WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.360 All right. 00:00:01.540 --> 00:00:02.720 Keep going in Ephesians. 00:00:02.819 --> 00:00:05.740 Would you take your Bibles and turn to Ephesians very quickly? 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:08.859 If you'll notice just a moment ago, 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:10.460 I want to see how many of y'all were paying attention, 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:14.120 we had the slide up right before the offertory began, 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:16.240 dismissing kids to children's church. 00:00:16.719 --> 00:00:18.440 We had the old ages on there, 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:20.160 so we're going to get that updated, all right? 00:00:20.219 --> 00:00:23.280 But right now, if you obeyed the slide 00:00:23.280 --> 00:00:25.620 and not my announcement earlier, that's okay. 00:00:25.660 --> 00:00:26.379 I'll forgive you. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.079 But kindergarten through second grade 00:00:29.079 --> 00:00:31.299 can be dismissed off the children's church now. 00:00:31.419 --> 00:00:33.519 So if you're K-5 through second grade, 00:00:33.579 --> 00:00:35.140 if you'd like to make your way out, 00:00:35.659 --> 00:00:36.920 they're still hanging out back there 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:38.600 and you're not going to be on your own. 00:00:38.939 --> 00:00:41.280 So that's what it looks like everybody did. 00:00:41.340 --> 00:00:42.320 Okay, there you go. 00:00:42.439 --> 00:00:42.659 Good. 00:00:43.519 --> 00:00:43.939 All right. 00:00:44.539 --> 00:00:48.099 And then those younger ages, three and four, 00:00:48.759 --> 00:00:51.820 they can remain back for the duration of the time. 00:00:51.820 --> 00:00:53.859 They can just stay back there after Sunday school 00:00:53.859 --> 00:00:56.359 and they'll have programming for them as well now. 00:00:56.679 --> 00:00:59.679 So Ephesians, all right? 00:00:59.760 --> 00:01:02.600 How many of y'all have been enjoying Paul's letter 00:01:02.600 --> 00:01:04.939 to the Ephesians, getting something out of it? 00:01:05.040 --> 00:01:05.219 Yeah? 00:01:05.760 --> 00:01:06.240 Wonderful. 00:01:07.000 --> 00:01:08.640 Before we get into it here, 00:01:09.359 --> 00:01:10.579 let me quiz you a little bit. 00:01:11.820 --> 00:01:12.480 You ready? 00:01:13.340 --> 00:01:14.159 I'm excited. 00:01:15.820 --> 00:01:17.300 Let me quiz you a little bit. 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:20.020 Ephesians. 00:01:20.879 --> 00:01:22.899 How many parts, how many sections are there? 00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:24.420 Two. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:25.239 There we go. 00:01:25.560 --> 00:01:28.579 Anybody remember what they stand for, what they teach? 00:01:28.840 --> 00:01:29.679 First one is? 00:01:30.539 --> 00:01:31.399 Who we are. 00:01:31.739 --> 00:01:32.259 Second part? 00:01:32.939 --> 00:01:33.799 How we live. 00:01:33.939 --> 00:01:35.079 Y'all have been paying attention. 00:01:35.179 --> 00:01:35.640 I love it. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:37.319 You are a wonderful congregation. 00:01:37.319 --> 00:01:39.559 Well, that is what we're talking about. 00:01:40.379 --> 00:01:43.279 And we are, are we in the first part of the second part now? 00:01:44.099 --> 00:01:45.259 Second part, that's right. 00:01:45.500 --> 00:01:47.579 First part was chapters one through three. 00:01:47.919 --> 00:01:52.059 And the second part is chapters four through six. 00:01:52.119 --> 00:01:54.699 We are finishing up Ephesians chapter four today. 00:01:54.700 --> 00:01:59.219 So if you will go to Ephesians chapter four and beginning in verse 25, 00:01:59.540 --> 00:02:06.560 we will read down through the end of the chapter and dive into it. 00:02:07.579 --> 00:02:10.120 So I'm still waiting for this thing to connect here. 00:02:12.140 --> 00:02:13.879 For some reason it's not wanting to. 00:02:16.080 --> 00:02:16.640 All right. 00:02:16.680 --> 00:02:19.759 I may need y'all to have manually advanced the slides for me. 00:02:19.759 --> 00:02:24.219 If you would just kind of listen to what I'm talking about and we will go on from there. 00:02:24.699 --> 00:02:28.479 Jump ahead to that first slide. 00:02:28.579 --> 00:02:30.219 This one's not wanting to cooperate this morning. 00:02:31.159 --> 00:02:31.799 All right. 00:02:32.959 --> 00:02:38.819 I have been studying through Ephesians primarily out of the Christ-centered exposition. 00:02:39.199 --> 00:02:42.099 That's that book that you'll see on the slide in just a minute, 00:02:42.299 --> 00:02:43.879 Exalting Jesus in Ephesians. 00:02:44.219 --> 00:02:51.560 And that whole series is an outstanding series on expository commentaries of the Bible. 00:02:51.560 --> 00:02:59.039 So they'll take a book of the Bible and a well-known pastor, theologian, writer will break it down. 00:02:59.120 --> 00:03:01.159 And usually with the help from some others as well. 00:03:01.640 --> 00:03:03.340 And that is an awesome series. 00:03:03.599 --> 00:03:05.360 I also use some other series. 00:03:05.920 --> 00:03:09.960 How many of y'all remember I recently got the Warren Wearsby commentary set? 00:03:10.080 --> 00:03:12.219 Because I bragged about it last Sunday when somebody said, 00:03:12.620 --> 00:03:13.500 What was your favorite gift? 00:03:13.500 --> 00:03:23.039 And I really got Billy Carlton and Bruce Cochran upset because they took me to the Big 12 championship game in Dallas 00:03:23.039 --> 00:03:26.060 to watch the Longhorns win the Big 12 championship. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:28.780 And they assumed that was going to be my favorite gift. 00:03:29.599 --> 00:03:35.620 But as much as I loved that, no, it was wonderful. 00:03:35.620 --> 00:03:38.759 So I think it's an awesome thing. 00:03:38.860 --> 00:03:40.640 Let me tell you this just for a moment. 00:03:40.740 --> 00:03:41.420 Let me tell you this. 00:03:42.280 --> 00:03:45.300 Commentaries are not only for pastors. 00:03:46.980 --> 00:03:50.080 Commentaries are books that are written about books in the Bible. 00:03:50.740 --> 00:03:55.640 Oftentimes as we read through, the Holy Spirit will move in our hearts and minds 00:03:55.640 --> 00:03:59.300 and he'll teach us things that are important for us to know from the scriptures. 00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:04.000 It can also be helpful to read what he's taught others. 00:04:04.000 --> 00:04:09.360 So when there are men and women who have walked with God for many years 00:04:09.360 --> 00:04:15.900 and they have a great track record of walking with God and God using them in their ministry, 00:04:16.120 --> 00:04:22.019 sometimes God tasks them to write down what they've gleaned from the scriptures. 