 we seek to meet 00:16:13.399 --> 00:16:14.100 a legitimate, 00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:14.639 holy, 00:16:14.819 --> 00:16:15.699 God-given need 00:16:15.699 --> 00:16:18.319 in an illegitimate way. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.840 And so let's think 00:16:19.840 --> 00:16:20.459 about a few 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:21.220 of these examples. 00:16:22.220 --> 00:16:23.120 Sexual immorality, 00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:23.699 greed, 00:16:23.919 --> 00:16:24.519 coarse choking. 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:26.000 All of these 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.919 are ways 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:27.620 that we have 00:16:27.620 --> 00:16:28.919 an orphan mentality. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:29.860 First of all, 00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.799 let's look at sexual morality. 00:16:31.759 --> 00:16:32.459 I know that 00:16:32.459 --> 00:16:35.360 as soon as we mention this, 00:16:35.620 --> 00:16:36.539 as soon as a pastor 00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.679 mentions this 00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.079 in a sermon, 00:16:38.579 --> 00:16:38.759 you know, 00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:39.240 a lot of people 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.120 roll their eyes 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.940 and just kind of check out. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:41.240 They're like, 00:16:41.279 --> 00:16:41.659 yeah, yeah, yeah, 00:16:41.659 --> 00:16:42.840 I've heard all this before. 00:16:43.899 --> 00:16:44.840 I don't want to hear it. 00:16:45.879 --> 00:16:47.000 And I'm not here 00:16:47.000 --> 00:16:48.840 to avoid this topic 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:49.779 because it's in the text, 00:16:49.860 --> 00:16:50.539 but I am here 00:16:50.539 --> 00:16:51.700 to reframe it for you. 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:52.679 The reason why 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.440 the Bible takes 00:16:53.440 --> 00:16:54.080 sexual immorality 00:16:54.080 --> 00:16:54.899 so seriously 00:16:54.899 --> 00:16:57.539 is actually 00:16:57.539 --> 00:16:58.519 what comes later 00:16:58.519 --> 00:16:59.899 in Ephesians chapter 5, 00:17:00.279 --> 00:17:01.279 that our bodies 00:17:01.279 --> 00:17:03.440 reveal a sacred mystery. 00:17:04.960 --> 00:17:06.079 And that mystery 00:17:06.079 --> 00:17:07.019 is the marriage 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:08.299 of Christ in the church. 00:17:08.680 --> 00:17:09.579 The union of husband 00:17:09.579 --> 00:17:10.399 and wife reveals 00:17:10.399 --> 00:17:11.359 the heart of the gospel, 00:17:11.720 --> 00:17:12.379 the love story 00:17:12.379 --> 00:17:13.439 between God and humanity 00:17:13.439 --> 00:17:14.720 where we as the church, 00:17:14.779 --> 00:17:16.559 as Christ's bride, 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.339 are united 00:17:17.339 --> 00:17:18.439 to our bridegroom 00:17:18.439 --> 00:17:20.339 in covenant relationship. 00:17:21.960 --> 00:17:23.299 An eternal life-giving 00:17:23.299 --> 00:17:23.740 relationship 00:17:23.740 --> 00:17:24.559 of divine love. 00:17:24.919 --> 00:17:25.879 Often when I'm doing 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:27.599 premarital counseling 00:17:27.599 --> 00:17:28.079 for couples 00:17:28.079 --> 00:17:28.839 who are getting married, 00:17:29.179 --> 00:17:30.319 I will encourage them 00:17:30.319 --> 00:17:31.460 to think about the words 00:17:31.460 --> 00:17:32.539 of Jesus 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.819 in the Eucharist. 00:17:34.960 --> 00:17:36.299 This is my body 00:17:36.299 --> 00:17:37.639 which is given for you. 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:40.360 This is my blood 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.560 which is shed for you. 00:17:42.200 --> 00:17:43.280 And I encourage them 00:17:43.280 --> 00:17:43.960 to think about 00:17:43.960 --> 00:17:44.840 how these are 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:45.860 the words 00:17:45.860 --> 00:17:47.020 of a bridegroom 00:17:47.020 --> 00:17:49.020 speaking to his 00:17:49.020 --> 00:17:49.820 beloved bride. 