WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:21.879 Turn, if you will, to Galatians chapter 4. So if you've got a black church Bible, it's page 974. And if you want to grab one there just by the door. If you've come wanting a Christmas sermon, you're going to be very, very disappointed. Alright, but we're in Galatians and I need to get to the end of Galatians by the end of January and I'm struggling to get out of Galatians. 00:00:21.879 --> 00:00:48.780 So I think I've got something, well I have got something to say tonight and it'll be a good sermon I hope for the end of the year. Galatians is pretty lively, isn't it? It's pretty fiery. And the Apostle Paul is giving a biblical and a theological argument step by step by step. And what you find with the Apostle Paul is his logic is unanswerable. Relentlessly logical. 00:00:48.780 --> 00:01:01.340 And I think very often when we think of the Apostle Paul we think of this kind of cerebral, stern, logical man and we can ask the question, does anything get beyond his mind and reason? 00:01:02.520 --> 00:01:15.200 And people might ask that of churches like ours. Do they feel anything? Seem like stones sometimes. The Apostle Paul, did anything move him? Did he feel? 00:01:15.200 --> 00:01:29.680 Well look with me at verses 8 to 20. Look at verse 11. There he's saying this, I'm afraid about you. He's saying to the church in Galatia, I'm afraid that my whole work amongst you has gone down the drain. 00:01:31.120 --> 00:01:42.400 Verses 15 to 16, he's saying I'm disappointed in you. I'm really disappointed in you. I've told you the truth and now you see me as your enemy. 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:56.160 And in verse 19 he says, it's as if I'm like a mother suffering birth pains. And I've not suffered birth pains. But neither is the Apostle Paul. And there's certainly feeling, isn't there, in birth pains. 00:01:56.159 --> 00:02:08.719 He says, I'm like a mother suffering birth pains. And he ensures his aim until Christ is formed in you. He says, I'm in agony. I'm like an apostle with birth pains. 00:02:08.719 --> 00:02:20.539 That's what he felt for the Galatian Christians. And three things tonight. As he speaks to them, he says to the church in Galatia, do not forfeit the freedom of Christ. 00:02:20.539 --> 00:02:34.819 Don't forfeit the freedom of Christ. He begins by saying, before you came to know the Lord Jesus Christ, you were in bondage. You were in chains. You were enslaved. 00:02:36.340 --> 00:02:43.879 It was the bondage of paganism. And he's saying that not knowing God isn't actually freedom. It is slavery. 00:02:43.879 --> 00:02:51.079 When you didn't know God, you were slaves. And that's what they were in their paganism and their idols. 00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:57.599 And then he says, that changed, didn't it? You came to the Lord Jesus Christ and you've had a taste of freedom. 00:02:57.939 --> 00:03:00.740 Verse 9, when you came to know God. 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:03.540 And then he corrects himself. 00:03:04.360 --> 00:03:06.260 And he says, when you came to know God. 00:03:06.520 --> 00:03:09.500 Or rather, when you came to be known by God. 00:03:11.820 --> 00:03:13.939 He said, you came to know God. 00:03:15.620 --> 00:03:18.939 But the fact that you came to know God was not because of something that you did. 00:03:20.020 --> 00:03:22.500 It was not because of an action that you did. 00:03:22.820 --> 00:03:25.140 But you were known by God first. 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:27.939 And that is why you came to know God. 00:03:29.560 --> 00:03:30.360 That's true, isn't it? 00:03:30.360 --> 00:03:34.160 It's always his initiative that comes first. 00:03:35.580 --> 00:03:37.740 You came to know God. 00:03:38.980 --> 00:03:40.320 And that is freedom and wonderful. 00:03:40.460 --> 00:03:43.140 But it is an even more wonderful thing to be known by God. 00:03:43.240 --> 00:03:44.360 It is God's initiative. 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:46.220 You love God because he first loved you. 00:03:47.820 --> 00:03:50.260 But he said to the Galatians, you've known that freedom. 00:03:50.460 --> 00:03:51.820 You've known a taste of freedom. 00:03:53.820 --> 00:03:58.220 And you've known a genuine, living relationship with God. 00:03:58.219 --> 00:04:01.340 And you are known by him. 00:04:02.000 --> 00:04:04.520 But now you are regressing back into bondage. 00:04:04.520 --> 00:04:08.300 He says in verses 9 and 10, how is that? 00:04:10.140 --> 00:04:15.200 How is it that you're turning your back on freedom? 00:04:15.199 --> 00:04:22.300 How is it that you're turning back to the weak and powerless elementary principles of the world? 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:26.579 Why is it having tasted freedom you want to go back into slavery? 00:04:26.579 --> 00:04:31.240 You're observing days and months and seasons and years. 00:04:31.240 --> 00:04:34.379 Why are you going back to bondage? 00:04:35.740 --> 00:04:36.519 And so what's going on? 00:04:36.560 --> 00:04:39.319 What are these days and months and seasons and years? 00:04:39.400 --> 00:04:42.300 They are days of special celebration in the Jewish calendar. 00:04:43.560 --> 00:04:46.340 Holidays, Jewish religious festivals. 00:04:46.460 --> 00:04:48.240 Some of them were Sabbaths. 00:04:49.000 --> 00:04:50.060 But then there were months. 00:04:50.139 --> 00:04:53.460 Every new month there was a new moon festival at the start of each month. 00:04:53.459 --> 00:05:00.339 Seasons would be more prolonged festivals like perhaps Pentecost or the Feast of Tabernacles. 00:05:01.219 --> 00:05:04.079 Some of the feasts and the years, the year of Jubilee. 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:07.259 And they were commemorated throughout the Jewish calendar. 00:05:07.259 --> 00:05:15.620 And these teachers who've come to Galatia, they're invading the church and they're saying to these new believers, 00:05:16.300 --> 00:05:24.759 if you really want to be part of the people of God, if you really want to belong and to know God, you've got to keep the Jewish observances. 