WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.820
 The New Testament reading will be Romans 7, verses 7-12.

00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:35.340
 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died.

00:00:36.299 --> 00:00:39.600
 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me.

00:00:40.019 --> 00:00:44.539
 For sin, seizing opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me.

00:00:45.159 --> 00:00:49.179
 So the law is holy and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

00:00:49.179 --> 00:01:02.079
 So, Canadian common law, based on British law, British common law is designed to, in a big part, restrict vice, not necessarily compel virtue.

00:01:03.000 --> 00:01:08.159
 The purpose of our law is to maintain public order, to prevent harm and protect liberties.

00:01:08.159 --> 00:01:16.819
 It does not force the average citizen to be virtuous, but rather constrains vice.

00:01:16.819 --> 00:01:25.339
 So, for example, good and enforceable law would be to prohibit theft, not to compel generosity.

00:01:26.019 --> 00:01:29.759
 Or think of it like, well, we just did tax season a couple weeks ago.

00:01:30.559 --> 00:01:35.319
 A good law, maybe you disagree with me, a good law is that you have to pay your taxes.

00:01:36.739 --> 00:01:40.579
 A bad law would be that you have to like paying your taxes.

00:01:41.019 --> 00:01:42.780
 That wouldn't work as well.

00:01:42.780 --> 00:01:57.260
 So, the law works when it comes to communicating the reduction or the restraint of vice, but not the promotion of virtue.

00:01:58.079 --> 00:02:03.560
 And the underlying principle with all of this is that the individual is not a robot to be programmed,

00:02:03.560 --> 00:02:09.740
 but a person with a variety of motivations and hopes and preferences and loves and the like,

00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:13.640
 all of which cannot and should not be controlled.

00:02:14.979 --> 00:02:17.140
 So, we're in Romans chapter 7.

00:02:17.240 --> 00:02:17.960
 We're continuing on.

00:02:18.020 --> 00:02:19.740
 We have two more weeks before the summer break.

00:02:20.939 --> 00:02:23.920
 And our text today affirms this underlying principle.

00:02:23.919 --> 00:02:33.799
 And that at the same time shows it to be completely inadequate for the true flourishing of both individual and societal life.

00:02:34.979 --> 00:02:41.679
 So, for the virtuous life to be realized requires, well, it requires virtue.

00:02:42.419 --> 00:02:44.519
 Not just an absence of vice.

00:02:44.679 --> 00:02:46.839
 And the law can't produce that.

00:02:46.840 --> 00:02:54.280
 So, again, looking at Paul's treatment of the law of God in his letter to the church in Rome.

00:02:54.900 --> 00:02:59.780
 And he will show that even the law of God can't produce virtue within us.

00:03:00.980 --> 00:03:06.420
 And yet, at the same time, godly virtue is impossible without God's law.

00:03:07.640 --> 00:03:08.960
 It's a bit of a paradox here.

00:03:09.719 --> 00:03:11.300
 How do we circle this square?

00:03:11.300 --> 00:03:13.900
 Well, we're going to jump right into the text.

00:03:14.780 --> 00:03:17.020
 Romans chapter 7, verses 7 to 12.

00:03:17.680 --> 00:03:27.320
 And we'll see that the law of God acts to reveal sin, to provoke sin, and then to ultimately condemn sin.

00:03:28.200 --> 00:03:30.520
 Reveal sin, provoke sin, condemn sin.

00:03:30.840 --> 00:03:33.660
 We'll jump right into it in verse 7.

00:03:33.900 --> 00:03:34.900
 We'll look at our first point.

00:03:35.400 --> 00:03:37.280
 The law of God reveals sin.

00:03:37.680 --> 00:03:39.380
 So, before we read the verse,

00:03:39.379 --> 00:03:43.879
 Given all that Paul has said about the grace of God thus far,

00:03:44.500 --> 00:03:45.379
 and God's law,

00:03:45.719 --> 00:03:50.560
 one could easily come away with the impression that the law of God is flawed.

00:03:50.719 --> 00:03:53.099
 It's served a purpose at best.

00:03:53.740 --> 00:03:54.939
 Its time is over.

00:03:55.900 --> 00:03:57.919
 There's something new at work.

00:03:58.340 --> 00:04:02.939
 Maybe even all of what Paul has said would lend to the very idea,

00:04:03.340 --> 00:04:05.759
 at the worst, that God's law is evil.

00:04:06.500 --> 00:04:07.319
 It is not right.

00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:10.019
 It is unrighteous.

00:04:10.979 --> 00:04:14.739
 To this, Paul will begin this short six verse,

00:04:15.379 --> 00:04:18.659
 addressing this objection.

00:04:19.439 --> 00:04:22.279
 And he opens it up like this, starting in verse 7.

00:04:23.399 --> 00:04:24.439
 What then shall we say?

00:04:25.379 --> 00:04:26.539
 That the law is sin?

00:04:27.399 --> 00:04:28.459
 By no means.

00:04:28.459 --> 00:04:31.180
 The original language in the Greek,

00:04:31.379 --> 00:04:32.139
 it's not just like,

00:04:32.319 --> 00:04:34.239
 hey, that's not true.

00:04:34.560 --> 00:04:38.379
 It's the most forceful way he could say no.

00:04:38.899 --> 00:04:40.299
 He could easily have just have said,

00:04:40.419 --> 00:04:40.979
 God forbid.

00:04:41.139 --> 00:04:43.459
 How dare you even bring that up?

00:04:44.199 --> 00:04:45.240
 By no means.

00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:46.740
 Let's continue on.

00:04:46.740 --> 00:04:49.220
 Yet if it had not been for the law,

00:04:49.300 --> 00:04:50.600
 I would not have known sin.

00:04:51.439 --> 00:04:54.840
 For I would not have known what it is to covet,

00:04:55.000 --> 00:04:56.319
 if the law had not said,

00:04:56.960 --> 00:04:58.379
 you shall not covet.

00:04:59.079 --> 00:05:04.040
 So what's really interesting here is that the Apostle Paul is talking about how the law itself

00:05:04.040 --> 00:05:07.160
 is the very thing that reveals what sin is.

00:05:07.160 --> 00:05:10.200
 And then he uses a very specific example out of the Ten Commandments.

00:05:10.960 --> 00:05:13.480
 The Tenth Commandment is not to covet.

00:05:15.200 --> 00:05:18.439
 And this is the example he uses to illustrate his point.

00:05:19.140 --> 00:05:20.580
 So why the Tenth Commandment?

00:05:20.720 --> 00:05:23.040
 Why the prohibition against coveting?

00:05:23.440 --> 00:05:24.520
 For two reasons.

00:05:24.840 --> 00:05:25.600
 At least two reasons.

00:05:25.660 --> 00:05:34.020
 The first reason is to communicate to us that sin is very, very pervasive.

00:05:34.580 --> 00:05:36.540
 It's not a surface level problem,

00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:38.860
 but it's a problem that goes all the way down,

00:05:39.400 --> 00:05:40.319
 all the way deep,

00:05:40.740 --> 00:05:41.700
 right into the human heart.

00:05:41.780 --> 00:05:45.280
 It is not merely a matter of external actions,

00:05:45.460 --> 00:05:47.060
 but internal motivations.

00:05:49.879 --> 00:05:51.160
 Prohibitions against murder,

00:05:51.939 --> 00:05:52.280
 theft,

00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.420
 making idols,

00:05:53.720 --> 00:05:54.520
 honoring parents,

00:05:55.320 --> 00:05:55.720
 or sorry,

00:05:55.920 --> 00:05:58.140
 prohibitions against dishonoring parents, rather.

00:05:59.680 --> 00:06:01.300
 All part of the Ten Commandments.

00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:03.820
 All prohibitions,

00:06:03.819 --> 00:06:05.459
 all laws that we could,

00:06:05.839 --> 00:06:06.279
 by and large,

00:06:06.379 --> 00:06:06.620
 keep.

00:06:07.120 --> 00:06:07.379
 I mean,

00:06:07.740 --> 00:06:08.540
 people still murder,

00:06:08.699 --> 00:06:09.579
 people still steal.

00:06:11.379 --> 00:06:15.599
 More people than they like to admit dishonor their parents,

00:06:15.980 --> 00:06:16.779
 even as adults.

00:06:17.740 --> 00:06:18.159
 Nevertheless,

00:06:18.540 --> 00:06:19.259
 they're external,

00:06:19.519 --> 00:06:21.180
 they can be seen as external actions.

00:06:21.360 --> 00:06:22.620
 Things we do,

00:06:23.060 --> 00:06:26.539
 behaviors that we have towards others,

00:06:27.060 --> 00:06:28.379
 they are external.

00:06:28.379 --> 00:06:29.219
 But coveting,

00:06:29.779 --> 00:06:32.360
 coveting concerns not the external,

00:06:32.600 --> 00:06:33.339
 but the internal.

00:06:34.379 --> 00:06:35.719
 The posture of the heart.

00:06:36.540 --> 00:06:38.959
 And this is something that cannot be faked or willed.

00:06:39.939 --> 00:06:43.399
 One can appear as a law-abiding citizen on the outside,

00:06:43.699 --> 00:06:46.379
 but still be a rebellious,

00:06:47.319 --> 00:06:48.839
 envious person on the inside.

00:06:48.839 --> 00:06:51.019
 The law of God,

00:06:51.060 --> 00:06:52.259
 unlike the law of the state,

00:06:52.599 --> 00:06:54.639
 actually commands our interior life,

00:06:54.759 --> 00:06:56.199
 not just to,

00:06:56.199 --> 00:06:59.560
 to prohibit vice,

00:06:59.679 --> 00:07:01.179
 but to promote virtue.

00:07:02.219 --> 00:07:03.259
 It's really interesting.

00:07:03.439 --> 00:07:07.000
 The law of God is very unlike the law of the state in that regard.

00:07:07.559 --> 00:07:10.299
 And it's different because the law of God,

00:07:10.359 --> 00:07:13.219
 it pierces to the very heart of our being.

00:07:14.139 --> 00:07:15.539
 And it does this,

00:07:16.199 --> 00:07:18.539
 especially when it pertains to coveting.

00:07:19.459 --> 00:07:25.799
 We find that our motives and attitudes do not ultimately need a tweak or a tune-up,

00:07:26.159 --> 00:07:27.979
 but they need a complete renovation.

00:07:28.579 --> 00:07:32.459
 Because the moment we think we have it all,

00:07:32.819 --> 00:07:35.500
 we see somebody else and we realize we are lacking.

00:07:36.839 --> 00:07:40.099
 And seldom, if ever, are we happy for somebody else,

00:07:40.219 --> 00:07:43.839
 but rather instead are upset that we don't have what they have.

00:07:44.459 --> 00:07:46.919
 Our heart is rebellious.

00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:49.879
 The sin runs all the way down.

00:07:50.319 --> 00:07:51.340
 And so in this regard,

00:07:51.420 --> 00:07:53.920
 it's a brilliant example for Paul to use

00:07:53.920 --> 00:07:55.740
 of this,

00:07:55.879 --> 00:07:59.540
 the reality that sin is a problem

00:07:59.540 --> 00:08:01.780
 all the way down to our very souls,

00:08:01.900 --> 00:08:03.379
 to the depths of our interior lives.

00:08:04.980 --> 00:08:06.439
 For our interior lives,

00:08:06.500 --> 00:08:08.660
 they cannot be conformed to external standards.

00:08:08.660 --> 00:08:14.160
 We can't will ourselves to not be covetousness,

00:08:14.320 --> 00:08:19.080
 to engage in covetousness.

00:08:19.760 --> 00:08:20.840
 It's a problem.

00:08:20.839 --> 00:08:24.239
 Really what Paul is saying is,

00:08:24.339 --> 00:08:30.399
 is that the human heart is bent towards a selfish desire all the time.

00:08:30.399 --> 00:08:34.819
 Our drive is not just for the things we do not have,

00:08:34.899 --> 00:08:36.459
 but the life we believe we deserve.

00:08:37.959 --> 00:08:40.539
 And we engage in this pursuit all the time,

00:08:40.620 --> 00:08:42.879
 and it is never a pursuit that is satisfied,

00:08:43.360 --> 00:08:46.100
 because the issue is not with what we lack,

00:08:46.179 --> 00:08:46.840
 but ultimately,

00:08:47.379 --> 00:08:47.799
 who

00:08:47.799 --> 00:08:49.220
 we lack.

00:08:50.299 --> 00:08:51.220
 Okay, we are constantly,

00:08:52.059 --> 00:08:53.899
 if we're going to use this analogy of a desert,

00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:55.240
 we are constantly parched,

00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.939
 we are thirsty for the divine.

