WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.360 Okay, thanks so much, Gary. Folks, keep that passage open in front of you in Galatians chapter 6. 00:00:06.360 --> 00:00:15.800 ! According to website L.com, E-L-L-E, avid readers I'm sure you are. 00:00:16.859 --> 00:00:21.719 Here's what's making something of a comeback in the world of high street fashion. 00:00:23.059 --> 00:00:29.940 The cross pendant. Now if you're there, you're here, and you're wearing one today, then go ahead and enjoy the next five, 00:00:29.940 --> 00:00:33.359 five seconds, knowing that you are bang on trend. 00:00:35.820 --> 00:00:39.560 And let me then burst your bubble and tell you why it's really strange. 00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:46.760 Suppose for a minute that we were to jump in a time machine, travel back to the first century, 00:00:47.520 --> 00:00:56.500 and walk around the region of Galatia, what is now modern day Turkey, wearing a cross around our necks. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:00.960 People would not be thinking bang on trend. 00:01:02.299 --> 00:01:09.439 People would be squinting and looking at us with a puzzled expression, 00:01:09.439 --> 00:01:22.780 and they would likely ask us, why on earth are you wearing a symbol of torture, of humiliation, and agonizing death? 00:01:24.319 --> 00:01:30.340 That's the thing that criminals are executed on, and where they are made an example of. 00:01:30.400 --> 00:01:33.060 And you're wearing it around your neck? What's the matter with you? 00:01:33.060 --> 00:01:39.120 And case in point would be Jesus of Nazareth. 00:01:40.960 --> 00:01:47.939 You see, the Romans, in the first century, looked at Jesus on the cross, and they concluded powerless. 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:54.879 The Greeks looked at Jesus on the cross, and they concluded foolishness. 00:01:54.879 --> 00:02:02.319 The Jews looked at Jesus on the cross, and they concluded cursed by God. 00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:06.899 But have a look at verse 14 of Galatians chapter 6. 00:02:08.979 --> 00:02:16.939 And remember that Paul, the guy writing this letter, was formerly one of those Jews who looked at Jesus and thought good riddance. 00:02:16.939 --> 00:02:26.219 But now having encountered the risen Jesus, he now looks at what Jesus did on the cross, and he says, 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:28.560 My boast. 00:02:31.120 --> 00:02:37.280 My glory, my revel, my pride, my everything, my boast. 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:49.400 And fast forward 2,000 years, and here's Alice, a girl from Cumbria, studying to be a vet. 00:02:49.479 --> 00:02:58.460 Her life totally different from this man, Paul, and yet she's declaring exactly the same thing. 00:03:01.020 --> 00:03:01.979 Curious, isn't it? 00:03:01.979 --> 00:03:12.039 As so many people in our world see the futility and fleeting nature of what modern culture holds out to us. 00:03:13.199 --> 00:03:20.219 And as people today are looking for a bigger and a truer story to anchor themselves in. 00:03:20.819 --> 00:03:26.659 One that spans the generations and is swept like wildfire across the nations. 00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:28.319 It really is curious. 00:03:28.319 --> 00:03:34.859 And it's worth reflecting on the durability and timeless nature of the Christian faith. 00:03:37.019 --> 00:03:40.719 I was listening just the other day to a young man in his 30s called James. 00:03:41.519 --> 00:03:45.780 James was talking about how growing up he swallowed a secular mantra. 00:03:45.959 --> 00:03:50.579 And try this one on for size when it comes to genius atheist marketing. 00:03:52.699 --> 00:03:54.180 He said, this is what I heard. 00:03:54.180 --> 00:04:00.740 I heard the mantra that science will fly you to the moon, but religion will fly you into buildings. 00:04:00.879 --> 00:04:01.980 And he thought, genius. 00:04:03.360 --> 00:04:04.099 Got it. 00:04:04.840 --> 00:04:08.200 A snappy slogan, he said, that had me hook, line and sinker. 00:04:08.879 --> 00:04:14.439 But years later, reflecting on the mental health and meaning crisis facing his generation, 00:04:14.640 --> 00:04:15.740 he thought to himself, 00:04:15.740 --> 00:04:21.160 maybe there is something in this Christianity stuff that I was so quick to dismiss. 00:04:22.900 --> 00:04:29.439 And turning to the Bible, he finds in the person of Jesus and specifically at the cross of Jesus, 00:04:29.840 --> 00:04:33.139 a message that is both compelling and true. 00:04:33.139 --> 00:04:42.439 You know, I wonder if you, maybe you're here this morning and you're somebody that I think G.K. Chesterton was thinking of all those years ago 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:46.379 when he said the Christian ideal has not been tried and found wanting. 00:04:48.019 --> 00:04:53.139 It's been found difficult and left untried. 00:04:53.139 --> 00:05:00.459 You see, Paul, as he finishes his letter to the people in these churches in Galatia, 00:05:01.399 --> 00:05:04.860 as a church, we've been through this letter over the last couple of months. 00:05:05.079 --> 00:05:08.560 And the words in this section might be different, but here's the thing. 00:05:08.659 --> 00:05:13.060 The base is exactly the same. 00:05:13.240 --> 00:05:15.599 Nothing's changed in his final plea. 00:05:15.759 --> 00:05:16.579 Here's the big thing. 00:05:16.779 --> 00:05:20.560 Really simply, Jesus is all you need. 00:05:20.560 --> 00:05:23.280 Jesus is all you need. 00:05:24.259 --> 00:05:26.540 And he's going for one last big play, 00:05:26.920 --> 00:05:29.180 one last big pitch in this letter. 00:05:29.579 --> 00:05:30.720 That's what the whole 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:34.259 see with what large letters I write thing 00:05:34.259 --> 00:05:35.360 is all about. 00:05:35.439 --> 00:05:37.399 In case you were thinking, what on earth is that? 00:05:38.540 --> 00:05:40.720 Because here's what would have been going on. 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:44.220 Paul would have been dictating this letter to a scribe 00:05:44.220 --> 00:05:46.160 up until this point. 00:05:46.879 --> 00:05:48.060 But now, as it were, 00:05:48.060 --> 00:05:51.000 he takes the scroll, he grabs the quill, 00:05:51.139 --> 00:05:53.639 and he goes to town on the papyrus. 00:05:53.920 --> 00:05:56.360 You can imagine that whoever has the task 00:05:56.360 --> 00:05:59.839 of reading out this letter in these churches, 00:06:00.199 --> 00:06:03.139 holding it out so that everyone can see at this point, 00:06:03.240 --> 00:06:03.699 and saying, 00:06:03.980 --> 00:06:05.740 hey guys, we know that handwriting. 00:06:07.340 --> 00:06:08.180 It's him. 00:06:08.439 --> 00:06:10.019 It authenticates Paul. 00:06:10.459 --> 00:06:12.019 But it does way more than that. 00:06:12.019 --> 00:06:17.759 This is his way of getting their attention. 00:06:18.879 --> 00:06:21.599 What would we do when we send emails today, 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:23.399 or texts, or WhatsApp messages? 