WEBVTT

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 It's good to be with you guys here today and especially good to be with the kids that are here.

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 I have a special favor to ask of the kids that are with us.

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 If you guys wouldn't mind, I would love if you would draw a picture of something that you hear or learn about today in our sermon.

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 And then if you're able, I'd love it if you would show me afterwards.

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 And if you can't happen to find me or grab me, show your mom or dad or your grandparents and I'm sure they would love to hear it and see it and talk to you about it.

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 And the rest of us, you're welcome to draw pictures as well.

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 But let's turn to Titus 3, chapter 3, verses 1 through 11.

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 And let me read God's word.

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 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities.

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 To be obedient.

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 To be ready for every good work.

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 To speak evil of no one.

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 To avoid quarreling and be gentle and show perfect courtesy towards all people.

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 For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our day in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another.

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 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God, our Savior appeared, he saved us.

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 Not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy.

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 By the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured on us richly through Christ Jesus our Savior.

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 So that being justified by his grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

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 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things.

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 So that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

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 These things are excellent and profitable for people.

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 But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law.

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 For they are unprofitable and worthless.

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 As for the person who stirs up division after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.

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 Knowing that such a person is warped and sinful, he is self-condemned.

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 So it's been two weeks since we've been in Titus.

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 And so before we dig into our text here, let me just take a quick moment to remind us of what we've been through so far.

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 Remember that the book of Titus is a letter from the Apostle Paul to Titus, who is on the island of Crete.

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 Paul left Titus in Crete to finish the work of establishing the Cretan church.

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 In chapter 1, Paul instructs Titus about establishing the position of elders.

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 He addresses the qualifications of elders, and then he specifically speaks about the role of elders in combating the false teachers and the false doctrine that was spreading among them.

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 Next week, Pastor Salvati will be preaching on Titus chapter 2.

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 But just to give you a little quick overview in order to help orient ourselves to our text here today,

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 Paul instructs Titus at the start of chapter 2 to teach what accords to sound doctrine.

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 Paul had just finished in chapter 1 describing the characteristics of what false doctrine produces.

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 And now he's telling Titus to teach correct doctrine and describes what this looks like.

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 What we'll see next week is that Paul first speaks about how Christians are to interact with other Christians.

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 And specifically, he describes about how that looks within a believing household.

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 Now in our chapter, in chapter 3, Paul moves his instructions about teaching sound doctrine from an internal discussion to an external discussion.

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 In chapter 3, he speaks about how Christians are to interact with society.

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 Paul gives some very concrete instructions about how we as believers are to interact in a non-believing world.

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 Needless to say, instructions on how we as believers should live godly lives in the context of society is just as practical today

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 and beneficial for us as it was for the first century Cretan church.

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 But what I also want us to get from this text today is not only the instructions on how to live in society,

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 but why we should conduct ourselves this way.

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 What reason is there for us as Christians to interact with society in a particular way?

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 What we'll see is that there's a cause and effect relationship that's going to happen here.

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 There's going to be a thing, and this thing is going to produce an effect in us.

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 It's going to produce the effect that Christians should interact with unbelievers.

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 Another way to state this is that there's going to be a root, like the root of a tree.

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 And this root is going to produce a certain kind of fruit.

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 What's interesting here, though, is the way that Paul teaches us this lesson.

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 Instead of starting at the base of the tree and describing how the root produces the fruit,

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 he starts with talking about the fruit first, and then he's going to trace back down to the root.

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 It's kind of opposite of how we normally would think.

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 Then, to finish off our text, Paul's going to contrast sound doctrine with false doctrine.

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 So we want to answer three questions here today.

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 By the end of our time, I want us to be able to answer these.

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 The first one, how should we interact with society?

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 Concrete examples of how we should be.

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 Number two, how are we able to accomplish these interactions with society?

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 And three, what's the difference between the false doctrine fruit and the sound doctrine fruit?

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 So let's jump in.

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 Point number one, the uniqueness of the Christian fruit displayed in society.

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 So let's look at what Paul has to say about how we are to interact with society.

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 Look at verse one.

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 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities,

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 to be obedient and to be ready for every good work.

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 The first thing that Paul gives us instruction on is our posture towards government.

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 This would include local city governments, state governments, national governments.

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 Whenever you see that phrase ruler and authorities, think government.

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 It's nothing like starting on an easy topic here, is it?

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 Couldn't he have started with something a little bit easier like,

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 remind them to say hi to strangers and smile to everybody?

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 No, he starts with submission and government.

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 What's even more interesting is thinking about the historical context that he's giving these instructions in.

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 The island of Crete and the Christians there,

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 they're living under the forceful rule of the Roman Empire.

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 Rome controlled them.

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 They were the government authorities.

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 And by the way, they weren't elected officials.

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 Rome had come in and invaded their land and ruled them by force.

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 Rome not only imposed their rules and authority on them,

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 they often extracted a high tax on those they conquered to help fund their empire.

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 Can you imagine what the Christians in Crete were thinking when Titus was instructing them to submit to the rulers and authorities?

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 The ones who were ruling them by force?

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 What do you think their response was?

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 Wait.

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 You want us to do what?

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 You want us to submit to their authority?

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 Those guys.

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 The ones that are oppressing us?

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 It had to be quite shocking for them.

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 Yet, here's Paul instructing Titus to remind the Christians to believe, to submit, and be obedient to the governmental authorities.

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 However, Paul's just not pulling this idea of submission out of the clouds.

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 Submission and obedience is a theme that he's carrying over from chapter 2.

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 In chapter 2, we'll see how submission and obedience functions between believers,

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 and specifically within a Christian household.

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 And Paul's just carrying this same theme now over into how Christians should interact in society.

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 What we can start to see is that the fruit of the sound doctrine is characterized by godly submission and obedience.

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 How do you think this would look if the Cretan church lived out this godly submission and authority with the society around them?

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 Do you think they would just blend in?

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 I don't think so.

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 What about us?

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 How does this present for us today?

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 What would the fruit of submission and obedience look like for us when there's a politician or local government authority who's in power and we don't agree with them?

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 What do we do when there's a political party that's in charge and we don't agree with their stances?

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 What would we say if somebody asked us,

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 Why are you acting this way?

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 Well, maybe we say that we believe in Romans 13,

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 where God establishes governments,

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 and God is sovereign over the governments,

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 and therefore our submission that Titus describes here,

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 or Paul describes in Titus,

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 is ultimately a submission to God's sovereignty.

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 Paul's instructions to Titus is to make sure that the believers are displaying a general posture of submitting to their authority.

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 Let's see what other instructions Paul has to say about our conduct with society.

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 Verse 2.

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 Speak evil of no one,

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 to avoid quarreling,

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 to be gentle,

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 and show perfect courtesy towards all people.

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 I can just hear the Cretan Christians saying to Titus as he's instructing them,

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 Okay, you know,

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 you're kind of pushing the envelope a little bit here.

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 You know that whole thing about submitting to authorities and rulers?

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 It was kind of tough,

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 but okay,

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 I can get on board.

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 But now you're telling us to never speak poorly of anyone,

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 avoid arguments with them,

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 and be gentle with them all the time,

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 and to top it off,

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 you say show perfect courtesy towards all people.

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 Well, I'm pretty sure you don't know the people that I work with,

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 or that neighbor that lives behind me,

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 because if you did,

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 you would know that this isn't possible.

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 How can I do this?

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 Can we relate with this, church?

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 Do any of the same thoughts ever pass through your head?

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 Sure, that's a nice thought.

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 Be kind and courteous to everyone.

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 But I'm not supposed to really do that, right?

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 How can I do that all the time,

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 and with everyone?

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 Paul doesn't mince his words here.

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 He doesn't say,

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 don't speak evil most of the time.

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 Or he doesn't say,

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 generally don't speak evil to people.

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 He says,

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 speak evil to no one.

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 So what does that look for us,

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 to speak evil to no one?

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 What would it look like with that situation at work with my coworker,

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 and everyone speaking behind their back?

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 Does speaking of evil apply in that situation,

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 or to that person?

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 What would it say if we didn't engage in that type of activities?

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 Or what about the person on social media,

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 who is always posting those things that make your eyes roll,

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 or saying things that just make your blood boil?

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 They can't hear what I'm saying about them.

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 So does speaking evil of no one apply in that situation?

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 What about showing gentleness to your boss,

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 who is constantly hard,

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 mean,

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 unkind,

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 and abrasive to you?

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 Or the person who speaks to you disrespectfully in front of others,

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 and is constantly making you feel bad?

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 Do I need to show gentleness,

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 and kindness,

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 and avoid quarreling with them?

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 Well, Paul doesn't use middle-of-the-road language here.

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 He uses the words,

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 no one,

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 avoid,

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 perfect,

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 all people.

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 Remember,

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 Paul's giving instructions on the fruit of sound doctrine,

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 and it is uniquely different than the fruit of false doctrine.

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 Can we ask ourselves,

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 is our conduct as believers uniquely different than society's?

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 And notice,

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 there's something very interesting here that's missing from these instructions.

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 There is no indication that our actions towards others

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 is dependent upon their actions towards us.

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 At no point does it say,

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 those who show courtesy and respect and love to you,

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 then you show courtesy and respect and love to them.

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 No,

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 the fruit that believers are to display

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 is independent

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 of their actions towards us.

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 So to answer question one,

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 our first question here,

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 how am I supposed to act

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 in society?

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 What we see with our passage

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 in verses one and two,

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 is that we should be characterized

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 by submission,

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 obedience,

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 good speech,

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 gentleness,

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 peacemaking,

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 and we are to do it to all people

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 at all times.

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 Anyone else feel the weight

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 of those instructions?

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 How am I supposed to even come close

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 to doing that?

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 How can I avoid gossip

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 at work

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 or in conversations with friends?

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 How can I not be annoyed

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 with those people in the stores

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 that are always getting in my way?

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 It's impossible

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 to not argue with people.

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 It just happens.

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 Well,

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 recall the outline

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 of our text.

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 Paul first

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 is giving us

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 the fruit

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 and then he's going

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 to trace backwards

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 to reveal the source

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 of that fruit.

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 So if you're wondering,

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 how can I produce

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 this kind of fruit

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 with others?

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 The answer

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 is found

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 in the root.

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 So let's look at

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 point two.

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 The root

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 produces

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 the fruit

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 sorry,

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 the root

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 that produces

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 the fruit

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 is the gospel.

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 Let's look at

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 verse three.

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 For we ourselves

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 were once foolish,

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 disobedient,

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 led astray,

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 slaves to various

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 passions and pleasures,

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 passing our day

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 in malice

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 and envy,

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 hated by others

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 and hating one another.

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 after Paul

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 instructs us

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 on the fruit,

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 he takes a moment

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 to remind us

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 of who we once were.

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 Just in case

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 you forgot

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 what you were like

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 in the past,

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 here,

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 let me remind you.

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 Paul doesn't

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 hold back.

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 Listen to how

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 he describes us.

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 Foolish,

00:16:56.740 --> 00:16:57.680
 disobedient,

00:16:58.680 --> 00:17:00.019
 slaves to passions

00:17:00.019 --> 00:17:00.680
 and pleasures,

00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:02.199
 envious,

00:17:03.159 --> 00:17:04.359
 hated by others

00:17:04.359 --> 00:17:05.220
 and hating.

00:17:06.799 --> 00:17:07.539
 These are not

00:17:07.539 --> 00:17:08.319
 very flattering

00:17:08.319 --> 00:17:08.960
 things,

00:17:09.339 --> 00:17:09.980
 and notice

00:17:09.980 --> 00:17:10.599
 that they are

00:17:10.599 --> 00:17:12.039
 complete opposites

00:17:12.039 --> 00:17:13.259
 of what he described

00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:14.319
 in verses one and two.

00:17:15.599 --> 00:17:16.940
 He now calls us

00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.759
 to obedience

00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:19.019
 when we were

00:17:19.019 --> 00:17:20.539
 once disobedient.