00:17:50.460 --> 00:17:52.160 These are covenantal 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:53.860 marriage vows. 00:17:54.440 --> 00:17:54.980 The Eucharist 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.680 is where the bride 00:17:55.680 --> 00:17:56.840 communes with the bridegroom 00:17:56.840 --> 00:17:57.600 this side of heaven. 00:17:57.740 --> 00:17:58.920 It's this preview 00:17:58.920 --> 00:18:00.120 of the great marriage 00:18:00.120 --> 00:18:01.560 supper of the Lamb 00:18:01.560 --> 00:18:02.600 where Christ will unite 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:03.440 all things in heaven 00:18:03.440 --> 00:18:04.020 and on earth. 00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.500 Ephesians 1 verse 10. 00:18:05.500 --> 00:18:07.000 And I realize 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:08.059 if you're here this morning 00:18:08.059 --> 00:18:08.779 and you're not a Christian, 00:18:09.500 --> 00:18:10.980 you may not buy that story. 00:18:12.319 --> 00:18:13.359 But if it's true, 00:18:13.460 --> 00:18:13.880 what it means 00:18:13.880 --> 00:18:14.420 is that God 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.099 has made you 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:17.000 with an infinite longing 00:18:17.000 --> 00:18:17.940 for love and intimacy 00:18:17.940 --> 00:18:20.779 that goes far beyond sex. 00:18:20.859 --> 00:18:21.700 A love and intimacy 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:23.319 that sex can only hint at. 00:18:23.980 --> 00:18:24.660 And what it means 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:25.539 is that the fulfillment 00:18:25.539 --> 00:18:27.299 of our deepest desires 00:18:27.299 --> 00:18:27.859 for love 00:18:27.859 --> 00:18:28.839 can only happen 00:18:28.839 --> 00:18:30.740 within God's design 00:18:30.740 --> 00:18:31.980 and authority 00:18:31.980 --> 00:18:33.299 and story 00:18:33.299 --> 00:18:35.240 of love for humanity. 00:18:35.240 --> 00:18:36.059 And so whether 00:18:36.059 --> 00:18:39.720 it's pornography 00:18:39.720 --> 00:18:41.740 or sex 00:18:41.740 --> 00:18:42.640 outside the covenant 00:18:42.640 --> 00:18:43.259 of marriage, 00:18:44.620 --> 00:18:45.660 all sexual immorality 00:18:45.660 --> 00:18:46.279 is like having 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.279 an orphan mentality. 00:18:47.460 --> 00:18:48.299 It's trying to meet 00:18:48.299 --> 00:18:48.980 a legitimate, 00:18:49.599 --> 00:18:49.940 holy, 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.980 God-given 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:52.660 desire for love 00:18:52.660 --> 00:18:55.079 through an illegitimate way 00:18:55.079 --> 00:18:56.200 that falls outside 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:57.039 of God's design 00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:58.259 and authority. 00:18:59.000 --> 00:18:59.680 And to live 00:18:59.680 --> 00:19:00.920 as a beloved child of God, 00:19:00.980 --> 00:19:01.819 to live as God's 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.359 holy people 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.400 is to understand 00:19:03.400 --> 00:19:05.240 that when we say no 00:19:05.240 --> 00:19:07.600 to sinful sexual desires, 00:19:08.080 --> 00:19:10.100 we are saying yes 00:19:10.100 --> 00:19:11.900 to our deeper 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.060 God-given desires 00:19:13.060 --> 00:19:13.960 for love and intimacy. 00:19:14.380 --> 00:19:15.860 We're asking the Spirit 00:19:15.860 --> 00:19:17.000 to stretch the balloon 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:17.580 of our hearts, 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:19.700 to increase our capacity 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:21.800 to both receive God's love 00:19:21.800 --> 00:19:23.780 and to give love 00:19:23.780 --> 00:19:24.460 to others. 00:19:25.720 --> 00:19:26.560 Second of all, 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.220 covetousness or greed. 00:19:29.980 --> 00:19:30.540 Greed. 00:19:30.539 --> 00:19:30.599 Greed. 00:19:32.399 --> 00:19:34.019 What's the legitimate need 00:19:34.019 --> 00:19:35.859 underneath the sin of greed? 00:19:37.079 --> 00:19:37.759 Well, it's a need 00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:38.759 for provision. 00:19:39.220 --> 00:19:39.759 It's a need 00:19:39.759 --> 00:19:41.159 to have our basic 00:19:41.159 --> 00:19:42.059 human needs met 00:19:42.059 --> 00:19:43.659 for food and clothing 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.619 and shelter and security. 