WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.719 There are some people who are just intimidatingly great at whatever, and there's some people who are embarrassingly hopeless and just make you feel good about yourself. 00:00:06.940 --> 00:00:09.339 And more often than not, we stick ourselves somewhere in the middle. 00:00:09.820 --> 00:00:12.580 And maybe you even do it in a group like this. 00:00:13.080 --> 00:00:24.800 You walk into church on a Sunday, and there are some people that you are just like so overwhelmed by how holy they seem, how godly they are, how impressive their Bible looks. 00:00:24.800 --> 00:00:30.859 And you're just intimidated to even be around them, and you sit there and think, I'm in a different category. 00:00:31.480 --> 00:00:40.420 Or maybe it's the other extreme, and you walk into church, and you see someone else walking near you, and you think, how can they call themselves a Christian and do that? 00:00:43.380 --> 00:00:49.659 Peter is doing his version of holiness appraisals in the passage that Jimmy just read out for us. 00:00:49.780 --> 00:00:51.840 And he's not actually doing it intentionally. 00:00:51.840 --> 00:01:01.880 He's not maliciously trying to rank people so that he can judge them, but he's going through the process of putting some people in the category of good and some people in the category of bad. 00:01:02.100 --> 00:01:11.719 What he's doing is he's cutting himself off from Gentile converts who haven't adhered to Jewish laws that he just agreed aren't important. 00:01:11.719 --> 00:01:19.959 So what's happened is just before this passage that was read out, you've got Paul the Apostle goes and meets with Peter and James and the other apostles in Jerusalem, 00:01:19.959 --> 00:01:29.000 and they have a conversation to the effect of, for somebody who's not a Jew, that's not one of God's chosen people, to be a legitimate Christian, what's required of them? 00:01:29.439 --> 00:01:33.019 And they all agree that the only thing that matters is that they trust Jesus. 00:01:33.019 --> 00:01:43.939 And then here, just a couple of verses later, Peter is sitting in a room having food with Jewish Christians and Gentile Christians, both of which have put their faith in Jesus. 00:01:43.939 --> 00:01:55.019 And what he's doing is not completely ignoring the Gentile converts, but just kind of separating himself out enough so that he's not getting tainted by their badness. 00:01:55.299 --> 00:02:03.539 So it's like after church, going out to supper and just making sure you're only with the good people, only with the people who are kind of like you. 00:02:04.879 --> 00:02:07.200 And Paul is furious about this. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:13.300 He's absolutely fuming to the point where he doesn't kind of pull Peter aside and have a quiet conversation. 00:02:13.300 --> 00:02:18.460 He goes for the public, you know, you've got to fix this, the loud and obvious rebuke. 00:02:18.540 --> 00:02:24.080 And the reason he's so angry is because just a few moments ago, they agreed on what the gospel was. 00:02:24.460 --> 00:02:26.780 They agreed on what the good news of Jesus was. 00:02:26.880 --> 00:02:30.040 And that good news comes from the beginning of Galatians chapter 1. 00:02:30.080 --> 00:02:31.480 I'll read to you just five verses. 00:02:32.160 --> 00:02:34.300 This is Paul's opening summary of the gospel. 00:02:35.220 --> 00:02:36.760 He says, Galatians 1 verse 1. 00:02:36.759 --> 00:03:06.699 So the gospel is Jesus died for sin. 00:03:07.639 --> 00:03:13.219 God raised him from the dead and grace and peace is on offer to those who trust him and follow him. 00:03:13.299 --> 00:03:16.659 That gospel, which Paul makes really clear is the only gospel. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:17.500 There's no other version. 00:03:17.599 --> 00:03:18.379 There's no substitute. 00:03:19.000 --> 00:03:21.419 That gospel doesn't leave room for the rankings. 00:03:22.239 --> 00:03:29.639 It doesn't leave room for someone like Peter to kind of show up and start pretending that one group is holier than another group. 00:03:30.039 --> 00:03:35.219 One group is more valid than another group because the gospel crushes pride in us. 00:03:35.219 --> 00:03:42.360 When we understand what the gospel means, it actually takes away the possibility of being proud of who we are as a Christian. 00:03:43.439 --> 00:03:52.020 See, the danger for us when we do these rankings is that we always see the sin of others as worse than our own. 00:03:52.020 --> 00:03:59.740 Whenever you hear about other people's sin, the response is shock and maybe a bit of gossip. 00:04:00.780 --> 00:04:01.980 It's sensational. 00:04:01.979 --> 00:04:05.859 But you don't notice it in yourself. 00:04:06.739 --> 00:04:11.439 Even Paul here, when he's challenging Peter, there in verse 15, he says, 00:04:11.439 --> 00:04:15.680 We who are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners. 00:04:16.399 --> 00:04:23.399 See, he's showing Peter that even by calling them Gentile sinners, it's like he's taking himself out of that category. 00:04:23.899 --> 00:04:28.480 It's like Peter's treating himself like he's not a sinner, like he doesn't need Jesus. 00:04:28.779 --> 00:04:30.480 And Paul is saying that's ridiculous. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:37.439 He's saying because Peter's busy looking at the inadequacy of the Gentiles. 00:04:37.540 --> 00:04:38.319 And let's be clear. 00:04:39.360 --> 00:04:40.960 The Gentiles are inadequate. 00:04:41.759 --> 00:04:43.259 They are not good enough. 00:04:43.879 --> 00:04:50.480 But the issue for Peter is because he's busy looking at them, he doesn't recognize that he's inadequate as well. 00:04:52.020 --> 00:04:54.259 That being a Jew actually makes no difference. 00:04:54.379 --> 00:04:55.700 It's not exciting for God. 00:04:56.259 --> 00:04:58.000 It's not exciting for God. 00:04:58.000 --> 00:05:05.540 And so we need to be careful that when we go into that automatic mode of ranking the good and bad people around us, 00:05:05.720 --> 00:05:12.000 whatever our motivation is, we need to be careful because as soon as we start looking down on the mistakes of other people, 00:05:12.439 --> 00:05:15.060 we lose the ability to see our own. 00:05:16.120 --> 00:05:18.399 We lose the ability to see our own issues. 00:05:19.139 --> 00:05:24.199 One of the things that frustrates me quite intensely in community life, 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:27.379 and there's lots of things because I'm an introvert and community life is just challenging, 00:05:27.379 --> 00:05:31.779 but one of the things that I find particularly difficult about community life is selfish people. 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:37.459 Like I hate seeing people who will just tread on everyone else to make sure they get what they want. 00:05:37.519 --> 00:05:39.420 It makes me just anger. 00:05:42.839 --> 00:05:47.639 But I don't even notice that in that moment I'm really annoyed because they're not doing what I think they should do. 00:05:47.639 --> 00:05:53.500 It doesn't for a second occur to me that my frustration is really about my own selfish desires 00:05:53.500 --> 00:05:56.279 and has nothing to do with the injustice being done to other people. 00:05:57.680 --> 00:06:00.879 When we're busy focusing on the sins of other people, 00:06:01.599 --> 00:06:05.579 we fail to see that we've got our own issues. 