WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.080 And Romans is about the gospel. 00:00:01.620 --> 00:00:05.219 It's about the good news of Jesus' life and death and resurrection. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:08.700 ! We are now in chapters 9 through 11. 00:00:08.700 --> 00:00:14.339 Of course, we are starting with chapter 9, which logically follows from chapter 8. 00:00:14.339 --> 00:00:19.740 So if you were here kind of late spring, early summer of this year, you'll remember we ended chapter 8. 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:21.980 And chapter 8 ends with this crescendo. 00:00:22.160 --> 00:00:23.940 The very last verse says, 00:00:24.519 --> 00:00:28.300 Nothing can separate us from the love of God and Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:00:29.120 --> 00:00:31.039 And so we're on this high, Romans 8. 00:00:31.080 --> 00:00:36.299 As I told you, some people consider one of the greatest, the maybe greatest chapter of the entire Bible. 00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:38.359 But it raises this question. 00:00:39.600 --> 00:00:41.579 What about the Jews? 00:00:42.780 --> 00:00:49.320 If God is so reliable, if he keeps his promises, if nothing can separate us from the love of God, 00:00:49.579 --> 00:00:52.380 what about his promises to Israel? 00:00:52.380 --> 00:00:58.960 Aren't the Jews separated from the love of God? 00:00:59.920 --> 00:01:02.700 Now, having said that, that's where we're headed in chapter 9. 00:01:03.180 --> 00:01:07.680 Today, actually not going to talk about God's promises, really, or the Jews much at all. 00:01:08.340 --> 00:01:14.760 But instead, we're going to take a close look at the Apostle Paul and his heart towards and for the Jews. 00:01:14.760 --> 00:01:21.000 So we're not so much going to talk about the Jews this morning, although we'll have plenty of time to talk about them in chapters 9 through 11. 00:01:21.080 --> 00:01:27.760 Really, we're talking about Paul and what his heart is as he thinks about those who have rejected Christianity. 00:01:28.280 --> 00:01:29.180 And that's our question. 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:31.240 What is our heart? 00:01:32.420 --> 00:01:36.219 What is our emotions towards those who have rejected Christ? 00:01:36.219 --> 00:01:41.019 So with that, I invite you to turn with me to Romans chapter 9. 00:01:41.140 --> 00:01:44.480 You'll find it on page 7 of your worship guide as we go there. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:46.019 Remember that this is God's word. 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:52.840 Jeremiah chapter 23 tells us that God's word is like a hammer that breaks a rock into pieces, 00:01:52.840 --> 00:02:00.900 which is a way of saying that there is nothing so powerful that God's word is not more powerful still. 00:02:01.340 --> 00:02:05.939 And so that's why we read now Romans chapter 9, starting at verse 1. 00:02:06.219 --> 00:02:09.780 I am speaking the truth in Christ. 00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:11.520 I am not lying. 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:20.560 My conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:32.360 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen, according to the flesh. 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:36.740 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:02:38.240 --> 00:02:45.040 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and thank you this morning that you speak clearly to us in your word. 00:02:45.080 --> 00:02:50.480 And we ask that you would do that very thing, that you would pour out your Holy Spirit here and now, 00:02:50.479 --> 00:02:55.719 that you would help us to understand everything that's written in this passage, 00:02:55.719 --> 00:03:01.299 that you would use it to open our eyes, to soften our hearts, that you'd grow our love for you, 00:03:01.359 --> 00:03:06.879 and that you would give us great compassion and mercy towards those in this world who are lost, 00:03:06.939 --> 00:03:09.699 who do not have you as the light of their life. 00:03:10.099 --> 00:03:13.039 We ask all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:03:13.599 --> 00:03:13.839 Amen. 00:03:13.840 --> 00:03:24.460 If you are anything like me on a regular basis, you have Mormons or Jehovah's Witnesses knocking on your door, 00:03:25.480 --> 00:03:28.520 trying to convert you or to invite you to a Bible study, 00:03:28.580 --> 00:03:32.460 or the Mormons will say, hey, we just want to share some scripture passages with you. 00:03:32.840 --> 00:03:36.500 And if you're like most people, you probably think, please just, you know, leave me alone. 00:03:36.580 --> 00:03:37.860 I find this a little bit annoying. 00:03:38.759 --> 00:03:41.759 I actually have a different strategy, which I'll maybe share with you at a different time. 00:03:41.759 --> 00:03:48.039 But I'm going to tell you about someone who has a little bit of a different perspective about people evangelizing them. 00:03:48.359 --> 00:03:53.359 You may have heard of Penn and Teller, the comedy act based in Las Vegas, 00:03:53.579 --> 00:04:02.899 and one of those men, Penn, Penn Gillette, actually is a little bit offended if you are a Christian and you don't try to convert him. 00:04:04.039 --> 00:04:09.759 He finds the Bible hard to believe, became an atheist in his teens because of that, 00:04:09.759 --> 00:04:14.319 but he tells the story about years ago, he ends this comedy show in Las Vegas, 00:04:14.319 --> 00:04:18.759 and a man comes up to him and brings him a pocket edition of a Gideon Bible. 