WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:15.220 In case some of you don't know it, I am a moderately emotional person. 00:00:15.220 --> 00:00:17.500 ! That's just the way I was hardwired from birth. 00:00:20.179 --> 00:00:24.760 And I have to tell you that as I walked to this pulpit and as I was coming across, 00:00:24.760 --> 00:00:26.839 I was getting cold chills. 00:00:27.039 --> 00:00:29.339 Now, there are some of you that probably don't know what those are. 00:00:30.640 --> 00:00:34.259 But they are just, that's what they are. 00:00:34.340 --> 00:00:34.960 They're cold chills. 00:00:36.380 --> 00:00:40.780 And the reason I was having the cold chills, I was thinking of the fact that I'm going to 00:00:40.780 --> 00:00:45.219 stand here and I'm going to say, open your Bibles. 00:00:47.340 --> 00:00:48.920 Do you know what that really is saying? 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:54.060 God has something to say. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.840 Ephesians chapter 5, verse 1 and 2. 00:01:03.840 --> 00:01:24.060 Let us pray. 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:39.560 Holy Spirit, this morning it is our humble request that you who have been given to every believer 00:01:39.560 --> 00:01:40.200 God's prayer. 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:52.719 Father, to help, to strengthen, to sustain, to bring about progressive sanctification would be actively engaged this morning 00:01:52.719 --> 00:01:54.719 as we who are your children. 00:01:54.719 --> 00:01:58.480 As we who are your children plead with you to work in us, 00:01:58.480 --> 00:02:02.560 that we might hear the word 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:09.280 and allow it to make a difference in our hearts and lives 00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:15.000 and subsequently see the fruit of godly behavior. 00:02:16.620 --> 00:02:19.680 And we are going to give you credit for what you do, 00:02:21.039 --> 00:02:28.500 recognizing that the things that take place are not the making of a man or of men, 00:02:28.840 --> 00:02:30.920 but of the work of your Spirit. 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:35.259 Now for your strength we plead. 00:02:36.339 --> 00:02:36.679 Amen. 00:02:39.539 --> 00:02:46.919 Our attention to this word that we're going to study this morning really is going to follow a very simple plan, 00:02:47.179 --> 00:02:49.359 and I want to tell you in advance what I'm going to say, 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:52.379 not just so that the rest of you kind of go brain dead, 00:02:52.459 --> 00:02:54.279 well, why am I staying here for another 40 minutes, 00:02:54.599 --> 00:02:59.259 but so that you from the very beginning know what the objective and target is. 00:02:59.259 --> 00:03:03.479 We're going to answer three simple classic questions. 00:03:05.500 --> 00:03:05.939 What? 00:03:07.120 --> 00:03:07.560 How? 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:08.899 Why? 00:03:10.259 --> 00:03:14.780 And the fact that the passage actually falls into this order 00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:17.539 is not going to be difficult for you to recognize, 00:03:17.979 --> 00:03:21.739 and I've broken it down in a larger way of saying we're going to look at the model, 00:03:21.859 --> 00:03:22.879 we're going to look at the manner, 00:03:23.019 --> 00:03:26.139 and we're going to look at the motive for Christian living. 00:03:26.139 --> 00:03:33.199 Where we are in our study in the book of Ephesians is that the first three chapters reminded us 00:03:33.199 --> 00:03:39.179 of the fact that God is the one who does this unbelievable, miraculous work 00:03:39.179 --> 00:03:45.259 in bringing people from darkness and death into light and into purpose. 00:03:45.259 --> 00:03:49.299 And it's our joy and our glory to be able to say, 00:03:49.719 --> 00:03:52.519 man, I have been saved by the grace of God. 00:03:52.739 --> 00:03:59.280 I have nothing other than His work to attribute the change that has taken place in my life. 00:03:59.939 --> 00:04:04.120 All of God and the work of God and for the glory of God. 00:04:04.120 --> 00:04:09.219 That being the case, then in Ephesians chapter 4, 00:04:09.640 --> 00:04:15.319 Paul laid out in very careful characteristic that not only are we saved by His grace, 00:04:15.400 --> 00:04:18.399 but then we're connected into a body of believers. 00:04:20.079 --> 00:04:26.860 Who I am together with you is actually in some ways more important than who I am by myself. 00:04:26.860 --> 00:04:30.280 I think that's an important statement to recognize. 00:04:31.500 --> 00:04:38.660 Because in Scripture, the believer is thought of principally in relationship to his connection 00:04:38.660 --> 00:04:41.439 to the body of Christ to other believers. 00:04:41.900 --> 00:04:45.580 And if there's any illustration of what a body is, 00:04:45.639 --> 00:04:49.780 I mean, you see it this morning as we enjoy corporate worship together, right? 00:04:50.500 --> 00:04:51.780 I mean, I'll tell you what, 00:04:51.779 --> 00:04:55.739 you can blow your ears out in your car singing by yourself, 00:04:55.899 --> 00:04:57.059 and it's all good. 00:04:58.559 --> 00:05:02.759 And nobody pays any attention to whether or not you got the words right or not. 00:05:03.059 --> 00:05:05.759 This morning, as I was singing over here on the side, 00:05:05.799 --> 00:05:06.579 where are you, John? 00:05:07.919 --> 00:05:10.959 John is a very patient guy because he just sings on, 00:05:11.019 --> 00:05:15.039 and he's not rattled when the pastor gets the words wrong 00:05:15.039 --> 00:05:17.119 or sings at the wrong time, right? 00:05:17.339 --> 00:05:19.099 And when you're in the car by yourself, 00:05:19.099 --> 00:05:21.719 you can just let it rock and nobody cares, okay? 00:05:21.839 --> 00:05:24.779 But when you're together, man, you just, it's better together. 00:05:24.839 --> 00:05:25.719 Wouldn't you agree with that? 00:05:25.939 --> 00:05:27.279 I love it together. 00:05:28.199 --> 00:05:30.699 By the way, I like singing by myself, too. 00:05:30.819 --> 00:05:32.639 But I love it together. 00:05:33.739 --> 00:05:34.839 That's body life. 00:05:36.619 --> 00:05:38.919 In Romans, why am I stuck in Romans? 00:05:39.039 --> 00:05:40.079 I apologize for that. 00:05:40.879 --> 00:05:41.519 Here's a promise. 00:05:41.619 --> 00:05:42.359 I won't say it again. 00:05:42.419 --> 00:05:43.019 Romans, okay. 00:05:44.779 --> 00:05:45.919 We're in Ephesians. 00:05:45.920 --> 00:05:50.160 And in Ephesians chapter 5, we're moving into this next phase, 00:05:50.379 --> 00:05:56.000 which explains to us in greater detail how the believer is to act. 00:05:56.939 --> 00:06:02.080 And I want us to recognize this morning that what we are looking at here in chapter 5 00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:05.919 is a clear explanation that for the believer, 00:06:06.359 --> 00:06:12.159 we live and act the way we do because of what Christ has done for us and who He is in us. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:18.579 I want you to understand that His expectations are not just kind of dropped on us as arbitrary 00:06:18.579 --> 00:06:28.339 requirements, but really the behavioral issues that are to identify the believer flow out of His grace 00:06:28.339 --> 00:06:30.419 and our relationship. 