WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.660 as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:00:02.960 --> 00:00:06.080 Our Father in heaven, we thank you again for your word 00:00:06.080 --> 00:00:09.300 that you care enough about us to instruct us. 00:00:10.419 --> 00:00:12.640 And Father, we ask that you would do that this morning, 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:15.280 that you would teach us in these verses 00:00:15.280 --> 00:00:18.080 about our need for you 00:00:18.080 --> 00:00:21.839 and also the way that you meet us in our need 00:00:21.839 --> 00:00:26.339 and that you have sent your son to redeem and to save us. 00:00:26.339 --> 00:00:28.280 We ask these things grateful 00:00:28.280 --> 00:00:30.140 that we don't have to evaluate 00:00:30.140 --> 00:00:33.140 whether we've done enough for you to do them for us, 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:34.800 but instead we ask them boldly 00:00:34.800 --> 00:00:37.039 in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:44.900 There are two kinds of people in this world. 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:47.180 People say that about all kinds of things, 00:00:47.240 --> 00:00:48.700 but I'm gonna say about one thing in particular. 00:00:48.920 --> 00:00:52.680 There are people who want to know secrets 00:00:52.680 --> 00:00:56.040 and there are people who don't want to know secrets. 00:00:56.039 --> 00:01:00.000 Now, I used to be in the latter camp. 00:01:00.060 --> 00:01:02.240 I used to be someone who wanted to know secrets. 00:01:02.719 --> 00:01:04.920 If there was something that only a few people knew, 00:01:05.019 --> 00:01:06.599 I was eager to be in on it. 00:01:08.239 --> 00:01:11.180 It was shortly after, perhaps, I moved to Colorado Springs 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:13.460 that I began to become someone 00:01:13.460 --> 00:01:15.359 who would rather not know secrets 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:19.579 because secrets can have a double edge to them. 00:01:20.460 --> 00:01:22.420 And not only are there two kinds of people, 00:01:22.539 --> 00:01:23.680 people who want to know secrets 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:25.200 and people who don't want to know secrets, 00:01:25.320 --> 00:01:26.580 there are two kinds of secrets. 00:01:28.100 --> 00:01:31.320 There are secrets that you can keep secret 00:01:31.320 --> 00:01:34.300 and secrets you can't keep secret. 00:01:35.260 --> 00:01:36.120 Give you an example. 00:01:36.320 --> 00:01:38.020 Sometimes when I was a teacher, 00:01:38.080 --> 00:01:39.760 and of course, this is true as a pastor as well, 00:01:39.800 --> 00:01:41.200 you may have people come up to you and say, 00:01:41.360 --> 00:01:42.680 I wanna tell you something, 00:01:43.260 --> 00:01:45.940 but you have to promise not to tell anyone. 00:01:48.540 --> 00:01:49.360 What's the response? 00:01:49.440 --> 00:01:50.340 Well, I had this happen one time. 00:01:50.460 --> 00:01:52.480 When I was a teacher, I had to say to this student, 00:01:52.480 --> 00:01:55.380 unfortunately, I can't promise you that. 00:01:56.160 --> 00:01:58.359 There are some things that you can share with me 00:01:58.359 --> 00:01:59.540 that I will keep secret. 00:02:00.280 --> 00:02:02.560 There are other things that you share with me 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:04.600 I actually can't keep secret. 00:02:05.140 --> 00:02:07.260 There are some things that if you tell me, 00:02:07.340 --> 00:02:09.319 I am obligated to act on them. 00:02:10.000 --> 00:02:11.539 I'm obligated to do something. 00:02:11.620 --> 00:02:12.719 It would be irresponsible. 00:02:12.980 --> 00:02:14.699 It would be complicit for me 00:02:14.699 --> 00:02:16.759 to keep certain things to myself. 00:02:16.900 --> 00:02:18.159 The same thing, of course, is true 00:02:18.159 --> 00:02:20.400 when we hear about scandals that come up. 00:02:20.400 --> 00:02:23.860 One of the questions is this, who knew? 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:28.300 You do not have to be involved in a crime 00:02:28.300 --> 00:02:30.500 to be guilty for that crime. 00:02:30.599 --> 00:02:34.080 There are people who, by their silence, are complicit. 00:02:34.719 --> 00:02:36.180 There are people who commit crimes, 00:02:36.640 --> 00:02:38.840 and then there are people who just cover them up. 00:02:38.920 --> 00:02:39.640 Now, you might be wondering, 00:02:39.800 --> 00:02:41.040 what in the world does this have to do 00:02:41.040 --> 00:02:42.159 with 2 Peter 2? 00:02:42.159 --> 00:02:44.159 The point is this. 00:02:44.879 --> 00:02:48.000 Knowledge sometimes requires, 00:02:48.180 --> 00:02:50.719 it includes a responsibility to act. 00:02:52.359 --> 00:02:55.900 Knowledge often includes a responsibility to act. 00:02:56.060 --> 00:02:58.060 Knowledge sometimes demands action. 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:03.039 Knowledge increases responsibility and accountability. 00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:08.259 Knowledge increases responsibility and accountability. 00:03:08.259 --> 00:03:11.419 That's exactly the principle, the concept we see here 00:03:11.419 --> 00:03:13.539 in verses 20 and 21. 00:03:13.719 --> 00:03:14.479 We are told, 00:03:15.239 --> 00:03:17.259 it would have been better for them 00:03:17.259 --> 00:03:19.840 never to have known the way of righteousness 00:03:19.840 --> 00:03:22.219 than after knowing it, 00:03:22.479 --> 00:03:25.819 to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:27.919 In other words, Peter is saying something 00:03:27.919 --> 00:03:29.019 actually scandalous here. 00:03:29.060 --> 00:03:31.180 It would have been better for them not to know about God. 00:03:33.099 --> 00:03:35.299 This knowledge of God has proved 00:03:35.300 --> 00:03:37.820 to be incredibly dangerous. 00:03:39.100 --> 00:03:41.140 And so, this morning, 00:03:41.260 --> 00:03:43.480 we're going to turn to several ways 00:03:43.480 --> 00:03:44.880 in which knowledge is dangerous. 00:03:45.000 --> 00:03:46.460 I'm going to give you actually three of them. 00:03:47.260 --> 00:03:49.920 And we've already come to the first one, 00:03:50.240 --> 00:03:51.620 which is that we're accountable 00:03:51.620 --> 00:03:53.900 and responsible for the knowledge we have. 00:03:54.000 --> 00:03:55.620 So, if you are here this morning, 00:03:55.700 --> 00:03:56.260 which you are, 00:03:56.680 --> 00:03:57.900 unless you're listening to a recording, 00:03:58.280 --> 00:03:59.480 you're in a dangerous place. 00:04:01.240 --> 00:04:02.860 If you were here last week, 00:04:03.620 --> 00:04:05.180 you were in a dangerous place. 00:04:05.300 --> 00:04:07.140 You now have a greater responsibility. 00:04:07.820 --> 00:04:09.280 When it comes to the lies 00:04:09.280 --> 00:04:10.520 that this world tells us, 00:04:10.600 --> 00:04:12.380 offering freedom but presenting slavery, 00:04:12.740 --> 00:04:14.560 you are no longer able to say, 00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:15.900 no one ever told me. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:18.319 You're no longer able to say, 00:04:18.420 --> 00:04:20.180 if only I knew. 00:04:21.300 --> 00:04:22.740 And so, this highlights for us, right, 00:04:22.780 --> 00:04:23.280 that knowledge, 00:04:23.379 --> 00:04:24.379 as we've talked about before, 00:04:24.420 --> 00:04:26.360 is meant to go somewhere. 00:04:27.100 --> 00:04:30.759 Loving theology is a dangerous hobby. 00:04:30.759 --> 00:04:35.759 It is never merely an intellectual exercise. 00:04:36.240 --> 00:04:40.219 You are responsible for everything that you learn. 00:04:41.219 --> 00:04:42.659 And so, if you're loving theology, 00:04:42.800 --> 00:04:43.779 if you're growing in knowledge, 00:04:43.779 --> 00:04:45.699 but you're not growing in grace, 00:04:46.139 --> 00:04:47.199 it's sort of like this. 00:04:47.599 --> 00:04:50.319 You're the person who goes to the gym. 00:04:51.319 --> 00:04:53.719 You know all the machines that are there. 00:04:54.439 --> 00:04:57.420 You know all the names of the workers. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:00.480 You've sat on all the machines. 00:05:02.199 --> 00:05:03.699 You've never lifted a single weight. 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:07.539 It has not gone anywhere. 00:05:07.699 --> 00:05:08.899 Some of you might be this person. 00:05:09.019 --> 00:05:09.740 If you've been to a gym, 00:05:09.800 --> 00:05:11.100 you've probably seen this person. 00:05:11.219 --> 00:05:13.759 They are going to the gym to work out. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:16.980 You're like someone who's invited to a workout 00:05:16.980 --> 00:05:18.219 with a bunch of other people, 00:05:18.339 --> 00:05:20.579 but all you do is sit on the sidelines and watch. 