00:08:57.439 --> 00:09:00.199
 We want something that will satisfy us,

00:09:00.259 --> 00:09:01.139
 not just for a moment,

00:09:01.240 --> 00:09:01.799
 but forever.

00:09:02.759 --> 00:09:04.360
 So we look to things

00:09:04.360 --> 00:09:06.399
 that are temporal

00:09:06.399 --> 00:09:07.779
 and mortal,

00:09:08.819 --> 00:09:10.340
 and things that are here for a moment,

00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:11.159
 not for eternity,

00:09:11.319 --> 00:09:12.600
 to quench our eternal thirst.

00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:15.500
 And that is why money and experience

00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.759
 and people,

00:09:16.860 --> 00:09:19.179
 they cannot satisfy in an ultimate way.

00:09:19.240 --> 00:09:20.340
 For a moment, for sure.

00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:22.259
 I mean, just this week,

00:09:22.259 --> 00:09:23.519
 if you guys have followed the news,

00:09:23.899 --> 00:09:25.659
 the richest man in the world

00:09:25.659 --> 00:09:26.899
 became the richest,

00:09:27.079 --> 00:09:28.179
 richest man in the world.

00:09:28.600 --> 00:09:28.679
 Okay?

00:09:29.899 --> 00:09:31.399
 Elon Musk is now worth,

00:09:31.879 --> 00:09:32.199
 apparently,

00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:34.480
 over a trillion dollars.

00:09:35.259 --> 00:09:36.620
 But my guess is that,

00:09:36.840 --> 00:09:37.639
 give it a few years,

00:09:37.740 --> 00:09:38.759
 and a trillion dollars

00:09:38.759 --> 00:09:39.779
 will not be enough.

00:09:40.480 --> 00:09:42.559
 Not because Elon Musk is some monster,

00:09:43.199 --> 00:09:44.659
 but because he's a human being.

00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.620
 And temporal things,

00:09:46.899 --> 00:09:48.379
 even that kind of money,

00:09:48.460 --> 00:09:51.120
 which is almost impossible to grasp,

00:09:51.120 --> 00:09:52.360
 a trillion dollars.

00:09:53.899 --> 00:09:56.439
 It will never be enough.

00:09:57.240 --> 00:09:58.399
 It will never be enough.

00:09:59.000 --> 00:10:02.179
 The hunger will never be satisfied.

00:10:02.480 --> 00:10:04.259
 The thirst will never be quenched.

00:10:04.799 --> 00:10:06.579
 Because even a trillion dollars

00:10:06.579 --> 00:10:08.059
 could not last for eternity.

00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:14.019
 And this leads to the second brilliant way

00:10:14.019 --> 00:10:17.399
 that coveting is used by Paul.

00:10:17.939 --> 00:10:19.479
 Because it describes us,

00:10:19.659 --> 00:10:22.599
 not just as people who have sinned all the way down,

00:10:22.679 --> 00:10:24.459
 but people that are ultimately rebellious.

00:10:25.479 --> 00:10:26.119
 What do I mean?

00:10:27.379 --> 00:10:30.039
 To covet is to be discontent

00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:32.239
 with many of the things in our life

00:10:32.239 --> 00:10:33.419
 that we cannot change.

00:10:33.419 --> 00:10:35.959
 And to be envious about those

00:10:35.959 --> 00:10:38.599
 who have what we believe we deserve.

00:10:40.759 --> 00:10:41.199
 So,

00:10:41.559 --> 00:10:43.479
 sometimes this can result in different things.

00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:44.079
 It's not just,

00:10:44.379 --> 00:10:44.639
 you know,

00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:46.439
 envying the money that people have,

00:10:46.519 --> 00:10:47.679
 but how about the family

00:10:47.679 --> 00:10:49.219
 that they were born into

00:10:49.219 --> 00:10:50.079
 compared to the family

00:10:50.079 --> 00:10:51.039
 that I was born into?

00:10:51.699 --> 00:10:53.399
 The childhood that they had

00:10:53.399 --> 00:10:54.779
 that I should have had.

00:10:55.279 --> 00:10:56.679
 The financial decisions,

00:10:56.839 --> 00:10:57.399
 of course,

00:10:57.799 --> 00:10:58.599
 that I've made,

00:10:58.659 --> 00:10:59.959
 but maybe the financial decisions

00:10:59.959 --> 00:11:01.000
 that others have made

00:11:01.000 --> 00:11:02.000
 that affect me.

00:11:02.960 --> 00:11:04.139
 I should have that.

00:11:04.639 --> 00:11:05.279
 And all of a sudden,

00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.559
 envy starts to grow

00:11:06.559 --> 00:11:08.039
 and it touches on every aspect.

00:11:08.539 --> 00:11:10.059
 The children that they had,

00:11:10.820 --> 00:11:12.879
 whether it's because those children

00:11:12.879 --> 00:11:14.179
 are more well put together

00:11:14.179 --> 00:11:15.899
 or maybe because they had children

00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.539
 and we could not.

00:11:18.460 --> 00:11:19.419
 The careers,

00:11:19.840 --> 00:11:20.639
 or lack of them,

00:11:20.720 --> 00:11:20.919
 I mean,

00:11:20.980 --> 00:11:22.080
 the list can go on

00:11:22.080 --> 00:11:22.759
 and on

00:11:22.759 --> 00:11:23.440
 and on.

00:11:24.000 --> 00:11:25.240
 We are never content.

00:11:26.759 --> 00:11:27.440
 All of life

00:11:27.440 --> 00:11:28.159
 can be a source

00:11:28.159 --> 00:11:32.019
 to make our envious hearts

00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:34.639
 alive with even more envy

00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:36.539
 and growing in even more envy.

00:11:37.360 --> 00:11:38.419
 We covet the life

00:11:38.419 --> 00:11:39.360
 others have

00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:40.339
 that we do not have.

00:11:41.839 --> 00:11:43.559
 And it is this discontent

00:11:43.559 --> 00:11:44.319
 with our lot

00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:45.139
 which is ultimately

00:11:45.139 --> 00:11:46.019
 a discontent

00:11:46.019 --> 00:11:46.759
 for the sovereignty

00:11:46.759 --> 00:11:47.980
 of God

00:11:47.980 --> 00:11:48.899
 for he has created

00:11:48.899 --> 00:11:50.100
 and he has ordained

00:11:50.100 --> 00:11:50.860
 all things.

00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:52.459
 I mean,

00:11:52.559 --> 00:11:54.319
 we understand this one life

00:11:54.319 --> 00:11:54.939
 that we live

00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:56.840
 and we pine after

00:11:56.840 --> 00:12:01.340
 a possible alternate reality,

00:12:01.480 --> 00:12:02.460
 but maybe one or two.

00:12:03.200 --> 00:12:05.200
 God in his infinite wisdom

00:12:05.200 --> 00:12:06.300
 and knowledge,

00:12:06.720 --> 00:12:08.380
 he understands

00:12:08.380 --> 00:12:10.680
 the infinite possible realities

00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:11.780
 and yet has chosen

00:12:11.780 --> 00:12:13.080
 the one he has given to us.

00:12:13.240 --> 00:12:14.320
 And on one hand,

00:12:14.460 --> 00:12:16.120
 it seems potentially unfair,

00:12:16.220 --> 00:12:16.960
 but on the other hand,

00:12:17.000 --> 00:12:17.520
 we don't know

00:12:17.520 --> 00:12:18.460
 what those other lives

00:12:18.460 --> 00:12:18.960
 could have been.

00:12:19.840 --> 00:12:20.120
 Nevertheless,

00:12:20.420 --> 00:12:23.080
 God in his sovereign wisdom

00:12:23.080 --> 00:12:24.420
 has ordained the life

00:12:24.420 --> 00:12:25.220
 that we have.

00:12:26.280 --> 00:12:27.700
 So our discontent

00:12:27.700 --> 00:12:28.300
 ultimately

00:12:28.300 --> 00:12:29.120
 with the life

00:12:29.120 --> 00:12:29.600
 that we have

00:12:29.600 --> 00:12:30.820
 if we are discontented,

00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:31.700
 which I would

00:12:31.700 --> 00:12:33.360
 humbly suggest

00:12:33.360 --> 00:12:34.460
 that it is all of us

00:12:34.460 --> 00:12:35.100
 to one degree

00:12:35.100 --> 00:12:35.680
 or another,

00:12:37.200 --> 00:12:39.580
 it is ultimately

00:12:39.580 --> 00:12:40.440
 a problem with God.

00:12:42.200 --> 00:12:43.000
 And because

00:12:43.000 --> 00:12:43.820
 we have a problem

00:12:43.820 --> 00:12:44.800
 with God's sovereignty,

00:12:45.620 --> 00:12:47.200
 it is incumbent

00:12:47.200 --> 00:12:47.840
 upon us,

00:12:47.940 --> 00:12:48.200
 therefore,

00:12:48.420 --> 00:12:50.640
 to find another king,

00:12:51.220 --> 00:12:51.980
 to live

00:12:51.980 --> 00:12:52.820
 in another kingdom,

00:12:53.080 --> 00:12:54.040
 and often

00:12:54.040 --> 00:12:55.220
 we are the ones

00:12:55.220 --> 00:12:56.460
 that put on the crown

00:12:56.460 --> 00:12:57.080
 and build

00:12:57.080 --> 00:12:58.480
 a new castle

00:12:58.480 --> 00:12:59.780
 and a new throne

00:12:59.780 --> 00:13:00.840
 and we sit upon it.

00:13:02.020 --> 00:13:03.400
 And we fail to see

00:13:03.400 --> 00:13:05.060
 that God

00:13:05.060 --> 00:13:05.940
 isn't just

00:13:05.940 --> 00:13:07.020
 the king

00:13:07.020 --> 00:13:08.139
 of the universe,

00:13:08.460 --> 00:13:09.700
 but that there is

00:13:09.700 --> 00:13:10.520
 no other king

00:13:10.520 --> 00:13:11.540
 even remotely

00:13:11.540 --> 00:13:12.360
 greater than him.

00:13:12.720 --> 00:13:13.780
 If we put on the crown

00:13:13.780 --> 00:13:14.540
 and sit on the throne,

00:13:14.620 --> 00:13:15.259
 we will not do

00:13:15.259 --> 00:13:15.920
 a better job.

00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:17.879
 We will not get

00:13:17.879 --> 00:13:18.360
 what we want

00:13:18.360 --> 00:13:19.140
 because ultimately

00:13:19.140 --> 00:13:19.740
 what we want

00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:20.320
 is the king.

00:13:20.320 --> 00:13:22.220
 And the king

00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:23.620
 is God himself.

00:13:24.879 --> 00:13:25.260
 So therefore,

00:13:25.379 --> 00:13:26.560
 to be discontent

00:13:26.560 --> 00:13:27.879
 with our lot

00:13:27.879 --> 00:13:28.400
 in life,

00:13:28.480 --> 00:13:30.300
 to be truly envious,

00:13:30.500 --> 00:13:32.080
 to covet somebody else,

00:13:32.420 --> 00:13:33.060
 is to say

00:13:33.060 --> 00:13:34.180
 to the sovereign God,

00:13:34.580 --> 00:13:35.740
 to hell with you

00:13:35.740 --> 00:13:36.440
 and your kingdom

00:13:36.440 --> 00:13:37.680
 and your kingly rule,

00:13:38.020 --> 00:13:39.000
 I'm going to be king.

00:13:39.300 --> 00:13:40.280
 And it fails to see

00:13:40.280 --> 00:13:41.440
 that what he truly

00:13:41.440 --> 00:13:42.340
 gives to us

00:13:42.340 --> 00:13:43.460
 to satisfy us

00:13:43.460 --> 00:13:43.800
 is him.

00:13:45.020 --> 00:13:45.620
 That God's

00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.500
 the ultimate prize.

00:13:46.500 --> 00:13:47.679
 that everything

00:13:47.679 --> 00:13:48.679
 we have in this life,

00:13:48.759 --> 00:13:49.480
 as good as it is,

00:13:49.580 --> 00:13:50.419
 and it's good,

00:13:50.480 --> 00:13:50.940
 it's wonderful

00:13:50.940 --> 00:13:52.580
 to have finances

00:13:52.580 --> 00:13:53.960
 and material things

00:13:53.960 --> 00:13:55.080
 and to have rich relationships.

00:13:55.639 --> 00:13:56.500
 I don't want to

00:13:56.500 --> 00:13:57.220
 downplay that,

00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:57.919
 but ultimately

00:13:57.919 --> 00:13:58.700
 these things

00:13:58.700 --> 00:14:00.220
 will not follow us

00:14:00.220 --> 00:14:01.360
 into the life to come.

00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:02.779
 But God wants

00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.679
 to give us himself

00:14:03.679 --> 00:14:05.580
 who is the eternal one.