00:05:26.719 --> 00:05:28.579 Paul is not anti-Jew. 00:05:29.039 --> 00:05:29.579 He was one. 00:05:31.139 --> 00:05:33.779 He wasn't against observances as such. 00:05:33.779 --> 00:05:37.819 As long as they were an expression, a voluntary expression. 00:05:38.159 --> 00:05:41.979 But what he was upset by was these teachers were saying, this is essential. 00:05:43.000 --> 00:05:46.619 That if you want to be one of the people of God, you've got to keep these observances. 00:05:47.839 --> 00:05:51.859 That they try to impose on the Galatians as necessary to salvation. 00:05:52.399 --> 00:05:57.379 He is saying, it's not like the paganism you've come from in one sense. 00:05:58.379 --> 00:06:00.079 But it is the same bondage. 00:06:00.079 --> 00:06:07.819 It is the same principle in thinking that outward observance is what really matters. 00:06:08.060 --> 00:06:08.919 It's a form of legalism. 00:06:10.099 --> 00:06:15.879 As if by doing, keeping certain days, that is going to claim you credit with God. 00:06:17.599 --> 00:06:20.699 I wonder whether you realise how barren that is. 00:06:20.699 --> 00:06:27.120 John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, the kind of great 18th century preacher. 00:06:27.240 --> 00:06:30.079 In his early days, he graduated from Oxford University. 00:06:31.399 --> 00:06:34.039 And he and his friends formed something like a holy club. 00:06:34.860 --> 00:06:35.539 Well, that's what it was called. 00:06:36.659 --> 00:06:38.419 Wesley was the son of a clergyman. 00:06:39.180 --> 00:06:40.639 And John himself was already ordained. 00:06:41.839 --> 00:06:43.759 He was quite sound and orthodox in his belief. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:45.300 He was religious in his practice. 00:06:45.500 --> 00:06:47.180 He was upright in his conduct. 00:06:47.500 --> 00:06:48.139 He was moral. 00:06:48.139 --> 00:06:50.560 Well, he was full, overflowing of good works. 00:06:51.740 --> 00:06:56.560 He and his friends visited inmates in the prison and workhouses around Oxford. 00:06:57.899 --> 00:06:59.759 John Wesley took pity on slum children. 00:06:59.919 --> 00:07:02.060 He provided them with food and clothing and education. 00:07:03.680 --> 00:07:07.620 In the holy club, they not only observed the Sabbath, but they observed Saturday as all hell. 00:07:09.000 --> 00:07:10.019 They went to church. 00:07:11.079 --> 00:07:12.079 They had holy communion. 00:07:12.079 --> 00:07:13.159 They gave alms. 00:07:14.120 --> 00:07:15.240 They searched the scripture. 00:07:15.379 --> 00:07:16.419 They did lots of Bible studies. 00:07:16.420 --> 00:07:17.300 They fasted. 00:07:17.379 --> 00:07:18.020 They prayed. 00:07:18.780 --> 00:07:20.319 But they were enslaved. 00:07:21.540 --> 00:07:23.180 By the shackles of religion. 00:07:24.580 --> 00:07:29.259 And they were trusting in their religious observances. 00:07:30.100 --> 00:07:31.160 And their procedures. 00:07:32.560 --> 00:07:34.379 And not in Jesus Christ alone. 00:07:34.379 --> 00:07:37.579 And that is barren. 00:07:39.100 --> 00:07:41.060 That is a dead end street. 00:07:43.079 --> 00:07:47.819 When you're trusting in that stuff, it is barren and it is a dead end. 00:07:47.980 --> 00:07:49.019 Can you see the difference here? 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:56.100 Freedom, Paul says, is knowing God and being known by him. 00:07:56.100 --> 00:08:03.800 Bondage is you observe days and months and seasons and years. 00:08:06.260 --> 00:08:07.680 There is a difference. 00:08:07.879 --> 00:08:12.320 There is all the world of difference between having a genuine relationship with God 00:08:12.319 --> 00:08:17.279 and keeping external religious observances. 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:27.019 You can carefully be in church and keep the days and keep the seasons, keep the months, keep the years. 00:08:28.300 --> 00:08:29.240 I'm not no God at all. 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:35.600 25 years ago, we just got married and we went to Northern Ireland for Christmas. 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:36.960 I was running a youth group. 00:08:37.659 --> 00:08:39.340 And the youth group gave me a present for Christmas. 00:08:39.659 --> 00:08:43.399 And they said, don't open it until you get to Northern Ireland. 00:08:44.240 --> 00:08:47.860 We were getting the earliest flight from Newton Airport a couple of days before Christmas. 00:08:48.659 --> 00:08:49.879 And we arrived at Newton Airport. 00:08:50.039 --> 00:08:51.480 It was absolutely rammed. 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:53.500 You know, easy jet, overbooking flights and all that. 00:08:53.580 --> 00:08:54.379 Absolutely packed. 00:08:54.379 --> 00:09:02.080 We put our bag through the security and the security alarm went off and started flashing. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:05.059 Our bag went through. 00:09:05.159 --> 00:09:06.360 They took our bag away. 00:09:07.379 --> 00:09:08.639 They took it to the side. 00:09:09.399 --> 00:09:13.059 He looked at me and he said, you've got a gun in your bag. 00:09:15.360 --> 00:09:17.399 I said to him, I have not a gun in my bag. 00:09:17.580 --> 00:09:19.960 He said, you've got a gun in your bag. 00:09:20.899 --> 00:09:21.879 Two other men arrived. 00:09:22.919 --> 00:09:23.779 The bag is there. 00:09:23.779 --> 00:09:25.579 They say, you've got a gun in your bag. 00:09:25.799 --> 00:09:27.159 I said, I haven't got a gun in my bag. 00:09:27.899 --> 00:09:28.519 I haven't got a gun. 00:09:30.379 --> 00:09:31.860 They opened it up very, very carefully. 00:09:33.559 --> 00:09:37.159 And there in the wrapping paper is a potato gun from the young people. 00:09:37.659 --> 00:09:38.879 I could have killed them. 00:09:40.240 --> 00:09:41.819 I could have absolutely killed them. 00:09:42.559 --> 00:09:44.959 On the x-ray, it looked like a real gun. 00:09:44.960 --> 00:09:49.340 On the x-ray, you look at it and you say, you've got a gun in your bag. 00:09:49.420 --> 00:09:50.440 But it wasn't a proper gun. 00:09:51.280 --> 00:09:52.060 It wasn't a real gun. 00:09:52.320 --> 00:09:54.340 There was the shape and there was the form. 00:09:55.600 --> 00:09:56.680 But there was no reality. 