00:05:21.599 --> 00:05:23.879 You can describe the workouts in detail. 00:05:24.019 --> 00:05:25.819 You know the names of all the equipment, 00:05:26.319 --> 00:05:30.300 but somehow it has not led to any growth for you. 00:05:31.120 --> 00:05:32.860 Your knowledge has done nothing. 00:05:33.319 --> 00:05:35.800 Jesus himself warns us about this problem 00:05:35.800 --> 00:05:36.800 in Luke chapter 12. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:38.139 He tells us about a master 00:05:38.139 --> 00:05:39.579 who goes to a wedding feast 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:40.519 and he leaves his servants. 00:05:40.699 --> 00:05:41.579 And he comes back, 00:05:41.579 --> 00:05:44.159 and there are servants who have not done 00:05:44.159 --> 00:05:45.479 what the master has told them. 00:05:45.539 --> 00:05:47.019 However, there's two kinds of servants 00:05:47.019 --> 00:05:47.800 who haven't done it. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:50.180 Servants who knew what they were supposed to do 00:05:50.180 --> 00:05:50.939 and didn't do it. 00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:52.879 Servants who didn't know 00:05:52.879 --> 00:05:53.979 what they were supposed to do 00:05:53.979 --> 00:05:55.240 and still didn't do it. 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:57.259 So both of them didn't do what the master told. 00:05:58.099 --> 00:05:59.959 One, however, has greater responsibility 00:05:59.959 --> 00:06:00.659 than the other. 00:06:00.740 --> 00:06:02.519 And we're told this in Luke chapter 12. 00:06:03.519 --> 00:06:06.099 And that servant who knew his master's will, 00:06:06.599 --> 00:06:09.339 but did not get ready or act according to his will, 00:06:09.339 --> 00:06:11.579 will receive a severe beating. 00:06:12.459 --> 00:06:14.199 But the one who did not know 00:06:14.199 --> 00:06:15.779 and did what deserved a beating 00:06:15.779 --> 00:06:17.219 will receive a light beating. 00:06:18.199 --> 00:06:20.399 Everyone to whom much was given, 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:22.519 of him much will be required. 00:06:23.359 --> 00:06:25.620 And from him to whom they entrusted much, 00:06:26.159 --> 00:06:27.919 they will demand the more. 00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:30.019 In other words, 00:06:30.139 --> 00:06:32.079 to those who much knowledge is given, 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:33.259 much is required. 00:06:33.439 --> 00:06:35.479 Those with little knowledge received a light beating. 00:06:36.079 --> 00:06:38.419 Those with great knowledge received a heavy beating. 00:06:38.420 --> 00:06:41.199 We are responsible for what we know. 00:06:41.340 --> 00:06:42.900 Knowledge is dangerous. 00:06:43.140 --> 00:06:44.879 And so the point for us is this. 00:06:44.939 --> 00:06:45.640 There's a call, 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:46.980 just as there was, 00:06:47.020 --> 00:06:48.840 I mentioned this in 2 Peter chapter 1, 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:49.920 verses 8 and 11, 00:06:50.020 --> 00:06:51.840 there's a call to self-examination. 00:06:52.319 --> 00:06:53.680 What has our knowledge done? 00:06:54.100 --> 00:06:55.500 Where has it taken us? 00:06:55.800 --> 00:06:57.439 Is the knowledge that we're gaining 00:06:57.439 --> 00:06:58.960 at work in our lives? 00:06:59.160 --> 00:07:01.280 Because scarily enough, 00:07:01.480 --> 00:07:02.680 dangerously enough, 00:07:02.720 --> 00:07:04.300 we are accountable and responsible 00:07:04.300 --> 00:07:05.139 for our knowledge. 00:07:05.139 --> 00:07:06.839 The Bible teaches this principle 00:07:06.839 --> 00:07:09.039 of greater degrees of judgment. 00:07:09.560 --> 00:07:10.079 For example, 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:11.639 we see in James chapter 3, 00:07:11.740 --> 00:07:12.199 verse 1, 00:07:12.279 --> 00:07:14.779 that teachers will be judged more harshly. 00:07:15.719 --> 00:07:17.620 The same thing is true here. 00:07:17.819 --> 00:07:19.399 Those with great knowledge 00:07:19.399 --> 00:07:21.779 will be judged harshly as well. 00:07:21.860 --> 00:07:22.979 And so the question 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:25.120 for self-examination is this. 00:07:25.300 --> 00:07:26.240 What is the knowledge 00:07:26.240 --> 00:07:27.300 that God has given you? 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:30.360 What is the knowledge 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:31.539 that God has given you? 00:07:31.839 --> 00:07:33.000 Have you acted on it? 00:07:33.000 --> 00:07:36.860 God gave us knowledge last week, right? 00:07:36.939 --> 00:07:38.600 We now have great knowledge 00:07:38.600 --> 00:07:40.220 about the lies of our enemy 00:07:40.220 --> 00:07:41.740 and the ways he tempts us, 00:07:42.139 --> 00:07:44.379 offering freedom but delivering slavery. 00:07:44.639 --> 00:07:46.379 If you were here with us last week, 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.540 you can no longer, 00:07:47.660 --> 00:07:48.519 as I mentioned earlier, 00:07:48.639 --> 00:07:49.319 claim ignorance. 00:07:50.040 --> 00:07:51.620 You're responsible for that knowledge. 00:07:52.779 --> 00:07:54.819 You know that the body makes a promise 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:56.040 whether you do or not. 00:07:56.319 --> 00:07:58.939 You are now held to a higher standard 00:07:58.939 --> 00:08:00.639 than you were before last week. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:04.399 Knowledge creates responsibility. 00:08:05.000 --> 00:08:05.579 You can't say, 00:08:05.719 --> 00:08:07.699 well, it's really not that big of a deal. 00:08:08.659 --> 00:08:09.839 This is just going to be easier 00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:10.659 and more fun 00:08:10.659 --> 00:08:12.599 for me to ignore those rules. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:14.759 Maybe it's a different kind of knowledge. 00:08:14.879 --> 00:08:16.079 Maybe you know the knowledge 00:08:16.079 --> 00:08:17.699 that the book of Proverbs tells us 00:08:17.699 --> 00:08:19.500 that not every person 00:08:19.500 --> 00:08:21.360 who is poor is a sluggard. 00:08:21.759 --> 00:08:22.259 The book of Proverbs 00:08:22.259 --> 00:08:23.860 has a category for poor people. 00:08:24.519 --> 00:08:25.339 Those who are poor 00:08:25.339 --> 00:08:26.459 through no fault of their own 00:08:26.459 --> 00:08:27.099 are called the poor. 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:28.519 Those who are poor 00:08:28.519 --> 00:08:29.859 through their own fault 00:08:29.859 --> 00:08:30.699 are called sluggards. 00:08:31.599 --> 00:08:32.659 We have that knowledge, right? 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:33.960 What are we going to do with it? 00:08:34.019 --> 00:08:34.939 Are we going to continue 00:08:34.939 --> 00:08:36.460 to turn a blind eye 00:08:36.460 --> 00:08:37.799 to everyone that's poor 00:08:37.799 --> 00:08:39.559 despite knowing that's truth? 00:08:41.000 --> 00:08:42.139 What are we going to do 00:08:42.139 --> 00:08:42.899 with our knowledge? 00:08:43.019 --> 00:08:43.860 Maybe it's knowledge 00:08:43.860 --> 00:08:44.759 that parents have. 00:08:44.840 --> 00:08:46.460 We know what our kids are up to, 00:08:47.019 --> 00:08:48.620 but we pretend not to notice 00:08:48.620 --> 00:08:51.279 because that's a lot easier 00:08:51.279 --> 00:08:52.679 than dealing with it. 00:08:53.379 --> 00:08:54.340 Maybe it's the knowledge 00:08:54.340 --> 00:08:55.240 that I have emphasized 00:08:55.240 --> 00:08:56.000 over and over 00:08:56.000 --> 00:08:57.000 that God calls us 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:57.539 into community 00:08:57.539 --> 00:08:58.659 and we can't survive 00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:59.220 without it. 00:09:00.720 --> 00:09:02.360 And yet you are responsible 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:03.860 if you embrace 00:09:03.860 --> 00:09:05.960 Proverbs chapter 18 verse 1 00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:06.679 which tells us 00:09:06.679 --> 00:09:08.320 whoever isolates himself 00:09:08.320 --> 00:09:09.960 seeks his own desire. 00:09:10.440 --> 00:09:11.419 He breaks out 00:09:11.419 --> 00:09:13.179 against all sound judgment. 00:09:14.759 --> 00:09:15.779 Another way of looking at it 00:09:15.779 --> 00:09:16.100 is this. 00:09:16.179 --> 00:09:17.200 When we get to the end 00:09:17.200 --> 00:09:17.919 of a Bible study, 00:09:17.980 --> 00:09:18.700 when we have grown 00:09:18.700 --> 00:09:19.419 in our theology, 00:09:19.519 --> 00:09:20.379 our question is this. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:21.659 What is this knowledge 00:09:21.659 --> 00:09:22.720 going to create in us 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:23.799 in terms of growth and grace? 