WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.359 Two nights ago, as I was coming to church, I had a battle in my soul. I was running late. I needed a place to park. 00:00:09.359 --> 00:00:18.719 The garage was full, and the spots out back that are reserved for the church were filled with delivery trucks. 00:00:18.719 --> 00:00:25.039 I confess, I cherished sinful thoughts in my heart. 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:32.399 I thought about jumping into the Amazon truck that clearly was running and driving away and parking it somewhere else. 00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:41.200 I thought about simply parking my van next to their truck and leaving it stuck. 00:00:43.039 --> 00:00:45.359 I actually thought about letting air out of their tires. 00:00:47.759 --> 00:00:51.840 I'm not proud of this. The battle for my soul was real, 00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:55.280 and I sinned in my thoughts, if not in my actions. 00:00:56.400 --> 00:01:04.000 I wanted to be a better Christian. I wanted to think godly thoughts, but in my own power, I was struggling greatly. 00:01:06.240 --> 00:01:11.680 Today, I want to talk about how we can actually live the Christian life the way God wants us to. 00:01:13.120 --> 00:01:18.480 Many of us here want to follow Christ, want to live lives that reflect Him, 00:01:18.480 --> 00:01:25.280 and sometimes we feel like we can fake it well enough to start to feel good about ourselves for a while. 00:01:26.960 --> 00:01:30.400 And yet, this is a struggle, is it not? 00:01:32.480 --> 00:01:38.080 There's a booklet that I used when I worked for Crew describing this condition. 00:01:38.079 --> 00:01:39.920 It says this, 00:01:39.920 --> 00:01:46.079 people who trust in their own efforts and strength to live the Christian life will experience failure and frustration, 00:01:46.719 --> 00:01:51.200 as will those who live to please themselves rather than God. 00:01:52.239 --> 00:01:56.879 How do we escape this failure and frustration in our Christian lives? 00:01:56.879 --> 00:02:03.519 This is what our passage this morning will bring us to, will help us to understand. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:10.479 So, if you are reading along in the Pew Bibles, we are in Galatians chapter 5, verses 16 through 26. 00:02:11.039 --> 00:02:21.280 It's on page 915, 916 in the Pew Bible, and we're going to go ahead and read that passage and then pray together. 00:02:21.280 --> 00:02:24.400 So, please follow along with me as I read God's Word. 00:02:25.759 --> 00:02:28.960 Galatians chapter 5, starting in verse 16. 00:02:28.960 --> 00:02:36.240 But I say, walk in the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 00:02:36.800 --> 00:02:41.520 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh. 00:02:42.719 --> 00:02:48.080 For these are opposed to each other to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 00:02:48.080 --> 00:02:52.160 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. 00:02:52.560 --> 00:02:58.400 Now, the works of the flesh are evident in sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, 00:02:58.400 --> 00:03:05.920 enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, 00:03:06.480 --> 00:03:14.080 and things like these. I warn you as I warned before that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 00:03:14.080 --> 00:03:25.040 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, self-control. 00:03:25.760 --> 00:03:35.360 Against such things there is no law, and those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 00:03:35.360 --> 00:03:46.240 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. 00:03:46.720 --> 00:03:51.760 Let's pray together. Lord, help us this morning as we look into this Word. 00:03:52.800 --> 00:04:00.080 Lord, as we consider what it is that You have called us to, and what it is that You have done to help us. 00:04:00.080 --> 00:04:05.360 Lord, we pray, O Lord, we pray. We pray for Your work in our hearts. 00:04:07.760 --> 00:04:14.960 Lord, that You would fill us with Your Holy Spirit, that we might walk in the power of Your Spirit each day. 00:04:16.160 --> 00:04:19.639 Lord, I pray for Your help, that You would help me to speak as I ought this morning. 00:04:20.639 --> 00:04:28.480 Pray that under the preaching of Your Word, we would all sit, Lord, and that You would do Your work in us. 00:04:28.480 --> 00:04:31.800 And we pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:04:33.319 --> 00:04:37.580 So, if you were here two weeks ago, you will know that we've already preached on this passage. 00:04:37.980 --> 00:04:44.480 So, if you were here today and you weren't here two weeks ago, let me strongly encourage you to go to our website, 00:04:44.860 --> 00:04:49.960 go back and listen to the first sermon, which is an explanation of the whole passage. 00:04:50.640 --> 00:04:55.879 And as I said two weeks ago, today is almost like a full-on application sermon. 00:04:55.879 --> 00:04:58.319 So, we're going to talk about what does this look like? 00:04:58.699 --> 00:05:05.899 What does it look like to live a faithful Christian life by depending on the power of the Holy Spirit? 00:05:06.339 --> 00:05:10.800 Our key text that we're leaning into this morning is verse 25. 00:05:11.079 --> 00:05:14.439 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. 00:05:14.740 --> 00:05:16.279 What does that look like? 00:05:16.379 --> 00:05:18.879 What does it mean to walk in the Spirit? 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:20.360 And this is our outline. 00:05:20.500 --> 00:05:21.360 This is where we're going to go. 00:05:21.480 --> 00:05:24.259 First, we're going to talk about principles of walking in the Spirit. 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:27.939 Secondly, we're going to talk about practices of walking in the Spirit. 00:05:28.319 --> 00:05:33.420 And finally, we're going to return to the question of power of walking in the Spirit. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:35.980 So, that's where we're going this morning. 00:05:37.019 --> 00:05:40.099 So, we're going to start with principles of depending on the Spirit. 00:05:41.399 --> 00:05:45.019 There are things that I feel like we need to say before we get into examples 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:49.240 about the broad understanding of how the Holy Spirit works in our lives. 00:05:49.240 --> 00:05:53.620 Richard's going to put up a slide with a number of texts. 00:05:54.139 --> 00:05:58.939 We're not going to read all of them because we would be here till 1 o'clock this afternoon. 00:05:59.400 --> 00:06:03.340 But I almost never say this, but if you want to take out your phone, take a picture of that, 00:06:03.439 --> 00:06:06.480 or write down those texts while I'm walking through them, 00:06:06.519 --> 00:06:09.620 I'm going to give you six principles from these texts 00:06:09.620 --> 00:06:14.439 that you can then go back and read these Scriptures later to consider more fully. 00:06:15.220 --> 00:06:16.019 So, here we go. 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:23.799 First one is that the Holy Spirit's purpose is to glorify Christ as He comes into our life. 00:06:23.899 --> 00:06:27.539 This is what Jesus tells us in John 16. 00:06:27.959 --> 00:06:31.099 It says, He will glorify me when He comes. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:36.259 So, the Holy Spirit is here to magnify Christ in our lives. 00:06:36.539 --> 00:06:42.899 The second thing we need to say is that all believers in Christ have the Spirit of God in them. 00:06:42.899 --> 00:06:50.139 So, Ephesians 1, 13 and 14 refers to all believers as sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. 00:06:50.479 --> 00:06:54.879 That is, that the Holy Spirit comes and dwells within every believer. 00:06:55.519 --> 00:06:57.919 So, it is not something we need to get after the fact, 00:06:58.000 --> 00:07:00.799 but something we get at the moment of salvation. 00:07:01.979 --> 00:07:04.079 The third principle is this. 00:07:04.459 --> 00:07:06.819 Looking at Titus 3, 3 through 7, 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:10.219 that is, the Holy Spirit comes to transform us. 00:07:10.719 --> 00:07:15.300 That though we had old practices when we were enslaved to sin, 00:07:16.019 --> 00:07:18.040 through the washing and regeneration, 00:07:18.420 --> 00:07:20.860 that is, the giving of new spiritual life, 00:07:21.300 --> 00:07:24.740 the Holy Spirit allows us to forsake an old life 00:07:24.740 --> 00:07:26.680 and to take on a new life 00:07:26.680 --> 00:07:31.159 because we've been justified and saved by Christ, 00:07:31.160 --> 00:07:33.520 redeemed to be new people, 00:07:33.740 --> 00:07:35.120 God's people in the world. 00:07:36.240 --> 00:07:38.700 The fourth principle is that the battle 00:07:38.700 --> 00:07:40.880 between the desires of our sinful nature, 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:43.180 what we are apart from Christ, 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:46.600 and God's Spirit in us as believers, 00:07:47.020 --> 00:07:48.700 the ongoing battle is real. 00:07:49.140 --> 00:07:51.060 Let me refer to my sermon two weeks ago. 00:07:51.200 --> 00:07:52.320 Go back and listen to it. 00:07:52.600 --> 00:07:55.300 Galatians 5, 16 and 17 says, 00:07:55.780 --> 00:07:58.160 these desires exist within Christians 00:07:58.160 --> 00:08:00.320 and are in opposition to one another. 00:08:00.860 --> 00:08:02.640 And so this battle is normal. 00:08:04.180 --> 00:08:07.140 The fifth principle is that the process, 00:08:07.420 --> 00:08:10.760 the picture of growth for a Christian 00:08:10.760 --> 00:08:13.100 is to put off sin 00:08:13.100 --> 00:08:15.980 and to put on being more like Christ. 00:08:16.180 --> 00:08:19.760 This is Ephesians 4, verses 20 through 24. 