WEBVTT 00:00:00.840 --> 00:00:10.960 Well, good morning. It's good to see you here. As we turn to God's Word, we are going to be talking 00:00:10.960 --> 00:00:19.420 this morning about sexual righteousness. I want to start by saying this is not a hobby horse of 00:00:19.420 --> 00:00:25.160 our church that we pick on. We're preaching on this passage because it's the next one in the 00:00:25.160 --> 00:00:30.859 series. We're looking through the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5 through 7, and this is the next 00:00:30.859 --> 00:00:38.820 passage and the topic that Jesus brings to us this morning. But I'm not going to apologize for 00:00:38.820 --> 00:00:45.620 preaching on this either because we need to be talking about this. We live in a culture 00:00:45.620 --> 00:00:55.140 which is increasingly and intensely sexualized. I am a reader of the New York Times. It is 00:00:55.140 --> 00:01:02.700 remarkable to me the topics of articles that I can read in the New York Times about 00:01:02.700 --> 00:01:11.460 things that I don't even want to speak about here in this building, about sexuality and the 00:01:11.460 --> 00:01:19.000 different ways in which our culture is embracing diverse and, may I say it, destructive expressions 00:01:19.000 --> 00:01:26.180 of sexuality. I don't think our culture is particularly more sexualized than other times 00:01:26.180 --> 00:01:32.480 in history. If you go back to the first century, you look at the practice of temple prostitution. 00:01:33.239 --> 00:01:38.340 This is not, there's nothing new under the sun. This has been true of humanity since humanity was 00:01:38.340 --> 00:01:46.480 created and fell into sin. But certainly we live in a day where particularly with our technology, 00:01:46.480 --> 00:01:57.040 we have a particular kind of pressure in our world to be thinking about sex and lifting up the value 00:01:57.040 --> 00:02:04.040 of sex all the time. So that's the first reason why we need to be talking about this. The second 00:02:04.040 --> 00:02:10.199 reason we need to be talking about this is because the church has failed in its calling to be different. 00:02:10.199 --> 00:02:21.119 You can read the statistics. Oh, they're marginally better in some surveys. Don't be completely distressed 00:02:21.119 --> 00:02:31.259 by this. But it's nowhere near distinctly different than the world around us. The headlines continue to be 00:02:31.259 --> 00:02:38.579 filled with spiritual leaders in the church and not the church out there, in our tribe, people that we know, 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:47.180 sometimes people that we've personally known or followed or read who've fallen in to sexual sin. 00:02:50.220 --> 00:02:56.439 The last reason why we need to talk about this is because of the context of this passage this morning. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:03:03.200 If you want to turn with me to Matthew chapter 5, page 760 in your pew Bibles. 00:03:03.199 --> 00:03:10.859 We're looking at Matthew 5, verses 27 through 30. 00:03:12.959 --> 00:03:18.539 But you remember the context. If you've been here the last couple of weeks, you remember back in verses 17 through 20, 00:03:19.079 --> 00:03:27.799 Jesus said, I have not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill it. And what we read in that was that Jesus was saying, 00:03:27.800 --> 00:03:39.900 I am the thing to which the Old Testament law points to, and I am now putting myself in the center of what is the new kingdom that God is bringing. 00:03:40.400 --> 00:03:45.080 And I'm going to teach you what it looks like to be in my kingdom. 00:03:45.080 --> 00:03:56.080 And Jesus comes to us as a king this morning to say, this is how to take hold of kingdom life with me. 00:03:56.360 --> 00:04:02.460 These are the patterns of how you live. This is what it looks like to have, if you remember verse 20, 00:04:02.800 --> 00:04:06.080 a righteousness that exceeds that of the Pharisees. 00:04:07.480 --> 00:04:12.460 And so, we need to hear this word because Jesus has spoken it to us. 00:04:15.080 --> 00:04:16.980 So, with that, let me pray. 00:04:18.199 --> 00:04:19.639 And then I'll read God's word. 00:04:21.080 --> 00:04:22.620 And then we'll look at it together. 00:04:23.420 --> 00:04:24.920 Lord, help us this morning. 00:04:26.580 --> 00:04:33.699 We confess that our hearts just want to flee in this moment. 00:04:34.480 --> 00:04:36.620 Lord, we don't want to sit under your word. 00:04:38.220 --> 00:04:40.439 We love our independence too much. 00:04:40.439 --> 00:04:52.980 And Lord, some even now are feeling as well the enemy of our souls throwing accusations of shame and guilt. 00:04:53.759 --> 00:04:56.540 Lord, I pray this morning that by your Holy Spirit, 00:04:57.139 --> 00:05:02.439 you might help us to see the high calling and the greater grace 00:05:02.439 --> 00:05:07.120 that you give us as we talk about these things. 00:05:08.300 --> 00:05:09.300 Lord, be with me. 00:05:09.540 --> 00:05:11.019 Help me to speak your words. 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:15.620 May we sit under your word together this morning, we pray. 00:05:16.399 --> 00:05:17.480 In Jesus' name. 00:05:18.939 --> 00:05:19.779 So, Jesus, 00:05:20.779 --> 00:05:23.339 in verse 27 of Matthew 5, 00:05:23.420 --> 00:05:24.199 says this, 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:54.199 00:05:54.199 --> 00:06:09.800 This is not a radical summary of this, 00:06:09.899 --> 00:06:11.000 but here's the big idea. 00:06:11.599 --> 00:06:13.060 Jesus calls us, 00:06:13.459 --> 00:06:14.159 his people, 00:06:15.199 --> 00:06:16.879 to a radical kingdom, 00:06:17.599 --> 00:06:18.839 sexual righteousness. 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:22.060 Why do I use this phrase? 00:06:22.359 --> 00:06:24.859 Because I just don't want to keep saying sex, sex, sex all the time. 00:06:25.019 --> 00:06:26.179 I want to broaden it out. 00:06:26.259 --> 00:06:27.699 I want us to be thinking more broadly. 00:06:27.879 --> 00:06:30.699 It's a kingdom sexual righteousness 00:06:30.699 --> 00:06:34.039 that has to do with how we relate to our king. 00:06:34.259 --> 00:06:36.859 And it's not just about avoiding sin. 00:06:36.959 --> 00:06:38.000 It is a righteousness, 00:06:38.319 --> 00:06:40.299 a path that God has laid out for us 00:06:40.299 --> 00:06:41.419 of right living 00:06:41.419 --> 00:06:43.179 that we would follow it. 00:06:45.019 --> 00:06:46.239 And it is about sex. 00:06:46.979 --> 00:06:48.359 So, let's get into it. 00:06:49.399 --> 00:06:51.799 Here's my outline for those of you who are outline takers. 00:06:51.899 --> 00:06:53.479 We're going to talk about Jesus' definition 00:06:53.479 --> 00:06:55.560 of kingdom sexual righteousness. 00:06:56.060 --> 00:06:57.799 We're going to talk about the significance 00:06:57.799 --> 00:06:59.679 that Jesus gives 00:06:59.679 --> 00:07:01.479 to sexual kingdom righteousness. 00:07:02.039 --> 00:07:04.099 And then we're going to talk about Jesus' power 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:05.879 to live 00:07:05.879 --> 00:07:08.019 kingdom sexual righteousness. 00:07:08.639 --> 00:07:09.459 So, firstly, 00:07:09.959 --> 00:07:11.299 verses 27 and 28, 00:07:11.419 --> 00:07:12.639 Jesus' definition 00:07:12.639 --> 00:07:14.659 of sexual righteousness. 00:07:15.139 --> 00:07:17.459 It is a pattern that we've already seen 00:07:17.459 --> 00:07:18.779 and we're going to keep repeating. 00:07:18.839 --> 00:07:21.099 The heart of this command 00:07:21.099 --> 00:07:22.839 is an internal thing, 00:07:23.000 --> 00:07:24.319 not an external thing. 00:07:24.859 --> 00:07:26.839 We see this throughout this section, 00:07:26.979 --> 00:07:28.199 starting in verse 21. 00:07:28.779 --> 00:07:29.339 Jesus says, 00:07:29.439 --> 00:07:30.339 You have heard it said, 00:07:30.659 --> 00:07:31.839 but I say to you, 00:07:31.959 --> 00:07:33.079 you have heard it said. 00:07:33.500 --> 00:07:35.919 This is an external practice of religion 00:07:35.919 --> 00:07:37.899 that the Pharisees in the first century 00:07:37.899 --> 00:07:39.259 embraced and lived on. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:40.699 And Jesus is saying, 00:07:40.779 --> 00:07:43.419 But I tell you that the heart of my kingdom 00:07:43.419 --> 00:07:45.459 has to do with the heart of humanity 00:07:45.459 --> 00:07:46.959 as it relates to God. 00:07:47.959 --> 00:07:48.939 And so, Jesus says, 00:07:49.139 --> 00:07:50.339 There is a seventh commandment. 00:07:50.659 --> 00:07:51.799 Do not commit adultery. 00:07:51.919 --> 00:07:54.159 You can read it in Exodus 20, 00:07:54.399 --> 00:07:56.759 part of what God gave to Moses. 00:07:57.879 --> 00:07:58.740 And, you know, 00:07:58.799 --> 00:08:00.339 the Pharisees in the first century said, 00:08:00.560 --> 00:08:01.139 That's it. 00:08:01.240 --> 00:08:02.219 The physical act. 00:08:02.220 --> 00:08:03.060 If you don't commit 00:08:03.060 --> 00:08:05.300 the physical act of adultery, 00:08:05.480 --> 00:08:06.500 then you can say, 00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:08.240 I've kept this commandment. 00:08:10.600 --> 00:08:12.320 Oddly how thankful we might be 00:08:12.320 --> 00:08:13.940 if we could even do this. 00:08:18.260 --> 00:08:19.460 Before we go on 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:20.880 to talk about the heart center, 00:08:20.879 --> 00:08:22.959 we might want to talk briefly about 00:08:22.959 --> 00:08:25.480 why did God give this command at all? 00:08:26.180 --> 00:08:27.959 Because this is very different thinking 00:08:27.959 --> 00:08:29.399 from our culture today, right? 