WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.919 Recall that I have told you that the overarching theme of Paul's writing is that a person is justified, or declared righteous by God, by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:00:14.919 --> 00:00:22.339 The thesis statement of his letter is found in chapter 1, verses 16 and 17, where he writes, 00:00:22.560 --> 00:00:37.439 I am not ashamed of the gospel, or you could insert I am proud of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 00:00:37.439 --> 00:00:48.140 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, the righteous shall live by faith. 00:00:49.000 --> 00:00:56.340 In the remainder of chapter 1 and in chapter 2, Paul then makes the case that everyone has sinned. 00:00:56.759 --> 00:01:02.439 The Gentiles, those without the law, and the Jews, those with the law. 00:01:02.439 --> 00:01:07.519 Regardless of their status, all have sinned. 00:01:07.579 --> 00:01:11.920 And he hammers this point home in the first half of chapter 3. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:15.359 Chapter 3, verses 10 through 12. 00:01:16.140 --> 00:01:20.000 Say, none is righteous, no not one. 00:01:20.840 --> 00:01:24.340 No one understands, no one seeks for God. 00:01:24.859 --> 00:01:28.159 All have turned aside together, they have become worthless. 00:01:28.159 --> 00:01:33.280 No one does good, not even one. 00:01:34.140 --> 00:01:38.359 All of humanity has a righteousness problem. 00:01:39.319 --> 00:01:48.539 We are guilty of transgressing God, are separated from communion with him, and are due his judgment and just punishment. 00:01:49.539 --> 00:01:54.500 We will not because we cannot earn our way to God. 00:01:54.500 --> 00:01:58.000 And this is terrible news. 00:01:59.200 --> 00:02:00.140 Paul doesn't end there. 00:02:01.299 --> 00:02:10.939 In the rest of chapter 3, he speaks of the righteousness that is granted to us by grace through faith in Christ as our propitiator. 00:02:10.939 --> 00:02:23.900 You have heard me say, Jesus lived the life I could not live, and died the death that I deserve, so that through faith in his completed work, I would be saved. 00:02:24.759 --> 00:02:33.900 This promise is sure for you if you have or if you will believe in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 00:02:33.900 --> 00:02:40.260 On a couple of occasions, I've read the following poem to you. 00:02:41.319 --> 00:02:42.500 It is unanimous. 00:02:42.680 --> 00:02:43.900 Some of you have debated this with me. 00:02:43.939 --> 00:02:44.540 It is unanimous. 00:02:44.680 --> 00:02:46.219 But it goes like this. 00:02:46.780 --> 00:02:53.400 Oh, long and dark, the stairs I trod, with trembling feet to find my God. 00:02:54.099 --> 00:02:59.420 Gaining a foothold bit by bit, then slipping back and losing it. 00:02:59.419 --> 00:03:11.599 Never progressing, striving still, with weakening grasp and faltering will, bleeding to climb to God while he serenely smiled, not noting me. 00:03:12.619 --> 00:03:22.239 Then came a certain time when I loosened my hold and fell thereby, down to the lowest step my fall, as if I had not climbed at all. 00:03:22.240 --> 00:03:35.240 Now when I lay despairing there, listen, a footfall on the stair, on that same stair where I, afraid, faltered and fell and lay dismayed. 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:43.320 And lo, when hope had ceased to be, my God came down the stairs to me. 00:03:43.319 --> 00:03:54.519 In chapter 4, Paul then puts forth Abraham as an example of one saved, not by his works, but by his faith. 00:03:55.340 --> 00:03:58.879 No one has ever been saved by their works. 00:03:59.919 --> 00:04:05.099 Old Testament saints were saved through faith in the coming promise of a Messiah. 00:04:05.780 --> 00:04:13.240 New Testament saints, including us, are now saved through faith in the fulfilled promise of a Messiah. 00:04:13.319 --> 00:04:15.900 See Hebrews chapter 11. 00:04:17.399 --> 00:04:24.019 In chapter 5, Paul explains how the first Adam, as a representative of all humanity, brought sin into the world, 00:04:24.099 --> 00:04:31.039 and how the second Adam, the Lord Jesus Christ, can serve as our representative before God. 00:04:32.000 --> 00:04:41.159 So we are justified, Paul argues, by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone. 00:04:41.160 --> 00:04:48.840 Now, at every step of Paul's writing, he is anticipating objections. 00:04:49.400 --> 00:04:52.439 It feels sometimes like he's in a court of law against himself. 00:04:53.340 --> 00:04:57.240 He asks questions and he gives answers. 00:04:58.060 --> 00:05:04.660 Now likely he was familiar with the counter-arguments because he had already encountered them many times. 00:05:04.660 --> 00:05:11.640 His missionary practice was to go to a new place and reason with the people from the scripture. 00:05:12.980 --> 00:05:21.720 Today's text brings us to another anticipated objection to justification by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. 00:05:22.720 --> 00:05:31.780 We would do well to pay careful attention to the question and to Paul's answer for the instruction of our souls. 00:05:31.779 --> 00:05:36.919 So let me remind you before we read the text, beloved, that this is God's word to us. 00:05:37.679 --> 00:05:40.839 It was written for his glory and for our good. 00:05:41.539 --> 00:05:46.939 So we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and to obey its commands. 00:05:47.599 --> 00:05:49.539 Romans chapter 6, beginning in verse 1. 00:05:49.540 --> 00:05:51.780 What shall we say then? 00:05:52.439 --> 00:05:56.220 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:05:57.040 --> 00:05:58.540 By no means. 00:05:59.220 --> 00:06:02.160 How can we who died to sin still live in it? 00:06:03.120 --> 00:06:07.660 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 00:06:08.379 --> 00:06:11.420 We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, 00:06:11.480 --> 00:06:15.320 in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, 00:06:15.920 --> 00:06:18.700 we too might walk in newness of life. 00:06:19.699 --> 00:06:22.539 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, 00:06:22.939 --> 00:06:26.579 we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 00:06:27.479 --> 00:06:32.980 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, 00:06:33.519 --> 00:06:36.379 so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin. 00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:40.139 For one who has died has been set free from sin. 00:06:40.919 --> 00:06:45.079 Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. 00:06:45.079 --> 00:06:49.959 We know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again. 00:06:50.680 --> 00:06:52.859 Death no longer has dominion over him. 00:06:53.519 --> 00:06:57.500 For the death he died, he died to sin, once for all. 00:06:57.879 --> 00:07:01.719 But the life he lives, he lives to God. 00:07:01.720 --> 00:07:06.020 Fairly simple outline for our study this morning. 00:07:06.180 --> 00:07:08.460 Number one, Paul asks a question. 00:07:09.340 --> 00:07:11.800 Number two, Paul answers the question. 00:07:12.460 --> 00:07:16.520 And number three, Paul advances his answer. 00:07:17.180 --> 00:07:18.380 Alliteration, you're welcome. 00:07:18.560 --> 00:07:20.680 Asks, answers, advances. 00:07:20.880 --> 00:07:24.040 Number one, Paul asks a question. 00:07:24.040 --> 00:07:25.280 He says, 00:07:25.280 --> 00:07:26.900 What shall we say then? 00:07:27.640 --> 00:07:32.600 Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? 00:07:33.840 --> 00:07:38.700 You may have asked this question or been asked this question. 00:07:39.400 --> 00:07:45.240 I tell you this morning that you have at least functionally asked this question in your behavior, 00:07:45.439 --> 00:07:48.140 although not likely in these terms. 00:07:49.220 --> 00:07:51.420 A simple restatement of the question could be, 00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:56.259 if Christ has paid the penalty for my sin and given me his perfection, 00:07:57.220 --> 00:07:59.960 then can't I live any way I want to? 00:08:02.780 --> 00:08:05.060 John Bunyan, you guys know I'm a fan of, 00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:08.840 was a 17th century English Baptist, which I'm proud to tell you, 00:08:09.300 --> 00:08:14.439 who was in prison for 12 years because he preached without a license from the state. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:18.019 You may know of Bunyan from his seminal work, 00:08:18.279 --> 00:08:20.019 The Pilgrim's Progress, 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:23.160 a work that I love and I read to you often. 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:25.219 You may have noticed I brought a copy of it with me. 00:08:25.699 --> 00:08:28.600 I have a plan to read from it briefly this morning. 00:08:29.740 --> 00:08:34.320 He wrote this allegory of the Christian life upon being placed in solitary confinement 00:08:34.320 --> 00:08:37.320 because he would preach from the courtyard of the prison 00:08:37.320 --> 00:08:42.840 and people would gather outside the prison walls to hear him expound upon the Bible. 00:08:42.840 --> 00:08:46.360 During this time, some other Christ followers, 00:08:46.660 --> 00:08:48.540 also in prison for preaching without a license, 00:08:48.660 --> 00:08:51.420 but with very different theology from Bunyan, 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:52.460 told him, 00:08:53.180 --> 00:08:56.519 Bunyan, if you continue to preach of God's love, 00:08:57.240 --> 00:09:00.780 the people will live however they want to. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:05.019 Does the objection sound familiar? 00:09:05.019 --> 00:09:09.759 If our righteousness depends solely on a God who saves, 00:09:10.299 --> 00:09:12.480 without any contribution on our part, 00:09:12.740 --> 00:09:15.939 then can't we live however we would like? 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:19.899 This is not an unimportant question, 00:09:20.000 --> 00:09:22.819 and we dare not be dismissive of it. 00:09:23.679 --> 00:09:25.360 Paul certainly isn't. 00:09:26.139 --> 00:09:29.019 In fact, much of his discourse for the next couple of chapters 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:33.100 comes as a response to this objection. 00:09:33.100 --> 00:09:36.939 I would argue about halfway through chapter 8 00:09:36.939 --> 00:09:40.100 is really his response to this objection. 00:09:40.919 --> 00:09:43.720 So we ask an important question, 00:09:44.460 --> 00:09:47.079 but it gives us an answer to that question, 00:09:47.159 --> 00:09:50.199 an immediate and emphatic answer. 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:51.980 So number two, Paul answers the question. 00:09:52.079 --> 00:09:52.519 He says, 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:55.379 By no means. 00:09:55.939 --> 00:09:59.779 How can we who die to sin still live in it? 00:10:00.960 --> 00:10:03.639 Paul follows his anticipated question 00:10:03.639 --> 00:10:06.139 with an emphatic answer, 00:10:06.679 --> 00:10:07.980 By no means. 00:10:08.120 --> 00:10:11.059 The Greek phrase is me genoito, 00:10:11.259 --> 00:10:14.259 and it is very strong Greek language. 