WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.879 Turn on your bravles, if you would, with me to Romans chapter 9. 00:00:11.880 --> 00:00:17.000 How many of you take great care of your vehicles? 00:00:17.000 --> 00:00:22.039 ! Wow! 00:00:22.039 --> 00:00:29.359 There's like one, two, hands up, three, four, five. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:32.140 The rest of y'all have a problem, man. 00:00:33.219 --> 00:00:34.579 You can take care of those cars. 00:00:35.420 --> 00:00:39.219 How many of you ignore the check engine light when it comes on? 00:00:41.519 --> 00:00:43.799 There's some very honest people in here. 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:45.500 Why are they all female? 00:00:45.719 --> 00:00:46.159 I'm just kidding. 00:00:46.260 --> 00:00:50.659 Listen, I don't want to make half of you mad at me just like that. 00:00:53.920 --> 00:00:57.879 There's a reason that those lights are there. 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.140 They're not just pretty lights for you to look at. 00:01:03.640 --> 00:01:05.659 They're there for a purpose. 00:01:05.780 --> 00:01:07.879 They're not there to annoy you. 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:11.640 They're there to keep the car from destroying itself. 00:01:12.079 --> 00:01:12.239 Okay? 00:01:13.579 --> 00:01:14.659 So here they are. 00:01:15.260 --> 00:01:16.840 Some of the most common ones. 00:01:17.659 --> 00:01:18.760 Does everybody know what these mean? 00:01:19.420 --> 00:01:21.359 Top one, the yellow one here, what is that? 00:01:21.740 --> 00:01:22.819 Check engine light. 00:01:22.939 --> 00:01:23.799 Then the next one down? 00:01:24.460 --> 00:01:24.859 Oil. 00:01:25.140 --> 00:01:25.299 Right. 00:01:25.299 --> 00:01:26.219 And then the next one? 00:01:26.560 --> 00:01:27.000 Battery. 00:01:27.099 --> 00:01:27.480 There we go. 00:01:27.539 --> 00:01:27.799 All right. 00:01:28.500 --> 00:01:29.739 So you know better. 00:01:29.920 --> 00:01:31.359 You just don't pay attention to them. 00:01:31.399 --> 00:01:31.759 All right. 00:01:33.120 --> 00:01:34.060 Can't claim ignorance. 00:01:34.679 --> 00:01:39.200 Well, every car built today has these lights. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:45.479 They might be varying in colors and such, but they all have these lights. 00:01:45.959 --> 00:01:49.000 The most dangerous thing you can do is to ignore them. 00:01:49.000 --> 00:01:59.920 In Romans chapter 9 and into Romans chapter 10, Paul is giving us some warning lights or some warning signs. 00:02:00.159 --> 00:02:02.140 We're going to look at three of them today. 00:02:02.680 --> 00:02:02.920 All right? 00:02:03.000 --> 00:02:05.859 So let's look at what Paul's looking at. 00:02:05.960 --> 00:02:07.799 Remember, this is the church in Rome. 00:02:08.000 --> 00:02:11.000 It was split up into different house churches. 00:02:12.000 --> 00:02:15.099 They had had an established church going in Rome. 00:02:15.199 --> 00:02:17.659 This was the very, very early days of the church. 00:02:17.659 --> 00:02:19.960 Today's world, we got churches all over the place. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:20.219 Right? 00:02:20.439 --> 00:02:21.740 They weren't as common back then. 00:02:22.099 --> 00:02:27.019 This was the early days after Christ had risen from the dead and the church is just getting its feet under it. 00:02:27.519 --> 00:02:33.460 And the church in Rome was full of both Jews and Gentiles until the Edict of Claudius. 00:02:33.879 --> 00:02:39.639 And the emperor of Rome kicked all the Jewish people out of Rome, including the Christians. 00:02:39.759 --> 00:02:40.639 So they had to leave. 00:02:41.500 --> 00:02:45.359 And the church was reduced to only Gentiles, non-Jews. 00:02:45.359 --> 00:02:45.780 Right? 00:02:45.780 --> 00:02:55.199 So then during this time, what happened to all the Jewish customs and traditions that the Jewish Christians had grown up with before turning to Jesus Christ? 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:02.939 And then even after faith in Christ, they kept their Jewish traditions alive, believing this is what God wanted them to do. 00:03:02.939 --> 00:03:10.419 Well, when they left the church, the Gentile Christians didn't see the point for the Jewish traditions and customs. 00:03:10.780 --> 00:03:13.319 So they stopped doing all these things. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:16.680 And their faith in Jesus alone was enough. 00:03:17.379 --> 00:03:23.560 So Paul refers to them as you have stronger faith because you don't need these other things. 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:36.640 And then he says the Jewish Christians then, he's calling them weaker in the sense that they feel the need to keep all these Jewish customs and law-abiding alive along with their faith in Christ. 00:03:36.719 --> 00:03:39.020 So he's referring to them as such throughout this passage. 00:03:39.460 --> 00:03:43.000 And then in Romans chapter 9, let's look at verse 30. 00:03:43.000 --> 00:03:48.419 Would you stand with me for the reading of God's word? 00:03:52.900 --> 00:03:54.259 What shall we say then? 00:03:55.080 --> 00:04:01.920 That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have obtained it. 00:04:02.599 --> 00:04:04.939 A righteousness that is by faith. 00:04:04.939 --> 00:04:11.680 But the people of Israel who pursued the law as the way of righteousness have not attained their goal. 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:12.340 Why not? 00:04:13.120 --> 00:04:20.600 Because they pursued it not by faith, but as if it were by works. 00:04:21.720 --> 00:04:23.019 We pause real quick. 00:04:23.600 --> 00:04:30.740 Not saying they believed it was by works, that their faith came by works, but they pursued it as if it were by works. 00:04:30.740 --> 00:04:35.019 They stumbled over the stumbling stone. 00:04:36.120 --> 00:04:53.420 Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:59.780 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:00.420 You may be seated. 00:05:01.240 --> 00:05:03.240 We're going to continue on into chapter 10. 00:05:03.319 --> 00:05:08.720 We're going to go from verse 30 of chapter 9 all the way into verse 21 of chapter 10. 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:13.660 As we go through Romans, we're not able to exhaustively cover the entire book and every little piece. 00:05:13.759 --> 00:05:19.680 There's so much you could spend about five years in Romans and probably not exhaust everything that Paul is teaching in that book. 00:05:20.680 --> 00:05:22.340 But we are going to stretch this out. 00:05:23.160 --> 00:05:24.420 We're going to take the next several months. 00:05:24.480 --> 00:05:28.960 We might even break for other series at different times and then come back to our study in Romans. 00:05:28.959 --> 00:05:36.519 Because this is arguably Paul's most influential letter and the things that he's teaching in here are especially relevant today. 00:05:36.519 --> 00:05:40.079 So warning sign number one is this. 00:05:41.859 --> 00:05:45.740 Relying on good works instead of faith. 00:05:45.859 --> 00:05:46.219 Here we go. 00:05:46.299 --> 00:05:50.019 Relying on good works instead of faith. 00:05:50.019 --> 00:05:54.359 I want to back up for a minute. 00:05:54.899 --> 00:05:57.279 I want to go back to those check engine lights. 00:05:57.899 --> 00:06:04.939 Let me tell you a story of something that happened in Atlanta, Georgia when a lady was buying a used car. 00:06:04.939 --> 00:06:06.980 She found it online. 00:06:07.600 --> 00:06:11.480 She went to a small car dealership, independently owned. 00:06:11.560 --> 00:06:15.399 It wasn't a licensed Honda dealership or Chevy dealership or whatever. 