00:19:44.740 --> 00:19:45.240 And these are things 00:19:45.240 --> 00:19:47.099 that we ask our Father 00:19:47.099 --> 00:19:48.119 for in the Lord's Prayer 00:19:48.119 --> 00:19:48.619 every week, 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:49.940 for God to provide 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.680 our daily bread. 00:19:53.099 --> 00:19:54.119 But greed 00:19:54.119 --> 00:19:56.759 is when we start 00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:57.920 to begin less like 00:19:57.920 --> 00:19:58.680 sons and daughters 00:19:58.680 --> 00:20:00.019 and more like orphans 00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:01.200 by becoming discontent 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:02.720 with what He has provided, 00:20:02.819 --> 00:20:04.559 we start to pursue 00:20:04.559 --> 00:20:05.799 money and possessions 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:07.339 as ends in themselves, 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:08.779 as objects of love, 00:20:08.920 --> 00:20:10.579 and we seek our security 00:20:10.579 --> 00:20:11.879 in those things 00:20:11.879 --> 00:20:12.839 rather than in God. 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.920 And when we love money 00:20:14.920 --> 00:20:15.480 and possessions 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.240 more than God 00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:16.720 and people, 00:20:17.660 --> 00:20:18.859 it shrinks our hearts. 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.519 Rather than giving 00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.900 ourselves up for others 00:20:21.900 --> 00:20:23.000 as Christ gave Himself 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:23.759 up for us, 00:20:23.940 --> 00:20:25.079 we give ourselves up 00:20:25.079 --> 00:20:25.879 for our work 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:27.359 and our careers 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.660 and our money 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.500 and for success. 00:20:30.279 --> 00:20:30.920 And those things 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.580 become an idol. 00:20:32.540 --> 00:20:32.980 Greed, 00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.300 at the end of the day, 00:20:34.360 --> 00:20:35.019 is a failure 00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.680 to live as a beloved child 00:20:36.680 --> 00:20:38.340 and to live 00:20:38.340 --> 00:20:38.880 like an orphan. 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.759 It's seeking to meet 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.460 a legitimate 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:42.460 God-given need 00:20:42.460 --> 00:20:44.540 through an illegitimate means. 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:45.700 Finally, 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.700 let's look at 00:20:46.700 --> 00:20:47.259 the example 00:20:47.259 --> 00:20:48.080 of coarse choking. 00:20:49.300 --> 00:20:49.580 Now, 00:20:49.779 --> 00:20:50.519 to be honest, 00:20:50.620 --> 00:20:51.400 in this list, 00:20:52.080 --> 00:20:52.660 you read this 00:20:52.660 --> 00:20:52.940 and you go, 00:20:53.019 --> 00:20:53.700 this one seems 00:20:53.700 --> 00:20:54.200 kind of random. 00:20:55.040 --> 00:20:55.240 You know? 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.580 Okay, 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.220 sexual immorality, 00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:56.519 greed, 00:20:56.620 --> 00:20:57.160 those seem 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:58.480 kind of heavy 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:58.920 and important. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.579 But coarse joking, 00:21:00.759 --> 00:21:01.319 why does Paul 00:21:01.319 --> 00:21:02.079 even mention this? 00:21:02.140 --> 00:21:02.500 Why is this 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.420 even in the Bible? 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.980 Let's think about it 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.420 for a second. 00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:08.000 Why does it feel 00:21:08.000 --> 00:21:09.160 so good 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:11.860 to make someone else laugh? 