00:04:19.980 --> 00:04:23.839 And instead of being offended, he actually says he's impressed with this man. 00:04:24.300 --> 00:04:25.099 He says this, 00:04:25.759 --> 00:04:30.519 I've always said that I don't respect people who don't proselytize. 00:04:30.879 --> 00:04:33.699 By the way, proselytize, we don't really use that word today, 00:04:33.939 --> 00:04:36.500 just a way of saying trying to convert someone to a religion. 00:04:36.500 --> 00:04:38.980 Okay, that's what you do if you're proselytizing. 00:04:39.379 --> 00:04:41.160 He says, I don't respect that at all. 00:04:41.439 --> 00:04:44.120 If you believe that there's a heaven and hell, 00:04:44.540 --> 00:04:48.360 and people could be going to hell or not getting to eternal life, 00:04:48.579 --> 00:04:49.259 or whatever, 00:04:49.939 --> 00:04:54.079 and you think that, well, it's not really worth telling them this because it's socially awkward, 00:04:54.920 --> 00:04:59.540 how much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? 00:04:59.540 --> 00:05:06.400 How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:11.360 I mean, if I believe beyond a shadow of a doubt that a truck was coming at you, 00:05:11.460 --> 00:05:14.760 and you didn't believe it, that truck was bearing down on you, 00:05:14.860 --> 00:05:17.460 there's a certain point where I would tackle you. 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:20.620 And this is more important than that. 00:05:21.340 --> 00:05:24.080 And then he says this about the man who came up to him at the end of the show. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:30.159 He said he cared enough about me to proselytize and give me a Bible. 00:05:31.039 --> 00:05:32.379 This is an atheist saying that. 00:05:32.939 --> 00:05:38.639 And what he's doing is he's highlighting for us that there are at least two reasons that we wouldn't share our faith. 00:05:39.019 --> 00:05:42.019 Reason one, we're not for real. 00:05:42.959 --> 00:05:45.699 We don't actually believe what we say we believe. 00:05:45.759 --> 00:05:49.599 At the end of the day, we don't actually believe that hell's a real place and people are going there. 00:05:49.600 --> 00:05:54.520 We don't actually believe that heaven is a real place people are going there. 00:05:55.020 --> 00:05:57.320 So maybe we don't really believe what we say we believe. 00:05:58.000 --> 00:06:00.280 Reason two, our hearts are hard. 00:06:01.400 --> 00:06:02.379 Remember what he said. 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:11.340 How much do you have to hate someone to believe that everlasting life is possible and not tell them that? 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:13.939 Now, we could find other reasons. 00:06:14.120 --> 00:06:15.740 Those aren't necessarily the only two. 00:06:15.879 --> 00:06:18.340 We could say maybe it's because of fear. 00:06:18.339 --> 00:06:20.219 Maybe it's because not knowing what to say. 00:06:20.339 --> 00:06:23.719 At the end of the day, Penn is raising an important question. 00:06:24.539 --> 00:06:26.219 Same question Paul's raising for us. 00:06:27.399 --> 00:06:30.519 What is our heart towards the lost? 00:06:31.560 --> 00:06:34.439 By the way, the lost is a Christianese term. 00:06:34.559 --> 00:06:35.659 It's kind of insider language. 00:06:35.819 --> 00:06:41.479 So if you're not familiar with it, when we say the lost, what Christians mean are people who've rejected Christianity. 00:06:42.039 --> 00:06:44.319 People who have rejected Christ. 00:06:44.319 --> 00:06:48.699 What emotions do we have when we think about that? 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:52.579 Or the feelings that come to us? 00:06:53.060 --> 00:07:02.899 Paul, in these three verses, is setting us an example of what our posture should be as Christians towards those who don't share our faith. 00:07:02.899 --> 00:07:08.259 He's showing his emotions over his fellow Jews, those who've rejected Christ. 00:07:08.379 --> 00:07:10.839 And what are those feelings that are rising up within him? 00:07:11.159 --> 00:07:12.599 Well, he tells us, verse 2, 00:07:13.199 --> 00:07:18.399 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 00:07:19.359 --> 00:07:21.279 He doesn't just have sorrow and anguish. 00:07:21.719 --> 00:07:24.500 He has great sorrow and unceasing anguish. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:27.599 In other words, Paul is completely devastated. 00:07:27.600 --> 00:07:30.180 And why is he devastated? 00:07:30.900 --> 00:07:34.640 Well, because most of the Jews have rejected Christ. 00:07:35.580 --> 00:07:39.360 If you're familiar with the Christmas readings that often happen in December, 00:07:40.060 --> 00:07:42.260 you'll remember this from the Gospel of John. 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:44.600 Chapter 1, verse 11 tells us, 00:07:45.040 --> 00:07:50.840 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. 00:07:51.980 --> 00:07:54.820 Of course, some Jews became followers of Christ, 00:07:54.819 --> 00:07:57.519 but not many. 00:07:59.259 --> 00:08:01.759 That's Paul's, that's his heartache here. 00:08:02.060 --> 00:08:04.379 Now, it gets even more intense in verse 3. 00:08:04.500 --> 00:08:05.420 So, he's heartbroken. 