WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.000 Good afternoon, welcome again to Ealing Lunchtime Talks. It's really good to see you. I'll probably say this at the end, but this is quite a momentous time isn't it? 00:00:14.000 --> 00:00:24.120 This is the last meeting that we're going to have in this room, at least for the foreseeable future. We might be back when they've done whatever they're doing with the building. 00:00:24.120 --> 00:00:36.519 But we give thanks, don't we, for the provision of this room. I'll tell you a bit about where we're going to be next week at the end, so stick around for that. 00:00:36.520 --> 00:00:48.580 We're going to read our passage for this afternoon from Galatians 5, which is on our sheets. So let's listen to this together. 00:00:51.320 --> 00:00:52.340 Paul writes, 00:00:52.340 --> 00:01:09.219 Look, I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:17.060 I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. 00:01:18.140 --> 00:01:25.099 You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law. You have fallen away from grace. 00:01:26.099 --> 00:01:32.000 For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. 00:01:33.000 --> 00:01:38.420 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything. 00:01:38.420 --> 00:01:41.519 But only faith working through love. 00:01:42.659 --> 00:01:44.480 You were running well. 00:01:45.420 --> 00:01:47.700 Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 00:01:48.780 --> 00:01:51.939 This persuasion is not from him who calls you. 00:01:53.019 --> 00:01:56.140 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 00:01:57.420 --> 00:02:01.879 I have confidence in the Lord that you will take no other view. 00:02:02.460 --> 00:02:06.640 And the one who is troubling you will bear the penalty, whoever he is. 00:02:06.640 --> 00:02:12.620 But if I, brothers, still preach circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? 00:02:13.479 --> 00:02:16.699 In that case, the offence of the cross has been removed. 00:02:17.699 --> 00:02:21.400 I wish those who unsettle you would emasculate themselves. 00:02:22.599 --> 00:02:25.520 For you were called to freedom, brothers. 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:27.300 Let's pray. 00:02:28.740 --> 00:02:37.600 Father in heaven, we pray, Lord, that your written word would lead us to the living word, the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:02:37.719 --> 00:02:41.460 Help us to listen by the help of your Holy Spirit, we pray. 00:02:42.080 --> 00:02:43.540 In Jesus' name. Amen. 00:02:43.539 --> 00:02:43.939 Amen. 00:02:45.699 --> 00:02:55.639 In this section, Paul argues that something should mark out Christian people from every other people and every other person. 00:02:56.439 --> 00:03:02.379 People who have faith in Jesus Christ have something that nobody else has. 00:03:03.399 --> 00:03:04.599 I don't know if you spotted it. 00:03:05.620 --> 00:03:06.259 Freedom. 00:03:06.259 --> 00:03:10.840 Christians are free people. 00:03:11.799 --> 00:03:14.259 That's the idea in verse 1, isn't it? 00:03:14.859 --> 00:03:18.079 For freedom, Christ has set us free. 00:03:19.299 --> 00:03:24.079 It's at the end of this section as well, at the beginning of verse 13, if you look at the bottom. 00:03:24.739 --> 00:03:27.199 You were called to freedom, brothers. 00:03:27.199 --> 00:03:33.259 The implication is that without Jesus Christ, people are not free. 00:03:34.799 --> 00:03:40.079 Now, I don't know if that's your perception of the Christian life, or of Christians themselves. 00:03:40.259 --> 00:03:41.159 Maybe not. 00:03:42.099 --> 00:03:48.019 You don't hear people saying to you, I wish I could be free like those Christians down the road in that church. 00:03:48.799 --> 00:03:50.899 Shackled in their outdated religion. 00:03:51.419 --> 00:03:52.579 Wish I could be like them. 00:03:52.580 --> 00:04:00.040 Even Christians themselves might not use that word to describe their lives. 00:04:01.500 --> 00:04:04.960 Many Christians don't get this about the Christian life. 00:04:06.140 --> 00:04:07.040 This freedom. 00:04:07.900 --> 00:04:09.880 And the Galatians didn't get it either. 00:04:10.920 --> 00:04:12.420 They don't feel this freedom. 00:04:12.560 --> 00:04:15.260 They don't get the freedom of the Christian life here. 00:04:15.939 --> 00:04:18.520 Isn't it funny what Paul says to them in verse 1? 00:04:18.520 --> 00:04:20.379 Look how he phrases it. 00:04:20.379 --> 00:04:24.480 For freedom, Christ has set us free. 00:04:24.800 --> 00:04:26.060 Now that sounds odd, doesn't it? 00:04:26.100 --> 00:04:30.759 Because Paul wouldn't say, for slavery, Christ has set us free. 00:04:30.899 --> 00:04:31.920 Makes no sense. 00:04:33.240 --> 00:04:37.719 But that is just a little hint of the absurdity of where the Galatians are at. 00:04:38.779 --> 00:04:42.180 In effect, that's what they think the Christian life is like. 00:04:43.620 --> 00:04:45.860 Paul has been saying all along, hasn't he? 00:04:45.860 --> 00:04:48.960 Galatians, you have become free people. 00:04:49.800 --> 00:04:51.620 Free in Jesus Christ. 00:04:51.720 --> 00:04:54.860 The most free people that there are in the whole world. 00:04:55.480 --> 00:05:01.319 You've been freed, do you remember last week, from the elementary principles of the world. 00:05:01.319 --> 00:05:03.100 Of the human merit project. 00:05:04.259 --> 00:05:07.340 You're free from people's opinions of you. 00:05:08.199 --> 00:05:10.100 You're free from human traditions. 00:05:10.379 --> 00:05:13.699 You're free from human techniques and regulations. 00:05:13.699 --> 00:05:18.439 Your freedom from slavery to God's law as well. 00:05:19.699 --> 00:05:25.180 Chapter 4, he says, we were slaves to the law, but now we're sons. 00:05:25.539 --> 00:05:27.360 We're adopted into God's family. 00:05:28.699 --> 00:05:33.839 When God looks at you, he welcomes you into his heaven freely. 00:05:34.959 --> 00:05:36.439 There's no small print. 00:05:36.579 --> 00:05:39.139 There's no kind of little type at the bottom that says, 00:05:39.139 --> 00:05:42.139 You are free to come in as long as you do this and that. 00:05:43.560 --> 00:05:49.279 They've got this freedom through faith in Jesus, but they can't seem to live it out. 00:05:50.959 --> 00:05:53.199 It's why in verse 1, Paul says, 00:05:53.300 --> 00:05:57.399 Don't submit again to a yoke of slavery. 00:05:57.399 --> 00:06:05.919 You see, the heart and mind of a human being is like the heart and mind of an institutionalised prisoner. 00:06:07.299 --> 00:06:11.639 After a long sentence, 30, 40, maybe 50 years, 00:06:12.479 --> 00:06:16.279 who on release day can't cope with the outside world. 00:06:17.560 --> 00:06:19.339 Can't cope with freedom. 00:06:19.339 --> 00:06:26.399 We're so tuned, aren't we, to being slaves to our own pride and our own performance, 00:06:27.159 --> 00:06:30.859 that we just don't get it when God removes those burdens. 00:06:32.539 --> 00:06:36.479 And it's been the same for the history of God's people right from the beginning. 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:43.139 Do you remember, God rescues his people from slavery in Egypt, doesn't he? 00:06:44.099 --> 00:06:48.179 He brings them out from their chains and from their slavery. 