WEBVTT

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 I think I don't fit the image of the person who normally stands at the front of a wedding

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 and I think there's a novelty in that for people.

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 And so I seem to get a lot of phone calls from people saying,

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 can you come and do our wedding because they think that I'll be fun.

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 I don't know that that's actually true, but there's an assumption there

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 that until my hair is entirely grey, and it is getting there,

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 but until it's entirely grey, they just assume that I'll be fun.

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 But it's also one of the most challenging things I do in my job

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 because when it comes to weddings,

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 there are a lot of different people involved

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 with a lot of different ideas about how things should happen.

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 If you've ever been to a wedding rehearsal, perhaps it was your own,

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 perhaps it was that of your child or relative,

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 it's amazing how you can be standing there

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 and the idea that the bride and groom have for how their big day should go

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 is not necessarily the same as the idea that the mother of the bride

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 has about how the day should go

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 or the mother of the groom or the grandparent of the bride.

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 There could be 15 different expectations of what's supposed to happen.

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 And deep down, I know that there's certain things that I have to do

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 to make sure they get married by the end of the day.

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 And so I've got people at the front telling me,

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 be fun, be relaxed.

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 We want it to be really enjoyable.

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 And then I've got the person in the second row telling me,

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 it's a serious occasion.

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 You've got to focus.

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 Don't be so flippant about going through things.

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 And there's all these different people telling me what to do.

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 And so instead of being a joyful occasion,

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 I'm so nervous about offending all these people

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 that I end up just going into my shell

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 and I don't really know what's going on.

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 I'm just staring at the page,

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 getting my words out and signing the bit of paper.

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 Weddings are supposed to be exciting,

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 even for me when I'm standing at the front of it.

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 But when there's so many different expectations,

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 you can become so scared that you're not really sure what to do.

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 And last week, Chris opened up 1 Corinthians 8 for us

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 and encouraged us that the freedom we have in Christ

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 should not be used lovelessly.

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 We shouldn't use it in a way that bears on the conscience

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 of our brothers and sisters.

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 But there's a risk for us when we hear a message like that.

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 The message isn't saying this,

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 but there's a risk that what we suddenly do

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 is instead of feeling free,

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 we feel trapped by the consciences of everyone around us.

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 We were having a conversation in our community group

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 during the week and we're saying,

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 well, what if one person thinks I should do this

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 and then another person thinks I should do this?

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 And they're opposite things.

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 How do I decide?

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 And then you end up living your life not as somebody who's free,

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 but as somebody who's scared and worried

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 about always doing what everybody else wants you to do.

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 And so thankfully, chapter 8 isn't everything

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 that Paul says about our freedom in Jesus.

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 And so in chapter 9, Paul wants to point to his own example

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 of rights that are his that the Corinthians don't have

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 so that we might understand exactly what it looks like

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 to use our freedom the correct way.

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 Because the question that we need to ask is,

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 we're free.

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 Last week, we were encouraged to give up our rights,

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 but sometimes we actually have to stand and claim our freedom.

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 But when do you do which?

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 When do you give up your right to serve your brother?

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 And when do you stand for something that is true

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 because they need to learn this truth?

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 That's the question before us tonight,

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 and so that is where Paul takes us in chapter 9.

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 Paul opens up,

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 am I not free?

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 Am I not an apostle?

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 Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?

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 Paul has special rights because of the job that he does.

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 He's a preacher of God's words.

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 He's the one who planted this community in Corinthians.

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 It doesn't exist if Paul doesn't go there

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 and teach them about Jesus.

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 He's their spiritual father,

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 and so he has a right to get financial support from them.

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 That's not a weird thing.

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 That's normal for people who plant churches

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 or who are religious leaders in this age.

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 And so Paul is entitled to take things from him,

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 take things from the church, but he doesn't.

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 But the reason he doesn't is what's important.

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 He doesn't choose to go without their money

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 because he's worried about what they think.

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 He doesn't choose to go without their money

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 because they're pressuring him

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 that it's a bad idea to take money.

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 In fact, there's a clue in here

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 that some of the people thought he was a dodgy apostle

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 because he wasn't taking money.

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 They are of the attitude that, you know,

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 you get what you pay for,

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 and so if we're not paying for this guy,

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 maybe he's not so impressive after all.

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 But Paul is really committed to denying something

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 that he's entitled to.

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 Why?

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 Not because what they want.

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 There's a principle that's dictating

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 how Paul uses his freedom.

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 There's a grid that he uses to answer that question,

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 when do I hold on to my rights

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 and when do I deny them for the sake of my brother?

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 Paul has a single agenda on display

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 in these chapters here.

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 His freedom is committed to a singular purpose,

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 and it's there in verse 12.

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 Second half.

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 But we do not use this right.

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 On the contrary, we put up with anything

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 rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

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 We put up with anything

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 rather than hinder the gospel of Christ.

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 Notice that that word there, hinder,

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 it's not obstacle, it's not barrier,

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 it's the really general word

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 that includes anything

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 that might even slow down

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 the progress of the gospel.

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 If there's something that Paul could do

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 and still eventually it would work out for good,

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 but it's the long way around,

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 he doesn't want to do that.

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 He's so committed to being effective

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 with the gospel,

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 to being efficient with the gospel,

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 to reaching as many people as possible

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 with the gospel,

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 that he will put up with anything

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 rather than be a hindrance

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 in any way, shape or form.

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 We know that there's no issue

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 with Paul taking money.

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 As a gospel worker.

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 Here he says,

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 it's my entitlement.

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 The other apostles are doing it.

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 He says that Peter is doing it.

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 It's a normal thing.

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 In fact, in the letter to Philippians,

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 which Paul writes to another church

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 he's planted,

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 he spends a bunch of time

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 commending them

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 for how generous they've been

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 and how great it is

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 and how encouraged he is

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 that they're giving money.

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 Money is not the problem.

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 It's not an issue of right or wrong

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 here when it comes to rights.

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 The issue is,

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 it's going to be a hindrance

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 for the gospel.

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 Paul would rather get a second job

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 and work nights

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 to make sure

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 that money doesn't complicate

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 the relationship he has

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 with the Corinthians.

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 He would rather work harder

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 than maybe he has to

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 to ensure that no one

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 that he's preaching to

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 feels like they have

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 some sense of ownership.

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 For the Corinthians,

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 if they were giving money to Paul,

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 it would have been like

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 Paul was their employee.

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 And so there might have been

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 the temptation for them

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 to try and tell him

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 what he should be saying.

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 There might have been

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 the temptation for Paul

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 to not to say the hard words

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 when he needed to say it.

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 And so to make sure

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 that the gospel gets heard,

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 no strings attached,

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 he's willing to take

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 an extra job

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 on top of caring

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 for this group of people

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 and being a missionary

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 and doing all these other things

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 because he wants the gospel

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 to be free of charge.

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 So last week,

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 our freedom is not to be misused.

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 Last week,

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 we need to be careful

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 that we don't cause others to sin

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 with the freedom

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 that we have in Jesus.

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 But this week,

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 Paul is showing us

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 that our freedom has a direction.

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 It has an offensive.

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 It has a purpose

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 that we can be committed to.

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 It's in the positive.

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 And in verse 19,

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 he makes it explicit.

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 Though I am free

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 and belong to no man,

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 I make myself a slave to everyone

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 to win as many as possible.

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 This is the consuming desire for Paul.

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 This is what it means

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 to live for the gospel

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 as the priority.

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 He wants to see people

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 come to know Jesus.

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 And not just a few,

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 he wants as many as possible

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 to know the hope that he has.

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 This trumps every other thing

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 that matters in his life.

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 Every other desire that he has,

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 this comes first.

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 Paul told us in chapter 7

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 that marriage is good,

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 that a wife is good,

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 and yet he chooses not to have one

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 because he believes

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 that he can be more effective

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 for the gospel without one.

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 Chooses to give up something good

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 that he affirms

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 because without a wife,

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 he believes that he can be more effective

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 to see more people saved.

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 His agenda is this above all else,

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 to win as many as possible.

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 The freedom that we have in Jesus

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 has a purpose.

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 It's not a blank check

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 for you to do whatever you want

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 in your life.

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 It is a gift from God

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 that is directed.

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 And so I wonder,

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 when you got up this morning

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 and you were getting dressed,

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 did you ask yourself the question,

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 will these clothes

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 help me win people to Jesus?

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 When you were trying to decide

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 what job you might get,

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 maybe when you're choosing

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 uni courses or school subjects,

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 did you ask the question,

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 will this help me win people to Jesus?

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 When you were deciding

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 who you would date,

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 who you would marry,

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 whether or not you would date,

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 whether or not you would get married,

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 did you ask the question,

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 will this help me win people to Jesus?

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 Now, it might sound like

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 I'm being dramatic or excessive.

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 Surely my clothes aren't that important.

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 But you've got to understand,

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 this is the only question.

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 This is the first question.

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 The only earthly structure

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 that will last for eternity

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 is the church.

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 The only thing that will last

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 beyond this life

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 is the community of God's people.

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 It's Christ's bride.

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 And so it is infinitely more valuable

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 than will I look good in these clothes?

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 It is infinitely more valuable

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 than will I be happy

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 with this girlfriend,

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 boyfriend, husband, wife.

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 It is infinitely more valuable

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 than will this job pay me enough

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 or satisfy me?

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 More important is,

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 will this help me win

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 as many as possible?

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 That is the purpose

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 for which Christ has died and risen.

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 It is the purpose

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 for the freedom that we have.

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 Paul's agenda,

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 personally,

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 and his desire

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 for the church in Corinth,

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 and our desire here at St. Paul's

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 is that we would be driven

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 to live out

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 our freedom like this.

00:10:24.560 --> 00:10:25.700
 That we would be marked

00:10:25.700 --> 00:10:26.820
 as people who care

00:10:26.820 --> 00:10:27.980
 more than anything else,

00:10:28.279 --> 00:10:29.360
 that at the end of our lives

00:10:29.360 --> 00:10:30.560
 we will have been poured out

00:10:30.560 --> 00:10:31.100
 and won

00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:31.980
 as many

00:10:31.980 --> 00:10:32.919
 as possible.

00:10:34.379 --> 00:10:35.279
 This section,

00:10:35.419 --> 00:10:36.759
 chapters 8 and 9 and 10,

00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:38.680
 culminate in chapter 11,

00:10:38.779 --> 00:10:39.220
 verse 1.