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.360 But here's the thing. 00:08:33.340 --> 00:08:35.460 Our sex life is woven into this 00:08:35.460 --> 00:08:37.100 beautiful tapestry 00:08:37.100 --> 00:08:38.340 throughout Scripture 00:08:38.340 --> 00:08:40.399 of what God has created 00:08:40.399 --> 00:08:41.740 human beings to do. 00:08:42.039 --> 00:08:43.000 And in Genesis 1, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.960 He created humanity, 00:08:45.279 --> 00:08:46.279 male and female, 00:08:46.379 --> 00:08:46.759 and He said, 00:08:46.940 --> 00:08:48.179 Be fruitful and multiply. 00:08:48.340 --> 00:08:48.720 Guess what? 00:08:48.759 --> 00:08:50.000 That means they had sex. 00:08:50.879 --> 00:08:52.059 So they could have babies. 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:53.519 So they could fulfill this. 00:08:53.679 --> 00:08:55.059 But it wasn't just for that. 00:08:55.139 --> 00:08:56.200 It was more than that. 00:08:56.360 --> 00:08:58.559 It was also for their companionship 00:08:58.559 --> 00:09:00.340 and for their complementary. 00:09:00.679 --> 00:09:00.939 That is, 00:09:01.279 --> 00:09:03.320 in two different bodies 00:09:03.320 --> 00:09:04.419 coming together, 00:09:04.919 --> 00:09:06.700 this beautiful picture 00:09:06.700 --> 00:09:07.700 of a oneness. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:08.439 So God said, 00:09:08.899 --> 00:09:11.279 The two shall become one flesh. 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:13.759 And this is true in our heart 00:09:13.759 --> 00:09:14.480 and in our soul 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:15.620 and in our lives 00:09:15.620 --> 00:09:18.440 as well as in our physical actions. 00:09:18.779 --> 00:09:19.639 And God gives us 00:09:19.639 --> 00:09:20.939 beautiful gift 00:09:20.939 --> 00:09:23.259 to humanity 00:09:23.259 --> 00:09:24.879 in Genesis 1. 00:09:25.399 --> 00:09:26.439 And yet we see 00:09:26.439 --> 00:09:27.439 in Genesis 3 00:09:27.439 --> 00:09:29.039 that humanity 00:09:29.039 --> 00:09:30.179 rebelled against God 00:09:30.179 --> 00:09:31.639 and rejected His ways. 00:09:31.819 --> 00:09:32.919 And we see throughout 00:09:32.919 --> 00:09:34.059 the whole rest of 00:09:34.059 --> 00:09:35.019 human history, 00:09:35.159 --> 00:09:36.500 certainly biblical history, 00:09:36.500 --> 00:09:37.699 that humanity 00:09:37.699 --> 00:09:39.199 misuses sex 00:09:39.199 --> 00:09:40.539 to its detriment, 00:09:40.759 --> 00:09:41.559 to its harm. 00:09:41.899 --> 00:09:43.340 There are lots of examples, 00:09:43.519 --> 00:09:44.559 but they're descriptive. 00:09:44.919 --> 00:09:45.319 And there's, 00:09:46.679 --> 00:09:47.480 with the exception 00:09:47.480 --> 00:09:48.379 of maybe Ruth, 00:09:48.480 --> 00:09:49.180 I couldn't think 00:09:49.180 --> 00:09:50.980 of another good example 00:09:50.980 --> 00:09:52.580 where maybe there was 00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:53.460 a picture of something 00:09:53.460 --> 00:09:54.019 beautiful 00:09:54.019 --> 00:09:55.940 about human sexuality. 00:09:56.120 --> 00:09:57.680 Usually it's the aberration 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:58.580 that is depicted 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.580 in the Old Testament. 00:10:00.320 --> 00:10:02.139 But we do see this thread 00:10:02.139 --> 00:10:03.399 of marriage 00:10:03.399 --> 00:10:04.100 and sexuality 00:10:04.100 --> 00:10:07.580 being woven through 00:10:07.580 --> 00:10:09.279 the Old Testament. 00:10:09.440 --> 00:10:10.259 Oh, I forgot. 00:10:10.420 --> 00:10:11.080 Song of Solomon. 00:10:11.420 --> 00:10:12.100 The Song of Solomon 00:10:12.100 --> 00:10:12.960 is also there 00:10:12.960 --> 00:10:13.960 to tell us about 00:10:13.960 --> 00:10:14.600 the glories 00:10:14.600 --> 00:10:15.639 and the joys, 00:10:15.980 --> 00:10:16.840 the delight 00:10:16.840 --> 00:10:17.940 and pleasure 00:10:17.940 --> 00:10:20.100 that sex in marriage 00:10:20.100 --> 00:10:21.460 is meant for us 00:10:21.460 --> 00:10:22.180 to have 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:23.100 and to enjoy. 00:10:25.060 --> 00:10:26.300 But we also see 00:10:26.300 --> 00:10:26.980 this thread 00:10:26.980 --> 00:10:28.600 where this marriage 00:10:28.600 --> 00:10:29.600 between man and woman, 00:10:29.759 --> 00:10:30.340 this picture, 00:10:30.639 --> 00:10:31.680 isn't the end 00:10:31.680 --> 00:10:32.379 in itself 00:10:32.379 --> 00:10:33.160 for humanity. 00:10:33.540 --> 00:10:34.940 But God created us 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:36.259 with this picture 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:37.700 of two becoming one, 00:10:37.780 --> 00:10:38.500 this marriage, 00:10:38.879 --> 00:10:39.879 so that we might 00:10:39.879 --> 00:10:40.960 actually understand 00:10:40.960 --> 00:10:43.740 God and His love 00:10:43.740 --> 00:10:44.460 for us. 00:10:44.879 --> 00:10:45.860 And so we read 00:10:45.860 --> 00:10:47.980 in places like Hosea 00:10:47.980 --> 00:10:50.980 that God loved His people 00:10:50.980 --> 00:10:53.259 like a faithful husband, 00:10:53.920 --> 00:10:54.860 like a spouse 00:10:54.860 --> 00:10:56.560 who pursued in love 00:10:56.560 --> 00:10:57.280 and grace, 00:10:57.600 --> 00:10:59.100 an unfaithful wife 00:10:59.100 --> 00:11:00.840 who broke the covenant 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:02.080 again and again and again. 00:11:03.300 --> 00:11:04.019 And we see 00:11:04.019 --> 00:11:05.320 as we go to the New Testament, 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:07.800 God brings these ideas together 00:11:07.800 --> 00:11:08.720 in Ephesians 5 00:11:08.720 --> 00:11:09.080 and says 00:11:09.080 --> 00:11:11.279 that the coming together 00:11:11.279 --> 00:11:12.279 of a man and woman 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:12.899 in marriage 00:11:12.899 --> 00:11:14.100 is meant to picture 00:11:14.100 --> 00:11:16.160 God's love for the church 00:11:16.160 --> 00:11:17.340 and the Savior's love 00:11:17.340 --> 00:11:19.120 as He lays down His life 00:11:19.120 --> 00:11:20.019 to serve 00:11:20.019 --> 00:11:21.580 and to save the church 00:11:21.580 --> 00:11:22.899 and for the church 00:11:22.899 --> 00:11:24.680 to be one that responds 00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:26.980 to this loving action 00:11:26.980 --> 00:11:28.860 with devotion 00:11:28.860 --> 00:11:30.060 and submission. 00:11:32.000 --> 00:11:32.920 And we see 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:34.000 as we get to the end 00:11:34.000 --> 00:11:35.000 of the storyline, 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.639 John prayed about it earlier, 00:11:39.519 --> 00:11:40.120 and sorry, 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:41.080 I get choked. 00:11:41.700 --> 00:11:42.920 There's a day coming 00:11:42.920 --> 00:11:45.100 when we, 00:11:45.259 --> 00:11:46.360 the bride of Christ, 00:11:47.440 --> 00:11:48.600 will be made new 00:11:48.600 --> 00:11:50.259 and sin will be gone 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:52.080 and Jesus will know us 00:11:52.080 --> 00:11:53.420 completely and fully 00:11:53.420 --> 00:11:54.480 and we will know Him 00:11:54.480 --> 00:11:56.000 and we will worship Him 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:57.519 and we will experience 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:57.860 at the, 00:11:58.300 --> 00:11:58.980 what is called 00:11:58.980 --> 00:11:59.700 in Revelation, 00:12:00.240 --> 00:12:01.000 the end of Revelation, 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:01.980 19, 20, 21, 00:12:02.279 --> 00:12:03.480 the wedding feast 00:12:03.480 --> 00:12:04.259 of the Lamb. 00:12:04.600 --> 00:12:05.540 We will come 00:12:05.540 --> 00:12:06.860 and be the bride 00:12:06.860 --> 00:12:07.660 and He will be 00:12:07.659 --> 00:12:08.399 our bridegroom 00:12:08.399 --> 00:12:09.939 and we will know 00:12:09.939 --> 00:12:12.039 that the greatest sex 00:12:12.039 --> 00:12:13.819 we've ever encountered here 00:12:13.819 --> 00:12:16.259 is just a foretaste. 00:12:16.879 --> 00:12:17.740 It's a nibble 00:12:17.740 --> 00:12:19.459 of the joy 00:12:19.459 --> 00:12:20.379 and delight 00:12:20.379 --> 00:12:21.279 and intimacy 00:12:21.279 --> 00:12:23.299 of knowing Jesus 00:12:23.299 --> 00:12:25.480 and being known by Him 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:26.799 and being loved by Him. 00:12:27.179 --> 00:12:28.459 And this is what God 00:12:28.459 --> 00:12:29.679 created it for, 00:12:30.199 --> 00:12:31.179 a signpost 00:12:31.179 --> 00:12:32.779 for something far greater 00:12:32.779 --> 00:12:34.579 and our culture 00:12:34.579 --> 00:12:35.720 has made it the end. 00:12:38.019 --> 00:12:39.059 This is why 00:12:39.059 --> 00:12:40.360 the Bible talks 00:12:40.360 --> 00:12:41.419 about sexual sin 00:12:41.419 --> 00:12:42.240 because its purpose 00:12:42.240 --> 00:12:42.860 is glorious 00:12:42.860 --> 00:12:45.199 and our sin 00:12:45.199 --> 00:12:46.480 stains it 00:12:46.480 --> 00:12:47.639 and corrupts it. 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:51.100 And Jesus says 00:12:51.100 --> 00:12:52.439 it's not just 00:12:52.439 --> 00:12:53.959 about the act. 00:12:54.959 --> 00:12:55.919 He says 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.639 if anyone 00:12:56.639 --> 00:12:58.319 looks at a woman 00:12:58.319 --> 00:13:00.139 with lustful intent, 00:13:00.240 --> 00:13:01.000 he has committed 00:13:01.000 --> 00:13:02.320 adultery with her 00:13:02.320 --> 00:13:04.279 in his heart. 