00:08:20.060 --> 00:08:23.240 And it talks about having a former manner of life 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:25.780 that you forsake, that you'd get rid of. 00:08:25.780 --> 00:08:28.140 This is the same idea we talked about last week. 00:08:28.160 --> 00:08:30.640 In 1 John, the end of 1 John 1 00:08:30.640 --> 00:08:32.100 and the beginning of 1 John 2, 00:08:32.440 --> 00:08:35.340 that we can't say that we have no sin, 00:08:35.600 --> 00:08:37.139 but when we confess our sin, 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.480 God is faithful and just, 00:08:38.660 --> 00:08:40.700 and we turn from that sin and repentance 00:08:40.700 --> 00:08:43.480 and turn towards a new life 00:08:43.480 --> 00:08:44.960 that God is able to give us 00:08:44.960 --> 00:08:48.019 because of the forgiveness that we have in Christ. 00:08:51.980 --> 00:08:53.220 Finally, verse 6. 00:08:54.560 --> 00:08:57.060 The sixth principle in all of this 00:08:57.059 --> 00:08:58.779 as we think about is that the battle 00:08:58.779 --> 00:09:00.919 between our sinful nature and God's Spirit 00:09:00.919 --> 00:09:03.879 at its core is fought at the heart level, 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:06.039 not at a behavioral level. 00:09:06.959 --> 00:09:09.699 In Mark 7, Jesus reminds the people, 00:09:09.859 --> 00:09:13.119 it's not what happens on the outside of us 00:09:13.119 --> 00:09:14.639 that defiles us, 00:09:14.679 --> 00:09:17.239 but it's that our hearts are defiled 00:09:17.239 --> 00:09:19.059 and what comes out of us 00:09:19.059 --> 00:09:20.959 is what is truly the problem. 00:09:20.960 --> 00:09:24.040 And so when God comes to redeem us, 00:09:24.340 --> 00:09:25.360 part of what He says, 00:09:25.440 --> 00:09:26.780 remember the new covenant promise, 00:09:26.879 --> 00:09:28.340 He will give us a new heart, 00:09:28.660 --> 00:09:30.720 then we will know God's law and do it. 00:09:30.940 --> 00:09:33.139 He wants our hearts to be transformed, 00:09:33.379 --> 00:09:36.100 not simply so that we look like better Christians, 00:09:36.460 --> 00:09:38.360 but so that we are transformed people 00:09:38.360 --> 00:09:39.560 who love God 00:09:39.560 --> 00:09:41.100 and out of that love, 00:09:41.660 --> 00:09:44.200 display the characteristics of God 00:09:44.200 --> 00:09:45.139 more and more. 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:47.980 So it is about our heart transformation. 00:09:51.019 --> 00:09:51.500 Right? 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:54.080 And so this is the big picture 00:09:54.080 --> 00:09:56.799 of what the Holy Spirit is doing, 00:09:56.960 --> 00:09:58.960 and that was my like five minutes 00:09:58.960 --> 00:10:00.580 of the doctrine of sanctification, 00:10:01.100 --> 00:10:01.679 sort of. 00:10:02.019 --> 00:10:04.059 It's not even complete by any means, 00:10:04.179 --> 00:10:06.639 but it's a beginning of thinking about this. 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.480 And part of what this passage 00:10:08.480 --> 00:10:09.600 that Paul is giving us 00:10:09.600 --> 00:10:11.360 in chapter 5 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:13.419 in the whole thing from 16 to 26 00:10:13.419 --> 00:10:14.259 is to say, 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:17.459 God has given you as believers 00:10:17.459 --> 00:10:18.759 the Holy Spirit. 00:10:19.360 --> 00:10:21.719 Don't go back to living in your old way 00:10:21.719 --> 00:10:23.339 because He's given you the power 00:10:23.339 --> 00:10:25.500 to live in a different way. 00:10:25.599 --> 00:10:27.799 We are able to engage in this battle 00:10:27.799 --> 00:10:29.219 against our sin nature 00:10:29.219 --> 00:10:30.479 and not only engage in it, 00:10:30.679 --> 00:10:33.399 but we're able to see the fruit of the Spirit 00:10:33.399 --> 00:10:36.120 in increasing measure in our lives. 00:10:37.000 --> 00:10:39.559 So as commentator Tom Schreiner says, 00:10:40.179 --> 00:10:40.659 he says, 00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:43.159 Christians should know that we have 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:44.719 because of work of Christ 00:10:44.719 --> 00:10:46.939 a new quality of life 00:10:46.939 --> 00:10:49.179 that is the result of the Spirit's work. 00:10:49.740 --> 00:10:52.620 The old age no longer reigns over believers. 00:10:53.120 --> 00:10:55.079 The old Adam has been crucified 00:10:55.079 --> 00:10:56.779 with its passions and desires 00:10:56.779 --> 00:11:00.379 so that the flesh no longer enslaves believers. 00:11:01.299 --> 00:11:02.199 In other words, 00:11:02.459 --> 00:11:05.219 believers enjoy a substantial, 00:11:05.620 --> 00:11:06.259 significant, 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:08.500 and observable victory 00:11:08.500 --> 00:11:11.059 in their new life in Christ. 00:11:12.580 --> 00:11:14.840 Since believers live in the interval 00:11:14.840 --> 00:11:16.480 between the already and the not yet, 00:11:16.899 --> 00:11:18.559 perfection is not their portion. 00:11:19.600 --> 00:11:22.220 And yet we should be living with hope 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:24.039 that God is doing, 00:11:24.460 --> 00:11:26.120 God has done for us 00:11:26.120 --> 00:11:27.159 what is necessary for us 00:11:27.159 --> 00:11:30.039 to have a growing ability 00:11:30.039 --> 00:11:33.220 to show and display Christ-likeness in us. 00:11:33.220 --> 00:11:35.340 And Paul's wanting to encourage us 00:11:35.340 --> 00:11:36.100 to do that, 00:11:36.879 --> 00:11:37.440 to say, 00:11:38.040 --> 00:11:38.840 you believer, 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:40.660 don't give in to sin. 00:11:40.840 --> 00:11:42.060 Don't think that sin 00:11:42.060 --> 00:11:44.160 continues to control your life 00:11:44.160 --> 00:11:44.920 and you are helpless. 00:11:45.540 --> 00:11:47.540 God has given you His Spirit 00:11:47.540 --> 00:11:49.540 so that you can 00:11:49.540 --> 00:11:51.680 not only fight this battle, 00:11:51.920 --> 00:11:53.500 but incrementally, 00:11:54.220 --> 00:11:56.740 but certainly have a trajectory 00:11:56.740 --> 00:11:58.860 towards Christ-likeness 00:11:58.860 --> 00:12:01.139 and away from sin. 00:12:02.399 --> 00:12:04.320 So that's the first point. 00:12:05.060 --> 00:12:06.279 This is what God is doing. 00:12:06.379 --> 00:12:07.360 These are the principles. 00:12:08.139 --> 00:12:09.180 So the practice, 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:11.100 what does it actually look like? 00:12:11.580 --> 00:12:12.360 I'm going to give you 00:12:12.360 --> 00:12:13.500 a definition briefly 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:14.600 and then I'm going to give you, 00:12:14.680 --> 00:12:15.240 we're going to spend 00:12:15.240 --> 00:12:16.840 a bunch of time on examples. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:18.320 I'm hoping you guys 00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.519 will get a sense 00:12:19.519 --> 00:12:20.519 from these examples 00:12:20.519 --> 00:12:22.120 of what it might look like 00:12:22.120 --> 00:12:23.779 to actually fight this battle 00:12:23.779 --> 00:12:25.800 on a fairly granular level. 00:12:26.120 --> 00:12:27.100 Here's the definition. 00:12:27.100 --> 00:12:28.759 How do we fight 00:12:28.759 --> 00:12:29.700 this battle against sin? 00:12:29.759 --> 00:12:31.000 How do we walk in the Spirit? 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:32.700 We walk by faith. 00:12:33.159 --> 00:12:35.060 And that means trusting in 00:12:35.060 --> 00:12:36.560 and depending on 00:12:36.560 --> 00:12:38.659 the empowering presence 00:12:38.659 --> 00:12:39.600 of the Holy Spirit 00:12:39.600 --> 00:12:40.560 in our lives 00:12:40.560 --> 00:12:42.759 to apply the Word of God 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:44.680 and the work of Christ 00:12:44.680 --> 00:12:47.420 to transform us 00:12:47.420 --> 00:12:48.620 so that we might 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:50.220 increasingly reflect 00:12:50.220 --> 00:12:51.440 the character 00:12:51.440 --> 00:12:53.200 and love of Christ 00:12:53.200 --> 00:12:54.080 in our lives. 00:12:55.680 --> 00:12:56.040 Okay? 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:58.399 So it's a walk of faith, 00:12:59.019 --> 00:13:00.559 trusting and depending 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.639 on God 00:13:01.639 --> 00:13:03.620 to do work in us 00:13:03.620 --> 00:13:04.659 through His Word 00:13:04.659 --> 00:13:06.639 focused on the work of Christ 00:13:06.639 --> 00:13:08.259 to bring transformation. 00:13:10.919 --> 00:13:11.899 There's a lot there. 00:13:12.079 --> 00:13:12.699 I wish I could preach 00:13:12.699 --> 00:13:13.679 a whole sermon on that idea. 00:13:13.839 --> 00:13:14.759 But let's keep going. 00:13:15.299 --> 00:13:16.519 What does it look like? 00:13:17.139 --> 00:13:18.500 What does it look like? 00:13:18.879 --> 00:13:19.819 And here's the thing 00:13:19.819 --> 00:13:21.279 that I need you to hear 00:13:21.279 --> 00:13:22.059 from right up front. 00:13:22.379 --> 00:13:24.039 There's no three-step program. 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:26.000 I love Crew. 00:13:26.159 --> 00:13:27.099 They created a great 00:13:27.099 --> 00:13:27.699 little booklet, 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:28.959 but it's not a booklet 00:13:28.959 --> 00:13:29.959 that you can get through 00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:30.639 in eight pages 00:13:30.639 --> 00:13:31.059 and then go, 00:13:31.199 --> 00:13:32.439 oh, I know how to do this. 00:13:33.019 --> 00:13:33.559 It's not. 00:13:34.120 --> 00:13:35.059 At one level, 00:13:35.579 --> 00:13:37.480 it's a much more dynamic 00:13:37.480 --> 00:13:39.219 reality of our relationship 00:13:39.219 --> 00:13:39.699 with God. 00:13:39.779 --> 00:13:41.379 And so I want you to hear me 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:43.819 not giving three-step programs, 00:13:43.980 --> 00:13:45.039 but principles 00:13:45.039 --> 00:13:45.879 that you can apply. 