00:06:15.560 --> 00:06:19.740 It was just an independently owned private small dealership in the Atlanta area. 00:06:20.579 --> 00:06:22.379 And she went in and she looked at the car. 00:06:22.519 --> 00:06:23.500 Everything looked great. 00:06:24.079 --> 00:06:26.480 There were no warning lights on on the dashboard. 00:06:27.439 --> 00:06:28.439 Everything looked good. 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:29.500 The car was in good shape. 00:06:29.720 --> 00:06:30.279 She bought it. 00:06:30.279 --> 00:06:35.479 She took it home and just in a few days the car started having all kinds of mechanical problems. 00:06:36.699 --> 00:06:37.519 What happened? 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:48.179 She took it in to a mechanic and he realized that what they had done at the car dealership was they had taken off the cover of the instrument panel 00:06:48.179 --> 00:06:53.159 and they had put black electrician's tape over the warning lights underneath. 00:06:54.359 --> 00:06:58.099 So the warning lights were on but they weren't visible. 00:07:00.279 --> 00:07:04.439 Listen, let me make a little application here. 00:07:05.359 --> 00:07:16.000 Sometimes in a church, warning lights can be on but not always the most visible because we cover them up with different things. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:25.439 We need to pay especially close attention to Paul's warning signs here in Romans 9 and 10. 00:07:26.359 --> 00:07:28.859 You can say, I already know these things. 00:07:28.860 --> 00:07:34.920 I already know that faith, salvation is from faith in Christ and not by our good works. 00:07:35.240 --> 00:07:36.780 Maybe you're having a hard time with that. 00:07:37.020 --> 00:07:39.600 We're going to show you from the scriptures what God has to say about it. 00:07:40.080 --> 00:07:48.160 But even if you already know that and you've come to terms with that, what Paul is saying is these Jewish Christians knew that too. 00:07:48.160 --> 00:07:51.400 They were having a hard time living by it. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:58.860 And some of their faith was being undermined by their desire for good works. 00:07:59.160 --> 00:08:01.040 So let's look at this. 00:08:01.580 --> 00:08:06.720 Warning sign number one, relying on good works instead of faith. 00:08:07.060 --> 00:08:09.620 Go to Deuteronomy chapter 9 if you would. 00:08:10.360 --> 00:08:13.120 We're going to go back and forth between Deuteronomy and Romans. 00:08:13.120 --> 00:08:14.000 Why? 00:08:14.139 --> 00:08:18.040 Because Paul quotes Deuteronomy quite a bit in this passage. 00:08:18.180 --> 00:08:18.800 Isn't that interesting? 00:08:19.220 --> 00:08:24.840 When Jesus or Paul or one of the New Testament writers goes back and quotes the Old Testament writers. 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:28.620 So you can't say, man, I love the New Testament. 00:08:29.079 --> 00:08:30.459 I'm not crazy about the Old Testament. 00:08:31.879 --> 00:08:33.139 Jesus was, okay? 00:08:33.519 --> 00:08:35.899 So you've got to embrace the Torah. 00:08:35.899 --> 00:08:42.139 You've got to embrace the Old Testament that God included for us as we see the New Testament writers do so. 00:08:43.120 --> 00:08:49.120 The first warning sign is trying to earn a right standing with God but by your own behavior. 00:08:49.620 --> 00:08:52.200 This is either before or after salvation. 00:08:54.019 --> 00:08:57.740 Some of you in a Baptist church, we believe that salvation is by what? 00:08:58.980 --> 00:09:00.200 Grace through faith. 00:09:00.320 --> 00:09:04.019 God's grace shown to us, activated by our faith in him. 00:09:05.960 --> 00:09:09.019 God's grace alone was not enough. 00:09:09.139 --> 00:09:10.100 We need faith. 00:09:10.560 --> 00:09:11.940 Our faith alone is not enough. 00:09:11.940 --> 00:09:13.000 We need God's grace. 00:09:13.100 --> 00:09:13.740 We need both. 00:09:14.160 --> 00:09:16.580 We need salvation by grace through faith. 00:09:18.740 --> 00:09:20.680 Paul looks at his fellow Israelites. 00:09:23.760 --> 00:09:27.020 And he sees that they have an incredible passion for God. 00:09:28.080 --> 00:09:37.540 If you know anything about growing up in the Jewish religion, you would start very, very early in memorizing big passages of the Torah. 00:09:37.539 --> 00:09:40.219 Everyone would go to the same rabbi school. 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:42.219 Everyone would go to the same religious education. 00:09:43.120 --> 00:09:44.699 That's the schooling that they received. 00:09:44.819 --> 00:09:48.659 It was based in the Torah, the first five books of the Old Testament. 00:09:48.659 --> 00:09:52.139 They were intense. 00:09:52.139 --> 00:09:53.159 They were committed to it. 00:09:53.259 --> 00:09:55.939 But their zeal had blinded them. 00:09:56.139 --> 00:09:58.399 Their passion had blinded them. 00:09:58.399 --> 00:10:09.779 So even though many of these placed their faith in Jesus, they believed that he was the promised Messiah, they still held on to this way that they had brought up with. 00:10:09.779 --> 00:10:17.240 How many of you realize that some of the things that you learned growing up, you see coming out in yourself later in life? 00:10:17.819 --> 00:10:21.220 How many of you find yourself acting more like your parents than you ever thought you would? 00:10:22.519 --> 00:10:23.319 Me too. 00:10:24.000 --> 00:10:27.320 I'll say things and like, man, that sounds just like my dad. 00:10:29.879 --> 00:10:31.520 It's because it's learned behavior. 00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:33.640 We get that ingrained into us. 00:10:33.700 --> 00:10:34.700 Sometimes it's a good thing. 00:10:34.780 --> 00:10:37.040 Sometimes we're like, man, I swore I'd never do that. 00:10:37.360 --> 00:10:38.080 And here I am. 00:10:39.480 --> 00:10:41.600 But we see that with the Israelites. 00:10:41.600 --> 00:10:47.040 It's hard to divorce themselves from what they had been brought up in. 00:10:47.260 --> 00:10:50.580 This culture, this religious culture that they had brought up in. 00:10:50.580 --> 00:10:56.060 And they're so busy trying to keep the traditional rules to prove they are righteous. 00:10:57.180 --> 00:11:00.000 They ran right past the Messiah himself. 00:11:01.300 --> 00:11:03.440 Some of them stopped and saw and embraced. 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:07.700 They still had a hard time having faith alone in Christ. 00:11:08.780 --> 00:11:13.000 Moses explicitly warned Israel about this exact same brand of pride. 00:11:13.120 --> 00:11:19.300 Because, by the way, it is pride even before the Israelites ever set foot in the promised land. 00:11:19.299 --> 00:11:21.399 If you're thinking about the days when they were wandering through the desert. 00:11:22.039 --> 00:11:24.439 And in Deuteronomy chapter 9 and verse 4, he says this. 00:11:24.839 --> 00:11:25.659 Do not say. 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:27.719 I'm sorry. 00:11:27.819 --> 00:11:29.979 That's in Romans 10 verse 6. 00:11:30.019 --> 00:11:31.139 He says, do not say in your heart. 00:11:31.259 --> 00:11:33.659 He's quoting Deuteronomy 9.4. 00:11:33.779 --> 00:11:37.399 After the Lord your God has driven them out before you, do not say in your heart. 00:11:37.439 --> 00:11:37.859 Here it is. 00:11:37.859 --> 00:11:42.819 It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me here to take possession of this land. 00:11:43.599 --> 00:11:44.159 Did you catch that? 00:11:44.159 --> 00:11:50.659 It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me here to take possession of this promised land. 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:55.100 That was the attitude of many of the children of Israel back then. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.919 And Moses warned them against that before Christ. 00:11:58.600 --> 00:12:04.019 Then Christ comes, puts an end to any kind of argument for pride or self-righteousness. 