WEBVTT

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 Well, good morning. If you have a copy of God's Word with you, I do hope that you do. Please join me in Romans chapter 15.

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 Once again, this morning will be a bit different than usual. We've had a lot of that here at the beginning of the year.

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 It's starting to feel a little usual, isn't it? If you are a guest with us this morning, I want you to know that we normally preach,

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 verse-by-verse expositions through a book. I feel some need to prove that to you.

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 So, I'll just say, last year we completed a study of the Book of Romans, which took about two and a half years to make its way through.

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 Spent a couple of weeks in the Book of Judges, and then just before Advent season, four weeks in the Book of Ruth.

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 We went on to consider the Advent themes of hope, peace, joy, and love.

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 We're about to begin a seven-week study of the life of King David, and then, Lord willing, we will begin, once again, a verse-by-verse exposition of a gospel account.

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 I think, I think, John's, perhaps Matthew's.

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 This morning, though, in doing a different thing than usual, I want to take a moment to consider confessionalism.

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 You may be asked, from time to time, is your church confessional? At least, I am, as a pastor, asked that quite regularly.

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 What is it? What is confessionalism? Why does it matter?

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 Why is our church a confessional church? The answer to that question is yes.

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 Our church is, in fact, confessional.

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 We live in an age that grapples with the truth.

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 Some people don't know how to define it, or even believe that it's possible to arrive at any truth at all.

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 This is a serious problem, and it is most likely an age-old one, although we only experience the unraveling of truth in our day.

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 But praise be to God that he has ordained a solution for a confused age.

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 In 1 Timothy chapter 3 and verse 15, Paul calls the church a pillar and buttress of the truth.

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 We are not originators of the truth.

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 Those things Paul is talking about in 1 Timothy chapter 3 are those things found in the scriptures.

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 We don't originate them, but we are to be its support and its protection.

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 It is a high calling to hold the truth in our generation and to pass it on to the next.

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 Sadly, I think the church can and often does err in this charge in one of two ways.

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 On the one hand, doctrine is jettisoned for pragmatic expediency.

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 Anything that the Bible teaches that makes anyone uncomfortable is perceived as an obstacle to seeing people make professions of faith in Christ.

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 I think very often there's good intention that underlies this, but it's an error to be sure.

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 You may be familiar with the apologetic attempt of a popular preacher in our very backyard to, quote, unhitch our faith from the Old Testament.

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 So that's one possible error.

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 On the other hand, doctrinal matters of lesser importance can become a distraction to meaningful fellowship

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 when they are elevated in importance beyond their station.

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 When things that aren't unimportant become too important in the life of a Christian fellowship.

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 We believe that confessionalism can, it should, help us avoid these two potential errors.

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 A confession is a document in which a church or group of churches, some association of Christians,

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 states what it believes the Bible teaches on given subjects for the sake of Christian unity.

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 That's the aim.

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 That's where it's headed.

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 That's what we're trying to accomplish with confessions.

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 We're going to look at a number of texts today,

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 but I would like for us to begin in Romans chapter 15, verse 5 and 6, which says this.

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 May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another,

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 in accord with Christ Jesus.

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 That is in relationship to, right?

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 Consistent with Christ Jesus.

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 That together, verse 6, you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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 There's one simple point I want to make from these two verses.

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 Christian harmony or unity, it exalts Jesus Christ.

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 The Christian, one whose soul has been saved by the work of Christ on their behalf.

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 One who has been justified by grace through faith in Christ alone.

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 The highest aim of their life ought to be the exaltation of Christ.

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 We, having been saved by him, ought to want all people to see how grand and glorious he is.

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 Paul hopes here that the Roman Christ followers and that you and I would be given grace for Christian unity

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 so that the Lord Jesus Christ would receive glory.

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 So it's a big thing that we're talking about here when we talk about confessionalism.

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 This is not just some nerdy endeavor to take up,

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 but it's for this great good of the exaltation of Christ in our Christian unity.

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 But we don't always agree, do we?

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 Sometimes we have personal conflict,

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 and the Bible is replete with commands and instruction

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 for how we are to set aside our preferences,

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 bear with one another with compassion and reconcile.

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 Sometimes we have conventional differences.

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 Faithful Christians haven't always seen eye to eye on everything.

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 This has always been true.

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 It is true amongst us.

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 We don't all agree on everything,

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 and this creates some genuine challenges for unity.

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 Beyond the general challenge of maintaining unity,

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 our enemy we bring to it,

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 our sinful inclinations,

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 and our enemy is pleased to see us working against one another.

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 In the back of your bulletin today,

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 there's a quotation from Charles Spurgeon.

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 He once said this,

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 quote,

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 Satan always hates Christian fellowship.

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 It is his policy to keep Christians apart.

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 Anything which can divide saints from one another,

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 he delights in.

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 He attaches far more importance to godly interaction than we do.

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 Since union is strength,

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 he does his best to promote separation.

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 End quote.

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 We have a lot working against our unity.

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 Our disagreements certainly create the need

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 to ask that God would be gracious to us,

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 that we might live in the type of harmony

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 that exalts Jesus Christ.

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 We could just leave it off there and go,

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 well, there we go.

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 We're just going to pray for grace to be unified.

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 But I would recommend that we take some practical steps

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 to maintain the unity that is ours in Jesus.

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 So how do we do this?

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 Assuming that you are in Christ

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 and that your greatest desire is to exalt Jesus Christ

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 in word and deed,

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 how do we maintain unity amidst disagreement?

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 We do so by employing the practice

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 of an idea called theological triage.

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 And yes, if you remember here,

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 you've heard me talk about this before.

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 We're doing it again

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 because it's that important.

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 And the way we bring theological triage

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 to bear in the life of the church

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 is in the formation of confessions.

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 It's that practice brought into reality

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 in a tangible way.

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 Triage is the process of assigning urgency

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 or importance to a matter.

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 If a bus that is full of people

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 were in an accident

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 and that number,

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 those people in that accident,

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 were brought into an emergency room

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 those patients would be ranked for treatment

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 from most severe need

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 to least severe need.

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 You've probably experienced this

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 if you've ever been to an emergency room.

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 You may not have known it was going on,

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 but you've waited a long, long time

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 because your emergency

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 was not as severe

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 as somebody else's emergency.

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 This can, and we argue should,

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 also be done theologically.

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 If you believe that the Bible teaches a doctrine

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 and a well-meaning Christian,

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 brother or sister,

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 disagrees with your view,

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 what are you to do?

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 How important,

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 or perhaps in some cases unimportant,

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 is said disagreement?

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 Theological triage helps us

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 to determine this.

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 Now, at this point,

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 I want to be clear.

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 The term theological triage

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 was coined,

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 as far as anybody can tell,

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 by Al Mohler,

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 who is the current president

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 of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

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 So new in this formulation,

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 this idea,

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 termed this way,

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 theological triage.

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 However,

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 this concept can be seen historically

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 in the creation of confessions

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 and creeds,

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 Christians carefully pinning

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 doctrinal standards

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 for the sake of agreement,

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 and,

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 much more importantly,

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 as I will show you this morning,

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 we can see this idea

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 in the Bible.

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 So,

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 when we talk about theological triage,

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 there are

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 four orders of doctrine.

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 First,

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 second,

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 third,

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 fourth,

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 or if you prefer,

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 primary,

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 secondary,

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 tertiary,

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 and quaternary,

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 a word I'm always happy

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 to slip into a conversation,

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 I'm going to talk about these

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 out of order

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 because it makes sense,

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 as I hope you'll see,

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 why to talk about them

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 out of order.

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 The first is quaternary,

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 or fourth order doctrine.

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 We're going to talk about it first

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 because it's simple,

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 and we're going to get it

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 out of the way.

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 These are things

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 that are unimportant.

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 We are welcome

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 to talk about them.

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 It could be fun,

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 perhaps,

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 to talk about them,

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 but at the end of the day,

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 they just really don't matter.

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 The only example I have

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 in 17 years

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 of being a pastor,

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 the only one,

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 but it's happened on repeat,

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 is the question,

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 is there life

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 on other planets?

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 It's interesting,

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 we can talk about it,

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 but it just doesn't really matter.

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 Where you land on the topic,

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 who cares

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 at the end

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 of the day,

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 right?

