WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.179 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh sold under sin. 00:00:05.799 --> 00:00:08.419 For I do not understand my own actions. 00:00:09.220 --> 00:00:14.220 For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 00:00:14.839 --> 00:00:19.260 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that it is good. 00:00:20.160 --> 00:00:24.379 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 00:00:25.320 --> 00:00:29.539 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. 00:00:30.600 --> 00:00:35.200 For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 00:00:36.159 --> 00:00:41.079 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 00:00:42.200 --> 00:00:48.000 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 00:00:49.260 --> 00:00:54.060 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 00:00:55.060 --> 00:00:58.320 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being. 00:00:58.320 --> 00:01:03.600 But I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind, 00:01:03.799 --> 00:01:07.400 and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 00:01:08.420 --> 00:01:12.579 Wretched man that I am, who will deliver me from this body of death? 00:01:13.420 --> 00:01:16.359 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:21.240 So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, 00:01:21.239 --> 00:01:24.099 but with my flesh I serve the law of sin. 00:01:30.159 --> 00:01:31.319 Well, good morning everyone. 00:01:32.119 --> 00:01:36.619 We're going to turn to God's word now from Romans chapter 7, verse 14 following. 00:01:36.620 --> 00:01:44.400 Well, let's jump in at the deep end. 00:01:46.240 --> 00:01:49.400 And I want to put a question to you, a confronting question this morning. 00:01:50.680 --> 00:01:57.900 So, if a video of your past week as a Christian was sort of up on the screen behind me, 00:01:57.900 --> 00:02:01.680 what would we all see? 00:02:06.240 --> 00:02:09.939 So, as you reflect on that, how often, for instance, 00:02:10.020 --> 00:02:15.200 did you betray the faithful love and commitment of your heavenly Father 00:02:15.200 --> 00:02:21.540 by promoting your own sovereignty over his? 00:02:21.539 --> 00:02:30.180 How many times did you, in a sense, make mockery of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross 00:02:30.180 --> 00:02:37.539 to deal with your sins by choosing to walk back into the very sin that Jesus died for to deal with? 00:02:38.899 --> 00:02:40.180 How often did that happen? 00:02:43.239 --> 00:02:47.359 How often did you ignore the inner prompting of the Holy Spirit 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:53.420 to express the mind of Christ in favour of expressing your own mind and your own wisdom? 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:00.660 And here we are this morning, churching, 00:03:01.820 --> 00:03:06.160 loving to sing, pray, fellowship together, 00:03:06.740 --> 00:03:10.040 loving to be taught by God's word as brothers and sisters in Christ. 00:03:10.039 --> 00:03:12.159 But perhaps already, 00:03:12.699 --> 00:03:18.019 your focus and interest has gone back to social media on your telephone. 00:03:19.959 --> 00:03:20.439 Or, 00:03:20.780 --> 00:03:23.500 you're already planning your coming week. 00:03:23.620 --> 00:03:25.120 You've already left the building, in a sense, 00:03:25.180 --> 00:03:26.399 and are planning your coming week. 00:03:27.060 --> 00:03:29.479 Or even just wishing you were somewhere else, 00:03:30.159 --> 00:03:30.919 having come here. 00:03:34.039 --> 00:03:35.919 Now, I can't answer for you. 00:03:36.079 --> 00:03:37.340 You can only answer for yourself. 00:03:37.340 --> 00:03:39.039 But I tell you, for me, 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:42.920 only a brief reflection on these sorts of things 00:03:42.920 --> 00:03:45.340 fills me with grief 00:03:45.340 --> 00:03:47.960 and threatens to overwhelm me. 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:54.020 Like so many Christians, 00:03:54.199 --> 00:03:56.240 I am so thankful 00:03:56.240 --> 00:03:59.340 for the wonderful privileges and benefits 00:03:59.340 --> 00:04:01.219 of being united with Christ, 00:04:01.819 --> 00:04:02.520 being a Christian. 00:04:02.520 --> 00:04:04.680 But against that, 00:04:05.040 --> 00:04:06.860 the awfulness of my failures, 00:04:07.680 --> 00:04:08.180 daily, 00:04:08.740 --> 00:04:09.160 hourly, 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:10.500 weekly, 00:04:10.719 --> 00:04:11.100 monthly, 00:04:11.640 --> 00:04:12.020 yearly, 00:04:13.420 --> 00:04:15.060 the awfulness of my failures 00:04:15.060 --> 00:04:16.639 attacks my assurance 00:04:16.639 --> 00:04:18.340 or confidence 00:04:18.340 --> 00:04:19.740 in salvation. 00:04:22.160 --> 00:04:24.540 I even surprise myself at times 00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:27.060 at how disobedient to God I am. 00:04:27.060 --> 00:04:30.399 the same Lord 00:04:30.399 --> 00:04:31.879 who has given me so much, 00:04:32.879 --> 00:04:35.959 who wants such good things for me. 00:04:41.180 --> 00:04:42.720 How can that be? 00:04:43.220 --> 00:04:44.160 I ask myself. 00:04:46.079 --> 00:04:48.019 Why do I get it so wrong 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:50.579 given that I want so much 00:04:50.579 --> 00:04:52.560 to get it right by pleasing Christ? 00:04:52.560 --> 00:04:55.220 Why is there such a gap 00:04:55.220 --> 00:04:56.540 so often 00:04:56.540 --> 00:04:58.079 in my life? 00:04:59.339 --> 00:05:00.519 And then how am I to think 00:05:00.519 --> 00:05:02.160 about that sort of daily failure? 00:05:08.699 --> 00:05:10.000 Can I be a Christian 00:05:10.000 --> 00:05:12.720 and be assured of salvation 00:05:12.720 --> 00:05:15.519 given I am so much like this? 00:05:15.519 --> 00:05:19.159 And this isn't just a one-off 00:05:19.159 --> 00:05:19.740 I'm talking about. 00:05:19.799 --> 00:05:21.819 This is a regular pattern 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:23.180 I'm seeing in my life. 00:05:23.959 --> 00:05:25.740 Day after day after day. 00:05:30.439 --> 00:05:32.099 People say the only certainties 00:05:32.099 --> 00:05:33.459 in life 00:05:33.459 --> 00:05:34.919 are death and taxes. 00:05:35.639 --> 00:05:37.060 It's the old Jerry, isn't it? 00:05:38.379 --> 00:05:39.379 Now we know that. 00:05:39.659 --> 00:05:41.399 We know that life is fragile. 00:05:41.919 --> 00:05:43.240 We know the insecurity 00:05:43.240 --> 00:05:45.319 of life and ourselves in life. 00:05:45.519 --> 00:05:48.819 But brothers and sisters 00:05:48.819 --> 00:05:49.740 in Christ this morning, 00:05:49.899 --> 00:05:51.419 when it comes to assurance 00:05:51.419 --> 00:05:52.579 of salvation, 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:54.219 it's my delight 00:05:54.219 --> 00:05:55.019 to be able to tell you 00:05:55.019 --> 00:05:55.459 this morning 00:05:55.459 --> 00:05:57.659 that the Lord 00:05:57.659 --> 00:05:59.919 wants every believer here 00:05:59.919 --> 00:06:00.680 this morning 00:06:00.680 --> 00:06:03.060 to be absolutely sure 00:06:03.060 --> 00:06:05.620 we are accepted by him. 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.839 That we are safe 00:06:06.839 --> 00:06:07.659 and secure 00:06:07.659 --> 00:06:09.000 in the Lord Jesus. 00:06:10.259 --> 00:06:11.680 In spite of 00:06:11.680 --> 00:06:13.779 our failures. 00:06:15.519 --> 00:06:19.500 tension, 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:20.740 struggle, 00:06:21.479 --> 00:06:21.959 failure, 00:06:22.699 --> 00:06:24.120 as we'll see from this passage, 00:06:24.259 --> 00:06:24.719 is the 00:06:24.719 --> 00:06:26.099 ordinary, 00:06:26.659 --> 00:06:28.099 everyday experience 00:06:28.099 --> 00:06:29.659 of each of us 00:06:29.659 --> 00:06:30.219 as believers. 00:06:32.219 --> 00:06:33.060 In fact, 00:06:33.479 --> 00:06:34.459 I'll go so far to say 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:35.839 it's actually the mark 00:06:35.839 --> 00:06:37.699 of the true believer 00:06:37.699 --> 00:06:39.199 to be struggling 00:06:39.199 --> 00:06:39.979 against sin. 00:06:39.980 --> 00:06:42.700 and this is the truth 00:06:42.700 --> 00:06:44.240 we're going to see 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.319 in Romans 7 and 8 00:06:45.319 --> 00:06:47.240 and a truth 00:06:47.240 --> 00:06:47.640 I hope 00:06:47.640 --> 00:06:48.800 we'll just soak in, 00:06:48.900 --> 00:06:49.700 lay back like that 00:06:49.700 --> 00:06:50.460 warm bath 00:06:50.460 --> 00:06:51.520 and just soak in 00:06:51.520 --> 00:06:52.520 the truths 00:06:52.520 --> 00:06:53.759 of chapter 7 and 8 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:55.879 and find the comfort 00:06:55.879 --> 00:06:57.680 that God intends us 00:06:57.680 --> 00:06:58.259 to find 00:06:58.259 --> 00:06:58.759 and have 00:06:58.759 --> 00:06:59.259 through them. 00:06:59.259 --> 00:07:02.319 We begin this morning 00:07:02.319 --> 00:07:03.819 by looking at 00:07:03.819 --> 00:07:04.779 the foundation 00:07:04.779 --> 00:07:06.620 and the context 00:07:06.620 --> 00:07:07.060 of assurance 00:07:07.060 --> 00:07:07.959 in your sermon notes 00:07:07.959 --> 00:07:08.800 in the back of the bulletin 00:07:08.800 --> 00:07:09.279 if you're a visitor 00:07:09.279 --> 00:07:10.360 there's some sermon notes there 00:07:10.360 --> 00:07:11.819 I put those back to front 00:07:11.819 --> 00:07:13.399 I didn't realise last night 00:07:13.399 --> 00:07:14.060 they were back to front 00:07:14.060 --> 00:07:15.219 but the foundation 00:07:15.219 --> 00:07:16.099 and then the context 00:07:16.099 --> 00:07:17.099 that's the way it should be 00:07:17.099 --> 00:07:18.279 and the foundation 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:19.219 is 00:07:19.219 --> 00:07:20.920 the foundation of assurance 00:07:20.920 --> 00:07:22.060 is understanding 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:22.980 your position 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:24.099 or status 00:07:24.099 --> 00:07:25.199 in Christ. 00:07:26.199 --> 00:07:26.879 Let me tell you 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:27.719 brothers and sisters 00:07:27.720 --> 00:07:28.600 that in Christ 00:07:28.600 --> 00:07:29.780 you are both new 00:07:29.780 --> 00:07:31.360 and free 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:35.100 and those two things 00:07:35.100 --> 00:07:36.280 are absolutely crucial 00:07:36.280 --> 00:07:38.240 to understanding 00:07:38.240 --> 00:07:39.500 and having assurance 00:07:39.500 --> 00:07:41.260 but to understand 00:07:41.260 --> 00:07:41.720 the argument 00:07:41.720 --> 00:07:43.460 in 14 through to 25 00:07:43.460 --> 00:07:44.800 that Beck read to us 00:07:44.800 --> 00:07:45.980 we need to grasp 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:46.580 the argument 00:07:46.580 --> 00:07:47.560 that leads up to it 00:07:47.560 --> 00:07:48.480 what goes before 00:07:48.480 --> 00:07:50.660 so in chapter 4 of Romans 00:07:50.660 --> 00:07:52.100 very quick run through Romans 00:07:52.100 --> 00:07:54.000 chapter 1 to 4 00:07:54.000 --> 00:07:55.100 Paul establishes 00:07:55.100 --> 00:07:56.740 what you once were 00:07:56.740 --> 00:07:59.980 before you encountered 00:07:59.980 --> 00:08:00.540 Jesus 00:08:00.540 --> 00:08:03.740 and without touching down 00:08:03.740 --> 00:08:04.480 on lots of verses 00:08:04.480 --> 00:08:05.980 Paul's argument 00:08:05.980 --> 00:08:06.379 is this 00:08:06.379 --> 00:08:07.620 that you like 00:08:07.620 --> 00:08:09.220 every other person 00:08:09.220 --> 00:08:11.620 stood guilty 00:08:11.620 --> 00:08:12.620 before God 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:15.060 because you failed 00:08:15.060 --> 00:08:15.720 to honour 00:08:15.720 --> 00:08:17.420 or respond to God 00:08:17.420 --> 00:08:18.740 as he deserves 00:08:18.740 --> 00:08:21.160 and as a direct 00:08:21.160 --> 00:08:22.019 consequence 00:08:22.019 --> 00:08:23.340 not only 00:08:23.340 --> 00:08:24.220 are you standing 00:08:24.220 --> 00:08:24.640 guilty 00:08:24.640 --> 00:08:25.480 before God 00:08:25.480 --> 00:08:26.440 but you're 