00:06:48.180 --> 00:06:50.620 And what's the first thing they do when they get out? 00:06:50.879 --> 00:06:52.519 They want to go back in. 00:06:53.319 --> 00:06:56.160 They moan about wanting to go back to Egypt, 00:06:56.360 --> 00:06:58.180 because they think it was better. 00:06:59.439 --> 00:07:03.400 So this freedom that God gives in Jesus Christ 00:07:03.400 --> 00:07:06.660 is something that we want and we long for, 00:07:07.600 --> 00:07:10.600 and yet something in us makes us go back. 00:07:11.699 --> 00:07:14.079 We submit again to a yoke, 00:07:14.840 --> 00:07:16.819 to the shackles of performance. 00:07:18.180 --> 00:07:21.560 And that can happen in all kinds of subtle ways, can't it? 00:07:22.060 --> 00:07:23.900 But for the Galatians here, 00:07:24.720 --> 00:07:28.259 it was happening in this particular work, 00:07:28.439 --> 00:07:32.100 or performance, of circumcision. 00:07:32.960 --> 00:07:35.439 That's what he talks about in this passage, isn't it? 00:07:36.699 --> 00:07:38.259 Paul says in verse 6, 00:07:38.360 --> 00:07:41.240 it doesn't matter whether you're circumcised or not, 00:07:41.300 --> 00:07:44.340 that doesn't count for anything when you've got faith in Jesus. 00:07:44.339 --> 00:07:50.639 Now, the point of circumcision was, 00:07:50.779 --> 00:07:52.699 it was something given, 00:07:53.319 --> 00:07:57.599 not as a way to be acceptable before God, 00:07:57.679 --> 00:08:00.939 but as an expression of faith. 00:08:02.479 --> 00:08:06.019 Do you remember when God gives Abraham circumcision, 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:08.319 as a sign of his promises, 00:08:08.319 --> 00:08:10.540 in Genesis chapter 17, 00:08:11.480 --> 00:08:13.399 that Abraham is to be circumcised, 00:08:13.480 --> 00:08:16.180 he is to cut off the skin of his foreskin, 00:08:17.019 --> 00:08:18.879 and do that with his sons. 00:08:20.019 --> 00:08:23.639 And that was an expression of faith in God's promises, 00:08:23.699 --> 00:08:28.259 that he'd already given two chapters earlier in Genesis 15. 00:08:28.259 --> 00:08:32.460 But what happened over time, 00:08:32.539 --> 00:08:34.939 was that the expression of faith, 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:38.519 became the object of faith. 00:08:39.960 --> 00:08:43.399 Rather than helping Abraham trust in God, 00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:46.259 circumcision in the life of God's people, 00:08:46.460 --> 00:08:49.919 became the thing that was trusted in, 00:08:50.080 --> 00:08:50.519 do you see? 00:08:51.399 --> 00:08:53.559 It became the object of faith. 00:08:54.939 --> 00:08:57.360 And that is what has happened with the Galatians here. 00:08:58.259 --> 00:09:00.360 We know people around them, 00:09:01.000 --> 00:09:05.000 are demanding circumcision as a way of salvation, 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:07.120 as the object of faith. 00:09:08.580 --> 00:09:11.799 And Paul is incensed with this. 00:09:13.299 --> 00:09:15.439 There should be one object of faith, 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:16.179 the Lord Jesus, 00:09:16.419 --> 00:09:19.100 but now there's this false contender that's come along. 00:09:19.799 --> 00:09:21.580 So what Paul does in this section, 00:09:21.899 --> 00:09:24.480 is pepper his arguments, 00:09:24.480 --> 00:09:30.080 with ironic references to the cutting of circumcision. 00:09:30.220 --> 00:09:31.379 It's very clever. 00:09:32.920 --> 00:09:36.899 He intentionally uses words that sound similar 00:09:36.899 --> 00:09:40.720 to the physical action of circumcision. 00:09:40.860 --> 00:09:42.820 Now I don't know if you noticed these words. 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:47.460 The kind of cutting, slicing words. 00:09:47.460 --> 00:09:50.420 And the separating words. 00:09:50.639 --> 00:09:52.000 It's quite uncomfortable reading. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:53.340 It should be for them, 00:09:53.480 --> 00:09:54.700 particularly if they're men. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:56.660 He says, doesn't he, 00:09:56.740 --> 00:10:00.120 accept circumcision as the object of faith, 00:10:00.200 --> 00:10:00.920 verse 4, 00:10:01.780 --> 00:10:04.980 you are severed from Christ. 00:10:06.540 --> 00:10:08.519 He says again in verse 4, 00:10:08.519 --> 00:10:12.100 you have fallen away from grace. 00:10:12.279 --> 00:10:13.539 You're separated, 00:10:13.699 --> 00:10:15.919 you're severed from grace. 00:10:17.379 --> 00:10:19.699 He talks about verse 11, 00:10:20.379 --> 00:10:22.259 the offence of the cross 00:10:22.259 --> 00:10:25.659 being removed or severed. 00:10:26.679 --> 00:10:27.620 Verse 12, 00:10:27.740 --> 00:10:29.519 he says that these false preachers, 00:10:29.559 --> 00:10:31.939 he wishes that they would emasculate themselves. 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:35.179 It's pretty crude, hard language, isn't it? 00:10:36.259 --> 00:10:37.759 He's saying to the Galatians, 00:10:37.759 --> 00:10:38.899 it's as if he's saying, 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:41.580 well, if you're so into circumcision, 00:10:42.319 --> 00:10:44.519 I'll show you what the slicing 00:10:44.519 --> 00:10:48.139 and separating is really doing 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:50.240 and what is really going on. 00:10:50.319 --> 00:10:53.740 It's a backhanded, sarcastic slur. 00:10:55.000 --> 00:10:57.000 And he gives them three implications 00:10:57.000 --> 00:10:59.379 of the things that they are doing here. 00:11:00.519 --> 00:11:02.919 Accept the work of circumcision. 00:11:02.919 --> 00:11:06.240 And number one, 00:11:06.319 --> 00:11:08.500 you are slicing off Christ. 00:11:09.679 --> 00:11:11.740 You are slicing off Christ. 00:11:13.019 --> 00:11:15.039 The way you rely 00:11:15.039 --> 00:11:19.000 on this cutting action of circumcision 00:11:19.000 --> 00:11:22.860 is cutting you off from Christ himself. 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:25.459 Verse 4, 00:11:25.460 --> 00:11:28.460 you are severed from Christ. 00:11:29.840 --> 00:11:31.180 You see, for Paul, 00:11:31.280 --> 00:11:32.920 it's either all or nothing 00:11:32.920 --> 00:11:33.960 with Jesus Christ. 00:11:35.040 --> 00:11:37.000 You either trust him fully 00:11:37.000 --> 00:11:38.700 or you don't trust him at all. 00:11:39.660 --> 00:11:41.480 You can't trust Jesus 00:11:41.480 --> 00:11:42.660 for your salvation 00:11:42.660 --> 00:11:44.560 and a bit of something else 00:11:44.560 --> 00:11:45.900 and someone else as well 00:11:45.900 --> 00:11:46.740 at the same time. 00:11:46.800 --> 00:11:48.340 No, it's all or nothing 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:49.600 with Jesus Christ. 00:11:49.600 --> 00:11:53.820 You can only have one object of faith. 00:11:55.139 --> 00:11:57.060 You either throw your lot in 00:11:57.060 --> 00:11:58.240 with Jesus Christ 00:11:58.240 --> 00:11:59.740 or not at all. 00:12:00.420 --> 00:12:01.680 It's either one or the other. 00:12:02.820 --> 00:12:04.100 So when they choose 00:12:04.100 --> 00:12:05.960 to add circumcision, 00:12:07.159 --> 00:12:08.399 they think they can do both, 00:12:08.480 --> 00:12:08.899 don't they? 00:12:09.620 --> 00:12:11.220 They think they can trust in Jesus 00:12:11.220 --> 00:12:13.100 and in this work of circumcision. 