00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:07.700
 And he knows

00:14:07.700 --> 00:14:08.879
 that we long

00:14:08.879 --> 00:14:10.240
 to be deeply satisfied

00:14:10.240 --> 00:14:11.559
 and to have true joy

00:14:11.559 --> 00:14:13.500
 and ultimate rest.

00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:16.019
 Rest not just

00:14:16.019 --> 00:14:16.740
 for our bodies

00:14:16.740 --> 00:14:17.779
 but for our souls.

00:14:19.139 --> 00:14:19.939
 And he wants

00:14:19.939 --> 00:14:21.079
 to give us himself.

00:14:22.039 --> 00:14:22.480
 He knows

00:14:22.480 --> 00:14:23.039
 that it's only

00:14:23.039 --> 00:14:24.199
 he that can

00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:25.579
 satiate our hungers,

00:14:25.819 --> 00:14:27.000
 only he that

00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.519
 can quench our thirst,

00:14:28.620 --> 00:14:29.379
 only he that can

00:14:29.379 --> 00:14:30.159
 provide for all

00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:30.740
 of our needs.

00:14:31.439 --> 00:14:32.079
 He is the source

00:14:32.079 --> 00:14:32.519
 of life

00:14:32.519 --> 00:14:33.279
 and the wellspring

00:14:33.279 --> 00:14:34.299
 of our flourishing.

00:14:34.399 --> 00:14:35.340
 So the law shows us

00:14:35.340 --> 00:14:36.519
 that sin is

00:14:36.519 --> 00:14:37.360
 a pervasive

00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:38.679
 and rebellious state

00:14:38.679 --> 00:14:39.240
 that affects

00:14:39.240 --> 00:14:40.460
 everyone,

00:14:40.919 --> 00:14:41.679
 all of us.

00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:43.699
 But it does

00:14:43.699 --> 00:14:44.460
 more than simply

00:14:44.460 --> 00:14:45.960
 reveal what sin is.

00:14:46.019 --> 00:14:46.340
 The law,

00:14:46.720 --> 00:14:48.679
 it also provokes sin.

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:49.659
 And this can be

00:14:49.659 --> 00:14:50.579
 a bit of a

00:14:50.579 --> 00:14:51.679
 controversial thing,

00:14:51.779 --> 00:14:52.139
 potentially,

00:14:52.240 --> 00:14:53.439
 a potentially damning

00:14:53.439 --> 00:14:54.319
 indictment of the law.

00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:56.620
 So let's continue on.

00:14:56.699 --> 00:14:57.659
 Verse 8,

00:14:57.740 --> 00:14:58.220
 and this brings us

00:14:58.220 --> 00:14:59.059
 to our second point,

00:14:59.939 --> 00:15:00.919
 how the law

00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.079
 provokes sin.

00:15:02.919 --> 00:15:03.340
 Actually,

00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:03.819
 it'll be verses

00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:05.120
 8 and 9.

00:15:05.879 --> 00:15:06.519
 Let's read.

00:15:06.519 --> 00:15:08.799
 But sin,

00:15:09.199 --> 00:15:10.439
 seizing an opportunity

00:15:10.439 --> 00:15:11.379
 through the commandment

00:15:11.379 --> 00:15:12.179
 produced in me

00:15:12.179 --> 00:15:13.840
 all kinds of covetousness.

00:15:14.579 --> 00:15:15.539
 For apart from the law,

00:15:15.699 --> 00:15:16.519
 sin lies dead.

00:15:17.419 --> 00:15:18.840
 I was once alive

00:15:18.840 --> 00:15:19.740
 apart from the law.

00:15:20.419 --> 00:15:21.399
 But when the commandment

00:15:21.399 --> 00:15:22.159
 came,

00:15:22.740 --> 00:15:24.259
 sin came alive

00:15:24.259 --> 00:15:25.759
 and I died.

00:15:25.759 --> 00:15:28.120
 my kids

00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:29.639
 know and love

00:15:29.639 --> 00:15:30.139
 the fact that

00:15:30.139 --> 00:15:30.500
 I don't like

00:15:30.500 --> 00:15:31.000
 banana bread.

00:15:31.080 --> 00:15:31.580
 I might be the only

00:15:31.580 --> 00:15:32.779
 person in this room.

00:15:32.980 --> 00:15:33.600
 I don't like it.

00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:34.500
 Never have.

00:15:34.840 --> 00:15:35.960
 They try to trick me.

00:15:36.080 --> 00:15:37.100
 It's a big fun game.

00:15:37.639 --> 00:15:38.299
 And if they could

00:15:38.299 --> 00:15:39.419
 have a poker face,

00:15:39.620 --> 00:15:40.460
 maybe they'd trick me.

00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:40.919
 But they say,

00:15:41.039 --> 00:15:42.240
 we have a chocolate chip

00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.840
 muffin for you,

00:15:42.919 --> 00:15:43.100
 dad,

00:15:43.600 --> 00:15:44.480
 with a big grin.

00:15:44.919 --> 00:15:45.879
 And then I smell

00:15:45.879 --> 00:15:46.799
 the vile

00:15:46.799 --> 00:15:48.399
 cooked fruit.

00:15:48.399 --> 00:15:50.759
 and I am repelled

00:15:50.759 --> 00:15:51.539
 immediately.

00:15:52.419 --> 00:15:53.159
 And if I was

00:15:53.159 --> 00:15:53.899
 the tyrant

00:15:53.899 --> 00:15:54.959
 of the democratically,

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:57.039
 the democratic

00:15:57.039 --> 00:15:58.139
 republic of Avatan,

00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:00.439
 I would outlaw

00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:04.079
 this terrible thing.

00:16:04.360 --> 00:16:04.899
 And anybody

00:16:04.899 --> 00:16:05.659
 who mashed

00:16:05.659 --> 00:16:06.500
 a banana

00:16:06.500 --> 00:16:07.559
 into a batter,

00:16:07.980 --> 00:16:08.379
 I don't know,

00:16:08.480 --> 00:16:09.179
 they would be punished.

00:16:10.600 --> 00:16:12.139
 But what I would do

00:16:12.139 --> 00:16:13.000
 if I did that

00:16:13.000 --> 00:16:13.539
 stupid,

00:16:13.759 --> 00:16:14.000
 silly

00:16:14.000 --> 00:16:16.259
 analogy,

00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:18.340
 I would be taking

00:16:18.340 --> 00:16:18.780
 something that's

00:16:18.780 --> 00:16:19.480
 morally neutral

00:16:19.480 --> 00:16:20.800
 and somehow

00:16:20.800 --> 00:16:21.879
 making it morally

00:16:21.879 --> 00:16:22.720
 reprehensible.

00:16:22.860 --> 00:16:23.240
 There's nothing

00:16:23.240 --> 00:16:23.899
 wrong with bananas.

00:16:24.120 --> 00:16:24.300
 In fact,

00:16:24.340 --> 00:16:25.120
 I like eating a banana

00:16:25.120 --> 00:16:25.840
 if you just peel it.

00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:26.680
 If you do anything

00:16:26.680 --> 00:16:27.060
 else to it,

00:16:27.100 --> 00:16:27.500
 it's a problem.

00:16:28.100 --> 00:16:28.379
 Anyways,

00:16:28.460 --> 00:16:29.060
 I digress.

00:16:30.860 --> 00:16:31.139
 But,

00:16:31.340 --> 00:16:31.600
 you know,

00:16:31.740 --> 00:16:32.379
 reading verses

00:16:32.379 --> 00:16:33.200
 8 and 9

00:16:33.200 --> 00:16:33.960
 potentially,

00:16:34.200 --> 00:16:34.899
 potentially,

00:16:35.519 --> 00:16:37.160
 seems like the law

00:16:37.160 --> 00:16:39.000
 makes good actions

00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:40.060
 or maybe morally

00:16:40.060 --> 00:16:41.060
 neutral actions

00:16:41.060 --> 00:16:42.360
 bad actions.

00:16:42.460 --> 00:16:43.300
 Is that what's

00:16:43.300 --> 00:16:43.879
 happening here?

00:16:44.220 --> 00:16:45.519
 Is God a tyrant,

00:16:45.980 --> 00:16:46.519
 not of the

00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:47.560
 democratic

00:16:47.560 --> 00:16:48.200
 republic

00:16:48.200 --> 00:16:48.820
 of Avatah,

00:16:48.900 --> 00:16:49.259
 but of the

00:16:49.259 --> 00:16:50.000
 entire world?

00:16:50.100 --> 00:16:50.680
 And is he a

00:16:50.680 --> 00:16:51.720
 ruinous,

00:16:51.879 --> 00:16:52.500
 terrible tyrant?

00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.640
 Sometimes we can

00:16:54.640 --> 00:16:55.560
 understand God

00:16:55.560 --> 00:16:56.280
 as that,

00:16:56.420 --> 00:16:57.240
 that God's law

00:16:57.240 --> 00:16:58.680
 is the same

00:16:58.680 --> 00:16:59.280
 as my silly

00:16:59.280 --> 00:16:59.980
 illustration.

00:17:01.220 --> 00:17:01.980
 But there's a

00:17:01.980 --> 00:17:02.840
 serious problem

00:17:02.840 --> 00:17:03.379
 with this kind

00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:03.780
 of thinking

00:17:03.780 --> 00:17:05.440
 as it assumes

00:17:05.440 --> 00:17:06.580
 two very

00:17:06.580 --> 00:17:08.519
 problematic

00:17:08.519 --> 00:17:09.059
 things.

00:17:09.140 --> 00:17:09.620
 The first,

00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.700
 that we are

00:17:10.700 --> 00:17:12.259
 more morally

00:17:12.259 --> 00:17:13.120
 sound than we

00:17:13.120 --> 00:17:14.200
 think we are.

00:17:14.539 --> 00:17:15.299
 And the second

00:17:15.299 --> 00:17:15.980
 is that God

00:17:15.980 --> 00:17:17.220
 is morally

00:17:17.220 --> 00:17:17.799
 compromised

00:17:17.799 --> 00:17:19.839
 or that he

00:17:19.839 --> 00:17:21.339
 is morally

00:17:21.339 --> 00:17:22.099
 compromised

00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:23.319
 full stop.

00:17:23.799 --> 00:17:24.120
 So,

00:17:24.220 --> 00:17:24.640
 if we return

00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:24.980
 to verses

00:17:24.980 --> 00:17:25.839
 8 and 9,

00:17:26.220 --> 00:17:26.740
 those two

00:17:26.740 --> 00:17:27.200
 assumptions

00:17:27.200 --> 00:17:28.819
 are deeply

00:17:28.819 --> 00:17:29.620
 challenged by

00:17:29.620 --> 00:17:29.900
 Paul.

00:17:30.420 --> 00:17:30.940
 And we're

00:17:30.940 --> 00:17:31.440
 going to just

00:17:31.440 --> 00:17:32.019
 take some time

00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.640
 to go through

00:17:32.640 --> 00:17:33.019
 these two

00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.360
 assumptions.

00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:33.779
 The first,

00:17:33.880 --> 00:17:34.200
 of course,

00:17:34.799 --> 00:17:35.420
 that we are

00:17:35.420 --> 00:17:36.180
 more morally

00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:37.660
 compromised

00:17:37.660 --> 00:17:38.279
 than we'd like

00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.720
 to think,

00:17:39.360 --> 00:17:39.660
 and that,

00:17:40.000 --> 00:17:40.319
 or sorry,

00:17:40.420 --> 00:17:41.400
 we're not as

00:17:41.400 --> 00:17:42.680
 morally sound

00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.099
 as we'd like

00:17:43.099 --> 00:17:43.459
 to think,

00:17:43.500 --> 00:17:43.980
 and that God

00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:44.459
 is morally

00:17:44.459 --> 00:17:45.019
 compromised.

00:17:45.899 --> 00:17:46.079
 So,

00:17:46.139 --> 00:17:46.419
 the first

00:17:46.419 --> 00:17:46.799
 assumption.

00:17:47.699 --> 00:17:48.279
 Paul is saying

00:17:48.279 --> 00:17:48.819
 that the law

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.719
 does not make

00:17:49.719 --> 00:17:50.359
 us sin,

00:17:50.480 --> 00:17:50.879
 but rather

00:17:50.879 --> 00:17:52.419
 provokes sin

00:17:52.419 --> 00:17:54.099
 that's inherently

00:17:54.099 --> 00:17:55.039
 in us.

00:17:56.240 --> 00:17:57.059
 To be a man

00:17:57.059 --> 00:17:57.399
 or woman

00:17:57.399 --> 00:17:58.139
 is to be born

00:17:58.139 --> 00:17:59.059
 with a propensity

00:17:59.059 --> 00:17:59.659
 to sin.