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 We know there's life

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 on this planet

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 that's cursed.

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 We need a savior.

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 Moving on.

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 Fourth order.

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 Third order doctrine,

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 or tertiary doctrine,

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 are matters

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 that are important

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 for the individual.

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 So, important.

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 Hear me say,

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 not unimportant,

00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:18.000
 important

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 for the individual.

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 Things that we ought

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 to have some conviction about,

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 but our conviction

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 may vary from

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 someone else's conviction.

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 temptation.

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 So,

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 I'm going to give you

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 a really

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 base and simple

00:12:34.240 --> 00:12:35.259
 example

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 that has changed

00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.500
 over time,

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 and I'm giving this one

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 to you because I just

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 had a conversation

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 about it

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 with a brother.

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 Over time,

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 I've decided

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 to wear a jacket

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 on Sunday mornings

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 when I'm preaching.

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 And that's coming

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 from a desire

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 to not offend anybody.

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 I just want to be sure

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 anybody coming

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 and visiting

00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:54.060
 who might be used

00:12:54.060 --> 00:12:55.399
 to a pastor

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 in a suit,

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 which I'm currently

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 not convicted to do.

00:12:59.660 --> 00:13:00.420
 I want to be able

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 to get down

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 on my knees

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 and play with little kids,

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 but I don't want

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 to get dry cleaning,

00:13:05.780 --> 00:13:06.220
 but I'm going to wear

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 a jacket.

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 So,

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 it's a conviction

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 that I came to,

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 but I'm not going

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 to put it on anybody

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 else who preaches here.

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 I never once asked

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 one of the other guys

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 that preaches

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 on a Sunday morning

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 to also wear a jacket.

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 It's a personal conviction,

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 right?

00:13:17.379 --> 00:13:17.780
 I've decided.

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 I think this is a good thing

00:13:19.100 --> 00:13:21.659
 for me to do.

00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.519
 Other examples,

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 right?

00:13:24.220 --> 00:13:24.820
 You should have

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 some conviction

00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.580
 about the consumption

00:13:26.580 --> 00:13:27.580
 of alcohol,

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 whether or not

00:13:28.060 --> 00:13:28.639
 that's appropriate

00:13:28.639 --> 00:13:29.300
 for you

00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:30.440
 or in your house

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 or out in public.

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 There's some things

00:13:33.159 --> 00:13:33.879
 to consider

00:13:33.879 --> 00:13:34.740
 when it comes

00:13:34.740 --> 00:13:35.899
 to the consumption

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 of alcohol.

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 The types of television

00:13:38.460 --> 00:13:39.139
 that you're willing

00:13:39.139 --> 00:13:39.920
 to watch

00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:41.519
 or allow your children

00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:42.340
 to watch.

00:13:42.460 --> 00:13:43.420
 There's some clear

00:13:43.420 --> 00:13:44.680
 parameters to that

00:13:44.680 --> 00:13:45.540
 kind of thing,

00:13:45.700 --> 00:13:46.540
 but there's some

00:13:46.540 --> 00:13:47.940
 gray area there

00:13:47.940 --> 00:13:48.660
 where we might

00:13:48.659 --> 00:13:49.779
 want to not

00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:50.480
 include some stuff

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:51.059
 in our home

00:13:51.059 --> 00:13:51.480
 that you might

00:13:51.480 --> 00:13:52.379
 feel okay with

00:13:52.379 --> 00:13:54.539
 in your own.

00:13:54.600 --> 00:13:55.500
 These are the kinds

00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.120
 of things

00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:56.819
 that we're all

00:13:56.819 --> 00:13:57.699
 trying to work out

00:13:57.699 --> 00:13:58.059
 as we're trying

00:13:58.059 --> 00:13:58.699
 to be faithful

00:13:58.699 --> 00:13:59.360
 to the scripture.

00:13:59.679 --> 00:14:00.719
 It's so often

00:14:00.719 --> 00:14:01.620
 being derived

00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:03.259
 from the Bible,

00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:04.579
 but then with the

00:14:04.579 --> 00:14:06.539
 application of prudence.

00:14:06.779 --> 00:14:07.699
 Like, what is the

00:14:07.699 --> 00:14:08.819
 best way for me

00:14:08.819 --> 00:14:10.799
 to obey this command

00:14:10.799 --> 00:14:12.319
 or that command

00:14:12.319 --> 00:14:13.720
 where the application

00:14:13.720 --> 00:14:14.720
 isn't as clear

00:14:14.720 --> 00:14:15.339
 as sometimes

00:14:15.339 --> 00:14:16.259
 we may want it

00:14:16.259 --> 00:14:17.459
 to be,

00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:18.420
 but we should

00:14:18.420 --> 00:14:18.840
 be having

00:14:18.840 --> 00:14:19.800
 conversations.

00:14:20.120 --> 00:14:20.480
 We should be

00:14:20.480 --> 00:14:21.580
 pressing at one

00:14:21.580 --> 00:14:22.700
 another in these

00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:23.920
 matters, right?

00:14:24.000 --> 00:14:25.300
 But the way we

00:14:25.300 --> 00:14:26.300
 hold this doctrine

00:14:26.300 --> 00:14:28.139
 is a way that says

00:14:28.139 --> 00:14:28.980
 it's really important

00:14:28.980 --> 00:14:29.460
 to me.

00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.580
 It may not be

00:14:31.580 --> 00:14:32.560
 felt the same

00:14:32.560 --> 00:14:34.300
 by you.

00:14:35.100 --> 00:14:35.740
 If you turn back

00:14:35.740 --> 00:14:36.420
 just a page,

00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:36.860
 perhaps,

00:14:37.000 --> 00:14:38.000
 in your scripture,

00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:38.400
 I'll show you

00:14:38.400 --> 00:14:38.980
 an example of this

00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:39.840
 from Romans chapter

00:14:39.840 --> 00:14:40.840
 14.

00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:43.160
 There Paul says,

00:14:43.200 --> 00:14:43.680
 this is the first

00:14:43.680 --> 00:14:44.240
 six verses,

00:14:44.240 --> 00:14:45.259
 as for the one

00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:45.740
 who is weak

00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:46.139
 in faith,

00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.000
 welcome him,

00:14:47.659 --> 00:14:48.899
 but not to quarrel

00:14:48.899 --> 00:14:50.519
 over opinions.

00:14:51.500 --> 00:14:52.259
 One person

00:14:52.259 --> 00:14:52.960
 believes he may

00:14:52.960 --> 00:14:53.659
 eat anything

00:14:53.659 --> 00:14:54.340
 while the weak

00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.220
 person eats

00:14:55.220 --> 00:14:56.680
 only vegetables.

00:14:56.879 --> 00:14:57.600
 The concern here

00:14:57.600 --> 00:14:58.240
 was food

00:14:58.240 --> 00:14:59.379
 sacrificed to idols,

00:14:59.860 --> 00:15:00.060
 right?

00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.279
 And some conviction

00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.919
 about that.

00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:03.840
 And Paul's saying,

00:15:03.919 --> 00:15:04.779
 don't get in arguments

00:15:04.779 --> 00:15:05.519
 about this kind

00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:05.960
 of thing.

00:15:06.820 --> 00:15:07.779
 It's fine

00:15:07.779 --> 00:15:08.820
 that one person

00:15:08.820 --> 00:15:10.200
 is a vegetarian

00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:10.820
 and another

00:15:10.820 --> 00:15:11.659
 is not.

00:15:11.659 --> 00:15:13.379
 Let not the one

00:15:13.379 --> 00:15:13.879
 who eats

00:15:13.879 --> 00:15:14.639
 despise the one

00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.219
 who abstains

00:15:15.219 --> 00:15:15.600
 and let not

00:15:15.600 --> 00:15:15.899
 the one

00:15:15.899 --> 00:15:16.519
 who abstains

00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:17.219
 pass judgment

00:15:17.219 --> 00:15:17.799
 on the one

00:15:17.799 --> 00:15:18.339
 who eats

00:15:18.339 --> 00:15:19.579
 for God

00:15:19.579 --> 00:15:21.039
 has welcomed him.