00:10:15.039 --> 00:10:16.100 It could be interpreted, 00:10:16.500 --> 00:10:19.899 No way, or absolutely not. 00:10:19.899 --> 00:10:25.039 And he follows this emphatic no with a question. 00:10:25.740 --> 00:10:28.659 How can we who died to sin 00:10:28.659 --> 00:10:32.360 still live in it? 00:10:34.079 --> 00:10:38.319 Paul is going to go on to explain this phrase further, 00:10:38.539 --> 00:10:39.399 as are we, 00:10:40.360 --> 00:10:43.500 but herein is the simplicity of the matter. 00:10:44.579 --> 00:10:48.879 If you are justified by grace alone through faith alone 00:10:48.879 --> 00:10:51.360 and the person and work of Jesus Christ alone, 00:10:51.360 --> 00:10:55.379 then you have been changed, 00:10:55.600 --> 00:10:57.639 not in degree, 00:10:58.259 --> 00:11:00.439 but in type. 00:11:01.519 --> 00:11:03.980 This is the doctrine of regeneration. 00:11:05.340 --> 00:11:08.799 We once were spiritually dead. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:13.580 Now we are spiritually alive. 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:17.020 This doctrine is perhaps the most important 00:11:17.020 --> 00:11:19.700 to be recaptured for the sake of the church 00:11:19.700 --> 00:11:21.879 in our day. 00:11:23.280 --> 00:11:24.540 Oh, that we would know 00:11:24.540 --> 00:11:26.980 that we are no longer captives, 00:11:27.160 --> 00:11:29.240 but have been set free. 00:11:30.180 --> 00:11:32.160 Oh, that we would live holy lives 00:11:32.160 --> 00:11:33.580 for the advancement of the gospel 00:11:33.580 --> 00:11:36.220 to the glory of our God. 00:11:36.220 --> 00:11:36.259 God. 00:11:37.340 --> 00:11:39.779 We are not saved by works. 00:11:39.860 --> 00:11:41.660 We are saved through faith, 00:11:41.840 --> 00:11:46.060 but it is a faith that works. 00:11:46.519 --> 00:11:50.820 Our very identity has been changed. 00:11:51.540 --> 00:11:53.360 And I'm not going to stand before you this morning 00:11:53.360 --> 00:11:54.340 and declare to you 00:11:54.340 --> 00:11:56.220 that having been set free from sin, 00:11:56.320 --> 00:11:58.660 we therefore no longer sin. 00:11:59.480 --> 00:12:00.259 We do. 00:12:00.399 --> 00:12:02.519 We carry around the baggage of our flesh. 00:12:02.519 --> 00:12:04.500 We get to work in great deal with this 00:12:04.500 --> 00:12:06.919 at the end of chapter 7. 00:12:08.019 --> 00:12:10.939 However, we will begin the process 00:12:10.939 --> 00:12:13.860 of growing in holiness. 00:12:15.319 --> 00:12:17.559 This is a tightrope for our understanding 00:12:17.559 --> 00:12:19.559 to balance upon. 00:12:20.480 --> 00:12:21.480 So to make it more clear, 00:12:21.559 --> 00:12:23.579 I want to show you the two ways 00:12:23.579 --> 00:12:26.620 that we could fall off this tightrope. 00:12:27.939 --> 00:12:28.980 On the one side, 00:12:29.059 --> 00:12:31.279 you could fall off into legalism. 00:12:31.279 --> 00:12:33.879 You can give too much credit 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:34.839 to your accomplishments 00:12:34.839 --> 00:12:37.779 or you can give too much credit 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:39.159 to your failures. 00:12:40.319 --> 00:12:42.079 I see Christians do this to themselves 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:43.439 all the time. 00:12:44.159 --> 00:12:45.240 They take their focus 00:12:45.240 --> 00:12:46.899 off the accomplished work of Christ 00:12:46.899 --> 00:12:48.980 and they become hyper-analyzers 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.399 of their lives. 00:12:51.199 --> 00:12:53.079 They often compare their current walk 00:12:53.079 --> 00:12:54.259 with their walk in the past 00:12:54.259 --> 00:12:55.379 or with the walk of another 00:12:55.379 --> 00:12:57.079 and become self-accusers 00:12:57.079 --> 00:12:59.720 or self-justifiers. 00:12:59.720 --> 00:13:00.820 They put themselves 00:13:00.820 --> 00:13:02.399 in the place of God. 00:13:03.320 --> 00:13:04.740 I see Christians do this 00:13:04.740 --> 00:13:06.259 to others all the time, 00:13:06.340 --> 00:13:08.500 making judgments of faithfulness 00:13:08.500 --> 00:13:09.860 in terms of agreeance 00:13:09.860 --> 00:13:10.920 with their views 00:13:10.920 --> 00:13:13.879 or with their lifestyle. 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.320 The legalist says, 00:13:16.320 --> 00:13:18.340 look more like me. 00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:20.860 The person walking the tightrope 00:13:20.860 --> 00:13:23.940 helps others to look more like Christ. 00:13:25.260 --> 00:13:26.340 On the other side, 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:29.080 you can fall off into antinomianism, 00:13:29.260 --> 00:13:32.320 which means without the law. 00:13:32.920 --> 00:13:35.340 The possibility of this accusation 00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.840 seems to be the objection 00:13:36.840 --> 00:13:39.120 Paul is primarily concerned with 00:13:39.120 --> 00:13:41.200 in today's text. 00:13:41.200 --> 00:13:42.780 somebody saying, 00:13:42.879 --> 00:13:43.140 wait, wait, 00:13:43.200 --> 00:13:44.879 we can't just disregard 00:13:44.879 --> 00:13:47.080 God's moral commands for us. 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.460 Can we? 00:13:49.640 --> 00:13:52.120 This error takes sin lightly, 00:13:52.600 --> 00:13:54.400 either paying no attention to it at all 00:13:54.400 --> 00:13:57.040 or readily dismissing it. 00:13:58.040 --> 00:13:59.500 This error says, 00:14:00.020 --> 00:14:01.780 let's continue in sin 00:14:01.780 --> 00:14:04.060 that grace may abound. 00:14:04.300 --> 00:14:06.820 Let's show how forgiving our God is 00:14:06.820 --> 00:14:07.820 by going on 00:14:07.820 --> 00:14:10.000 and sinning. 00:14:10.780 --> 00:14:13.040 So we don't want to become legalists 00:14:13.040 --> 00:14:14.600 and we don't want to become 00:14:14.600 --> 00:14:16.040 antinomians. 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.540 Let us be careful 00:14:18.540 --> 00:14:21.040 to make neither error. 00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:24.140 We are not saved by works. 00:14:24.280 --> 00:14:25.580 We are saved through faith, 00:14:25.700 --> 00:14:27.360 but it is a faith 00:14:27.360 --> 00:14:28.680 that works. 00:14:28.780 --> 00:14:31.360 It's a faith that is given evidence 00:14:31.360 --> 00:14:32.800 in the way that we live. 00:14:34.120 --> 00:14:35.960 The person restored to relationship 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.300 with his or her God 00:14:37.300 --> 00:14:39.920 does not view God's commands 00:14:39.920 --> 00:14:41.300 as burdensome, 00:14:41.540 --> 00:14:44.360 but receives them as a gift. 00:14:45.460 --> 00:14:46.800 If we become aware 00:14:46.800 --> 00:14:48.440 of God's great love for us 00:14:48.440 --> 00:14:49.500 by grace alone, 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:50.940 through faith alone, 00:14:51.300 --> 00:14:52.240 in Christ alone, 00:14:52.879 --> 00:14:54.300 then we will gladly accept 00:14:54.300 --> 00:14:55.920 his ways for our good 00:14:55.920 --> 00:14:58.259 and his glory. 00:14:59.280 --> 00:15:01.780 We will become increasingly 00:15:01.780 --> 00:15:03.540 less enamored with what this world 00:15:03.540 --> 00:15:04.580 has to offer us 00:15:04.580 --> 00:15:06.759 and increasingly more enamored 00:15:06.759 --> 00:15:08.259 with God's purpose 00:15:08.259 --> 00:15:10.860 and with God's way. 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.400 It becomes the desire 00:15:12.400 --> 00:15:13.360 of our hearts 00:15:13.360 --> 00:15:14.740 that we would follow 00:15:14.740 --> 00:15:18.200 in God's good commands. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:20.440 This brings me 00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.780 to the pilgrim's progress. 00:15:22.520 --> 00:15:23.740 I haven't read to you yet 00:15:23.740 --> 00:15:25.000 from the scene 00:15:25.000 --> 00:15:26.180 in Vanity Fair. 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.379 At least I don't believe I have. 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.400 There's a city 00:15:29.400 --> 00:15:30.220 that these pilgrims 00:15:30.220 --> 00:15:31.080 in this allegory 00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:32.580 happen across 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:34.100 and it's for the testing 00:15:34.100 --> 00:15:34.680 of their faith 00:15:34.680 --> 00:15:36.180 and it is everything 00:15:36.180 --> 00:15:37.259 that the world 00:15:37.259 --> 00:15:38.360 has to offer 00:15:38.360 --> 00:15:40.600 in this one city. 00:15:41.259 --> 00:15:42.400 And they find themselves 00:15:42.400 --> 00:15:43.080 in this city 00:15:43.080 --> 00:15:45.620 looking very strange 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.520 to those 00:15:46.520 --> 00:15:48.060 who live there. 00:15:49.000 --> 00:15:49.580 And so I read, 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.100 quote, 00:15:50.500 --> 00:15:52.340 the thing that most 00:15:52.340 --> 00:15:53.800 annoyed and puzzled 00:15:53.800 --> 00:15:54.259 the merchants 00:15:54.259 --> 00:15:56.040 was that these pilgrims 00:15:56.040 --> 00:15:57.160 put no value 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.720 on the fair's goods. 00:15:58.720 --> 00:16:00.620 They did not even enjoy 00:16:00.620 --> 00:16:01.300 looking at them 00:16:01.300 --> 00:16:01.980 and when the merchants 00:16:01.980 --> 00:16:02.840 called out to them 00:16:02.840 --> 00:16:04.080 to buy this or that, 00:16:04.680 --> 00:16:05.200 the pilgrims 00:16:05.200 --> 00:16:06.040 put their fingers 00:16:06.040 --> 00:16:06.759 in their ears 00:16:06.759 --> 00:16:07.820 and cried out, 00:16:08.360 --> 00:16:09.779 turn away mine eyes 00:16:09.779 --> 00:16:11.220 from beholding vanity 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:12.740 and looked upward 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.300 signifying that their trade 00:16:14.300 --> 00:16:15.080 and traffic 00:16:15.080 --> 00:16:16.720 was in heaven. 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:19.080 This is from Psalm 119 00:16:19.080 --> 00:16:20.100 in verse 37. 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:21.920 One merchant 00:16:21.920 --> 00:16:23.580 observing the strange 00:16:23.580 --> 00:16:24.980 conduct of the pilgrims 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:27.160 mockingly said to them, 00:16:27.159 --> 00:16:28.839 What will you buy? 00:16:29.740 --> 00:16:30.439 But they, 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:32.439 looking sternly at him, 00:16:32.659 --> 00:16:33.059 answered, 00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:36.100 We buy the truth. 00:16:36.919 --> 00:16:38.279 Which I just love 00:16:38.279 --> 00:16:39.980 from Proverbs 23 00:16:39.980 --> 00:16:41.120 if my memory 00:16:41.120 --> 00:16:43.339 is serving me well. 00:16:44.000 --> 00:16:45.179 Not enamored 00:16:45.179 --> 00:16:45.799 with the things 00:16:45.799 --> 00:16:46.319 of the world 00:16:46.319 --> 00:16:47.439 but enamored 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:49.179 with the things 00:16:49.179 --> 00:16:50.319 of God. 00:16:51.860 --> 00:16:52.579 Do you remember 00:16:52.579 --> 00:16:53.120 the concern 00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:53.799 of Bunyan's 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:54.759 fellow prisoners? 