00:10:39.259 --> 00:10:40.200
 If you've got your Bible open,

00:10:40.240 --> 00:10:40.899
 have a quick look.

00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:42.259
 It says this.

00:10:42.659 --> 00:10:44.259
 Paul finishes this big rant

00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:45.200
 about the freedom

00:10:45.200 --> 00:10:46.080
 that he has in Jesus

00:10:46.080 --> 00:10:46.779
 when he says,

00:10:46.779 --> 00:10:48.259
 follow my example

00:10:48.259 --> 00:10:50.139
 as I follow the example

00:10:50.139 --> 00:10:50.860
 of Christ.

00:10:51.419 --> 00:10:52.740
 Paul is leading the charge

00:10:52.740 --> 00:10:53.339
 for the Corinthians.

00:10:53.500 --> 00:10:53.759
 He's saying,

00:10:53.879 --> 00:10:54.480
 if you're not sure

00:10:54.480 --> 00:10:55.339
 what this looks like,

00:10:55.459 --> 00:10:56.500
 have a look at my life.

00:10:56.579 --> 00:10:57.199
 Look at what I do.

00:10:57.259 --> 00:10:58.059
 But more than that,

00:10:58.740 --> 00:11:00.019
 this is what Jesus did

00:11:00.019 --> 00:11:00.799
 with his life.

00:11:01.659 --> 00:11:02.539
 It's what Rob was praying

00:11:02.539 --> 00:11:03.339
 just a second ago.

00:11:03.439 --> 00:11:04.299
 Jesus was entitled

00:11:04.299 --> 00:11:05.600
 to so much more

00:11:05.600 --> 00:11:06.559
 than what he experienced

00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:07.939
 in his earthly life.

00:11:08.319 --> 00:11:09.679
 But he made choices

00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:10.319
 to suffer

00:11:10.319 --> 00:11:11.199
 and to sacrifice

00:11:11.199 --> 00:11:12.240
 because his agenda

00:11:12.240 --> 00:11:13.419
 was to give his life

00:11:13.419 --> 00:11:15.019
 so that some people

00:11:15.019 --> 00:11:15.799
 would be saved.

00:11:15.799 --> 00:11:17.959
 He spent time

00:11:17.959 --> 00:11:18.500
 with the people

00:11:18.500 --> 00:11:19.699
 that were controversial,

00:11:19.919 --> 00:11:20.299
 with the people

00:11:20.299 --> 00:11:21.199
 that we might have found

00:11:21.199 --> 00:11:22.199
 it difficult to love

00:11:22.199 --> 00:11:23.620
 because his agenda was

00:11:23.620 --> 00:11:25.240
 to save as many

00:11:25.240 --> 00:11:26.019
 as possible.

00:11:27.179 --> 00:11:28.559
 It's his example

00:11:28.559 --> 00:11:29.179
 that we're called

00:11:29.179 --> 00:11:29.719
 to follow.

00:11:30.639 --> 00:11:31.699
 We have been freed

00:11:31.699 --> 00:11:33.439
 to live like Jesus.

00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:35.819
 Paul is unpacking

00:11:35.819 --> 00:11:36.359
 in this chapter

00:11:36.359 --> 00:11:37.299
 what it looks like

00:11:37.299 --> 00:11:38.939
 to embrace our freedom

00:11:38.939 --> 00:11:40.979
 and to use it

00:11:40.979 --> 00:11:41.659
 the way that God

00:11:41.659 --> 00:11:42.659
 designed for us.

00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:44.259
 So that's the answer

00:11:44.259 --> 00:11:44.819
 to the question

00:11:44.819 --> 00:11:45.579
 we had at the beginning.

00:11:46.779 --> 00:11:48.319
 When do I deny my rights

00:11:48.319 --> 00:11:49.319
 for the sake of my brother

00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:49.819
 or sister

00:11:49.819 --> 00:11:50.939
 and when do I stand

00:11:50.939 --> 00:11:52.120
 on my rights

00:11:52.120 --> 00:11:53.179
 because truth matters?

00:11:55.599 --> 00:11:56.579
 Well, you ask

00:11:56.579 --> 00:11:57.259
 which one will be

00:11:57.259 --> 00:11:57.939
 more beneficial

00:11:57.939 --> 00:11:58.679
 for the gospel?

00:11:59.959 --> 00:12:01.819
 Which one will help me more

00:12:01.819 --> 00:12:03.139
 to win people to Jesus?

00:12:03.799 --> 00:12:04.699
 There will be times

00:12:04.699 --> 00:12:07.199
 when denying your rights

00:12:07.199 --> 00:12:09.120
 will be more beneficial

00:12:09.120 --> 00:12:10.079
 for your brother or sister

00:12:10.079 --> 00:12:10.919
 to hear the gospel.

00:12:11.799 --> 00:12:12.799
 There will be times

00:12:12.799 --> 00:12:13.740
 when it is good and right

00:12:13.740 --> 00:12:14.919
 for you to sacrifice

00:12:14.919 --> 00:12:15.879
 so that others

00:12:15.879 --> 00:12:16.899
 will come to know Jesus

00:12:16.899 --> 00:12:18.320
 but there will also be times

00:12:18.320 --> 00:12:19.200
 where you need to stand up

00:12:19.200 --> 00:12:20.060
 and say I am free

00:12:20.060 --> 00:12:21.060
 to do this in Jesus

00:12:21.060 --> 00:12:22.539
 so that the people around you

00:12:22.539 --> 00:12:23.519
 can come to understand

00:12:23.519 --> 00:12:24.240
 what it means

00:12:24.240 --> 00:12:25.419
 that Jesus has died

00:12:25.419 --> 00:12:26.320
 and washed you

00:12:26.320 --> 00:12:27.200
 and made you clean

00:12:27.200 --> 00:12:28.360
 and that nothing can undo

00:12:28.360 --> 00:12:29.519
 what he's done on the cross.

00:12:31.139 --> 00:12:31.980
 And the question

00:12:31.980 --> 00:12:33.200
 you've got to be asking is

00:12:33.200 --> 00:12:34.860
 which of these

00:12:34.860 --> 00:12:36.139
 will help me win people

00:12:36.139 --> 00:12:36.740
 to Jesus?

00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.960
 Whether you're getting dressed,

00:12:39.360 --> 00:12:40.019
 picking a job,

00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.259
 picking a suburb

00:12:41.259 --> 00:12:41.799
 to live in,

00:12:42.399 --> 00:12:43.360
 whatever it is,

00:12:43.779 --> 00:12:44.939
 Jesus is the thing

00:12:44.939 --> 00:12:45.700
 that matters.

00:12:46.799 --> 00:12:48.159
 Our freedom is ours

00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:50.480
 but for the goal

00:12:50.480 --> 00:12:51.960
 that others would know

00:12:51.960 --> 00:12:52.840
 that freedom as well.

00:12:53.679 --> 00:12:54.639
 That's God's agenda.

00:12:55.600 --> 00:12:57.259
 He has called you

00:12:57.259 --> 00:12:58.259
 and loved you

00:12:58.259 --> 00:12:59.679
 and adopted you

00:12:59.679 --> 00:13:00.659
 and accepted you

00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.559
 and forgiven you

00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:03.159
 so that others

00:13:03.159 --> 00:13:03.899
 might be called

00:13:03.899 --> 00:13:04.419
 and loved

00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:04.980
 and adopted

00:13:04.980 --> 00:13:05.580
 and forgiven.

00:13:05.580 --> 00:13:09.940
 Jesus on the cross

00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:11.200
 is the ultimate example

00:13:11.200 --> 00:13:11.700
 of this.

00:13:13.040 --> 00:13:14.639
 He is God.

00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:16.980
 He has every right

00:13:16.980 --> 00:13:17.879
 and every authority

00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:19.000
 to take himself down

00:13:19.000 --> 00:13:19.680
 from the cross.

00:13:20.220 --> 00:13:21.259
 He has every right

00:13:21.259 --> 00:13:22.160
 and every authority

00:13:22.160 --> 00:13:23.360
 to command angels

00:13:23.360 --> 00:13:24.500
 to come and lay waste

00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:25.160
 to the soldiers

00:13:25.160 --> 00:13:26.160
 that are in front of him

00:13:26.160 --> 00:13:27.200
 but he chooses

00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.120
 to stay there

00:13:28.120 --> 00:13:30.020
 because that's necessary

00:13:30.020 --> 00:13:31.360
 for any to be saved.

00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:36.000
 He sacrifices his own

00:13:36.000 --> 00:13:37.440
 because his goal,

00:13:37.580 --> 00:13:38.259
 his purpose

00:13:38.259 --> 00:13:40.039
 shapes his action.

00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:43.600
 For us as a church

00:13:43.600 --> 00:13:45.159
 our goal is

00:13:45.159 --> 00:13:46.000
 that we would save

00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:46.980
 as many as possible.

00:13:48.860 --> 00:13:50.279
 Our goal as individuals

00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:51.060
 needs to be

00:13:51.060 --> 00:13:52.000
 that we will save

00:13:52.000 --> 00:13:53.060
 as many as possible

00:13:53.060 --> 00:13:54.279
 and so the question

00:13:54.279 --> 00:13:55.300
 we need to wrestle with

00:13:55.300 --> 00:13:55.639
 is,

00:13:55.960 --> 00:13:56.899
 is that goal

00:13:56.899 --> 00:13:58.259
 shaping who we are?

00:13:58.259 --> 00:14:00.759
 Is that goal shaping

00:14:00.759 --> 00:14:01.939
 how we spend our time

00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.539
 and our energy?

00:14:03.860 --> 00:14:05.019
 This is what our vision

00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:06.120
 statement is about.

00:14:07.159 --> 00:14:08.139
 Here at St Paul's

00:14:08.139 --> 00:14:08.840
 we want to share

00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:09.519
 God's heart

00:14:09.519 --> 00:14:10.439
 to see lost people

00:14:10.439 --> 00:14:11.299
 come to know him,

00:14:11.720 --> 00:14:12.819
 to see dead people

00:14:12.819 --> 00:14:13.700
 come to life.