00:12:04.019 --> 00:12:09.860 And Paul sees the same kind of attitude popping up in the church in Rome. 00:12:10.199 --> 00:12:14.079 And he says, I'm going to warn you just like Moses warned them back in the desert. 00:12:14.379 --> 00:12:15.340 I'm going to warn you. 00:12:15.699 --> 00:12:24.240 Do not say that your righteousness is what has brought you to this place of God's forgiveness and God's grace. 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:27.559 It's God's grace alone through your faith. 00:12:27.559 --> 00:12:35.599 Moses told the people of Israel from the very beginning, you're not getting into the promised land because you are better, holier than anybody else. 00:12:35.599 --> 00:12:37.599 It's because of God's grace to you. 00:12:37.859 --> 00:12:38.579 God's favor. 00:12:39.119 --> 00:12:40.099 God's guidance. 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:43.859 God's sovereign promise to you. 00:12:44.199 --> 00:12:45.199 His covenant with you. 00:12:46.859 --> 00:12:48.739 And that's what we are under. 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.899 We're under God's covenant. 00:12:51.479 --> 00:12:52.299 God's promise. 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.019 Remember how we looked before? 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:57.559 I don't believe at all in replacement theology. 00:12:58.159 --> 00:13:05.199 That the church that we see across the world now today as followers of Jesus, that it has replaced God's promise to the Israelites. 00:13:05.679 --> 00:13:09.879 I see it as the expansion of God's covenant with Israel. 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:14.379 And Paul seems to emphasize that here in Romans 11. 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.600 And now we're on to 9 and 10. 00:13:17.480 --> 00:13:21.519 Christ is the end of the law for everyone who believes. 00:13:21.519 --> 00:13:32.319 When we treat our religion like a moral checklist to prove we are good people, Jesus stops being our foundation and he becomes a stumbling stone. 00:13:32.819 --> 00:13:41.399 So the question is, is Jesus your cornerstone, your foundation on which you're building, or is he your stumbling stone? 00:13:41.399 --> 00:13:54.019 Does his grace and his eradicating, his putting a stop to your pride and ego, is that a stumbling stone that you're tripping over? 00:13:54.799 --> 00:13:58.220 Or is that the very cornerstone on which you're resting your faith? 00:13:58.459 --> 00:13:59.240 I loved. 00:13:59.840 --> 00:14:05.419 And I didn't ask them to sing the song Cornerstone this morning, but it went along perfectly with this passage. 00:14:05.419 --> 00:14:08.519 Christ alone, cornerstone. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:11.479 The weak are made strong. 00:14:11.740 --> 00:14:22.279 Those weak Christians that Paul's talking to, they can become strong in the Savior's love, not in their adherence to the law, but in the Savior's love. 00:14:22.939 --> 00:14:24.399 They become strong again. 00:14:24.979 --> 00:14:25.919 Warning sign number two. 00:14:26.479 --> 00:14:28.919 Setting your own standards for salvation. 00:14:28.919 --> 00:14:34.439 This is closely linked to warning sign one, relying on good works instead of faith. 00:14:34.579 --> 00:14:36.039 But there is a little distinction here. 00:14:36.459 --> 00:14:38.379 Setting your own standards for salvation. 00:14:38.539 --> 00:14:39.819 Look back at Romans 10 again. 00:14:41.799 --> 00:14:43.419 We were in chapter 9. 00:14:44.479 --> 00:14:46.559 Now go with me back to Romans 10. 00:14:47.799 --> 00:14:49.539 Moses writes in verse 5. 00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:51.879 Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the law. 00:14:51.959 --> 00:14:54.500 The person who does these things will live by them. 00:14:54.500 --> 00:15:05.539 But the righteousness that is by faith says, do not say in your heart who will ascend into heaven, that is to bring Christ down, or who will descend into the deep, that is to bring Christ up from the dead. 00:15:05.679 --> 00:15:06.600 But what does it say? 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.960 The word is near you. 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:10.759 It is in your mouth and in your heart. 00:15:10.860 --> 00:15:13.700 That is the message concerning faith that we proclaim. 00:15:13.899 --> 00:15:21.980 If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be, what's that word? 00:15:22.980 --> 00:15:23.500 Saved. 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.779 Salvation. 00:15:26.820 --> 00:15:28.559 Salvation from what? 00:15:28.960 --> 00:15:30.720 Salvation from godlessness. 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:34.899 Salvation with being apart from God. 00:15:35.820 --> 00:15:40.019 Salvation from being strangers from God. 00:15:40.960 --> 00:15:47.220 Salvation from being lost in the darkness of being without God. 00:15:48.100 --> 00:15:50.120 That is what we're saved from. 00:15:50.639 --> 00:15:53.840 Both in the present and for all of eternity. 00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:57.120 We can be saved from this. 00:15:57.779 --> 00:16:04.799 And he gives you an absolute declaration of how. 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.440 How to achieve this. 00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:08.860 The plain truth. 00:16:08.860 --> 00:16:09.639 Something went wrong. 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.680 Please try again. 00:16:10.860 --> 00:16:11.139 Wow. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.759 I don't know if anybody heard that. 00:16:15.919 --> 00:16:17.500 My iPad started going crazy. 00:16:19.580 --> 00:16:21.960 That's when it's better to have a notebook instead of an iPad. 00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:23.060 It doesn't talk back to you. 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:23.580 All right. 00:16:23.600 --> 00:16:24.019 Here we go. 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:28.360 Paul quoted in this passage that we just read. 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:30.019 He quoted Deuteronomy again. 00:16:30.539 --> 00:16:32.039 And we've got it up here on the screen. 00:16:32.480 --> 00:16:32.899 Here we go. 00:16:33.039 --> 00:16:34.720 Deuteronomy 30 and verse 14. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.940 The word is very near you. 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:40.540 It is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it. 00:16:40.800 --> 00:16:44.480 In Deuteronomy chapter 30 verses 11 through 14. 00:16:44.860 --> 00:16:47.980 Moses is teaching us that the word is not far off. 00:16:48.840 --> 00:16:50.259 You don't have to go up to heaven. 00:16:50.540 --> 00:16:53.920 You don't have to go across the sea to find the word of God. 00:16:54.019 --> 00:16:55.399 It's there with us. 00:16:55.680 --> 00:16:57.700 It's in our mouths and in our hearts. 00:16:58.420 --> 00:17:01.019 And then Paul draws this again from Deuteronomy. 00:17:01.019 --> 00:17:04.539 I don't know if Paul had been reading Deuteronomy right before he wrote this letter. 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:10.599 But the Holy Spirit guided him to include all this in his writing to the Roman church. 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:16.740 And he says the word is near you. 00:17:17.079 --> 00:17:19.099 In your mouth and in your heart. 00:17:19.420 --> 00:17:24.379 And then he links that to that is exactly how you are saved. 00:17:25.879 --> 00:17:29.980 That's how you receive the spirit of God. 