WEBVTT

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 11 starting at verse 33.

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 Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

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 How unsearchable his judgments and his paths beyond tracing out!

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 Who has known the mind of the Lord?

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 Or who has ever been his counsellor?

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 Who has ever given to God that God should repay him?

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 For from him and through him and to him are all things.

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 To him be the glory forever. Amen.

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 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy,

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 to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God.

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 This is your spiritual act of worship.

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 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world,

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 but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

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 Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is.

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 His good, pleasing and perfect will.

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 Father, thank you for your word, for its truth.

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 Father, thank you for your word.

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 And we humbly submit to that truth right now.

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 Asking that your word would indeed shape us,

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 shape our minds and our hearts,

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 mould us and fashion us,

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 so that we are people who follow not our own hearts' desires,

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 but seek to do your will.

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 Father, we pray for Michael that he would know your spirit at work through him

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 and your spirit amongst us,

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 so that as we listen,

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 we would indeed all be transformed

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 and changed.

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 We pray this in your name.

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 Amen.

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 Well, happy new year to you all.

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 It's not too late to wish you a happy new year.

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 But as I look around the congregation this morning,

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 I see that there were one or two of you here this morning

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 that were also in Middleton last week when I was preaching.

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 So if you've heard this message before,

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 is going to be underlined for you today.

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 And if you didn't take notice of it last week,

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 I pray that you'll take notice of it this week

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 and that we'll all be blessed together

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 as we consider God's word.

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 We're going to be looking at,

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 in particular,

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 Romans chapter 12 and verses 1 and 2.

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 Last week I began,

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 as I'm going to begin this week,

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 what can we expect in 2017?

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 Well, we know certain things, don't we?

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 Things that are very, very obvious

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 and some things that were laid out

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 a long time ago.

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 We know that the church of the Lord Jesus Christ

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 will continue to grow

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 because no one ever ceases to be a member

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 of the church of Christ,

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 not even in death.

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 So we do know that the number,

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 the no man can number,

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 will continue to be made up

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 during 2017.

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 We also know from Scripture

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 that there will be wars

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 and rumours of wars.

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 We can expect that.

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 Nothing will change.

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 And as a result,

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 there will be refugees,

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 there will be famines.

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 And to sort it all out,

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 we have Donald Trump

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 becoming president

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 in the States.

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 What a great thing to look forward to.

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 Well, we also have the consequences

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 of Brexit,

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 what that will mean,

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 and what it will mean

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 for each one of us

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 as individuals.

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 Some of us, perhaps,

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 will be sitting on a leaving cert,

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 entering new jobs.

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 Perhaps some of us

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 will be made redundant.

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 Some of us will get

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 a better rise

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 in our wages.

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 Some of us

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 might face bankruptcy.

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 Who knows?

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 Some of us with good health

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 through the coming year.

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 Some

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 may have sickness.

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 Some may be getting married.

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 Some may be having children.

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 All of these things

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 will happen in the year

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 that lies ahead.

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 They're there for us.

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 And we know that

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 for us as believers

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 there will be difficulties

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 to encounter

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 because we know,

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 again from Scripture,

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 that in this world

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 there will be tribulation.

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 But how are you and I

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 to face the new year

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 as Christians?

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 How are we to go forward

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 into the months

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 that lie ahead?

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 Well, we're to go forward

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 as God's people,

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 never forgetting for a moment

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 that we are God's people,

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 that we have been bought

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 with a price

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 and that price

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 is the precious blood

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 of the Lord Jesus Christ.

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 And I would urge you

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 as you go through

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 the year that lies ahead

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 to view the coming year

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 with a mind

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 that is in tune

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 with Romans chapter 12

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 and verses 1 and 2.

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 It's an opportunity for us

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 to live as Christians

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 before a watching world

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 as those that are indeed

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 living sacrifices.

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 And I want us to just look

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 at these two verses

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 under three headings.

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 It's been emphasized

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 already

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 that we are a people

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 that have received mercy.

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 And the Apostle Paul

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 here makes his appeal

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 to the believers at Rome

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 and to us today

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 to live our lives

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 in the light of the mercy

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 that we have received.

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 You notice that verse 12,

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 verse 1 of chapter 12 of Romans

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 begins with a therefore.

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 And as somebody has pointed out

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 that it is there for a reason.

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 It is there to tell us

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 that Paul has already brought before us

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 the glories of the gospel.

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 He breaks out an appeal of praise

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 as he reflects on that gospel

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 in verse 33 of the previous chapter.

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 But he's been expounding the gospel.

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 He's been explaining

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 what the gospel is.

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 And saying that as a result

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 of this gospel

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 that they have received,

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 that there is a therefore.

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 There are certain consequences.

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 So if we have accepted

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 the truth of the gospel

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 this morning,

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 we can no longer live

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 to please self.

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 We must be a people

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 that are ready

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 to offer ourselves to God

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 totally and utterly.

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 Those who have received

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 the revelation,

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 that is the truth of the gospel,

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 must always be ready

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 to act upon it.

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 We are saved

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 to serve.

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 Each one of us.

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 The gospel

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 is about the mercy

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 that we have received

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 from God.

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 Mercy comes

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 from Him.

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 Where do we hear

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 about this mercy?

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 We hear about it

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 in the gospel.

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 If you go back

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 to Romans chapter 1

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 and verse 1,

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 Paul refers to it

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 as the gospel of God.

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 It comes from God.

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 He's the initiator

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 of the gospel.

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 Or, if you like,

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 the architect

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 of the gospel.

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 The gospel is not

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 something new.

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 It is something

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 that was announced

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 on the pages

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 of the Old Testament.

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 Whether God promised

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 a Savior

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 who would come

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 into the world,

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 His very own Son.

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 The gospel of God

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 tells us

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 that God

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 sent His Son

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 into the world.

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 Truly God.

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 But born of a woman,

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 of the tribe of David,

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 truly man.

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 And through the death

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 of this God-man,

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 through His death

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 and through His resurrection,

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 salvation would come

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 into the world.

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 Or to put it another way,

00:10:19.459 --> 00:10:20.419
 God the Father

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 would send His Son

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 that mercy

00:10:24.639 --> 00:10:26.059
 might be shown

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 to you and I.

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 So notice

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 our text

00:10:30.439 --> 00:10:32.000
 again this morning.

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 Therefore,

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 says the apostle,

00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:35.479
 I urge you,

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 brothers,

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 in view

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 of God's

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 mercy

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 to offer

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 your bodies

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 as living

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 sacrifices.

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 Well,

00:10:44.859 --> 00:10:45.899
 what is the mercy

00:10:45.899 --> 00:10:46.919
 that you

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 and I

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 have been shown?

00:10:49.139 --> 00:10:49.719
 What does

00:10:49.719 --> 00:10:50.739
 the gospel

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 of God

00:10:51.479 --> 00:10:52.139
 tell us

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 of this mercy?

00:10:54.179 --> 00:10:54.399
 Well,

00:10:54.419 --> 00:10:55.459
 we can't possibly

00:10:55.460 --> 00:10:56.139
 go through

00:10:56.139 --> 00:10:57.840
 all of Romans.

00:10:58.519 --> 00:10:59.460
 Every page

00:10:59.460 --> 00:11:00.139
 tells us

00:11:00.139 --> 00:11:00.519
 something

00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:01.519
 of the mercy

00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:02.000
 of God.

00:11:02.180 --> 00:11:03.379
 But let me highlight

00:11:03.379 --> 00:11:05.100
 just one or two ways

00:11:05.100 --> 00:11:05.940
 in which God

00:11:05.940 --> 00:11:06.580
 has been

00:11:06.580 --> 00:11:07.480
 merciful

00:11:07.480 --> 00:11:08.639
 to you

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 and to I

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 and myself.

00:11:12.060 --> 00:11:13.040
 He has

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 shown

00:11:13.680 --> 00:11:15.259
 mercy to us

00:11:15.259 --> 00:11:16.000
 as

00:11:16.000 --> 00:11:16.860
 sinners.

00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:19.900
 The overriding

00:11:19.900 --> 00:11:20.600
 truth

00:11:20.600 --> 00:11:21.700
 is that God

00:11:21.700 --> 00:11:22.820
 has been

00:11:22.820 --> 00:11:23.480
 merciful

00:11:23.480 --> 00:11:24.560
 to you

00:11:24.560 --> 00:11:25.820
 and to me.

00:11:26.320 --> 00:11:27.019
 That's the very

00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:27.840
 heart

00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.899
 of the gospel.

00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:30.700
 Each of us

00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:31.920
 here this morning

00:11:31.920 --> 00:11:33.200
 was born

00:11:33.200 --> 00:11:34.440
 in sin.

00:11:35.139 --> 00:11:36.019
 Each of us

00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.139
 was under

00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.060
 the wrath

00:11:38.060 --> 00:11:38.779
 of God.

00:11:39.720 --> 00:11:40.460
 The apostle Paul

00:11:40.460 --> 00:11:41.340
 tells us that

00:11:41.340 --> 00:11:42.379
 in Romans 1

00:11:42.379 --> 00:11:44.000
 and verse 18.

00:11:44.300 --> 00:11:45.200
 And he continues

00:11:45.200 --> 00:11:45.960
 right through

00:11:45.960 --> 00:11:47.220
 to chapter 3

00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.560
 and verse 20

00:11:48.560 --> 00:11:49.420
 to show

00:11:49.420 --> 00:11:50.240
 that man,

00:11:50.539 --> 00:11:51.180
 whether he's

00:11:51.180 --> 00:11:51.600
 Jew

00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:52.519
 or whether

00:11:52.519 --> 00:11:53.960
 he's Gentile,

00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:55.019
 is under

00:11:55.019 --> 00:11:56.100
 the wrath

00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:57.200
 of an almighty

00:11:57.200 --> 00:11:57.960
 God.

00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:00.279
 All of us

00:12:00.279 --> 00:12:01.600
 left to ourselves

00:12:01.600 --> 00:12:02.920
 would end up

00:12:02.920 --> 00:12:03.600
 in a lost

00:12:03.600 --> 00:12:04.240
 eternity

00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:05.659
 in a place

00:12:05.659 --> 00:12:07.040
 called hell.

00:12:08.040 --> 00:12:09.040
 Paul reaches

00:12:09.040 --> 00:12:09.879
 a conclusion

00:12:09.879 --> 00:12:11.940
 in chapter 3

00:12:11.940 --> 00:12:13.180
 and verse 10

00:12:13.180 --> 00:12:14.080
 that there is

00:12:14.080 --> 00:12:15.560
 none righteous,

00:12:16.180 --> 00:12:17.600
 not even

00:12:17.600 --> 00:12:18.259
 one.

00:12:18.259 --> 00:12:18.319
 one.

00:12:19.240 --> 00:12:19.740
 You see,

00:12:19.860 --> 00:12:20.580
 each one

00:12:20.580 --> 00:12:21.179
 of us

00:12:21.179 --> 00:12:23.159
 are steeped

00:12:23.159 --> 00:12:24.259
 in sin,

00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:25.279
 naturally

00:12:25.279 --> 00:12:26.279
 speaking.

00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.179
 But God

00:12:28.179 --> 00:12:29.379
 has shown

00:12:29.379 --> 00:12:30.220
 mercy

00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:31.059
 to us.

00:12:31.919 --> 00:12:32.259
 And so

00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:32.620
 if we're

00:12:32.620 --> 00:12:33.200
 Christians

00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:34.019
 this morning,

00:12:34.600 --> 00:12:35.519
 it is because

00:12:35.519 --> 00:12:36.819
 God has shown

00:12:36.819 --> 00:12:38.240
 mercy to you

00:12:38.240 --> 00:12:38.939
 and to me.

00:12:39.179 --> 00:12:40.399
 As sinners,

00:12:41.000 --> 00:12:41.740
 we have been

00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.000
 saved by the

00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:44.139
 grace of God.

00:12:44.139 --> 00:12:45.139
 God.

00:12:45.139 --> 00:12:45.620
 Now let's

00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:46.139
 remember

00:12:46.139 --> 00:12:47.279
 who is

00:12:47.279 --> 00:12:47.819
 writing

00:12:47.819 --> 00:12:49.340
 this particular

00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:50.019
 letter.

00:12:50.500 --> 00:12:51.120
 It is not

00:12:51.120 --> 00:12:51.840
 just any

00:12:51.840 --> 00:12:52.340
 person.

00:12:52.500 --> 00:12:53.360
 This is the

00:12:53.360 --> 00:12:54.840
 apostle of

00:12:54.840 --> 00:12:55.319
 God.

00:12:55.799 --> 00:12:56.600
 This is one

00:12:56.600 --> 00:12:57.439
 who was

00:12:57.439 --> 00:12:58.340
 chosen by

00:12:58.340 --> 00:12:59.139
 God to

00:12:59.139 --> 00:12:59.699
 bring us

00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.600
 God's

00:13:00.600 --> 00:13:01.340
 truth.

00:13:02.519 --> 00:13:03.039
 And he's

00:13:03.039 --> 00:13:03.759
 writing from

00:13:03.759 --> 00:13:04.679
 a perspective

00:13:04.679 --> 00:13:06.179
 not only of

00:13:06.179 --> 00:13:06.819
 us as an

00:13:06.819 --> 00:13:07.840
 apostle bringing

00:13:07.840 --> 00:13:08.740
 the truth of

00:13:08.740 --> 00:13:09.559
 God to us,

00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:10.899
 he's writing

00:13:10.899 --> 00:13:11.840
 this letter

00:13:11.840 --> 00:13:13.100
 as one

00:13:13.100 --> 00:13:14.080
 who has

00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:15.139
 himself

00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.460
 been shown

00:13:16.460 --> 00:13:17.139
 mercy.

00:13:17.899 --> 00:13:18.420
 We know

00:13:18.420 --> 00:13:19.139
 something of

00:13:19.139 --> 00:13:19.899
 the story of

00:13:19.899 --> 00:13:20.460
 the apostle,

00:13:20.700 --> 00:13:21.220
 of course,

00:13:21.820 --> 00:13:22.680
 how he was

00:13:22.680 --> 00:13:23.379
 on the road

00:13:23.379 --> 00:13:24.379
 to Damascus,

00:13:24.600 --> 00:13:25.360
 how he was

00:13:25.360 --> 00:13:26.160
 ready to put

00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:27.100
 Christians in

00:13:27.100 --> 00:13:27.519
 prison,

00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:28.940
 and earlier

00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:29.899
 he had been

00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.180
 present and

00:13:31.180 --> 00:13:31.820
 had raised

00:13:31.820 --> 00:13:32.639
 his hand

00:13:32.639 --> 00:13:33.860
 when Stephen

00:13:33.860 --> 00:13:34.960
 was on trial

00:13:34.960 --> 00:13:35.800
 for his very

00:13:35.800 --> 00:13:36.220
 life,

00:13:36.600 --> 00:13:37.280
 that Stephen

00:13:37.280 --> 00:13:37.879
 should be

00:13:37.879 --> 00:13:38.580
 stoned to

00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:38.860
 death.