00:06:06.779 --> 00:06:10.360 We fail to see that the gospel is something that we desperately need as well. 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:13.980 Now, that doesn't mean there's no place for rebuke or correction 00:06:13.980 --> 00:06:18.759 because, you know, selfishness is still an issue for that person that's making me angry, 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:20.699 but the point is it's my issue as well. 00:06:21.340 --> 00:06:24.300 And if all I worry about is them, then I'm going to miss my issue. 00:06:24.340 --> 00:06:25.840 But it doesn't mean there can't be rebuke. 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:27.360 That's what Paul is doing here. 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:31.439 And he even gives us a good model of what it might look like to correct one another. 00:06:32.520 --> 00:06:34.460 So he reminds him in verse 16. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:37.100 I'll start from verse 15. 00:06:37.100 --> 00:07:01.140 Now, Paul's reminding him. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:05.460 He doesn't just say, Peter, you're being an idiot and you need to do this thing. 00:07:05.459 --> 00:07:07.919 He actually takes him back to the gospel. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:12.719 He reminds him that it was by faith for Peter, by faith for Paul. 00:07:12.839 --> 00:07:13.979 It's by faith for the Jews. 00:07:14.099 --> 00:07:15.620 It's by faith for the Gentiles. 00:07:16.299 --> 00:07:18.719 And so because of that, there's no distinction between them. 00:07:18.779 --> 00:07:22.519 There's no room for one to feel more worthy or less worthy 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:26.379 because that kind of pride is just delusional. 00:07:27.839 --> 00:07:32.000 That kind of pride is based on a warped perception of what's reality anyway. 00:07:32.000 --> 00:07:36.660 Because if you ever find yourself looking at someone else and thinking, 00:07:36.819 --> 00:07:38.879 man, I'm doing much better than them, 00:07:39.379 --> 00:07:42.879 you've got to understand you're not doing that well anyway. 00:07:43.300 --> 00:07:45.120 Even if you are doing better than them, 00:07:45.899 --> 00:07:49.120 your reality is you still need Jesus to die for you 00:07:49.120 --> 00:07:50.860 if you're going to be acceptable to God. 00:07:50.860 --> 00:07:55.540 When I spent time in hospital last year with my broken legs, 00:07:56.160 --> 00:07:58.900 I spent the first three or four days just stuck in my room, 00:07:59.460 --> 00:08:01.879 needing to ring the buzzer if I wanted to go to the toilet, 00:08:02.100 --> 00:08:04.280 ring the buzzer if I had an itch down the bottom of my legs, 00:08:04.420 --> 00:08:05.780 ring the buzzer if I wanted a shower. 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:07.720 Basically, absolutely dependent, 00:08:08.040 --> 00:08:10.759 absolutely contained, imprisoned in my hospital room. 00:08:11.280 --> 00:08:13.139 And it wasn't until about day three or four 00:08:13.139 --> 00:08:15.560 that they really generously got me a wheelchair, 00:08:16.259 --> 00:08:17.560 let me get into that wheelchair, 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:19.160 and start wheeling down the halls. 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:21.580 I was pretty excited about that freedom. 00:08:22.060 --> 00:08:25.640 And so as I'm kind of cruising down the hallways of the hospital, 00:08:25.760 --> 00:08:26.939 feeling pretty happy with myself, 00:08:27.240 --> 00:08:29.620 I'm just glancing into the doors of each hospital room 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:31.640 and these poor suckers, you know, 00:08:31.740 --> 00:08:34.840 covered in plaster and in traction and stuck in positions 00:08:34.840 --> 00:08:37.820 and can't get out and roam the halls like I can. 00:08:38.100 --> 00:08:40.519 And so I was feeling pretty good about my situation. 00:08:40.779 --> 00:08:43.779 And on one level, doing better than everyone else. 00:08:45.660 --> 00:08:47.960 But I was still stuck in a wheelchair. 00:08:49.159 --> 00:08:50.699 I still couldn't get down a set of stairs. 00:08:51.699 --> 00:08:56.519 I still couldn't dance or shower or stand up for that matter. 00:08:57.159 --> 00:08:59.399 I still had some serious issues that I had to deal with. 00:08:59.439 --> 00:09:01.240 I was still going to spend the next seven weeks being 00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:04.059 an absolutely disgraceful excuse for a husband and father, 00:09:04.579 --> 00:09:06.799 or at least having a reason why I was going to be a disgraceful 00:09:06.799 --> 00:09:08.379 excuse for a husband and father. 00:09:08.939 --> 00:09:11.039 I still was in a bad situation. 00:09:11.039 --> 00:09:13.059 But because I was so busy looking at everyone else, 00:09:13.059 --> 00:09:15.579 it's like I tricked myself into thinking my situation 00:09:15.579 --> 00:09:17.159 was better than it actually was. 00:09:17.159 --> 00:09:21.319 And see, we do that when all we do is measure ourselves 00:09:21.319 --> 00:09:22.419 against other people. 00:09:23.299 --> 00:09:25.600 The gospel impacts our relationships. 00:09:25.819 --> 00:09:28.579 But first and foremost, the gospel is a transaction 00:09:28.579 --> 00:09:29.740 between us and God. 00:09:30.699 --> 00:09:32.839 The gospel is the answer to the question, 00:09:33.019 --> 00:09:35.839 how can I possibly be loved by a God who is holy 00:09:35.839 --> 00:09:37.459 when I'm clearly not? 00:09:37.460 --> 00:09:42.160 And if we're giving ourselves a premature tick of approval 00:09:42.160 --> 00:09:44.019 because we're not as bad as someone else, 00:09:44.080 --> 00:09:44.960 we've missed the point. 00:09:46.639 --> 00:09:49.600 The gospel message that Jesus dies for sins 00:09:49.600 --> 00:09:55.139 has in brackets the harsh reality that he had to die 00:09:55.139 --> 00:09:56.220 because of your sins. 00:09:56.220 --> 00:10:00.019 And so we need to be careful 00:10:00.019 --> 00:10:03.240 that even when it comes to rebuking someone 00:10:03.240 --> 00:10:04.860 who is around us, who is in sin, 00:10:04.940 --> 00:10:06.980 that we don't do it from this elevated position 00:10:06.980 --> 00:10:08.600 where we just tell them that they're wrong. 00:10:09.200 --> 00:10:13.740 But like Paul, gospel rebuke is pointing to the gospel. 00:10:14.940 --> 00:10:16.519 Because when you point to the gospel, 00:10:16.620 --> 00:10:18.860 it's not possible to be prideful. 00:10:19.620 --> 00:10:22.419 Because as you point somebody to the reality 00:10:22.419 --> 00:10:24.820 that they need to trust Jesus and they're not good enough, 00:10:24.980 --> 00:10:26.680 in the process of doing that, 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:29.480 you're pointing to the fact that you need to trust Jesus 00:10:29.480 --> 00:10:30.980 because you're not good enough. 00:10:31.200 --> 00:10:33.100 And so it's not possible for you to suddenly feel 00:10:33.100 --> 00:10:35.300 like you're better than someone or more deserving. 00:10:36.659 --> 00:10:38.200 When you point to the gospel, 00:10:38.419 --> 00:10:41.139 you proclaim that you are someone who is sinful, 00:10:41.779 --> 00:10:43.480 who is not worthy of God's love, 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:45.860 but who God loves anyway in Jesus. 