00:06:24.759 --> 00:06:27.359 What's really important is the text in bold, 00:06:27.680 --> 00:06:30.899 font size large, underlined. 00:06:30.899 --> 00:06:33.879 You need to get this. 00:06:34.899 --> 00:06:36.899 If you get one thing, get this. 00:06:37.279 --> 00:06:38.919 And this is what Paul's doing here. 00:06:39.120 --> 00:06:41.359 He's saying, you've got to understand this 00:06:41.359 --> 00:06:42.060 as I leave you. 00:06:43.859 --> 00:06:46.060 And what really simply we have in this passage 00:06:46.060 --> 00:06:49.299 is a comparison in boasting. 00:06:52.560 --> 00:06:55.239 And here's the reality for all of us this morning, friends. 00:06:55.240 --> 00:06:59.160 We're all boasting in something. 00:07:02.439 --> 00:07:04.759 Something gets each of us out of bed in the morning. 00:07:05.040 --> 00:07:07.879 Something gives purpose to each of our days. 00:07:08.500 --> 00:07:11.280 Something provides the reason for our existence. 00:07:11.720 --> 00:07:15.160 Something means that we think there is a future. 00:07:16.400 --> 00:07:20.480 Something, that something is what we boast in. 00:07:20.540 --> 00:07:22.620 The only question is, what is it? 00:07:22.620 --> 00:07:25.980 So here's this comparison in boasting. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:30.360 Firstly, from verse 12, he gives you these false teachers 00:07:30.360 --> 00:07:34.420 who've invaded this church, these churches in this region. 00:07:34.620 --> 00:07:36.360 And they're peddling the mantra 00:07:36.360 --> 00:07:40.100 that faith in Jesus is a cracking start. 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:46.160 But if you really want to perfect your faith, 00:07:46.699 --> 00:07:48.840 if you really mean business, 00:07:48.959 --> 00:07:50.639 if you really want to be in, 00:07:50.639 --> 00:07:53.300 then you must add to your faith 00:07:53.300 --> 00:07:56.740 a suite of Jewish religious practices. 00:07:56.979 --> 00:07:59.039 So Jesus isn't quite enough. 00:08:00.319 --> 00:08:03.519 It is Jesus plus the addition of all this stuff. 00:08:03.639 --> 00:08:05.959 That's the solution to your problem. 00:08:07.860 --> 00:08:09.639 And Paul in this message, he says, 00:08:09.719 --> 00:08:10.939 see if you strip it back. 00:08:11.180 --> 00:08:15.979 Really, this is just three quite simple, hollow things. 00:08:15.980 --> 00:08:19.000 Number one, these guys are all about, 00:08:19.100 --> 00:08:20.180 just see it in the text, 00:08:20.420 --> 00:08:22.379 these guys are all about self-promotion. 00:08:24.040 --> 00:08:28.180 So they're after boasting in how many converts they make. 00:08:28.340 --> 00:08:30.020 That's their skin in the game. 00:08:30.740 --> 00:08:32.259 They're not really interested in you. 00:08:33.399 --> 00:08:33.680 Right? 00:08:34.519 --> 00:08:36.120 It's like when you phone up a call center 00:08:36.120 --> 00:08:38.700 and they say your call is really important to us 00:08:38.700 --> 00:08:40.980 and you think, well, if I'm caller number 362, 00:08:41.700 --> 00:08:43.159 I'm not quite sure that's true. 00:08:43.159 --> 00:08:44.759 That's what he's saying here. 00:08:45.100 --> 00:08:45.779 They don't care. 00:08:45.879 --> 00:08:47.259 You're just a number to them. 00:08:47.339 --> 00:08:48.939 You're just a statistic to them. 00:08:49.240 --> 00:08:50.419 You're a tally mark. 00:08:52.439 --> 00:08:53.519 And what does it come down to? 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.980 Verse 12, what do they want? 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:57.139 They just want to impress people 00:08:57.139 --> 00:09:00.419 with the number of converts that they've made. 00:09:03.819 --> 00:09:06.159 Number two, these guys are all about self-preservation. 00:09:06.159 --> 00:09:09.019 They just don't want to be persecuted 00:09:09.019 --> 00:09:11.159 for what they believe in. 00:09:12.419 --> 00:09:14.360 Do you know, a message that says at its heart, 00:09:14.480 --> 00:09:16.860 really, it's still all about you 00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:18.519 and what you do and what you contribute. 00:09:18.639 --> 00:09:20.319 That kind of goes down well with the world. 00:09:21.419 --> 00:09:22.899 Okay, you do your Jewish things, 00:09:23.000 --> 00:09:25.600 but we'll do our pagan things. 00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.740 We'll do our other things. 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:28.519 And we're all kind of in the same game here. 00:09:28.579 --> 00:09:30.459 We just all think we're working our way to God. 00:09:30.839 --> 00:09:32.379 Christianity is completely different. 00:09:32.539 --> 00:09:34.319 But these guys don't want to be persecuted. 00:09:34.320 --> 00:09:38.560 A state-approved religion is not a threat to the world. 00:09:41.300 --> 00:09:42.560 And three, these guys, 00:09:42.680 --> 00:09:45.920 their message really is all about self-help. 00:09:48.120 --> 00:09:50.340 Saying that there is something that you can do 00:09:50.340 --> 00:09:53.200 to contribute something to your salvation. 00:09:53.340 --> 00:09:54.660 But Paul says, verse 13, 00:09:54.760 --> 00:09:56.340 do you see the emptiness of it all? 00:09:58.580 --> 00:10:01.000 They don't even keep the law themselves. 00:10:01.000 --> 00:10:04.759 So the very thing that they want you to do, 00:10:04.820 --> 00:10:06.100 they don't even do it themselves. 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.740 Do you see how hollow that is? 00:10:09.639 --> 00:10:11.419 These teachers, they talk big. 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:15.059 But at the end of the day, there's no fruit. 00:10:17.279 --> 00:10:19.320 And here's the drum that Paul's been banging 00:10:19.320 --> 00:10:21.159 all the way through this letter. 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:22.519 It's a mindset. 00:10:23.480 --> 00:10:24.620 It's a mindset. 00:10:24.620 --> 00:10:28.779 Thinking that by cleaning up your outside, 00:10:28.919 --> 00:10:30.179 your inside is going to follow. 00:10:32.759 --> 00:10:33.620 Think again. 00:10:34.720 --> 00:10:36.320 It just doesn't work like that. 00:10:36.799 --> 00:10:39.779 You've got a completely the wrong way around. 00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:41.779 But do you know what does work? 00:10:44.259 --> 00:10:45.600 Do you know what really does work? 00:10:45.600 --> 00:10:50.120 It's the thing that I'm about to tell you 00:10:50.120 --> 00:10:51.060 I'm about to boast in. 00:10:51.940 --> 00:10:52.759 Verse 14. 00:10:54.259 --> 00:10:59.480 I boast in the cross of Jesus Christ. 00:11:00.840 --> 00:11:02.259 And you think, hang on a minute. 00:11:04.300 --> 00:11:06.139 That brutal form of execution? 00:11:08.220 --> 00:11:09.399 How does that work? 00:11:09.540 --> 00:11:10.820 What did Paul find? 00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:14.460 What has Alice found as they both look 00:11:14.460 --> 00:11:17.600 at the old rugged cross? 