00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:06.459 We know that from verse 2. 00:08:06.899 --> 00:08:08.219 Verse 3 gets more intense. 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:13.699 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ 00:08:13.699 --> 00:08:19.379 for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen, according to the flesh. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:22.019 Now, notice there, he doesn't say, I wish. 00:08:22.420 --> 00:08:24.039 He says, I could wish. 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:25.960 I'll come back to that in a second. 00:08:26.060 --> 00:08:27.080 But let's just see big picture. 00:08:27.180 --> 00:08:27.900 What is Paul saying? 00:08:28.220 --> 00:08:33.600 Paul's saying, I could wish that it were possible for me to go to hell 00:08:33.600 --> 00:08:37.580 so that my fellow Jews could go to heaven. 00:08:38.120 --> 00:08:41.120 That's what it means to be accursed, to be cut off from Christ. 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:43.159 He said, I want to trade places with them. 00:08:43.500 --> 00:08:46.759 That's what he means when he says, for the sake of my brothers. 00:08:46.879 --> 00:08:49.560 For the sake of is another way of saying in the place of. 00:08:49.559 --> 00:08:59.079 I, Paul, could wish that I could go to hell if that would mean that my brothers, the Jews, could go to heaven. 00:08:59.899 --> 00:09:06.819 Now, Paul actually can't wish this because if he did, it would mean that he loved human beings more than he loved Christ. 00:09:07.739 --> 00:09:07.899 Okay? 00:09:07.899 --> 00:09:10.779 So it's actually impossible for him to truly wish that. 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:14.720 That's why translations of verse 3 say, I could wish. 00:09:15.139 --> 00:09:17.980 In other words, Paul's saying, this is what I would wish if I could. 00:09:18.039 --> 00:09:20.799 I could wish it, then I would wish it. 00:09:21.139 --> 00:09:26.379 That's how distraught I am over my fellow Jews who have rejected Christ. 00:09:26.620 --> 00:09:29.139 I know trading places with them isn't an option. 00:09:29.220 --> 00:09:30.840 I know I can't actually do that. 00:09:30.840 --> 00:09:34.019 But I would if I could. 00:09:35.519 --> 00:09:38.620 That's how heartbroken I am. 00:09:39.639 --> 00:09:41.980 This is a parent's love here. 00:09:42.800 --> 00:09:49.700 It's a mother's love to say, I wish I could suffer so my people don't. 00:09:52.500 --> 00:09:54.360 And that brings us back to our question. 00:09:54.360 --> 00:09:57.580 How do we feel about the lost? 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:01.080 Especially those that we know personally. 00:10:01.639 --> 00:10:03.580 Paul here is not talking in the abstract. 00:10:03.860 --> 00:10:06.940 No, he's talking about his family, his friends. 00:10:08.860 --> 00:10:10.259 Are we apathetic? 00:10:11.600 --> 00:10:14.860 Are we angry or resentful because of what they believe? 00:10:15.800 --> 00:10:17.060 Are we scornful? 00:10:17.800 --> 00:10:18.940 Do we make fun of them? 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:19.800 Do we mock them? 00:10:21.060 --> 00:10:22.500 Or are we sad for them? 00:10:22.500 --> 00:10:25.220 Do we grieve over their unbelief? 00:10:25.919 --> 00:10:29.480 Do we long for them to come to know Christ? 00:10:30.879 --> 00:10:33.080 If I'm honest, I think I'm probably all over the map. 00:10:33.159 --> 00:10:35.820 Sometimes numb, sometimes frustrated, sometimes sad. 00:10:36.080 --> 00:10:39.360 I don't think I can say I have Paul's level of love. 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:42.080 But Paul is pointing in one direction. 00:10:42.480 --> 00:10:45.639 That when he thinks about those who don't know Christ, 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:48.919 he is overcome with grief. 00:10:50.340 --> 00:10:52.360 And Paul's not meant to be an anomaly here. 00:10:52.360 --> 00:10:54.519 He's actually meant to be an example for us. 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:56.740 That's part of why in verse 1 he says, 00:10:56.820 --> 00:10:58.320 I speak the truth in Christ. 00:10:58.659 --> 00:11:02.720 In other words, I'm speaking the truth as someone who's being transformed 00:11:02.720 --> 00:11:05.120 into the image of Jesus. 00:11:06.399 --> 00:11:08.560 In fact, we could put it another way, a negative way. 00:11:09.779 --> 00:11:12.539 If we do not have sorrow over the lost, 00:11:12.600 --> 00:11:14.759 if we don't have sorrow or sadness or grief 00:11:14.759 --> 00:11:17.019 over those who have rejected Christ, 00:11:17.019 --> 00:11:19.179 it reveals in us, 00:11:19.179 --> 00:11:21.139 it's kind of a test, it's a spiritual test, 00:11:21.399 --> 00:11:25.159 it reveals in us a certain hardness of heart. 00:11:26.319 --> 00:11:29.419 Great preacher Martin Lloyd-Jones tells us 00:11:29.419 --> 00:11:30.939 that this is actually a test. 00:11:31.340 --> 00:11:33.939 It's a way we can gauge our spiritual health. 00:11:34.600 --> 00:11:35.539 And he says this, 00:11:35.539 --> 00:11:53.919 That's a burn, by the way. 00:11:53.919 --> 00:12:05.740 That's a burn, by the way. 00:12:06.299 --> 00:12:07.240 Martin Lloyd-Jones. 00:12:07.319 --> 00:12:09.559 He's saying, look, if you don't love the lost, 00:12:10.299 --> 00:12:13.039 if your heart's not broken over the fact that they've rejected Christ, 00:12:13.159 --> 00:12:17.419 your faith is theoretical and intellectual. 