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:48.919 And it protects us from pride. 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:51.539 There are no perfect Christians, 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:54.100 just forgiven sinners. 00:10:55.340 --> 00:10:57.019 You, me and everyone else. 00:10:57.820 --> 00:11:01.100 And so there's no possibility of looking down on someone. 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:04.440 When you look to the gospel, 00:11:05.039 --> 00:11:06.879 you realize we are all imperfect. 00:11:07.419 --> 00:11:08.740 We all need Jesus. 00:11:10.680 --> 00:11:13.159 The thing that drove Peter to be prideful 00:11:13.159 --> 00:11:14.620 in the way he was treating these people 00:11:14.620 --> 00:11:15.820 was actually fear. 00:11:17.899 --> 00:11:19.220 Have a look at verse 12. 00:11:20.279 --> 00:11:22.220 Before certain men came from James, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:23.879 and James is kind of representative 00:11:23.879 --> 00:11:25.620 of the official church in Jerusalem. 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.919 So before people came down from there, 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:30.899 he, Peter, used to eat with the Gentiles. 00:11:31.299 --> 00:11:32.379 But when they arrived, 00:11:32.480 --> 00:11:33.560 he began to draw back 00:11:33.560 --> 00:11:35.659 and separate himself from the Gentiles 00:11:35.659 --> 00:11:38.120 because he was afraid of those 00:11:38.120 --> 00:11:40.100 who belonged to the circumcision group. 00:11:41.000 --> 00:11:42.519 So he was eating with them. 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:43.980 He was treating them like equal. 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:45.720 But then he shifts his behavior 00:11:45.720 --> 00:11:47.000 because he's scared 00:11:47.000 --> 00:11:48.899 of what a particular group of people 00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:49.759 will think of him. 00:11:51.860 --> 00:11:53.980 See, not only is there a group for Peter 00:11:53.980 --> 00:11:55.279 that are clearly lower than him, 00:11:55.319 --> 00:11:57.000 there's also a group that are higher than him. 00:11:57.319 --> 00:11:59.120 There's also the legitimate Christians, 00:11:59.340 --> 00:12:00.500 you know, the hardcore ones 00:12:00.500 --> 00:12:01.579 who know memory verses 00:12:01.579 --> 00:12:02.620 and, you know, 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:04.819 just carry their Bibles all the time 00:12:04.819 --> 00:12:07.179 so that you know just how godly they are. 00:12:07.179 --> 00:12:08.979 And when they turn up, 00:12:09.059 --> 00:12:09.799 he wants to make sure 00:12:09.799 --> 00:12:11.179 he's ticking their boxes. 00:12:12.019 --> 00:12:12.959 He wants to make sure 00:12:12.959 --> 00:12:14.339 they think he's legitimate. 00:12:15.859 --> 00:12:17.439 He's become so distracted 00:12:17.439 --> 00:12:19.979 by worrying about what they think 00:12:19.979 --> 00:12:23.519 that he's stopped remembering 00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:25.239 that the only opinion 00:12:25.239 --> 00:12:26.939 that's actually important anyway is God. 00:12:27.899 --> 00:12:29.259 That the whole point of the gospel 00:12:29.259 --> 00:12:30.599 and being a Christian 00:12:30.599 --> 00:12:31.759 is not to impress people, 00:12:31.859 --> 00:12:34.120 but to get your relationship 00:12:34.120 --> 00:12:35.419 with God fixed up. 00:12:35.419 --> 00:12:38.500 He's had his perspective skewed. 00:12:39.299 --> 00:12:40.979 And I wonder if it's possible 00:12:40.979 --> 00:12:42.379 that maybe that's happened 00:12:42.379 --> 00:12:43.159 for you as well. 00:12:44.339 --> 00:12:45.319 If you're somebody 00:12:45.319 --> 00:12:47.059 who walks in here to church each week 00:12:47.059 --> 00:12:49.059 and does just kind of gasp 00:12:49.059 --> 00:12:51.120 at the halo that's, you know, 00:12:51.179 --> 00:12:52.360 above some people's heads, 00:12:52.879 --> 00:12:54.599 the ones who are just extra nice 00:12:54.599 --> 00:12:56.659 and just always serving 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:58.399 and just always knowing the answers 00:12:58.399 --> 00:12:59.199 in the small groups 00:12:59.199 --> 00:13:02.199 and you do just feel insecure around them 00:13:02.199 --> 00:13:03.639 because they just must be 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.959 more impressive to God. 00:13:05.419 --> 00:13:08.519 See, the danger is 00:13:08.519 --> 00:13:09.659 when you get in that position, 00:13:10.179 --> 00:13:12.139 the way we respond to insecurity 00:13:12.139 --> 00:13:13.500 is with judgment. 00:13:14.699 --> 00:13:15.879 Because we're worried 00:13:15.879 --> 00:13:17.419 and we're putting in extra effort 00:13:17.419 --> 00:13:18.599 to try and tick the boxes, 00:13:19.099 --> 00:13:20.620 we demand that extra effort 00:13:20.620 --> 00:13:21.779 from other people as well. 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.379 So instead of saying, 00:13:23.459 --> 00:13:24.819 all you need to do is trust Jesus, 00:13:24.919 --> 00:13:25.799 we say, all you need to do 00:13:25.799 --> 00:13:26.519 is trust Jesus 00:13:26.519 --> 00:13:27.659 and learn these verses 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.919 and be at church every week 00:13:28.919 --> 00:13:30.559 and serve in at least three ministries 00:13:30.559 --> 00:13:32.559 that require a minimum of six hours 00:13:32.559 --> 00:13:33.879 of your personal time each week 00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:35.259 and give this amount of your money. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:39.659 We just project our own insecurity 00:13:39.659 --> 00:13:42.379 and demand the equivalent of other people. 00:13:44.179 --> 00:13:45.460 And so I want to ask you, 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:48.460 have you added to the gospel's demands 00:13:48.460 --> 00:13:49.179 for yourself? 00:13:49.179 --> 00:13:52.779 Are you actually holding yourself accountable 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:54.199 to standards that God doesn't? 00:13:56.799 --> 00:13:58.739 Are you feeling guilty about things 00:13:58.739 --> 00:14:00.059 that God is not forcing you 00:14:00.059 --> 00:14:00.959 to feel guilty about? 00:14:02.959 --> 00:14:04.759 And I guess the second question is, 00:14:04.839 --> 00:14:06.559 are you doing that for other people? 00:14:06.559 --> 00:14:12.000 The gospel message 00:14:12.000 --> 00:14:13.479 that Jesus died for sins 00:14:13.479 --> 00:14:14.219 and rose again 00:14:14.219 --> 00:14:15.279 and that grace and peace 00:14:15.279 --> 00:14:16.279 is on offer for those 00:14:16.279 --> 00:14:17.419 who put their faith in him 00:14:17.419 --> 00:14:19.459 is not an abstract truth. 00:14:20.579 --> 00:14:22.099 It's something that changes 00:14:22.099 --> 00:14:23.399 our lives practically. 00:14:24.259 --> 00:14:25.179 It changes the way 00:14:25.179 --> 00:14:26.119 that we view ourselves. 00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.079 It changes the way 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:28.539 that we understand 00:14:28.539 --> 00:14:29.699 our relationship with God 00:14:29.699 --> 00:14:31.039 and it changes the way 00:14:31.039 --> 00:14:32.319 we understand our relationships 00:14:32.319 --> 00:14:33.119 with one another. 