00:12:13.920 --> 00:12:15.320 So what they are doing 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.360 is when they add 00:12:16.360 --> 00:12:17.779 to the work of circumcision, 00:12:17.920 --> 00:12:18.779 they're getting involved 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:20.600 with some weird maths here 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:22.860 because when they add, 00:12:23.579 --> 00:12:25.120 they actually subtract 00:12:25.120 --> 00:12:27.459 from the gospel. 00:12:28.319 --> 00:12:30.360 They add the work of circumcision, 00:12:30.839 --> 00:12:32.720 they subtract Christ. 00:12:33.740 --> 00:12:35.379 They sever Christ. 00:12:35.579 --> 00:12:36.539 They take him away. 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:40.240 And this is how the true gospel works. 00:12:40.399 --> 00:12:41.220 Paul's been arguing 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:43.039 if you add your own work 00:12:43.039 --> 00:12:43.720 to the gospel, 00:12:43.720 --> 00:12:45.980 you will subtract from the gospel. 00:12:47.139 --> 00:12:48.720 Adding is subtraction 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:51.459 because it's all or nothing. 00:12:51.620 --> 00:12:52.559 It's one or the other. 00:12:54.059 --> 00:12:55.220 So he says, doesn't he, 00:12:55.259 --> 00:12:55.759 verse 2, 00:12:55.819 --> 00:12:56.919 if you keep slicing 00:12:56.919 --> 00:12:58.639 in this work of circumcision, 00:12:59.659 --> 00:13:01.480 Christ will be chopped off. 00:13:01.559 --> 00:13:03.179 He'll be no advantage to you. 00:13:03.980 --> 00:13:05.179 The connection with Christ 00:13:05.179 --> 00:13:06.299 will be lost altogether. 00:13:06.579 --> 00:13:08.159 It's either all or nothing. 00:13:08.299 --> 00:13:09.159 It's one or the other. 00:13:10.120 --> 00:13:12.000 So you're slicing Christ off. 00:13:12.819 --> 00:13:14.039 Now why is that bad? 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.860 What's so bad about that? 00:13:15.860 --> 00:13:16.860 Well, he says, 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:17.360 secondly, 00:13:17.700 --> 00:13:18.700 by doing that, 00:13:19.419 --> 00:13:21.340 you're slicing off grace. 00:13:22.139 --> 00:13:23.700 You're slicing off grace. 00:13:23.840 --> 00:13:24.460 Verse 4, 00:13:25.200 --> 00:13:26.740 you're severed from Christ, 00:13:27.000 --> 00:13:28.320 you who would be justified 00:13:28.320 --> 00:13:30.259 or counted righteous 00:13:30.259 --> 00:13:31.240 by the law. 00:13:31.240 --> 00:13:33.759 you've fallen away 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.299 from grace. 00:13:37.100 --> 00:13:38.639 The word fallen away 00:13:38.639 --> 00:13:40.360 is the word you might use 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:41.500 if you can imagine 00:13:41.500 --> 00:13:42.940 a boat in a harbour 00:13:42.940 --> 00:13:45.539 and someone cuts the line 00:13:45.539 --> 00:13:47.159 or the rope 00:13:47.159 --> 00:13:48.639 holding the boat in. 00:13:49.019 --> 00:13:50.680 And the boat is left 00:13:50.680 --> 00:13:52.019 to just drift out 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.200 with the tide. 00:13:54.100 --> 00:13:55.580 That's the kind of image here. 00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:58.100 Losing Christ 00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:00.000 will mean 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.259 drifting away 00:14:01.259 --> 00:14:03.420 from this thing 00:14:03.420 --> 00:14:05.100 that Paul calls grace. 00:14:07.160 --> 00:14:09.180 Grace is not a substance, 00:14:09.420 --> 00:14:10.540 it's not a thing 00:14:10.540 --> 00:14:11.520 like water, 00:14:12.360 --> 00:14:14.000 but it's a disposition, 00:14:14.000 --> 00:14:15.160 it's an attitude 00:14:15.160 --> 00:14:16.920 of God 00:14:16.920 --> 00:14:18.620 towards human beings. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:21.139 It is God's 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:22.759 undeserved goodness 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:25.899 in our badness. 00:14:27.600 --> 00:14:29.200 Grace is God 00:14:29.200 --> 00:14:29.740 giving us 00:14:29.740 --> 00:14:31.159 what we don't deserve, 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:32.980 his goodness 00:14:32.980 --> 00:14:34.940 in our badness. 00:14:36.379 --> 00:14:37.220 So they are 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:38.799 cutting themselves off, 00:14:38.899 --> 00:14:39.620 Paul says, 00:14:40.019 --> 00:14:41.200 from that goodness 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:42.240 and they are saying, 00:14:42.399 --> 00:14:42.539 Lord, 00:14:42.639 --> 00:14:44.500 give me what I do deserve. 00:14:45.960 --> 00:14:47.000 It's not something 00:14:47.000 --> 00:14:48.180 we ever want to ask 00:14:48.179 --> 00:14:48.779 from God, 00:14:48.879 --> 00:14:50.059 give me what I deserve. 00:14:50.359 --> 00:14:51.299 We should never want 00:14:51.299 --> 00:14:52.099 to ask that 00:14:52.099 --> 00:14:53.519 from God. 00:14:54.679 --> 00:14:55.979 What we deserve 00:14:55.979 --> 00:14:56.679 from God 00:14:56.679 --> 00:14:57.979 is his punishment, 00:14:58.159 --> 00:14:58.439 isn't it, 00:14:58.459 --> 00:14:59.459 and his wrath. 00:15:01.179 --> 00:15:02.000 John Piper, 00:15:02.120 --> 00:15:03.079 the American preacher, 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.419 says that when people 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:05.519 ask him how he is, 00:15:05.559 --> 00:15:06.259 he always has 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.239 the same response. 00:15:07.339 --> 00:15:07.739 He says, 00:15:08.159 --> 00:15:09.079 I'm doing better 00:15:09.079 --> 00:15:09.819 than I deserve. 00:15:10.839 --> 00:15:11.259 I'm better 00:15:11.259 --> 00:15:12.139 than I deserve. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:14.859 And the only way 00:15:14.859 --> 00:15:16.159 that we can know God 00:15:16.159 --> 00:15:17.120 and be forgiven 00:15:17.120 --> 00:15:18.560 is that this 00:15:18.560 --> 00:15:20.000 grace thing 00:15:20.000 --> 00:15:21.840 must happen. 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:23.960 That God 00:15:23.960 --> 00:15:25.039 must find a way 00:15:25.039 --> 00:15:25.820 of treating us 00:15:25.820 --> 00:15:27.139 better than we deserve 00:15:27.139 --> 00:15:28.379 to be treated 00:15:28.379 --> 00:15:29.279 through the work 00:15:29.279 --> 00:15:30.399 of Jesus Christ. 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.779 And so those two things 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.940 must come together 00:15:33.940 --> 00:15:34.980 and they are together 00:15:34.980 --> 00:15:35.720 and you can't 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.539 separate them. 00:15:37.179 --> 00:15:38.419 To have grace, 00:15:38.960 --> 00:15:40.019 to be treated 00:15:40.019 --> 00:15:41.200 better than you deserve, 00:15:41.320 --> 00:15:42.500 you must have Christ. 00:15:43.720 --> 00:15:45.139 And without Christ, 00:15:45.139 --> 00:15:46.340 there is no grace. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:48.580 I don't know 00:15:48.580 --> 00:15:49.019 if you've seen 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:50.039 the movie Gravity, 00:15:50.620 --> 00:15:52.220 starring Sandra Bullock 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.399 and George Clooney. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:54.360 It's a thriller 00:15:54.360 --> 00:15:55.899 set in outer space. 00:15:57.019 --> 00:15:58.500 And disaster strikes 00:15:58.500 --> 00:15:59.980 when Bullock's character, 00:16:00.860 --> 00:16:02.100 her cord, 00:16:02.259 --> 00:16:02.799 breaks 00:16:02.799 --> 00:16:04.799 that attaches her 00:16:04.799 --> 00:16:06.139 to the space station. 00:16:07.100 --> 00:16:08.419 And she is left 00:16:08.419 --> 00:16:09.379 to drift 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:10.519 aimlessly 00:16:10.519 --> 00:16:11.460 into deepest, 00:16:11.779 --> 00:16:12.519 darkest space. 00:16:13.220 --> 00:16:13.659 It's a really 00:16:13.659 --> 00:16:14.600 terrifying moment 00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.600 until of course 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:16.299 George Clooney 00:16:16.299 --> 00:16:16.819 appears 00:16:16.819 --> 00:16:17.799 and rescues her. 00:16:18.439 --> 00:16:19.600 But it's the idea 00:16:19.600 --> 00:16:20.340 here, isn't it? 00:16:21.120 --> 00:16:21.980 That as they 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:23.779 slice their skin 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:25.340 in this added work, 00:16:26.399 --> 00:16:27.439 they slice 00:16:27.439 --> 00:16:28.679 their Christ away 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:30.799 and so by 00:16:30.799 --> 00:16:31.720 they slice 00:16:31.720 --> 00:16:32.460 any hope 00:16:32.460 --> 00:16:33.819 of this grace away. 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:36.000 they drift 00:16:36.000 --> 00:16:36.600 away 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.940 from the 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.440 kindness 00:16:38.440 --> 00:16:39.240 that they don't 00:16:39.240 --> 00:16:40.320 deserve from God 00:16:40.320 --> 00:16:41.960 towards what 00:16:41.960 --> 00:16:42.820 they do deserve. 00:16:44.040 --> 00:16:44.680 And it's like 00:16:44.680 --> 00:16:45.660 a domino effect. 00:16:46.200 --> 00:16:46.780 If you add 00:16:46.780 --> 00:16:47.300 to the work 00:16:47.300 --> 00:16:48.140 of circumcision, 00:16:49.080 --> 00:16:50.180 it's one or the other, 00:16:50.300 --> 00:16:51.040 so you cut off 00:16:51.040 --> 00:16:51.460 Christ 00:16:51.460 --> 00:16:53.240 and so you cut 00:16:53.240 --> 00:16:53.900 off grace 00:16:53.900 --> 00:16:55.740 and thirdly 00:16:55.740 --> 00:16:56.740 you cut off 00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.860 righteousness. 00:16:57.860 --> 00:17:00.259 You're slicing 00:17:00.259 --> 00:17:00.840 off Christ, 00:17:00.980 --> 00:17:01.500 you're slicing 00:17:01.500 --> 00:17:02.180 off grace 00:17:02.180 --> 00:17:03.580 and you're slicing 00:17:03.580 --> 00:17:04.579 off righteousness. 00:17:04.900 --> 00:17:05.980 Look at verse 5. 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:07.839 For through 00:17:07.839 --> 00:17:08.480 the Spirit 00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.319 by faith 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.720 we ourselves 00:17:10.720 --> 00:17:11.900 eagerly wait 00:17:11.900 --> 00:17:13.279 for the hope 00:17:13.279 --> 00:17:14.099 of righteousness. 00:17:15.960 --> 00:17:16.799 When I was 00:17:16.799 --> 00:17:17.279 a bachelor, 00:17:17.660 --> 00:17:18.200 a fellow 00:17:18.200 --> 00:17:18.680 lodger 00:17:18.680 --> 00:17:19.500 in our house 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.640 took it upon 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:21.220 himself to 00:17:21.220 --> 00:17:21.940 renovate one 00:17:21.940 --> 00:17:22.559 of the rooms 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.180 on the first 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:23.680 floor. 00:17:24.579 --> 00:17:25.259 It was a big 00:17:25.259 --> 00:17:26.460 old Victorian 00:17:26.460 --> 00:17:26.960 house 00:17:26.960 --> 00:17:28.120 and he wanted 00:17:28.120 --> 00:17:28.840 to turn this 00:17:28.840 --> 00:17:29.460 room into a 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:29.860 kitchen. 00:17:31.039 --> 00:17:31.519 And it came 00:17:31.519 --> 00:17:32.000 to the job 00:17:32.000 --> 00:17:33.039 of removing 00:17:33.039 --> 00:17:33.559 the old 00:17:33.559 --> 00:17:34.240 floorboards 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:34.620 and putting 00:17:34.620 --> 00:17:35.220 down new 00:17:35.220 --> 00:17:35.680 ones. 00:17:36.980 --> 00:17:37.799 But as it 00:17:37.799 --> 00:17:38.240 got to the 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:38.579 point where 00:17:38.579 --> 00:17:38.980 he was kind 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:39.880 of slicing 00:17:39.880 --> 00:17:40.680 these old 00:17:40.680 --> 00:17:41.500 oak wooden 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:42.460 floorboards 00:17:42.460 --> 00:17:44.480 he accidentally 00:17:44.480 --> 00:17:46.180 severed a 00:17:46.180 --> 00:17:46.900 main water 00:17:46.900 --> 00:17:47.799 pipe that 00:17:47.799 --> 00:17:48.140 he'd not 00:17:48.140 --> 00:17:48.620 detected. 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.180 It was part 00:17:49.180 --> 00:17:49.680 of the old 00:17:49.680 --> 00:17:50.259 Victorian 00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:50.680 plumbing. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.180 He was 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:53.039 cutting one 00:17:53.039 --> 00:17:54.740 thing but 00:17:54.740 --> 00:17:55.720 unwittingly in 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.200 the same 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:56.940 action he'd 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:57.559 cut something 00:17:57.559 --> 00:17:58.360 else that 00:17:58.360 --> 00:17:58.620 he didn't 00:17:58.620 --> 00:17:58.900 want to 00:17:58.900 --> 00:17:59.220 cut at 00:17:59.220 --> 00:17:59.559 all. 00:18:00.220 --> 00:18:00.700 The main 00:18:00.700 --> 00:18:01.580 water supply. 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.360 The whole 00:18:02.360 --> 00:18:02.920 room on the 00:18:02.920 --> 00:18:03.380 first floor 00:18:03.380 --> 00:18:03.920 was flooded. 00:18:04.180 --> 00:18:04.759 It was a 00:18:04.759 --> 00:18:05.240 disaster. 00:18:05.920 --> 00:18:06.700 It was ruined. 00:18:08.420 --> 00:18:09.240 And Paul is 00:18:09.240 --> 00:18:09.799 saying here 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:10.220 isn't he, 00:18:10.340 --> 00:18:10.880 with your 00:18:10.880 --> 00:18:11.680 cutting you 00:18:11.680 --> 00:18:13.120 are unwittingly 00:18:13.120 --> 00:18:14.019 severing the 00:18:14.019 --> 00:18:14.420 mains. 00:18:16.000 --> 00:18:16.759 You are 00:18:16.759 --> 00:18:17.660 severing the 00:18:17.660 --> 00:18:19.420 way to 00:18:19.420 --> 00:18:20.240 righteousness. 