00:09:56.679 --> 00:10:04.679 And religious practice, even tonight, even coming to church on the last, on graveyard Sunday, Sunday night. 00:10:04.679 --> 00:10:09.459 It can look real, but there'd be no reality to it. 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:14.680 And we need to be very careful as a church. 00:10:17.340 --> 00:10:22.780 Do I really know the freedom of being known by God? 00:10:22.779 --> 00:10:29.500 The reality of a relationship, of really knowing God. 00:10:29.539 --> 00:10:30.360 We can say that. 00:10:33.139 --> 00:10:35.179 Or am I caught up in the practice of religion? 00:10:38.039 --> 00:10:43.819 Why is it that formal religiosity, if I put it like that, is so attractive to some people? 00:10:43.980 --> 00:10:45.579 Well, for one thing, it's flattering, isn't it? 00:10:47.159 --> 00:10:49.779 Because we think to ourselves, if I could throw myself into religious observance, 00:10:49.779 --> 00:10:54.699 then it probably earns me credit with God. 00:10:55.799 --> 00:10:57.639 God will see how much I'm doing for him. 00:10:59.199 --> 00:11:03.299 But I think I can do something to earn God's favour. 00:11:06.179 --> 00:11:07.679 But it's also safe, isn't it? 00:11:10.600 --> 00:11:12.459 There are some people out there, maybe you tonight, 00:11:12.559 --> 00:11:17.079 and you are afraid of the language of an intimate relationship with God. 00:11:17.080 --> 00:11:22.980 You don't want God to get too close to you. 00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:28.500 And religious observances and practices and formal occasions 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:31.860 provide just the right form of structured insulation 00:11:31.860 --> 00:11:36.900 to keep us away from meeting with the living God. 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:40.559 And we have to be careful, don't we, and examine ourselves. 00:11:40.699 --> 00:11:42.500 Do I know tonight, at the end of this year, 00:11:42.539 --> 00:11:44.819 the freedom of knowing God? 00:11:44.879 --> 00:11:46.699 Or more accurately, and more wonderfully, 00:11:46.860 --> 00:11:48.220 of being known by him? 00:11:50.279 --> 00:11:52.139 Or am I merely practising religion? 00:11:54.079 --> 00:11:55.340 Secondly, Paul appeals to the church, 00:11:55.399 --> 00:11:56.600 don't forfeit the freedom of Christ, 00:11:56.679 --> 00:11:58.620 but he says to them, hold on to the truth of Christ. 00:11:58.679 --> 00:11:59.679 That's verses 12 to 16. 00:11:59.679 --> 00:12:03.199 He goes back in his memory, he says, 00:12:03.359 --> 00:12:06.439 can't you remember, don't you remember how you first received me? 00:12:06.659 --> 00:12:08.519 When I came to Galatia, don't you remember? 00:12:09.959 --> 00:12:12.759 The reason I came was because of a bodily ailment. 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:13.759 I was unwell. 00:12:14.519 --> 00:12:16.339 That's how I preached the gospel first to you. 00:12:17.459 --> 00:12:18.620 What does he mean by that? 00:12:18.659 --> 00:12:20.120 What is this bodily ailment? 00:12:20.199 --> 00:12:20.679 We don't know. 00:12:22.159 --> 00:12:24.899 It was some physical condition that he had. 00:12:26.159 --> 00:12:28.319 It may well have been because he was persecuted. 00:12:28.320 --> 00:12:31.879 That had bloodied him and disfigured him. 00:12:32.980 --> 00:12:35.300 The Apostle Paul wasn't an attractive guy at all. 00:12:36.320 --> 00:12:38.060 Or it could be that there's something physical 00:12:38.060 --> 00:12:41.460 that he suffers with, that's alluded to in 2 Corinthians 12, 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:42.700 with a thorn in the flesh. 00:12:44.080 --> 00:12:46.860 We know that there's loads of different views on this. 00:12:47.280 --> 00:12:48.620 Did Paul have problems with his eyes? 00:12:48.720 --> 00:12:49.540 Did he have a squint? 00:12:49.640 --> 00:12:51.000 There's all sorts of theories out there. 00:12:51.320 --> 00:12:52.300 No one knows. 00:12:54.420 --> 00:12:56.380 But Paul says here in verses 13 and 14, 00:12:56.379 --> 00:12:59.320 that although my condition was a trial to you, 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:02.419 you did not scorn me or despise me. 00:13:02.840 --> 00:13:04.120 The word literally there is, 00:13:04.419 --> 00:13:05.820 you did not spit at me. 00:13:07.700 --> 00:13:10.019 There was something about my physical condition 00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:12.019 that was repulsive to you. 00:13:13.639 --> 00:13:15.080 But in spite of that, 00:13:15.220 --> 00:13:16.360 you received me, 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:18.639 how did they receive him? 00:13:19.919 --> 00:13:21.419 As an angel of God. 00:13:22.300 --> 00:13:23.800 It's a beautiful description of a preacher. 00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.820 As an angel of God, 00:13:26.899 --> 00:13:27.919 a messenger of God, 00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.639 as though I were Christ Jesus himself. 00:13:32.440 --> 00:13:34.039 And you held on to the truth of the gospel 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:34.759 that I brought to you, 00:13:34.919 --> 00:13:36.060 and you were not turned off, 00:13:36.139 --> 00:13:37.139 and you were not discouraged 00:13:37.139 --> 00:13:38.840 because of the package in which it came. 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:42.580 Because the package in which the gospel came to you, 00:13:42.660 --> 00:13:42.840 Galatia, 00:13:42.899 --> 00:13:43.700 was not very attractive, 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:44.139 was it? 00:13:47.300 --> 00:13:48.280 And we live in a culture, 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:48.540 don't we, 00:13:48.560 --> 00:13:49.620 that values the packaging 00:13:49.620 --> 00:13:51.320 more than what's in the package. 00:13:53.540 --> 00:13:55.139 Where appearance really matters. 00:13:56.980 --> 00:13:59.180 And where personality really matters. 00:13:59.179 --> 00:14:06.759 You think of advertising. 00:14:07.639 --> 00:14:09.859 You think of the popular people in our culture. 00:14:11.199 --> 00:14:12.539 You think of the social commentators. 