00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:39.480
 Yes,

00:13:39.680 --> 00:13:40.360
 said this

00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:40.759
 man,

00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:41.759
 he should

00:13:41.759 --> 00:13:42.299
 be put

00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:42.960
 to death.

00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:43.779
 And he

00:13:43.779 --> 00:13:44.340
 looked after

00:13:44.340 --> 00:13:45.120
 the coats

00:13:45.120 --> 00:13:45.799
 of those

00:13:45.799 --> 00:13:46.379
 who had

00:13:46.379 --> 00:13:46.700
 thrown

00:13:46.700 --> 00:13:47.399
 stones

00:13:47.399 --> 00:13:48.700
 at Stephen.

00:13:49.659 --> 00:13:50.740
 But God

00:13:50.740 --> 00:13:51.500
 showed

00:13:51.500 --> 00:13:52.200
 mercy

00:13:52.200 --> 00:13:53.399
 to him.

00:13:53.819 --> 00:13:54.360
 We read

00:13:54.360 --> 00:13:54.899
 about it

00:13:54.899 --> 00:13:55.819
 in 1 Timothy

00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:56.960
 chapter 1

00:13:56.960 --> 00:13:58.679
 and verses

00:13:58.679 --> 00:14:00.480
 12 to 14.

00:14:01.000 --> 00:14:01.659
 This is what

00:14:01.659 --> 00:14:02.299
 he says,

00:14:02.720 --> 00:14:03.759
 I thank

00:14:03.759 --> 00:14:04.879
 Christ Jesus

00:14:04.879 --> 00:14:05.799
 our Lord

00:14:05.799 --> 00:14:06.659
 who has

00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:07.179
 given me

00:14:07.179 --> 00:14:07.860
 strength

00:14:07.860 --> 00:14:08.600
 that he

00:14:08.600 --> 00:14:09.120
 considered

00:14:09.120 --> 00:14:10.139
 me faithful,

00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.600
 appointing me

00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.240
 to his

00:14:12.240 --> 00:14:12.879
 service.

00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:13.659
 Even

00:14:13.659 --> 00:14:14.259
 though I

00:14:14.259 --> 00:14:14.960
 was once

00:14:14.960 --> 00:14:15.980
 a blasphemer

00:14:15.980 --> 00:14:16.899
 and a

00:14:16.899 --> 00:14:17.759
 persecutor

00:14:17.759 --> 00:14:18.519
 and a

00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:19.460
 violent man,

00:14:19.779 --> 00:14:20.580
 I was

00:14:20.580 --> 00:14:21.100
 shown

00:14:21.100 --> 00:14:21.879
 mercy

00:14:21.879 --> 00:14:23.100
 because I

00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:23.980
 acted in

00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:24.540
 ignorance

00:14:24.540 --> 00:14:26.019
 and unbelief.

00:14:26.019 --> 00:14:27.259
 The grace

00:14:27.259 --> 00:14:28.120
 of the Lord

00:14:28.120 --> 00:14:28.899
 was poured

00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:29.899
 out on me

00:14:29.899 --> 00:14:30.920
 abundantly

00:14:30.920 --> 00:14:32.200
 along with

00:14:32.200 --> 00:14:32.820
 the faith

00:14:32.820 --> 00:14:33.519
 and love

00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:34.480
 that are

00:14:34.480 --> 00:14:35.860
 in Christ

00:14:35.860 --> 00:14:36.460
 Jesus.

00:14:37.060 --> 00:14:37.759
 Paul says,

00:14:37.759 --> 00:14:38.819
 I was

00:14:38.819 --> 00:14:39.319
 shown

00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:40.059
 mercy

00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:41.259
 and every

00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:41.899
 Christian

00:14:41.899 --> 00:14:42.919
 has been

00:14:42.919 --> 00:14:43.519
 shown

00:14:43.519 --> 00:14:44.279
 mercy.

00:14:44.720 --> 00:14:45.419
 Therefore,

00:14:46.179 --> 00:14:47.159
 I urge you

00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.899
 in the light

00:14:47.899 --> 00:14:48.519
 of this

00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.759
 to be

00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.340
 living

00:14:50.340 --> 00:14:51.759
 sacrifices.

00:14:53.299 --> 00:14:53.899
 But not

00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:54.759
 only does

00:14:54.759 --> 00:14:55.399
 the Apostle

00:14:55.399 --> 00:14:55.960
 Paul tell

00:14:55.960 --> 00:14:57.059
 us about

00:14:57.059 --> 00:14:58.059
 mercy shown

00:14:58.059 --> 00:14:58.779
 to sinners,

00:14:59.679 --> 00:15:00.360
 he shows

00:15:00.360 --> 00:15:00.819
 us that

00:15:00.819 --> 00:15:01.759
 this mercy

00:15:01.759 --> 00:15:02.799
 makes

00:15:02.799 --> 00:15:03.980
 every believer

00:15:03.980 --> 00:15:04.980
 righteous

00:15:04.980 --> 00:15:06.620
 in the sight

00:15:06.620 --> 00:15:07.480
 of God.

00:15:08.320 --> 00:15:08.980
 He writes

00:15:08.980 --> 00:15:09.519
 in chapter

00:15:09.519 --> 00:15:10.080
 1 of

00:15:10.080 --> 00:15:10.500
 Romans

00:15:10.500 --> 00:15:10.980
 in verse

00:15:10.980 --> 00:15:11.519
 17,

00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:12.120
 he says,

00:15:12.480 --> 00:15:13.320
 a righteousness

00:15:13.320 --> 00:15:14.500
 that is

00:15:14.500 --> 00:15:15.560
 by faith

00:15:15.560 --> 00:15:16.820
 from first

00:15:16.820 --> 00:15:17.879
 to last.

00:15:18.720 --> 00:15:19.080
 And he

00:15:19.080 --> 00:15:19.600
 speaks

00:15:19.600 --> 00:15:21.500
 more profoundly

00:15:21.500 --> 00:15:23.100
 and in

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:24.080
 more fullness

00:15:24.080 --> 00:15:25.159
 in chapter

00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:25.700
 3,

00:15:25.779 --> 00:15:26.139
 verses

00:15:26.139 --> 00:15:27.060
 21

00:15:27.060 --> 00:15:27.899
 to

00:15:27.899 --> 00:15:28.639
 chapter

00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:29.159
 4.

00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:30.620
 And what

00:15:30.620 --> 00:15:30.940
 does he

00:15:30.940 --> 00:15:31.460
 tell us

00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.000
 in this

00:15:32.000 --> 00:15:32.580
 particular

00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.100
 chapter?

00:15:33.779 --> 00:15:34.139
 He

00:15:34.139 --> 00:15:35.199
 tells us

00:15:35.199 --> 00:15:35.799
 of the

00:15:35.799 --> 00:15:36.379
 Lord

00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:36.960
 Jesus

00:15:36.960 --> 00:15:37.699
 Christ

00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.919
 as a

00:15:38.919 --> 00:15:39.600
 substitute

00:15:39.600 --> 00:15:41.059
 for sinners.

00:15:42.019 --> 00:15:42.659
 He speaks

00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:43.100
 of the

00:15:43.100 --> 00:15:43.840
 perfect

00:15:43.840 --> 00:15:44.379
 one

00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:45.460
 going to

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.360
 the cross

00:15:46.360 --> 00:15:47.399
 of Calvary.

00:15:48.220 --> 00:15:48.679
 And he

00:15:48.679 --> 00:15:49.419
 speaks about

00:15:49.419 --> 00:15:50.439
 the wrath

00:15:50.439 --> 00:15:51.240
 of God

00:15:51.240 --> 00:15:52.460
 being poured

00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.759
 out upon

00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.199
 him.

00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:55.639
 He says

00:15:55.639 --> 00:15:56.159
 this,

00:15:56.699 --> 00:15:57.259
 God

00:15:57.259 --> 00:15:58.080
 presented

00:15:58.080 --> 00:15:58.600
 him

00:15:58.600 --> 00:15:59.620
 as a

00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.500
 sacrifice

00:16:00.500 --> 00:16:02.159
 of atonement.

00:16:02.939 --> 00:16:03.519
 A better

00:16:03.519 --> 00:16:04.240
 word there

00:16:04.240 --> 00:16:04.860
 is

00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:05.879
 propitiation.

00:16:06.079 --> 00:16:06.319
 I know

00:16:06.319 --> 00:16:06.720
 it's a

00:16:06.720 --> 00:16:07.059
 longer

00:16:07.059 --> 00:16:07.519
 word,

00:16:08.220 --> 00:16:09.000
 but it

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:09.639
 expresses

00:16:09.639 --> 00:16:10.559
 precisely

00:16:10.559 --> 00:16:11.139
 what is

00:16:11.139 --> 00:16:11.579
 happening

00:16:11.579 --> 00:16:11.980
 here.

00:16:12.840 --> 00:16:13.439
 That the

00:16:13.439 --> 00:16:14.120
 Lord Jesus

00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:14.740
 was the

00:16:14.740 --> 00:16:15.100
 one

00:16:15.100 --> 00:16:15.620
 who

00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.299
 turned

00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:17.159
 aside

00:16:17.159 --> 00:16:17.759
 the

00:16:17.759 --> 00:16:18.199
 wrath

00:16:18.199 --> 00:16:18.899
 of God

00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:19.620
 that was

00:16:19.620 --> 00:16:20.319
 deserved

00:16:20.319 --> 00:16:21.840
 by people

00:16:21.840 --> 00:16:22.579
 like you

00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:23.399
 and I.

00:16:24.480 --> 00:16:24.919
 And so

00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:25.360
 the Lord

00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:25.699
 Jesus

00:16:25.699 --> 00:16:26.379
 hangs

00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:27.139
 on the

00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.600
 cross

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.559
 at Calvary.

00:16:28.559 --> 00:16:29.359
 the

00:16:29.359 --> 00:16:29.779
 anger

00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:30.479
 of God

00:16:30.479 --> 00:16:30.739
 is

00:16:30.739 --> 00:16:31.199
 poured

00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:31.679
 out

00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:32.299
 against

00:16:32.299 --> 00:16:32.639
 him.

00:16:32.959 --> 00:16:33.379
 And he

00:16:33.379 --> 00:16:34.099
 cries

00:16:34.099 --> 00:16:35.159
 as his

00:16:35.159 --> 00:16:35.659
 anger

00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.039
 is

00:16:36.039 --> 00:16:36.399
 poured

00:16:36.399 --> 00:16:36.859
 out,

00:16:37.279 --> 00:16:37.439
 My

00:16:37.439 --> 00:16:37.979
 God,

00:16:38.459 --> 00:16:38.759
 my

00:16:38.759 --> 00:16:39.259
 God,

00:16:39.679 --> 00:16:40.219
 why

00:16:40.219 --> 00:16:40.799
 have

00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:41.219
 you

00:16:41.219 --> 00:16:42.379
 forsaken

00:16:42.379 --> 00:16:43.179
 me?

00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:45.939
 And if you're

00:16:45.939 --> 00:16:46.519
 a Christian

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.359
 this morning,

00:16:48.359 --> 00:16:49.419
 you have

00:16:49.419 --> 00:16:50.139
 looked to

00:16:50.139 --> 00:16:50.679
 the Lord

00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.159
 Jesus

00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:51.799
 Christ

00:16:51.799 --> 00:16:52.659
 as the

00:16:52.659 --> 00:16:53.079
 only

00:16:53.079 --> 00:16:53.819
 Saviour

00:16:53.820 --> 00:16:54.720
 for your

00:16:54.720 --> 00:16:55.379
 sins.

00:16:55.720 --> 00:16:56.220
 You have

00:16:56.220 --> 00:16:56.960
 looked upon

00:16:56.960 --> 00:16:57.879
 him as

00:16:57.879 --> 00:16:58.180
 your

00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.200
 substitute,

00:17:00.080 --> 00:17:00.660
 as the

00:17:00.660 --> 00:17:01.340
 only one

00:17:01.340 --> 00:17:01.760
 who could

00:17:01.760 --> 00:17:02.540
 remove the

00:17:02.540 --> 00:17:03.080
 wrath of

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.460
 God

00:17:03.460 --> 00:17:04.620
 from you.

00:17:06.100 --> 00:17:06.820
 But the

00:17:06.820 --> 00:17:07.400
 moment you

00:17:07.400 --> 00:17:08.080
 look to

00:17:08.080 --> 00:17:08.559
 the Lord

00:17:08.559 --> 00:17:08.960
 Jesus

00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.600
 Christ,

00:17:10.180 --> 00:17:10.660
 something

00:17:10.660 --> 00:17:11.340
 wonderful

00:17:11.340 --> 00:17:11.820
 happened.

00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:12.720
 Not only

00:17:12.720 --> 00:17:13.200
 was your

00:17:13.200 --> 00:17:13.720
 sin

00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.900
 completely

00:17:14.900 --> 00:17:15.680
 removed

00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:16.460
 from you

00:17:16.460 --> 00:17:17.360
 because the

00:17:17.360 --> 00:17:17.840
 blood of

00:17:17.840 --> 00:17:18.279
 Christ

00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.000
 cleanses

00:17:19.000 --> 00:17:19.720
 from all

00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:20.080
 sin,

00:17:20.900 --> 00:17:21.420
 but the

00:17:21.420 --> 00:17:21.980
 moment you

00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.539
 look to

00:17:22.539 --> 00:17:23.039
 Christ,

00:17:23.480 --> 00:17:23.620
 the

00:17:23.619 --> 00:17:24.319
 perfect

00:17:24.319 --> 00:17:25.079
 righteousness

00:17:25.079 --> 00:17:26.099
 of Christ

00:17:26.099 --> 00:17:27.479
 was put

00:17:27.479 --> 00:17:28.479
 to your

00:17:28.479 --> 00:17:29.599
 account.

00:17:30.519 --> 00:17:31.059
 You were

00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:32.039
 counted

00:17:32.039 --> 00:17:32.919
 righteous

00:17:32.919 --> 00:17:34.039
 in the

00:17:34.039 --> 00:17:34.819
 sight of

00:17:34.819 --> 00:17:35.079
 God.

00:17:35.239 --> 00:17:35.659
 What

00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.319
 mercy

00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:37.219
 that

00:17:37.219 --> 00:17:37.819
 sinners

00:17:37.819 --> 00:17:38.739
 such as

00:17:38.739 --> 00:17:39.479
 ourselves

00:17:39.479 --> 00:17:41.059
 could have

00:17:41.059 --> 00:17:41.819
 upon their

00:17:41.819 --> 00:17:42.819
 very own

00:17:42.819 --> 00:17:43.599
 selves

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:44.679
 the very

00:17:44.679 --> 00:17:45.439
 righteousness

00:17:45.439 --> 00:17:46.359
 of Christ.

00:17:46.519 --> 00:17:47.239
 But that's

00:17:47.239 --> 00:17:48.039
 what happened.

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.159
 That's

00:17:49.159 --> 00:17:49.979
 mercy.

00:17:49.980 --> 00:17:50.039
 mercy.