00:18:21.700 --> 00:18:22.680 To being 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.400 right with 00:18:23.400 --> 00:18:23.880 God. 00:18:23.880 --> 00:18:23.920 God. 00:18:25.640 --> 00:18:26.220 In this 00:18:26.220 --> 00:18:27.000 act of 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.740 self-righteousness 00:18:28.740 --> 00:18:30.500 you are 00:18:30.500 --> 00:18:31.200 severing 00:18:31.200 --> 00:18:32.220 yourself from 00:18:32.220 --> 00:18:32.960 true 00:18:32.960 --> 00:18:33.740 righteousness. 00:18:35.840 --> 00:18:37.140 By contrast 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:37.840 Paul says 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:38.200 doesn't he, 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.760 the only 00:18:38.760 --> 00:18:39.820 way to 00:18:39.820 --> 00:18:40.740 final 00:18:40.740 --> 00:18:41.780 righteousness, 00:18:42.040 --> 00:18:42.620 to final 00:18:42.620 --> 00:18:43.180 rightness 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.860 with God 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:45.340 is by 00:18:45.340 --> 00:18:45.680 this 00:18:45.680 --> 00:18:46.480 connection 00:18:46.480 --> 00:18:48.040 to Jesus 00:18:48.040 --> 00:18:48.660 Christ 00:18:48.660 --> 00:18:50.620 in faith 00:18:50.620 --> 00:18:51.160 through the 00:18:51.160 --> 00:18:52.120 Holy Spirit. 00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:53.200 Verse 5. 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.940 It is, 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:55.560 as he says 00:18:55.560 --> 00:18:55.880 here, 00:18:56.000 --> 00:18:57.259 by eagerly 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.300 waiting with 00:18:58.300 --> 00:18:59.720 hope in 00:18:59.720 --> 00:19:00.700 what Jesus 00:19:00.700 --> 00:19:01.640 supplies. 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:04.480 We can't 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.220 see that 00:19:05.220 --> 00:19:05.800 connection, 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.259 can we? 00:19:06.279 --> 00:19:07.019 It's not like 00:19:07.019 --> 00:19:07.560 the film 00:19:07.560 --> 00:19:08.080 Gravity. 00:19:08.340 --> 00:19:08.820 There's no 00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:09.840 umbilical 00:19:09.840 --> 00:19:11.019 cord between 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:11.500 us and 00:19:11.500 --> 00:19:12.279 Jesus Christ. 00:19:12.880 --> 00:19:13.700 It's a 00:19:13.700 --> 00:19:14.460 spiritual 00:19:14.460 --> 00:19:15.740 connection, 00:19:15.940 --> 00:19:16.640 a spiritual 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:17.320 union. 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.100 But it's a 00:19:19.100 --> 00:19:19.940 real connection. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.460 It's beyond 00:19:22.460 --> 00:19:23.340 our understanding 00:19:23.340 --> 00:19:23.779 isn't it? 00:19:23.840 --> 00:19:24.720 But Paul says 00:19:24.720 --> 00:19:25.640 it's the work 00:19:25.640 --> 00:19:26.340 of the Holy 00:19:26.340 --> 00:19:28.400 Spirit who 00:19:28.400 --> 00:19:29.700 unites people 00:19:29.700 --> 00:19:30.820 to Jesus 00:19:30.820 --> 00:19:31.420 Christ, 00:19:32.200 --> 00:19:33.120 the source 00:19:33.120 --> 00:19:33.880 of righteousness. 00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.960 Like a 00:19:35.960 --> 00:19:36.740 husband and a 00:19:36.740 --> 00:19:37.240 wife are 00:19:37.240 --> 00:19:38.100 united in 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:38.660 marriage. 00:19:39.900 --> 00:19:40.720 That is what 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:41.840 this connection 00:19:41.840 --> 00:19:43.019 is about as 00:19:43.019 --> 00:19:43.920 we wait 00:19:43.920 --> 00:19:45.700 eagerly for 00:19:45.700 --> 00:19:46.640 the righteousness 00:19:46.640 --> 00:19:47.820 that comes by 00:19:47.820 --> 00:19:48.540 union to 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.960 Jesus and 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:50.379 what that 00:19:50.379 --> 00:19:51.139 entitles us 00:19:51.139 --> 00:19:51.299 to. 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.180 It's a 00:19:54.180 --> 00:19:54.420 crude 00:19:54.420 --> 00:19:55.259 illustration but 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:55.819 it's like if 00:19:55.819 --> 00:19:56.599 Jesus takes 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:57.059 us to the 00:19:57.059 --> 00:19:57.480 door of 00:19:57.480 --> 00:19:58.799 heaven and 00:19:58.799 --> 00:19:59.599 we're asked 00:19:59.599 --> 00:20:00.139 well why 00:20:00.139 --> 00:20:00.879 should I 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.539 let you 00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.220 in and 00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:02.859 Jesus says 00:20:02.859 --> 00:20:03.399 well actually 00:20:03.399 --> 00:20:04.099 she is with 00:20:04.099 --> 00:20:04.539 me. 00:20:05.799 --> 00:20:06.980 My church 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.980 is joined 00:20:07.980 --> 00:20:08.819 to me. 00:20:08.980 --> 00:20:09.519 She is my 00:20:09.519 --> 00:20:09.980 bride. 00:20:11.359 --> 00:20:12.299 My name is 00:20:12.299 --> 00:20:12.879 on the list 00:20:12.879 --> 00:20:13.659 of people who 00:20:13.659 --> 00:20:14.339 deserve to 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:14.859 get into 00:20:14.859 --> 00:20:16.019 heaven and 00:20:16.019 --> 00:20:16.960 she shares 00:20:16.960 --> 00:20:17.720 my name 00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:18.440 she comes 00:20:18.440 --> 00:20:19.160 with me. 00:20:20.440 --> 00:20:21.220 So this 00:20:21.220 --> 00:20:22.240 union means 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.680 that we 00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.420 share 00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.299 Christ's 00:20:24.299 --> 00:20:24.880 righteousness 00:20:24.880 --> 00:20:27.240 and so 00:20:27.240 --> 00:20:27.799 you're either 00:20:27.799 --> 00:20:28.819 united to 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.400 him 00:20:29.400 --> 00:20:31.220 getting into 00:20:31.220 --> 00:20:31.960 heaven or 00:20:31.960 --> 00:20:32.819 you're united 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:33.640 to your own 00:20:33.640 --> 00:20:34.299 works. 00:20:35.579 --> 00:20:36.340 You're either 00:20:36.340 --> 00:20:37.180 hoping in 00:20:37.180 --> 00:20:38.860 him and 00:20:38.860 --> 00:20:39.860 that union 00:20:39.860 --> 00:20:41.000 or hoping 00:20:41.000 --> 00:20:41.600 in your own 00:20:41.600 --> 00:20:42.420 performance. 00:20:42.420 --> 00:20:44.640 and so if 00:20:44.640 --> 00:20:45.480 you sever 00:20:45.480 --> 00:20:46.420 the connection 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.640 of faith 00:20:47.640 --> 00:20:49.519 once you 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.680 stop waiting 00:20:50.680 --> 00:20:51.420 and hoping 00:20:51.420 --> 00:20:51.960 in him 00:20:51.960 --> 00:20:52.360 and you 00:20:52.360 --> 00:20:52.700 take 00:20:52.700 --> 00:20:53.340 righteousness 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:53.940 into your 00:20:53.940 --> 00:20:54.640 own hands 00:20:54.640 --> 00:20:55.220 even just 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.640 a little 00:20:55.640 --> 00:20:56.100 bit 00:20:56.100 --> 00:20:58.080 the mains 00:20:58.080 --> 00:20:58.820 are cut 00:20:58.820 --> 00:21:00.779 and you 00:21:00.779 --> 00:21:01.519 are drifting. 