00:11:18.740 --> 00:11:22.560 Friends, that's the place where you and I see 00:11:22.560 --> 00:11:25.100 what God really thinks of us. 00:11:26.740 --> 00:11:28.920 The cross says two things to us. 00:11:30.460 --> 00:11:33.120 It says, number one, that you and I are more broken 00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:37.400 and rebellious and lost than we stop to think. 00:11:37.399 --> 00:11:40.959 And let's be honest, that's really jarring. 00:11:42.699 --> 00:11:44.740 Because we're not used to that kind of talk 00:11:44.740 --> 00:11:45.480 in our culture. 00:11:47.059 --> 00:11:47.240 Right? 00:11:47.720 --> 00:11:49.299 At kids' sports days today, 00:11:50.379 --> 00:11:51.299 everybody wins. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.240 At Pass the Parcel, 00:11:54.399 --> 00:11:55.659 if you watched that Bluey episode, 00:11:56.459 --> 00:11:57.639 everybody gets a prize. 00:11:59.240 --> 00:12:00.819 That's the reason that love hearts 00:12:00.819 --> 00:12:02.559 are still one of the best-selling items 00:12:02.559 --> 00:12:04.460 from the sweetie aisle at the supermarket. 00:12:04.639 --> 00:12:05.279 You're the best. 00:12:05.379 --> 00:12:05.939 You're awesome. 00:12:06.079 --> 00:12:06.639 You're perfect. 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:07.539 You're number one. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.679 The cross says, no, we're not. 00:12:11.439 --> 00:12:12.419 We're not. 00:12:13.199 --> 00:12:15.480 We're really, really not. 00:12:17.500 --> 00:12:19.059 And deep down, friends, 00:12:19.120 --> 00:12:20.620 we know that that's true. 00:12:23.379 --> 00:12:25.620 We look out and we see that. 00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:27.879 We look inside and we feel that. 00:12:29.100 --> 00:12:30.399 Multifaceted problems. 00:12:32.500 --> 00:12:33.580 Multifaceted problems. 00:12:33.580 --> 00:12:36.080 And it's really interesting 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.100 because the Bible, 00:12:37.420 --> 00:12:39.620 into these multifaceted problems, 00:12:40.139 --> 00:12:44.500 gives us a multi-angle definition of sin. 00:12:44.500 --> 00:12:49.259 lives that fall short of God's standards, 00:12:49.759 --> 00:12:50.919 missing the mark, 00:12:51.299 --> 00:12:52.679 minds that are darkened, 00:12:52.820 --> 00:12:55.000 desires that are bent out of shape, 00:12:55.480 --> 00:12:57.039 lives that long to worship, 00:12:57.419 --> 00:12:59.080 but look for that object of worship 00:12:59.080 --> 00:13:00.399 in all the wrong places, 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:02.779 hearts that suppress the truth, 00:13:03.080 --> 00:13:05.159 like a beach ball holding it underwater, 00:13:05.379 --> 00:13:06.600 suppressing the truth, 00:13:06.659 --> 00:13:08.220 the things that we know to be true. 00:13:08.220 --> 00:13:12.820 And I'm really glad that the Bible does that. 00:13:14.660 --> 00:13:16.340 Because when I came to Jesus 00:13:16.340 --> 00:13:17.980 and I read his diagnosis 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:20.480 of the world out there 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:23.279 and the heart in here, 00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:27.500 it fitted hand in glove. 00:13:27.500 --> 00:13:33.460 The cross declares to you and I publicly 00:13:33.460 --> 00:13:36.740 that there is a problem. 00:13:38.159 --> 00:13:42.360 A problem so big and unsolvable by us 00:13:42.360 --> 00:13:45.100 that God sent his son, Jesus, 00:13:46.000 --> 00:13:49.720 who willingly stepped into our earthly existence, 00:13:49.899 --> 00:13:50.899 who knew pain, 00:13:51.379 --> 00:13:52.360 who knew grief, 00:13:52.779 --> 00:13:53.759 who knew mocking, 00:13:54.259 --> 00:13:55.340 who knew injustice, 00:13:55.340 --> 00:13:57.840 and all of those things culminating 00:13:57.840 --> 00:14:00.300 in the only perfect one 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:04.320 being crucified on a Roman cross. 00:14:04.500 --> 00:14:06.940 It says there at the cross 00:14:06.940 --> 00:14:08.759 that God is just. 00:14:09.840 --> 00:14:12.200 In our world where we long for justice, 00:14:12.320 --> 00:14:13.780 that's what the cross declares, 00:14:14.300 --> 00:14:15.879 that every evil thing, 00:14:16.060 --> 00:14:17.200 every bit of suffering, 00:14:17.440 --> 00:14:19.639 everything that's wrong with the world, 00:14:19.900 --> 00:14:22.200 that declares to us the cross that it's true. 00:14:23.379 --> 00:14:24.480 God's just. 00:14:24.480 --> 00:14:25.879 He is perfectly just. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:28.200 He cannot just sweep sin under the carpet. 00:14:28.300 --> 00:14:29.600 What kind of God would he be 00:14:29.600 --> 00:14:30.860 if that was what he did? 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:32.580 God's justice, 00:14:33.360 --> 00:14:34.100 his wrath, 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.080 his anger, 00:14:35.279 --> 00:14:37.279 all of human sin and evil. 00:14:37.720 --> 00:14:39.200 Jesus goes to the cross 00:14:39.200 --> 00:14:41.500 and pays the penalty for it all. 00:14:45.420 --> 00:14:47.420 And no one puts this better than 00:14:47.420 --> 00:14:49.360 John Stott. 00:14:49.360 --> 00:14:54.940 And this quote stopped me in my tracks this week 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:56.860 when I was preparing for this. 00:14:56.919 --> 00:14:57.759 Can I just read it to you? 00:14:58.720 --> 00:14:59.620 See if this connects. 00:14:59.740 --> 00:15:00.460 He says this. 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:03.399 Every time we look at the cross, 00:15:03.560 --> 00:15:05.800 Christ seems to say to us, 00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:08.740 I am here because of you. 00:15:08.740 --> 00:15:12.460 It is your sin that I am bearing, 00:15:13.120 --> 00:15:15.100 your curse that I am suffering, 00:15:15.680 --> 00:15:17.320 your debt that I am paying, 00:15:17.940 --> 00:15:19.580 your death that I am dying. 00:15:20.620 --> 00:15:22.120 Nothing in all the universe 00:15:22.120 --> 00:15:24.600 cuts us down to size 00:15:24.600 --> 00:15:26.600 like the cross. 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:30.180 All of us have inflated views of ourselves, 00:15:30.179 --> 00:15:32.659 especially in self-righteousness 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:35.739 until we have visited 00:15:35.739 --> 00:15:40.500 a place called Calvary. 00:15:41.500 --> 00:15:42.979 It is there 00:15:42.979 --> 00:15:46.339 at the foot of the cross 00:15:46.339 --> 00:15:49.279 that we shrink 00:15:49.279 --> 00:15:52.979 to our true size. 00:15:52.980 --> 00:15:57.519 And it is there, friends, 00:15:57.620 --> 00:16:00.060 that Paul and Alice 00:16:00.060 --> 00:16:02.000 and every single believer bows 00:16:02.000 --> 00:16:03.399 because it is the place 00:16:03.399 --> 00:16:04.840 that says, 00:16:05.440 --> 00:16:06.960 my sin put him there. 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:10.480 It declares there is a problem 00:16:10.480 --> 00:16:10.960 in the cross, 00:16:11.039 --> 00:16:12.820 but here is the wonderful second thing 00:16:12.820 --> 00:16:13.740 that it declares, 00:16:14.240 --> 00:16:15.860 that you and I are more loved 00:16:15.860 --> 00:16:17.440 and known than we could ever 00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:19.180 hope possible. 