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:35.339 We're going to see that very clearly this morning. 00:06:35.459 --> 00:06:38.259 So let's go, first of all, to the model of Christian living. 00:06:39.359 --> 00:06:42.560 We begin there in chapter 5, verse 1. 00:06:43.739 --> 00:06:46.779 And as you read in your English text, it says, 00:06:47.279 --> 00:06:50.739 Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children. 00:06:50.859 --> 00:06:52.219 I don't want to belabor the point, 00:06:52.220 --> 00:06:59.420 but when you see the little word, therefore, it is reminding you that something before was significant. 00:07:00.900 --> 00:07:04.880 And if we're going to get the full value and benefit out of the Scriptures, 00:07:05.240 --> 00:07:10.380 one of the things that we should do is think carefully about what is being said. 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:13.240 And so when you strike that little word, therefore, you say, 00:07:13.320 --> 00:07:14.380 Oh, what's that all about? 00:07:14.540 --> 00:07:18.360 And you recognize that Paul's earlier point, going back, if you will, 00:07:18.360 --> 00:07:22.480 just a little bit, back into 432, it says this. 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:25.020 It says there, 00:07:25.100 --> 00:07:27.580 Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, 00:07:27.800 --> 00:07:31.680 as God in Christ forgave you. 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:37.620 And Paul's earlier point that he is now amplifying in chapter 5 is that 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:42.720 it is because of Christ's work on the cross and His atonement 00:07:42.720 --> 00:07:46.580 that you and I have the blessing of even living the life that we do. 00:07:46.579 --> 00:07:53.139 Now, because of the cross, we are given this little sharp bullet statement, 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:57.319 this little summary of what Christian living really all amounts to. 00:07:57.379 --> 00:07:59.639 What are we to be because we are believers? 00:07:59.959 --> 00:08:01.419 And let me put it to you very simply. 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:05.159 Every believer is to imitate Christ. 00:08:06.039 --> 00:08:09.839 Every believer is to imitate Christ. 00:08:10.860 --> 00:08:12.860 Paul gives to us a command. 00:08:13.060 --> 00:08:13.339 He says, 00:08:13.339 --> 00:08:16.039 This is what you are to do. 00:08:16.500 --> 00:08:18.819 You are to be an imitator of God. 00:08:19.859 --> 00:08:23.079 And when that word is stated, it's actually in the Greek, 00:08:23.179 --> 00:08:24.419 the word from which we get mimic. 00:08:24.579 --> 00:08:26.379 How many of you know what it is to mimic somebody? 00:08:27.039 --> 00:08:31.120 Now, some of you maybe did it in junior high for the purposes of irritating people, right? 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:36.360 Someone would say something and you would just mimic it back to them. 00:08:36.439 --> 00:08:39.279 But, of course, you would do a little something with your voice inflection. 00:08:39.279 --> 00:08:40.980 What were you trying to do? 00:08:42.459 --> 00:08:45.839 Don't raise your hand and wave at me and tell me that you actually did this. 00:08:46.059 --> 00:08:48.699 But what you were trying to do was irritate them a little bit, right? 00:08:49.379 --> 00:08:52.319 You were mimicking them for the sake of mockery. 00:08:52.480 --> 00:08:55.980 Now, that's not talking about mimicking God for the sake of mockery. 00:08:55.980 --> 00:09:02.759 It is talking about mimicking God because He is supremely worthy of being the model that we follow. 00:09:04.240 --> 00:09:16.980 And what Paul is saying to you is that you who have been saved by His grace have this obligation of doing your very best to act like God. 00:09:16.980 --> 00:09:23.420 We see this expectation in so many different passages. 00:09:24.720 --> 00:09:28.720 Over in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 32 that I just referenced a moment ago, 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:30.279 you remember that it says, 00:09:31.379 --> 00:09:36.000 we're to be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another. 00:09:36.159 --> 00:09:36.440 Why? 00:09:36.539 --> 00:09:36.720 Why? 00:09:36.779 --> 00:09:37.580 Why should we do that? 00:09:38.259 --> 00:09:42.480 In the same way, mimicking would be another way of putting it, 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:46.980 mimicking God who in Christ has forgiven us. 00:09:47.759 --> 00:09:53.420 So why should I forgive people that irritate, offend, trouble, harm me? 00:09:53.420 --> 00:10:00.920 I should forgive them because Christ died for my sins, 00:10:01.080 --> 00:10:05.120 and the Father because of Christ has forgiven me. 00:10:05.899 --> 00:10:09.259 We find many different illustrations of this. 00:10:09.340 --> 00:10:10.600 I particularly appreciated. 00:10:10.600 --> 00:10:16.980 Last Sunday evening, Caleb Gibbs preached on a passage in Genesis chapter 19, 00:10:17.240 --> 00:10:18.720 not chapter 9. 00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:20.440 Which was it, Caleb? 00:10:21.360 --> 00:10:21.840 9. 00:10:22.040 --> 00:10:22.980 It was chapter 9. 00:10:23.040 --> 00:10:24.420 I was adding a 1 just to check. 00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:33.040 But in chapter 9, you'll remember that it tells us that Noah had wine. 00:10:33.480 --> 00:10:34.180 He got drunk. 00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.620 He lay in his tent naked. 00:10:35.620 --> 00:10:41.840 And one of his sons came out and kind of shared with the other sons what was going on. 00:10:42.159 --> 00:10:51.019 His two sons, Shem and Japheth, then took a blanket or whatever and walked backward across their father and covered him. 00:10:51.019 --> 00:11:06.419 And Caleb made an excellent point in that the two sons covering of their father was the same kind of behavior that God the Father had done when Adam and Eve sinned. 00:11:06.480 --> 00:11:10.159 What did he provide for Adam and Eve in their sinful state? 00:11:10.159 --> 00:11:11.860 He provided a covering, didn't he? 00:11:13.319 --> 00:11:18.539 We also find, and I want you to turn over to this passage, if you will, in Matthew chapter 5, verse 48. 00:11:18.539 --> 00:11:21.279 Jesus is teaching on the matter. 00:11:22.240 --> 00:11:33.159 And in Matthew chapter 5, verse 48, he says this, 00:11:33.219 --> 00:11:36.379 You must therefore be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:11:36.480 --> 00:11:37.779 In other words, act like your dad. 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:44.179 Now, in the context of what that passage is saying, back up there in verse 43, it says, 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:47.759 You have heard that it is said, You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:11:48.539 --> 00:11:55.179 But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons, 00:11:55.439 --> 00:12:01.039 and I want you to mark this in your own thinking, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. 