00:13:06.200 --> 00:13:07.159 What does it mean 00:13:07.159 --> 00:13:08.639 to look with lustful intent? 00:13:08.779 --> 00:13:08.940 Well, 00:13:09.259 --> 00:13:10.679 there's this process, 00:13:10.879 --> 00:13:11.320 isn't there? 00:13:11.720 --> 00:13:12.700 There's a seeing, 00:13:12.879 --> 00:13:14.200 there's an activation 00:13:14.200 --> 00:13:15.200 of our senses. 00:13:16.600 --> 00:13:17.320 And in response 00:13:17.320 --> 00:13:18.120 to that senses, 00:13:19.080 --> 00:13:19.799 lots of commentators 00:13:19.799 --> 00:13:20.419 brought this up, 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:21.100 I thought it was really, 00:13:21.440 --> 00:13:22.320 there's an imagination 00:13:22.320 --> 00:13:23.820 that arouses in us. 00:13:24.299 --> 00:13:25.399 There's a something 00:13:25.399 --> 00:13:26.179 that arouses 00:13:26.179 --> 00:13:27.059 in our minds 00:13:27.059 --> 00:13:27.799 and in our hearts 00:13:27.799 --> 00:13:28.480 that we want, 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:29.379 that we desire. 00:13:29.379 --> 00:13:31.059 And then we take 00:13:31.059 --> 00:13:31.919 this desire 00:13:31.919 --> 00:13:33.980 and we apply it 00:13:33.980 --> 00:13:35.439 to something we see 00:13:35.439 --> 00:13:37.059 or someone that we see 00:13:37.059 --> 00:13:40.279 with lustful intent 00:13:40.279 --> 00:13:41.559 that is a passion 00:13:41.559 --> 00:13:42.799 that is not pure, 00:13:43.039 --> 00:13:44.039 that is not loving, 00:13:44.240 --> 00:13:45.299 that is not serving, 00:13:45.580 --> 00:13:46.939 but it is a desire 00:13:46.939 --> 00:13:48.899 to covet for oneself. 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:50.620 It is selfish 00:13:50.620 --> 00:13:51.460 in orientation. 00:13:51.960 --> 00:13:53.419 It is to control 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.519 the other person 00:13:54.519 --> 00:13:56.360 for one's own pleasure. 00:13:56.360 --> 00:13:58.519 It is to use 00:13:58.519 --> 00:14:00.720 the other person 00:14:00.720 --> 00:14:03.220 to objectify them 00:14:03.220 --> 00:14:06.240 to gain what we desire. 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.620 And this is what Jesus means 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:10.740 by looking with lustful intent. 00:14:11.840 --> 00:14:12.960 There's a great story 00:14:12.960 --> 00:14:13.940 in the Bible about this. 00:14:14.100 --> 00:14:15.560 Look at 2 Samuel 11. 00:14:16.039 --> 00:14:16.460 David, 00:14:16.700 --> 00:14:17.720 who should be out to war, 00:14:17.779 --> 00:14:18.300 but he wasn't, 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:19.220 he was up on his roof 00:14:19.220 --> 00:14:21.120 and he saw the woman. 00:14:21.639 --> 00:14:22.440 And the scripture says 00:14:22.440 --> 00:14:23.139 he saw him 00:14:23.139 --> 00:14:24.240 and she was very beautiful. 00:14:24.240 --> 00:14:25.680 And David sent 00:14:25.680 --> 00:14:27.100 and inquired about the woman 00:14:27.100 --> 00:14:29.340 and David sent messengers 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:30.419 and took her 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.500 and she came to him 00:14:31.500 --> 00:14:33.100 and he lay with her. 00:14:34.539 --> 00:14:35.799 He saw her. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.600 She was someone else's husband. 00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:38.600 But David said, 00:14:38.740 --> 00:14:39.659 I don't care about that. 00:14:39.919 --> 00:14:41.080 I want her for myself. 00:14:41.440 --> 00:14:42.580 I'm going to take her 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:44.460 and I'm going to make her mine 00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.600 and I'm going to use her 00:14:45.600 --> 00:14:46.460 for my pleasure. 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:48.340 This is the picture 00:14:48.340 --> 00:14:49.419 of lustful intent. 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.320 And David did it physically, 00:14:51.480 --> 00:14:53.180 but we do it in our minds, 00:14:53.279 --> 00:14:53.740 don't we? 00:14:54.680 --> 00:14:55.779 And our imaginations 00:14:55.779 --> 00:14:57.139 may go in different places 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.100 because we're all different. 00:14:59.240 --> 00:15:00.500 But in the end, 00:15:00.600 --> 00:15:02.720 it's this sinful desire 00:15:02.720 --> 00:15:04.080 to have and control 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:06.080 that is at the center of it. 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:07.639 And Jesus says, 00:15:07.639 --> 00:15:09.080 when we do this, 00:15:09.180 --> 00:15:11.019 when we think in these ways, 00:15:11.700 --> 00:15:14.340 we've committed adultery 00:15:14.340 --> 00:15:15.180 in our hearts. 00:15:17.220 --> 00:15:19.240 We are just like those 00:15:19.240 --> 00:15:20.360 who have done it physically. 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:24.919 Now, some of you may be thinking, 00:15:25.360 --> 00:15:26.940 well, Jesus is just talking 00:15:26.940 --> 00:15:28.279 about a man looking at a woman 00:15:28.279 --> 00:15:30.039 and this is about adultery 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:30.879 and I'm not married, 00:15:31.019 --> 00:15:33.399 so this isn't about me. 00:15:33.639 --> 00:15:34.779 This is about someone else. 00:15:36.240 --> 00:15:38.740 Well, John Stott argues this 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:40.000 and I agree with him. 00:15:40.000 --> 00:15:40.680 He says, 00:15:40.679 --> 00:15:41.939 to argue that the reference 00:15:41.939 --> 00:15:43.199 is only to a man 00:15:43.199 --> 00:15:44.339 lusting after a woman 00:15:44.339 --> 00:15:45.299 and not vice versa 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:47.059 and only to a married man 00:15:47.059 --> 00:15:48.120 and not to an unmarried 00:15:48.120 --> 00:15:49.179 since the offender 00:15:49.179 --> 00:15:50.439 is said to commit adultery, 00:15:50.539 --> 00:15:51.519 not fornication, 00:15:52.079 --> 00:15:52.939 is to be guilty 00:15:52.939 --> 00:15:54.620 of the very casuistry, 00:15:54.839 --> 00:15:56.199 that is the very kind 00:15:56.199 --> 00:15:56.639 of thinking 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.199 that the Pharisees used 00:15:58.199 --> 00:15:59.559 to limit the effect 00:15:59.559 --> 00:16:00.179 of the command, 00:16:00.819 --> 00:16:02.899 the very casuistry 00:16:02.899 --> 00:16:04.639 which Jesus was condemning 00:16:04.639 --> 00:16:05.579 in the Pharisees. 00:16:05.580 --> 00:16:07.620 His argument is that any 00:16:07.620 --> 00:16:09.460 and every sexual practice 00:16:09.460 --> 00:16:12.280 which is immoral indeed 00:16:12.280 --> 00:16:14.820 is also immoral 00:16:14.820 --> 00:16:16.680 in look and in thought. 00:16:19.259 --> 00:16:20.300 Jesus says, 00:16:20.460 --> 00:16:21.240 you need a righteousness 00:16:21.240 --> 00:16:22.120 that is greater 00:16:22.120 --> 00:16:23.020 than the Pharisees 00:16:23.020 --> 00:16:24.560 and this is for all of us, 00:16:24.900 --> 00:16:27.100 single, married, widowed 00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:30.540 and we see it throughout 00:16:30.540 --> 00:16:31.759 the whole New Testament. 00:16:31.960 --> 00:16:32.720 It's in Romans 1, 00:16:32.820 --> 00:16:34.379 it's in 1 Corinthians 5-7, 00:16:34.379 --> 00:16:35.580 it's in Galatians 5, 00:16:35.679 --> 00:16:36.740 it's in Ephesians 5, 00:16:37.100 --> 00:16:38.720 it's in Colossians 3, 00:16:38.820 --> 00:16:39.500 it's in the passage 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:40.779 that Richard read earlier 00:16:40.779 --> 00:16:42.360 in 1 Thessalonians 4. 00:16:44.539 --> 00:16:46.159 Repeatedly over and over again, 00:16:48.259 --> 00:16:50.000 the kingdom commands 00:16:50.000 --> 00:16:52.840 is to avoid this way. 00:16:54.039 --> 00:16:55.100 Now, I want to give 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.279 some clarifications here. 00:16:57.179 --> 00:16:57.960 First of all, 00:16:58.240 --> 00:16:58.980 it doesn't mean 00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.139 that all attraction 00:17:00.139 --> 00:17:01.559 is lustful intent. 00:17:01.559 --> 00:17:04.579 it is actually possible 00:17:04.579 --> 00:17:06.619 to look at something 00:17:06.619 --> 00:17:08.019 and appreciate a beauty 00:17:08.019 --> 00:17:09.819 without desiring to control it 00:17:09.819 --> 00:17:10.279 and use it 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:11.559 for your own selfish good. 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:14.579 In our sexualized culture, 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:16.879 it feels almost like a pipe dream, 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:19.099 but it is actually possible to do. 00:17:20.460 --> 00:17:21.119 And secondly, 00:17:21.359 --> 00:17:22.359 we need to recognize 00:17:22.359 --> 00:17:24.039 that not all sexual desire 00:17:24.039 --> 00:17:25.200 is inherently sinful. 00:17:25.679 --> 00:17:27.099 Certainly within a marriage, 00:17:27.339 --> 00:17:29.799 it is a glorious thing, right? 