00:16:55.699 --> 00:16:56.159 Bunyan, 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.759 if you continue 00:16:56.759 --> 00:16:57.199 to preach 00:16:57.199 --> 00:16:57.980 of God's love 00:16:57.980 --> 00:16:58.439 the people 00:16:58.439 --> 00:16:58.939 will live 00:16:58.939 --> 00:17:00.759 however they want to. 00:17:02.000 --> 00:17:02.299 Well, 00:17:03.319 --> 00:17:04.980 Bunyan reportedly replied, 00:17:05.539 --> 00:17:06.279 No. 00:17:07.099 --> 00:17:08.159 If I continue 00:17:08.159 --> 00:17:09.460 to tell God's people 00:17:09.460 --> 00:17:10.240 of God's love 00:17:10.240 --> 00:17:10.619 for them, 00:17:11.139 --> 00:17:12.059 then they will live 00:17:12.059 --> 00:17:13.379 however he 00:17:13.379 --> 00:17:14.799 wants them to. 00:17:16.619 --> 00:17:17.559 But Paul doesn't 00:17:17.559 --> 00:17:18.500 just leave us 00:17:18.500 --> 00:17:19.440 with the answer, 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.319 by no means, 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:20.960 how can we 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.680 who died to sin 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:23.180 still live in it? 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.640 and leave us 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:25.620 to figure out 00:17:25.620 --> 00:17:28.299 how he goes on 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:30.200 to answer the question. 00:17:30.620 --> 00:17:31.220 And as I said 00:17:31.220 --> 00:17:32.580 quite a bit 00:17:32.580 --> 00:17:33.680 into his letter 00:17:33.680 --> 00:17:34.600 but this morning 00:17:34.600 --> 00:17:36.720 we have an advance 00:17:36.720 --> 00:17:37.500 of his answer. 00:17:37.620 --> 00:17:38.320 So third point, 00:17:38.460 --> 00:17:39.100 Paul advances 00:17:39.100 --> 00:17:40.580 his answer. 00:17:40.660 --> 00:17:41.759 Helps us to understand 00:17:41.759 --> 00:17:42.700 what it means 00:17:42.700 --> 00:17:43.880 to die to sin 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:45.299 and no longer 00:17:45.299 --> 00:17:46.820 live in it. 00:17:47.820 --> 00:17:48.560 And Paul answers 00:17:48.560 --> 00:17:49.019 the question 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.759 in four points. 00:17:50.759 --> 00:17:51.859 We're going to give 00:17:51.859 --> 00:17:52.180 each of them 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.059 a brief look 00:17:53.059 --> 00:17:53.539 this morning 00:17:53.539 --> 00:17:54.019 as we work 00:17:54.019 --> 00:17:54.579 through the rest 00:17:54.579 --> 00:17:55.299 of the text 00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.319 and I just want 00:17:56.319 --> 00:17:56.859 to encourage you 00:17:56.859 --> 00:17:57.319 to consider 00:17:57.319 --> 00:17:58.599 these four points 00:17:58.599 --> 00:17:59.779 further than we 00:17:59.779 --> 00:18:00.599 have time for 00:18:00.599 --> 00:18:01.619 this morning. 00:18:02.779 --> 00:18:03.539 Mold them over, 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:04.940 think about them 00:18:04.940 --> 00:18:05.720 carefully, 00:18:06.400 --> 00:18:07.460 talk about them 00:18:07.460 --> 00:18:08.220 with a brother 00:18:08.220 --> 00:18:08.779 or sister 00:18:08.779 --> 00:18:09.879 at your dinner table. 00:18:10.779 --> 00:18:11.319 They are an 00:18:11.319 --> 00:18:12.500 absolute treasure 00:18:12.500 --> 00:18:13.140 trove 00:18:13.140 --> 00:18:14.079 for our souls. 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.099 This is all 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:15.779 so good 00:18:15.779 --> 00:18:17.099 and sometimes 00:18:17.099 --> 00:18:17.559 I hate 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.140 how little time 00:18:18.140 --> 00:18:19.119 we have together 00:18:19.119 --> 00:18:19.559 for them. 00:18:19.559 --> 00:18:21.139 First, 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:22.859 Paul says, 00:18:22.940 --> 00:18:23.519 by grace alone 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.220 through faith alone, 00:18:24.599 --> 00:18:25.779 we are baptized 00:18:25.779 --> 00:18:28.139 into Christ. 00:18:28.379 --> 00:18:28.899 This is the 00:18:28.899 --> 00:18:29.519 beginning part 00:18:29.519 --> 00:18:31.480 of verse 3. 00:18:32.399 --> 00:18:33.759 Do you not know 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:35.700 that all of us 00:18:35.700 --> 00:18:36.619 who have been 00:18:36.619 --> 00:18:37.200 baptized 00:18:37.200 --> 00:18:39.919 into Christ Jesus? 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:42.059 Now Paul here 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:43.059 is not speaking 00:18:43.059 --> 00:18:44.500 of the symbolic 00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.460 ordinance 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:46.700 of baptism. 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:48.599 Some people 00:18:48.599 --> 00:18:49.039 want to make 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.500 arguments 00:18:49.500 --> 00:18:50.160 from this text 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.519 that we are 00:18:50.519 --> 00:18:51.039 justified 00:18:51.039 --> 00:18:52.200 through the 00:18:52.200 --> 00:18:53.900 act of baptism. 00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.279 This is known 00:18:55.279 --> 00:18:56.380 as baptismal 00:18:56.380 --> 00:18:57.400 regeneration 00:18:57.400 --> 00:18:59.180 and it is 00:18:59.180 --> 00:18:59.920 a heresy. 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.680 But Paul, 00:19:01.740 --> 00:19:02.380 as I've said here, 00:19:02.420 --> 00:19:03.200 is not speaking 00:19:03.200 --> 00:19:04.000 of the symbolic 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:05.000 ordinance of baptism. 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:07.000 How do I know 00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:07.420 this? 00:19:09.039 --> 00:19:10.059 How can we know? 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.559 Well, 00:19:11.920 --> 00:19:13.160 I know this 00:19:13.160 --> 00:19:13.880 because I've read 00:19:13.880 --> 00:19:14.599 the rest of the letter. 00:19:14.599 --> 00:19:16.659 because I haven't 00:19:16.659 --> 00:19:17.899 torn a tiny piece 00:19:17.899 --> 00:19:18.639 out of my Bible 00:19:18.639 --> 00:19:19.799 to make an erroneous 00:19:19.799 --> 00:19:20.339 argument. 00:19:21.339 --> 00:19:22.019 Because I haven't 00:19:22.019 --> 00:19:22.480 forgotten 00:19:22.480 --> 00:19:23.439 that Paul is 00:19:23.439 --> 00:19:24.139 arguing for 00:19:24.139 --> 00:19:24.679 justification 00:19:24.679 --> 00:19:25.639 by grace alone 00:19:25.639 --> 00:19:26.240 through faith alone 00:19:26.240 --> 00:19:26.699 in the personal 00:19:26.699 --> 00:19:27.759 work of Jesus Christ 00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.599 alone. 00:19:28.599 --> 00:19:29.259 So he can't 00:19:29.259 --> 00:19:30.459 possibly be saying 00:19:30.459 --> 00:19:31.839 that we're saved, 00:19:31.939 --> 00:19:32.939 that we're made new 00:19:32.939 --> 00:19:33.559 through the 00:19:33.559 --> 00:19:35.279 physical act 00:19:35.279 --> 00:19:36.539 of baptism. 00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.779 So, 00:19:38.099 --> 00:19:39.579 he must be speaking 00:19:39.579 --> 00:19:40.519 of the spiritual 00:19:40.519 --> 00:19:41.440 reality of what 00:19:41.440 --> 00:19:42.099 is true 00:19:42.099 --> 00:19:42.940 for all 00:19:42.940 --> 00:19:44.039 who believe 00:19:44.039 --> 00:19:45.399 in Christ. 00:19:46.579 --> 00:19:46.899 Now, 00:19:47.759 --> 00:19:48.740 as a side note, 00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.960 as a Baptist, 00:19:51.759 --> 00:19:52.519 one of the leaders 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.980 of a Baptist church, 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:56.200 we do believe in 00:19:56.200 --> 00:19:57.119 what's called 00:19:57.119 --> 00:19:58.720 credo or credo, 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.519 you'll hear people say, 00:19:59.899 --> 00:20:00.359 baptism. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.659 We believe that 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.639 water baptism 00:20:02.639 --> 00:20:03.899 is not the means 00:20:03.899 --> 00:20:04.579 of salvation 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:06.259 but a demonstration 00:20:06.259 --> 00:20:07.640 of it. 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.819 It shows 00:20:08.819 --> 00:20:10.539 what's already 00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.879 happened. 00:20:12.779 --> 00:20:13.420 I heard a pastor 00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.879 one time 00:20:13.879 --> 00:20:15.259 compare it to 00:20:15.259 --> 00:20:16.539 another type 00:20:16.539 --> 00:20:17.240 of ceremony, 00:20:17.240 --> 00:20:18.200 a graduation 00:20:18.200 --> 00:20:19.079 ceremony. 00:20:19.359 --> 00:20:19.740 There's some 00:20:19.740 --> 00:20:20.680 college students 00:20:20.680 --> 00:20:21.259 here who are 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.359 looking toward 00:20:22.359 --> 00:20:23.000 and longing 00:20:23.000 --> 00:20:24.819 for graduation. 00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:26.740 Graduation 00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.240 ceremonies 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:28.839 aren't entirely 00:20:28.839 --> 00:20:29.299 necessary 00:20:29.299 --> 00:20:30.180 to finish school. 00:20:30.900 --> 00:20:31.440 It's a little 00:20:31.440 --> 00:20:31.740 secret, 00:20:31.940 --> 00:20:32.220 but you don't 00:20:32.220 --> 00:20:32.920 have to walk. 00:20:33.400 --> 00:20:34.259 I got out of it 00:20:34.259 --> 00:20:34.839 and yet, 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.799 I still graduated 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:37.059 from the University 00:20:37.059 --> 00:20:38.579 of North Georgia. 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:39.519 You've already 00:20:39.519 --> 00:20:40.599 completed the work. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.200 It's been 00:20:41.200 --> 00:20:41.899 accomplished. 00:20:42.539 --> 00:20:43.059 You've checked 00:20:43.059 --> 00:20:44.200 all of the boxes, 00:20:44.960 --> 00:20:46.579 but it's showing 00:20:46.579 --> 00:20:47.419 that you've 00:20:47.419 --> 00:20:48.119 finished 00:20:48.119 --> 00:20:49.099 the work. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.659 If you ask 00:20:49.659 --> 00:20:50.240 most people 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:50.619 about their 00:20:50.619 --> 00:20:51.099 graduation, 00:20:51.279 --> 00:20:51.799 they'll take you 00:20:51.799 --> 00:20:52.579 to that 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.319 ceremony 00:20:53.319 --> 00:20:55.019 as a sign 00:20:55.019 --> 00:20:55.680 of the thing 00:20:55.680 --> 00:20:56.359 that had already 00:20:56.359 --> 00:20:58.139 been completed. 