00:17:22.639 --> 00:17:23.700
 He calls us

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.559
 to gentleness

00:17:24.559 --> 00:17:25.619
 and courtesy

00:17:25.619 --> 00:17:26.919
 when we were

00:17:26.919 --> 00:17:27.799
 once hating

00:17:27.799 --> 00:17:28.839
 and envious.

00:17:30.299 --> 00:17:30.919
 He calls us

00:17:30.919 --> 00:17:32.019
 to be peacemakers

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:33.339
 and considerate

00:17:33.339 --> 00:17:34.519
 when we were

00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:35.519
 once quarreling

00:17:35.519 --> 00:17:36.519
 and malicious.

00:17:38.619 --> 00:17:39.399
 Some of us

00:17:39.399 --> 00:17:39.859
 might be

00:17:39.859 --> 00:17:40.700
 asking ourselves

00:17:40.700 --> 00:17:41.220
 right now,

00:17:41.539 --> 00:17:41.859
 look,

00:17:42.299 --> 00:17:43.180
 I know I'm not

00:17:43.180 --> 00:17:43.599
 perfect,

00:17:43.740 --> 00:17:44.480
 but come on,

00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:46.460
 I'm not that bad.

00:17:47.539 --> 00:17:48.159
 It seems a little

00:17:48.159 --> 00:17:48.559
 bit of like

00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.500
 a harsh description

00:17:49.500 --> 00:17:50.000
 of me.

00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.220
 Well,

00:17:52.539 --> 00:17:53.539
 we see in Jesus'

00:17:53.799 --> 00:17:54.619
 sermon on the mount

00:17:54.619 --> 00:17:55.579
 in Matthew 5

00:17:55.579 --> 00:17:57.139
 when he says,

00:17:57.980 --> 00:17:58.579
 you have heard

00:17:58.579 --> 00:17:59.439
 that it was said,

00:17:59.960 --> 00:18:00.480
 you shall not

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:01.279
 commit adultery.

00:18:02.319 --> 00:18:03.480
 But I say to everyone,

00:18:03.720 --> 00:18:05.559
 but I say to you,

00:18:06.259 --> 00:18:07.559
 everyone who looks

00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:08.000
 at a woman

00:18:08.000 --> 00:18:09.039
 with lustful intent

00:18:09.039 --> 00:18:10.199
 has already

00:18:10.199 --> 00:18:11.220
 committed adultery

00:18:11.220 --> 00:18:12.199
 with her in his heart.

00:18:13.539 --> 00:18:14.859
 What Jesus identifies

00:18:14.859 --> 00:18:15.799
 here for us

00:18:15.799 --> 00:18:17.159
 is that sin

00:18:17.159 --> 00:18:18.740
 does not originate

00:18:18.740 --> 00:18:19.559
 with the action.

00:18:20.679 --> 00:18:21.460
 Sin originates

00:18:21.460 --> 00:18:22.000
 in the heart.

00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.819
 And this is the thread

00:18:23.819 --> 00:18:24.740
 that Paul's pulling

00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:25.220
 on here.

00:18:27.220 --> 00:18:28.359
 Maybe you didn't

00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.579
 engage in the

00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:30.599
 highest level

00:18:30.599 --> 00:18:31.220
 of envy,

00:18:31.720 --> 00:18:32.039
 hate,

00:18:32.599 --> 00:18:33.659
 pursuing passions,

00:18:33.899 --> 00:18:34.700
 and being envious

00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:35.319
 of others.

00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:37.119
 Maybe you could

00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.879
 always find

00:18:37.879 --> 00:18:38.519
 someone else

00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:39.139
 who engaged

00:18:39.139 --> 00:18:39.980
 in those things

00:18:39.980 --> 00:18:41.359
 to a greater extent

00:18:41.359 --> 00:18:42.039
 than you were.

00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.139
 But what of your heart?

00:18:45.899 --> 00:18:46.859
 Jesus tells us

00:18:46.859 --> 00:18:48.419
 that sin originates

00:18:48.419 --> 00:18:49.079
 in the heart.

00:18:50.099 --> 00:18:50.519
 Again,

00:18:50.679 --> 00:18:51.799
 we see in Matthew 7,

00:18:51.799 --> 00:18:52.419
 21,

00:18:53.079 --> 00:18:53.799
 Jesus says,

00:18:54.460 --> 00:18:55.119
 from within,

00:18:55.659 --> 00:18:56.500
 out of the heart

00:18:56.500 --> 00:18:57.000
 of man,

00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:58.659
 comes evil thoughts,

00:18:59.279 --> 00:19:00.460
 sexual immorality,

00:19:01.220 --> 00:19:01.599
 theft,

00:19:02.240 --> 00:19:02.579
 murder,

00:19:03.019 --> 00:19:03.500
 adultery.

00:19:04.539 --> 00:19:05.599
 We hear this echoed

00:19:05.599 --> 00:19:06.599
 in Jeremiah 17,

00:19:06.720 --> 00:19:07.039
 9.

00:19:08.000 --> 00:19:09.839
 The heart is deceitful

00:19:09.839 --> 00:19:11.440
 above all things,

00:19:11.899 --> 00:19:13.220
 desperately sick.

00:19:13.919 --> 00:19:15.200
 Who can understand it?

00:19:15.200 --> 00:19:19.160
 So when Paul describes

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:20.360
 in verse 3

00:19:20.360 --> 00:19:21.900
 what we once were,

00:19:22.380 --> 00:19:23.360
 he is talking

00:19:23.360 --> 00:19:24.360
 about the actions

00:19:24.360 --> 00:19:25.259
 that we were once

00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:26.100
 engaged in.

00:19:26.759 --> 00:19:27.680
 But let's not fool

00:19:27.680 --> 00:19:28.120
 ourselves,

00:19:28.279 --> 00:19:28.559
 Christians,

00:19:28.819 --> 00:19:29.420
 into believing

00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.259
 our hearts

00:19:30.259 --> 00:19:31.160
 were not once

00:19:31.160 --> 00:19:32.319
 pursuing the things

00:19:32.319 --> 00:19:32.920
 of the flesh.

00:19:34.539 --> 00:19:35.200
 Paul gives us

00:19:35.200 --> 00:19:35.799
 a look at our

00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.559
 natural heart,

00:19:36.680 --> 00:19:37.200
 and it isn't

00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:37.779
 very pretty.

00:19:39.700 --> 00:19:40.960
 But pay careful

00:19:40.960 --> 00:19:41.360
 attention

00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:41.479
 attention,

00:19:41.939 --> 00:19:42.799
 pay careful

00:19:42.799 --> 00:19:44.099
 attention to passages

00:19:44.099 --> 00:19:44.819
 like this.

00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.500
 When we read

00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:47.359
 difficult things

00:19:47.359 --> 00:19:48.559
 described about us

00:19:48.559 --> 00:19:49.799
 and ourselves

00:19:49.799 --> 00:19:51.019
 and our sinful

00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.719
 human nature,

00:19:52.299 --> 00:19:53.519
 and then you see

00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.559
 the word but

00:19:54.559 --> 00:19:55.719
 right after it,

00:19:56.439 --> 00:19:57.319
 be prepared.

00:19:58.659 --> 00:19:59.579
 Listen closely

00:19:59.579 --> 00:20:00.479
 because this is

00:20:00.479 --> 00:20:01.099
 where the treasure

00:20:01.099 --> 00:20:01.559
 is found.

00:20:02.719 --> 00:20:03.659
 So let's look

00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.319
 at verse 4.

00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:08.460
 But when the

00:20:08.460 --> 00:20:09.659
 goodness and

00:20:09.659 --> 00:20:10.619
 loving kindness

00:20:10.619 --> 00:20:11.980
 of our God

00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.599
 and Savior,

00:20:12.799 --> 00:20:13.960
 of God our Savior

00:20:13.960 --> 00:20:14.539
 appeared,

00:20:15.519 --> 00:20:16.799
 he saved us.

00:20:17.500 --> 00:20:18.799
 Not because of

00:20:18.799 --> 00:20:19.839
 works done by us

00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:20.579
 in righteousness,

00:20:21.259 --> 00:20:22.039
 but according

00:20:22.039 --> 00:20:23.439
 to his own

00:20:23.439 --> 00:20:24.319
 mercy.

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.259
 By the washing

00:20:26.259 --> 00:20:27.319
 of regeneration

00:20:27.319 --> 00:20:28.799
 and renewal

00:20:28.799 --> 00:20:29.960
 of the Holy Spirit

00:20:29.960 --> 00:20:30.899
 whom he poured

00:20:30.899 --> 00:20:31.980
 on us richly

00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:32.599
 through Jesus

00:20:32.599 --> 00:20:33.579
 Christ our Savior.

00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:36.279
 in verses

00:20:36.279 --> 00:20:37.079
 1 and 2,

00:20:37.799 --> 00:20:38.700
 Paul shows us

00:20:38.700 --> 00:20:39.500
 the fruit

00:20:39.500 --> 00:20:40.259
 that we should

00:20:40.259 --> 00:20:40.980
 be displaying

00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:41.819
 in society.

00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.859
 He then reminds

00:20:43.859 --> 00:20:44.500
 us of the way

00:20:44.500 --> 00:20:45.059
 our hearts

00:20:45.059 --> 00:20:45.579
 and lives

00:20:45.579 --> 00:20:46.259
 used to be,

00:20:47.019 --> 00:20:48.179
 and now

00:20:48.179 --> 00:20:49.240
 we see

00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.079
 that what

00:20:50.079 --> 00:20:51.079
 moves us

00:20:51.079 --> 00:20:51.759
 from what

00:20:51.759 --> 00:20:52.919
 we once were

00:20:52.919 --> 00:20:54.419
 to who we

00:20:54.419 --> 00:20:55.000
 are called

00:20:55.000 --> 00:20:55.779
 to be

00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:57.240
 is the gospel.

00:21:00.500 --> 00:21:01.179
 Believer,

00:21:01.240 --> 00:21:01.759
 there is only

00:21:01.759 --> 00:21:02.679
 one way

00:21:02.679 --> 00:21:03.519
 that can

00:21:03.519 --> 00:21:04.099
 produce

00:21:04.099 --> 00:21:05.219
 godly fruit

00:21:05.219 --> 00:21:05.839
 that is

00:21:05.839 --> 00:21:06.419
 described

00:21:06.419 --> 00:21:06.879
 in verses

00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.599
 1 and 2

00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.939
 and that

00:21:08.939 --> 00:21:09.259
 is by

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:09.779
 standing

00:21:09.779 --> 00:21:10.379
 on the

00:21:10.379 --> 00:21:10.759
 sound

00:21:10.759 --> 00:21:11.299
 doctrine

00:21:11.299 --> 00:21:11.939
 of the

00:21:11.939 --> 00:21:12.299
 gospel.

00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.859
 What do I

00:21:15.859 --> 00:21:16.480
 mean by the

00:21:16.480 --> 00:21:16.819
 gospel?

00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.039
 Where am I

00:21:18.039 --> 00:21:18.439
 getting that

00:21:18.439 --> 00:21:18.740
 from?

00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:20.240
 You might be

00:21:20.240 --> 00:21:20.480
 asking,

00:21:20.779 --> 00:21:21.519
 I don't see

00:21:21.519 --> 00:21:21.959
 the word

00:21:21.959 --> 00:21:22.699
 gospel in

00:21:22.699 --> 00:21:23.159
 verse 4.

00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:24.419
 Well,

00:21:24.919 --> 00:21:25.480
 let's look.

00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:36.480
 who appeared?

00:21:36.480 --> 00:21:37.940
 What's this

00:21:37.940 --> 00:21:38.579
 talking about?

00:21:39.880 --> 00:21:40.980
 The person

00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.779
 who appeared

00:21:41.779 --> 00:21:43.720
 is Jesus.

00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.680
 In John

00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.140
 1

00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:46.779
 14,

00:21:47.360 --> 00:21:47.960
 we read,

00:21:47.960 --> 00:21:49.460
 the word

00:21:49.460 --> 00:21:50.400
 became

00:21:50.400 --> 00:21:51.259
 flesh

00:21:51.259 --> 00:21:52.720
 and dwelt

00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.500
 among us.