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:32.759 That's how you receive forgiveness of your sins. 00:17:32.940 --> 00:17:35.880 That's how you receive right standing with God. 00:17:36.319 --> 00:17:36.980 Number one. 00:17:37.519 --> 00:17:40.240 Who is the word of God? 00:17:43.799 --> 00:17:44.980 Y'all looking at me. 00:17:45.240 --> 00:17:46.120 Who is the word of God? 00:17:46.799 --> 00:17:47.480 Jesus. 00:17:48.620 --> 00:17:51.180 Jesus Christ is the word of God. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:53.299 He is the living word of God. 00:17:53.299 --> 00:17:58.180 We have written words of God in this book that we hold so dear. 00:17:59.799 --> 00:18:01.720 Jesus is the living word. 00:18:02.519 --> 00:18:06.359 So when we buy the written word of God. 00:18:08.039 --> 00:18:09.180 Do we know what that is? 00:18:12.440 --> 00:18:13.700 Is that me or? 00:18:14.460 --> 00:18:14.839 Hang on. 00:18:14.919 --> 00:18:16.839 I remember what I did last time and it fixed it. 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.980 We're just going to do it again here. 00:18:18.980 --> 00:18:25.059 Just turn that thing off and we are good now. 00:18:25.480 --> 00:18:25.799 All right. 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.360 Sorry for the. 00:18:27.740 --> 00:18:28.039 Listen. 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:31.960 Satan doesn't like this stuff and he's going to try to fight against it with as much as he can. 00:18:32.200 --> 00:18:34.880 He doesn't like teaching about how to be saved from your sins. 00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.700 So this is how you do it. 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.779 But it's always been the way. 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:42.299 That the word is in your mouth and in your heart. 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:45.680 And so when Paul writes in Romans 10 and verse 9. 00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:49.759 That if you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. 00:18:49.919 --> 00:18:54.799 That is the outward expression of an inner faith that God has born in your heart. 00:18:55.819 --> 00:18:59.159 Because then you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. 00:18:59.299 --> 00:19:00.980 You will be saved. 00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:02.879 It's how they were saved in the Old Testament. 00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:04.359 It's how they're saved in the New Testament. 00:19:04.919 --> 00:19:06.159 Faith in God. 00:19:06.160 --> 00:19:10.540 They had faith before that the Messiah would come. 00:19:11.040 --> 00:19:13.700 And that he would die according to the writings of Isaiah and the prophets. 00:19:14.660 --> 00:19:15.940 And that he would be raised. 00:19:17.040 --> 00:19:18.040 And then he came. 00:19:18.160 --> 00:19:18.660 And he died. 00:19:18.740 --> 00:19:19.960 And he was raised from the dead. 00:19:20.120 --> 00:19:22.360 And if you place your faith in Jesus who said. 00:19:22.820 --> 00:19:24.120 Yes I am God. 00:19:25.240 --> 00:19:26.279 If you've seen me. 00:19:26.380 --> 00:19:27.220 You've seen the Father. 00:19:27.640 --> 00:19:28.320 We are one. 00:19:29.680 --> 00:19:31.080 And I will go to the cross. 00:19:33.560 --> 00:19:35.980 And I will break the power of darkness that holds you. 00:19:36.420 --> 00:19:37.000 Binds you. 00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:37.900 Imprisons you. 00:19:38.920 --> 00:19:40.360 And then I will rise from the dead. 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:45.700 And I will bring you back into right standing with God. 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:49.240 But only if you have faith in me. 00:19:49.860 --> 00:19:51.120 Many will choose not to. 00:19:51.840 --> 00:19:53.279 Many will choose not to have faith. 00:19:53.759 --> 00:19:54.300 You know them. 00:19:54.380 --> 00:19:54.880 You see them. 00:19:57.120 --> 00:19:58.440 Sometimes they're sitting in church. 00:19:58.440 --> 00:20:01.720 It's people that. 00:20:04.200 --> 00:20:05.539 Want to have faith in God. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:06.759 But they can't get past. 00:20:07.259 --> 00:20:08.700 They keep stumbling over. 00:20:10.860 --> 00:20:13.160 Their faith in their own good works. 00:20:14.340 --> 00:20:15.360 Faith in themselves. 00:20:17.039 --> 00:20:19.120 And I think that's part of what Paul's saying here. 00:20:19.119 --> 00:20:23.459 Jesus is either the cornerstone of your faith. 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:27.459 Or he's the stumbling stone that you just can't get past. 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.179 To have faith. 00:20:31.180 --> 00:20:34.180 So my question for you. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:36.759 Is what kind of faith do you have? 00:20:37.259 --> 00:20:38.340 Is it faith in yourself? 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:40.200 Or is it faith in Christ? 00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:43.779 Don't miss the context of Deuteronomy 30. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.840 That Paul's quoting from. 00:20:45.000 --> 00:20:45.940 Here in Romans 10. 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:49.900 Moses speaks these words right after predicting that Israel will fail. 00:20:50.320 --> 00:20:51.480 They will break the covenant. 00:20:51.480 --> 00:20:53.200 They will end up in exile. 00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:57.380 They will suffer the consequences of their lack of faith in God. 00:20:57.759 --> 00:20:59.240 Deuteronomy 30 is what happens. 00:20:59.240 --> 00:21:01.339 It's about what happens after failure. 00:21:03.500 --> 00:21:07.259 God promises that he will circumcise their hearts. 00:21:07.720 --> 00:21:08.940 Which is really interesting. 00:21:09.039 --> 00:21:09.920 Because circumcision. 00:21:10.460 --> 00:21:11.660 As weird as that sounds. 00:21:11.700 --> 00:21:13.099 Everybody know what circumcision is? 00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.400 Right? 00:21:14.480 --> 00:21:15.400 It's what happens to a baby. 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:15.799 Boy. 00:21:16.180 --> 00:21:16.620 Specifically. 00:21:17.339 --> 00:21:18.400 After he's born. 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.079 In the hospital. 00:21:19.299 --> 00:21:20.380 They wait a few days. 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:22.060 And then take care of it. 00:21:22.800 --> 00:21:23.100 Kids. 00:21:23.180 --> 00:21:24.180 If you don't know what that is. 00:21:24.220 --> 00:21:25.060 Ask your parents after. 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.340 Okay? 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:30.340 Today it's common accepted practice. 00:21:30.340 --> 00:21:31.720 Most people do it. 00:21:32.180 --> 00:21:33.020 Back then. 00:21:33.220 --> 00:21:35.500 It was uniquely an Israelite thing. 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.920 Because God knew. 00:21:37.320 --> 00:21:39.060 That it was the healthiest practice. 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:41.120 So he commanded his people to do it. 00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.780 So if you were circumcised. 00:21:42.860 --> 00:21:43.420 You were a Jew. 00:21:43.660 --> 00:21:44.200 Back then. 00:21:44.520 --> 00:21:45.140 In the Old Testament. 00:21:46.660 --> 00:21:49.900 But circumcision then became a distinguishing mark. 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:51.040 In the early church. 00:21:51.040 --> 00:21:53.100 Of if you're a follower of Christ or not. 00:21:53.240 --> 00:21:55.160 They took that Old Testament commandment. 00:21:55.280 --> 00:21:57.360 And linked it to faith in Christ. 