00:16:21.399 --> 00:16:22.740 Paul has already talked about that 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.879 back in chapter two. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:25.379 He talked about the Son of God 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:26.320 and Alice quoted it, 00:16:26.379 --> 00:16:26.740 didn't she? 00:16:27.000 --> 00:16:27.899 Of the Son of God 00:16:27.899 --> 00:16:29.560 who loved me. 00:16:29.799 --> 00:16:31.139 And it is really interesting there 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:32.500 that he goes personal. 00:16:33.840 --> 00:16:34.779 He doesn't say us, 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:35.960 which would have been true. 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.100 He says me. 00:16:37.639 --> 00:16:39.940 Jesus loved me. 00:16:40.240 --> 00:16:41.539 And Paul, of all people, 00:16:41.680 --> 00:16:43.820 knows that he deserved 00:16:43.820 --> 00:16:45.320 nothing but the opposite. 00:16:45.440 --> 00:16:46.779 That is the guy with dead Christians 00:16:46.779 --> 00:16:48.000 on his conscience. 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:49.159 He says, 00:16:49.560 --> 00:16:51.779 Jesus loved me. 00:16:51.779 --> 00:16:54.639 Jesus was patient with me. 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.439 Jesus showed grace 00:16:56.439 --> 00:16:58.000 and kindness to me 00:16:58.000 --> 00:16:59.399 when I didn't deserve it. 00:17:01.399 --> 00:17:03.399 And that's where he showed it. 00:17:04.420 --> 00:17:05.879 At the cross. 00:17:06.839 --> 00:17:08.539 And so bring these two things together, 00:17:08.660 --> 00:17:08.879 friends. 00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:11.559 Do you see the perfect justice of God 00:17:11.559 --> 00:17:14.660 and the unfailing, 00:17:14.920 --> 00:17:17.139 unrivaled love of God? 00:17:17.140 --> 00:17:20.640 They kiss at the cross. 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.420 Some of you might remember, 00:17:27.460 --> 00:17:28.860 you might be of a vintage, 00:17:30.840 --> 00:17:32.700 that you remember tennis player 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.420 from years ago, 00:17:33.520 --> 00:17:34.540 a female tennis player 00:17:34.540 --> 00:17:35.580 called Chris Avert. 00:17:36.460 --> 00:17:37.920 Some of you will have no idea 00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.660 what I'm talking about, 00:17:38.720 --> 00:17:39.800 but some of you will know. 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:41.220 She was formidable in her day. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:44.360 I think her career win-loss record 00:17:44.360 --> 00:17:46.440 was the best of any singles player 00:17:46.440 --> 00:17:47.079 in history. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:49.360 But here's the really interesting thing 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:50.120 I read this week. 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:52.240 See, she contemplated retirement. 00:17:53.079 --> 00:17:55.120 The massive success of her career. 00:17:55.660 --> 00:17:57.579 She was utterly petrified 00:17:57.579 --> 00:18:00.259 of giving it up. 00:18:00.920 --> 00:18:02.460 Here's what she said in this interview. 00:18:02.600 --> 00:18:02.940 She said, 00:18:02.940 --> 00:18:04.140 winning made me feel 00:18:04.140 --> 00:18:05.140 like I was somebody. 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:07.360 It made me feel pretty. 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:09.059 It was like being hooked on a drug. 00:18:09.360 --> 00:18:10.259 I needed the wins, 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:11.120 the applause, 00:18:11.240 --> 00:18:11.920 in order 00:18:11.920 --> 00:18:14.019 to have 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:16.019 an identity. 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:16.880 Now listen, 00:18:17.080 --> 00:18:18.620 tennis might not be your thing. 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.799 You might not know 00:18:20.799 --> 00:18:21.559 your forehand 00:18:21.559 --> 00:18:22.580 from your backhand, 00:18:22.700 --> 00:18:24.620 but sketch what she's saying 00:18:24.620 --> 00:18:26.880 onto each of our lives. 00:18:27.080 --> 00:18:27.880 What is the thing? 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:30.559 What is the thing 00:18:30.559 --> 00:18:32.059 that we're all looking to 00:18:32.059 --> 00:18:33.539 to give us that sense 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:35.039 of being somebody? 00:18:37.659 --> 00:18:38.480 Putting in 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:39.940 the work at the gym, 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.099 in front of the mirror, 00:18:43.299 --> 00:18:44.679 cramming at the library, 00:18:45.700 --> 00:18:47.139 extra hours at the office, 00:18:47.359 --> 00:18:48.179 trying to get your kids 00:18:48.179 --> 00:18:49.339 into that school, 00:18:49.899 --> 00:18:51.019 contemplating taking 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:51.899 the bigger mortgage 00:18:51.899 --> 00:18:52.839 to get the house. 00:18:52.980 --> 00:18:53.139 Listen, 00:18:53.240 --> 00:18:54.000 none of these things 00:18:54.000 --> 00:18:54.839 in and of themselves 00:18:54.839 --> 00:18:55.579 are bad. 00:18:56.200 --> 00:18:58.379 But whatever that thing is, 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:00.859 it's as if Jesus 00:19:00.859 --> 00:19:01.699 would come alongside 00:19:01.699 --> 00:19:02.759 to us and say, 00:19:04.219 --> 00:19:04.439 listen, 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:05.319 what's really going on 00:19:05.319 --> 00:19:05.879 in your heart? 00:19:07.539 --> 00:19:08.599 What's the applause 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.299 you're living for? 00:19:09.379 --> 00:19:10.079 What's the thing 00:19:10.079 --> 00:19:11.019 that you are seeking? 00:19:11.479 --> 00:19:11.679 Listen, 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:11.919 see, 00:19:11.959 --> 00:19:12.859 whatever it is, 00:19:13.859 --> 00:19:14.939 is it going to be enough? 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:18.879 Whatever it is, 00:19:18.899 --> 00:19:19.879 you're chasing bubbles. 00:19:20.059 --> 00:19:20.799 You know that song, 00:19:20.879 --> 00:19:21.899 they fly so high, 00:19:21.979 --> 00:19:22.819 they reach the sky, 00:19:22.899 --> 00:19:23.579 and like my dreams, 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.559 they fade and die? 00:19:28.139 --> 00:19:29.479 What has Paul found 00:19:29.480 --> 00:19:30.299 at the cross? 00:19:32.259 --> 00:19:33.519 Why does he boast? 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:35.019 Because he's found 00:19:35.019 --> 00:19:36.400 everything that he needs. 