00:14:12.620 --> 00:14:14.039 It's very rare there's a bald one, 00:14:14.299 --> 00:14:14.559 isn't there? 00:14:15.299 --> 00:14:17.500 Bald men get a very, very hard time in our culture. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:19.639 There'll never be another bald prime minister 00:14:19.639 --> 00:14:21.179 or president. 00:14:21.819 --> 00:14:23.639 Because the packaging matters, 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.120 doesn't it? 00:14:24.399 --> 00:14:25.679 The packaging matters. 00:14:27.479 --> 00:14:28.779 The church can begin to operate that way. 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.919 It'd be very empty, bald men. 00:14:31.100 --> 00:14:31.939 There's very few bald men 00:14:31.939 --> 00:14:32.759 are asked to speak at conferences. 00:14:32.839 --> 00:14:33.500 I'm kidding, all right? 00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.439 But we look for the minister, 00:14:35.539 --> 00:14:35.779 don't we, 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:37.039 who's omnicompetent, 00:14:38.279 --> 00:14:39.240 socially adept, 00:14:40.059 --> 00:14:40.439 an executive, 00:14:40.959 --> 00:14:42.639 somebody who gives off positivity. 00:14:44.799 --> 00:14:45.899 And if the truth of the gospel 00:14:45.899 --> 00:14:48.059 relies primarily on personality 00:14:48.059 --> 00:14:48.759 and packaging, 00:14:50.459 --> 00:14:52.919 well, oftentimes it would not be accepted 00:14:52.919 --> 00:14:53.899 because Jesus Christ 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:55.819 does not use smooth operators. 00:14:55.820 --> 00:14:58.480 Let me give you, 00:14:58.680 --> 00:15:00.000 I've given this illustration this year 00:15:00.000 --> 00:15:00.820 at the lunchtime talk. 00:15:00.879 --> 00:15:02.260 I've given it every other year on a Sunday, 00:15:02.320 --> 00:15:03.780 but I don't think I've given it this year on a Sunday. 00:15:03.900 --> 00:15:06.160 It's the testimony of Charles Hamilton Spurgeon, 00:15:06.360 --> 00:15:06.660 all right? 00:15:07.320 --> 00:15:08.160 I love the story. 00:15:08.280 --> 00:15:09.260 He's 15 years old. 00:15:11.040 --> 00:15:11.680 Spurgeon says, 00:15:11.780 --> 00:15:14.280 I was thinking about salvation one day. 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:16.180 He was exercised about his soul. 00:15:16.260 --> 00:15:17.620 He realised there was a God in heaven 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.680 he wasn't right with. 00:15:19.320 --> 00:15:20.200 And one Sunday morning, 00:15:20.300 --> 00:15:21.520 he goes to a particular chapel. 00:15:21.519 --> 00:15:24.500 He wants to go to one particular church 00:15:24.500 --> 00:15:25.100 and congregation, 00:15:25.240 --> 00:15:26.340 but it's snowing so hard 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:28.639 that it forced him to turn down a side street 00:15:28.639 --> 00:15:31.379 and go into a primitive little Methodist chapel. 00:15:32.659 --> 00:15:33.620 Spurgeon didn't know anything 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:35.460 about the primitive Methodists, 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:35.960 he says, 00:15:36.379 --> 00:15:38.439 apart from he drew that they sung so loud 00:15:38.439 --> 00:15:39.299 it made you a headache. 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:42.079 But he said he didn't care 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:44.659 if only he could learn how to be saved 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.980 and get into the kingdom of God. 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.419 He went in there, 00:15:48.480 --> 00:15:50.139 but the minister hadn't come that morning 00:15:50.139 --> 00:15:51.120 because of the snow. 00:15:51.699 --> 00:15:52.580 He was probably snowed in. 00:15:53.199 --> 00:15:54.580 It came to the sermon time 00:15:54.580 --> 00:15:56.639 and a rather thin looking fellow 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.379 who must have been a shoemaker 00:15:58.379 --> 00:15:59.179 or a tailor 00:15:59.179 --> 00:16:00.360 made his way to the pulpit 00:16:00.360 --> 00:16:01.559 and Spurgeon said, 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:02.960 it is well for ministers 00:16:02.960 --> 00:16:04.439 to be instructed and educated, 00:16:04.879 --> 00:16:06.980 but he said this man was really stupid. 00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:08.919 He said, 00:16:09.319 --> 00:16:11.199 he took his text from Isaiah 45 00:16:11.199 --> 00:16:12.059 which says, 00:16:12.379 --> 00:16:13.179 look unto me 00:16:13.179 --> 00:16:14.159 and be saved 00:16:14.159 --> 00:16:15.279 all the ends of the earth. 00:16:16.100 --> 00:16:16.980 And Spurgeon said 00:16:16.980 --> 00:16:18.139 that the man had to stick 00:16:18.139 --> 00:16:19.120 to his text closely 00:16:19.120 --> 00:16:20.759 because he didn't have much else to say. 00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:23.060 He said he didn't even pronounce 00:16:23.060 --> 00:16:24.259 the words of the text properly, 00:16:25.000 --> 00:16:26.100 but he said that didn't matter 00:16:26.100 --> 00:16:28.299 if only I could get a gleam of hope from it. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:31.799 Spurgeon said he went on, 00:16:32.740 --> 00:16:34.799 don't take a great deal of pain to look, 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:36.019 even a child can look. 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:38.320 It's not lifting a finger or a toe, 00:16:38.399 --> 00:16:39.019 it's just look. 00:16:40.100 --> 00:16:41.279 That's all the text says, 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.100 look unto me. 00:16:42.440 --> 00:16:43.820 Jesus Christ went on and says, 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:44.580 look to me, 00:16:44.580 --> 00:16:48.040 look at me sweating drops of blood in the garden. 00:16:48.340 --> 00:16:50.060 Look at me hanging on the cross. 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:51.780 Look at me dead and buried. 00:16:52.259 --> 00:16:54.139 Look at me risen again. 