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:19.740 That's not a good thing. 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:22.519 But if God's at work in your life, 00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:26.579 if you have a real faith that is vital in living, 00:12:27.379 --> 00:12:28.779 this is what it's going to look like. 00:12:29.299 --> 00:12:34.360 This is going to be your heart towards those outside the church. 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:37.519 So that's the test. 00:12:39.379 --> 00:12:40.819 What do we do with the results? 00:12:42.000 --> 00:12:43.939 What do we do if we look inside and we say, 00:12:44.059 --> 00:12:46.740 I can't say the same thing that Paul says here. 00:12:46.740 --> 00:12:51.139 I'm not filled with concern for the lost. 00:12:52.139 --> 00:12:57.120 I'm going to suggest a few ways that the gospel speaks into this for us. 00:12:57.620 --> 00:13:02.039 One reason we might have hard hearts is our own pride and arrogance. 00:13:02.659 --> 00:13:04.340 We look at non-Christians, 00:13:04.480 --> 00:13:06.600 especially when there are cultural enemies, 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:08.360 we see them promoting things that are wicked, 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:11.220 and we think, wow, those people are so evil. 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:14.139 They deserve whatever they get. 00:13:14.139 --> 00:13:17.399 In fact, maybe I hope they get it, right? 00:13:17.439 --> 00:13:19.480 Because I'm so frustrated with what they love. 00:13:20.600 --> 00:13:21.819 The problem is this. 00:13:23.019 --> 00:13:24.340 Outside of Christ, 00:13:24.759 --> 00:13:28.699 we would also promote what's evil. 00:13:29.939 --> 00:13:31.480 It's only God's grace. 00:13:31.580 --> 00:13:35.699 It's only God's mercy that holds us back. 00:13:35.700 --> 00:13:41.140 I mentioned to you before when we were in Genesis, 00:13:41.700 --> 00:13:43.360 what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 4, 00:13:44.100 --> 00:13:46.960 what do you have that you did not receive? 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.480 If you received it, 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:54.340 why do you boast as if you did not receive it? 00:13:54.340 --> 00:13:57.580 When we return to the gospel, 00:13:57.700 --> 00:13:58.700 really understand it, 00:13:58.720 --> 00:14:00.860 if we really grasp it and believe it, 00:14:01.160 --> 00:14:02.860 we're going to gain humility. 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:05.120 We're going to say, 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:07.500 my situation is actually so bad 00:14:07.500 --> 00:14:10.519 that Jesus Christ had to die for me. 00:14:12.120 --> 00:14:14.720 And so I can't look at those outside the church, 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:16.420 no matter what they're promoting or believing, 00:14:16.639 --> 00:14:16.960 and think, 00:14:17.300 --> 00:14:18.320 oh, I'm better than them. 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.879 I hope they get what they deserve. 00:14:19.879 --> 00:14:22.539 Because in fact, 00:14:22.620 --> 00:14:23.960 the only reason we're different 00:14:23.960 --> 00:14:28.939 is because of God's grace and mercy to us. 00:14:30.740 --> 00:14:31.659 So you can pray. 00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:34.740 You can pray that God would give you humility. 00:14:35.820 --> 00:14:37.860 You can pray he would show you your sin, 00:14:37.960 --> 00:14:40.419 that you would know deeper and deeper 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:42.600 the grace and mercy of God. 00:14:43.559 --> 00:14:45.940 Remember Jesus' words in Mark chapter 2. 00:14:46.500 --> 00:14:49.059 The scribes see that Jesus is eating 00:14:49.059 --> 00:14:51.139 with tax collectors and sinners, 00:14:51.379 --> 00:14:51.839 and they say, 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.879 why would Jesus do that? 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:55.259 Why would Jesus eat with such awful people? 00:14:56.619 --> 00:14:58.819 Jesus rebukes them with these words. 00:15:00.059 --> 00:15:03.000 Those who are well have no need of a physician, 00:15:03.659 --> 00:15:05.500 but those who are sick. 00:15:06.500 --> 00:15:08.579 I came not to call the righteous, 00:15:09.219 --> 00:15:10.299 but sinners. 00:15:11.759 --> 00:15:12.779 If you're a Christian, 00:15:13.699 --> 00:15:14.559 that's you. 00:15:16.399 --> 00:15:17.959 You're someone who's sick. 00:15:19.059 --> 00:15:21.839 You know that you need a physician. 00:15:22.979 --> 00:15:25.339 If you're obsessed with how righteous you are, 00:15:25.419 --> 00:15:27.559 Jesus is actually throwing you under the bus here. 00:15:29.219 --> 00:15:30.319 So one reason, 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:32.539 one reason we don't have a heart for the lost 00:15:32.539 --> 00:15:34.779 is our pride and our arrogance. 00:15:36.179 --> 00:15:38.759 Another one is our frustration and our contempt. 00:15:39.739 --> 00:15:41.039 Maybe we look at non-Christians, 00:15:41.139 --> 00:15:42.939 they're not necessarily fighting for things 00:15:42.939 --> 00:15:43.619 that are wicked. 