00:04:22.600 --> 00:04:25.300 Sometimes it's a cooperative effort. 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:30.480 There'll be several of them get together and put together a commentary on a book of the Bible. 00:04:30.480 --> 00:04:34.879 And that can be a very helpful thing to read as you read through the scriptures. 00:04:35.140 --> 00:04:39.540 So sometimes there's more devotional commentaries, more practical commentaries. 00:04:39.879 --> 00:04:42.840 Sometimes there's more scholarly commentaries. 00:04:42.960 --> 00:04:45.860 That's the kind of stuff I had to read in seminary and all that kind of stuff. 00:04:46.460 --> 00:04:52.040 But commentaries are very helpful and I use them significantly as I prepare sermons. 00:04:52.040 --> 00:04:57.620 So the background of the book, of course, it was written by Paul around AD 62. 00:04:58.680 --> 00:05:01.740 And are we able to advance through those slides physically or no? 00:05:01.900 --> 00:05:02.600 Just no slides? 00:05:03.360 --> 00:05:04.040 All right, don't worry. 00:05:04.240 --> 00:05:05.120 Not going to worry about it. 00:05:07.220 --> 00:05:12.300 Hey, would you exit out of that and start it over again? 00:05:13.080 --> 00:05:14.180 It may just need to update. 00:05:14.180 --> 00:05:19.160 All right, that's okay. 00:05:20.340 --> 00:05:25.740 So it was written by Paul and the setting was when he was in prison in Rome. 00:05:26.519 --> 00:05:29.579 And he knew this church well in Ephesus. 00:05:29.740 --> 00:05:32.259 He had been their pastor for about three years. 00:05:32.439 --> 00:05:35.139 And the account of that is found in Acts chapter 19. 00:05:35.720 --> 00:05:39.220 So let's move ahead now to Ephesians 4 and verse 25. 00:05:39.220 --> 00:05:46.560 Would you, if you're able to, would you join me in standing and let's read verse 25 down through verse 32. 00:05:48.940 --> 00:05:51.260 Ephesians 5, 25. 00:05:51.500 --> 00:05:53.220 I'm reading from the Christian Standard Bible. 00:05:53.620 --> 00:05:59.440 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one to his neighbor. 00:05:59.900 --> 00:06:02.160 Because we are members of one another. 00:06:02.560 --> 00:06:07.140 When we see the word therefore in the scriptures, what do we ask? 00:06:07.140 --> 00:06:09.120 What is it there for? 00:06:09.500 --> 00:06:09.700 Right? 00:06:10.020 --> 00:06:16.180 So that means you've got to look at the verses prior to that and see why it's saying therefore. 00:06:16.680 --> 00:06:21.060 And what we talked about last Sunday is our new nature in Christ. 00:06:22.820 --> 00:06:32.440 So we understand that we have this new identity, a new self, the one created according to God's likeness and righteousness and purity of the truth. 00:06:32.439 --> 00:06:36.360 Therefore, because of this, let's put away lying. 00:06:36.719 --> 00:06:38.219 Speak the truth to our neighbors. 00:06:38.480 --> 00:06:40.439 Because we're members of one another. 00:06:40.819 --> 00:06:41.540 Verse 26. 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:44.420 Be angry and do not sin. 00:06:44.420 --> 00:06:48.840 Well, y'all were having fun for a minute there when it said be angry, right? 00:06:49.939 --> 00:06:52.500 Yes, I knew I was justified in being angry. 00:06:52.819 --> 00:06:56.140 But the caveat is do not sin in your anger. 00:06:56.139 --> 00:06:59.159 Don't let the sun go down on your anger. 00:06:59.620 --> 00:07:02.019 Don't give the devil an opportunity. 00:07:02.019 --> 00:07:04.099 Verse 28. 00:07:04.099 --> 00:07:05.680 Let the thief no longer steal. 00:07:06.279 --> 00:07:12.599 Instead, he is to do honest work with his own hands so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 00:07:12.600 --> 00:07:21.700 No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need so that it gives grace to those who hear. 00:07:22.780 --> 00:07:24.980 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. 00:07:25.800 --> 00:07:28.560 You were sealed by him for the day of redemption. 00:07:29.760 --> 00:07:37.000 Let all bitterness, anger, and wrath, shouting, and slander be removed from you along with all malice. 00:07:37.000 --> 00:07:46.920 Bless and be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ. 00:07:47.259 --> 00:07:48.000 Let's pray together. 00:07:48.540 --> 00:07:50.100 Lord, we thank you for this day. 00:07:50.899 --> 00:07:52.540 This is the day that you have made. 00:07:53.480 --> 00:07:54.220 We're going to rejoice. 00:07:54.459 --> 00:07:55.379 We're going to be glad in it. 00:07:56.660 --> 00:07:58.959 We thank you for bringing us to this place. 00:08:01.720 --> 00:08:05.519 Thank you for providing this house that we get to gather and worship in every Sunday. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:18.680 Thank you that we are not alone, that you've given us your Holy Spirit, that you've given us one another for encouragement, for edification, for fellowship, for enjoying each other. 00:08:20.500 --> 00:08:22.560 God, I pray that you would unite us as a church. 00:08:23.240 --> 00:08:27.600 And I pray that you would open up the windows of heaven and pour out your blessings on this church. 00:08:28.860 --> 00:08:30.040 Individually and together. 00:08:30.040 --> 00:08:45.879 Let every family, every individual person receive the reality of how good and how great you are, God, in visible ways this year. 00:08:46.899 --> 00:08:48.259 We're going to trust you for it. 00:08:48.899 --> 00:08:51.779 And do our best to walk with you and live by faith every day. 00:08:51.860 --> 00:08:52.519 In Jesus' name. 00:08:52.840 --> 00:08:53.060 Amen. 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:54.200 You may be seated. 00:08:54.200 --> 00:08:56.700 We are up and rolling. 00:08:56.820 --> 00:08:57.280 Look at that. 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:58.100 I love it. 00:08:58.280 --> 00:08:58.980 Thank you guys. 00:08:59.120 --> 00:09:00.060 Thank you all so much. 00:09:00.460 --> 00:09:00.680 All right. 00:09:00.700 --> 00:09:05.100 We're going to jump on ahead here to last Sunday. 00:09:05.220 --> 00:09:10.180 We talked about, I'm sorry, this Sunday, we're talking about how to live out our new nature. 00:09:10.320 --> 00:09:12.000 Last Sunday, we talked about the new nature. 00:09:12.500 --> 00:09:13.840 New year, new nature. 00:09:13.840 --> 00:09:31.360 We're reminding ourselves that if we are in Christ, if we have accepted Christ Jesus, his payment on the cross for our sin, and we've chosen to turn from our sin, repent of it, and put our faith in Jesus for forgiveness and become his child, then we have a new nature. 