00:16:54.340 --> 00:16:54.820 And so on. 00:16:56.160 --> 00:16:56.900 After 10 minutes, 00:16:57.100 --> 00:16:58.780 Spurgeon said he came to the end of his tether 00:16:58.780 --> 00:17:00.160 and he had nothing else to say. 00:17:01.440 --> 00:17:02.400 He turned 00:17:02.400 --> 00:17:04.860 and looked at 15 year old Spurgeon 00:17:04.860 --> 00:17:05.819 sitting under the gallery 00:17:05.819 --> 00:17:06.420 and said, 00:17:06.559 --> 00:17:07.160 young man, 00:17:07.259 --> 00:17:08.380 you look very miserable. 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:11.140 and you will be very miserable in life 00:17:11.140 --> 00:17:12.460 and miserable in death 00:17:12.460 --> 00:17:14.620 unless you obey the words of my text. 00:17:15.840 --> 00:17:16.860 And then Spurgeon said, 00:17:16.920 --> 00:17:17.820 he lifted his hands 00:17:17.820 --> 00:17:20.300 and he yelled as only a primitive Methodist could, 00:17:20.600 --> 00:17:21.720 look to Jesus Christ, 00:17:21.840 --> 00:17:22.380 young man. 00:17:23.080 --> 00:17:24.180 Look to Jesus Christ. 00:17:24.400 --> 00:17:25.040 Look, look. 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:28.240 Spurgeon said, 00:17:28.660 --> 00:17:30.500 even though the packaging was offensive 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.400 and repulsive 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.780 and not refined at all, 00:17:34.080 --> 00:17:36.240 I went out of that primitive Methodist chapel 00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.640 having entered the kingdom of God. 00:17:38.380 --> 00:17:41.480 Now come back to our text. 00:17:41.600 --> 00:17:42.560 Paul is saying, 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:44.520 hold on to the truth of Jesus Christ. 00:17:47.580 --> 00:17:48.780 There was that time 00:17:48.780 --> 00:17:50.880 when the Galatians, 00:17:51.040 --> 00:17:51.940 in spite of the packaging, 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:54.500 in spite of how repulsive the Apostle Paul was, 00:17:55.180 --> 00:17:56.320 received the gospel. 00:17:57.800 --> 00:17:59.760 You nevertheless received the truth of it. 00:18:00.060 --> 00:18:01.100 And now he says, 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:03.340 we're in another situation. 00:18:03.460 --> 00:18:04.280 Look at verse 16. 00:18:04.400 --> 00:18:05.700 It shouldn't be a question mark there. 00:18:05.820 --> 00:18:07.900 It should be an exclamation mark. 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:10.080 So then, 00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:11.440 have I become your enemy 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.500 by telling you the truth? 00:18:13.500 --> 00:18:14.500 What does he mean by that? 00:18:15.900 --> 00:18:17.020 He's saying they've come now 00:18:17.020 --> 00:18:17.960 to another situation 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:22.020 in which I've conveyed the truth to you 00:18:22.020 --> 00:18:24.660 and the truth is unattractive to you. 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:27.519 This time it's not the packaging so much, 00:18:27.560 --> 00:18:28.220 it's what he said. 00:18:28.220 --> 00:18:31.680 I brought you a chastening word. 00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.580 I brought you a correcting word, 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.279 a rebuking word. 00:18:34.620 --> 00:18:36.580 I rebuked you for that tendency 00:18:36.580 --> 00:18:38.560 to depart and drift from the good news 00:18:38.560 --> 00:18:39.160 of the Lord Jesus. 00:18:41.019 --> 00:18:42.980 And so now you regard me as your enemy? 00:18:42.980 --> 00:18:47.079 The truth again is unattractive. 00:18:49.279 --> 00:18:50.220 But Galatians, 00:18:50.319 --> 00:18:52.599 remember how you originally received it 00:18:52.599 --> 00:18:55.000 when there was nothing to commend it 00:18:55.000 --> 00:18:57.599 as far as beauty or attraction or glitz. 00:18:57.860 --> 00:18:58.740 Am I your enemy? 00:19:00.680 --> 00:19:01.720 Am I your enemy 00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.440 because I put you under the criticism 00:19:03.440 --> 00:19:04.319 of the word of God? 00:19:04.319 --> 00:19:08.579 He's saying hold on 00:19:08.579 --> 00:19:09.899 to the truth of Jesus Christ 00:19:09.899 --> 00:19:11.720 even when it criticises you. 00:19:14.559 --> 00:19:16.039 And that's a great challenge to us, isn't it? 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:19.879 Do we hold on to the truth of Christ, 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.720 the word of God, 00:19:20.799 --> 00:19:22.379 even when that word rebukes you 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:23.759 or criticises you 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:25.039 or corrects you? 00:19:25.139 --> 00:19:26.139 Are we willing to receive that? 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:30.879 Are we willing to receive the word of Christ 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.559 when it comes to us 00:19:31.559 --> 00:19:32.960 in an unattractive form? 00:19:34.319 --> 00:19:36.619 When it doesn't comfort 00:19:36.619 --> 00:19:37.799 but it corrects. 00:19:39.099 --> 00:19:40.220 When it wounds 00:19:40.220 --> 00:19:41.179 and when it bruises, 00:19:42.579 --> 00:19:43.659 do we still receive it 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:44.359 as Christ's truth? 00:19:47.000 --> 00:19:49.519 Proverbs 27, 6 famously says, 00:19:49.619 --> 00:19:49.899 doesn't it, 00:19:49.960 --> 00:19:51.899 faithful are the wounds of a friend. 00:19:55.059 --> 00:19:56.279 And so for us as a church family, 00:19:56.399 --> 00:19:58.039 do we hold on to the truth of Christ 00:19:58.039 --> 00:20:00.039 even when it corrects us? 00:20:01.659 --> 00:20:02.720 When it cuts us, 00:20:02.939 --> 00:20:03.980 when it pulls us up short, 00:20:04.319 --> 00:20:08.139 do you submit to it? 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.159 Thirdly, 00:20:11.299 --> 00:20:12.579 it says something else that you must do 00:20:12.579 --> 00:20:13.399 and this is, 00:20:13.500 --> 00:20:14.679 what's helped me this week is 00:20:14.679 --> 00:20:17.179 you must evaluate the servants of Christ. 