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.279 In fact, 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.379 I'm going to give you portraits 00:13:47.379 --> 00:13:49.099 and you can pick and choose 00:13:49.099 --> 00:13:50.779 and see what's going to be 00:13:50.779 --> 00:13:52.059 helpful for you 00:13:52.059 --> 00:13:53.939 as you think about this battle. 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:54.879 So first, 00:13:55.699 --> 00:13:56.719 sexual temptation. 00:13:58.079 --> 00:13:59.219 I raise this because 00:13:59.219 --> 00:14:00.119 it's in the passage, 00:14:00.599 --> 00:14:00.879 right, 00:14:01.099 --> 00:14:02.459 and because it's such 00:14:02.459 --> 00:14:03.859 a powerful part 00:14:03.859 --> 00:14:05.239 of our world today, 00:14:05.779 --> 00:14:06.059 right? 00:14:06.179 --> 00:14:07.279 And the sin here, 00:14:07.399 --> 00:14:08.819 the desire of the flesh, 00:14:09.019 --> 00:14:10.439 is that we engage 00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:12.719 in sexual immorality 00:14:12.719 --> 00:14:15.719 for selfish gain, 00:14:16.059 --> 00:14:16.379 right? 00:14:16.379 --> 00:14:18.580 It is sexual action 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:19.939 outside of God's 00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.159 covenantal structure 00:14:21.159 --> 00:14:21.820 of marriage 00:14:21.820 --> 00:14:23.100 where we end up 00:14:23.100 --> 00:14:24.899 actually using others 00:14:24.899 --> 00:14:27.159 to serve ourselves. 00:14:28.399 --> 00:14:29.759 And I just want to say this, 00:14:29.820 --> 00:14:31.039 even when it's consensual, 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.139 it's still sinful 00:14:32.139 --> 00:14:35.799 when we do this 00:14:35.799 --> 00:14:36.879 to one another, 00:14:36.879 --> 00:14:37.679 when we engage 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:38.759 in sexual activity 00:14:38.759 --> 00:14:40.419 in such a way 00:14:40.419 --> 00:14:41.379 that we dishonor 00:14:41.940 --> 00:14:43.179 God and His plans. 00:14:43.179 --> 00:14:44.459 We dishonor God's 00:14:44.459 --> 00:14:45.419 good plan 00:14:45.419 --> 00:14:46.799 for sex 00:14:46.799 --> 00:14:47.779 because He made it 00:14:47.779 --> 00:14:48.719 and it is good. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:50.120 And it's an expression 00:14:50.120 --> 00:14:51.099 of a human desire 00:14:51.099 --> 00:14:51.859 for intimacy. 00:14:52.359 --> 00:14:53.500 And in the right context, 00:14:53.579 --> 00:14:54.639 it should be celebrated. 00:14:55.159 --> 00:14:56.759 But in the wrong context, 00:14:57.099 --> 00:14:59.159 it has great destructive power. 00:15:00.639 --> 00:15:01.219 Now, 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:01.899 here's the thing. 00:15:03.839 --> 00:15:05.139 We are rarely 00:15:05.139 --> 00:15:06.179 simply overcome 00:15:06.739 --> 00:15:08.599 with sexual temptation 00:15:08.599 --> 00:15:09.740 out of the blue. 00:15:09.740 --> 00:15:11.940 We live in a world 00:15:11.940 --> 00:15:14.060 where we are saturated 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:14.700 with it. 00:15:14.779 --> 00:15:15.580 There is a ton 00:15:15.580 --> 00:15:17.240 of external stimuli, 00:15:17.440 --> 00:15:17.919 whether it be 00:15:17.919 --> 00:15:18.620 in our movies 00:15:18.620 --> 00:15:19.700 or in our music, 00:15:20.200 --> 00:15:20.740 whether it be 00:15:20.740 --> 00:15:21.560 on the internet 00:15:21.560 --> 00:15:22.340 and the images 00:15:22.340 --> 00:15:23.180 that we see. 00:15:23.899 --> 00:15:24.740 Our culture 00:15:24.740 --> 00:15:26.519 has an increasingly 00:15:26.519 --> 00:15:28.180 lack of modesty 00:15:28.180 --> 00:15:29.720 in our styles, 00:15:29.860 --> 00:15:30.659 in the way we live. 00:15:30.919 --> 00:15:31.320 And in fact, 00:15:31.419 --> 00:15:32.899 we exalt sexuality 00:15:32.899 --> 00:15:34.060 in all sorts 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:35.340 of terrible ways. 00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.460 And there's even 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:37.639 a appropriate, 00:15:37.960 --> 00:15:38.799 there's a lack of, 00:15:38.799 --> 00:15:40.379 growing lack of shame 00:15:40.379 --> 00:15:41.319 about this. 00:15:41.599 --> 00:15:42.000 In fact, 00:15:42.059 --> 00:15:43.579 these things are celebrated 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:45.719 and it is unhealthily 00:15:45.719 --> 00:15:46.519 focused on. 00:15:46.679 --> 00:15:47.620 You can't be human 00:15:47.620 --> 00:15:49.120 if you're not active sexually. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:52.659 But we know 00:15:52.659 --> 00:15:53.419 it's not right 00:15:53.419 --> 00:15:55.399 because God's Word 00:15:55.399 --> 00:15:56.139 tells us to. 00:15:56.500 --> 00:15:57.439 So this is the battle 00:15:57.439 --> 00:15:57.979 against sin. 00:15:58.219 --> 00:15:59.139 So what do we do? 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:00.639 The Bible commands us 00:16:00.639 --> 00:16:01.539 to flee it, 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:03.139 to avoid it, 00:16:03.139 --> 00:16:04.399 to not indulge 00:16:04.399 --> 00:16:05.579 our lustful desires. 00:16:05.719 --> 00:16:06.359 Remember what I said 00:16:06.359 --> 00:16:06.939 last week. 00:16:07.359 --> 00:16:08.240 You can't keep 00:16:08.240 --> 00:16:09.240 the birds from flying 00:16:09.240 --> 00:16:09.980 over your head. 00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:11.159 You're going to have 00:16:11.159 --> 00:16:12.419 these moments of temptation. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:13.240 You're going to see 00:16:13.240 --> 00:16:14.360 these external stimuli 00:16:14.360 --> 00:16:15.320 or you're going to have 00:16:15.320 --> 00:16:15.840 these moments 00:16:15.840 --> 00:16:16.700 where your desires 00:16:16.700 --> 00:16:17.860 just well up in your heart. 00:16:18.080 --> 00:16:19.120 That's going to happen. 00:16:19.340 --> 00:16:20.200 But you can keep 00:16:20.200 --> 00:16:21.159 the birds from nesting 00:16:21.159 --> 00:16:21.960 in your hair. 00:16:22.620 --> 00:16:22.919 Right? 00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:24.919 When the external pull comes 00:16:24.919 --> 00:16:26.720 or the thought comes up, 00:16:27.220 --> 00:16:28.980 we need to fight the battle 00:16:28.980 --> 00:16:30.100 not to embrace 00:16:30.100 --> 00:16:31.180 or cherish 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:34.259 or let that control us 00:16:34.259 --> 00:16:34.940 in the moment. 00:16:34.940 --> 00:16:37.060 but instead 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:39.060 to walk in the Holy Spirit. 00:16:39.820 --> 00:16:41.120 Well, how do we do that? 00:16:41.820 --> 00:16:43.100 Some of this is 00:16:43.100 --> 00:16:44.560 walking in the Holy Spirit 00:16:44.560 --> 00:16:45.900 by preparing 00:16:45.900 --> 00:16:47.160 for those moments. 00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:47.900 Right? 00:16:48.980 --> 00:16:50.100 By preparing 00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.960 to know 00:16:50.960 --> 00:16:52.220 that we will face 00:16:52.220 --> 00:16:52.860 those times 00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.240 and to seek 00:16:54.240 --> 00:16:57.240 to fight the battle 00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:57.980 ahead of time. 00:16:58.100 --> 00:16:58.740 So that will be 00:16:58.740 --> 00:16:59.820 things like 00:16:59.820 --> 00:17:01.260 we want to avoid 00:17:01.260 --> 00:17:02.000 circumstances 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.620 where we know 00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.500 we're going to be tempted. 00:17:03.500 --> 00:17:04.500 Right? 00:17:04.559 --> 00:17:05.900 If you're on a business trip 00:17:05.900 --> 00:17:07.019 and your colleagues 00:17:07.019 --> 00:17:07.680 are going out 00:17:07.680 --> 00:17:08.579 to a strip bar, 00:17:08.859 --> 00:17:10.359 it's probably not wise 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:11.099 to go with them 00:17:11.099 --> 00:17:11.420 thinking, 00:17:11.599 --> 00:17:12.299 well, I'm a Christian. 00:17:12.440 --> 00:17:13.240 I can be strong 00:17:13.240 --> 00:17:14.799 and fight that temptation. 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:16.380 Right? 00:17:16.819 --> 00:17:18.019 That's not smart. 00:17:19.259 --> 00:17:20.980 It's also not smart 00:17:20.980 --> 00:17:23.380 if you have struggled 00:17:23.380 --> 00:17:23.880 with this 00:17:23.880 --> 00:17:24.720 to have a computer 00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:25.440 that doesn't have 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.859 an internet filter on it. 00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.240 It's not smart 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:28.839 to hang out 00:17:28.839 --> 00:17:29.640 with your girlfriend 00:17:29.640 --> 00:17:31.079 late at night 00:17:31.079 --> 00:17:32.119 alone 00:17:32.119 --> 00:17:33.319 on a bed 00:17:33.319 --> 00:17:34.000 and think 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:34.459 that you're going 00:17:34.459 --> 00:17:35.439 to avoid temptation. 00:17:36.000 --> 00:17:36.479 Right? 00:17:36.879 --> 00:17:38.199 So you want to do 00:17:38.199 --> 00:17:40.339 some wise thinking, 00:17:40.679 --> 00:17:41.979 spirit-empowered wisdom 00:17:41.979 --> 00:17:43.000 to avoid 00:17:43.000 --> 00:17:44.079 the circumstances 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:45.719 where you may 00:17:45.719 --> 00:17:46.459 find yourself 00:17:46.459 --> 00:17:47.099 in temptation. 