00:12:01.299 --> 00:12:05.799 Is it saying that by loving people I become a son? 00:12:05.939 --> 00:12:07.019 That's not the point. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:07.419 No. 00:12:07.839 --> 00:12:14.699 But it is saying that my loving people authenticates or verifies the fact that I am his son. 00:12:14.700 --> 00:12:21.060 We also find in a passage in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, and you don't need to turn to that text, 00:12:21.160 --> 00:12:27.259 but in 2 Corinthians chapter 9, we are reminded that we're to be generous in our relationships with other people 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:29.920 because he has been generous with us. 00:12:31.180 --> 00:12:34.300 Now, there's another little thing that I want you not to miss in the text. 00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:37.540 And so, put your finger, if you will, on the fact that it says, 00:12:37.660 --> 00:12:40.700 Be imitators of God as beloved children. 00:12:40.700 --> 00:12:42.920 I want you to mark that word children. 00:12:43.660 --> 00:12:48.560 You see, it's a fairly burdensome thought to us sitting right here, 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:54.740 knowing as we do our own frailty, to be told that we're to act like God. 00:12:54.759 --> 00:12:55.259 Isn't that right? 00:12:56.720 --> 00:12:57.480 That's hard. 00:12:57.480 --> 00:13:04.899 I'm embarrassed to say this, but yesterday I said to my wife, we're in the car, and I said, 00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:06.899 Honey, I want you to do... 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:09.860 Judith is not well today, but she's my bride. 00:13:10.360 --> 00:13:11.940 And God hired her. 00:13:12.100 --> 00:13:16.039 She's been at the job for 43 years of slowly helping me grow in grace. 00:13:16.139 --> 00:13:16.720 Do you follow that? 00:13:17.240 --> 00:13:23.080 And so, we're driving back from a game, and I said to her in the car, I said, 00:13:23.139 --> 00:13:24.960 Honey, here's what I want you to do. 00:13:24.960 --> 00:13:28.019 Dude, next time you hear me being sarcastic... 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:30.440 I struggle with that sometimes. 00:13:30.960 --> 00:13:35.680 I said, Next time you hear me being sarcastic or critical to anyone, I want you to call me on it. 00:13:36.379 --> 00:13:37.560 I want you to say this. 00:13:37.740 --> 00:13:39.200 That is ungodly, Tim. 00:13:39.900 --> 00:13:40.060 Okay? 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:46.379 And I was, Man, Man, I'm supposed to be an imitator of God, 00:13:46.440 --> 00:13:50.860 and every now and then my tongue can just be as caustic and as critical. 00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:53.400 You know, it's like, Ah, I don't want to do that. 00:13:53.399 --> 00:13:56.379 So, I solicited my wife's help. 00:13:56.699 --> 00:13:57.319 You follow that? 00:13:58.860 --> 00:14:02.279 See, that burden of being an imitator of God is pretty big. 00:14:03.179 --> 00:14:04.459 And I recognize that. 00:14:05.220 --> 00:14:06.139 And you do too. 00:14:07.100 --> 00:14:10.620 But the next little part is a tremendous encouragement. 00:14:10.620 --> 00:14:24.879 When Paul says, as beloved children, he chooses to use a particular Greek word that is not identifying us as infants, 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:31.419 nor identifying us as a child that is growing up, 00:14:31.419 --> 00:14:39.399 but he uses a word that identifies us as being offspring of a particular father. 00:14:40.879 --> 00:14:42.699 Is that an encouragement to me? 00:14:43.839 --> 00:14:45.679 Hey, what he is saying is, 00:14:46.360 --> 00:14:51.419 you have been blessed by the genetic characteristics of your father, 00:14:51.759 --> 00:14:54.120 and acting like him is doable. 00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:56.740 I'm encouraged by that. 00:14:57.740 --> 00:15:00.700 He says, imitate God. 00:15:01.399 --> 00:15:01.879 Why? 00:15:02.659 --> 00:15:05.360 Because you are his beloved offspring. 00:15:06.320 --> 00:15:14.620 You, by grace, are carrying the genetic code that makes behaving that way something that is possible. 00:15:15.820 --> 00:15:16.740 Do you understand that? 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:18.600 That's pretty significant. 00:15:18.600 --> 00:15:23.860 I think about the passage over in 1 John chapter 3, 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:28.159 where the apostle is writing about the matter of Christian behavior, 00:15:28.580 --> 00:15:30.680 and he's writing about the issue of sin, 00:15:30.980 --> 00:15:34.159 and he says this, and kind of simplify it for you a little bit. 00:15:34.420 --> 00:15:38.019 He says, listen, one of the things that you can be certain of 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:42.460 is that if you're his child because his seed abides in you, 00:15:42.519 --> 00:15:44.600 because you're his offspring, 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:47.660 you're not going to continue to get away with sin. 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:49.019 You just can't keep doing it. 00:15:49.899 --> 00:15:51.240 There are some of you sitting here this morning. 00:15:51.319 --> 00:15:52.379 As you look about your life, 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:55.120 you recognize that you may have some kind of, 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:58.059 some superficial trapping about being Christian. 00:15:58.179 --> 00:16:00.399 I mean, after all, you pray every night. 00:16:01.480 --> 00:16:03.259 Dear Jesus, how does that prayer go? 00:16:04.259 --> 00:16:05.679 Now I lay me down to sleep. 00:16:05.779 --> 00:16:08.360 I pray the Lord my soul to keep if I should die before I wake. 00:16:08.719 --> 00:16:10.699 You know, I mean, hey, hey, hey, does that count? 00:16:10.819 --> 00:16:11.319 What's the answer? 00:16:11.360 --> 00:16:12.100 No, no, no, no. 00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:15.919 Just saying the prayer doesn't make you a child, does it? 00:16:17.659 --> 00:16:20.679 A child has the genetic disposition of his father, 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:25.179 and when Paul says, you act like you're dead, 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.959 he says, because you're his beloved child. 00:16:28.959 --> 00:16:30.120 That's an encouragement. 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:37.159 I want you to understand that the believer is the offspring of God 00:16:37.159 --> 00:16:40.000 and carries his genetic code. 00:16:41.019 --> 00:16:44.879 I want you to look at a passage that helps us understand this a little bit more. 00:16:45.220 --> 00:16:48.019 Turn back to John chapter 8. 00:16:49.019 --> 00:16:53.759 In John chapter 8, Jesus is having a little bit of discussion with some Jews 00:16:53.759 --> 00:16:57.819 who were pretty full of themselves about their genetic heritage. 