00:18:00.480 --> 00:18:00.599
 So,

00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:01.339
 sin may lie

00:18:01.339 --> 00:18:01.919
 dormant,

00:18:02.059 --> 00:18:02.759
 but it is

00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.579
 certainly not

00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:05.299
 non-existent.

00:18:06.599 --> 00:18:07.000
 Given the

00:18:07.000 --> 00:18:07.480
 opportunity,

00:18:07.679 --> 00:18:08.259
 we will seek

00:18:08.259 --> 00:18:09.019
 to transgress

00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:09.740
 God's law

00:18:09.740 --> 00:18:10.500
 because we are

00:18:10.500 --> 00:18:11.299
 self-serving

00:18:11.299 --> 00:18:11.779
 creatures.

00:18:11.779 --> 00:18:13.859
 That is why

00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:14.759
 selfishness is

00:18:14.759 --> 00:18:15.680
 always easier

00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:16.599
 than sacrifice.

00:18:16.819 --> 00:18:17.619
 Indulgence is

00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:18.399
 always easier

00:18:18.399 --> 00:18:19.079
 than denial.

00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:21.940
 But it's more

00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.319
 than just

00:18:22.319 --> 00:18:22.960
 selfishness.

00:18:23.399 --> 00:18:24.740
 It's a self-elevation,

00:18:24.879 --> 00:18:25.339
 and I alluded

00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:25.940
 to this in the

00:18:25.940 --> 00:18:26.619
 last point of

00:18:26.619 --> 00:18:27.660
 us elevating

00:18:27.660 --> 00:18:28.359
 ourselves to

00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:29.299
 this new

00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.319
 cosmic throne,

00:18:30.619 --> 00:18:31.160
 but it's a

00:18:31.160 --> 00:18:32.019
 self-elevation

00:18:32.019 --> 00:18:33.099
 that causes

00:18:33.099 --> 00:18:33.819
 us to sin.

00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.160
 We are

00:18:35.160 --> 00:18:35.920
 rebellious at

00:18:35.920 --> 00:18:36.119
 heart.

00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:36.779
 We desire

00:18:36.779 --> 00:18:37.680
 to sin

00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.519
 for its own

00:18:38.519 --> 00:18:38.940
 sake.

00:18:39.759 --> 00:18:40.259
 There's a

00:18:40.259 --> 00:18:40.559
 wonderful

00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.240
 illustration

00:18:41.240 --> 00:18:42.000
 in St.

00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.579
 Augustine's

00:18:42.579 --> 00:18:43.900
 Confessions

00:18:43.900 --> 00:18:44.279
 where he

00:18:44.279 --> 00:18:44.799
 describes

00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:45.660
 just this.

00:18:46.319 --> 00:18:46.700
 It's an

00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.539
 instance as

00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.359
 a young

00:18:48.359 --> 00:18:49.039
 lad with

00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.339
 a bunch

00:18:49.339 --> 00:18:49.640
 of other

00:18:49.640 --> 00:18:50.240
 young boys,

00:18:50.799 --> 00:18:51.339
 and they

00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:51.920
 steal from

00:18:51.920 --> 00:18:52.500
 a pear

00:18:52.500 --> 00:18:52.700
 tree.

00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.220
 I'll read

00:18:53.220 --> 00:18:54.140
 the quote

00:18:54.140 --> 00:18:55.880
 verbatim,

00:18:56.220 --> 00:18:57.039
 and hopefully

00:18:57.039 --> 00:18:57.759
 you can pick

00:18:57.759 --> 00:18:58.019
 up what

00:18:58.019 --> 00:18:58.559
 Augustine is

00:18:58.559 --> 00:18:59.079
 saying and

00:18:59.079 --> 00:18:59.559
 see how

00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:00.140
 it rings

00:19:00.140 --> 00:19:00.440
 true.

00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:01.099
 This is

00:19:01.099 --> 00:19:01.299
 what he

00:19:01.299 --> 00:19:01.480
 says,

00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:01.720
 quote,

00:19:01.720 --> 00:19:03.259
 there was

00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:03.600
 a pear

00:19:03.600 --> 00:19:04.180
 tree close

00:19:04.180 --> 00:19:04.480
 to our

00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:04.819
 vineyard,

00:19:05.519 --> 00:19:05.799
 heavily

00:19:05.799 --> 00:19:06.220
 laden

00:19:06.220 --> 00:19:06.700
 with fruit,

00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:07.680
 which was

00:19:07.680 --> 00:19:08.220
 tempting

00:19:08.220 --> 00:19:08.880
 neither for

00:19:08.880 --> 00:19:09.400
 its color

00:19:09.400 --> 00:19:09.960
 nor its

00:19:09.960 --> 00:19:10.299
 flavor.

00:19:11.140 --> 00:19:11.620
 To shake

00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:12.039
 and rob

00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.319
 this,

00:19:12.440 --> 00:19:12.740
 some of

00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.480
 us wanton

00:19:13.480 --> 00:19:14.180
 young fellows

00:19:14.180 --> 00:19:15.019
 went late

00:19:15.019 --> 00:19:15.519
 one night

00:19:15.519 --> 00:19:16.539
 and carried

00:19:16.539 --> 00:19:17.140
 away great

00:19:17.140 --> 00:19:17.579
 loads,

00:19:17.680 --> 00:19:18.220
 not to eat

00:19:18.220 --> 00:19:18.660
 ourselves,

00:19:18.839 --> 00:19:19.160
 but the

00:19:19.160 --> 00:19:19.720
 fling to

00:19:19.720 --> 00:19:20.019
 the very

00:19:20.019 --> 00:19:20.600
 swine,

00:19:21.160 --> 00:19:21.640
 having only

00:19:21.640 --> 00:19:22.200
 eaten some

00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:22.500
 of them,

00:19:22.539 --> 00:19:23.019
 and to do

00:19:23.019 --> 00:19:24.140
 this pleased

00:19:24.140 --> 00:19:24.740
 us all the

00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.259
 more because

00:19:25.259 --> 00:19:25.860
 it was not

00:19:25.860 --> 00:19:26.259
 permitted.

00:19:26.259 --> 00:19:27.920
 Those pears

00:19:27.920 --> 00:19:28.539
 truly were

00:19:28.539 --> 00:19:29.079
 pleasant to

00:19:29.079 --> 00:19:29.519
 the sight,

00:19:29.900 --> 00:19:30.680
 but it was

00:19:30.680 --> 00:19:31.539
 not for them

00:19:31.539 --> 00:19:31.960
 that my

00:19:31.960 --> 00:19:32.720
 miserable soul

00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:33.140
 lusted,

00:19:33.859 --> 00:19:34.500
 for I had

00:19:34.500 --> 00:19:35.400
 abundance of

00:19:35.400 --> 00:19:35.660
 better,

00:19:36.539 --> 00:19:37.160
 but those I

00:19:37.160 --> 00:19:37.819
 plucked simply

00:19:37.819 --> 00:19:38.460
 that I might

00:19:38.460 --> 00:19:38.879
 steal,

00:19:39.779 --> 00:19:40.420
 for having

00:19:40.420 --> 00:19:40.900
 plucked them

00:19:40.900 --> 00:19:41.319
 I threw

00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.740
 them away,

00:19:42.400 --> 00:19:43.000
 my sole

00:19:43.000 --> 00:19:43.859
 gratification

00:19:43.859 --> 00:19:44.700
 in them

00:19:44.700 --> 00:19:45.519
 being my

00:19:45.519 --> 00:19:46.180
 own sin,

00:19:46.559 --> 00:19:47.180
 which I was

00:19:47.180 --> 00:19:48.000
 pleased to

00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.460
 enjoy.

00:19:49.259 --> 00:19:49.480
 See,

00:19:49.579 --> 00:19:50.220
 what St.

00:19:50.259 --> 00:19:50.720
 Augustine is

00:19:50.720 --> 00:19:51.440
 describing here

00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:51.879
 is that the

00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.640
 sinful human

00:19:52.640 --> 00:19:53.920
 heart is so

00:19:53.920 --> 00:19:54.799
 perverse and

00:19:54.799 --> 00:19:55.539
 so rebellious

00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:56.180
 towards God

00:19:56.180 --> 00:19:56.580
 that it

00:19:56.580 --> 00:19:57.240
 commits

00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:57.980
 lawlessness

00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.060
 simply because

00:19:59.060 --> 00:19:59.900
 it is forbidden.

00:20:01.460 --> 00:20:02.400
 There's a joy

00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.120
 in wrongdoing,

00:20:03.799 --> 00:20:04.799
 the excitement,

00:20:05.000 --> 00:20:05.420
 the thrill,

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.140
 the adrenaline

00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:07.299
 of engaging

00:20:07.299 --> 00:20:08.060
 in something

00:20:08.060 --> 00:20:08.600
 that you know

00:20:08.600 --> 00:20:09.140
 is wrong

00:20:09.140 --> 00:20:10.080
 for the first

00:20:10.080 --> 00:20:10.519
 time,

00:20:11.620 --> 00:20:12.200
 and maybe

00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.560
 you could get

00:20:12.560 --> 00:20:12.820
 caught,

00:20:12.880 --> 00:20:13.120
 but I'm

00:20:13.120 --> 00:20:13.420
 going to get

00:20:13.420 --> 00:20:13.860
 away with

00:20:13.860 --> 00:20:14.140
 this.

00:20:14.779 --> 00:20:15.240
 God help

00:20:15.240 --> 00:20:15.420
 me.

00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:20.019
 It is an

00:20:20.019 --> 00:20:20.779
 excitement in

00:20:20.779 --> 00:20:21.240
 the forbidden,

00:20:21.799 --> 00:20:22.519
 a curiosity

00:20:22.519 --> 00:20:23.220
 that is not

00:20:23.220 --> 00:20:23.680
 the type of

00:20:23.680 --> 00:20:24.519
 curiosity that

00:20:24.519 --> 00:20:25.060
 leads to

00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.240
 virtue,

00:20:26.480 --> 00:20:26.839
 but a

00:20:26.839 --> 00:20:27.740
 curiosity that

00:20:27.740 --> 00:20:28.480
 is excited

00:20:28.480 --> 00:20:29.679
 to explore

00:20:29.679 --> 00:20:30.119
 vice.

00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:31.639
 It's the

00:20:31.639 --> 00:20:32.559
 very thing

00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.599
 that enlivens

00:20:33.599 --> 00:20:34.480
 the sin

00:20:34.480 --> 00:20:35.240
 that lives

00:20:35.240 --> 00:20:36.259
 and resides

00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.899
 within us.

00:20:37.460 --> 00:20:38.279
 So you see,

00:20:38.399 --> 00:20:38.799
 it is not the

00:20:38.799 --> 00:20:39.799
 law that plants

00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:40.619
 sin in our

00:20:40.619 --> 00:20:41.980
 hearts by

00:20:41.980 --> 00:20:42.579
 giving us a

00:20:42.579 --> 00:20:43.779
 command and

00:20:43.779 --> 00:20:44.519
 taking something

00:20:44.519 --> 00:20:45.500
 morally neutral

00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:46.279
 or even

00:20:46.279 --> 00:20:46.960
 something morally

00:20:46.960 --> 00:20:47.519
 good and

00:20:47.519 --> 00:20:48.359
 making it bad.

00:20:48.740 --> 00:20:49.259
 Rather,

00:20:49.399 --> 00:20:50.319
 it awakens the

00:20:50.319 --> 00:20:51.119
 sin that was

00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:52.500
 until then

00:20:52.500 --> 00:20:53.159
 dormant within

00:20:53.159 --> 00:20:53.500
 us.

00:20:54.379 --> 00:20:54.699
 This is

00:20:54.699 --> 00:20:55.359
 ultimately an

00:20:55.359 --> 00:20:56.079
 act of God's

00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.439
 kindness,

00:20:56.619 --> 00:20:56.759
 though,

00:20:56.799 --> 00:20:57.279
 and love,

00:20:57.559 --> 00:20:58.299
 which helps

00:20:58.299 --> 00:20:58.759
 us push

00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.459
 back against

00:20:59.459 --> 00:20:59.959
 the second

00:20:59.959 --> 00:21:00.559
 assumption that

00:21:00.559 --> 00:21:01.039
 God is

00:21:01.039 --> 00:21:01.419
 morally

00:21:01.419 --> 00:21:02.000
 compromised.

