WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.459 second half of the book, and we're looking at chapter 5, verses 1 to 14. Let me read these 00:00:04.459 --> 00:00:10.640 verses for us. Paul's words to the Ephesians and God's words to us. 00:00:10.640 --> 00:00:17.839 Therefore be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ loved us 00:00:17.839 --> 00:00:25.359 and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and 00:00:25.359 --> 00:00:30.679 all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper among saints. 00:00:31.339 --> 00:00:35.859 Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor crude joking, which are out of place, 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:42.760 but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually 00:00:42.760 --> 00:00:48.760 immoral or impure or who is covetous, that is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of 00:00:48.760 --> 00:00:55.219 Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of 00:00:55.219 --> 00:01:02.179 God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them. For at one time 00:01:02.179 --> 00:01:07.840 you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light, for the fruit of 00:01:07.840 --> 00:01:14.200 light is found in all that is good and right and true, and try to discern what is pleasing to the 00:01:14.200 --> 00:01:22.560 Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them, for it is shameful 00:01:22.560 --> 00:01:30.100 even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes 00:01:30.100 --> 00:01:38.240 visible. For anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, awake, O sleeper, and arise from 00:01:38.240 --> 00:01:47.780 the dead, and Christ will shine on you. Let's pray. God of love and light, we thank you that you have 00:01:47.780 --> 00:01:53.019 shown your love to us in your son Jesus Christ in his death on the cross, and you've shined your light 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:57.680 upon us through his resurrection. We pray that you would help us as we look into this passage tonight. 00:01:58.519 --> 00:02:07.920 Teach us. Lord, speak to each one of our hearts as with what you alone know that we need. Remind us of 00:02:07.920 --> 00:02:14.439 who you are. Pray that you would, I pray that the words of my mouth and the meditations of all of our 00:02:14.439 --> 00:02:19.079 hearts would be pleasing in your sight. For you are our rock and our redeemer. Amen. 00:02:21.300 --> 00:02:24.780 So a couple of weeks ago, we talked about the theme of transformation. 00:02:25.659 --> 00:02:29.579 And I started with three examples, and I'm going to start with them again tonight. 00:02:30.120 --> 00:02:36.099 So the first example of transformation is, I want you to think of an ugly gray caterpillar 00:02:36.099 --> 00:02:44.680 crawling on the ground, slowly moving forward with its, I don't know how many legs. And then it 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:52.620 crawls into this gray cocoon that doesn't really look like anything worth noticing. And then it emerges 00:02:52.620 --> 00:02:58.599 as a beautiful butterfly soaring through the air, spreading its wings. 00:02:58.599 --> 00:03:09.400 Second example, think of a child who's alone and hungry and afraid because they have no family to care for them. 00:03:10.159 --> 00:03:12.740 They've been left all alone in the world to fend for themselves. 00:03:13.959 --> 00:03:19.439 And then that child is brought into a loving and stable home where all their needs are met. 00:03:19.439 --> 00:03:22.240 Or think about an athlete. 00:03:24.560 --> 00:03:30.419 Traded from a losing team where everyone's miserable and everyone's arguing with each other 00:03:30.419 --> 00:03:36.180 and everyone's lazy and blaming each other all the time. Traded to a team that's unified and hardworking 00:03:36.180 --> 00:03:40.199 and everyone has each other's back. And because of that, they're a winning team. 00:03:42.259 --> 00:03:48.240 Now here's a problem, right? When a caterpillar turns into a butterfly, it's a pretty clean transformation. 00:03:48.240 --> 00:03:54.820 It's once and done. Right? The butterfly doesn't fly around with a caterpillar's cocoon on its back. 00:03:54.879 --> 00:04:01.020 Doesn't pretend to be a caterpillar again. Right? It's transformed. And that's, it's a new creature. 00:04:02.340 --> 00:04:10.200 But when we human beings experience transformation, it's never quite so clean and simple. Right? 00:04:11.240 --> 00:04:17.600 We carry our past with us. We carry those cocoons and that caterpillar skin on our shoulders. 00:04:18.240 --> 00:04:23.699 Right? We carry our memories, our habits, our fears, our burdens, guilt and shame. 00:04:24.480 --> 00:04:31.160 Sometimes we go back. Often very quickly we go back to our old mindsets and our old habits and our old attitudes. 00:04:31.160 --> 00:04:41.800 Now what the apostle Paul has been saying in this book of Ephesians is that spiritual transformation is possible 00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:48.940 and it's a reality for everyone who has put their faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. 00:04:48.939 --> 00:04:55.420 Paul says you become a new person like a caterpillar that's been transformed into a butterfly. 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:59.279 You become a new creature. You have a new self, a new identity. 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:02.060 You're also part of a new family. 00:05:02.939 --> 00:05:05.519 You're a child in the family of God. 00:05:05.519 --> 00:05:08.439 Jesus Christ is your brother. 00:05:08.859 --> 00:05:15.199 You can call God Father and know that you have a heavenly Father who is looking out for you, 00:05:15.279 --> 00:05:17.620 who loves you and who will never leave you. 00:05:17.659 --> 00:05:19.000 And finally, you're on a new team. 00:05:19.519 --> 00:05:20.659 Right? Like the athlete. 00:05:20.819 --> 00:05:22.099 You're on a mission to the world. 00:05:24.079 --> 00:05:30.319 And Paul says this transformation that Christ can give is as real and complete and deep and life-changing. 00:05:30.319 --> 00:05:33.139 It's almost as if you've been reborn. 00:05:35.819 --> 00:05:39.560 But it takes time for us to grow up into that transformation, right? 00:05:39.579 --> 00:05:44.980 To live out and live into that transformation that God has given us in Christ. 00:05:45.120 --> 00:05:48.659 Just like it takes time for a newborn child to develop into a full-grown adult. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:51.420 I mean, think about a newborn child for a minute. 00:05:52.420 --> 00:05:53.980 What can a newborn child do? 00:05:55.800 --> 00:05:59.439 It can lay down and maybe flail, right? 00:05:59.439 --> 00:06:01.000 Do a little bit of this. 00:06:02.240 --> 00:06:03.319 It can't even sit up, right? 00:06:03.339 --> 00:06:06.420 If you try to put the newborn child and just sit them up right next to you, 00:06:07.839 --> 00:06:09.120 I wouldn't do that, right? 00:06:09.259 --> 00:06:10.160 They're going to fall over. 00:06:12.939 --> 00:06:13.300 Right? 00:06:13.339 --> 00:06:14.740 But eventually, after a few months, 00:06:15.759 --> 00:06:16.819 the child learns to sit up. 00:06:18.279 --> 00:06:21.319 And sit up without just tumbling over. 00:06:22.240 --> 00:06:27.759 And then they start to sort of move around and crawl around and pull themselves up. 00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:30.480 And one day, they take their first step. 00:06:32.560 --> 00:06:36.860 You know, my wife and I had a friend come visit us in town this weekend. 00:06:37.120 --> 00:06:41.459 And we remembered that it was at her house that our daughter took her first step, right? 00:06:41.500 --> 00:06:45.360 It's something that you notice and you remember as a parent when that happened. 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:47.680 When your child took their first step. 00:06:47.680 --> 00:06:57.560 And after that, they learned to stand firm on their own two feet and grow up into an adult. 00:06:58.139 --> 00:06:58.319 Right? 00:06:58.620 --> 00:07:02.900 Now, that's the progression that you see in the book of Ephesians. 00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:03.259 Okay? 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:09.039 The Apostle Paul is using this as an image for how God has made us new creatures in Christ. 00:07:09.899 --> 00:07:11.319 He says, first we learn to sit. 00:07:11.839 --> 00:07:13.000 Then we learn to walk. 00:07:13.339 --> 00:07:14.719 And finally, we learn to stand. 00:07:16.240 --> 00:07:19.219 So chapter 2 of Ephesians says, 00:07:19.220 --> 00:07:21.980 We are seated in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. 00:07:22.140 --> 00:07:23.520 God has raised us up with Christ. 