00:15:22.139 --> 00:15:22.480
 Who are you

00:15:22.480 --> 00:15:23.100
 to pass judgment

00:15:23.100 --> 00:15:23.639
 on the servant

00:15:23.639 --> 00:15:24.139
 of another?

00:15:24.679 --> 00:15:25.259
 It is before his

00:15:25.259 --> 00:15:25.959
 own master

00:15:25.959 --> 00:15:26.579
 that he stands

00:15:26.579 --> 00:15:27.039
 or falls

00:15:27.039 --> 00:15:27.639
 and he will

00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.240
 be upheld

00:15:28.240 --> 00:15:28.860
 for the Lord

00:15:28.860 --> 00:15:29.419
 is able

00:15:29.419 --> 00:15:30.039
 to make him

00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.399
 stand.

00:15:31.319 --> 00:15:31.980
 One person

00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:32.659
 esteems

00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.360
 one day

00:15:33.360 --> 00:15:33.799
 as better

00:15:33.799 --> 00:15:34.259
 than another

00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.819
 while another

00:15:34.819 --> 00:15:35.319
 esteems

00:15:35.319 --> 00:15:36.259
 all days

00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.079
 alike.

00:15:37.799 --> 00:15:38.299
 Each one

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:38.620
 should be

00:15:38.620 --> 00:15:39.399
 fully convinced

00:15:39.399 --> 00:15:40.019
 in his own

00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:40.419
 mind.

00:15:40.419 --> 00:15:41.360
 The one

00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:41.779
 who observes

00:15:41.779 --> 00:15:42.139
 the day

00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.659
 observes it

00:15:42.659 --> 00:15:42.959
 in honor

00:15:42.959 --> 00:15:43.459
 of the Lord.

00:15:43.759 --> 00:15:44.079
 The one

00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:44.559
 who eats

00:15:44.559 --> 00:15:44.979
 eats

00:15:44.979 --> 00:15:45.399
 in honor

00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:45.879
 of the Lord

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.279
 since he

00:15:46.279 --> 00:15:46.819
 gives thanks

00:15:46.819 --> 00:15:47.399
 to God

00:15:47.399 --> 00:15:48.319
 while the one

00:15:48.319 --> 00:15:48.919
 who abstains

00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:49.519
 abstains

00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:49.879
 in honor

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:50.399
 of the Lord

00:15:50.399 --> 00:15:50.959
 and gives

00:15:50.959 --> 00:15:51.419
 thanks

00:15:51.419 --> 00:15:52.419
 to God.

00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:53.979
 So the

00:15:53.979 --> 00:15:54.259
 assumption

00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:54.500
 in these

00:15:54.500 --> 00:15:54.719
 matters

00:15:54.719 --> 00:15:55.219
 is that

00:15:55.219 --> 00:15:55.399
 there's

00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:55.699
 good

00:15:55.699 --> 00:15:56.439
 underpinnings.

00:15:56.539 --> 00:15:56.860
 These people

00:15:56.860 --> 00:15:57.639
 belong to

00:15:57.639 --> 00:15:58.019
 Christ

00:15:58.019 --> 00:15:58.559
 and they're

00:15:58.559 --> 00:15:58.979
 trying to

00:15:58.979 --> 00:15:59.679
 be faithful

00:15:59.679 --> 00:16:01.159
 to the

00:16:01.159 --> 00:16:01.500
 Lord.

00:16:01.979 --> 00:16:02.279
 They're

00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:02.639
 trying to

00:16:02.639 --> 00:16:03.360
 do what

00:16:03.360 --> 00:16:04.019
 is right

00:16:04.019 --> 00:16:05.559
 and proper.

00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:05.939
 Let's

00:16:05.939 --> 00:16:06.139
 not

00:16:06.139 --> 00:16:07.199
 inquire

00:16:07.199 --> 00:16:07.879
 over

00:16:07.879 --> 00:16:09.759
 opinions.

00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:12.240
 I think

00:16:12.240 --> 00:16:13.179
 that much

00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:13.519
 of the

00:16:13.519 --> 00:16:14.379
 disunity

00:16:14.379 --> 00:16:14.779
 that we

00:16:14.779 --> 00:16:14.979
 see

00:16:14.979 --> 00:16:15.319
 amongst

00:16:15.319 --> 00:16:15.740
 Christians

00:16:15.740 --> 00:16:17.179
 lies here.

00:16:18.360 --> 00:16:19.120
 Third

00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:20.000
 order doctrine

00:16:20.000 --> 00:16:21.219
 being elevated

00:16:21.219 --> 00:16:21.839
 to levels

00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.139
 that it

00:16:22.139 --> 00:16:22.579
 doesn't

00:16:22.579 --> 00:16:23.539
 belong

00:16:23.539 --> 00:16:24.039
 and then

00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.759
 fights

00:16:24.759 --> 00:16:25.639
 ensue

00:16:25.639 --> 00:16:26.620
 over these

00:16:26.620 --> 00:16:26.959
 things.

00:16:27.039 --> 00:16:27.419
 And it's

00:16:27.419 --> 00:16:28.199
 tragic

00:16:28.199 --> 00:16:29.079
 that that's

00:16:29.079 --> 00:16:30.120
 the case.

00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:30.439
 So here

00:16:30.439 --> 00:16:30.799
 comes

00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:32.099
 this process

00:16:32.099 --> 00:16:33.019
 and the

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.539
 pinning of

00:16:33.539 --> 00:16:34.079
 confessions

00:16:34.079 --> 00:16:34.699
 to help us

00:16:34.699 --> 00:16:35.519
 not do

00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:36.500
 this.

00:16:36.500 --> 00:16:37.700
 Okay,

00:16:37.860 --> 00:16:39.259
 now we're

00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:39.419
 going to

00:16:39.419 --> 00:16:39.840
 jump up

00:16:39.840 --> 00:16:40.200
 the order

00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:40.519
 to

00:16:40.519 --> 00:16:41.480
 first

00:16:41.480 --> 00:16:41.879
 order

00:16:41.879 --> 00:16:42.899
 doctrine

00:16:42.899 --> 00:16:43.259
 or

00:16:43.259 --> 00:16:44.539
 primary

00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:45.580
 doctrine.

00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:46.899
 I think

00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.259
 this is a

00:16:47.259 --> 00:16:47.820
 much smaller

00:16:47.820 --> 00:16:48.299
 category

00:16:48.299 --> 00:16:48.980
 but of

00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:49.460
 course

00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.679
 the most

00:16:50.679 --> 00:16:51.779
 important.

00:16:52.440 --> 00:16:53.299
 This is

00:16:53.299 --> 00:16:54.659
 of vital

00:16:54.659 --> 00:16:55.200
 importance

00:16:55.200 --> 00:16:55.740
 for

00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.580
 Christian

00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.820
 unity.

00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.659
 These are

00:16:58.659 --> 00:16:59.620
 those things

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:00.399
 that must

00:17:00.399 --> 00:17:01.179
 be believed

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:01.919
 for a

00:17:01.919 --> 00:17:02.299
 person

00:17:02.299 --> 00:17:03.240
 to be

00:17:03.240 --> 00:17:04.380
 Christian.

00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.880
 first

00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:06.240
 order

00:17:06.240 --> 00:17:07.060
 doctrines.

00:17:07.380 --> 00:17:07.940
 I've said

00:17:07.940 --> 00:17:08.180
 to you

00:17:08.180 --> 00:17:08.760
 many times

00:17:08.760 --> 00:17:09.060
 before

00:17:09.060 --> 00:17:09.580
 these are

00:17:09.580 --> 00:17:10.200
 the doctrines

00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:10.760
 that we

00:17:10.760 --> 00:17:11.200
 stand on

00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:11.440
 a hill

00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:11.840
 together

00:17:11.840 --> 00:17:12.460
 and die

00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:12.800
 for.

00:17:14.480 --> 00:17:14.920
 Justification

00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:16.040
 by grace

00:17:16.040 --> 00:17:17.120
 through faith

00:17:17.120 --> 00:17:17.980
 in Christ

00:17:17.980 --> 00:17:18.300
 alone.