00:17:52.920 --> 00:17:53.740
 And in

00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.259
 the light

00:17:54.259 --> 00:17:55.019
 of that,

00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:55.900
 therefore,

00:17:56.460 --> 00:17:57.480
 I urge you

00:17:57.480 --> 00:17:58.140
 to present

00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:59.180
 yourselves as

00:17:59.180 --> 00:18:00.220
 living

00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:01.299
 sacrifices.

00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:03.519
 Mercy

00:18:03.519 --> 00:18:04.660
 also tells

00:18:04.660 --> 00:18:05.740
 us that

00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.180
 we are

00:18:06.180 --> 00:18:06.819
 united

00:18:06.819 --> 00:18:07.880
 with

00:18:07.880 --> 00:18:08.599
 Christ.

00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.339
 And being

00:18:10.339 --> 00:18:11.319
 united with

00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:11.779
 Christ,

00:18:11.900 --> 00:18:12.620
 we are set

00:18:12.620 --> 00:18:13.140
 free

00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:15.000
 from bondage

00:18:15.000 --> 00:18:15.819
 to sin.

00:18:17.220 --> 00:18:17.740
 Every

00:18:17.740 --> 00:18:18.359
 believer

00:18:18.359 --> 00:18:19.559
 has been

00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:21.079
 given a

00:18:21.079 --> 00:18:21.799
 resurrection

00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.700
 life.

00:18:23.839 --> 00:18:24.259
 And in

00:18:24.259 --> 00:18:25.380
 chapter 6

00:18:25.380 --> 00:18:26.559
 of Romans,

00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:27.400
 Paul speaks

00:18:27.400 --> 00:18:28.079
 about our

00:18:28.079 --> 00:18:29.079
 union with

00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:29.619
 Christ.

00:18:29.619 --> 00:18:30.539
 In those

00:18:30.539 --> 00:18:31.380
 early verses

00:18:31.380 --> 00:18:32.319
 of the chapter,

00:18:32.720 --> 00:18:33.519
 verses 1 to

00:18:33.519 --> 00:18:34.480
 3, he says

00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.279
 we're united

00:18:35.279 --> 00:18:36.019
 with Christ.

00:18:36.359 --> 00:18:37.180
 When Christ

00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.859
 died,

00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.660
 you died

00:18:39.660 --> 00:18:40.799
 in Him.

00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:42.539
 You were

00:18:42.539 --> 00:18:43.200
 buried

00:18:43.200 --> 00:18:44.480
 with Him.

00:18:45.359 --> 00:18:45.799
 And then

00:18:45.799 --> 00:18:46.740
 you rose

00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:48.000
 again in

00:18:48.000 --> 00:18:48.539
 Him.

00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:49.819
 We are

00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.619
 in

00:18:50.619 --> 00:18:51.680
 Christ,

00:18:52.059 --> 00:18:52.919
 united in

00:18:52.919 --> 00:18:53.599
 His death

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:54.639
 and in

00:18:54.639 --> 00:18:55.180
 His

00:18:55.180 --> 00:18:55.960
 resurrection.

00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:57.700
 And because

00:18:57.700 --> 00:18:58.639
 we are united

00:18:58.639 --> 00:18:59.539
 with Christ

00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.240
 in His

00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:00.720
 death

00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:01.220
 and

00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.960
 resurrection,

00:19:02.519 --> 00:19:03.339
 we're told

00:19:03.339 --> 00:19:04.220
 in Romans

00:19:04.220 --> 00:19:04.980
 6 and

00:19:04.980 --> 00:19:05.720
 verse 11

00:19:05.720 --> 00:19:06.559
 that we

00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:07.359
 can count

00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.019
 ourselves

00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.839
 dead

00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.859
 to sin.

00:19:10.799 --> 00:19:12.019
 but alive

00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.759
 to God

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:14.159
 in Christ

00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:14.579
 Jesus.

00:19:15.879 --> 00:19:16.279
 What

00:19:16.279 --> 00:19:17.279
 mercy!

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.440
 What

00:19:18.440 --> 00:19:19.419
 grace!

00:19:19.839 --> 00:19:20.519
 Therefore,

00:19:21.519 --> 00:19:22.220
 I urge

00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.539
 you

00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.899
 to give

00:19:23.899 --> 00:19:24.559
 your lives

00:19:24.559 --> 00:19:25.419
 entirely

00:19:25.419 --> 00:19:26.539
 to Him.

00:19:28.740 --> 00:19:29.599
 We sang

00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:30.180
 it earlier,

00:19:30.359 --> 00:19:30.799
 didn't we?

00:19:31.440 --> 00:19:32.099
 Long

00:19:32.099 --> 00:19:32.559
 my

00:19:32.559 --> 00:19:33.200
 imprisoned

00:19:33.200 --> 00:19:33.779
 spirit

00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.279
 lay,

00:19:35.180 --> 00:19:35.980
 fast bound

00:19:35.980 --> 00:19:36.799
 in sin

00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:37.799
 and nature's

00:19:37.799 --> 00:19:38.159
 night,

00:19:38.919 --> 00:19:39.399
 then I

00:19:39.399 --> 00:19:40.079
 diffused

00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:40.799
 a quickening

00:19:40.799 --> 00:19:41.159
 ray.

00:19:41.419 --> 00:19:42.179
 I woke

00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:43.099
 the dungeons

00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.059
 flamed with

00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.480
 light.

00:19:44.839 --> 00:19:45.799
 My chains

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.500
 fell off.

00:19:46.899 --> 00:19:47.679
 My heart

00:19:47.679 --> 00:19:48.399
 was free.

00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.559
 I rose,

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.659
 went forth

00:19:50.659 --> 00:19:51.759
 and followed

00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.119
 thee.

00:19:52.639 --> 00:19:53.299
 This was

00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.519
 Wesley's

00:19:54.519 --> 00:19:55.299
 experience.

00:19:56.199 --> 00:19:56.839
 And it is

00:19:56.839 --> 00:19:57.720
 the experience

00:19:57.720 --> 00:19:58.879
 of every

00:19:58.879 --> 00:19:59.439
 Christian

00:19:59.439 --> 00:20:00.619
 because he

00:20:00.619 --> 00:20:01.039
 has been

00:20:01.039 --> 00:20:01.819
 shown

00:20:01.819 --> 00:20:02.759
 mercy.

00:20:03.199 --> 00:20:03.799
 Therefore,

00:20:04.519 --> 00:20:05.259
 I urge

00:20:05.259 --> 00:20:05.519
 you.

00:20:07.119 --> 00:20:07.439
 There's

00:20:07.439 --> 00:20:07.799
 more.

00:20:07.799 --> 00:20:09.519
 it's

00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:10.180
 a mercy

00:20:10.180 --> 00:20:11.839
 that makes

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:12.639
 you and

00:20:12.639 --> 00:20:13.460
 I sons

00:20:13.460 --> 00:20:14.339
 and daughters

00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:15.319
 of God.

00:20:16.839 --> 00:20:17.399
 That's

00:20:17.399 --> 00:20:17.859
 what Paul

00:20:17.859 --> 00:20:18.539
 says in

00:20:18.539 --> 00:20:19.359
 Romans 8.

00:20:19.859 --> 00:20:20.519
 Every

00:20:20.519 --> 00:20:21.059
 Christian

00:20:21.059 --> 00:20:21.720
 is a

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.200
 child

00:20:22.200 --> 00:20:23.039
 of God

00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:24.099
 through

00:20:24.099 --> 00:20:25.099
 the work

00:20:25.099 --> 00:20:25.839
 of God

00:20:25.839 --> 00:20:26.559
 the Holy

00:20:26.559 --> 00:20:27.039
 Spirit.

00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:28.500
 In

00:20:28.500 --> 00:20:29.240
 verse 15

00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.879
 of Romans

00:20:29.879 --> 00:20:30.299
 8,

00:20:30.359 --> 00:20:30.740
 he said,

00:20:30.859 --> 00:20:31.139
 it is

00:20:31.139 --> 00:20:32.139
 by the

00:20:32.139 --> 00:20:32.539
 Spirit

00:20:32.539 --> 00:20:33.279
 that we

00:20:33.279 --> 00:20:34.059
 can cry

00:20:34.059 --> 00:20:35.019
 Abba

00:20:35.019 --> 00:20:36.119
 Father.

00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.679
 And because

00:20:38.679 --> 00:20:39.399
 of this

00:20:39.399 --> 00:20:40.599
 relationship

00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.220
 that we

00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.259
 have as

00:20:42.259 --> 00:20:42.779
 a son

00:20:42.779 --> 00:20:43.460
 and daughter

00:20:43.460 --> 00:20:44.099
 of God,

00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:45.159
 we are

00:20:45.159 --> 00:20:45.980
 part of

00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.379
 the very

00:20:46.379 --> 00:20:47.639
 family of

00:20:47.639 --> 00:20:47.899
 God.

00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.579
 And being

00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.480
 part of

00:20:49.480 --> 00:20:50.159
 the family

00:20:50.159 --> 00:20:50.839
 of God,

00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.799
 the Apostle

00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.480
 tells us

00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.960
 in verse

00:20:52.960 --> 00:20:54.279
 38 of

00:20:54.279 --> 00:20:55.220
 chapter 8,

00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:56.659
 that nothing,

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.839
 but nothing,

00:20:57.980 --> 00:20:58.700
 can separate

00:20:58.700 --> 00:20:59.599
 us from

00:20:59.599 --> 00:21:00.079
 the love

00:21:00.079 --> 00:21:00.659
 of God,

00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:01.460
 which is

00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.080
 in Christ

00:21:02.080 --> 00:21:02.560
 Jesus

00:21:02.560 --> 00:21:03.480
 our

00:21:03.480 --> 00:21:04.300
 Lord.

00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:04.960
 What

00:21:04.960 --> 00:21:05.960
 mercy

00:21:05.960 --> 00:21:07.500
 has been

00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.380
 shown to

00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:09.420
 you and

00:21:09.420 --> 00:21:09.980
 to me?

00:21:10.500 --> 00:21:10.940
 Therefore,

00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.740
 I urge

00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.519
 you to

00:21:13.519 --> 00:21:14.019
 present

00:21:14.019 --> 00:21:15.000
 yourselves.

00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.720
 One more

00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.019
 thing.

00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.060
 Here is

00:21:20.060 --> 00:21:20.600
 a mercy

00:21:20.600 --> 00:21:22.200
 that was

00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:22.840
 planned

00:21:22.840 --> 00:21:23.480
 in

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.400
 eternity.

00:21:25.440 --> 00:21:25.740
 Paul

00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.000
 allows us

00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:27.600
 a glimpse,

00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.240
 if you like,

00:21:28.320 --> 00:21:29.120
 behind the

00:21:29.120 --> 00:21:29.680
 scenes.

00:21:29.680 --> 00:21:30.820
 he allows

00:21:30.820 --> 00:21:31.200
 us to

00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:31.840
 see something

00:21:31.840 --> 00:21:32.880
 of God's

00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.519
 eternal

00:21:33.519 --> 00:21:34.279
 plan.

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:35.420
 And he

00:21:35.420 --> 00:21:35.860
 tells us

00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.440
 in chapter

00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:37.259
 9 and

00:21:37.259 --> 00:21:38.320
 verse 15,

00:21:38.940 --> 00:21:39.560
 that God

00:21:39.560 --> 00:21:40.600
 is sovereign.

00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.460
 I will

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:43.740
 have mercy

00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:45.120
 on whom

00:21:45.120 --> 00:21:45.840
 I will

00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:46.860
 have mercy.

00:21:47.340 --> 00:21:47.740
 And I

00:21:47.740 --> 00:21:48.180
 will have

00:21:48.180 --> 00:21:48.980
 compassion

00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:50.180
 on whom

00:21:50.180 --> 00:21:50.700
 I will

00:21:50.700 --> 00:21:51.200
 have

00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.340
 compassion.

00:21:53.060 --> 00:21:53.680
 He tells

00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:54.299
 us he

00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.500
 chose a

00:21:55.500 --> 00:21:55.960
 worm

00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.680
 like

00:21:56.680 --> 00:21:57.500
 Jacob.

00:21:57.500 --> 00:21:58.400
 He

00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.900
 foreloved

00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.240
 him.

00:22:00.640 --> 00:22:00.840
 He

00:22:00.840 --> 00:22:01.800
 elected

00:22:01.800 --> 00:22:02.320
 him.

00:22:02.600 --> 00:22:02.940
 Before

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.480
 Jacob

00:22:03.480 --> 00:22:03.960
 had done

00:22:03.960 --> 00:22:04.759
 good or

00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.220
 evil,

00:22:05.580 --> 00:22:05.940
 God

00:22:05.940 --> 00:22:06.940
 set his

00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.360
 love

00:22:07.360 --> 00:22:08.180
 upon

00:22:08.180 --> 00:22:08.580
 him.

00:22:09.540 --> 00:22:09.780
 And

00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:10.220
 this is

00:22:10.220 --> 00:22:10.640
 true,

00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.620
 not just

00:22:11.620 --> 00:22:12.180
 of Jacob,

00:22:12.540 --> 00:22:13.160
 it's true

00:22:13.160 --> 00:22:14.060
 of every

00:22:14.060 --> 00:22:14.640
 Christian

00:22:14.640 --> 00:22:15.920
 here this

00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:16.259
 morning.

00:22:17.820 --> 00:22:18.680
 If you're

00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.240
 a Christian,

00:22:19.400 --> 00:22:19.800
 if you ever

00:22:19.800 --> 00:22:20.280
 ask the

00:22:20.280 --> 00:22:20.740
 question,

00:22:21.200 --> 00:22:21.820
 why me?

00:22:21.819 --> 00:22:24.539
 they're

00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.039
 members of

00:22:25.039 --> 00:22:25.740
 my family

00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:26.399
 who are

00:22:26.399 --> 00:22:26.659
 not

00:22:26.659 --> 00:22:27.200
 Christians,

00:22:27.799 --> 00:22:28.819
 why did

00:22:28.819 --> 00:22:29.279
 God

00:22:29.279 --> 00:22:30.019
 love

00:22:30.019 --> 00:22:30.539
 me?

00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:31.759
 I was

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.439
 living like

00:22:32.439 --> 00:22:33.019
 they were.

00:22:33.679 --> 00:22:34.240
 Why did

00:22:34.240 --> 00:22:34.839
 God love

00:22:34.839 --> 00:22:35.159
 me?

00:22:36.579 --> 00:22:37.299
 Well,

00:22:37.439 --> 00:22:37.899
 he loved

00:22:37.899 --> 00:22:38.220
 you

00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:40.720
 because he

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:41.439
 chose to

00:22:41.439 --> 00:22:41.879
 love you.

00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:43.159
 And we

00:22:43.159 --> 00:22:43.740
 love God

00:22:43.740 --> 00:22:44.460
 only because

00:22:44.460 --> 00:22:45.259
 he first

00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:46.159
 loved us.

00:22:46.819 --> 00:22:47.319
 Therefore,

00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:49.159
 I urge

00:22:49.159 --> 00:22:49.519
 you,

00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.200
 in the

00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:50.720
 light that

00:22:50.720 --> 00:22:51.359
 you have

00:22:51.359 --> 00:22:52.039
 been shown

00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.500
 mercy,

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.460
 to offer

00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:55.519
 yourselves as

00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.079
 living

00:22:56.079 --> 00:22:57.299
 sacrifices

00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.639
 unto God.