00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:36.179 See, Paul's issue with Peter 00:14:36.179 --> 00:14:37.240 in this whole passage 00:14:37.240 --> 00:14:38.580 is there in verse 14. 00:14:39.860 --> 00:14:40.100 He says, 00:14:40.200 --> 00:14:41.879 When I saw that they were not acting 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.179 in line with the truth 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:43.899 of the gospel, 00:14:45.159 --> 00:14:46.779 I said to Peter in front of them all, 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:47.539 You are a Jew, 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.960 yet you live like a Gentile, 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:49.820 not like a Jew. 00:14:50.159 --> 00:14:50.840 How is it then 00:14:50.840 --> 00:14:52.039 that you force Gentiles 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:53.620 to follow Jewish customs? 00:14:54.360 --> 00:14:54.539 He says, 00:14:54.620 --> 00:14:55.580 What Peter's doing, 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:56.659 adding standards 00:14:56.659 --> 00:14:57.399 that are required, 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:58.419 adding requirements 00:14:58.419 --> 00:14:59.200 for these people, 00:14:59.659 --> 00:15:01.000 is not in line 00:15:01.000 --> 00:15:01.620 with the gospel. 00:15:01.620 --> 00:15:03.480 It's not part of the message 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.960 that Jesus died for sinners. 00:15:06.179 --> 00:15:07.500 The gospel changes 00:15:07.500 --> 00:15:08.940 the way we view ourselves 00:15:08.940 --> 00:15:12.179 in our relationship with God 00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.480 and it must change 00:15:13.480 --> 00:15:14.379 the way that we view 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.919 the people around us as well, 00:15:16.960 --> 00:15:18.840 both Christian and unchristian. 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:22.940 The gospel doesn't leave us 00:15:22.940 --> 00:15:24.179 any room for rankings. 00:15:25.320 --> 00:15:26.680 It doesn't leave room 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:27.820 for better and worse 00:15:27.820 --> 00:15:29.299 when it comes to following Jesus. 00:15:29.299 --> 00:15:31.859 Here, Paul and Peter's issue 00:15:31.859 --> 00:15:32.479 is that the Jew 00:15:32.479 --> 00:15:33.559 and the Gentile division 00:15:33.559 --> 00:15:34.120 is gone. 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.919 The Jews who are God's people 00:15:35.919 --> 00:15:36.939 and then the Gentiles 00:15:36.939 --> 00:15:38.259 who weren't quite God's people, 00:15:38.419 --> 00:15:39.419 that's gone. 00:15:39.979 --> 00:15:40.639 In Jesus, 00:15:40.799 --> 00:15:41.799 God's people are those 00:15:41.799 --> 00:15:43.240 who trust what He has done 00:15:43.240 --> 00:15:44.179 to offer forgiveness. 00:15:44.679 --> 00:15:45.459 And so for us, 00:15:45.539 --> 00:15:46.279 we need to let go 00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:46.959 of the things 00:15:46.959 --> 00:15:48.620 that maybe we think 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:49.419 are really important. 00:15:51.179 --> 00:15:52.879 So if you've been grown up 00:15:52.879 --> 00:15:53.959 in a Christian family, 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:55.059 that's fantastic, 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:57.479 but it makes no difference 00:15:57.479 --> 00:15:58.859 when it comes to the way 00:15:58.859 --> 00:15:59.579 God views you. 00:16:01.679 --> 00:16:02.859 If you know stacks 00:16:02.859 --> 00:16:03.619 of memory verses, 00:16:03.779 --> 00:16:05.339 if you're the smartest Bible person 00:16:05.339 --> 00:16:06.279 in this whole room, 00:16:06.339 --> 00:16:07.159 that's fantastic, 00:16:07.459 --> 00:16:08.679 but it makes no difference 00:16:08.679 --> 00:16:09.859 to how much God loves you. 00:16:11.500 --> 00:16:12.599 If you are serving 00:16:12.599 --> 00:16:13.559 in every ministry 00:16:13.559 --> 00:16:15.159 that we do in this church, 00:16:15.199 --> 00:16:15.899 that's great, 00:16:16.619 --> 00:16:18.039 but it makes no difference 00:16:18.039 --> 00:16:19.479 to how much God loves you. 00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:23.259 the only thing 00:16:23.259 --> 00:16:24.060 that matters, 00:16:25.920 --> 00:16:27.139 the clear message 00:16:27.139 --> 00:16:27.940 of the gospel, 00:16:29.500 --> 00:16:32.740 is that we know 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.100 a person is justified 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:35.720 by faith in Christ 00:16:35.720 --> 00:16:38.340 and not by observing the law. 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:41.920 We know that we are only forgiven 00:16:41.920 --> 00:16:42.740 because of Jesus, 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:44.120 because we've tasted 00:16:44.120 --> 00:16:45.320 that grace in our lives. 00:16:45.379 --> 00:16:46.080 We've experienced 00:16:46.080 --> 00:16:46.779 what it's like 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:47.580 to actually say. 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.920 Maybe you only remember 00:16:48.919 --> 00:16:50.559 just one time in your life 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.059 where you said, 00:16:51.139 --> 00:16:52.479 God, I know I'm not good enough, 00:16:52.559 --> 00:16:53.439 but I need your forgiveness, 00:16:53.599 --> 00:16:54.879 and you felt what it was 00:16:54.879 --> 00:16:55.919 to have the weight lifted. 00:16:56.399 --> 00:16:57.579 You felt what it was 00:16:57.579 --> 00:16:59.379 to be loved unconditionally. 00:17:00.120 --> 00:17:01.039 Maybe you've doubted it, 00:17:01.099 --> 00:17:02.120 maybe you've been distracted 00:17:02.120 --> 00:17:02.919 by other things, 00:17:03.039 --> 00:17:04.740 but you have at some point, 00:17:04.799 --> 00:17:05.440 if you're a Christian, 00:17:05.579 --> 00:17:07.299 experienced grace, 00:17:08.099 --> 00:17:09.299 and you know 00:17:09.299 --> 00:17:10.359 that you did nothing 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.119 to earn it. 00:17:12.680 --> 00:17:13.639 We know 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.799 that a person 00:17:14.799 --> 00:17:16.000 can only be made 00:17:16.000 --> 00:17:17.200 acceptable to God 00:17:17.200 --> 00:17:18.880 by trusting in Jesus. 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:21.759 And so there's no room 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:22.240 for ranking. 00:17:23.160 --> 00:17:24.120 We're all trusting 00:17:24.120 --> 00:17:24.980 the same thing. 00:17:25.200 --> 00:17:26.440 We're all depending on Jesus 00:17:26.440 --> 00:17:27.140 just as much 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:28.140 as the next person. 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:29.519 And so we need 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.340 to ask ourselves 00:17:30.340 --> 00:17:30.960 the question, 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.759 how are we doing 00:17:32.759 --> 00:17:33.220 at this? 00:17:34.360 --> 00:17:35.180 How are we doing 00:17:35.180 --> 00:17:36.080 in our relationships 00:17:36.080 --> 00:17:36.860 with one another? 