00:09:23.799 --> 00:09:24.899 What are we going to do 00:09:24.899 --> 00:09:26.379 with this knowledge? 00:09:26.559 --> 00:09:28.620 Knowledge is dangerous. 00:09:31.219 --> 00:09:32.479 And it's dangerous 00:09:32.479 --> 00:09:33.620 because we're accountable, 00:09:33.839 --> 00:09:34.679 we're responsible 00:09:34.679 --> 00:09:36.979 for everything that we know. 00:09:37.139 --> 00:09:38.279 Everyone to whom 00:09:38.279 --> 00:09:39.679 much was given of him, 00:09:40.039 --> 00:09:41.120 much will be required. 00:09:42.419 --> 00:09:43.519 And from him to whom 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:44.639 they entrusted much, 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:46.699 they will demand the more. 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:50.640 Now I told you 00:09:50.640 --> 00:09:51.280 I was going to give you 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:52.960 three ways that knowledge 00:09:52.960 --> 00:09:54.420 is incredibly dangerous. 00:09:54.960 --> 00:09:56.060 That's only the first one. 00:09:56.140 --> 00:09:56.700 It's dangerous 00:09:56.700 --> 00:09:57.640 because it increases 00:09:57.640 --> 00:09:58.460 our accountability 00:09:58.460 --> 00:10:00.020 and our responsibility. 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.620 Knowledge also is dangerous 00:10:02.620 --> 00:10:03.840 in another way 00:10:03.840 --> 00:10:04.860 and I want you to think about it 00:10:04.860 --> 00:10:06.400 in this illustration. 00:10:07.960 --> 00:10:08.680 Let's say, 00:10:09.400 --> 00:10:10.400 hypothetically, 00:10:10.900 --> 00:10:12.160 you're a single person 00:10:12.160 --> 00:10:14.820 and you go on a date 00:10:14.820 --> 00:10:15.180 with someone, 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:15.900 you go on one date. 00:10:15.899 --> 00:10:18.340 And after that one date, 00:10:18.419 --> 00:10:18.740 they say, 00:10:18.840 --> 00:10:19.059 you know what, 00:10:19.059 --> 00:10:19.620 I actually don't really 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:20.419 want to continue this. 00:10:21.959 --> 00:10:23.120 Now I want you to imagine 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:23.980 that you go on dates 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.519 with someone for three months. 00:10:27.399 --> 00:10:28.720 And after three months, 00:10:28.759 --> 00:10:29.100 they say, 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:29.399 you know what, 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:29.939 I actually don't really 00:10:29.939 --> 00:10:30.720 want to continue this. 00:10:32.559 --> 00:10:34.399 Which rejection is greater? 00:10:36.159 --> 00:10:37.639 The one date rejection 00:10:37.639 --> 00:10:39.079 or the three month rejection? 00:10:39.080 --> 00:10:43.700 Well, we know in most circumstances 00:10:43.700 --> 00:10:44.759 the three month rejection 00:10:44.759 --> 00:10:45.240 is greater. 00:10:45.700 --> 00:10:46.040 Why? 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:49.360 I can give you a lot of reasons 00:10:49.360 --> 00:10:50.500 the three month rejection 00:10:50.500 --> 00:10:50.920 is greater. 00:10:51.100 --> 00:10:52.240 One of them is this. 00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:54.460 The person has greater 00:10:54.460 --> 00:10:55.759 knowledge of you 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:57.860 and so their rejection 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.639 is more real. 00:10:58.720 --> 00:10:59.400 After one date, 00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.200 you could say to yourself, 00:11:00.300 --> 00:11:00.540 well, 00:11:00.900 --> 00:11:01.680 they didn't really give me 00:11:01.680 --> 00:11:02.100 a chance. 00:11:03.120 --> 00:11:04.440 They didn't know the real me. 00:11:05.020 --> 00:11:05.720 They didn't give me 00:11:05.720 --> 00:11:06.600 a chance to warm up, 00:11:06.600 --> 00:11:06.960 you know. 00:11:08.279 --> 00:11:09.440 If they'd only gone 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:10.180 on a second date, 00:11:10.279 --> 00:11:11.060 they would have known. 00:11:11.379 --> 00:11:12.180 They would have known 00:11:12.180 --> 00:11:13.399 what a mistake it was. 00:11:15.279 --> 00:11:16.200 You can't say that 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:16.940 after three months. 00:11:18.399 --> 00:11:18.580 Right? 00:11:19.259 --> 00:11:21.040 Knowledge increases rejection. 00:11:21.740 --> 00:11:22.340 You can think about it 00:11:22.340 --> 00:11:22.960 in another way. 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.200 Which is worse? 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:26.600 An engagement breaking up 00:11:26.600 --> 00:11:28.480 or a divorce? 00:11:28.580 --> 00:11:29.580 A marriage breaking up? 00:11:30.060 --> 00:11:31.100 Well, a divorce, right? 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:33.779 This person has known you intimately. 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.240 They know things about you 00:11:35.240 --> 00:11:36.500 that no one else knows. 00:11:37.220 --> 00:11:38.360 And they rejected you. 00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:42.980 Knowledge increases rejection. 00:11:43.200 --> 00:11:45.460 And so knowledge is not just dangerous 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:46.779 because of our responsibility. 00:11:47.420 --> 00:11:48.540 Knowledge means that 00:11:48.540 --> 00:11:50.120 when we walk away 00:11:50.120 --> 00:11:51.220 from Jesus Christ, 00:11:51.340 --> 00:11:52.379 if we walk away 00:11:52.379 --> 00:11:53.340 from Jesus Christ, 00:11:53.960 --> 00:11:55.360 the rejection of Him 00:11:55.360 --> 00:11:56.560 is even greater 00:11:56.560 --> 00:11:57.480 than it would have been 00:11:57.480 --> 00:11:58.460 had we not walked 00:11:58.460 --> 00:11:59.019 in His ways. 00:12:00.460 --> 00:12:02.060 There is an increase 00:12:02.060 --> 00:12:02.720 in judgment, 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.779 an increase 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:05.279 in rejection 00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:07.480 when we walk away 00:12:07.480 --> 00:12:08.819 after we have known 00:12:08.819 --> 00:12:09.500 the goodness 00:12:09.500 --> 00:12:10.659 of the Lord 00:12:10.659 --> 00:12:11.439 and His community. 00:12:13.399 --> 00:12:14.339 And so that's why 00:12:14.339 --> 00:12:15.600 we're told in verse 22 00:12:15.600 --> 00:12:16.699 this is like a dog 00:12:16.699 --> 00:12:17.819 returning to its vomit. 00:12:18.959 --> 00:12:19.899 If you walk 00:12:19.899 --> 00:12:20.839 in the Christian community 00:12:20.839 --> 00:12:21.639 for a time, 00:12:21.720 --> 00:12:22.959 if you see the goodness 00:12:22.959 --> 00:12:23.379 of it 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.399 and the richness of it, 00:12:24.659 --> 00:12:25.959 and then you go back 00:12:25.959 --> 00:12:26.539 to the world, 00:12:27.199 --> 00:12:28.459 then you go back 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:29.139 to your sin, 00:12:29.139 --> 00:12:31.799 it is returning 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:33.259 to something disgusting 00:12:33.259 --> 00:12:34.500 that you had left behind. 00:12:36.399 --> 00:12:37.399 You are a dog 00:12:37.399 --> 00:12:38.600 returning to its vomit 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:40.120 knowing that there 00:12:40.120 --> 00:12:40.960 was something better. 00:12:42.659 --> 00:12:43.720 And so your judgment 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:44.500 is greater 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:45.460 because of knowledge, 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:45.759 right? 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.919 Knowledge increases. 00:12:47.039 --> 00:12:47.519 In some ways, 00:12:47.559 --> 00:12:48.240 this is a subset 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:48.860 of the first one. 00:12:48.960 --> 00:12:49.779 Knowledge increases 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.899 our accountability 00:12:50.899 --> 00:12:52.460 and our responsibility. 