00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:15.460
 We want to know Jesus

00:14:15.460 --> 00:14:16.539
 and treasure Jesus

00:14:16.539 --> 00:14:17.639
 and represent Jesus

00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:18.500
 in such a way

00:14:18.500 --> 00:14:19.720
 that God gets glory

00:14:19.720 --> 00:14:21.500
 and people find joy

00:14:21.500 --> 00:14:22.480
 as they find freedom

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:25.519
 and then they get

00:14:25.519 --> 00:14:26.279
 to know Jesus

00:14:26.279 --> 00:14:27.299
 and treasure Jesus

00:14:27.299 --> 00:14:28.379
 and represent Jesus

00:14:28.379 --> 00:14:29.779
 so that others

00:14:29.779 --> 00:14:31.259
 will come to find joy

00:14:31.259 --> 00:14:32.120
 in him as well.

00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:34.379
 Our goal as a church,

00:14:34.479 --> 00:14:35.500
 our goal as Christians

00:14:35.500 --> 00:14:36.579
 must dictate

00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:37.719
 what we do

00:14:37.719 --> 00:14:38.839
 and how we live

00:14:38.839 --> 00:14:40.979
 and so I want to suggest

00:14:40.979 --> 00:14:42.379
 two ways

00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.319
 that we need to

00:14:43.319 --> 00:14:44.679
 particularly work on

00:14:44.679 --> 00:14:45.639
 for us as a church

00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:47.219
 and I have to say

00:14:47.219 --> 00:14:48.099
 for me personally

00:14:48.099 --> 00:14:49.399
 and so maybe for you as well.

00:14:49.719 --> 00:14:50.859
 Have a look at verse 19

00:14:50.859 --> 00:14:51.259
 with me.

00:14:52.899 --> 00:14:54.259
 Though I am free

00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.599
 and belong to no man,

00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:57.240
 I make myself a slave

00:14:57.240 --> 00:14:58.060
 to everyone

00:14:58.060 --> 00:14:59.879
 to win as many as possible.

00:15:00.560 --> 00:15:01.379
 To the Jews

00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:02.440
 I became like a Jew

00:15:02.440 --> 00:15:03.360
 to win the Jews.

00:15:03.759 --> 00:15:04.700
 To those under the law

00:15:04.700 --> 00:15:05.620
 I became like one

00:15:05.620 --> 00:15:06.379
 under the law

00:15:06.379 --> 00:15:07.200
 though I myself

00:15:07.200 --> 00:15:08.159
 am not under the law

00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:09.259
 so as to win those

00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:09.820
 under the law.

00:15:10.360 --> 00:15:11.560
 To those not having the law

00:15:11.560 --> 00:15:12.420
 I became like one

00:15:12.420 --> 00:15:13.300
 not having the law

00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.320
 though I am not free

00:15:14.320 --> 00:15:15.100
 from God's law

00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.340
 but I am under Christ's law

00:15:16.340 --> 00:15:17.680
 so as to win those

00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:18.480
 not having the law.

00:15:19.139 --> 00:15:19.680
 To the weak

00:15:19.680 --> 00:15:20.440
 I became weak

00:15:20.440 --> 00:15:21.180
 to win the weak.

00:15:21.660 --> 00:15:22.820
 I have become all things

00:15:22.820 --> 00:15:23.540
 to all men

00:15:23.540 --> 00:15:25.740
 so that by all possible means

00:15:25.740 --> 00:15:27.440
 I might save some.

00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:29.280
 There's the agenda again.

00:15:29.379 --> 00:15:30.860
 By all possible means

00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:32.060
 I might save some.

00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:33.720
 And how does he do it?

00:15:34.200 --> 00:15:36.080
 By becoming all things

00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.500
 to all men.

00:15:38.460 --> 00:15:39.640
 Two things that are going

00:15:39.640 --> 00:15:40.640
 to help us begin

00:15:40.640 --> 00:15:41.500
 to even comprehend

00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.780
 what that might look like.

00:15:43.140 --> 00:15:44.180
 The first thing is

00:15:44.180 --> 00:15:45.460
 we need our identity

00:15:45.460 --> 00:15:46.780
 redefined.

00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:48.680
 I don't know if you noticed

00:15:48.680 --> 00:15:49.880
 there in verse 20

00:15:49.879 --> 00:15:51.779
 Paul says to the Jews

00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:53.360
 I became like a Jew

00:15:53.360 --> 00:15:54.679
 to win the Jews.

00:15:55.519 --> 00:15:56.580
 Paul is a Jew.

00:15:57.799 --> 00:15:58.899
 Paul is a Pharisee.

00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:00.879
 Paul is the poster boy

00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:01.840
 for being Jewish.

00:16:02.299 --> 00:16:03.379
 If they wanted to advertise

00:16:03.379 --> 00:16:04.500
 to recruit Jews

00:16:04.500 --> 00:16:06.299
 Paul would be on the poster.

00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:08.320
 He ticks every box for them.

00:16:08.399 --> 00:16:09.519
 He's born in the right month.

00:16:09.600 --> 00:16:10.360
 He's circumcised

00:16:10.360 --> 00:16:11.600
 on the right day.

00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.759
 He raves about this stuff

00:16:12.759 --> 00:16:14.039
 in Philippians chapter 3.

00:16:15.220 --> 00:16:16.340
 But for him

00:16:16.340 --> 00:16:18.639
 now that he knows Jesus

00:16:18.639 --> 00:16:20.960
 his identity

00:16:20.960 --> 00:16:22.559
 is so radically different

00:16:22.559 --> 00:16:23.740
 that his Jewish heritage

00:16:23.740 --> 00:16:25.460
 is second at best.

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:28.019
 First and more importantly

00:16:28.019 --> 00:16:29.199
 he considers himself

00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.120
 a Christian.

00:16:31.259 --> 00:16:32.399
 He considers himself

00:16:32.399 --> 00:16:32.919
 forgiven.

00:16:33.740 --> 00:16:34.759
 He considers himself

00:16:34.759 --> 00:16:35.960
 somebody who is defined

00:16:35.960 --> 00:16:36.659
 by the one

00:16:36.659 --> 00:16:38.080
 who died on the cross

00:16:38.080 --> 00:16:38.580
 for him.

00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.980
 See until we know

00:16:40.980 --> 00:16:41.899
 who we are

00:16:41.899 --> 00:16:43.340
 we won't be sure

00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:43.939
 which bits

00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:45.299
 we're supposed to hold on to

00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:46.279
 and which bits

00:16:46.279 --> 00:16:47.200
 we let go of.

00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:49.120
 If we want to be able

00:16:49.120 --> 00:16:49.900
 to be flexible

00:16:49.900 --> 00:16:50.580
 if we want to be able

00:16:50.580 --> 00:16:51.560
 to serve the community

00:16:51.560 --> 00:16:52.300
 around us

00:16:52.300 --> 00:16:53.560
 then the first part

00:16:53.560 --> 00:16:54.480
 is we need to soak

00:16:54.480 --> 00:16:55.520
 under God's word

00:16:55.520 --> 00:16:56.700
 and hear the gospel

00:16:56.700 --> 00:16:57.560
 over and over

00:16:57.560 --> 00:16:58.180
 and understand

00:16:58.180 --> 00:16:59.620
 that we are forgiven

00:16:59.620 --> 00:17:01.460
 completely and irreversibly

00:17:01.460 --> 00:17:03.080
 that everything

00:17:03.080 --> 00:17:03.820
 that we brought

00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:04.460
 to the cross

00:17:04.460 --> 00:17:05.180
 has been left

00:17:05.180 --> 00:17:05.759
 at the cross

00:17:05.759 --> 00:17:06.380
 and dealt with

00:17:06.380 --> 00:17:07.140
 and paid for

00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:08.299
 that there's nothing

00:17:08.299 --> 00:17:09.440
 that we can actually add

00:17:09.440 --> 00:17:10.019
 that will become

00:17:10.019 --> 00:17:11.420
 an extra barrier.

00:17:12.319 --> 00:17:13.140
 We are no longer

00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.660
 identified as Chinese

00:17:14.660 --> 00:17:15.380
 or Filipino

00:17:15.380 --> 00:17:16.120
 or Malaysian

00:17:16.120 --> 00:17:16.660
 or Australian

00:17:16.660 --> 00:17:17.100
 or English

00:17:17.100 --> 00:17:18.140
 or whatever we might be.

00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.660
 We are no longer

00:17:19.660 --> 00:17:20.700
 defined by the job

00:17:20.700 --> 00:17:21.360
 that we have.

00:17:21.800 --> 00:17:22.260
 We are no longer

00:17:22.260 --> 00:17:23.320
 defined by the paycheck

00:17:23.320 --> 00:17:23.940
 that we earn

00:17:23.940 --> 00:17:24.700
 by the suburb

00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:25.280
 that we live in

00:17:25.280 --> 00:17:25.880
 by the marks

00:17:25.880 --> 00:17:26.820
 we get in our exams

00:17:26.820 --> 00:17:27.480
 by the language

00:17:27.480 --> 00:17:28.240
 that we speak.

00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:30.020
 That all comes

00:17:30.020 --> 00:17:31.000
 second and third

00:17:31.000 --> 00:17:31.580
 and fifth

00:17:31.580 --> 00:17:32.320
 and thirtieth

00:17:32.320 --> 00:17:33.180
 and whatever else.

00:17:33.840 --> 00:17:34.800
 First and foremost

00:17:34.800 --> 00:17:37.420
 Jesus has died

00:17:37.420 --> 00:17:38.000
 for us.

00:17:38.760 --> 00:17:39.540
 We are Christians.

00:17:41.040 --> 00:17:42.080
 If you are following

00:17:42.080 --> 00:17:43.020
 Jesus the thing

00:17:43.019 --> 00:17:44.000
 that defines you

00:17:44.000 --> 00:17:45.740
 is him.

00:17:47.680 --> 00:17:48.779
 He is the centre

00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.660
 of who you are.

00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:50.259
 He is the thing

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.079
 that defines

00:17:51.079 --> 00:17:52.379
 your status

00:17:52.379 --> 00:17:53.139
 your position

00:17:53.139 --> 00:17:56.119
 and so you need

00:17:56.119 --> 00:17:56.599
 to be okay

00:17:56.599 --> 00:17:57.139
 to let go

00:17:57.139 --> 00:17:57.879
 of some of the things

00:17:57.879 --> 00:17:59.039
 that used to define you

00:17:59.039 --> 00:18:01.059
 whether that be

00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:02.139
 your ethnic background

00:18:02.139 --> 00:18:03.920
 whether that be

00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:04.420
 your status

00:18:04.420 --> 00:18:05.099
 in the community

00:18:05.099 --> 00:18:05.900
 because of the job

00:18:05.900 --> 00:18:06.480
 that you hold

00:18:06.480 --> 00:18:07.099
 or the title

00:18:07.099 --> 00:18:07.799
 that you have

00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:10.240
 you need to be willing

00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.180
 to let go of that

00:18:11.180 --> 00:18:12.079
 because the centre

00:18:12.079 --> 00:18:13.419
 the thing that matters

00:18:13.419 --> 00:18:14.879
 is the gospel

00:18:14.879 --> 00:18:16.319
 is Jesus.