00:19:38.259 --> 00:19:39.420 He's found the one 00:19:39.420 --> 00:19:41.740 applause worth living for. 00:19:43.099 --> 00:19:44.099 Because he's found 00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:45.039 at the cross, 00:19:45.120 --> 00:19:46.299 he's found in Jesus 00:19:46.299 --> 00:19:48.360 the way to be reconciled 00:19:48.360 --> 00:19:49.599 with the living God. 00:19:50.819 --> 00:19:51.980 The God that he thought 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.720 he was pursuing 00:19:52.720 --> 00:19:53.920 in all the wrong ways, 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.900 the God that met him 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.480 in Christ, 00:19:55.839 --> 00:19:56.480 he's been reconciled 00:19:56.480 --> 00:19:58.360 reconciled to the living God. 00:20:00.140 --> 00:20:01.339 And he's been saved 00:20:01.339 --> 00:20:03.460 to know the living God. 00:20:05.019 --> 00:20:06.220 And it was nothing 00:20:06.220 --> 00:20:07.120 to do with him. 00:20:08.799 --> 00:20:09.980 What greater purpose 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:11.099 is there in the world, 00:20:11.240 --> 00:20:11.980 according to Paul, 00:20:12.039 --> 00:20:13.160 than to experience 00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.279 that possibility? 00:20:16.319 --> 00:20:17.740 And that's why Paul says, 00:20:18.079 --> 00:20:18.860 I boast. 00:20:19.700 --> 00:20:21.259 I boast in the thing 00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.220 that made me right 00:20:22.220 --> 00:20:23.319 with my creator. 00:20:23.319 --> 00:20:25.659 I boast in the place 00:20:25.659 --> 00:20:26.359 where the justice 00:20:26.359 --> 00:20:27.299 of God is seen. 00:20:27.700 --> 00:20:28.700 I boast in the place 00:20:28.700 --> 00:20:29.619 where the love of God 00:20:29.619 --> 00:20:30.139 is seen. 00:20:30.579 --> 00:20:31.839 And I boast about the fact 00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.919 that I can know 00:20:32.919 --> 00:20:34.819 this God is my Father. 00:20:35.179 --> 00:20:35.740 And do you see 00:20:35.740 --> 00:20:36.379 in this text 00:20:36.379 --> 00:20:37.659 how he doesn't leave it there. 00:20:37.759 --> 00:20:38.839 He kind of drills it down. 00:20:38.980 --> 00:20:40.099 Notice the two C's. 00:20:41.159 --> 00:20:41.759 What does that mean 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.419 for our lives 00:20:42.419 --> 00:20:43.700 if we follow this Christ? 00:20:44.139 --> 00:20:44.539 It means, 00:20:44.679 --> 00:20:45.259 first of all, 00:20:45.639 --> 00:20:46.200 do you see 00:20:46.200 --> 00:20:47.240 that the world 00:20:47.240 --> 00:20:48.460 has been crucified 00:20:48.460 --> 00:20:49.379 to us? 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.500 Paul says, 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.599 I have been crucified 00:20:52.599 --> 00:20:53.859 to the world. 00:20:54.039 --> 00:20:54.980 And caught up in that 00:20:54.980 --> 00:20:56.240 word world 00:20:56.240 --> 00:20:59.319 is a whole plethora 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:01.180 of values, 00:21:01.400 --> 00:21:02.180 of desires, 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:03.339 of ambitions, 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.579 of logic, 00:21:04.720 --> 00:21:05.579 of thinking, 00:21:06.079 --> 00:21:07.880 of the God-doesn't-exist 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.660 mindset. 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:11.240 And Paul said, 00:21:11.380 --> 00:21:12.700 now the world, 00:21:14.079 --> 00:21:14.619 ambition, 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.420 status, 00:21:15.779 --> 00:21:16.359 value, 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.259 all these things 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:19.500 that I once pursued, 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:21.039 they no longer 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.599 have the entrancing 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:23.099 appeal 00:21:23.099 --> 00:21:23.859 that they once 00:21:23.859 --> 00:21:25.019 had in my life. 00:21:26.680 --> 00:21:27.819 And guess what? 00:21:27.859 --> 00:21:28.960 It works both ways. 00:21:29.160 --> 00:21:30.039 I have been, 00:21:30.359 --> 00:21:30.700 as it were, 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:31.740 untethered 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.500 from the world. 00:21:32.880 --> 00:21:33.859 I don't recognize 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:34.259 the world. 00:21:34.519 --> 00:21:35.500 And it works both ways 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:36.259 because the world 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:37.619 doesn't recognize me. 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:40.079 It thinks I'm bonkers. 00:21:42.380 --> 00:21:43.359 But guess what? 00:21:43.420 --> 00:21:44.180 I don't care 00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.740 what the world 00:21:44.740 --> 00:21:45.460 thinks of me 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.380 and I don't want 00:21:46.380 --> 00:21:46.920 what the world 00:21:46.920 --> 00:21:48.259 has to offer me. 00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:50.099 because I have been 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:51.839 crucified to the world 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:52.559 and the world 00:21:52.559 --> 00:21:53.720 has been crucified to me. 00:21:54.519 --> 00:21:55.940 And by implication of that, 00:21:56.039 --> 00:21:56.579 to drill down 00:21:56.579 --> 00:21:57.519 into application. 00:22:00.259 --> 00:22:00.700 Friends, 00:22:00.740 --> 00:22:01.519 I faced up to this 00:22:01.519 --> 00:22:02.539 language this week. 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.240 Faced up to the language 00:22:05.240 --> 00:22:06.200 this week of that word 00:22:06.200 --> 00:22:07.259 crucified. 00:22:09.359 --> 00:22:10.799 And faced up to the 00:22:10.799 --> 00:22:11.879 many, many ways 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.559 that my heart 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:13.660 is still drawn out 00:22:13.660 --> 00:22:14.740 to dance the tango 00:22:14.740 --> 00:22:15.379 with the world. 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:16.379 I don't know 00:22:18.259 --> 00:22:21.759 do you know 00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:22.140 what's going to 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.900 wean me off that 00:22:22.900 --> 00:22:23.460 the best? 00:22:26.119 --> 00:22:26.980 It's when we see 00:22:26.980 --> 00:22:27.779 the second C 00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.960 that he talks about here. 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.200 It's the word 00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.960 counts. 00:22:34.180 --> 00:22:35.440 What now counts? 