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:24.980 He's given us new life. 00:07:25.420 --> 00:07:26.920 He's welcomed us into his family. 00:07:27.000 --> 00:07:31.460 He's called us not just temporary guests or visitors, but beloved children. 00:07:31.860 --> 00:07:33.340 Who belong to him forever. 00:07:34.860 --> 00:07:37.660 And that's what chapters 1 to 3 of Ephesians are all about. 00:07:38.120 --> 00:07:40.780 It's about being seated in your identity in Christ. 00:07:41.320 --> 00:07:43.860 Learning to rest in what Christ has done for you. 00:07:43.860 --> 00:07:47.460 And know that you have a solid foundation to rest on. 00:07:48.400 --> 00:07:50.740 And you can praise God for all that he's done for you. 00:07:50.800 --> 00:07:52.639 You can pray to him with confidence. 00:07:54.139 --> 00:07:55.139 Then Paul goes on. 00:07:55.160 --> 00:07:56.840 He doesn't just talk about being seated in Christ. 00:07:56.920 --> 00:07:59.400 He also talks about learning to walk in Christ. 00:07:59.480 --> 00:08:03.480 And that word walk appears five times in chapters 4 and 5. 00:08:04.020 --> 00:08:05.680 Chapter 4 verse 1 says, 00:08:06.160 --> 00:08:08.180 Walk according to the calling you have received. 00:08:08.900 --> 00:08:10.879 Chapter 4 verse 17, he says, 00:08:10.879 --> 00:08:13.319 You must no longer walk as the Gentiles do. 00:08:13.319 --> 00:08:15.019 That is, as people who don't know God. 00:08:16.459 --> 00:08:19.579 And then in our passage today, verse 2, 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:23.180 Walk in love as Christ loved us. 00:08:23.740 --> 00:08:26.920 And verse 8, walk as children of light. 00:08:27.079 --> 00:08:29.199 And finally verse 15, which we'll get to next week, 00:08:29.620 --> 00:08:31.939 Walk not as unwise but as wise. 00:08:32.500 --> 00:08:32.639 Right? 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:38.639 So what Paul's doing is he's taught us what it means to sit, 00:08:38.799 --> 00:08:40.220 to rest in our identity in Christ. 00:08:40.299 --> 00:08:41.379 Now he's teaching us to walk. 00:08:41.379 --> 00:08:43.779 And finally, he's going to get us in chapter 6, 00:08:43.840 --> 00:08:44.820 he's going to say stand. 00:08:45.799 --> 00:08:47.399 And that doesn't just mean sort of stand there. 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:51.320 But stand firm and fight the spiritual battle 00:08:51.320 --> 00:08:54.539 that is waging in and around us every day 00:08:54.539 --> 00:08:56.080 and fight it with spiritual weapons, 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:57.200 the armor of God. 00:08:57.200 --> 00:09:02.740 The resources that God has given us 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:06.900 to fight the spiritual battles and stand firm. 00:09:08.180 --> 00:09:10.060 So sit, walk, stand. 00:09:10.700 --> 00:09:13.080 That's the book of Ephesians in three words. 00:09:13.680 --> 00:09:14.460 I didn't make it up. 00:09:14.680 --> 00:09:16.620 It was a Chinese Christian pastor who pointed that out. 00:09:17.320 --> 00:09:19.640 So I'm just stealing his outline of Ephesians. 00:09:20.200 --> 00:09:20.300 Right? 00:09:20.299 --> 00:09:22.279 But today we're talking about the Christian walk. 00:09:23.159 --> 00:09:27.240 How to walk as people who have been made new in Christ. 00:09:28.379 --> 00:09:31.579 And Paul is a bit like a proud parent. 00:09:31.839 --> 00:09:32.039 Right? 00:09:32.219 --> 00:09:34.379 Teaching your children to walk. 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:38.699 And wanting to guard them from dangers. 00:09:39.819 --> 00:09:42.859 And wanting to point them in the right direction. 00:09:42.860 --> 00:09:46.379 Now, before we jump into this passage, 00:09:46.600 --> 00:09:48.620 what it means to walk in Christ, 00:09:49.159 --> 00:09:50.019 let me just point out, 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:52.759 Paul's speaking to people who have been made alive in Christ, 00:09:52.899 --> 00:09:53.659 who would say, 00:09:53.820 --> 00:09:56.340 I believe in Jesus as my Savior and Lord, 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.360 and I belong to him. 00:09:58.539 --> 00:09:59.399 Now, some of you, 00:10:00.080 --> 00:10:00.980 some of you might say, 00:10:01.039 --> 00:10:01.259 you know, 00:10:02.120 --> 00:10:03.960 honestly, I'm not quite sure about that. 00:10:04.539 --> 00:10:05.460 I'm not quite sure. 00:10:06.539 --> 00:10:06.820 You know, 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:08.620 maybe you're skeptical. 00:10:09.000 --> 00:10:10.080 Maybe you have a lot of questions. 00:10:11.039 --> 00:10:11.860 Is God real? 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:14.340 Why should I trust the Bible? 00:10:15.300 --> 00:10:17.139 Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? 00:10:17.200 --> 00:10:18.279 Maybe there's questions. 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:19.019 And those questions, 00:10:19.759 --> 00:10:20.519 you'd say, 00:10:20.620 --> 00:10:20.800 you know, 00:10:20.879 --> 00:10:22.700 I don't know about trusting Jesus. 00:10:22.919 --> 00:10:24.320 I have a lot of questions. 00:10:25.000 --> 00:10:26.060 I need to deal with those. 00:10:26.659 --> 00:10:27.460 Maybe you're curious. 00:10:27.580 --> 00:10:28.500 You just want to learn more. 00:10:28.560 --> 00:10:29.259 Maybe you're seeking. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:29.940 Maybe you feel like, 00:10:30.060 --> 00:10:32.399 I really need some spiritual change, 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:34.220 some spiritual transformation in my life. 00:10:34.600 --> 00:10:35.800 And that's why I've come here. 00:10:35.860 --> 00:10:38.120 But I don't even quite know how to get it. 00:10:38.320 --> 00:10:38.539 Right? 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.539 I'm not quite there yet. 00:10:39.539 --> 00:10:40.680 But I want it. 00:10:40.679 --> 00:10:43.699 And so if that's you, 00:10:43.759 --> 00:10:45.199 if you're in any of those categories, 00:10:45.759 --> 00:10:47.699 what we'll see tonight in this passage 00:10:47.699 --> 00:10:51.199 is really a picture of what your life could become 00:10:51.199 --> 00:10:54.699 through faith in Jesus Christ. 00:10:54.700 --> 00:11:02.240 And we'll talk about how you can make that first step 00:11:02.240 --> 00:11:06.440 towards faith in Christ. 00:11:07.460 --> 00:11:10.280 But wherever you are, 00:11:12.280 --> 00:11:16.540 yeah, wherever you are, 00:11:16.660 --> 00:11:17.720 we're glad you're here tonight. 00:11:18.220 --> 00:11:19.660 So two main points in this passage. 00:11:19.879 --> 00:11:21.060 How we are to walk. 00:11:21.059 --> 00:11:22.519 All right, first of all, 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:23.939 in verse one to seven, 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:25.219 we'll see we're to walk in love 00:11:25.219 --> 00:11:28.079 because Christ loved us 00:11:28.079 --> 00:11:29.899 and laid down his life for us on the cross. 00:11:30.919 --> 00:11:32.659 And second, verse eight to 14, 00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.239 we're to walk in the light, 00:11:35.019 --> 00:11:37.619 the light that Christ has shined on us 00:11:37.619 --> 00:11:38.399 through his resurrection. 00:11:39.479 --> 00:11:40.079 So if you notice, 00:11:40.159 --> 00:11:42.639 this passage begins with the cross of Christ. 00:11:43.819 --> 00:11:45.319 Christ gave himself up for us 00:11:45.319 --> 00:11:46.519 and it ends with the resurrection. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:49.059 And really that's the heart of 00:11:49.059 --> 00:11:52.419 how we experience that transformation 00:11:52.419 --> 00:11:56.319 is by looking to Jesus 00:11:56.319 --> 00:11:59.159 and seeing what he did when he died on the cross 00:11:59.159 --> 00:12:00.539 and saying, 00:12:00.759 --> 00:12:03.259 I believe in you that you died on the cross for my sins 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:05.259 and believing that he rose again 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:07.299 and that he's alive today. 00:12:08.259 --> 00:12:11.079 And so that's the heart of it all. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:13.679 So walk in love and walk in the light. 00:12:13.679 --> 00:12:16.120 We're gonna look at those points tonight. 00:12:17.019 --> 00:12:18.799 That's what we're gonna focus on. 00:12:18.879 --> 00:12:19.959 So first, verse one and two, 00:12:20.039 --> 00:12:22.179 therefore be imitators of God as beloved children. 00:12:22.659 --> 00:12:25.099 Walk in love as Christ loved us 00:12:25.099 --> 00:12:26.500 and gave himself up for us. 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:30.019 A fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:12:31.019 --> 00:12:33.099 All right, so we see both the love of God the Father 00:12:33.099 --> 00:12:35.639 and the love of God the Son 00:12:35.639 --> 00:12:37.859 here just in these two verses. 