00:12:53.819 --> 00:12:54.720 The greater, 00:12:55.019 --> 00:12:55.980 the more we know 00:12:55.980 --> 00:12:56.779 about Jesus, 00:12:56.779 --> 00:12:58.879 the greater our rejection 00:12:58.879 --> 00:12:59.279 of Him 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:00.079 when we walk away, 00:13:00.639 --> 00:13:01.519 if we walk away. 00:13:03.339 --> 00:13:04.519 And so that's again 00:13:04.519 --> 00:13:06.079 why Peter is telling us here 00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:06.939 it would be better 00:13:06.939 --> 00:13:07.579 that these people 00:13:07.579 --> 00:13:08.439 had known nothing 00:13:08.439 --> 00:13:10.100 and that they would know 00:13:10.100 --> 00:13:10.679 that they would be 00:13:10.679 --> 00:13:11.720 a part of the community 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.819 and then desert it, 00:13:12.939 --> 00:13:14.679 then abandon it. 00:13:17.600 --> 00:13:18.039 Finally, 00:13:18.399 --> 00:13:19.779 knowledge is not something 00:13:19.779 --> 00:13:20.539 that just recreates 00:13:20.539 --> 00:13:21.139 responsibility. 00:13:21.419 --> 00:13:21.959 It's not just something 00:13:21.959 --> 00:13:23.919 that increases rejection. 00:13:25.199 --> 00:13:26.339 Knowledge is also something 00:13:26.340 --> 00:13:27.840 that can inoculate us. 00:13:29.080 --> 00:13:30.600 It can make us numb 00:13:30.600 --> 00:13:32.019 to what's true. 00:13:32.100 --> 00:13:32.600 I want you to think 00:13:32.600 --> 00:13:33.800 about this in this way. 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.560 The best illustration 00:13:34.560 --> 00:13:35.399 I've heard is this. 00:13:35.940 --> 00:13:37.259 Imagine you have a ruler 00:13:37.259 --> 00:13:38.360 or some piece of metal 00:13:38.360 --> 00:13:39.060 and you're rubbing it 00:13:39.060 --> 00:13:39.800 against your arm. 00:13:41.220 --> 00:13:41.960 You're rubbing it 00:13:41.960 --> 00:13:42.519 against your arm 00:13:42.519 --> 00:13:43.180 over and over 00:13:43.180 --> 00:13:43.820 and over again. 00:13:43.899 --> 00:13:44.639 Now there's two things 00:13:44.639 --> 00:13:45.420 that could happen, right? 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.040 One thing that could happen 00:13:48.040 --> 00:13:48.800 is you could rub 00:13:48.800 --> 00:13:49.480 your arm raw. 00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.139 It could become 00:13:51.139 --> 00:13:52.000 more sensitive, 00:13:52.280 --> 00:13:53.019 more tender, 00:13:53.800 --> 00:13:55.540 more responsive to pain. 00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:57.780 The other thing 00:13:57.780 --> 00:13:58.320 that could happen, 00:13:58.379 --> 00:13:59.000 depending on how 00:13:59.000 --> 00:13:59.600 you could do it, 00:13:59.800 --> 00:14:00.660 instead of becoming 00:14:00.660 --> 00:14:01.500 raw and tender 00:14:01.500 --> 00:14:02.220 and more responsive 00:14:02.220 --> 00:14:02.720 to pain, 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.019 you could grow 00:14:04.019 --> 00:14:05.259 a callous on your arm. 00:14:07.060 --> 00:14:07.720 And so suddenly 00:14:07.720 --> 00:14:08.519 you don't feel 00:14:08.519 --> 00:14:09.500 the rubbing anymore. 00:14:09.680 --> 00:14:10.500 You've grown 00:14:10.500 --> 00:14:12.259 this resistance to it. 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:12.720 You've grown 00:14:12.720 --> 00:14:14.080 this immunity to it. 00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.899 Knowledge can be 00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.600 like that 00:14:17.600 --> 00:14:18.060 when it comes 00:14:18.060 --> 00:14:19.000 to our spiritual lives. 00:14:19.060 --> 00:14:19.580 People think, 00:14:19.780 --> 00:14:20.600 I'm just going to keep 00:14:20.600 --> 00:14:21.420 hearing this over 00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:22.100 and over again. 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:22.800 I don't have to make 00:14:22.800 --> 00:14:23.300 a decision. 00:14:23.480 --> 00:14:24.420 I don't have to decide. 00:14:24.419 --> 00:14:25.759 I can kind of hold 00:14:25.759 --> 00:14:26.299 on the side 00:14:26.299 --> 00:14:27.159 of the Christian community 00:14:27.159 --> 00:14:28.000 and just always 00:14:28.000 --> 00:14:28.659 have my toes 00:14:28.659 --> 00:14:29.159 in the water. 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:30.659 And when I want, 00:14:31.019 --> 00:14:31.740 when I decide 00:14:31.740 --> 00:14:32.579 it's the right time, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:33.339 then maybe I'll jump 00:14:33.339 --> 00:14:33.779 in the pool. 00:14:35.219 --> 00:14:36.539 The problem is 00:14:36.539 --> 00:14:37.159 is that as you're 00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:38.019 hearing the message 00:14:38.019 --> 00:14:38.779 over and over, 00:14:38.879 --> 00:14:39.959 it is not making 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:40.839 you more tender. 00:14:41.719 --> 00:14:42.959 As you reject it 00:14:42.959 --> 00:14:44.299 time and time again, 00:14:44.399 --> 00:14:45.159 it is making you 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:45.860 more callous. 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.519 And so it's a lie 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.719 to believe somehow 00:14:49.719 --> 00:14:50.659 that we can always 00:14:50.659 --> 00:14:51.679 just tiptoe around 00:14:51.679 --> 00:14:52.179 the edge 00:14:52.179 --> 00:14:53.139 of a Christian community. 00:14:53.139 --> 00:14:54.179 We can always 00:14:54.179 --> 00:14:54.960 just sort of think 00:14:54.960 --> 00:14:56.220 about it and consider it, 00:14:56.439 --> 00:14:58.120 but never make a decision, 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.179 never commit. 00:15:00.179 --> 00:15:01.340 That's one of the lies 00:15:01.340 --> 00:15:02.460 that the enemy tells us 00:15:02.460 --> 00:15:02.840 that somehow 00:15:02.840 --> 00:15:03.699 that's the choice 00:15:03.699 --> 00:15:04.159 of freedom. 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.519 This is why 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:09.860 in customer service, 00:15:10.199 --> 00:15:11.019 if you have a complaint, 00:15:11.120 --> 00:15:12.220 they work so hard 00:15:12.220 --> 00:15:12.860 to keep you 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.480 as their customer 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.100 if they're smart 00:15:14.100 --> 00:15:15.460 because they know 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:16.699 once you've walked away, 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.799 you're probably 00:15:18.799 --> 00:15:19.659 not coming back. 00:15:20.460 --> 00:15:21.679 You've been inoculated, 00:15:21.819 --> 00:15:22.019 right? 00:15:22.019 --> 00:15:24.279 Sometimes it's worse 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.159 that you've had 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:27.120 experience with them. 00:15:30.059 --> 00:15:30.960 Some of you 00:15:30.960 --> 00:15:34.319 are dancing around 00:15:34.319 --> 00:15:35.480 the edges of our community. 00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.679 Some of you are dancing 00:15:38.679 --> 00:15:39.600 around the edges 00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:40.559 of Christianity. 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.419 And we're glad you're here. 00:15:43.419 --> 00:15:46.679 also, 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:48.259 you need to commit 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:50.639 because what's going 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:51.000 to happen 00:15:51.000 --> 00:15:51.399 is you're going 00:15:51.399 --> 00:15:52.659 to develop a callous. 00:15:53.919 --> 00:15:54.459 You're going 00:15:54.459 --> 00:15:55.839 to become less responsive, 00:15:56.079 --> 00:15:57.120 not more responsive. 00:15:58.479 --> 00:15:59.719 You are accountable 00:15:59.719 --> 00:16:00.599 for the knowledge 00:16:00.599 --> 00:16:01.539 you have received 00:16:01.539 --> 00:16:02.679 here in this room 00:16:02.679 --> 00:16:03.599 and this church. 00:16:03.759 --> 00:16:04.679 God will hold 00:16:04.679 --> 00:16:05.479 you responsible. 00:16:07.480 --> 00:16:08.179 And so, 00:16:08.279 --> 00:16:09.339 embrace that knowledge. 00:16:09.340 --> 00:16:11.660 don't tiptoe 00:16:11.660 --> 00:16:13.360 around the edge. 00:16:15.060 --> 00:16:16.280 It is time 00:16:16.280 --> 00:16:17.180 to embrace 00:16:17.180 --> 00:16:18.100 Jesus Christ 00:16:18.100 --> 00:16:19.820 and it's time 00:16:19.820 --> 00:16:20.480 to embrace 00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:21.240 his community. 00:16:21.780 --> 00:16:22.399 The idea 00:16:22.399 --> 00:16:23.600 that you can always 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.920 float around the edges 00:16:24.920 --> 00:16:25.700 is a lie. 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.080 It's similar 00:16:28.080 --> 00:16:28.920 to the lies 00:16:28.920 --> 00:16:29.620 that we looked at 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:30.120 last week 00:16:30.120 --> 00:16:31.160 that present freedom. 