00:17:19.240 --> 00:17:19.780
 If you

00:17:19.780 --> 00:17:20.000
 want to

00:17:20.000 --> 00:17:20.300
 get into

00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:20.640
 a debate

00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.000
 with me

00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:21.460
 about the

00:17:21.460 --> 00:17:23.140
 order of

00:17:23.140 --> 00:17:23.580
 salvation

00:17:23.580 --> 00:17:24.380
 exactly the

00:17:24.380 --> 00:17:24.740
 way all

00:17:24.740 --> 00:17:25.000
 of these

00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.800
 things pair

00:17:25.800 --> 00:17:26.080
 out.

00:17:26.280 --> 00:17:26.360
 Does

00:17:26.360 --> 00:17:26.680
 regeneration

00:17:26.680 --> 00:17:27.100
 precede

00:17:27.100 --> 00:17:27.280
 faith

00:17:27.280 --> 00:17:27.400
 or

00:17:27.400 --> 00:17:27.760
 regeneration

00:17:27.760 --> 00:17:28.560
 I have

00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:28.800
 an answer

00:17:28.800 --> 00:17:29.120
 to that.

00:17:29.360 --> 00:17:29.520
 But if

00:17:29.520 --> 00:17:29.680
 you want

00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:29.820
 to get

00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:30.080
 in a debate

00:17:30.080 --> 00:17:30.280
 with me

00:17:30.280 --> 00:17:30.640
 about that

00:17:30.640 --> 00:17:31.140
 that's

00:17:31.140 --> 00:17:31.620
 fine.

00:17:32.180 --> 00:17:32.300
 My

00:17:32.300 --> 00:17:32.900
 question

00:17:32.900 --> 00:17:33.200
 will be

00:17:33.200 --> 00:17:33.680
 for you

00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.360
 do you

00:17:34.359 --> 00:17:34.699
 believe

00:17:34.699 --> 00:17:34.879
 were

00:17:34.879 --> 00:17:35.339
 justified

00:17:35.339 --> 00:17:36.459
 by grace

00:17:36.459 --> 00:17:37.099
 through faith

00:17:37.099 --> 00:17:37.479
 in Christ

00:17:37.479 --> 00:17:37.699
 alone.

00:17:37.759 --> 00:17:37.939
 If you

00:17:37.939 --> 00:17:38.359
 say yes

00:17:38.359 --> 00:17:38.759
 then I

00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:38.859
 will

00:17:38.859 --> 00:17:39.319
 embrace

00:17:39.319 --> 00:17:39.599
 you.

00:17:39.919 --> 00:17:40.399
 First

00:17:40.399 --> 00:17:40.719
 order

00:17:40.719 --> 00:17:41.659
 doctrine.

00:17:42.139 --> 00:17:42.519
 The deity

00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:42.939
 of Jesus

00:17:42.939 --> 00:17:43.299
 Christ.

00:17:43.399 --> 00:17:43.599
 What do

00:17:43.599 --> 00:17:43.959
 we believe

00:17:43.959 --> 00:17:44.259
 to be

00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:44.979
 true

00:17:44.979 --> 00:17:45.740
 of Jesus

00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:47.119
 person?

00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.599
 Incredibly

00:17:48.599 --> 00:17:49.139
 important

00:17:49.139 --> 00:17:49.899
 that we

00:17:49.899 --> 00:17:50.579
 understand

00:17:50.579 --> 00:17:51.359
 who

00:17:51.359 --> 00:17:51.879
 he

00:17:51.879 --> 00:17:53.139
 is.

00:17:53.719 --> 00:17:53.959
 These

00:17:53.959 --> 00:17:54.159
 things

00:17:54.159 --> 00:17:54.839
 matter

00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:56.039
 greatly

00:17:56.039 --> 00:17:56.699
 for

00:17:56.699 --> 00:17:57.119
 Christian

00:17:57.119 --> 00:17:58.479
 unity.

00:17:59.359 --> 00:17:59.919
 Jude

00:17:59.919 --> 00:18:00.159
 verse

00:18:00.159 --> 00:18:00.559
 three and

00:18:00.559 --> 00:18:00.939
 four.

00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.219
 Beloved

00:18:02.219 --> 00:18:02.679
 although I

00:18:02.679 --> 00:18:03.159
 was very

00:18:03.159 --> 00:18:03.679
 eager to

00:18:03.680 --> 00:18:04.019
 write to

00:18:04.019 --> 00:18:04.340
 you about

00:18:04.340 --> 00:18:04.500
 our

00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:04.900
 common

00:18:04.900 --> 00:18:05.500
 salvation.

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:06.360
 I

00:18:06.360 --> 00:18:06.779
 found it

00:18:06.779 --> 00:18:07.299
 necessary

00:18:07.299 --> 00:18:07.740
 to write

00:18:07.740 --> 00:18:08.220
 appealing

00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.620
 to you

00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:09.680
 to contend

00:18:09.680 --> 00:18:10.500
 for the

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.220
 faith that

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:11.779
 was once

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:12.259
 for all

00:18:12.259 --> 00:18:12.700
 delivered

00:18:12.700 --> 00:18:13.840
 to the

00:18:13.840 --> 00:18:14.240
 saints.

00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.180
 I think

00:18:15.180 --> 00:18:15.700
 Jude is

00:18:15.700 --> 00:18:16.400
 talking about

00:18:16.400 --> 00:18:16.640
 these

00:18:16.640 --> 00:18:18.180
 first order

00:18:18.180 --> 00:18:19.320
 doctrines.

00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:19.660
 And here's

00:18:19.660 --> 00:18:19.880
 why.

00:18:20.019 --> 00:18:20.100
 Verse

00:18:20.100 --> 00:18:20.580
 four says

00:18:20.580 --> 00:18:21.120
 for certain

00:18:21.120 --> 00:18:21.680
 people have

00:18:21.680 --> 00:18:22.200
 crept in

00:18:22.200 --> 00:18:22.779
 unnoticed

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:23.759
 who long

00:18:23.759 --> 00:18:24.320
 ago were

00:18:24.320 --> 00:18:24.779
 designated

00:18:24.779 --> 00:18:25.400
 for this

00:18:25.400 --> 00:18:26.320
 condemnation.

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:27.660
 Ungodly

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.620
 people who

00:18:28.620 --> 00:18:29.019
 pervert

00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.420
 Christ.

00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.319
 These are

00:18:30.319 --> 00:18:31.259
 the wolves

00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:32.079
 in amongst

00:18:32.079 --> 00:18:32.819
 the sheep.

00:18:33.180 --> 00:18:33.440
 And we

00:18:33.440 --> 00:18:33.879
 have to

00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.559
 be able

00:18:34.559 --> 00:18:36.139
 to recognize

00:18:36.139 --> 00:18:37.519
 by doing

00:18:37.519 --> 00:18:38.279
 this process

00:18:38.279 --> 00:18:38.960
 and by

00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:39.279
 having

00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:40.000
 confessions

00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:41.299
 what things

00:18:41.299 --> 00:18:42.440
 we need

00:18:42.440 --> 00:18:43.480
 to contend

00:18:43.480 --> 00:18:43.879
 for.

00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.099
 What are

00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.639
 the types

00:18:46.639 --> 00:18:47.279
 of doctrines

00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:47.539
 that we

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:47.759
 would be

00:18:47.759 --> 00:18:48.139
 willing to

00:18:48.139 --> 00:18:48.940
 see somebody

00:18:48.940 --> 00:18:49.619
 out of

00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:49.779
 our

00:18:49.779 --> 00:18:50.160
 fellowship

00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.599
 and say

00:18:50.599 --> 00:18:50.920
 there's

00:18:50.920 --> 00:18:51.579
 no way

00:18:51.579 --> 00:18:51.920
 you can

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.619
 claim to

00:18:52.619 --> 00:18:52.839
 be a

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:53.079
 Christ

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.319
 follower

00:18:53.319 --> 00:18:53.599
 if you

00:18:53.599 --> 00:18:53.900
 don't

00:18:53.900 --> 00:18:54.359
 believe

00:18:54.359 --> 00:18:55.199
 these

00:18:55.199 --> 00:18:56.419
 things.

00:18:58.059 --> 00:18:59.399
 So tragic

00:18:59.399 --> 00:18:59.779
 in our

00:18:59.779 --> 00:19:00.079
 day.