00:16:59.019 --> 00:17:04.559 And one of the things that the Jews had great confidence in is that 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:10.720 because Abraham was their father, they made this presupposition or supposition that, 00:17:10.859 --> 00:17:11.740 well, hey, they had it in. 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.660 They were on their way. 00:17:14.339 --> 00:17:19.160 One of the rabbis actually taught that Abraham stood at the gate of hell, 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:23.980 and any time someone was skittering down towards eternal condemnation, 00:17:24.180 --> 00:17:28.279 if that person was circumcised, guess what Abraham did? 00:17:29.580 --> 00:17:32.380 Caught him, stopped him, took him on to heaven. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:36.560 And the Jews were pretty full of the fact that they were who they were. 00:17:37.220 --> 00:17:42.360 And so I want you to recognize that here in John chapter 8, verse 39, 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:45.560 they answered him, Abraham is our father. 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:50.099 But Jesus said, if you were Abraham's children, you'd be doing the works Abraham did. 00:17:50.159 --> 00:17:50.779 What's the point? 00:17:51.980 --> 00:17:55.659 The thing that really made Abraham significant was his faith. 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:59.500 And they were not displaying that. 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:02.740 In other words, Jesus is saying, if you're Abraham's kids, you'd act like them. 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:06.059 And then he goes on, and I want you to look in verse 44, 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:08.599 because here's where he really tags them between the eyes. 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:15.500 You are of your father, the devil, and you will do your father's desire. 00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:20.159 The way you behave, everybody listening carefully? 00:18:20.740 --> 00:18:21.539 Don't want to miss this. 00:18:22.899 --> 00:18:26.639 Ultimately, the way you behave is a giveaway on your genetic code. 00:18:28.159 --> 00:18:31.279 The way you act shows who your daddy is. 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:34.179 That's the point Jesus is making. 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:40.799 Going back to Ephesians, I just want to make a little side statement in relationship to this, 00:18:41.340 --> 00:18:47.400 because when we stop and ponder the reality that you who know Christ, I who know Christ, 00:18:47.480 --> 00:18:51.240 really have this sacred obligation of acting like our father. 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:52.820 That's tough. 00:18:53.759 --> 00:18:55.700 I want to give you a word of encouragement, though. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:58.420 What God expects of us, He also enables in us. 00:18:58.560 --> 00:19:00.000 Can I go over that slowly? 00:19:00.579 --> 00:19:04.140 Because if you're sitting here this morning, probably a couple different things are happening. 00:19:04.259 --> 00:19:07.180 Some of you are sitting here thinking, oh, well, how long is this going to be? 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:07.880 It'll be long. 00:19:09.059 --> 00:19:10.920 Some of you are thinking, well, I can't do that. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:11.680 I can't do that. 00:19:11.799 --> 00:19:15.880 And my encouragement is, hey, God doesn't expect you to do it by yourself. 00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:22.519 One of the things that Jesus said to His disciples is, listen, when I leave, 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:25.799 it's going to be for your good, because you're going to get the Holy Spirit. 00:19:27.220 --> 00:19:29.640 And you know what the Holy Spirit is there to help me do? 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:33.019 The Holy Spirit is there to help me act like Jesus. 00:19:34.359 --> 00:19:37.960 And I can count on the Holy Spirit to help me act like Jesus. 00:19:38.779 --> 00:19:41.700 By the way, can I grieve the Holy Spirit? 00:19:41.779 --> 00:19:43.220 We learned that several weeks ago. 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:46.180 Can I be offensive in my behavior? 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:46.700 Yes. 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:50.579 And I can tell you more and more, I'm thinking in my own life, 00:19:50.579 --> 00:19:53.920 when sin enters in and I find myself drifting left of center, 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:57.920 I think to myself, Tim, you're offending the Holy Spirit. 00:20:00.000 --> 00:20:05.920 I want you to come back and recognize this, that God, when He calls us to do something, 00:20:06.500 --> 00:20:08.059 He also enables us. 00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:15.740 And one of the things that is so spectacular about the reality of this is that there in Ephesians, 00:20:15.880 --> 00:20:19.420 when Paul says, you be imitators of God as beloved children, 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:24.180 He's speaking to all kinds of people who had all kinds of backgrounds. 00:20:25.840 --> 00:20:30.880 Have you ever bumped into people who, as believers, we're talking about people who say they're believers, 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:36.720 they excuse their bad language or they excuse their rotten, stinky attitude? 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.579 Well, that's the way I was brought up. 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.299 Ever heard that kind of stuff? 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:43.960 Hey, you don't get a pass. 00:20:45.259 --> 00:20:48.539 Because every one of us had an equally nasty background. 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:50.600 Would you agree with that theologically? 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:54.319 We were all dead in our trespasses and sin, 00:20:54.319 --> 00:20:57.919 and we who were dead have been made alive by God, 00:20:58.059 --> 00:21:00.279 and we have received the Spirit of God, 00:21:00.399 --> 00:21:04.359 and we don't have to be the way we used to be. 00:21:06.039 --> 00:21:11.179 And Paul says this, he says, hey, act like God. 00:21:11.180 --> 00:21:21.500 I want you to recognize that it's a blessing for us to recognize that the believer's past is covered by his blood, 00:21:22.160 --> 00:21:25.360 and the believer's present is enabled by his Spirit. 00:21:25.560 --> 00:21:26.799 I want you to settle on that. 00:21:27.680 --> 00:21:31.039 I think back, I'm 65 now, and I can tell you, 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:38.039 probably one of the very significant things that has changed in my understanding of the Christian life 00:21:38.039 --> 00:21:45.279 is just how thankful I am for the ministry of the Spirit of God in Tim Kenoyer's life. 00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:48.720 Not by might nor by power. 00:21:49.220 --> 00:21:50.240 Can anybody finish it off? 