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:13.059 Have you ever 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.500 thought about that? 00:21:14.200 --> 00:21:15.220 Why is making 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:16.240 someone else laugh 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.819 often more enjoyable 00:21:17.819 --> 00:21:19.279 than laughing ourselves? 00:21:20.100 --> 00:21:20.819 It's because 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.579 when we do, 00:21:21.720 --> 00:21:22.680 we feel validated, 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.620 we feel liked, 00:21:24.700 --> 00:21:25.360 we feel accepted, 00:21:25.359 --> 00:21:26.199 we feel loved. 00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.719 Humor meets 00:21:27.719 --> 00:21:29.019 this legitimate 00:21:29.019 --> 00:21:30.099 God-given need 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:30.679 that we have 00:21:30.679 --> 00:21:31.719 to feel connected 00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.639 to other people 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.359 and laughter 00:21:33.359 --> 00:21:34.719 is a beautiful 00:21:34.719 --> 00:21:35.579 God-given part 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:35.799 of that. 00:21:35.959 --> 00:21:37.599 God invented humor. 00:21:37.740 --> 00:21:38.599 God is the funniest 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.899 being in the universe. 00:21:41.459 --> 00:21:42.299 Can you imagine 00:21:42.299 --> 00:21:43.199 your deepest friendships 00:21:43.199 --> 00:21:44.159 and your relationships 00:21:44.159 --> 00:21:44.859 without laughter? 00:21:45.439 --> 00:21:46.019 I can't. 00:21:46.139 --> 00:21:46.799 I love 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:48.439 a well-timed joke 00:21:48.439 --> 00:21:49.459 that makes other people laugh. 00:21:49.539 --> 00:21:50.559 I love doing that. 00:21:51.179 --> 00:21:52.379 But there is a difference 00:21:52.379 --> 00:21:53.639 between godly humor 00:21:53.640 --> 00:21:56.600 and coarse joking. 00:21:57.460 --> 00:21:58.960 The aim of godly humor 00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.960 is ultimately 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:01.980 about giving up 00:22:01.980 --> 00:22:02.620 oneself 00:22:02.620 --> 00:22:04.180 for another 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.940 in love. 00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.560 But the aim 00:22:06.560 --> 00:22:07.420 of coarse joking 00:22:07.420 --> 00:22:09.380 is love of self. 00:22:10.280 --> 00:22:10.920 Godly humor 00:22:10.920 --> 00:22:11.520 recognizes 00:22:11.520 --> 00:22:11.880 there are 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:13.360 God-given boundaries 00:22:13.360 --> 00:22:14.320 about what's okay 00:22:14.320 --> 00:22:15.000 and not okay 00:22:15.000 --> 00:22:15.759 to laugh about. 00:22:17.020 --> 00:22:18.000 But coarse joking 00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:18.960 doesn't see any boundaries. 00:22:19.680 --> 00:22:20.759 It seeks to poke fun 00:22:20.759 --> 00:22:21.380 at anything 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:21.960 and everything. 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.040 Godly humor 00:22:24.040 --> 00:22:24.760 over time 00:22:24.760 --> 00:22:26.040 connects people 00:22:26.040 --> 00:22:26.780 and brings people 00:22:26.780 --> 00:22:27.540 closer together. 00:22:28.940 --> 00:22:29.760 But over time 00:22:29.760 --> 00:22:30.520 coarse joking 00:22:30.520 --> 00:22:31.960 pushes people away. 00:22:32.560 --> 00:22:33.500 To want to be liked 00:22:33.500 --> 00:22:34.040 and loved 00:22:34.040 --> 00:22:34.620 and accepted 00:22:34.620 --> 00:22:35.480 is a good 00:22:35.480 --> 00:22:36.020 human 00:22:36.020 --> 00:22:37.060 God-given desire. 00:22:38.840 --> 00:22:40.900 But when we get a laugh 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:43.620 at someone else's expense, 00:22:44.280 --> 00:22:45.960 when we joke 00:22:45.960 --> 00:22:46.680 about things 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.480 that cross 00:22:47.480 --> 00:22:48.980 a boundary 00:22:48.980 --> 00:22:50.100 that are inappropriate 00:22:50.099 --> 00:22:51.000 to joke about, 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.679 when we joke 00:22:51.679 --> 00:22:52.199 in a way 00:22:52.199 --> 00:22:54.219 that makes us 00:22:54.219 --> 00:22:54.819 feel good 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:57.439 and makes other people 00:22:57.439 --> 00:22:58.159 feel uncomfortable, 00:22:59.159 --> 00:23:01.419 it's usually 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:02.659 because we're acting 00:23:02.659 --> 00:23:03.419 out of a place 00:23:03.419 --> 00:23:04.059 of insecurity. 