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:31.859 And to recognize 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:33.960 that you have a desire for this 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:35.399 that you don't allow 00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:36.659 to control you 00:17:36.659 --> 00:17:37.639 and that doesn't affect 00:17:37.639 --> 00:17:38.839 the way that you perceive 00:17:38.839 --> 00:17:39.700 other people, 00:17:39.940 --> 00:17:41.779 there can be an honest desire 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.399 for that 00:17:42.399 --> 00:17:44.079 that can be righteous 00:17:44.079 --> 00:17:46.419 when you don't use people 00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:47.579 to get it. 00:17:49.460 --> 00:17:50.200 And thirdly, 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.259 we need to recognize 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.220 that there's a distinction 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:54.180 between sin and temptation. 00:17:55.619 --> 00:17:56.720 Martin Luther famously 00:17:56.720 --> 00:17:57.779 was quoted as saying, 00:17:57.779 --> 00:17:59.160 you can't keep the birds 00:17:59.160 --> 00:18:00.279 from flying over your head, 00:18:00.339 --> 00:18:01.099 but you can keep them 00:18:01.099 --> 00:18:02.180 from nesting in your hair. 00:18:02.859 --> 00:18:03.879 What does that mean? 00:18:04.500 --> 00:18:07.000 It means that you may see things 00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:09.440 that will begin to tickle 00:18:09.440 --> 00:18:10.119 your imagination 00:18:10.119 --> 00:18:11.859 and lead you down this path, 00:18:12.059 --> 00:18:14.500 but you can stop it there. 00:18:15.160 --> 00:18:16.579 You have not sinned 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.379 where you recognize, 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.500 oh, that's a temptation 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:19.579 for me to do more. 00:18:20.119 --> 00:18:21.200 But when you say, 00:18:21.740 --> 00:18:22.859 oh, well, 00:18:23.359 --> 00:18:24.319 now that I've seen it, 00:18:24.359 --> 00:18:25.160 what else can I do? 00:18:25.160 --> 00:18:25.820 I'm just gonna, 00:18:26.279 --> 00:18:27.620 I'm gonna cherish 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.700 that thought for a while. 00:18:28.800 --> 00:18:29.920 I'm gonna let it marinate. 00:18:30.060 --> 00:18:31.680 I'm gonna ponder on, 00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.340 I'm gonna meditate 00:18:32.340 --> 00:18:33.880 on this thing 00:18:33.880 --> 00:18:34.540 that I'm seeing 00:18:34.540 --> 00:18:35.460 and I'm gonna let it 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.300 capture my heart 00:18:36.300 --> 00:18:37.340 and let it lead me 00:18:37.340 --> 00:18:37.980 down this path 00:18:37.980 --> 00:18:38.580 of destruction. 00:18:39.840 --> 00:18:40.960 There's a distinction 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:42.560 between the moment 00:18:42.560 --> 00:18:43.360 of temptation 00:18:43.360 --> 00:18:45.200 and the falling into sin. 00:18:46.259 --> 00:18:46.920 And this is where 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:48.200 the battle is fought. 00:18:49.420 --> 00:18:50.940 And I wanna say to you 00:18:50.940 --> 00:18:52.400 that there is an alternative. 00:18:52.400 --> 00:18:54.700 It is possible 00:18:54.700 --> 00:18:55.519 with the gospel 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:57.500 to look at men and women 00:18:57.500 --> 00:18:58.160 and to say, 00:18:58.680 --> 00:19:00.400 they are people 00:19:01.040 --> 00:19:02.440 made in God's image 00:19:02.440 --> 00:19:03.860 worthy of honor 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.620 and dignity. 00:19:05.259 --> 00:19:06.060 They are, 00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:07.100 as men and women, 00:19:07.540 --> 00:19:08.420 under the fall, 00:19:09.640 --> 00:19:10.780 worthy of compassion 00:19:10.780 --> 00:19:12.940 and grace and truth. 00:19:13.380 --> 00:19:14.620 As men and women, 00:19:14.759 --> 00:19:15.600 they are in need 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:16.580 of God's love 00:19:16.580 --> 00:19:17.900 and grace. 00:19:18.420 --> 00:19:19.600 We can show them. 00:19:19.599 --> 00:19:22.659 One of the best things 00:19:22.659 --> 00:19:23.219 you can do 00:19:23.219 --> 00:19:24.299 if you find yourself 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:25.919 falling down this trap 00:19:25.919 --> 00:19:27.099 is look someone 00:19:27.099 --> 00:19:27.879 in the eye. 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.339 Look at them 00:19:30.339 --> 00:19:31.179 in their face 00:19:31.179 --> 00:19:32.799 and that will remind you 00:19:32.799 --> 00:19:33.779 that they are people 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.879 and not objects 00:19:34.879 --> 00:19:36.879 to be longed after 00:19:36.879 --> 00:19:38.339 and lusted after. 00:19:39.059 --> 00:19:40.039 But they're people 00:19:40.039 --> 00:19:41.219 made in God's image. 00:19:41.220 --> 00:19:46.339 Jesus says to us, 00:19:47.220 --> 00:19:48.539 if we look at another 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:50.160 with lustful intent, 00:19:50.660 --> 00:19:54.019 we have committed adultery 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:55.460 in our hearts. 00:19:56.600 --> 00:19:58.120 So we have to ask ourselves 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:59.559 some uncomfortable questions. 00:20:00.600 --> 00:20:01.720 How do we look 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.680 at other people? 00:20:03.759 --> 00:20:04.860 What do we feed 00:20:04.860 --> 00:20:05.759 with our eyes? 00:20:06.680 --> 00:20:09.000 Not just the really bad stuff, 00:20:09.120 --> 00:20:10.079 but what do we feed 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:11.500 that's commonplace? 00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:15.159 Where do you see 00:20:15.159 --> 00:20:16.039 your own heart 00:20:16.039 --> 00:20:18.279 and your own imagination 00:20:18.279 --> 00:20:18.980 wandering? 00:20:21.699 --> 00:20:23.119 Is Jesus' kingdom 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:24.639 sexual righteousness 00:20:24.639 --> 00:20:25.359 characteristic 00:20:25.359 --> 00:20:26.939 of your life 00:20:26.939 --> 00:20:28.460 in your heart 00:20:28.460 --> 00:20:29.079 as well as 00:20:29.079 --> 00:20:29.740 in your actions? 00:20:32.159 --> 00:20:33.339 Jesus goes on, 00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.939 verses 29 through 30, 00:20:36.000 --> 00:20:36.799 to talk about 00:20:36.799 --> 00:20:38.359 the significance of this 00:20:38.359 --> 00:20:39.679 as he sees it. 00:20:42.279 --> 00:20:43.839 Jesus in these two verses 00:20:43.839 --> 00:20:44.559 talk about 00:20:44.559 --> 00:20:46.659 the weight 00:20:46.659 --> 00:20:48.779 that this is carrying 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.419 because he says, 00:20:51.099 --> 00:20:51.859 if something 00:20:51.859 --> 00:20:53.519 causes you to sin 00:20:53.519 --> 00:20:54.259 in this way, 00:20:54.579 --> 00:20:55.159 that there's, 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:56.079 in context, 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:56.419 it's saying, 00:20:56.740 --> 00:20:57.500 if these things, 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.319 if your eye 00:20:58.319 --> 00:21:00.059 causes you to sin, 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.919 pluck it out. 00:21:02.419 --> 00:21:03.519 If your hand 00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.879 causes you to sin, 00:21:05.359 --> 00:21:06.279 cut it off. 00:21:06.279 --> 00:21:07.500 Now, 00:21:07.660 --> 00:21:08.700 despite a few 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:11.039 possibly apocryphal stories 00:21:11.039 --> 00:21:11.779 from church history 00:21:11.779 --> 00:21:12.259 about people 00:21:12.259 --> 00:21:13.359 who actually literally 00:21:13.359 --> 00:21:14.740 physically did this 00:21:14.740 --> 00:21:15.480 and did things like 00:21:15.480 --> 00:21:16.299 castrate themselves 00:21:16.299 --> 00:21:17.420 in order to not sin, 00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:19.879 I don't think 00:21:19.879 --> 00:21:20.700 that's an appropriate 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.960 application. 00:21:22.240 --> 00:21:23.099 He's not talking 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:24.240 about self-mutilation. 00:21:24.399 --> 00:21:25.200 Martin Lloyd-Jones 00:21:25.200 --> 00:21:26.339 has a great image 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.759 in his commentary 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:28.079 on this 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.559 where he says, 00:21:28.899 --> 00:21:29.779 how far do we have 00:21:29.779 --> 00:21:30.099 to go 00:21:30.099 --> 00:21:31.339 to cut off our members 00:21:31.339 --> 00:21:33.039 that cause us to sin? 00:21:33.680 --> 00:21:34.659 We end up like 00:21:34.659 --> 00:21:35.879 the guy in Mighty Python, 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.539 just a torso saying, 00:21:38.079 --> 00:21:39.099 I think I'm getting better. 00:21:39.940 --> 00:21:40.420 Sorry, 00:21:40.519 --> 00:21:41.279 if you don't know that, 00:21:41.339 --> 00:21:42.220 it's a random, 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:45.980 but we can't cut off 00:21:45.980 --> 00:21:47.000 our body enough 00:21:47.000 --> 00:21:47.859 to remove it 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.819 because the sin 00:21:48.819 --> 00:21:49.980 resides in our heart. 00:21:50.480 --> 00:21:51.819 So this is a metaphor. 00:21:52.519 --> 00:21:53.659 He's using a figure 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:54.539 of speech 00:21:54.539 --> 00:21:55.639 to say 00:21:55.639 --> 00:21:57.700 that it's something 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.339 different. 