00:19:00.959 --> 00:19:01.599
 Across

00:19:01.599 --> 00:19:02.379
 traditions

00:19:02.379 --> 00:19:03.740
 people who

00:19:03.740 --> 00:19:04.859
 have largely

00:19:04.859 --> 00:19:05.659
 agreed on

00:19:05.659 --> 00:19:06.319
 the stuff

00:19:06.319 --> 00:19:07.059
 that matters

00:19:07.059 --> 00:19:07.899
 most

00:19:07.899 --> 00:19:08.979
 being just

00:19:08.979 --> 00:19:10.099
 schismed

00:19:10.099 --> 00:19:10.719
 apart by

00:19:10.719 --> 00:19:11.159
 those things

00:19:11.159 --> 00:19:11.359
 that are

00:19:11.359 --> 00:19:12.019
 third order

00:19:12.019 --> 00:19:12.299
 that are

00:19:12.299 --> 00:19:13.259
 being elevated

00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:14.259
 to first

00:19:14.259 --> 00:19:14.959
 order.

00:19:15.500 --> 00:19:16.359
 Over these

00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.179
 past years

00:19:17.179 --> 00:19:18.000
 not amongst

00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.000


00:19:18.000 --> 00:19:18.619
 us!

00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:19.859
 But I

00:19:19.859 --> 00:19:20.819
 have experienced

00:19:20.819 --> 00:19:21.339
 this!

00:19:22.119 --> 00:19:23.240
 I have been

00:19:23.240 --> 00:19:24.179
 called

00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.200
 names that

00:19:25.200 --> 00:19:25.700
 I cannot

00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:26.980
 say here

00:19:26.980 --> 00:19:27.620
 by brothers

00:19:27.620 --> 00:19:28.120
 who claim

00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.440
 to be

00:19:28.440 --> 00:19:28.960
 Christian

00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:29.799
 because I

00:19:29.799 --> 00:19:30.220
 didn't agree

00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:30.600
 with them

00:19:30.600 --> 00:19:31.380
 on things.

00:19:31.779 --> 00:19:32.060
 I have

00:19:32.060 --> 00:19:32.480
 been called

00:19:32.480 --> 00:19:34.640
 unfaithful

00:19:34.640 --> 00:19:35.400
 because I

00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:36.060
 didn't agree

00:19:36.060 --> 00:19:36.539
 with their

00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.539
 positions on

00:19:37.539 --> 00:19:38.560
 things like

00:19:38.560 --> 00:19:39.900
 COVID policy

00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.799
 for example.

00:19:41.580 --> 00:19:42.480
 It's shameful.

00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:43.660
 A shameful

00:19:43.660 --> 00:19:44.380
 way for

00:19:44.380 --> 00:19:44.900
 Christians to

00:19:44.900 --> 00:19:45.799
 act toward

00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.779
 one another.

00:19:48.580 --> 00:19:49.180
 Beloved,

00:19:49.340 --> 00:19:49.960
 if we agree

00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.279
 on these

00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.900
 first order

00:19:50.900 --> 00:19:51.259
 things,

00:19:51.360 --> 00:19:52.220
 they are so

00:19:52.220 --> 00:19:53.480
 massive

00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.140
 and the

00:19:54.140 --> 00:19:54.839
 world

00:19:54.839 --> 00:19:55.720
 is against

00:19:55.720 --> 00:19:56.420
 us on

00:19:56.420 --> 00:19:56.799
 these

00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.960
 things.

00:19:58.380 --> 00:19:59.099
 There's so

00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.779
 much space

00:19:59.779 --> 00:20:00.900
 for unity,

00:20:01.259 --> 00:20:01.799
 for linking

00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:03.440
 arms if we

00:20:03.440 --> 00:20:04.500
 agree on

00:20:04.500 --> 00:20:05.559
 first order

00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.759
 doctrines,

00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.779
 primary

00:20:07.779 --> 00:20:08.940
 doctrine.

00:20:10.420 --> 00:20:11.240
 Then it

00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:12.339
 follows by

00:20:12.339 --> 00:20:13.059
 implication.

00:20:14.299 --> 00:20:14.819
 We're not

00:20:14.819 --> 00:20:15.259
 going to agree

00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:15.779
 on everything.

00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:17.120
 You're thinking

00:20:17.120 --> 00:20:17.660
 about things,

00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:18.160
 but what about

00:20:18.160 --> 00:20:18.819
 this and what

00:20:18.819 --> 00:20:19.339
 about that

00:20:19.339 --> 00:20:19.559
 and what

00:20:19.559 --> 00:20:20.559
 about this?

00:20:20.559 --> 00:20:21.720
 that there

00:20:21.720 --> 00:20:22.059
 are going

00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.440
 to be

00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:22.779
 some

00:20:22.779 --> 00:20:23.639
 second

00:20:23.639 --> 00:20:24.279
 order

00:20:24.279 --> 00:20:25.159
 doctrines,

00:20:25.299 --> 00:20:25.639
 things that

00:20:25.639 --> 00:20:26.339
 are important

00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:28.599
 for church

00:20:28.599 --> 00:20:29.460
 and perhaps

00:20:29.460 --> 00:20:30.299
 outside of the

00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:30.519
 church,

00:20:30.720 --> 00:20:31.359
 ministry

00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.639
 fellowship.

00:20:33.159 --> 00:20:33.639
 Things that

00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.139
 we ought to

00:20:34.139 --> 00:20:34.960
 agree upon

00:20:34.960 --> 00:20:35.819
 together in

00:20:35.819 --> 00:20:36.419
 order just to

00:20:36.419 --> 00:20:38.019
 function together

00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:39.599
 as a church.

00:20:40.359 --> 00:20:41.279
 These doctrines

00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.720
 are going to

00:20:41.720 --> 00:20:42.679
 define our

00:20:42.679 --> 00:20:43.799
 practice,

00:20:44.259 --> 00:20:45.480
 for example,

00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.639
 the regulative

00:20:46.639 --> 00:20:47.079
 principle.

00:20:47.399 --> 00:20:47.839
 We want to

00:20:47.839 --> 00:20:48.480
 make a clear

00:20:48.480 --> 00:20:49.139
 Bible argument

00:20:49.140 --> 00:20:49.940
 for everything

00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.500
 we do

00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:51.160
 together when

00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:51.600
 we gather

00:20:51.600 --> 00:20:52.780
 as a

00:20:52.780 --> 00:20:53.800
 church.

00:20:55.060 --> 00:20:55.540
 Or,

00:20:56.020 --> 00:20:56.460
 who are the

00:20:56.460 --> 00:20:56.759
 proper

00:20:56.759 --> 00:20:58.160
 recipients for

00:20:58.160 --> 00:20:59.040
 baptism?

00:20:59.660 --> 00:21:00.100
 That's a thing

00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:00.840
 we should agree

00:21:00.840 --> 00:21:02.700
 upon as a

00:21:02.700 --> 00:21:03.140
 church.

00:21:03.460 --> 00:21:04.120
 If you come

00:21:04.120 --> 00:21:05.120
 here, we are

00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:06.020
 a Baptist

00:21:06.020 --> 00:21:06.400
 church.

00:21:06.500 --> 00:21:06.680
 We are

00:21:06.680 --> 00:21:07.360
 credo

00:21:07.360 --> 00:21:07.820
 Baptists.

00:21:07.960 --> 00:21:08.740
 So, if you

00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.800
 come here and

00:21:09.800 --> 00:21:10.259
 you want to

00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.640
 have your

00:21:10.640 --> 00:21:11.280
 infant child

00:21:11.280 --> 00:21:11.759
 baptized,

00:21:11.980 --> 00:21:12.200
 you don't

00:21:12.200 --> 00:21:12.620
 get to just

00:21:12.620 --> 00:21:13.360
 decide that

00:21:13.360 --> 00:21:13.920
 here because

00:21:13.920 --> 00:21:14.640
 we would

00:21:14.640 --> 00:21:15.140
 not accept

00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.580
 that as a

00:21:15.580 --> 00:21:15.840
 baptism.

00:21:16.340 --> 00:21:16.860
 We wouldn't

00:21:16.860 --> 00:21:17.280
 do it.

00:21:17.940 --> 00:21:18.220
 We would

00:21:18.220 --> 00:21:18.620
 try to show

00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.000
 you a Bible

00:21:19.000 --> 00:21:19.579
 case for it.