00:18:18.220 --> 00:18:19.679
 We live in Chatswood.

00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.699
 I am not Chinese.

00:18:23.679 --> 00:18:24.619
 I could not be

00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.519
 less Chinese

00:18:25.519 --> 00:18:27.699
 but our suburb

00:18:27.699 --> 00:18:29.220
 is full of Chinese people

00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:30.099
 who don't know Jesus

00:18:30.099 --> 00:18:32.619
 and so I need to let go

00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:33.019
 of the fact

00:18:33.019 --> 00:18:33.960
 that I'm Aussie

00:18:33.960 --> 00:18:34.579
 and Bogan.

00:18:35.679 --> 00:18:36.659
 I need to let go

00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.019
 of the fact

00:18:37.019 --> 00:18:38.439
 that my only food choice

00:18:38.439 --> 00:18:38.919
 when I walk

00:18:38.919 --> 00:18:39.439
 into Westfield

00:18:39.439 --> 00:18:40.240
 is McDonald's

00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:42.180
 and I need to be

00:18:42.180 --> 00:18:42.500
 comfortable

00:18:42.500 --> 00:18:43.559
 to stretch myself

00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:44.099
 culturally

00:18:44.099 --> 00:18:46.200
 because I'm not

00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.000
 Australian first

00:18:47.000 --> 00:18:48.019
 I'm Christian first

00:18:48.019 --> 00:18:48.900
 and being Christian

00:18:48.900 --> 00:18:49.460
 and being free

00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:49.859
 in Christ

00:18:49.859 --> 00:18:50.759
 means I'm defined

00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:51.799
 by a need

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.880
 and a burning desire

00:18:52.880 --> 00:18:53.960
 to see people

00:18:53.960 --> 00:18:55.160
 one to Christ

00:18:55.160 --> 00:18:56.519
 and I'm not going

00:18:56.519 --> 00:18:57.339
 to be able to do that

00:18:57.339 --> 00:18:57.940
 if I'm not willing

00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.859
 to go where they are

00:18:58.859 --> 00:19:01.240
 if I'm not willing

00:19:01.240 --> 00:19:01.940
 to spend time

00:19:01.940 --> 00:19:02.660
 doing the things

00:19:02.660 --> 00:19:03.759
 that they want to do.

00:19:06.359 --> 00:19:07.559
 I was reading this week

00:19:07.559 --> 00:19:08.579
 about Hudson Taylor

00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.579
 who founded the China

00:19:09.579 --> 00:19:10.379
 Inland Mission

00:19:10.379 --> 00:19:11.539
 he was a missionary

00:19:11.539 --> 00:19:12.539
 and when he was there

00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.019
 he'd spent time

00:19:14.019 --> 00:19:15.319
 reasonably ineffectively

00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.399
 trying to share the gospel

00:19:16.399 --> 00:19:18.299
 and he decided

00:19:18.299 --> 00:19:19.519
 that a helpful step

00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:20.099
 would be for him

00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:21.059
 to grow his hair long

00:19:21.059 --> 00:19:21.960
 and put it in a braid

00:19:21.960 --> 00:19:23.699
 to wear the Chinese clothes

00:19:23.699 --> 00:19:24.539
 that the men around him

00:19:24.539 --> 00:19:24.899
 were wearing

00:19:24.899 --> 00:19:25.559
 and to start eating

00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.379
 Chinese food.

00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:27.960
 When he did that

00:19:27.960 --> 00:19:28.779
 the other missionaries

00:19:28.779 --> 00:19:29.419
 around him

00:19:29.419 --> 00:19:30.319
 made fun of him

00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:32.619
 they basically thought

00:19:32.619 --> 00:19:33.539
 he'd lost the plot

00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.579
 he'd let go

00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.139
 of the gospel

00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:36.359
 he'd become too much

00:19:36.359 --> 00:19:37.199
 like these people

00:19:37.199 --> 00:19:38.220
 who are devil worshippers

00:19:38.220 --> 00:19:38.819
 and he was going

00:19:38.819 --> 00:19:39.660
 to go to hell as well

00:19:39.660 --> 00:19:41.759
 but he knew

00:19:41.759 --> 00:19:42.339
 what mattered

00:19:42.339 --> 00:19:44.440
 he knew that the Bible

00:19:44.440 --> 00:19:45.120
 didn't tell him

00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:45.940
 what clothes to wear

00:19:45.940 --> 00:19:47.720
 or what haircut to have

00:19:47.720 --> 00:19:49.500
 or what food to eat

00:19:49.500 --> 00:19:51.480
 the Bible told him

00:19:51.480 --> 00:19:52.559
 that Jesus had died

00:19:52.559 --> 00:19:53.019
 for him

00:19:53.019 --> 00:19:54.240
 that he was free

00:19:54.240 --> 00:19:54.940
 in Christ

00:19:54.940 --> 00:19:55.880
 that obeying

00:19:55.880 --> 00:19:57.259
 Jesus was what

00:19:57.259 --> 00:19:58.259
 what mattered

00:19:58.259 --> 00:19:59.380
 and so he could gladly

00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:00.180
 and willingly

00:20:00.180 --> 00:20:01.100
 and joyfully

00:20:01.100 --> 00:20:02.539
 sacrifice everything

00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:03.380
 that he'd known

00:20:03.380 --> 00:20:04.279
 culturally up to that

00:20:04.279 --> 00:20:05.100
 point in his life

00:20:05.099 --> 00:20:07.019
 and adapt

00:20:07.019 --> 00:20:07.659
 so that others

00:20:07.659 --> 00:20:08.359
 might come to know

00:20:08.359 --> 00:20:08.679
 Jesus

00:20:08.679 --> 00:20:10.539
 we need to know

00:20:10.539 --> 00:20:11.839
 what our identity is

00:20:11.839 --> 00:20:13.379
 so that we have security

00:20:13.379 --> 00:20:14.599
 as we stretch ourselves

00:20:14.599 --> 00:20:15.199
 into places

00:20:15.199 --> 00:20:15.959
 where we might be

00:20:15.959 --> 00:20:16.480
 uncomfortable

00:20:16.480 --> 00:20:18.980
 because the second thing

00:20:18.980 --> 00:20:19.619
 we need to do

00:20:19.619 --> 00:20:20.079
 if we're going to be

00:20:20.079 --> 00:20:21.099
 all things to all men

00:20:21.099 --> 00:20:21.879
 is we need to be

00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:23.740
 culturally flexible

00:20:23.740 --> 00:20:26.159
 one of the real strengths

00:20:26.159 --> 00:20:27.139
 that we have as a church

00:20:27.139 --> 00:20:27.899
 here is we're an

00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:28.819
 Anglican church

00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.240
 whether you know

00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:29.980
 what that means or not

00:20:29.980 --> 00:20:30.779
 is kind of irrelevant

00:20:30.779 --> 00:20:32.000
 the good news is

00:20:32.000 --> 00:20:32.939
 we've got a bunch of stuff

00:20:32.940 --> 00:20:33.779
 which makes us

00:20:33.779 --> 00:20:34.820
 really committed

00:20:34.820 --> 00:20:35.980
 to the gospel of Jesus

00:20:35.980 --> 00:20:37.140
 but the danger for us

00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.259
 is because all those

00:20:38.259 --> 00:20:39.200
 things are there for us

00:20:39.200 --> 00:20:39.720
 and they've kind of

00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.960
 done a lot of the hard work

00:20:40.960 --> 00:20:41.960
 over the years of history

00:20:41.960 --> 00:20:42.820
 to make sure we're

00:20:42.820 --> 00:20:43.880
 committed to God's word

00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.299
 it's easy for us

00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:46.500
 to add our own hoops

00:20:46.500 --> 00:20:47.440
 for people to jump through

00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.420
 when they come to church

00:20:48.420 --> 00:20:50.840
 it's easy for us

00:20:50.840 --> 00:20:51.759
 to say when somebody

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.720
 comes to Chatswood

00:20:52.720 --> 00:20:53.759
 walks into church

00:20:53.759 --> 00:20:54.340
 off the street

00:20:54.340 --> 00:20:55.279
 decides they want

00:20:55.279 --> 00:20:55.980
 to follow Jesus

00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.420
 it's great to have you

00:20:57.420 --> 00:20:58.180
 let us now show you

00:20:58.180 --> 00:20:58.900
 the rest of the things

00:20:58.900 --> 00:20:59.500
 that you need to do

00:20:59.500 --> 00:21:00.320
 to fit in with us

00:21:00.320 --> 00:21:01.519
 let us tell you

00:21:01.519 --> 00:21:02.420
 what clothes to wear

00:21:02.420 --> 00:21:03.300
 let us tell you

00:21:03.300 --> 00:21:04.400
 what music to listen to

00:21:04.400 --> 00:21:05.300
 let us tell you

00:21:05.300 --> 00:21:06.779
 what appropriate English is

00:21:06.779 --> 00:21:08.259
 let us tell you

00:21:08.259 --> 00:21:09.480
 how to sharpen your vocab

00:21:09.480 --> 00:21:10.200
 so that you can belong

00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.700
 with us here

00:21:10.700 --> 00:21:11.380
 on the North Shore

00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:14.100
 it's really easy

00:21:14.100 --> 00:21:15.500
 for us to make people

00:21:15.500 --> 00:21:18.039
 have to be like us

00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:20.519
 have to do things

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:21.580
 the way that we do them

00:21:21.580 --> 00:21:23.080
 even if they're not

00:21:23.080 --> 00:21:24.680
 gospel issues

00:21:24.680 --> 00:21:26.740
 we were talking about

00:21:26.740 --> 00:21:27.800
 on Friday night at youth

00:21:27.800 --> 00:21:28.940
 I wonder how comfortable

00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:29.560
 we would be

00:21:29.560 --> 00:21:30.400
 if somebody started

00:21:30.400 --> 00:21:31.440
 attending our church

00:21:31.440 --> 00:21:33.299
 who wasn't big

00:21:33.299 --> 00:21:34.440
 on personal hygiene

00:21:34.440 --> 00:21:35.320
 and smelled a bit

00:21:35.320 --> 00:21:36.600
 would walk in

00:21:36.600 --> 00:21:37.240
 with bare foot

00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:37.860
 every week

00:21:37.860 --> 00:21:40.220
 had a massive mohawk

00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.220
 was covered in tattoos