00:15:44.099 --> 00:15:45.779 You know, they're just living their lives, 00:15:45.779 --> 00:15:48.279 but their sinful decisions have led them 00:15:48.279 --> 00:15:49.319 to a place of misery. 00:15:49.439 --> 00:15:49.860 And so we think, 00:15:49.939 --> 00:15:50.339 you know what? 00:15:51.059 --> 00:15:52.439 They've made their bed. 00:15:53.519 --> 00:15:54.860 Let them lie in it. 00:15:56.759 --> 00:15:57.159 Well, 00:15:57.559 --> 00:16:00.259 the gospel has something to say about that as well. 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:02.659 We made our beds. 00:16:04.740 --> 00:16:06.419 Jesus did not make us lie in them. 00:16:06.419 --> 00:16:09.879 We're full of sin. 00:16:10.879 --> 00:16:12.740 Jesus doesn't make us face 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.199 the full consequence for that. 00:16:14.599 --> 00:16:14.839 Remember, 00:16:14.939 --> 00:16:16.279 that's what we talked about with Isaac. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.519 All his mistakes, 00:16:17.679 --> 00:16:18.519 all his sin, 00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:21.919 God's mercy is greater than all those things. 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:23.959 And so if we look at, 00:16:24.199 --> 00:16:26.299 with contempt at the world around us, 00:16:26.679 --> 00:16:27.599 we're lost, 00:16:27.719 --> 00:16:29.759 we're stuck in this place of self-righteousness. 00:16:29.879 --> 00:16:31.980 We forget that everything we have 00:16:31.980 --> 00:16:33.719 is by God's grace. 00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.980 In fact, 00:16:35.040 --> 00:16:36.899 that's one of the constant threads 00:16:36.899 --> 00:16:37.800 in the book of Romans, 00:16:37.920 --> 00:16:39.360 that God's grace 00:16:39.360 --> 00:16:41.000 is the only reason 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.120 you're alive and have breath. 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:43.800 God's grace 00:16:43.800 --> 00:16:44.920 is the only reason 00:16:44.920 --> 00:16:46.200 you've made any good choice 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:46.879 in your life. 00:16:47.040 --> 00:16:48.019 God's grace 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:50.120 is the only thing 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:50.820 you have 00:16:50.820 --> 00:16:51.639 to thank. 00:16:53.200 --> 00:16:53.800 And so the moment 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:55.200 we congratulate ourselves, 00:16:55.300 --> 00:16:56.300 we've lost the gospel. 00:16:57.540 --> 00:16:58.379 The moment 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.920 we think we're better 00:16:59.920 --> 00:17:00.800 than someone else, 00:17:00.879 --> 00:17:01.440 we forget 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.340 God's the one 00:17:02.340 --> 00:17:04.000 who gives gifts. 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.279 God's the one 00:17:06.279 --> 00:17:07.279 who assigns 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:08.460 circumstances. 00:17:10.360 --> 00:17:11.660 And so the more we see, 00:17:11.779 --> 00:17:12.579 the more we understand 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.319 God's grace 00:17:13.319 --> 00:17:14.259 in our lives, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:17.340 the more we will remember 00:17:17.340 --> 00:17:18.039 we deserve 00:17:18.039 --> 00:17:19.100 only judgment, 00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:21.120 the greater 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:22.299 our compassion, 00:17:23.079 --> 00:17:24.100 our mercy 00:17:24.100 --> 00:17:25.579 will be 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.279 towards those 00:17:26.279 --> 00:17:26.940 who reject 00:17:26.940 --> 00:17:27.920 God. 00:17:27.920 --> 00:17:30.279 So one reason 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.080 that could block us 00:17:31.080 --> 00:17:31.740 could be our pride 00:17:31.740 --> 00:17:32.220 and arrogance. 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:33.380 Another reason 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.620 could be our frustration, 00:17:34.860 --> 00:17:35.480 our contempt. 00:17:36.400 --> 00:17:37.380 Maybe you don't identify 00:17:37.380 --> 00:17:38.360 with any of those. 00:17:38.519 --> 00:17:39.340 Maybe you're listening 00:17:39.340 --> 00:17:40.060 to this and you say, 00:17:40.120 --> 00:17:40.440 you know what, 00:17:40.480 --> 00:17:41.380 I know I'm saved 00:17:41.380 --> 00:17:42.039 by grace. 00:17:43.320 --> 00:17:44.440 I know that 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:45.740 without God's mercy, 00:17:45.740 --> 00:17:46.720 I would be in hell 00:17:46.720 --> 00:17:47.400 right now. 00:17:48.700 --> 00:17:50.140 But I'm just not there. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:52.180 I just don't feel it 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.960 when I think about 00:17:52.960 --> 00:17:54.100 those who rejected Christ. 00:17:54.160 --> 00:17:54.759 I'm just numb. 00:17:54.759 --> 00:17:56.859 Okay, I don't look 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.400 down on them. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:59.039 I'm just not moved 00:17:59.039 --> 00:17:59.519 for them. 00:17:59.559 --> 00:18:00.160 I don't feel 00:18:00.160 --> 00:18:01.519 what Paul feels. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.559 Well, the gospel 00:18:03.559 --> 00:18:04.619 speaks to that as well. 00:18:06.240 --> 00:18:06.640 Remember, 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.460 I've told you before, 00:18:07.539 --> 00:18:08.200 one way to think 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:08.779 about the gospel 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:10.000 is in these two statements. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:10.619 First, 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.599 I know I must change. 00:18:15.619 --> 00:18:15.980 Second, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.039 and, 00:18:18.240 --> 00:18:18.559 but, 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.879 I cannot 00:18:19.879 --> 00:18:21.500 change myself. 00:18:23.079 --> 00:18:23.819 We'd add to that 00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.519 a third sentence. 00:18:25.619 --> 00:18:27.059 But God promises 00:18:27.059 --> 00:18:28.779 to change 00:18:28.779 --> 00:18:30.359 those who follow him. 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:33.039 I know I must change, 00:18:33.720 --> 00:18:36.180 but I can't change myself. 00:18:36.319 --> 00:18:37.160 I'm in this catch-22. 00:18:38.680 --> 00:18:39.619 But God says, 00:18:39.740 --> 00:18:40.319 if I repent, 00:18:40.420 --> 00:18:41.220 if I turn to him 00:18:41.220 --> 00:18:42.539 for mercy and grace, 00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.299 his Holy Spirit 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.420 is going to be at work 00:18:44.420 --> 00:18:44.960 in my life 00:18:44.960 --> 00:18:46.420 in a supernatural way, 00:18:46.839 --> 00:18:47.579 transforming me 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:48.379 from the inside out, 00:18:48.460 --> 00:18:49.420 changing a heart of stone 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.160 to a heart of flesh. 00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.920 And so you can pray. 00:18:52.920 --> 00:18:55.220 You can pray 00:18:55.220 --> 00:18:56.539 that God would give you 00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:58.200 what you do not have. 00:18:59.460 --> 00:19:00.840 That's the whole Christian life 00:19:00.840 --> 00:19:01.420 in a sense. 00:19:02.060 --> 00:19:02.779 Coming to God 00:19:02.779 --> 00:19:03.180 and saying, 00:19:03.300 --> 00:19:03.380 hey, 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.800 I actually have a heart of stone 00:19:04.800 --> 00:19:05.400 in this area 00:19:05.400 --> 00:19:07.100 and I can't change it. 00:19:07.980 --> 00:19:09.080 I need you to give me 00:19:09.080 --> 00:19:10.640 a heart of flesh. 00:19:11.840 --> 00:19:12.640 You can pray 00:19:12.640 --> 00:19:13.840 that God would give you 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:14.740 a heart for the lost, 00:19:14.820 --> 00:19:15.860 that what Paul feels, 00:19:15.960 --> 00:19:17.259 you would feel as well. 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.480 that the Holy Spirit 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.319 would be at work 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.960 in that way. 00:19:21.000 --> 00:19:21.599 Those of you 00:19:21.599 --> 00:19:22.299 who are going through 00:19:22.299 --> 00:19:23.079 the prayer cohort 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:24.180 right now with Dennis 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:25.019 or went through it 00:19:25.019 --> 00:19:25.759 earlier this year, 00:19:25.819 --> 00:19:26.400 you can make a little 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:27.400 prayer card about that. 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.519 You can make a prayer card 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:30.680 that God would be 00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.980 showing you people 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.700 in your lives 00:19:32.700 --> 00:19:33.460 who need the gospel 00:19:33.460 --> 00:19:34.720 and that he would 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.500 not just show you, 00:19:35.559 --> 00:19:36.039 but he'd give you 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.819 a heart for them, 00:19:36.920 --> 00:19:37.879 give you compassion 00:19:37.879 --> 00:19:39.180 for them. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:41.960 Now, 00:19:42.000 --> 00:19:42.460 we haven't talked 00:19:42.460 --> 00:19:43.339 about verse 1 much. 00:19:43.400 --> 00:19:44.420 I mentioned it briefly. 00:19:44.420 --> 00:19:45.779 Paul says he tells us 00:19:45.779 --> 00:19:47.380 these things in Christ. 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.900 And the simplest way 00:19:48.900 --> 00:19:49.900 I can explain it is this. 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.980 Paul is saying, 00:19:51.519 --> 00:19:53.840 I feel these things 00:19:53.840 --> 00:19:56.480 because of God's work 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:57.000 in my life, 00:19:57.360 --> 00:19:58.340 because I'm a Christian, 00:19:58.460 --> 00:19:59.440 because I'm connected 00:19:59.440 --> 00:20:01.759 to God by the Holy Spirit, 00:20:01.940 --> 00:20:02.840 sanctified and chosen 00:20:02.840 --> 00:20:04.820 because God's been at work 00:20:04.820 --> 00:20:05.360 in my life, 00:20:05.420 --> 00:20:05.920 in my heart, 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.779 in my mind. 00:20:07.140 --> 00:20:08.720 This is why I feel this way. 00:20:09.259 --> 00:20:10.120 Not because I'm 00:20:10.120 --> 00:20:11.140 some weepy guy. 