00:08:26.440 --> 00:08:26.940 standing 00:08:26.940 --> 00:08:27.920 under the wrath 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:28.340 of God 00:08:28.340 --> 00:08:28.780 and facing 00:08:28.780 --> 00:08:29.600 his condemnation 00:08:29.600 --> 00:08:33.700 because the holy God 00:08:33.700 --> 00:08:34.320 takes himself 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:35.200 very seriously 00:08:35.200 --> 00:08:37.420 in Romans 00:08:37.420 --> 00:08:38.120 chapter 3 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:39.160 verse 23 00:08:39.160 --> 00:08:41.100 we read 00:08:41.100 --> 00:08:41.740 that God's 00:08:41.740 --> 00:08:42.220 righteous 00:08:42.220 --> 00:08:43.160 judgment 00:08:43.160 --> 00:08:43.800 is hanging 00:08:43.800 --> 00:08:44.720 over every 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:45.200 person 00:08:45.200 --> 00:08:47.600 it's 00:08:47.600 --> 00:08:49.300 inescapable 00:08:49.299 --> 00:08:51.979 and when we 00:08:51.979 --> 00:08:52.479 think of 00:08:52.479 --> 00:08:53.299 the wrath 00:08:53.299 --> 00:08:53.899 of God 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.179 then it's 00:08:55.179 --> 00:08:55.599 not only 00:08:55.599 --> 00:08:56.339 inescapable 00:08:56.339 --> 00:08:57.359 it's actually 00:08:57.359 --> 00:08:58.539 unimaginable 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:02.219 to be positioned 00:09:02.219 --> 00:09:03.179 under the wrath 00:09:03.179 --> 00:09:03.599 of God 00:09:03.599 --> 00:09:05.539 and friends 00:09:05.539 --> 00:09:06.419 it's 00:09:06.419 --> 00:09:07.419 unbearable 00:09:07.419 --> 00:09:09.099 to think 00:09:09.099 --> 00:09:09.639 that the wrath 00:09:09.639 --> 00:09:10.099 of God 00:09:10.099 --> 00:09:10.939 would be 00:09:10.939 --> 00:09:11.519 unleashed 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:12.039 on us 00:09:12.039 --> 00:09:14.360 nothing 00:09:14.360 --> 00:09:15.419 you could do 00:09:15.419 --> 00:09:15.879 according to 00:09:15.879 --> 00:09:16.120 Romans 00:09:16.120 --> 00:09:16.639 chapter 3 00:09:16.639 --> 00:09:17.079 verse 23 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:17.659 nothing you can 00:09:17.659 --> 00:09:17.899 do 00:09:17.899 --> 00:09:18.980 would address 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:19.539 your guilt 00:09:19.539 --> 00:09:21.039 and make you 00:09:21.039 --> 00:09:21.480 acceptable 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:21.980 to God 00:09:21.980 --> 00:09:23.559 you were 00:09:23.559 --> 00:09:24.139 done for 00:09:24.139 --> 00:09:27.899 but Paul 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:28.299 goes on 00:09:28.299 --> 00:09:28.860 because what 00:09:28.860 --> 00:09:29.399 you are 00:09:29.399 --> 00:09:29.839 now 00:09:29.839 --> 00:09:30.659 in Christ 00:09:30.659 --> 00:09:32.639 could not 00:09:32.639 --> 00:09:33.259 be more 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:33.599 different 00:09:33.599 --> 00:09:34.099 could not 00:09:34.099 --> 00:09:34.519 be more 00:09:34.519 --> 00:09:34.740 of a 00:09:34.740 --> 00:09:35.259 contrast 00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:35.679 to what 00:09:35.679 --> 00:09:36.139 you once 00:09:36.139 --> 00:09:36.459 were 00:09:36.459 --> 00:09:37.939 before 00:09:37.939 --> 00:09:38.419 Christ 00:09:38.419 --> 00:09:40.219 and the 00:09:40.219 --> 00:09:40.839 gospel 00:09:40.839 --> 00:09:41.719 is that 00:09:41.720 --> 00:09:42.620 in an 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.160 amazing 00:09:43.160 --> 00:09:43.660 display 00:09:43.660 --> 00:09:44.320 of love 00:09:44.320 --> 00:09:45.340 God 00:09:45.340 --> 00:09:46.000 moved 00:09:46.000 --> 00:09:46.460 towards 00:09:46.460 --> 00:09:47.040 you 00:09:47.040 --> 00:09:48.420 even 00:09:48.420 --> 00:09:48.759 while 00:09:48.759 --> 00:09:49.200 you were 00:09:49.200 --> 00:09:50.100 desperately 00:09:50.100 --> 00:09:50.639 trying to 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:51.019 hide 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.360 from 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:51.680 him 00:09:51.680 --> 00:09:56.860 we're 00:09:56.860 --> 00:09:57.279 told in 00:09:57.279 --> 00:09:57.740 Romans 00:09:57.740 --> 00:09:58.259 chapter 3 00:09:58.259 --> 00:09:58.580 and 4 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.000 that the 00:09:59.000 --> 00:09:59.759 death 00:09:59.759 --> 00:10:00.420 and resurrection 00:10:00.420 --> 00:10:01.220 of Jesus 00:10:01.220 --> 00:10:02.500 effected 00:10:02.500 --> 00:10:02.980 what we 00:10:02.980 --> 00:10:03.320 call a 00:10:03.320 --> 00:10:03.660 great 00:10:03.660 --> 00:10:04.680 exchange 00:10:04.680 --> 00:10:07.000 Jesus 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:07.360 took 00:10:07.360 --> 00:10:07.639 upon 00:10:07.639 --> 00:10:08.080 himself 00:10:08.080 --> 00:10:08.360 the 00:10:08.360 --> 00:10:08.759 wrath 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.420 and penalty 00:10:09.420 --> 00:10:09.940 due to 00:10:09.940 --> 00:10:10.160 your 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:10.540 sin 00:10:10.539 --> 00:10:12.779 and in 00:10:12.779 --> 00:10:13.339 exchange 00:10:13.339 --> 00:10:14.019 gave 00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:14.459 you 00:10:14.459 --> 00:10:15.159 his 00:10:15.159 --> 00:10:15.860 righteousness 00:10:15.860 --> 00:10:16.500 and his 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:16.959 life 00:10:16.959 --> 00:10:20.819 and all 00:10:20.819 --> 00:10:21.120 of this 00:10:21.120 --> 00:10:21.639 we're told 00:10:21.639 --> 00:10:22.559 was the 00:10:22.559 --> 00:10:23.079 grace of 00:10:23.079 --> 00:10:23.599 God's 00:10:23.599 --> 00:10:24.480 free 00:10:24.480 --> 00:10:25.480 and totally 00:10:25.480 --> 00:10:26.240 was grace 00:10:26.240 --> 00:10:26.559 that is 00:10:26.559 --> 00:10:27.319 God's free 00:10:27.319 --> 00:10:28.059 and totally 00:10:28.059 --> 00:10:29.159 undeserved 00:10:29.159 --> 00:10:29.620 gift 00:10:29.620 --> 00:10:31.360 a gift 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:31.659 which 00:10:31.659 --> 00:10:32.579 every 00:10:32.579 --> 00:10:33.379 believer 00:10:33.379 --> 00:10:34.959 experiences 00:10:34.959 --> 00:10:36.339 the death 00:10:36.339 --> 00:10:36.799 and resurrection 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:37.219 of Christ 00:10:37.219 --> 00:10:37.519 is not 00:10:37.519 --> 00:10:38.039 just a 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:38.480 historical 00:10:38.480 --> 00:10:38.799 event 00:10:38.799 --> 00:10:39.099 it is 00:10:39.099 --> 00:10:39.279 that 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:39.799 historical 00:10:39.799 --> 00:10:40.179 fact 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:40.899 but it's 00:10:40.899 --> 00:10:41.120 also 00:10:41.120 --> 00:10:41.419 something 00:10:41.419 --> 00:10:42.000 that every 00:10:42.000 --> 00:10:42.439 believer 00:10:42.439 --> 00:10:43.319 experiences 00:10:43.319 --> 00:10:43.939 the results 00:10:43.939 --> 00:10:44.159 of 00:10:44.159 --> 00:10:44.699 the benefits 00:10:44.699 --> 00:10:45.039 of 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:47.759 and they're 00:10:47.759 --> 00:10:48.639 absolutely 00:10:48.639 --> 00:10:49.719 life-changing 00:10:49.719 --> 00:10:50.319 results 00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:51.019 as Paul 00:10:51.019 --> 00:10:51.559 spells them 00:10:51.559 --> 00:10:52.259 out in 00:10:52.259 --> 00:10:52.539 Romans 00:10:52.539 --> 00:10:53.199 chapter 5 00:10:53.199 --> 00:10:53.679 and 6 00:10:53.679 --> 00:10:55.139 Romans 00:10:55.139 --> 00:10:55.759 chapter 5 00:10:55.759 --> 00:10:56.240 verse 1 00:10:56.240 --> 00:10:58.339 therefore 00:10:58.339 --> 00:10:59.099 since we have 00:10:59.099 --> 00:10:59.659 been justified 00:10:59.659 --> 00:11:00.059 that is 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:01.039 since we have 00:11:01.039 --> 00:11:01.419 through the 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:01.779 work of 00:11:01.779 --> 00:11:02.779 the death 00:11:02.779 --> 00:11:03.259 and resurrection 00:11:03.259 --> 00:11:03.639 of Jesus 00:11:03.639 --> 00:11:03.839 Christ 00:11:03.839 --> 00:11:04.240 since we 00:11:04.240 --> 00:11:04.559 have now 00:11:04.559 --> 00:11:04.799 been 00:11:04.799 --> 00:11:05.859 made 00:11:05.859 --> 00:11:06.439 acceptable 00:11:06.440 --> 00:11:06.960 to God 00:11:06.960 --> 00:11:07.360 and are 00:11:07.360 --> 00:11:07.740 counted 00:11:07.740 --> 00:11:08.000 as 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.400 righteous 00:11:08.400 --> 00:11:09.960 before God 00:11:09.960 --> 00:11:10.540 because of 00:11:10.540 --> 00:11:10.900 Christ's 00:11:10.900 --> 00:11:11.340 work for us 00:11:11.340 --> 00:11:12.520 we have 00:11:12.520 --> 00:11:13.280 peace 00:11:13.280 --> 00:11:15.000 with God 00:11:15.000 --> 00:11:17.480 being in 00:11:17.480 --> 00:11:17.820 Christ 00:11:17.820 --> 00:11:18.460 means peace 00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:18.880 with God 00:11:18.880 --> 00:11:19.220 that is 00:11:19.220 --> 00:11:20.220 totally 00:11:20.220 --> 00:11:20.700 forgiven 00:11:20.700 --> 00:11:21.220 by God 00:11:21.220 --> 00:11:22.060 totally 00:11:22.060 --> 00:11:22.680 accepted 00:11:22.680 --> 00:11:23.320 by God 00:11:23.320 --> 00:11:24.160 totally 00:11:24.160 --> 00:11:24.800 restored 00:11:24.800 --> 00:11:25.320 to full 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:25.980 relationship 00:11:25.980 --> 00:11:26.500 with him 00:11:26.500 --> 00:11:27.660 totally 00:11:27.660 --> 00:11:28.260 able to 00:11:28.260 --> 00:11:28.860 enjoy 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:29.340 God 00:11:29.340 --> 00:11:31.480 without 00:11:31.480 --> 00:11:32.100 fear 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:33.180 of wrath 00:11:33.179 --> 00:11:35.919 Romans 00:11:35.919 --> 00:11:36.519 chapter 6 00:11:36.519 --> 00:11:37.120 verse 4 00:11:37.120 --> 00:11:38.759 being in 00:11:38.759 --> 00:11:39.099 Christ 00:11:39.099 --> 00:11:39.500 means 00:11:39.500 --> 00:11:39.859 being 00:11:39.859 --> 00:11:40.459 united 00:11:40.459 --> 00:11:42.039 to him 00:11:42.039 --> 00:11:44.699 and that 00:11:44.699 --> 00:11:45.219 union 00:11:45.219 --> 00:11:46.179 is the 00:11:46.179 --> 00:11:46.859 picture of 00:11:46.859 --> 00:11:47.299 a marriage 00:11:47.299 --> 00:11:47.579 union 00:11:47.579 --> 00:11:48.099 is such 00:11:48.099 --> 00:11:48.799 a real 00:11:48.799 --> 00:11:49.819 intimate 00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:50.419 way 00:11:50.419 --> 00:11:51.479 that we're 00:11:51.479 --> 00:11:51.799 united 00:11:51.799 --> 00:11:52.299 with Christ 00:11:52.299 --> 00:11:52.839 with the 00:11:52.839 --> 00:11:53.339 presence of 00:11:53.339 --> 00:11:53.620 the Holy 00:11:53.620 --> 00:11:54.019 Spirit 00:11:54.019 --> 00:11:54.379 actually 00:11:54.379 --> 00:11:54.779 coming 00:11:54.779 --> 00:11:55.519 into us 00:11:55.519 --> 00:11:57.979 that it's 00:11:57.979 --> 00:11:58.399 not too 00:11:58.399 --> 00:11:58.759 much to 00:11:58.759 --> 00:11:58.979 say 00:11:58.979 --> 00:11:59.279 we're 00:11:59.279 --> 00:11:59.740 totally 00:11:59.740 --> 00:12:00.559 redefined 00:12:00.559 --> 00:12:00.799 we're 00:12:00.799 --> 00:12:01.139 totally 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:01.859 reoriented 00:12:01.860 --> 00:12:03.519 we have 00:12:03.519 --> 00:12:03.779 a new 00:12:03.779 --> 00:12:04.240 status 00:12:04.240 --> 00:12:04.539 a new 00:12:04.539 --> 00:12:05.039 position 00:12:05.039 --> 00:12:05.600 before 00:12:05.600 --> 00:12:06.000 God 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.919 not 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:08.399 pushed 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:08.840 off to 00:12:08.840 --> 00:12:09.379 the distance 00:12:09.379 --> 00:12:09.779 and under 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.340 God's wrath 00:12:10.340 --> 00:12:11.220 but brought 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:11.680 into the 00:12:11.680 --> 00:12:12.060 family 00:12:12.060 --> 00:12:12.539 