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:58.859 I think this is 00:20:58.859 --> 00:21:00.139 a pretty good 00:21:00.139 --> 00:21:01.539 analogy. 00:21:01.539 --> 00:21:01.619 theology. 00:21:02.019 --> 00:21:02.859 It's not 00:21:02.859 --> 00:21:03.319 the means 00:21:03.319 --> 00:21:03.779 of salvation. 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:04.259 It's just 00:21:04.259 --> 00:21:05.879 a demonstration 00:21:05.879 --> 00:21:07.899 of it. 00:21:08.420 --> 00:21:09.940 I digress. 00:21:10.680 --> 00:21:11.299 Notice that 00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.619 the opening 00:21:11.619 --> 00:21:12.139 phrase of 00:21:12.139 --> 00:21:12.779 verse 3 00:21:12.779 --> 00:21:14.139 is a 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.819 qualifying 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.859 statement. 00:21:16.359 --> 00:21:17.019 Paul says, 00:21:17.720 --> 00:21:18.079 Do you not 00:21:18.079 --> 00:21:18.619 know that 00:21:18.619 --> 00:21:19.460 all of us 00:21:19.460 --> 00:21:20.980 who have 00:21:20.980 --> 00:21:21.579 been 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:22.519 baptized 00:21:22.519 --> 00:21:23.799 into Christ 00:21:23.799 --> 00:21:24.119 Jesus? 00:21:24.779 --> 00:21:25.799 For anything 00:21:25.799 --> 00:21:26.579 to be true 00:21:26.579 --> 00:21:27.159 of you 00:21:27.159 --> 00:21:27.720 in today's 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:28.119 text, 00:21:28.259 --> 00:21:28.799 you must 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.399 have been 00:21:29.400 --> 00:21:29.940 baptized 00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:31.400 into Christ 00:21:31.400 --> 00:21:31.759 Jesus. 00:21:32.500 --> 00:21:33.340 How is this 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:33.800 accomplished? 00:21:34.200 --> 00:21:34.740 If we're not 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.140 talking about 00:21:35.140 --> 00:21:35.860 the physical 00:21:35.860 --> 00:21:36.920 baptism, 00:21:37.519 --> 00:21:38.920 it's accomplished 00:21:38.920 --> 00:21:39.600 by repentance 00:21:39.600 --> 00:21:41.120 and faith, 00:21:41.540 --> 00:21:42.320 by turning 00:21:42.320 --> 00:21:42.920 from your sin 00:21:42.920 --> 00:21:43.440 and turning 00:21:43.440 --> 00:21:44.080 to Christ 00:21:44.080 --> 00:21:44.360 for the 00:21:44.360 --> 00:21:44.800 justification 00:21:44.800 --> 00:21:46.100 of your 00:21:46.100 --> 00:21:46.420 soul. 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.860 If you 00:21:47.860 --> 00:21:48.380 have, 00:21:48.820 --> 00:21:49.280 then you 00:21:49.280 --> 00:21:50.259 have been 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:50.600 baptized 00:21:50.600 --> 00:21:51.200 into 00:21:51.200 --> 00:21:52.259 Christ 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:53.220 Jesus. 00:21:54.440 --> 00:21:54.980 And again, 00:21:55.300 --> 00:21:55.820 as a Baptist, 00:21:55.960 --> 00:21:56.180 I would say, 00:21:56.320 --> 00:21:56.920 and therefore 00:21:56.920 --> 00:21:57.540 should be baptized 00:21:57.540 --> 00:21:58.040 by immersion 00:21:58.040 --> 00:21:58.680 as a sign 00:21:58.680 --> 00:21:59.180 of that 00:21:59.180 --> 00:22:00.160 reality. 00:22:01.160 --> 00:22:02.039 That is, 00:22:02.160 --> 00:22:03.060 you have 00:22:03.060 --> 00:22:03.420 been 00:22:03.420 --> 00:22:04.400 immersed 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:05.259 in 00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:06.660 Christ. 00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.920 That's why 00:22:07.920 --> 00:22:08.360 we immerse 00:22:08.360 --> 00:22:08.840 people in 00:22:08.840 --> 00:22:09.460 the symbolic 00:22:09.460 --> 00:22:10.180 ordinance 00:22:10.180 --> 00:22:11.460 of baptism. 00:22:11.640 --> 00:22:11.880 It's a 00:22:11.880 --> 00:22:12.740 picture of 00:22:12.740 --> 00:22:13.320 a spiritual 00:22:13.320 --> 00:22:14.759 reality. 00:22:15.980 --> 00:22:16.640 The symbolically 00:22:16.640 --> 00:22:17.539 baptized person 00:22:17.539 --> 00:22:18.259 declares, 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.759 as the church 00:22:19.759 --> 00:22:20.580 declares with 00:22:20.580 --> 00:22:20.980 them, 00:22:21.400 --> 00:22:22.080 that they 00:22:22.080 --> 00:22:23.000 identify 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.000 with 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:24.840 Christ 00:22:24.840 --> 00:22:25.960 in his 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.360 death 00:22:26.359 --> 00:22:26.419 death, 00:22:26.919 --> 00:22:27.719 and 00:22:27.719 --> 00:22:28.899 in 00:22:28.899 --> 00:22:29.019 his 00:22:29.019 --> 00:22:29.459 resurrection. 00:22:30.939 --> 00:22:31.339 Which 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.199 brings us 00:22:32.199 --> 00:22:32.639 to our 00:22:32.639 --> 00:22:34.019 second point, 00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:34.659 which is 00:22:34.659 --> 00:22:35.339 an extension 00:22:35.339 --> 00:22:36.339 of the 00:22:36.339 --> 00:22:36.639 first. 00:22:36.819 --> 00:22:37.259 So second, 00:22:37.399 --> 00:22:37.799 Paul says, 00:22:37.879 --> 00:22:38.219 by grace 00:22:38.219 --> 00:22:38.419 alone 00:22:38.419 --> 00:22:38.779 through faith 00:22:38.779 --> 00:22:39.079 alone, 00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.159 we share 00:22:40.159 --> 00:22:40.919 in Christ's 00:22:40.919 --> 00:22:41.240 death 00:22:41.240 --> 00:22:41.839 and 00:22:41.839 --> 00:22:42.979 resurrection. 00:22:44.059 --> 00:22:44.479 See this 00:22:44.479 --> 00:22:44.599 here, 00:22:44.659 --> 00:22:45.059 picking up 00:22:45.059 --> 00:22:45.259 in the 00:22:45.259 --> 00:22:45.799 last half 00:22:45.799 --> 00:22:46.279 of verse 00:22:46.279 --> 00:22:46.639 three. 00:22:47.599 --> 00:22:48.019 Do you 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.319 not know 00:22:48.319 --> 00:22:48.579 that all 00:22:48.579 --> 00:22:48.719 of us 00:22:48.719 --> 00:22:48.879 who were 00:22:48.879 --> 00:22:49.099 baptized 00:22:49.099 --> 00:22:49.679 into Christ 00:22:49.679 --> 00:22:49.859 Jesus 00:22:49.859 --> 00:22:50.399 were 00:22:50.399 --> 00:22:51.159 baptized 00:22:51.159 --> 00:22:51.919 into 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:52.980 his 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.439 death? 00:22:54.240 --> 00:22:54.439 We 00:22:54.439 --> 00:22:54.679 were 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.439 buried 00:22:55.439 --> 00:22:55.779 therefore 00:22:55.779 --> 00:22:56.199 with him 00:22:56.199 --> 00:22:56.859 by baptism 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.559 into death 00:22:57.559 --> 00:22:57.980 in order 00:22:57.980 --> 00:22:58.399 that, 00:22:58.740 --> 00:22:59.119 just as 00:22:59.119 --> 00:22:59.459 Christ 00:22:59.459 --> 00:23:00.000 was raised 00:23:00.000 --> 00:23:00.279 from the 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.439 dead 00:23:00.439 --> 00:23:00.740 by the 00:23:00.740 --> 00:23:00.939 glory 00:23:00.939 --> 00:23:01.159 of the 00:23:01.159 --> 00:23:01.379 Father, 00:23:01.500 --> 00:23:01.639 we 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.199 too 00:23:02.199 --> 00:23:02.899 might 00:23:02.899 --> 00:23:03.439 walk 00:23:03.439 --> 00:23:04.059 in the 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.480 newness 00:23:04.480 --> 00:23:05.539 of life. 00:23:06.359 --> 00:23:06.699 For if 00:23:06.699 --> 00:23:06.899 we have 00:23:06.899 --> 00:23:07.319 been united 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:07.619 with him 00:23:07.619 --> 00:23:07.799 in a 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:07.959 death 00:23:07.959 --> 00:23:08.179 like 00:23:08.179 --> 00:23:08.379 his, 00:23:08.419 --> 00:23:08.519 we 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:08.699 shall 00:23:08.699 --> 00:23:09.240 certainly 00:23:09.240 --> 00:23:09.459 be 00:23:09.459 --> 00:23:09.719 united 00:23:09.719 --> 00:23:09.980 with 00:23:09.980 --> 00:23:10.199 him 00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:10.899 in a 00:23:10.899 --> 00:23:11.299 resurrection 00:23:11.299 --> 00:23:12.299 like 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.619 his. 00:23:13.359 --> 00:23:13.859 The 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.159 language 00:23:14.159 --> 00:23:14.500 of verse 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:14.759 four 00:23:14.759 --> 00:23:15.159 may be 00:23:15.159 --> 00:23:15.699 familiar 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:16.240 to you 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:16.419 in 00:23:16.419 --> 00:23:16.959 considering 00:23:16.959 --> 00:23:17.799 the 00:23:17.799 --> 00:23:18.259 symbolic 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.939 ordinance 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:19.559 of 00:23:19.559 --> 00:23:20.000 baptism. 00:23:20.420 --> 00:23:20.799 We 00:23:20.799 --> 00:23:21.100 say 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:21.559 as we 00:23:21.559 --> 00:23:22.140 baptize 00:23:22.140 --> 00:23:22.400 people 00:23:22.400 --> 00:23:22.700 as a 00:23:22.700 --> 00:23:23.200 church 00:23:23.200 --> 00:23:23.900 buried 00:23:23.900 --> 00:23:24.080 with 00:23:24.080 --> 00:23:24.299 Christ 00:23:24.299 --> 00:23:24.440 in 00:23:24.440 --> 00:23:24.759 baptism 00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:25.279 raised 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:25.500 to 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.880 walk 00:23:25.880 --> 00:23:26.019 in 00:23:26.019 --> 00:23:26.259 the 00:23:26.259 --> 00:23:26.940 newness 00:23:26.940 --> 00:23:27.960 of 00:23:27.960 --> 00:23:28.440 life. 00:23:28.840 --> 00:23:29.140 This 00:23:29.140 --> 00:23:29.420 is an 00:23:29.420 --> 00:23:29.880 evidence 00:23:29.880 --> 00:23:30.220 that you 00:23:30.220 --> 00:23:30.400 are 00:23:30.400 --> 00:23:31.180 regenerate, 00:23:31.259 --> 00:23:31.460 that you 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.299 belong 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.080 to God 00:23:33.080 --> 00:23:33.860 in 00:23:33.860 --> 00:23:34.720 Christ 00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.660 Jesus, 00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.620 immersed 00:23:36.620 --> 00:23:37.299 in 00:23:37.299 --> 00:23:38.220 him. 00:23:39.500 --> 00:23:40.160 This 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.840 is an 00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.240 explanation 00:23:41.240 --> 00:23:41.880 of the 00:23:41.880 --> 00:23:42.279 doctrine 00:23:42.279 --> 00:23:43.180 of 00:23:43.180 --> 00:23:43.559 regeneration. 