00:21:58.120 --> 00:21:59.440 They're adding on. 00:21:59.960 --> 00:22:02.380 These extra requirements or qualifications. 00:22:02.860 --> 00:22:04.740 Well if you adult men. 00:22:05.860 --> 00:22:07.580 Really want to follow Jesus. 00:22:07.780 --> 00:22:09.800 Then you'll go be circumcised as adults. 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:11.420 Gentile men. 00:22:12.820 --> 00:22:13.860 And I'm like. 00:22:15.400 --> 00:22:15.960 Ouch. 00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:16.079 Ouch. 00:22:17.799 --> 00:22:18.200 Really? 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.940 That's. 00:22:19.259 --> 00:22:19.539 What? 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.200 Why? 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:23.400 Peter and Paul went back and forth on this. 00:22:23.740 --> 00:22:24.640 With each other. 00:22:25.420 --> 00:22:25.960 But listen. 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:29.360 God actually gave us a clue. 00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.519 Back then in Deuteronomy. 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:33.340 That the circumcision. 00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:35.579 Was more about their hearts. 00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:39.120 And then Paul's using that. 00:22:39.240 --> 00:22:40.600 As an illustration to say. 00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:40.679 Today. 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:42.579 These requirements. 00:22:42.579 --> 00:22:44.339 Were always about faith. 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:45.379 From the heart. 00:22:45.459 --> 00:22:46.319 In God. 00:22:47.139 --> 00:22:49.439 Nobody else is doing this weird circumcision thing. 00:22:49.519 --> 00:22:50.459 Why do we have to do it? 00:22:50.980 --> 00:22:52.279 Well because God knows best. 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:53.519 And we put our faith in him. 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:56.000 But now in today's world. 00:22:56.719 --> 00:22:58.539 He's not requiring that. 00:22:58.659 --> 00:23:01.439 Because the perfect picture of God has come. 00:23:01.939 --> 00:23:03.199 Back then in the Old Testament. 00:23:03.379 --> 00:23:04.519 They were seeing through a glass. 00:23:04.639 --> 00:23:05.379 Very darkly. 00:23:05.579 --> 00:23:06.519 They were looking ahead. 00:23:06.740 --> 00:23:08.299 To someone who had not come yet. 00:23:08.379 --> 00:23:09.039 Jesus Christ. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.119 Christ. 00:23:09.299 --> 00:23:10.740 But now we get to look back. 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:12.139 At the perfect picture of God. 00:23:12.279 --> 00:23:13.500 In the face of Jesus. 00:23:13.779 --> 00:23:15.019 And we get to see what he did. 00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.899 See who he was. 00:23:16.000 --> 00:23:16.779 See how he lived. 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.899 See how he died. 00:23:18.000 --> 00:23:18.500 What he taught. 00:23:18.680 --> 00:23:20.259 And then how he predicted his own death. 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:20.740 And resurrection. 00:23:21.000 --> 00:23:21.879 And then he lived out. 00:23:21.960 --> 00:23:22.539 His own death. 00:23:22.659 --> 00:23:23.180 And resurrection. 00:23:25.399 --> 00:23:27.039 And we get to have faith in that. 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.720 So he says look. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:31.500 Circumcision is a requirement. 00:23:32.220 --> 00:23:33.599 To have faith in God. 00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:35.359 It's a healthy practice. 00:23:36.359 --> 00:23:38.799 But that's not binding you anymore. 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.980 So the application is. 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:43.139 Jesus already did. 00:23:43.359 --> 00:23:45.319 The heavy lifting for us. 00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:47.159 He came in the incarnation. 00:23:47.859 --> 00:23:49.159 And he came up. 00:23:49.420 --> 00:23:50.019 In the resurrection. 00:23:50.579 --> 00:23:51.559 Salvation is simple. 00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.379 It is near. 00:23:52.519 --> 00:23:54.359 It is accessible to all of us. 00:23:55.059 --> 00:23:56.099 Jew or Gentile. 00:23:56.899 --> 00:23:58.299 Who confesses with their mouth. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:24:00.000 And believes in their heart. 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:02.099 That Jesus is Lord. 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:04.279 And we have to stop judging one another. 00:24:04.279 --> 00:24:07.379 Based on our unwritten traditions. 00:24:08.039 --> 00:24:08.460 Standards. 00:24:08.980 --> 00:24:10.399 And realize that the ground. 00:24:10.599 --> 00:24:12.099 At the foot of the cross. 00:24:12.420 --> 00:24:13.319 Is level. 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:17.240 All of us have the same standing. 00:24:17.779 --> 00:24:18.500 Before God. 00:24:19.420 --> 00:24:19.720 Jew. 00:24:20.099 --> 00:24:20.599 Gentile. 00:24:20.799 --> 00:24:21.399 Circumcised. 00:24:21.799 --> 00:24:22.440 Uncircumcised. 00:24:23.139 --> 00:24:23.559 White. 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.019 Black. 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:24.579 Hispanic. 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.099 Asian. 00:24:25.839 --> 00:24:26.200 Rich. 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:26.619 Poor. 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.259 In between. 00:24:28.759 --> 00:24:30.220 Most of us are probably in between. 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:31.299 Somewhere in this room. 00:24:31.940 --> 00:24:32.919 Maybe more on the poor side. 00:24:32.980 --> 00:24:33.359 I don't know. 00:24:34.279 --> 00:24:35.159 Real talk right. 00:24:36.159 --> 00:24:37.259 The ground is level. 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:39.399 Doesn't matter what your status is. 00:24:40.180 --> 00:24:42.279 God approaches us all the same way. 00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.480 We are all saved. 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.879 The same way. 00:24:45.039 --> 00:24:46.700 Everything else in this world is not equal. 00:24:47.940 --> 00:24:49.359 It's never going to be ultimately fair. 00:24:50.440 --> 00:24:52.139 We should strive for justice. 00:24:52.139 --> 00:24:52.940 In this world. 00:24:53.720 --> 00:24:55.379 But things are always going to be unjust. 00:24:56.319 --> 00:24:58.819 Until King Jesus rules over all. 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.559 For the rest of eternity. 00:25:01.299 --> 00:25:04.619 And actualizes his kingdom on this earth. 00:25:04.700 --> 00:25:06.440 And reigns in person. 00:25:07.339 --> 00:25:08.240 Until that day. 00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.940 Unjustice is going to be everywhere. 00:25:10.919 --> 00:25:12.619 Except at the foot of the cross. 00:25:13.359 --> 00:25:15.240 When we stand at the foot of the cross. 00:25:16.079 --> 00:25:17.440 And we fall to our knees. 00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.859 And say God forgive me. 00:25:19.139 --> 00:25:19.980 For I am a sinner. 00:25:21.079 --> 00:25:22.319 I have faith in you. 00:25:23.139 --> 00:25:24.460 Then he takes all of us right there. 00:25:25.419 --> 00:25:26.399 He takes us all. 00:25:28.799 --> 00:25:30.720 Based on his standards of salvation. 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:32.319 Do you have a pulse? 00:25:32.759 --> 00:25:33.779 And do you have faith? 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:36.500 Then you can be saved. 