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.720 That's verses 17, 20. 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:20.899 You must evaluate the servants of Christ. 00:20:20.900 --> 00:20:26.060 You've heard this before. 00:20:26.060 --> 00:20:27.220 The pastor, 00:20:27.360 --> 00:20:27.580 the vicar, 00:20:27.660 --> 00:20:27.980 the minister, 00:20:28.080 --> 00:20:28.640 whatever we call him, 00:20:28.660 --> 00:20:29.519 it's still a tough job. 00:20:31.519 --> 00:20:32.680 If he visits the flock, 00:20:32.740 --> 00:20:33.240 he's nosy. 00:20:33.980 --> 00:20:34.680 If he doesn't, 00:20:34.740 --> 00:20:35.340 he's a snob. 00:20:36.720 --> 00:20:38.259 If he preaches longer than 10 minutes, 00:20:38.300 --> 00:20:38.840 it's too long. 00:20:40.000 --> 00:20:41.680 If he preaches less than 10 minutes, 00:20:41.759 --> 00:20:42.920 then he can't have prepared his sermons 00:20:42.920 --> 00:20:43.820 and what are we paying for? 00:20:43.819 --> 00:20:45.899 If he runs a car, 00:20:45.960 --> 00:20:46.439 he's worldly. 00:20:47.099 --> 00:20:47.700 If he doesn't, 00:20:47.759 --> 00:20:48.659 he's always late for appointments. 00:20:49.379 --> 00:20:50.299 If he tells a joke, 00:20:50.339 --> 00:20:50.839 he's flippant. 00:20:51.379 --> 00:20:51.919 If he doesn't, 00:20:51.980 --> 00:20:52.819 he's far too serious. 00:20:53.659 --> 00:20:55.179 If he starts the service on time, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:56.200 his watch must be fast. 00:20:56.539 --> 00:20:57.559 If he's a minute late, 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:59.159 he's keeping the congregation waiting. 00:20:59.759 --> 00:21:00.759 If he takes a holiday, 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:01.679 he's never in the parish. 00:21:02.220 --> 00:21:02.879 If he doesn't, 00:21:02.939 --> 00:21:03.759 he's a stick in the mud. 00:21:03.859 --> 00:21:05.559 If he runs a gala or a bazaar, 00:21:05.619 --> 00:21:06.420 he's money mad. 00:21:06.720 --> 00:21:07.480 If he doesn't, 00:21:07.539 --> 00:21:08.980 there's no social life in the parish. 00:21:09.599 --> 00:21:11.680 If he has the church painted and redecorated, 00:21:11.759 --> 00:21:12.680 he's extravagant. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:14.259 And if he doesn't, 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.160 the church is shabby. 00:21:15.460 --> 00:21:16.180 If he's young, 00:21:16.279 --> 00:21:17.140 he's inexperienced. 00:21:17.480 --> 00:21:18.339 If he's getting old, 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.000 he ought to retire. 00:21:19.279 --> 00:21:20.220 But when he dies, 00:21:20.539 --> 00:21:21.640 there's no one like him. 00:21:24.799 --> 00:21:25.180 Well, 00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.799 Paul speaks about himself here 00:21:26.799 --> 00:21:28.799 and he speaks about 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.619 the difficulties of ministry. 00:21:30.619 --> 00:21:34.399 And he contrasts himself 00:21:34.399 --> 00:21:35.419 with these false teachers. 00:21:35.579 --> 00:21:36.619 And I find this very, 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.259 very helpful. 00:21:37.579 --> 00:21:39.219 Look what he says in verse 17 and 18. 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:42.059 He says, 00:21:42.319 --> 00:21:44.159 they make much of you. 00:21:46.639 --> 00:21:48.639 And they zealously seek you. 00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:52.239 Not out of a good motive. 00:21:53.199 --> 00:21:54.959 Why do they make much of you? 00:21:55.019 --> 00:21:56.159 Why do they make a fuss of you? 00:21:56.339 --> 00:21:59.319 Why do they seek you 00:21:59.319 --> 00:22:01.139 in order to shut you off 00:22:01.139 --> 00:22:02.539 and to shut you out? 00:22:04.220 --> 00:22:05.240 And that's what they want to do. 00:22:05.319 --> 00:22:07.279 They want to shut you out from me, 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.139 says the Apostle Paul. 00:22:09.579 --> 00:22:11.139 They want to shut you out 00:22:11.139 --> 00:22:13.679 in order that you might zealously seek them. 00:22:15.859 --> 00:22:16.939 So verse 17, 00:22:17.519 --> 00:22:19.220 evaluate these teachers. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:21.019 Evaluate those who come to you. 00:22:22.460 --> 00:22:23.200 Evaluate those people 00:22:23.200 --> 00:22:24.919 who aren't seeking you 00:22:24.919 --> 00:22:25.819 out of a proper motive. 00:22:25.819 --> 00:22:28.639 But they're seeking you 00:22:28.639 --> 00:22:30.099 that you would be zealous 00:22:30.099 --> 00:22:32.159 after them 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:34.079 and their ministry. 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:37.939 And they are seeking you 00:22:37.939 --> 00:22:39.619 for their own repetition 00:22:39.619 --> 00:22:42.819 and for their own ego. 00:22:44.159 --> 00:22:45.299 And they are seeking 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.740 your loyalty. 00:22:46.740 --> 00:22:50.819 And I think this is something 00:22:50.819 --> 00:22:52.039 really, really subtle 00:22:52.039 --> 00:22:52.640 and it can happen 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:53.700 in churches like ours 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.819 and we can fall for it 00:22:54.819 --> 00:22:55.359 so easily 00:22:55.359 --> 00:22:56.680 and it happens in our constituency 00:22:56.680 --> 00:22:57.720 if that's the right word. 00:22:59.740 --> 00:23:01.259 That we can be made 00:23:01.259 --> 00:23:02.960 to feel special 00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:04.319 by Christian leaders. 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.200 C.S. Lewis has got this 00:23:09.200 --> 00:23:10.019 beautiful article, 00:23:10.099 --> 00:23:10.279 isn't it, 00:23:10.299 --> 00:23:11.380 about the inner ring. 00:23:11.380 --> 00:23:14.260 And all of us 00:23:14.260 --> 00:23:15.260 want to be made 00:23:15.260 --> 00:23:16.780 to feel special. 00:23:18.620 --> 00:23:20.000 To be made 00:23:20.000 --> 00:23:21.100 as if we're 00:23:21.100 --> 00:23:22.680 one of the favourites. 