00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.339
 That God

00:23:00.339 --> 00:23:01.039
 has saved

00:23:01.039 --> 00:23:01.500
 you,

00:23:01.779 --> 00:23:02.279
 a sinner,

00:23:03.240 --> 00:23:03.799
 in view

00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:04.319
 of his

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.919
 sacrifice

00:23:04.919 --> 00:23:05.619
 for your

00:23:05.619 --> 00:23:06.019
 sin,

00:23:06.700 --> 00:23:07.379
 in view

00:23:07.379 --> 00:23:07.879
 of the

00:23:07.879 --> 00:23:08.460
 fact that

00:23:08.460 --> 00:23:08.859
 you have

00:23:08.859 --> 00:23:09.460
 been made

00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:09.960
 righteous

00:23:09.960 --> 00:23:10.859
 with the

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.359
 righteousness

00:23:11.359 --> 00:23:12.159
 of Christ,

00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:13.259
 in view

00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.819
 of your

00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.720
 union with

00:23:14.720 --> 00:23:15.139
 Christ,

00:23:15.500 --> 00:23:16.099
 setting you

00:23:16.099 --> 00:23:16.700
 free from

00:23:16.700 --> 00:23:17.259
 the bond

00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:18.259
 of sin,

00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:19.740
 in view

00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.119
 of the

00:23:20.119 --> 00:23:20.720
 fact that

00:23:20.720 --> 00:23:21.559
 nothing can

00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.400
 separate you

00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:22.879
 from the

00:23:22.879 --> 00:23:23.339
 love of

00:23:23.339 --> 00:23:24.200
 God as

00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:25.099
 his child,

00:23:25.379 --> 00:23:26.019
 in view

00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.579
 of his

00:23:26.579 --> 00:23:27.379
 eternal

00:23:27.379 --> 00:23:27.940
 love,

00:23:28.519 --> 00:23:28.900
 and we

00:23:28.900 --> 00:23:29.379
 could go

00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:30.079
 further to

00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.500
 think of

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.559
 his daily

00:23:31.559 --> 00:23:32.299
 mercies,

00:23:32.579 --> 00:23:33.759
 his keeping

00:23:33.759 --> 00:23:34.680
 mercies.

00:23:35.220 --> 00:23:35.740
 Therefore,

00:23:36.660 --> 00:23:37.400
 offer your

00:23:37.400 --> 00:23:39.000
 bodies as

00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.980
 living

00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:41.339
 sacrifices.

00:23:42.759 --> 00:23:43.660
 In view

00:23:43.660 --> 00:23:45.019
 of such

00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:45.519
 mercy,

00:23:45.660 --> 00:23:45.900
 then,

00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:48.600
 you are

00:23:48.600 --> 00:23:50.140
 asked to

00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.440
 show

00:23:50.440 --> 00:23:51.140
 yourselves

00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.500
 as

00:23:51.500 --> 00:23:52.720
 sacrifices.

00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.000
 So,

00:23:54.080 --> 00:23:54.519
 our second

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.240
 point is

00:23:55.240 --> 00:23:55.620
 this,

00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.000
 that the

00:23:57.000 --> 00:23:57.580
 sacrifice

00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:59.460
 is expected

00:23:59.460 --> 00:24:00.519
 of each

00:24:00.519 --> 00:24:01.240
 believer

00:24:01.240 --> 00:24:02.180
 here this

00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.580
 morning.

00:24:03.380 --> 00:24:04.060
 And it's

00:24:04.060 --> 00:24:04.800
 on the

00:24:04.800 --> 00:24:05.620
 basis of

00:24:05.620 --> 00:24:06.220
 God's

00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:07.360
 mercy that

00:24:07.360 --> 00:24:08.500
 Paul makes

00:24:08.500 --> 00:24:09.220
 his

00:24:09.220 --> 00:24:10.280
 appeal.

00:24:10.880 --> 00:24:11.360
 Therefore,

00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:12.919
 for this

00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:13.839
 reason,

00:24:14.679 --> 00:24:15.619
 I urge

00:24:15.619 --> 00:24:16.199
 every

00:24:16.199 --> 00:24:16.899
 Christian,

00:24:17.859 --> 00:24:18.240
 brothers,

00:24:18.519 --> 00:24:19.019
 sisters,

00:24:19.359 --> 00:24:19.779
 old,

00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.319
 young,

00:24:20.699 --> 00:24:21.199
 to live

00:24:21.199 --> 00:24:21.879
 your life

00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:24.099
 wholeheartedly

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:25.500
 for God.

00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:27.579
 Now,

00:24:27.639 --> 00:24:27.939
 I would

00:24:27.939 --> 00:24:28.779
 suggest that

00:24:28.779 --> 00:24:29.559
 here in the

00:24:29.559 --> 00:24:29.959
 West,

00:24:30.599 --> 00:24:31.179
 we know

00:24:31.179 --> 00:24:31.899
 very little

00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:33.199
 of sacrifice.

00:24:33.200 --> 00:24:33.259
 sacrifice.

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.700
 The greatest

00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:37.319
 sacrifice we

00:24:37.319 --> 00:24:38.000
 might make

00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:39.680
 is getting

00:24:39.680 --> 00:24:40.200
 out of our

00:24:40.200 --> 00:24:40.880
 warm beds

00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.559
 on a Sunday

00:24:41.559 --> 00:24:42.400
 morning when

00:24:42.400 --> 00:24:42.940
 it's cold

00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.500
 outside.

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.660
 We know

00:24:45.660 --> 00:24:46.299
 very little

00:24:46.299 --> 00:24:47.559
 of sacrifice.

00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.420
 Others,

00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.000
 as we shall

00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:50.840
 discover in a

00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.160
 moment,

00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.180
 know a

00:24:52.180 --> 00:24:52.700
 great deal

00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.279
 more than

00:24:53.279 --> 00:24:53.840
 we do.

00:24:55.580 --> 00:24:56.420
 But on

00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:57.039
 the basis

00:24:57.039 --> 00:24:57.940
 of God's

00:24:57.940 --> 00:24:58.460
 mercy,

00:24:59.120 --> 00:24:59.720
 we should

00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.420
 all be

00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:01.140
 ready to

00:25:01.140 --> 00:25:01.860
 make the

00:25:01.860 --> 00:25:02.460
 ultimate

00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:03.640
 sacrifice.

00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:05.680
 And it

00:25:05.680 --> 00:25:06.440
 should be

00:25:06.440 --> 00:25:06.840
 a

00:25:06.840 --> 00:25:08.360
 thank-offering

00:25:08.360 --> 00:25:09.480
 sacrifice.

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:10.759
 That's the

00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.299
 kind of

00:25:11.299 --> 00:25:11.860
 sacrifice

00:25:11.860 --> 00:25:12.819
 that is

00:25:12.819 --> 00:25:13.559
 being asked

00:25:13.559 --> 00:25:14.360
 of here.

00:25:15.660 --> 00:25:16.019
 In the

00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.620
 Old Testament,

00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.180
 of course,

00:25:17.900 --> 00:25:18.620
 an animal

00:25:18.620 --> 00:25:19.420
 was killed.

00:25:20.380 --> 00:25:20.720
 People

00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.420
 offered

00:25:21.420 --> 00:25:22.420
 a

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.000
 sacrifice.

00:25:24.340 --> 00:25:24.680
 And it

00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.259
 looked forward

00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.779
 to the

00:25:25.779 --> 00:25:26.299
 ultimate

00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:27.420
 sacrifice of

00:25:27.420 --> 00:25:27.840
 the Lord

00:25:27.840 --> 00:25:28.740
 Jesus Christ

00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.340
 himself.

00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:30.700
 But the

00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.279
 Old Testament

00:25:31.279 --> 00:25:32.120
 also had

00:25:32.119 --> 00:25:32.759
 another

00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.839
 kind of

00:25:33.839 --> 00:25:34.699
 sacrifice.

00:25:35.439 --> 00:25:35.919
 Although an

00:25:35.919 --> 00:25:36.799
 animal died,

00:25:37.519 --> 00:25:37.879
 it was

00:25:37.879 --> 00:25:38.619
 referred to

00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.459
 as a

00:25:39.459 --> 00:25:40.359
 thanksgiving

00:25:40.359 --> 00:25:41.519
 sacrifice.

00:25:42.599 --> 00:25:43.500
 It was

00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:45.179
 part of

00:25:45.179 --> 00:25:45.959
 a mercy

00:25:45.959 --> 00:25:46.899
 sacrifice,

00:25:47.579 --> 00:25:48.359
 a way in

00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:48.859
 which you

00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:49.539
 offered

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.459
 your love

00:25:51.459 --> 00:25:52.319
 to the

00:25:52.319 --> 00:25:52.719
 Lord.

00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:53.599
 It was

00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.319
 something

00:25:54.319 --> 00:25:55.719
 very personal,

00:25:57.059 --> 00:25:57.899
 a peace

00:25:57.899 --> 00:25:59.039
 offering to

00:25:59.039 --> 00:25:59.399
 God,

00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.159
 if you like.

00:26:00.160 --> 00:26:00.360
 like.

00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:01.759
 And we

00:26:01.759 --> 00:26:02.120
 have it

00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.900
 referred to

00:26:02.900 --> 00:26:03.500
 in Psalm

00:26:03.500 --> 00:26:04.900
 116

00:26:04.900 --> 00:26:05.640
 and verse

00:26:05.640 --> 00:26:06.220
 1,

00:26:06.940 --> 00:26:07.320
 where the

00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:07.720
 apostle,

00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:08.980
 where the

00:26:08.980 --> 00:26:09.620
 psalmist

00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:09.980
 says,

00:26:10.140 --> 00:26:10.720
 I love

00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.420
 the Lord,

00:26:12.060 --> 00:26:12.540
 for he

00:26:12.540 --> 00:26:13.300
 heard my

00:26:13.300 --> 00:26:13.880
 voice,

00:26:13.880 --> 00:26:15.200
 he heard

00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.160
 my cry

00:26:16.160 --> 00:26:17.060
 for mercy.

00:26:18.080 --> 00:26:18.420
 And he

00:26:18.420 --> 00:26:19.000
 goes on

00:26:19.000 --> 00:26:19.660
 in that

00:26:19.660 --> 00:26:20.200
 particular

00:26:20.200 --> 00:26:20.800
 psalm

00:26:20.800 --> 00:26:21.700
 to say

00:26:21.700 --> 00:26:22.460
 how the

00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:23.140
 Lord has

00:26:23.140 --> 00:26:23.600
 shown

00:26:23.600 --> 00:26:24.620
 mercy to

00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:24.980
 him.

00:26:25.920 --> 00:26:26.200
 The

00:26:26.200 --> 00:26:26.700
 Lord has

00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.440
 delivered him

00:26:27.440 --> 00:26:28.360
 from his

00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:28.980
 enemies,

00:26:29.259 --> 00:26:29.759
 etc.

00:26:30.660 --> 00:26:31.340
 What can

00:26:31.340 --> 00:26:31.900
 he do

00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:32.779
 then in

00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.720
 response to

00:26:33.720 --> 00:26:34.180
 God's

00:26:34.180 --> 00:26:34.620
 loving

00:26:34.620 --> 00:26:35.220
 kindness?

00:26:35.900 --> 00:26:36.320
 What can

00:26:36.320 --> 00:26:36.880
 he give

00:26:36.880 --> 00:26:38.600
 as an

00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.539
 offering to

00:26:39.539 --> 00:26:40.160
 God for

00:26:40.160 --> 00:26:41.100
 his tender

00:26:41.100 --> 00:26:42.080
 mercies?

00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:43.340
 And he

00:26:43.340 --> 00:26:43.940
 tells us

00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.440
 in verse

00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.900
 17 of

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.220
 Psalm

00:26:46.220 --> 00:26:47.259
 116,

00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:47.720
 he says,

00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.700
 I will

00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:50.240
 sacrifice a

00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.320
 thank offering

00:26:51.320 --> 00:26:52.400
 to you

00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:54.080
 and call

00:26:54.080 --> 00:26:54.660
 on the

00:26:54.660 --> 00:26:55.420
 name of

00:26:55.420 --> 00:26:55.900
 the Lord.

00:26:56.440 --> 00:26:56.680
 He

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.019
 didn't

00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.700
 have to,

00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.700
 but he

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.360
 wanted to

00:26:59.360 --> 00:27:00.000
 show his

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.080
 love for

00:27:01.080 --> 00:27:01.820
 the Lord

00:27:01.820 --> 00:27:02.759
 who had

00:27:02.759 --> 00:27:04.100
 been merciful,

00:27:04.640 --> 00:27:05.039
 who had

00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.140
 been kind

00:27:06.140 --> 00:27:07.160
 to him.

00:27:08.140 --> 00:27:08.779
 I will

00:27:08.779 --> 00:27:10.080
 offer you

00:27:10.080 --> 00:27:11.580
 the sacrifice

00:27:11.580 --> 00:27:13.279
 of praise,

00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.480
 a thank

00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:15.060
 offering

00:27:15.060 --> 00:27:16.400
 to you

00:27:16.400 --> 00:27:17.519
 for what

00:27:17.519 --> 00:27:18.380
 you have

00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:19.240
 done for

00:27:19.240 --> 00:27:19.560
 me.

00:27:20.120 --> 00:27:20.580
 And that's

00:27:20.580 --> 00:27:20.940
 what the

00:27:20.940 --> 00:27:22.100
 Lord requires

00:27:22.100 --> 00:27:22.920
 of you

00:27:22.920 --> 00:27:23.519
 and I.

00:27:23.840 --> 00:27:24.500
 It is a

00:27:24.500 --> 00:27:25.819
 glad and

00:27:25.819 --> 00:27:26.740
 willing

00:27:26.740 --> 00:27:27.940
 sacrifice

00:27:27.940 --> 00:27:29.000
 to him,

00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:30.839
 a living

00:27:30.839 --> 00:27:31.920
 sacrifice.

00:27:33.039 --> 00:27:33.599
 But it

00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.720
 is a

00:27:34.720 --> 00:27:35.380
 sacrifice.

00:27:36.400 --> 00:27:36.740
 Now we

00:27:36.740 --> 00:27:37.259
 all make

00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.140
 sacrifices.

00:27:40.140 --> 00:27:41.059
 What do

00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:41.440
 we make

00:27:41.440 --> 00:27:42.099
 sacrifices

00:27:42.099 --> 00:27:42.640
 for?

00:27:43.720 --> 00:27:44.339
 Well, we

00:27:44.339 --> 00:27:45.000
 perhaps make

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:46.099
 sacrifices for

00:27:46.099 --> 00:27:46.779
 ourselves.

00:27:47.779 --> 00:27:48.720
 We make

00:27:48.720 --> 00:27:49.839
 sacrifices for

00:27:49.839 --> 00:27:50.779
 our family.