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.659 We're acting 00:23:06.659 --> 00:23:07.299 like orphans. 00:23:08.139 --> 00:23:09.019 We're seeking 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.439 to meet 00:23:09.439 --> 00:23:10.339 a legitimate need 00:23:10.339 --> 00:23:10.939 for connection 00:23:10.939 --> 00:23:12.159 in an illegitimate way. 00:23:12.259 --> 00:23:13.279 We're failing 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:13.899 to live 00:23:13.899 --> 00:23:15.079 into our identity 00:23:15.079 --> 00:23:16.419 as beloved 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:17.519 children of God. 00:23:17.599 --> 00:23:18.359 We're not believing 00:23:18.359 --> 00:23:19.459 the gospel 00:23:19.459 --> 00:23:20.319 that we are 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:21.039 already loved. 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.339 We're already 00:23:22.339 --> 00:23:23.539 accepted. 00:23:23.699 --> 00:23:24.099 We're already 00:23:24.099 --> 00:23:25.099 liked by 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.399 the one being 00:23:26.399 --> 00:23:27.259 who matters most 00:23:27.259 --> 00:23:28.079 by God himself. 00:23:29.240 --> 00:23:29.779 And so instead 00:23:29.779 --> 00:23:30.939 we seek 00:23:30.939 --> 00:23:31.459 a kind of 00:23:31.459 --> 00:23:32.279 false connection. 00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.439 The reason 00:23:34.439 --> 00:23:35.119 why we say 00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.019 no to coarse joking 00:23:36.019 --> 00:23:37.039 is so we can say 00:23:37.039 --> 00:23:37.500 yes 00:23:37.500 --> 00:23:38.899 to walking 00:23:38.899 --> 00:23:39.599 in love 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.179 and pursuing 00:23:40.179 --> 00:23:40.839 real 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:42.000 genuine 00:23:42.000 --> 00:23:42.799 connection 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.659 with other people. 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.359 So sexual 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.959 immorality 00:23:45.959 --> 00:23:46.559 and greed 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.619 and coarse joking 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.460 these are just 00:23:48.460 --> 00:23:48.879 a few 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.379 of the many 00:23:49.379 --> 00:23:49.740 examples 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.960 that Paul 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:52.319 gives in this 00:23:52.319 --> 00:23:52.779 passage 00:23:52.779 --> 00:23:53.819 of the kind 00:23:53.819 --> 00:23:54.319 of sins 00:23:54.319 --> 00:23:54.740 that we have 00:23:54.740 --> 00:23:55.259 to confront. 00:23:56.019 --> 00:23:56.679 If we're 00:23:56.679 --> 00:23:57.200 going to walk 00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.740 in love 00:23:57.740 --> 00:23:58.039 if we're 00:23:58.039 --> 00:23:58.639 going to embrace 00:23:58.639 --> 00:23:59.200 our people 00:23:59.200 --> 00:24:00.539 as God's 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.299 beloved sons 00:24:01.299 --> 00:24:01.740 and daughters 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:02.539 as his holy 00:24:02.539 --> 00:24:02.859 people 00:24:02.859 --> 00:24:03.720 it's not about 00:24:03.720 --> 00:24:05.419 avoiding a checklist 00:24:05.419 --> 00:24:06.440 of bad behaviors 00:24:06.440 --> 00:24:07.019 it's about 00:24:07.019 --> 00:24:07.500 learning 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:08.759 to walk 00:24:08.759 --> 00:24:09.879 in love. 00:24:10.740 --> 00:24:11.440 It's about 00:24:11.440 --> 00:24:12.039 becoming 00:24:12.039 --> 00:24:13.480 more and more 00:24:13.480 --> 00:24:14.039 of who we 00:24:14.039 --> 00:24:14.819 already are 00:24:14.819 --> 00:24:15.359 in Christ 00:24:15.359 --> 00:24:16.919 by grace. 