00:12:37.860 --> 00:12:42.019 It is, but Paul has already prayed in Ephesians 00:12:42.019 --> 00:12:44.259 that we would know the love of Christ. 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:47.220 That we'd know how high and how wide 00:12:47.220 --> 00:12:49.860 and how deep and how long is his love. 00:12:50.580 --> 00:12:52.159 He prayed that in chapter three. 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.659 You know, knowing the love of Christ 00:12:54.659 --> 00:12:56.200 makes all the difference. 00:12:57.800 --> 00:12:59.279 All right, I mean, doesn't it make all the difference 00:12:59.279 --> 00:13:01.820 if you know that there is one person in the world 00:13:01.820 --> 00:13:03.480 who loves you 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:05.980 and who would even give up their life for you? 00:13:06.899 --> 00:13:08.620 It makes all the difference in the world, 00:13:08.680 --> 00:13:09.779 whether that person's a parent 00:13:09.779 --> 00:13:11.279 or a close friend 00:13:11.279 --> 00:13:12.440 or a spouse 00:13:12.440 --> 00:13:14.399 or whoever they might be. 00:13:15.139 --> 00:13:16.779 It makes all the difference in the world 00:13:16.779 --> 00:13:18.480 to know that you are loved 00:13:18.480 --> 00:13:21.060 securely and completely. 00:13:23.519 --> 00:13:23.980 And Paul says, 00:13:24.300 --> 00:13:26.700 ultimately, Jesus Christ 00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:28.620 is the one that you can be secure 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:29.519 in his love for you. 00:13:29.519 --> 00:13:32.779 And we can see Christ's love in a lot of ways. 00:13:33.659 --> 00:13:34.620 You can read the Gospels 00:13:34.620 --> 00:13:35.539 and see Christ's love 00:13:35.539 --> 00:13:37.059 in his healing ministry 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:39.079 and how he interacted with people 00:13:39.079 --> 00:13:40.399 on the margins of society 00:13:40.399 --> 00:13:43.360 and how he treated little children 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:46.319 who were sort of despised and ignored in his day. 00:13:47.480 --> 00:13:50.980 How he treated lepers, tax collectors, 00:13:51.159 --> 00:13:52.199 all kinds of people. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:55.299 You can see his love in his relationships 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.600 and his interactions with them. 00:13:56.659 --> 00:13:58.460 You can see his love in his humble service, 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:00.320 how he washed his disciples' feet. 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:03.360 He did the thing that nobody wanted to do. 00:14:04.420 --> 00:14:06.860 He did the task that was a servant's job, 00:14:08.160 --> 00:14:10.040 to get out a bucket of water and a towel 00:14:10.040 --> 00:14:12.080 and wash some people's feet 00:14:12.080 --> 00:14:14.180 who had been walking through streets 00:14:14.180 --> 00:14:16.700 where horses and cows 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:18.220 and whatever other animals 00:14:18.220 --> 00:14:20.200 just left their stuff 00:14:20.200 --> 00:14:21.360 in the middle of the street, right? 00:14:21.700 --> 00:14:23.639 It wasn't pleasant to wash people's feet back then. 00:14:23.700 --> 00:14:25.100 There could be all kinds of stuff on them. 00:14:25.100 --> 00:14:29.060 They weren't protected by sneakers. 00:14:29.259 --> 00:14:30.420 It was sandals, right? 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:33.740 You can see Christ's love in all these ways, 00:14:34.700 --> 00:14:35.940 that he gets down and dirty 00:14:35.940 --> 00:14:37.580 to love and serve his disciples, 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.720 but the ultimate way we see Christ's love 00:14:39.720 --> 00:14:41.500 is in his death on the cross, 00:14:43.379 --> 00:14:45.500 that he gave his life for us, 00:14:46.060 --> 00:14:48.580 that he was willing to go to that extent 00:14:48.580 --> 00:14:50.200 to show the fullness of his love. 00:14:50.200 --> 00:14:55.660 And thinking about where he came from, 00:14:55.720 --> 00:14:57.660 that he came from heaven and glory 00:14:57.660 --> 00:15:01.840 and honor and freedom, 00:15:02.240 --> 00:15:06.220 and he chose to limit himself, 00:15:06.400 --> 00:15:08.480 to come down and take on a human body 00:15:08.480 --> 00:15:12.740 and be crucified in a place of, 00:15:12.980 --> 00:15:17.280 and receive shame and pain and rejection, 00:15:17.279 --> 00:15:21.919 and to do all that as a sacrifice for us 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:24.240 so that we could be reconciled to God 00:15:24.240 --> 00:15:27.159 and so that we could be accepted 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:28.379 into God's family forever. 00:15:29.980 --> 00:15:31.379 So knowing the love of Christ, 00:15:31.480 --> 00:15:32.679 knowing that it's for you, 00:15:33.860 --> 00:15:35.339 Paul says it's for us. 00:15:35.879 --> 00:15:36.679 In Galatians he says, 00:15:36.779 --> 00:15:39.000 Christ loved me and gave himself for me. 00:15:39.339 --> 00:15:40.679 You can say both, right? 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.360 To know the love of Christ is for you, 00:15:42.459 --> 00:15:43.740 personally, individually, 00:15:43.740 --> 00:15:45.899 and to know that it's for all of us, 00:15:45.899 --> 00:15:48.539 for the whole family of God. 00:15:50.820 --> 00:15:51.820 Knowing the love of Christ 00:15:51.820 --> 00:15:52.840 makes all the difference. 00:15:54.519 --> 00:15:56.639 And so Paul says, walk in love. 00:15:58.960 --> 00:16:01.180 The cross of Christ defines true love. 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:03.480 It's self-giving for the good of another. 00:16:05.220 --> 00:16:06.259 And then Paul goes on, 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:07.519 in verse three to seven, 00:16:08.460 --> 00:16:09.860 to give some very strong warnings. 00:16:09.860 --> 00:16:16.180 Verse three, he warns against sexual immorality, 00:16:16.560 --> 00:16:18.200 impurity, and covetousness. 00:16:18.279 --> 00:16:19.720 That just means greed. 00:16:20.340 --> 00:16:22.360 Verse four, he warns against filthiness, 00:16:22.539 --> 00:16:24.419 foolish talk, and crude joking. 00:16:25.440 --> 00:16:26.800 All right, so we see outward actions, 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:28.840 inward desires, and speech. 00:16:29.560 --> 00:16:31.000 All those different categories. 00:16:31.120 --> 00:16:31.680 And Paul says, 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:35.340 these things must not even be named among you. 00:16:35.539 --> 00:16:36.639 Another translation says, 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:39.200 there must be not even a hint of these things. 00:16:39.860 --> 00:16:44.039 And the reason that Paul would give, 00:16:44.840 --> 00:16:45.320 is Paul would say, 00:16:45.580 --> 00:16:48.460 none of these behaviors reflect Christ's self-giving love. 00:16:49.399 --> 00:16:51.419 Instead, they're self-gratifying 00:16:51.419 --> 00:16:53.860 and self-indulgent ways of life. 00:16:54.740 --> 00:16:56.279 Living at the expense of others, 00:16:57.139 --> 00:16:58.539 instead of for the good of another. 00:17:00.300 --> 00:17:00.940 So Paul warns, 00:17:00.960 --> 00:17:01.399 so we need to, 00:17:01.779 --> 00:17:02.580 let's look at, 00:17:02.639 --> 00:17:03.680 we need to look at these warnings. 00:17:04.339 --> 00:17:06.420 Paul warns against sexual immorality 00:17:06.420 --> 00:17:07.339 and all impurity. 00:17:07.339 --> 00:17:10.199 Now, the Christian teaching 00:17:10.199 --> 00:17:13.019 is that in God's design, 00:17:13.159 --> 00:17:14.059 sexual intimacy 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:17.379 is exclusively reserved for married couples. 00:17:18.439 --> 00:17:18.879 Now, 00:17:19.199 --> 00:17:20.659 when I say that sentence, 00:17:21.699 --> 00:17:22.459 you might think, 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:24.099 or most people, 00:17:24.099 --> 00:17:25.539 right, most people today would think, 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:26.259 right, 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:26.859 maybe some of you, 00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:28.000 and especially anybody who's, 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:29.159 who's not in church today, 00:17:29.199 --> 00:17:29.480 would think, 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:29.919 what? 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.679 Right? 00:17:32.799 --> 00:17:33.259 80 to, 00:17:33.359 --> 00:17:33.579 you know, 00:17:33.599 --> 00:17:34.079 what is it? 00:17:34.079 --> 00:17:35.919 Like 80 to 90% of college students 00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:37.019 have sex before they graduate. 