00:21:54.980 --> 00:21:56.019
 Philippians 2

00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:57.140
 6 tells us

00:21:57.140 --> 00:21:58.500
 that Jesus,

00:21:59.360 --> 00:22:00.019
 who though he

00:22:00.019 --> 00:22:00.519
 was in the

00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.079
 form of

00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.519
 God,

00:22:02.079 --> 00:22:02.720
 did not

00:22:02.720 --> 00:22:03.759
 count equality

00:22:03.759 --> 00:22:04.500
 with God

00:22:04.500 --> 00:22:05.519
 a thing to

00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.340
 be grasped,

00:22:06.880 --> 00:22:07.720
 but he

00:22:07.720 --> 00:22:08.620
 emptied himself

00:22:08.620 --> 00:22:09.960
 by taking

00:22:09.960 --> 00:22:10.759
 on the form

00:22:10.759 --> 00:22:11.420
 of a servant

00:22:11.420 --> 00:22:13.019
 being born

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.840
 in the

00:22:13.840 --> 00:22:14.380
 likeness

00:22:14.380 --> 00:22:14.980
 of men.

00:22:14.980 --> 00:22:16.980
 the

00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:17.720
 incarnation.

00:22:19.019 --> 00:22:19.559
 This

00:22:19.559 --> 00:22:20.519
 is when

00:22:20.519 --> 00:22:21.099
 the goodness

00:22:21.099 --> 00:22:22.000
 and loving

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.519
 kindness

00:22:22.519 --> 00:22:23.279
 of God

00:22:23.279 --> 00:22:23.740
 appeared.

00:22:25.059 --> 00:22:25.940
 And notice

00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.559
 what happened

00:22:26.559 --> 00:22:26.960
 when he

00:22:26.960 --> 00:22:27.360
 appeared.

00:22:28.160 --> 00:22:29.339
 He saved

00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.740
 us.

00:22:30.860 --> 00:22:31.360
 This is

00:22:31.360 --> 00:22:31.900
 the gospel.

00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.660
 God

00:22:33.660 --> 00:22:34.599
 incarnate

00:22:34.599 --> 00:22:35.220
 appears.

00:22:36.120 --> 00:22:36.599
 He lives

00:22:36.599 --> 00:22:37.180
 a sinless

00:22:37.180 --> 00:22:37.640
 life,

00:22:38.140 --> 00:22:38.700
 dies on

00:22:38.700 --> 00:22:39.160
 the cross

00:22:39.160 --> 00:22:39.579
 for our

00:22:39.579 --> 00:22:40.000
 sins,

00:22:40.380 --> 00:22:41.200
 and saves

00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.559
 us.

00:22:42.120 --> 00:22:42.480
 That's

00:22:42.480 --> 00:22:42.940
 the gospel.

00:22:43.779 --> 00:22:44.120
 And we

00:22:44.120 --> 00:22:44.539
 see the

00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.180
 aspects of

00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:45.500
 it here

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:45.899
 in verse

00:22:45.899 --> 00:22:46.240
 four.

00:22:47.619 --> 00:22:48.740
 The gospel

00:22:48.740 --> 00:22:50.059
 is the

00:22:50.059 --> 00:22:51.240
 root of

00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.940
 the fruit

00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.659
 that we're

00:22:52.659 --> 00:22:53.259
 called to.

00:22:54.779 --> 00:22:55.720
 We're asking

00:22:55.720 --> 00:22:56.379
 ourselves the

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:56.799
 question,

00:22:57.299 --> 00:22:58.299
 how can I

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.899
 produce this

00:22:59.899 --> 00:23:00.759
 kind of fruit

00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.399
 that I'm

00:23:01.399 --> 00:23:02.139
 called to

00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.039
 in verses

00:23:03.039 --> 00:23:03.619
 one and

00:23:03.619 --> 00:23:03.899
 two?

00:23:04.519 --> 00:23:05.460
 The answer

00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:06.579
 is by

00:23:06.579 --> 00:23:07.039
 the root

00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:07.500
 of the

00:23:07.500 --> 00:23:07.899
 gospel.

00:23:09.500 --> 00:23:10.000
 And just

00:23:10.000 --> 00:23:10.480
 in case

00:23:10.480 --> 00:23:10.859
 we're a

00:23:10.859 --> 00:23:11.019
 little

00:23:11.019 --> 00:23:11.720
 confused

00:23:11.720 --> 00:23:12.539
 about what

00:23:12.539 --> 00:23:13.180
 that root

00:23:13.180 --> 00:23:13.759
 is,

00:23:13.759 --> 00:23:14.660
 let's

00:23:14.660 --> 00:23:15.019
 look at

00:23:15.019 --> 00:23:15.220
 verse

00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.680
 five.

00:23:17.259 --> 00:23:17.519
 Verse

00:23:17.519 --> 00:23:18.299
 five says,

00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:20.019
 not because

00:23:20.019 --> 00:23:21.099
 of works

00:23:21.099 --> 00:23:21.640
 done by

00:23:21.640 --> 00:23:22.019
 us in

00:23:22.019 --> 00:23:22.559
 righteousness,

00:23:23.119 --> 00:23:24.359
 but according

00:23:24.359 --> 00:23:25.660
 to his

00:23:25.660 --> 00:23:26.660
 mercy.

00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:30.500
 It's not

00:23:30.500 --> 00:23:31.339
 only God's

00:23:31.339 --> 00:23:32.019
 mercy to

00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.720
 us that

00:23:32.720 --> 00:23:33.299
 the gospel

00:23:33.299 --> 00:23:34.440
 makes it

00:23:34.440 --> 00:23:35.400
 possible for

00:23:35.400 --> 00:23:35.759
 us to

00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.759
 produce the

00:23:36.759 --> 00:23:37.420
 fruit that

00:23:37.420 --> 00:23:38.180
 is in

00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.680
 accordance

00:23:38.680 --> 00:23:39.860
 Godliness.

00:23:43.299 --> 00:23:43.940
 Do you

00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.480
 remember that

00:23:44.480 --> 00:23:45.140
 feeling that

00:23:45.140 --> 00:23:45.420
 we were

00:23:45.420 --> 00:23:46.060
 having as

00:23:46.060 --> 00:23:46.320
 we were

00:23:46.320 --> 00:23:46.840
 going through

00:23:46.840 --> 00:23:47.460
 verses one

00:23:47.460 --> 00:23:47.920
 and two?

00:23:48.759 --> 00:23:49.680
 That feeling

00:23:49.680 --> 00:23:50.920
 of impossibility?

00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.900
 How are we

00:23:52.900 --> 00:23:53.640
 supposed to do

00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:53.960
 this?

00:23:55.080 --> 00:23:55.980
 How can I

00:23:55.980 --> 00:23:56.920
 even begin to

00:23:56.920 --> 00:23:57.360
 live in this

00:23:57.360 --> 00:23:57.900
 manner that

00:23:57.900 --> 00:23:58.799
 Paul's instructing

00:23:58.799 --> 00:23:59.180
 us to?

00:23:59.920 --> 00:24:00.700
 Remember the

00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.500
 weight of that

00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:01.840
 feeling?

00:24:03.180 --> 00:24:03.539
 Do you know

00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.680
 why we felt

00:24:04.680 --> 00:24:05.180
 that weight?

00:24:05.180 --> 00:24:07.240
 it's because

00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:08.180
 that we know

00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:09.120
 that if we

00:24:09.120 --> 00:24:10.000
 were to rely

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.060
 on our own

00:24:11.060 --> 00:24:11.620
 abilities,

00:24:12.320 --> 00:24:13.000
 our own

00:24:13.000 --> 00:24:14.000
 power to

00:24:14.000 --> 00:24:14.440
 live this

00:24:14.440 --> 00:24:14.720
 way,

00:24:15.320 --> 00:24:16.120
 we'd never

00:24:16.120 --> 00:24:16.680
 be able to

00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:17.000
 do it.

00:24:18.080 --> 00:24:18.980
 I know that

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.560
 I don't have

00:24:19.560 --> 00:24:20.120
 the strength

00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:20.759
 and resolve

00:24:20.759 --> 00:24:21.779
 to speak evil

00:24:21.779 --> 00:24:22.500
 of no one,

00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:24.019
 to avoid

00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:24.720
 quarreling,

00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.060
 to be ready

00:24:26.060 --> 00:24:26.860
 for every good

00:24:26.860 --> 00:24:27.240
 work.

00:24:28.000 --> 00:24:28.880
 I know that

00:24:28.880 --> 00:24:29.440
 I don't have

00:24:29.440 --> 00:24:30.000
 it in me of

00:24:30.000 --> 00:24:30.380
 my own

00:24:30.380 --> 00:24:31.160
 abilities to

00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:32.080
 show perfect

00:24:32.080 --> 00:24:33.680
 courtesy towards

00:24:33.680 --> 00:24:34.460
 all people.

00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:37.000
 but thanks

00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.720
 be to God

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.440
 that the

00:24:38.440 --> 00:24:39.299
 root of my

00:24:39.299 --> 00:24:40.060
 ability to

00:24:40.060 --> 00:24:40.539
 do these

00:24:40.539 --> 00:24:41.640
 things is

00:24:41.640 --> 00:24:42.600
 not my own

00:24:42.600 --> 00:24:43.160
 righteousness,

00:24:43.920 --> 00:24:44.539
 but God's

00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.519
 mercy to me

00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:46.259
 through Jesus.

00:24:48.580 --> 00:24:49.539
 Isn't that a

00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:50.200
 load off the

00:24:50.200 --> 00:24:50.519
 shoulders?

00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.160
 Isn't it good

00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:54.440
 to know that

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:55.560
 the root that

00:24:55.560 --> 00:24:56.440
 produces the

00:24:56.440 --> 00:24:57.900
 fruit is not

00:24:57.900 --> 00:24:58.460
 my own

00:24:58.460 --> 00:24:59.000
 righteousness,

00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.360
 but God's

00:25:00.360 --> 00:25:00.660
 mercy?

00:25:03.019 --> 00:25:04.000
 I think of

00:25:04.000 --> 00:25:04.860
 John Bunyan's

00:25:04.859 --> 00:25:05.119
 book,

00:25:05.479 --> 00:25:05.879
 Pilgrim's

00:25:05.879 --> 00:25:06.279
 Progress.

00:25:07.559 --> 00:25:08.359
 If you're not

00:25:08.359 --> 00:25:09.000
 familiar with

00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:09.219
 it,

00:25:09.740 --> 00:25:10.399
 Christian's the

00:25:10.399 --> 00:25:11.099
 main character,

00:25:11.759 --> 00:25:12.439
 and he's

00:25:12.439 --> 00:25:13.259
 traveling from

00:25:13.259 --> 00:25:13.879
 his hometown

00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:14.839
 of destruction

00:25:14.839 --> 00:25:15.979
 to the

00:25:15.979 --> 00:25:16.959
 celestial city,

00:25:17.519 --> 00:25:18.579
 and as

00:25:18.579 --> 00:25:19.059
 Christian is

00:25:19.059 --> 00:25:19.719
 walking along

00:25:19.719 --> 00:25:20.179
 the road,

00:25:20.759 --> 00:25:21.719
 he's encountering

00:25:21.719 --> 00:25:22.699
 various obstacles

00:25:22.699 --> 00:25:24.319
 and trials

00:25:24.319 --> 00:25:25.059
 along the way,

00:25:25.959 --> 00:25:27.379
 but Christian's

00:25:27.379 --> 00:25:28.000
 got a problem.

00:25:29.000 --> 00:25:29.559
 He is

00:25:29.559 --> 00:25:30.259
 constantly

00:25:30.259 --> 00:25:31.439
 bogged down

00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.480
 by this

00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:33.700
 heavy burden

00:25:33.700 --> 00:25:34.320
 on his

00:25:34.320 --> 00:25:34.700
 back.