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:13.420 Not because I cry 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:14.259 at every movie. 00:20:15.400 --> 00:20:15.920 No, 00:20:16.000 --> 00:20:16.779 because this 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.279 is what righteousness 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:19.140 looks like. 00:20:20.620 --> 00:20:21.180 Righteousness 00:20:21.180 --> 00:20:21.940 looks like 00:20:21.940 --> 00:20:22.660 a heart 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.440 for non-Christians. 00:20:25.320 --> 00:20:27.060 This is one test 00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:28.759 of God's work 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.640 in our lives 00:20:29.640 --> 00:20:31.440 that we're growing 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:32.759 more and more 00:20:32.759 --> 00:20:33.860 in our compassion 00:20:33.860 --> 00:20:34.940 for the world around us 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.759 as we see them, 00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:36.820 people walking 00:20:36.820 --> 00:20:37.440 in the dark 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:39.080 who need light. 00:20:39.079 --> 00:20:44.639 final answer 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:45.139 is this. 00:20:45.399 --> 00:20:46.039 We've talked about 00:20:46.039 --> 00:20:46.980 pride and arrogance. 00:20:47.139 --> 00:20:47.779 We've talked about 00:20:47.779 --> 00:20:49.279 frustration and contempt. 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.079 We've talked about 00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:50.819 asking God 00:20:50.819 --> 00:20:51.399 to be at work 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:51.939 in our lives 00:20:51.939 --> 00:20:52.839 by his Holy Spirit. 00:20:53.939 --> 00:20:54.199 Of course, 00:20:54.259 --> 00:20:54.879 last of all, 00:20:55.939 --> 00:20:57.460 we look at Jesus. 00:20:57.460 --> 00:21:01.299 has thou heard him, 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:01.840 seen him, 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:02.860 known him, 00:21:03.440 --> 00:21:04.400 is not thine 00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.079 a captured heart. 00:21:06.360 --> 00:21:06.840 And what does 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:07.400 Jesus do? 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:10.059 Most famously 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:11.420 in Luke chapter 19, 00:21:12.500 --> 00:21:13.400 Jesus looks out 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.140 over Jerusalem, 00:21:14.140 --> 00:21:16.280 he thinks about 00:21:16.280 --> 00:21:16.880 the Jews 00:21:16.880 --> 00:21:17.900 who've rejected him, 00:21:19.040 --> 00:21:20.180 and what does he do? 00:21:22.700 --> 00:21:23.620 He weeps. 00:21:27.280 --> 00:21:28.600 Back in chapter 13 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.020 of Luke, 00:21:30.420 --> 00:21:30.920 Jesus says, 00:21:31.060 --> 00:21:32.259 I would have gathered 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:33.540 you under my wings 00:21:33.540 --> 00:21:34.300 as a hen, 00:21:34.860 --> 00:21:36.840 but you were not willing. 00:21:39.440 --> 00:21:40.000 Ultimately, 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.140 our heart for the lost 00:21:41.140 --> 00:21:42.000 is because of Jesus' 00:21:42.180 --> 00:21:43.680 heart for the lost. 00:21:45.000 --> 00:21:46.280 When we look to him, 00:21:46.860 --> 00:21:47.940 see him, 00:21:49.300 --> 00:21:50.320 and also remember him 00:21:50.320 --> 00:21:50.940 looking at us 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:51.800 and seeing us, 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:55.140 not choosing us, 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:55.960 we'll talk about this 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:57.360 more in Romans chapter 9, 00:21:57.800 --> 00:21:58.820 not choosing us 00:21:58.820 --> 00:21:59.600 because we're great 00:21:59.600 --> 00:22:00.220 or better 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:01.200 because we're not, 00:22:02.340 --> 00:22:02.900 choosing us 00:22:02.900 --> 00:22:03.880 because he chose us. 00:22:05.740 --> 00:22:06.540 God's mercy 00:22:06.540 --> 00:22:07.620 and grace to us 00:22:07.620 --> 00:22:09.060 causes us 00:22:09.060 --> 00:22:09.780 to overflow 00:22:09.780 --> 00:22:11.400 with mercy 00:22:11.400 --> 00:22:12.860 and grace. 00:22:14.140 --> 00:22:14.980 Of course, 00:22:15.040 --> 00:22:15.540 all this grace 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:15.940 available 00:22:15.940 --> 00:22:16.840 because Jesus 00:22:16.840 --> 00:22:17.940 did 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:19.420 what Paul 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.660 can only suggest. 