00:17:38.740 --> 00:17:39.519 Are we letting 00:17:39.519 --> 00:17:40.360 insecurity 00:17:40.360 --> 00:17:41.340 and intimidation 00:17:41.340 --> 00:17:43.200 by the super holy ones 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.980 mean that we're not honest 00:17:44.980 --> 00:17:46.059 about how we're going 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:47.019 or who we really are? 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.539 Are we letting pride 00:17:50.539 --> 00:17:51.799 and this sense 00:17:51.799 --> 00:17:52.599 of looking down 00:17:52.599 --> 00:17:53.919 on the less godly 00:17:53.919 --> 00:17:55.859 affect who it is 00:17:55.859 --> 00:17:56.279 we're willing 00:17:56.279 --> 00:17:57.279 to spend time with 00:17:57.279 --> 00:17:58.519 at church 00:17:58.519 --> 00:17:59.279 or during supper? 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.799 Because the gospel 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:03.659 doesn't leave room 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.159 for that. 00:18:05.240 --> 00:18:06.240 Where you struggle 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:07.220 with that pride, 00:18:07.419 --> 00:18:08.599 Jesus brings humility 00:18:08.599 --> 00:18:10.359 because he says, 00:18:10.460 --> 00:18:10.839 no, no, no, 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:11.500 you need me 00:18:11.500 --> 00:18:12.099 just as much 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.700 as that person 00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.700 that you're looking at now. 00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.940 Where you struggle 00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:16.880 with insecurity, 00:18:17.140 --> 00:18:17.860 Jesus gives you 00:18:17.860 --> 00:18:18.460 confidence 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:19.519 and security 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.140 because he says, 00:18:20.240 --> 00:18:20.640 no, no, no, 00:18:20.640 --> 00:18:21.240 that person 00:18:21.240 --> 00:18:21.920 that's impressive 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:22.319 over there 00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:22.900 needs me 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:23.539 just as much 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.039 as you do. 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:28.279 What Jesus does 00:18:28.279 --> 00:18:28.980 in his death 00:18:28.980 --> 00:18:29.580 and resurrection 00:18:29.580 --> 00:18:30.279 is give us 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:31.660 a rich unity 00:18:31.660 --> 00:18:32.480 and a fellowship. 00:18:33.319 --> 00:18:33.819 He gives us 00:18:33.819 --> 00:18:34.480 the opportunity 00:18:34.480 --> 00:18:35.759 to have deep 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.440 relationships 00:18:36.440 --> 00:18:37.420 far richer 00:18:37.420 --> 00:18:38.080 than what anyone 00:18:38.080 --> 00:18:38.920 else in the world 00:18:38.920 --> 00:18:39.580 can enjoy 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:41.599 because we don't 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.119 have to have 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:42.699 relationships 00:18:42.699 --> 00:18:43.599 that are dictated 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:45.139 by what can I get? 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:46.099 How much 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.740 will this person 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:47.279 love me? 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.679 What does this person 00:18:48.679 --> 00:18:49.279 think of me? 00:18:49.319 --> 00:18:49.819 We can have 00:18:49.819 --> 00:18:50.339 relationships 00:18:50.339 --> 00:18:51.319 that start 00:18:51.319 --> 00:18:51.759 at the point 00:18:51.759 --> 00:18:52.199 of saying, 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.259 regardless of 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.699 what this person 00:18:53.699 --> 00:18:54.220 thinks of me, 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:54.939 how they treat me, 00:18:55.059 --> 00:18:55.720 God loves me 00:18:55.720 --> 00:18:56.379 unconditionally. 00:18:57.359 --> 00:18:58.079 What the gospel 00:18:58.079 --> 00:18:58.899 does is kind of 00:18:58.899 --> 00:19:00.059 take away the needs 00:19:00.059 --> 00:19:00.639 that normally 00:19:00.639 --> 00:19:01.919 drive our relationships 00:19:01.919 --> 00:19:04.059 and releases us 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:04.500 to be able 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.379 to be generous, 00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.000 giving, 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:07.279 trustworthy people. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.579 We don't have 00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.259 to pretend 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:10.940 that we're more 00:19:10.940 --> 00:19:12.019 godly than we are 00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:14.079 because God says 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:15.660 the only thing 00:19:15.660 --> 00:19:16.039 that matters 00:19:16.039 --> 00:19:16.519 when it comes 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.079 to being loved 00:19:17.079 --> 00:19:17.559 by me 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:19.139 is Jesus. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.059 This week 00:19:22.059 --> 00:19:23.019 we are launching 00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:23.960 into Activate 00:19:23.960 --> 00:19:25.819 and we've already 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.480 said it's about 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.099 the opportunity 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.920 to join community 00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.220 groups, 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:28.759 the opportunity 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:29.379 to serve. 00:19:33.960 --> 00:19:34.779 Community groups 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:35.319 are more than 00:19:35.319 --> 00:19:35.920 just a box 00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:36.359 to tick 00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:36.839 when it comes 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:37.160 to being 00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:37.960 part of a church. 00:19:40.440 --> 00:19:41.019 Imagine what 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.700 it would be like 00:19:41.700 --> 00:19:42.540 to gather 00:19:42.540 --> 00:19:43.019 with a group 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.440 of people 00:19:43.440 --> 00:19:44.080 each week 00:19:44.080 --> 00:19:45.380 who were able 00:19:45.380 --> 00:19:45.960 to walk in 00:19:45.960 --> 00:19:46.500 and just be 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.400 completely honest 00:19:47.400 --> 00:19:47.779 about how 00:19:47.779 --> 00:19:48.259 they were going. 