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:37.839 You know, 00:17:37.919 --> 00:17:39.279 I won't go into statistics, 00:17:39.500 --> 00:17:39.740 right? 00:17:41.379 --> 00:17:42.519 The question today is, 00:17:42.579 --> 00:17:43.740 do you go for a one-night stand? 00:17:44.319 --> 00:17:45.539 Do you do the more respectable thing 00:17:45.539 --> 00:17:46.759 and practice serial monogamy? 00:17:47.299 --> 00:17:48.699 Or do you have an open relationship 00:17:48.699 --> 00:17:49.519 by mutual agreement? 00:17:51.319 --> 00:17:51.519 Okay, 00:17:51.579 --> 00:17:51.759 so, 00:17:51.939 --> 00:17:53.379 and many people assume to be a, 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:54.699 especially to be a young, 00:17:54.799 --> 00:17:55.519 healthy adult, 00:17:56.019 --> 00:17:58.619 and to choose not to have sex, 00:17:58.619 --> 00:18:00.500 because you're not married 00:18:00.500 --> 00:18:01.419 means you're repressive 00:18:01.419 --> 00:18:02.179 or afraid 00:18:02.179 --> 00:18:03.619 or really socially awkward. 00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.559 Right? 00:18:05.599 --> 00:18:05.699 So, 00:18:05.759 --> 00:18:06.819 I just want to acknowledge up front, 00:18:06.919 --> 00:18:08.339 this teaching sounds crazy 00:18:08.339 --> 00:18:09.079 to many people. 00:18:10.539 --> 00:18:11.859 But here's the reason 00:18:11.859 --> 00:18:13.819 for the Christian teaching 00:18:13.819 --> 00:18:15.159 about sex. 00:18:16.879 --> 00:18:18.339 Christian teaching is basically this, 00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.819 that sex is not just a form 00:18:19.819 --> 00:18:21.199 of mutual entertainment. 00:18:22.479 --> 00:18:24.239 Sex is when you give your body 00:18:24.239 --> 00:18:25.079 completely 00:18:25.079 --> 00:18:26.699 and without reservation 00:18:26.700 --> 00:18:28.299 to someone else 00:18:28.299 --> 00:18:29.180 in the most intimate 00:18:29.180 --> 00:18:30.559 and vulnerable way. 00:18:32.539 --> 00:18:33.420 And sexual intercourse 00:18:33.420 --> 00:18:35.000 bonds two people together. 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:38.600 And that's exactly what you do 00:18:38.600 --> 00:18:40.240 when you make a vow, 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.039 a promise 00:18:41.039 --> 00:18:43.140 to someone else in marriage. 00:18:44.400 --> 00:18:45.039 For better, 00:18:45.120 --> 00:18:45.580 for worse, 00:18:45.740 --> 00:18:46.279 for richer, 00:18:46.360 --> 00:18:46.819 for poorer, 00:18:47.600 --> 00:18:48.600 in sickness and in health, 00:18:48.680 --> 00:18:49.640 till death do us part, 00:18:50.480 --> 00:18:51.420 I pledge to you 00:18:51.420 --> 00:18:52.240 my faithfulness. 00:18:53.519 --> 00:18:54.360 That's what you're doing. 00:18:54.440 --> 00:18:55.340 You're giving yourself 00:18:55.340 --> 00:18:56.160 to someone else 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:58.019 without reservations, 00:18:58.220 --> 00:18:59.400 without holding anything back, 00:18:59.540 --> 00:18:59.840 in the moment, 00:18:59.900 --> 00:19:00.240 you're being, 00:19:00.500 --> 00:19:01.300 you're saying, 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.180 here I am, 00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.880 all of me, 00:19:03.519 --> 00:19:04.200 for you. 00:19:06.440 --> 00:19:08.259 And that is self-giving love. 00:19:09.259 --> 00:19:10.700 And in that context, 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.320 sex makes sense. 00:19:13.320 --> 00:19:14.860 It means I would marry you 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:16.200 all over again tonight. 00:19:17.040 --> 00:19:18.620 It's a good and joyful thing. 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:19.640 It's pleasing to God. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:20.040 In fact, 00:19:20.380 --> 00:19:21.720 God commands married couples 00:19:21.720 --> 00:19:23.160 to take delight in one another, 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.640 including one another's bodies. 00:19:24.640 --> 00:19:26.560 You can read Song of Solomon 00:19:26.560 --> 00:19:28.080 or read Proverbs chapter five. 00:19:30.300 --> 00:19:31.759 But if you haven't made 00:19:31.759 --> 00:19:33.560 that marriage promise, 00:19:34.120 --> 00:19:36.320 I promise to be with you 00:19:36.320 --> 00:19:37.180 and for you, 00:19:37.660 --> 00:19:38.460 for better, 00:19:38.540 --> 00:19:38.920 for worse, 00:19:39.000 --> 00:19:39.300 for richer, 00:19:39.400 --> 00:19:39.860 for poorer, 00:19:40.860 --> 00:19:42.660 then having sex with someone else 00:19:42.660 --> 00:19:43.660 is telling them a lie. 00:19:44.960 --> 00:19:45.880 Because you're saying 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:47.100 one thing with your body, 00:19:47.500 --> 00:19:50.220 I'm giving you everything I have. 00:19:50.220 --> 00:19:52.339 I'm not holding anything back. 00:19:53.299 --> 00:19:54.200 But actually, 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:56.299 you haven't done that. 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.839 Because you're holding back 00:19:58.839 --> 00:19:59.500 your independence, 00:20:00.259 --> 00:20:01.059 your freedom, 00:20:01.640 --> 00:20:03.200 to break up anytime you want. 00:20:04.720 --> 00:20:05.940 You're probably holding back 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.299 your money. 00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.039 Probably haven't merged 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.700 your bank accounts. 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:13.180 And so Paul says, 00:20:13.259 --> 00:20:15.120 sex outside that bond of marriage 00:20:15.120 --> 00:20:17.580 is not really self-giving 00:20:17.580 --> 00:20:18.580 for the good of another. 00:20:19.840 --> 00:20:21.160 It's self-gratifying. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:21.860 It's taking 00:20:21.860 --> 00:20:24.900 when you haven't fully given 00:20:24.900 --> 00:20:26.259 to someone else. 00:20:27.539 --> 00:20:28.559 It's looking at someone 00:20:28.559 --> 00:20:29.500 and wanting them, 00:20:29.500 --> 00:20:32.620 but not fully giving yourself 00:20:32.620 --> 00:20:33.120 to them. 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:36.019 It may be exciting. 00:20:36.120 --> 00:20:37.220 It may feel life-giving. 00:20:37.220 --> 00:20:38.100 But Paul says, 00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.380 that is not God's design. 00:20:41.079 --> 00:20:42.240 And so Paul warns about that. 00:20:42.339 --> 00:20:42.680 Paul says, 00:20:42.819 --> 00:20:43.940 there must not be even a hint. 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.539 So whether it's adultery, 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:49.819 or fornication, 00:20:51.200 --> 00:20:51.700 pornography, 00:20:52.480 --> 00:20:52.880 lusting, 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.600 self-gratifying, 00:20:55.319 --> 00:20:56.380 none of these practices, 00:20:56.559 --> 00:20:57.000 Paul says, 00:20:57.059 --> 00:20:58.400 express the self-giving 00:20:58.400 --> 00:20:59.440 love of Christ. 00:21:01.000 --> 00:21:02.480 And so Paul warns against them. 00:21:04.500 --> 00:21:06.079 Paul also warns against greed, 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.419 covetousness. 00:21:08.480 --> 00:21:09.299 Now some people think 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.259 Christians are only concerned 00:21:10.259 --> 00:21:10.919 about sex. 00:21:12.859 --> 00:21:13.299 Right? 00:21:13.399 --> 00:21:14.039 And occasionally, 00:21:15.579 --> 00:21:15.879 right, 00:21:15.939 --> 00:21:17.079 you can find some Christian 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.099 who gets quoted 00:21:18.099 --> 00:21:19.419 by some person in the media 00:21:19.419 --> 00:21:20.740 who seems like 00:21:20.740 --> 00:21:21.619 all they care about 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:23.419 is sexual morality 00:21:23.419 --> 00:21:24.439 in America. 00:21:25.099 --> 00:21:26.319 And that's the cause 00:21:26.319 --> 00:21:27.500 of our nation's decline. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.879 And it's the only thing 00:21:28.879 --> 00:21:29.819 we need to change. 00:21:30.179 --> 00:21:31.299 But the Bible is not 00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.259 myopic like that. 00:21:32.259 --> 00:21:34.960 The Bible is equally 00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:35.819 concerned about money. 00:21:37.680 --> 00:21:38.660 Now greed, 00:21:38.960 --> 00:21:40.640 it's a little harder 00:21:40.640 --> 00:21:41.440 to define 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:43.299 than sexual immorality, 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.599 but it's just as pervasive. 