00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.119
 We would

00:21:20.119 --> 00:21:20.479
 love and

00:21:20.479 --> 00:21:21.059
 embrace you

00:21:21.059 --> 00:21:21.739
 on all of

00:21:21.739 --> 00:21:22.179
 those first

00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:23.319
 order doctrines.

00:21:23.439 --> 00:21:24.000
 But as a

00:21:24.000 --> 00:21:24.539
 church, we

00:21:24.539 --> 00:21:24.839
 don't feel

00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.399
 comfortable

00:21:25.399 --> 00:21:26.219
 administering

00:21:26.219 --> 00:21:27.500
 baptism to

00:21:27.500 --> 00:21:27.879
 infants.

00:21:28.419 --> 00:21:30.199
 So, you're

00:21:30.199 --> 00:21:30.559
 welcome to

00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.379
 stay and

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:31.719
 change your

00:21:31.719 --> 00:21:32.899
 view or

00:21:32.899 --> 00:21:34.139
 go find a

00:21:34.139 --> 00:21:34.719
 paedo-baptist

00:21:34.719 --> 00:21:35.500
 church that

00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.019
 agrees with

00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:37.299
 you on that

00:21:37.299 --> 00:21:37.579
 matter.

00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:38.139
 That's a

00:21:38.139 --> 00:21:39.239
 very reasonable

00:21:39.239 --> 00:21:41.039
 option for

00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.659
 you to take.

00:21:42.039 --> 00:21:42.819
 So, those are

00:21:42.819 --> 00:21:43.819
 examples of how

00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.419
 it would define

00:21:44.419 --> 00:21:45.199
 our practice

00:21:45.200 --> 00:21:45.700
 together.

00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.740
 But also,

00:21:47.580 --> 00:21:48.340
 possibly these

00:21:48.340 --> 00:21:48.840
 second-order

00:21:48.840 --> 00:21:50.140
 doctrines can

00:21:50.140 --> 00:21:50.900
 help us define

00:21:50.900 --> 00:21:52.620
 what is sin

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:53.279
 or what is

00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:55.080
 not sin.

00:21:55.900 --> 00:21:56.420
 A very

00:21:56.420 --> 00:21:57.759
 complex issue

00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:58.519
 would be a

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:59.160
 view on

00:21:59.160 --> 00:22:01.059
 divorce and

00:22:01.059 --> 00:22:01.920
 or remarriage.

00:22:02.500 --> 00:22:02.940
 Are there

00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.799
 instances in

00:22:03.799 --> 00:22:05.000
 which people

00:22:05.000 --> 00:22:05.400
 can be

00:22:05.400 --> 00:22:06.400
 divorced and

00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.220
 then following

00:22:07.220 --> 00:22:07.940
 instances in

00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:08.279
 which they

00:22:08.279 --> 00:22:09.039
 could be

00:22:09.039 --> 00:22:10.340
 remarried?

00:22:10.339 --> 00:22:11.759
 And if the

00:22:11.759 --> 00:22:12.179
 church is to

00:22:12.179 --> 00:22:12.779
 practice church

00:22:12.779 --> 00:22:13.859
 discipline, if

00:22:13.859 --> 00:22:14.259
 the church is

00:22:14.259 --> 00:22:14.939
 to call sin

00:22:14.939 --> 00:22:15.899
 sin, what do

00:22:15.899 --> 00:22:16.619
 we think about

00:22:16.619 --> 00:22:17.959
 these matters?

00:22:18.079 --> 00:22:18.779
 How are we to

00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:20.019
 deal with them?

00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:21.000
 Because life is

00:22:21.000 --> 00:22:21.519
 going to present

00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.079
 these kinds of

00:22:22.079 --> 00:22:23.779
 things to us in

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.720
 the life of

00:22:24.720 --> 00:22:25.959
 our church.

00:22:26.480 --> 00:22:28.459
 So, second-order

00:22:28.459 --> 00:22:30.059
 doctrine fits in

00:22:30.059 --> 00:22:30.659
 that category.

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:31.959
 Important for

00:22:31.959 --> 00:22:32.639
 church

00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:34.399
 fellowship.

00:22:35.959 --> 00:22:37.539
 Think long and

00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.659
 deep about

00:22:38.659 --> 00:22:40.199
 Christian unity.

00:22:40.339 --> 00:22:42.639
 how is it that

00:22:42.639 --> 00:22:43.000
 we can be

00:22:43.000 --> 00:22:44.480
 agreeable even

00:22:44.480 --> 00:22:46.000
 when we

00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.439
 disagree?

00:22:46.779 --> 00:22:47.199
 It's going to

00:22:47.199 --> 00:22:48.459
 vary situation

00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:50.319
 by situation.

00:22:51.579 --> 00:22:52.039
 Theological

00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.839
 triage needs to

00:22:52.839 --> 00:22:53.740
 be a regular

00:22:53.740 --> 00:22:55.220
 part of our

00:22:55.220 --> 00:22:56.639
 thinking practice.

00:22:56.919 --> 00:22:57.720
 I just think as

00:22:57.720 --> 00:22:58.359
 people are

00:22:58.359 --> 00:22:59.139
 presenting to us

00:22:59.139 --> 00:23:01.439
 ideas, talking

00:23:01.439 --> 00:23:01.839
 about the

00:23:01.839 --> 00:23:02.519
 scripture, thinking

00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:03.359
 about applications,

00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:04.879
 how is it that

00:23:04.879 --> 00:23:05.339
 they're following

00:23:05.339 --> 00:23:05.559
 Lord?

00:23:05.759 --> 00:23:06.220
 I think we

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:06.599
 need to be able

00:23:06.599 --> 00:23:07.220
 to run through

00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.099
 this process and

00:23:08.099 --> 00:23:08.839
 categorize things

00:23:08.839 --> 00:23:09.599
 quickly so we

00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.279
 know how

00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:11.879
 to respond to

00:23:11.879 --> 00:23:12.200
 people.

00:23:13.160 --> 00:23:14.240
 What doctrines

00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:15.639
 are of highest

00:23:15.639 --> 00:23:15.960
 order?

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.980
 What truths

00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:18.559
 would you be

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.819
 willing to

00:23:19.819 --> 00:23:20.379
 die for?

00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:22.240
 I'll tell you

00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:22.839
 this, I'm not

00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:23.480
 dying for wearing

00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.019
 a jacket on

00:23:24.019 --> 00:23:24.519
 Sunday morning.

00:23:24.940 --> 00:23:26.240
 It's not a

00:23:26.240 --> 00:23:27.039
 chance.

00:23:28.220 --> 00:23:28.599
 If the

00:23:28.599 --> 00:23:28.899
 government

00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.500
 declared I

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.960
 couldn't wear

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.519
 jackets on

00:23:30.519 --> 00:23:30.960
 Sunday morning,

00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:31.220
 I'd go,

00:23:31.279 --> 00:23:32.720
 alright, that's

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.079
 fine.

00:23:33.859 --> 00:23:34.359
 If the

00:23:34.359 --> 00:23:34.559
 government

00:23:34.559 --> 00:23:35.119
 tells me I

00:23:35.119 --> 00:23:36.000
 can't teach a

00:23:36.000 --> 00:23:37.279
 biblical ethic

00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:38.079
 for marriage

00:23:38.079 --> 00:23:38.799
 and sexuality,

00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.980
 lock me up.

00:23:42.639 --> 00:23:43.519
 Have you

00:23:43.519 --> 00:23:44.259
 caused disunity

00:23:44.259 --> 00:23:44.940
 over beliefs

00:23:44.940 --> 00:23:45.579
 that should

00:23:45.579 --> 00:23:46.480
 not have

00:23:46.480 --> 00:23:47.139
 caused

00:23:47.139 --> 00:23:48.319
 disunity?

00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.779
 You may have

00:23:49.779 --> 00:23:50.359
 some repentance

00:23:50.359 --> 00:23:51.839
 and repair

00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:53.599
 work to do.

00:23:54.599 --> 00:23:55.319
 When is it

00:23:55.319 --> 00:23:56.079
 appropriate to

00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.879
 bear with

00:23:56.879 --> 00:23:58.579
 another in a

00:23:58.579 --> 00:23:58.960
 disagreement?