00:25:37.059 --> 00:25:37.940 Warning sign number three. 00:25:38.619 --> 00:25:39.500 We're almost done. 00:25:41.879 --> 00:25:44.460 Keeping the gospel to yourself. 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.919 Warning sign number three. 00:25:47.019 --> 00:25:48.259 That Paul was seeing in this church. 00:25:48.319 --> 00:25:49.099 And had to address. 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:51.559 Was keeping the gospel to yourself. 00:25:51.559 --> 00:25:52.859 Look again in Romans 10. 00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:54.359 And down in verse 14. 00:25:54.359 --> 00:25:56.579 Romans 10. 00:25:56.579 --> 00:25:56.979 14. 00:25:56.979 --> 00:26:00.259 How then can they call on the one they have not believed in? 00:26:00.319 --> 00:26:04.379 And how then can they believe in the one whom they have not heard? 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.599 And whom. 00:26:05.879 --> 00:26:09.339 How then can they hear without someone preaching to them? 00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:12.339 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? 00:26:12.419 --> 00:26:13.519 You see the progression here? 00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:18.900 How is anybody calling the name of Jesus with their mouth and believe in their heart. 00:26:19.099 --> 00:26:20.579 If they haven't yet believed. 00:26:21.019 --> 00:26:22.400 How are they going to call him with their mouth. 00:26:22.460 --> 00:26:24.039 If they haven't yet believed in him in their heart. 00:26:24.200 --> 00:26:26.019 And then how are they going to believe in him in their heart. 00:26:26.160 --> 00:26:27.660 If they haven't yet heard of him. 00:26:28.039 --> 00:26:29.359 How are they going to hear about him. 00:26:29.460 --> 00:26:30.680 Without somebody telling them. 00:26:30.720 --> 00:26:31.460 Or preaching to them. 00:26:32.420 --> 00:26:33.779 And then how are they going to preach. 00:26:34.200 --> 00:26:36.059 Unless somebody sends out the preacher. 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:37.879 Trains up. 00:26:38.220 --> 00:26:39.240 In the word of God. 00:26:40.139 --> 00:26:41.299 Trains up in the doctrine. 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.299 The faith of Christ. 00:26:43.059 --> 00:26:44.559 And then sends them out to go preach. 00:26:45.079 --> 00:26:46.119 That's what churches are here for. 00:26:46.680 --> 00:26:48.359 We are the vehicles for sending out. 00:26:49.259 --> 00:26:50.559 We are all sent out. 00:26:51.480 --> 00:26:52.639 And Isaiah wrote about that. 00:26:53.539 --> 00:26:54.819 And Paul quotes it here. 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.720 But concerning Israel he says. 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.519 Well I'm sorry. 00:26:57.680 --> 00:26:58.259 But back up. 00:26:58.339 --> 00:26:58.980 As it is written. 00:26:59.099 --> 00:27:00.759 How beautiful are the feet of those. 00:27:00.759 --> 00:27:01.919 Who bring good news. 00:27:02.019 --> 00:27:02.919 And then further he says. 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:04.220 But concerning Israel. 00:27:04.379 --> 00:27:05.559 He says all day long. 00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:07.639 I have held out my hands to a disobedient. 00:27:08.039 --> 00:27:09.419 And contrary people. 00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:11.759 The final warning sign. 00:27:11.880 --> 00:27:13.980 Is a church that sits in silence. 00:27:14.300 --> 00:27:16.360 While the world around them. 00:27:16.580 --> 00:27:17.440 Is lost. 00:27:18.820 --> 00:27:20.920 Paul chains together Isaiah 52. 00:27:21.279 --> 00:27:23.180 And then he jumps ahead to Isaiah 65. 00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:25.380 To show the heart of God. 00:27:26.180 --> 00:27:28.380 God is standing like a grieving parent. 00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:31.700 With his hands stretched out all day long. 00:27:32.019 --> 00:27:33.779 Wanting people to come to him. 00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:36.200 But people cannot call on a savior. 00:27:36.600 --> 00:27:38.240 Of whom they've never heard. 00:27:38.240 --> 00:27:41.339 So God's chosen strategy. 00:27:42.640 --> 00:27:43.839 Is to keep. 00:27:44.599 --> 00:27:45.660 His people. 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:48.200 With their fires burning hot. 00:27:50.380 --> 00:27:52.940 Keep it with their light shining brightly. 00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.680 His chosen strategy. 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:58.559 Is not sending down angels in the sky. 00:27:58.960 --> 00:27:59.819 To sing of his. 00:28:00.819 --> 00:28:01.799 Salvation anymore. 00:28:01.920 --> 00:28:03.640 That was the signal of his birth. 00:28:03.819 --> 00:28:04.019 Right. 00:28:04.620 --> 00:28:06.039 He's not doing that anymore. 00:28:06.039 --> 00:28:07.420 Now he has a people. 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.720 On the ground. 00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:08.960 On the ground. 00:28:10.759 --> 00:28:13.299 Who live among the lost. 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.220 Because we were lost. 00:28:15.460 --> 00:28:16.680 Until he found us. 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:18.799 We were. 00:28:19.180 --> 00:28:20.099 Doomed. 00:28:20.379 --> 00:28:22.159 Until he rescued us. 00:28:24.059 --> 00:28:25.379 It's the people. 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:25.980 Sitting. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:27.200 In our pews. 00:28:27.200 --> 00:28:29.580 The message. 00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:29.580 00:28:29.920 --> 00:28:30.420 Requires. 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.360 Messengers. 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:34.000 Can we say this together? 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:35.539 The message. 00:28:36.039 --> 00:28:36.640 Requires. 00:28:37.160 --> 00:28:37.580 Messengers. 00:28:37.740 --> 00:28:38.819 Let's try to get everybody ready. 00:28:39.240 --> 00:28:39.940 The message. 00:28:40.380 --> 00:28:40.940 Requires. 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:41.940 Messengers. 00:28:42.480 --> 00:28:43.600 Who are the messengers. 00:28:43.799 --> 00:28:44.319 Supposed to be. 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.259 You and me. 00:28:47.940 --> 00:28:49.059 We are the messengers. 00:28:49.059 --> 00:28:51.240 So how. 00:28:52.059 --> 00:28:52.519 Frequently. 00:28:52.879 --> 00:28:53.539 Has the message. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:54.460 Escaped your lips. 00:28:54.619 --> 00:28:54.940 Recently. 00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:56.659 How often. 00:28:57.159 --> 00:28:57.839 Does the message. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:28:58.919 Escape my lips. 00:28:59.480 --> 00:29:00.039 These days. 00:29:01.579 --> 00:29:02.799 Over summer break. 00:29:03.679 --> 00:29:04.480 Young people. 00:29:05.099 --> 00:29:05.759 What are we doing. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:06.619 About the message. 00:29:06.700 --> 00:29:07.099 Of Jesus. 00:29:10.299 --> 00:29:11.559 When school resumes. 00:29:12.240 --> 00:29:12.519 And every. 00:29:12.619 --> 00:29:13.559 Everything happens. 00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.839 Starts back up again. 00:29:15.000 --> 00:29:15.440 Athletics. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:15.899 And band. 00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.679 And all the extracurriculars. 00:29:17.799 --> 00:29:18.399 And all the study. 