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:47.259 A couple of examples, 00:21:48.599 --> 00:21:50.279 or some statistics. 00:21:51.420 --> 00:21:52.279 American Christians 00:21:52.279 --> 00:21:53.440 who attend church 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:56.580 at least 00:21:56.580 --> 00:21:58.840 twice a month 00:21:58.840 --> 00:22:00.779 give on average 00:22:00.779 --> 00:22:01.640 6% 00:22:01.640 --> 00:22:03.059 of their after-tax 00:22:03.059 --> 00:22:03.559 income 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:04.400 away. 00:22:06.400 --> 00:22:07.240 More generally, 00:22:07.740 --> 00:22:08.559 just people who call 00:22:08.559 --> 00:22:09.160 themselves Christians 00:22:09.160 --> 00:22:09.500 generally, 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.600 regardless of church attendance, 00:22:10.720 --> 00:22:12.080 give an average of 3%. 00:22:12.080 --> 00:22:14.480 The non-religious 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:15.740 give away even less. 00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.259 But, 00:22:17.400 --> 00:22:18.779 so Christians do 00:22:18.779 --> 00:22:19.519 give a little bit more 00:22:19.519 --> 00:22:20.000 than average, 00:22:20.080 --> 00:22:20.539 it seems like, 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:22.100 especially if you say 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:23.019 your faith is important to you 00:22:23.019 --> 00:22:23.599 when you go to church. 00:22:23.699 --> 00:22:24.179 But still, 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:25.459 the Bibles 00:22:25.459 --> 00:22:26.659 in the Old Testament, 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:28.339 the standard for giving 00:22:28.339 --> 00:22:30.399 was give away 10% 00:22:30.399 --> 00:22:32.879 as a sign of 00:22:32.879 --> 00:22:34.199 thankfulness to God, 00:22:34.639 --> 00:22:35.500 recognizing everything 00:22:35.500 --> 00:22:36.459 you have comes from God 00:22:36.459 --> 00:22:36.740 and saying, 00:22:36.799 --> 00:22:36.939 God, 00:22:36.980 --> 00:22:37.539 I'm going to give you 00:22:37.539 --> 00:22:38.259 the first fruits 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:39.599 of what you have given me. 00:22:40.879 --> 00:22:41.679 And it's interesting 00:22:41.679 --> 00:22:42.379 because this study 00:22:42.379 --> 00:22:43.559 is of American Christians, 00:22:43.659 --> 00:22:43.779 right? 00:22:43.799 --> 00:22:44.859 One of the wealthiest nations 00:22:44.859 --> 00:22:45.839 in the history of the world. 00:22:47.059 --> 00:22:48.459 And yet we give less 00:22:48.459 --> 00:22:49.500 percentage-wise 00:22:49.500 --> 00:22:50.859 than people 00:22:50.859 --> 00:22:52.460 in many other times 00:22:52.460 --> 00:22:53.359 and periods of history. 00:22:54.640 --> 00:22:55.900 I think the percentage 00:22:55.900 --> 00:22:56.900 of giving was higher 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.819 in the Great Depression 00:22:57.819 --> 00:23:01.019 than it is today. 00:23:05.559 --> 00:23:06.400 And more broadly, 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.039 not just about 00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.579 what percentage 00:23:07.579 --> 00:23:08.380 of your income 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:08.960 you give away, 00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.160 don't we all tend 00:23:10.160 --> 00:23:11.059 to compare ourselves 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.720 to the people 00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.759 around us? 00:23:14.460 --> 00:23:14.660 Right? 00:23:14.700 --> 00:23:15.220 Most of us tend 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:16.200 to hang out with people, 00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:18.000 at least some people, 00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:18.559 who are sort of 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:19.200 in the roughly 00:23:19.200 --> 00:23:20.480 the same income bracket 00:23:20.480 --> 00:23:21.079 as us. 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:25.279 And you can easily think, 00:23:26.319 --> 00:23:26.579 oh, well, 00:23:26.599 --> 00:23:27.059 I don't spend 00:23:27.059 --> 00:23:28.339 as much as they do. 00:23:29.599 --> 00:23:29.919 I mean, 00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.220 they've got to, 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:31.679 you know, 00:23:31.980 --> 00:23:32.779 their car 00:23:32.779 --> 00:23:34.919 is two levels 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:35.619 more expensive 00:23:35.619 --> 00:23:36.240 than mine. 00:23:38.740 --> 00:23:39.119 You know, 00:23:39.220 --> 00:23:39.599 surely, 00:23:40.159 --> 00:23:41.980 surely I'm not greedy 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:44.139 because look at them. 00:23:44.140 --> 00:23:46.920 Most, 00:23:47.120 --> 00:23:47.440 so, 00:23:48.280 --> 00:23:49.240 along these lines, 00:23:49.360 --> 00:23:49.960 most Americans 00:23:49.960 --> 00:23:50.660 think of themselves 00:23:50.660 --> 00:23:51.600 as middle class. 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:53.540 Only 2% of Americans 00:23:53.540 --> 00:23:54.320 call themselves 00:23:54.320 --> 00:23:55.000 upper class. 00:23:56.400 --> 00:23:56.800 Now, 00:23:56.860 --> 00:23:57.480 if there's lower, 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:57.880 middle, 00:23:57.980 --> 00:23:58.400 and upper, 00:23:59.100 --> 00:23:59.600 a third, 00:23:59.720 --> 00:24:00.020 a third, 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.540 a third, 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:01.920 right, 00:24:02.880 --> 00:24:04.380 then it doesn't make sense 00:24:04.380 --> 00:24:05.640 that only 2% of Americans 00:24:05.640 --> 00:24:05.980 would say, 00:24:06.060 --> 00:24:06.759 I'm in the upper third. 00:24:07.980 --> 00:24:08.380 Right? 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:09.440 We can easily deceive 00:24:09.440 --> 00:24:10.380 ourselves about money 00:24:10.380 --> 00:24:11.320 in all kinds of ways, 00:24:11.380 --> 00:24:12.480 how we think about ourselves, 00:24:12.480 --> 00:24:13.360 how we compare ourselves 00:24:13.360 --> 00:24:13.960 to other people, 00:24:14.259 --> 00:24:15.440 how we justify ourselves. 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:18.799 And so, 00:24:19.200 --> 00:24:20.980 Tim Keller writes 00:24:20.980 --> 00:24:21.700 in his book, 00:24:22.120 --> 00:24:22.779 Counterfeit Gods, 00:24:22.839 --> 00:24:23.099 he says, 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.880 we should all begin 00:24:23.880 --> 00:24:25.059 with a working hypothesis. 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.420 This could easily 00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:27.460 be a problem for me. 00:24:28.599 --> 00:24:29.539 Jesus warned people 00:24:29.539 --> 00:24:30.360 far more often 00:24:30.360 --> 00:24:31.000 about greed 00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.240 than about sex, 00:24:32.680 --> 00:24:33.480 yet almost no one 00:24:33.480 --> 00:24:34.660 thinks they're guilty of it. 00:24:35.420 --> 00:24:36.539 If greed hides itself 00:24:36.539 --> 00:24:37.200 so deeply, 00:24:37.740 --> 00:24:38.720 no one should be confident 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.480 that this is not 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.860 a problem for them. 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:42.880 So, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:43.680 Paul warns us. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.460 He says, 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:46.120 beware of greed. 00:24:47.240 --> 00:24:47.660 Jesus said, 00:24:47.920 --> 00:24:49.000 your life doesn't consist 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:49.559 in the abundance 00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:50.259 of your possessions. 00:24:51.460 --> 00:24:52.740 Don't measure your life 00:24:52.740 --> 00:24:54.299 by how much stuff you have 00:24:54.299 --> 00:24:55.339 or don't have. 00:24:55.799 --> 00:24:56.779 That's not ultimately 00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:58.819 what makes you truly rich. 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.039 Finally, 00:25:05.160 --> 00:25:06.079 Paul warns against 00:25:06.079 --> 00:25:07.799 certain kinds of speech 00:25:07.799 --> 00:25:08.360 in verse 4. 00:25:08.480 --> 00:25:08.819 Filthiness, 00:25:08.980 --> 00:25:09.539 foolish talk, 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:10.259 and crude joking. 