00:17:47.459 --> 00:17:48.299 The second thing is 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:49.539 you're going to pray 00:17:49.539 --> 00:17:50.279 that God is going 00:17:50.279 --> 00:17:51.239 to give you the power 00:17:51.239 --> 00:17:52.079 like Joseph 00:17:52.079 --> 00:17:52.979 in the moment 00:17:52.979 --> 00:17:54.839 to at great cost 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.539 to yourself 00:17:55.539 --> 00:17:57.019 flee from temptation, 00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:58.979 unplug your computer, 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:00.239 run out of the room 00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.039 without only your robe on 00:18:02.039 --> 00:18:03.140 like Joseph did 00:18:03.140 --> 00:18:04.160 when Potiphar's wife 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.019 sought to seduce. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:06.759 Do what it takes 00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:08.519 to flee temptation. 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:09.740 Right? 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.700 Because we need 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.299 to do it 00:18:12.299 --> 00:18:12.980 at that level 00:18:12.980 --> 00:18:13.740 because when we 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.180 give in to these things, 00:18:15.460 --> 00:18:16.440 when we live 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:17.900 in them all the time, 00:18:18.859 --> 00:18:19.359 then we have 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.819 no sense of freedom 00:18:20.819 --> 00:18:21.960 to begin to pursue 00:18:21.960 --> 00:18:22.940 the fruit of the Spirit. 00:18:23.259 --> 00:18:24.019 The fruit of the Spirit 00:18:24.019 --> 00:18:25.160 is choked out 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:26.579 by our indulging 00:18:26.579 --> 00:18:27.200 the desires 00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:27.940 of the flesh. 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:29.220 And so we need 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.600 to do the right thing. 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:33.340 But then we need 00:18:33.340 --> 00:18:33.900 to see 00:18:33.900 --> 00:18:35.279 a change of heart. 00:18:36.559 --> 00:18:37.779 We need to see 00:18:37.779 --> 00:18:38.759 that underneath 00:18:38.759 --> 00:18:41.600 our cultural desire 00:18:41.600 --> 00:18:42.400 for sexuality 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:42.720 everywhere 00:18:42.720 --> 00:18:43.940 is a desire 00:18:43.940 --> 00:18:44.920 to be known 00:18:44.920 --> 00:18:45.620 and loved. 00:18:45.980 --> 00:18:46.700 It's a desire 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.700 for intimacy. 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:48.880 It's a desire 00:18:48.880 --> 00:18:49.779 for connection. 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:53.580 And the Holy Spirit 00:18:53.580 --> 00:18:55.039 can work new patterns 00:18:55.039 --> 00:18:55.779 in our heart. 00:18:55.779 --> 00:18:57.460 And if we can give 00:18:57.460 --> 00:18:58.420 the space 00:18:58.420 --> 00:19:00.539 for Christ 00:19:00.539 --> 00:19:01.359 to invite us 00:19:01.359 --> 00:19:02.359 into intimacy 00:19:02.359 --> 00:19:03.240 with Him 00:19:03.240 --> 00:19:04.759 as we experience 00:19:04.759 --> 00:19:05.839 Him as the bride 00:19:05.839 --> 00:19:06.519 of Christ, 00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:08.200 the one who sings 00:19:08.200 --> 00:19:08.819 over us 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.660 with His love 00:19:09.660 --> 00:19:11.180 because He delights 00:19:11.180 --> 00:19:12.000 in us, 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:14.099 as we experience 00:19:14.099 --> 00:19:15.259 in healthy ways 00:19:15.259 --> 00:19:16.559 in Christian community 00:19:16.559 --> 00:19:18.420 intimacy with one another 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.240 of friendship, 00:19:19.759 --> 00:19:20.680 of fellowship, 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.720 of supporting 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:22.599 one another, 00:19:22.599 --> 00:19:25.899 then this 00:19:25.899 --> 00:19:27.919 pull towards sex 00:19:27.919 --> 00:19:28.579 as the answer 00:19:28.579 --> 00:19:29.480 to those things 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.699 becomes less 00:19:30.699 --> 00:19:32.019 as we are filled 00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:33.639 with godly patterns 00:19:33.639 --> 00:19:34.779 of intimacy 00:19:34.779 --> 00:19:36.299 in our lives. 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:39.039 And the Holy Spirit 00:19:39.039 --> 00:19:41.219 will teach us 00:19:41.219 --> 00:19:42.759 that the love of God 00:19:42.759 --> 00:19:43.859 is better than sex. 00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:48.799 it will teach us 00:19:48.799 --> 00:19:49.799 that we can be 00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:50.939 delighted in 00:19:50.939 --> 00:19:51.859 and satisfied 00:19:51.859 --> 00:19:52.539 with 00:19:52.539 --> 00:19:54.639 God alone. 00:19:55.879 --> 00:19:56.639 And friends, 00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.599 you know in heaven 00:19:57.599 --> 00:19:58.639 there won't be 00:19:58.639 --> 00:19:59.539 any more sex. 00:20:00.359 --> 00:20:01.559 There's no more marriage 00:20:01.559 --> 00:20:03.240 because we're going 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:04.099 to have a greater 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.740 intimacy 00:20:04.740 --> 00:20:06.179 with Christ, 00:20:06.719 --> 00:20:07.859 with God 00:20:07.859 --> 00:20:09.759 than ever before. 00:20:09.759 --> 00:20:12.559 and knowing that 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:14.160 and leaning into that 00:20:14.160 --> 00:20:15.220 independence 00:20:15.220 --> 00:20:16.480 on the Holy Spirit 00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:18.019 will help us fight 00:20:18.019 --> 00:20:19.420 those temptations 00:20:19.420 --> 00:20:20.299 in the moment. 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.539 Here's a really practical. 00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:24.440 I knew a grad student 00:20:24.440 --> 00:20:25.379 once struggled 00:20:25.379 --> 00:20:25.799 with this. 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:26.400 He had to work 00:20:26.400 --> 00:20:27.420 on computers all day. 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.759 He struggled 00:20:28.759 --> 00:20:29.799 with internet pornography. 00:20:30.039 --> 00:20:30.640 He found that 00:20:30.640 --> 00:20:32.299 when he was working 00:20:32.299 --> 00:20:33.099 really hard 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:33.819 for a couple hours 00:20:33.819 --> 00:20:34.339 then he needed 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.220 to take a break. 00:20:35.480 --> 00:20:36.539 That was his moment 00:20:36.539 --> 00:20:37.180 of temptation. 00:20:37.879 --> 00:20:38.359 So do you know 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:38.879 what he did? 00:20:38.880 --> 00:20:39.920 He took the Lord 00:20:39.920 --> 00:20:40.340 of the Rings 00:20:40.340 --> 00:20:41.220 with him to work 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:42.240 and he put it 00:20:42.240 --> 00:20:43.120 next to his computer 00:20:43.120 --> 00:20:44.860 and when he stopped 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.780 working he turned 00:20:45.780 --> 00:20:46.420 off his screen 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.260 and he picked up 00:20:47.260 --> 00:20:47.880 this book 00:20:47.880 --> 00:20:49.800 because that book 00:20:49.800 --> 00:20:51.000 allowed him 00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:52.360 to remember 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:53.180 the beauty 00:20:53.180 --> 00:20:54.860 and the glory 00:20:54.860 --> 00:20:55.720 of the gospel 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.740 as it's expressed 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.340 through this great 00:20:57.340 --> 00:20:58.040 fantasy story. 00:20:58.360 --> 00:20:58.800 Now you know 00:20:58.800 --> 00:20:59.620 I love Lord of the Rings. 00:20:59.720 --> 00:21:00.300 That's a great thing 00:21:00.300 --> 00:21:00.600 for me. 00:21:00.760 --> 00:21:01.400 It's probably not 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:01.760 going to work 00:21:01.760 --> 00:21:02.460 for everybody 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.720 but you see 00:21:03.720 --> 00:21:04.360 how he chose 00:21:04.360 --> 00:21:05.420 some practical 00:21:05.420 --> 00:21:06.460 example. 00:21:06.560 --> 00:21:06.860 He chose 00:21:06.860 --> 00:21:08.080 a very practical 00:21:08.080 --> 00:21:08.540 example 00:21:08.539 --> 00:21:09.920 of replacing 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.220 something 00:21:11.220 --> 00:21:12.940 where temptation 00:21:12.940 --> 00:21:14.039 would be so easy 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:15.220 to come in 00:21:15.220 --> 00:21:15.799 and control him 00:21:15.799 --> 00:21:16.940 he replaced it 00:21:16.940 --> 00:21:18.000 with something better. 00:21:18.879 --> 00:21:19.039 Right? 