00:21:03.899 --> 00:21:04.859
 And to

00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:05.459
 that point,

00:21:05.719 --> 00:21:06.299
 we'll say

00:21:06.299 --> 00:21:06.519
 this,

00:21:06.579 --> 00:21:06.979
 the law is

00:21:06.979 --> 00:21:07.459
 not some

00:21:07.459 --> 00:21:07.719
 kind of

00:21:07.719 --> 00:21:08.099
 arbitrary

00:21:08.099 --> 00:21:09.219
 thing that

00:21:09.219 --> 00:21:09.819
 God has

00:21:09.819 --> 00:21:11.559
 just deemed

00:21:11.559 --> 00:21:12.259
 to be so,

00:21:12.559 --> 00:21:13.379
 as if God

00:21:13.379 --> 00:21:14.119
 made up a

00:21:14.119 --> 00:21:14.759
 long list of

00:21:14.759 --> 00:21:15.099
 do's and

00:21:15.099 --> 00:21:15.539
 don'ts just

00:21:15.539 --> 00:21:16.019
 to mess

00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.500
 with us.

00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:17.519
 He's some

00:21:17.519 --> 00:21:18.500
 mean kid

00:21:18.500 --> 00:21:19.380
 with the

00:21:19.380 --> 00:21:20.000
 magnifying

00:21:20.000 --> 00:21:20.599
 glass just

00:21:20.599 --> 00:21:21.200
 zapping

00:21:21.200 --> 00:21:22.299
 ants on

00:21:22.299 --> 00:21:22.859
 a sidewalk.

00:21:24.059 --> 00:21:24.460
 The law

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.019
 is God's

00:21:25.019 --> 00:21:25.940
 will revealed.

00:21:26.160 --> 00:21:26.420
 It is an

00:21:26.420 --> 00:21:27.079
 expression of

00:21:27.079 --> 00:21:27.559
 his goodness

00:21:27.559 --> 00:21:28.359
 and love.

00:21:28.720 --> 00:21:29.319
 It is given

00:21:29.319 --> 00:21:29.940
 to us for

00:21:29.940 --> 00:21:30.559
 our benefit,

00:21:31.500 --> 00:21:32.279
 and not

00:21:32.279 --> 00:21:32.599
 just our

00:21:32.599 --> 00:21:32.859
 benefit,

00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:33.240
 but our

00:21:33.240 --> 00:21:34.039
 ultimate joy.

00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.480
 It helps

00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:35.980
 us to see

00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.660
 who he is.

00:21:37.019 --> 00:21:37.420
 It helps

00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:37.960
 restrain

00:21:37.960 --> 00:21:38.380
 evil.

00:21:38.839 --> 00:21:39.460
 It helps

00:21:39.460 --> 00:21:40.759
 lead us

00:21:40.759 --> 00:21:41.279
 to him.

00:21:41.920 --> 00:21:42.339
 And therefore,

00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:42.880
 if sin

00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.380
 takes the

00:21:43.380 --> 00:21:43.759
 law and

00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.180
 seeks to

00:21:44.180 --> 00:21:44.980
 contradict it

00:21:44.980 --> 00:21:45.920
 for no other

00:21:45.920 --> 00:21:46.539
 reason than

00:21:46.539 --> 00:21:47.019
 to be in

00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.640
 contravention

00:21:47.640 --> 00:21:48.259
 of God's

00:21:48.259 --> 00:21:48.579
 law,

00:21:49.720 --> 00:21:50.099
 then the

00:21:50.099 --> 00:21:50.720
 law does

00:21:50.720 --> 00:21:51.619
 precisely one

00:21:51.619 --> 00:21:51.859
 of its

00:21:51.859 --> 00:21:52.259
 functions.

00:21:53.279 --> 00:21:53.720
 Namely,

00:21:53.839 --> 00:21:54.480
 it provokes

00:21:54.480 --> 00:21:55.420
 sin so that

00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:55.920
 it can be

00:21:55.920 --> 00:21:57.039
 seen for

00:21:57.039 --> 00:21:57.440
 what it

00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.379
 truly is.

00:21:58.519 --> 00:21:58.660
 Now,

00:21:58.960 --> 00:21:59.839
 consider this,

00:22:00.220 --> 00:22:00.480
 okay?

00:22:03.640 --> 00:22:04.279
 Christine and

00:22:04.279 --> 00:22:04.559
 I, we

00:22:04.559 --> 00:22:05.259
 moved to

00:22:05.259 --> 00:22:05.960
 Stitzville

00:22:05.960 --> 00:22:08.000
 six years

00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:08.420
 ago this

00:22:08.420 --> 00:22:08.640
 summer,

00:22:08.839 --> 00:22:09.160
 I think.

00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.099
 Six years

00:22:10.099 --> 00:22:10.420
 ago this

00:22:10.420 --> 00:22:10.599
 summer.

00:22:11.299 --> 00:22:11.980
 But we

00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.559
 began the

00:22:12.559 --> 00:22:12.980
 house search

00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.819
 seven years

00:22:13.819 --> 00:22:13.940
 ago.

00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.119
 It took

00:22:14.119 --> 00:22:14.759
 us a year

00:22:14.759 --> 00:22:15.119
 to find

00:22:15.119 --> 00:22:17.200
 the place.

00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:17.860
 There's

00:22:17.860 --> 00:22:18.100
 like a

00:22:18.100 --> 00:22:18.500
 little break

00:22:18.500 --> 00:22:18.880
 in between.

00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:19.220
 But one

00:22:19.220 --> 00:22:19.380
 of the

00:22:19.380 --> 00:22:19.799
 houses we

00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.500
 saw initially,

00:22:20.620 --> 00:22:20.960
 it looked

00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.660
 really nice

00:22:21.660 --> 00:22:21.880
 on the

00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:22.220
 outside.

00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.340
 It worked.

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:23.779
 It was a

00:22:23.779 --> 00:22:24.240
 great lot.

00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.120
 We wanted

00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:25.620
 to go through

00:22:25.620 --> 00:22:25.819
 with it.

00:22:25.860 --> 00:22:26.180
 This is

00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:27.279
 before things

00:22:27.279 --> 00:22:27.779
 were crazy

00:22:27.779 --> 00:22:28.200
 and you put

00:22:28.200 --> 00:22:28.700
 a bid on

00:22:28.700 --> 00:22:29.220
 something you

00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:29.920
 saw for five

00:22:29.920 --> 00:22:30.480
 minutes and

00:22:30.480 --> 00:22:31.200
 no home

00:22:31.200 --> 00:22:31.559
 inspection.

00:22:31.720 --> 00:22:31.900
 So we

00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:32.120
 wanted to

00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:32.380
 get a home

00:22:32.380 --> 00:22:32.740
 inspection.

00:22:32.819 --> 00:22:33.019
 The house

00:22:33.019 --> 00:22:33.400
 looked great.

00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.259
 The home

00:22:34.259 --> 00:22:35.039
 inspector came

00:22:35.039 --> 00:22:35.299
 in.

00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:35.840
 We paid,

00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:36.019
 I don't

00:22:36.019 --> 00:22:36.120
 know,

00:22:36.180 --> 00:22:36.319
 three,

00:22:36.420 --> 00:22:36.640
 four hundred

00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:36.900
 bucks,

00:22:37.000 --> 00:22:37.340
 something like

00:22:37.340 --> 00:22:37.640
 that.

00:22:37.640 --> 00:22:39.180
 And he

00:22:39.180 --> 00:22:39.500
 came with

00:22:39.500 --> 00:22:39.920
 a long

00:22:39.920 --> 00:22:40.400
 list of

00:22:40.400 --> 00:22:40.960
 stuff.

00:22:41.160 --> 00:22:41.400
 Listen,

00:22:41.840 --> 00:22:42.140
 you don't

00:22:42.140 --> 00:22:42.320
 want to

00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:42.600
 buy this

00:22:42.600 --> 00:22:42.840
 house.

00:22:42.960 --> 00:22:43.120
 You're

00:22:43.120 --> 00:22:43.200
 going to

00:22:43.200 --> 00:22:43.420
 have to

00:22:43.420 --> 00:22:44.000
 sink in

00:22:44.000 --> 00:22:45.100
 tens of

00:22:45.100 --> 00:22:45.500
 thousands

00:22:45.500 --> 00:22:46.020
 of dollars

00:22:46.020 --> 00:22:46.440
 that's not

00:22:46.440 --> 00:22:46.759
 worth it.

00:22:46.800 --> 00:22:47.080
 And even

00:22:47.080 --> 00:22:47.440
 then,

00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:48.060
 you don't

00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:48.420
 know what

00:22:48.420 --> 00:22:48.600
 you're going

00:22:48.600 --> 00:22:49.000
 to find

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.259
 if you

00:22:49.259 --> 00:22:49.640
 open up

00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:49.960
 this.

00:22:50.060 --> 00:22:50.560
 And there

00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.120
 might be

00:22:51.120 --> 00:22:51.940
 mold here.

00:22:52.140 --> 00:22:52.980
 And the list

00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.700
 went on

00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.300
 and on

00:22:54.300 --> 00:22:54.820
 and on.

00:22:55.860 --> 00:22:56.560
 The law

00:22:56.560 --> 00:22:57.100
 acts

00:22:57.100 --> 00:22:57.640
 kind of like

00:22:57.640 --> 00:22:57.880
 a home

00:22:57.880 --> 00:22:58.320
 inspector.

00:22:59.060 --> 00:22:59.640
 What it

00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.340
 does is it

00:23:00.340 --> 00:23:01.100
 reveals,

00:23:01.320 --> 00:23:02.120
 it provokes

00:23:02.120 --> 00:23:03.460
 what is lying

00:23:03.460 --> 00:23:04.220
 underneath the

00:23:04.220 --> 00:23:04.860
 surface so that

00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.460
 we can see

00:23:05.460 --> 00:23:05.900
 it for what

00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.380
 it is.

00:23:06.380 --> 00:23:08.100
 the home

00:23:08.100 --> 00:23:08.740
 inspector is

00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.380
 not the

00:23:09.380 --> 00:23:10.080
 one who

00:23:10.080 --> 00:23:11.660
 somehow

00:23:11.660 --> 00:23:12.980
 created mold

00:23:12.980 --> 00:23:13.940
 in joists

00:23:13.940 --> 00:23:15.120
 or underneath

00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:15.920
 floorboards.

00:23:16.020 --> 00:23:16.240
 It's not

00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.100
 like the

00:23:17.100 --> 00:23:17.700
 inspector,

00:23:17.940 --> 00:23:18.960
 he pulled

00:23:18.960 --> 00:23:19.300
 up some

00:23:19.300 --> 00:23:19.920
 pipe and

00:23:19.920 --> 00:23:21.080
 looked around

00:23:21.080 --> 00:23:22.000
 and changed

00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:22.480
 it to lead

00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:23.800
 just to

00:23:23.800 --> 00:23:24.880
 bother us.

00:23:25.020 --> 00:23:25.720
 He just

00:23:25.720 --> 00:23:26.820
 simply revealed

00:23:26.820 --> 00:23:27.200
 what was

00:23:27.200 --> 00:23:27.740
 already there.

00:23:27.820 --> 00:23:28.180
 This is what

00:23:28.180 --> 00:23:28.880
 the law does.

00:23:29.100 --> 00:23:29.500
 It's one of

00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:29.860
 the functions

00:23:29.860 --> 00:23:30.340
 of the law.

00:23:30.740 --> 00:23:31.180
 It's actually

00:23:31.180 --> 00:23:31.940
 a huge,

00:23:32.500 --> 00:23:32.780
 wonderful

00:23:32.780 --> 00:23:33.480
 blessing for

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.720
 it provokes

00:23:34.720 --> 00:23:35.940
 what is already

00:23:35.940 --> 00:23:36.260
 there.

00:23:36.380 --> 00:23:36.700
 So that we

00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.260
 can see it

00:23:37.260 --> 00:23:37.540
 for what

00:23:37.540 --> 00:23:37.940
 it is.

00:23:38.700 --> 00:23:39.460
 This rebellion,

00:23:39.660 --> 00:23:40.180
 this sin

00:23:40.180 --> 00:23:42.020
 in our

00:23:42.020 --> 00:23:42.360
 hearts,

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:43.020
 it goes all

00:23:43.020 --> 00:23:43.240
 the way

00:23:43.240 --> 00:23:43.620
 down.

00:23:43.840 --> 00:23:44.720
 It is a

00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.380
 complete affront

00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:45.900
 to God's

00:23:45.900 --> 00:23:46.360
 law and

00:23:46.360 --> 00:23:46.960
 God's ways

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:47.260
 and who

00:23:47.260 --> 00:23:47.840
 he is.

00:23:48.760 --> 00:23:49.120
 So then

00:23:49.120 --> 00:23:49.920
 ultimately

00:23:49.920 --> 00:23:51.080
 this provocation

00:23:51.080 --> 00:23:51.780
 of the law

00:23:51.780 --> 00:23:53.040
 or provocation

00:23:53.040 --> 00:23:53.460
 of sin

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.060
 by the law

00:23:54.060 --> 00:23:54.420
 rather,

00:23:54.940 --> 00:23:55.660
 to what end

00:23:55.660 --> 00:23:56.080
 is it?