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:53.240 But by my Spirit, saith the Lord. 00:21:53.500 --> 00:21:57.059 So when you're sitting there and thinking, I've got to act like my father? 00:21:57.899 --> 00:21:59.039 How's that going to happen? 00:21:59.299 --> 00:22:01.119 Well, by the Spirit of God. 00:22:02.440 --> 00:22:03.779 Let's come to the second part. 00:22:04.899 --> 00:22:06.759 Ephesians chapter 5, verse 2, 00:22:06.759 --> 00:22:12.740 And walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us. 00:22:13.940 --> 00:22:17.440 We're looking at the manner of Christian living. 00:22:18.119 --> 00:22:19.779 We saw what we are to do. 00:22:19.859 --> 00:22:20.819 We're to act like God. 00:22:21.039 --> 00:22:24.920 Now we come to how that behavior is to play out. 00:22:25.440 --> 00:22:29.440 And whether you're a believer or unbeliever, life is a journey. 00:22:29.440 --> 00:22:37.980 The question or the indicator of the authenticity of your faith is found in the tenor or the tone of your life. 00:22:38.539 --> 00:22:45.700 And when Paul commands us to walk in love, he is using that imagery of something taking place. 00:22:46.360 --> 00:22:47.580 He says this in essence. 00:22:47.579 --> 00:22:54.419 He says, let the motion and the direction of your life be marked by genuine biblical love. 00:22:55.039 --> 00:23:01.779 Let the motion and the direction of your life be marked by genuine biblical love. 00:23:01.919 --> 00:23:04.480 How many of you here were just born natural lovers? 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:12.000 Judith and I, earlier in the week or last week, were babysitting our four grandchildren. 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.240 We have 13 of them. 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:14.400 Four of them were at our house. 00:23:14.980 --> 00:23:21.500 And we're dealing with the youngest one who is furthest from sanctification at this moment, I think, you know. 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:26.660 She has a very, very narrow window of interest. 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:28.539 Here's what it is. 00:23:28.539 --> 00:23:30.259 She says, I want to be fed. 00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:33.359 I want to be warm. 00:23:34.420 --> 00:23:38.099 I want someone actually holding me, bouncing up and down. 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:41.099 You put me down, I'll let you know. 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:44.299 That was not what I had planned. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:50.180 And by the way, when you put her down, it's not like she says, is anybody listening? 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:51.700 I'd like to discuss this. 00:23:52.279 --> 00:23:56.720 You know, it's like she can ratchet it up to where I'm concerned that my neighbors are going to call. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:58.900 You know, she really dials it up. 00:23:59.140 --> 00:24:03.600 And so, I'm convinced that she wasn't born with love in her heart. 00:24:05.480 --> 00:24:09.700 But then I stop and realize that I probably am the genetic contributor to this little one. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:10.380 You know, follow that? 00:24:11.860 --> 00:24:13.680 Okay, so here's the deal. 00:24:14.759 --> 00:24:17.339 Paul says, and walk in love. 00:24:17.720 --> 00:24:18.079 Who? 00:24:19.279 --> 00:24:24.319 Now, the word that Paul uses is an interesting one because, and I'm not going to overplay the issue, 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:32.399 but it's the word agape, which is talking about a love that is really focused on doing what is best for the other person. 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:39.379 And as we think about that kind of love, we recognize that's not typical of the natural heart. 00:24:40.379 --> 00:24:47.819 So, we come to a subtle characteristic of biblical truth that we might miss if we're kind of grinding through this passage. 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:54.579 The command to love is one that is directly connected to the model of love. 00:24:54.659 --> 00:24:55.299 Does that make sense? 00:24:56.000 --> 00:24:56.919 And I want you to see this. 00:24:56.960 --> 00:24:58.099 We're going to see it over and over again. 00:24:58.619 --> 00:25:04.299 The responsibility of Christian living is not just kind of that Jesus backs the dump truck of truth, 00:25:04.379 --> 00:25:08.439 and, you know, you hear that beep, beep, beep, and out there it is, and you've got to deal with it. 00:25:08.859 --> 00:25:11.960 Anytime he reminds you or he tells you, I want you to do this, 00:25:11.960 --> 00:25:17.220 he's going to give you a model so you can see what it's like and you can have some encouragement in it. 00:25:17.220 --> 00:25:25.840 And by the way, you can connect to the blessing that you have found in the very behavior that you are now called to engage in. 00:25:26.140 --> 00:25:27.200 Walk in love. 00:25:27.860 --> 00:25:28.819 Tough thing to do. 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.740 But then we read immediately, 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:50.960 Furthermore, I want you to recognize that your love is also to be like Christ who loved us and gave himself for us. 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:52.079 That's what it says in the passage. 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:56.440 As Christ loved us and gave himself for us. 00:25:56.440 --> 00:26:00.940 And I find those two descriptions of Christ's heart to be very deeply moving. 00:26:01.320 --> 00:26:03.200 One, it says that he loved us. 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:05.860 And by the way, when did he love us? 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:08.019 Think for yourself. 00:26:08.259 --> 00:26:09.820 When did he love you? 00:26:10.460 --> 00:26:13.799 For one, it was before the foundation of the world. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:16.140 For another, he loved you while you were yet a sinner. 00:26:16.660 --> 00:26:18.539 He loved you while you hated him. 00:26:18.779 --> 00:26:22.680 He loved you while you had no interest at all in him. 00:26:22.820 --> 00:26:24.059 How do we do at loving? 00:26:24.059 --> 00:26:30.539 Well, when we were back in junior high, we did fairly good at loving when someone else was smiling at us. 00:26:30.659 --> 00:26:32.000 How many of you remember those days? 00:26:33.419 --> 00:26:35.740 And when someone was smiling at us, what would we do? 00:26:36.579 --> 00:26:37.500 You don't want to admit it. 00:26:37.720 --> 00:26:38.879 But you'd ask your friend. 00:26:38.919 --> 00:26:40.179 You never wanted to be direct about this. 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:44.659 But you'd ask your friend to ask their friend if so-and-so actually was interested. 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:46.460 Do you remember those juvenile things we used to do? 00:26:50.659 --> 00:26:51.659 Does she like me? 00:26:51.660 --> 00:26:53.960 Well, she did a couple hours ago. 00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:58.640 But, you know, that's how long it would take the message to come back around. 