as a 00:12:12.539 --> 00:12:12.800 full 00:12:12.800 --> 00:12:13.259 member 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.180 as a 00:12:14.180 --> 00:12:14.580 child 00:12:14.580 --> 00:12:15.080 a beloved 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:15.539 one 00:12:15.539 --> 00:12:20.060 totally 00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:20.300 new 00:12:20.300 --> 00:12:20.700 identity 00:12:20.700 --> 00:12:22.060 totally 00:12:22.060 --> 00:12:22.320 new 00:12:22.320 --> 00:12:22.700 status 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:23.019 before 00:12:23.019 --> 00:12:23.379 God 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:24.360 and my 00:12:24.360 --> 00:12:24.620 friends 00:12:24.620 --> 00:12:24.860 with the 00:12:24.860 --> 00:12:25.200 Spirit 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:25.519 working 00:12:25.519 --> 00:12:25.680 with 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:26.300 totally 00:12:26.300 --> 00:12:26.639 new 00:12:26.639 --> 00:12:27.259 attitudes 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:27.659 and 00:12:27.659 --> 00:12:28.279 desires 00:12:28.279 --> 00:12:29.460 created 00:12:29.460 --> 00:12:29.940 by 00:12:29.940 --> 00:12:30.860 the 00:12:30.860 --> 00:12:31.379 Spirit's 00:12:31.379 --> 00:12:31.799 renewing 00:12:31.799 --> 00:12:32.200 power 00:12:32.200 --> 00:12:32.539 within 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:32.899 us 00:12:32.899 --> 00:12:35.779 what's 00:12:35.779 --> 00:12:36.019 the 00:12:36.019 --> 00:12:37.159 flow 00:12:37.159 --> 00:12:37.320 and 00:12:37.320 --> 00:12:37.639 effect 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:37.820 of 00:12:37.820 --> 00:12:38.000 all 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.200 this 00:12:38.200 --> 00:12:38.600 wonderful 00:12:38.600 --> 00:12:39.019 benefit 00:12:39.019 --> 00:12:39.200 of 00:12:39.200 --> 00:12:39.559 Christ's 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:39.740 death 00:12:39.740 --> 00:12:40.720 well it 00:12:40.720 --> 00:12:40.939 means 00:12:40.939 --> 00:12:41.179 this 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:41.779 it means 00:12:41.779 --> 00:12:42.179 that 00:12:42.179 --> 00:12:42.860 we are 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:43.059 new 00:12:43.059 --> 00:12:43.399 people 00:12:43.399 --> 00:12:44.919 we want 00:12:44.919 --> 00:12:45.600 now to 00:12:45.600 --> 00:12:46.120 live 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:48.320 in service 00:12:48.320 --> 00:12:48.879 of our 00:12:48.879 --> 00:12:49.480 Saviour 00:12:49.480 --> 00:12:49.919 and King 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:52.620 you want 00:12:52.620 --> 00:12:53.059 to live 00:12:53.059 --> 00:12:53.399 your new 00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:53.779 life 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:54.399 in Christ 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:55.539 with the 00:12:55.539 --> 00:12:55.779 same 00:12:55.779 --> 00:12:56.500 passion 00:12:56.500 --> 00:12:57.320 and commitment 00:12:57.320 --> 00:12:58.220 to serving 00:12:58.220 --> 00:12:58.740 God 00:12:58.740 --> 00:12:59.980 as you 00:12:59.980 --> 00:13:00.820 once exhibited 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.160 in the 00:13:02.160 --> 00:13:02.480 pursuit 00:13:02.480 --> 00:13:03.160 of pleasure 00:13:03.160 --> 00:13:04.180 and satisfaction 00:13:04.180 --> 00:13:04.760 apart from 00:13:04.760 --> 00:13:05.060 God 00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:12.240 Romans 7 00:13:12.240 --> 00:13:12.860 verse 6 00:13:12.860 --> 00:13:14.460 being in 00:13:14.460 --> 00:13:14.900 Christ 00:13:14.900 --> 00:13:15.560 means being 00:13:15.560 --> 00:13:16.440 freed from 00:13:16.440 --> 00:13:16.960 the law 00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:22.780 and that 00:13:22.780 --> 00:13:23.240 means being 00:13:23.240 --> 00:13:24.020 freed from 00:13:24.020 --> 00:13:24.640 trying 00:13:24.640 --> 00:13:26.080 to earn 00:13:26.080 --> 00:13:26.600 God's 00:13:26.600 --> 00:13:27.320 acceptance 00:13:27.320 --> 00:13:28.300 based on 00:13:28.300 --> 00:13:28.640 your own 00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:29.180 performance 00:13:29.179 --> 00:13:29.759 based on 00:13:29.759 --> 00:13:30.059 your own 00:13:30.059 --> 00:13:30.459 religious 00:13:30.459 --> 00:13:31.039 efforts 00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:31.779 and actions 00:13:31.779 --> 00:13:32.859 why are we 00:13:32.859 --> 00:13:33.279 freed from 00:13:33.279 --> 00:13:33.519 that 00:13:33.519 --> 00:13:34.379 because 00:13:34.379 --> 00:13:35.419 Jesus 00:13:35.419 --> 00:13:36.139 has done 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:36.859 everything 00:13:36.859 --> 00:13:37.599 for us 00:13:37.599 --> 00:13:37.859 in that 00:13:37.859 --> 00:13:38.359 respect 00:13:38.359 --> 00:13:40.419 there's 00:13:40.419 --> 00:13:41.099 nothing left 00:13:41.099 --> 00:13:41.419 for us 00:13:41.419 --> 00:13:41.819 to do 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:42.659 all we 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:42.959 have to 00:13:42.959 --> 00:13:43.219 do is 00:13:43.219 --> 00:13:43.759 accept 00:13:43.759 --> 00:13:44.159 what he 00:13:44.159 --> 00:13:44.599 has done 00:13:44.599 --> 00:13:44.979 on our 00:13:44.979 --> 00:13:45.459 behalf 00:13:45.459 --> 00:13:46.419 and trust 00:13:46.419 --> 00:13:46.659 him 00:13:46.659 --> 00:13:47.679 in that 00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:49.419 so we're 00:13:49.419 --> 00:13:49.959 freed 00:13:49.959 --> 00:13:50.939 from that 00:13:50.939 --> 00:13:51.739 frenetic 00:13:51.739 --> 00:13:52.419 lifestyle 00:13:52.419 --> 00:13:53.339 of just 00:13:53.339 --> 00:13:54.219 trying to be 00:13:54.219 --> 00:13:54.919 good enough 00:13:54.919 --> 00:13:56.039 to win 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.379 God's 00:13:56.379 --> 00:13:56.839 acceptance 00:13:56.839 --> 00:14:01.179 and the 00:14:01.179 --> 00:14:01.599 result of 00:14:01.599 --> 00:14:01.799 that 00:14:01.799 --> 00:14:02.139 freedom 00:14:02.139 --> 00:14:02.740 is so 00:14:02.740 --> 00:14:03.199 immense 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:03.740 or the 00:14:03.740 --> 00:14:04.259 expression 00:14:04.259 --> 00:14:04.579 of that 00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:04.860 freedom 00:14:04.860 --> 00:14:05.459 is so 00:14:05.459 --> 00:14:05.860 immense 00:14:05.860 --> 00:14:07.079 that we're 00:14:07.079 --> 00:14:07.659 now just 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.439 free to 00:14:08.439 --> 00:14:08.860 get on 00:14:08.860 --> 00:14:09.159 with the 00:14:09.159 --> 00:14:09.579 business 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:10.120 of 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:11.599 expressing 00:14:11.599 --> 00:14:12.259 our new 00:14:12.259 --> 00:14:12.639 life 00:14:12.639 --> 00:14:13.219 as it 00:14:13.219 --> 00:14:13.979 is defined 00:14:13.979 --> 00:14:15.799 by relationship 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:16.559 with Jesus 00:14:16.559 --> 00:14:20.500 and powered 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.579 by the 00:14:21.579 --> 00:14:22.120 Holy Spirit 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:22.719 working within 00:14:22.720 --> 00:14:23.040 us 00:14:23.040 --> 00:14:29.160 but what 00:14:29.160 --> 00:14:29.740 you're yet 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:30.300 to be 00:14:30.300 --> 00:14:32.660 amazing 00:14:32.660 --> 00:14:33.060 as all 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:33.580 that is 00:14:33.580 --> 00:14:34.000 what you're 00:14:34.000 --> 00:14:34.519 yet to 00:14:34.519 --> 00:14:34.840 be is 00:14:34.840 --> 00:14:35.580 even more 00:14:35.580 --> 00:14:36.060 amazing 00:14:36.060 --> 00:14:37.220 than anything 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:37.600 I've said 00:14:37.600 --> 00:14:38.180 so far 00:14:38.180 --> 00:14:40.360 Romans 6 00:14:40.360 --> 00:14:40.820 23 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:41.740 the best 00:14:41.740 --> 00:14:42.200 is yet 00:14:42.200 --> 00:14:42.820 to come 00:14:42.820 --> 00:14:43.740 and what 00:14:43.740 --> 00:14:44.100 is that 00:14:44.100 --> 00:14:44.500 best 00:14:44.500 --> 00:14:45.200 well the 00:14:45.200 --> 00:14:45.800 word used 00:14:45.800 --> 00:14:46.139 there is 00:14:46.139 --> 00:14:46.620 glory 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:47.100 eternal 00:14:47.100 --> 00:14:47.700 life 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:49.960 now in 00:14:49.960 --> 00:14:50.540 Christ we 00:14:50.540 --> 00:14:50.879 have 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.440 relationship 00:14:52.440 --> 00:14:53.460 acceptance 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:54.920 what is 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:55.300 yet to 00:14:55.300 --> 00:14:55.640 come 00:14:55.640 --> 00:14:56.460 is glory 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.220 where we'll 00:14:57.220 --> 00:14:57.920 actually be 00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:58.740 with Jesus 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:00.100 and perfectly 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.720 be like 00:15:00.720 --> 00:15:01.160 Jesus 00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:02.360 finally 00:15:02.360 --> 00:15:03.100 freed 00:15:03.100 --> 00:15:04.600 from every 00:15:04.600 --> 00:15:05.000 remnant 00:15:05.000 --> 00:15:05.500 and every 00:15:05.500 --> 00:15:06.960 tussle 00:15:06.960 --> 00:15:07.460 with sin 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:12.240 then we'll 00:15:12.240 --> 00:15:12.880 experience the 00:15:12.880 --> 00:15:13.760 full extent 00:15:13.760 --> 00:15:14.380 of renewal 00:15:14.380 --> 00:15:16.920 when every 00:15:16.920 --> 00:15:17.260 bit of 00:15:17.260 --> 00:15:17.960 remaining sin 00:15:17.960 --> 00:15:18.620 will finally 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.720 be removed 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:21.899 so 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:25.180 you're not 00:15:25.180 --> 00:15:26.180 what you 00:15:26.180 --> 00:15:26.560 once 00:15:26.560 --> 00:15:27.240 were 00:15:27.240 --> 00:15:28.480 as a 00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:28.759 Christian 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:29.279 sitting here 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:29.660 this morning 00:15:29.660 --> 00:15:31.639 and thank 00:15:31.639 --> 00:15:32.019 the Lord 00:15:32.019 --> 00:15:32.420 for that 00:15:32.420 --> 00:15:33.420 I don't 00:15:33.420 --> 00:15:33.720 mean that 00:15:33.720 --> 00:15:34.100 personally 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.480 about you 00:15:34.480 --> 00:15:35.180 but we 00:15:35.180 --> 00:15:35.779 can say 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.000 that 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:36.620 generally 00:15:36.620 --> 00:15:37.300 that didn't 00:15:37.300 --> 00:15:37.600 come out 00:15:37.600 --> 00:15:38.000 very right 00:15:38.000 --> 00:15:38.399 did it 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:41.420 you're not 00:15:41.420 --> 00:15:42.820 what you 00:15:42.820 --> 00:15:43.340 once were 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.840 you're not 00:15:44.840 --> 00:15:45.460 yet what 00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:45.700 you will 00:15:45.700 --> 00:15:46.519 finally be 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:50.860 in heaven 00:15:50.860 --> 00:15:54.039 but in the 00:15:54.039 --> 00:15:54.579 meanwhile 00:15:54.579 --> 00:15:58.199 this is what 00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:58.759 Paul says 00:15:58.759 --> 00:15:59.879 do not 00:15:59.879 --> 00:16:00.679 underestimate 00:16:00.679 --> 00:16:01.939 the power 00:16:01.939 --> 00:16:02.659 of remaining 00:16:02.659 --> 00:16:03.419 