00:09:31.820 --> 00:09:33.460 Now, we don't always live in that new nature. 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:37.000 Sometimes we act like the old version of ourselves, right? 00:09:37.379 --> 00:09:41.340 But the reality is we are indwelt by God. 00:09:41.340 --> 00:09:46.440 The Holy Spirit of God lives inside of us, goes with us everywhere we go. 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:49.899 When we look at those things on the computer, God's there. 00:09:50.160 --> 00:09:53.019 When we say those things to that person, God's there. 00:09:53.280 --> 00:09:55.320 When we think those thoughts, God's there. 00:09:55.399 --> 00:09:56.120 He's with us. 00:09:56.280 --> 00:09:56.920 But you know what? 00:09:56.980 --> 00:09:58.379 He's also there in the good times. 00:09:58.860 --> 00:10:03.600 He's also there, and we see his manifold blessings displayed in our lives. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:05.200 He goes with us everywhere. 00:10:05.700 --> 00:10:08.180 And so that new nature is always with us. 00:10:08.560 --> 00:10:10.280 Let's try to live in that nature. 00:10:10.379 --> 00:10:11.019 How do we do that? 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:13.100 How do we live out our new nature? 00:10:13.240 --> 00:10:16.500 Number one, replace lying with the truth. 00:10:16.860 --> 00:10:19.399 Replace lying with the truth. 00:10:20.079 --> 00:10:21.559 Let's look back at verse 25. 00:10:22.000 --> 00:10:28.419 Therefore, putting away lying, speak the truth, each one, to his neighbor, because we are members 00:10:28.419 --> 00:10:29.699 of one another. 00:10:30.120 --> 00:10:32.980 You understand that idea that we're members of one another? 00:10:32.980 --> 00:10:39.139 Why would one body part lie to another body part? 00:10:39.940 --> 00:10:42.100 That's not going to help the body, is it? 00:10:42.100 --> 00:10:47.480 It's not going to help your eyes to lie to your hands. 00:10:47.580 --> 00:10:52.320 Then your hands are going to do something they shouldn't do because your eyes aren't communicating 00:10:52.320 --> 00:10:53.379 correctly with them. 00:10:53.379 --> 00:10:55.500 And vice versa. 00:10:55.500 --> 00:11:02.139 So when we understand, remember back in the fall when we did a series on we are the church, 00:11:02.600 --> 00:11:08.980 and God looks at us as a body with every member of the body having equal value and importance to the church. 00:11:08.980 --> 00:11:13.639 So when we understand that, then we understand that there's no reason to lie to one another. 00:11:13.980 --> 00:11:15.920 There's no reason to deceive one another. 00:11:16.200 --> 00:11:20.539 We should live honestly and openly with each other. 00:11:20.539 --> 00:11:23.860 So we replace lying with the truth. 00:11:24.819 --> 00:11:30.679 We're understanding that there's an old nature and a new nature at war in ourselves, 00:11:31.339 --> 00:11:35.939 in our physical bodies, in our minds. 00:11:37.259 --> 00:11:44.159 All of this works together to either go with our old nature or our new nature. 00:11:44.839 --> 00:11:48.299 So if we understand that our old nature will lead us to the path of destruction, 00:11:48.299 --> 00:11:54.019 and we understand that our new nature will lead us on the path that God wants us to walk, 00:11:54.740 --> 00:11:59.299 then we have to replace the old way with the new way. 00:11:59.379 --> 00:12:03.319 You can't just stop doing something without replacing it. 00:12:03.759 --> 00:12:04.439 You understand that? 00:12:05.159 --> 00:12:07.099 They teach that in addiction therapy. 00:12:07.419 --> 00:12:15.839 When you stop doing illegal drugs or you stop alcohol or tobacco or whatever it is that has been binding you in addictions, 00:12:15.840 --> 00:12:18.340 then you have to replace that with something else. 00:12:19.100 --> 00:12:22.320 So we replace lying with the truth. 00:12:23.420 --> 00:12:25.120 George Orwell, famous author. 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:27.519 How many of you guys read 1984 Animal Farm? 00:12:27.639 --> 00:12:30.180 There's some far out there literature that he wrote. 00:12:30.560 --> 00:12:33.000 However, and I don't believe that he was a believer in Jesus. 00:12:33.000 --> 00:12:38.879 However, this truth is very powerful in a time of universal deceit. 00:12:39.399 --> 00:12:42.820 Would you say that the world we live in is a time of universal deceit? 00:12:43.340 --> 00:12:46.139 Telling the truth is a revolutionary act. 00:12:46.700 --> 00:12:47.659 And that is very true. 00:12:48.399 --> 00:12:49.960 Our God is a God of truth. 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:54.539 Jesus said, I am the way, the what? 00:12:55.100 --> 00:12:56.480 Truth and the way. 00:12:57.799 --> 00:12:59.559 Jesus is the truth. 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:01.440 His way is always the truth. 00:13:01.440 --> 00:13:03.640 Truth, Satan is the father of what? 00:13:04.600 --> 00:13:05.040 Lies. 00:13:05.980 --> 00:13:07.920 So let's not live that way. 00:13:08.020 --> 00:13:11.640 Let's not live that old, satanic, sinful nature. 00:13:12.360 --> 00:13:13.540 Let's walk with Jesus. 00:13:14.340 --> 00:13:16.840 And the world will actually see it as a revolutionary truth. 00:13:17.580 --> 00:13:19.400 You mean you didn't pad your resume? 00:13:19.920 --> 00:13:21.480 You mean you didn't embellish? 00:13:21.560 --> 00:13:23.320 You mean you didn't lie to make yourself look better? 00:13:23.560 --> 00:13:25.140 You mean you didn't lie to get out of trouble? 00:13:25.280 --> 00:13:26.340 Wow, who are you? 00:13:27.120 --> 00:13:28.120 I'm a Jesus follower. 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:29.400 And I'm not perfect. 00:13:29.399 --> 00:13:31.639 But I've got to stick with the truth. 00:13:32.419 --> 00:13:34.659 Telling the truth is a revolutionary act. 00:13:35.079 --> 00:13:37.500 Zechariah chapter 8 and verse 16. 00:13:37.939 --> 00:13:40.220 These are the things which you should do. 00:13:40.659 --> 00:13:42.579 Speak the truth to one another. 00:13:43.399 --> 00:13:47.840 Judge with truth and judgment for peace in your gates. 00:13:48.519 --> 00:13:51.459 Do you understand that peace comes from the truth? 00:13:51.460 --> 00:13:54.040 Now the truth might stir things up. 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:56.259 It might shake things up initially. 00:13:57.340 --> 00:13:59.860 But eventually it will bring peace. 00:14:00.300 --> 00:14:02.920 Because it's the truth. 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:04.759 And people have to accept it. 00:14:05.639 --> 00:14:07.000 And people have to learn to live with it. 00:14:07.379 --> 00:14:11.060 When there's deceit, there's no solid ground. 00:14:12.420 --> 00:14:15.580 There's nothing that will ever be ultimately resolved. 