00:29:18.400 --> 00:29:19.519 And everything going on. 00:29:20.680 --> 00:29:21.440 How often. 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.360 Does the message. 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:23.180 Find its way. 00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:24.320 Into our daily lives. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:26.040 The message. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.660 Requires. 00:29:26.860 --> 00:29:27.259 Messengers. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:28.420 Isaiah wrote about it. 00:29:29.480 --> 00:29:29.900 He said. 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.660 How beautiful. 00:29:30.660 --> 00:29:31.440 Are the feet. 00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:31.920 Of those. 00:29:31.980 --> 00:29:32.880 Who bring good news. 00:29:32.980 --> 00:29:33.580 I don't normally. 00:29:33.580 --> 00:29:34.200 Think of feet. 00:29:34.200 --> 00:29:34.880 As very beautiful. 00:29:35.700 --> 00:29:36.340 You know. 00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.360 Maybe not our best. 00:29:37.500 --> 00:29:37.900 Attribute. 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.400 They get dirty. 00:29:39.600 --> 00:29:40.080 They get trapped. 00:29:40.080 --> 00:29:40.980 In shoes all day. 00:29:41.120 --> 00:29:41.220 And. 00:29:41.860 --> 00:29:42.740 Doesn't always smell the best. 00:29:45.880 --> 00:29:46.780 But God says. 00:29:46.840 --> 00:29:47.300 Those feet. 00:29:47.380 --> 00:29:48.019 Are beautiful. 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.640 If they're carrying. 00:29:49.640 --> 00:29:50.960 The message of Jesus. 00:29:51.180 --> 00:29:52.600 To those who haven't heard it. 00:29:52.920 --> 00:29:53.680 Thank God. 00:29:53.759 --> 00:29:54.800 Somebody carried it to you. 00:29:57.320 --> 00:29:58.259 Who else. 00:29:58.740 --> 00:30:00.720 Are you sharing that message with. 00:30:01.280 --> 00:30:02.660 But then all the way back there. 00:30:02.720 --> 00:30:03.100 He said. 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:04.259 Concerning his people. 00:30:04.940 --> 00:30:05.700 He said. 00:30:05.780 --> 00:30:07.100 I've held out my hands to them. 00:30:07.640 --> 00:30:09.140 But they've been a disobedient. 00:30:09.240 --> 00:30:10.080 And contrary people. 00:30:10.340 --> 00:30:11.320 Let that not be said. 00:30:11.320 --> 00:30:11.880 Of our church. 00:30:12.420 --> 00:30:13.820 Let that not be said. 00:30:14.280 --> 00:30:14.980 That first. 00:30:14.980 --> 00:30:15.779 First Baptist Henrietta. 00:30:15.980 --> 00:30:17.099 Was a disobedient. 00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.360 And contrary people. 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:18.920 What does he mean? 00:30:19.140 --> 00:30:19.759 Well disobedient. 00:30:19.860 --> 00:30:20.420 That's pretty clear. 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:20.700 Right? 00:30:21.240 --> 00:30:21.440 Yeah. 00:30:21.440 --> 00:30:22.900 God wants me to share his message. 00:30:23.240 --> 00:30:24.339 I'm just not going to do it. 00:30:24.940 --> 00:30:25.640 I'm shy. 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.319 I'm embarrassed. 00:30:26.700 --> 00:30:28.299 I don't have all the words down perfectly. 00:30:28.720 --> 00:30:29.740 I'm just not going to do it. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:31.620 God didn't say. 00:30:32.299 --> 00:30:32.920 Share the message. 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.819 Of Jesus. 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:35.339 If you're an expert at it. 00:30:36.019 --> 00:30:37.319 Share the message of Jesus. 00:30:37.319 --> 00:30:38.200 If you're a pro. 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.400 Share the message of Jesus. 00:30:40.400 --> 00:30:42.160 If you've got a PhD in theology. 00:30:42.160 --> 00:30:43.620 And you know everything about everything. 00:30:43.860 --> 00:30:44.920 That's not what he said. 00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:47.220 There'd be very few people doing that. 00:30:47.259 --> 00:30:47.460 Right? 00:30:48.040 --> 00:30:49.600 I'm getting ready to start my doctorate. 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:50.320 Y'all pray for me. 00:30:51.300 --> 00:30:52.180 It's going to be rough. 00:30:52.440 --> 00:30:53.019 How many of you remember. 00:30:53.180 --> 00:30:54.640 When Ted Traylor did his doctorate here. 00:30:55.080 --> 00:30:55.920 There's a few of you. 00:30:56.060 --> 00:30:56.259 Yeah. 00:30:56.420 --> 00:30:57.340 That's going back a little bit. 00:30:59.160 --> 00:31:00.259 I don't know if I'm going to do it. 00:31:00.280 --> 00:31:00.860 As well as he did. 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:01.519 But I'm going to try. 00:31:01.700 --> 00:31:01.980 Okay. 00:31:02.800 --> 00:31:03.460 But look. 00:31:03.460 --> 00:31:04.300 How many people. 00:31:04.740 --> 00:31:04.920 You know. 00:31:05.000 --> 00:31:06.320 Get a doctorate in theology. 00:31:06.740 --> 00:31:07.480 Good luck with that. 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:09.480 You can share Jesus. 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:09.599 Jesus. 00:31:10.039 --> 00:31:11.559 Without having all the answers. 00:31:11.559 --> 00:31:12.360 About everything. 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:15.860 Because you don't need to have all the answers. 00:31:15.860 --> 00:31:16.539 About everything. 00:31:16.539 --> 00:31:18.000 To have faith in Jesus Christ. 00:31:18.319 --> 00:31:19.799 You can point people to Jesus. 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:21.059 And let the Holy Spirit. 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:22.059 Fill in the blanks. 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.279 He does that. 00:31:24.220 --> 00:31:25.360 Far better than we do. 00:31:26.400 --> 00:31:26.720 So. 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.599 The message requires messengers. 00:31:30.599 --> 00:31:31.799 And then the contrary part. 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:35.240 That's usually what gets us more than even disobedience. 00:31:36.319 --> 00:31:37.599 We get bent out of shape. 00:31:37.599 --> 00:31:39.679 We get upset. 00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:42.059 We get distracted by the cares. 00:31:42.199 --> 00:31:42.939 And the toils. 00:31:43.039 --> 00:31:43.559 And the arguments. 00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:45.240 And the distractions of this life. 00:31:45.439 --> 00:31:47.199 We get pulled off sides. 00:31:47.279 --> 00:31:48.139 We get caught off guard. 00:31:48.719 --> 00:31:49.659 We get mad. 00:31:49.879 --> 00:31:50.519 We get tired. 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.500 We get angry. 00:31:52.059 --> 00:31:53.059 We get out of sorts. 00:31:53.819 --> 00:31:57.679 And that's usually what stops us from sharing Jesus. 00:31:58.959 --> 00:32:00.319 And God is still standing there. 00:32:00.359 --> 00:32:00.879 He didn't move. 00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:02.279 His arms outstretched. 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.759 Saying. 00:32:03.759 --> 00:32:05.299 The message came to you. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.960 Now you are the messengers. 00:32:08.279 --> 00:32:09.640 So let me close with this. 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:14.220 Let's not be a church. 00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:16.079 That puts black tape. 00:32:16.359 --> 00:32:17.559 Over the warning signs. 00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:21.519 Let's look at those warning lights. 00:32:22.960 --> 00:32:23.579 And say. 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.799 I want to look at my own heart. 