WEBVTT 00:00:00.800 --> 00:00:01.780 Good morning, church. 00:00:03.700 --> 00:00:06.280 This morning we're going to be looking at Genesis chapter 4. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:09.759 That's page 3 in the Pew Bible, if you want to turn there. 00:00:13.220 --> 00:00:18.179 We'll be walking through this chapter of Genesis together as we continue our series in these 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:20.420 opening chapters of the Bible. 00:00:21.539 --> 00:00:25.199 As we turn to Genesis chapter 4, let me pray for us. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:37.000 Oh, Father, what a prayer we have just sung, that you would be our vision, our wisdom, 00:00:37.880 --> 00:00:44.700 our shield, the heart of our heart, our true riches. 00:00:47.359 --> 00:00:52.320 God, we confess that we're often very far from that, and yet thank you that in your mercy 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:58.120 and in your grace, you continue to draw near to us and speak to us through your word so 00:00:58.119 --> 00:01:05.060 that we might really know you and be captivated by who you are once again as we were created 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:05.480 to be. 00:01:06.599 --> 00:01:08.420 So, Lord, help us now as we come to your word. 00:01:09.079 --> 00:01:10.159 Give us ears to hear. 00:01:10.620 --> 00:01:14.079 Give us hearts to receive what it is your spirit is saying to us, your church, now. 00:01:14.959 --> 00:01:16.179 We ask this in Jesus' name. 00:01:16.340 --> 00:01:16.539 Amen. 00:01:18.759 --> 00:01:19.719 Genesis chapter 4. 00:01:20.539 --> 00:01:21.459 Let me read this for us. 00:01:21.459 --> 00:01:29.119 Now Adam knew Eve, his wife, and she conceived and bore Cain, saying, I have gotten a man with 00:01:29.119 --> 00:01:29.939 the help of the Lord. 00:01:30.639 --> 00:01:32.939 And again, she bore his brother Abel. 00:01:33.519 --> 00:01:36.839 Now Abel was a keeper of sheep and Cain a worker of the ground. 00:01:37.639 --> 00:01:42.079 In the course of time, Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground. 00:01:42.619 --> 00:01:47.319 And Abel also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of their fat portions. 00:01:47.319 --> 00:01:54.139 And the Lord had regard for Abel and his offering, but for Cain and his offering, he had no regard. 00:01:54.879 --> 00:01:57.619 So Cain was very angry and his face fell. 00:01:58.939 --> 00:02:01.559 The Lord said to Cain, why are you angry? 00:02:01.939 --> 00:02:03.259 And why has your face fallen? 00:02:04.119 --> 00:02:06.179 If you do well, will you not be accepted? 00:02:07.179 --> 00:02:10.819 And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. 00:02:11.900 --> 00:02:16.859 Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it. 00:02:17.319 --> 00:02:20.780 Cain spoke to Abel, his brother. 00:02:21.799 --> 00:02:26.479 And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against his brother Abel and killed him. 00:02:27.579 --> 00:02:30.239 Then the Lord said to Cain, where is Abel your brother? 00:02:30.759 --> 00:02:32.759 He said, I do not know. 00:02:33.019 --> 00:02:34.280 Am I my brother's keeper? 00:02:35.079 --> 00:02:37.539 And the Lord said, what have you done? 00:02:38.079 --> 00:02:41.900 The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground. 00:02:41.900 --> 00:02:50.300 And now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother's blood from your hand. 00:02:50.960 --> 00:02:54.240 When you work the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength. 00:02:54.759 --> 00:02:57.180 You shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth. 00:02:57.180 --> 00:03:02.460 Cain said to the Lord, my punishment is greater than I can bear. 00:03:03.140 --> 00:03:06.980 Behold, you have driven me today away from the ground, and from your face I shall be hidden. 00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.219 I shall be a fugitive and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me. 00:03:12.319 --> 00:03:14.180 The Lord said to him, not so. 00:03:14.879 --> 00:03:18.640 If anyone kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. 00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:23.500 And the Lord put a mark on Cain, lest any who found him should attack him. 00:03:24.959 --> 00:03:30.339 Then Cain went away from the presence of the Lord and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. 00:03:32.039 --> 00:03:34.579 Cain knew his wife, and she conceived and bore Enoch. 00:03:35.339 --> 00:03:40.319 When he built a city, he called the name of the city after the name of his son, Enoch. 00:03:41.000 --> 00:03:44.759 To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad fathered Mahujael. 00:03:44.759 --> 00:03:48.739 And Mahujael fathered Methushael, and Methushael fathered Lamech. 00:03:49.439 --> 00:03:51.299 And Lamech took two wives. 00:03:52.079 --> 00:03:55.340 The name of the one was Ada, and the name of the other, Zillah. 00:03:56.179 --> 00:03:57.659 Ada bore Jabal. 00:03:58.239 --> 00:04:01.060 He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. 