or indwelling 00:16:03.419 --> 00:16:04.019 sin in your 00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:04.439 life 00:16:04.439 --> 00:16:07.620 now here's 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:07.860 how it 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.340 works for 00:16:08.340 --> 00:16:08.600 us as 00:16:08.600 --> 00:16:08.980 Christians 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:11.799 who was 00:16:11.799 --> 00:16:12.240 the villain 00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:12.559 of the 00:16:12.559 --> 00:16:12.939 peace as 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.199 it were 00:16:13.199 --> 00:16:13.480 in our 00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:13.939 lives 00:16:13.939 --> 00:16:14.579 before we 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:14.840 became 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:15.360 Christians 00:16:15.360 --> 00:16:15.939 answer 00:16:15.940 --> 00:16:17.720 our 00:16:17.720 --> 00:16:18.360 old 00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.020 distorted 00:16:19.020 --> 00:16:19.700 sinful 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.980 rebellious 00:16:20.980 --> 00:16:21.480 nature 00:16:21.480 --> 00:16:25.020 dominated 00:16:25.020 --> 00:16:25.260 us 00:16:25.260 --> 00:16:25.740 controlled 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:26.400 us 00:16:26.400 --> 00:16:27.800 defined 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:27.980 us 00:16:27.980 --> 00:16:28.240 even 00:16:28.240 --> 00:16:31.500 who's 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:31.620 the 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:31.900 villain 00:16:31.900 --> 00:16:32.160 of the 00:16:32.160 --> 00:16:32.540 peace 00:16:32.540 --> 00:16:35.140 now as 00:16:35.140 --> 00:16:35.520 Christians 00:16:35.520 --> 00:16:35.980 well 00:16:35.980 --> 00:16:36.660 in a very 00:16:36.660 --> 00:16:37.540 real sense 00:16:37.540 --> 00:16:39.040 it's still 00:16:39.040 --> 00:16:39.340 our 00:16:39.340 --> 00:16:40.000 indwelling 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:41.000 sinful 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:41.500 nature 00:16:41.500 --> 00:16:46.440 it's 00:16:46.440 --> 00:16:46.879 a real 00:16:46.879 --> 00:16:47.320 and present 00:16:47.320 --> 00:16:47.919 danger 00:16:47.919 --> 00:16:49.720 for each 00:16:49.720 --> 00:16:49.960 of us 00:16:49.960 --> 00:16:50.120 as 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.559 Christians 00:16:50.559 --> 00:16:51.580 and Paul's 00:16:51.580 --> 00:16:51.960 encouragement 00:16:51.960 --> 00:16:52.480 here then 00:16:52.480 --> 00:16:52.779 in these 00:16:52.779 --> 00:16:53.059 verses 00:16:53.059 --> 00:16:53.480 I think 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:54.220 is put 00:16:54.220 --> 00:16:54.460 it like 00:16:54.460 --> 00:16:54.679 this 00:16:54.679 --> 00:16:55.860 don't 00:16:55.860 --> 00:16:56.580 underestimate 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:58.200 the strength 00:16:58.200 --> 00:16:58.720 of your 00:16:58.720 --> 00:16:59.000 enemy 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.580 even as 00:17:00.580 --> 00:17:00.759 you're 00:17:00.759 --> 00:17:01.420 enjoying 00:17:01.420 --> 00:17:03.060 who you 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:03.420 are in 00:17:03.420 --> 00:17:03.879 Christ 00:17:03.879 --> 00:17:08.960 in Romans 00:17:08.960 --> 00:17:09.600 chapter 7 00:17:09.600 --> 00:17:10.140 verse 17 00:17:10.140 --> 00:17:10.779 to 13 00:17:10.779 --> 00:17:12.600 Paul describes 00:17:12.600 --> 00:17:13.720 how indwelling 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:14.360 sin 00:17:14.360 --> 00:17:16.319 or remaining 00:17:16.319 --> 00:17:16.799 sin 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:18.220 works in us 00:17:18.220 --> 00:17:18.720 with such 00:17:18.720 --> 00:17:19.340 ease 00:17:19.340 --> 00:17:21.980 he starts 00:17:21.980 --> 00:17:22.319 off the 00:17:22.319 --> 00:17:22.740 section by 00:17:22.740 --> 00:17:22.920 saying 00:17:22.920 --> 00:17:23.220 well look 00:17:23.220 --> 00:17:23.819 here's the 00:17:23.819 --> 00:17:24.200 irony 00:17:24.200 --> 00:17:25.639 God's 00:17:25.639 --> 00:17:26.019 commands 00:17:26.019 --> 00:17:26.439 are good 00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:26.980 by virtue 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:27.279 of being 00:17:27.279 --> 00:17:27.639 God's 00:17:27.639 --> 00:17:27.919 commands 00:17:27.919 --> 00:17:28.220 they've 00:17:28.220 --> 00:17:28.559 got to 00:17:28.559 --> 00:17:29.019 be good 00:17:29.019 --> 00:17:32.639 for one 00:17:32.639 --> 00:17:32.839 thing 00:17:32.839 --> 00:17:33.259 Paul says 00:17:33.259 --> 00:17:34.000 the goodness 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.480 of God's 00:17:34.480 --> 00:17:34.740 commands 00:17:34.740 --> 00:17:35.079 is they 00:17:35.079 --> 00:17:35.359 actually 00:17:35.359 --> 00:17:36.039 expose 00:17:36.039 --> 00:17:36.579 our sin 00:17:36.579 --> 00:17:39.480 but 00:17:39.480 --> 00:17:39.919 says 00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.359 Paul 00:17:40.359 --> 00:17:41.700 the irony 00:17:41.700 --> 00:17:42.279 is our 00:17:42.279 --> 00:17:42.899 old 00:17:42.899 --> 00:17:44.159 rebellious 00:17:44.159 --> 00:17:44.859 distorted 00:17:44.859 --> 00:17:45.419 sinful 00:17:45.419 --> 00:17:46.000 nature 00:17:46.000 --> 00:17:46.879 can actually 00:17:46.879 --> 00:17:47.839 take God's 00:17:47.839 --> 00:17:48.200 command 00:17:48.200 --> 00:17:48.919 and twist 00:17:48.919 --> 00:17:49.200 them 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.000 and manipulate 00:17:50.000 --> 00:17:50.519 them 00:17:50.519 --> 00:17:52.179 to bad 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:52.639 effect 00:17:52.639 --> 00:17:53.119 in us 00:17:53.119 --> 00:17:54.879 that's 00:17:54.879 --> 00:17:55.079 what he's 00:17:55.079 --> 00:17:55.279 arguing 00:17:55.279 --> 00:17:55.479 he said 00:17:55.479 --> 00:17:55.939 something 00:17:55.939 --> 00:17:56.259 good 00:17:56.259 --> 00:17:56.559 can be 00:17:56.559 --> 00:17:56.779 actually 00:17:56.779 --> 00:17:57.159 used 00:17:57.159 --> 00:17:57.619 for bad 00:17:57.619 --> 00:17:58.019 effect 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.419 in us 00:17:58.419 --> 00:17:59.619 as Christians 00:17:59.619 --> 00:18:01.519 and then 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:01.859 he goes on 00:18:01.859 --> 00:18:02.239 to illustrate 00:18:02.239 --> 00:18:02.459 that 00:18:02.459 --> 00:18:02.739 so he 00:18:02.739 --> 00:18:02.939 says 00:18:02.939 --> 00:18:03.979 our sinful 00:18:03.979 --> 00:18:04.459 nature 00:18:04.459 --> 00:18:05.859 is opportunistic 00:18:05.859 --> 00:18:07.299 and what 00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:07.579 he means 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:07.959 by that 00:18:07.959 --> 00:18:08.219 is 00:18:08.219 --> 00:18:08.839 it's 00:18:08.839 --> 00:18:09.119 never 00:18:09.119 --> 00:18:09.839 a spectator 00:18:09.839 --> 00:18:10.019 it's 00:18:10.019 --> 00:18:10.239 never 00:18:10.239 --> 00:18:10.739 on holiday 00:18:10.739 --> 00:18:11.739 it just 00:18:11.739 --> 00:18:12.359 waits 00:18:12.359 --> 00:18:13.739 for an 00:18:13.739 --> 00:18:14.299 unguarded 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:14.719 moment 00:18:14.719 --> 00:18:15.439 and suddenly 00:18:15.439 --> 00:18:16.059 it rises 00:18:16.059 --> 00:18:16.500 up within 00:18:16.500 --> 00:18:16.839 us 00:18:16.839 --> 00:18:18.859 and it 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.719 tricks us 00:18:19.719 --> 00:18:21.259 into doing 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:21.799 something 00:18:21.799 --> 00:18:22.539 that we 00:18:22.539 --> 00:18:22.859 know 00:18:22.859 --> 00:18:23.419 jolly 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:23.819 well 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.139 is 00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:24.559 useless 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:24.960 and 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:26.139 without 00:18:26.139 --> 00:18:26.639 profit 00:18:26.639 --> 00:18:27.139 to us 00:18:27.139 --> 00:18:29.740 perhaps 00:18:29.740 --> 00:18:30.200 it's 00:18:30.200 --> 00:18:30.680 tricking us 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.099 into going 00:18:31.099 --> 00:18:31.559 back to the 00:18:31.559 --> 00:18:32.299 tired old 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.879 pathway 00:18:32.879 --> 00:18:34.159 to happiness 00:18:34.159 --> 00:18:35.299 and satisfaction 00:18:35.299 --> 00:18:36.200 that we 00:18:36.200 --> 00:18:36.539 had tried 00:18:36.539 --> 00:18:37.180 for years 00:18:37.180 --> 00:18:37.659 in our lives 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.240 before we 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.720 became 00:18:38.720 --> 00:18:39.079 Christians 00:18:39.079 --> 00:18:39.599 and suddenly 00:18:39.599 --> 00:18:40.159 it appears 00:18:40.159 --> 00:18:40.519 appealing 00:18:40.519 --> 00:18:40.960 again 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.859 where did 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.299 that come 00:18:42.299 --> 00:18:42.639 from 00:18:42.639 --> 00:18:45.779 our old 00:18:45.779 --> 00:18:46.139 sinful 00:18:46.139 --> 00:18:46.539 nature 00:18:46.539 --> 00:18:46.899 is just 00:18:46.899 --> 00:18:47.680 opportunistic 00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.460 waiting to 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.039 rise up 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.779 and trick 00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.039 us 00:18:50.039 --> 00:18:51.200 our old 00:18:51.200 --> 00:18:51.500 sinful 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:51.839 nature 00:18:51.839 --> 00:18:52.339 Paul says 00:18:52.339 --> 00:18:52.519 here 00:18:52.519 --> 00:18:52.960 actually 00:18:52.960 --> 00:18:53.539 provokes 00:18:53.539 --> 00:18:54.019 us 00:18:54.019 --> 00:18:56.200 to do 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:56.639 the wrong 00:18:56.639 --> 00:18:57.519 thing 00:18:57.519 --> 00:18:58.899 we know 00:18:58.899 --> 00:18:59.659 this experience 00:18:59.659 --> 00:19:00.339 we might not 00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:00.879 recognize the 00:19:00.879 --> 00:19:01.319 language here 00:19:01.319 --> 00:19:01.980 but we know 00:19:01.980 --> 00:19:02.579 the experience 00:19:02.579 --> 00:19:03.420 you were 00:19:03.420 --> 00:19:03.839 praying 00:19:03.839 --> 00:19:07.319 you were 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:07.639 praying 00:19:07.639 --> 00:19:08.839 and concentrating 00:19:08.839 --> 00:19:09.619 and enjoying 00:19:09.619 --> 00:19:10.079 the Lord 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:10.539 in prayer 00:19:10.539 --> 00:19:10.839 and then 00:19:10.839 --> 00:19:11.299 suddenly 00:19:11.299 --> 00:19:12.099 you realize 00:19:12.099 --> 00:19:13.139 that somewhere 00:19:13.139 --> 00:19:13.960 along the line 00:19:13.960 --> 00:19:14.539 your focus 00:19:14.539 --> 00:19:14.940 has actually 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:15.579 been shifted 00:19:15.579 --> 00:19:16.339 from God 00:19:16.339 --> 00:19:17.659 onto yourself 00:19:17.660 --> 00:19:19.920 how did 00:19:19.920 --> 00:19:20.500 that happen 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.620 how did 00:19:21.620 --> 00:19:22.019 I move 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.759 so far 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.519 and not 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.160 even realize 00:19:24.160 --> 00:19:24.400 it was 00:19:24.400 --> 00:19:24.779 happening 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:27.259 your focus 00:19:27.259 --> 00:19:27.560 has now 00:19:27.560 --> 00:19:27.960 become 00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:29.580 your desire 00:19:29.580 --> 00:19:29.960 