00:27:50.779 --> 00:27:53.019
 we make

00:27:53.019 --> 00:27:53.879
 sacrifices

00:27:53.879 --> 00:27:55.259
 to put

00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.839
 more money

00:27:55.839 --> 00:27:56.240
 in the

00:27:56.240 --> 00:27:56.559
 bank,

00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:57.319
 perhaps,

00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:58.720
 to have

00:27:58.720 --> 00:27:59.920
 more power

00:27:59.920 --> 00:28:01.500
 to gain

00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.059
 material

00:28:02.059 --> 00:28:02.799
 things,

00:28:03.519 --> 00:28:04.579
 to get

00:28:04.579 --> 00:28:05.319
 ourselves a

00:28:05.319 --> 00:28:05.920
 bigger or

00:28:05.920 --> 00:28:06.740
 better house

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.879
 or promotion.

00:28:09.039 --> 00:28:09.839
 We can

00:28:09.839 --> 00:28:10.899
 make sacrifices

00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:12.539
 to promote

00:28:12.539 --> 00:28:13.200
 our own

00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:13.680
 ego.

00:28:15.220 --> 00:28:15.779
 A boy

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.420
 makes a

00:28:16.420 --> 00:28:17.359
 sacrifice for

00:28:17.359 --> 00:28:18.420
 his girlfriend

00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:19.880
 and vice

00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.380
 versa.

00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.300
 But what

00:28:22.300 --> 00:28:22.980
 about this

00:28:22.980 --> 00:28:24.480
 living sacrifice

00:28:24.480 --> 00:28:25.360
 for the

00:28:25.360 --> 00:28:26.019
 one who

00:28:26.019 --> 00:28:26.539
 has shown

00:28:26.539 --> 00:28:27.640
 us such

00:28:27.640 --> 00:28:28.380
 mercy?

00:28:30.200 --> 00:28:30.740
 Do we

00:28:30.740 --> 00:28:31.380
 make a

00:28:31.380 --> 00:28:32.080
 sacrifice

00:28:32.080 --> 00:28:33.820
 as far as

00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.580
 our income

00:28:34.580 --> 00:28:35.840
 is concerned?

00:28:36.460 --> 00:28:36.980
 Will we

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.840
 bring our

00:28:37.840 --> 00:28:39.220
 tithes and

00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:40.200
 our offerings

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.240
 to him

00:28:41.240 --> 00:28:43.039
 gladly and

00:28:43.039 --> 00:28:43.840
 willingly?

00:28:45.019 --> 00:28:45.600
 How about

00:28:45.600 --> 00:28:46.640
 our service

00:28:46.640 --> 00:28:47.740
 to others?

00:28:49.020 --> 00:28:49.360
 Are we

00:28:49.360 --> 00:28:49.820
 ready to

00:28:49.820 --> 00:28:50.280
 go the

00:28:50.280 --> 00:28:51.500
 extra mile?

00:28:53.320 --> 00:28:53.740
 Do we

00:28:53.740 --> 00:28:54.780
 stay quiet

00:28:54.780 --> 00:28:55.400
 in our

00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.160
 places of

00:28:56.160 --> 00:28:56.960
 work because

00:28:56.960 --> 00:28:57.860
 we're unwilling

00:28:57.860 --> 00:28:58.480
 to make

00:28:58.480 --> 00:28:59.759
 the sacrifice

00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:01.660
 that people

00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.780
 might laugh

00:29:02.780 --> 00:29:03.320
 at us if

00:29:03.320 --> 00:29:04.000
 we speak

00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.700
 of a

00:29:04.700 --> 00:29:05.440
 saviour who

00:29:05.440 --> 00:29:06.820
 died to

00:29:06.820 --> 00:29:07.400
 save us

00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:07.940
 from our

00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.259
 sin?

00:29:09.900 --> 00:29:10.880
 How about

00:29:10.880 --> 00:29:12.040
 the sacrifice

00:29:12.040 --> 00:29:13.380
 of being

00:29:13.380 --> 00:29:14.200
 ready and

00:29:14.200 --> 00:29:14.880
 willing to

00:29:14.880 --> 00:29:15.560
 lay down

00:29:15.559 --> 00:29:16.500
 our lives

00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.000
 for the

00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.759
 Lord Jesus?

00:29:18.659 --> 00:29:19.259
 How about

00:29:19.259 --> 00:29:20.119
 the sacrifice

00:29:20.119 --> 00:29:21.359
 if we are

00:29:21.359 --> 00:29:23.399
 called into

00:29:23.399 --> 00:29:24.759
 missionary work?

00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.059
 Are we

00:29:26.059 --> 00:29:26.720
 ready to

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.519
 give up the

00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.379
 comforts of

00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:29.579
 home for

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.200
 him who

00:29:30.200 --> 00:29:30.940
 loved us

00:29:30.940 --> 00:29:31.859
 and gave

00:29:31.859 --> 00:29:33.559
 himself for

00:29:33.559 --> 00:29:34.039
 us?

00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:35.619
 Are we

00:29:35.619 --> 00:29:36.460
 ready to

00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:37.259
 hear the

00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:39.099
 command of

00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:39.579
 the Lord

00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.599
 Jesus Christ

00:29:40.599 --> 00:29:41.399
 himself?

00:29:42.359 --> 00:29:43.019
 He's not

00:29:43.019 --> 00:29:44.220
 speaking just

00:29:44.220 --> 00:29:44.680
 of an

00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.500
 occasional

00:29:45.500 --> 00:29:46.620
 Christian

00:29:46.620 --> 00:29:48.100
 or a

00:29:48.100 --> 00:29:49.259
 special kind

00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.039
 of Christian.

00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:51.500
 He's

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:53.299
 speaking to

00:29:53.299 --> 00:29:54.019
 every

00:29:54.019 --> 00:29:54.880
 believer.

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.299
 And he

00:29:56.299 --> 00:29:57.039
 says in

00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:58.059
 Romans 9

00:29:58.059 --> 00:29:58.779
 and verse

00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.539
 23

00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:01.480
 these words.

00:30:02.480 --> 00:30:04.059
 He said

00:30:04.059 --> 00:30:05.059
 to them

00:30:05.059 --> 00:30:05.600
 all,

00:30:06.400 --> 00:30:07.400
 if anyone

00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.259
 would come

00:30:08.259 --> 00:30:09.180
 after me,

00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.279
 he must

00:30:10.279 --> 00:30:11.640
 deny himself

00:30:11.640 --> 00:30:12.980
 and take

00:30:12.980 --> 00:30:13.460
 up his

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.500
 cross daily

00:30:14.500 --> 00:30:15.380
 and follow

00:30:15.380 --> 00:30:15.720
 me.

00:30:16.420 --> 00:30:17.000
 For whoever

00:30:17.000 --> 00:30:17.720
 wants to

00:30:17.720 --> 00:30:18.460
 save his

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:19.080
 life will

00:30:19.080 --> 00:30:19.800
 lose it.

00:30:20.460 --> 00:30:21.060
 But whoever

00:30:21.060 --> 00:30:22.140
 loses his

00:30:22.140 --> 00:30:23.020
 life for me

00:30:23.020 --> 00:30:23.860
 will save

00:30:23.860 --> 00:30:24.220
 it.

00:30:24.780 --> 00:30:25.500
 What good

00:30:25.500 --> 00:30:26.100
 is it for

00:30:26.100 --> 00:30:27.100
 a man to

00:30:27.100 --> 00:30:29.700
 gain the

00:30:29.700 --> 00:30:30.500
 whole world

00:30:30.500 --> 00:30:31.259
 and yet

00:30:31.259 --> 00:30:32.160
 lose or

00:30:32.160 --> 00:30:32.940
 forfeit

00:30:32.940 --> 00:30:34.340
 his very

00:30:34.340 --> 00:30:35.020
 self?

00:30:35.660 --> 00:30:36.620
 To take

00:30:36.620 --> 00:30:37.200
 up our

00:30:37.200 --> 00:30:38.200
 cross.

00:30:38.200 --> 00:30:38.319
 cross.

00:30:39.180 --> 00:30:40.319
 That means

00:30:40.319 --> 00:30:41.120
 being ready

00:30:41.120 --> 00:30:42.559
 to suffer.

00:30:43.160 --> 00:30:43.779
 It's being

00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:45.100
 ready to

00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:46.180
 sacrifice.

00:30:47.080 --> 00:30:47.620
 And Jesus

00:30:47.620 --> 00:30:48.740
 says, if you

00:30:48.740 --> 00:30:49.319
 would follow

00:30:49.319 --> 00:30:50.340
 me, this

00:30:50.340 --> 00:30:51.140
 is what

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.840
 is required

00:30:52.840 --> 00:30:54.019
 of me.

00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:58.779
 there was

00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.259
 a man

00:30:59.259 --> 00:31:00.160
 who was

00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.559
 a

00:31:00.559 --> 00:31:01.279
 missionary,

00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:02.700
 Jim

00:31:02.700 --> 00:31:03.119
 Elliott,

00:31:04.059 --> 00:31:04.619
 who was

00:31:04.619 --> 00:31:05.059
 actually

00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.859
 martyred

00:31:05.859 --> 00:31:07.700
 out in

00:31:07.700 --> 00:31:08.200
 the jungle.

00:31:09.339 --> 00:31:09.680
 And he

00:31:09.680 --> 00:31:10.400
 said this,

00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:11.119
 he is

00:31:11.119 --> 00:31:12.180
 no fool

00:31:12.180 --> 00:31:13.660
 who gives

00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.119
 up what

00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:14.680
 he cannot

00:31:14.680 --> 00:31:15.339
 keep

00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.660
 to gain

00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:17.160
 that

00:31:17.160 --> 00:31:18.539
 which he

00:31:18.539 --> 00:31:19.139
 cannot

00:31:19.139 --> 00:31:20.440
 lose.

00:31:22.440 --> 00:31:23.279
 Sacrifice.

00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:25.980
 I picked

00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.339
 up

00:31:26.339 --> 00:31:27.559
 the

00:31:27.559 --> 00:31:28.500
 evangelicals

00:31:28.500 --> 00:31:28.900
 now when

00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:29.180
 I was

00:31:29.180 --> 00:31:29.420
 in

00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.180
 Belfast.

00:31:31.859 --> 00:31:32.500
 I want

00:31:32.500 --> 00:31:32.940
 to read

00:31:32.940 --> 00:31:33.379
 just a

00:31:33.379 --> 00:31:34.200
 few lines.

00:31:35.639 --> 00:31:35.920
 It's

00:31:35.920 --> 00:31:36.460
 entitled

00:31:36.460 --> 00:31:37.359
 Ethiopia,

00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:38.900
 Christian

00:31:38.900 --> 00:31:39.700
 girls

00:31:39.700 --> 00:31:40.680
 singing

00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.559
 in

00:31:41.559 --> 00:31:42.019
 prison.

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:44.440
 Three

00:31:44.440 --> 00:31:45.460
 teenage

00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:46.339
 Christian

00:31:46.339 --> 00:31:47.079
 girls.

00:31:48.619 --> 00:31:49.420
 One

00:31:49.420 --> 00:31:50.039
 15,

00:31:50.879 --> 00:31:51.379
 one

00:31:51.379 --> 00:31:51.960
 14,

00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:53.319
 and

00:31:53.319 --> 00:31:53.720
 another

00:31:53.720 --> 00:31:54.660
 14,

00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:55.660
 together

00:31:55.660 --> 00:31:56.220
 with an

00:31:56.220 --> 00:31:56.740
 older

00:31:56.740 --> 00:31:57.220
 girl,

00:31:58.140 --> 00:31:58.299
 were

00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:58.840
 sentenced

00:31:58.840 --> 00:31:59.400
 to

00:31:59.400 --> 00:31:59.980
 prison

00:31:59.980 --> 00:32:00.960
 for

00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:01.779
 distributing

00:32:01.779 --> 00:32:02.860
 Christian

00:32:02.860 --> 00:32:03.700
 literature.

00:32:05.299 --> 00:32:05.900
 One of

00:32:05.900 --> 00:32:06.140
 them

00:32:06.140 --> 00:32:06.940
 was

00:32:06.940 --> 00:32:07.420
 beaten

00:32:07.420 --> 00:32:08.059
 in

00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:08.600
 prison.

00:32:10.039 --> 00:32:10.559
 And this

00:32:10.559 --> 00:32:10.900
 is what

00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:11.500
 we read

00:32:11.500 --> 00:32:11.880
 at the

00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:12.480
 end of

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:12.700
 the

00:32:12.700 --> 00:32:13.240
 article.

00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.759
 Eden

00:32:14.759 --> 00:32:15.440
 suffered

00:32:15.440 --> 00:32:16.360
 a beating

00:32:16.360 --> 00:32:17.600
 on her

00:32:17.600 --> 00:32:18.420
 first night

00:32:18.420 --> 00:32:19.220
 in prison.

00:32:19.220 --> 00:32:21.440
 And then

00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:21.799
 we have

00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.339
 their own

00:32:22.339 --> 00:32:22.799
 words.

00:32:23.900 --> 00:32:24.240
 This

00:32:24.240 --> 00:32:25.039
 suffering,

00:32:25.220 --> 00:32:25.759
 they said,

00:32:26.319 --> 00:32:26.860
 is an

00:32:26.860 --> 00:32:27.259
 honour

00:32:27.259 --> 00:32:28.059
 for us.

00:32:28.640 --> 00:32:29.440
 We should

00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.279
 expect

00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.160
 persecution.

00:32:31.980 --> 00:32:32.339
 We are

00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:33.120
 not afraid.

00:32:33.839 --> 00:32:34.319
 We are

00:32:34.319 --> 00:32:34.920
 singing

00:32:34.920 --> 00:32:35.799
 and praying

00:32:35.799 --> 00:32:36.900
 here in

00:32:36.900 --> 00:32:37.460
 prison.

00:32:38.500 --> 00:32:38.779
 Eden

00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.240
 said,

00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.900
 it is

00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.660
 an honour

00:32:41.660 --> 00:32:42.900
 to be

00:32:42.900 --> 00:32:43.660
 jailed

00:32:43.660 --> 00:32:45.400
 for God's

00:32:45.400 --> 00:32:45.799
 kingdom.

00:32:45.799 --> 00:32:49.079
 sacrifice.

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.180
 The

00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:50.859
 presentation

00:32:50.859 --> 00:32:52.319
 of our

00:32:52.319 --> 00:32:53.079
 whole

00:32:53.079 --> 00:32:54.159
 selves.

00:32:54.819 --> 00:32:55.079
 Our

00:32:55.079 --> 00:32:56.180
 minds.

00:32:56.720 --> 00:32:56.980
 We will

00:32:56.980 --> 00:32:57.359
 have more

00:32:57.359 --> 00:32:57.779
 to say

00:32:57.779 --> 00:32:58.440
 about that

00:32:58.440 --> 00:32:59.099
 in a

00:32:59.099 --> 00:32:59.399
 moment.

00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:00.980
 We can

00:33:00.980 --> 00:33:01.379
 fill our

00:33:01.379 --> 00:33:01.799
 minds

00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.139
 with

00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:02.779
 rubbish.