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:32.960 Looks like freedom 00:16:32.960 --> 00:16:33.620 comes from having 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:34.220 no commitments, 00:16:34.400 --> 00:16:34.580 right? 00:16:35.540 --> 00:16:36.560 But it's actually 00:16:36.560 --> 00:16:37.320 no commitments 00:16:37.320 --> 00:16:38.560 that gives us 00:16:38.560 --> 00:16:38.940 slavery. 00:16:41.020 --> 00:16:41.460 So, 00:16:41.540 --> 00:16:42.000 our knowledge, 00:16:42.080 --> 00:16:42.480 it makes us 00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.080 responsible. 00:16:44.900 --> 00:16:45.720 Our knowledge 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.520 increases our 00:16:46.520 --> 00:16:46.980 rejection 00:16:46.980 --> 00:16:47.620 if we walk 00:16:47.620 --> 00:16:48.440 away from Jesus 00:16:48.440 --> 00:16:49.340 and our knowledge 00:16:49.340 --> 00:16:50.540 also can inoculate 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:50.960 us. 00:16:52.400 --> 00:16:52.720 And so, 00:16:52.780 --> 00:16:53.540 there's only one 00:16:53.540 --> 00:16:54.300 solution and it's 00:16:54.300 --> 00:16:54.580 this, 00:16:54.680 --> 00:16:55.680 to take our 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:56.580 knowledge and 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.320 do with it 00:16:57.320 --> 00:16:57.780 what it was 00:16:57.780 --> 00:16:58.440 meant to do, 00:16:58.580 --> 00:16:59.640 to embrace 00:16:59.640 --> 00:17:00.820 Jesus Christ 00:17:00.820 --> 00:17:01.900 and his ways, 00:17:02.280 --> 00:17:03.560 to put it 00:17:03.560 --> 00:17:04.440 into action, 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.960 to do what 00:17:05.960 --> 00:17:06.820 God has given 00:17:06.819 --> 00:17:07.460 us to do, 00:17:07.559 --> 00:17:08.419 to stick with 00:17:08.419 --> 00:17:09.240 him no matter 00:17:09.240 --> 00:17:09.639 what. 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.779 Peter is 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:11.559 warning these 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:12.279 people about 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.220 returning to 00:17:13.220 --> 00:17:13.799 the vomit of 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:14.220 the world. 00:17:15.579 --> 00:17:15.819 And so, 00:17:15.899 --> 00:17:16.460 the solution, 00:17:16.659 --> 00:17:17.059 of course, 00:17:17.119 --> 00:17:17.960 is to stay 00:17:17.960 --> 00:17:19.039 and to stick 00:17:19.039 --> 00:17:20.200 and to commit. 00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.099 Now, 00:17:23.139 --> 00:17:23.539 you may be 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.200 feeling at this 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:26.139 point that I've 00:17:26.139 --> 00:17:27.159 laid a heavy 00:17:27.159 --> 00:17:28.019 burden on you 00:17:28.019 --> 00:17:29.859 to do everything 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:30.539 you have knowledge 00:17:30.539 --> 00:17:30.859 for. 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.779 And for some 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.019 of you, 00:17:33.099 --> 00:17:33.599 perhaps that's 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.019 what you should 00:17:34.019 --> 00:17:34.299 feel. 00:17:35.099 --> 00:17:35.839 If someone 00:17:35.839 --> 00:17:36.959 who's tiptoeing 00:17:36.959 --> 00:17:37.439 around the 00:17:37.439 --> 00:17:37.799 edges, 00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.519 you think you 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.019 have freedom 00:17:40.019 --> 00:17:40.740 by not making 00:17:40.740 --> 00:17:41.359 any commitments. 00:17:42.619 --> 00:17:43.199 For others of 00:17:43.199 --> 00:17:43.399 us, 00:17:43.439 --> 00:17:43.539 though, 00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.079 that's the 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.039 wrong image, 00:17:45.099 --> 00:17:45.559 it's the wrong 00:17:45.559 --> 00:17:46.099 response. 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.619 Because if you 00:17:46.619 --> 00:17:47.079 think about 00:17:47.079 --> 00:17:47.799 knowledge in 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.299 that way, 00:17:48.359 --> 00:17:48.919 you are thinking 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:49.559 about it as an 00:17:49.559 --> 00:17:50.359 independent study. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:52.399 You've been given 00:17:52.399 --> 00:17:53.199 a reading list, 00:17:54.079 --> 00:17:55.000 no one's going to 00:17:55.000 --> 00:17:55.480 help you, 00:17:56.220 --> 00:17:57.119 you don't have a 00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:57.939 class to attend, 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.459 you're supposed to 00:17:58.459 --> 00:17:59.240 go off and read it 00:17:59.240 --> 00:17:59.819 by yourself. 00:17:59.939 --> 00:18:00.279 You're supposed to 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:00.899 get the work done 00:18:00.899 --> 00:18:01.359 on your own 00:18:01.359 --> 00:18:01.759 schedule, 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:02.839 and then when it's 00:18:02.839 --> 00:18:03.019 ready, 00:18:03.079 --> 00:18:03.579 you turn it back 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:03.740 in. 00:18:03.799 --> 00:18:03.899 Now, 00:18:03.960 --> 00:18:04.460 for most of 00:18:04.460 --> 00:18:04.740 us, 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.199 that's not 00:18:06.199 --> 00:18:06.619 going to work, 00:18:06.659 --> 00:18:06.839 right? 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:08.779 There's a few 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.119 of you, 00:18:09.220 --> 00:18:09.980 a few of us, 00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.559 who are disciplined 00:18:10.559 --> 00:18:11.279 enough to pull 00:18:11.279 --> 00:18:11.779 that off. 00:18:12.179 --> 00:18:12.899 Most of us 00:18:12.899 --> 00:18:13.379 are not. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:13.939 Thankfully, 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.399 when God 00:18:15.399 --> 00:18:16.119 tells us about 00:18:16.119 --> 00:18:16.899 his knowledge, 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.559 he is not 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.240 telling us about 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:19.279 independent study 00:18:19.279 --> 00:18:19.759 knowledge. 00:18:21.699 --> 00:18:22.919 He is inviting 00:18:22.919 --> 00:18:24.559 us to something 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:25.439 very different. 00:18:26.019 --> 00:18:27.139 Not independent 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:27.859 study knowledge, 00:18:28.019 --> 00:18:28.699 not knowledge 00:18:28.699 --> 00:18:29.159 where we pull 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.859 ourselves up by 00:18:29.859 --> 00:18:30.619 our bootstraps. 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:30.899 No, 00:18:31.000 --> 00:18:31.599 he is inviting 00:18:31.599 --> 00:18:32.339 us onto a 00:18:32.339 --> 00:18:34.619 team with 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.199 a coach 00:18:35.199 --> 00:18:36.159 and a 00:18:36.159 --> 00:18:36.599 reward. 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.740 You know, 00:18:38.779 --> 00:18:39.079 I talked 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.719 earlier about 00:18:39.719 --> 00:18:40.279 working out. 00:18:40.379 --> 00:18:40.539 You know, 00:18:40.579 --> 00:18:41.199 it's one thing 00:18:41.199 --> 00:18:41.779 to try to 00:18:41.779 --> 00:18:42.980 discipline yourself 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:43.319 with your 00:18:43.319 --> 00:18:43.779 New Year's 00:18:43.779 --> 00:18:44.740 resolutions to 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.719 get X amount 00:18:45.719 --> 00:18:46.279 of exercise, 00:18:46.500 --> 00:18:46.699 right? 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.099 You have to 00:18:48.099 --> 00:18:48.779 fight against 00:18:48.779 --> 00:18:49.259 your will. 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.879 It's another 00:18:50.879 --> 00:18:51.899 thing to know 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.439 that you have 00:18:52.439 --> 00:18:53.259 a group and 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.859 a team that 00:18:53.859 --> 00:18:54.279 you're working 00:18:54.279 --> 00:18:54.500 with. 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.000 It's another 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.699 thing to know 00:18:55.699 --> 00:18:56.159 that you have 00:18:56.159 --> 00:18:56.619 support. 00:18:56.919 --> 00:18:57.399 You're not 00:18:57.399 --> 00:18:57.719 alone. 