to build 00:19:29.960 --> 00:19:30.340 your own 00:19:30.340 --> 00:19:30.620 kingdom 00:19:30.620 --> 00:19:30.960 when you 00:19:30.960 --> 00:19:31.500 started off 00:19:31.500 --> 00:19:32.000 with a desire 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.340 to see 00:19:32.340 --> 00:19:32.759 God's 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.000 kingdom 00:19:33.000 --> 00:19:33.400 built 00:19:33.400 --> 00:19:35.279 all in 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:35.540 the one 00:19:35.540 --> 00:19:35.960 prayer 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:41.840 verse 10 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:42.640 our sinful 00:19:42.640 --> 00:19:43.080 nature 00:19:43.080 --> 00:19:43.660 says Paul 00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.259 even uses 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.120 good things 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.660 to ruin 00:19:45.660 --> 00:19:46.000 us 00:19:46.000 --> 00:19:47.900 now again 00:19:47.900 --> 00:19:48.279 we know 00:19:48.279 --> 00:19:48.819 the experience 00:19:48.819 --> 00:19:49.059 of that 00:19:49.059 --> 00:19:49.420 don't we 00:19:49.420 --> 00:19:50.460 so for instance 00:19:50.460 --> 00:19:52.619 we so often 00:19:52.619 --> 00:19:53.220 find that 00:19:53.220 --> 00:19:53.500 struggle 00:19:53.500 --> 00:19:54.200 we don't 00:19:54.200 --> 00:19:54.539 actually 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.180 reject 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:55.740 God's 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.119 grace 00:19:56.119 --> 00:19:57.220 because we 00:19:57.220 --> 00:19:57.940 see the 00:19:57.940 --> 00:19:58.539 benefit of 00:19:58.539 --> 00:19:58.900 it far 00:19:58.900 --> 00:19:59.420 too much 00:19:59.420 --> 00:20:01.200 but what 00:20:01.200 --> 00:20:01.839 happens is 00:20:01.839 --> 00:20:02.099 that we 00:20:02.099 --> 00:20:02.660 at the same 00:20:02.660 --> 00:20:03.319 time remain 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:03.980 convinced 00:20:03.980 --> 00:20:06.140 that our 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.880 own religious 00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:07.619 actions and 00:20:07.619 --> 00:20:07.960 efforts 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.859 in addition 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.619 to God's 00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:10.859 grace 00:20:10.859 --> 00:20:11.640 will somehow 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:11.980 or other 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.559 make us 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.380 more acceptable 00:20:13.380 --> 00:20:13.960 to God 00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:20.120 and make 00:20:20.120 --> 00:20:20.500 us feel 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.819 better 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.299 because we're 00:20:21.299 --> 00:20:21.720 contributing 00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.140 to our 00:20:22.140 --> 00:20:22.640 salvation 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:26.019 see how 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.779 our old 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.039 sinful 00:20:27.039 --> 00:20:27.500 nature 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.019 has just 00:20:28.019 --> 00:20:28.600 taken 00:20:28.600 --> 00:20:28.860 something 00:20:28.860 --> 00:20:29.160 good 00:20:29.160 --> 00:20:29.440 and made 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.700 it so 00:20:29.700 --> 00:20:30.079 bad 00:20:30.079 --> 00:20:31.880 don't get 00:20:31.880 --> 00:20:32.120 rid of 00:20:32.120 --> 00:20:32.299 grace 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:32.519 that's 00:20:32.519 --> 00:20:32.700 really 00:20:32.700 --> 00:20:33.079 important 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:33.340 so we 00:20:33.340 --> 00:20:33.539 keep 00:20:33.539 --> 00:20:33.900 grace 00:20:33.900 --> 00:20:34.900 God 00:20:34.900 --> 00:20:35.140 says 00:20:35.140 --> 00:20:35.920 seek 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.100 for 00:20:36.100 --> 00:20:36.559 obedience 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:36.940 and we 00:20:36.940 --> 00:20:37.120 seek 00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:37.279 for 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:37.579 obedience 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:37.880 but we 00:20:37.880 --> 00:20:38.519 think it 00:20:38.519 --> 00:20:38.900 helps 00:20:38.900 --> 00:20:39.740 make us 00:20:39.740 --> 00:20:39.900 more 00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:40.319 acceptable 00:20:40.319 --> 00:20:40.559 to 00:20:40.559 --> 00:20:40.819 God 00:20:40.819 --> 00:20:45.539 the 00:20:45.539 --> 00:20:45.879 examples 00:20:45.879 --> 00:20:46.099 are 00:20:46.099 --> 00:20:46.500 endless 00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:48.879 and we 00:20:48.879 --> 00:20:49.359 know the 00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.000 pain 00:20:50.000 --> 00:20:51.059 of this 00:20:51.059 --> 00:20:51.579 experience 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.000 don't we 00:20:52.000 --> 00:20:53.099 every single 00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:53.460 day we 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:53.759 know the 00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.059 pain of 00:20:54.059 --> 00:20:54.200 this 00:20:54.200 --> 00:20:54.639 experience 00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:58.500 so with 00:20:58.500 --> 00:20:58.639 that 00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.379 understanding 00:20:59.379 --> 00:21:00.179 of the 00:21:00.179 --> 00:21:00.740 foundation 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.500 the 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:02.960 foundation 00:21:02.960 --> 00:21:03.439 is 00:21:03.439 --> 00:21:04.279 who we 00:21:04.279 --> 00:21:04.679 are in 00:21:04.679 --> 00:21:05.000 Christ 00:21:05.000 --> 00:21:05.240 that's 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:05.399 what we 00:21:05.399 --> 00:21:05.439 have 00:21:05.439 --> 00:21:05.779 to keep 00:21:05.779 --> 00:21:05.980 coming 00:21:05.980 --> 00:21:06.179 back 00:21:06.179 --> 00:21:06.339 to 00:21:06.339 --> 00:21:07.119 now we 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:07.240 can 00:21:07.240 --> 00:21:07.559 step 00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:07.759 into 00:21:07.759 --> 00:21:07.960 the 00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.639 context 00:21:08.639 --> 00:21:09.240 of 00:21:09.240 --> 00:21:09.720 assurance 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.480 and the 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:10.860 context 00:21:10.860 --> 00:21:11.019 of 00:21:11.019 --> 00:21:11.360 assurance 00:21:11.360 --> 00:21:11.539 my 00:21:11.539 --> 00:21:11.880 friends 00:21:11.880 --> 00:21:12.740 is the 00:21:12.740 --> 00:21:13.220 struggle 00:21:13.220 --> 00:21:14.620 to live 00:21:14.620 --> 00:21:15.079 an 00:21:15.079 --> 00:21:15.880 undivided 00:21:15.880 --> 00:21:16.299 life 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:16.640 for 00:21:16.640 --> 00:21:17.019 Christ 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:20.380 a few 00:21:20.380 --> 00:21:20.799 years ago 00:21:20.799 --> 00:21:21.279 there was a 00:21:21.279 --> 00:21:21.700 documentary 00:21:21.700 --> 00:21:22.279 on TV 00:21:22.279 --> 00:21:22.880 I know 00:21:22.880 --> 00:21:23.400 most of 00:21:23.400 --> 00:21:23.660 you won't 00:21:23.660 --> 00:21:24.000 have watched 00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.339 it therefore 00:21:24.339 --> 00:21:24.799 because it's a 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.160 documentary 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:28.400 but it is 00:21:28.400 --> 00:21:28.980 I would 00:21:28.980 --> 00:21:29.500 recommend it 00:21:29.500 --> 00:21:29.779 instead of 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.059 some of the 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:30.259 other 00:21:30.259 --> 00:21:30.680 anyway 00:21:30.680 --> 00:21:32.240 a few 00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:32.640 years ago 00:21:32.640 --> 00:21:32.920 there was a 00:21:32.920 --> 00:21:33.279 documentary 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.700 on TV 00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.000 called 00:21:34.000 --> 00:21:34.400 Struggle 00:21:34.400 --> 00:21:34.799 Street 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.519 somebody 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:35.839 remember 00:21:35.839 --> 00:21:36.339 it 00:21:36.339 --> 00:21:37.160 right 00:21:37.160 --> 00:21:37.440 okay 00:21:37.440 --> 00:21:38.140 so 00:21:38.140 --> 00:21:39.160 what it 00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:39.440 did was 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:39.759 feature 00:21:39.759 --> 00:21:40.620 the voices 00:21:40.620 --> 00:21:41.440 and stories 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.340 of people 00:21:42.340 --> 00:21:43.040 living in 00:21:43.040 --> 00:21:43.500 public 00:21:43.500 --> 00:21:43.980 housing 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.380 areas 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.140 in suburbs 00:21:45.140 --> 00:21:45.720 in western 00:21:45.720 --> 00:21:46.100 Sydney 00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:48.080 it was a 00:21:48.080 --> 00:21:48.560 very sad 00:21:48.560 --> 00:21:49.100 thing really 00:21:49.100 --> 00:21:50.279 created a 00:21:50.279 --> 00:21:50.480 lot of 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:50.880 controversy 00:21:50.880 --> 00:21:51.200 but it 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:51.460 was very 00:21:51.460 --> 00:21:51.820 sad 00:21:51.820 --> 00:21:52.519 because what 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:52.840 it did 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:54.140 was on 00:21:54.140 --> 00:21:54.360 the one 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:55.140 hand expressing 00:21:55.140 --> 00:21:55.820 their hopes 00:21:55.820 --> 00:21:56.880 and aspirations 00:21:56.880 --> 00:22:00.080 just like the 00:22:00.080 --> 00:22:00.380 rest of 00:22:00.380 --> 00:22:00.740 they had their 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.100 hopes and 00:22:01.100 --> 00:22:01.600 aspirations 00:22:01.600 --> 00:22:02.060 of a good 00:22:02.060 --> 00:22:02.400 life 00:22:02.400 --> 00:22:03.860 but their 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:04.259 hopes and 00:22:04.259 --> 00:22:04.800 aspirations 00:22:04.800 --> 00:22:06.060 were constantly 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:07.120 being thwarted 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.619 by their 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.359 context of 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:09.879 unemployment 00:22:09.879 --> 00:22:11.500 and crime 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:12.099 and substance 00:22:12.099 --> 00:22:12.559 abuse 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:16.259 and the 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.559 more you 00:22:16.559 --> 00:22:16.899 watched 00:22:16.899 --> 00:22:17.899 the more 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:18.359 the gap 00:22:18.359 --> 00:22:19.059 opened up 00:22:19.059 --> 00:22:21.259 Struggle 00:22:21.259 --> 00:22:21.599 Street 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:24.259 well Paul 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:24.759 says in 00:22:24.759 --> 00:22:25.579 these verses 00:22:25.579 --> 00:22:25.819 here 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:26.359 chapter 7 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.919 