00:21:41.220 --> 00:21:42.019
 and liked to smoke

00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.900
 would you be comfortable

00:21:43.900 --> 00:21:44.440
 with them coming

00:21:44.440 --> 00:21:45.299
 and sitting next to you

00:21:45.299 --> 00:21:47.320
 they love Jesus

00:21:47.320 --> 00:21:48.320
 they're really excited

00:21:48.320 --> 00:21:49.299
 to be a part of his people

00:21:49.299 --> 00:21:51.360
 is it okay for you

00:21:51.360 --> 00:21:52.180
 if they sit next to you

00:21:52.180 --> 00:21:52.620
 every week

00:21:52.620 --> 00:21:54.019
 or would you start

00:21:54.019 --> 00:21:54.500
 letting them know

00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:55.320
 how they can adjust

00:21:55.320 --> 00:21:55.860
 their culture

00:21:55.860 --> 00:21:56.820
 to actually fit in

00:21:56.820 --> 00:21:59.059
 to actually be a part

00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.879
 of God's church

00:21:59.879 --> 00:22:03.599
 the Bible doesn't tell them

00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:04.839
 they have to wear

00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.619
 certain clothes

00:22:05.619 --> 00:22:07.039
 doesn't tell them

00:22:07.039 --> 00:22:07.539
 how regularly

00:22:07.539 --> 00:22:08.460
 they have to bathe

00:22:08.460 --> 00:22:10.000
 doesn't tell them

00:22:10.000 --> 00:22:10.379
 whether or not

00:22:10.379 --> 00:22:11.339
 to smoke cigarettes

00:22:11.339 --> 00:22:15.960
 yet we add these hoops

00:22:15.960 --> 00:22:17.039
 for people to jump through

00:22:17.039 --> 00:22:19.579
 we take secondary things

00:22:19.579 --> 00:22:20.659
 that are our culture

00:22:20.659 --> 00:22:22.980
 and we make that

00:22:22.980 --> 00:22:24.240
 what it means

00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:24.960
 to be a Christian

00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:28.620
 we live in a place

00:22:28.620 --> 00:22:30.160
 that is hugely

00:22:30.160 --> 00:22:31.420
 culturally diverse

00:22:31.420 --> 00:22:34.039
 there are all sorts

00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.680
 of people here

00:22:34.680 --> 00:22:35.420
 who don't get

00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:36.340
 how we work

00:22:36.340 --> 00:22:39.420
 and so if we make

00:22:39.420 --> 00:22:40.720
 our church family

00:22:40.720 --> 00:22:43.079
 if you in your life

00:22:43.079 --> 00:22:44.000
 expect people

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:45.000
 to be like you

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:47.660
 then you're putting up

00:22:47.660 --> 00:22:48.140
 barriers

00:22:48.140 --> 00:22:49.400
 to winning people

00:22:49.400 --> 00:22:51.299
 you're putting up

00:22:51.299 --> 00:22:52.360
 obstacles for people

00:22:52.360 --> 00:22:53.340
 coming to Jesus

00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:55.839
 one of the joys

00:22:55.839 --> 00:22:56.359
 of being part

00:22:56.359 --> 00:22:56.859
 of our church

00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:57.699
 is that we are

00:22:57.699 --> 00:22:58.539
 a diverse group

00:22:58.539 --> 00:22:59.019
 of people

00:22:59.019 --> 00:23:02.339
 but I wonder

00:23:02.339 --> 00:23:03.539
 if sometimes

00:23:03.539 --> 00:23:04.220
 you find yourself

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.759
 sitting here

00:23:04.759 --> 00:23:05.539
 wishing that some

00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.220
 of those diverse

00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.000
 people were a bit

00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.679
 more like you

00:23:07.679 --> 00:23:10.199
 were more into

00:23:10.199 --> 00:23:10.980
 doing church

00:23:10.980 --> 00:23:11.939
 the way you like it

00:23:11.939 --> 00:23:14.279
 liked the same music

00:23:14.279 --> 00:23:14.879
 that you do

00:23:14.879 --> 00:23:16.799
 I had to confess

00:23:16.799 --> 00:23:17.419
 to our morning

00:23:17.419 --> 00:23:17.819
 congregation

00:23:17.819 --> 00:23:18.559
 this morning

00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:21.639
 that I have been

00:23:21.639 --> 00:23:22.099
 doing this

00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:22.779
 in conversations

00:23:22.779 --> 00:23:23.299
 with people

00:23:23.299 --> 00:23:24.039
 in our church

00:23:24.039 --> 00:23:25.859
 that we've had

00:23:25.859 --> 00:23:26.539
 arguments about

00:23:26.539 --> 00:23:27.079
 how we do

00:23:27.079 --> 00:23:27.720
 our gatherings

00:23:27.720 --> 00:23:28.460
 and when I say

00:23:28.460 --> 00:23:28.899
 arguments

00:23:28.899 --> 00:23:29.619
 I mean loving

00:23:29.619 --> 00:23:31.440
 rigorous discussions

00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:33.680
 there's been a few

00:23:33.680 --> 00:23:34.019
 of those

00:23:34.019 --> 00:23:34.799
 over the last few

00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.180
 years

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.720
 with godly

00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.259
 brothers and

00:23:37.259 --> 00:23:37.700
 sisters

00:23:37.700 --> 00:23:39.579
 but reality is

00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:39.859
 there's been

00:23:39.859 --> 00:23:40.639
 points where

00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:42.119
 I have called

00:23:42.119 --> 00:23:43.079
 my preference

00:23:43.079 --> 00:23:44.339
 the preference

00:23:44.339 --> 00:23:46.839
 I have called

00:23:46.839 --> 00:23:48.359
 my cultural idea

00:23:48.359 --> 00:23:49.319
 of what's good

00:23:49.319 --> 00:23:49.980
 when we gather

00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:52.360
 the biblical idea