00:33:04.339 --> 00:33:04.680
 Or we

00:33:04.680 --> 00:33:05.079
 can fill

00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:05.680
 our minds

00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.200
 with that

00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.639
 which is

00:33:06.639 --> 00:33:08.119
 good and

00:33:08.119 --> 00:33:08.619
 offer it

00:33:08.619 --> 00:33:09.200
 up to

00:33:09.200 --> 00:33:09.619
 God.

00:33:10.240 --> 00:33:10.579
 Our

00:33:10.579 --> 00:33:11.539
 eyes and

00:33:11.539 --> 00:33:12.240
 our ears,

00:33:12.399 --> 00:33:12.819
 what do

00:33:12.819 --> 00:33:13.539
 we see?

00:33:14.519 --> 00:33:14.960
 What

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.920
 occupies

00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.240
 our

00:33:16.240 --> 00:33:16.860
 hearing?

00:33:17.519 --> 00:33:18.059
 Can we

00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.640
 offer

00:33:18.640 --> 00:33:20.180
 our eyes

00:33:20.180 --> 00:33:20.620
 and our

00:33:20.620 --> 00:33:21.259
 ears as

00:33:21.259 --> 00:33:22.480
 a spiritual

00:33:22.480 --> 00:33:23.620
 act of

00:33:23.620 --> 00:33:23.960
 worship?

00:33:25.140 --> 00:33:25.600
 How about

00:33:25.600 --> 00:33:26.380
 our tongues?

00:33:27.019 --> 00:33:27.559
 Only a

00:33:27.559 --> 00:33:28.440
 little member

00:33:28.440 --> 00:33:29.059
 we are told

00:33:29.059 --> 00:33:30.220
 by James.

00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:31.299
 It's a

00:33:31.299 --> 00:33:31.720
 fire.

00:33:31.900 --> 00:33:32.480
 Who can

00:33:32.480 --> 00:33:33.700
 tame it?

00:33:34.500 --> 00:33:35.140
 But we

00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.660
 can offer

00:33:35.660 --> 00:33:36.259
 what we

00:33:36.259 --> 00:33:37.100
 say to

00:33:37.100 --> 00:33:38.600
 God and

00:33:38.600 --> 00:33:39.000
 we can

00:33:39.000 --> 00:33:39.640
 pray for

00:33:39.640 --> 00:33:39.880
 that

00:33:39.880 --> 00:33:40.620
 sanctification

00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:41.340
 of our

00:33:41.340 --> 00:33:41.840
 tongues,

00:33:42.039 --> 00:33:42.539
 that we

00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.160
 will use

00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:43.759
 our tongues

00:33:43.759 --> 00:33:44.420
 to be

00:33:44.420 --> 00:33:45.039
 witnesses

00:33:45.039 --> 00:33:46.380
 in the

00:33:46.380 --> 00:33:47.140
 world in

00:33:47.140 --> 00:33:47.680
 which we

00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:48.039
 live,

00:33:48.340 --> 00:33:49.000
 in pointing

00:33:49.000 --> 00:33:49.680
 our fellow

00:33:49.680 --> 00:33:50.300
 men to

00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:50.820
 the one

00:33:50.820 --> 00:33:51.500
 who has

00:33:51.500 --> 00:33:52.140
 shown us

00:33:52.140 --> 00:33:52.940
 mercy.

00:33:54.320 --> 00:33:54.759
 How are

00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.259
 we using

00:33:55.259 --> 00:33:56.060
 our hands

00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:57.120
 and our

00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.640
 feet?

00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.100
 Are we

00:33:59.100 --> 00:33:59.820
 working with

00:33:59.820 --> 00:34:00.420
 our hands

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:00.880
 to the

00:34:00.880 --> 00:34:01.480
 glory of

00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.840
 God?

00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:03.039
 And are

00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:03.779
 our feet

00:34:03.779 --> 00:34:05.380
 being used

00:34:05.380 --> 00:34:06.120
 to bring

00:34:06.120 --> 00:34:07.000
 the gospel

00:34:07.000 --> 00:34:07.720
 of peace

00:34:07.720 --> 00:34:09.099
 to those

00:34:09.099 --> 00:34:09.780
 out there

00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:10.840
 who have

00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:11.780
 no peace?

00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:13.460
 the apostle

00:34:13.460 --> 00:34:14.000
 Paul,

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:14.940
 again,

00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:16.280
 writing to

00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:16.840
 the Romans

00:34:16.840 --> 00:34:17.540
 in chapter

00:34:17.540 --> 00:34:18.960
 6 and

00:34:18.960 --> 00:34:20.120
 verses 14

00:34:20.120 --> 00:34:21.560
 to 16

00:34:21.560 --> 00:34:23.080
 says these

00:34:23.080 --> 00:34:23.640
 words,

00:34:25.280 --> 00:34:25.720
 or verse

00:34:25.720 --> 00:34:26.480
 12 rather,

00:34:26.480 --> 00:34:28.539
 sin shall

00:34:28.539 --> 00:34:29.360
 not be your

00:34:29.360 --> 00:34:29.820
 master,

00:34:29.820 --> 00:34:31.940
 because you

00:34:31.940 --> 00:34:32.380
 are not

00:34:32.380 --> 00:34:32.860
 able to

00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:34.659
 obey its

00:34:34.659 --> 00:34:35.300
 desires.

00:34:35.300 --> 00:34:36.860
 Do not offer

00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:37.940
 the parts of your

00:34:37.940 --> 00:34:38.460
 body to sin as

00:34:38.460 --> 00:34:38.940
 instruments of

00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.059
 wickedness,

00:34:39.440 --> 00:34:40.800
 but rather offer

00:34:40.800 --> 00:34:41.800
 yourselves to

00:34:41.800 --> 00:34:43.199
 God as those

00:34:43.199 --> 00:34:43.599
 who have been

00:34:43.599 --> 00:34:44.320
 brought from

00:34:44.320 --> 00:34:45.099
 death to

00:34:45.099 --> 00:34:45.480
 life,

00:34:46.119 --> 00:34:46.940
 and offer the

00:34:46.940 --> 00:34:47.920
 parts of your

00:34:47.920 --> 00:34:48.920
 body to

00:34:48.920 --> 00:34:49.740
 him as

00:34:49.740 --> 00:34:51.219
 instruments of

00:34:51.219 --> 00:34:51.900
 righteousness,

00:34:52.599 --> 00:34:53.800
 for sin shall

00:34:53.800 --> 00:34:54.519
 not be your

00:34:54.519 --> 00:34:55.000
 master,

00:34:55.000 --> 00:34:56.119
 because you

00:34:56.119 --> 00:34:56.619
 are not

00:34:56.619 --> 00:34:57.500
 under law,

00:34:58.119 --> 00:34:59.019
 but under

00:34:59.019 --> 00:35:00.039
 grace,

00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:02.079
 to offer

00:35:02.079 --> 00:35:03.559
 ourselves

00:35:03.559 --> 00:35:05.139
 utterly and

00:35:05.139 --> 00:35:05.980
 completely,

00:35:06.559 --> 00:35:07.440
 the whole

00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:08.699
 of ourselves,

00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:10.480
 which is our

00:35:10.480 --> 00:35:12.139
 spiritual act

00:35:12.139 --> 00:35:13.320
 of worship.

00:35:14.219 --> 00:35:15.420
 It is holy

00:35:15.420 --> 00:35:16.900
 and pleasing

00:35:16.900 --> 00:35:17.880
 to God,

00:35:18.619 --> 00:35:19.079
 or as the

00:35:19.079 --> 00:35:19.639
 authorised

00:35:19.639 --> 00:35:20.420
 version has

00:35:20.420 --> 00:35:20.619
 it,

00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.639
 it's our

00:35:21.639 --> 00:35:22.619
 reasonable

00:35:22.619 --> 00:35:23.739
 service.

00:35:23.739 --> 00:35:23.819
 service.

00:35:24.699 --> 00:35:25.139
 In other

00:35:25.139 --> 00:35:25.519
 words,

00:35:25.899 --> 00:35:26.679
 to give

00:35:26.679 --> 00:35:27.579
 ourselves

00:35:27.579 --> 00:35:28.500
 wholeheartedly

00:35:28.500 --> 00:35:29.059
 to God

00:35:29.059 --> 00:35:30.179
 is the

00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:31.059
 most logical

00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:32.039
 thing we

00:35:32.039 --> 00:35:32.919
 could ever

00:35:32.919 --> 00:35:33.439
 do.

00:35:33.639 --> 00:35:34.119
 It's the

00:35:34.119 --> 00:35:35.359
 most rational.

00:35:35.979 --> 00:35:36.559
 If our

00:35:36.559 --> 00:35:37.299
 minds have

00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:38.359
 embraced what

00:35:38.359 --> 00:35:39.339
 God has

00:35:39.339 --> 00:35:39.819
 done,

00:35:40.500 --> 00:35:41.599
 what can

00:35:41.599 --> 00:35:42.159
 we do

00:35:42.159 --> 00:35:43.039
 in return?

00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:44.399
 Well,

00:35:44.479 --> 00:35:45.799
 logic would

00:35:45.799 --> 00:35:46.719
 surely say,

00:35:47.299 --> 00:35:47.899
 take my

00:35:47.899 --> 00:35:49.299
 life and

00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:50.259
 let it be

00:35:50.259 --> 00:35:51.839
 consecrated,

00:35:51.840 --> 00:35:52.539
 Lord,

00:35:52.800 --> 00:35:53.400
 to thee.

00:35:53.400 --> 00:35:55.039
 Take myself

00:35:55.039 --> 00:35:56.120
 and I

00:35:56.120 --> 00:35:56.780
 will be

00:35:56.780 --> 00:35:58.360
 ever only

00:35:58.360 --> 00:36:00.320
 for my

00:36:00.320 --> 00:36:01.300
 king.

00:36:02.140 --> 00:36:02.620
 Living

00:36:02.620 --> 00:36:04.059
 sacrifices

00:36:04.059 --> 00:36:05.120
 in the

00:36:05.120 --> 00:36:05.760
 light of

00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.660
 God's

00:36:06.660 --> 00:36:07.380
 mercies,

00:36:07.960 --> 00:36:08.320
 offer

00:36:08.320 --> 00:36:09.000
 yourselves

00:36:09.000 --> 00:36:09.519
 as

00:36:09.519 --> 00:36:10.600
 living

00:36:10.600 --> 00:36:11.800
 sacrifices.

00:36:13.400 --> 00:36:13.920
 And our

00:36:13.920 --> 00:36:14.579
 final heading

00:36:14.579 --> 00:36:15.220
 this morning

00:36:15.220 --> 00:36:16.760
 is that

00:36:16.760 --> 00:36:17.360
 we enter

00:36:17.360 --> 00:36:18.600
 1917

00:36:18.599 --> 00:36:20.360
 as those

00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:20.719
 whose

00:36:20.719 --> 00:36:21.659
 minds are

00:36:21.659 --> 00:36:22.219
 being

00:36:22.219 --> 00:36:23.299
 changed.

00:36:24.440 --> 00:36:25.079
 See

00:36:25.079 --> 00:36:25.759
 again

00:36:25.759 --> 00:36:26.880
 Romans

00:36:26.880 --> 00:36:27.460
 chapter

00:36:27.460 --> 00:36:28.179
 12

00:36:28.179 --> 00:36:29.199
 and

00:36:29.199 --> 00:36:29.599
 verses

00:36:29.599 --> 00:36:30.739
 verse 2.

00:36:31.319 --> 00:36:31.940
 Here the

00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.880
 apostle Paul

00:36:32.880 --> 00:36:33.519
 makes it

00:36:33.519 --> 00:36:34.500
 very clear.

00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.119
 Do not

00:36:36.119 --> 00:36:37.519
 conform any

00:36:37.519 --> 00:36:38.299
 longer to

00:36:38.299 --> 00:36:39.059
 the pattern

00:36:39.059 --> 00:36:39.739
 of this

00:36:39.739 --> 00:36:40.159
 world,

00:36:40.679 --> 00:36:41.480
 but be

00:36:41.480 --> 00:36:42.259
 transformed

00:36:42.259 --> 00:36:43.099
 by the

00:36:43.099 --> 00:36:43.799
 renewing

00:36:43.799 --> 00:36:44.259
 of your

00:36:44.259 --> 00:36:44.719
 mind.

00:36:44.719 --> 00:36:45.619
 then you

00:36:45.619 --> 00:36:45.939
 will be

00:36:45.939 --> 00:36:46.419
 able to

00:36:46.419 --> 00:36:47.159
 test and

00:36:47.159 --> 00:36:47.619
 approve

00:36:47.619 --> 00:36:48.579
 what God's

00:36:48.579 --> 00:36:49.279
 will is,

00:36:49.699 --> 00:36:50.500
 his good,

00:36:51.000 --> 00:36:51.519
 pleasing,

00:36:52.219 --> 00:36:53.480
 and perfect

00:36:53.480 --> 00:36:54.039
 will.

00:36:55.699 --> 00:36:56.619
 Be ready

00:36:56.619 --> 00:36:57.980
 to be

00:36:57.980 --> 00:36:58.819
 different.

00:36:59.480 --> 00:37:00.019
 That's what

00:37:00.019 --> 00:37:00.599
 the apostle

00:37:00.599 --> 00:37:01.599
 Paul is

00:37:01.599 --> 00:37:02.259
 saying.

00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.599
 To be

00:37:03.599 --> 00:37:04.619
 those living

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.599
 sacrifices

00:37:05.599 --> 00:37:06.619
 that will

00:37:06.619 --> 00:37:07.279
 be noticed

00:37:07.279 --> 00:37:08.619
 by others.

00:37:09.699 --> 00:37:10.059
 J.B.

00:37:10.179 --> 00:37:10.599
 Phillips

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:12.559
 in his

00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.299
 translation

00:37:13.300 --> 00:37:14.180
 of this

00:37:14.180 --> 00:37:14.860
 verse,

00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:15.320
 the early

00:37:15.320 --> 00:37:15.800
 part of

00:37:15.800 --> 00:37:16.240
 it says,

00:37:16.760 --> 00:37:17.420
 don't be

00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:18.140
 squeezed

00:37:18.140 --> 00:37:19.560
 into the

00:37:19.560 --> 00:37:20.519
 world's

00:37:20.519 --> 00:37:20.940
 mould.

00:37:21.640 --> 00:37:22.140
 Do not

00:37:22.140 --> 00:37:23.019
 conform any

00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:23.640
 longer to

00:37:23.640 --> 00:37:24.780
 the pattern

00:37:24.780 --> 00:37:25.500
 of this

00:37:25.500 --> 00:37:25.920
 world.

00:37:26.760 --> 00:37:27.240
 There's a

00:37:27.240 --> 00:37:28.539
 thinking out

00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:29.000
 there,

00:37:29.660 --> 00:37:30.360
 and the

00:37:30.360 --> 00:37:31.039
 thinking out

00:37:31.039 --> 00:37:31.580
 there would

00:37:31.580 --> 00:37:32.460
 press you

00:37:32.460 --> 00:37:33.500
 into its

00:37:33.500 --> 00:37:33.820
 mould.