00:23:24.840 --> 00:23:25.660 And in doing so, 00:23:25.760 --> 00:23:26.460 what happens 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.160 when Christian leaders 00:23:27.160 --> 00:23:27.640 do that 00:23:27.640 --> 00:23:28.980 is they are demanding 00:23:28.980 --> 00:23:29.700 loyalty. 00:23:33.840 --> 00:23:34.580 And Paul says, 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.460 in contrast, 00:23:35.600 --> 00:23:35.900 he says, 00:23:36.400 --> 00:23:37.560 let me show you 00:23:37.560 --> 00:23:38.440 in contrast 00:23:38.440 --> 00:23:38.980 the heart 00:23:38.980 --> 00:23:40.000 of a genuine apostle. 00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:43.180 And so in our constituency, 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.599 in churches like us, 00:23:44.640 --> 00:23:45.400 how's it been done? 00:23:45.799 --> 00:23:46.440 It's been done 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.359 on special trips, 00:23:47.539 --> 00:23:48.039 it's been done 00:23:48.039 --> 00:23:49.079 by giving cards, 00:23:49.200 --> 00:23:49.640 it's been done 00:23:49.640 --> 00:23:50.240 by lots of things 00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:51.099 where people are made 00:23:51.099 --> 00:23:51.480 to feel, 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:53.980 I'm in, 00:23:54.200 --> 00:23:55.279 I'm in with the minister. 00:23:57.720 --> 00:23:58.339 But Paul says, 00:23:58.440 --> 00:23:59.579 let me show you 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:00.680 the heart 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:01.460 of a genuine apostle 00:24:01.460 --> 00:24:02.400 and it's as if 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:03.559 he rips open. 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.380 He throws up his hands 00:24:06.380 --> 00:24:07.259 and he pleads for them 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:08.140 and look what it says, 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.019 it's an incredible thing, 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:09.200 he says, 00:24:09.259 --> 00:24:09.880 my little children, 00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:11.940 for whom I'm 00:24:11.940 --> 00:24:13.319 again in the 00:24:13.319 --> 00:24:14.279 anguish of 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.119 childbirth 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.980 until Christ 00:24:15.980 --> 00:24:17.039 is formed 00:24:17.039 --> 00:24:17.640 in you. 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.559 That's what we're about, 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.259 that's what he's saying. 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:24.680 And so you want to know 00:24:24.680 --> 00:24:25.299 if you're a genuine 00:24:25.299 --> 00:24:26.079 servant of Christ 00:24:26.079 --> 00:24:26.519 or not, 00:24:27.640 --> 00:24:28.740 or whether you 00:24:28.740 --> 00:24:29.319 yourself 00:24:29.319 --> 00:24:30.119 are genuine, 00:24:34.119 --> 00:24:35.339 then you ask 00:24:35.339 --> 00:24:35.799 in the case 00:24:35.799 --> 00:24:36.220 of a minister 00:24:36.220 --> 00:24:36.660 for instance, 00:24:36.759 --> 00:24:37.480 Calvin says this, 00:24:37.599 --> 00:24:38.039 if ministers 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:39.000 wish to do anything, 00:24:39.000 --> 00:24:40.019 let them labour 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.799 to form Christ, 00:24:42.940 --> 00:24:44.380 not to form 00:24:44.380 --> 00:24:45.319 themselves 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.519 in their hearers. 00:24:48.519 --> 00:24:49.700 It's a remarkable phrase, 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.380 let them labour 00:24:50.380 --> 00:24:51.640 to form Christ, 00:24:52.279 --> 00:24:53.660 not to form 00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.180 themselves 00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:54.880 in their hearers. 00:24:54.880 --> 00:24:59.420 So the apostle Paul, 00:24:59.420 --> 00:25:00.440 he's not content 00:25:00.440 --> 00:25:02.740 that Christ 00:25:02.740 --> 00:25:05.080 should just dwell 00:25:05.080 --> 00:25:05.800 in their hearts. 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.940 That's a wonderful truth. 00:25:08.520 --> 00:25:09.640 That Christ dwells 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.120 in their hearts 00:25:10.120 --> 00:25:10.580 by faith, 00:25:10.620 --> 00:25:11.660 that is a glorious truth, 00:25:11.700 --> 00:25:12.280 but he's not content 00:25:12.280 --> 00:25:12.660 with that. 00:25:12.740 --> 00:25:13.660 He wants to see 00:25:13.660 --> 00:25:14.500 Christ 00:25:14.500 --> 00:25:16.260 formed in them. 00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:19.119 He wants to see 00:25:19.119 --> 00:25:19.460 Christ 00:25:19.460 --> 00:25:20.839 formed in his hearers 00:25:20.839 --> 00:25:21.700 so that they 00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.440 take on 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.700 maturity 00:25:23.700 --> 00:25:25.299 and wisdom 00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:26.619 and his likeness. 00:25:28.379 --> 00:25:29.299 He wants them 00:25:29.299 --> 00:25:30.180 to be growing 00:25:30.180 --> 00:25:31.640 into the shape 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:32.740 of Jesus Christ 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.559 and the character 00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:33.960 of Christ 00:25:33.960 --> 00:25:34.339 and he says, 00:25:34.480 --> 00:25:35.640 I have birth pains 00:25:35.640 --> 00:25:36.140 over that 00:25:36.140 --> 00:25:38.759 until Christ 00:25:38.759 --> 00:25:39.460 is formed in you 00:25:39.460 --> 00:25:40.740 and that is the motive 00:25:40.740 --> 00:25:42.879 that must dominate 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.720 Christ's servants. 00:25:43.720 --> 00:25:49.400 I think many of you 00:25:49.400 --> 00:25:50.440 here know that. 00:25:53.079 --> 00:25:54.360 If you are a Christian 00:25:54.360 --> 00:25:55.600 parent here tonight, 00:25:57.400 --> 00:25:59.500 you know what it's like 00:25:59.500 --> 00:26:00.779 to have birth pains. 