00:23:44.960 --> 00:23:45.299 Those 00:23:45.299 --> 00:23:45.559 who have 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:45.840 placed 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.019 their 00:23:46.019 --> 00:23:46.320 faith 00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:46.460 in 00:23:46.460 --> 00:23:46.880 Christ 00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.620 have 00:23:47.620 --> 00:23:47.940 not 00:23:47.940 --> 00:23:48.880 physically 00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:49.220 died 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.340 and 00:23:49.340 --> 00:23:49.720 resurrected 00:23:49.720 --> 00:23:50.180 but 00:23:50.180 --> 00:23:50.920 spiritually 00:23:50.920 --> 00:23:51.740 share 00:23:51.740 --> 00:23:52.060 in 00:23:52.060 --> 00:23:52.480 these 00:23:52.480 --> 00:23:53.820 realities. 00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:55.380 Paul 00:23:55.380 --> 00:23:55.620 states 00:23:55.620 --> 00:23:55.740 it 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:55.880 this 00:23:55.880 --> 00:23:56.040 way 00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.160 in 00:23:56.160 --> 00:23:56.380 2nd 00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.660 Corinthians 00:23:56.660 --> 00:23:56.980 chapter 00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.460 5 00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:57.620 and 00:23:57.620 --> 00:23:57.860 verse 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.580 17. 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:58.840 If 00:23:58.840 --> 00:23:59.200 anyone 00:23:59.200 --> 00:23:59.860 is 00:23:59.860 --> 00:24:00.100 in 00:24:00.100 --> 00:24:00.480 Christ, 00:24:01.200 --> 00:24:01.360 he 00:24:01.360 --> 00:24:01.500 is 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:01.640 a 00:24:01.640 --> 00:24:02.140 new 00:24:02.140 --> 00:24:03.100 creation. 00:24:03.900 --> 00:24:04.040 The 00:24:04.040 --> 00:24:04.560 old 00:24:04.560 --> 00:24:04.840 has 00:24:04.840 --> 00:24:05.240 passed 00:24:05.240 --> 00:24:05.740 away, 00:24:06.220 --> 00:24:06.780 behold, 00:24:07.100 --> 00:24:07.380 the 00:24:07.380 --> 00:24:07.840 new 00:24:07.840 --> 00:24:08.800 has 00:24:08.800 --> 00:24:09.160 come. 00:24:10.440 --> 00:24:10.960 If 00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.100 you 00:24:11.100 --> 00:24:11.280 are 00:24:11.280 --> 00:24:11.460 in 00:24:11.460 --> 00:24:11.840 Christ, 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:12.020 then 00:24:12.020 --> 00:24:12.100 you 00:24:12.100 --> 00:24:12.200 are 00:24:12.200 --> 00:24:12.380 no 00:24:12.380 --> 00:24:12.860 longer 00:24:12.860 --> 00:24:13.340 who 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:13.880 you 00:24:13.880 --> 00:24:14.440 once 00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:14.900 were 00:24:14.900 --> 00:24:15.560 pre- 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.240 Christ. 00:24:16.599 --> 00:24:16.799 You 00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:17.079 are 00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.980 new. 00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:18.539 You 00:24:18.539 --> 00:24:18.639 are 00:24:18.639 --> 00:24:18.940 now 00:24:18.940 --> 00:24:21.460 post-Christ, 00:24:21.599 --> 00:24:21.779 although 00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.639 presently 00:24:22.639 --> 00:24:23.019 Christ. 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.419 Those 00:24:24.419 --> 00:24:24.579 who 00:24:24.579 --> 00:24:24.740 are 00:24:24.740 --> 00:24:24.980 in 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:25.480 Christ 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.179 have 00:24:26.179 --> 00:24:26.639 been 00:24:26.639 --> 00:24:27.379 born 00:24:27.379 --> 00:24:28.519 again. 00:24:29.399 --> 00:24:29.759 Where 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:29.960 this 00:24:29.960 --> 00:24:30.200 phrase 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:30.559 comes 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:30.960 from 00:24:30.960 --> 00:24:31.220 is 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:31.440 from 00:24:31.440 --> 00:24:31.740 John 00:24:31.740 --> 00:24:32.079 chapter 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.619 3, 00:24:33.139 --> 00:24:33.460 and I'm 00:24:33.460 --> 00:24:33.559 going to 00:24:33.559 --> 00:24:33.700 read 00:24:33.700 --> 00:24:34.000 verses 00:24:34.000 --> 00:24:34.679 1 00:24:34.679 --> 00:24:35.659 through 00:24:35.659 --> 00:24:36.059 7. 00:24:36.899 --> 00:24:37.279 There 00:24:37.279 --> 00:24:37.460 was a 00:24:37.460 --> 00:24:37.839 man of 00:24:37.839 --> 00:24:37.980 the 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:38.500 Pharisees 00:24:38.500 --> 00:24:38.980 named 00:24:38.980 --> 00:24:39.980 Nicodemus, 00:24:40.440 --> 00:24:41.159 a ruler 00:24:41.159 --> 00:24:41.480 of the 00:24:41.480 --> 00:24:41.700 Jews. 00:24:41.819 --> 00:24:41.919 This 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.139 man 00:24:42.139 --> 00:24:42.659 came to 00:24:42.659 --> 00:24:42.899 Jesus 00:24:42.899 --> 00:24:43.079 by 00:24:43.079 --> 00:24:43.399 night 00:24:43.400 --> 00:24:43.560 and 00:24:43.560 --> 00:24:43.820 said 00:24:43.820 --> 00:24:43.980 to 00:24:43.980 --> 00:24:44.280 him, 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:45.340 Rabbi, 00:24:45.500 --> 00:24:45.620 we 00:24:45.620 --> 00:24:46.100 know 00:24:46.100 --> 00:24:46.380 that 00:24:46.380 --> 00:24:46.480 you 00:24:46.480 --> 00:24:46.600 are 00:24:46.600 --> 00:24:46.740 a 00:24:46.740 --> 00:24:47.019 teacher 00:24:47.019 --> 00:24:47.340 come 00:24:47.340 --> 00:24:47.540 from 00:24:47.540 --> 00:24:47.820 God, 00:24:47.900 --> 00:24:48.000 for 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.220 no 00:24:48.220 --> 00:24:48.400 one 00:24:48.400 --> 00:24:48.580 can 00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:48.820 do 00:24:48.820 --> 00:24:49.220 these 00:24:49.220 --> 00:24:49.980 signs, 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:50.640 speaking 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:50.780 of 00:24:50.780 --> 00:24:50.880 his 00:24:50.880 --> 00:24:51.220 miracles, 00:24:51.700 --> 00:24:51.980 that 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.100 you 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:52.380 do 00:24:52.380 --> 00:24:52.700 unless 00:24:52.700 --> 00:24:53.280 God 00:24:53.280 --> 00:24:53.480 is 00:24:53.480 --> 00:24:53.740 with 00:24:53.740 --> 00:24:54.000 him. 00:24:55.200 --> 00:24:55.540 Jesus 00:24:55.540 --> 00:24:56.080 answered 00:24:56.080 --> 00:24:56.380 him, 00:24:57.380 --> 00:24:57.680 truly, 00:24:57.800 --> 00:24:58.040 truly, 00:24:58.380 --> 00:24:58.600 I 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:58.820 say 00:24:58.820 --> 00:24:59.000 to 00:24:59.000 --> 00:24:59.300 you, 00:25:00.100 --> 00:25:00.340 unless 00:25:00.340 --> 00:25:00.620 one 00:25:00.620 --> 00:25:00.780 is 00:25:00.780 --> 00:25:01.220 born 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:01.780 again, 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.040 he 00:25:02.040 --> 00:25:02.400 cannot 00:25:02.400 --> 00:25:03.060 see 00:25:03.060 --> 00:25:03.460 the 00:25:03.460 --> 00:25:03.800 kingdom 00:25:03.800 --> 00:25:04.900 of 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:05.240 God. 00:25:05.800 --> 00:25:06.360 This 00:25:06.360 --> 00:25:06.460 is 00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:06.660 very 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.240 common 00:25:07.240 --> 00:25:07.759 language 00:25:07.759 --> 00:25:08.860 to 00:25:08.860 --> 00:25:09.400 the 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:09.720 American 00:25:09.720 --> 00:25:10.080 Christian. 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:11.300 Imagine 00:25:11.300 --> 00:25:11.480 how 00:25:11.480 --> 00:25:11.820 strange 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:12.000 it would 00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.080 have 00:25:12.079 --> 00:25:12.240 been 00:25:12.240 --> 00:25:12.599 for 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.799 Nicodemus 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:13.919 who 00:25:13.919 --> 00:25:14.559 responds, 00:25:15.439 --> 00:25:15.639 how 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:15.859 can 00:25:15.859 --> 00:25:15.980 a 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.139 man 00:25:16.139 --> 00:25:16.299 be 00:25:16.299 --> 00:25:16.599 born 00:25:16.599 --> 00:25:16.839 when 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:16.980 he 00:25:16.980 --> 00:25:17.119 is 00:25:17.119 --> 00:25:17.460 old? 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:18.759 Can 00:25:18.759 --> 00:25:18.879 he 00:25:18.879 --> 00:25:19.079 enter 00:25:19.079 --> 00:25:19.220 a 00:25:19.220 --> 00:25:19.419 second 00:25:19.419 --> 00:25:19.799 time 00:25:19.799 --> 00:25:19.960 into 00:25:19.960 --> 00:25:20.099 his 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.399 mother's 00:25:20.399 --> 00:25:20.659 womb 00:25:20.659 --> 00:25:20.919 and 00:25:20.919 --> 00:25:21.039 be 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:21.319 born? 00:25:22.779 --> 00:25:23.159 Jesus 00:25:23.159 --> 00:25:23.599 answered, 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:24.500 truly, 00:25:24.599 --> 00:25:24.720 truly, 00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:24.919 I 00:25:24.919 --> 00:25:25.099 say 00:25:25.099 --> 00:25:25.259 to 00:25:25.259 --> 00:25:25.639 you, 00:25:26.639 --> 00:25:26.919 unless 00:25:26.919 --> 00:25:27.099 one 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:27.240 is 00:25:27.240 --> 00:25:27.460 born 00:25:27.460 --> 00:25:27.619 of 00:25:27.619 --> 00:25:28.039 water 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.740 and 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.519 the 00:25:29.519 --> 00:25:30.019 spirit, 00:25:30.339 --> 00:25:30.799 he 00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:31.079 cannot 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.480 enter 00:25:31.480 --> 00:25:32.319 the 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.539 kingdom 00:25:32.539 --> 00:25:32.720 of 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.059 God. 00:25:33.980 --> 00:25:34.299 That 00:25:34.299 --> 00:25:34.419 which 00:25:34.419 --> 00:25:34.519 is 00:25:34.519 --> 00:25:34.759 born 00:25:34.759 --> 00:25:34.899 of 00:25:34.899 --> 00:25:35.019 the 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.259 flesh 00:25:35.259 --> 00:25:35.259 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:35.419 is 00:25:35.419 --> 00:25:35.779 flesh! 00:25:36.480 --> 00:25:36.539 And 00:25:36.539 --> 00:25:36.659 that 00:25:36.659 --> 00:25:36.779 which 00:25:36.779 --> 00:25:36.899 is 00:25:36.899 --> 00:25:37.199 born 00:25:37.199 --> 00:25:37.599 of 00:25:37.599 --> 00:25:37.759 the 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.200 spirit 00:25:38.200 --> 00:25:39.079 is 00:25:39.079 --> 00:25:39.519 spirit. 00:25:40.339 --> 00:25:40.759 Do not 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.299 marvel 00:25:41.299 --> 00:25:41.660 that I 00:25:41.660 --> 00:25:41.900 said 00:25:41.900 --> 00:25:42.059 to 00:25:42.059 --> 00:25:42.299 you, 00:25:42.680 --> 00:25:42.920 you 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.379 must 00:25:43.379 --> 00:25:44.079 be 00:25:44.079 --> 00:25:44.420 born 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:45.599 again. 