00:25:36.160 --> 00:25:37.019
 The burden

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:37.640
 is described

00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.440
 like a

00:25:38.440 --> 00:25:39.400
 heavy backpack,

00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:40.500
 and it's

00:25:40.500 --> 00:25:41.860
 constantly weighing

00:25:41.860 --> 00:25:42.539
 him down,

00:25:43.059 --> 00:25:44.100
 almost pushing

00:25:44.100 --> 00:25:44.700
 him down.

00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.279
 And a few

00:25:46.279 --> 00:25:47.039
 times along

00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:47.580
 the journey,

00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.820
 this burden

00:25:48.820 --> 00:25:50.019
 is so heavy

00:25:50.019 --> 00:25:51.640
 and such a

00:25:51.640 --> 00:25:52.759
 problem that

00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.400
 it almost

00:25:53.400 --> 00:25:54.120
 causes his

00:25:54.120 --> 00:25:54.460
 death.

00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:56.400
 But eventually

00:25:56.400 --> 00:25:57.440
 something happens

00:25:57.440 --> 00:25:58.220
 to that burden

00:25:58.220 --> 00:25:59.259
 that Christian

00:25:59.259 --> 00:25:59.819
 is carrying.

00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.620
 Let's read

00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.100
 what John

00:26:02.100 --> 00:26:02.819
 Bunyan writes.

00:26:03.880 --> 00:26:04.420
 He says,

00:26:04.779 --> 00:26:06.259
 Now I saw

00:26:06.259 --> 00:26:07.180
 in my dream

00:26:07.180 --> 00:26:08.059
 that the

00:26:08.059 --> 00:26:09.079
 highway up

00:26:09.079 --> 00:26:09.819
 which Christian

00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.700
 was to go

00:26:10.700 --> 00:26:11.700
 was fenced

00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.579
 on either side

00:26:12.579 --> 00:26:13.279
 with a wall,

00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:15.000
 and that wall

00:26:15.000 --> 00:26:15.519
 is called

00:26:15.519 --> 00:26:16.200
 salvation.

00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:18.460
 Up this way,

00:26:18.640 --> 00:26:19.059
 therefore,

00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:20.039
 did burden

00:26:20.039 --> 00:26:21.120
 Christian run,

00:26:21.900 --> 00:26:22.559
 but not

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.620
 without great

00:26:23.620 --> 00:26:24.319
 difficulty

00:26:24.319 --> 00:26:25.220
 because of

00:26:25.220 --> 00:26:25.759
 the load

00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.680
 on his back.

00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:28.360
 he ran

00:26:28.360 --> 00:26:29.060
 thus till

00:26:29.060 --> 00:26:29.500
 he came

00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.279
 to a place

00:26:30.279 --> 00:26:30.980
 somewhat

00:26:30.980 --> 00:26:31.680
 ascending.

00:26:35.920 --> 00:26:36.799
 And that

00:26:36.799 --> 00:26:38.259
 place

00:26:38.259 --> 00:26:38.880
 stood a

00:26:38.880 --> 00:26:39.340
 cross,

00:26:40.240 --> 00:26:41.019
 a little

00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:41.580
 below in

00:26:41.580 --> 00:26:42.080
 the bottom,

00:26:42.420 --> 00:26:43.000
 a sepulcher.

00:26:44.400 --> 00:26:45.140
 So I saw

00:26:45.140 --> 00:26:45.900
 in my dream

00:26:45.900 --> 00:26:46.700
 that as

00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.560
 Christian came

00:26:47.560 --> 00:26:48.100
 up to the

00:26:48.100 --> 00:26:48.519
 cross,

00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:49.759
 his burden

00:26:49.759 --> 00:26:50.620
 loosened

00:26:50.620 --> 00:26:52.180
 from his

00:26:52.180 --> 00:26:52.580
 shoulders

00:26:52.580 --> 00:26:53.799
 and fell

00:26:53.799 --> 00:26:54.420
 from his

00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:54.820
 back.

00:26:54.819 --> 00:26:54.939
 back.

00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.139
 And it

00:26:56.139 --> 00:26:56.679
 began to

00:26:56.679 --> 00:26:57.119
 tumble,

00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.200
 and so

00:26:58.200 --> 00:26:58.919
 continued to

00:26:58.919 --> 00:26:59.439
 do so

00:26:59.439 --> 00:27:00.000
 until it

00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:00.480
 came to

00:27:00.480 --> 00:27:00.899
 the mouth

00:27:00.899 --> 00:27:01.200
 of the

00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.700
 sepulcher

00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.519
 where it

00:27:02.519 --> 00:27:03.179
 fell in

00:27:03.179 --> 00:27:03.879
 and I

00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:04.359
 saw it

00:27:04.359 --> 00:27:04.919
 no more.

00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.939
 Just as

00:27:07.939 --> 00:27:08.720
 the cross

00:27:08.720 --> 00:27:09.639
 releases

00:27:09.639 --> 00:27:10.259
 Christian

00:27:10.259 --> 00:27:10.759
 from the

00:27:10.759 --> 00:27:11.059
 burden

00:27:11.059 --> 00:27:11.639
 on his

00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:12.099
 back,

00:27:12.819 --> 00:27:13.519
 the cross

00:27:13.519 --> 00:27:14.059
 releases

00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:14.700
 us

00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:15.619
 from the

00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:15.939
 burden

00:27:15.939 --> 00:27:16.879
 to have

00:27:16.879 --> 00:27:17.619
 our own

00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:18.240
 righteousness

00:27:18.240 --> 00:27:19.359
 be the

00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:19.679
 root

00:27:19.679 --> 00:27:20.319
 of our

00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:20.639
 fruit.

00:27:21.779 --> 00:27:22.259
 Brothers

00:27:22.259 --> 00:27:22.759
 and sisters,

00:27:22.919 --> 00:27:23.379
 leave that

00:27:23.379 --> 00:27:23.720
 burden

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:24.099
 at the

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.480
 cross.

00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:27.359
 So we're

00:27:27.359 --> 00:27:27.740
 trying to

00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:27.980
 answer

00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.439
 question

00:27:28.439 --> 00:27:28.859
 two.

00:27:30.240 --> 00:27:31.039
 How are

00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.539
 we to

00:27:31.539 --> 00:27:32.099
 accomplish

00:27:32.099 --> 00:27:33.079
 the fruit

00:27:33.079 --> 00:27:33.799
 that is

00:27:33.799 --> 00:27:34.539
 called to

00:27:34.539 --> 00:27:35.539
 in verses

00:27:35.539 --> 00:27:36.039
 one and

00:27:36.039 --> 00:27:36.299
 two?

00:27:37.099 --> 00:27:38.019
 The answer

00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.919
 is by

00:27:38.919 --> 00:27:39.439
 the root

00:27:39.439 --> 00:27:39.919
 of the

00:27:39.919 --> 00:27:40.319
 gospel.

00:27:43.319 --> 00:27:44.039
 Moving

00:27:44.039 --> 00:27:44.759
 on to

00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.000
 point

00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.319
 three.

00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.200
 Cling

00:27:47.200 --> 00:27:47.839
 to sound

00:27:47.839 --> 00:27:48.339
 doctrine

00:27:48.339 --> 00:27:50.059
 and pursue

00:27:50.059 --> 00:27:50.740
 godliness.

00:27:51.859 --> 00:27:52.240
 Avoid

00:27:52.240 --> 00:27:52.700
 false

00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.200
 doctrine

00:27:53.200 --> 00:27:54.159
 that proves

00:27:54.159 --> 00:27:54.639
 worthless.

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:57.359
 starting

00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.759
 in verse

00:27:57.759 --> 00:27:58.059
 eight,

00:27:58.579 --> 00:27:59.319
 Paul returns

00:27:59.319 --> 00:27:59.799
 to giving

00:27:59.799 --> 00:28:00.579
 specific

00:28:00.579 --> 00:28:01.240
 instructions

00:28:01.240 --> 00:28:01.859
 to Titus

00:28:01.859 --> 00:28:02.179
 again.

00:28:02.899 --> 00:28:03.500
 He says,

00:28:04.220 --> 00:28:04.659
 I want

00:28:04.659 --> 00:28:05.679
 you to

00:28:05.679 --> 00:28:06.200
 insist

00:28:06.200 --> 00:28:06.740
 on these

00:28:06.740 --> 00:28:07.179
 things.

00:28:08.359 --> 00:28:08.839
 Paul's

00:28:08.839 --> 00:28:09.179
 kind of

00:28:09.179 --> 00:28:09.460
 bringing

00:28:09.460 --> 00:28:10.099
 his letter

00:28:10.099 --> 00:28:10.919
 full circle

00:28:10.919 --> 00:28:11.240
 here.

00:28:12.519 --> 00:28:12.859
 Paul

00:28:12.859 --> 00:28:13.240
 starts

00:28:13.240 --> 00:28:13.700
 his letter

00:28:13.700 --> 00:28:14.659
 by saying

00:28:14.659 --> 00:28:15.119
 that the

00:28:15.119 --> 00:28:15.779
 instructions

00:28:15.779 --> 00:28:16.480
 he's going

00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:17.000
 to give

00:28:17.000 --> 00:28:18.019
 is to

00:28:18.019 --> 00:28:18.659
 the benefit

00:28:18.659 --> 00:28:19.179
 of the

00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:19.579
 believer

00:28:19.579 --> 00:28:20.980
 to improve

00:28:20.980 --> 00:28:21.779
 their faith

00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:22.700
 and their

00:28:22.700 --> 00:28:23.180
 godliness.

00:28:23.940 --> 00:28:24.720
 Now he's

00:28:24.720 --> 00:28:25.220
 wrapping it

00:28:25.220 --> 00:28:25.700
 all up.

00:28:27.299 --> 00:28:27.899
 He's

00:28:27.899 --> 00:28:28.180
 saying,

00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:28.879
 I want

00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.279
 you to

00:28:29.279 --> 00:28:29.819
 insist

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.839
 on those

00:28:30.839 --> 00:28:31.940
 things that

00:28:31.940 --> 00:28:32.480
 increase

00:28:32.480 --> 00:28:33.039
 faith and

00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:33.460
 godliness.

00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.160
 And Paul

00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.740
 gives one

00:28:35.740 --> 00:28:36.619
 last contrast

00:28:36.619 --> 00:28:37.059
 in verse

00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:37.420
 nine.

00:28:38.240 --> 00:28:38.859
 He says,

00:28:38.859 --> 00:28:40.479
 but avoid

00:28:40.479 --> 00:28:41.099
 foolish

00:28:41.099 --> 00:28:42.139
 controversies,

00:28:42.779 --> 00:28:43.779
 genealogies,

00:28:44.219 --> 00:28:44.839
 dissensions,

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.859
 and quarrels

00:28:45.859 --> 00:28:46.359
 about the

00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:46.659
 law,

00:28:47.240 --> 00:28:47.639
 for they

00:28:47.639 --> 00:28:48.939
 are unprofitable

00:28:48.939 --> 00:28:50.039
 and worthless.

00:28:52.919 --> 00:28:53.879
 Can we

00:28:53.879 --> 00:28:54.359
 see the

00:28:54.359 --> 00:28:54.939
 difference

00:28:54.939 --> 00:28:55.699
 between the

00:28:55.699 --> 00:28:56.399
 fruit in

00:28:56.399 --> 00:28:56.979
 verses one

00:28:56.979 --> 00:28:57.459
 and two

00:28:57.459 --> 00:28:58.500
 and in

00:28:58.500 --> 00:28:59.240
 verses nine?

00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:01.319
 False

00:29:01.319 --> 00:29:01.859
 doctrine

00:29:01.859 --> 00:29:02.439
 produces

00:29:02.439 --> 00:29:03.699
 controversies

00:29:03.699 --> 00:29:05.019
 and dissension,

00:29:05.879 --> 00:29:06.319
 fighting,

00:29:07.079 --> 00:29:07.439
 and it

00:29:07.439 --> 00:29:08.079
 ultimately

00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.619
 proves

00:29:08.619 --> 00:29:09.740
 unprofitable

00:29:09.740 --> 00:29:10.839
 and worthless.