00:22:22.500 --> 00:22:23.020 Remember, 00:22:23.140 --> 00:22:23.560 verse 3, 00:22:24.100 --> 00:22:25.200 I could wish 00:22:25.200 --> 00:22:26.580 that I myself 00:22:26.580 --> 00:22:27.259 were accursed 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:28.020 and cut off 00:22:28.020 --> 00:22:28.720 from Christ 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.259 for the sake 00:22:29.259 --> 00:22:29.860 of my brothers. 00:22:31.060 --> 00:22:32.200 What did Jesus do? 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:34.500 Jesus didn't wish 00:22:34.500 --> 00:22:35.620 that he could be 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.120 accursed 00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.680 or cut off 00:22:36.680 --> 00:22:37.480 from God the Father. 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:38.480 No, 00:22:38.560 --> 00:22:40.100 Jesus was accursed 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:41.419 and cut off 00:22:41.419 --> 00:22:42.719 from God the Father 00:22:42.719 --> 00:22:45.659 so that 00:22:45.659 --> 00:22:46.899 for 00:22:46.899 --> 00:22:48.000 the sake 00:22:48.000 --> 00:22:48.639 of his brothers, 00:22:49.599 --> 00:22:50.039 the sake 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:50.679 of you and me, 00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:51.759 for Christians, 00:22:51.899 --> 00:22:52.319 for those 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.980 who follow 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:54.659 after him 00:22:54.659 --> 00:22:55.339 in faith. 00:22:55.679 --> 00:22:56.519 Jesus did 00:22:56.519 --> 00:22:57.439 become accursed. 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.559 He did 00:22:58.559 --> 00:22:59.579 trade places 00:22:59.579 --> 00:23:00.279 with us. 00:23:01.419 --> 00:23:02.539 Jesus did 00:23:02.539 --> 00:23:03.319 what Paul 00:23:03.319 --> 00:23:04.980 only wishes. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:06.920 And that's 00:23:06.920 --> 00:23:07.480 the foundation 00:23:07.480 --> 00:23:08.880 of all of this. 00:23:09.039 --> 00:23:09.720 That is what 00:23:09.720 --> 00:23:10.680 gives us 00:23:10.680 --> 00:23:11.779 compassion 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:13.299 for the lost. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:15.000 And so we can sing 00:23:15.000 --> 00:23:15.559 as in our 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.480 closing hymn, 00:23:16.940 --> 00:23:17.660 every soul 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:18.819 we long to reach, 00:23:19.700 --> 00:23:20.660 every heart 00:23:20.660 --> 00:23:21.740 we hope to teach, 00:23:23.000 --> 00:23:23.360 everywhere 00:23:23.360 --> 00:23:24.000 we show 00:23:24.000 --> 00:23:24.720 his peace, 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.500 only 00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:28.720 by his grace. 00:23:28.720 --> 00:23:30.660 let's pray. 00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:33.240 Our Father 00:23:33.240 --> 00:23:33.600 in heaven, 00:23:33.700 --> 00:23:34.180 we do 00:23:34.180 --> 00:23:35.180 praise you 00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:35.700 and thank you 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.259 for your great 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:37.180 mercy and love 00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:37.600 and grace 00:23:37.600 --> 00:23:38.500 in Jesus Christ. 00:23:38.880 --> 00:23:39.700 We ask that you 00:23:39.700 --> 00:23:40.400 would soften our 00:23:40.400 --> 00:23:40.799 hearts, 00:23:41.500 --> 00:23:42.200 that you'd remind 00:23:42.200 --> 00:23:42.920 us of the truth 00:23:42.920 --> 00:23:43.539 of the gospel, 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.360 that we were so 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:44.980 hopeless 00:23:44.980 --> 00:23:46.500 that Jesus 00:23:46.500 --> 00:23:47.059 had to die 00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.519 for us, 00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.220 that we didn't 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.920 seek you 00:23:48.920 --> 00:23:49.380 out of our 00:23:49.380 --> 00:23:50.259 wisdom or skill, 00:23:50.339 --> 00:23:50.680 but instead 00:23:50.680 --> 00:23:51.440 you sought us, 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:52.759 that you'd use 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.480 that to change 00:23:53.480 --> 00:23:53.980 us from the 00:23:53.980 --> 00:23:54.519 inside out, 00:23:54.579 --> 00:23:54.880 that as we 00:23:54.880 --> 00:23:55.480 look at the 00:23:55.480 --> 00:23:55.900 world, 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.660 stumbling in 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.019 darkness, 00:23:58.019 --> 00:23:58.700 we would be 00:23:58.700 --> 00:23:59.420 filled with 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.240 great love 00:24:00.240 --> 00:24:01.460 and compassion 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.079 and sorrow, 00:24:02.180 --> 00:24:02.500 that it would 00:24:02.500 --> 00:24:03.980 move us to 00:24:03.980 --> 00:24:05.000 share with them 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:05.680 about you. 00:24:05.799 --> 00:24:06.639 We ask all of 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:07.319 these things in 00:24:07.319 --> 00:24:07.960 the mighty name 00:24:07.960 --> 00:24:08.779 of Jesus Christ. 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.440 Amen.