00:21:19.200 --> 00:21:20.039 The great Puritan 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:21.000 Thomas Chalmers 00:21:21.000 --> 00:21:22.200 wrote this great essay 00:21:22.200 --> 00:21:23.139 you should all read it 00:21:23.139 --> 00:21:24.659 The Expulsive Power 00:21:24.659 --> 00:21:25.740 of a New Affection 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.299 because here's the thing 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.859 all the internet filters 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:30.319 and all the accountability 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:31.819 and all the 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.180 fleeing the right places 00:21:33.180 --> 00:21:34.879 will not save you 00:21:34.879 --> 00:21:36.319 from sexual sin. 00:21:36.319 --> 00:21:39.240 it is the transformation 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:40.319 of your heart 00:21:40.319 --> 00:21:41.960 that will wean 00:21:41.960 --> 00:21:43.700 your fleshly desires 00:21:43.700 --> 00:21:46.819 away from sin 00:21:46.819 --> 00:21:47.879 and towards 00:21:47.879 --> 00:21:48.740 something better. 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.599 The way that you 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.700 defeat your desire 00:21:51.700 --> 00:21:52.339 for intimacy 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:53.119 through sex 00:21:53.119 --> 00:21:54.099 is by finding 00:21:54.099 --> 00:21:55.279 a greater intimacy 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:56.439 in the love of Christ. 00:21:58.000 --> 00:21:59.319 This is walking 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:00.039 in the power 00:22:00.039 --> 00:22:00.579 of the Spirit. 00:22:00.579 --> 00:22:03.699 The second example 00:22:03.699 --> 00:22:04.759 I want to talk about 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:06.059 is anxiety 00:22:06.059 --> 00:22:07.839 because we live 00:22:07.839 --> 00:22:08.939 in an anxious world 00:22:08.939 --> 00:22:10.359 we live in an anxious 00:22:10.359 --> 00:22:11.439 generation 00:22:11.439 --> 00:22:12.240 right? 00:22:12.579 --> 00:22:13.079 And 00:22:13.079 --> 00:22:15.399 we live in this 00:22:15.399 --> 00:22:17.039 in all sorts of things 00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:17.919 and God says 00:22:17.919 --> 00:22:19.199 we are not to be anxious 00:22:19.199 --> 00:22:19.960 right? 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:21.299 Philippians 4 says 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:22.599 6 through 7 00:22:22.599 --> 00:22:23.199 says 00:22:23.199 --> 00:22:24.199 do not be anxious 00:22:24.199 --> 00:22:25.279 about anything 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:27.399 but in everything 00:22:27.399 --> 00:22:28.700 by prayer and supplication 00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.420 with thanksgiving 00:22:29.420 --> 00:22:30.200 let your request 00:22:30.200 --> 00:22:31.139 be made known 00:22:31.139 --> 00:22:31.599 to God 00:22:31.599 --> 00:22:32.119 and the peace 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.579 of God 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.799 that surpasses 00:22:33.799 --> 00:22:34.460 all understanding 00:22:34.460 --> 00:22:35.579 will guard your hearts 00:22:35.579 --> 00:22:36.759 and your minds 00:22:36.759 --> 00:22:38.240 in Christ Jesus. 00:22:39.139 --> 00:22:40.079 Now I want to be careful 00:22:40.079 --> 00:22:40.639 about this 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:43.220 but anxiety here 00:22:43.220 --> 00:22:46.000 is not to be confused 00:22:46.000 --> 00:22:46.639 by care. 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.259 We are meant 00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.599 to care about things 00:22:48.599 --> 00:22:49.000 we are meant 00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.940 to be responsible 00:22:49.940 --> 00:22:51.099 there are things 00:22:51.099 --> 00:22:51.920 that we love 00:22:51.920 --> 00:22:53.440 and we will think 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:53.960 about them 00:22:53.960 --> 00:22:54.980 and we will care 00:22:54.980 --> 00:22:55.519 for them 00:22:55.519 --> 00:22:56.000 right? 00:22:56.380 --> 00:22:57.279 But anxiety 00:22:57.279 --> 00:22:58.539 is a response 00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.700 to circumstances 00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:01.420 that excludes 00:23:01.420 --> 00:23:02.180 God 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:03.600 in the moment. 00:23:04.279 --> 00:23:05.180 We worry 00:23:05.180 --> 00:23:05.779 about 00:23:05.779 --> 00:23:07.220 our child 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:08.360 who hasn't 00:23:08.360 --> 00:23:09.019 checked in 00:23:09.019 --> 00:23:10.539 and it's after curfew. 00:23:10.759 --> 00:23:11.820 We worry 00:23:11.820 --> 00:23:12.420 about 00:23:12.420 --> 00:23:13.580 our job 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:14.160 and whether we are 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.660 going to be able 00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.620 to keep it or not. 00:23:15.900 --> 00:23:16.860 We worry 00:23:16.860 --> 00:23:17.519 about 00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:19.140 how we are going 00:23:19.140 --> 00:23:20.279 to pay 00:23:20.279 --> 00:23:21.360 the next month's 00:23:21.360 --> 00:23:21.720 rent. 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:23.080 We worry 00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:23.619 about these 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.259 things because 00:23:24.259 --> 00:23:25.039 we feel 00:23:25.039 --> 00:23:25.879 out of control 00:23:25.879 --> 00:23:26.779 and we are 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.500 fearful 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:28.500 in the face 00:23:28.500 --> 00:23:29.659 of that uncertainty. 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:30.799 And this is 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.279 normal, 00:23:31.899 --> 00:23:32.220 right? 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:33.139 We all say 00:23:33.139 --> 00:23:34.139 this is normal 00:23:34.139 --> 00:23:35.019 and it is 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.480 normal 00:23:35.480 --> 00:23:36.659 but we need 00:23:36.659 --> 00:23:37.179 to recognize 00:23:37.179 --> 00:23:38.159 that our normal 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:38.879 sometimes 00:23:38.879 --> 00:23:39.799 is actually 00:23:39.799 --> 00:23:40.279 sin. 00:23:41.000 --> 00:23:42.220 It's not good 00:23:42.220 --> 00:23:42.720 for us 00:23:42.720 --> 00:23:43.539 to be anxious 00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:45.099 and this anxiety 00:23:45.099 --> 00:23:46.199 when it controls 00:23:46.199 --> 00:23:46.720 us, 00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:47.819 when it shapes 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.639 our action, 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:50.579 it distracts us, 00:23:50.699 --> 00:23:51.819 it consumes us 00:23:51.819 --> 00:23:54.059 and it grips 00:23:54.059 --> 00:23:55.220 our heart. 00:24:00.460 --> 00:24:01.439 But God 00:24:01.439 --> 00:24:02.019 says 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:03.460 by the power 00:24:03.460 --> 00:24:04.460 of the Holy Spirit 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.879 you can walk 00:24:05.879 --> 00:24:07.379 not in worry, 00:24:07.740 --> 00:24:08.779 not in anxiety, 00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:10.500 but in faith 00:24:10.500 --> 00:24:12.139 in these circumstances. 00:24:12.140 --> 00:24:12.200 promises. 00:24:13.700 --> 00:24:14.980 Because the Holy Spirit 00:24:14.980 --> 00:24:15.940 can remind you 00:24:15.940 --> 00:24:16.620 in that moment 00:24:16.620 --> 00:24:17.460 that you are not 00:24:17.460 --> 00:24:18.360 alone in it 00:24:18.360 --> 00:24:19.320 and that God 00:24:19.320 --> 00:24:20.160 has not suddenly 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:21.040 stepped off 00:24:21.040 --> 00:24:21.860 of His throne 00:24:21.860 --> 00:24:22.540 of sovereignty 00:24:22.540 --> 00:24:23.720 over the whole 00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.120 world, 00:24:24.280 --> 00:24:25.000 nor has He 00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.820 abandoned His 00:24:25.820 --> 00:24:26.240 goodness 00:24:26.240 --> 00:24:27.420 and His desire 00:24:27.420 --> 00:24:28.580 to bless you 00:24:28.580 --> 00:24:29.940 in His life. 00:24:31.700 --> 00:24:32.180 Right? 00:24:33.100 --> 00:24:33.960 Our sin 00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.460 is that we've 00:24:34.460 --> 00:24:35.180 forgotten God 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.320 and we're cherishing 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:37.880 and cherishing 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.600 not in the sense 00:24:38.600 --> 00:24:38.740 of, 00:24:38.740 --> 00:24:38.900 oh, 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.460 I love you. 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:45.160 We pray to Him 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.480 and say, 00:24:45.579 --> 00:24:45.880 God, 00:24:46.000 --> 00:24:47.460 we are out of control 00:24:47.460 --> 00:24:48.380 and we're fearful 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:49.259 and we're afraid 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:50.400 and we can't do anything. 00:24:51.120 --> 00:24:51.640 Please, 00:24:51.799 --> 00:24:52.019 Lord, 00:24:52.140 --> 00:24:52.980 be sovereign 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:53.559 in this. 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.480 And He steps in 00:24:55.480 --> 00:24:56.200 and He says, 00:24:56.700 --> 00:24:57.759 You are my child. 00:24:58.519 --> 00:24:59.420 I love you. 00:25:00.299 --> 00:25:01.420 I am with you. 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:03.299 I am your heavenly Father. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:05.440 And sometimes 00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:07.039 that's a one-time prayer 00:25:07.039 --> 00:25:07.819 and we walk away 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.119 and say, 00:25:08.619 --> 00:25:09.779 Okay, 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.960 now I'm relaxed. 