00:18:57.819 --> 00:18:58.459 The same is 00:18:58.459 --> 00:18:59.339 true for us 00:18:59.339 --> 00:19:00.259 and our 00:19:00.259 --> 00:19:00.819 knowledge. 00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.000 Now, 00:19:02.079 --> 00:19:02.419 I could have 00:19:02.419 --> 00:19:02.980 just recorded 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:03.559 this sermon 00:19:03.559 --> 00:19:03.839 today, 00:19:03.899 --> 00:19:04.059 right? 00:19:04.099 --> 00:19:04.240 And we 00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:04.519 could just 00:19:04.519 --> 00:19:04.939 email it 00:19:04.939 --> 00:19:05.159 out to 00:19:05.159 --> 00:19:05.579 everyone on 00:19:05.579 --> 00:19:06.099 MP3, 00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.779 which is 00:19:07.779 --> 00:19:08.379 already outdated, 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:08.779 I guess. 00:19:09.939 --> 00:19:10.599 Why are we 00:19:10.599 --> 00:19:11.019 not doing 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.339 that? 00:19:12.699 --> 00:19:13.259 Because we're 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:13.679 not pull 00:19:13.679 --> 00:19:14.319 ourselves up 00:19:14.319 --> 00:19:14.619 by our 00:19:14.619 --> 00:19:15.159 bootstraps 00:19:15.159 --> 00:19:15.480 kind of 00:19:15.480 --> 00:19:15.839 knowledge, 00:19:15.959 --> 00:19:16.179 people. 00:19:16.419 --> 00:19:16.839 We're to 00:19:16.839 --> 00:19:17.480 hear together 00:19:17.480 --> 00:19:17.779 as a 00:19:17.779 --> 00:19:18.099 community. 00:19:18.240 --> 00:19:18.559 There's a 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.059 reason for 00:19:19.059 --> 00:19:19.279 that. 00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:20.059 God knows 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:21.059 we are not 00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.679 able to do 00:19:21.679 --> 00:19:22.159 these things 00:19:22.159 --> 00:19:22.779 by ourselves. 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.319 He's given 00:19:23.319 --> 00:19:23.779 us many 00:19:23.779 --> 00:19:24.119 things. 00:19:24.219 --> 00:19:24.500 He's given 00:19:24.500 --> 00:19:24.879 us his 00:19:24.879 --> 00:19:25.480 presence and 00:19:25.480 --> 00:19:25.919 his spirit, 00:19:26.179 --> 00:19:26.579 which he 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.319 promises when 00:19:27.319 --> 00:19:27.719 his people 00:19:27.719 --> 00:19:28.019 gather. 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:28.480 He's given 00:19:28.480 --> 00:19:29.039 us each 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.839 other to 00:19:29.839 --> 00:19:30.799 work alongside, 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:31.500 to cheer 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:31.899 each other 00:19:31.899 --> 00:19:32.319 on, to 00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.819 coach and 00:19:32.819 --> 00:19:33.899 encourage and 00:19:33.899 --> 00:19:34.299 help. 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.220 And so we're 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:36.059 joining here, 00:19:36.659 --> 00:19:37.059 not an 00:19:37.059 --> 00:19:37.799 independent study 00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.059 in the 00:19:38.059 --> 00:19:38.619 Christian life, 00:19:38.680 --> 00:19:39.119 but a group 00:19:39.119 --> 00:19:39.700 and a team 00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.339 filled by 00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:40.819 God and 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.240 his spirit 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:41.559 and his 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:42.299 resources that 00:19:42.299 --> 00:19:42.799 we would be 00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:43.240 able to 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:44.139 grow and 00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:44.619 walk in 00:19:44.619 --> 00:19:45.079 his ways, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.500 taking 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.139 responsibility 00:19:46.139 --> 00:19:46.659 for the 00:19:46.659 --> 00:19:47.180 knowledge that 00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:47.579 he's given 00:19:47.579 --> 00:19:48.460 us in 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:49.279 this community. 00:19:51.839 --> 00:19:52.500 And so 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.200 rather than 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:54.059 being a 00:19:54.059 --> 00:19:55.240 daunting and 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.879 intimidating 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.539 task, 00:19:57.659 --> 00:19:58.539 this is a 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:58.899 team, 00:19:59.039 --> 00:20:00.079 where there's 00:20:00.079 --> 00:20:00.899 no tryouts 00:20:00.899 --> 00:20:02.920 and there's 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:03.460 no cuts. 00:20:05.139 --> 00:20:05.859 All you have 00:20:05.859 --> 00:20:06.359 to do is 00:20:06.359 --> 00:20:06.839 show up. 00:20:08.220 --> 00:20:08.940 And all you 00:20:08.940 --> 00:20:09.379 have to do 00:20:09.379 --> 00:20:10.039 is to keep 00:20:10.039 --> 00:20:11.180 showing up 00:20:11.180 --> 00:20:12.279 week after 00:20:12.279 --> 00:20:12.859 week after 00:20:12.859 --> 00:20:13.220 week, 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.960 knowing that 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.299 if you 00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:15.839 follow with 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.539 your teammates 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.359 after your 00:20:17.359 --> 00:20:18.319 coach, God 00:20:18.319 --> 00:20:18.639 and his 00:20:18.639 --> 00:20:19.099 work and 00:20:19.099 --> 00:20:19.639 his spirit 00:20:19.639 --> 00:20:20.440 will be 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:20.960 with you, 00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.440 changing 00:20:21.440 --> 00:20:21.940 you and 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.559 growing you. 00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.200 Now, some 00:20:25.200 --> 00:20:25.519 of you know 00:20:25.519 --> 00:20:26.119 I dabble 00:20:26.119 --> 00:20:27.420 in being a 00:20:27.420 --> 00:20:27.639 runner. 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:29.360 By dabble, 00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:29.860 I mean that 00:20:29.860 --> 00:20:30.380 my mileage 00:20:30.380 --> 00:20:30.800 is pretty 00:20:30.800 --> 00:20:31.280 low per 00:20:31.280 --> 00:20:31.560 week. 00:20:32.360 --> 00:20:32.620 If you 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:32.920 know much 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.240 about the 00:20:33.240 --> 00:20:33.380 running 00:20:33.380 --> 00:20:33.780 community, 00:20:33.880 --> 00:20:34.160 you know 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:34.460 it can be 00:20:34.460 --> 00:20:34.940 pretty brutal. 00:20:35.080 --> 00:20:35.480 It's so 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:35.920 bad, it's 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.420 almost as 00:20:36.420 --> 00:20:36.700 bad as 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.120 the cycling 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.540 community. 00:20:38.740 --> 00:20:39.120 Yes, I 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:39.480 said that. 00:20:40.759 --> 00:20:41.200 One of the 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.460 things you 00:20:41.460 --> 00:20:41.700 need to be 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.320 afraid of if 00:20:42.320 --> 00:20:42.720 you join a 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.140 running group 00:20:43.140 --> 00:20:43.400 is that 00:20:43.400 --> 00:20:43.660 you'll get 00:20:43.660 --> 00:20:44.040 dropped. 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:45.780 Getting 00:20:45.780 --> 00:20:46.280 dropped just 00:20:46.280 --> 00:20:46.620 means you're 00:20:46.620 --> 00:20:47.060 not fast 00:20:47.060 --> 00:20:47.360 enough, you 00:20:47.360 --> 00:20:47.700 can't keep 00:20:47.700 --> 00:20:47.880 up. 00:20:49.520 --> 00:20:50.080 Everyone else 00:20:50.080 --> 00:20:50.400 is running 00:20:50.400 --> 00:20:51.100 a 715, 00:20:51.340 --> 00:20:51.740 you're running 00:20:51.740 --> 00:20:52.340 a 930, 00:20:53.020 --> 00:20:53.480 so you're just 00:20:53.480 --> 00:20:53.980 alone by 00:20:53.980 --> 00:20:54.460 yourself at 00:20:54.460 --> 00:20:54.720 the very 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:54.980 end. 