00:26:58.800 --> 00:27:05.420 You know, it's like we were great at loving people that loved us, but loving people that didn't love us. 00:27:05.620 --> 00:27:07.820 And Christ loved us while we were yet sinners. 00:27:08.960 --> 00:27:11.960 But not only did he love us, but mark what it says in the passage, 00:27:11.960 --> 00:27:15.180 And he gave himself for us. 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:20.140 His love drove him to the cross. 00:27:22.220 --> 00:27:24.059 Who should have been driven to the cross? 00:27:25.140 --> 00:27:26.480 I should have been driven there. 00:27:27.019 --> 00:27:28.140 You should have been driven there. 00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:34.820 All of us deserve the righteous indignation and the wrath of a holy God against us 00:27:34.820 --> 00:27:39.120 because we have been rebels against his glory and his holiness. 00:27:39.680 --> 00:27:44.400 And yet Christ died in our place, and he died for us. 00:27:44.400 --> 00:27:51.820 Finally, we come to something there in the passage, the last part of it, 00:27:52.320 --> 00:27:58.960 that really it tells us over in 1 Peter 1, verse 12, the angels, they're kind of flummoxed by it. 00:28:00.200 --> 00:28:04.740 I mean, you kind of think that angels in heaven have a pretty good grip on everything going on, right? 00:28:04.740 --> 00:28:11.539 Well, there's one thing that just kind of stirs their curiosity, and they're, you know, bumping each other. 00:28:11.940 --> 00:28:12.819 Do you understand that? 00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.700 Do you get it? 00:28:13.880 --> 00:28:14.640 What's that about? 00:28:16.019 --> 00:28:21.420 The thing that just amazes angels is that God sent his son to die for us, 00:28:21.539 --> 00:28:24.680 and he has lavished his love upon us who didn't love him. 00:28:24.859 --> 00:28:27.160 By the way, why do the angels not understand this? 00:28:28.519 --> 00:28:32.440 How many of you realize much of what you understand comes about by experience? 00:28:33.940 --> 00:28:34.339 Okay? 00:28:35.480 --> 00:28:38.660 And angels, did they have any experience in grace? 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:40.140 What did they understand of grace? 00:28:41.039 --> 00:28:42.599 It was not even baseball. 00:28:42.759 --> 00:28:45.400 It was one strike, you're out. 00:28:46.299 --> 00:28:53.980 And so the angels are sitting up watching what God is doing with sinners like you and like me, 00:28:53.980 --> 00:28:56.779 and they're kind of nudging each other and saying, what's that all about? 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.980 I mean, is that ultimately fair? 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:02.039 How many of you are really into being fair? 00:29:02.039 --> 00:29:06.639 I mean, when I hear people talk about being fair, that's not fair. 00:29:06.640 --> 00:29:12.259 I always think to myself, there's probably a lot of angels in hell that are thinking that way. 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:14.160 You know, it's like, that's not fair. 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.480 Well, okay. 00:29:15.480 --> 00:29:22.240 Here are the angels pondering this business, and we come now to the explanation of it. 00:29:22.240 --> 00:29:24.740 There at the last part, it says, 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:38.220 We're to act like God our Father. 00:29:38.220 --> 00:29:38.900 Remember that? 00:29:38.900 --> 00:29:43.400 What we're dealing with is the what, the how, and the why. 00:29:44.100 --> 00:29:50.140 We're to act like God our Father, and when we're doing so, we will love like Christ loved us. 00:29:50.160 --> 00:29:51.880 That's the two points that we've made so far. 00:29:51.880 --> 00:29:59.380 The third statement really deals with explaining the significance of Christ's death for us, 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:07.200 and then bringing it all together and helping us understand that it is the motive that drives us to act like the Father. 00:30:07.200 --> 00:30:11.240 So I could put it this way. 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:20.900 If you are here today, and you are really not very often prompted to want to act like the Father, 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:23.920 it could be, A, you don't know Christ. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:35.320 But it also could be that as a believer, you have distanced yourself from thinking very much about what Christ has done 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:37.320 and its significance to you. 00:30:37.620 --> 00:30:38.860 And I can put it this way. 00:30:39.160 --> 00:30:47.860 The further you wander from the cross, the clearer your difficulty or the more pronounced your difficulty will be 00:30:47.860 --> 00:30:50.980 in acting like Christ or acting like your Father. 00:30:50.980 --> 00:30:56.599 We need to always be reminded of the significance of Christ's ministry for us. 00:30:56.680 --> 00:31:02.200 And so let's understand that Christ came bringing Himself as an offering. 00:31:03.339 --> 00:31:10.779 The Greek word that Paul uses here is a word that just simply talks about bringing a gift. 00:31:11.920 --> 00:31:12.759 Bringing a gift. 00:31:13.839 --> 00:31:16.019 Bringing something to someone else. 00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:20.720 I'll never forget, several years ago, Judith and I had the privilege, 00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:26.680 we have over the years hosted a number of different students that have come to OSU 00:31:26.680 --> 00:31:28.779 generally to do their Ph.D. work or whatever. 00:31:29.160 --> 00:31:32.860 And one of the things that we came to understand was just kind of normal, 00:31:33.160 --> 00:31:34.779 we kept on getting Chinese students. 00:31:34.860 --> 00:31:36.720 And Chinese students, when they walk in the door, 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:39.079 one of the first things they give to you is what? 00:31:39.900 --> 00:31:40.720 A gift. 00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:40.819 A gift. 00:31:42.420 --> 00:31:47.460 Oh, Mr. Knoyer, I have this for you. 00:31:47.860 --> 00:31:48.600 A gift. 00:31:49.799 --> 00:31:51.240 A matter of respect. 00:31:52.680 --> 00:31:56.860 A lot of times, salesmen at the end of the year around Christmas time, 00:31:57.180 --> 00:31:59.920 they will bring gifts to their favorite clients. 00:32:00.059 --> 00:32:00.960 Why do they bring gifts? 00:32:01.019 --> 00:32:01.839 Does anybody have any idea? 00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.220 Yeah. 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:05.559 I think. 00:32:05.640 --> 00:32:09.000 I'm not positive, but I think it has to do something with the year's business. 00:32:09.180 --> 00:32:10.559 Am I on page? 00:32:11.940 --> 00:32:12.200 Okay. 00:32:14.839 --> 00:32:19.299 The Word is just talking about bringing something to another person. 00:32:19.920 --> 00:32:21.360 Here, this is for you. 00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:26.199 I hope this stirs you to think favorably of me, right? 