00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.920 Now I can do this. 00:25:12.159 --> 00:25:12.899 And sometimes 00:25:12.899 --> 00:25:14.339 it is an ongoing, 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.659 constant prayer. 00:25:16.000 --> 00:25:16.220 God, 00:25:16.339 --> 00:25:17.440 don't let me be anxious. 00:25:17.879 --> 00:25:18.059 God, 00:25:18.119 --> 00:25:19.240 don't let me be controlled. 00:25:19.579 --> 00:25:19.779 God, 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:20.519 You are sovereign 00:25:20.519 --> 00:25:21.799 and we almost have to do it 00:25:21.799 --> 00:25:22.819 moment by moment. 00:25:23.579 --> 00:25:24.980 We have to remind ourselves 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:25.899 of the promises 00:25:25.899 --> 00:25:27.079 of God's Word 00:25:27.079 --> 00:25:29.639 that the peace of Christ 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:31.119 will guard our hearts 00:25:31.119 --> 00:25:31.899 and minds. 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.839 That in Matthew 6, 00:25:34.839 --> 00:25:36.279 that your heavenly Father 00:25:36.279 --> 00:25:37.319 knows what you need 00:25:37.319 --> 00:25:38.720 before you ask. 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:39.480 Therefore, 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.359 seek first His kingdom 00:25:41.359 --> 00:25:42.819 and His righteousness 00:25:42.819 --> 00:25:44.199 and all these things 00:25:44.199 --> 00:25:45.599 will be added unto you. 00:25:48.759 --> 00:25:49.899 God's Word 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:51.720 applied by the Spirit 00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.539 to our hearts 00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.299 in that moment 00:25:53.299 --> 00:25:54.179 allows us 00:25:54.179 --> 00:25:55.359 to not give in 00:25:55.359 --> 00:25:56.720 to anxiety. 00:25:57.559 --> 00:25:58.699 His precious promises 00:25:58.699 --> 00:26:00.319 can help us. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.240 And friends, 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.019 here's the thing. 00:26:03.019 --> 00:26:04.240 This isn't just 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.339 the vagueness 00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:06.259 of God's sovereignty 00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:06.799 for us, 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:07.900 but this is where 00:26:07.900 --> 00:26:09.180 the power of the gospel 00:26:09.180 --> 00:26:10.619 intersects with our fight 00:26:10.619 --> 00:26:11.319 against sin. 00:26:11.759 --> 00:26:13.400 Because where do we know 00:26:13.400 --> 00:26:15.059 that God really 00:26:15.059 --> 00:26:16.019 is in control 00:26:16.019 --> 00:26:17.839 and that He really loves us 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:19.359 and that He really cares 00:26:19.359 --> 00:26:19.920 for us? 00:26:20.660 --> 00:26:21.680 He who did not 00:26:21.680 --> 00:26:22.660 spare His Son 00:26:22.660 --> 00:26:24.160 but gave Him up 00:26:24.160 --> 00:26:25.000 for us all. 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.759 Will He not also 00:26:26.759 --> 00:26:28.359 give us 00:26:28.359 --> 00:26:29.059 with Him 00:26:29.059 --> 00:26:30.740 all good things? 00:26:30.859 --> 00:26:31.900 That's Romans 8. 00:26:31.900 --> 00:26:35.340 We look at the cross 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:36.080 and as we sit 00:26:36.080 --> 00:26:37.360 at the foot of the cross 00:26:37.360 --> 00:26:38.780 in the midst 00:26:38.780 --> 00:26:39.580 of our anxiety 00:26:39.580 --> 00:26:40.140 we think, 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:40.780 God, 00:26:40.860 --> 00:26:42.019 if You have dealt 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:43.000 with my sin, 00:26:43.840 --> 00:26:44.740 You can deal 00:26:44.740 --> 00:26:47.320 with my lost child 00:26:47.320 --> 00:26:48.980 or my joblessness 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:51.460 or whatever the crisis is 00:26:51.460 --> 00:26:53.040 that You are facing. 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:55.619 the Holy Spirit 00:26:55.619 --> 00:26:56.339 is able 00:26:56.339 --> 00:26:57.899 to change 00:26:57.899 --> 00:26:59.039 your perspective. 00:27:01.759 --> 00:27:02.839 And so you may need 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.240 to learn, 00:27:03.339 --> 00:27:03.500 again, 00:27:03.559 --> 00:27:04.359 the practices 00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:05.420 of walking in the Spirit 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.079 may be 00:27:06.079 --> 00:27:07.599 recognizing your sin, 00:27:07.819 --> 00:27:08.599 confessing it, 00:27:08.980 --> 00:27:10.359 turning to God's Word, 00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:12.480 having these things available. 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.720 Put this Word 00:27:13.720 --> 00:27:14.960 on your dashboard, 00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.980 on your mirror, 00:27:16.220 --> 00:27:17.119 on your Bible, 00:27:17.259 --> 00:27:18.119 on your kitchen, 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:18.920 fridge, 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:19.980 wherever you are. 00:27:20.059 --> 00:27:21.420 Put it on your screensaver, 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:22.460 whatever it is. 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:24.440 Let God's Word 00:27:24.440 --> 00:27:25.519 be the fuel 00:27:25.519 --> 00:27:27.279 that the Spirit of God 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.660 can apply to our hearts 00:27:28.660 --> 00:27:30.560 as we fight this battle. 00:27:30.559 --> 00:27:36.679 It's not an easy battle 00:27:36.679 --> 00:27:37.220 to fight. 00:27:38.299 --> 00:27:39.639 And for many of us, 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.019 it's an ongoing thing. 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:41.879 And that's why the Bible 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.899 tells us not to worry 00:27:42.899 --> 00:27:43.799 over and over again, 00:27:43.899 --> 00:27:45.200 because we like to worry 00:27:45.200 --> 00:27:46.240 over and over again. 00:27:46.720 --> 00:27:47.759 But God wants 00:27:47.759 --> 00:27:49.319 the fruit of the Spirit 00:27:49.319 --> 00:27:51.139 to include peace 00:27:51.139 --> 00:27:52.700 and faith. 00:27:57.039 --> 00:27:57.519 Finally, 00:27:57.740 --> 00:27:58.720 last example, 00:27:58.720 --> 00:28:01.579 having a judgmental 00:28:01.579 --> 00:28:02.920 or a critical spirit. 00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:05.140 This was something 00:28:05.140 --> 00:28:07.500 that was true of me 00:28:07.500 --> 00:28:09.680 when I was a college freshman. 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:11.120 I had been a believer 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.960 for a year. 00:28:12.880 --> 00:28:13.460 That summer, 00:28:13.559 --> 00:28:14.600 before I went to college, 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.240 I finally woke up to, 00:28:16.400 --> 00:28:16.640 oh, 00:28:16.900 --> 00:28:17.779 that means I should 00:28:17.779 --> 00:28:19.259 live my life for Christ. 00:28:19.480 --> 00:28:19.720 And so, 00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:20.360 I got involved 00:28:20.360 --> 00:28:21.779 in a great Christian ministry 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.259 called Princeton Christian Fellowship. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:24.620 I was young, 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.319 I was zealous, 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:25.860 and I thought 00:28:25.860 --> 00:28:27.120 I had lots of ideas. 00:28:27.119 --> 00:28:28.299 And I came in 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:30.679 and I saw within days, 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.139 weeks, 00:28:31.259 --> 00:28:31.919 maybe months, 00:28:32.119 --> 00:28:33.339 all the weaknesses 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:34.739 of this ministry. 00:28:35.119 --> 00:28:35.319 Right? 00:28:35.500 --> 00:28:36.859 I was critical of it. 00:28:36.919 --> 00:28:37.719 I didn't think anyone 00:28:37.719 --> 00:28:38.959 was really committed 00:28:38.959 --> 00:28:40.699 to following Christ. 00:28:41.139 --> 00:28:42.000 So I created 00:28:42.000 --> 00:28:43.000 my own small groups 00:28:43.000 --> 00:28:43.519 because there weren't 00:28:43.519 --> 00:28:44.299 enough small groups 00:28:44.299 --> 00:28:45.299 for me to have fellowship. 00:28:45.699 --> 00:28:47.079 I did my own outreaches 00:28:47.079 --> 00:28:47.799 because no one 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:49.119 was doing these outreaches. 00:28:49.119 --> 00:28:52.279 And I just thought 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.799 they were a bunch 00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:55.959 of kind of lukewarm, 00:28:56.759 --> 00:28:59.419 half-committed Christians. 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:00.979 I committed, 00:29:01.299 --> 00:29:02.579 I accused the staff 00:29:02.579 --> 00:29:03.259 in my heart 00:29:03.259 --> 00:29:04.379 of being controlling 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:05.519 rather than serving. 00:29:06.019 --> 00:29:07.500 I thought the upperclassmen 00:29:07.500 --> 00:29:08.259 were worldly, 00:29:08.799 --> 00:29:09.439 caring too much 00:29:09.439 --> 00:29:10.319 about their studies. 