00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.600
 We're living

00:37:34.600 --> 00:37:35.440
 in a

00:37:35.440 --> 00:37:35.880
 secular

00:37:35.880 --> 00:37:36.500
 world,

00:37:37.280 --> 00:37:37.860
 and it's

00:37:37.860 --> 00:37:38.539
 not easy

00:37:38.539 --> 00:37:39.440
 to run

00:37:39.440 --> 00:37:40.420
 our lives

00:37:40.420 --> 00:37:41.320
 contrary

00:37:41.320 --> 00:37:42.460
 to that

00:37:42.460 --> 00:37:42.900
 world.

00:37:43.300 --> 00:37:45.340
 But we

00:37:45.340 --> 00:37:46.180
 are to

00:37:46.180 --> 00:37:46.539
 be

00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.060
 different.

00:37:48.539 --> 00:37:49.180
 The world

00:37:49.180 --> 00:37:49.680
 out there

00:37:49.680 --> 00:37:50.280
 will say

00:37:50.280 --> 00:37:51.260
 everybody

00:37:51.260 --> 00:37:52.320
 is behaving

00:37:52.320 --> 00:37:53.140
 in a

00:37:53.140 --> 00:37:53.600
 particular

00:37:53.600 --> 00:37:54.039
 way.

00:37:54.460 --> 00:37:54.800
 Why

00:37:54.800 --> 00:37:55.420
 shouldn't

00:37:55.420 --> 00:37:55.760
 I?

00:37:55.980 --> 00:37:56.340
 Why

00:37:56.340 --> 00:37:57.080
 should I

00:37:57.080 --> 00:37:57.320
 be

00:37:57.320 --> 00:37:57.740
 different?

00:38:00.460 --> 00:38:00.860
 Young

00:38:00.860 --> 00:38:01.480
 people are

00:38:01.480 --> 00:38:01.880
 saying,

00:38:02.380 --> 00:38:02.860
 I'm

00:38:02.860 --> 00:38:03.380
 sleeping

00:38:03.380 --> 00:38:04.420
 with my

00:38:04.420 --> 00:38:04.880
 girlfriend,

00:38:05.180 --> 00:38:05.380
 my

00:38:05.380 --> 00:38:05.940
 boyfriend.

00:38:06.960 --> 00:38:07.320
 What

00:38:07.320 --> 00:38:07.780
 does it

00:38:07.780 --> 00:38:08.180
 matter?

00:38:09.120 --> 00:38:09.360
 You

00:38:09.360 --> 00:38:09.880
 have your

00:38:09.880 --> 00:38:10.280
 opinion,

00:38:10.460 --> 00:38:10.960
 I have

00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.440
 mine.

00:38:12.000 --> 00:38:12.360
 No

00:38:12.360 --> 00:38:13.500
 absolutes.

00:38:13.880 --> 00:38:14.140
 It's

00:38:14.140 --> 00:38:14.880
 okay,

00:38:15.220 --> 00:38:15.640
 because

00:38:15.640 --> 00:38:16.440
 everybody

00:38:16.440 --> 00:38:17.680
 is doing

00:38:17.680 --> 00:38:17.920
 it,

00:38:18.039 --> 00:38:18.539
 and I'm

00:38:18.539 --> 00:38:19.260
 not hurting

00:38:19.260 --> 00:38:19.800
 anybody,

00:38:20.000 --> 00:38:20.420
 and I

00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:20.800
 love,

00:38:22.059 --> 00:38:22.519
 and sad

00:38:22.519 --> 00:38:23.039
 to say,

00:38:23.820 --> 00:38:24.300
 I've even

00:38:24.300 --> 00:38:24.940
 heard people

00:38:24.940 --> 00:38:25.320
 saying,

00:38:25.480 --> 00:38:26.280
 I prayed

00:38:26.280 --> 00:38:27.220
 about it.

00:38:29.300 --> 00:38:30.320
 Don't be

00:38:30.320 --> 00:38:31.280
 conformed

00:38:31.280 --> 00:38:32.140
 to this

00:38:32.140 --> 00:38:33.039
 world.

00:38:34.920 --> 00:38:35.559
 My

00:38:35.559 --> 00:38:36.200
 friends,

00:38:36.760 --> 00:38:37.039
 be

00:38:37.039 --> 00:38:37.620
 different.

00:38:38.780 --> 00:38:39.360
 Be

00:38:39.360 --> 00:38:40.280
 different to

00:38:40.280 --> 00:38:40.820
 the world

00:38:40.820 --> 00:38:41.920
 around you.

00:38:42.680 --> 00:38:43.040
 You

00:38:43.040 --> 00:38:43.640
 will be

00:38:43.640 --> 00:38:44.080
 under

00:38:44.080 --> 00:38:44.640
 pressure

00:38:44.640 --> 00:38:45.840
 to conform

00:38:45.840 --> 00:38:46.820
 to this

00:38:46.820 --> 00:38:47.360
 world.

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:48.840
 Young

00:38:48.840 --> 00:38:49.340
 people

00:38:49.340 --> 00:38:49.700
 will.

00:38:50.980 --> 00:38:51.600
 Fathers

00:38:51.600 --> 00:38:51.980
 will.

00:38:52.519 --> 00:38:53.040
 Mothers

00:38:53.040 --> 00:38:53.420
 will.

00:38:54.480 --> 00:38:54.900
 And it

00:38:54.900 --> 00:38:55.280
 doesn't

00:38:55.280 --> 00:38:56.540
 stop when

00:38:56.540 --> 00:38:56.900
 you get

00:38:56.900 --> 00:38:57.519
 old.

00:38:58.400 --> 00:38:58.980
 We'll be

00:38:58.980 --> 00:38:59.700
 bombarded

00:38:59.700 --> 00:39:00.240
 today,

00:39:00.400 --> 00:39:00.660
 and we'll

00:39:00.660 --> 00:39:00.900
 be

00:39:00.900 --> 00:39:02.720
 bombarded

00:39:02.720 --> 00:39:04.300
 tomorrow and

00:39:04.300 --> 00:39:04.860
 the next

00:39:04.860 --> 00:39:05.120
 day,

00:39:05.200 --> 00:39:05.640
 throughout

00:39:05.640 --> 00:39:06.760
 2017,

00:39:06.760 --> 00:39:07.820
 to be

00:39:07.820 --> 00:39:09.200
 conformed.

00:39:10.000 --> 00:39:11.100
 But don't

00:39:11.100 --> 00:39:12.840
 be conformed

00:39:12.840 --> 00:39:13.420
 to this

00:39:13.420 --> 00:39:13.940
 world.

00:39:14.480 --> 00:39:14.800
 Be

00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:16.080
 transformed.

00:39:17.880 --> 00:39:18.580
 Maybe you

00:39:18.580 --> 00:39:19.020
 are being

00:39:19.020 --> 00:39:20.000
 squeezed at

00:39:20.000 --> 00:39:20.840
 this particular

00:39:20.840 --> 00:39:21.580
 moment to

00:39:21.580 --> 00:39:22.220
 compromise

00:39:22.220 --> 00:39:23.920
 your Christian

00:39:23.920 --> 00:39:24.400
 faith.

00:39:25.700 --> 00:39:26.140
 And maybe

00:39:26.140 --> 00:39:26.820
 some of you

00:39:26.820 --> 00:39:27.960
 are continuing

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:29.000
 in your

00:39:29.000 --> 00:39:29.980
 unchristian

00:39:29.980 --> 00:39:30.580
 ways.

00:39:32.140 --> 00:39:32.720
 And I

00:39:32.720 --> 00:39:33.280
 ask you,

00:39:33.360 --> 00:39:33.940
 and challenge

00:39:33.940 --> 00:39:34.400
 you this

00:39:34.400 --> 00:39:34.680
 morning,

00:39:34.679 --> 00:39:35.719
 is it

00:39:35.719 --> 00:39:36.559
 making you

00:39:36.559 --> 00:39:37.179
 happy?

00:39:38.179 --> 00:39:38.960
 Are you

00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:40.259
 contented?

00:39:41.819 --> 00:39:42.559
 Mark this,

00:39:42.619 --> 00:39:43.159
 there's so

00:39:43.159 --> 00:39:43.879
 many people

00:39:43.879 --> 00:39:45.079
 that have

00:39:45.079 --> 00:39:45.599
 gone the

00:39:45.599 --> 00:39:46.119
 world's

00:39:46.119 --> 00:39:46.399
 way,

00:39:47.219 --> 00:39:47.980
 and their

00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:48.559
 lives have

00:39:48.559 --> 00:39:49.199
 ended up

00:39:49.199 --> 00:39:50.279
 messed up.

00:39:52.119 --> 00:39:53.039
 Messed up.

00:39:53.679 --> 00:39:54.239
 The world

00:39:54.239 --> 00:39:54.839
 will look at

00:39:54.839 --> 00:39:55.099
 you.

00:39:56.199 --> 00:39:56.559
 It will

00:39:56.559 --> 00:39:57.539
 embrace you,

00:39:57.940 --> 00:39:58.299
 and you

00:39:58.299 --> 00:39:58.879
 go along

00:39:58.879 --> 00:39:59.339
 with it,

00:39:59.739 --> 00:40:00.199
 and it

00:40:00.199 --> 00:40:00.980
 will destroy

00:40:00.980 --> 00:40:01.319
 you,

00:40:01.419 --> 00:40:01.679
 and it

00:40:01.679 --> 00:40:02.579
 won't take

00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.279
 a blind

00:40:03.279 --> 00:40:03.960
 bit of

00:40:03.960 --> 00:40:04.539
 notice.

00:40:05.440 --> 00:40:06.019
 That's

00:40:06.019 --> 00:40:06.480
 the

00:40:06.480 --> 00:40:07.000
 reality.

00:40:07.980 --> 00:40:08.239
 Be

00:40:08.239 --> 00:40:08.719
 different.

00:40:09.859 --> 00:40:10.319
 Have a

00:40:10.319 --> 00:40:11.619
 mind that

00:40:11.619 --> 00:40:13.000
 is conformed

00:40:13.000 --> 00:40:13.699
 to the

00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:14.799
 truth of

00:40:14.799 --> 00:40:16.099
 God's

00:40:16.099 --> 00:40:16.879
 word.

00:40:17.579 --> 00:40:17.940
 Be

00:40:17.940 --> 00:40:19.319
 transformed

00:40:19.319 --> 00:40:20.779
 by the

00:40:20.779 --> 00:40:21.839
 renewing of

00:40:21.839 --> 00:40:22.879
 your mind.

00:40:23.919 --> 00:40:24.519
 When the

00:40:24.519 --> 00:40:25.019
 Lord Jesus

00:40:25.019 --> 00:40:25.659
 was on the

00:40:25.659 --> 00:40:26.139
 Mount of

00:40:26.139 --> 00:40:27.199
 Transfiguration,

00:40:27.839 --> 00:40:28.440
 we're told

00:40:28.440 --> 00:40:29.000
 he was

00:40:29.000 --> 00:40:30.000
 transformed

00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:31.119
 before them.

00:40:31.279 --> 00:40:31.559
 It's

00:40:31.559 --> 00:40:32.379
 exactly the

00:40:32.379 --> 00:40:33.319
 same word.

00:40:34.679 --> 00:40:35.059
 It's

00:40:35.059 --> 00:40:36.379
 metamorphosis.

00:40:36.839 --> 00:40:37.279
 It's the

00:40:37.279 --> 00:40:37.879
 same thing

00:40:37.879 --> 00:40:38.519
 that happens

00:40:38.519 --> 00:40:39.359
 to a

00:40:39.359 --> 00:40:40.000
 caterpillar

00:40:40.000 --> 00:40:40.879
 when it

00:40:40.879 --> 00:40:41.599
 turns into

00:40:41.599 --> 00:40:42.639
 a butterfly.

00:40:44.379 --> 00:40:44.659
 A

00:40:44.659 --> 00:40:45.799
 metamorphosis.

00:40:46.359 --> 00:40:46.619
 A

00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.219
 complete

00:40:47.219 --> 00:40:48.259
 change.

00:40:48.980 --> 00:40:49.299
 Something

00:40:49.299 --> 00:40:49.819
 that is

00:40:49.819 --> 00:40:50.779
 absolutely

00:40:50.779 --> 00:40:52.079
 different.

00:40:53.980 --> 00:40:54.199
 The

00:40:54.199 --> 00:40:54.940
 Apostle Paul

00:40:54.940 --> 00:40:55.599
 knew about

00:40:55.599 --> 00:40:56.000
 this.

00:40:56.000 --> 00:40:57.059
 He says,

00:40:57.059 --> 00:40:58.940
 we have

00:40:58.940 --> 00:41:00.400
 the mind

00:41:00.400 --> 00:41:01.739
 of Christ.

00:41:02.659 --> 00:41:03.539
 We have

00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.639
 the mind

00:41:04.639 --> 00:41:05.659
 of Christ.

00:41:06.940 --> 00:41:07.239
 Now,

00:41:07.279 --> 00:41:07.820
 how can you

00:41:07.820 --> 00:41:08.259
 and I

00:41:08.259 --> 00:41:08.759
 have the

00:41:08.759 --> 00:41:09.360
 mind of

00:41:09.360 --> 00:41:09.659
 Christ?

00:41:09.820 --> 00:41:10.619
 Only by

00:41:10.619 --> 00:41:11.460
 our minds

00:41:11.460 --> 00:41:12.699
 being changed.

00:41:13.820 --> 00:41:14.699
 It begins

00:41:14.699 --> 00:41:15.139
 when we're

00:41:15.139 --> 00:41:15.940
 born again

00:41:15.940 --> 00:41:16.599
 of the

00:41:16.599 --> 00:41:17.299
 Holy Spirit.

00:41:17.820 --> 00:41:18.299
 And it

00:41:18.299 --> 00:41:18.860
 continues

00:41:18.860 --> 00:41:19.759
 through our

00:41:19.759 --> 00:41:20.380
 lifetime

00:41:20.380 --> 00:41:21.119
 till that

00:41:21.119 --> 00:41:21.619
 day that

00:41:21.619 --> 00:41:21.820
 we're

00:41:21.820 --> 00:41:22.320
 presented

00:41:22.320 --> 00:41:23.500
 absolutely

00:41:23.500 --> 00:41:24.440
 perfect

00:41:24.440 --> 00:41:25.740
 in Christ.

00:41:26.480 --> 00:41:26.840
 And it

00:41:26.840 --> 00:41:27.660
 will happen.

00:41:28.680 --> 00:41:29.220
 But there's

00:41:29.220 --> 00:41:30.380
 this process

00:41:30.380 --> 00:41:31.980
 whereby we

00:41:31.980 --> 00:41:33.240
 are transformed

00:41:33.240 --> 00:41:34.120
 into

00:41:34.120 --> 00:41:34.960
 His

00:41:34.960 --> 00:41:35.880
 likeness.

00:41:36.100 --> 00:41:37.080
 It begins,

00:41:37.480 --> 00:41:38.260
 it will have

00:41:38.260 --> 00:41:39.160
 a conclusion.