00:25:10.259 --> 00:25:11.940 Right? 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:12.980 Some types of conversation 00:25:12.980 --> 00:25:14.539 are just not profitable 00:25:14.539 --> 00:25:15.220 to engage in. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:15.599 Paul says, 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:17.839 just don't go there. 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.819 That kind of speech 00:25:19.819 --> 00:25:20.740 is not edifying. 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.960 It doesn't build anyone up. 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.059 You're just tearing people down. 00:25:23.160 --> 00:25:23.319 Again, 00:25:23.359 --> 00:25:23.980 it doesn't show 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:25.819 the self-giving love of Christ 00:25:25.819 --> 00:25:27.220 for the good of others. 00:25:27.299 --> 00:25:29.019 It's tearing people down. 00:25:30.700 --> 00:25:31.119 So, 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:32.359 we should exercise discernment 00:25:32.359 --> 00:25:36.519 in how we speak 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:38.759 and also what we listen to. 00:25:41.160 --> 00:25:41.519 Say, 00:25:41.799 --> 00:25:43.039 what movies you watch? 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:44.220 What TV shows you watch? 00:25:44.279 --> 00:25:44.460 Now, 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.519 I don't think there's 00:25:45.519 --> 00:25:46.599 a hard and fast rule. 00:25:46.799 --> 00:25:47.460 Some people are like, 00:25:47.500 --> 00:25:48.559 Christians should not watch 00:25:48.559 --> 00:25:49.359 R-rated movies. 00:25:49.920 --> 00:25:50.119 Well, 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:51.299 there's a lot of R-rated movies 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:51.759 that actually 00:25:51.759 --> 00:25:52.879 have a lot of good, 00:25:53.200 --> 00:25:53.940 have a lot of very 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.900 thought-provoking messages. 00:25:56.639 --> 00:25:57.480 And in fact, 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.900 if you put the Old Testament 00:25:58.900 --> 00:25:59.539 to a movie, 00:25:59.859 --> 00:26:00.799 there are some episodes 00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.519 that would give it 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:02.139 an R-rating. 00:26:02.140 --> 00:26:06.820 But I think we have to ask, 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:07.540 is there a, 00:26:07.780 --> 00:26:09.900 what is the redeeming value 00:26:09.900 --> 00:26:11.220 to this TV show 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.800 or this movie? 00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.620 Or is it just 00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.740 filthiness, 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:15.520 foolish talk, 00:26:15.560 --> 00:26:16.300 and crude joking? 00:26:17.160 --> 00:26:18.340 And is that what I want 00:26:18.340 --> 00:26:19.640 to be filling my head with? 00:26:21.780 --> 00:26:22.020 Right? 00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:22.380 Paul says, 00:26:22.440 --> 00:26:23.259 try to discern 00:26:23.259 --> 00:26:24.280 what pleases the Lord. 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.100 Right? 00:26:26.180 --> 00:26:27.120 You've been loved, 00:26:27.259 --> 00:26:27.680 Paul says. 00:26:27.700 --> 00:26:28.500 That's where he starts. 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.280 You've been loved. 00:26:29.340 --> 00:26:30.440 You are loved by Christ. 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:32.299 He gave his life for you. 00:26:33.019 --> 00:26:34.720 And so walk in that love. 00:26:37.580 --> 00:26:38.039 You know, 00:26:38.059 --> 00:26:39.080 he gives us one thing. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:39.759 He says, 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.140 you know, 00:26:40.180 --> 00:26:41.140 avoid all these things. 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:42.180 Avoid all these dangers, 00:26:42.299 --> 00:26:42.820 these traps. 00:26:43.100 --> 00:26:43.660 But instead, 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:45.220 let there be thanksgiving. 00:26:47.240 --> 00:26:47.380 You know, 00:26:47.400 --> 00:26:48.039 Paul says, 00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:48.620 start there. 00:26:49.980 --> 00:26:51.019 Because gratitude 00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:52.420 fosters contentment. 00:26:53.420 --> 00:26:54.320 And gratitude 00:26:54.320 --> 00:26:56.100 helps us become wise. 00:26:56.920 --> 00:26:57.559 And gratitude 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.360 helps us notice 00:26:58.360 --> 00:26:59.019 other people 00:26:59.019 --> 00:27:00.019 outside ourselves. 00:27:00.440 --> 00:27:00.840 Paul says, 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.279 start with thanksgiving. 00:27:04.200 --> 00:27:05.039 Think about what 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:06.220 you can be thankful for. 00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:07.559 That's how Paul started 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.400 the book of Ephesians. 00:27:09.059 --> 00:27:09.259 Right? 00:27:09.340 --> 00:27:10.680 The first half of chapter one 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:12.000 is just thanking God 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.880 for all the blessings, 00:27:12.980 --> 00:27:13.900 all the spiritual blessings 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:14.740 we have in Christ. 00:27:15.180 --> 00:27:15.720 And Paul says, 00:27:15.779 --> 00:27:16.380 think about that 00:27:16.380 --> 00:27:17.259 and thank God. 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.440 And that'll change 00:27:18.440 --> 00:27:18.940 your attitude. 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:20.380 And it'll make you 00:27:20.380 --> 00:27:21.120 not feel like 00:27:21.120 --> 00:27:22.120 I need all this stuff 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.080 that I don't have. 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:24.759 And that maybe 00:27:24.759 --> 00:27:25.640 isn't mine to take. 00:27:26.759 --> 00:27:27.100 Paul says, 00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:28.340 start with thankfulness. 00:27:28.339 --> 00:27:30.980 Because you are loved. 00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.679 So that's the first thing. 00:27:38.199 --> 00:27:39.079 Walk in love 00:27:39.079 --> 00:27:40.919 because of the cross 00:27:40.919 --> 00:27:41.439 of Christ. 00:27:45.319 --> 00:27:45.720 Second, 00:27:46.240 --> 00:27:46.879 Paul calls us 00:27:46.879 --> 00:27:47.679 to walk in the light 00:27:47.679 --> 00:27:49.740 because of the resurrection 00:27:49.740 --> 00:27:50.539 of Christ. 00:27:52.579 --> 00:27:53.539 Paul warns, 00:27:53.639 --> 00:27:53.919 again, 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:55.839 in verse five to seven, 00:27:55.899 --> 00:27:56.419 I'll just go through 00:27:56.420 --> 00:27:57.120 these very briefly. 00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.060 He warns that people 00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:59.440 whose life is defined 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.240 or governed by 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:01.880 those habitual practices 00:28:01.880 --> 00:28:03.600 have no inheritance 00:28:03.600 --> 00:28:04.560 in God's kingdom 00:28:04.560 --> 00:28:06.000 and the wrath of God 00:28:06.000 --> 00:28:06.500 is coming. 00:28:07.680 --> 00:28:08.120 Now, 00:28:08.320 --> 00:28:09.279 that doesn't mean 00:28:09.279 --> 00:28:11.200 that if you're a believer 00:28:11.200 --> 00:28:11.680 in Christ 00:28:11.680 --> 00:28:12.440 and you struggle 00:28:12.440 --> 00:28:13.500 with some of these sins 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:15.580 or you fall into 00:28:15.580 --> 00:28:16.360 some of these sins, 00:28:16.360 --> 00:28:17.060 that doesn't mean 00:28:17.060 --> 00:28:17.800 that you're excluded 00:28:17.800 --> 00:28:18.880 from God's kingdom forever. 00:28:20.160 --> 00:28:20.600 Right? 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:21.440 The Bible says, 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.600 if we confess our sins, 00:28:23.160 --> 00:28:23.860 God is faithful 00:28:23.860 --> 00:28:24.720 and just to forgive 00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.160 our sins 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.900 and purify us 00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:27.100 from all unrighteousness. 