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.000 So, 00:25:47.819 --> 00:25:48.839 tying in 00:25:48.839 --> 00:25:49.960 that we, 00:25:50.099 --> 00:25:50.619 and Paul's 00:25:50.619 --> 00:25:51.180 going to pick this up 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:51.680 pretty heavily 00:25:51.680 --> 00:25:52.259 in chapter 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:52.779 8, 00:25:53.339 --> 00:25:54.119 we're given 00:25:54.119 --> 00:25:55.500 the spirit. 00:25:55.599 --> 00:25:55.920 This is how we 00:25:55.920 --> 00:25:56.480 become 00:25:56.480 --> 00:25:57.099 regenerate. 00:25:57.140 --> 00:25:57.640 This is how we're 00:25:57.640 --> 00:25:58.200 baptized 00:25:58.200 --> 00:25:59.099 into 00:25:59.099 --> 00:25:59.859 Christ, 00:25:59.920 --> 00:26:00.279 is that we 00:26:00.279 --> 00:26:00.980 are given 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:02.460 the spirit 00:26:02.460 --> 00:26:03.819 who makes 00:26:03.819 --> 00:26:04.340 us new, 00:26:04.700 --> 00:26:05.460 causes us 00:26:05.460 --> 00:26:06.380 to believe, 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.460 we're justified 00:26:07.460 --> 00:26:08.220 before God, 00:26:08.279 --> 00:26:08.860 and then 00:26:08.860 --> 00:26:09.559 we begin 00:26:09.559 --> 00:26:10.319 to walk 00:26:10.319 --> 00:26:10.660 in his 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.220 ways by 00:26:11.220 --> 00:26:11.819 the power 00:26:11.819 --> 00:26:12.480 of that 00:26:12.480 --> 00:26:13.079 same 00:26:13.079 --> 00:26:14.740 spirit. 00:26:15.660 --> 00:26:16.400 If we 00:26:16.400 --> 00:26:16.880 have been 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.600 united 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.279 with Christ 00:26:18.279 --> 00:26:18.740 in a 00:26:18.740 --> 00:26:19.220 death like 00:26:19.220 --> 00:26:19.519 his, 00:26:19.579 --> 00:26:20.100 we shall 00:26:20.100 --> 00:26:20.519 certainly 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:20.920 be united 00:26:20.920 --> 00:26:21.240 with him 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:21.840 in a 00:26:21.840 --> 00:26:22.539 resurrection 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.519 like 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.019 his. 00:26:24.019 --> 00:26:24.480 The old 00:26:24.480 --> 00:26:24.840 self 00:26:24.840 --> 00:26:25.480 put away, 00:26:25.660 --> 00:26:26.100 the new 00:26:26.100 --> 00:26:26.519 self 00:26:26.519 --> 00:26:27.200 put 00:26:27.200 --> 00:26:28.700 on. 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:30.779 Third, 00:26:30.900 --> 00:26:31.299 Paul says, 00:26:31.380 --> 00:26:31.860 by grace 00:26:31.860 --> 00:26:32.240 alone, 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:32.859 through faith 00:26:32.859 --> 00:26:33.220 alone, 00:26:33.339 --> 00:26:33.579 we have 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:33.839 been 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.480 set 00:26:34.480 --> 00:26:35.400 free 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:36.480 from 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:36.819 sin. 00:26:37.539 --> 00:26:38.339 Verse 6 00:26:38.339 --> 00:26:38.779 and 7, 00:26:39.079 --> 00:26:39.420 he says, 00:26:39.500 --> 00:26:39.779 we know 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.059 that our 00:26:40.059 --> 00:26:40.660 old self 00:26:40.660 --> 00:26:41.259 was crucified 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.920 with him 00:26:41.920 --> 00:26:42.700 in order 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:43.079 that the 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.519 body 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.120 of 00:26:44.120 --> 00:26:44.839 sin, 00:26:45.440 --> 00:26:46.200 that old 00:26:46.200 --> 00:26:46.640 self, 00:26:47.200 --> 00:26:47.680 might be 00:26:47.680 --> 00:26:48.000 brought 00:26:48.000 --> 00:26:48.700 to nothing 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.460 so that 00:26:49.460 --> 00:26:49.700 we would 00:26:49.700 --> 00:26:50.519 no longer 00:26:50.519 --> 00:26:50.900 be 00:26:50.900 --> 00:26:51.859 enslaved 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.980 to sin. 00:26:53.579 --> 00:26:54.099 For one 00:26:54.099 --> 00:26:54.359 who has 00:26:54.359 --> 00:26:54.779 died 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.680 has been 00:26:55.680 --> 00:26:56.079 set 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.620 free 00:26:56.620 --> 00:26:57.700 from 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.000 sin. 00:26:58.799 --> 00:26:59.620 This is 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:00.819 so 00:27:00.819 --> 00:27:01.359 important 00:27:01.359 --> 00:27:02.439 please 00:27:02.439 --> 00:27:02.919 note it 00:27:02.919 --> 00:27:03.659 carefully. 00:27:04.939 --> 00:27:05.199 If you 00:27:05.199 --> 00:27:05.500 are in 00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.879 Christ, 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:06.459 then you 00:27:06.459 --> 00:27:07.299 have been 00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:07.799 set 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.359 free 00:27:08.359 --> 00:27:09.139 from 00:27:09.139 --> 00:27:10.319 sin. 00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.000 Sin 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.859 no longer 00:27:12.859 --> 00:27:13.799 has power 00:27:13.799 --> 00:27:15.399 over you. 00:27:16.659 --> 00:27:17.179 Beloved, 00:27:17.240 --> 00:27:17.839 we do not 00:27:17.839 --> 00:27:18.479 cope 00:27:18.479 --> 00:27:19.219 with our 00:27:19.219 --> 00:27:19.519 sin. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:20.779 We, 00:27:20.919 --> 00:27:21.099 by the 00:27:21.099 --> 00:27:21.399 power of 00:27:21.399 --> 00:27:21.819 the Spirit, 00:27:22.699 --> 00:27:23.039 overcome 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:23.399 it. 00:27:23.799 --> 00:27:24.259 We're not 00:27:24.259 --> 00:27:24.759 copers, 00:27:24.979 --> 00:27:25.199 we're 00:27:25.199 --> 00:27:26.559 overcomers. 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:27.559 sin 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:28.359 nowhere in 00:27:28.359 --> 00:27:28.740 the Bible 00:27:28.740 --> 00:27:29.359 is sin 00:27:29.359 --> 00:27:30.359 justified 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:32.059 due to 00:27:32.059 --> 00:27:32.720 a circumstance. 00:27:33.919 --> 00:27:34.079 Your 00:27:34.079 --> 00:27:34.759 circumstances 00:27:34.759 --> 00:27:36.279 may provide 00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:36.960 temptation, 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:38.159 but your 00:27:38.159 --> 00:27:38.799 circumstances 00:27:38.799 --> 00:27:39.779 do not 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:40.519 justify 00:27:40.519 --> 00:27:42.139 your sin. 00:27:42.940 --> 00:27:43.579 If you 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:43.879 are in 00:27:43.879 --> 00:27:44.259 Christ, 00:27:44.359 --> 00:27:44.659 you have 00:27:44.659 --> 00:27:45.419 been set 00:27:45.419 --> 00:27:46.139 free 00:27:46.139 --> 00:27:47.559 from it, 00:27:47.659 --> 00:27:47.940 and we 00:27:47.940 --> 00:27:48.279 would do 00:27:48.279 --> 00:27:48.659 well as 00:27:48.659 --> 00:27:48.980 a people 00:27:48.980 --> 00:27:49.779 to live 00:27:49.779 --> 00:27:50.460 in the 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:50.980 reality 00:27:50.980 --> 00:27:51.960 of this 00:27:51.960 --> 00:27:52.399 truth. 00:27:52.400 --> 00:27:54.340 Paul tells 00:27:54.340 --> 00:27:54.620 us in 00:27:54.620 --> 00:27:55.220 1 Corinthians 00:27:55.220 --> 00:27:56.060 chapter 10 00:27:56.060 --> 00:27:56.680 and verse 00:27:56.680 --> 00:27:57.940 13. 00:27:58.780 --> 00:27:59.300 It begins, 00:27:59.440 --> 00:28:00.180 no temptation 00:28:00.180 --> 00:28:01.019 has overtaken 00:28:01.019 --> 00:28:02.180 you that 00:28:02.180 --> 00:28:02.640 is not 00:28:02.640 --> 00:28:03.380 common 00:28:03.380 --> 00:28:04.860 to man. 00:28:06.120 --> 00:28:06.280 And 00:28:06.280 --> 00:28:07.600 across my 00:28:07.600 --> 00:28:08.000 years of 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.320 ministry, 00:28:08.440 --> 00:28:08.759 I've sat 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.160 with many 00:28:09.160 --> 00:28:10.200 people who 00:28:10.200 --> 00:28:10.960 act as if 00:28:10.960 --> 00:28:11.180 they're 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:11.740 experiencing 00:28:11.740 --> 00:28:12.560 a unique 00:28:12.560 --> 00:28:13.140 temptation, 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:13.800 a temptation 00:28:13.800 --> 00:28:14.300 that they 00:28:14.300 --> 00:28:15.320 must give 00:28:15.320 --> 00:28:15.900 into because 00:28:15.900 --> 00:28:16.700 it's unique, 00:28:16.780 --> 00:28:17.100 and this is 00:28:17.100 --> 00:28:17.580 the text we 00:28:17.580 --> 00:28:17.940 go to. 00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.380 No temptation 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:19.960 has overtaken 00:28:19.960 --> 00:28:20.700 you that 00:28:20.700 --> 00:28:21.000 is not 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:21.720 common 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:22.900 to man. 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.620 We as 00:28:24.620 --> 00:28:25.259 Christ followers 00:28:25.259 --> 00:28:26.660 deal with 00:28:26.660 --> 00:28:27.559 temptation. 