00:32:26.559 --> 00:32:30.799 It says that Christ came, bringing Himself as an offering. 00:32:31.459 --> 00:32:36.119 And I want you to recognize that the Scriptures make it clear that Jesus was not forced to the cross. 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.299 He came willingly. 00:32:37.599 --> 00:32:39.139 He brought Himself willingly. 00:32:40.959 --> 00:32:43.419 Secondly, it says that Christ came as a sacrifice. 00:32:43.420 --> 00:32:51.320 And when the word sacrifice comes up in our theological thinking, 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:55.539 we recognize that it kind of draws us back to the Old Testament. 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:59.880 And I want to think with you just for a moment about how sacrifice took place, 00:33:00.300 --> 00:33:05.039 particularly with the high priest once a year when he made atonement for the nation of Israel and for their sins. 00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:10.740 And so you'll remember that what he would do was he would choose a spotless lamb, 00:33:10.740 --> 00:33:14.380 and he would place his hand on that lamb, 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:21.700 signifying that that lamb was taking the consequences or the burden of the sins of the people, 00:33:21.880 --> 00:33:24.240 and then the lamb was slaughtered, 00:33:25.460 --> 00:33:28.019 and the blood was thrown against the altar, 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:31.759 carried in and put upon the mercy seat. 00:33:32.680 --> 00:33:34.740 Do you know what happened to the body of that lamb? 00:33:36.200 --> 00:33:37.160 It was burned. 00:33:38.380 --> 00:33:39.059 It was burned. 00:33:39.059 --> 00:33:45.179 And there is a very interesting imagery that Paul now relies on, 00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.779 and I want you to mark it, if you will, 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:53.019 because it tells us that his sacrifice was a sweet aroma to God. 00:33:54.919 --> 00:33:57.460 Keep your finger in Ephesians chapter 4 00:33:57.460 --> 00:34:00.500 and turn back in your Bible to Leviticus chapter 1. 00:34:02.200 --> 00:34:03.539 Leviticus chapter 1. 00:34:03.539 --> 00:34:12.679 We find in Leviticus chapter 1 three different times 00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:21.079 that the burning of the sacrifice is spoken of using this little English phrase. 00:34:21.079 --> 00:34:38.400 Verse 9. 00:34:40.400 --> 00:34:45.139 Verse 17. 00:34:45.139 --> 00:34:54.000 Listen to me carefully. 00:34:55.279 --> 00:35:05.099 The Hebrew root communicates the idea of something that is soothing and tranquilizing. 00:35:05.099 --> 00:35:12.480 something that calms the spirit of God. 00:35:12.480 --> 00:35:21.179 And I want you to understand that as the smoke of sacrifice rose up in the Old Testament, 00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:27.400 what it was doing was declaring to God that people there in the Old Testament day 00:35:27.400 --> 00:35:32.099 had confidence in the sacrifice that they were making, 00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:35.099 not because of the significance of the lamb, 00:35:35.099 --> 00:35:41.500 but because the day was coming when God would send his own son to die in our place. 00:35:42.900 --> 00:35:43.819 Do you understand that? 00:35:45.239 --> 00:35:50.019 And as that aroma of that burning flesh would rise up, 00:35:50.319 --> 00:35:56.699 it would soothe the righteous indignation of God against sin. 00:35:56.699 --> 00:36:00.519 That's what this is saying. 00:36:04.839 --> 00:36:12.659 Christ's death quieted and satisfied the judgment against sin. 00:36:14.339 --> 00:36:15.500 I can't help it. 00:36:15.599 --> 00:36:20.099 I think about this passage of going back to Isaiah chapter 53, 00:36:20.259 --> 00:36:21.779 I believe it's verse 10 where it says, 00:36:21.919 --> 00:36:24.099 and it pleased the Lord to bruise him. 00:36:24.099 --> 00:36:27.779 That's a hard passage to understand, isn't it? 00:36:29.139 --> 00:36:35.059 God the Father was pleased with the sacrifice of Christ. 00:36:36.319 --> 00:36:44.679 As the smoke of the sacrifice rose up in the Old Testament, 00:36:45.539 --> 00:36:51.199 it was an indication that the Old Testament saint believed that, 00:36:51.199 --> 00:36:52.279 are you listening? 00:36:52.280 --> 00:36:59.560 Sin could not be remedied by anything except the shedding of blood. 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:02.519 That's pretty sobering, isn't it? 00:37:03.120 --> 00:37:06.100 What can wash away my sins? 00:37:06.240 --> 00:37:06.420 What? 00:37:06.860 --> 00:37:09.720 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:37:09.820 --> 00:37:11.340 What can make me whole again? 00:37:11.740 --> 00:37:13.900 Nothing but the blood of Jesus. 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:21.180 My heart is overwhelmed this morning when I think about what I owe him. 00:37:21.179 --> 00:37:23.599 Oh, yes. 00:37:24.719 --> 00:37:25.819 Do I owe him? 00:37:25.899 --> 00:37:26.199 Yes. 00:37:27.679 --> 00:37:31.519 And what Paul is saying here, 00:37:32.000 --> 00:37:34.440 he's saying, 00:37:34.819 --> 00:37:35.739 here's the deal. 00:37:37.099 --> 00:37:39.339 You, who are believers, 00:37:40.719 --> 00:37:42.500 you ought to be acting like your father. 00:37:42.500 --> 00:37:50.000 And lest you have any confusion about what that looks like, 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:50.619 he says, 00:37:50.900 --> 00:37:53.820 and you just work at loving like Christ loves you. 00:37:55.780 --> 00:37:56.719 But why? 00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.539 Why? 00:37:59.920 --> 00:38:00.480 Why? 00:38:00.480 --> 00:38:10.519 Because as Christ's sacrifice was a pleasing aroma to God, 00:38:11.000 --> 00:38:13.260 so your behavior, 00:38:13.760 --> 00:38:17.119 which shows the character of your father, 00:38:17.500 --> 00:38:21.000 is a pleasing aroma to God. 00:38:21.000 --> 00:38:25.780 So when was the last time that you thought to yourself, 00:38:26.039 --> 00:38:29.940 I think I'm going to do this because it will make God happy? 00:38:32.780 --> 00:38:33.940 That's what Paul's saying. 00:38:35.639 --> 00:38:36.440 Do you know what? 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:40.200 If we were a people 00:38:40.200 --> 00:38:45.679 that acted like our father more often, 00:38:46.800 --> 00:38:50.119 here's what would happen. 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:51.720 For one, 00:38:52.720 --> 00:38:55.019 our love relationships with one another 00:38:55.019 --> 00:38:57.059 would cause the unbelieving world to say, 00:38:57.240 --> 00:38:58.559 what's the deal with you guys? 00:38:59.920 --> 00:39:00.639 Do you follow that? 00:39:00.639 --> 00:39:05.960 Would you like for unbelievers to say that? 00:39:06.219 --> 00:39:06.940 Everybody nod your head. 00:39:07.400 --> 00:39:08.920 I really would like that. 00:39:13.940 --> 00:39:14.739 For another, 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:18.339 if we were acting more like our father, 00:39:20.179 --> 00:39:21.879 then unbelievers, 00:39:22.079 --> 00:39:23.440 when they bumped into us, 00:39:24.299 --> 00:39:26.960 would be struck by our gentleness 00:39:26.960 --> 00:39:27.920 and our kindness 00:39:27.920 --> 00:39:30.319 and our sympathetic spirit 00:39:30.320 --> 00:39:32.559 and our willingness to be sacrificed 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.280 for the cause, 00:39:33.400 --> 00:39:34.340 they would say, 00:39:34.500 --> 00:39:34.780 whoo, 00:39:36.059 --> 00:39:37.420 wow. 00:39:39.380 --> 00:39:40.220 Are you listening? 