00:23:56.380 --> 00:23:56.840
 So that we

00:23:56.840 --> 00:23:57.600
 might see sin

00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:58.020
 for what it

00:23:58.020 --> 00:23:58.720
 is and that

00:23:58.720 --> 00:23:59.320
 sin will be

00:23:59.320 --> 00:23:59.880
 condemned

00:23:59.880 --> 00:24:00.980
 in us.

00:24:01.420 --> 00:24:01.660
 And this

00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.160
 leads us to

00:24:02.160 --> 00:24:02.800
 our third

00:24:02.800 --> 00:24:03.580
 and final point

00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.860
 verses 10

00:24:04.860 --> 00:24:05.760
 and 11.

00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:08.079
 read with me

00:24:08.079 --> 00:24:08.559
 verses 10

00:24:08.559 --> 00:24:08.960
 and 11.

00:24:10.960 --> 00:24:11.660
 The very

00:24:11.660 --> 00:24:12.180
 commandment

00:24:12.180 --> 00:24:12.779
 that promised

00:24:12.779 --> 00:24:14.279
 life proved

00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:14.859
 to be

00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.440
 death to

00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:15.619
 me.

00:24:16.400 --> 00:24:17.099
 For sin

00:24:17.099 --> 00:24:17.640
 seizing an

00:24:17.640 --> 00:24:18.180
 opportunity

00:24:18.180 --> 00:24:18.980
 through the

00:24:18.980 --> 00:24:19.460
 commandment

00:24:19.460 --> 00:24:20.220
 deceived me

00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:21.160
 and through

00:24:21.160 --> 00:24:21.920
 it killed

00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.259
 me.

00:24:23.000 --> 00:24:23.460
 It seems

00:24:23.460 --> 00:24:24.099
 actually like

00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.720
 Paul was

00:24:24.720 --> 00:24:25.000
 living a

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.460
 great life

00:24:25.460 --> 00:24:26.420
 and then

00:24:26.420 --> 00:24:26.900
 the law

00:24:26.900 --> 00:24:27.579
 came and

00:24:27.579 --> 00:24:27.840
 it did

00:24:27.840 --> 00:24:28.299
 exactly

00:24:28.299 --> 00:24:30.620
 what some

00:24:30.620 --> 00:24:30.900
 of these

00:24:30.900 --> 00:24:31.500
 detractors

00:24:31.500 --> 00:24:32.079
 of Paul

00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.860
 insinuated.

00:24:33.000 --> 00:24:33.299
 That sin

00:24:33.299 --> 00:24:33.660
 is actually

00:24:33.660 --> 00:24:34.039
 the cause

00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.319
 of death.

00:24:34.420 --> 00:24:34.759
 Sin is the

00:24:34.759 --> 00:24:35.100
 cause of

00:24:35.100 --> 00:24:35.360
 sin.

00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.799
 The law

00:24:36.799 --> 00:24:37.039
 is the

00:24:37.039 --> 00:24:37.420
 cause of

00:24:37.420 --> 00:24:37.660
 sin.

00:24:37.779 --> 00:24:38.140
 The law

00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:38.400
 is the

00:24:38.400 --> 00:24:38.660
 cause

00:24:38.660 --> 00:24:39.620
 of death.

00:24:40.340 --> 00:24:41.100
 But not

00:24:41.100 --> 00:24:42.019
 so.

00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:43.200
 See,

00:24:43.279 --> 00:24:43.700
 sin is

00:24:43.700 --> 00:24:44.120
 revealed

00:24:44.120 --> 00:24:44.900
 and provoked

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:47.000
 by the law

00:24:47.000 --> 00:24:48.019
 so that it

00:24:48.019 --> 00:24:48.799
 can ultimately

00:24:48.799 --> 00:24:49.740
 be condemned.

00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.279
 Sin is shown

00:24:51.279 --> 00:24:51.860
 to be utterly

00:24:51.860 --> 00:24:52.539
 deceptive.

00:24:53.200 --> 00:24:53.680
 Sin always

00:24:53.680 --> 00:24:54.440
 promises the

00:24:54.440 --> 00:24:54.920
 very thing

00:24:54.920 --> 00:24:55.620
 we desire

00:24:55.620 --> 00:24:58.620
 even more

00:24:58.620 --> 00:24:58.920
 than we

00:24:58.920 --> 00:24:59.380
 could hope

00:24:59.380 --> 00:25:00.080
 yet it

00:25:00.080 --> 00:25:01.060
 never gives

00:25:01.060 --> 00:25:01.400
 what it

00:25:01.400 --> 00:25:01.779
 promises.

00:25:03.100 --> 00:25:03.620
 It promises

00:25:03.620 --> 00:25:04.160
 life.

00:25:04.960 --> 00:25:05.440
 It promises

00:25:05.440 --> 00:25:06.460
 a deep

00:25:06.460 --> 00:25:07.060
 heart

00:25:07.060 --> 00:25:07.840
 satisfaction

00:25:07.840 --> 00:25:08.799
 and contentment

00:25:08.799 --> 00:25:09.900
 if only we

00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:10.640
 have, if only

00:25:10.640 --> 00:25:11.320
 we achieve,

00:25:11.600 --> 00:25:12.160
 if only we

00:25:12.160 --> 00:25:12.740
 enjoy.

00:25:13.560 --> 00:25:14.299
 But instead

00:25:14.299 --> 00:25:15.500
 it encourages

00:25:15.500 --> 00:25:16.480
 us to pursue

00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.539
 selfish aims,

00:25:17.720 --> 00:25:18.720
 to hold on

00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.200
 to bitterness,

00:25:20.320 --> 00:25:20.920
 to envy,

00:25:21.700 --> 00:25:22.220
 to give

00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:23.200
 into fear

00:25:23.200 --> 00:25:23.580
 and to

00:25:23.580 --> 00:25:24.080
 anger

00:25:24.080 --> 00:25:25.600
 and discontent.

00:25:26.220 --> 00:25:26.460
 I mean,

00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:28.200
 the very idea

00:25:28.200 --> 00:25:28.960
 that we can

00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:30.059
 live our

00:25:30.059 --> 00:25:30.759
 way and to

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.140
 hell with

00:25:31.140 --> 00:25:31.960
 anybody else

00:25:31.960 --> 00:25:32.400
 that pushes

00:25:32.400 --> 00:25:33.039
 back against

00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.360
 us,

00:25:33.900 --> 00:25:34.460
 this is a

00:25:34.460 --> 00:25:35.180
 recipe not

00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:35.580
 for a

00:25:35.580 --> 00:25:36.000
 flourishing

00:25:36.000 --> 00:25:36.400
 life,

00:25:37.160 --> 00:25:37.720
 but a

00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.180
 life that

00:25:38.180 --> 00:25:38.500
 is going

00:25:38.500 --> 00:25:39.720
 to be

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.400
 riddled,

00:25:40.680 --> 00:25:41.140
 riddled

00:25:41.140 --> 00:25:41.700
 with broken

00:25:41.700 --> 00:25:42.340
 relationships

00:25:42.340 --> 00:25:42.960
 and hard

00:25:42.960 --> 00:25:43.580
 heartedness,

00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:45.380
 an inability

00:25:45.380 --> 00:25:47.960
 to reconcile.

00:25:48.240 --> 00:25:48.880
 I met up

00:25:48.880 --> 00:25:49.340
 with somebody,

00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.180
 a parishioner

00:25:50.180 --> 00:25:50.620
 this week,

00:25:51.140 --> 00:25:51.720
 and just

00:25:51.720 --> 00:25:52.580
 briefly talked

00:25:52.580 --> 00:25:53.759
 about how

00:25:53.759 --> 00:25:56.360
 Christians have

00:25:56.360 --> 00:25:57.039
 a superpower

00:25:57.039 --> 00:25:58.400
 and we don't

00:25:58.400 --> 00:25:59.019
 use it too

00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.360
 often,

00:26:00.180 --> 00:26:01.620
 but it is

00:26:01.620 --> 00:26:02.940
 to apologize

00:26:02.940 --> 00:26:05.519
 without reservation.

00:26:06.519 --> 00:26:06.860
 A very

00:26:06.860 --> 00:26:07.640
 powerful thing.

00:26:08.600 --> 00:26:09.120
 We don't often

00:26:09.120 --> 00:26:09.440
 do it.

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.200
 Oftentimes if we

00:26:10.200 --> 00:26:10.640
 apologize,

00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:11.820
 I'll speak for

00:26:11.820 --> 00:26:12.100
 myself,

00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:13.039
 oftentimes when I

00:26:13.039 --> 00:26:13.440
 apologize,

00:26:13.620 --> 00:26:14.380
 it's because I'm

00:26:14.380 --> 00:26:15.700
 tired or it's

00:26:15.700 --> 00:26:16.259
 because I was

00:26:16.259 --> 00:26:17.299
 stressed out or I

00:26:17.299 --> 00:26:18.560
 got kind of high

00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.440
 strung with this

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:19.899
 or that,

00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.000
 there's always a

00:26:21.000 --> 00:26:22.200
 reason behind it

00:26:22.200 --> 00:26:22.980
 kind of excusing,

00:26:23.159 --> 00:26:23.879
 but you know,

00:26:23.919 --> 00:26:24.659
 something about

00:26:24.659 --> 00:26:27.000
 knowing the

00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.579
 forgiveness of

00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:28.500
 God allows us

00:26:28.500 --> 00:26:29.319
 to say I'm

00:26:29.319 --> 00:26:29.759
 sorry,

00:26:29.960 --> 00:26:30.579
 but also on the

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:31.119
 flip side,

00:26:31.579 --> 00:26:34.419
 to receive an

00:26:34.419 --> 00:26:35.099
 apology and to

00:26:35.099 --> 00:26:35.879
 extend forgiveness.

00:26:37.559 --> 00:26:37.679
 Okay?

00:26:39.679 --> 00:26:40.839
 Sin promises

00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:42.399
 that we don't have

00:26:42.399 --> 00:26:43.139
 to deal with any

00:26:43.139 --> 00:26:43.399
 of that,

00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.019
 we can live our

00:26:44.019 --> 00:26:44.799
 own life,

00:26:45.159 --> 00:26:45.720
 and it seems

00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.539
 very wonderful,

00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:47.639
 and it seems

00:26:47.639 --> 00:26:48.039
 like there's

00:26:48.039 --> 00:26:48.480
 something so

00:26:48.480 --> 00:26:49.559
 satisfying about

00:26:49.559 --> 00:26:50.259
 holding on to

00:26:50.259 --> 00:26:50.680
 bitterness.

00:26:51.779 --> 00:26:51.920
 Okay?

00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.619
 And what that

00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.220
 does is it

00:26:54.220 --> 00:26:54.740
 does not make

00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.720
 us happy people.

00:26:56.019 --> 00:26:56.740
 It doesn't make

00:26:56.740 --> 00:26:57.619
 us joyful people

00:26:57.619 --> 00:26:58.399
 or kind people.

00:26:59.399 --> 00:27:00.579
 It twists us

00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.220
 up inside.

00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.839
 Sin promises,

00:27:05.139 --> 00:27:05.259
 no,

00:27:05.299 --> 00:27:05.399
 no,

00:27:05.399 --> 00:27:05.500
 no,

00:27:05.500 --> 00:27:05.599
 no,

00:27:05.599 --> 00:27:05.619
 no,

00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:05.700
 no,

00:27:05.700 --> 00:27:05.720
 no,

00:27:05.720 --> 00:27:06.299
 no,

00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.299
 put up

00:27:07.299 --> 00:27:08.539
 boundaries against

00:27:08.539 --> 00:27:09.700
 everybody who

00:27:09.700 --> 00:27:11.519
 bothers you.

00:27:11.839 --> 00:27:12.200
 And listen,

00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.920
 boundaries are

00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.839
 important in

00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:15.099
 specific situations,

00:27:15.200 --> 00:27:15.379
 okay?

00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.299
 So I don't want

00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:16.879
 to be misunderstood,

00:27:16.880 --> 00:27:18.460
 but oftentimes

00:27:18.460 --> 00:27:19.120
 we just say,

00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.300
 no,

00:27:19.340 --> 00:27:19.400
 no,

00:27:19.400 --> 00:27:19.480
 no,

00:27:19.480 --> 00:27:19.500
 no,

00:27:19.560 --> 00:27:20.780
 I'm boundaries.

00:27:21.460 --> 00:27:21.560
 Okay?