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:32.660 But Paul calls us 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.460 to walk in the light. 00:28:35.019 --> 00:28:35.560 And part of walking 00:28:35.560 --> 00:28:35.880 in the light 00:28:35.880 --> 00:28:36.640 is just being open 00:28:36.640 --> 00:28:37.080 and honest 00:28:37.080 --> 00:28:37.740 and being truthful. 00:28:38.519 --> 00:28:39.300 So let's look at 00:28:39.300 --> 00:28:40.060 walking in the light, 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.180 verse eight to 14. 00:28:41.320 --> 00:28:42.120 Paul begins by saying, 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:43.279 at one time you were darkness, 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.620 but now you're light 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.160 in the Lord. 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:48.340 Right? 00:28:48.420 --> 00:28:49.160 He reminds us 00:28:49.680 --> 00:28:50.560 of the transformation 00:28:50.560 --> 00:28:52.160 that we've already experienced. 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:54.240 You know, 00:28:54.279 --> 00:28:54.800 it's sort of like 00:28:54.800 --> 00:28:55.400 he's saying 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:58.160 to the athlete 00:28:58.160 --> 00:28:59.640 who's been traded 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.420 to this new team, 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:00.800 he's like, 00:29:00.900 --> 00:29:01.240 remember, 00:29:01.680 --> 00:29:03.720 remember the team 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.580 you used to be on 00:29:04.580 --> 00:29:05.900 and remember 00:29:05.900 --> 00:29:07.200 the habits you developed 00:29:07.200 --> 00:29:08.600 while you were on that team. 00:29:09.920 --> 00:29:10.680 And he's like, 00:29:10.800 --> 00:29:12.660 that's not you anymore. 00:29:13.220 --> 00:29:14.460 You're on a new team now. 00:29:16.080 --> 00:29:16.800 Think about 00:29:16.800 --> 00:29:18.200 the fear 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:19.220 that you had. 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:20.519 Right? 00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:20.940 As a, 00:29:21.460 --> 00:29:22.820 think about the child 00:29:22.820 --> 00:29:23.860 and think about 00:29:23.860 --> 00:29:24.920 how you were afraid 00:29:24.920 --> 00:29:25.620 and alone 00:29:25.620 --> 00:29:26.220 and hungry 00:29:26.220 --> 00:29:27.100 and you didn't know. 00:29:27.519 --> 00:29:28.740 You couldn't rely on anyone. 00:29:29.300 --> 00:29:29.840 And now, 00:29:29.980 --> 00:29:30.700 you're loved 00:29:30.700 --> 00:29:32.640 and you're accepted 00:29:32.640 --> 00:29:33.820 and you're wanted. 00:29:35.580 --> 00:29:35.940 Paul says, 00:29:36.040 --> 00:29:36.960 remember who you were 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:37.860 before you came 00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:38.540 to know Christ. 00:29:38.539 --> 00:29:40.519 All right? 00:29:40.559 --> 00:29:40.799 Even, 00:29:41.819 --> 00:29:42.980 remember, 00:29:43.079 --> 00:29:43.559 remember 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:45.319 that at one time 00:29:45.319 --> 00:29:46.159 you were living 00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.740 in the darkness 00:29:46.740 --> 00:29:47.299 but now 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.019 you're light 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.659 in the Lord. 00:29:49.539 --> 00:29:49.920 Right? 00:29:49.940 --> 00:29:50.799 We were all born 00:29:50.799 --> 00:29:51.819 in the darkness of sin. 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.480 Right? 00:29:52.500 --> 00:29:53.019 Whether you grew up 00:29:53.019 --> 00:29:53.559 in the church, 00:29:54.500 --> 00:29:55.079 if there's never, 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:56.139 maybe there's never a time 00:29:56.139 --> 00:29:57.079 that you didn't know Christ 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:58.519 that you can remember. 00:29:59.079 --> 00:30:00.079 But we all have 00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:01.000 a sinful nature 00:30:01.000 --> 00:30:01.759 inside us. 00:30:02.259 --> 00:30:02.659 Right? 00:30:02.740 --> 00:30:03.039 So we're, 00:30:03.180 --> 00:30:03.399 there's, 00:30:03.519 --> 00:30:04.779 this is true for all of us, 00:30:04.799 --> 00:30:05.279 not just people 00:30:05.279 --> 00:30:05.680 who have sort of 00:30:05.680 --> 00:30:06.619 a dramatic experience 00:30:06.619 --> 00:30:07.619 at one point in their life. 00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:08.819 So he says, 00:30:08.879 --> 00:30:09.639 remember what you were. 00:30:09.979 --> 00:30:10.699 You were darkness, 00:30:10.799 --> 00:30:11.319 now you're light. 00:30:11.379 --> 00:30:12.259 So walk as children 00:30:12.259 --> 00:30:13.759 of the light. 00:30:17.719 --> 00:30:18.679 He talks about 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.559 exposing 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:21.059 the unfruitful words 00:30:21.059 --> 00:30:21.479 of darkness, 00:30:21.679 --> 00:30:22.199 bringing them 00:30:22.199 --> 00:30:22.919 into the light. 00:30:24.759 --> 00:30:25.359 You know, 00:30:26.079 --> 00:30:27.319 sometimes transformation 00:30:27.319 --> 00:30:28.779 doesn't look 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.739 as dazzling 00:30:29.739 --> 00:30:30.779 as a caterpillar 00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:32.000 turning into a butterfly. 00:30:33.739 --> 00:30:34.139 Right? 00:30:34.500 --> 00:30:35.579 If you take the example 00:30:35.579 --> 00:30:36.599 of a child, 00:30:36.599 --> 00:30:37.740 a newborn child, 00:30:38.000 --> 00:30:39.419 it takes time 00:30:39.419 --> 00:30:39.919 for a child 00:30:39.919 --> 00:30:40.480 to grow up. 00:30:41.359 --> 00:30:42.199 It takes time 00:30:42.199 --> 00:30:42.579 for a child 00:30:42.579 --> 00:30:43.480 to learn to sit up 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:44.559 and to walk 00:30:44.559 --> 00:30:46.079 and then to stand firm. 00:30:47.699 --> 00:30:48.119 And you know, 00:30:48.179 --> 00:30:48.859 it takes time 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:49.439 for us to grow 00:30:49.439 --> 00:30:50.019 as Christians. 00:30:51.139 --> 00:30:51.240 Right? 00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:51.619 Paul's, 00:30:51.740 --> 00:30:52.719 Paul's saying, 00:30:52.919 --> 00:30:53.099 you know, 00:30:53.159 --> 00:30:53.659 this isn't all 00:30:53.659 --> 00:30:54.079 going to happen 00:30:54.079 --> 00:30:54.719 all at once. 00:30:56.099 --> 00:30:57.159 It's a process. 00:30:58.839 --> 00:30:59.679 But we're together 00:30:59.679 --> 00:31:00.659 in that process. 00:31:00.660 --> 00:31:04.660 And Paul 00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:05.800 ends 00:31:05.800 --> 00:31:07.519 with this 00:31:07.519 --> 00:31:08.860 verse 00:31:08.860 --> 00:31:09.880 which is 00:31:09.880 --> 00:31:10.860 adapted from 00:31:10.860 --> 00:31:11.560 the book of Isaiah 00:31:11.560 --> 00:31:12.080 where he says, 00:31:12.160 --> 00:31:12.440 Awake, 00:31:12.540 --> 00:31:13.140 O sleeper, 00:31:13.220 --> 00:31:14.080 rise from the dead 00:31:14.080 --> 00:31:14.640 and Christ 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.340 will shine 00:31:15.340 --> 00:31:16.340 on you. 00:31:17.660 --> 00:31:18.259 The verse is 00:31:18.259 --> 00:31:18.800 from Isaiah. 00:31:19.160 --> 00:31:19.840 Isaiah 60 00:31:19.840 --> 00:31:20.100 says, 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.060 Arise and shine 00:31:21.060 --> 00:31:21.640 for your light 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:22.100 has come 00:31:22.100 --> 00:31:23.000 and the glory 00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:23.420 of the Lord 00:31:23.420 --> 00:31:24.580 rises upon you. 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:25.680 See, 00:31:25.800 --> 00:31:26.460 darkness covers 00:31:26.460 --> 00:31:26.940 the earth 00:31:26.940 --> 00:31:27.720 and thick darkness 00:31:27.720 --> 00:31:28.519 is over the peoples 00:31:28.519 --> 00:31:29.140 but the Lord 00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:29.960 rises upon you. 00:31:29.960 --> 00:31:30.500 His glory 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.019 appears 00:31:31.019 --> 00:31:32.400 over you. 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:37.039 If you look 00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:37.680 from verse 11 00:31:37.680 --> 00:31:38.539 to verse 14, 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:39.579 it starts 00:31:39.579 --> 00:31:40.360 with the unfruful 00:31:40.360 --> 00:31:41.160 words of darkness 00:31:41.160 --> 00:31:42.220 and then being 00:31:42.220 --> 00:31:43.340 exposed by the light 00:31:43.340 --> 00:31:44.380 and then verse 14 00:31:44.380 --> 00:31:45.819 becoming light. 