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.460 If you're a Christian 00:26:04.460 --> 00:26:05.259 parent or you grew up 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.000 in a Christian home 00:26:06.000 --> 00:26:06.720 and you had Christian 00:26:06.720 --> 00:26:07.059 parents, 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.400 let me tell you, 00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.819 in your home 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:10.660 your parents had 00:26:10.660 --> 00:26:11.380 birth pains. 00:26:11.380 --> 00:26:14.300 All over again 00:26:14.300 --> 00:26:16.300 for those you love. 00:26:18.800 --> 00:26:19.480 Isn't it true 00:26:19.480 --> 00:26:20.000 that there are 00:26:20.000 --> 00:26:20.620 Christian parents 00:26:20.620 --> 00:26:21.240 who in one sense 00:26:21.240 --> 00:26:22.000 they felt this, 00:26:22.120 --> 00:26:22.920 they feel the agony 00:26:22.920 --> 00:26:23.180 of it, 00:26:23.240 --> 00:26:24.420 they feel the birth pains. 00:26:26.500 --> 00:26:27.000 We pray, 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.640 like we prayed 00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.480 earlier, 00:26:28.560 --> 00:26:29.240 the sex petition 00:26:29.240 --> 00:26:30.220 of the Lord's Prayer 00:26:30.220 --> 00:26:31.100 of the Heidelberg 00:26:31.100 --> 00:26:31.540 Catechism 00:26:31.540 --> 00:26:32.060 for our children, 00:26:32.180 --> 00:26:32.400 don't we? 00:26:32.400 --> 00:26:33.100 We pray, 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.340 lead them not 00:26:34.340 --> 00:26:35.400 into temptation 00:26:35.400 --> 00:26:37.180 but deliver them 00:26:37.180 --> 00:26:38.040 from the evil one. 00:26:38.039 --> 00:26:40.379 And isn't it true 00:26:40.379 --> 00:26:41.159 that some of you 00:26:41.159 --> 00:26:41.559 tonight, 00:26:41.720 --> 00:26:42.539 you know, 00:26:42.680 --> 00:26:43.319 tonight even, 00:26:43.399 --> 00:26:44.440 those birth pains 00:26:44.440 --> 00:26:45.740 that you long 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.379 for Christ 00:26:46.379 --> 00:26:47.399 to be formed in them. 00:26:49.399 --> 00:26:50.220 That they would walk 00:26:50.220 --> 00:26:50.899 in His wisdom 00:26:50.899 --> 00:26:52.039 and in His maturity 00:26:52.039 --> 00:26:53.079 and they'd show 00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:53.899 His likeness 00:26:53.899 --> 00:26:55.240 and surely 00:26:55.240 --> 00:26:55.819 that should be 00:26:55.819 --> 00:26:56.299 our desire 00:26:56.299 --> 00:26:56.799 as a church, 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:57.180 isn't it? 00:27:00.180 --> 00:27:01.440 As individual believers 00:27:01.440 --> 00:27:02.339 within the church, 00:27:02.460 --> 00:27:03.740 what are we aiming at? 00:27:03.879 --> 00:27:05.359 What are we driving at? 00:27:05.420 --> 00:27:06.019 What do we want 00:27:06.019 --> 00:27:06.539 you children 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.220 and young people 00:27:07.220 --> 00:27:08.039 to grow up like? 00:27:10.680 --> 00:27:11.420 That Christ 00:27:11.420 --> 00:27:12.000 would be formed 00:27:12.000 --> 00:27:12.420 in you 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:14.859 and me 00:27:14.859 --> 00:27:15.420 and others. 00:27:18.319 --> 00:27:18.940 And so as we finish 00:27:18.940 --> 00:27:19.319 the year, 00:27:19.399 --> 00:27:19.879 Galatians, 00:27:20.039 --> 00:27:20.440 I think, 00:27:20.579 --> 00:27:21.039 for us 00:27:21.039 --> 00:27:21.639 some really 00:27:21.639 --> 00:27:22.460 pointed questions 00:27:22.460 --> 00:27:22.899 at the end 00:27:22.899 --> 00:27:23.420 of the year. 00:27:25.180 --> 00:27:26.059 It asks you 00:27:26.059 --> 00:27:26.339 tonight, 00:27:26.480 --> 00:27:27.319 do you genuinely 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:28.159 know God 00:27:28.159 --> 00:27:30.740 or are you 00:27:30.740 --> 00:27:31.399 merely practicing 00:27:31.399 --> 00:27:31.779 religion? 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:35.720 And then secondly, 00:27:35.720 --> 00:27:39.519 Galatians 4 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:40.220 asks us, 00:27:40.299 --> 00:27:40.860 when the word 00:27:40.860 --> 00:27:41.259 of God 00:27:41.259 --> 00:27:42.400 brings criticism 00:27:42.400 --> 00:27:43.299 to you, 00:27:44.120 --> 00:27:45.100 which it inevitably 00:27:45.100 --> 00:27:45.519 does, 00:27:45.600 --> 00:27:47.019 do I turn away 00:27:47.019 --> 00:27:47.360 from it? 00:27:50.960 --> 00:27:51.880 If you're like me, 00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.759 you tend to really 00:27:52.759 --> 00:27:53.700 welcome the comfort 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.279 of scripture 00:27:54.279 --> 00:27:55.920 but refuse its 00:27:55.920 --> 00:27:56.339 criticism. 00:27:59.839 --> 00:28:00.799 And can you say 00:28:00.799 --> 00:28:01.819 that the supreme 00:28:01.819 --> 00:28:02.360 yearning 00:28:02.360 --> 00:28:03.779 of your own life 00:28:03.779 --> 00:28:04.400 is that Christ 00:28:04.400 --> 00:28:05.340 be formed in you? 00:28:07.060 --> 00:28:08.040 Because that was 00:28:08.040 --> 00:28:08.759 the apostolic 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.300 priority. 00:28:12.480 --> 00:28:13.340 Because the Holy 00:28:13.340 --> 00:28:14.040 Spirit and the 00:28:14.040 --> 00:28:14.940 apostle and his 00:28:14.940 --> 00:28:15.440 word 00:28:15.440 --> 00:28:17.880 and his appeal 00:28:17.880 --> 00:28:18.720 leap over the 00:28:18.720 --> 00:28:19.140 centuries, 00:28:19.280 --> 00:28:19.519 tonight, 00:28:19.600 --> 00:28:19.960 not later, 00:28:20.040 --> 00:28:20.920 the end of 2025 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:23.640 and they investigate 00:28:23.640 --> 00:28:24.440 our hearts 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:27.660 that Christ may be 00:28:27.660 --> 00:28:28.340 formed in us. 00:28:28.339 --> 00:28:32.259 let's pray. 00:28:32.259 --> 00:28:32.279 Let's pray. 00:28:32.720 --> 00:28:32.859 Let's pray. 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:28:32.859 00:28:32.859 --> 00:29:02.839 Thank you.