00:27:21.560 --> 00:27:22.060
 But really it's

00:27:22.060 --> 00:27:22.420
 just saying,

00:27:22.520 --> 00:27:22.740
 I don't want

00:27:22.740 --> 00:27:23.360
 to deal with you.

00:27:25.060 --> 00:27:25.780
 You end up

00:27:25.780 --> 00:27:27.060
 isolating yourself.

00:27:27.320 --> 00:27:28.140
 You end up

00:27:28.140 --> 00:27:29.180
 becoming a bitter

00:27:29.180 --> 00:27:29.800
 person,

00:27:29.980 --> 00:27:31.300
 and the promise

00:27:31.300 --> 00:27:31.820
 of sin

00:27:31.820 --> 00:27:33.380
 falls utterly

00:27:33.380 --> 00:27:34.140
 short.

00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.840
 It's not a recipe

00:27:35.840 --> 00:27:36.660
 for the good life,

00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:37.220
 a life that

00:27:37.220 --> 00:27:38.680
 flourishes with joy

00:27:38.680 --> 00:27:39.280
 and is free

00:27:39.280 --> 00:27:39.900
 from internal

00:27:39.900 --> 00:27:40.320
 strife.

00:27:40.440 --> 00:27:42.020
 It's the opposite.

00:27:43.140 --> 00:27:43.380
 Okay?

00:27:43.380 --> 00:27:44.000
 It's the opposite.

00:27:44.000 --> 00:27:45.960
 So what does

00:27:45.960 --> 00:27:46.480
 the law do?

00:27:46.980 --> 00:27:48.079
 The law condemns

00:27:48.079 --> 00:27:49.839
 sin in us,

00:27:49.900 --> 00:27:50.079
 okay?

00:27:50.119 --> 00:27:50.980
 It reveals sin,

00:27:51.039 --> 00:27:51.720
 it provokes sin,

00:27:51.779 --> 00:27:52.099
 but then it

00:27:52.099 --> 00:27:53.359
 condemns sin.

00:27:53.720 --> 00:27:54.180
 How?

00:27:54.319 --> 00:27:54.859
 By calling

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.799
 sin's bluff.

00:27:57.619 --> 00:27:58.400
 If selfish

00:27:58.400 --> 00:27:59.259
 and self-serving

00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:00.079
 living is the

00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:01.019
 recipe for success,

00:28:01.599 --> 00:28:02.200
 let's see it.

00:28:02.599 --> 00:28:03.099
 Let's see the

00:28:03.099 --> 00:28:04.140
 fruit of the way

00:28:04.140 --> 00:28:04.480
 you're going to

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:04.960
 live sin,

00:28:05.640 --> 00:28:05.859
 right?

00:28:06.380 --> 00:28:06.819
 If you're going

00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:07.480
 to engage in

00:28:07.480 --> 00:28:08.099
 sinful behavior,

00:28:08.180 --> 00:28:08.720
 let's see the

00:28:08.720 --> 00:28:09.240
 fruit of it.

00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:10.880
 And sin,

00:28:11.019 --> 00:28:11.859
 what it'll do,

00:28:11.980 --> 00:28:13.019
 it'll always take

00:28:13.019 --> 00:28:13.639
 what is good

00:28:13.639 --> 00:28:14.240
 and holy

00:28:14.240 --> 00:28:14.819
 and twist

00:28:14.819 --> 00:28:15.660
 and malign it,

00:28:16.200 --> 00:28:17.139
 failing to embrace

00:28:17.139 --> 00:28:18.039
 goodness,

00:28:18.339 --> 00:28:18.559
 life,

00:28:18.660 --> 00:28:19.039
 and light,

00:28:19.160 --> 00:28:19.759
 but rather

00:28:19.759 --> 00:28:21.019
 living in evil

00:28:21.019 --> 00:28:21.700
 and death

00:28:21.700 --> 00:28:22.559
 and darkness.

00:28:22.680 --> 00:28:22.920
 I mean,

00:28:23.059 --> 00:28:23.579
 consider what

00:28:23.579 --> 00:28:23.980
 Paul is saying

00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.119
 here.

00:28:24.180 --> 00:28:25.019
 The very commandment

00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:25.900
 that promised life

00:28:25.900 --> 00:28:26.759
 proved to be death

00:28:26.759 --> 00:28:27.160
 to me,

00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:29.240
 for sin's seizing

00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:29.839
 opportunity,

00:28:30.180 --> 00:28:30.960
 through the commandment

00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:31.700
 deceived me,

00:28:32.059 --> 00:28:32.519
 and through it

00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.000
 killed me.

00:28:33.839 --> 00:28:34.619
 What Paul is saying

00:28:34.619 --> 00:28:36.940
 really briefly

00:28:36.940 --> 00:28:37.579
 is that

00:28:37.579 --> 00:28:38.960
 sin says,

00:28:39.039 --> 00:28:39.139
 listen,

00:28:39.220 --> 00:28:39.900
 you don't have to

00:28:39.900 --> 00:28:40.460
 follow the law.

00:28:40.660 --> 00:28:40.980
 You will live

00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.620
 a better life,

00:28:42.160 --> 00:28:42.920
 but the law

00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.420
 is there,

00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:44.059
 and we are

00:28:44.059 --> 00:28:44.460
 condemned,

00:28:44.700 --> 00:28:45.259
 and we see

00:28:45.259 --> 00:28:45.839
 that sin

00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.440
 is utterly

00:28:46.440 --> 00:28:46.940
 sinful.

00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:47.860
 It can give

00:28:47.860 --> 00:28:48.339
 us nothing

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.019
 that we want,

00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:49.920
 and we are

00:28:49.920 --> 00:28:51.019
 seen to be

00:28:51.019 --> 00:28:51.640
 what we truly

00:28:51.640 --> 00:28:52.059
 are,

00:28:52.559 --> 00:28:53.519
 people that

00:28:53.519 --> 00:28:53.960
 are dead

00:28:53.960 --> 00:28:54.500
 in our

00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:55.099
 trespasses.

00:28:57.400 --> 00:28:58.180
 The very

00:28:58.180 --> 00:28:58.759
 commandment

00:28:58.759 --> 00:29:00.220
 that was given

00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:01.220
 to show God's

00:29:01.220 --> 00:29:01.740
 character and

00:29:01.740 --> 00:29:02.240
 lead us to

00:29:02.240 --> 00:29:02.819
 life instead

00:29:02.819 --> 00:29:04.559
 brought death

00:29:04.559 --> 00:29:05.420
 upon us

00:29:05.420 --> 00:29:05.960
 because our

00:29:05.960 --> 00:29:08.319
 sinful flesh

00:29:08.319 --> 00:29:09.279
 took advantage

00:29:09.279 --> 00:29:09.680
 of this

00:29:09.680 --> 00:29:10.139
 opportunity

00:29:10.139 --> 00:29:10.759
 to be

00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.200
 content

00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.779
 with God's

00:29:11.779 --> 00:29:12.079
 goodness

00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:13.559
 and instead

00:29:13.559 --> 00:29:14.000
 rebelled

00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:14.559
 against his

00:29:14.559 --> 00:29:15.500
 good and

00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.139
 loving rule.

00:29:17.379 --> 00:29:17.859
 We're

00:29:17.859 --> 00:29:18.220
 condemned.

00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.799
 The decision

00:29:19.799 --> 00:29:20.980
 is death

00:29:20.980 --> 00:29:21.680
 and it is

00:29:21.680 --> 00:29:22.059
 final.

00:29:23.740 --> 00:29:24.399
 But you see,

00:29:24.500 --> 00:29:24.839
 unlike our

00:29:24.839 --> 00:29:25.539
 common law

00:29:25.539 --> 00:29:26.319
 here in Canada,

00:29:26.460 --> 00:29:27.079
 the law of God

00:29:27.079 --> 00:29:27.579
 doesn't merely

00:29:27.579 --> 00:29:28.200
 seek to,

00:29:28.599 --> 00:29:28.759
 again,

00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.420
 limit vice,

00:29:29.539 --> 00:29:30.359
 but it compels

00:29:30.359 --> 00:29:31.359
 virtue,

00:29:31.799 --> 00:29:32.279
 and a virtue

00:29:32.279 --> 00:29:33.440
 we cannot achieve

00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:34.399
 yet we desperately

00:29:34.399 --> 00:29:36.079
 need for true

00:29:36.079 --> 00:29:36.839
 joy and deep

00:29:36.839 --> 00:29:37.379
 satisfaction.

00:29:37.380 --> 00:29:37.860
 So there's

00:29:37.860 --> 00:29:39.260
 this teaching

00:29:39.260 --> 00:29:39.700
 around the

00:29:39.700 --> 00:29:40.340
 Ten Commandments

00:29:40.340 --> 00:29:40.680
 that they're

00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:41.180
 just not

00:29:41.180 --> 00:29:42.800
 simply prohibitions

00:29:42.800 --> 00:29:43.320
 but whatever

00:29:43.320 --> 00:29:45.400
 they prohibit,

00:29:45.700 --> 00:29:46.600
 it's also the

00:29:46.600 --> 00:29:47.280
 opposite is

00:29:47.280 --> 00:29:47.660
 commanded.

00:29:47.820 --> 00:29:48.400
 So for instance,

00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.620
 Jesus,

00:29:49.880 --> 00:29:51.260
 he talks about

00:29:51.260 --> 00:29:52.520
 murder and

00:29:52.520 --> 00:29:52.900
 how murder

00:29:52.900 --> 00:29:53.460
 isn't just

00:29:53.460 --> 00:29:54.940
 not stabbing

00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:55.380
 somebody,

00:29:55.860 --> 00:29:56.480
 shooting somebody,

00:29:56.600 --> 00:29:57.260
 killing somebody,

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.480
 but it's actually

00:29:58.480 --> 00:29:59.600
 working towards

00:29:59.600 --> 00:30:01.640
 their goodness,

00:30:01.980 --> 00:30:02.820
 their prosperity.

00:30:03.340 --> 00:30:03.720
 It's about

00:30:03.720 --> 00:30:04.420
 helping them to

00:30:04.420 --> 00:30:05.860
 live into

00:30:05.859 --> 00:30:07.159
 joy and

00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:07.659
 life as

00:30:07.659 --> 00:30:08.019
 much as

00:30:08.019 --> 00:30:08.979
 you are

00:30:08.979 --> 00:30:09.500
 able to.

00:30:10.259 --> 00:30:11.599
 In the

00:30:11.599 --> 00:30:12.179
 same way,

00:30:12.639 --> 00:30:14.039
 the prohibition

00:30:14.039 --> 00:30:14.939
 against stealing

00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:16.379
 isn't just

00:30:16.379 --> 00:30:17.259
 to not take

00:30:17.259 --> 00:30:18.099
 what is not

00:30:18.099 --> 00:30:18.419
 yours,

00:30:18.539 --> 00:30:19.519
 but is to

00:30:19.519 --> 00:30:20.139
 be generous

00:30:20.139 --> 00:30:20.699
 with what

00:30:20.699 --> 00:30:21.119
 you have.

00:30:21.639 --> 00:30:21.979
 And same

00:30:21.979 --> 00:30:22.819
 with coveting,

00:30:22.879 --> 00:30:23.259
 it is not

00:30:23.259 --> 00:30:24.319
 just to not

00:30:24.319 --> 00:30:25.039
 envy somebody,

00:30:25.139 --> 00:30:25.559
 but to

00:30:25.559 --> 00:30:26.479
 rejoice in

00:30:26.479 --> 00:30:26.879
 the victory

00:30:26.879 --> 00:30:27.259
 of other

00:30:27.259 --> 00:30:27.579
 people.

00:30:28.479 --> 00:30:28.659
 And yet

00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:29.219
 those virtues

00:30:29.219 --> 00:30:31.559
 are sorely,

00:30:31.679 --> 00:30:32.319
 sorely needed,

00:30:32.500 --> 00:30:32.919
 but almost

00:30:32.919 --> 00:30:33.500
 impossible,

00:30:33.599 --> 00:30:33.959
 if not

00:30:33.959 --> 00:30:34.359
 completely

00:30:34.359 --> 00:30:34.859
 impossible,

00:30:34.859 --> 00:30:35.459
 to achieve.

00:30:35.859 --> 00:30:39.240
 Jesus sums

00:30:39.240 --> 00:30:39.839
 up the law

00:30:39.839 --> 00:30:40.359
 with the

00:30:40.359 --> 00:30:41.319
 command to

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.559
 love.