00:31:45.940 --> 00:31:46.559 So it's a picture. 00:31:47.120 --> 00:31:47.400 Paul says, 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:48.200 remember what you were. 00:31:48.299 --> 00:31:49.079 You were darkness 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.840 and now you're light 00:31:49.840 --> 00:31:50.340 in the Lord. 00:31:51.259 --> 00:31:52.120 And then he says, 00:31:52.400 --> 00:31:52.880 you know what? 00:31:53.380 --> 00:31:54.079 If you walk 00:31:54.079 --> 00:31:54.660 in the light 00:31:54.660 --> 00:31:56.100 and if you walk 00:31:56.100 --> 00:31:57.100 in the love of Christ, 00:31:57.980 --> 00:31:58.640 other people 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.319 may see. 00:31:59.960 --> 00:32:00.579 The transformation 00:32:00.579 --> 00:32:01.519 that God is doing 00:32:01.519 --> 00:32:02.019 in you 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:03.640 and they may also 00:32:03.640 --> 00:32:04.880 come into that light. 00:32:06.400 --> 00:32:07.740 Some who are now 00:32:07.740 --> 00:32:08.240 in the darkness 00:32:08.240 --> 00:32:09.039 might be attracted 00:32:09.039 --> 00:32:09.539 to the light 00:32:09.539 --> 00:32:10.180 and might enter 00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.079 the kingdom of God. 00:32:12.400 --> 00:32:12.559 I mean, 00:32:12.600 --> 00:32:13.000 think about it. 00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:13.840 If all you saw 00:32:13.840 --> 00:32:14.319 every day 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.200 was caterpillars 00:32:15.200 --> 00:32:15.860 walking around 00:32:15.860 --> 00:32:16.420 on the ground 00:32:16.420 --> 00:32:17.460 and you'd never seen 00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.519 a butterfly in your life, 00:32:19.039 --> 00:32:20.500 you would never believe 00:32:20.500 --> 00:32:22.140 that that caterpillar 00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.700 could turn into 00:32:22.700 --> 00:32:23.160 a butterfly. 00:32:23.160 --> 00:32:27.000 but Paul says, 00:32:27.200 --> 00:32:27.900 as we walk 00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.440 in the light, 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:29.340 right, 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.180 as God continues 00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:31.060 his work in us, 00:32:31.100 --> 00:32:32.040 even though it's slow 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:33.480 and takes time 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.980 like a child 00:32:34.980 --> 00:32:35.620 growing up 00:32:35.620 --> 00:32:36.860 and learning to sit 00:32:36.860 --> 00:32:37.660 and learning to stand 00:32:37.660 --> 00:32:38.480 and learning to walk 00:32:38.480 --> 00:32:39.620 and learning to run 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.400 and learning 00:32:40.400 --> 00:32:42.620 and finally growing up 00:32:42.620 --> 00:32:43.220 to be an adult. 00:32:45.220 --> 00:32:45.860 Paul says, 00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:47.460 as we grow in Christ 00:32:47.460 --> 00:32:48.320 and gradually grow 00:32:48.320 --> 00:32:50.480 into the full-grown people 00:32:50.480 --> 00:32:51.539 that he's called us to be, 00:32:54.460 --> 00:32:55.440 our prayer is that, 00:32:55.620 --> 00:32:56.279 our prayer can be 00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:57.200 that others would see 00:32:57.200 --> 00:32:58.559 the light of Christ 00:32:58.559 --> 00:32:59.799 shining upon us 00:32:59.799 --> 00:33:00.700 and shining out 00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:01.220 through us 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:04.059 and see his love 00:33:04.059 --> 00:33:04.839 and see his light. 00:33:08.460 --> 00:33:09.620 So walk in love 00:33:09.620 --> 00:33:11.279 because of the cross 00:33:11.279 --> 00:33:11.779 of Christ, 00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.740 walk in the light 00:33:12.740 --> 00:33:14.019 because of the resurrection 00:33:14.019 --> 00:33:14.599 of Christ. 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:16.059 Let's pray. 00:33:20.480 --> 00:33:22.900 Lord Jesus, 00:33:22.980 --> 00:33:23.620 we thank you 00:33:23.620 --> 00:33:26.019 for these foundational truths, 00:33:26.160 --> 00:33:26.259 Lord, 00:33:26.299 --> 00:33:27.279 that you have loved us 00:33:27.279 --> 00:33:28.360 and given yourself 00:33:28.360 --> 00:33:29.759 up for us. 00:33:30.480 --> 00:33:30.759 Lord, 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.180 that in you 00:33:31.180 --> 00:33:31.839 we are loved. 00:33:32.960 --> 00:33:33.880 In you we are known. 00:33:34.059 --> 00:33:34.940 In you we are accepted. 00:33:36.960 --> 00:33:37.360 Lord, 00:33:37.420 --> 00:33:38.200 you see everything 00:33:38.200 --> 00:33:39.900 including our, 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:43.019 Lord, 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:44.700 our deepest secrets 00:33:44.700 --> 00:33:47.720 and yet you know us 00:33:47.720 --> 00:33:48.819 and you love us. 00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.079 And Lord, 00:33:51.140 --> 00:33:51.599 you have shined 00:33:51.599 --> 00:33:52.339 your light upon us 00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:53.039 through your resurrection 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:53.660 from the dead. 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:54.880 Lord, 00:33:54.960 --> 00:33:55.559 in your resurrection 00:33:55.559 --> 00:33:56.120 from the dead 00:33:56.120 --> 00:33:56.680 we see that 00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:58.200 you are alive 00:33:58.200 --> 00:34:00.259 and you will reign 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.860 forevermore 00:34:00.860 --> 00:34:01.779 and you have the power 00:34:01.779 --> 00:34:03.480 Lord, 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.200 to take us 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.319 from death to life, 00:34:05.900 --> 00:34:06.960 from darkness to light, 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:09.000 from despair to hope. 00:34:10.199 --> 00:34:10.639 Lord, 00:34:10.719 --> 00:34:14.159 from being self-focused 00:34:14.159 --> 00:34:15.199 and self-gratifying 00:34:15.199 --> 00:34:16.159 to being self-giving 00:34:16.159 --> 00:34:17.719 and loving. 00:34:17.719 --> 00:34:19.939 Lord, 00:34:19.980 --> 00:34:20.439 we pray that you 00:34:20.439 --> 00:34:21.439 would continue your work 00:34:21.439 --> 00:34:22.719 in each of us. 00:34:22.779 --> 00:34:23.759 We pray that we would 00:34:23.759 --> 00:34:24.719 be rooted in the cross 00:34:24.719 --> 00:34:25.319 and the resurrection 00:34:25.319 --> 00:34:25.939 of Christ. 00:34:29.339 --> 00:34:29.719 Lord, 00:34:29.779 --> 00:34:30.500 that your love 00:34:30.500 --> 00:34:31.099 and your light 00:34:31.099 --> 00:34:32.639 would dwell in us 00:34:32.639 --> 00:34:34.159 and shine through us 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:35.219 and Lord, 00:34:35.259 --> 00:34:35.819 that we would extend 00:34:35.819 --> 00:34:38.000 those mercies 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:38.759 to others. 00:34:39.639 --> 00:34:40.699 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:34:41.179 --> 00:34:41.439 Amen. 00:34:41.439 --> 00:34:41.539 Amen. 00:34:41.539 --> 00:34:41.599 Amen. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:41.619 Amen. 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:41.639 Amen. 00:34:41.639 --> 00:34:41.659 Amen. 00:34:41.659 --> 00:34:41.679 Amen. 00:34:41.679 --> 00:34:41.699 Amen. 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:41.719 Amen. 00:34:41.719 --> 00:34:41.739 Amen. 00:34:41.739 --> 00:34:41.759 Amen. 00:34:41.759 --> 00:34:41.779 Amen. 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:43.659 Amen. 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:43.679 Amen. 00:34:43.679 --> 00:34:47.699 Amen. 00:34:47.719 --> 00:34:48.759 Amen. 00:34:53.359 --> 00:34:53.839 Well, 00:34:53.859 --> 00:34:54.559 now we're going to 00:34:54.559 --> 00:34:56.319 celebrate the Lord's Supper 00:34:56.319 --> 00:34:57.699 and share the bread 00:34:57.699 --> 00:34:58.299 and the cup 00:34:58.299 --> 00:35:00.019 that Jesus gave to us 00:35:00.019 --> 00:35:00.559 to remember. 00:35:02.219 --> 00:35:03.419 To remember his death 00:35:03.419 --> 00:35:04.059 until he comes. 00:35:04.139 --> 00:35:04.899 To remember that he 00:35:04.899 --> 00:35:05.859 loved us 00:35:05.859 --> 00:35:06.679 and gave his life 00:35:06.679 --> 00:35:07.619 for us on the cross.