00:14:15.580 --> 00:14:17.759 There's no peace that can be found there. 00:14:18.460 --> 00:14:21.180 Because we can't trust each other. 00:14:21.960 --> 00:14:23.639 We can't believe each other. 00:14:24.360 --> 00:14:26.460 So we must speak the truth to one another. 00:14:26.700 --> 00:14:29.500 And when we judge, we must do it with truth. 00:14:30.060 --> 00:14:32.160 And that will bring peace in our midst. 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:35.759 Ephesians 4.15, just a few verses before. 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.180 Ten verses back. 00:14:37.580 --> 00:14:39.400 Speaking the truth in love. 00:14:39.399 --> 00:14:46.379 This is a great note that I'm glad God inspired Paul to include in this chapter. 00:14:46.620 --> 00:14:50.720 Because as we talk about speaking the truth, we must learn how to do it. 00:14:50.879 --> 00:14:52.600 We must speak it lovingly. 00:14:53.860 --> 00:14:56.259 Jesus never lied to us. 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:59.139 Jesus never lied to the sinners he encountered. 00:14:59.500 --> 00:15:01.399 He told them, go and sin no more. 00:15:02.679 --> 00:15:04.779 He didn't whitewash their sin. 00:15:05.240 --> 00:15:08.559 But he spoke the truth to them lovingly. 00:15:08.559 --> 00:15:10.939 And we must do that to each other. 00:15:12.239 --> 00:15:19.459 When we see each other in error, we should not go from our high horse shaking our finger at somebody. 00:15:19.459 --> 00:15:24.859 Or going behind their back and talking to others about them. 00:15:25.599 --> 00:15:28.459 We must speak the truth in love. 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:31.000 True love for that person. 00:15:31.279 --> 00:15:33.699 Born out of God's love for them. 00:15:34.579 --> 00:15:36.839 And we love God because he first loved us. 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:41.519 So when that heart, when our heart is full of God's love, 00:15:41.639 --> 00:15:45.560 then we will genuinely care about that person and not just want to take them down. 00:15:45.960 --> 00:15:48.060 Not just want to bring the truth out. 00:15:48.139 --> 00:15:50.940 Not just be angry at them or feel betrayed by them. 00:15:51.100 --> 00:15:54.080 We will speak the truth to them in love. 00:15:54.720 --> 00:15:57.000 So, how do we live out our new nature? 00:15:57.379 --> 00:15:59.759 We replace lying with the truth. 00:15:59.759 --> 00:16:03.840 Number two, we replace fleshly anger with spiritual anger. 00:16:03.980 --> 00:16:11.799 We replace our fleshly anger, which comes all too easily, with spiritual anger. 00:16:12.460 --> 00:16:13.580 Which is very hard. 00:16:14.720 --> 00:16:15.879 Back in verse 26. 00:16:16.559 --> 00:16:17.879 Be angry and do not sin. 00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:20.360 Don't let the sun go down on your anger. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:23.100 And don't give the devil an opportunity. 00:16:24.019 --> 00:16:24.639 Check this out. 00:16:24.639 --> 00:16:27.819 The husband says, I know the prince's small. 00:16:28.439 --> 00:16:30.679 When I get mad at you, you never fight back. 00:16:30.819 --> 00:16:32.319 How do you control your anger? 00:16:32.439 --> 00:16:33.799 The wife says, I clean the toilet. 00:16:35.439 --> 00:16:36.819 Husband says, how does that help? 00:16:36.939 --> 00:16:38.399 And she says, I use your toothbrush. 00:16:40.600 --> 00:16:42.539 Look, we have anger problems, don't we? 00:16:42.720 --> 00:16:45.720 We don't always work them out in the best ways. 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:47.159 In the healthiest of ways. 00:16:47.779 --> 00:16:49.319 Half of y'all need to go to anger management. 00:16:50.439 --> 00:16:51.899 I hear it's all the rage these days. 00:16:51.899 --> 00:16:55.819 I'm sorry. 00:16:55.959 --> 00:16:56.939 I apologize for that. 00:16:57.959 --> 00:16:59.699 Puns are the lowest form of humor. 00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.139 They're not very punny. 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:01.799 All right. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:10.200 So yes, we do not usually address our issues, our conflicts, in the most healthy ways. 00:17:10.200 --> 00:17:13.139 Oftentimes, we resort to fleshly anger. 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:16.619 And that drives our reactions, our decisions, our words. 00:17:17.039 --> 00:17:20.740 And usually, it compounds the problem, makes things worse rather than better. 00:17:20.740 --> 00:17:26.660 This verse is a direct parallel passage with Psalm 4-4. 00:17:27.099 --> 00:17:29.680 So you can look at it on the screen or turn there if you'd like to. 00:17:29.799 --> 00:17:32.660 But Psalm 4-4, be angry and do not sin. 00:17:33.059 --> 00:17:36.079 Reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.240 This was a Psalm of David. 00:17:37.640 --> 00:17:41.339 He was writing probably to his mighty men. 00:17:41.440 --> 00:17:44.900 There's some conflict on maybe who this Psalm was written to. 00:17:44.900 --> 00:17:48.960 But more than likely, he was writing it to his warriors, his soldiers. 00:17:49.519 --> 00:17:55.880 And so he's telling them, as you're facing this opposition, these wicked opponents of God, 00:17:55.960 --> 00:17:57.860 and you're literally going to battle with them, 00:17:58.280 --> 00:18:00.040 be angry but do not sin. 00:18:00.560 --> 00:18:04.040 Reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:08.920 Folks, can I tell you, that is a wonderful bit of advice for when we're angry. 00:18:10.839 --> 00:18:14.899 Reflect in your heart while on your bed and be silent. 00:18:15.099 --> 00:18:19.339 That doesn't mean turn it over in your mind and get yourself all worked up 00:18:19.339 --> 00:18:22.559 and think of all the different angles of why you were wrong. 00:18:22.559 --> 00:18:29.079 Reflect in your heart on how good God has been to you, 00:18:29.659 --> 00:18:31.980 how many times he's forgiven you, 00:18:32.619 --> 00:18:36.279 how many times you failed yourself and failed others and failed God, 00:18:37.679 --> 00:18:39.359 but how God doesn't hold that against you. 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:42.440 God has never treated you with anger, 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:47.779 and it's a good idea to be silent in those moments 00:18:47.779 --> 00:18:52.339 and let that new nature, the Holy Spirit of God, 00:18:53.559 --> 00:18:55.680 become real, become alive. 00:18:56.940 --> 00:18:57.899 Show itself. 00:18:59.059 --> 00:18:59.899 Live through you. 00:19:00.279 --> 00:19:02.539 Transform your thinking. 