00:24:17.139 --> 00:24:17.359 It's 00:24:17.359 --> 00:24:19.000 putting sin 00:24:19.000 --> 00:24:19.460 to death 00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.000 and pursuing 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.419 holiness 00:24:20.419 --> 00:24:21.859 is about 00:24:21.859 --> 00:24:22.460 increasing 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:23.179 our capacity 00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:24.399 to both 00:24:24.399 --> 00:24:25.419 receive 00:24:25.419 --> 00:24:26.119 God's love 00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:26.539 and also 00:24:26.539 --> 00:24:27.039 to give 00:24:27.039 --> 00:24:27.759 God's love 00:24:27.759 --> 00:24:29.059 to others. 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.679 And we do 00:24:30.679 --> 00:24:31.159 this 00:24:31.159 --> 00:24:32.579 as people 00:24:32.579 --> 00:24:34.039 who are 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.740 already 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:35.799 deeply 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.679 deeply 00:24:36.679 --> 00:24:37.299 deeply 00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:37.759 loved 00:24:37.759 --> 00:24:38.740 by God. 00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.899 And so 00:24:40.899 --> 00:24:41.419 as we close 00:24:41.419 --> 00:24:41.759 our time 00:24:41.759 --> 00:24:42.200 together this 00:24:42.200 --> 00:24:42.379 morning 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:42.759 I actually 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.039 want to 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:43.539 provide 00:24:43.539 --> 00:24:44.460 just a few 00:24:44.460 --> 00:24:44.839 minutes 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:46.019 of prayer 00:24:46.019 --> 00:24:46.819 and reflection 00:24:46.819 --> 00:24:47.799 for us 00:24:47.799 --> 00:24:48.240 to meditate 00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.680 on these 00:24:48.680 --> 00:24:48.859 things. 00:24:48.940 --> 00:24:49.399 So I invite 00:24:49.399 --> 00:24:49.740 you 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.759 where you're 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.119 sitting 00:24:51.119 --> 00:24:51.819 just to 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:53.220 close your 00:24:53.220 --> 00:24:53.599 eyes 00:24:53.599 --> 00:24:54.259 and to 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.119 reflect on 00:24:55.119 --> 00:24:56.279 some of 00:24:56.279 --> 00:24:56.539 these 00:24:56.539 --> 00:24:57.119 questions 00:24:57.119 --> 00:24:57.500 together 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.059 and to 00:24:58.059 --> 00:24:58.579 pray about 00:24:58.579 --> 00:24:58.920 them 00:24:58.920 --> 00:25:00.839 individually 00:25:00.839 --> 00:25:01.299 and then 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:01.980 I'll close 00:25:01.980 --> 00:25:02.259 this out 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:02.659 in prayer. 00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:03.920 I want to 00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:04.279 invite you 00:25:04.279 --> 00:25:04.779 to think 00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:05.680 about a few 00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.059 things. 00:25:06.159 --> 00:25:06.299 And the 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:06.700 first is 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:07.139 this. 00:25:08.720 --> 00:25:09.539 In what 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:10.379 area of 00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:10.980 your life 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:17.799 do you 00:25:17.799 --> 00:25:18.160 have the 00:25:18.160 --> 00:25:18.579 most 00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.039 trouble 00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:19.519 believing 00:25:19.519 --> 00:25:21.480 that God 00:25:21.480 --> 00:25:22.279 loves you 00:25:22.279 --> 00:25:23.480 as his 00:25:23.480 --> 00:25:23.960 beloved 00:25:23.960 --> 00:25:24.740 child? 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.140 Spend a few 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:26.799 moments thinking 00:25:26.799 --> 00:25:27.360 about that. 00:25:28.160 --> 00:25:28.620 In what 00:25:28.620 --> 00:25:29.160 area of your 00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:29.420 life, 00:25:29.500 --> 00:25:29.920 what place 00:25:29.920 --> 00:25:30.180 of your 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.500 heart 00:25:30.500 --> 00:25:31.759 do you 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:32.059 have the 00:25:32.059 --> 00:25:32.360 most 00:25:32.360 --> 00:25:32.680 trouble 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.140 believing 00:25:33.140 --> 00:25:34.059 that God 00:25:34.059 --> 00:25:34.759 loves you 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:35.319 as his 00:25:35.319 --> 00:25:35.700 beloved 00:25:35.700 --> 00:25:36.539 child? 