00:22:35.599 --> 00:22:36.480 What now is the 00:22:36.480 --> 00:22:37.359 ultimate thing 00:22:37.359 --> 00:22:38.500 in Paul's eyes? 00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.200 He says, 00:22:40.279 --> 00:22:41.220 have you been circumcised 00:22:41.220 --> 00:22:41.720 or haven't you 00:22:41.720 --> 00:22:42.559 been circumcised? 00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.220 That's the wrong question. 00:22:44.220 --> 00:22:46.079 If that's the question 00:22:46.079 --> 00:22:47.860 that you're drawn to, 00:22:47.980 --> 00:22:48.600 can I suggest 00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.480 your horizons 00:22:49.480 --> 00:22:51.579 are way too small? 00:22:51.740 --> 00:22:52.779 It doesn't matter. 00:22:52.920 --> 00:22:53.720 What matters, 00:22:53.880 --> 00:22:54.680 verse 15, 00:22:54.900 --> 00:22:56.799 is the new creation. 00:22:58.579 --> 00:22:59.480 That because of what 00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:01.180 Jesus did for you 00:23:01.180 --> 00:23:02.440 and because the Spirit 00:23:02.440 --> 00:23:03.880 now lives in you 00:23:03.880 --> 00:23:04.960 and because God 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.120 is now your Father, 00:23:06.500 --> 00:23:08.079 you have every single 00:23:08.079 --> 00:23:10.360 reason to live. 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:13.179 the old you 00:23:13.179 --> 00:23:14.359 has gone. 00:23:14.619 --> 00:23:15.099 Have you ever thought 00:23:15.099 --> 00:23:15.619 about the fact 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.039 that that's what 00:23:16.039 --> 00:23:17.079 a baptism service 00:23:17.079 --> 00:23:17.719 is? 00:23:18.159 --> 00:23:19.359 It is the funeral 00:23:19.359 --> 00:23:21.139 service of the old you. 00:23:24.119 --> 00:23:24.859 And it is, 00:23:24.959 --> 00:23:25.299 if you like, 00:23:25.339 --> 00:23:26.419 the birthday party 00:23:26.419 --> 00:23:28.439 of the new you. 00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.139 You are a new person. 00:23:33.359 --> 00:23:34.479 God has saved you 00:23:34.479 --> 00:23:35.599 and he's called you 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:36.519 out of the darkness 00:23:36.519 --> 00:23:37.159 to live in his 00:23:37.159 --> 00:23:37.899 wonderful light 00:23:37.900 --> 00:23:39.060 and to live in a new 00:23:39.060 --> 00:23:40.440 way of life. 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.780 A life because of 00:23:41.780 --> 00:23:42.340 the Spirit 00:23:42.340 --> 00:23:43.600 that is slowly 00:23:43.600 --> 00:23:45.540 and gradually 00:23:45.540 --> 00:23:47.900 producing marks 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:50.640 of the new age. 00:23:51.920 --> 00:23:52.920 It's a wonderful thing 00:23:52.920 --> 00:23:53.540 to think about. 00:23:53.600 --> 00:23:54.160 Maybe if you're 00:23:54.160 --> 00:23:55.100 slightly older 00:23:55.100 --> 00:23:56.360 in the Christian life, 00:23:57.120 --> 00:23:58.240 many people tell me 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.100 that they're struggling 00:23:59.100 --> 00:24:00.560 with old age. 00:24:00.740 --> 00:24:01.060 Listen, 00:24:01.160 --> 00:24:01.620 that might be 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.600 absolutely true. 00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:04.360 But here's the challenge 00:24:04.360 --> 00:24:05.340 is you grow 00:24:05.340 --> 00:24:06.340 and experience 00:24:06.340 --> 00:24:07.480 the old age. 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:09.900 Why not make it 00:24:09.900 --> 00:24:10.320 your thing 00:24:10.320 --> 00:24:12.080 to excel 00:24:12.080 --> 00:24:12.900 in showing 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.960 the evidences 00:24:13.960 --> 00:24:16.040 of the new age? 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:20.060 Love, 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:21.720 joy, 00:24:23.180 --> 00:24:23.660 peace, 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:25.040 patience, 00:24:25.620 --> 00:24:26.060 kindness, 00:24:27.280 --> 00:24:27.600 goodness, 00:24:28.019 --> 00:24:28.600 faithfulness, 00:24:28.780 --> 00:24:29.320 gentleness, 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.080 self-control. 00:24:31.560 --> 00:24:32.180 Younger people, 00:24:32.280 --> 00:24:32.880 if you want to be 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:34.300 a revolutionary today, 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:35.300 remember what it was like 00:24:35.300 --> 00:24:35.960 being your age. 00:24:36.320 --> 00:24:36.900 You get what I mean? 00:24:36.900 --> 00:24:38.680 Leaving university, 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.420 at university, 00:24:39.480 --> 00:24:40.460 with plans to change 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:41.060 the world, 00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:41.940 and then getting 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:43.320 beyond university 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.100 and then realizing 00:24:44.100 --> 00:24:45.160 that I've got not a lot 00:24:45.160 --> 00:24:45.660 to offer. 00:24:46.660 --> 00:24:47.780 But if you want to be 00:24:47.780 --> 00:24:49.000 a revolutionary today, 00:24:49.080 --> 00:24:49.980 don't think fight, 00:24:50.100 --> 00:24:50.660 think fruit. 00:24:53.120 --> 00:24:54.460 Display in your life 00:24:54.460 --> 00:24:56.820 those things. 00:24:57.780 --> 00:24:58.600 In our world, 00:24:58.660 --> 00:24:59.460 it just seems to be 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.980 so angry. 00:25:03.180 --> 00:25:03.580 Angry. 00:25:03.579 --> 00:25:07.119 Why not excel 00:25:07.119 --> 00:25:07.819 in displaying 00:25:07.819 --> 00:25:08.539 kindness 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:11.679 and patience 00:25:11.679 --> 00:25:13.079 and self-control? 00:25:13.179 --> 00:25:13.339 Do you know 00:25:13.339 --> 00:25:14.079 what those things are? 00:25:14.159 --> 00:25:14.939 They are evidence 00:25:14.939 --> 00:25:16.019 that Jesus reigns 00:25:16.019 --> 00:25:16.679 in your life. 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:19.480 And as somebody 00:25:19.480 --> 00:25:20.059 reminded us 00:25:20.059 --> 00:25:20.720 in our home group 00:25:20.720 --> 00:25:21.240 last week, 00:25:21.339 --> 00:25:22.240 we should be better 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.220 as a local church 00:25:23.220 --> 00:25:25.500 at spotting 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:26.099 those things 00:25:26.099 --> 00:25:27.259 in each other's lives. 00:25:28.939 --> 00:25:29.439 You know, 00:25:29.439 --> 00:25:30.199 you're really growing 00:25:30.199 --> 00:25:30.899 in gentleness. 00:25:30.900 --> 00:25:31.980 You're really growing 00:25:31.980 --> 00:25:32.740 in goodness. 00:25:34.080 --> 00:25:35.019 You're really growing 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.840 in faithfulness. 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:36.460 You're really growing 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.720 in all these things 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.400 that won't make 00:25:38.400 --> 00:25:39.300 the news at 10, 00:25:39.560 --> 00:25:40.259 but boy, 00:25:40.320 --> 00:25:41.000 will they show up 00:25:41.000 --> 00:25:41.980 on the new speed of heaven. 