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:06.559 Change your thinking from selfish, fleshly anger 00:19:06.559 --> 00:19:10.079 into God's peace. 00:19:10.740 --> 00:19:14.180 So what do we mean, then, if it says be angry? 00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:18.860 There are some things which should cause anger in us. 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:23.580 David's men were facing some of those things. 00:19:24.820 --> 00:19:27.440 Nations rising up against the people of God, 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:29.820 trying to worship other gods 00:19:29.820 --> 00:19:33.120 and force the children of Israel into that kind of worship. 00:19:34.279 --> 00:19:37.779 There were things that were causing righteous anger 00:19:37.779 --> 00:19:40.120 or righteous indignation then. 00:19:40.299 --> 00:19:43.240 And there are things still alive in the world today 00:19:43.240 --> 00:19:47.059 which should stir up righteous anger inside of us. 00:19:47.880 --> 00:19:51.180 Over the break, my wife and I finally got an opportunity 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:52.319 to watch The Sound of Freedom. 00:19:53.079 --> 00:19:53.819 And so we did. 00:19:54.579 --> 00:19:55.759 How many of you guys have seen that movie? 00:19:56.579 --> 00:19:57.420 Yeah, a bunch of us. 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:03.240 One of our church members very generously provided an opportunity 00:20:03.240 --> 00:20:05.640 for many people in our church to go up to Wichita 00:20:05.640 --> 00:20:06.660 and watch that movie together. 00:20:07.460 --> 00:20:09.980 But listen, The Sound of Freedom, 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.640 all about child trafficking. 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:15.940 One of the worst sins, most damaging sins you can possibly think of. 00:20:16.360 --> 00:20:18.280 That was a hard movie to watch and get through. 00:20:19.020 --> 00:20:22.600 But that stirred up righteous anger in me as I watched it. 00:20:23.180 --> 00:20:24.420 And I think many of you as well. 00:20:25.340 --> 00:20:27.200 There are terrible things in the world today 00:20:27.200 --> 00:20:29.100 which should stir up anger. 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:31.240 But you know what's also coupled with that anger? 00:20:31.699 --> 00:20:32.099 Grief. 00:20:33.219 --> 00:20:33.559 Sorrow. 00:20:34.599 --> 00:20:37.279 That this world is so wicked and sinful 00:20:37.279 --> 00:20:39.419 and lost without Christ 00:20:39.419 --> 00:20:42.579 that they're doing these unspeakable things 00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:44.459 and hurting each other so terribly. 00:20:45.899 --> 00:20:48.899 And so this is the kind of anger 00:20:48.899 --> 00:20:50.899 that is righteous anger. 00:20:50.900 --> 00:20:53.240 So that's what I believe, 00:20:53.280 --> 00:20:54.380 before we get on to the next one, 00:20:54.440 --> 00:20:56.980 that's what I believe God's talking about 00:20:56.980 --> 00:20:58.080 when he says be angry 00:20:58.080 --> 00:21:00.640 because we see moments 00:21:00.640 --> 00:21:04.440 where Jesus was angry without sin. 00:21:06.440 --> 00:21:07.400 And usually, 00:21:07.700 --> 00:21:10.720 it was directed toward the religious people. 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:14.819 Those who were making it hard for others 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.960 to come to Christ. 00:21:16.319 --> 00:21:19.700 Those who were painting a deluded 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:23.039 or changed picture of the grace and love of God 00:21:23.039 --> 00:21:24.799 and what Jesus' salvation was all about. 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:26.240 So usually, 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:29.680 he would exhibit some kind of righteous anger toward them. 00:21:30.880 --> 00:21:33.240 But he always reminded them of who he was 00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.620 and he always gave them an opportunity 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:36.740 to put their faith in him. 00:21:37.319 --> 00:21:38.579 So we must be angry, 00:21:38.860 --> 00:21:40.079 but not sin. 00:21:40.720 --> 00:21:42.240 And sometimes it's a good idea 00:21:42.240 --> 00:21:43.900 when we're angry to just be silent. 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.319 Number three, 00:21:45.500 --> 00:21:48.279 replace stealing with working and sharing. 00:21:48.900 --> 00:21:51.079 Replace stealing with working and sharing. 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:53.740 Well, let's look back at verse 28 real quick. 00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:55.299 Ephesians 4 and verse 28. 00:21:55.799 --> 00:21:57.160 Let the thief no longer steal. 00:21:57.640 --> 00:22:00.220 Instead, he's to do honest work with his own hands 00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:03.720 so that he has something to share with anyone in need. 00:22:04.059 --> 00:22:05.980 You understand there's a mind shift here. 00:22:06.640 --> 00:22:07.559 There's a mind shift. 00:22:07.900 --> 00:22:09.559 Philippians, Paul writes about it again 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:11.899 in his letter to the church at Philippi. 00:22:12.240 --> 00:22:14.859 Everyone should look not to his own interests, 00:22:15.159 --> 00:22:17.539 but rather to the interests of others. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:19.960 First Corinthians 10, 24. 00:22:20.179 --> 00:22:22.339 Paul had to hit this with all these churches, okay? 00:22:22.779 --> 00:22:23.759 It was this concept. 00:22:24.299 --> 00:22:26.019 No one is to seek his own good, 00:22:26.200 --> 00:22:27.779 but the good of the other person. 00:22:28.019 --> 00:22:30.039 You understand this shift in our mindset, 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:30.940 in our thinking? 00:22:30.940 --> 00:22:34.480 I don't know how many of us sitting in the crowd today 00:22:34.480 --> 00:22:38.039 are going out and stealing things from stores. 00:22:39.140 --> 00:22:40.480 Now, maybe some of you are. 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:41.680 You need to stop that, okay? 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:44.320 You might go to jail, all right? 00:22:44.620 --> 00:22:45.019 Stop. 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:49.180 But it goes beyond that. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:51.160 There's a whole mind shift here 00:22:51.160 --> 00:22:54.279 in thinking I'm going to get what's good for me. 00:22:54.460 --> 00:22:56.139 I'm going to get what I want. 00:22:56.279 --> 00:22:57.339 That's that flesh. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.519 That's that old nature. 00:22:58.900 --> 00:23:01.000 Instead, we replace that thinking 00:23:01.000 --> 00:23:04.160 with hard work and sharing. 00:23:05.060 --> 00:23:06.779 I'm going to work hard 00:23:06.779 --> 00:23:10.220 and receive God's blessings on my life, 00:23:10.400 --> 00:23:13.580 not so I can have the retirement home I want 00:23:13.580 --> 00:23:15.800 or I can do all the traveling I want. 00:23:15.940 --> 00:23:18.820 If God brings those things to me, wonderful. 00:23:19.820 --> 00:23:21.500 But I'm going to work hard 00:23:21.500 --> 00:23:23.400 and receive God's blessings 00:23:23.400 --> 00:23:27.019 so I can share and be a blessing to others. 00:23:28.040 --> 00:23:29.180 That's the concept. 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.720 Now, that's hard, okay? 00:23:32.480 --> 00:23:33.320 Before we get on, 00:23:33.319 --> 00:23:34.399 that's hard. 00:23:35.079 --> 00:23:35.960 That is not easy. 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.279 That's a mind shift. 00:23:37.359 --> 00:23:39.200 It actually goes against the American dream, 00:23:39.279 --> 00:23:39.659 doesn't it? 00:23:40.319 --> 00:23:41.119 Got to work hard, 00:23:41.200 --> 00:23:42.039 get everything you can 00:23:42.039 --> 00:23:43.599 and then retire and live the good life. 00:23:44.700 --> 00:23:46.439 Well, how good is the good life 00:23:46.439 --> 00:23:48.460 if you're not helping anybody else? 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:52.679 So God wants you to receive 00:23:52.679 --> 00:23:55.059 and experience that fulfillment 00:23:55.059 --> 00:24:00.039 that says stop fighting and scrapping 00:24:00.039 --> 00:24:01.720 over the little things 00:24:01.720 --> 00:24:03.880 that you can accumulate on this earth. 00:24:05.079 --> 00:24:08.539 Instead, understand that I own the cattle 00:24:08.539 --> 00:24:09.600 on a thousand hills. 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:11.680 I have vast unlimited riches. 00:24:11.680 --> 00:24:14.299 I can take care of everything you need 00:24:14.299 --> 00:24:15.860 and give you so much more. 00:24:15.859 --> 00:24:21.019 But I want you to experience my way. 00:24:21.019 --> 00:24:24.000 I want you to experience the joy of giving, 00:24:24.159 --> 00:24:25.199 the joy of sharing. 00:24:26.059 --> 00:24:27.919 And Jesus was the ultimate example of that 00:24:27.919 --> 00:24:29.959 when he sent his one and only son, 00:24:30.059 --> 00:24:32.819 his greatest, most treasured possession 00:24:32.819 --> 00:24:35.299 as a gift to you and me. 00:24:35.899 --> 00:24:38.139 He said, I will hold nothing back from you. 00:24:38.939 --> 00:24:40.279 To forgive you of your sin, 00:24:40.279 --> 00:24:42.980 I will allow my son to be sacrificed 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:46.599 so he can pay the punishment for your sin. 00:24:48.399 --> 00:24:50.119 But Jesus didn't stay dead, did he? 00:24:50.160 --> 00:24:51.139 Because he's God. 00:24:51.220 --> 00:24:52.319 He arose from the grave. 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:53.420 He's alive today. 00:24:53.639 --> 00:24:55.259 He can hear us when we call on him. 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:56.500 And if today is the day 00:24:56.500 --> 00:24:57.740 for you to repent of your sin 00:24:57.740 --> 00:25:00.519 and put your faith in Jesus to save you, 00:25:01.220 --> 00:25:03.339 please make that decision today. 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.740 Don't leave this place 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:06.460 without taking care of that business. 00:25:06.759 --> 00:25:07.920 You'll have a chance at the end 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.680 to come talk to me about that. 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.480 That's the mindset. 00:25:12.580 --> 00:25:13.320 It's giving. 00:25:13.320 --> 00:25:14.759 It's holding nothing back. 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:18.160 When we experience that mind shift, 00:25:18.340 --> 00:25:19.460 that's our new nature 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:22.400 coming out from the Holy Spirit of God. 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:25.039 Finally, second to last, 00:25:25.180 --> 00:25:26.380 replace words of destruction 00:25:26.380 --> 00:25:28.039 with words of grace. 00:25:28.140 --> 00:25:29.320 Replace words of destruction 00:25:29.320 --> 00:25:30.180 with words of grace. 00:25:30.320 --> 00:25:30.900 Verse 29. 00:25:31.920 --> 00:25:34.060 No foul language should come from your mouth. 00:25:34.640 --> 00:25:37.100 Only what is good for building someone up in need 00:25:37.099 --> 00:25:39.459 so it gives grace to those who hear. 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:42.279 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.819 You were sealed by him 00:25:43.819 --> 00:25:45.299 for the day of redemption. 00:25:46.059 --> 00:25:47.819 Let all that bitterness, anger, wrath, 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.859 shouting, and slander 00:25:48.859 --> 00:25:50.119 be removed from you 00:25:50.119 --> 00:25:52.119 along with all malice 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:53.419 and extreme hatred. 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:56.799 And be kind and compassionate to one another, 00:25:57.199 --> 00:25:58.219 forgiving one another 00:25:58.219 --> 00:26:00.899 just as God also forgave you in Christ. 00:26:01.240 --> 00:26:02.639 I'm reminded of the 19th Psalm. 00:26:03.099 --> 00:26:04.399 May the words of my mouth 00:26:04.400 --> 00:26:05.900 and the meditation of my heart 00:26:05.900 --> 00:26:07.720 be acceptable to you, Lord, 00:26:08.340 --> 00:26:10.000 my rock and my redeemer. 00:26:11.440 --> 00:26:12.640 That is our prayer. 00:26:13.600 --> 00:26:15.400 God, let the words of my mouth 00:26:15.400 --> 00:26:17.400 not undermine, not destroy, 00:26:18.140 --> 00:26:21.240 not tear at the foundation of someone's life. 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:25.059 There's been things going on in the school online 00:26:25.059 --> 00:26:26.460 with kids bullying each other 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:27.640 and making fun of each other 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.620 and mocking each other. 00:26:28.940 --> 00:26:30.180 That must stop. 00:26:31.259 --> 00:26:33.500 Our words can hurt. 00:26:34.259 --> 00:26:36.859 Whoever said sticks and stones may break my bones, 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:38.019 but words will never hurt me 00:26:38.019 --> 00:26:38.900 was the biggest lie. 00:26:39.420 --> 00:26:39.720 Okay? 00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.779 That was absolutely not true. 00:26:42.620 --> 00:26:44.279 Words can often do more harm 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:45.799 than sticks and stones. 