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:50.000 And as 00:25:50.000 --> 00:25:50.359 you think 00:25:50.359 --> 00:25:50.879 about that, 00:25:51.659 --> 00:25:52.639 I invite 00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.319 you to 00:25:53.319 --> 00:25:54.399 ask him, 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.680 ask the 00:25:55.680 --> 00:25:55.980 Lord, 00:25:56.819 --> 00:25:57.420 to give 00:25:57.420 --> 00:25:57.960 you a 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:58.480 deeper 00:25:58.480 --> 00:25:59.460 experience 00:25:59.460 --> 00:25:59.960 of his 00:25:59.960 --> 00:26:00.359 love 00:26:00.359 --> 00:26:01.940 through the 00:26:01.940 --> 00:26:02.420 power of 00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.680 the Holy 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.019 Spirit. 00:26:04.579 --> 00:26:05.420 Spend a few 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.059 minutes asking 00:26:06.059 --> 00:26:06.399 him, 00:26:06.539 --> 00:26:07.139 for that. 00:26:22.099 --> 00:26:22.579 Secondly, 00:26:22.899 --> 00:26:23.920 where do you 00:26:23.920 --> 00:26:25.079 live more 00:26:25.079 --> 00:26:25.480 like an 00:26:25.480 --> 00:26:26.159 orphan than 00:26:26.159 --> 00:26:26.559 as a 00:26:26.559 --> 00:26:27.019 beloved 00:26:27.019 --> 00:26:27.680 child of 00:26:27.680 --> 00:26:27.920 God? 00:26:29.519 --> 00:26:30.220 Where are 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:30.599 you tempted 00:26:30.599 --> 00:26:30.899 to do 00:26:30.899 --> 00:26:31.019 that? 00:26:31.099 --> 00:26:31.460 Where are 00:26:31.460 --> 00:26:32.579 you tempted 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.159 to meet 00:26:33.159 --> 00:26:33.759 a legitimate 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.180 need? 00:26:35.599 --> 00:26:36.220 In an 00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:36.680 illegitimate 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:36.940 way? 00:26:37.039 --> 00:26:37.420 Where are 00:26:37.420 --> 00:26:38.480 you living 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:38.980 more like 00:26:38.980 --> 00:26:39.319 an orphan 00:26:39.319 --> 00:26:39.640 than a 00:26:39.640 --> 00:26:39.940 beloved 00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.500 child of 00:26:40.500 --> 00:26:40.680 God? 00:26:40.779 --> 00:26:41.259 Spend a 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.380 minute or 00:26:42.380 --> 00:26:42.799 two 00:26:42.799 --> 00:26:43.759 confessing 00:26:43.759 --> 00:26:44.059 that to 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.180 the 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:44.380 Lord. 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:44.680 What? 00:26:44.680 --> 00:27:09.779 And finally, where in your life is God calling you 00:27:09.779 --> 00:27:13.620 to pursue greater holiness and greater obedience? 00:27:14.680 --> 00:27:19.519 To become more and more of who you already are in Christ? 00:27:19.519 --> 00:27:23.539 Where is God calling you to pursue greater holiness and greater obedience? 00:27:23.539 --> 00:27:28.140 To become more and more of who you already are in Christ? 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:30.340 Spend a few moments reflecting on that. 00:27:44.680 --> 00:27:55.400 Father, thank you that you love us in Christ as your deeply loved children, as it says here in Ephesians chapter 5. 00:27:55.400 --> 00:28:14.640 We ask that by the power of your spirit, you would give us a deeper experience of that love, especially in places in our lives where there's shame, where there might be perfectionism or self-criticism or maybe even some self-hatred. 00:28:14.640 --> 00:28:22.360 Thank you that through Christ you've made us your holy people. 00:28:22.359 --> 00:28:27.359 Help us to become more and more of who we already are by grace. 00:28:28.699 --> 00:28:34.099 Help us to see where we act more like orphans than as beloved children. 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:47.279 And help us to put sin to death in us so that we can walk in love as you have loved us and gave yourself up for us. 00:28:47.939 --> 00:28:51.859 In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:52.799 Amen.