00:39:41.260 --> 00:39:42.820 I'm all for evangelism. 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:48.220 But a predisposition to effective evangelism 00:39:48.220 --> 00:39:49.260 is living like daddy. 00:39:51.680 --> 00:39:52.640 Did you hear what I said? 00:39:54.440 --> 00:39:56.760 It's far more effective to be a sermon 00:39:56.760 --> 00:39:58.320 than to give a sermon. 00:39:58.320 --> 00:39:59.800 Now, 00:40:00.140 --> 00:40:01.260 do we have to give a sermon? 00:40:01.440 --> 00:40:01.620 Yeah, 00:40:01.880 --> 00:40:03.519 because without the hearing of the word, 00:40:03.620 --> 00:40:04.420 there's no salvation. 00:40:04.580 --> 00:40:05.480 But let me tell you something. 00:40:06.000 --> 00:40:07.720 A presupposition is that 00:40:07.720 --> 00:40:10.740 we who have been blessed with salvation 00:40:10.740 --> 00:40:13.860 and have enjoyed the gift of Christ's 00:40:13.860 --> 00:40:14.800 complete forgiveness 00:40:14.800 --> 00:40:16.660 have this divine 00:40:16.660 --> 00:40:19.820 and appropriate obligation placed on us, 00:40:20.360 --> 00:40:22.360 be like dad. 00:40:23.880 --> 00:40:26.000 Love others. 00:40:26.000 --> 00:40:27.900 Why? 00:40:29.900 --> 00:40:30.340 Well, 00:40:30.679 --> 00:40:32.699 because you want to be like Jesus 00:40:32.699 --> 00:40:34.940 out of thankfulness 00:40:34.940 --> 00:40:36.820 whose life 00:40:36.820 --> 00:40:39.159 was a pleasing aroma 00:40:39.159 --> 00:40:40.579 to the Father. 00:40:43.400 --> 00:40:44.639 Let's close in prayer. 00:40:48.400 --> 00:40:49.420 Spirit of God, 00:40:49.480 --> 00:40:49.960 this morning 00:40:49.960 --> 00:40:51.059 as we have studied 00:40:51.059 --> 00:40:52.039 your word together 00:40:52.039 --> 00:40:53.380 and we have heard 00:40:53.380 --> 00:40:55.380 what God has to say to us. 00:40:57.900 --> 00:40:59.380 It is fitting for us 00:40:59.380 --> 00:41:00.039 to recognize 00:41:00.039 --> 00:41:01.119 that the preaching 00:41:01.119 --> 00:41:02.079 of the word 00:41:02.079 --> 00:41:03.420 is designed 00:41:03.420 --> 00:41:05.139 by your heart 00:41:05.139 --> 00:41:06.759 to draw people 00:41:06.759 --> 00:41:08.400 to obedience 00:41:08.400 --> 00:41:10.259 and to faith. 00:41:10.260 --> 00:41:13.440 and so Lord, 00:41:13.540 --> 00:41:13.980 this morning 00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:14.580 without anybody 00:41:14.580 --> 00:41:15.300 looking around, 00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:16.760 I want to ask 00:41:16.760 --> 00:41:17.700 on your behalf 00:41:17.700 --> 00:41:20.380 for those who are believers 00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:21.220 here this morning 00:41:21.220 --> 00:41:23.660 that have felt the prick 00:41:23.660 --> 00:41:24.460 and the sense 00:41:24.460 --> 00:41:25.100 of the burden 00:41:25.100 --> 00:41:26.060 of the Spirit of God 00:41:26.060 --> 00:41:27.040 calling them 00:41:27.040 --> 00:41:27.800 to be obedient 00:41:27.800 --> 00:41:28.960 to this passage, 00:41:29.960 --> 00:41:31.520 that they would quietly 00:41:31.520 --> 00:41:32.280 put themselves 00:41:32.280 --> 00:41:33.040 on notice 00:41:33.039 --> 00:41:37.199 to say, 00:41:37.340 --> 00:41:37.599 yes, 00:41:37.980 --> 00:41:39.340 I hear the point 00:41:39.340 --> 00:41:41.800 and God being my helper, 00:41:41.920 --> 00:41:42.880 I'm going to change 00:41:42.880 --> 00:41:44.960 to be more like Christ. 00:41:47.219 --> 00:41:48.099 And if you're here 00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:48.639 this morning 00:41:48.639 --> 00:41:49.659 and the Spirit of God 00:41:49.659 --> 00:41:50.599 is convicting you 00:41:50.599 --> 00:41:51.400 to that matter, 00:41:51.599 --> 00:41:52.719 I would encourage you 00:41:52.719 --> 00:41:53.579 where you are quietly 00:41:53.579 --> 00:41:54.639 to slip your hand up, 00:41:54.960 --> 00:41:55.559 humble yourself 00:41:55.559 --> 00:41:55.880 and say, 00:41:55.980 --> 00:41:56.420 that's me, 00:41:56.559 --> 00:41:56.920 yes, 00:41:57.400 --> 00:41:57.880 yes, 00:41:58.340 --> 00:41:58.759 yes. 00:41:58.920 --> 00:42:00.000 I am committed 00:42:00.000 --> 00:42:02.179 to be more like Christ, 00:42:02.300 --> 00:42:02.639 yes, 00:42:02.639 --> 00:42:03.759 yes, 00:42:03.759 --> 00:42:03.839 yes, 00:42:03.839 --> 00:42:04.400 yes. 00:42:07.199 --> 00:42:08.059 I've got to tell you 00:42:08.059 --> 00:42:08.519 this morning 00:42:08.519 --> 00:42:09.299 there are some here 00:42:09.299 --> 00:42:10.579 that do not know Christ. 00:42:14.819 --> 00:42:15.579 I'm reminded 00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.159 of what it says 00:42:16.159 --> 00:42:16.960 in 2 Corinthians, 00:42:17.099 --> 00:42:17.460 it says, 00:42:18.839 --> 00:42:19.839 in Christ's stead 00:42:19.839 --> 00:42:21.000 we plead with you, 00:42:21.099 --> 00:42:22.819 be reconciled to God. 00:42:26.460 --> 00:42:28.219 In Christ's place, 00:42:29.000 --> 00:42:30.799 this man 00:42:30.800 --> 00:42:32.920 pleads with you 00:42:32.920 --> 00:42:34.400 to trust in Jesus Christ, 00:42:34.539 --> 00:42:35.700 confess your sins 00:42:35.700 --> 00:42:37.880 and call upon him 00:42:37.880 --> 00:42:38.280 and say, 00:42:38.460 --> 00:42:39.539 I need Jesus 00:42:39.539 --> 00:42:40.380 as my Savior 00:42:40.380 --> 00:42:42.120 and I humble myself. 00:42:42.500 --> 00:42:44.140 I have no other thing 00:42:44.140 --> 00:42:44.620 to do. 00:42:45.960 --> 00:42:46.860 And if you're here 00:42:46.860 --> 00:42:47.340 this morning 00:42:47.340 --> 00:42:48.160 and you need Christ 00:42:48.160 --> 00:42:48.940 as your Savior, 00:42:49.800 --> 00:42:50.620 slip your hand up 00:42:50.620 --> 00:42:52.380 and say, 00:42:52.460 --> 00:42:53.160 I need Jesus. 00:42:54.580 --> 00:42:55.640 Slip your hand up 00:42:55.639 --> 00:42:56.759 and say, 00:42:56.799 --> 00:42:57.559 I need Jesus. 00:43:00.559 --> 00:43:01.519 Father God, 00:43:01.980 --> 00:43:02.940 I'm thankful 00:43:02.940 --> 00:43:04.900 that your word 00:43:04.900 --> 00:43:06.980 is as sharp 00:43:06.980 --> 00:43:07.779 and sharper 00:43:07.779 --> 00:43:09.519 than a two-edged sword. 00:43:09.759 --> 00:43:10.759 Let it do its work. 00:43:12.440 --> 00:43:13.239 Create a passion 00:43:13.239 --> 00:43:14.099 for godliness 00:43:14.099 --> 00:43:14.819 in the lives 00:43:14.819 --> 00:43:15.440 of believers. 00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:17.059 Draw sinners 00:43:17.059 --> 00:43:17.839 to the cross. 00:43:18.619 --> 00:43:19.239 We ask this 00:43:19.239 --> 00:43:20.179 in your precious name. 00:43:20.319 --> 00:43:20.539 Amen. 00:43:20.539 --> 00:43:20.679 Amen. 00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:20.679 00:43:20.679 --> 00:43:20.719 Amen. 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719 00:43:20.719 --> 00:43:20.719