00:28:28.960 --> 00:28:29.640 Paul goes 00:28:29.640 --> 00:28:29.940 on, 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:32.039 God is 00:28:32.039 --> 00:28:32.420 faithful, 00:28:33.019 --> 00:28:33.819 and he 00:28:33.819 --> 00:28:34.140 will not 00:28:34.140 --> 00:28:34.420 let you 00:28:34.420 --> 00:28:34.799 be tempted 00:28:34.799 --> 00:28:35.319 beyond your 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:35.740 ability, 00:28:36.240 --> 00:28:36.819 but with 00:28:36.819 --> 00:28:37.420 the temptation 00:28:37.420 --> 00:28:37.799 he will 00:28:37.799 --> 00:28:38.740 also provide 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:39.660 the way 00:28:39.660 --> 00:28:40.220 of escape 00:28:40.220 --> 00:28:41.180 that you 00:28:41.180 --> 00:28:41.799 may be 00:28:41.799 --> 00:28:43.160 able to 00:28:43.160 --> 00:28:43.700 endure it. 00:28:44.519 --> 00:28:45.460 God is 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.000 faithful in 00:28:46.000 --> 00:28:46.339 the midst 00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:46.620 of our 00:28:46.620 --> 00:28:47.120 temptation 00:28:47.120 --> 00:28:48.039 to provide 00:28:48.039 --> 00:28:48.920 everything 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:49.420 that we 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:49.920 need 00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:50.720 to not 00:28:50.720 --> 00:28:50.980 sin. 00:28:51.079 --> 00:28:51.680 We have 00:28:51.680 --> 00:28:52.100 been 00:28:52.100 --> 00:28:52.560 set 00:28:52.560 --> 00:28:53.120 free 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:54.500 from it. 00:28:55.500 --> 00:28:56.039 Will we 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.380 sin? 00:28:56.940 --> 00:28:57.460 Yes. 00:28:58.220 --> 00:28:58.960 But we 00:28:58.960 --> 00:28:59.259 need to 00:28:59.259 --> 00:28:59.740 stop acting 00:28:59.740 --> 00:29:00.120 like we 00:29:00.120 --> 00:29:00.620 have to. 00:29:02.120 --> 00:29:02.560 Fourth, 00:29:04.279 --> 00:29:04.960 Paul says, 00:29:05.100 --> 00:29:05.539 by grace 00:29:05.539 --> 00:29:05.920 alone, 00:29:06.000 --> 00:29:06.539 through faith 00:29:06.539 --> 00:29:06.900 alone, 00:29:07.180 --> 00:29:07.940 Christ's 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:08.580 death was 00:29:08.580 --> 00:29:09.160 sufficient 00:29:09.160 --> 00:29:10.140 to set 00:29:10.140 --> 00:29:10.840 us free 00:29:10.840 --> 00:29:12.160 from sin. 00:29:12.799 --> 00:29:13.160 This is 00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:13.720 verse 8 00:29:13.720 --> 00:29:14.759 to the end 00:29:14.759 --> 00:29:15.200 of our 00:29:15.200 --> 00:29:15.560 text. 00:29:16.460 --> 00:29:16.820 Now, 00:29:16.900 --> 00:29:17.060 if we 00:29:17.060 --> 00:29:17.460 have died 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:17.900 with Christ, 00:29:17.940 --> 00:29:18.360 we believe 00:29:18.360 --> 00:29:18.560 that we 00:29:18.560 --> 00:29:19.000 will also 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.860 live with 00:29:19.859 --> 00:29:20.059 him. 00:29:20.479 --> 00:29:20.740 We 00:29:20.740 --> 00:29:21.099 know that 00:29:21.099 --> 00:29:21.539 Christ, 00:29:21.659 --> 00:29:22.339 being raised 00:29:22.339 --> 00:29:22.599 from the 00:29:22.599 --> 00:29:22.740 dead, 00:29:22.799 --> 00:29:23.240 will never 00:29:23.240 --> 00:29:24.119 die again. 00:29:24.439 --> 00:29:24.719 Death 00:29:24.719 --> 00:29:25.339 no longer 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.399 has dominion 00:29:26.399 --> 00:29:27.599 over him. 00:29:28.379 --> 00:29:28.799 For the 00:29:28.799 --> 00:29:29.179 death he 00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.519 died, 00:29:29.599 --> 00:29:29.959 he died 00:29:29.959 --> 00:29:30.479 to sin 00:29:30.479 --> 00:29:31.379 once for 00:29:31.379 --> 00:29:31.759 all, 00:29:31.939 --> 00:29:32.399 but the 00:29:32.399 --> 00:29:32.899 life he 00:29:32.899 --> 00:29:33.339 lives, 00:29:33.679 --> 00:29:34.219 he lives 00:29:34.219 --> 00:29:35.500 to God. 00:29:36.559 --> 00:29:36.919 Christ 00:29:36.919 --> 00:29:38.159 will not 00:29:38.159 --> 00:29:38.979 die again, 00:29:39.159 --> 00:29:40.099 for he 00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:41.219 has no 00:29:41.219 --> 00:29:42.119 need 00:29:42.119 --> 00:29:43.279 to do 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.599 so. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:45.019 his 00:29:45.019 --> 00:29:45.679 once for 00:29:45.679 --> 00:29:45.859 all 00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.500 sacrifice 00:29:46.500 --> 00:29:46.859 was 00:29:46.859 --> 00:29:47.559 entirely 00:29:47.559 --> 00:29:48.559 sufficient 00:29:48.559 --> 00:29:49.379 to set 00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:49.839 us free 00:29:49.839 --> 00:29:51.199 from sin. 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.439 It 00:29:51.439 --> 00:29:52.279 accomplished 00:29:52.279 --> 00:29:53.740 the work. 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:54.719 It's a 00:29:54.719 --> 00:29:55.339 completed 00:29:55.339 --> 00:29:56.339 work 00:29:56.339 --> 00:29:57.379 on our 00:29:57.379 --> 00:29:58.339 behalf. 00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:00.099 I think 00:30:00.099 --> 00:30:00.500 we could 00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.019 meditate 00:30:01.019 --> 00:30:02.619 for decades 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.639 on Jesus' 00:30:03.859 --> 00:30:04.500 final word, 00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:05.679 it is 00:30:05.679 --> 00:30:06.759 finished. 00:30:07.639 --> 00:30:08.379 What is 00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:08.839 the it 00:30:08.839 --> 00:30:09.299 that he 00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:09.699 is talking 00:30:09.699 --> 00:30:10.240 about there? 00:30:10.359 --> 00:30:10.699 It's 00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:11.779 at very 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:12.219 least 00:30:12.219 --> 00:30:12.859 this. 00:30:12.859 --> 00:30:14.219 We 00:30:14.219 --> 00:30:14.959 have 00:30:14.959 --> 00:30:15.359 been 00:30:15.359 --> 00:30:15.879 set 00:30:15.879 --> 00:30:16.500 free 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:16.899 from 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:17.279 sin 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.939 if we 00:30:17.939 --> 00:30:18.059 have 00:30:18.059 --> 00:30:18.639 believed 00:30:18.639 --> 00:30:19.740 in 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.099 Christ. 00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:22.479 So let's 00:30:22.479 --> 00:30:22.879 think about 00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.319 some 00:30:23.319 --> 00:30:24.179 application. 00:30:25.779 --> 00:30:26.179 One, 00:30:27.419 --> 00:30:27.679 repent 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:29.119 and believe. 00:30:30.179 --> 00:30:30.799 If you 00:30:30.799 --> 00:30:31.119 have never 00:30:31.119 --> 00:30:31.779 placed your 00:30:31.779 --> 00:30:32.259 faith in 00:30:32.259 --> 00:30:32.779 Christ for 00:30:32.779 --> 00:30:32.939 your 00:30:32.939 --> 00:30:33.539 justification, 00:30:34.599 --> 00:30:35.279 your soul 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:35.959 is in a 00:30:35.959 --> 00:30:36.399 desperate 00:30:36.399 --> 00:30:37.319 state, 00:30:38.319 --> 00:30:38.779 turn from 00:30:38.779 --> 00:30:39.259 your sin 00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:39.899 and flee 00:30:39.899 --> 00:30:40.699 by grace 00:30:40.699 --> 00:30:41.959 through faith 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.240 to Christ. 00:30:43.960 --> 00:30:44.720 Recognize 00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.420 your 00:30:45.420 --> 00:30:45.980 wickedness 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:46.440 before 00:30:46.440 --> 00:30:47.059 the holy 00:30:47.059 --> 00:30:47.460 God. 00:30:48.160 --> 00:30:48.480 Turn 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.059 from that 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:50.079 and flee 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:50.880 to Christ, 00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:51.880 his sufficient 00:30:51.880 --> 00:30:53.480 work on 00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.100 your behalf. 00:30:55.079 --> 00:30:55.640 If you 00:30:55.640 --> 00:30:56.100 have already 00:30:56.100 --> 00:30:56.779 done so, 00:30:57.600 --> 00:30:58.100 when you 00:30:58.100 --> 00:30:58.519 sin, 00:30:59.319 --> 00:31:00.019 turn from 00:31:00.019 --> 00:31:01.000 it and 00:31:01.000 --> 00:31:01.720 flee by 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.160 grace 00:31:02.160 --> 00:31:03.279 through faith 00:31:03.279 --> 00:31:04.779 to Christ. 00:31:05.980 --> 00:31:06.319 Beloved, 00:31:06.380 --> 00:31:07.200 it is good 00:31:07.200 --> 00:31:07.640 that we 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:08.440 take our 00:31:08.440 --> 00:31:08.819 sin 00:31:08.819 --> 00:31:10.000 seriously. 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.340 I think 00:31:11.340 --> 00:31:12.140 we should 00:31:12.140 --> 00:31:12.740 feel it 00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:12.940 and I 00:31:12.940 --> 00:31:13.160 think we 00:31:13.160 --> 00:31:13.519 should feel 00:31:13.519 --> 00:31:14.180 it deeply 00:31:14.180 --> 00:31:15.460 when we 00:31:15.460 --> 00:31:16.420 sin against 00:31:16.420 --> 00:31:17.559 our God. 00:31:18.480 --> 00:31:19.140 Some have 00:31:19.140 --> 00:31:19.580 asked me, 00:31:19.700 --> 00:31:20.299 how long 00:31:20.299 --> 00:31:20.680 should I 00:31:20.680 --> 00:31:21.319 feel that 00:31:21.319 --> 00:31:21.559 way? 00:31:21.640 --> 00:31:21.900 And my 00:31:21.900 --> 00:31:22.480 answer is 00:31:22.480 --> 00:31:23.080 always, 00:31:23.720 --> 00:31:24.860 only as long 00:31:24.860 --> 00:31:25.420 as it takes 00:31:25.420 --> 00:31:26.160 for you to 00:31:26.160 --> 00:31:26.620 repent 00:31:26.620 --> 00:31:27.980 and believe. 00:31:28.980 --> 00:31:29.460 Recognize 00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:29.759 the weight 00:31:29.759 --> 00:31:30.299 of your sin 00:31:30.299 --> 00:31:30.880 and turn 00:31:30.880 --> 00:31:31.460 from it. 00:31:31.640 --> 00:31:31.920 Run 00:31:31.920 --> 00:31:32.840 to the 00:31:32.840 --> 00:31:33.120 finished 00:31:33.120 --> 00:31:33.559 work 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:34.420 of the 00:31:34.420 --> 00:31:34.799 cross. 00:31:34.799 --> 00:31:36.379 So repent 00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.440 and believe. 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:39.639 Second 00:31:39.639 --> 00:31:40.159 application, 00:31:41.859 --> 00:31:42.839 stop whining. 00:31:44.759 --> 00:31:45.559 Do not 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.319 act like 00:31:46.319 --> 00:31:46.839 you are a 00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:48.099 victim of 00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:48.559 your sin. 00:31:49.419 --> 00:31:50.399 You may 00:31:50.399 --> 00:31:50.960 be a victim 00:31:50.960 --> 00:31:51.440 of another 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.759 sin. 00:31:51.899 --> 00:31:52.119 I don't 00:31:52.119 --> 00:31:52.500 mean to 00:31:52.500 --> 00:31:53.220 say that 00:31:53.220 --> 00:31:53.799 you are 00:31:53.799 --> 00:31:54.039 not. 00:31:54.119 --> 00:31:54.440 We are 00:31:54.440 --> 00:31:55.159 sinned 00:31:55.159 --> 00:31:55.740 against, 00:31:55.919 --> 00:31:56.319 to be 00:31:56.319 --> 00:31:57.000 sure. 00:31:57.839 --> 00:31:58.339 But you 00:31:58.339 --> 00:31:59.119 are never 00:31:59.119 --> 00:31:59.859 a victim 00:31:59.859 --> 00:32:00.599 of your 00:32:00.599 --> 00:32:01.339 own. 00:32:02.379 --> 00:32:02.579 You 00:32:02.579 --> 00:32:02.980 willingly 00:32:02.980 --> 00:32:03.700 sin. 00:32:03.779 --> 00:32:04.099 When you 00:32:04.099 --> 00:32:04.379 sin, 00:32:04.380 --> 00:32:05.020 you willingly 00:32:05.020 --> 00:32:05.800 do it. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.220 If you 00:32:07.220 --> 00:32:07.540 are in 00:32:07.540 --> 00:32:07.980 Christ, 00:32:08.220 --> 00:32:08.540 you have 00:32:08.540 --> 00:32:09.200 been set 00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:09.680 free 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.920 from your 00:32:10.920 --> 00:32:11.200 sin. 00:32:12.320 --> 00:32:12.940 When you 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:13.320 sin, 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:14.400 do not 00:32:14.400 --> 00:32:14.820 act as 00:32:14.820 --> 00:32:15.500 though Christ's 00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:15.740 death 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:16.120 didn't 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:16.740 atone 00:32:16.740 --> 00:32:17.720 for that 00:32:17.720 --> 00:32:18.900 sin. 00:32:20.080 --> 00:32:20.660 Some of 00:32:20.660 --> 00:32:21.020 you act 00:32:21.020 --> 00:32:21.260 as though 00:32:21.260 --> 00:32:21.720 Christ's 00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:22.180 work wasn't 00:32:22.180 --> 00:32:22.920 sufficient and 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:23.240 that he 00:32:23.240 --> 00:32:23.700 needs to 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.680 climb back 00:32:24.680 --> 00:32:26.020 onto the 00:32:26.020 --> 00:32:26.360 cross. 00:32:27.320 --> 00:32:27.540 He 00:32:27.540 --> 00:32:27.700 couldn't 00:32:27.700 --> 00:32:27.800 have 00:32:27.800 --> 00:32:28.080 possibly 00:32:28.080 --> 00:32:28.500 paid for 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.160 this one. 00:32:29.260 --> 00:32:29.380 He 00:32:29.380 --> 00:32:30.200 must come 00:32:30.200 --> 00:32:31.200 back and 00:32:31.200 --> 00:32:32.460 die again. 00:32:32.460 --> 00:32:34.079 remember 00:32:34.079 --> 00:32:34.240 the 00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:34.660 completed 00:32:34.660 --> 00:32:35.120 work 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:35.500 of 00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:35.860 Christ 00:32:35.860 --> 00:32:36.559 on your 00:32:36.559 --> 00:32:36.900 behalf, 00:32:37.000 --> 00:32:37.120 the 00:32:37.120 --> 00:32:38.400 once-for-all 00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:39.620 sacrifice 00:32:39.620 --> 00:32:40.380 that he 00:32:40.380 --> 00:32:40.860 has made. 00:32:41.740 --> 00:32:42.279 Remember 00:32:42.279 --> 00:32:42.779 what he 00:32:42.779 --> 00:32:43.360 started 00:32:43.360 --> 00:32:44.019 and that 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.340 he is 00:32:44.340 --> 00:32:44.740 sure 00:32:44.740 --> 00:32:45.900 to keep 00:32:45.900 --> 00:32:46.600 his 00:32:46.600 --> 00:32:47.079 promises. 00:32:48.640 --> 00:32:48.920 Have 00:32:48.920 --> 00:32:49.079 the 00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:49.660 confidence 00:32:49.660 --> 00:32:50.819 that I 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:51.340 have 00:32:51.340 --> 00:32:52.160 of God 00:32:52.160 --> 00:32:52.779 for you. 00:32:53.340 --> 00:32:53.700 I hope 00:32:53.700 --> 00:32:54.100 you have 00:32:54.100 --> 00:32:54.440 it of 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:54.880 yourself 00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.519 that Paul 00:32:55.519 --> 00:32:56.480 states in 00:32:56.480 --> 00:32:56.920 Philippians 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.680 chapter 1 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.539 and verse 6 00:32:58.539 --> 00:32:58.880 where he 00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.140 says, 00:32:59.140 --> 00:32:59.460 I am 00:32:59.460 --> 00:32:59.880 sure 00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.640 of 00:33:00.640 --> 00:33:01.140 this, 00:33:01.900 --> 00:33:02.440 that he 00:33:02.440 --> 00:33:02.600 who 00:33:02.600 --> 00:33:03.060 began a 00:33:03.060 --> 00:33:03.200 good 00:33:03.200 --> 00:33:03.440 work 00:33:03.440 --> 00:33:03.580 in 00:33:03.580 --> 00:33:03.840 you 00:33:03.840 --> 00:33:04.240 will 00:33:04.240 --> 00:33:04.460 bring 00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:04.640 it 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:04.920 to 00:33:04.920 --> 00:33:05.400 completion 00:33:05.400 --> 00:33:06.080 at 00:33:06.080 --> 00:33:06.200 the 00:33:06.200 --> 00:33:06.520 day 00:33:06.520 --> 00:33:07.460 of 00:33:07.460 --> 00:33:07.680 Jesus 00:33:07.680 --> 00:33:08.160 Christ. 00:33:08.580 --> 00:33:09.000 He 00:33:09.000 --> 00:33:09.460 will 00:33:09.460 --> 00:33:09.940 bring 00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:10.180 us 00:33:10.180 --> 00:33:10.480 to 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:10.800 that 00:33:10.800 --> 00:33:11.320 place 00:33:11.320 --> 00:33:12.140 where 00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.240 we 00:33:12.240 --> 00:33:12.360 get 00:33:12.360 --> 00:33:12.500 to 00:33:12.500 --> 00:33:12.640 put 00:33:12.640 --> 00:33:12.920 off 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.500 the 00:33:13.500 --> 00:33:13.740 body 00:33:13.740 --> 00:33:13.920 of 00:33:13.920 --> 00:33:14.240 death 00:33:14.240 --> 00:33:14.940 and 00:33:14.940 --> 00:33:15.140 never 00:33:15.140 --> 00:33:15.380 have 00:33:15.380 --> 00:33:15.780 the 00:33:15.780 --> 00:33:16.259 baggage 00:33:16.259 --> 00:33:16.480 of 00:33:16.480 --> 00:33:16.620 our 00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:17.020 flesh 00:33:17.020 --> 00:33:17.420 any 00:33:17.420 --> 00:33:17.759 longer 00:33:17.759 --> 00:33:18.820 with 00:33:18.820 --> 00:33:19.180 us. 00:33:19.960 --> 00:33:20.020 So 00:33:20.020 --> 00:33:20.259 repent 00:33:20.259 --> 00:33:20.400 and 00:33:20.400 --> 00:33:20.740 believe, 00:33:21.400 --> 00:33:21.920 stop 00:33:21.920 --> 00:33:22.440 whining, 00:33:23.759 --> 00:33:24.259 third, 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:25.740 run. 00:33:27.380 --> 00:33:27.940 Press 00:33:27.940 --> 00:33:28.180 on, 00:33:28.280 --> 00:33:28.520 beloved, 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.280 make 00:33:30.280 --> 00:33:31.100 war 00:33:31.100 --> 00:33:31.820 against 00:33:31.820 --> 00:33:32.020 your 00:33:32.020 --> 00:33:32.460 flesh. 00:33:33.700 --> 00:33:33.880 You 00:33:33.880 --> 00:33:34.040 should 00:33:34.040 --> 00:33:34.400 be 00:33:34.400 --> 00:33:35.140 greatly 00:33:35.140 --> 00:33:35.840 encouraged 00:33:35.840 --> 00:33:36.220 to do 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:36.480 so 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:36.680 by 00:33:36.680 --> 00:33:37.120 Romans 00:33:37.120 --> 00:33:37.960 6 00:33:37.960 --> 00:33:38.420 verses 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:38.960 1 00:33:38.960 --> 00:33:40.140 through 00:33:40.140 --> 00:33:40.520 10. 00:33:41.740 --> 00:33:42.180 Having 00:33:42.180 --> 00:33:42.880 been set 00:33:42.880 --> 00:33:43.240 free 00:33:43.240 --> 00:33:43.880 from it, 00:33:44.300 --> 00:33:44.820 we have 00:33:44.820 --> 00:33:45.560 all the 00:33:45.560 --> 00:33:45.900 reason 00:33:45.900 --> 00:33:46.360 in the 00:33:46.360 --> 00:33:46.840 world 00:33:46.840 --> 00:33:47.860 to run 00:33:47.860 --> 00:33:48.620 towards 00:33:48.620 --> 00:33:48.800 the 00:33:48.800 --> 00:33:49.259 ways 00:33:49.259 --> 00:33:50.040 of 00:33:50.040 --> 00:33:50.340 God. 00:33:51.580 --> 00:33:52.120 Paul 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:52.440 says in 00:33:52.440 --> 00:33:52.880 Philippians 00:33:52.880 --> 00:33:53.820 chapter 3 00:33:53.820 --> 00:33:54.200 beginning 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.440 in 00:33:54.440 --> 00:33:55.360 verse 12, 00:33:56.180 --> 00:33:56.540 not that I 00:33:56.540 --> 00:33:56.860 have already 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.380 obtained 00:33:57.380 --> 00:33:57.880 this, 00:33:58.040 --> 00:33:58.220 he's 00:33:58.220 --> 00:33:58.400 talking 00:33:58.400 --> 00:33:58.759 about the 00:33:58.759 --> 00:33:59.240 final 00:33:59.240 --> 00:33:59.800 resurrection 00:33:59.800 --> 00:34:00.259 from the 00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:00.540 dead, 00:34:00.540 --> 00:34:01.480 or am 00:34:01.480 --> 00:34:01.940 already 00:34:01.940 --> 00:34:02.500 perfect, 00:34:03.180 --> 00:34:03.640 but I 00:34:03.640 --> 00:34:04.160 press 00:34:04.160 --> 00:34:05.040 on to 00:34:05.040 --> 00:34:05.500 make it 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.320 my own. 00:34:06.519 --> 00:34:07.280 I press, 00:34:07.500 --> 00:34:08.380 I press 00:34:08.380 --> 00:34:09.079 toward holiness, 00:34:09.700 --> 00:34:09.960 right? 00:34:10.440 --> 00:34:10.860 Why? 00:34:11.240 --> 00:34:11.780 Because 00:34:11.780 --> 00:34:12.680 Christ Jesus 00:34:12.680 --> 00:34:13.800 has made 00:34:13.800 --> 00:34:14.119 me 00:34:14.119 --> 00:34:15.300 his own. 00:34:16.460 --> 00:34:16.720 Brothers, 00:34:16.780 --> 00:34:17.160 I do not 00:34:17.160 --> 00:34:17.920 consider that 00:34:17.920 --> 00:34:18.400 I have 00:34:18.400 --> 00:34:18.680 made it 00:34:18.680 --> 00:34:19.220 my own, 00:34:19.860 --> 00:34:20.559 but one 00:34:20.559 --> 00:34:20.980 thing I 00:34:20.980 --> 00:34:21.340 do, 00:34:22.220 --> 00:34:22.760 forgetting 00:34:22.760 --> 00:34:23.300 what lies 00:34:23.300 --> 00:34:24.000 behind and 00:34:24.000 --> 00:34:24.800 straining 00:34:24.800 --> 00:34:25.840 forward to 00:34:25.840 --> 00:34:26.440 what lies 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:26.960 ahead, 00:34:27.460 --> 00:34:28.039 I press 00:34:28.039 --> 00:34:28.720 on toward 00:34:28.720 --> 00:34:29.180 the goal 00:34:29.180 --> 00:34:29.460 for the 00:34:29.460 --> 00:34:30.680 prize of 00:34:30.680 --> 00:34:31.059 the upward 00:34:31.059 --> 00:34:31.660 call of 00:34:31.660 --> 00:34:32.860 God in 00:34:32.860 --> 00:34:34.220 Christ Jesus. 00:34:34.980 --> 00:34:35.579 Run, 00:34:36.200 --> 00:34:37.120 press on in 00:34:37.120 --> 00:34:38.000 holiness for 00:34:38.000 --> 00:34:39.360 your good 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:40.360 and for the 00:34:40.360 --> 00:34:41.680 glory of 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.180 our God. 00:34:42.660 --> 00:34:43.280 You have 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.680 been, 00:34:44.120 --> 00:34:44.720 if you're in 00:34:44.720 --> 00:34:45.160 Christ, 00:34:45.260 --> 00:34:45.559 if you've been 00:34:45.559 --> 00:34:46.200 baptized into 00:34:46.200 --> 00:34:46.400 him, 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:46.960 you have 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:48.420 been set 00:34:48.420 --> 00:34:49.559 free from 00:34:49.559 --> 00:34:50.059 the power 00:34:50.059 --> 00:34:51.579 of sin. 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:53.759 John Owen 00:34:53.759 --> 00:34:54.259 once said 00:34:54.259 --> 00:34:54.920 in closing, 00:34:55.940 --> 00:34:56.480 do you 00:34:56.480 --> 00:34:57.699 mortify? 00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:58.920 Do you 00:34:58.920 --> 00:34:59.299 make it 00:34:59.299 --> 00:34:59.940 your daily 00:34:59.940 --> 00:35:00.420 work? 00:35:01.219 --> 00:35:02.059 Be always 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.619 at it 00:35:02.619 --> 00:35:03.199 whilst you 00:35:03.199 --> 00:35:03.659 live. 00:35:04.019 --> 00:35:04.559 Cease not 00:35:04.559 --> 00:35:05.059 a day 00:35:05.059 --> 00:35:05.579 from this 00:35:05.579 --> 00:35:05.960 work. 00:35:06.799 --> 00:35:07.079 Be 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.759 killing 00:35:07.759 --> 00:35:08.519 sin, 00:35:09.059 --> 00:35:09.599 or it 00:35:09.599 --> 00:35:09.900 will be 00:35:09.900 --> 00:35:10.199 killing 00:35:10.199 --> 00:35:11.139 you. 00:35:11.759 --> 00:35:12.420 Let's pray 00:35:12.420 --> 00:35:12.699 together.