00:29:12.059 --> 00:29:12.519
 This is

00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.259
 very different

00:29:13.259 --> 00:29:13.759
 than the

00:29:13.759 --> 00:29:14.259
 trustworthy

00:29:14.259 --> 00:29:14.980
 doctrine

00:29:14.980 --> 00:29:15.819
 Paul insists

00:29:15.819 --> 00:29:16.639
 on that

00:29:16.639 --> 00:29:17.079
 produces

00:29:17.079 --> 00:29:17.980
 obedience,

00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:19.740
 gentleness,

00:29:20.759 --> 00:29:21.519
 good speech,

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.559
 and is

00:29:22.559 --> 00:29:23.159
 ultimately

00:29:23.159 --> 00:29:23.939
 profitable.

00:29:26.119 --> 00:29:26.919
 Sound

00:29:26.919 --> 00:29:27.439
 doctrine

00:29:27.439 --> 00:29:28.220
 unites.

00:29:28.819 --> 00:29:29.179
 It does

00:29:29.179 --> 00:29:29.919
 not divide.

00:29:30.980 --> 00:29:31.439
 It is

00:29:31.439 --> 00:29:32.199
 gentle and

00:29:32.199 --> 00:29:32.819
 courteous,

00:29:33.500 --> 00:29:34.759
 not quarrelsome.

00:29:35.659 --> 00:29:36.199
 It speaks

00:29:36.199 --> 00:29:37.039
 evil of no

00:29:37.039 --> 00:29:37.379
 one.

00:29:38.079 --> 00:29:38.619
 Not

00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.099
 creating

00:29:39.099 --> 00:29:40.059
 controversies.

00:29:41.619 --> 00:29:42.460
 And the

00:29:42.460 --> 00:29:42.799
 difference

00:29:42.799 --> 00:29:43.319
 between

00:29:43.319 --> 00:29:44.359
 teaching

00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.759
 false

00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.259
 doctrine

00:29:45.259 --> 00:29:45.699
 and

00:29:45.699 --> 00:29:46.000
 sound

00:29:46.000 --> 00:29:46.439
 doctrine

00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:47.699
 is such

00:29:47.699 --> 00:29:48.259
 a serious

00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.699
 matter.

00:29:49.460 --> 00:29:49.740
 Look at

00:29:49.740 --> 00:29:50.179
 what Paul

00:29:50.179 --> 00:29:50.619
 has to

00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.199
 say about

00:29:51.199 --> 00:29:51.460
 those

00:29:51.460 --> 00:29:53.159
 false

00:29:53.159 --> 00:29:53.599
 teachers

00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.279
 who are

00:29:54.279 --> 00:29:54.960
 stirring up

00:29:54.960 --> 00:29:55.460
 division.

00:29:56.899 --> 00:29:57.460
 Verse

00:29:57.460 --> 00:29:57.799
 10.

00:29:58.939 --> 00:29:59.339
 After

00:29:59.339 --> 00:30:00.079
 warning him

00:30:00.079 --> 00:30:00.579
 once

00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.740
 and then

00:30:01.740 --> 00:30:02.319
 twice,

00:30:02.919 --> 00:30:03.720
 have nothing

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.359
 more to do

00:30:04.359 --> 00:30:04.740
 with him.

00:30:05.879 --> 00:30:06.459
 This is

00:30:06.459 --> 00:30:07.119
 serious

00:30:07.119 --> 00:30:07.659
 stuff.

00:30:08.659 --> 00:30:09.819
 It highlights

00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:11.019
 the importance

00:30:11.019 --> 00:30:12.219
 of why

00:30:12.219 --> 00:30:12.879
 Paul is

00:30:12.879 --> 00:30:13.539
 instructing

00:30:13.539 --> 00:30:14.379
 Titus to

00:30:14.379 --> 00:30:15.079
 establish

00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.699
 godly

00:30:15.699 --> 00:30:16.179
 leadership

00:30:16.179 --> 00:30:16.699
 in the

00:30:16.699 --> 00:30:17.019
 church.

00:30:17.819 --> 00:30:18.879
 It's God's

00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:19.479
 goodness to

00:30:19.479 --> 00:30:19.779
 us.

00:30:19.779 --> 00:30:20.779
 false

00:30:20.779 --> 00:30:21.779
 doctrine

00:30:21.779 --> 00:30:23.299
 and not

00:30:23.299 --> 00:30:28.000
 speak to

00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:28.460
 one that

00:30:28.460 --> 00:30:28.920
 we see

00:30:28.920 --> 00:30:29.799
 being taught

00:30:29.799 --> 00:30:31.000
 by some

00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:31.319
 in our

00:30:31.319 --> 00:30:32.639
 society and

00:30:32.639 --> 00:30:33.500
 has implications

00:30:33.500 --> 00:30:34.039
 to our

00:30:34.039 --> 00:30:34.460
 text.

00:30:35.519 --> 00:30:36.720
 I'm speaking

00:30:36.720 --> 00:30:37.559
 of the

00:30:37.559 --> 00:30:38.259
 false teaching

00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.980
 of the

00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:39.639
 prosperity

00:30:39.639 --> 00:30:40.220
 gospel.

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.819
 The

00:30:41.819 --> 00:30:42.359
 prosperity

00:30:42.359 --> 00:30:43.279
 gospel tells

00:30:43.279 --> 00:30:44.139
 us that

00:30:44.139 --> 00:30:44.799
 it is by

00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:45.480
 our

00:30:45.480 --> 00:30:46.200
 righteousness

00:30:46.200 --> 00:30:47.500
 that God

00:30:47.500 --> 00:30:48.359
 shows mercy

00:30:48.359 --> 00:30:49.159
 and blessing

00:30:49.159 --> 00:30:49.819
 to us.

00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.359
 The

00:30:51.359 --> 00:30:51.779
 prosperity

00:30:51.779 --> 00:30:52.639
 gospel says

00:30:52.639 --> 00:30:53.480
 if you

00:30:53.480 --> 00:30:54.240
 pray harder,

00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.799
 if you

00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.399
 give more

00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:56.740
 money,

00:30:57.299 --> 00:30:57.859
 if you

00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.779
 clean yourself

00:30:58.779 --> 00:30:59.680
 up spiritually,

00:31:00.139 --> 00:31:01.079
 if you

00:31:01.079 --> 00:31:01.639
 use the

00:31:01.639 --> 00:31:02.279
 power of

00:31:02.279 --> 00:31:02.919
 your own

00:31:02.919 --> 00:31:03.779
 words to

00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.680
 claim something,

00:31:05.299 --> 00:31:06.639
 then God

00:31:06.639 --> 00:31:07.319
 will show

00:31:07.319 --> 00:31:07.960
 you mercy.

00:31:09.240 --> 00:31:09.960
 The

00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:10.440
 prosperity

00:31:10.440 --> 00:31:11.319
 gospel says

00:31:11.319 --> 00:31:12.079
 if you

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.599
 don't have

00:31:12.599 --> 00:31:13.099
 material

00:31:13.099 --> 00:31:13.799
 things,

00:31:13.799 --> 00:31:14.879
 it's because

00:31:14.879 --> 00:31:15.599
 you need

00:31:15.599 --> 00:31:16.460
 to increase

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:16.899
 your

00:31:16.899 --> 00:31:17.500
 righteousness.

00:31:18.839 --> 00:31:19.659
 Brothers

00:31:19.659 --> 00:31:20.200
 and sisters,

00:31:20.639 --> 00:31:21.680
 avoid such

00:31:21.680 --> 00:31:22.419
 false teaching.

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:23.619
 It is

00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.119
 worthless

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:26.000
 and unprofitable.

00:31:27.659 --> 00:31:28.220
 Instead,

00:31:29.099 --> 00:31:29.639
 cling to

00:31:29.639 --> 00:31:30.180
 the sound

00:31:30.180 --> 00:31:30.680
 doctrine.

00:31:31.579 --> 00:31:32.220
 Cling to

00:31:32.220 --> 00:31:33.419
 the gospel

00:31:33.419 --> 00:31:34.659
 that teaches

00:31:34.659 --> 00:31:35.740
 us not

00:31:35.740 --> 00:31:36.500
 by my

00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.059
 righteousness,

00:31:37.740 --> 00:31:38.359
 but by

00:31:38.359 --> 00:31:39.379
 God's mercy

00:31:39.379 --> 00:31:40.480
 that he's

00:31:40.480 --> 00:31:41.200
 blessed us

00:31:41.200 --> 00:31:41.980
 by solving

00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:42.680
 our biggest

00:31:42.680 --> 00:31:43.200
 problem.

00:31:43.799 --> 00:31:45.779
 the prosperity

00:31:45.779 --> 00:31:46.599
 gospel tells

00:31:46.599 --> 00:31:47.200
 us that we

00:31:47.200 --> 00:31:47.579
 need to

00:31:47.579 --> 00:31:48.579
 earn God's

00:31:48.579 --> 00:31:50.159
 mercy and

00:31:50.159 --> 00:31:50.639
 blessing.

00:31:52.000 --> 00:31:52.279
 Sound

00:31:52.279 --> 00:31:53.119
 doctrine tells

00:31:53.119 --> 00:31:53.940
 us that

00:31:53.940 --> 00:31:54.680
 while we

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.220
 were still

00:31:55.220 --> 00:31:55.839
 sinners,

00:31:56.359 --> 00:31:56.960
 Christ died

00:31:56.960 --> 00:31:57.500
 for us.

00:31:58.139 --> 00:31:59.000
 Romans 5.8

00:31:59.000 --> 00:32:01.000
 This is the

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.839
 difference between

00:32:01.839 --> 00:32:03.619
 godliness and

00:32:03.619 --> 00:32:04.339
 worthlessness.

00:32:05.779 --> 00:32:06.619
 Cling to

00:32:06.619 --> 00:32:07.299
 sound doctrine.

00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:09.359
 Avoid

00:32:09.359 --> 00:32:10.180
 false doctrine.

00:32:10.180 --> 00:32:11.180
 sound doctrine.

00:32:11.180 --> 00:32:14.299
 So our

00:32:14.299 --> 00:32:15.019
 third question,

00:32:15.500 --> 00:32:15.900
 we were

00:32:15.900 --> 00:32:16.380
 trying to

00:32:16.380 --> 00:32:16.779
 answer,

00:32:17.779 --> 00:32:19.259
 what's the

00:32:19.259 --> 00:32:19.700
 difference

00:32:19.700 --> 00:32:20.600
 between false

00:32:20.600 --> 00:32:21.640
 doctrine and

00:32:21.640 --> 00:32:22.360
 sound doctrine?

00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:24.660
 Sound doctrine

00:32:24.660 --> 00:32:25.320
 produces

00:32:25.320 --> 00:32:26.120
 godliness.

00:32:27.279 --> 00:32:28.039
 False doctrine

00:32:28.039 --> 00:32:28.940
 produces

00:32:28.940 --> 00:32:29.759
 worthlessness.

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:29.940
 goodness.

00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.819
 So I hope

00:32:32.819 --> 00:32:33.140
 that we

00:32:33.140 --> 00:32:34.059
 can see

00:32:34.059 --> 00:32:34.460
 as we

00:32:34.460 --> 00:32:34.740
 walk

00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:34.940
 through

00:32:34.940 --> 00:32:35.180
 this

00:32:35.180 --> 00:32:35.460
 text

00:32:35.460 --> 00:32:35.740
 here

00:32:35.740 --> 00:32:36.299
 some

00:32:36.299 --> 00:32:36.859
 applications

00:32:36.859 --> 00:32:38.220
 to our

00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:38.579
 lives.

00:32:38.680 --> 00:32:38.960
 But I

00:32:38.960 --> 00:32:39.220
 do want

00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:39.559
 to point

00:32:39.559 --> 00:32:40.460
 out just

00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:41.400
 four quick

00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.720
 application

00:32:42.720 --> 00:32:43.259
 points that

00:32:43.259 --> 00:32:43.519
 we can

00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:44.019
 specifically

00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:44.640
 draw out

00:32:44.640 --> 00:32:44.839
 of the

00:32:44.839 --> 00:32:45.319
 text here.