00:19:49.320 --> 00:19:49.860 Were able to 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:50.480 walk in and say, 00:19:50.560 --> 00:19:50.860 you know what, 00:19:50.880 --> 00:19:51.320 I'm having 00:19:51.320 --> 00:19:52.240 the worst week 00:19:52.240 --> 00:19:52.860 or month 00:19:52.860 --> 00:19:53.980 or term 00:19:53.980 --> 00:19:54.640 or year 00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:55.860 or decade 00:19:55.860 --> 00:19:56.620 of my Christian 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.380 life so far. 00:19:58.600 --> 00:19:59.680 I just feel dry. 00:20:00.300 --> 00:20:00.779 I just feel 00:20:00.779 --> 00:20:01.519 unmotivated. 00:20:02.820 --> 00:20:03.320 Imagine what 00:20:03.320 --> 00:20:03.860 it would be like 00:20:03.860 --> 00:20:04.420 when you're feeling 00:20:04.420 --> 00:20:04.840 like to be able 00:20:04.840 --> 00:20:05.360 to walk in 00:20:05.360 --> 00:20:06.040 and just drop it 00:20:06.040 --> 00:20:06.340 and know 00:20:06.339 --> 00:20:06.819 that no one's 00:20:06.819 --> 00:20:07.079 going to go, 00:20:07.199 --> 00:20:07.359 ooh. 00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.919 No one's going 00:20:08.919 --> 00:20:09.619 to start texting 00:20:09.619 --> 00:20:10.119 it to their 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:10.779 friends to say, 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.539 oh, this person's 00:20:11.539 --> 00:20:12.439 doing bad. 00:20:13.039 --> 00:20:13.599 All they're going 00:20:13.599 --> 00:20:14.000 to do is 00:20:14.000 --> 00:20:14.980 remind you 00:20:14.980 --> 00:20:16.279 that God 00:20:16.279 --> 00:20:16.819 still loves you 00:20:16.819 --> 00:20:17.379 now as much 00:20:17.379 --> 00:20:17.720 as he did 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.179 the day that 00:20:18.179 --> 00:20:18.599 you decided 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.179 to follow him. 00:20:20.619 --> 00:20:21.139 Wouldn't it be 00:20:21.139 --> 00:20:22.039 amazing to walk 00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:22.879 into a room 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:23.319 with a group 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:23.740 of people 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.159 and be able 00:20:24.159 --> 00:20:24.439 to say, 00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.059 I did this 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.579 thing and it 00:20:25.579 --> 00:20:27.039 is shameful 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:28.059 and embarrassing 00:20:28.059 --> 00:20:28.779 and wrong 00:20:28.779 --> 00:20:31.859 and know 00:20:31.859 --> 00:20:32.319 that even 00:20:32.319 --> 00:20:32.799 if people 00:20:32.799 --> 00:20:33.720 respond badly, 00:20:34.359 --> 00:20:36.119 God still 00:20:36.119 --> 00:20:36.579 loves you 00:20:36.579 --> 00:20:37.240 unconditionally. 00:20:38.059 --> 00:20:38.639 So you don't 00:20:38.639 --> 00:20:39.299 have to fake it. 00:20:39.359 --> 00:20:39.639 You don't have 00:20:39.639 --> 00:20:40.160 to water it 00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:40.359 down. 00:20:40.460 --> 00:20:40.599 You don't 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:40.980 have to make 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.379 it sound 00:20:41.379 --> 00:20:41.759 better than 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.059 it was. 00:20:42.119 --> 00:20:42.319 You can 00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:42.680 just say, 00:20:42.740 --> 00:20:43.139 I stuffed 00:20:43.139 --> 00:20:44.379 up and I'm 00:20:44.379 --> 00:20:44.859 thankful that 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.279 God loves 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:45.759 me anyway. 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.579 The gift 00:20:48.579 --> 00:20:49.319 of being in 00:20:49.319 --> 00:20:50.200 Christian fellowship 00:20:50.200 --> 00:20:50.819 is not that 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.299 you're surrounded 00:20:51.299 --> 00:20:51.799 by people 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.319 who are like 00:20:52.319 --> 00:20:52.579 you, 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:55.399 but that 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:55.980 even though 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:56.500 you're surrounded 00:20:56.500 --> 00:20:56.980 by people 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:57.220 who are 00:20:57.220 --> 00:20:57.619 completely 00:20:57.619 --> 00:20:58.220 different to 00:20:58.220 --> 00:20:58.480 you, 00:20:59.220 --> 00:20:59.839 you have 00:20:59.839 --> 00:21:00.539 one really 00:21:00.539 --> 00:21:01.119 important thing 00:21:01.119 --> 00:21:01.539 in common. 00:21:03.779 --> 00:21:04.439 You are 00:21:04.439 --> 00:21:05.199 loved by God 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:05.659 because of 00:21:05.659 --> 00:21:06.279 Jesus and 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:06.779 for no other 00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:07.139 reason. 00:21:10.740 --> 00:21:11.319 Wouldn't it 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:11.899 be amazing 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:12.539 to be part 00:21:12.539 --> 00:21:13.259 of a community 00:21:13.259 --> 00:21:15.139 that knew 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:15.559 as its 00:21:15.559 --> 00:21:16.879 baseline truth, 00:21:17.279 --> 00:21:17.740 as its 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.399 foundational 00:21:18.399 --> 00:21:19.019 reality, 00:21:19.539 --> 00:21:20.419 that all 00:21:20.419 --> 00:21:21.139 are justified 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:22.000 by faith in 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:22.439 Christ? 00:21:23.159 --> 00:21:23.619 No matter 00:21:23.619 --> 00:21:24.299 what anyone's 00:21:24.299 --> 00:21:24.619 done, 00:21:25.339 --> 00:21:25.799 no matter 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.099 what we 00:21:26.099 --> 00:21:26.659 might do, 00:21:26.839 --> 00:21:27.059 no matter 00:21:27.059 --> 00:21:27.659 what mistakes 00:21:27.659 --> 00:21:28.019 we've made, 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.259 no matter 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.539 what we're 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.119 doing now, 00:21:30.639 --> 00:21:31.019 equally 00:21:31.019 --> 00:21:31.539 loved, 00:21:33.099 --> 00:21:33.480 equally 00:21:33.480 --> 00:21:34.000 dependent 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.639 on Jesus. 00:21:38.519 --> 00:21:38.960 Wouldn't 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:39.599 it be amazing 00:21:39.599 --> 00:21:40.039 to be able 00:21:40.039 --> 00:21:40.460 to invite 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:41.059 that person 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:41.639 from school 00:21:41.639 --> 00:21:42.240 or work 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.179 along to 00:21:43.179 --> 00:21:43.839 this community 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.579 knowing that 00:21:44.579 --> 00:21:45.139 there is 00:21:45.139 --> 00:21:45.859 nothing about 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.460 them that 00:21:46.460 --> 00:21:46.839 could make 00:21:46.839 --> 00:21:47.199 us look 00:21:47.199 --> 00:21:47.559 down on 00:21:47.559 --> 00:21:47.740 them? 