00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.059
 of what's good

00:23:53.059 --> 00:23:53.599
 when we gather

00:23:53.599 --> 00:23:54.519
 and I wonder

00:23:54.519 --> 00:23:55.180
 if you ever

00:23:55.180 --> 00:23:55.740
 do the same

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.799
 if you think

00:23:57.799 --> 00:23:58.620
 certain songs

00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.519
 are more glorifying

00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.019
 to god

00:24:00.019 --> 00:24:03.400
 if you think

00:24:03.400 --> 00:24:04.180
 a certain type

00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.680
 of church

00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.559
 is more glorifying

00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.099
 to god

00:24:06.099 --> 00:24:09.539
 we need to be

00:24:09.539 --> 00:24:10.559
 culturally flexible

00:24:10.559 --> 00:24:12.559
 because we know

00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.039
 who we are

00:24:13.039 --> 00:24:13.500
 in Jesus

00:24:13.500 --> 00:24:15.420
 and so long

00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:15.880
 as we get

00:24:15.880 --> 00:24:16.660
 reminded as a

00:24:16.660 --> 00:24:17.319
 gathered community

00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:18.000
 that it's him

00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:18.359
 alone

00:24:18.359 --> 00:24:19.980
 who has died

00:24:19.980 --> 00:24:20.420
 and risen

00:24:20.420 --> 00:24:21.619
 as long as we

00:24:21.619 --> 00:24:22.119
 get reminded

00:24:22.119 --> 00:24:23.000
 that it's his

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.720
 glory that we

00:24:23.720 --> 00:24:24.259
 live for

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.720
 then maybe we

00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.299
 need to let go

00:24:26.299 --> 00:24:26.740
 of some of the

00:24:26.740 --> 00:24:27.259
 other things

00:24:27.259 --> 00:24:28.019
 that make us

00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.559
 feel comfortable

00:24:28.559 --> 00:24:29.279
 here at church

00:24:29.279 --> 00:24:31.180
 maybe we need

00:24:31.180 --> 00:24:31.680
 to be okay

00:24:31.680 --> 00:24:32.319
 if the chairs

00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:32.940
 are in a circle

00:24:32.940 --> 00:24:33.359
 next week

00:24:33.359 --> 00:24:33.720
 when we get

00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:33.960
 here

00:24:33.960 --> 00:24:34.900
 and not spend

00:24:34.900 --> 00:24:35.579
 the first hour

00:24:35.579 --> 00:24:36.380
 distracted by the

00:24:36.380 --> 00:24:36.779
 fact that it's

00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.200
 not how we

00:24:37.200 --> 00:24:37.920
 normally do it

00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:43.100
 now there is

00:24:43.100 --> 00:24:43.779
 a warning for

00:24:43.779 --> 00:24:44.240
 us here

00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:46.240
 because we're

00:24:46.240 --> 00:24:46.820
 not supposed to

00:24:46.820 --> 00:24:47.580
 be flexible to

00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.340
 the point where

00:24:48.340 --> 00:24:49.480
 there's a sin

00:24:49.480 --> 00:24:49.980
 involved

00:24:49.980 --> 00:24:52.759
 Paul says

00:24:52.759 --> 00:24:53.680
 to the Jews

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.380
 I became like

00:24:54.380 --> 00:24:54.720
 a Jew

00:24:54.720 --> 00:24:55.759
 he doesn't say

00:24:55.759 --> 00:24:56.580
 to the adulterer

00:24:56.580 --> 00:24:57.259
 I became like

00:24:57.259 --> 00:24:57.920
 an adulterer

00:24:57.920 --> 00:25:00.640
 there are certain

00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.300
 things that are

00:25:01.300 --> 00:25:02.120
 cultural issues

00:25:02.120 --> 00:25:02.960
 that can be

00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:04.240
 given into

00:25:04.240 --> 00:25:06.060
 and then of

00:25:06.060 --> 00:25:06.600
 course there are

00:25:06.600 --> 00:25:07.140
 certain things

00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:07.840
 which are sin

00:25:07.839 --> 00:25:08.579
 and out of

00:25:08.579 --> 00:25:09.199
 love for Jesus

00:25:09.199 --> 00:25:10.059
 we never bend

00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:10.279
 on

00:25:10.279 --> 00:25:11.519
 that's why

00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:12.000
 it's important

00:25:12.000 --> 00:25:12.480
 to know

00:25:12.480 --> 00:25:13.159
 our identity

00:25:13.159 --> 00:25:14.419
 to remember

00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:14.720
 that when

00:25:14.720 --> 00:25:15.480
 Christ forgave

00:25:15.480 --> 00:25:15.959
 us and gave

00:25:15.959 --> 00:25:16.459
 us freedom

00:25:16.459 --> 00:25:17.439
 he gave us

00:25:17.439 --> 00:25:17.939
 a whole new

00:25:17.939 --> 00:25:18.259
 life

00:25:18.259 --> 00:25:18.679
 he gave us

00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:18.980
 a new

00:25:18.980 --> 00:25:19.379
 start

00:25:19.379 --> 00:25:19.859
 he gave us

00:25:19.859 --> 00:25:20.159
 a new

00:25:20.159 --> 00:25:20.699
 path

00:25:20.699 --> 00:25:22.599
 this is

00:25:22.599 --> 00:25:23.079
 the only

00:25:23.079 --> 00:25:23.720
 basis

00:25:23.720 --> 00:25:24.419
 on which

00:25:24.419 --> 00:25:24.799
 you should

00:25:24.799 --> 00:25:25.179
 assess

00:25:25.179 --> 00:25:25.699
 your life

00:25:25.699 --> 00:25:26.279
 personally

00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.539
 and our

00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:27.819
 life

00:25:27.819 --> 00:25:28.399
 corporately

00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:30.559
 I promise

00:25:30.559 --> 00:25:30.879
 you

00:25:30.879 --> 00:25:32.079
 that at

00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.579
 some point

00:25:32.579 --> 00:25:33.179
 in the future

00:25:33.179 --> 00:25:34.000
 we as a

00:25:34.000 --> 00:25:34.599
 church family

00:25:34.599 --> 00:25:35.000
 will do

00:25:35.000 --> 00:25:35.519
 something that

00:25:35.519 --> 00:25:35.859
 will make

00:25:35.859 --> 00:25:36.439
 you uncomfortable

00:25:36.440 --> 00:25:37.759
 I'm not

00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:38.440
 promising that

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:38.840
 as my

00:25:38.840 --> 00:25:39.299
 desire

00:25:39.299 --> 00:25:41.440
 but in

00:25:41.440 --> 00:25:41.860
 this room

00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.220
 we don't

00:25:42.220 --> 00:25:42.660
 all like

00:25:42.660 --> 00:25:43.240
 exactly the

00:25:43.240 --> 00:25:43.880
 same stuff

00:25:43.880 --> 00:25:45.500
 but if

00:25:45.500 --> 00:25:45.960
 you're willing

00:25:45.960 --> 00:25:46.360
 to ask

00:25:46.360 --> 00:25:46.880
 the question

00:25:46.880 --> 00:25:47.360
 is this

00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.700
 good for

00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.180
 the gospel

00:25:48.180 --> 00:25:48.519
 and if

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.000
 so I'm

00:25:49.000 --> 00:25:49.240
 going to

00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.539
 suffer

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:51.039
 joyfully

00:25:51.039 --> 00:25:52.920
 so that we

00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:53.360
 might win

00:25:53.360 --> 00:25:53.640
 some

00:25:53.640 --> 00:25:55.779
 then we

00:25:55.779 --> 00:25:56.140
 will see

00:25:56.140 --> 00:25:56.799
 God work

00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.740
 fantastically

00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.539
 through us

00:25:58.539 --> 00:26:00.399
 if we

00:26:00.399 --> 00:26:00.799
 were willing

00:26:00.799 --> 00:26:01.180
 to say

00:26:01.180 --> 00:26:01.740
 my first

00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.240
 priority

00:26:02.240 --> 00:26:02.619
 when I

00:26:02.619 --> 00:26:02.859
 gather

00:26:02.859 --> 00:26:03.180
 is not

00:26:03.180 --> 00:26:03.619
 comfort

00:26:03.619 --> 00:26:05.200
 but the

00:26:05.200 --> 00:26:05.500
 gospel

00:26:05.500 --> 00:26:06.079
 going out

00:26:06.079 --> 00:26:06.440
 and people

00:26:06.440 --> 00:26:07.259
 being saved

00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.619
 this will

00:26:08.619 --> 00:26:08.839
 be a

00:26:08.839 --> 00:26:09.139
 welcoming

00:26:09.139 --> 00:26:09.700
 place for

00:26:09.700 --> 00:26:10.200
 anyone to

00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.759
 walk into

00:26:10.759 --> 00:26:12.259
 regardless of

00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.579
 where they're

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.000
 from what

00:26:13.000 --> 00:26:13.519
 their background

00:26:13.519 --> 00:26:14.099
 is if they've

00:26:14.099 --> 00:26:14.599
 ever been to

00:26:14.599 --> 00:26:15.220
 church before

00:26:15.220 --> 00:26:17.200
 because we

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.480
 will be

00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:18.139
 pursuing more

00:26:18.139 --> 00:26:18.599
 than anything

00:26:18.599 --> 00:26:20.079
 else that

00:26:20.079 --> 00:26:20.639
 the gospel

00:26:20.639 --> 00:26:21.259
 stays the

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.759
 main thing

00:26:21.759 --> 00:26:23.339
 we'll be

00:26:23.339 --> 00:26:23.859
 letting go of

00:26:23.859 --> 00:26:24.460
 our preferences

00:26:24.460 --> 00:26:25.039
 and we'll be

00:26:25.039 --> 00:26:25.779
 welcoming people

00:26:25.779 --> 00:26:26.359
 like Jesus

00:26:26.359 --> 00:26:27.639
 does exactly

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.160
 how they

00:26:28.160 --> 00:26:31.040
 are so

00:26:31.040 --> 00:26:31.280
 that they

00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:31.580
 can be

00:26:31.580 --> 00:26:32.180
 forgiven and

00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:33.040
 transformed and

00:26:33.040 --> 00:26:33.420
 know the

00:26:33.420 --> 00:26:34.420
 freedom that

00:26:34.420 --> 00:26:34.800
 we know

00:26:34.800 --> 00:26:38.020
 we need to

00:26:38.020 --> 00:26:38.640
 be consumed

00:26:38.640 --> 00:26:39.380
 by God's

00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.780
 desire we

00:26:40.780 --> 00:26:41.220
 need to let

00:26:41.220 --> 00:26:41.780
 go of our

00:26:41.780 --> 00:26:42.680
 commitment to

00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:45.460
 comfort and

00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.060
 we need to be

00:26:46.060 --> 00:26:46.580
 willing to

00:26:46.580 --> 00:26:48.280
 sacrifice our

00:26:48.280 --> 00:26:50.040
 rights no

00:26:50.040 --> 00:26:50.460
 matter how

00:26:50.460 --> 00:26:50.840
 much it

00:26:50.840 --> 00:26:52.820
 hurts so

00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:53.180
 that others

00:26:53.180 --> 00:26:53.740
 may come to

00:26:53.740 --> 00:26:54.440
 know Jesus

00:26:54.440 --> 00:26:55.900
 Paul gets

00:26:55.900 --> 00:26:56.720
 really really

00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.520
 visual here in

00:26:57.519 --> 00:26:58.139
 these last few

00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:58.700
 verses in

00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.579
 verse 24 he

00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.079
 says do you

00:27:00.079 --> 00:27:00.700
 not know that

00:27:00.700 --> 00:27:01.539
 in a race all

00:27:01.539 --> 00:27:02.259
 the runners run

00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.240
 but only one

00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.079
 gets the prize

00:27:04.079 --> 00:27:05.240
 everyone who

00:27:05.240 --> 00:27:05.920
 competes in the

00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:06.680
 games goes into

00:27:06.680 --> 00:27:07.559
 strict training

00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:08.099
 they do it to

00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.740
 get a crown that

00:27:08.740 --> 00:27:09.579
 will not last

00:27:09.579 --> 00:27:10.740
 but we do it to

00:27:10.740 --> 00:27:11.339
 get a crown that

00:27:11.339 --> 00:27:12.279
 will last forever

00:27:12.279 --> 00:27:13.680
 therefore I do

00:27:13.680 --> 00:27:14.420
 not run like a

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:14.900
 man running

00:27:14.900 --> 00:27:15.819
 aimlessly I do

00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.639
 not fight like a

00:27:16.639 --> 00:27:17.379
 man beating the

00:27:17.379 --> 00:27:18.460
 air no I beat

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.220
 my body and I

00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:20.379
 make it my slave

00:27:20.379 --> 00:27:21.799
 so that after I

00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:22.460
 have preached to

00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:23.579
 others I myself

00:27:23.579 --> 00:27:24.160
 will not be

00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:25.139
 disqualified for the