00:32:47.180 --> 00:32:47.680
 Application

00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:48.319
 number one,

00:32:49.339 --> 00:32:50.000
 we need

00:32:50.000 --> 00:32:50.420
 to be

00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.099
 prepared

00:32:51.099 --> 00:32:51.980
 to do

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.680
 good works,

00:32:53.220 --> 00:32:54.119
 not just

00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:54.940
 reacting to

00:32:54.940 --> 00:32:55.160
 them.

00:32:55.160 --> 00:32:57.759
 twice in

00:32:57.759 --> 00:32:58.480
 our passage,

00:32:59.160 --> 00:32:59.820
 Paul mentions

00:32:59.820 --> 00:33:00.519
 good works.

00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.580
 He mentions

00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:03.180
 good works

00:33:03.180 --> 00:33:03.940
 that Christians

00:33:03.940 --> 00:33:04.460
 should be

00:33:04.460 --> 00:33:05.320
 engaged in.

00:33:06.120 --> 00:33:06.740
 The first

00:33:06.740 --> 00:33:07.340
 time is in

00:33:07.340 --> 00:33:07.900
 verse one

00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.560
 when Paul

00:33:08.560 --> 00:33:09.259
 talks about

00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:10.580
 submission to

00:33:10.580 --> 00:33:11.200
 rulers and

00:33:11.200 --> 00:33:11.660
 authorities.

00:33:12.140 --> 00:33:12.640
 He says,

00:33:13.380 --> 00:33:13.980
 be ready

00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.759
 for good

00:33:14.759 --> 00:33:15.140
 works.

00:33:16.040 --> 00:33:16.720
 The second

00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:17.800
 time is

00:33:17.800 --> 00:33:18.180
 in verse

00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:19.160
 eight when

00:33:19.160 --> 00:33:19.540
 Paul is

00:33:19.540 --> 00:33:20.060
 instructing

00:33:20.060 --> 00:33:20.640
 Titus to

00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.560
 insist on

00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.460
 sound doctrine

00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.620
 so that

00:33:23.620 --> 00:33:24.500
 believers can

00:33:24.500 --> 00:33:25.319
 devote

00:33:25.319 --> 00:33:26.079
 themselves

00:33:26.079 --> 00:33:26.640
 to good

00:33:26.640 --> 00:33:27.039
 works.

00:33:28.299 --> 00:33:29.039
 Notice

00:33:29.039 --> 00:33:29.859
 the mindset

00:33:29.859 --> 00:33:30.740
 that Christians

00:33:30.740 --> 00:33:31.480
 should have

00:33:31.480 --> 00:33:32.440
 around these

00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.119
 good works.

00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.440
 Paul says,

00:33:35.920 --> 00:33:36.480
 be ready

00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:38.619
 and devote

00:33:38.619 --> 00:33:39.259
 yourselves

00:33:39.259 --> 00:33:40.339
 to them.

00:33:41.720 --> 00:33:42.680
 Being ready

00:33:42.680 --> 00:33:43.539
 and devoting

00:33:43.539 --> 00:33:44.140
 yourself to

00:33:44.140 --> 00:33:45.420
 something means

00:33:45.420 --> 00:33:45.859
 that you're

00:33:45.859 --> 00:33:46.859
 preparing for

00:33:46.859 --> 00:33:47.059
 it.

00:33:48.420 --> 00:33:49.279
 You've put

00:33:49.279 --> 00:33:50.000
 some thought

00:33:50.000 --> 00:33:50.680
 and planning

00:33:50.680 --> 00:33:51.359
 into it.

00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.759
 You're

00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.380
 anticipating

00:33:53.380 --> 00:33:53.920
 it.

00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:56.140
 It's

00:33:56.140 --> 00:33:57.019
 not just

00:33:57.019 --> 00:33:58.819
 being ready

00:33:58.819 --> 00:34:00.420
 but consistently

00:34:00.420 --> 00:34:01.819
 and frequently

00:34:01.819 --> 00:34:02.960
 pursuing it.

00:34:03.960 --> 00:34:04.700
 There's

00:34:04.700 --> 00:34:05.579
 intentionality

00:34:05.579 --> 00:34:05.940
 here.

00:34:06.539 --> 00:34:07.200
 It's not

00:34:07.200 --> 00:34:07.640
 just a

00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:08.500
 reaction to

00:34:08.500 --> 00:34:09.139
 the occasion.

00:34:10.480 --> 00:34:11.179
 So how

00:34:11.179 --> 00:34:11.500
 does this

00:34:11.500 --> 00:34:11.900
 look for

00:34:11.900 --> 00:34:12.139
 us?

00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.639
 How does

00:34:13.639 --> 00:34:14.320
 it look to

00:34:14.320 --> 00:34:14.860
 be ready

00:34:14.860 --> 00:34:15.539
 and devoted

00:34:15.539 --> 00:34:16.019
 to good

00:34:16.019 --> 00:34:16.400
 works?

00:34:18.239 --> 00:34:18.980
 Maybe it

00:34:18.980 --> 00:34:19.239
 would look

00:34:19.239 --> 00:34:19.719
 like being

00:34:19.719 --> 00:34:20.260
 ready and

00:34:20.260 --> 00:34:21.019
 devoted to

00:34:21.019 --> 00:34:21.800
 not speak

00:34:21.800 --> 00:34:23.059
 evil and

00:34:23.059 --> 00:34:24.139
 avoid quarreling

00:34:24.139 --> 00:34:25.059
 with that

00:34:25.059 --> 00:34:25.839
 family member

00:34:25.839 --> 00:34:26.539
 that's never

00:34:26.539 --> 00:34:27.179
 treated you

00:34:27.179 --> 00:34:27.699
 very well.

00:34:28.779 --> 00:34:29.219
 What if

00:34:29.219 --> 00:34:29.699
 on the way

00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.079
 to that

00:34:30.079 --> 00:34:30.960
 family gathering

00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:32.480
 you were

00:34:32.480 --> 00:34:33.199
 praying for

00:34:33.199 --> 00:34:34.119
 God's mercy

00:34:34.119 --> 00:34:35.379
 and preaching

00:34:35.379 --> 00:34:36.059
 the gospel

00:34:36.059 --> 00:34:36.940
 to yourself

00:34:36.940 --> 00:34:38.099
 so that you

00:34:38.099 --> 00:34:38.819
 may display

00:34:38.819 --> 00:34:39.980
 good fruit

00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.819
 at this

00:34:40.819 --> 00:34:41.579
 family gathering?

00:34:41.579 --> 00:34:43.539
 or maybe

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:44.840
 being prepared

00:34:44.840 --> 00:34:45.539
 to do good

00:34:45.539 --> 00:34:46.579
 works looks

00:34:46.579 --> 00:34:47.099
 like you

00:34:47.099 --> 00:34:47.900
 intentionally

00:34:47.900 --> 00:34:48.659
 going to

00:34:48.659 --> 00:34:49.000
 work

00:34:49.000 --> 00:34:50.739
 looking with

00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.239
 the goal

00:34:51.239 --> 00:34:51.819
 of looking

00:34:51.819 --> 00:34:52.340
 for a

00:34:52.340 --> 00:34:52.920
 situation

00:34:52.920 --> 00:34:53.559
 in which

00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:53.880
 you can

00:34:53.880 --> 00:34:54.900
 show perfect

00:34:54.900 --> 00:34:55.519
 courtesy

00:34:55.519 --> 00:34:56.440
 towards a

00:34:56.440 --> 00:34:57.059
 coworker

00:34:57.059 --> 00:34:58.079
 especially

00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:58.559
 when they

00:34:58.559 --> 00:34:59.099
 don't deserve

00:34:59.099 --> 00:34:59.460
 it.

00:34:59.460 --> 00:35:02.159
 look for

00:35:02.159 --> 00:35:02.760
 ways to

00:35:02.760 --> 00:35:03.280
 show good

00:35:03.280 --> 00:35:03.720
 works

00:35:03.720 --> 00:35:05.480
 think about

00:35:05.480 --> 00:35:06.220
 ways to

00:35:06.220 --> 00:35:06.740
 show good

00:35:06.740 --> 00:35:07.159
 works

00:35:07.159 --> 00:35:08.480
 pray that

00:35:08.480 --> 00:35:08.880
 God would

00:35:08.880 --> 00:35:09.420
 open your

00:35:09.420 --> 00:35:09.880
 eyes to

00:35:09.880 --> 00:35:10.079
 these

00:35:10.079 --> 00:35:10.679
 opportunities

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:13.280
 and then

00:35:13.280 --> 00:35:14.360
 when we

00:35:14.360 --> 00:35:14.980
 fail at

00:35:14.980 --> 00:35:16.199
 it be

00:35:16.199 --> 00:35:17.019
 devoted to

00:35:17.019 --> 00:35:17.340
 do it

00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:17.720
 again.

00:35:20.039 --> 00:35:20.920
 We as

00:35:20.920 --> 00:35:21.300
 believers

00:35:21.300 --> 00:35:22.059
 should be

00:35:22.059 --> 00:35:23.300
 devoted and

00:35:23.300 --> 00:35:23.960
 ready for

00:35:23.960 --> 00:35:24.679
 good works

00:35:24.679 --> 00:35:25.720
 not just

00:35:25.720 --> 00:35:26.800
 reactionary to

00:35:26.800 --> 00:35:27.039
 them.

00:35:27.039 --> 00:35:29.579
 application

00:35:29.579 --> 00:35:30.179
 number two

00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:32.519
 our good

00:35:32.519 --> 00:35:33.019
 works

00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.960
 should be

00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.440
 performed

00:35:34.440 --> 00:35:35.219
 with joy.

00:35:36.860 --> 00:35:37.739
 If we're

00:35:37.739 --> 00:35:38.900
 truly grasping

00:35:38.900 --> 00:35:39.779
 that the

00:35:39.779 --> 00:35:40.579
 fruit of our

00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.380
 good works

00:35:41.380 --> 00:35:42.500
 is rooted

00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:42.860
 in the

00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.219
 gospel

00:35:43.219 --> 00:35:44.559
 then our

00:35:44.559 --> 00:35:45.320
 good works

00:35:45.320 --> 00:35:45.820
 will be

00:35:45.820 --> 00:35:46.300
 performed

00:35:46.300 --> 00:35:47.039
 with joy.

00:35:48.119 --> 00:35:48.860
 Paul says

00:35:48.860 --> 00:35:49.159
 that we're

00:35:49.159 --> 00:35:49.559
 devoting

00:35:49.559 --> 00:35:50.199
 ourselves to

00:35:50.199 --> 00:35:50.659
 good works

00:35:50.659 --> 00:35:51.159
 here because

00:35:51.159 --> 00:35:51.639
 these things

00:35:51.639 --> 00:35:52.320
 are excellent

00:35:52.320 --> 00:35:53.000
 and profitable

00:35:53.000 --> 00:35:53.719
 for people.

00:35:54.900 --> 00:35:55.139
 They're

00:35:55.139 --> 00:35:55.920
 profitable not

00:35:55.920 --> 00:35:56.500
 only for the

00:35:56.500 --> 00:35:57.000
 person who's

00:35:57.000 --> 00:35:57.619
 performing the

00:35:57.619 --> 00:35:58.320
 good works but

00:35:58.320 --> 00:35:58.800
 the one who's

00:35:58.800 --> 00:35:59.500
 receiving them.

00:36:00.659 --> 00:36:01.280
 When we

00:36:01.280 --> 00:36:02.179
 understand how

00:36:02.179 --> 00:36:02.719
 God has

00:36:02.719 --> 00:36:03.219
 shown us

00:36:03.219 --> 00:36:04.800
 mercy how

00:36:04.800 --> 00:36:05.760
 can we not

00:36:05.760 --> 00:36:06.760
 joyfully show

00:36:06.760 --> 00:36:07.360
 mercy to

00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:07.780
 others?