00:21:59.980 --> 00:22:00.759 And for Jesus, 00:22:00.920 --> 00:22:01.319 he says, 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:03.299 the stakes are eternal. 00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:06.559 If we continue 00:22:06.559 --> 00:22:07.980 to be drawn 00:22:07.980 --> 00:22:09.179 down this path, 00:22:09.839 --> 00:22:11.139 if we continue 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:12.359 to cherish 00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:13.599 these things 00:22:13.599 --> 00:22:15.139 more than God 00:22:15.139 --> 00:22:15.899 and his kingdom, 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.859 then we are walking 00:22:17.859 --> 00:22:19.419 away from Jesus. 00:22:19.839 --> 00:22:20.519 We are walking 00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:22.019 away from his kingdom. 00:22:23.159 --> 00:22:24.519 And that path 00:22:24.519 --> 00:22:26.259 leads us to hell. 00:22:27.700 --> 00:22:28.759 It leads us 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.559 to a place 00:22:29.559 --> 00:22:31.339 of condemnation 00:22:31.339 --> 00:22:32.519 because we have 00:22:32.519 --> 00:22:33.859 loved something else 00:22:33.859 --> 00:22:35.019 more than we have 00:22:35.019 --> 00:22:35.899 loved God. 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:39.519 So Jesus says, 00:22:39.659 --> 00:22:40.639 we need to give this 00:22:40.639 --> 00:22:41.740 weight, 00:22:42.740 --> 00:22:44.259 the weightiness 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:45.740 of our eternal destiny. 00:22:45.740 --> 00:22:49.839 so what does it look like? 00:22:50.759 --> 00:22:51.460 Well, friends, 00:22:51.539 --> 00:22:52.559 there is not enough time 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.440 today to get through 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.519 everything I could say 00:22:54.519 --> 00:22:55.160 about this. 00:22:55.500 --> 00:22:56.339 There is lots 00:22:56.339 --> 00:22:57.200 of practical wisdom 00:22:57.200 --> 00:22:57.579 out there. 00:22:58.079 --> 00:22:59.079 I actually found 00:22:59.079 --> 00:22:59.859 John Stott 00:22:59.859 --> 00:23:00.640 in his commentary 00:23:00.640 --> 00:23:01.539 on the Sermon on the Mount 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:03.779 to be immensely helpful. 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.859 So much of what 00:23:04.859 --> 00:23:05.960 I'm about to say 00:23:05.960 --> 00:23:07.019 is in his words. 00:23:07.079 --> 00:23:07.599 I'm just not going 00:23:07.599 --> 00:23:08.039 to quote him 00:23:08.039 --> 00:23:08.519 all the time. 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:10.480 But he has a couple 00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.859 of things. 00:23:10.920 --> 00:23:11.259 He said, 00:23:11.779 --> 00:23:12.039 you know, 00:23:12.120 --> 00:23:13.259 what Jesus is saying 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:14.200 is not that we're 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.279 to be physically 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.500 self-maiming, 00:23:16.680 --> 00:23:17.720 but he says we're 00:23:17.720 --> 00:23:18.920 to be ruthlessly 00:23:18.920 --> 00:23:21.519 morally self-denying. 00:23:22.799 --> 00:23:23.480 That is, 00:23:23.720 --> 00:23:25.519 we are to take this 00:23:25.519 --> 00:23:26.460 so seriously 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:28.620 that not physically 00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.700 pluck out our eye, 00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.640 but to behave 00:23:30.640 --> 00:23:31.860 as if we don't have 00:23:31.860 --> 00:23:32.380 an eye 00:23:32.380 --> 00:23:34.259 to see something 00:23:34.259 --> 00:23:35.319 that will lead us 00:23:35.319 --> 00:23:36.080 into temptation. 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:38.180 To cut off our hand 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:39.960 that is to behave 00:23:39.960 --> 00:23:40.759 in such a way 00:23:40.759 --> 00:23:41.960 that we can't touch 00:23:41.960 --> 00:23:43.720 those things 00:23:43.720 --> 00:23:45.559 that we might touch 00:23:45.559 --> 00:23:46.559 that would lead us 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:48.700 into falling into 00:23:48.700 --> 00:23:50.200 this violation 00:23:50.200 --> 00:23:52.879 of sexual kingdom 00:23:52.879 --> 00:23:53.420 righteousness. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:57.019 Now here's the hard part. 00:23:57.680 --> 00:23:59.359 It's not a list of rules. 00:23:59.819 --> 00:24:01.339 Oh, we've tried over time 00:24:01.339 --> 00:24:02.859 to create new sets of rules. 00:24:03.480 --> 00:24:04.339 We end up looking 00:24:04.339 --> 00:24:05.640 a lot like the Pharisees. 00:24:05.940 --> 00:24:06.599 Here's a checklist. 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:07.379 If I don't do these, 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.859 these, these, these, 00:24:07.859 --> 00:24:09.339 these, I should be okay. 00:24:09.339 --> 00:24:11.619 But interestingly, 00:24:11.879 --> 00:24:13.439 Jesus puts all of these, 00:24:13.720 --> 00:24:14.599 both of these verses 00:24:14.599 --> 00:24:15.500 in a conditional. 00:24:15.959 --> 00:24:17.539 If this causes you 00:24:17.539 --> 00:24:18.059 to stumble, 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:20.179 radically respond. 00:24:20.539 --> 00:24:22.139 If this causes you 00:24:22.139 --> 00:24:26.939 to fall into sin, 00:24:27.419 --> 00:24:28.319 don't do it. 00:24:29.159 --> 00:24:30.659 So we need to recognize 00:24:30.659 --> 00:24:32.439 that there isn't a, 00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:34.740 there isn't a playbook 00:24:34.740 --> 00:24:36.500 that says in every circumstance 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.419 you must do this, 00:24:37.500 --> 00:24:38.439 this, this, this, this. 00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:40.880 Christian life is about 00:24:40.880 --> 00:24:41.960 knowing our heart 00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.960 and knowing Jesus. 00:24:43.480 --> 00:24:44.779 And so for us to flee 00:24:44.779 --> 00:24:45.960 from this means 00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:47.320 that we must know 00:24:47.320 --> 00:24:50.180 what our particular weaknesses are, 00:24:50.360 --> 00:24:52.580 what our particular temptations are, 00:24:52.720 --> 00:24:55.200 where our imagination goes. 00:24:55.640 --> 00:24:56.980 And it could be very, 00:24:57.140 --> 00:24:57.700 very different 00:24:57.700 --> 00:24:58.980 for different ones of us. 00:24:59.320 --> 00:25:00.519 It's also why we need 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.100 to be careful 00:25:01.100 --> 00:25:02.660 not to judge one another 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:04.299 about I do this 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.240 and they do that. 00:25:05.740 --> 00:25:06.940 I watch Game of Thrones. 00:25:06.940 --> 00:25:08.360 I don't watch Game of Thrones. 00:25:08.759 --> 00:25:09.740 You know what? 00:25:10.860 --> 00:25:11.980 Before God, 00:25:12.039 --> 00:25:13.100 are you pursuing 00:25:13.100 --> 00:25:14.980 this kind of kingdom righteousness? 00:25:20.279 --> 00:25:21.400 Do we play around 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.120 with temptation? 00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.440 Do we feed our eyes 00:25:23.440 --> 00:25:24.180 with filth? 00:25:24.680 --> 00:25:25.480 In our pride, 00:25:25.580 --> 00:25:26.180 do we think, 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.460 I can handle this? 00:25:29.120 --> 00:25:30.279 In our desire 00:25:30.279 --> 00:25:31.660 to not feel weird, 00:25:32.000 --> 00:25:32.799 do we flirt 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:33.620 on the edges 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.799 of sin 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:35.959 so that we can connect 00:25:35.959 --> 00:25:37.359 with others around us? 00:25:38.359 --> 00:25:39.079 Jesus says, 00:25:39.319 --> 00:25:39.539 no, 00:25:40.219 --> 00:25:41.079 be strong, 00:25:41.719 --> 00:25:42.519 be decisive, 00:25:43.239 --> 00:25:44.339 be brave. 00:25:46.979 --> 00:25:48.599 It's worth losing much 00:25:48.599 --> 00:25:49.779 to gain the kingdom 00:25:49.779 --> 00:25:51.199 of Jesus. 00:25:53.000 --> 00:25:54.439 Now I'm going to quote Stott. 00:25:54.739 --> 00:25:56.059 This is a little long, 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:57.559 but I think it's worth listening to. 00:25:57.559 --> 00:26:00.220 To obey this command of Jesus 00:26:00.220 --> 00:26:01.839 will involve for many of us 00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:03.639 a certain kind of maiming. 00:26:03.779 --> 00:26:04.720 He puts that in quotes. 00:26:05.700 --> 00:26:06.740 We shall have to eliminate 00:26:06.740 --> 00:26:07.720 from our lives 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.599 certain things 00:26:08.599 --> 00:26:09.159 which, 00:26:09.379 --> 00:26:10.539 though innocent in themselves, 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.480 either are 00:26:11.480 --> 00:26:12.659 or could easily become 00:26:12.659 --> 00:26:13.759 sources of temptation. 00:26:14.480 --> 00:26:15.039 That is, 00:26:15.440 --> 00:26:16.559 we shall deliberately decline 00:26:17.279 --> 00:26:18.899 to read certain literature, 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.299 see certain films, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:22.519 visit certain exhibitions. 