verse 14 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.259 onwards 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:29.159 welcome 00:22:29.159 --> 00:22:30.039 to Struggle 00:22:30.039 --> 00:22:30.399 Street 00:22:30.400 --> 00:22:32.720 the normal 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.519 experience 00:22:33.519 --> 00:22:34.600 of Christians 00:22:34.600 --> 00:22:36.540 as our 00:22:36.540 --> 00:22:37.200 hopes and 00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:37.820 aspirations 00:22:37.820 --> 00:22:38.600 of serving 00:22:38.600 --> 00:22:39.180 and obeying 00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:39.600 Jesus 00:22:39.600 --> 00:22:42.200 are constantly 00:22:42.200 --> 00:22:42.940 thwarted 00:22:42.940 --> 00:22:44.600 by that 00:22:44.600 --> 00:22:45.720 opportunistic 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.920 trick 00:22:46.920 --> 00:22:47.720 deceitful 00:22:47.720 --> 00:22:50.320 sinful nature 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:51.000 that remains 00:22:51.000 --> 00:22:51.480 within us 00:22:51.480 --> 00:22:53.160 our aspirations 00:22:53.160 --> 00:22:53.960 of being true 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.560 to who we are 00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:55.100 in Christ 00:22:55.100 --> 00:22:56.380 our aspirations 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:56.759 of being 00:22:56.759 --> 00:22:57.700 intentional in 00:22:57.700 --> 00:22:58.720 choosing righteousness 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.720 over sin 00:22:59.720 --> 00:23:02.019 our aspirations 00:23:02.019 --> 00:23:02.920 to demonstrate 00:23:02.920 --> 00:23:03.660 the mind 00:23:03.660 --> 00:23:04.220 of Christ 00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.579 in our 00:23:04.579 --> 00:23:05.420 everyday life 00:23:05.420 --> 00:23:07.339 these things 00:23:07.339 --> 00:23:08.120 are constantly 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.180 being ambushed 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.779 or if you like 00:23:09.779 --> 00:23:10.920 run off the 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.200 road 00:23:11.200 --> 00:23:15.600 by opportunism 00:23:15.600 --> 00:23:16.039 of our 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:16.500 indwelling 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:16.920 nature 00:23:16.920 --> 00:23:19.819 the remnants 00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.660 of our old 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.700 rebellious 00:23:21.700 --> 00:23:22.680 sinful nature 00:23:22.680 --> 00:23:23.539 or remaining 00:23:23.539 --> 00:23:23.900 sin 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:25.420 will always 00:23:25.420 --> 00:23:26.319 try to get 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:26.740 the upper 00:23:26.740 --> 00:23:27.480 hand in us 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:30.720 on says 00:23:30.720 --> 00:23:31.000 Paul 00:23:31.000 --> 00:23:31.360 therefore 00:23:31.360 --> 00:23:32.360 we must 00:23:32.360 --> 00:23:32.839 struggle 00:23:32.839 --> 00:23:33.799 to keep 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.259 the mind 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:34.819 of Christ 00:23:34.819 --> 00:23:39.480 now 00:23:39.480 --> 00:23:41.440 I want you 00:23:41.440 --> 00:23:41.920 to understand 00:23:41.920 --> 00:23:42.539 that Paul's 00:23:42.539 --> 00:23:43.339 focus here 00:23:43.339 --> 00:23:43.759 in these 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.120 verses 00:23:44.120 --> 00:23:45.259 is not 00:23:45.259 --> 00:23:45.880 on how 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.940 many times 00:23:46.940 --> 00:23:47.839 he gets 00:23:47.839 --> 00:23:48.360 it right 00:23:48.360 --> 00:23:49.620 as opposed 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:50.140 to how 00:23:50.140 --> 00:23:50.599 many times 00:23:50.599 --> 00:23:50.880 he gets 00:23:50.880 --> 00:23:51.279 it wrong 00:23:51.279 --> 00:23:51.900 that's not 00:23:51.900 --> 00:23:52.220 his issue 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.640 at all 00:23:52.640 --> 00:23:53.460 he's not 00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.299 a bean 00:23:54.299 --> 00:23:54.620 counter 00:23:54.619 --> 00:23:56.239 what he's 00:23:56.239 --> 00:23:56.819 interested in 00:23:56.819 --> 00:23:57.139 and what he's 00:23:57.139 --> 00:23:57.399 trying to 00:23:57.399 --> 00:23:57.899 establish here 00:23:57.899 --> 00:23:58.699 is what he 00:23:58.699 --> 00:23:59.479 calls a law 00:23:59.479 --> 00:24:00.719 or a principle 00:24:00.719 --> 00:24:04.819 verse 21 00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:06.500 he describes 00:24:06.500 --> 00:24:07.059 the principle 00:24:07.059 --> 00:24:08.179 so I find 00:24:08.179 --> 00:24:08.859 it to be a law 00:24:08.859 --> 00:24:09.319 now what he 00:24:09.319 --> 00:24:09.779 means by that 00:24:09.779 --> 00:24:10.439 is not the law 00:24:10.439 --> 00:24:10.759 of God 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.099 it's not the 00:24:11.099 --> 00:24:11.539 ten commandments 00:24:11.539 --> 00:24:12.339 it's just a 00:24:12.339 --> 00:24:13.139 principle is what 00:24:13.139 --> 00:24:13.739 the word means 00:24:13.739 --> 00:24:14.000 here 00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:15.179 I find it to 00:24:15.179 --> 00:24:15.899 be a principle 00:24:15.899 --> 00:24:17.339 that when I 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:17.899 want to do 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.279 right 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:20.039 evil lies 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:21.059 close at hand 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:22.139 the principle 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:23.139 is that Paul 00:24:23.140 --> 00:24:24.660 recognizes two 00:24:24.660 --> 00:24:25.320 realities 00:24:25.320 --> 00:24:26.259 simultaneously 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.480 in his life 00:24:27.480 --> 00:24:28.120 as a Christian 00:24:28.120 --> 00:24:37.620 two combatants 00:24:37.620 --> 00:24:38.480 if you will 00:24:38.480 --> 00:24:39.960 which are 00:24:39.960 --> 00:24:41.320 who are at war 00:24:41.320 --> 00:24:41.880 within him 00:24:41.880 --> 00:24:43.320 on the one 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:43.780 hand 00:24:43.780 --> 00:24:46.300 is what he 00:24:46.300 --> 00:24:46.980 calls his 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.420 mind 00:24:47.420 --> 00:24:48.700 and the idea 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.500 here is his 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.940 renewed mind 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.520 in Christ 00:24:51.520 --> 00:24:52.300 what he calls 00:24:52.300 --> 00:24:52.960 here his 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:53.519 innermost 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.140 being 00:24:54.140 --> 00:24:56.700 verse 22 00:24:56.700 --> 00:25:00.380 his new 00:25:00.380 --> 00:25:01.079 desires 00:25:01.079 --> 00:25:02.620 the new 00:25:02.620 --> 00:25:03.059 desires of 00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.400 his heart 00:25:03.400 --> 00:25:04.000 for obedience 00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.519 and worship 00:25:04.519 --> 00:25:04.920 of God 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.579 verse 18 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:09.500 Paul is 00:25:09.500 --> 00:25:10.340 really clear 00:25:10.340 --> 00:25:11.519 that it's his 00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.259 new mind 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.620 his new 00:25:12.620 --> 00:25:13.120 desires 00:25:13.120 --> 00:25:13.880 which define 00:25:13.880 --> 00:25:14.120 him 00:25:14.120 --> 00:25:14.759 and which 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.160 he wants 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:15.759 to operate 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.279 on and 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:16.940 express 00:25:16.940 --> 00:25:17.660 what we 00:25:17.660 --> 00:25:18.039 heard in 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:18.500 Philippians 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:18.860 was the 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.259 mind of 00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:19.700 Christ 00:25:19.700 --> 00:25:21.100 Paul has 00:25:21.100 --> 00:25:21.840 no illusions 00:25:21.839 --> 00:25:22.699 as to 00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:23.599 where he 00:25:23.599 --> 00:25:24.019 wants to 00:25:24.019 --> 00:25:24.299 be 00:25:24.299 --> 00:25:25.459 and how 00:25:25.459 --> 00:25:25.859 he wants 00:25:25.859 --> 00:25:26.299 to be 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:29.159 but on the 00:25:29.159 --> 00:25:29.639 other hand 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.179 he says 00:25:30.179 --> 00:25:30.819 here's the 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.220 principle 00:25:31.220 --> 00:25:32.039 what he 00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:32.619 calls the 00:25:32.619 --> 00:25:33.299 law of 00:25:33.299 --> 00:25:33.500 his 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.099 members 00:25:34.099 --> 00:25:34.599 that is 00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.679 his flesh 00:25:35.679 --> 00:25:36.019 in a 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.240 different 00:25:36.240 --> 00:25:36.659 verse 00:25:36.659 --> 00:25:37.779 18 and 00:25:37.779 --> 00:25:38.359 25 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.839 the body 00:25:39.839 --> 00:25:40.459 of death 00:25:40.459 --> 00:25:41.659 verse 24 00:25:41.659 --> 00:25:43.619 that is 00:25:43.619 --> 00:25:44.319 those are 00:25:44.319 --> 00:25:44.639 all 00:25:44.639 --> 00:25:45.159 descriptions 00:25:45.159 --> 00:25:45.539 of the 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.019 old 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:47.079 distorted 00:25:47.079 --> 00:25:48.079 sinful 00:25:48.079 --> 00:25:48.979 self 00:25:48.979 --> 00:25:52.079 remnants 00:25:52.079 --> 00:25:52.599 of that 00:25:52.599 --> 00:25:55.059 and they're 00:25:55.059 --> 00:25:55.439 in battle 00:25:55.439 --> 00:26:00.299 and four 00:26:00.299 --> 00:26:00.899 times in 00:26:00.899 --> 00:26:01.519 these verses 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:03.859 Paul affirms 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:04.500 his hopes 00:26:04.500 --> 00:26:05.319 and aspirations 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.079 for obedience 00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:07.159 and faithfulness 00:26:07.159 --> 00:26:09.339 and pairs 00:26:09.339 --> 00:26:09.819 it each 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.359 time 00:26:10.359 --> 00:26:11.659 with a 00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:12.879 very honest 00:26:12.879 --> 00:26:13.759 recognition 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.079 of another 00:26:15.079 --> 00:26:15.720 reality 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:17.439 pushing him 00:26:17.439 --> 00:26:17.799 to be 00:26:17.799 --> 00:26:18.740 quite the 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.299 opposite of 00:26:19.299 --> 00:26:19.519 what he 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.859 wants to 00:26:19.859 --> 00:26:20.079 be 00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:24.259 when I 00:26:24.259 --> 00:26:24.720 want to 00:26:24.720 --> 00:26:25.220 do right 00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:27.419 evil lies 00:26:27.419 --> 00:26:27.939 close at 00:26:27.939 --> 00:26:28.480 hand and 00:26:28.480 --> 00:26:28.960 I find it 00:26:28.960 --> 00:26:29.759 pushing me 