00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:10.260
 Mercy should

00:36:10.260 --> 00:36:11.199
 produce joy.

00:36:12.880 --> 00:36:13.440
 So church

00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:13.880
 when we

00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.539
 submit to the

00:36:14.539 --> 00:36:15.320
 leadership God

00:36:15.320 --> 00:36:16.039
 has placed us

00:36:16.039 --> 00:36:17.300
 under do we

00:36:17.300 --> 00:36:17.800
 do it with

00:36:17.800 --> 00:36:19.400
 joy because

00:36:19.400 --> 00:36:19.960
 it's God's

00:36:19.960 --> 00:36:20.539
 goodness to

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:20.860
 us?

00:36:22.119 --> 00:36:22.840
 When I

00:36:22.840 --> 00:36:23.679
 avoid quarreling

00:36:23.679 --> 00:36:24.380
 with strangers

00:36:24.380 --> 00:36:25.719
 maybe the guy

00:36:25.719 --> 00:36:26.320
 who cuts me

00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:27.100
 off in

00:36:27.100 --> 00:36:28.640
 traffic do

00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:29.100
 I do it

00:36:29.100 --> 00:36:29.660
 joyfully

00:36:29.660 --> 00:36:30.860
 because this

00:36:30.860 --> 00:36:32.100
 good work is

00:36:32.100 --> 00:36:32.740
 excellent and

00:36:32.740 --> 00:36:33.200
 profitable?

00:36:34.340 --> 00:36:35.220
 Are we

00:36:35.220 --> 00:36:36.620
 joyfully patient

00:36:36.620 --> 00:36:37.460
 and gentle

00:36:37.460 --> 00:36:38.460
 during our

00:36:38.460 --> 00:36:39.360
 interactions with

00:36:39.360 --> 00:36:40.380
 our children or

00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.780
 spouse because

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:42.180
 it's in

00:36:42.180 --> 00:36:43.380
 accordance with

00:36:43.380 --> 00:36:43.840
 godliness?

00:36:46.480 --> 00:36:47.640
 As believers

00:36:47.640 --> 00:36:49.320
 our good works

00:36:49.320 --> 00:36:50.059
 should be

00:36:50.059 --> 00:36:50.840
 performed with

00:36:50.840 --> 00:36:51.180
 joy.

00:36:53.700 --> 00:36:54.340
 Application

00:36:54.340 --> 00:36:55.039
 number three

00:36:55.039 --> 00:36:57.260
 the health

00:36:57.260 --> 00:36:57.780
 of our

00:36:57.780 --> 00:36:58.360
 Christian

00:36:58.360 --> 00:37:00.059
 witness is

00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:01.180
 dependent upon

00:37:01.180 --> 00:37:02.019
 our grasp of

00:37:02.019 --> 00:37:02.539
 the gospel.

00:37:04.039 --> 00:37:04.940
 A proper

00:37:04.940 --> 00:37:05.620
 grasp of the

00:37:05.620 --> 00:37:06.500
 gospel is

00:37:06.500 --> 00:37:07.860
 crucial for

00:37:07.860 --> 00:37:08.620
 maintaining the

00:37:08.620 --> 00:37:09.140
 health of a

00:37:09.140 --> 00:37:09.880
 Christian witness.

00:37:10.620 --> 00:37:11.480
 When we

00:37:11.480 --> 00:37:12.660
 properly grasp

00:37:12.660 --> 00:37:14.300
 the gospel it's

00:37:14.300 --> 00:37:14.980
 like a car

00:37:14.980 --> 00:37:16.140
 traveling safely

00:37:16.140 --> 00:37:16.940
 down the

00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.440
 middle of a

00:37:17.440 --> 00:37:17.700
 road.

00:37:17.699 --> 00:37:20.419
 when the

00:37:20.419 --> 00:37:21.419
 fruit of our

00:37:21.419 --> 00:37:22.639
 good works is

00:37:22.639 --> 00:37:23.719
 not rooted in

00:37:23.719 --> 00:37:24.259
 the gospel

00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:25.939
 our car is

00:37:25.939 --> 00:37:26.239
 going to

00:37:26.239 --> 00:37:27.539
 slowly drift

00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.119
 to one of

00:37:28.119 --> 00:37:28.759
 the ditches on

00:37:28.759 --> 00:37:29.379
 either side of

00:37:29.379 --> 00:37:29.759
 the road.

00:37:30.619 --> 00:37:31.899
 We may drift

00:37:31.899 --> 00:37:33.000
 and crash into

00:37:33.000 --> 00:37:33.639
 the ditch of

00:37:33.639 --> 00:37:34.299
 legalism.

00:37:35.639 --> 00:37:36.419
 This would

00:37:36.419 --> 00:37:37.199
 look like our

00:37:37.199 --> 00:37:38.299
 works producing

00:37:38.299 --> 00:37:39.299
 the bad fruit

00:37:39.299 --> 00:37:40.099
 of pride.

00:37:41.179 --> 00:37:41.819
 Look at me.

00:37:42.719 --> 00:37:43.199
 Look at all

00:37:43.199 --> 00:37:43.879
 the good things

00:37:43.879 --> 00:37:44.679
 that I'm doing

00:37:44.679 --> 00:37:46.019
 while all those

00:37:46.019 --> 00:37:46.739
 other people are

00:37:46.739 --> 00:37:47.319
 doing nothing.

00:37:47.699 --> 00:37:49.739
 the ditch of

00:37:49.739 --> 00:37:50.539
 legalism can

00:37:50.539 --> 00:37:51.239
 look like us

00:37:51.239 --> 00:37:51.699
 becoming

00:37:51.699 --> 00:37:53.359
 judgmental and

00:37:53.359 --> 00:37:54.000
 thinking that

00:37:54.000 --> 00:37:55.139
 our good works

00:37:55.139 --> 00:37:55.659
 that we're

00:37:55.659 --> 00:37:56.879
 performing are

00:37:56.879 --> 00:37:57.980
 superior and

00:37:57.980 --> 00:37:58.799
 more acceptable

00:37:58.799 --> 00:37:59.519
 to God than

00:37:59.519 --> 00:38:00.019
 the works of

00:38:00.019 --> 00:38:00.359
 others.

00:38:01.039 --> 00:38:02.000
 It makes us

00:38:02.000 --> 00:38:02.419
 believe that

00:38:02.419 --> 00:38:02.799
 we're more

00:38:02.799 --> 00:38:03.699
 spiritual and

00:38:03.699 --> 00:38:04.480
 superior than

00:38:04.480 --> 00:38:05.259
 others and

00:38:05.259 --> 00:38:06.000
 ultimately we

00:38:06.000 --> 00:38:06.639
 become like the

00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.239
 Pharisees.

00:38:09.159 --> 00:38:09.799
 Or without a

00:38:09.799 --> 00:38:10.799
 grasp proper

00:38:10.799 --> 00:38:11.480
 grasp of the

00:38:11.480 --> 00:38:13.059
 gospel we can

00:38:13.059 --> 00:38:13.879
 slowly drift to

00:38:13.879 --> 00:38:14.439
 the other side

00:38:14.439 --> 00:38:15.379
 of the road and

00:38:15.379 --> 00:38:16.179
 crash into the

00:38:16.179 --> 00:38:16.599
 ditch of

00:38:16.599 --> 00:38:17.639
 laziness and

00:38:17.639 --> 00:38:18.239
 inaction.

00:38:19.679 --> 00:38:20.619
 But there's no

00:38:20.619 --> 00:38:21.400
 way around it.

00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:23.079
 Paul gives us a

00:38:23.079 --> 00:38:24.400
 clear call for

00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:25.259
 believers to

00:38:25.259 --> 00:38:26.539
 engage in good

00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:26.980
 works.

00:38:29.179 --> 00:38:30.059
 So with a

00:38:30.059 --> 00:38:30.980
 proper understanding

00:38:30.980 --> 00:38:31.679
 of the gospel

00:38:31.679 --> 00:38:35.379
 is vital for the

00:38:35.379 --> 00:38:35.920
 health of our

00:38:35.920 --> 00:38:36.779
 Christian witness

00:38:36.779 --> 00:38:38.420
 and it allows us

00:38:38.420 --> 00:38:39.699
 to avoid crashing

00:38:39.699 --> 00:38:41.219
 into either one

00:38:41.219 --> 00:38:41.980
 of the ditches.

00:38:41.980 --> 00:38:46.519
 application four.

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:50.199
 Don't let past

00:38:50.199 --> 00:38:52.240
 sins prevent you

00:38:52.240 --> 00:38:53.260
 from performing

00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:54.159
 good works.

00:38:56.019 --> 00:38:57.199
 Many people are

00:38:57.199 --> 00:38:58.039
 familiar with the

00:38:58.039 --> 00:38:58.980
 song Amazing

00:38:58.980 --> 00:38:59.420
 Grace.

00:39:00.579 --> 00:39:01.740
 The song was

00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:02.659
 written by a man

00:39:02.659 --> 00:39:03.280
 named John

00:39:03.280 --> 00:39:03.559
 Newton.

00:39:04.559 --> 00:39:05.059
 John Newton

00:39:05.059 --> 00:39:05.639
 lived in the

00:39:05.639 --> 00:39:07.719
 1800s and when

00:39:07.719 --> 00:39:08.320
 he was a young

00:39:08.320 --> 00:39:09.360
 man he was

00:39:09.360 --> 00:39:10.480
 forced into the

00:39:10.480 --> 00:39:11.059
 Royal Navy.

00:39:12.059 --> 00:39:13.280
 He hated his

00:39:13.280 --> 00:39:14.800
 position so much

00:39:14.800 --> 00:39:15.840
 that at one

00:39:15.840 --> 00:39:16.800
 point he tried to

00:39:16.800 --> 00:39:17.740
 run away from

00:39:17.740 --> 00:39:19.200
 his post which

00:39:19.200 --> 00:39:19.760
 is interesting

00:39:19.760 --> 00:39:20.240
 because he was

00:39:20.240 --> 00:39:20.820
 on a ship.

00:39:22.820 --> 00:39:24.000
 He was caught

00:39:24.000 --> 00:39:25.000
 shockingly,

00:39:25.720 --> 00:39:26.780
 received a

00:39:26.780 --> 00:39:28.280
 humiliating physical

00:39:28.280 --> 00:39:29.620
 punishment and

00:39:29.620 --> 00:39:30.680
 demoted in front

00:39:30.680 --> 00:39:31.320
 of his peers.

00:39:31.320 --> 00:39:34.660
 He was transferred

00:39:34.660 --> 00:39:35.700
 to another ship

00:39:35.700 --> 00:39:37.640
 but was not

00:39:37.640 --> 00:39:38.300
 able to get

00:39:38.300 --> 00:39:38.860
 along with

00:39:38.860 --> 00:39:39.260
 this new

00:39:39.260 --> 00:39:39.820
 crew either.

00:39:40.960 --> 00:39:42.500
 He so severely

00:39:42.500 --> 00:39:43.400
 clashed with

00:39:43.400 --> 00:39:44.640
 them that while

00:39:44.640 --> 00:39:45.519
 they were docked

00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:46.360
 in a port in

00:39:46.360 --> 00:39:47.519
 Africa they

00:39:47.519 --> 00:39:48.280
 left him there

00:39:48.280 --> 00:39:48.740
 and just went

00:39:48.740 --> 00:39:49.059
 home.

00:39:51.080 --> 00:39:51.559
 Newton was

00:39:51.559 --> 00:39:52.240
 actually taken

00:39:52.240 --> 00:39:53.180
 as a slave

00:39:53.180 --> 00:39:54.240
 and treated

00:39:54.240 --> 00:39:55.760
 miserably and

00:39:55.760 --> 00:39:56.700
 frequently beaten.