00:23:59.859 --> 00:24:00.660
 When is it

00:24:00.660 --> 00:24:01.319
 appropriate to

00:24:01.319 --> 00:24:01.879
 part ways

00:24:01.879 --> 00:24:03.139
 peacefully for

00:24:03.139 --> 00:24:03.759
 the very sake

00:24:03.759 --> 00:24:04.180
 of unity?

00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:05.039
 We may need

00:24:05.039 --> 00:24:05.259
 to go

00:24:05.259 --> 00:24:05.820
 separate ways

00:24:05.820 --> 00:24:06.320
 because we

00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:07.100
 do think

00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:07.560
 we need to

00:24:07.560 --> 00:24:08.640
 practice a

00:24:08.640 --> 00:24:09.200
 bit differently.

00:24:10.120 --> 00:24:10.900
 When is it

00:24:10.900 --> 00:24:12.240
 appropriate to

00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:12.860
 go to war,

00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:13.700
 I mean not

00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.380
 figuratively,

00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:15.820
 over a

00:24:15.820 --> 00:24:16.100
 doctrine?

00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.140
 We think that

00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:19.340
 the answer to

00:24:19.340 --> 00:24:20.039
 many of these

00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.920
 questions should

00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.980
 be defined in

00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.840
 confessions and

00:24:23.840 --> 00:24:24.279
 creeds.

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.580
 Most traditionally

00:24:25.580 --> 00:24:26.200
 a creed is

00:24:26.200 --> 00:24:26.759
 just a short

00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:27.200
 confession,

00:24:27.400 --> 00:24:27.680
 just so you

00:24:27.680 --> 00:24:28.140
 know how

00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.120
 that term is

00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.940
 typically used.

00:24:31.060 --> 00:24:31.840
 Those matters

00:24:31.840 --> 00:24:33.279
 of first order,

00:24:33.279 --> 00:24:34.899
 and those

00:24:34.899 --> 00:24:35.599
 matters of

00:24:35.599 --> 00:24:36.799
 second order

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:38.019
 should be

00:24:38.019 --> 00:24:39.000
 maintained in

00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.700
 a document or

00:24:40.700 --> 00:24:42.379
 documents adopted

00:24:42.379 --> 00:24:43.599
 by a local

00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.019
 church.

00:24:45.559 --> 00:24:45.879
 Doctrinal

00:24:45.879 --> 00:24:46.779
 standards should

00:24:46.779 --> 00:24:47.359
 be thoughtfully

00:24:47.359 --> 00:24:47.899
 written,

00:24:48.660 --> 00:24:49.379
 poured over,

00:24:50.099 --> 00:24:50.599
 carefully

00:24:50.599 --> 00:24:51.559
 considered,

00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.720
 kindly debated,

00:24:54.639 --> 00:24:55.559
 and then taught

00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.680
 and held to.

00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.799
 So, your

00:24:58.799 --> 00:24:59.240
 elders have

00:24:59.240 --> 00:25:00.639
 been hard at

00:25:00.639 --> 00:25:01.960
 work creating

00:25:01.960 --> 00:25:03.059
 these types

00:25:03.059 --> 00:25:03.579
 of documents.

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:04.720
 We've been

00:25:04.720 --> 00:25:05.539
 behind the

00:25:05.539 --> 00:25:05.779
 scenes,

00:25:05.940 --> 00:25:06.559
 many of you

00:25:06.559 --> 00:25:06.900
 know this,

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.819
 we've not been

00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:09.120
 doing it as a

00:25:09.120 --> 00:25:09.519
 secret,

00:25:10.440 --> 00:25:11.100
 but we've been

00:25:11.100 --> 00:25:12.079
 out ahead trying

00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.680
 to think about

00:25:12.680 --> 00:25:13.299
 this kind of

00:25:13.299 --> 00:25:13.559
 thing.

00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:13.960
 How do we

00:25:13.960 --> 00:25:14.519
 continue to

00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:14.960
 maintain

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.460
 Christian unity,

00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:18.000
 especially in

00:25:18.000 --> 00:25:18.360
 such a

00:25:18.360 --> 00:25:20.660
 confused age?

00:25:21.559 --> 00:25:23.400
 It's difficult

00:25:23.400 --> 00:25:24.180
 to say this,

00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.559
 because I could

00:25:24.559 --> 00:25:25.160
 just be totally

00:25:25.160 --> 00:25:25.960
 wrong as I say

00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.340
 it, but I

00:25:26.340 --> 00:25:27.900
 think second

00:25:27.900 --> 00:25:29.160
 only to

00:25:29.160 --> 00:25:30.180
 declaring the

00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:30.779
 gospel of the

00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.140
 Lord Jesus

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:32.420
 Christ, this

00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.340
 is the most

00:25:33.340 --> 00:25:33.960
 important thing

00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.220
 I've been

00:25:34.220 --> 00:25:34.720
 spending time

00:25:34.720 --> 00:25:35.420
 on lately.

00:25:35.860 --> 00:25:36.840
 Second only to

00:25:36.840 --> 00:25:37.980
 gospel proclamation,

00:25:39.000 --> 00:25:39.799
 it's been working

00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.180
 on doctrinal

00:25:41.180 --> 00:25:43.060
 standards for

00:25:43.060 --> 00:25:43.560
 our church.

00:25:44.340 --> 00:25:45.000
 We've not been

00:25:45.000 --> 00:25:45.820
 without across

00:25:45.820 --> 00:25:46.440
 all these years,

00:25:46.519 --> 00:25:47.100
 we have had a

00:25:47.100 --> 00:25:47.720
 confession that

00:25:47.720 --> 00:25:48.480
 we've functioned

00:25:48.480 --> 00:25:49.860
 under, but it

00:25:49.860 --> 00:25:50.900
 was pretty

00:25:50.900 --> 00:25:52.680
 brief, and we

00:25:52.680 --> 00:25:53.240
 think it's time

00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.980
 for something much

00:25:53.980 --> 00:25:55.460
 more robust in

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.460
 the life of a

00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.740
 church.

00:25:56.740 --> 00:25:56.799
 church.

00:25:57.759 --> 00:25:58.680
 So, this

00:25:58.680 --> 00:25:59.640
 evening, we're

00:25:59.640 --> 00:26:00.059
 having a

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.640
 members meeting

00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.099
 in which we're

00:26:01.099 --> 00:26:01.539
 going to hand

00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:02.420
 out documents to

00:26:02.420 --> 00:26:02.920
 you, so if

00:26:02.920 --> 00:26:03.319
 you're here this

00:26:03.319 --> 00:26:03.799
 morning and you

00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.240
 wish you had

00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:04.519
 them in your

00:26:04.519 --> 00:26:04.960
 hand, you're

00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:05.120
 going to have

00:26:05.120 --> 00:26:05.519
 to wait until

00:26:05.519 --> 00:26:06.400
 next Sunday

00:26:06.400 --> 00:26:07.380
 when I have

00:26:07.380 --> 00:26:07.819
 them prepared

00:26:07.819 --> 00:26:08.299
 for you.

00:26:08.859 --> 00:26:09.180
 But if you're

00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:09.620
 a member and

00:26:09.620 --> 00:26:10.000
 you're coming to

00:26:10.000 --> 00:26:10.279
 the members

00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:10.779
 meeting, we'd

00:26:10.779 --> 00:26:11.180
 love to put

00:26:11.180 --> 00:26:11.539
 them in your

00:26:11.539 --> 00:26:12.740
 hand at that

00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:13.500
 point.

00:26:14.259 --> 00:26:15.019
 We've created

00:26:15.019 --> 00:26:16.440
 a creed, which

00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:17.960
 is a one-page

00:26:17.960 --> 00:26:20.220
 document, looks

00:26:20.220 --> 00:26:22.960
 like so, and a

00:26:22.960 --> 00:26:24.579
 confession, which

00:26:24.579 --> 00:26:25.960
 is a 46-page

00:26:25.960 --> 00:26:27.980
 document that

00:26:27.980 --> 00:26:29.420
 looks like this.

00:26:31.079 --> 00:26:32.140
 It has within

00:26:32.140 --> 00:26:33.759
 it 33 articles,

00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:34.960
 so various

00:26:34.960 --> 00:26:35.840
 matters that we

00:26:35.840 --> 00:26:37.200
 feel need

00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.720
 addressing, careful

00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.440
 clarification.