00:27:25.139 --> 00:27:26.460
 prize this will

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:26.879
 not happen

00:27:26.880 --> 00:27:29.000
 accidentally if

00:27:29.000 --> 00:27:29.320
 you're not

00:27:29.320 --> 00:27:30.600
 consciously thinking

00:27:30.600 --> 00:27:31.680
 how can I be

00:27:31.680 --> 00:27:32.520
 flexible for the

00:27:32.520 --> 00:27:33.300
 sake of others

00:27:33.300 --> 00:27:34.540
 if you're not

00:27:34.540 --> 00:27:35.460
 actively thinking

00:27:35.460 --> 00:27:36.220
 how can I be

00:27:36.220 --> 00:27:37.360
 more conscious

00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:38.160
 of the cultures

00:27:38.160 --> 00:27:39.040
 that surround me

00:27:39.040 --> 00:27:39.660
 where I live

00:27:39.660 --> 00:27:40.420
 where I work

00:27:40.420 --> 00:27:42.680
 then you won't

00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:44.380
 be you default

00:27:44.380 --> 00:27:45.040
 to what is

00:27:45.040 --> 00:27:46.480
 comfortable you'll

00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.420
 default to people

00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.260
 who are like you

00:27:48.260 --> 00:27:49.920
 and you'll miss

00:27:49.920 --> 00:27:50.360
 out on an

00:27:50.360 --> 00:27:51.080
 opportunity to

00:27:51.080 --> 00:27:51.700
 share the gospel

00:27:51.700 --> 00:27:52.360
 with a whole bunch

00:27:52.360 --> 00:27:53.000
 of people who

00:27:53.000 --> 00:27:53.940
 don't know life

00:27:53.940 --> 00:27:55.259
 and don't know

00:27:55.259 --> 00:27:55.660
 hope

00:27:55.660 --> 00:27:59.039
 are you willing

00:27:59.039 --> 00:27:59.759
 to beat your

00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.640
 body and make

00:28:00.640 --> 00:28:01.500
 it your slave

00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:02.980
 for the sake of

00:28:02.980 --> 00:28:03.420
 the gospel

00:28:03.420 --> 00:28:05.940
 are you willing

00:28:05.940 --> 00:28:06.840
 to give up some

00:28:06.840 --> 00:28:07.660
 really familiar

00:28:07.660 --> 00:28:09.460
 habit so that

00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.140
 someone can meet

00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:10.620
 Jesus

00:28:10.620 --> 00:28:13.519
 are you willing

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:14.000
 to give up

00:28:14.000 --> 00:28:14.900
 dressing a certain

00:28:14.900 --> 00:28:15.200
 way

00:28:15.200 --> 00:28:17.160
 are you willing

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:17.620
 to give up

00:28:17.620 --> 00:28:18.480
 hanging out at a

00:28:18.480 --> 00:28:19.240
 certain place

00:28:19.240 --> 00:28:21.380
 are you willing

00:28:21.380 --> 00:28:22.019
 to give up a

00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.599
 kind of music

00:28:22.599 --> 00:28:23.359
 that you like

00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:26.059
 if that's going

00:28:26.059 --> 00:28:26.339
 to give you

00:28:26.339 --> 00:28:27.079
 access to some

00:28:27.079 --> 00:28:27.519
 more people

00:28:27.519 --> 00:28:27.960
 who don't know

00:28:27.960 --> 00:28:28.359
 Jesus

00:28:28.359 --> 00:28:30.160
 are you willing

00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.940
 to try some

00:28:30.940 --> 00:28:31.420
 food that

00:28:31.420 --> 00:28:32.019
 disgusts you

00:28:32.019 --> 00:28:32.480
 right now

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:36.099
 are you willing

00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.980
 to go to some

00:28:36.980 --> 00:28:37.879
 shops that you've

00:28:37.879 --> 00:28:38.279
 never been

00:28:38.279 --> 00:28:38.980
 interested in going

00:28:38.980 --> 00:28:39.519
 to before

00:28:39.519 --> 00:28:41.599
 in order that

00:28:41.599 --> 00:28:42.420
 people may come

00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:43.259
 to meet Jesus

00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:46.879
 this will require