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:15.159 I thought I knew better 00:29:15.159 --> 00:29:16.619 and I was pretty proud. 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.859 I was not patient. 00:29:23.099 --> 00:29:24.359 And though I thought 00:29:24.359 --> 00:29:25.379 I was doing this 00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.579 to glorify God, 00:29:26.659 --> 00:29:27.659 I was in fact 00:29:27.659 --> 00:29:28.919 not depending on God 00:29:28.919 --> 00:29:29.519 at all. 00:29:30.599 --> 00:29:31.359 I didn't believe 00:29:31.359 --> 00:29:32.240 God was at work. 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:34.460 I believed that God 00:29:34.460 --> 00:29:35.839 needed me to do things 00:29:35.839 --> 00:29:36.839 that He wasn't doing. 00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:39.220 and I did not trust 00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.179 that God cared 00:29:40.179 --> 00:29:41.439 as much as I did 00:29:41.439 --> 00:29:43.039 about His glory 00:29:43.039 --> 00:29:43.859 on this campus. 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:47.319 My critical spirit 00:29:47.319 --> 00:29:48.720 excluded God 00:29:48.720 --> 00:29:50.299 and elevated myself. 00:29:51.480 --> 00:29:52.399 And the thing is 00:29:52.399 --> 00:29:53.679 that I justified it. 00:29:54.759 --> 00:29:56.240 I thought I was doing 00:29:56.240 --> 00:29:57.399 the right thing. 00:29:59.799 --> 00:30:01.240 I was going to fix it. 00:30:01.459 --> 00:30:02.519 I was going to revive 00:30:02.519 --> 00:30:03.139 this group. 00:30:03.319 --> 00:30:04.279 I was going to save 00:30:04.279 --> 00:30:04.919 the campus. 00:30:04.920 --> 00:30:07.240 And they were 00:30:07.240 --> 00:30:08.320 exceedingly gracious 00:30:08.320 --> 00:30:08.960 with me. 00:30:09.420 --> 00:30:10.380 They were patient. 00:30:10.800 --> 00:30:11.680 They were loving. 00:30:13.160 --> 00:30:14.240 They confronted me 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.039 at times. 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.800 They bore with me 00:30:16.800 --> 00:30:17.500 a lot. 00:30:21.420 --> 00:30:22.640 And the Holy Spirit 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.519 convicted me. 00:30:24.519 --> 00:30:26.000 I wasn't seeking this, 00:30:26.600 --> 00:30:27.519 but God started 00:30:27.519 --> 00:30:28.960 to show me my sin. 00:30:29.800 --> 00:30:30.860 He started to show 00:30:30.860 --> 00:30:32.039 how proud I was. 00:30:32.039 --> 00:30:33.400 He started to show me 00:30:33.400 --> 00:30:34.759 how critical I was. 00:30:34.920 --> 00:30:36.160 He started to show me 00:30:36.160 --> 00:30:36.980 how I justified, 00:30:37.160 --> 00:30:38.340 how my conviction 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.460 that I saw things 00:30:39.460 --> 00:30:40.060 more clearly 00:30:40.060 --> 00:30:41.340 than everyone else 00:30:41.340 --> 00:30:43.300 was actually 00:30:43.300 --> 00:30:44.300 in defiance 00:30:44.300 --> 00:30:45.220 of Him. 00:30:46.800 --> 00:30:47.600 And as I saw 00:30:47.600 --> 00:30:48.259 this sin, 00:30:48.420 --> 00:30:49.060 I realized 00:30:49.060 --> 00:30:49.940 I needed help. 00:30:50.300 --> 00:30:51.060 And I turned 00:30:51.060 --> 00:30:51.640 to the Lord. 00:30:52.100 --> 00:30:52.860 And I asked 00:30:52.860 --> 00:30:53.560 Him 00:30:53.560 --> 00:30:55.200 to teach me 00:30:55.200 --> 00:30:55.700 humility. 00:30:56.700 --> 00:30:57.519 It's a very 00:30:57.519 --> 00:30:58.380 dangerous prayer. 00:30:58.380 --> 00:31:02.780 by His grace, 00:31:02.840 --> 00:31:04.100 He broke my pride. 00:31:05.060 --> 00:31:06.400 With His kindness, 00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.820 He humbled me. 00:31:09.500 --> 00:31:10.660 He showed me 00:31:10.660 --> 00:31:11.500 and reminded me 00:31:11.500 --> 00:31:12.160 of the gospel 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:13.160 that I had believed, 00:31:13.660 --> 00:31:14.820 that it wasn't 00:31:14.820 --> 00:31:15.740 because of good things 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.600 that I had done 00:31:16.600 --> 00:31:18.240 or because I brought 00:31:18.240 --> 00:31:19.600 so much to the table 00:31:19.600 --> 00:31:20.860 that He had saved me. 00:31:20.859 --> 00:31:23.579 but despite my rebellion, 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:24.639 He saved me 00:31:24.639 --> 00:31:26.279 by His grace. 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:29.079 He showed me 00:31:29.079 --> 00:31:30.079 that I had a plank 00:31:30.079 --> 00:31:31.000 in my eye 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:32.240 and it was like 00:31:32.240 --> 00:31:33.119 a 10 by 10. 00:31:33.119 --> 00:31:39.559 and He reminded me 00:31:39.559 --> 00:31:42.059 that His love 00:31:42.059 --> 00:31:42.699 for me 00:31:42.699 --> 00:31:45.259 was in the midst 00:31:45.259 --> 00:31:46.199 of that sin 00:31:46.199 --> 00:31:47.459 and I was able 00:31:47.459 --> 00:31:48.379 to see myself 00:31:48.379 --> 00:31:49.759 in God's grace. 00:31:50.379 --> 00:31:51.139 And the fruit 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:51.659 of humility 00:31:51.659 --> 00:31:52.759 grew in me 00:31:52.759 --> 00:31:53.919 a little bit. 00:31:54.899 --> 00:31:55.419 Friends, 00:31:55.479 --> 00:31:56.000 I'll tell you, 00:31:56.199 --> 00:31:56.939 it still lurks 00:31:56.939 --> 00:31:57.500 in my heart. 00:31:58.299 --> 00:31:59.399 I still want 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:00.299 to be judgmental. 00:32:00.799 --> 00:32:01.699 I still want 00:32:01.699 --> 00:32:02.459 to think I'm right 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.220 all the time. 00:32:05.180 --> 00:32:06.720 But by God's grace, 00:32:07.360 --> 00:32:10.079 He saved me 00:32:10.079 --> 00:32:11.880 from that trajectory 00:32:11.880 --> 00:32:13.000 and from thinking 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.759 that was right. 00:32:16.079 --> 00:32:16.860 So friends, 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:18.240 here are three pictures 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:21.039 of the Holy Spirit 00:32:21.039 --> 00:32:21.740 at work. 00:32:23.100 --> 00:32:23.740 Three portraits 00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.740 of how walking 00:32:26.299 --> 00:32:26.880 in the Spirit 00:32:26.880 --> 00:32:28.660 looks in different ways. 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.720 The battle is real, 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.579 but it doesn't look 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.259 the same. 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.600 And each one of you, 00:32:34.880 --> 00:32:36.680 as well as me, 00:32:37.259 --> 00:32:38.480 will have our own 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.799 particular shapes 00:32:39.799 --> 00:32:40.759 of these battles. 00:32:41.960 --> 00:32:42.279 Right? 00:32:43.000 --> 00:32:44.140 But each of us 00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.660 is called 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.319 to walk 00:32:45.319 --> 00:32:46.140 in dependence 00:32:46.140 --> 00:32:47.960 on the Holy Spirit, 00:32:48.360 --> 00:32:48.900 knowing that 00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:50.000 we don't have 00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.640 any more 00:32:50.640 --> 00:32:51.600 than our salvation 00:32:51.600 --> 00:32:53.279 for our sanctification, 00:32:53.460 --> 00:32:54.100 the power 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:56.220 to do 00:32:56.220 --> 00:32:58.100 what we most need done, 00:32:58.180 --> 00:32:59.259 which is for our hearts 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.240 to be changed 00:33:00.240 --> 00:33:01.079 and transformed 00:33:01.079 --> 00:33:02.660 by His Spirit. 00:33:05.660 --> 00:33:06.740 So this is then 00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:08.259 leading me to my last point. 00:33:10.519 --> 00:33:11.059 Again, 00:33:11.180 --> 00:33:11.779 Tom Schreiner 00:33:11.779 --> 00:33:12.759 says this, 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:14.839 the Galatians 00:33:14.839 --> 00:33:15.619 are not called 00:33:15.619 --> 00:33:17.059 upon 00:33:17.059 --> 00:33:18.119 to work at 00:33:18.119 --> 00:33:19.420 being more virtuous. 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.839 They are summoned 00:33:20.839 --> 00:33:22.160 to walk in the Spirit 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:23.039 and be led 00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:23.879 by the Spirit. 00:33:24.779 --> 00:33:25.619 Living in a way 00:33:25.619 --> 00:33:26.720 that pleases God 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.779 is the fruit 00:33:27.779 --> 00:33:29.339 of His miraculous work, 00:33:29.420 --> 00:33:30.319 not the result 00:33:30.319 --> 00:33:31.299 of self-effort, 00:33:31.640 --> 00:33:32.640 though human beings 00:33:32.640 --> 00:33:33.500 are called upon 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.960 to walk in the Spirit 00:33:34.960 --> 00:33:35.740 and yield 00:33:35.740 --> 00:33:37.140 to the Spirit. 00:33:37.140 --> 00:33:39.700 Right? 00:33:40.820 --> 00:33:41.460 So where does 00:33:41.460 --> 00:33:42.380 the power come from 00:33:42.380 --> 00:33:43.100 to do this? 00:33:43.460 --> 00:33:44.480 Here's the hard part 00:33:44.480 --> 00:33:45.259 about this battle, 00:33:45.400 --> 00:33:45.680 you all. 00:33:45.820 --> 00:33:46.620 It's just like 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.280 in our salvation 00:33:47.280 --> 00:33:47.840 in some ways. 00:33:47.920 --> 00:33:48.740 We have to choose. 00:33:48.860 --> 00:33:49.860 We have to make decisions. 00:33:50.200 --> 00:33:51.320 We have to move forward. 