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:57.160 However, 00:20:57.299 --> 00:20:57.539 there's 00:20:57.539 --> 00:20:58.099 something very 00:20:58.099 --> 00:20:58.799 rare in the 00:20:58.799 --> 00:20:59.319 running world 00:20:59.319 --> 00:20:59.980 called a 00:20:59.980 --> 00:21:00.480 no-drop 00:21:00.480 --> 00:21:00.839 group. 00:21:02.039 --> 00:21:02.400 Now, if you 00:21:02.400 --> 00:21:02.980 can find a 00:21:02.980 --> 00:21:03.360 no-drop 00:21:03.360 --> 00:21:04.400 group, it 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:04.819 means that 00:21:04.819 --> 00:21:05.319 no one will 00:21:05.319 --> 00:21:05.640 leave you 00:21:05.640 --> 00:21:06.019 behind. 00:21:06.259 --> 00:21:07.279 Someone will 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:07.960 stay at the 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.460 back with 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:08.579 you. 00:21:08.680 --> 00:21:09.240 You know 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.599 that no 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:10.120 matter your 00:21:10.120 --> 00:21:11.380 pace, you 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:11.819 will have 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:12.200 someone. 00:21:12.920 --> 00:21:13.960 Jesus invites 00:21:13.960 --> 00:21:15.140 us as we 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.720 grow in 00:21:15.720 --> 00:21:16.279 knowledge to 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.200 a no-drop 00:21:17.200 --> 00:21:17.579 group. 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:19.960 the requirement 00:21:19.960 --> 00:21:20.740 is not that 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.299 we meet a 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.899 certain standard, 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.500 that we hit 00:21:22.500 --> 00:21:22.899 a certain 00:21:22.899 --> 00:21:23.379 speed. 00:21:24.179 --> 00:21:24.899 What is 00:21:24.899 --> 00:21:25.599 required is 00:21:25.599 --> 00:21:26.119 that we 00:21:26.119 --> 00:21:27.119 follow Jesus' 00:21:27.319 --> 00:21:27.879 command, that 00:21:27.879 --> 00:21:28.359 we obey 00:21:28.359 --> 00:21:28.899 him when he 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:30.019 says, follow 00:21:30.019 --> 00:21:30.319 me. 00:21:32.639 --> 00:21:33.039 And no 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.740 matter our 00:21:33.740 --> 00:21:34.559 speed or 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.399 our strength, 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:36.720 all we have 00:21:36.720 --> 00:21:37.519 to focus on 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.039 is that. 00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.119 I had a 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.679 professor in 00:21:39.679 --> 00:21:40.240 seminary who 00:21:40.240 --> 00:21:40.679 said this, 00:21:40.799 --> 00:21:41.899 that Jesus' 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.659 disciples got 00:21:42.659 --> 00:21:43.199 many things 00:21:43.199 --> 00:21:43.460 wrong. 00:21:44.819 --> 00:21:45.399 They made 00:21:45.399 --> 00:21:46.079 many mistakes, 00:21:46.399 --> 00:21:46.899 they failed 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.580 in many ways. 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:48.860 There's one 00:21:48.860 --> 00:21:49.259 thing they 00:21:49.259 --> 00:21:49.720 got right. 00:21:50.680 --> 00:21:51.580 They always 00:21:51.580 --> 00:21:52.600 kept following 00:21:52.600 --> 00:21:53.019 Jesus. 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:55.900 And so the 00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.620 same is true 00:21:56.620 --> 00:21:57.340 for us as we 00:21:57.340 --> 00:21:58.400 see the danger 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.080 of knowledge, 00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.600 as we see the 00:22:00.600 --> 00:22:01.600 accountability of 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.320 knowledge, as we 00:22:02.320 --> 00:22:02.759 see the 00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:03.660 inoculation of 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:03.960 knowledge. 00:22:04.080 --> 00:22:04.860 All we need 00:22:04.860 --> 00:22:05.360 to do to 00:22:05.360 --> 00:22:06.259 protect ourselves 00:22:06.259 --> 00:22:07.320 from that is 00:22:07.320 --> 00:22:07.840 to do what the 00:22:07.840 --> 00:22:08.680 disciples did, 00:22:09.340 --> 00:22:10.420 and that is to 00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:11.900 follow Jesus. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:14.740 But we have 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.660 to follow 00:22:15.660 --> 00:22:16.340 him. 00:22:16.900 --> 00:22:19.340 you show up 00:22:19.340 --> 00:22:19.840 right for the 00:22:19.840 --> 00:22:20.720 team, maybe 00:22:20.720 --> 00:22:21.519 show up to 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:21.920 the gym. 00:22:22.360 --> 00:22:22.900 You can't 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.560 lift as much 00:22:23.560 --> 00:22:23.900 as everyone 00:22:23.900 --> 00:22:24.300 else can 00:22:24.300 --> 00:22:24.620 lift. 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:25.500 You don't 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:25.980 have perfect 00:22:25.980 --> 00:22:26.560 form all the 00:22:26.560 --> 00:22:26.860 time. 00:22:27.400 --> 00:22:27.900 You can't 00:22:27.900 --> 00:22:28.720 do everything 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.180 that everyone 00:22:29.180 --> 00:22:29.700 else is able 00:22:29.700 --> 00:22:30.100 to do. 00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:32.360 And you 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:32.960 still show 00:22:32.960 --> 00:22:33.200 up. 00:22:34.880 --> 00:22:35.320 Remember, 00:22:35.440 --> 00:22:35.759 back in 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:37.300 2 Peter 1, 00:22:37.560 --> 00:22:38.380 verses 8-11, 00:22:38.460 --> 00:22:38.980 we talked 00:22:38.980 --> 00:22:39.600 about fruit 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:39.900 and this 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.900 idea of 00:22:40.900 --> 00:22:41.480 obedience, 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.140 our work 00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.620 and God's 00:22:42.620 --> 00:22:42.860 work. 00:22:42.859 --> 00:22:42.899 work. 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:43.859 And I 00:22:43.859 --> 00:22:44.279 told you 00:22:44.279 --> 00:22:44.919 the story 00:22:44.919 --> 00:22:45.639 of the 00:22:45.639 --> 00:22:46.099 gardener. 00:22:46.119 --> 00:22:46.319 And I 00:22:46.319 --> 00:22:46.639 read to 00:22:46.639 --> 00:22:46.879 you from 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.419 John chapter 00:22:47.419 --> 00:22:47.939 15, 00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:49.919 where Jesus 00:22:49.919 --> 00:22:50.500 says this, 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.039 I am the 00:22:51.039 --> 00:22:51.519 vine, you 00:22:51.519 --> 00:22:51.779 are the 00:22:51.779 --> 00:22:52.159 branches. 00:22:52.919 --> 00:22:53.219 Whoever 00:22:53.219 --> 00:22:53.899 abides in 00:22:53.899 --> 00:22:54.379 me and I 00:22:54.379 --> 00:22:54.719 in him, 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.179 he it is 00:22:55.179 --> 00:22:55.639 that bears 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.279 much fruit. 00:22:56.639 --> 00:22:57.299 For apart 00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:57.859 from me, 00:22:57.919 --> 00:22:58.459 you can do 00:22:58.459 --> 00:22:58.779 nothing. 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:01.179 The tree 00:23:01.179 --> 00:23:01.899 doesn't water 00:23:01.899 --> 00:23:02.319 and feed 00:23:02.319 --> 00:23:02.819 itself, 00:23:03.519 --> 00:23:04.959 but it 00:23:04.959 --> 00:23:05.859 responds to 00:23:05.859 --> 00:23:06.259 the water 00:23:06.259 --> 00:23:06.919 and nutrients 00:23:06.919 --> 00:23:07.639 it's given. 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:09.560 one of 00:23:09.560 --> 00:23:09.780 those 00:23:09.780 --> 00:23:10.240 nutrients 00:23:10.240 --> 00:23:11.220 is 00:23:11.220 --> 00:23:11.680 knowledge. 00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.480 Is the 00:23:14.480 --> 00:23:14.700 tree 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.160 working? 