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.619 Knowing that 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:49.960 when they 00:21:49.960 --> 00:21:50.319 walked in 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:50.639 the room 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:50.980 they would 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.759 feel completely 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.240 at home 00:21:52.240 --> 00:21:52.740 because they'd 00:21:52.740 --> 00:21:53.200 be surrounded 00:21:53.200 --> 00:21:53.700 by a bunch 00:21:53.700 --> 00:21:54.120 of people 00:21:54.120 --> 00:21:54.720 who were 00:21:54.720 --> 00:21:55.200 honest about 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.660 the fact that 00:21:55.660 --> 00:21:56.039 we're not as 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.380 good as we 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.660 like to 00:21:56.660 --> 00:21:57.099 pretend we 00:21:57.099 --> 00:21:57.299 are. 00:21:58.819 --> 00:21:59.079 I mean 00:21:59.079 --> 00:22:00.380 sometimes as 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:01.220 Christians we're 00:22:01.220 --> 00:22:01.759 known as the 00:22:01.759 --> 00:22:02.660 moral police 00:22:02.660 --> 00:22:05.059 which means not 00:22:05.059 --> 00:22:06.140 only do we rank 00:22:06.140 --> 00:22:06.799 one another but 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:07.640 we stand in the 00:22:07.640 --> 00:22:08.279 world that we're a 00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:08.980 part of and rank 00:22:08.980 --> 00:22:09.700 ourselves against 00:22:09.700 --> 00:22:10.079 them. 00:22:10.880 --> 00:22:11.579 But the gospel 00:22:11.579 --> 00:22:12.079 doesn't leave 00:22:12.079 --> 00:22:12.940 space for that. 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.059 The gospel 00:22:15.059 --> 00:22:17.819 says God 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.359 loves you in 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.200 spite of who you 00:22:19.200 --> 00:22:19.920 are not because 00:22:19.920 --> 00:22:20.360 of who you 00:22:20.360 --> 00:22:20.580 are. 00:22:22.160 --> 00:22:22.779 God loves 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.360 you in spite 00:22:23.360 --> 00:22:23.720 of all the 00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:24.080 things that 00:22:24.080 --> 00:22:24.519 you try and 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:25.140 keep secret. 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.980 If we want 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.360 the world 00:22:28.360 --> 00:22:28.880 around us, 00:22:28.920 --> 00:22:29.240 if we want 00:22:29.240 --> 00:22:29.660 the people 00:22:29.660 --> 00:22:30.000 in our 00:22:30.000 --> 00:22:30.440 lives to 00:22:30.440 --> 00:22:30.960 know just 00:22:30.960 --> 00:22:31.600 how amazing 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.000 the love 00:22:32.000 --> 00:22:32.360 of God 00:22:32.360 --> 00:22:32.720 is, 00:22:33.539 --> 00:22:33.920 then we've 00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:34.160 got to be 00:22:34.160 --> 00:22:34.700 willing to 00:22:34.700 --> 00:22:35.299 be honest 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:36.500 about just 00:22:36.500 --> 00:22:37.120 how unworthy 00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:37.660 of that love 00:22:37.660 --> 00:22:38.039 we are. 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:41.900 Imagine what 00:22:41.900 --> 00:22:42.160 it would be 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:42.740 like to be 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:43.160 part of a 00:22:43.160 --> 00:22:43.620 group like 00:22:43.620 --> 00:22:43.920 that. 00:22:46.220 --> 00:22:46.759 But don't 00:22:46.759 --> 00:22:47.339 just imagine, 00:22:48.220 --> 00:22:49.299 let me give 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:49.519 you the 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.000 challenge. 00:22:51.379 --> 00:22:52.099 Maybe tonight, 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:52.619 maybe next 00:22:52.619 --> 00:22:52.799 week, 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.140 maybe the 00:22:53.140 --> 00:22:53.619 week after, 00:22:53.720 --> 00:22:53.920 you're going 00:22:53.920 --> 00:22:54.400 to sign up 00:22:54.400 --> 00:22:54.740 for a 00:22:54.740 --> 00:22:55.039 community 00:22:55.039 --> 00:22:55.359 group, 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.099 or at 00:22:56.099 --> 00:22:56.319 least I 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:56.619 hope you 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:56.799 are. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:22:59.400 Why don't 00:22:59.400 --> 00:22:59.819 you be the 00:22:59.819 --> 00:23:00.160 one who 00:23:00.160 --> 00:23:00.900 initiates this 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:01.299 sort of a 00:23:01.299 --> 00:23:01.619 community? 00:23:03.559 --> 00:23:04.180 Why don't 00:23:04.180 --> 00:23:04.779 you be the 00:23:04.779 --> 00:23:05.140 one who 00:23:05.140 --> 00:23:05.839 grabs hold 00:23:05.839 --> 00:23:06.160 of the 00:23:06.160 --> 00:23:06.539 absolute 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.460 security you 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:07.839 have in 00:23:07.839 --> 00:23:09.019 Jesus and 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:09.599 be completely 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.039 honest? 00:23:11.240 --> 00:23:11.839 Each week 00:23:11.839 --> 00:23:12.099 when you 00:23:12.099 --> 00:23:12.500 show up, 00:23:12.619 --> 00:23:12.940 say how 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:13.299 you feel, 00:23:14.920 --> 00:23:15.420 confess the 00:23:15.420 --> 00:23:15.980 mistakes you've 00:23:15.980 --> 00:23:16.200 made, 00:23:16.759 --> 00:23:18.039 be gracious 00:23:18.039 --> 00:23:18.500 to those 00:23:18.500 --> 00:23:18.940 around you 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.119 who've 00:23:19.119 --> 00:23:19.299 made 00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.839 mistakes, 00:23:20.740 --> 00:23:24.079 and begin 00:23:24.079 --> 00:23:24.500 to get a 00:23:24.500 --> 00:23:26.940 glimpse of 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.440 just how 00:23:27.440 --> 00:23:28.119 good it is 00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.480 when the 00:23:28.480 --> 00:23:29.460 gospel shapes 00:23:29.460 --> 00:23:30.400 everything, 00:23:32.200 --> 00:23:32.740 shapes the 00:23:32.740 --> 00:23:33.200 way we view 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:33.799 ourselves, 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.480 shapes the 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.099 confidence we 00:23:36.099 --> 00:23:36.680 have to stand 00:23:36.680 --> 00:23:37.319 before God, 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:39.099 and shapes the 00:23:39.099 --> 00:23:39.599 way that we 00:23:39.599 --> 00:23:40.420 love and serve 00:23:40.420 --> 00:23:40.900 one another. 