00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.380 We have to act. 00:33:52.820 --> 00:33:53.200 And yet, 00:33:53.300 --> 00:33:53.980 we recognize 00:33:53.980 --> 00:33:55.200 that none of that 00:33:55.200 --> 00:33:56.920 will actually bear 00:33:56.920 --> 00:33:58.259 any good fruit 00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:59.180 apart from 00:33:59.180 --> 00:34:00.460 God's work 00:34:00.460 --> 00:34:01.380 in us. 00:34:01.640 --> 00:34:02.400 The power 00:34:02.400 --> 00:34:03.060 is not 00:34:03.060 --> 00:34:03.860 in ourselves. 00:34:04.180 --> 00:34:05.200 It is in God 00:34:05.200 --> 00:34:06.100 and what God 00:34:06.100 --> 00:34:07.299 does for us. 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:09.039 This is why 00:34:09.039 --> 00:34:09.780 we have 00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:11.840 2 Corinthians 12, 00:34:11.960 --> 00:34:12.599 9 and 10. 00:34:13.019 --> 00:34:13.800 Paul had a thorn 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.400 in the flesh. 00:34:14.740 --> 00:34:15.340 He asked that it 00:34:15.340 --> 00:34:16.199 be taken away. 00:34:16.559 --> 00:34:17.760 God didn't take it away. 00:34:18.539 --> 00:34:18.960 Paul said, 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.679 why haven't you 00:34:19.679 --> 00:34:20.360 taken this away? 00:34:20.460 --> 00:34:21.619 So that I can be free 00:34:21.619 --> 00:34:22.440 from this battle 00:34:22.440 --> 00:34:23.460 so I can go on 00:34:23.460 --> 00:34:24.720 and do great things 00:34:24.720 --> 00:34:25.400 for you, 00:34:26.179 --> 00:34:26.720 following through 00:34:26.720 --> 00:34:27.460 the great vision. 00:34:28.119 --> 00:34:28.800 And this is what 00:34:28.800 --> 00:34:29.519 the Lord said 00:34:29.519 --> 00:34:30.559 to the Apostle Paul. 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:32.320 But He said to me, 00:34:32.440 --> 00:34:33.220 my grace 00:34:33.220 --> 00:34:34.559 is sufficient for you 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.880 for my powers 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.699 made perfect 00:34:36.699 --> 00:34:37.519 in weakness. 00:34:38.360 --> 00:34:38.759 Therefore, 00:34:38.940 --> 00:34:39.559 I will boast 00:34:39.559 --> 00:34:40.599 all the more gladly 00:34:40.599 --> 00:34:41.539 in my weaknesses 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:43.019 so that the power 00:34:43.019 --> 00:34:43.500 of Christ 00:34:43.500 --> 00:34:44.599 may rest on me. 00:34:44.960 --> 00:34:45.440 For the sake 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:45.920 of Christ, 00:34:46.000 --> 00:34:46.119 then, 00:34:46.179 --> 00:34:46.799 I am content 00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:47.840 with weakness, 00:34:48.019 --> 00:34:48.380 insults, 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:48.679 hardships, 00:34:48.940 --> 00:34:49.539 persecutions, 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.360 and calamity. 00:34:50.360 --> 00:34:52.340 For when I am weak, 00:34:52.759 --> 00:34:54.400 then I am strong. 00:34:55.860 --> 00:34:56.460 Friends, 00:34:56.579 --> 00:34:57.880 the reason why 00:34:57.880 --> 00:34:58.900 God designed 00:34:58.900 --> 00:34:59.940 our sanctification 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:01.659 to be like this 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:02.579 is so that 00:35:02.579 --> 00:35:03.539 we would continue 00:35:03.539 --> 00:35:04.639 to learn the lesson 00:35:04.639 --> 00:35:05.659 we should have learned 00:35:05.659 --> 00:35:06.940 at our salvation, 00:35:07.440 --> 00:35:07.960 which is that 00:35:07.960 --> 00:35:08.759 we have nothing 00:35:08.759 --> 00:35:10.139 and He has everything 00:35:10.139 --> 00:35:11.279 and it is only 00:35:11.279 --> 00:35:12.059 by His grace 00:35:12.059 --> 00:35:13.099 that He saves us. 00:35:13.420 --> 00:35:14.960 It is only by His grace 00:35:14.960 --> 00:35:16.320 that He sanctifies us. 00:35:16.579 --> 00:35:17.940 It is only by His grace 00:35:17.940 --> 00:35:19.340 that He transforms us. 00:35:19.559 --> 00:35:20.460 And He does this. 00:35:20.619 --> 00:35:20.960 Why? 00:35:21.519 --> 00:35:22.519 So that we wouldn't 00:35:22.519 --> 00:35:23.559 boast in ourselves. 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:25.659 This is the most ugly thing 00:35:25.659 --> 00:35:26.360 about Christians, 00:35:26.519 --> 00:35:26.960 isn't it, 00:35:27.000 --> 00:35:27.559 at times? 00:35:27.699 --> 00:35:28.380 When we say, 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.559 look at what a great 00:35:29.559 --> 00:35:30.480 Christian I am. 00:35:30.659 --> 00:35:31.519 Look at me. 00:35:31.519 --> 00:35:34.400 God designed 00:35:34.400 --> 00:35:35.239 our sanctification 00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:35.820 differently 00:35:35.820 --> 00:35:36.920 so that when people 00:35:36.920 --> 00:35:37.619 look at us, 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.599 they would say, 00:35:39.179 --> 00:35:40.340 what an amazing Savior. 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:43.440 What an incredible God 00:35:43.440 --> 00:35:46.219 that took that person 00:35:46.219 --> 00:35:47.900 and changed them 00:35:47.900 --> 00:35:49.400 to be who they are now. 00:35:52.840 --> 00:35:54.539 That's why God did this. 00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:56.599 And that's why we walk 00:35:56.599 --> 00:35:58.500 not by self-effort 00:35:58.500 --> 00:35:59.679 but by faith. 00:36:01.219 --> 00:36:02.719 Minute to minute 00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:04.199 believing in 00:36:04.199 --> 00:36:06.039 the promises of God's Word. 00:36:06.519 --> 00:36:07.539 Trusting in 00:36:07.539 --> 00:36:09.319 the finished work of Christ. 00:36:09.880 --> 00:36:10.799 Believing in 00:36:10.799 --> 00:36:12.319 God's empowering presence 00:36:12.319 --> 00:36:13.039 now 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:14.639 and depending on it 00:36:14.639 --> 00:36:16.259 and turning regularly, 00:36:16.619 --> 00:36:17.000 daily, 00:36:17.460 --> 00:36:18.400 moment by moment 00:36:18.400 --> 00:36:19.039 to Him. 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:20.259 Saying, 00:36:20.360 --> 00:36:21.420 God, I can't do this 00:36:21.420 --> 00:36:22.799 but please help me. 00:36:23.139 --> 00:36:24.079 Help me to do 00:36:24.079 --> 00:36:25.000 the right thing 00:36:25.000 --> 00:36:26.059 in the moment 00:36:26.059 --> 00:36:28.579 and change my heart 00:36:28.579 --> 00:36:30.219 so that I will love 00:36:30.219 --> 00:36:31.119 the right thing 00:36:31.119 --> 00:36:32.920 more and more. 00:36:34.440 --> 00:36:35.159 And friends, 00:36:35.259 --> 00:36:35.940 we cry out 00:36:35.940 --> 00:36:36.639 to a Savior 00:36:36.639 --> 00:36:37.679 who knows us 00:36:37.679 --> 00:36:39.019 because He has been 00:36:39.019 --> 00:36:40.319 tempted in every way 00:36:40.319 --> 00:36:41.340 just as we are 00:36:41.340 --> 00:36:43.539 and yet was without sin. 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:45.779 And when by faith 00:36:45.779 --> 00:36:46.940 we believed in Him, 00:36:47.119 --> 00:36:48.279 we have been crucified 00:36:48.279 --> 00:36:49.000 with Him 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:50.719 and so we've crucified 00:36:50.719 --> 00:36:52.059 the sinful nature 00:36:52.059 --> 00:36:53.699 and so it no longer 00:36:53.699 --> 00:36:55.340 has controlling power 00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:56.219 over us. 00:36:59.219 --> 00:37:00.440 The Holy Spirit 00:37:00.440 --> 00:37:01.340 reminds us 00:37:01.340 --> 00:37:02.619 by bringing us back 00:37:02.619 --> 00:37:03.840 to the foot of the cross 00:37:03.840 --> 00:37:05.460 so that we can walk 00:37:05.460 --> 00:37:06.259 in the power 00:37:06.259 --> 00:37:08.559 that God gives us 00:37:08.559 --> 00:37:12.360 so that God can help me 00:37:12.360 --> 00:37:14.179 this Friday night 00:37:14.179 --> 00:37:15.380 when I'm looking 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.500 for a parking space. 00:37:16.500 --> 00:37:20.539 to trust Him, 00:37:20.860 --> 00:37:22.300 to know that He's in control, 00:37:23.199 --> 00:37:24.679 to know that I live 00:37:24.679 --> 00:37:25.460 in a fallen world 00:37:25.460 --> 00:37:26.559 and the van will probably 00:37:26.559 --> 00:37:27.300 be parked there 00:37:27.300 --> 00:37:28.280 again on Friday night, 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:30.340 but that God 00:37:30.340 --> 00:37:31.360 will provide for me 00:37:31.360 --> 00:37:32.760 and He will care for me 00:37:32.760 --> 00:37:34.219 in the middle of it. 00:37:35.599 --> 00:37:37.059 That I might display 00:37:37.059 --> 00:37:38.599 the fruit of the Spirit 00:37:38.599 --> 00:37:40.260 in the midst 00:37:40.260 --> 00:37:41.199 of that circumstance 00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:42.360 and many others 00:37:42.360 --> 00:37:43.820 and may it be true 00:37:43.820 --> 00:37:44.579 for you as well. 00:37:44.639 --> 00:37:45.599 Let's pray together. 00:37:46.500 --> 00:37:48.679 Lord Jesus, 00:37:48.960 --> 00:37:52.639 we confess our need 00:37:52.639 --> 00:37:53.539 to You this morning. 00:37:56.280 --> 00:37:56.920 Lord, 00:37:57.300 --> 00:37:59.360 I pray, 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:01.639 I pray that You would teach us 00:38:01.639 --> 00:38:03.360 how to live dependently, 00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:05.940 trustingly, 00:38:06.420 --> 00:38:06.960 faithfully, 00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:09.139 increasing 00:38:09.139 --> 00:38:11.880 in godliness 00:38:11.880 --> 00:38:13.420 because of Your work 00:38:13.420 --> 00:38:14.559 in changing our hearts. 00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:17.480 O Lord, 00:38:18.519 --> 00:38:19.199 be our help, 00:38:19.279 --> 00:38:19.639 we pray. 00:38:20.340 --> 00:38:21.360 In Jesus' name, 00:38:21.799 --> 00:38:22.059 Amen.