00:23:16.280 --> 00:23:16.840 Yes. 00:23:18.040 --> 00:23:19.180 Because of 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:19.780 the nutrients 00:23:19.780 --> 00:23:20.400 and care 00:23:20.400 --> 00:23:21.020 and feeding 00:23:21.020 --> 00:23:21.740 and pruning 00:23:21.740 --> 00:23:22.700 of the 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:22.980 Father. 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:25.820 And so 00:23:25.820 --> 00:23:26.400 knowledge 00:23:26.400 --> 00:23:28.020 is dangerous. 00:23:28.780 --> 00:23:29.640 It's dangerous 00:23:29.640 --> 00:23:30.259 because we're 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:30.920 accountable and 00:23:30.920 --> 00:23:31.580 we're responsible 00:23:31.580 --> 00:23:32.120 for it. 00:23:33.180 --> 00:23:34.280 It's dangerous 00:23:34.280 --> 00:23:34.980 because if we 00:23:34.980 --> 00:23:35.460 have it 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.259 and we 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.100 reject Christ, 00:23:37.099 --> 00:23:37.839 it increases 00:23:37.839 --> 00:23:39.159 the severity 00:23:39.159 --> 00:23:39.659 of our 00:23:39.659 --> 00:23:40.079 rejection 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.419 and our 00:23:40.419 --> 00:23:40.740 judgment. 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:41.939 And it's 00:23:41.939 --> 00:23:42.319 dangerous 00:23:42.319 --> 00:23:42.959 because if we 00:23:42.959 --> 00:23:43.740 don't embrace 00:23:43.740 --> 00:23:44.099 it, if we 00:23:44.099 --> 00:23:44.879 play around 00:23:44.879 --> 00:23:45.480 the edges, 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:47.000 it inoculates 00:23:47.000 --> 00:23:47.379 us. 00:23:47.439 --> 00:23:47.859 It makes us 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:48.799 immune to 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.279 the truth. 00:23:50.439 --> 00:23:50.859 And so 00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:51.619 as Christians, 00:23:51.779 --> 00:23:52.399 we know 00:23:52.399 --> 00:23:53.179 knowledge is 00:23:53.179 --> 00:23:53.879 the nutrients 00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.539 that God 00:23:54.539 --> 00:23:55.199 gives us 00:23:55.199 --> 00:23:55.559 that we 00:23:55.559 --> 00:23:56.119 might grow 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.539 and so 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:57.539 we embrace 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.359 it and 00:23:59.359 --> 00:23:59.879 we love 00:23:59.879 --> 00:24:01.659 it because 00:24:01.659 --> 00:24:02.399 we know 00:24:02.399 --> 00:24:02.819 that we're 00:24:02.819 --> 00:24:03.779 held accountable 00:24:03.779 --> 00:24:04.859 for it. 00:24:04.859 --> 00:24:07.199 we know 00:24:07.199 --> 00:24:07.679 that Jesus 00:24:07.679 --> 00:24:08.279 is the 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.019 one who 00:24:09.019 --> 00:24:09.599 is with 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:09.859 us, 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:10.399 using it 00:24:10.399 --> 00:24:10.859 to grow 00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:11.799 us and 00:24:11.799 --> 00:24:12.219 to change 00:24:12.219 --> 00:24:12.500 us. 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.219 And so 00:24:14.219 --> 00:24:14.399 we're going 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:14.779 to pray 00:24:14.779 --> 00:24:15.379 to him 00:24:15.379 --> 00:24:15.599 now, 00:24:15.659 --> 00:24:16.139 asking him 00:24:16.139 --> 00:24:16.500 to do 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:17.219 that very 00:24:17.219 --> 00:24:17.500 thing. 00:24:17.579 --> 00:24:17.799 I invite 00:24:17.799 --> 00:24:18.019 you to 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.339 pray with 00:24:18.339 --> 00:24:18.519 me. 00:24:19.919 --> 00:24:20.279 Dear 00:24:20.279 --> 00:24:20.699 Father in 00:24:20.699 --> 00:24:20.879 heaven, 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.779 we thank 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.039 you that 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:22.240 you've 00:24:22.240 --> 00:24:22.679 given us 00:24:22.679 --> 00:24:23.079 knowledge 00:24:23.079 --> 00:24:23.419 in your 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:24.819 word and 00:24:24.819 --> 00:24:25.219 we thank 00:24:25.219 --> 00:24:25.500 you that 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:25.779 you've 00:24:25.779 --> 00:24:26.439 warned us 00:24:26.439 --> 00:24:27.099 of the 00:24:27.099 --> 00:24:27.459 dangers 00:24:27.459 --> 00:24:28.059 of knowledge. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.139 We ask 00:24:29.139 --> 00:24:29.319 that you 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:29.899 would use 00:24:29.899 --> 00:24:30.939 those warnings 00:24:30.940 --> 00:24:31.820 as your 00:24:31.820 --> 00:24:32.299 instrument in 00:24:32.299 --> 00:24:32.740 our lives 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.140 to stir 00:24:33.140 --> 00:24:33.580 us up. 00:24:34.400 --> 00:24:35.080 For those 00:24:35.080 --> 00:24:35.400 of us 00:24:35.400 --> 00:24:36.380 who are 00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:37.080 complacent, 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.940 believing our 00:24:37.940 --> 00:24:38.460 knowledge is 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:38.799 enough, 00:24:38.880 --> 00:24:39.279 we ask that 00:24:39.279 --> 00:24:39.700 you'd stir 00:24:39.700 --> 00:24:40.140 us up to 00:24:40.140 --> 00:24:40.519 grow in 00:24:40.519 --> 00:24:40.860 holiness. 00:24:42.380 --> 00:24:42.840 Father, 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.240 for those 00:24:43.240 --> 00:24:43.660 of us 00:24:43.660 --> 00:24:44.940 tempted to 00:24:44.940 --> 00:24:45.660 reject you, 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:46.580 remind us 00:24:46.580 --> 00:24:47.039 of what we 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:47.759 know from 00:24:47.759 --> 00:24:48.279 our time 00:24:48.279 --> 00:24:48.740 in this 00:24:48.740 --> 00:24:49.200 community, 00:24:49.779 --> 00:24:50.420 of your 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:50.940 goodness and 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.360 your love. 00:24:51.400 --> 00:24:51.580 And for 00:24:51.580 --> 00:24:52.000 those of 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.840 us who 00:24:52.840 --> 00:24:53.059 are at 00:24:53.059 --> 00:24:53.519 risk of 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:53.860 becoming 00:24:53.860 --> 00:24:54.539 immune and 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.140 inoculated 00:24:55.140 --> 00:24:55.680 against the 00:24:55.680 --> 00:24:56.019 truth, 00:24:57.120 --> 00:24:57.500 stir us 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.039 up that we 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.700 would embrace 00:24:58.700 --> 00:24:58.900 it, 00:24:58.960 --> 00:24:59.480 knowing that 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:00.340 freedom comes 00:25:00.339 --> 00:25:01.519 from commitment 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.039 to you, 00:25:02.879 --> 00:25:03.559 from embracing 00:25:03.559 --> 00:25:04.039 you rather 00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.500 than avoiding 00:25:04.500 --> 00:25:04.759 you. 00:25:04.879 --> 00:25:05.279 We thank 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:05.519 you that 00:25:05.519 --> 00:25:05.879 you're the 00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.199 one at 00:25:06.199 --> 00:25:06.459 work, 00:25:07.359 --> 00:25:07.679 that we 00:25:07.679 --> 00:25:08.079 don't stir 00:25:08.079 --> 00:25:08.539 these things 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.099 up or pull 00:25:09.099 --> 00:25:09.740 ourselves up 00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.059 by our 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.500 bootstraps, 00:25:10.519 --> 00:25:10.980 but instead 00:25:10.980 --> 00:25:11.699 we do one 00:25:11.699 --> 00:25:12.039 thing, 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:12.399 and we 00:25:12.399 --> 00:25:13.740 follow after 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.039 you. 00:25:14.119 --> 00:25:14.459 We ask 00:25:14.459 --> 00:25:14.679 that you'd 00:25:14.679 --> 00:25:15.059 help us 00:25:15.059 --> 00:25:15.439 to do that 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:15.819 now by 00:25:15.819 --> 00:25:16.339 your spirit, 00:25:16.539 --> 00:25:17.000 and we ask 00:25:17.000 --> 00:25:17.480 these things 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.859 in Jesus' 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.220 name. 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.059 Amen.