00:26:45.799 --> 00:26:48.940 Because the body can heal. 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:51.799 The mind and soul is much more difficult. 00:26:53.240 --> 00:26:55.359 So we must put a watch, 00:26:55.480 --> 00:26:57.359 put a guard over our mouths. 00:26:58.240 --> 00:26:58.859 And today, 00:26:59.059 --> 00:27:01.279 we can speak not only to those 00:27:01.279 --> 00:27:02.700 who can physically hear us, 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:04.480 but we can speak online, can't we? 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:08.279 Our words can go to a much broader audience. 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:11.799 And man, if you've spent any time on social media, 00:27:11.919 --> 00:27:13.579 you know how damaging that can be. 00:27:13.579 --> 00:27:19.319 Jesus said in the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6, 45, 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:23.839 what you say flows from what is in your heart. 00:27:25.339 --> 00:27:27.019 Another translation would say, 00:27:27.460 --> 00:27:28.960 out of the abundance of the heart, 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:30.119 the mouth speaks. 00:27:31.639 --> 00:27:33.079 What comes out of you, 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.939 what comes out of your mouth 00:27:34.939 --> 00:27:37.220 or what comes out of your fingers 00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.699 on that computer keyboard 00:27:38.699 --> 00:27:41.199 or phone texting screen, 00:27:41.199 --> 00:27:43.000 whatever you say, 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:46.539 that shows your true nature. 00:27:47.399 --> 00:27:49.799 What's really happening in you. 00:27:51.240 --> 00:27:52.799 What a terrifying thought. 00:27:54.119 --> 00:27:56.659 So, here's the point to ponder. 00:27:57.460 --> 00:27:59.359 How often do my words 00:27:59.359 --> 00:28:00.859 or my actions 00:28:00.859 --> 00:28:02.379 cause grief 00:28:02.379 --> 00:28:05.159 to the God who loves me so deeply? 00:28:05.699 --> 00:28:07.339 We saw that back in verse 30. 00:28:07.819 --> 00:28:10.279 Don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. 00:28:10.279 --> 00:28:13.500 You understand verse 30 is tied back in 00:28:13.500 --> 00:28:15.019 with verse 29 00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:15.899 where it said, 00:28:16.139 --> 00:28:18.039 no foul language should come out of your mouth. 00:28:18.619 --> 00:28:21.420 And don't grieve God's Holy Spirit. 00:28:21.940 --> 00:28:25.740 This is one of the most devastating things 00:28:25.740 --> 00:28:26.980 that you can do. 00:28:27.359 --> 00:28:29.180 This is one of the most grievous sins 00:28:29.180 --> 00:28:30.000 that God can do. 00:28:30.319 --> 00:28:31.460 I'm sorry, that you can do. 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:33.539 And it grieves God so deeply 00:28:33.539 --> 00:28:36.359 when our words 00:28:36.359 --> 00:28:38.399 cause such harm, 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:39.819 such destruction. 00:28:41.700 --> 00:28:43.139 So, we have to ask ourselves, 00:28:43.259 --> 00:28:44.200 how often does that happen? 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:46.299 How often do my words, 00:28:46.460 --> 00:28:47.319 do my actions 00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.740 grieve the God 00:28:48.740 --> 00:28:49.819 who calls me so deeply? 00:28:50.000 --> 00:28:51.639 Even if we think they're justified. 00:28:52.220 --> 00:28:53.659 Even in that fleshly anger, 00:28:53.659 --> 00:28:54.460 we think that 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:55.599 we were in the right 00:28:55.599 --> 00:28:56.619 and we've got 00:28:56.619 --> 00:28:58.899 our both barrels loaded 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.759 and ready to just 00:28:59.759 --> 00:29:00.599 give them everything 00:29:00.599 --> 00:29:01.359 that they deserve. 00:29:03.159 --> 00:29:04.480 We understand that 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:06.319 while we are hurting that person, 00:29:06.919 --> 00:29:08.319 we're also grieving God. 00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.879 Because we're not living 00:29:10.879 --> 00:29:11.899 in our new nature. 00:29:12.379 --> 00:29:14.199 We're going back to our old nature 00:29:14.199 --> 00:29:15.639 where it's all about us. 00:29:17.139 --> 00:29:17.519 So, 00:29:18.519 --> 00:29:19.539 last week, 00:29:20.099 --> 00:29:21.439 we said new year, 00:29:21.799 --> 00:29:22.279 new nature. 00:29:22.679 --> 00:29:24.019 Here's a chance for a reset. 00:29:24.779 --> 00:29:26.279 To look at our values 00:29:26.279 --> 00:29:26.759 and say, 00:29:26.959 --> 00:29:28.779 what is really important to us? 00:29:28.779 --> 00:29:30.639 Is pleasing God important to me? 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.839 Then I'm going to strive 00:29:31.839 --> 00:29:33.539 to live by the leading 00:29:33.539 --> 00:29:34.319 of the Holy Spirit 00:29:34.319 --> 00:29:35.819 and live out my new nature. 00:29:36.399 --> 00:29:37.339 How do we do that? 00:29:41.000 --> 00:29:42.259 We do that by 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:44.379 replacing lying with the truth. 00:29:45.359 --> 00:29:46.599 Replacing fleshly anger 00:29:46.599 --> 00:29:47.619 with spiritual anger. 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:49.019 Replacing stealing 00:29:49.019 --> 00:29:50.259 with working and sharing. 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.240 Replacing words of destruction 00:29:52.240 --> 00:29:54.180 with words of grace. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.680 That's our new creation. 00:29:56.680 --> 00:29:59.259 When we are converted, 00:29:59.700 --> 00:30:00.860 then that process 00:30:00.860 --> 00:30:02.160 is transforming us. 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.480 The growth process, 00:30:03.620 --> 00:30:05.039 the walking with God process 00:30:05.039 --> 00:30:06.400 transforms us. 00:30:07.060 --> 00:30:08.440 Romans chapter 12 and verse 2, 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:09.380 we read it last week. 00:30:10.240 --> 00:30:11.380 God transforms you 00:30:11.380 --> 00:30:12.380 into a new person 00:30:12.380 --> 00:30:14.420 by changing the way you think. 00:30:14.519 --> 00:30:15.060 But back up 00:30:15.060 --> 00:30:15.920 and look at verse 1. 