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.220 Let's pray. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:48.799 Father God, 00:23:48.859 --> 00:23:49.140 we want to 00:23:49.140 --> 00:23:49.640 come before 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:49.940 you and 00:23:49.940 --> 00:23:50.660 admit that 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.920 as amazing 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.299 as this 00:23:52.299 --> 00:23:52.599 sounds, 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:52.920 it's not 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.279 easy, 00:23:54.079 --> 00:23:55.619 that we're 00:23:55.619 --> 00:23:55.980 quick to 00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.259 doubt, 00:23:56.339 --> 00:23:56.599 we're quick 00:23:56.599 --> 00:23:56.839 to get 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.400 nervous when 00:23:57.400 --> 00:23:57.839 other people 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.460 judge us, 00:23:58.839 --> 00:23:59.559 we quickly 00:23:59.559 --> 00:24:00.180 fall into the 00:24:00.180 --> 00:24:00.619 trap of 00:24:00.619 --> 00:24:01.039 looking down 00:24:01.039 --> 00:24:01.339 on other 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:01.980 people because 00:24:01.980 --> 00:24:02.680 it seems like 00:24:02.680 --> 00:24:03.359 a quick fix 00:24:03.359 --> 00:24:03.839 to our own 00:24:03.839 --> 00:24:04.500 insecurities, 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:04.619 things. 00:24:06.259 --> 00:24:06.940 But God, 00:24:06.980 --> 00:24:07.599 we just ask 00:24:07.599 --> 00:24:08.019 that you would 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.660 bring us back 00:24:08.660 --> 00:24:09.279 to the gospel 00:24:09.279 --> 00:24:09.759 in those 00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:10.259 moments, 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.900 bring us back 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.500 to our need 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:12.900 for you, 00:24:13.740 --> 00:24:14.460 bring us back 00:24:14.460 --> 00:24:14.839 to your 00:24:14.839 --> 00:24:15.279 abundant 00:24:15.279 --> 00:24:15.839 provision, 00:24:16.380 --> 00:24:16.759 to the 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.500 irreversible 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.019 love and 00:24:18.019 --> 00:24:18.420 forgiveness 00:24:18.420 --> 00:24:18.839 that you 00:24:18.839 --> 00:24:19.480 have offered 00:24:19.480 --> 00:24:20.319 and purchased 00:24:20.319 --> 00:24:21.019 for us in 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.339 Jesus. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:23.480 God, 00:24:23.539 --> 00:24:24.099 I pray that 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.359 you would 00:24:24.359 --> 00:24:25.140 mark us 00:24:25.140 --> 00:24:25.720 as a church 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.440 family by 00:24:27.440 --> 00:24:28.119 that absolute 00:24:28.119 --> 00:24:29.099 humility that 00:24:29.099 --> 00:24:29.619 comes from 00:24:29.619 --> 00:24:30.099 grace. 00:24:31.380 --> 00:24:31.960 May we show 00:24:31.960 --> 00:24:32.680 grace to one 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.019 another, 00:24:33.420 --> 00:24:33.980 may we show 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:34.539 grace to 00:24:34.539 --> 00:24:35.019 people who 00:24:35.019 --> 00:24:35.539 enter this 00:24:35.539 --> 00:24:35.880 building, 00:24:36.019 --> 00:24:36.680 who don't 00:24:36.680 --> 00:24:37.380 understand how 00:24:37.380 --> 00:24:37.860 we work, 00:24:37.960 --> 00:24:38.220 who don't 00:24:38.220 --> 00:24:38.900 understand how 00:24:38.900 --> 00:24:39.420 we behave, 00:24:39.559 --> 00:24:40.360 may we just 00:24:40.360 --> 00:24:40.980 love them as 00:24:40.980 --> 00:24:41.700 they are because 00:24:41.700 --> 00:24:43.000 that's what the 00:24:43.000 --> 00:24:43.720 gospel does. 00:24:46.599 --> 00:24:47.259 Father God, 00:24:47.299 --> 00:24:47.940 I pray that 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:48.200 you would 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.339 bless every 00:24:49.339 --> 00:24:49.799 one of our 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:50.500 community groups 00:24:50.500 --> 00:24:50.920 over this 00:24:50.920 --> 00:24:51.700 coming semester, 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.420 that they may 00:24:53.420 --> 00:24:54.160 be places of 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.360 rich, deep 00:24:55.360 --> 00:24:56.039 relationships, 00:24:56.819 --> 00:24:57.660 where we do 00:24:57.660 --> 00:24:58.640 walk and share 00:24:58.640 --> 00:24:59.220 one another's 00:24:59.220 --> 00:24:59.559 burdens, 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.279 where we do 00:25:00.279 --> 00:25:01.220 rejoice together, 00:25:01.339 --> 00:25:01.720 where we do 00:25:01.720 --> 00:25:02.380 confess, 00:25:02.380 --> 00:25:05.240 where we 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.160 just encourage 00:25:06.160 --> 00:25:07.180 and feed the 00:25:07.180 --> 00:25:08.320 gospel security 00:25:08.320 --> 00:25:10.420 that is available 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.120 for us. 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:13.080 God, thank you 00:25:13.080 --> 00:25:13.560 for Jesus. 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:14.920 Thank you that 00:25:14.920 --> 00:25:15.480 we don't have 00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:16.080 to pretend. 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.980 Thank you that 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:20.540 you love to 00:25:20.540 --> 00:25:21.060 bring people 00:25:21.060 --> 00:25:21.720 like us, 00:25:22.140 --> 00:25:22.540 unworthy 00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:23.000 sinners, 00:25:23.900 --> 00:25:24.440 people who 00:25:24.440 --> 00:25:24.740 it doesn't 00:25:24.740 --> 00:25:25.460 make sense 00:25:25.460 --> 00:25:26.340 to have that 00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:26.580 sort of 00:25:26.580 --> 00:25:27.000 relationship. 00:25:27.000 --> 00:25:27.660 You love to 00:25:27.660 --> 00:25:27.980 bring us 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.580 together so 00:25:28.580 --> 00:25:28.840 that the 00:25:28.840 --> 00:25:29.300 world around 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:29.680 us might 00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:31.919 see that 00:25:31.919 --> 00:25:32.279 what you 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:32.799 offer is 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.319 better than 00:25:33.319 --> 00:25:34.099 everything else. 00:25:36.619 --> 00:25:37.379 God, please 00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:37.980 do your work 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.159 in us so 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:39.559 that others 00:25:39.559 --> 00:25:40.139 might come to 00:25:40.139 --> 00:25:40.559 know what we 00:25:40.559 --> 00:25:40.799 know. 00:25:41.720 --> 00:25:42.039 Amen.