00:32:25.059 --> 00:32:26.259 I want to check my own heart. 00:32:26.759 --> 00:32:28.339 Am I trusting my good works? 00:32:29.299 --> 00:32:30.940 Or am I trusting Jesus Christ? 00:32:30.940 --> 00:32:31.019 Christ. 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.320 Romans 10. 00:32:32.400 --> 00:32:32.720 13. 00:32:32.960 --> 00:32:35.000 All who call upon the name of the Lord. 00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:37.140 Will be saved. 00:32:37.240 --> 00:32:37.600 Today. 00:32:37.880 --> 00:32:39.620 You can be saved from your sins. 00:32:40.900 --> 00:32:41.900 You can be saved. 00:32:41.920 --> 00:32:43.059 And become a child of God. 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.440 Today. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.320 If you haven't done that. 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:47.039 You can be saved from your self-righteousness. 00:32:47.920 --> 00:32:49.100 You can be saved. 00:32:49.320 --> 00:32:50.740 From your contrariness. 00:32:51.460 --> 00:32:53.460 You can be saved from your disobedience. 00:32:54.059 --> 00:32:55.559 You can be saved from everything. 00:32:55.860 --> 00:32:57.920 God is in the saving business. 00:32:58.620 --> 00:32:59.360 He is the God. 00:32:59.359 --> 00:33:00.099 Who saves. 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:01.899 And that's what we're closing with today. 00:33:02.439 --> 00:33:03.740 Jesus saves. 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.500 If you believe that. 00:33:04.559 --> 00:33:05.559 Would you join me in saying it? 00:33:05.599 --> 00:33:05.740 Ready? 00:33:06.319 --> 00:33:07.779 Jesus saves. 00:33:07.879 --> 00:33:08.579 Let's bow our heads. 00:33:08.939 --> 00:33:09.779 And close our eyes. 00:33:10.199 --> 00:33:10.959 Let's ask God. 00:33:11.299 --> 00:33:12.339 To save us now. 00:33:12.779 --> 00:33:13.019 God. 00:33:13.139 --> 00:33:14.339 Every one of us in this room. 00:33:14.419 --> 00:33:15.199 Needs saving. 00:33:16.939 --> 00:33:18.359 Some of us need saving. 00:33:19.479 --> 00:33:20.359 From our sin. 00:33:20.779 --> 00:33:22.119 Some of us are still trapped. 00:33:23.579 --> 00:33:24.759 Under the curse of sin. 00:33:24.759 --> 00:33:27.559 And you came to break us free from that. 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:30.920 Some of us need to turn to you for the first time by faith. 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:32.420 And say Jesus I believe in you. 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:36.099 I believe by faith from the heart. 00:33:36.779 --> 00:33:37.579 That you died. 00:33:37.940 --> 00:33:39.039 That you rose from the dead. 00:33:39.119 --> 00:33:39.879 That you are God. 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.920 You are who you said you were. 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:44.700 And you have the power to forgive me. 00:33:45.119 --> 00:33:45.680 Save me. 00:33:45.740 --> 00:33:46.519 And make me your child. 00:33:47.079 --> 00:33:49.539 Others of us in this room need to be saved from something else. 00:33:49.539 --> 00:33:50.940 There might be broken relationships. 00:33:51.920 --> 00:33:53.180 There might be problems. 00:33:53.659 --> 00:33:55.319 That we can't see our way around. 00:33:56.139 --> 00:33:57.159 There might be sin. 00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:58.559 That we've been harboring in our life. 00:33:58.700 --> 00:34:00.639 That is hurting us. 00:34:00.960 --> 00:34:02.359 In so many different ways. 00:34:02.720 --> 00:34:04.359 And you're here to save us. 00:34:04.460 --> 00:34:05.039 From that. 00:34:06.019 --> 00:34:07.339 I pray that we would turn. 00:34:07.960 --> 00:34:08.460 To you. 00:34:08.639 --> 00:34:09.940 In whatever the situation is. 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.840 Maybe it's outside brokenness. 00:34:13.880 --> 00:34:14.519 That's hurt us. 00:34:14.679 --> 00:34:16.279 Maybe it's the failures of others. 00:34:16.279 --> 00:34:18.300 That have left us in a bad situation. 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:19.400 We just need saving. 00:34:19.400 --> 00:34:20.700 We need Jesus to step in. 00:34:22.500 --> 00:34:23.160 And heal. 00:34:24.240 --> 00:34:24.639 Restore. 00:34:25.940 --> 00:34:27.760 I pray that every heart in this room. 00:34:27.900 --> 00:34:29.240 Would turn to you for salvation. 00:34:32.320 --> 00:34:35.660 Let your Holy Spirit have free reign to work right now. 00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:38.619 Church, I'm going to ask you this question. 00:34:38.760 --> 00:34:39.820 If you're a guest with us today. 00:34:39.860 --> 00:34:41.360 Or maybe you've been coming here for a while. 00:34:43.639 --> 00:34:45.079 And you felt the Holy Spirit. 00:34:46.820 --> 00:34:47.880 Working on your heart. 00:34:48.039 --> 00:34:48.619 Prompting you. 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:50.599 Saying turn to me today. 00:34:52.159 --> 00:34:53.559 You're ready for the first time. 00:34:53.619 --> 00:34:55.219 To place your faith in Jesus. 00:34:56.179 --> 00:34:57.299 Would you slip your hand up? 00:34:57.940 --> 00:35:00.039 I'd love to see your testimony of that right now. 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.779 Thank you. 00:35:04.339 --> 00:35:05.299 Let me ask you this. 00:35:06.299 --> 00:35:08.059 There's somebody in the room today. 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.599 Who says. 00:35:09.039 --> 00:35:10.099 I need saving. 00:35:10.099 --> 00:35:11.099 I'm a child of God. 00:35:11.559 --> 00:35:12.739 But I need God. 00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:14.639 And his salvation to step in. 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:16.219 And save me from something. 00:35:16.880 --> 00:35:17.599 Could be. 00:35:18.219 --> 00:35:19.279 My own pride. 00:35:19.420 --> 00:35:19.779 Could be. 00:35:21.119 --> 00:35:23.539 A season of struggle that I'm enduring right now. 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.460 But whatever it is. 00:35:24.639 --> 00:35:25.400 I need the Savior. 00:35:25.860 --> 00:35:27.420 To step in and save me right now. 00:35:27.819 --> 00:35:28.799 Would you slip your hand up too? 00:35:28.800 --> 00:35:31.240 Thank you. 00:35:32.180 --> 00:35:32.720 Thank you. 00:35:33.800 --> 00:35:34.480 Thank you. 00:35:34.740 --> 00:35:35.080 God. 00:35:35.180 --> 00:35:36.180 All around this room. 00:35:36.539 --> 00:35:38.300 We know that things aren't perfect. 00:35:39.180 --> 00:35:43.080 Until you set up your kingdom on this earth that will last forever. 00:35:43.079 --> 00:35:43.159 However. 00:35:43.619 --> 00:35:44.460 We know that. 00:35:45.380 --> 00:35:47.119 We have to endure a lot of brokenness. 00:35:48.840 --> 00:35:50.440 But thank God we have a Savior. 00:35:52.699 --> 00:35:54.179 Who never stops saving. 00:35:55.559 --> 00:35:57.380 So I pray that as we jump in. 00:35:57.460 --> 00:35:58.759 Many of us in this week of VBS. 00:35:59.099 --> 00:36:01.000 And we're teaching kids about you. 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:02.319 And having a lot of good times. 00:36:02.639 --> 00:36:05.179 That we would remember that Jesus is the point of it all. 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.699 Your faith. 00:36:07.860 --> 00:36:09.259 That you've given to us. 00:36:09.500 --> 00:36:10.779 Is what saves us. 00:36:10.780 --> 00:36:13.960 Help us to not forget that. 00:36:14.580 --> 00:36:15.640 And get so caught up. 00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:18.080 In all the other things. 00:36:19.620 --> 00:36:20.580 That we forget. 00:36:21.860 --> 00:36:22.880 What saved us. 00:36:23.760 --> 00:36:24.800 It's in Jesus name we pray. 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:26.019 Amen.