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:40.340
 Those are the

00:26:40.340 --> 00:26:42.000
 first and second

00:26:42.000 --> 00:26:44.000
 order types of

00:26:44.000 --> 00:26:44.340
 doctrine.

00:26:45.259 --> 00:26:46.140
 For example,

00:26:46.640 --> 00:26:47.940
 the first one is

00:26:47.940 --> 00:26:49.380
 on the Holy

00:26:49.380 --> 00:26:49.840
 Scripture.

00:26:50.120 --> 00:26:50.880
 What is the

00:26:50.880 --> 00:26:51.160
 Bible?

00:26:51.259 --> 00:26:51.579
 What do we

00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:52.579
 believe is God's

00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:54.880
 inspired word?

00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:54.920
 word?

00:26:55.540 --> 00:26:55.980
 The fifth

00:26:55.980 --> 00:26:56.760
 article is on

00:26:56.760 --> 00:26:58.460
 divine providence.

00:26:58.760 --> 00:26:59.600
 How is it that

00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:01.340
 God functions as

00:27:01.340 --> 00:27:02.300
 the ruler of

00:27:02.300 --> 00:27:03.600
 this world?

00:27:04.360 --> 00:27:05.680
 Article 15 is on

00:27:05.680 --> 00:27:06.440
 saving faith.

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.120
 What does it look

00:27:07.120 --> 00:27:07.580
 like when somebody

00:27:07.580 --> 00:27:08.320
 places their faith

00:27:08.320 --> 00:27:10.020
 in Jesus Christ?

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:12.020
 Article 20 is on

00:27:12.020 --> 00:27:13.160
 the law of God.

00:27:13.400 --> 00:27:14.100
 How is it that

00:27:14.100 --> 00:27:15.940
 that law works in

00:27:15.940 --> 00:27:16.980
 the life of a

00:27:16.980 --> 00:27:17.260
 Christian?

00:27:18.260 --> 00:27:19.940
 Article 26 is on

00:27:19.940 --> 00:27:21.080
 marriage, divorce,

00:27:21.079 --> 00:27:22.359
 marriage, and

00:27:22.359 --> 00:27:22.919
 remarriage.

00:27:23.199 --> 00:27:23.740
 These are just

00:27:23.740 --> 00:27:24.559
 some examples of

00:27:24.559 --> 00:27:26.799
 the 33 contained

00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:28.199
 within.

00:27:29.059 --> 00:27:29.879
 As I mentioned,

00:27:30.099 --> 00:27:31.359
 we will distribute

00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.139
 this evening at our

00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.740
 members' meeting

00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:34.399
 with an explanation

00:27:34.399 --> 00:27:35.579
 for how we propose

00:27:35.579 --> 00:27:36.480
 they be used in the

00:27:36.480 --> 00:27:37.259
 life of our church

00:27:37.259 --> 00:27:38.119
 to preserve

00:27:38.119 --> 00:27:38.919
 Christian unity

00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:40.039
 and with an

00:27:40.039 --> 00:27:41.099
 explanation of the

00:27:41.099 --> 00:27:42.599
 editorial and

00:27:42.599 --> 00:27:44.519
 adoption process

00:27:44.519 --> 00:27:45.599
 for these documents.

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.259
 If you're unable

00:27:47.259 --> 00:27:47.839
 to join us this

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:49.240
 evening, we'll post

00:27:49.240 --> 00:27:50.160
 a recording of

00:27:50.160 --> 00:27:50.799
 that portion of

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:51.220
 our meeting.

00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.620
 But in order to

00:27:52.620 --> 00:27:53.220
 get ahead of any

00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:54.240
 possible panic, I

00:27:54.240 --> 00:27:54.880
 want you to know

00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:55.599
 that we don't

00:27:55.599 --> 00:27:56.420
 intend to adopt

00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.400
 any of the

00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.559
 proposed changes

00:27:58.559 --> 00:27:59.720
 until the members'

00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.400
 meeting is scheduled

00:28:00.400 --> 00:28:02.240
 in July.

00:28:03.059 --> 00:28:04.779
 So a good six

00:28:04.779 --> 00:28:06.759
 months to take

00:28:06.759 --> 00:28:08.259
 the time to get

00:28:08.259 --> 00:28:09.640
 in, to do this

00:28:09.640 --> 00:28:11.880
 work, thoughtfully

00:28:11.880 --> 00:28:12.940
 pour over it,

00:28:13.079 --> 00:28:13.859
 carefully consider

00:28:13.859 --> 00:28:14.839
 it, kindly

00:28:14.839 --> 00:28:16.620
 debate it, make

00:28:16.620 --> 00:28:18.299
 potential edits

00:28:18.299 --> 00:28:20.079
 to it, come

00:28:20.079 --> 00:28:20.839
 back together

00:28:20.839 --> 00:28:21.940
 and establish

00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:23.759
 a more robust

00:28:23.759 --> 00:28:24.980
 doctrinal standard

00:28:24.980 --> 00:28:26.759
 for our church.

00:28:28.000 --> 00:28:28.680
 So let's be

00:28:28.680 --> 00:28:30.339
 good, elder-led

00:28:30.339 --> 00:28:31.639
 congregationalists

00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:33.339
 and get to work

00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.599
 for the sake of

00:28:34.599 --> 00:28:35.220
 Christian unity

00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.700
 to the end

00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.839
 that Christ

00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:38.720
 will be

00:28:38.720 --> 00:28:40.019
 exalted.

00:28:40.899 --> 00:28:41.419
 Beloved,

00:28:41.619 --> 00:28:43.039
 unapologetically,

00:28:43.680 --> 00:28:44.779
 as far as I have

00:28:44.779 --> 00:28:46.299
 any influence

00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.799
 on the life of this

00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:49.659
 church, we will

00:28:49.659 --> 00:28:51.599
 be confessional.

00:28:51.799 --> 00:28:52.579
 We believe the

00:28:52.579 --> 00:28:53.639
 scripture teaches

00:28:53.639 --> 00:28:55.079
 things and we

00:28:55.079 --> 00:28:55.899
 want to be clear

00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.579
 about what we

00:28:56.579 --> 00:28:57.799
 believe it says

00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:59.200
 on matters of

00:28:59.200 --> 00:29:00.460
 most importance

00:29:00.460 --> 00:29:01.759
 and we also want

00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:02.579
 to be clear on

00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:04.079
 what it may not

00:29:04.079 --> 00:29:05.079
 be so clear on,

00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:06.099
 things that we

00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:07.059
 may be able to

00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.720
 see differently

00:29:07.720 --> 00:29:08.819
 and yet maintain

00:29:08.819 --> 00:29:09.919
 Christian unity

00:29:09.919 --> 00:29:11.299
 for the exaltation

00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:12.519
 of Christ.

00:29:13.579 --> 00:29:14.240
 In closing,

00:29:14.359 --> 00:29:14.799
 let me read

00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.680
 one more time

00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:16.700
 Romans chapter

00:29:16.700 --> 00:29:18.480
 15, verse 5

00:29:18.480 --> 00:29:19.419
 and 6

00:29:19.419 --> 00:29:20.500
 and we'll pray

00:29:20.500 --> 00:29:21.000
 to this end.

00:29:21.079 --> 00:29:21.599
 May the God of

00:29:21.599 --> 00:29:22.460
 endurance and

00:29:22.460 --> 00:29:23.000
 encouragement

00:29:23.000 --> 00:29:24.359
 grant you to

00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:24.859
 live in such

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.779
 harmony with one

00:29:25.779 --> 00:29:26.819
 another in accord

00:29:26.819 --> 00:29:27.720
 with Christ Jesus

00:29:27.720 --> 00:29:29.359
 that together you

00:29:29.359 --> 00:29:30.159
 may with one

00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:31.500
 voice glorify the

00:29:31.500 --> 00:29:32.159
 God and Father

00:29:32.159 --> 00:29:32.960
 of our Lord,

00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.519
 Jesus Christ.

00:29:34.919 --> 00:29:35.579
 Let's pray.

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:56.879
 God of

00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:56.879


00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:56.879


00:29:56.879 --> 00:29:56.879