00:25:43.259 --> 00:25:44.660 The marks of 00:25:44.660 --> 00:25:46.380 the new age. 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:46.759 And Alice, 00:25:46.820 --> 00:25:47.420 that is why 00:25:47.420 --> 00:25:48.600 God has saved you. 00:25:50.120 --> 00:25:51.580 So that you would bear 00:25:51.580 --> 00:25:53.120 witness to him 00:25:53.120 --> 00:25:53.940 by a life 00:25:53.940 --> 00:25:54.660 that's been transformed 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:55.320 by him that you are. 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:59.019 And those are the people 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.680 he envisages 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.600 when Paul says, 00:26:01.000 --> 00:26:01.740 all those who walk 00:26:01.740 --> 00:26:02.660 by this rule. 00:26:02.740 --> 00:26:03.340 That's all those 00:26:03.340 --> 00:26:04.220 who put their faith 00:26:04.220 --> 00:26:04.759 in Jesus, 00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:06.380 who live by that mantra, 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:08.060 by grace alone, 00:26:08.460 --> 00:26:09.660 through faith alone, 00:26:10.340 --> 00:26:11.500 in Jesus alone. 00:26:11.620 --> 00:26:12.880 They are the true 00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:15.120 Israel of God. 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.120 Listen, 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.840 our time is gone. 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.640 Let me try and land 00:26:17.640 --> 00:26:18.660 the Galatian plane 00:26:18.660 --> 00:26:20.420 by leaving you 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.340 with one question. 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:24.340 If you've been tracking 00:26:24.340 --> 00:26:25.060 through this series, 00:26:25.160 --> 00:26:25.900 here's the question. 00:26:26.019 --> 00:26:26.500 What's just been 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.380 your biggest takeaway? 00:26:27.380 --> 00:26:30.040 What's been the biggest 00:26:30.040 --> 00:26:30.740 thing that you've been 00:26:30.740 --> 00:26:31.360 challenged on, 00:26:31.420 --> 00:26:32.380 maybe that you've learned 00:26:32.380 --> 00:26:33.360 or you've seen 00:26:33.360 --> 00:26:34.180 for the first time? 00:26:34.440 --> 00:26:35.360 Can I give you mine 00:26:35.360 --> 00:26:37.180 just as we close? 00:26:38.600 --> 00:26:39.440 Try and get you 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:39.920 into mine 00:26:39.920 --> 00:26:40.520 by telling you 00:26:40.520 --> 00:26:41.740 about my weekday routine. 00:26:44.380 --> 00:26:45.480 Every day begins 00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.380 with the school run. 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.980 And I play a little game 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.780 with myself. 00:26:49.920 --> 00:26:50.300 It's called 00:26:50.300 --> 00:26:51.400 Parent Phrase 00:26:51.400 --> 00:26:53.140 Lingle Bingo. 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:55.840 It begins 00:26:55.840 --> 00:26:56.680 after I've taken 00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.300 great delight 00:26:57.300 --> 00:26:57.880 in putting on 00:26:57.880 --> 00:26:58.460 the big light 00:26:58.460 --> 00:26:59.400 in the kids' bedroom, 00:26:59.500 --> 00:27:00.180 the thing that I hated 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:00.780 my mum for, 00:27:00.840 --> 00:27:02.240 but now I am so that man. 00:27:03.600 --> 00:27:05.020 The questions come. 00:27:05.480 --> 00:27:06.360 You can tick them off. 00:27:07.100 --> 00:27:07.280 Right? 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:08.380 What do you want 00:27:08.380 --> 00:27:08.940 for breakfast? 00:27:09.320 --> 00:27:10.500 Have you got a snack? 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.780 Where are your shoes? 00:27:11.920 --> 00:27:13.080 Where is your water bottle? 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.300 What jacket do you want? 00:27:14.560 --> 00:27:15.680 Have you done your teeth? 00:27:15.960 --> 00:27:17.120 Has mummy done your hair? 00:27:17.200 --> 00:27:17.780 Because it's been 00:27:17.780 --> 00:27:19.060 made clear to me 00:27:19.060 --> 00:27:19.720 that that is not 00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.600 daddy's gig. 00:27:20.599 --> 00:27:21.199 Right? 00:27:21.480 --> 00:27:22.919 But there's a new phrase 00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.699 that's just entered 00:27:23.699 --> 00:27:24.480 the top ten. 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.699 As we leave the house 00:27:27.699 --> 00:27:28.759 and we walk to school 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:30.480 and we cross 00:27:30.480 --> 00:27:31.359 the various roads 00:27:31.359 --> 00:27:32.179 that we come to 00:27:32.179 --> 00:27:33.899 en route 00:27:33.899 --> 00:27:35.299 and I find myself 00:27:35.299 --> 00:27:35.959 every morning 00:27:35.959 --> 00:27:36.939 saying that phrase 00:27:36.939 --> 00:27:37.459 see if you can 00:27:37.459 --> 00:27:38.619 complete the sentence. 00:27:39.679 --> 00:27:41.039 Have you looked 00:27:41.039 --> 00:27:44.539 both ways? 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:45.759 Yeah? 00:27:46.559 --> 00:27:47.480 Have you looked 00:27:47.480 --> 00:27:48.599 both ways? 00:27:48.719 --> 00:27:49.500 Every morning 00:27:49.500 --> 00:27:50.359 have you looked 00:27:50.359 --> 00:27:51.700 both ways? 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.339 And the thing 00:27:52.339 --> 00:27:53.700 about that phrase 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:56.559 is that there's 00:27:56.559 --> 00:27:57.400 pretty good advice 00:27:57.400 --> 00:27:58.420 for the Christian life. 00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:00.779 Because this is how 00:28:00.779 --> 00:28:01.640 Galatians has 00:28:01.640 --> 00:28:04.059 challenged me 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.799 and invited me. 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:05.619 See when it points 00:28:05.619 --> 00:28:06.180 in your life 00:28:06.180 --> 00:28:06.920 you're struggling 00:28:06.920 --> 00:28:09.680 and you maybe 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.000 don't know 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.779 what's up ahead. 00:28:10.940 --> 00:28:11.880 You're feeling a bit weary. 00:28:12.019 --> 00:28:13.200 You're feeling a wee bit tired. 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:15.299 Your life story 00:28:15.299 --> 00:28:16.180 is maybe lost 00:28:16.180 --> 00:28:17.220 and you think 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.839 I've lost sight 00:28:17.839 --> 00:28:18.640 of the big story. 00:28:18.640 --> 00:28:19.800 Friends, here's the thing. 