00:21:05.100 --> 00:21:05.880 We're not 00:21:05.880 --> 00:21:06.820 tempted are we 00:21:06.820 --> 00:21:07.300 to do 00:21:07.300 --> 00:21:08.080 circumcision. 00:21:08.700 --> 00:21:09.160 Pretty sure 00:21:09.160 --> 00:21:09.539 we're not 00:21:09.539 --> 00:21:10.200 tempted to do 00:21:10.200 --> 00:21:10.720 that today 00:21:10.720 --> 00:21:12.299 but there 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:12.960 are plenty 00:21:12.960 --> 00:21:13.400 of things 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:13.720 that we 00:21:13.720 --> 00:21:14.279 are tempted 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:14.940 to do 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:17.079 and things 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:17.680 that are 00:21:17.680 --> 00:21:18.559 meant as 00:21:18.559 --> 00:21:19.500 an expression 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:20.360 of faith 00:21:20.360 --> 00:21:20.880 in the 00:21:20.880 --> 00:21:21.579 Lord Jesus 00:21:21.579 --> 00:21:23.120 things that 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.600 are meant 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.519 to aid 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:25.319 our faith 00:21:25.319 --> 00:21:26.620 can easily 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.960 become objects 00:21:27.960 --> 00:21:28.600 of faith 00:21:28.600 --> 00:21:29.240 can't they? 00:21:30.160 --> 00:21:30.900 Even good 00:21:30.900 --> 00:21:31.460 things that 00:21:31.460 --> 00:21:32.220 Jesus commands 00:21:32.220 --> 00:21:32.960 us to do 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:35.279 Paul throws 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:35.880 in that little 00:21:35.880 --> 00:21:36.559 proverb in 00:21:36.559 --> 00:21:37.279 verse 9 00:21:37.279 --> 00:21:38.319 if you look 00:21:38.319 --> 00:21:38.640 there 00:21:38.640 --> 00:21:39.720 a little 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.300 leaven 00:21:40.300 --> 00:21:41.460 leavens 00:21:41.460 --> 00:21:41.840 the whole 00:21:41.840 --> 00:21:42.280 lump 00:21:42.280 --> 00:21:43.980 at the 00:21:43.980 --> 00:21:44.520 point being 00:21:44.520 --> 00:21:44.840 of that 00:21:44.840 --> 00:21:45.240 proverb 00:21:45.240 --> 00:21:45.960 little 00:21:45.960 --> 00:21:46.500 things 00:21:46.500 --> 00:21:46.900 can have 00:21:46.900 --> 00:21:47.140 big 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.880 consequences 00:21:47.880 --> 00:21:49.900 small 00:21:49.900 --> 00:21:50.620 things 00:21:50.620 --> 00:21:51.759 can have 00:21:51.759 --> 00:21:52.720 big results 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.220 they can have 00:21:53.220 --> 00:21:53.900 devastating 00:21:53.900 --> 00:21:54.560 results 00:21:54.560 --> 00:21:56.040 just one 00:21:56.040 --> 00:21:56.380 little 00:21:56.380 --> 00:21:56.960 pipe 00:21:56.960 --> 00:21:57.700 and it 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.140 can flood 00:21:58.140 --> 00:21:58.600 the first 00:21:58.600 --> 00:21:59.020 floor 00:21:59.020 --> 00:22:00.520 a little 00:22:00.520 --> 00:22:01.000 addition 00:22:01.000 --> 00:22:01.460 here 00:22:01.460 --> 00:22:01.840 and a 00:22:01.840 --> 00:22:02.040 little 00:22:02.040 --> 00:22:02.380 thing 00:22:02.380 --> 00:22:02.780 to add 00:22:02.780 --> 00:22:03.160 on to 00:22:03.160 --> 00:22:03.540 Christ 00:22:03.540 --> 00:22:04.020 there 00:22:04.019 --> 00:22:05.879 will prove 00:22:05.879 --> 00:22:06.599 disastrous 00:22:06.599 --> 00:22:08.900 and it 00:22:08.900 --> 00:22:09.400 can happen 00:22:09.400 --> 00:22:10.279 so sadly 00:22:10.279 --> 00:22:10.859 can't it 00:22:10.859 --> 00:22:11.500 even with 00:22:11.500 --> 00:22:11.879 the things 00:22:11.879 --> 00:22:12.160 that are 00:22:12.160 --> 00:22:12.559 good 00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:15.319 just thinking 00:22:15.319 --> 00:22:16.000 on reflection 00:22:16.000 --> 00:22:16.400 on this 00:22:16.400 --> 00:22:16.759 passage 00:22:16.759 --> 00:22:17.339 I kind of 00:22:17.339 --> 00:22:17.819 asked the 00:22:17.819 --> 00:22:18.160 question 00:22:18.160 --> 00:22:18.680 what would 00:22:18.680 --> 00:22:19.319 the Apostle 00:22:19.319 --> 00:22:20.119 Paul say 00:22:20.119 --> 00:22:21.240 to Londoners 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:23.099 to Christians 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.759 in London 00:22:23.759 --> 00:22:24.319 today 00:22:24.319 --> 00:22:26.099 what 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:27.119 expressions 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:28.220 of faith 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.740 are you 00:22:28.740 --> 00:22:29.680 turning into 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:30.660 objects of 00:22:30.660 --> 00:22:31.099 faith 00:22:31.099 --> 00:22:32.119 it's not 00:22:32.119 --> 00:22:32.759 circumcision 00:22:32.759 --> 00:22:33.179 is it 00:22:33.179 --> 00:22:33.659 for most 00:22:33.659 --> 00:22:34.119 of us 00:22:34.119 --> 00:22:37.139 the Apostle 00:22:37.139 --> 00:22:38.319 might say 00:22:38.319 --> 00:22:40.099 to a 00:22:40.099 --> 00:22:40.699 priest 00:22:40.699 --> 00:22:42.439 who makes 00:22:42.439 --> 00:22:43.419 the sacrament 00:22:43.419 --> 00:22:45.539 the object 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:46.259 of faith 00:22:46.259 --> 00:22:47.000 in itself 00:22:47.000 --> 00:22:49.339 who cuts 00:22:49.339 --> 00:22:50.079 the bread 00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:50.939 for mass 00:22:50.939 --> 00:22:52.719 he would 00:22:52.719 --> 00:22:53.199 say you 00:22:53.199 --> 00:22:53.939 are cutting 00:22:53.939 --> 00:22:54.859 off Christ 00:22:54.859 --> 00:22:56.379 if you 00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.939 make the 00:22:56.939 --> 00:22:57.459 sacrament 00:22:57.459 --> 00:22:58.519 the object 00:22:58.519 --> 00:23:00.139 of faith 00:23:00.140 --> 00:23:02.140 or to 00:23:02.140 --> 00:23:02.680 a leader 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.100 in a 00:23:03.100 --> 00:23:03.380 church 00:23:03.380 --> 00:23:04.100 who makes 00:23:04.100 --> 00:23:04.960 singing 00:23:04.960 --> 00:23:06.480 lots and 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:06.960 lots of 00:23:06.960 --> 00:23:07.640 songs 00:23:07.640 --> 00:23:08.400 we love 00:23:08.400 --> 00:23:08.660 singing 00:23:08.660 --> 00:23:09.200 don't we 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:11.040 but if 00:23:11.040 --> 00:23:11.580 you make 00:23:11.580 --> 00:23:12.340 songs 00:23:12.340 --> 00:23:13.340 the object 00:23:13.340 --> 00:23:14.000 of your 00:23:14.000 --> 00:23:14.440 faith 00:23:14.440 --> 00:23:15.120 if we say 