00:26:23.460 --> 00:26:24.299 If we do this, 00:26:24.379 --> 00:26:25.339 we shall be regarded 00:26:25.339 --> 00:26:27.039 by some of our contemporaries 00:26:27.039 --> 00:26:28.099 as narrow-minded, 00:26:28.379 --> 00:26:29.599 untaught Philistines. 00:26:29.700 --> 00:26:30.119 What? 00:26:30.519 --> 00:26:31.680 They will say to us 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.339 incredulously. 00:26:33.799 --> 00:26:34.920 You have not read 00:26:34.920 --> 00:26:35.920 such and such book. 00:26:36.000 --> 00:26:36.779 You have not seen 00:26:36.779 --> 00:26:37.779 such and such a film. 00:26:37.859 --> 00:26:38.019 Why, 00:26:38.079 --> 00:26:38.980 you're not educated. 00:26:39.779 --> 00:26:40.859 And they may be right. 00:26:41.420 --> 00:26:42.700 We may have to be 00:26:42.700 --> 00:26:44.180 culturally maimed, 00:26:44.180 --> 00:26:45.019 again in quotes, 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.619 in order to preserve 00:26:46.619 --> 00:26:48.000 our purity of mind. 00:26:48.319 --> 00:26:49.720 The only question is 00:26:49.720 --> 00:26:50.899 whether for the sake 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:52.019 of this gain, 00:26:52.440 --> 00:26:53.779 we are willing to bear 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.700 that loss 00:26:54.700 --> 00:26:55.440 and endure 00:26:55.440 --> 00:26:57.660 that ridicule. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.299 Friends, 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.460 we might need to do 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.200 something different 00:27:03.200 --> 00:27:04.039 with these. 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.460 We might need 00:27:07.460 --> 00:27:08.680 to get a flip phone 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:09.920 without a screen. 00:27:12.840 --> 00:27:13.900 We might need 00:27:13.900 --> 00:27:15.100 to change the way 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:15.980 we hang out 00:27:15.980 --> 00:27:16.680 with our girlfriend 00:27:16.680 --> 00:27:17.580 or our boyfriend. 00:27:17.579 --> 00:27:21.059 We might need 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.960 to think about 00:27:21.960 --> 00:27:23.779 the films 00:27:23.779 --> 00:27:25.279 and the art 00:27:25.279 --> 00:27:26.159 and the books 00:27:26.159 --> 00:27:26.899 that we read. 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.319 I don't want us 00:27:28.319 --> 00:27:28.919 to be prude, 00:27:29.039 --> 00:27:30.339 but you need to know 00:27:30.339 --> 00:27:31.339 what is it 00:27:31.339 --> 00:27:32.139 that leads you 00:27:32.139 --> 00:27:32.980 into temptation 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:34.279 and are you willing 00:27:34.279 --> 00:27:35.980 to flee from that 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:37.480 no matter what it is? 00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:43.839 Practically, 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:45.839 if you feel like 00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:46.500 you're caught 00:27:46.500 --> 00:27:47.339 in this cycle, 00:27:47.539 --> 00:27:49.019 if this is so common 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.599 for you, 00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.319 looking, 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:51.039 seeing, 00:27:51.799 --> 00:27:53.839 the Bible talks 00:27:53.839 --> 00:27:54.799 about our growth 00:27:54.799 --> 00:27:55.799 and sanctification, 00:27:56.319 --> 00:27:57.099 I believe, 00:27:57.379 --> 00:27:57.399 in, 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.299 it has sort of 00:27:58.299 --> 00:27:58.959 two levels 00:27:58.959 --> 00:28:00.379 because there's a, 00:28:00.379 --> 00:28:01.399 there's a surface 00:28:01.399 --> 00:28:02.240 level of 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:03.399 you need to stop 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:03.859 sinning, 00:28:04.319 --> 00:28:04.559 right? 00:28:04.619 --> 00:28:05.619 You need to stop 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.819 doing things 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:08.099 that you know 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.659 are against 00:28:08.659 --> 00:28:09.220 what God 00:28:09.220 --> 00:28:09.859 has told you 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.439 to do 00:28:10.439 --> 00:28:11.500 and this is where 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.619 personal discipline 00:28:12.619 --> 00:28:14.039 and self-denial 00:28:14.039 --> 00:28:15.179 and knowing 00:28:15.179 --> 00:28:16.000 your own self 00:28:16.000 --> 00:28:16.459 and setting 00:28:16.459 --> 00:28:17.299 healthy boundaries 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.859 and getting 00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:18.459 accountability 00:28:18.459 --> 00:28:19.219 and support 00:28:19.219 --> 00:28:19.879 are all good, 00:28:20.000 --> 00:28:21.119 but we also need 00:28:21.119 --> 00:28:21.379 to know 00:28:21.379 --> 00:28:22.839 that's never enough 00:28:22.839 --> 00:28:24.719 because the surface, 00:28:25.179 --> 00:28:25.819 what we do 00:28:25.819 --> 00:28:26.399 when we, 00:28:26.479 --> 00:28:27.959 when we manage 00:28:27.959 --> 00:28:28.679 to do that 00:28:28.679 --> 00:28:29.559 to a certain extent 00:28:29.559 --> 00:28:31.039 is we clear space 00:28:31.039 --> 00:28:32.199 in our lives 00:28:32.199 --> 00:28:33.459 for the heart work 00:28:33.459 --> 00:28:34.739 that Jesus wants 00:28:34.739 --> 00:28:35.139 to do 00:28:35.139 --> 00:28:36.599 to transform us 00:28:36.599 --> 00:28:37.659 so that we can, 00:28:38.099 --> 00:28:39.059 so that our hearts 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:39.939 are renewed 00:28:39.939 --> 00:28:41.159 in ways 00:28:41.159 --> 00:28:42.039 that we will love 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:42.680 other things 00:28:42.680 --> 00:28:43.579 more than the sins 00:28:43.579 --> 00:28:43.920 that we, 00:28:44.099 --> 00:28:45.220 listen, 00:28:45.460 --> 00:28:46.920 if we every day 00:28:46.920 --> 00:28:47.799 drink Coke 00:28:47.799 --> 00:28:48.839 and eat Cheetos, 00:28:49.379 --> 00:28:50.039 we're not going 00:28:50.039 --> 00:28:50.759 to want anything 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.720 besides Coke 00:28:51.720 --> 00:28:52.180 and Cheetos, 00:28:52.279 --> 00:28:52.980 maybe some of you 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.539 will because you're 00:28:53.539 --> 00:28:53.700 like, 00:28:53.799 --> 00:28:54.000 oh, 00:28:54.059 --> 00:28:54.659 that sounds terrible, 00:28:54.799 --> 00:28:56.039 but if we keep 00:28:56.039 --> 00:28:56.899 eating junk food 00:28:56.899 --> 00:28:57.759 all the time, 00:28:58.039 --> 00:28:59.159 our diet will never 00:28:59.159 --> 00:28:59.720 improve, 00:29:00.139 --> 00:29:01.440 we need to stop 00:29:01.440 --> 00:29:02.339 eating those things 00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.079 and then we need 00:29:03.079 --> 00:29:03.720 to find out 00:29:03.720 --> 00:29:04.379 that pears 00:29:04.379 --> 00:29:04.960 and apples 00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.619 and cheese 00:29:05.619 --> 00:29:07.220 and bread 00:29:07.220 --> 00:29:08.279 and whatever else 00:29:08.279 --> 00:29:09.879 that is healthy food 00:29:09.879 --> 00:29:11.359 is good for you 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:14.199 this is true 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:15.519 with our appetites 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:16.359 as well. 00:29:18.199 --> 00:29:19.679 As Jeremiah 2 says, 00:29:19.740 --> 00:29:20.519 we need to turn 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.339 from drinking 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:22.519 from cisterns 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:24.519 with poison water 00:29:24.519 --> 00:29:25.740 of sin 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:26.339 and rebellion 00:29:26.339 --> 00:29:27.219 against God 00:29:27.219 --> 00:29:28.939 and turn 00:29:28.939 --> 00:29:30.059 and be drinking 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:31.079 from the fountain 00:29:31.079 --> 00:29:32.879 of Jesus 00:29:32.879 --> 00:29:34.339 who is the one 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.240 who springs up 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.339 to eternal life 00:29:36.339 --> 00:29:37.699 in our hearts. 00:29:37.700 --> 00:29:40.720 when we do this 00:29:40.720 --> 00:29:41.340 then we are able 00:29:41.340 --> 00:29:42.600 to look at others 00:29:42.600 --> 00:29:44.160 not in lust 00:29:44.160 --> 00:29:46.080 but in love 00:29:46.080 --> 00:29:48.019 and we are able 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.440 to gaze upon Jesus 00:29:49.440 --> 00:29:51.340 and know his beauty 00:29:51.340 --> 00:29:53.740 and this is distinctive 00:29:53.740 --> 00:29:54.620 Christian living. 00:29:57.039 --> 00:29:57.680 All right, 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.680 I'll be honest with you, 00:29:58.759 --> 00:29:59.380 I don't know where 00:29:59.380 --> 00:30:00.440 these next three 00:30:00.440 --> 00:30:01.740 little tidbits 00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.759 fit in my sermon 00:30:02.759 --> 00:30:03.740 so I'm putting them 00:30:03.740 --> 00:30:04.360 in here now. 