00:26:29.759 --> 00:26:30.559 to do the 00:26:30.559 --> 00:26:31.259 very opposite 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:31.599 of that 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.039 thing I 00:26:32.039 --> 00:26:32.559 want to 00:26:32.559 --> 00:26:32.779 do 00:26:32.779 --> 00:26:33.339 the very 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.759 thing I 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:34.000 know 00:26:34.000 --> 00:26:34.559 defines 00:26:34.559 --> 00:26:34.859 me 00:26:34.859 --> 00:26:38.579 and there's 00:26:38.579 --> 00:26:39.000 the struggle 00:26:39.000 --> 00:26:41.759 he ends 00:26:41.759 --> 00:26:42.259 up doing 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.859 that which 00:26:42.859 --> 00:26:43.619 he hates 00:26:43.619 --> 00:26:46.099 and which 00:26:46.099 --> 00:26:46.899 he knows 00:26:46.899 --> 00:26:47.899 makes a 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.399 mockery of 00:26:48.399 --> 00:26:48.859 the gospel 00:26:48.859 --> 00:26:51.859 my friends 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:53.779 if we're 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.039 going to get 00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:54.599 the foundation 00:26:54.599 --> 00:26:55.279 and context 00:26:55.279 --> 00:26:55.799 of assurance 00:26:55.799 --> 00:26:56.299 right as we 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.699 move into 00:26:56.699 --> 00:26:57.299 Romans 8 00:26:57.299 --> 00:26:57.539 over the 00:26:57.539 --> 00:26:57.859 next few 00:26:57.859 --> 00:26:58.119 weeks 00:26:58.119 --> 00:26:59.339 we need 00:26:59.339 --> 00:27:00.039 to start 00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:02.259 by acknowledging 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.619 that the 00:27:03.619 --> 00:27:04.099 struggle 00:27:04.099 --> 00:27:05.000 is real 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:08.459 and 00:27:08.459 --> 00:27:09.139 endless 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:12.699 and 00:27:12.699 --> 00:27:13.599 painful 00:27:13.599 --> 00:27:16.339 as 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.039 repeatedly 00:27:17.039 --> 00:27:19.299 we find 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:19.759 ourselves 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.559 choosing to 00:27:20.559 --> 00:27:21.459 act contrary 00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:23.220 to who 00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:23.680 we know 00:27:23.680 --> 00:27:24.160 we are 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.740 in Christ 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:28.380 but in 00:27:28.380 --> 00:27:28.920 that struggle 00:27:28.920 --> 00:27:30.940 we're not 00:27:30.940 --> 00:27:31.220 alone 00:27:31.220 --> 00:27:31.700 remember 00:27:31.700 --> 00:27:33.180 actions 00:27:33.180 --> 00:27:34.019 are not 00:27:34.019 --> 00:27:34.539 always 00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.660 evidence 00:27:35.660 --> 00:27:36.700 of inclination 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:38.299 actions 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:38.900 are not 00:27:38.900 --> 00:27:39.220 always 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:39.620 evidence 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.319 of inclination 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:41.360 Paul admits 00:27:41.360 --> 00:27:42.299 to confusion 00:27:42.299 --> 00:27:43.259 and frustration 00:27:43.259 --> 00:27:44.360 he can sense 00:27:44.360 --> 00:27:44.740 it as he 00:27:44.740 --> 00:27:45.279 writes here 00:27:45.279 --> 00:27:47.319 he knows 00:27:47.319 --> 00:27:47.880 failure 00:27:47.880 --> 00:27:49.600 and expresses 00:27:49.600 --> 00:27:51.420 a strong 00:27:51.420 --> 00:27:51.960 sense of 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.520 disappointment 00:27:52.520 --> 00:27:53.220 in himself 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:56.220 he knows 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:56.800 that all 00:27:56.800 --> 00:27:57.600 too often 00:27:57.600 --> 00:27:58.860 unguarded 00:27:58.860 --> 00:27:59.360 moments 00:27:59.360 --> 00:28:00.000 have allowed 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.440 his old 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.100 distorted 00:28:01.100 --> 00:28:02.040 sinful nature 00:28:02.040 --> 00:28:02.560 to get the 00:28:02.560 --> 00:28:03.120 upper hand 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:04.160 in a particular 00:28:04.160 --> 00:28:04.700 decision 00:28:04.700 --> 00:28:05.400 or a particular 00:28:05.400 --> 00:28:06.080 situation 00:28:06.080 --> 00:28:06.680 or a particular 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:07.500 circumstance 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:12.800 but he also 00:28:12.800 --> 00:28:13.360 knows 00:28:13.360 --> 00:28:14.980 that his 00:28:14.980 --> 00:28:15.620 struggle 00:28:15.620 --> 00:28:16.160 and his 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.700 failures 00:28:16.700 --> 00:28:17.100 do not 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.720 define him 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:19.319 that his 00:28:19.319 --> 00:28:19.700 actions 00:28:19.700 --> 00:28:20.079 at those 00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.400 points 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:21.039 do not 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.460 reflect 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:21.640 his 00:28:21.640 --> 00:28:22.319 inclinations 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:26.079 he knows 00:28:26.079 --> 00:28:26.799 he is defined 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.400 by newness 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:27.860 of Christ 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:29.180 and the new 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:29.660 inclination 00:28:29.660 --> 00:28:29.980 of his 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.279 heart 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.920 is to love 00:28:30.920 --> 00:28:31.460 and serve 00:28:31.460 --> 00:28:31.839 Jesus 00:28:31.839 --> 00:28:32.799 and to act 00:28:32.799 --> 00:28:33.380 in accordance 00:28:33.380 --> 00:28:33.860 with who 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:34.120 he is 00:28:34.120 --> 00:28:34.600 in Jesus 00:28:34.600 --> 00:28:36.160 so my 00:28:36.160 --> 00:28:36.400 friends 00:28:36.400 --> 00:28:37.120 with Paul 00:28:37.120 --> 00:28:38.579 we need 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.120 to learn 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:39.740 to talk 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:40.480 to ourselves 00:28:40.480 --> 00:28:41.700 in the 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:42.000 struggle 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:46.680 we need 00:28:46.680 --> 00:28:46.940 to say 00:28:46.940 --> 00:28:47.160 these 00:28:47.160 --> 00:28:47.360 sorts 00:28:47.360 --> 00:28:47.759 of things 00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:49.740 is it 00:28:49.740 --> 00:28:50.300 possible 00:28:50.300 --> 00:28:52.380 that while 00:28:52.380 --> 00:28:52.820 I'm locked 00:28:52.820 --> 00:28:53.360 in struggle 00:28:53.360 --> 00:28:53.840 I'm actually 00:28:53.840 --> 00:28:54.300 engaged 00:28:54.300 --> 00:28:54.640 in the 00:28:54.640 --> 00:28:54.920 wrong 00:28:54.920 --> 00:28:55.420 struggle 00:28:55.420 --> 00:28:58.779 that is 00:28:58.779 --> 00:29:00.180 I'm still 00:29:00.180 --> 00:29:00.880 struggling to 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.240 be good 00:29:01.240 --> 00:29:01.660 enough 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.519 or to win 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.080 acceptance 00:29:03.080 --> 00:29:03.940 before God 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:05.900 well if that's 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:06.220 where your 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:06.900 struggle is 00:29:06.900 --> 00:29:07.740 then you need 00:29:07.740 --> 00:29:08.180 to say to 00:29:08.180 --> 00:29:08.480 yourself 00:29:08.480 --> 00:29:08.860 hey 00:29:08.860 --> 00:29:10.000 I need to 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.300 remember 00:29:10.300 --> 00:29:10.759 as a 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.340 Christian 00:29:11.340 --> 00:29:13.320 as one 00:29:13.320 --> 00:29:13.860 united with 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.319 Christ 00:29:14.319 --> 00:29:16.459 I'm already 00:29:16.459 --> 00:29:17.000 completely 00:29:17.000 --> 00:29:17.759 accepted and 00:29:17.759 --> 00:29:18.039 loved 00:29:18.039 --> 00:29:19.919 and free 00:29:19.919 --> 00:29:21.539 I don't 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:21.819 have to 00:29:21.819 --> 00:29:22.339 struggle for 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.799 acceptance 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.240 that would 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:23.519 be a 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:23.759 wrong 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.199 struggle 00:29:24.199 --> 00:29:25.579 I need 00:29:25.579 --> 00:29:26.219 to struggle 00:29:26.219 --> 00:29:27.279 to express 00:29:27.279 --> 00:29:27.979 that 00:29:27.979 --> 00:29:28.539 newness 00:29:28.539 --> 00:29:30.180 life in 00:29:30.180 --> 00:29:30.359 my 00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:30.740 actions 00:29:30.740 --> 00:29:36.460 or perhaps 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:36.740 you say 00:29:36.740 --> 00:29:37.000 to yourself 00:29:37.000 --> 00:29:38.059 well am I 00:29:38.059 --> 00:29:38.539 thinking that 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:39.059 because I'm 00:29:39.059 --> 00:29:39.480 locked in 00:29:39.480 --> 00:29:40.079 struggle and 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:40.639 the struggle is 00:29:40.639 --> 00:29:41.519 so painful and 00:29:41.519 --> 00:29:42.339 so unrelenting 00:29:42.339 --> 00:29:43.399 that perhaps I'm 00:29:43.399 --> 00:29:44.000 not really a 00:29:44.000 --> 00:29:44.759 mature believer 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.259 at all 00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:49.299 well I need to 00:29:49.299 --> 00:29:49.859 tell myself 00:29:49.859 --> 00:29:51.700 then that as 00:29:51.700 --> 00:29:52.299 long as I 00:29:52.299 --> 00:29:53.119 live in this 00:29:53.119 --> 00:29:55.519 world I am 00:29:55.519 --> 00:29:56.259 new in 00:29:56.259 --> 00:29:58.259 Christ but 00:29:58.259 --> 00:29:58.759 I'm not 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.680 finally and 00:29:59.680 --> 00:30:00.720 perfectly free 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:01.799 from sin 00:30:01.799 --> 00:30:03.240 so struggle 00:30:03.240 --> 00:30:04.579 in the meanwhile 00:30:04.579 --> 00:30:05.259 is actually a 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:06.700 confirmation of 00:30:06.700 --> 00:30:07.319 my renewed 00:30:07.319 --> 00:30:08.119 mind and 00:30:08.119 --> 00:30:08.980 confirmation of 00:30:08.980 --> 00:30:09.519 the spirit's 00:30:09.519 --> 00:30:10.079 life within me 00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:11.220 because before I 00:30:11.220 --> 00:30:11.619 became a 00:30:11.619 --> 00:30:12.000 Christian there 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.359 was no 00:30:12.359 --> 00:30:12.819 struggle there 00:30:12.819 --> 00:30:13.099 was nothing 00:30:13.099 --> 00:30:13.519 he struggled 00:30:13.519 --> 00:30:14.420 with I just 00:30:14.420 --> 00:30:15.119 enjoyed life as 00:30:15.119 --> 00:30:15.639 it was 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:22.579 or perhaps 00:30:22.579 --> 00:30:23.039 you say to 00:30:23.039 --> 