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.160 God is only 00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.020 pleased with me 00:23:17.020 --> 00:23:17.400 when I 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:18.380 sing so many 00:23:18.380 --> 00:23:18.980 songs 00:23:18.980 --> 00:23:20.540 or I feel 00:23:20.540 --> 00:23:21.040 a certain 00:23:21.040 --> 00:23:21.759 emotion in 00:23:21.759 --> 00:23:22.240 church 00:23:22.240 --> 00:23:24.180 you are 00:23:24.180 --> 00:23:24.880 singing 00:23:24.880 --> 00:23:26.060 Christ away 00:23:26.060 --> 00:23:27.080 if you're 00:23:27.080 --> 00:23:27.560 doing that 00:23:27.559 --> 00:23:29.519 or he 00:23:29.519 --> 00:23:29.919 would say 00:23:29.919 --> 00:23:30.299 wouldn't he 00:23:30.299 --> 00:23:30.639 to the 00:23:30.639 --> 00:23:31.319 evangelical 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:32.399 presbyterian 00:23:32.399 --> 00:23:32.899 preacher 00:23:32.899 --> 00:23:34.839 who studies 00:23:34.839 --> 00:23:35.639 and preaches 00:23:35.639 --> 00:23:36.419 and loves 00:23:36.419 --> 00:23:37.679 expository 00:23:37.679 --> 00:23:38.159 preaching 00:23:38.159 --> 00:23:39.359 if that 00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:40.259 in itself 00:23:40.259 --> 00:23:40.940 has become 00:23:40.940 --> 00:23:41.559 the object 00:23:41.559 --> 00:23:42.079 of your 00:23:42.079 --> 00:23:42.559 faith 00:23:42.559 --> 00:23:44.480 if people 00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.319 trust in 00:23:45.319 --> 00:23:46.139 the preacher 00:23:46.139 --> 00:23:47.619 rather than 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.159 the Christ 00:23:48.159 --> 00:23:48.879 he preaches 00:23:48.879 --> 00:23:49.460 you are 00:23:49.460 --> 00:23:50.019 preaching 00:23:50.019 --> 00:23:50.960 and studying 00:23:50.960 --> 00:23:51.980 Christ away 00:23:51.980 --> 00:23:53.940 you can 00:23:53.940 --> 00:23:54.839 preach about 00:23:54.839 --> 00:23:55.259 grace 00:23:55.259 --> 00:23:55.720 can't you 00:23:55.720 --> 00:23:56.079 and at the 00:23:56.079 --> 00:23:56.640 same time 00:23:56.640 --> 00:23:57.240 preach 00:23:57.240 --> 00:23:57.860 grace 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.380 away 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.900 if 00:23:59.900 --> 00:24:00.400 preaching 00:24:00.400 --> 00:24:01.120 itself 00:24:01.120 --> 00:24:02.259 becomes 00:24:02.259 --> 00:24:02.860 the object 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.559 of faith 00:24:03.559 --> 00:24:05.740 and so 00:24:05.740 --> 00:24:06.000 do you 00:24:06.000 --> 00:24:06.299 sense 00:24:06.299 --> 00:24:06.680 of the 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.099 irony 00:24:07.099 --> 00:24:07.500 of what 00:24:07.500 --> 00:24:07.900 is going 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.400 on here 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:08.740 isn't it 00:24:08.740 --> 00:24:09.180 in verse 00:24:09.180 --> 00:24:09.620 7 00:24:09.620 --> 00:24:10.420 Paul says 00:24:10.420 --> 00:24:10.640 look 00:24:10.640 --> 00:24:11.240 you were 00:24:11.240 --> 00:24:11.620 running 00:24:11.620 --> 00:24:12.059 well 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:12.980 Galatians 00:24:12.980 --> 00:24:14.680 but who 00:24:14.680 --> 00:24:15.220 hindered 00:24:15.220 --> 00:24:15.799 you from 00:24:15.799 --> 00:24:16.519 obeying 00:24:16.519 --> 00:24:17.319 the truth 00:24:17.319 --> 00:24:20.500 it's tragic 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.900 isn't it 00:24:20.900 --> 00:24:21.400 it's ironic 00:24:21.400 --> 00:24:21.840 that in 00:24:21.840 --> 00:24:22.640 their desire 00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:24.220 to be 00:24:24.220 --> 00:24:24.980 perceived 00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.040 as obedient 00:24:26.040 --> 00:24:28.740 they forsake 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.780 real obedience 00:24:29.780 --> 00:24:30.200 here 00:24:30.200 --> 00:24:31.980 in their 00:24:31.980 --> 00:24:32.540 desire to 00:24:32.540 --> 00:24:33.380 be perceived 00:24:33.380 --> 00:24:34.220 as righteous 00:24:34.220 --> 00:24:35.700 in this 00:24:35.700 --> 00:24:36.300 work 00:24:36.300 --> 00:24:38.160 they sever 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.720 themselves 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:39.400 from true 00:24:39.400 --> 00:24:39.940 righteousness 00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:42.180 because they've 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.720 made their 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:43.280 works the 00:24:43.280 --> 00:24:43.860 object of 00:24:43.860 --> 00:24:44.280 faith 00:24:44.280 --> 00:24:45.900 and they've 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.540 cut themselves 00:24:46.540 --> 00:24:47.080 off from 00:24:47.080 --> 00:24:47.580 the only 00:24:47.580 --> 00:24:48.320 true source 00:24:48.320 --> 00:24:48.700 of it 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.160 Jesus 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.640 himself 00:24:49.640 --> 00:24:50.420 they've 00:24:50.420 --> 00:24:51.060 divorced 00:24:51.060 --> 00:24:51.720 themselves 00:24:51.720 --> 00:24:52.539 from their 00:24:52.539 --> 00:24:52.900 husband 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:53.539 Christ 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:55.920 because 00:24:55.920 --> 00:24:56.759 with Jesus 00:24:56.759 --> 00:24:57.880 it's really 00:24:57.880 --> 00:24:58.600 all or 00:24:58.600 --> 00:24:59.000 nothing 00:24:59.000 --> 00:25:00.700 and you 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.000 either 00:25:01.000 --> 00:25:01.900 trust in 00:25:01.900 --> 00:25:02.300 him 00:25:02.300 --> 00:25:02.940 alone 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:05.019 or not 00:25:05.019 --> 00:25:05.580 at all 00:25:05.580 --> 00:25:07.160 it's either 00:25:07.160 --> 00:25:07.880 one thing 00:25:07.880 --> 00:25:08.279 or the 00:25:08.279 --> 00:25:08.600 other 00:25:08.600 --> 00:25:10.500 add to 00:25:10.500 --> 00:25:10.940 Jesus 00:25:10.940 --> 00:25:11.700 even good 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.100 things 00:25:12.100 --> 00:25:12.700 and you 00:25:12.700 --> 00:25:13.360 will take 00:25:13.360 --> 00:25:13.940 him away 00:25:13.940 --> 00:25:15.180 and you 00:25:15.180 --> 00:25:15.519 will cut 00:25:15.519 --> 00:25:15.880 yourself 00:25:15.880 --> 00:25:16.320 off from 00:25:16.320 --> 00:25:16.620 him 00:25:16.620 --> 00:25:18.580 and you 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:18.820 will 00:25:18.820 --> 00:25:19.500 submit 00:25:19.500 --> 00:25:20.080 yourself 00:25:20.080 --> 00:25:20.640 again 00:25:20.640 --> 00:25:22.000 to a 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.240 yoke 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:22.440 of 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:22.940 slavery 00:25:22.940 --> 00:25:25.519 but Paul 00:25:25.519 --> 00:25:25.960 says for 00:25:25.960 --> 00:25:26.400 freedom 00:25:26.400 --> 00:25:27.039 Christ has 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.380 set us 00:25:27.380 --> 00:25:27.700 free 00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.539 so stand 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:30.019 firm 00:25:30.019 --> 00:25:30.580 therefore 00:25:30.580 --> 00:25:32.259 you were 00:25:32.259 --> 00:25:32.680 called to 00:25:32.680 --> 00:25:33.019 freedom 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.500 brothers 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.799 let's pray 00:25:34.799 --> 00:25:38.099 father in 00:25:38.099 --> 00:25:38.460 heaven 00:25:38.460 --> 00:25:40.180 lord we 00:25:40.180 --> 00:25:40.759 thank you 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.240 that it 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:41.940 is your 00:25:41.940 --> 00:25:42.440 desire 00:25:42.440 --> 00:25:44.220 it is your 00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:45.099 design that 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.779 we might be 00:25:45.779 --> 00:25:46.619 truly free 00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.180 people 00:25:47.180 --> 00:25:49.299 free from 00:25:49.299 --> 00:25:49.919 the opinions 00:25:49.919 --> 00:25:50.500 of men 00:25:50.500 --> 00:25:50.940 and women 00:25:50.940 --> 00:25:51.779 free from 00:25:51.779 --> 00:25:52.819 outwards law 00:25:52.819 --> 00:25:53.359 keeping 00:25:53.359 --> 00:25:55.240 free from 00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.159 needing to 00:25:56.159 --> 00:25:57.180 deserve your 00:25:57.180 --> 00:25:57.659 kindness 00:25:57.660 --> 00:25:59.720 and your 00:25:59.720 --> 00:26:00.540 grace is 00:26:00.540 --> 00:26:00.840 given 00:26:00.840 --> 00:26:01.480 precisely 00:26:01.480 --> 00:26:02.060 because we 00:26:02.060 --> 00:26:02.500 don't 00:26:02.500 --> 00:26:03.420 deserve it 00:26:03.420 --> 00:26:05.580 lord we 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.360 know that 00:26:06.360 --> 00:26:06.980 a little 00:26:06.980 --> 00:26:07.480 leaven 00:26:07.480 --> 00:26:08.019 leavens 00:26:08.019 --> 00:26:08.420 the whole 00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:08.800 lump 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:10.380 and there 00:26:10.380 --> 00:26:10.720 are so 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.360 many ways 00:26:11.360 --> 00:26:11.680 we are 00:26:11.680 --> 00:26:12.259 quick to 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.800 add to 00:26:12.800 --> 00:26:13.180 the work 00:26:13.180 --> 00:26:13.759 of Christ 00:26:13.759 --> 00:26:15.600 and thereby 00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:17.200 unwittingly 00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:17.800 cut him 00:26:17.800 --> 00:26:18.560 off completely 00:26:18.560 --> 00:26:20.759 lord we 00:26:20.759 --> 00:26:21.120 know that 00:26:21.120 --> 00:26:21.720 he is 00:26:21.720 --> 00:26:22.300 sufficient 00:26:22.300 --> 00:26:22.880 alone 00:26:22.880 --> 00:26:23.360 to make 00:26:23.360 --> 00:26:23.800 us right 00:26:23.800 --> 00:26:24.320 with you 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:25.700 so we 00:26:25.700 --> 00:26:26.040 ask that 00:26:26.040 --> 00:26:26.440 you help 00:26:26.440 --> 00:26:26.800 us to 00:26:26.800 --> 00:26:27.100 stand 00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:27.580 firm 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.839 not 00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:29.359 submitting 00:26:29.359 --> 00:26:30.019 again to 00:26:30.019 --> 00:26:30.379 a yoke 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.000 of slavery 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:31.679 even in 00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:31.960 the good 00:26:31.960 --> 00:26:32.539 things that 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:32.980 you call 00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.299 us to 00:26:33.299 --> 00:26:33.579 do 00:26:33.579 --> 00:26:35.019 keep us 00:26:35.019 --> 00:26:35.779 from falling 00:26:35.779 --> 00:26:36.439 away from 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:36.939 grace 00:26:36.939 --> 00:26:38.720 as we 00:26:38.720 --> 00:26:39.659 eagerly wait 00:26:39.659 --> 00:26:40.279 for the hope 00:26:40.279 --> 00:26:41.000 of righteousness 00:26:41.000 --> 00:26:41.599 in him 00:26:41.599 --> 00:26:42.879 and we pray 00:26:42.879 --> 00:26:43.779 in Jesus name 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.539 amen 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:46.379 amen 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.220 well 00:26:47.220 --> 00:26:48.099 normally I say 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.599 don't I 00:26:48.599 --> 00:26:49.480 same time 00:26:49.480 --> 00:26:50.119 same place 00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:50.619 next week 00:26:50.619 --> 00:26:51.199 but I can't 00:26:51.199 --> 00:26:51.539 say that 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:51.980 this week 00:26:51.980 --> 00:26:53.339 so details 00:26:53.339 --> 00:26:53.859 of where 00:26:53.859 --> 00:26:54.259 we are going 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:54.559 to meet 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.379 next week 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.480 are on the 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.960 back of 00:26:56.960 --> 00:26:57.960 the sheets 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:58.480 I'm sorry 00:26:58.480 --> 00:26:59.160 we have 00:26:59.160 --> 00:26:59.860 got flyers 00:26:59.860 --> 00:27:00.220 but they're 00:27:00.220 --> 00:27:00.940 coming tomorrow 00:27:00.940 --> 00:27:02.140 so we're 00:27:02.140 --> 00:27:02.460 going to meet 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.279 not Tuesday 00:27:03.279 --> 00:27:03.880 but on 00:27:03.880 --> 00:27:04.519 Thursday 00:27:04.519 --> 00:27:06.700 same time 00:27:06.700 --> 00:27:08.259 in Christ 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:08.900 the Saviour 00:27:08.900 --> 00:27:09.880 Church Hall 00:27:09.880 --> 00:27:11.279 if you don't 00:27:11.279 --> 00:27:11.720 know where 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.259 that is 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:12.880 we'll be 00:27:12.880 --> 00:27:13.500 around 00:27:13.500 --> 00:27:15.120 kind of 00:27:15.120 --> 00:27:15.600 next to 00:27:15.600 --> 00:27:16.660 the church 00:27:16.660 --> 00:27:17.120 just down 00:27:17.120 --> 00:27:17.440 the road 00:27:17.440 --> 00:27:18.059 to help 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.559 you find 00:27:18.559 --> 00:27:19.120 your way 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:21.019 so we'll 00:27:21.019 --> 00:27:21.420 see you 00:27:21.420 --> 00:27:21.980 next week 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:22.620 Thursday 00:27:22.620 --> 00:27:23.340 ten past 00:27:23.340 --> 00:27:23.640 one 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.540 outside 00:27:24.540 --> 00:27:25.240 Christ 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:25.640 the Saviour 00:27:25.640 --> 00:27:26.020 Church 00:27:26.020 --> 00:27:26.640 great