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.200 One, 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:06.799 pornography is pernicious. 00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:10.180 It's a pandemic 00:30:10.180 --> 00:30:11.159 in our culture 00:30:11.159 --> 00:30:13.159 and it is in direct 00:30:13.159 --> 00:30:13.859 violation 00:30:13.859 --> 00:30:15.539 to Jesus' command here. 00:30:16.059 --> 00:30:17.159 It is exactly 00:30:17.159 --> 00:30:18.919 designed to do 00:30:18.919 --> 00:30:19.740 what Jesus says 00:30:19.740 --> 00:30:20.579 we should not do. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.799 And I'm so thankful 00:30:23.799 --> 00:30:24.639 that in our church 00:30:24.639 --> 00:30:25.639 we have a group 00:30:25.639 --> 00:30:27.039 of men now 00:30:27.039 --> 00:30:28.000 in our freedom group 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:29.000 who are saying, 00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.339 I don't want that 00:30:30.339 --> 00:30:31.720 and I want to change 00:30:31.720 --> 00:30:32.539 and they're able 00:30:32.539 --> 00:30:33.680 to help one another 00:30:33.680 --> 00:30:35.940 do both levels 00:30:35.940 --> 00:30:36.740 of growth 00:30:36.740 --> 00:30:38.340 and if you need 00:30:38.340 --> 00:30:39.720 that kind of help, 00:30:39.779 --> 00:30:41.039 if you need that help, 00:30:41.279 --> 00:30:42.240 come talk to me. 00:30:42.840 --> 00:30:43.600 Talk to a friend. 00:30:43.779 --> 00:30:44.440 Get connected 00:30:44.440 --> 00:30:45.259 to the group. 00:30:45.980 --> 00:30:47.060 And if you're a woman, 00:30:47.960 --> 00:30:49.039 we can connect you 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.420 with external groups 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:51.580 that also exist 00:30:51.580 --> 00:30:52.380 if you are caught 00:30:52.380 --> 00:30:53.420 in this kind of sin 00:30:53.420 --> 00:30:55.299 or if you're dealing 00:30:55.299 --> 00:30:56.080 with the hurt 00:30:56.080 --> 00:30:56.799 and betrayal 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:58.720 of your partner 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.680 or your spouse. 00:31:03.759 --> 00:31:04.319 Secondly, 00:31:04.819 --> 00:31:06.480 I want to recognize 00:31:06.480 --> 00:31:08.000 that some here 00:31:08.000 --> 00:31:09.819 may have experienced 00:31:09.819 --> 00:31:10.819 sexual abuse 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.940 or assault. 00:31:14.119 --> 00:31:15.339 And this whole topic 00:31:15.339 --> 00:31:16.319 gets really, 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.440 really warped, 00:31:17.680 --> 00:31:18.779 doesn't it? 00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:20.200 Because something's 00:31:20.200 --> 00:31:21.139 been done to you 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:22.019 and yet you feel 00:31:22.019 --> 00:31:23.379 guilt and shame 00:31:23.379 --> 00:31:23.940 about it. 00:31:23.940 --> 00:31:27.440 I want you to know 00:31:27.440 --> 00:31:29.320 that Jesus looks 00:31:29.320 --> 00:31:29.820 at you 00:31:29.820 --> 00:31:31.380 with a heart 00:31:31.380 --> 00:31:32.120 of compassion 00:31:32.120 --> 00:31:33.740 and of love 00:31:33.740 --> 00:31:35.539 and of acceptance 00:31:35.539 --> 00:31:37.519 and he invites you 00:31:37.519 --> 00:31:38.940 to come to him 00:31:38.940 --> 00:31:40.539 to find healing 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:42.240 and to find wholeness 00:31:42.240 --> 00:31:43.440 and to find redemption. 00:31:44.820 --> 00:31:45.700 You are not 00:31:45.700 --> 00:31:46.799 stained and scarred 00:31:46.799 --> 00:31:47.240 forever 00:31:47.240 --> 00:31:48.680 by what has happened 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:49.200 to you. 00:31:49.200 --> 00:31:52.340 My heart 00:31:52.340 --> 00:31:53.080 as a pastor 00:31:53.080 --> 00:31:54.059 breaks for you 00:31:54.059 --> 00:31:54.880 and I hope 00:31:54.880 --> 00:31:55.539 that our church 00:31:55.539 --> 00:31:56.259 can be a part 00:31:56.259 --> 00:31:57.860 of helping you heal. 00:32:00.720 --> 00:32:01.279 Finally, 00:32:01.640 --> 00:32:03.519 we need to recognize 00:32:03.519 --> 00:32:04.900 that one of 00:32:04.900 --> 00:32:05.940 the enemy 00:32:05.940 --> 00:32:06.559 of our soul, 00:32:06.740 --> 00:32:07.580 Satan's devices, 00:32:08.200 --> 00:32:10.480 is to bury us 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:11.279 in shame 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.860 and guilt 00:32:11.860 --> 00:32:12.700 in this area. 00:32:14.019 --> 00:32:14.940 Some of you 00:32:14.940 --> 00:32:15.740 are sitting here 00:32:15.740 --> 00:32:17.900 and you're thinking, 00:32:17.900 --> 00:32:19.940 I'm going to hell 00:32:19.940 --> 00:32:21.480 because that's 00:32:21.480 --> 00:32:22.440 what this verse says. 00:32:29.519 --> 00:32:30.360 You're thinking, 00:32:30.640 --> 00:32:32.040 I don't know 00:32:32.040 --> 00:32:32.580 any other way 00:32:32.580 --> 00:32:33.060 to live 00:32:33.060 --> 00:32:34.400 and I'm stuck 00:32:34.400 --> 00:32:36.960 and sometimes 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.480 the church 00:32:37.480 --> 00:32:37.820 has been 00:32:37.820 --> 00:32:38.740 the worst place 00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.220 for you 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:41.380 because the church 00:32:41.380 --> 00:32:42.259 has metaphorically 00:32:42.259 --> 00:32:42.920 passed out 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.960 their scarlet letters. 00:32:44.900 --> 00:32:46.040 You're the worst sinner. 00:32:46.039 --> 00:32:48.359 You're the unacceptable one. 00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:51.859 The lie 00:32:51.859 --> 00:32:52.359 is that 00:32:52.359 --> 00:32:53.339 sexual sin 00:32:53.339 --> 00:32:54.599 is the unforgivable sin 00:32:54.599 --> 00:32:57.240 and Satan 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.019 whispers it 00:32:58.019 --> 00:32:59.259 or he yells it 00:32:59.259 --> 00:33:00.079 in our ear 00:33:00.079 --> 00:33:00.639 every day. 00:33:02.700 --> 00:33:03.579 But friends, 00:33:03.680 --> 00:33:04.139 the gospel 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:05.079 has good news. 00:33:07.220 --> 00:33:08.240 Such good news 00:33:08.240 --> 00:33:08.759 for us. 00:33:10.379 --> 00:33:11.859 This is my third point. 00:33:11.859 --> 00:33:14.139 Jesus 00:33:14.139 --> 00:33:15.740 is able to, 00:33:16.199 --> 00:33:17.539 Jesus has power 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.919 to help us 00:33:18.919 --> 00:33:20.019 live 00:33:20.019 --> 00:33:21.059 lives 00:33:21.059 --> 00:33:21.839 of kingdom 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:23.179 sexual righteousness. 00:33:23.479 --> 00:33:24.339 There are three ways 00:33:24.339 --> 00:33:25.279 as I close in this. 00:33:25.639 --> 00:33:26.099 First, 00:33:26.479 --> 00:33:27.859 Jesus has made it possible 00:33:27.859 --> 00:33:28.839 for the forgiveness 00:33:28.839 --> 00:33:30.519 of our sins. 00:33:31.979 --> 00:33:32.699 He came 00:33:32.699 --> 00:33:34.119 and lived 00:33:34.119 --> 00:33:35.119 a perfect life 00:33:35.119 --> 00:33:37.259 so that he could go 00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:39.079 and die on the cross 00:33:39.079 --> 00:33:40.539 for our sins. 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:41.599 He bore 00:33:41.599 --> 00:33:42.539 the punishment 00:33:42.539 --> 00:33:43.599 and the shame 00:33:43.599 --> 00:33:44.619 and the guilt 00:33:44.619 --> 00:33:46.059 for the sins 00:33:46.059 --> 00:33:47.399 that we have committed. 00:33:49.200 --> 00:33:50.059 The sins 00:33:50.059 --> 00:33:51.319 that we are committing. 00:33:52.059 --> 00:33:52.839 Even the sins 00:33:52.839 --> 00:33:53.960 that we will commit 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:55.460 for those 00:33:55.460 --> 00:33:56.000 who have placed 00:33:56.000 --> 00:33:56.799 their faith 00:33:56.799 --> 00:33:57.480 in Jesus. 00:33:58.839 --> 00:33:59.859 He has 00:33:59.859 --> 00:34:01.039 covered us. 00:34:01.420 --> 00:34:01.759 And however 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:03.119 stained we may feel 00:34:03.119 --> 00:34:04.079 by sexual sin, 00:34:04.539 --> 00:34:05.139 Jesus says, 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:06.299 I've washed it away. 00:34:08.079 --> 00:34:08.900 And however long 00:34:08.900 --> 00:34:09.239 the list 00:34:09.239 --> 00:34:09.900 of offenses 00:34:09.900 --> 00:34:10.440 is, 00:34:10.960 --> 00:34:11.720 Jesus says, 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.660 I've erased 00:34:12.660 --> 00:34:13.240 the record. 00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:16.119 And there's freedom 00:34:16.119 --> 00:34:16.900 from shame 00:34:16.900 --> 00:34:17.380 and guilt. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:18.059 There's freedom 00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.079 from the hamster wheel 00:34:19.079 --> 00:34:19.480 of saying, 00:34:19.680 --> 00:34:21.099 if only I can be good enough, 00:34:21.220 --> 00:34:22.180 maybe I can get out 00:34:22.180 --> 00:34:22.619 of this. 00:34:23.660 --> 00:34:25.139 Freedom from the insecurity 00:34:25.139 --> 00:34:25.860 of thinking 00:34:25.860 --> 00:34:26.760 we are unworthy 00:34:26.760 --> 00:34:27.780 of God's love 00:34:27.780 --> 00:34:29.200 because of our sin. 00:34:30.559 --> 00:34:31.840 Jesus at the cross 00:34:31.840 --> 00:34:32.320 says, 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:35.119 I've died for you 00:34:35.119 --> 00:34:35.860 for the forgiveness 00:34:35.860 --> 00:34:36.860 of your sins. 