00:30:17.920 --> 00:30:18.980 Present your bodies 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:20.420 as a living sacrifice, 00:30:20.600 --> 00:30:21.940 holy, pleasing to God, 00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:24.460 because this is your true worship. 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.380 How many of you guys 00:30:25.380 --> 00:30:26.420 like to worship God 00:30:26.420 --> 00:30:27.380 as much as you can 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:28.680 every day by uplifted hand? 00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:30.040 Anybody like to worship God? 00:30:30.560 --> 00:30:31.380 How many of you plan 00:30:31.380 --> 00:30:32.220 on worshiping God 00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.920 when you come to church 00:30:32.920 --> 00:30:33.480 on Sundays? 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:34.480 Together, right? 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.340 Yeah, of course. 00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:38.380 Here's the reality. 00:30:39.040 --> 00:30:39.980 Our true worship 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:41.960 is how often 00:30:41.960 --> 00:30:43.420 we put ourselves to death 00:30:43.420 --> 00:30:44.780 and we live 00:30:44.780 --> 00:30:46.260 by the Holy Spirit. 00:30:47.740 --> 00:30:48.480 You understand 00:30:48.480 --> 00:30:49.080 we're not talking about 00:30:49.080 --> 00:30:49.860 a physical death 00:30:49.860 --> 00:30:50.440 with yourself. 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:51.640 we're talking about 00:30:51.640 --> 00:30:53.100 killing off 00:30:53.100 --> 00:30:54.500 your own flesh 00:30:54.500 --> 00:30:55.660 that causes you 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.440 to sin 00:30:56.440 --> 00:30:57.620 to go to your old nature 00:30:57.620 --> 00:30:58.559 and saying 00:30:58.559 --> 00:31:00.200 I sacrifice that 00:31:00.200 --> 00:31:02.120 a living sacrifice 00:31:02.120 --> 00:31:04.519 so I can be pleasing to God. 00:31:04.600 --> 00:31:05.299 I can be holy 00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.860 and I can truly 00:31:06.860 --> 00:31:08.340 worship Him. 00:31:09.299 --> 00:31:10.240 Here's the takeaway. 00:31:10.779 --> 00:31:11.740 My true nature 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:13.539 is revealed 00:31:13.539 --> 00:31:15.120 in my words, 00:31:15.740 --> 00:31:16.160 actions, 00:31:16.480 --> 00:31:17.320 and attitudes 00:31:17.320 --> 00:31:18.460 toward others. 00:31:18.460 --> 00:31:20.160 all three. 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.539 Our words, 00:31:22.120 --> 00:31:22.819 our actions, 00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.579 and our attitudes. 00:31:25.380 --> 00:31:26.440 That reveals 00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:28.039 our true nature. 00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:30.140 Let's let God 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:31.559 bring that new nature 00:31:31.559 --> 00:31:32.579 alive in our church. 00:31:33.140 --> 00:31:33.819 How amazing 00:31:33.819 --> 00:31:34.519 would it be 00:31:34.519 --> 00:31:36.079 if in 2024 00:31:36.079 --> 00:31:37.700 people said 00:31:37.700 --> 00:31:38.039 man, 00:31:38.140 --> 00:31:39.440 those first Baptist people 00:31:39.440 --> 00:31:40.100 in Henrietta 00:31:40.100 --> 00:31:41.500 are just different 00:31:41.500 --> 00:31:42.100 this year. 00:31:43.519 --> 00:31:44.900 They're just nicer. 00:31:45.059 --> 00:31:45.660 I don't know. 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:48.920 How amazing 00:31:48.920 --> 00:31:49.500 would it be 00:31:49.500 --> 00:31:50.759 if God 00:31:50.759 --> 00:31:51.500 did a work 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.860 in my heart, 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.000 in your heart, 00:31:54.360 --> 00:31:54.980 and together 00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.840 we see God 00:31:56.840 --> 00:31:57.940 do incredible things 00:31:57.940 --> 00:31:58.880 in our lives 00:31:58.880 --> 00:31:59.240 and throughout 00:31:59.240 --> 00:31:59.880 this community 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.480 and beyond 00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:02.220 because we're 00:32:02.220 --> 00:32:02.720 surrendering 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:03.580 to the new nature. 00:32:04.259 --> 00:32:04.440 Amen? 00:32:04.820 --> 00:32:05.460 Let's pray together. 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:06.000 God, 00:32:06.080 --> 00:32:06.620 I ask that you 00:32:06.620 --> 00:32:07.400 would do just that. 00:32:08.259 --> 00:32:08.840 I ask that you 00:32:08.840 --> 00:32:09.620 would not leave 00:32:09.620 --> 00:32:10.380 us alone, 00:32:10.540 --> 00:32:10.740 God. 00:32:12.120 --> 00:32:12.900 Convict us 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:13.779 every day. 00:32:13.779 --> 00:32:15.700 Convict us 00:32:15.700 --> 00:32:16.319 every moment 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:16.879 when we fail. 00:32:16.960 --> 00:32:17.079 God, 00:32:17.119 --> 00:32:17.779 we're gonna fail. 00:32:18.220 --> 00:32:18.859 There's no doubt. 00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.599 We're gonna respond 00:32:19.599 --> 00:32:20.619 in anger at some point. 00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.399 It's gonna happen. 00:32:23.259 --> 00:32:24.339 But I ask that you 00:32:24.339 --> 00:32:24.980 would not leave us 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:25.740 alone in those moments. 00:32:25.839 --> 00:32:26.139 That you would 00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:27.240 convict us deeply. 00:32:27.940 --> 00:32:28.399 That you would 00:32:28.399 --> 00:32:29.000 remind us 00:32:29.000 --> 00:32:30.019 there is a better way. 00:32:30.279 --> 00:32:31.259 There's a more joyful, 00:32:32.319 --> 00:32:33.039 more pleasing 00:32:33.039 --> 00:32:34.000 to God way. 00:32:34.879 --> 00:32:36.279 Help us to trust that 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:38.599 and walk in that. 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:40.379 And more and more 00:32:40.379 --> 00:32:40.920 every day 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:42.440 surrender to your spirit 00:32:42.440 --> 00:32:44.559 not our own flesh. 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.620 We'll give you 00:32:45.620 --> 00:32:46.539 all the glory for it. 00:32:46.900 --> 00:32:48.059 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:32:48.460 --> 00:32:48.740 Amen. 00:32:49.140 --> 00:32:49.920 Would you stand here?