00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.759
 honest reflection

00:28:47.759 --> 00:28:48.480
 for us

00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:50.279
 none of us

00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.759
 came in here

00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.440
 tonight thinking

00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:51.920
 that we were

00:28:51.920 --> 00:28:52.799
 culturally narrow

00:28:52.799 --> 00:28:55.120
 none of us

00:28:55.120 --> 00:28:55.600
 came in here

00:28:55.600 --> 00:28:56.340
 thinking that we

00:28:56.340 --> 00:28:57.019
 were not open

00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:57.500
 to the people

00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:58.240
 around us

00:28:58.240 --> 00:29:00.380
 but the challenge

00:29:00.380 --> 00:29:01.100
 is there for all

00:29:01.100 --> 00:29:01.500
 of us there

00:29:01.500 --> 00:29:02.080
 could be more

00:29:02.080 --> 00:29:03.880
 and so I wonder

00:29:03.880 --> 00:29:04.559
 will you reflect

00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.259
 honestly on

00:29:05.259 --> 00:29:07.360
 where can I

00:29:07.360 --> 00:29:08.039
 remove some

00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:08.759
 barriers to the

00:29:08.759 --> 00:29:09.120
 gospel

00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:10.539
 where can I

00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.400
 fix my eyes

00:29:11.400 --> 00:29:12.180
 on the prize

00:29:12.180 --> 00:29:14.320
 so that more

00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:14.799
 will be won

00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.400
 to Christ

00:29:15.400 --> 00:29:16.799
 the question

00:29:16.799 --> 00:29:17.380
 is simple

00:29:17.380 --> 00:29:18.460
 it's not is this

00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:19.059
 right or wrong

00:29:19.059 --> 00:29:19.580
 that's an easy

00:29:19.580 --> 00:29:20.539
 question to dodge

00:29:20.539 --> 00:29:22.139
 the question

00:29:22.139 --> 00:29:22.779
 is does this

00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:23.539
 help the gospel

00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.859
 or does this

00:29:24.859 --> 00:29:25.599
 hinder the gospel

00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.019
 they're the only

00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.700
 two categories

00:29:26.700 --> 00:29:27.180
 there is no

00:29:27.180 --> 00:29:27.599
 neutral

00:29:27.599 --> 00:29:29.579
 if it doesn't

00:29:29.579 --> 00:29:30.019
 help

00:29:30.019 --> 00:29:31.920
 then by definition

00:29:31.920 --> 00:29:32.619
 it hinders

00:29:32.619 --> 00:29:33.779
 because you're

00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.359
 wasting energy

00:29:34.359 --> 00:29:34.859
 on something

00:29:34.859 --> 00:29:35.279
 that's not

00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.599
 helping

00:29:35.599 --> 00:29:37.440
 the question

00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:38.019
 is not right

00:29:38.019 --> 00:29:38.299
 or wrong

00:29:38.299 --> 00:29:38.759
 the question

00:29:38.759 --> 00:29:39.259
 is does this

00:29:39.259 --> 00:29:40.159
 help the gospel

00:29:40.159 --> 00:29:41.180
 or does this

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.599
 hinder the gospel

00:29:42.599 --> 00:29:45.279
 the great

00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:45.859
 encouragement

00:29:45.859 --> 00:29:46.559
 of this passage

00:29:46.559 --> 00:29:47.199
 is that as

00:29:47.199 --> 00:29:47.799
 Paul slaps

00:29:47.799 --> 00:29:48.179
 us in the

00:29:48.179 --> 00:29:48.659
 face and

00:29:48.659 --> 00:29:49.059
 says come

00:29:49.059 --> 00:29:49.379
 on try

00:29:49.379 --> 00:29:49.980
 harder and

00:29:49.980 --> 00:29:50.579
 beat yourself

00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:51.500
 beat your body

00:29:51.500 --> 00:29:52.139
 into being a

00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:52.859
 slave run

00:29:52.859 --> 00:29:54.179
 at the prize

00:29:54.179 --> 00:29:55.099
 there is this

00:29:55.099 --> 00:29:55.839
 huge encouragement

00:29:55.839 --> 00:29:56.779
 in verse 23

00:29:56.779 --> 00:29:58.559
 Paul says I

00:29:58.559 --> 00:29:59.319
 do all this

00:29:59.319 --> 00:29:59.859
 for the sake

00:29:59.859 --> 00:30:00.539
 of the gospel

00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.919
 that I may

00:30:01.919 --> 00:30:02.579
 share in its

00:30:02.579 --> 00:30:02.980
 blessings

00:30:02.980 --> 00:30:04.679
 did you get

00:30:04.679 --> 00:30:04.980
 that

00:30:04.980 --> 00:30:06.639
 Paul sacrifices

00:30:06.639 --> 00:30:07.559
 Paul preaches

00:30:07.559 --> 00:30:08.379
 Paul travels

00:30:08.379 --> 00:30:09.439
 Paul tries as

00:30:09.439 --> 00:30:10.079
 hard as he can

00:30:10.079 --> 00:30:10.659
 to fit into

00:30:10.659 --> 00:30:11.359
 whatever culture

00:30:11.359 --> 00:30:12.000
 he is among

00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:13.460
 not so that

00:30:13.460 --> 00:30:14.199
 they share in

00:30:14.199 --> 00:30:14.679
 the benefits

00:30:14.679 --> 00:30:16.000
 he wants that

00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:16.500
 to happen

00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:17.859
 but he says

00:30:17.859 --> 00:30:18.659
 here that he

00:30:18.659 --> 00:30:19.319
 does all of

00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:21.299
 this that I

00:30:21.299 --> 00:30:22.379
 may share in

00:30:22.379 --> 00:30:23.000
 its blessings

00:30:23.000 --> 00:30:24.799
 see for Paul

00:30:24.799 --> 00:30:25.539
 sharing the

00:30:25.539 --> 00:30:26.480
 gospel and

00:30:26.480 --> 00:30:27.539
 experiencing the

00:30:27.539 --> 00:30:28.779
 gospel are one

00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:30.359
 thing it's not

00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.419
 that we become

00:30:31.419 --> 00:30:32.099
 a Christian and

00:30:32.099 --> 00:30:33.199
 are forgiven and

00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:33.939
 then a task

00:30:33.939 --> 00:30:34.559
 we're given is

00:30:34.559 --> 00:30:36.419
 evangelism for

00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:37.500
 Paul to hear the

00:30:37.500 --> 00:30:38.480
 gospel is to

00:30:38.480 --> 00:30:39.259
 share the gospel

00:30:39.259 --> 00:30:40.519
 there is no

00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.539
 separation for

00:30:41.539 --> 00:30:43.379
 him he says

00:30:43.379 --> 00:30:43.920
 it again in

00:30:43.920 --> 00:30:44.720
 verse 27

00:30:44.720 --> 00:30:45.619
 I beat my

00:30:45.619 --> 00:30:46.240
 body I make

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:46.980
 it my slave so

00:30:46.980 --> 00:30:47.539
 after I have

00:30:47.539 --> 00:30:47.940
 preached to

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.480
 others I

00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.400
 myself will not

00:30:49.400 --> 00:30:50.119
 be disqualified

00:30:50.119 --> 00:30:51.140
 for the prize

00:30:51.140 --> 00:30:52.920
 for him the

00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.579
 evidence of

00:30:53.579 --> 00:30:54.819
 genuinely knowing

00:30:54.819 --> 00:30:55.579
 the freedom that

00:30:55.579 --> 00:30:56.400
 is in Christ

00:30:56.400 --> 00:30:58.379
 is having your

00:30:58.379 --> 00:30:59.200
 priorities so

00:30:59.200 --> 00:30:59.940
 shaped that what

00:30:59.940 --> 00:31:00.599
 you care about

00:31:00.599 --> 00:31:01.160
 more than anything

00:31:01.160 --> 00:31:01.980
 else is winning

00:31:01.980 --> 00:31:02.640
 as many as

00:31:02.640 --> 00:31:04.339
 possible there's

00:31:04.339 --> 00:31:05.140
 no separation

00:31:05.140 --> 00:31:05.920
 for him and so

00:31:05.920 --> 00:31:06.779
 he finds great

00:31:06.779 --> 00:31:07.680
 joy in the

00:31:07.680 --> 00:31:08.680
 sacrifices that he

00:31:08.680 --> 00:31:09.059
 makes

00:31:09.059 --> 00:31:10.899
 in the sacrifice

00:31:10.899 --> 00:31:11.980
 of financial gain

00:31:11.980 --> 00:31:12.700
 in the sacrifice

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.700
 of having a wife

00:31:13.700 --> 00:31:14.359
 to travel with

00:31:14.359 --> 00:31:14.879
 him he finds

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:16.059
 joy because in

00:31:16.059 --> 00:31:16.619
 making those

00:31:16.619 --> 00:31:17.480
 choices he grabs

00:31:17.480 --> 00:31:18.159
 hold of Jesus

00:31:18.159 --> 00:31:18.819
 even tighter

00:31:18.819 --> 00:31:21.000
 the things that

00:31:21.000 --> 00:31:21.460
 could have

00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:22.899
 defined him he

00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:24.720
 lets go and

00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:25.819
 embraces all of

00:31:25.819 --> 00:31:26.379
 Jesus with

00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.200
 everything that he

00:31:27.200 --> 00:31:27.639
 has

00:31:27.639 --> 00:31:31.659
 the great

00:31:31.659 --> 00:31:32.419
 blessing of

00:31:32.419 --> 00:31:33.139
 being a follower

00:31:33.139 --> 00:31:34.960
 of Jesus is

00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.399
 that as he

00:31:35.399 --> 00:31:35.980
 calls us to

00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:37.379
 sacrifice as he

00:31:37.379 --> 00:31:37.879
 calls us to

00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:38.500
 take up our

00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.200
 cross as he

00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:39.720
 calls us to

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.800
 live life in

00:31:40.800 --> 00:31:41.300
 the footsteps

00:31:41.300 --> 00:31:42.040
 of Jesus

00:31:42.040 --> 00:31:44.480
 every cost that

00:31:44.480 --> 00:31:45.800
 we pay is

00:31:45.800 --> 00:31:47.500
 far surpassed in

00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.280
 the blessing of

00:31:48.280 --> 00:31:49.300
 knowing Jesus as

00:31:49.300 --> 00:31:49.760
 our Lord

00:31:49.760 --> 00:31:52.080
 everything that we

00:31:52.080 --> 00:31:53.480
 give up is far

00:31:53.480 --> 00:31:54.360
 surpassed in the

00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:55.860
 gain of having

00:31:55.860 --> 00:31:56.600
 the prize that

00:31:56.600 --> 00:31:57.320
 waits for us at

00:31:57.320 --> 00:31:57.860
 the end

00:31:57.860 --> 00:32:02.260
 denying your

00:32:02.260 --> 00:32:03.680
 rights is the

00:32:03.680 --> 00:32:04.040
 gospel

00:32:04.039 --> 00:32:04.659
 gospel

00:32:04.659 --> 00:32:06.559
 that's who

00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.399
 Jesus was

00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.500
 that's who

00:32:08.500 --> 00:32:09.279
 Paul was

00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.379
 and until we

00:32:10.379 --> 00:32:10.960
 are willing to

00:32:10.960 --> 00:32:11.659
 let go of what

00:32:11.659 --> 00:32:12.220
 is rightfully

00:32:12.220 --> 00:32:14.039
 ours and take

00:32:14.039 --> 00:32:14.720
 hold of this

00:32:14.720 --> 00:32:16.920
 mission then

00:32:16.920 --> 00:32:17.460
 we're following

00:32:17.460 --> 00:32:18.220
 something other

00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.859
 than the gospel

00:32:18.859 --> 00:32:19.480
 of Jesus

00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:22.399
 because this is

00:32:22.399 --> 00:32:22.940
 who he is

00:32:22.940 --> 00:32:24.559
 this is what

00:32:24.559 --> 00:32:25.139
 he's called us

00:32:25.139 --> 00:32:25.359
 to

00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:28.159
 in Christ you

00:32:28.159 --> 00:32:28.720
 are free

00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:30.360
 you are

00:32:30.360 --> 00:32:30.779
 forgiven

00:32:30.779 --> 00:32:34.180
 but you are

00:32:34.180 --> 00:32:35.880
 free for a

00:32:35.880 --> 00:32:36.339
 purpose

00:32:36.339 --> 00:32:38.380
 you are free

00:32:38.380 --> 00:32:39.100
 that others

00:32:39.100 --> 00:32:40.299
 may come to

00:32:40.299 --> 00:32:40.700
 know that

00:32:40.700 --> 00:32:42.000
 same freedom

00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:44.539
 and so let me

00:32:44.539 --> 00:32:45.700
 finish with the

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.420
 call of verse

00:32:46.420 --> 00:32:46.980
 19

00:32:46.980 --> 00:32:49.079
 though I am

00:32:49.079 --> 00:32:50.000
 free and belong

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.839
 to no man

00:32:50.839 --> 00:32:52.640
 I make myself

00:32:52.640 --> 00:32:53.740
 a slave to

00:32:53.740 --> 00:32:54.339
 everyone

00:32:54.339 --> 00:32:56.199
 to win as

00:32:56.199 --> 00:32:57.019
 many as

00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:57.539
 possible

00:32:57.539 --> 00:33:00.359
 that is God's

00:33:00.359 --> 00:33:01.240
 design for your

00:33:01.240 --> 00:33:01.720
 life

00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:03.500
 that is God's

00:33:03.500 --> 00:33:04.939
 desire for us

00:33:04.939 --> 00:33:05.679
 as a church

00:33:05.679 --> 00:33:08.559
 that as many

00:33:08.559 --> 00:33:09.259
 as possible

00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:10.559
 would come to

00:33:10.559 --> 00:33:11.039
 know him

00:33:11.039 --> 00:33:12.220
 because of the

00:33:12.220 --> 00:33:12.619
 way that we

00:33:12.619 --> 00:33:12.899
 live

00:33:12.899 --> 00:33:16.099
 let's pray

00:33:16.099 --> 00:33:24.659
 father God

00:33:24.659 --> 00:33:25.019
 we want to

00:33:25.019 --> 00:33:25.939
 confess that

00:33:25.939 --> 00:33:27.000
 there are many

00:33:27.000 --> 00:33:27.699
 things in our

00:33:27.699 --> 00:33:28.539
 life that are

00:33:28.539 --> 00:33:29.899
 there because

00:33:29.899 --> 00:33:30.539
 they're comfortable

00:33:30.539 --> 00:33:32.619
 they're there

00:33:32.619 --> 00:33:33.019
 because we

00:33:33.019 --> 00:33:33.419
 haven't even

00:33:33.419 --> 00:33:33.799
 asked the

00:33:33.799 --> 00:33:34.619
 question how

00:33:34.619 --> 00:33:34.980
 does this

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.859
 impact on

00:33:35.859 --> 00:33:36.379
 our gospel

00:33:36.379 --> 00:33:36.980
 effectiveness

00:33:36.980 --> 00:33:39.539
 we want to

00:33:39.539 --> 00:33:40.119
 thank you that

00:33:40.119 --> 00:33:40.719
 Jesus has

00:33:40.719 --> 00:33:41.399
 died and

00:33:41.399 --> 00:33:41.879
 Jesus is

00:33:41.879 --> 00:33:42.480
 alive and

00:33:42.480 --> 00:33:43.000
 our freedom

00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:43.439
 has been

00:33:43.439 --> 00:33:43.819
 bought at

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.199
 the highest

00:33:44.199 --> 00:33:44.779
 price

00:33:44.779 --> 00:33:46.920
 God help

00:33:46.920 --> 00:33:47.339
 us not to

00:33:47.339 --> 00:33:47.799
 take it for

00:33:47.799 --> 00:33:48.200
 granted

00:33:48.200 --> 00:33:49.759
 help us not

00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.000
 to get

00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.859
 distracted into

00:33:50.859 --> 00:33:51.460
 thinking that

00:33:51.460 --> 00:33:52.160
 forgiveness was

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.819
 the end game

00:33:52.819 --> 00:33:55.099
 give us eyes to

00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:56.039
 see the path that

00:33:56.039 --> 00:33:56.579
 you are marking

00:33:56.579 --> 00:33:57.279
 out in front of

00:33:57.279 --> 00:33:57.599
 us

00:33:57.599 --> 00:33:59.680
 give us hearts so

00:33:59.680 --> 00:34:00.559
 consumed with

00:34:00.559 --> 00:34:01.299
 love for you

00:34:01.299 --> 00:34:02.240
 and desire to

00:34:02.240 --> 00:34:03.099
 see people saved

00:34:03.099 --> 00:34:03.680
 that we will

00:34:03.680 --> 00:34:04.480
 joyfully do

00:34:04.480 --> 00:34:05.099
 whatever it

00:34:05.099 --> 00:34:05.539
 takes

00:34:05.539 --> 00:34:08.920
 give us eyes to

00:34:08.920 --> 00:34:09.460
 see the

00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:10.300
 cultures around

00:34:10.300 --> 00:34:10.699
 us

00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.860
 give us love

00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:12.340
 for them that

00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.119
 we might adapt

00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:13.920
 and be flexible

00:34:13.920 --> 00:34:14.500
 that we might

00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:15.500
 remove all

00:34:15.500 --> 00:34:16.440
 human barriers

00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:17.059
 from people

00:34:17.059 --> 00:34:17.619
 hearing your

00:34:17.619 --> 00:34:18.059
 message

00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:20.400
 God give us

00:34:20.400 --> 00:34:21.179
 words to say

00:34:21.179 --> 00:34:22.059
 and use us

00:34:22.059 --> 00:34:24.599
 to call people

00:34:24.599 --> 00:34:24.980
 into your

00:34:24.980 --> 00:34:25.340
 kingdom

00:34:25.340 --> 00:34:26.440
 into your

00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:26.820
 freedom

00:34:26.820 --> 00:34:27.320
 into this

00:34:27.320 --> 00:34:27.739
 hope

00:34:27.739 --> 00:34:30.960
 Father thank

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.239
 you for

00:34:31.239 --> 00:34:31.699
 Jesus

00:34:31.699 --> 00:34:33.940
 our saviour

00:34:33.940 --> 00:34:35.519
 and our

00:34:35.519 --> 00:34:35.820
 king

00:34:35.820 --> 00:34:37.780
 Amen