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:38.280 Come to me. 00:34:38.280 --> 00:34:38.340 me. 00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.760 And there's more 00:34:42.760 --> 00:34:43.220 than that 00:34:43.220 --> 00:34:45.280 because not only 00:34:45.280 --> 00:34:46.480 has he forgiven us 00:34:46.480 --> 00:34:47.980 and declared us 00:34:47.980 --> 00:34:48.900 forgiven, 00:34:49.660 --> 00:34:51.480 but he's also given us 00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:52.260 a new heart 00:34:52.260 --> 00:34:53.240 and a new spirit 00:34:53.240 --> 00:34:54.660 so that we can 00:34:54.660 --> 00:34:55.560 follow him. 00:34:56.220 --> 00:34:57.820 Jesus rose from the dead 00:34:57.820 --> 00:34:58.980 to eternal life 00:34:58.980 --> 00:35:00.200 so that he might impart 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:01.480 to those who have faith 00:35:01.480 --> 00:35:01.860 in him 00:35:01.860 --> 00:35:03.519 eternal life as well. 00:35:03.519 --> 00:35:04.500 and with that 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.239 eternal life 00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:06.739 is this rebirth, 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.059 this renewing 00:35:08.059 --> 00:35:08.900 of our heart 00:35:08.900 --> 00:35:09.400 and soul 00:35:09.400 --> 00:35:10.079 so that we can 00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:11.539 actually love God. 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:12.780 Our old heart, 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:14.880 it just loves 00:35:14.880 --> 00:35:16.179 to feed 00:35:16.179 --> 00:35:17.179 on the feast 00:35:17.179 --> 00:35:17.759 of sin. 00:35:18.480 --> 00:35:19.500 But God's given us 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.320 a new heart 00:35:20.320 --> 00:35:21.259 to feast 00:35:21.259 --> 00:35:22.480 at the banquet table 00:35:22.480 --> 00:35:23.619 of the riches 00:35:23.619 --> 00:35:24.320 of God 00:35:24.320 --> 00:35:25.099 and his kingdom 00:35:25.099 --> 00:35:27.679 so that we're 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.860 spiritually alive 00:35:28.860 --> 00:35:29.519 where we once 00:35:29.519 --> 00:35:30.219 were dead 00:35:30.219 --> 00:35:31.399 and where once 00:35:31.399 --> 00:35:32.279 we were enslaved 00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:32.619 to sin, 00:35:32.699 --> 00:35:33.659 now we are free 00:35:33.659 --> 00:35:35.159 to choose not to sin, 00:35:35.939 --> 00:35:37.299 free to love Jesus 00:35:37.299 --> 00:35:38.279 with all of our heart 00:35:38.279 --> 00:35:38.699 and soul 00:35:38.699 --> 00:35:39.119 and mind 00:35:39.119 --> 00:35:39.699 and strength, 00:35:40.359 --> 00:35:40.759 freedom 00:35:40.759 --> 00:35:42.419 to seek 00:35:42.419 --> 00:35:43.559 a new life 00:35:43.559 --> 00:35:44.959 joyful 00:35:44.959 --> 00:35:46.219 in righteousness. 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:49.059 This is why 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:49.619 the New Testament 00:35:49.619 --> 00:35:51.659 writers repeatedly say, 00:35:52.139 --> 00:35:52.579 put off, 00:35:52.839 --> 00:35:54.199 put off the old man, 00:35:54.339 --> 00:35:55.739 put off the old practices, 00:35:56.239 --> 00:35:57.559 put off the old lifestyle, 00:35:58.299 --> 00:35:59.899 put off the old patterns 00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:00.619 of your heart 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.300 and your mind 00:36:01.300 --> 00:36:02.440 and put on, 00:36:02.700 --> 00:36:03.619 put on something 00:36:03.619 --> 00:36:04.960 much better, 00:36:05.420 --> 00:36:07.019 the kingdom of God. 00:36:07.780 --> 00:36:09.160 Jesus has invited you 00:36:09.160 --> 00:36:09.860 into it 00:36:09.860 --> 00:36:10.920 and he has given you 00:36:10.920 --> 00:36:11.559 a new heart 00:36:11.559 --> 00:36:12.260 so that you can 00:36:12.260 --> 00:36:13.760 increasingly love it 00:36:13.760 --> 00:36:14.840 more than the world. 00:36:17.139 --> 00:36:19.280 And there's so much joy 00:36:19.280 --> 00:36:21.300 when we don't have 00:36:21.300 --> 00:36:22.180 to fight that battle 00:36:22.180 --> 00:36:22.960 because our heart 00:36:22.960 --> 00:36:24.300 has actually been changed 00:36:24.300 --> 00:36:25.660 and things that once 00:36:25.660 --> 00:36:27.519 seemed inescapably 00:36:27.519 --> 00:36:28.700 tempting to us 00:36:28.699 --> 00:36:30.599 have lost their power 00:36:30.599 --> 00:36:31.759 because we found 00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:32.739 something greater 00:36:32.739 --> 00:36:33.559 to love 00:36:33.559 --> 00:36:34.779 than that. 00:36:36.159 --> 00:36:37.339 Because the greatest 00:36:37.339 --> 00:36:38.299 love of all, 00:36:40.699 --> 00:36:41.059 sorry, 00:36:41.159 --> 00:36:42.339 that's a Whitney Houston quote, 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:43.439 let me rephrase that. 00:36:44.419 --> 00:36:45.679 The love 00:36:45.679 --> 00:36:47.879 that transforms us 00:36:47.879 --> 00:36:49.019 and changes us 00:36:49.019 --> 00:36:50.980 is the love 00:36:50.980 --> 00:36:52.019 with which 00:36:52.019 --> 00:36:52.679 Jesus 00:36:52.679 --> 00:36:54.419 has loved us 00:36:54.420 --> 00:36:56.119 and he calls us 00:36:56.119 --> 00:36:57.460 to gaze upon him 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:58.880 in his beauty 00:36:58.880 --> 00:36:59.940 and his majesty 00:36:59.940 --> 00:37:01.059 and his glory. 00:37:03.059 --> 00:37:04.700 We are transformed 00:37:04.700 --> 00:37:06.119 as we behold him 00:37:06.119 --> 00:37:07.840 and meditate upon him. 00:37:10.820 --> 00:37:12.539 And that precious promise 00:37:12.539 --> 00:37:13.960 that one day 00:37:13.960 --> 00:37:15.200 in Christ 00:37:15.200 --> 00:37:16.480 we will be free. 00:37:16.480 --> 00:37:18.820 we will be free 00:37:18.820 --> 00:37:19.599 from sin, 00:37:19.760 --> 00:37:20.639 we will be free 00:37:20.639 --> 00:37:21.699 from this battle 00:37:21.699 --> 00:37:23.059 that we fight today 00:37:23.059 --> 00:37:24.679 for kingdom, 00:37:25.260 --> 00:37:26.320 sexual righteousness. 00:37:26.820 --> 00:37:28.000 We will be free 00:37:28.000 --> 00:37:28.539 instead 00:37:28.539 --> 00:37:29.599 to feast 00:37:29.599 --> 00:37:31.179 at the wedding table, 00:37:31.679 --> 00:37:32.519 at the banquet 00:37:32.519 --> 00:37:34.079 of the Lamb of God. 00:37:34.840 --> 00:37:35.539 We will be 00:37:35.539 --> 00:37:36.260 his bride, 00:37:36.719 --> 00:37:37.519 he will be 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:38.099 our 00:37:38.099 --> 00:37:39.380 lover, 00:37:40.199 --> 00:37:40.860 the lover 00:37:40.860 --> 00:37:41.880 of our souls 00:37:41.880 --> 00:37:42.800 in ways 00:37:42.800 --> 00:37:43.480 that we can't 00:37:43.480 --> 00:37:44.559 even imagine 00:37:44.559 --> 00:37:45.199 now. 00:37:47.139 --> 00:37:47.840 And friends, 00:37:48.340 --> 00:37:49.519 is that not worth it? 00:37:50.139 --> 00:37:51.199 The kingdom of God 00:37:51.199 --> 00:37:52.599 to be with him 00:37:52.599 --> 00:37:53.119 forever. 00:37:53.599 --> 00:37:55.039 This is the gospel hope 00:37:55.039 --> 00:37:56.539 and this 00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:58.380 is the call 00:37:58.380 --> 00:37:59.079 to kingdom 00:37:59.079 --> 00:38:01.579 sexual righteousness. 00:38:01.860 --> 00:38:02.360 Let's pray. 00:38:06.099 --> 00:38:07.019 Lord Jesus, 00:38:07.179 --> 00:38:08.139 we come to you 00:38:08.139 --> 00:38:08.799 this morning. 00:38:11.679 --> 00:38:12.779 I just pray. 00:38:13.679 --> 00:38:14.360 Holy Spirit, 00:38:14.360 --> 00:38:15.019 do the work 00:38:15.019 --> 00:38:15.960 you need to do. 00:38:18.120 --> 00:38:18.599 Healing 00:38:18.599 --> 00:38:19.180 some, 00:38:20.420 --> 00:38:21.079 convicting 00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:22.059 some, 00:38:23.400 --> 00:38:24.280 calling 00:38:24.280 --> 00:38:25.039 some. 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.059 Oh Lord, 00:38:29.120 --> 00:38:30.340 I pray that we would not 00:38:30.340 --> 00:38:31.840 hide in the darkness. 00:38:34.140 --> 00:38:34.800 But Lord, 00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.440 help us. 00:38:36.440 --> 00:38:37.579 Help us to confess 00:38:37.579 --> 00:38:38.260 our sin. 00:38:39.300 --> 00:38:40.220 And help us 00:38:40.220 --> 00:38:41.880 to take hold 00:38:41.880 --> 00:38:42.460 of the life 00:38:42.460 --> 00:38:43.340 that you've given us 00:38:43.340 --> 00:38:43.820 in Jesus. 00:38:44.480 --> 00:38:45.400 Help us to know 00:38:45.400 --> 00:38:46.260 your power 00:38:46.260 --> 00:38:47.420 doing in us 00:38:47.420 --> 00:38:48.320 what we can't do 00:38:48.320 --> 00:38:49.000 for ourselves. 00:38:51.000 --> 00:38:51.660 Help us 00:38:51.660 --> 00:38:52.360 that we might 00:38:52.360 --> 00:38:52.840 live 00:38:52.840 --> 00:38:54.220 distinctly 00:38:54.220 --> 00:38:55.600 for your glory 00:38:55.600 --> 00:38:56.500 in this world. 00:39:00.019 --> 00:39:00.960 We pray this 00:39:00.960 --> 00:39:01.720 in Jesus' name. 00:39:01.719 --> 00:39:18.819 God momencie 00:39:18.879 --> 00:39:19.039 1 00:39:19.039 --> 00:39:19.439 poetry 00:39:19.439 --> 00:39:20.359 in Jesus' name. 00:39:20.359 --> 00:39:21.079 There we have a 00:39:21.079 --> 00:39:21.719 hope that you will 00:39:21.719 --> 00:39:25.179 transcend the 00:39:25.179 --> 00:39:26.039 high- chatbot and 00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:26.599 langs.