00:30:23.659 yourself well I'm 00:30:23.659 --> 00:30:24.459 a Christian and 00:30:24.459 --> 00:30:26.319 I'm actually a 00:30:26.319 --> 00:30:27.419 bit guilty a bit 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:28.939 uncomfortable here 00:30:28.939 --> 00:30:30.119 because I know 00:30:30.119 --> 00:30:30.759 nothing of the 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.339 struggle he's 00:30:31.339 --> 00:30:32.059 talking about this 00:30:32.059 --> 00:30:33.779 morning what 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:35.179 struggle I 00:30:35.179 --> 00:30:36.279 consider myself a 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.359 Christian but yeah 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.119 I get that bit but 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:38.659 what struggle 00:30:38.659 --> 00:30:43.459 well perhaps 00:30:43.459 --> 00:30:44.239 you're not 00:30:44.240 --> 00:30:44.900 thinking about 00:30:44.900 --> 00:30:45.680 sin probably 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.420 perhaps you're 00:30:46.420 --> 00:30:46.920 only thinking 00:30:46.920 --> 00:30:47.940 about struggling 00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.539 against what we 00:30:48.539 --> 00:30:49.039 might call the 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.559 big sins or the 00:30:50.559 --> 00:30:51.839 unrespectable sins 00:30:51.839 --> 00:30:53.599 adultery stealing 00:30:53.599 --> 00:30:54.079 and murdering 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.759 murder and 00:30:54.759 --> 00:30:55.299 because you haven't 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.059 done those things 00:30:56.059 --> 00:30:56.559 because you're not 00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.099 guilty of those 00:30:57.099 --> 00:30:57.799 things when there's 00:30:57.799 --> 00:30:58.359 nothing to struggle 00:30:58.359 --> 00:30:58.720 over 00:30:58.720 --> 00:31:02.559 perhaps you're not 00:31:02.559 --> 00:31:03.559 saying the need to 00:31:03.559 --> 00:31:04.000 struggle 00:31:04.000 --> 00:31:07.519 as a believer in 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:09.019 how you use your 00:31:09.019 --> 00:31:09.400 time 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:12.480 in how you use your 00:31:12.480 --> 00:31:12.799 money 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:15.680 perhaps you're not 00:31:15.680 --> 00:31:16.519 struggling with the 00:31:16.519 --> 00:31:17.799 notion of maintaining 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.700 purity in your 00:31:18.700 --> 00:31:19.380 thought life 00:31:19.380 --> 00:31:20.359 well because nobody 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.220 sees that that's not 00:31:21.220 --> 00:31:21.940 really important 00:31:21.940 --> 00:31:26.559 and struggling 00:31:26.559 --> 00:31:27.860 perhaps to be like 00:31:27.860 --> 00:31:29.340 Jesus if you're a 00:31:29.340 --> 00:31:30.880 parent or if you're a 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:33.380 child or if you're a 00:31:33.380 --> 00:31:34.180 husband or if you're a 00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:35.640 wife or struggling to 00:31:35.640 --> 00:31:36.799 be like Jesus with your 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:37.640 workmates or on the 00:31:37.640 --> 00:31:38.539 soccer field or wherever 00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.440 you find yourself 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:41.960 or struggling to 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:43.920 demonstrate the love and 00:31:43.920 --> 00:31:45.140 commitment to church 00:31:45.140 --> 00:31:47.100 and fellow believers that 00:31:47.100 --> 00:31:48.380 Christ wants me to 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:48.700 have 00:31:48.700 --> 00:31:51.259 see sometimes we can 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.299 find ourselves not 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:53.259 struggling because we've 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.279 so limited the 00:31:54.279 --> 00:31:55.319 parameters for struggle 00:31:55.319 --> 00:31:57.019 that we just we just 00:31:57.019 --> 00:31:58.019 talk ourselves out of 00:31:58.019 --> 00:31:58.240 it 00:31:58.240 --> 00:32:06.200 we need to be talking 00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:06.840 to ourselves 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:09.140 and in the midst of 00:32:09.140 --> 00:32:10.080 struggle we need to be 00:32:10.080 --> 00:32:10.620 able to say 00:32:10.620 --> 00:32:12.220 with Paul 00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:14.620 I really do delight 00:32:14.620 --> 00:32:17.240 in the direction of 00:32:17.240 --> 00:32:18.400 God's word in my life 00:32:18.400 --> 00:32:22.340 I hate what I just 00:32:22.340 --> 00:32:24.580 did because it is so 00:32:24.580 --> 00:32:26.400 contrary to who I am 00:32:26.400 --> 00:32:26.920 in Christ 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:30.060 with God's grace and 00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:31.200 enabling I will 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.180 struggle to do it 00:32:32.180 --> 00:32:33.320 differently next time 00:32:33.320 --> 00:32:39.900 and friends most of all 00:32:39.900 --> 00:32:40.880 remember you're never 00:32:40.880 --> 00:32:41.800 alone in your struggle 00:32:41.800 --> 00:32:44.920 verse 24 and verse 25 00:32:44.920 --> 00:32:45.860 so beautiful 00:32:45.859 --> 00:32:47.659 Paul expresses 00:32:47.659 --> 00:32:48.639 frustration 00:32:48.639 --> 00:32:50.079 I don't think it's 00:32:50.079 --> 00:32:50.579 despair 00:32:50.579 --> 00:32:51.439 it's certainly 00:32:51.439 --> 00:32:52.419 frustration but I 00:32:52.419 --> 00:32:52.859 don't think it's 00:32:52.859 --> 00:32:53.599 despair the way it's 00:32:53.599 --> 00:32:54.399 all put together here 00:32:54.399 --> 00:32:55.919 wretched man that I 00:32:55.919 --> 00:32:56.879 am I don't think it's a 00:32:56.879 --> 00:32:57.799 it's a mission of 00:32:57.799 --> 00:32:58.659 defeat at all 00:32:58.659 --> 00:33:00.399 it's a it's an 00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:01.619 expression of need 00:33:01.619 --> 00:33:02.979 not defeat 00:33:02.979 --> 00:33:05.619 wretched man that I 00:33:05.619 --> 00:33:05.919 am 00:33:05.919 --> 00:33:07.819 who will deliver me 00:33:07.819 --> 00:33:09.179 from this body of 00:33:09.179 --> 00:33:09.639 death who will 00:33:09.639 --> 00:33:10.359 deliver me from this 00:33:10.359 --> 00:33:10.859 struggle 00:33:10.859 --> 00:33:18.079 thanks be to God 00:33:18.079 --> 00:33:18.779 through the Lord 00:33:18.779 --> 00:33:19.479 Jesus Christ 00:33:19.479 --> 00:33:23.339 you're never alone 00:33:23.339 --> 00:33:24.599 in the struggle 00:33:24.599 --> 00:33:30.299 with Paul express the 00:33:30.299 --> 00:33:31.740 cry of need and 00:33:31.740 --> 00:33:32.699 indeed the cry of 00:33:32.699 --> 00:33:33.339 confidence 00:33:33.339 --> 00:33:36.339 the tension and 00:33:36.339 --> 00:33:38.279 struggle will continue 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.720 until Christ returns 00:33:39.720 --> 00:33:40.939 or we leave this world 00:33:40.939 --> 00:33:41.899 to go to be with him 00:33:41.899 --> 00:33:44.980 but in the meanwhile as 00:33:44.980 --> 00:33:46.559 we heard from Philippians 00:33:46.559 --> 00:33:48.119 in the last series he 00:33:48.119 --> 00:33:49.720 who began a good work in 00:33:49.720 --> 00:33:50.859 you will bring it to 00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.279 completion 00:33:51.279 --> 00:33:54.519 he will bring you through 00:33:54.519 --> 00:33:55.679 the struggle he will 00:33:55.679 --> 00:33:57.639 keep you safe in the 00:33:57.639 --> 00:33:57.939 struggle 00:33:57.940 --> 00:34:03.039 in the face of this 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:04.000 endless struggle you 00:34:04.000 --> 00:34:05.460 can be confident that 00:34:05.460 --> 00:34:06.519 the Holy Spirit will 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.420 hold you secure you 00:34:07.420 --> 00:34:08.340 can be confident of 00:34:08.340 --> 00:34:09.400 your acceptance and 00:34:09.400 --> 00:34:10.380 relationship with God 00:34:10.380 --> 00:34:12.019 in spite of your 00:34:12.019 --> 00:34:12.960 failures in the 00:34:12.960 --> 00:34:13.300 struggle 00:34:13.300 --> 00:34:15.840 why can you be 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.200 confident 00:34:16.200 --> 00:34:18.300 because of the work of 00:34:18.300 --> 00:34:19.380 Christ for you 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.720 and in you 00:34:20.720 --> 00:34:23.200 in the past 00:34:23.200 --> 00:34:25.340 and into the future 00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:27.400 my friends 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:30.280 don't despair in the 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:30.539 struggle 00:34:30.539 --> 00:34:33.940 don't give up 00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:34.400 struggling 00:34:34.400 --> 00:34:38.139 don't think you can 00:34:38.139 --> 00:34:39.180 avoid the struggle 00:34:39.180 --> 00:34:46.320 but most of all be real 00:34:46.320 --> 00:34:47.119 in the struggle 00:34:47.119 --> 00:34:51.519 ask for the help of 00:34:51.519 --> 00:34:52.059 your brothers and 00:34:52.059 --> 00:34:52.420 sisters 00:34:52.420 --> 00:34:54.820 desire the help of 00:34:54.820 --> 00:34:55.320 your brothers and 00:34:55.320 --> 00:34:55.559 sisters 00:34:55.559 --> 00:34:56.820 look to the Lord 00:34:56.820 --> 00:35:01.100 with confidence 00:35:01.100 --> 00:35:01.720 and joy 00:35:01.720 --> 00:35:02.580 and hopefulness 00:35:02.580 --> 00:35:05.019 remember 00:35:05.019 --> 00:35:05.740 the mark of the 00:35:05.740 --> 00:35:06.120 Christian 00:35:06.120 --> 00:35:07.380 is not 00:35:07.380 --> 00:35:08.059 perfection 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:10.380 this side of 00:35:10.380 --> 00:35:10.640 heaven 00:35:10.640 --> 00:35:12.660 but the struggle 00:35:12.660 --> 00:35:14.940 to express 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.460 who we are in 00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:15.740 Christ 00:35:15.740 --> 00:35:16.539 let's pray 00:35:16.539 --> 00:35:24.920 Lord I know 00:35:24.920 --> 00:35:25.800 only too well 00:35:25.800 --> 00:35:28.420 the temptation 00:35:28.420 --> 00:35:29.199 just to give up 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.559 the struggle 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.119 it's all too 00:35:30.119 --> 00:35:30.480 hard 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:34.739 Lord even the 00:35:34.739 --> 00:35:35.340 thought that goes 00:35:35.340 --> 00:35:35.679 with that 00:35:35.679 --> 00:35:36.619 easier to walk 00:35:36.619 --> 00:35:37.159 away from 00:35:37.159 --> 00:35:37.920 from the Lord 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.659 Jesus Christ 00:35:38.659 --> 00:35:39.779 than to 00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:40.840 continue this 00:35:40.840 --> 00:35:41.539 endless struggle 00:35:41.539 --> 00:35:42.679 Lord keep us 00:35:42.679 --> 00:35:43.159 from that 00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:44.199 I pray 00:35:44.199 --> 00:35:46.259 help us to 00:35:46.259 --> 00:35:46.639 talk to 00:35:46.639 --> 00:35:46.940 ourselves 00:35:46.940 --> 00:35:47.440 help us to 00:35:47.440 --> 00:35:47.940 bring us 00:35:47.940 --> 00:35:48.500 back to a 00:35:48.500 --> 00:35:49.319 clear and 00:35:49.319 --> 00:35:50.119 sure focus 00:35:50.119 --> 00:35:50.739 on you 00:35:50.739 --> 00:35:51.460 as the 00:35:51.460 --> 00:35:52.759 ground of 00:35:52.759 --> 00:35:53.339 our acceptance 00:35:53.339 --> 00:35:55.940 and the 00:35:55.940 --> 00:35:56.980 sureness of 00:35:56.980 --> 00:35:57.199 our 00:35:57.199 --> 00:35:58.019 completion 00:35:58.019 --> 00:36:02.399 in Jesus 00:36:02.399 --> 00:36:03.000 name I pray 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:03.460 Amen