00:28:20.740 --> 00:28:22.720 Look both ways. 00:28:23.020 --> 00:28:23.900 In that word 00:28:23.900 --> 00:28:24.640 new creation 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.420 that's what it's 00:28:25.420 --> 00:28:26.320 inviting us to do. 00:28:26.480 --> 00:28:28.480 Look both ways. 00:28:28.740 --> 00:28:29.560 Here's what I mean. 00:28:29.680 --> 00:28:30.420 Look back 00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:33.300 to the cross 00:28:33.300 --> 00:28:36.100 and see the place 00:28:36.100 --> 00:28:37.440 where Jesus secured 00:28:37.440 --> 00:28:38.259 your forgiveness 00:28:38.259 --> 00:28:40.000 and won for you 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.900 that newness of life. 00:28:41.000 --> 00:28:42.000 That empty tomb. 00:28:43.300 --> 00:28:44.420 Look back the way 00:28:44.420 --> 00:28:45.700 and see it all. 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:47.440 You didn't earn that. 00:28:47.440 --> 00:28:48.360 I didn't earn that. 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.380 He won that for us 00:28:49.380 --> 00:28:49.840 on the cross. 00:28:49.940 --> 00:28:51.480 He secured our place. 00:28:51.740 --> 00:28:52.320 He did it there. 00:28:52.420 --> 00:28:53.000 Look backwards. 00:28:53.220 --> 00:28:54.059 Look to the cross. 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.660 But don't stop there. 00:28:57.799 --> 00:28:58.500 Look forward 00:28:58.500 --> 00:29:01.000 to the new creation. 00:29:01.559 --> 00:29:02.220 Alice has mentioned 00:29:02.220 --> 00:29:02.700 that it's great. 00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.480 It's great when someone else 00:29:03.480 --> 00:29:04.460 does your sermon for you 00:29:04.460 --> 00:29:05.840 before you've even got up here. 00:29:06.100 --> 00:29:06.920 The new age, 00:29:07.019 --> 00:29:08.039 the place where 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:09.799 righteousness dwells, 00:29:09.860 --> 00:29:10.539 where we will be 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.440 with God, 00:29:12.440 --> 00:29:13.660 where sin will be 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.519 a distant memory, 00:29:14.660 --> 00:29:15.299 where there will be 00:29:15.299 --> 00:29:16.279 no more death, 00:29:16.359 --> 00:29:17.119 where tears will be 00:29:17.119 --> 00:29:17.799 wiped away. 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.379 Friends, 00:29:18.440 --> 00:29:19.359 we live our lives 00:29:19.359 --> 00:29:20.299 between these two 00:29:20.299 --> 00:29:21.539 great bookends 00:29:21.539 --> 00:29:22.859 that Jesus 00:29:22.859 --> 00:29:24.099 has won 00:29:24.099 --> 00:29:25.359 for us. 00:29:25.599 --> 00:29:26.579 And these two things 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:27.480 will not change. 00:29:29.019 --> 00:29:30.159 So when I'm 00:29:30.159 --> 00:29:30.960 struggling, 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:32.019 when I'm working out 00:29:32.019 --> 00:29:32.659 what I'm doing 00:29:32.659 --> 00:29:33.099 in my life, 00:29:33.139 --> 00:29:33.859 I look up and I see 00:29:33.859 --> 00:29:34.720 these two bookends 00:29:34.720 --> 00:29:36.639 and the invitation 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.819 in the middle 00:29:37.819 --> 00:29:39.079 as we wait for Jesus 00:29:39.079 --> 00:29:40.079 to come back 00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:41.419 is to know 00:29:41.419 --> 00:29:42.639 that he's not left us. 00:29:43.299 --> 00:29:44.619 We have his spirit. 00:29:44.619 --> 00:29:45.459 And what is the spirit 00:29:45.459 --> 00:29:45.839 doing? 00:29:45.939 --> 00:29:46.779 It is drawing 00:29:46.779 --> 00:29:47.939 out our hearts 00:29:47.939 --> 00:29:49.179 to say no 00:29:49.179 --> 00:29:50.119 to the old us 00:29:50.119 --> 00:29:51.219 and yes 00:29:51.219 --> 00:29:52.059 to the new us. 00:29:52.179 --> 00:29:53.399 I am a new creation. 00:29:54.699 --> 00:29:55.939 I am a new creation. 00:29:56.099 --> 00:29:56.439 So friends, 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:57.339 look both ways. 00:29:58.779 --> 00:29:59.699 Look both ways. 00:29:59.839 --> 00:30:00.539 And maybe even 00:30:00.539 --> 00:30:01.219 this morning 00:30:01.219 --> 00:30:02.099 is the day, 00:30:02.239 --> 00:30:02.759 the morning, 00:30:03.619 --> 00:30:04.699 where you put your faith 00:30:04.699 --> 00:30:05.259 in this 00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:07.199 Jesus for yourself. 00:30:07.339 --> 00:30:08.199 Why don't I pray? 00:30:08.200 --> 00:30:08.640 Father, 00:30:08.640 --> 00:30:13.779 we thank you this morning 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:14.759 for everything 00:30:14.759 --> 00:30:15.559 that we've heard 00:30:15.559 --> 00:30:16.279 and sung 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:17.059 and read. 00:30:19.660 --> 00:30:20.080 Father, 00:30:20.180 --> 00:30:20.819 thank you for this 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:21.980 wonderful testimony 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:23.259 about the transforming 00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:23.900 grace 00:30:23.900 --> 00:30:26.140 of Jesus Christ. 00:30:28.640 --> 00:30:29.200 And so, 00:30:29.299 --> 00:30:29.380 Father, 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.940 I pray maybe 00:30:29.940 --> 00:30:31.000 for many of us here 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.019 who are struggling. 00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:33.660 Maybe we are doubting. 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.620 Maybe we're weary. 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:37.279 Maybe we're even thinking 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:38.239 about tapping out. 00:30:39.559 --> 00:30:40.079 Lord, 00:30:40.119 --> 00:30:40.859 may this morning 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.599 by your spirit 00:30:41.599 --> 00:30:42.139 as your word 00:30:42.139 --> 00:30:42.979 has gone forth, 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:44.500 may you encourage us 00:30:44.500 --> 00:30:45.659 and challenge us 00:30:45.659 --> 00:30:47.619 in the perfect way. 00:30:48.939 --> 00:30:49.459 Lord, 00:30:49.539 --> 00:30:50.279 thank you that 00:30:50.279 --> 00:30:52.079 it is true 00:30:52.079 --> 00:30:53.859 that all 00:30:53.859 --> 00:30:54.539 the books 00:30:54.539 --> 00:30:55.279 in the world 00:30:55.279 --> 00:30:56.599 couldn't tell 00:30:56.599 --> 00:30:57.479 the glory 00:30:57.479 --> 00:30:58.479 of your son, 00:30:58.679 --> 00:30:58.919 Jesus. 00:30:59.159 --> 00:30:59.359 And so, 00:30:59.459 --> 00:30:59.539 Father, 00:30:59.579 --> 00:31:00.239 we look to him 00:31:00.239 --> 00:31:00.779 this morning 00:31:00.779 --> 00:31:02.359 and we pray 00:31:02.359 --> 00:31:02.959 that you'd be with us 00:31:02.959 --> 00:31:03.739 just as we close 00:31:03.739 --> 00:31:04.539 our time now 00:31:04.539 --> 00:31:05.879 in Jesus' name 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.700 we ask. 00:31:07.539 --> 00:31:07.899 Amen.