00:39:58.280 --> 00:39:59.000
 Eventually he

00:39:59.000 --> 00:40:00.380
 was rescued but

00:40:00.380 --> 00:40:00.980
 Newton had

00:40:00.980 --> 00:40:02.139
 become angry,

00:40:02.960 --> 00:40:03.260
 bitter,

00:40:03.740 --> 00:40:04.599
 and hateful.

00:40:05.940 --> 00:40:07.039
 He then went

00:40:07.039 --> 00:40:07.840
 on to become

00:40:07.840 --> 00:40:08.900
 the captain of

00:40:08.900 --> 00:40:09.920
 a ship that

00:40:09.920 --> 00:40:10.599
 was a part of

00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.179
 the African

00:40:11.179 --> 00:40:12.179
 slave trading

00:40:12.179 --> 00:40:12.740
 system.

00:40:14.860 --> 00:40:16.780
 But God

00:40:16.780 --> 00:40:17.260
 would show

00:40:17.260 --> 00:40:18.099
 mercy to

00:40:18.099 --> 00:40:18.740
 John Newton

00:40:18.740 --> 00:40:20.119
 calling him

00:40:20.119 --> 00:40:20.940
 out of darkness

00:40:20.940 --> 00:40:22.179
 and into light

00:40:22.179 --> 00:40:23.019
 and saving

00:40:23.019 --> 00:40:23.380
 him.

00:40:25.300 --> 00:40:25.719
 Newton would

00:40:25.719 --> 00:40:26.480
 then spend the

00:40:26.480 --> 00:40:27.179
 next several

00:40:27.179 --> 00:40:28.360
 decades of his

00:40:28.360 --> 00:40:29.619
 life pastoring

00:40:29.619 --> 00:40:31.099
 a flock as

00:40:31.099 --> 00:40:31.519
 well as

00:40:31.519 --> 00:40:32.199
 becoming one

00:40:32.199 --> 00:40:32.960
 of the loudest

00:40:32.960 --> 00:40:33.900
 voices of his

00:40:33.900 --> 00:40:35.259
 time fighting

00:40:35.259 --> 00:40:35.739
 for the

00:40:35.739 --> 00:40:36.659
 abolishment of

00:40:36.659 --> 00:40:37.460
 slavery and the

00:40:37.460 --> 00:40:38.099
 slave trade.

00:40:38.900 --> 00:40:40.219
 It was out of

00:40:40.219 --> 00:40:41.519
 these experiences

00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.920
 that Newton

00:40:42.920 --> 00:40:43.980
 wrote the words

00:40:43.980 --> 00:40:46.079
 amazing grace

00:40:46.079 --> 00:40:48.000
 how sweet the

00:40:48.000 --> 00:40:49.359
 sound that

00:40:49.359 --> 00:40:50.779
 saved a wretch

00:40:50.779 --> 00:40:51.699
 like me.

00:40:51.699 --> 00:40:55.919
 how easy would

00:40:55.919 --> 00:40:56.439
 it have been

00:40:56.439 --> 00:40:57.019
 for Newton

00:40:57.019 --> 00:40:58.639
 when reading

00:40:58.639 --> 00:40:59.159
 through our

00:40:59.159 --> 00:40:59.879
 text today

00:40:59.879 --> 00:41:00.779
 or hearing

00:41:00.779 --> 00:41:01.399
 the Lord's

00:41:01.399 --> 00:41:02.319
 call to him

00:41:02.319 --> 00:41:03.539
 to do good

00:41:03.539 --> 00:41:04.000
 works,

00:41:04.239 --> 00:41:05.219
 how easy would

00:41:05.219 --> 00:41:05.619
 it have been

00:41:05.619 --> 00:41:06.299
 for him to

00:41:06.299 --> 00:41:06.619
 say,

00:41:07.179 --> 00:41:07.419
 Lord,

00:41:08.359 --> 00:41:09.359
 surely I am

00:41:09.359 --> 00:41:10.019
 not the

00:41:10.019 --> 00:41:11.119
 appropriate person

00:41:11.119 --> 00:41:12.319
 to be

00:41:12.319 --> 00:41:13.239
 pastoring a

00:41:13.239 --> 00:41:13.739
 flock of

00:41:13.739 --> 00:41:14.079
 believers.

00:41:14.759 --> 00:41:15.939
 I'm definitely

00:41:15.939 --> 00:41:16.899
 not the person

00:41:16.899 --> 00:41:17.719
 who should be

00:41:17.719 --> 00:41:18.419
 fighting against

00:41:18.419 --> 00:41:19.059
 the abolishment

00:41:19.059 --> 00:41:19.599
 of slavery.

00:41:19.599 --> 00:41:21.799
 I'm the person

00:41:21.799 --> 00:41:22.599
 who is

00:41:22.599 --> 00:41:23.599
 characterized by

00:41:23.599 --> 00:41:24.659
 foolishness,

00:41:25.299 --> 00:41:26.259
 disobedience,

00:41:26.799 --> 00:41:27.380
 quarreling,

00:41:27.819 --> 00:41:28.199
 envy,

00:41:28.719 --> 00:41:29.039
 hate.

00:41:29.980 --> 00:41:31.099
 I'm the person

00:41:31.099 --> 00:41:32.239
 who devalued

00:41:32.239 --> 00:41:33.079
 fellow image

00:41:33.079 --> 00:41:33.719
 bearers of

00:41:33.719 --> 00:41:34.059
 God.

00:41:35.440 --> 00:41:35.799
 Lord,

00:41:35.900 --> 00:41:36.799
 with my past

00:41:36.799 --> 00:41:37.319
 sins,

00:41:37.579 --> 00:41:38.339
 how can I

00:41:38.339 --> 00:41:39.000
 ever be

00:41:39.000 --> 00:41:39.779
 expected to

00:41:39.779 --> 00:41:40.319
 perform the

00:41:40.319 --> 00:41:40.799
 good works

00:41:40.799 --> 00:41:41.159
 that you're

00:41:41.159 --> 00:41:41.679
 calling me

00:41:41.679 --> 00:41:41.880
 to?

00:41:43.719 --> 00:41:44.519
 But thanks

00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.199
 be to God

00:41:45.199 --> 00:41:46.259
 that our text

00:41:46.259 --> 00:41:47.119
 speaks to

00:41:47.119 --> 00:41:47.679
 John Newton

00:41:47.679 --> 00:41:48.420
 as well.

00:41:48.420 --> 00:41:50.200
 Oh no,

00:41:50.300 --> 00:41:50.760
 John Newton,

00:41:51.480 --> 00:41:52.780
 the fruit of

00:41:52.780 --> 00:41:53.740
 your good works

00:41:53.740 --> 00:41:54.539
 that I call

00:41:54.539 --> 00:41:55.920
 you to is

00:41:55.920 --> 00:41:56.860
 not because

00:41:56.860 --> 00:41:58.220
 of your works

00:41:58.220 --> 00:41:58.940
 of righteousness,

00:41:59.639 --> 00:42:00.360
 but because

00:42:00.360 --> 00:42:01.180
 of my mercy.

00:42:02.840 --> 00:42:03.920
 Can we relate,

00:42:04.059 --> 00:42:04.539
 church family?

00:42:05.940 --> 00:42:07.079
 Has the thought

00:42:07.079 --> 00:42:07.579
 run through

00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:08.119
 your head,

00:42:08.480 --> 00:42:09.960
 I can't perform

00:42:09.960 --> 00:42:10.659
 good works,

00:42:11.099 --> 00:42:12.539
 I'm not worthy,

00:42:13.220 --> 00:42:14.340
 I would be a

00:42:14.340 --> 00:42:14.880
 hypocrite,

00:42:15.579 --> 00:42:16.800
 people would see

00:42:16.800 --> 00:42:17.940
 right through me,

00:42:17.940 --> 00:42:19.720
 but God

00:42:19.720 --> 00:42:20.039
 says,

00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:20.519
 oh no,

00:42:21.440 --> 00:42:22.260
 the good works

00:42:22.260 --> 00:42:22.960
 we perform

00:42:22.960 --> 00:42:23.340
 in our

00:42:23.340 --> 00:42:23.780
 neighborhoods,

00:42:24.320 --> 00:42:24.740
 at our

00:42:24.740 --> 00:42:25.300
 jobs,

00:42:25.800 --> 00:42:26.300
 with our

00:42:26.300 --> 00:42:26.860
 interactions

00:42:26.860 --> 00:42:27.420
 with others

00:42:27.420 --> 00:42:28.139
 at the store,

00:42:28.700 --> 00:42:29.260
 while walking

00:42:29.260 --> 00:42:29.700
 down the

00:42:29.700 --> 00:42:30.059
 street,

00:42:30.720 --> 00:42:31.280
 at any

00:42:31.280 --> 00:42:31.760
 time,

00:42:32.440 --> 00:42:33.280
 it is not

00:42:33.280 --> 00:42:33.920
 because of

00:42:33.920 --> 00:42:34.659
 works done

00:42:34.659 --> 00:42:35.280
 by us in

00:42:35.280 --> 00:42:35.820
 righteousness,

00:42:36.380 --> 00:42:37.539
 but because

00:42:37.539 --> 00:42:37.960
 of his

00:42:37.960 --> 00:42:38.400
 mercy.

00:42:40.119 --> 00:42:41.000
 Don't let

00:42:41.000 --> 00:42:41.559
 past sins

00:42:41.559 --> 00:42:42.079
 stop us

00:42:42.079 --> 00:42:42.519
 from doing

00:42:42.519 --> 00:42:43.200
 good works,

00:42:43.619 --> 00:42:44.139
 because they

00:42:44.139 --> 00:42:44.619
 are rooted

00:42:44.619 --> 00:42:45.460
 in his

00:42:45.460 --> 00:42:46.240
 mercy,

00:42:46.239 --> 00:42:47.619
 not our

00:42:47.619 --> 00:42:48.119
 righteousness.

00:42:49.739 --> 00:42:50.419
 Amen.

00:42:51.919 --> 00:42:52.759
 Pray with

00:42:52.759 --> 00:42:52.979
 me.

00:42:56.759 --> 00:42:57.439
 Father,

00:42:57.739 --> 00:42:58.459
 thank you

00:42:58.459 --> 00:42:59.239
 for your

00:42:59.239 --> 00:42:59.879
 mercy to

00:42:59.879 --> 00:43:00.199
 us.

00:43:01.799 --> 00:43:02.659
 Thank you

00:43:02.659 --> 00:43:03.199
 that it is

00:43:03.199 --> 00:43:04.199
 not by our

00:43:04.199 --> 00:43:04.859
 righteousness,

00:43:05.399 --> 00:43:06.279
 but by your

00:43:06.279 --> 00:43:07.539
 mercy that

00:43:07.539 --> 00:43:08.559
 produces the

00:43:08.559 --> 00:43:09.699
 fruit and

00:43:09.699 --> 00:43:10.399
 gives us the

00:43:10.399 --> 00:43:11.399
 ability to

00:43:11.399 --> 00:43:11.819
 live in

00:43:11.819 --> 00:43:12.699
 accordance with

00:43:12.699 --> 00:43:13.219
 godliness.

00:43:13.219 --> 00:43:13.379
 goodness.

00:43:14.480 --> 00:43:15.179
 Lord, we

00:43:15.179 --> 00:43:15.619
 want to be

00:43:15.619 --> 00:43:16.239
 set apart

00:43:16.239 --> 00:43:16.899
 for you in

00:43:16.899 --> 00:43:17.519
 the way that

00:43:17.519 --> 00:43:18.419
 we live our

00:43:18.419 --> 00:43:19.459
 lives, in

00:43:19.459 --> 00:43:19.959
 the way we

00:43:19.959 --> 00:43:20.699
 interact with

00:43:20.699 --> 00:43:21.279
 society.

00:43:22.439 --> 00:43:23.500
 We ask for

00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.239
 more grace

00:43:24.239 --> 00:43:25.119
 from you to

00:43:25.119 --> 00:43:25.500
 help us

00:43:25.500 --> 00:43:26.279
 accomplish this.

00:43:27.039 --> 00:43:27.439
 In your

00:43:27.439 --> 00:43:28.500
 name, amen.