00:41:39.700 --> 00:41:40.260
 But how

00:41:40.260 --> 00:41:40.620
 will it

00:41:40.620 --> 00:41:41.120
 happen?

00:41:41.840 --> 00:41:42.320
 It will

00:41:42.320 --> 00:41:42.700
 happen

00:41:42.700 --> 00:41:43.660
 through God's

00:41:43.660 --> 00:41:44.480
 providence.

00:41:45.559 --> 00:41:45.940
 He will

00:41:45.940 --> 00:41:46.440
 send us

00:41:46.440 --> 00:41:46.740
 through

00:41:46.740 --> 00:41:47.559
 difficult

00:41:47.559 --> 00:41:48.160
 times,

00:41:48.160 --> 00:41:49.519
 hard times,

00:41:49.519 --> 00:41:50.519
 in order

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.219
 that the

00:41:51.219 --> 00:41:52.380
 dross in

00:41:52.380 --> 00:41:52.860
 us will

00:41:52.860 --> 00:41:54.119
 be refined.

00:41:55.659 --> 00:41:56.340
 I remember

00:41:56.340 --> 00:41:57.960
 a word of

00:41:57.960 --> 00:41:58.440
 personal

00:41:58.440 --> 00:41:59.079
 testimony

00:41:59.079 --> 00:41:59.539
 here.

00:42:01.880 --> 00:42:02.679
 As a

00:42:02.679 --> 00:42:02.920
 young

00:42:02.920 --> 00:42:03.440
 pastor,

00:42:04.119 --> 00:42:04.900
 being asked

00:42:04.900 --> 00:42:05.500
 to involve

00:42:05.500 --> 00:42:06.280
 myself with

00:42:06.280 --> 00:42:06.880
 some folks

00:42:06.880 --> 00:42:07.539
 in England,

00:42:08.759 --> 00:42:09.860
 it would

00:42:09.860 --> 00:42:10.300
 give me a

00:42:10.300 --> 00:42:10.619
 little bit

00:42:10.619 --> 00:42:11.420
 extra money.

00:42:12.039 --> 00:42:12.400
 It wasn't

00:42:12.400 --> 00:42:12.780
 particularly

00:42:12.780 --> 00:42:13.599
 Christian work,

00:42:13.659 --> 00:42:14.019
 it wasn't

00:42:14.019 --> 00:42:14.780
 non-Christian

00:42:14.780 --> 00:42:15.679
 in that sense.

00:42:17.539 --> 00:42:18.199
 But I

00:42:18.199 --> 00:42:18.679
 thought whether

00:42:18.679 --> 00:42:18.920
 it would

00:42:18.920 --> 00:42:19.500
 give me some

00:42:19.500 --> 00:42:20.199
 extra money.

00:42:20.980 --> 00:42:21.320
 But I

00:42:21.320 --> 00:42:21.679
 shouldn't have

00:42:21.679 --> 00:42:22.440
 been involved

00:42:22.440 --> 00:42:22.900
 and I

00:42:22.900 --> 00:42:23.880
 listened and

00:42:23.880 --> 00:42:25.119
 it ended

00:42:25.119 --> 00:42:26.000
 up as a

00:42:26.000 --> 00:42:26.719
 disaster.

00:42:28.360 --> 00:42:29.260
 It was the

00:42:29.260 --> 00:42:29.900
 greatest thing

00:42:29.900 --> 00:42:30.300
 that ever

00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:30.860
 happened to

00:42:30.860 --> 00:42:31.039
 me.

00:42:32.400 --> 00:42:33.460
 It taught

00:42:33.460 --> 00:42:34.300
 me so

00:42:34.300 --> 00:42:34.940
 much.

00:42:36.139 --> 00:42:36.840
 God took

00:42:36.840 --> 00:42:37.360
 me through

00:42:37.360 --> 00:42:38.820
 that in

00:42:38.820 --> 00:42:39.500
 order that

00:42:39.500 --> 00:42:40.480
 certain dross

00:42:40.480 --> 00:42:41.340
 in me might

00:42:41.340 --> 00:42:42.320
 be removed.

00:42:42.760 --> 00:42:43.159
 And He

00:42:43.159 --> 00:42:44.280
 constantly does

00:42:44.280 --> 00:42:45.420
 that in

00:42:45.420 --> 00:42:46.400
 our lives

00:42:46.400 --> 00:42:48.659
 through His

00:42:48.659 --> 00:42:49.579
 providence

00:42:49.579 --> 00:42:50.559
 and sending

00:42:50.559 --> 00:42:51.299
 difficulties

00:42:51.299 --> 00:42:52.779
 into our

00:42:52.779 --> 00:42:53.319
 lives.

00:42:54.099 --> 00:42:54.519
 But God

00:42:54.519 --> 00:42:56.599
 also works

00:42:56.599 --> 00:42:57.239
 through His

00:42:57.239 --> 00:42:57.739
 Word.

00:42:58.819 --> 00:42:59.819
 Sanctify them

00:42:59.819 --> 00:43:00.299
 says the

00:43:00.299 --> 00:43:00.960
 Lord Jesus

00:43:00.960 --> 00:43:02.539
 through your

00:43:02.539 --> 00:43:03.119
 truth.

00:43:03.480 --> 00:43:04.519
 Your Word

00:43:04.519 --> 00:43:06.259
 is truth.

00:43:07.379 --> 00:43:08.179
 So read

00:43:08.179 --> 00:43:08.779
 this Word,

00:43:09.079 --> 00:43:09.879
 study this

00:43:09.879 --> 00:43:10.119
 Word,

00:43:10.420 --> 00:43:10.940
 listen to

00:43:10.940 --> 00:43:11.420
 this Word

00:43:11.420 --> 00:43:11.960
 and it is

00:43:11.960 --> 00:43:12.519
 proclaimed

00:43:12.519 --> 00:43:13.679
 week by

00:43:13.679 --> 00:43:14.159
 week.

00:43:14.159 --> 00:43:15.960
 so that

00:43:15.960 --> 00:43:16.679
 your mind

00:43:16.679 --> 00:43:17.359
 might be

00:43:17.359 --> 00:43:18.440
 informed,

00:43:19.159 --> 00:43:19.559
 that you

00:43:19.559 --> 00:43:20.399
 will recognize

00:43:20.399 --> 00:43:21.039
 that God

00:43:21.039 --> 00:43:21.639
 is speaking

00:43:21.639 --> 00:43:22.099
 to you

00:43:22.099 --> 00:43:23.059
 through His

00:43:23.059 --> 00:43:23.859
 Word.

00:43:24.379 --> 00:43:24.940
 That God

00:43:24.940 --> 00:43:25.519
 is speaking

00:43:25.519 --> 00:43:25.960
 to you

00:43:25.960 --> 00:43:26.399
 through the

00:43:26.399 --> 00:43:27.159
 Word made

00:43:27.159 --> 00:43:27.659
 flesh,

00:43:27.960 --> 00:43:28.579
 our Lord

00:43:28.579 --> 00:43:29.420
 and Savior

00:43:29.420 --> 00:43:30.579
 Jesus Christ.

00:43:30.920 --> 00:43:31.500
 So that

00:43:31.500 --> 00:43:32.359
 your minds

00:43:32.359 --> 00:43:34.019
 are informed

00:43:34.019 --> 00:43:35.119
 and the

00:43:35.119 --> 00:43:36.179
 Spirit Himself

00:43:36.179 --> 00:43:37.619
 impresses that

00:43:37.619 --> 00:43:38.539
 Word upon

00:43:38.539 --> 00:43:39.299
 your mind

00:43:39.299 --> 00:43:40.059
 so that

00:43:40.059 --> 00:43:40.739
 your minds

00:43:40.739 --> 00:43:41.440
 are made

00:43:41.440 --> 00:43:42.220
 more like

00:43:42.220 --> 00:43:43.220
 unto the

00:43:43.220 --> 00:43:43.940
 mind of

00:43:43.940 --> 00:43:44.380
 God,

00:43:45.119 --> 00:43:45.539
 that you

00:43:45.539 --> 00:43:46.000
 will be

00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:47.159
 holy as

00:43:47.159 --> 00:43:48.280
 He is

00:43:48.280 --> 00:43:48.900
 holy.

00:43:50.559 --> 00:43:51.059
 Do you

00:43:51.059 --> 00:43:51.780
 find yourself

00:43:51.780 --> 00:43:52.539
 at times

00:43:52.539 --> 00:43:53.980
 disagreeing

00:43:53.980 --> 00:43:55.079
 with God's

00:43:55.079 --> 00:43:55.420
 Word?

00:43:56.179 --> 00:43:56.599
 No doubt

00:43:56.599 --> 00:43:57.119
 you do.

00:43:58.079 --> 00:43:58.900
 I can't

00:43:58.900 --> 00:43:59.679
 believe that

00:43:59.679 --> 00:44:00.780
 or surely

00:44:00.780 --> 00:44:01.519
 that's not

00:44:01.519 --> 00:44:01.920
 true.

00:44:02.280 --> 00:44:02.960
 My friends,

00:44:03.800 --> 00:44:04.420
 it's not

00:44:04.420 --> 00:44:05.340
 this that

00:44:05.340 --> 00:44:05.740
 is at

00:44:05.740 --> 00:44:06.800
 fault.

00:44:07.360 --> 00:44:07.940
 It is

00:44:07.940 --> 00:44:08.720
 your mind

00:44:08.720 --> 00:44:09.260
 that's

00:44:09.260 --> 00:44:10.559
 at fault.

00:44:10.559 --> 00:44:12.320
 let this

00:44:12.320 --> 00:44:13.420
 Word transform

00:44:13.420 --> 00:44:15.340
 you and

00:44:15.340 --> 00:44:15.840
 don't let

00:44:15.840 --> 00:44:17.099
 it match

00:44:17.099 --> 00:44:18.579
 your thinking.

00:44:19.219 --> 00:44:19.500
 Rather,

00:44:19.699 --> 00:44:20.599
 let hate

00:44:20.599 --> 00:44:21.799
 influence

00:44:21.799 --> 00:44:23.019
 your thinking

00:44:23.019 --> 00:44:23.940
 so that

00:44:23.940 --> 00:44:24.699
 your mind

00:44:24.699 --> 00:44:26.159
 is informed.

00:44:27.139 --> 00:44:27.539
 And all

00:44:27.539 --> 00:44:28.119
 this will

00:44:28.119 --> 00:44:28.739
 have the

00:44:28.739 --> 00:44:30.219
 result that

00:44:30.219 --> 00:44:30.940
 your mind

00:44:30.940 --> 00:44:31.659
 will be

00:44:31.659 --> 00:44:33.259
 changed and

00:44:33.259 --> 00:44:33.840
 you will be

00:44:33.840 --> 00:44:35.199
 able under

00:44:35.199 --> 00:44:36.099
 God's goodness

00:44:36.099 --> 00:44:37.320
 to test and

00:44:37.320 --> 00:44:39.019
 approve what

00:44:39.019 --> 00:44:39.840
 God's will

00:44:39.840 --> 00:44:40.219
 is.

00:44:40.559 --> 00:44:41.360
 His good

00:44:41.360 --> 00:44:42.059
 pleasing

00:44:42.059 --> 00:44:43.960
 and perfect

00:44:43.960 --> 00:44:44.500
 will.

00:44:45.340 --> 00:44:45.840
 God

00:44:45.840 --> 00:44:46.539
 isn't

00:44:46.539 --> 00:44:47.480
 putting you

00:44:47.480 --> 00:44:48.139
 into

00:44:48.139 --> 00:44:50.420
 a situation

00:44:50.420 --> 00:44:51.019
 that is

00:44:51.019 --> 00:44:52.199
 hard and

00:44:52.199 --> 00:44:52.679
 difficult.

00:44:53.579 --> 00:44:54.159
 He's putting

00:44:54.159 --> 00:44:54.679
 you into

00:44:54.679 --> 00:44:55.699
 a situation

00:44:55.699 --> 00:44:57.460
 where gladly

00:44:57.460 --> 00:44:58.059
 and willingly

00:44:58.059 --> 00:44:59.099
 you see that

00:44:59.099 --> 00:45:00.079
 His ways

00:45:00.079 --> 00:45:01.179
 are best.

00:45:01.699 --> 00:45:02.139
 If it's

00:45:02.139 --> 00:45:02.759
 good for

00:45:02.759 --> 00:45:03.119
 Him,

00:45:03.820 --> 00:45:04.259
 it's going

00:45:04.259 --> 00:45:04.739
 to be good

00:45:04.739 --> 00:45:05.239
 for you.

00:45:05.799 --> 00:45:06.279
 If it's

00:45:06.279 --> 00:45:07.059
 pleasing to

00:45:07.059 --> 00:45:07.460
 Him,

00:45:08.119 --> 00:45:08.579
 it's going

00:45:08.579 --> 00:45:09.440
 to be pleasing

00:45:09.440 --> 00:45:10.240
 to you.

00:45:11.000 --> 00:45:11.860
 Paul is

00:45:11.860 --> 00:45:12.559
 arguing,

00:45:13.599 --> 00:45:14.059
 yes,

00:45:15.119 --> 00:45:15.619
 you've

00:45:15.619 --> 00:45:16.019
 received

00:45:16.019 --> 00:45:16.559
 mercy.

00:45:17.300 --> 00:45:17.840
 In the

00:45:17.840 --> 00:45:18.280
 light of

00:45:18.280 --> 00:45:18.880
 that mercy,

00:45:19.139 --> 00:45:19.440
 offer

00:45:19.440 --> 00:45:20.220
 yourselves.

00:45:21.320 --> 00:45:21.780
 And as

00:45:21.780 --> 00:45:22.360
 you offer

00:45:22.360 --> 00:45:23.139
 yourselves,

00:45:23.639 --> 00:45:24.059
 pray that

00:45:24.059 --> 00:45:24.880
 your mind

00:45:24.880 --> 00:45:25.480
 might be

00:45:25.480 --> 00:45:26.320
 changed.

00:45:27.019 --> 00:45:27.539
 And that's

00:45:27.539 --> 00:45:27.900
 how to

00:45:27.900 --> 00:45:28.200
 live

00:45:28.200 --> 00:45:29.360
 through

00:45:29.360 --> 00:45:30.500
 2017.

00:45:31.599 --> 00:45:32.099
 May the

00:45:32.099 --> 00:45:32.720
 Lord help

00:45:32.719 --> 00:45:33.099
 us,

00:45:33.379 --> 00:45:34.179
 each one,

00:45:35.059 --> 00:45:35.699
 to be

00:45:35.699 --> 00:45:35.919
 the

00:45:35.919 --> 00:45:36.459
 Christians

00:45:36.459 --> 00:45:37.159
 that we

00:45:37.159 --> 00:45:38.059
 all ought

00:45:38.059 --> 00:45:38.480
 to be.

00:45:38.899 --> 00:45:39.399
 To His

00:45:39.399 --> 00:45:40.959
 praise and

00:45:40.959 --> 00:45:41.379
 glory.

00:45:41.379 --> 00:45:42.839
 Amen.