00:30:42.399 --> 00:30:42.959
 We read it

00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:43.359
 this morning,

00:30:43.459 --> 00:30:43.979
 to love God

00:30:43.979 --> 00:30:44.399
 with all our

00:30:44.399 --> 00:30:45.240
 heart, soul,

00:30:45.399 --> 00:30:45.779
 mind, and

00:30:45.779 --> 00:30:46.059
 strength,

00:30:46.139 --> 00:30:46.539
 to love our

00:30:46.539 --> 00:30:47.799
 neighbor as

00:30:47.799 --> 00:30:48.279
 ourselves.

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.379
 So you see

00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:50.619
 that the law

00:30:50.619 --> 00:30:51.159
 of God is

00:30:51.159 --> 00:30:51.819
 far more than

00:30:51.819 --> 00:30:52.159
 just a

00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:52.719
 prohibition

00:30:52.719 --> 00:30:53.399
 against harm,

00:30:53.479 --> 00:30:53.679
 but a

00:30:53.679 --> 00:30:54.119
 command to

00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:54.500
 bless,

00:30:54.859 --> 00:30:55.379
 a command to

00:30:55.379 --> 00:30:55.740
 give,

00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:56.399
 a command to

00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:56.939
 share and

00:30:56.939 --> 00:30:57.399
 lay down our

00:30:57.399 --> 00:30:58.479
 lives for

00:30:58.479 --> 00:30:59.019
 the sake of

00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.559
 God and for

00:30:59.559 --> 00:31:00.319
 those around

00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:00.719
 us.

00:31:01.719 --> 00:31:02.059
 And yet

00:31:02.059 --> 00:31:02.779
 we have seen

00:31:02.779 --> 00:31:03.359
 that this is

00:31:03.359 --> 00:31:04.659
 an impossibility

00:31:04.660 --> 00:31:06.759
 okay?

00:31:06.920 --> 00:31:07.279
 It's like

00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:08.120
 we see

00:31:08.120 --> 00:31:10.580
 the prize,

00:31:10.700 --> 00:31:11.000
 but we can

00:31:11.000 --> 00:31:12.080
 never touch

00:31:12.080 --> 00:31:12.220
 it.

00:31:12.279 --> 00:31:12.620
 We can see

00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:13.040
 the finish

00:31:13.040 --> 00:31:13.300
 line,

00:31:13.360 --> 00:31:13.580
 we can

00:31:13.580 --> 00:31:13.940
 never get

00:31:13.940 --> 00:31:14.259
 there.

00:31:15.259 --> 00:31:15.620
 But what

00:31:15.620 --> 00:31:16.220
 if the law,

00:31:17.040 --> 00:31:17.800
 by revealing,

00:31:18.220 --> 00:31:18.640
 provoking,

00:31:18.800 --> 00:31:19.340
 and condemning

00:31:19.340 --> 00:31:19.680
 sin,

00:31:20.340 --> 00:31:21.200
 was also a

00:31:21.200 --> 00:31:22.040
 guide pointing

00:31:22.040 --> 00:31:22.560
 us to the

00:31:22.560 --> 00:31:23.000
 one who

00:31:23.000 --> 00:31:24.360
 has kept

00:31:24.360 --> 00:31:25.340
 the law

00:31:25.340 --> 00:31:25.980
 and fulfilled

00:31:25.980 --> 00:31:26.480
 the law

00:31:26.480 --> 00:31:27.240
 and all its

00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:27.779
 requirements,

00:31:28.259 --> 00:31:29.060
 the one who

00:31:29.060 --> 00:31:29.820
 lived without

00:31:29.820 --> 00:31:30.300
 vice,

00:31:30.779 --> 00:31:31.120
 the one who

00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.759
 lived perfectly

00:31:32.759 --> 00:31:33.480
 virtuously,

00:31:34.180 --> 00:31:34.460
 and who

00:31:34.460 --> 00:31:35.039
 didn't just

00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.799
 expose and

00:31:35.799 --> 00:31:36.379
 provoke and

00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.099
 condemn sin,

00:31:37.460 --> 00:31:38.240
 but actually

00:31:38.240 --> 00:31:39.279
 defeated sin

00:31:39.279 --> 00:31:39.720
 once and

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.119
 for all?

00:31:41.319 --> 00:31:41.740
 And what if

00:31:41.740 --> 00:31:42.480
 that one offers

00:31:42.480 --> 00:31:43.240
 to pay our

00:31:43.240 --> 00:31:44.200
 just penalty

00:31:44.200 --> 00:31:45.519
 for the sins

00:31:45.519 --> 00:31:45.819
 we have

00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:46.180
 committed,

00:31:46.839 --> 00:31:47.319
 for the

00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:47.920
 bitterness that

00:31:47.920 --> 00:31:48.480
 we hold,

00:31:49.180 --> 00:31:49.839
 for the envy,

00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.720
 for the anger,

00:31:51.299 --> 00:31:52.119
 for the angst,

00:31:53.039 --> 00:31:53.559
 and not just

00:31:53.559 --> 00:31:54.440
 pay our penalty,

00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.160
 but give us a

00:31:55.160 --> 00:31:55.779
 new heart,

00:31:56.759 --> 00:31:57.220
 and give us

00:31:57.220 --> 00:31:58.039
 his Holy Spirit

00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:58.720
 so that we can

00:31:58.720 --> 00:31:59.160
 begin,

00:31:59.319 --> 00:31:59.839
 by his help,

00:32:00.379 --> 00:32:01.160
 walking in

00:32:01.160 --> 00:32:02.440
 this virtuous

00:32:02.440 --> 00:32:02.880
 life,

00:32:03.400 --> 00:32:03.900
 the life that

00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:04.480
 promises,

00:32:05.480 --> 00:32:06.019
 okay,

00:32:06.200 --> 00:32:07.800
 promises joy

00:32:07.800 --> 00:32:08.580
 and satisfaction,

00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.360
 but will deliver

00:32:09.360 --> 00:32:09.980
 it as well.

00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.500
 This is the

00:32:13.500 --> 00:32:13.800
 gospel.

00:32:14.700 --> 00:32:15.460
 This is the

00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.080
 gospel of

00:32:16.080 --> 00:32:16.460
 Christ.

00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:18.940
 This is the

00:32:18.940 --> 00:32:19.820
 good news

00:32:19.820 --> 00:32:20.700
 that the law,

00:32:21.060 --> 00:32:21.460
 although it

00:32:21.460 --> 00:32:22.100
 condemns us,

00:32:22.140 --> 00:32:22.900
 it points us

00:32:22.900 --> 00:32:23.660
 to the one

00:32:23.660 --> 00:32:25.580
 who fulfilled

00:32:25.580 --> 00:32:26.000
 the law,

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:28.380
 the one that

00:32:28.380 --> 00:32:29.080
 gave us grace

00:32:29.080 --> 00:32:29.680
 because of

00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:29.980
 love.

00:32:31.160 --> 00:32:31.759
 So Christianity

00:32:31.759 --> 00:32:32.759
 ultimately is not

00:32:32.759 --> 00:32:33.360
 primarily a

00:32:33.360 --> 00:32:33.759
 faith of

00:32:33.759 --> 00:32:34.240
 ethics,

00:32:34.240 --> 00:32:35.980
 so that the

00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.580
 more we do,

00:32:36.660 --> 00:32:37.340
 the higher we

00:32:37.340 --> 00:32:38.300
 achieve,

00:32:38.600 --> 00:32:39.880
 the greater

00:32:39.880 --> 00:32:40.840
 place in

00:32:40.840 --> 00:32:41.340
 heaven we

00:32:41.340 --> 00:32:42.880
 will enjoy

00:32:42.880 --> 00:32:43.160
 in the

00:32:43.160 --> 00:32:43.519
 afterlife.

00:32:43.680 --> 00:32:43.840
 No,

00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.560
 it's rather

00:32:44.560 --> 00:32:45.700
 a faith

00:32:45.700 --> 00:32:46.700
 that knows

00:32:46.700 --> 00:32:47.380
 how dark

00:32:47.380 --> 00:32:48.220
 our souls

00:32:48.220 --> 00:32:49.180
 truly are

00:32:49.180 --> 00:32:50.740
 and doesn't

00:32:50.740 --> 00:32:51.580
 ultimately leave

00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:51.980
 us without

00:32:51.980 --> 00:32:52.360
 hope,

00:32:52.420 --> 00:32:53.300
 but rather

00:32:53.300 --> 00:32:54.259
 offers us

00:32:54.259 --> 00:32:54.880
 the only

00:32:54.880 --> 00:32:55.279
 way,

00:32:55.580 --> 00:32:55.840
 in fact,

00:32:55.900 --> 00:32:56.279
 the only

00:32:56.279 --> 00:32:58.360
 one that

00:32:58.360 --> 00:32:58.880
 can free

00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.380
 us from

00:32:59.380 --> 00:32:59.880
 our sinful

00:32:59.880 --> 00:33:00.700
 selves and

00:33:00.700 --> 00:33:02.580
 free us

00:33:02.580 --> 00:33:03.140
 for deep

00:33:03.140 --> 00:33:03.600
 loving

00:33:03.600 --> 00:33:04.420
 satisfaction,

00:33:04.880 --> 00:33:05.860
 knowing God's

00:33:05.860 --> 00:33:06.260
 love for

00:33:06.260 --> 00:33:06.640
 eternity.

00:33:08.900 --> 00:33:10.040
 In the

00:33:10.040 --> 00:33:10.280
 same

00:33:10.280 --> 00:33:10.720
 confession,

00:33:10.900 --> 00:33:11.040
 St.

00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.460
 Augustine

00:33:11.460 --> 00:33:12.860
 opens with

00:33:12.860 --> 00:33:13.200
 this,

00:33:14.360 --> 00:33:14.640
 you have

00:33:14.640 --> 00:33:15.060
 made us

00:33:15.060 --> 00:33:15.640
 for yourself,

00:33:15.740 --> 00:33:16.100
 O Lord,

00:33:16.820 --> 00:33:17.320
 and our

00:33:17.320 --> 00:33:18.720
 hearts are

00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:19.640
 restless until

00:33:19.640 --> 00:33:20.440
 they find

00:33:20.440 --> 00:33:21.200
 their rest

00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:21.860
 in you.

00:33:21.859 --> 00:33:21.899
 sin.

00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:24.219
 So,

00:33:24.319 --> 00:33:24.719
 the question

00:33:24.719 --> 00:33:25.059
 that the

00:33:25.059 --> 00:33:26.000
 apostle asks

00:33:26.000 --> 00:33:28.979
 in verse

00:33:28.979 --> 00:33:29.259
 7,

00:33:29.339 --> 00:33:29.699
 what then

00:33:29.699 --> 00:33:30.119
 shall we

00:33:30.119 --> 00:33:30.419
 say?

00:33:30.599 --> 00:33:30.979
 That the

00:33:30.979 --> 00:33:31.399
 law is

00:33:31.399 --> 00:33:31.639
 sin?

00:33:32.719 --> 00:33:33.159
 Well,

00:33:33.399 --> 00:33:33.939
 he answers

00:33:33.939 --> 00:33:34.459
 the question

00:33:34.459 --> 00:33:34.979
 by the time

00:33:34.979 --> 00:33:35.319
 we get to

00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:37.139
 verse 12,

00:33:37.179 --> 00:33:37.539
 and this is

00:33:37.539 --> 00:33:37.799
 what he

00:33:37.799 --> 00:33:38.099
 says.

00:33:38.359 --> 00:33:38.519
 So,

00:33:38.599 --> 00:33:38.899
 the law

00:33:38.899 --> 00:33:39.419
 is holy,

00:33:39.839 --> 00:33:40.439
 the commandment

00:33:40.439 --> 00:33:41.219
 is holy and

00:33:41.219 --> 00:33:41.719
 righteous and

00:33:41.719 --> 00:33:41.839
 good.

00:33:41.939 --> 00:33:42.199
 Why?

00:33:42.619 --> 00:33:43.079
 Because it

00:33:43.079 --> 00:33:43.679
 leads us to

00:33:43.679 --> 00:33:44.399
 the one that

00:33:44.399 --> 00:33:45.179
 gives us rest

00:33:45.179 --> 00:33:45.559
 for our

00:33:45.559 --> 00:33:45.859
 souls.

00:33:47.099 --> 00:33:47.539
 So,

00:33:47.639 --> 00:33:47.899
 friends,

00:33:48.299 --> 00:33:48.859
 let us find

00:33:48.859 --> 00:33:49.399
 our rest in

00:33:49.400 --> 00:33:49.720
 Christ,

00:33:50.480 --> 00:33:51.440
 not in the

00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:51.960
 things that

00:33:51.960 --> 00:33:52.580
 sin promises,

00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:53.340
 but in the

00:33:53.340 --> 00:33:53.920
 one who

00:33:53.920 --> 00:33:54.759
 conquered sin

00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:55.300
 itself.