00:04:02.039 --> 00:04:03.560 His brother's name was Jubal. 00:04:04.280 --> 00:04:07.039 He was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe. 00:04:08.039 --> 00:04:09.659 Zillah also bore Tubal-Cain. 00:04:10.299 --> 00:04:13.079 He was the forger of all instruments of bronze and iron, 00:04:13.080 --> 00:04:15.680 the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah. 00:04:16.920 --> 00:04:20.360 Lamech said to his wives, Ada and Zillah, hear my voice. 00:04:20.920 --> 00:04:23.480 You wives of Lamech, listen to what I say. 00:04:24.100 --> 00:04:29.080 I have killed a man for wounding me, a young man for striking me. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:35.439 If Cain's revenge is sevenfold, then Lamech's is seventy-sevenfold. 00:04:35.439 --> 00:04:43.079 Adam knew his wife again, and she bore a son, and called his name Seth. 00:04:43.719 --> 00:04:49.279 For she said, God has appointed for me another offspring instead of Abel, 00:04:49.819 --> 00:04:50.839 for Cain killed him. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:55.420 To Seth also a son was born, and he called his name Enosh. 00:04:56.439 --> 00:04:59.860 At that time, people began to call upon the name of the Lord. 00:04:59.860 --> 00:05:03.879 So let's do a little test. 00:05:05.400 --> 00:05:10.800 I'm going to say a word, and you consider what's the first thing that comes to your mind. 00:05:11.680 --> 00:05:14.900 And the word is sin. 00:05:18.080 --> 00:05:20.720 Often we tend to view sin in two ways. 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:25.100 On the one hand, there's the religious or the moralistic view of sin. 00:05:25.100 --> 00:05:31.020 That is, sin is some particular action or behavior that you know you shouldn't do, 00:05:31.300 --> 00:05:33.920 but if you try a little harder, you can probably do better. 00:05:34.860 --> 00:05:37.960 Usually in this view, we talk about sins in the plural. 00:05:38.780 --> 00:05:40.340 Lying, cheating, stealing. 00:05:42.140 --> 00:05:46.439 On the other hand, there's what we may call the irreligious or the permissive view of sin. 00:05:46.760 --> 00:05:52.740 And in this view, we usually talk about sin when doing something that's especially fun or pleasurable. 00:05:52.740 --> 00:05:58.019 Chocolate, so good, it must be a sin. 00:06:00.060 --> 00:06:03.379 Sin in this view often becomes an adjective or an adverb. 00:06:04.060 --> 00:06:05.379 Sinfully delicious. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:10.660 You know, the interesting thing about both of these views of sin, 00:06:10.780 --> 00:06:12.420 different as they may appear at first, 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:17.620 is that neither one really thinks that sin is that big of a deal. 00:06:18.519 --> 00:06:22.259 On the one hand, sin is just an action we need to avoid. 00:06:22.740 --> 00:06:25.920 And on the other hand, sin is just some sort of pleasurable activity 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:28.240 that we should only indulge in every once in a while. 00:06:30.639 --> 00:06:35.319 But on both views, sin is something ultimately that we can handle. 00:06:36.019 --> 00:06:37.420 No great danger. 00:06:39.780 --> 00:06:41.340 Now, why am I bringing all this up? 00:06:41.980 --> 00:06:44.040 Well, in Genesis chapter 4, 00:06:44.280 --> 00:06:49.379 we have the first explicit reference in the Bible to the word sin. 00:06:49.379 --> 00:06:51.219 It's in verse 7. 00:06:52.259 --> 00:06:55.779 And what we see, not just in verse 7, but in the whole of chapter 4, 00:06:56.120 --> 00:07:01.740 is that our popular views of sin are completely wrong. 00:07:03.719 --> 00:07:08.240 Sin isn't merely breaking a few rules or indulging a few appetites. 00:07:09.199 --> 00:07:11.379 Sin is a destructive power. 00:07:11.379 --> 00:07:12.199 Sin is a destructive power. 00:07:14.040 --> 00:07:18.680 Chapter 4 of Genesis is about the power of sin. 00:07:21.759 --> 00:07:25.139 Lao Tzu, the ancient Chinese philosopher, is quoted as saying, 00:07:25.439 --> 00:07:30.699 there is no greater danger than underestimating your opponent. 00:07:30.699 --> 00:07:38.039 The reality is, I think most of us are underestimating the spiritual struggle we are in. 00:07:39.539 --> 00:07:46.180 We're like the amateur surfer paddling out naively into 20, 30-foot waves 00:07:46.180 --> 00:07:51.019 and then wondering why we come crashing back to the shore, battered and bruised. 00:07:51.019 --> 00:07:58.819 Genesis 4 is here to help us not make that mistake spiritually. 00:08:01.439 --> 00:08:03.599 So what is Genesis 4 teaching us first? 00:08:04.019 --> 00:08:08.180 What we see here is the power of sin in the heart. 00:08:08.759 --> 00:08:10.180 This is verses 1 through 7. 00:08:11.099 --> 00:08:13.259 Now, this story may be well known to you. 00:08:13.959 --> 00:08:15.719 Two brothers, Cain and Abel, 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:19.159 two offerings, one from the field, one from the flock, 00:08:19.160 --> 00:08:24.120 two responses, one regarded, the other not. 00:08:25.280 --> 00:08:26.420 What's the difference? 00:08:27.420 --> 00:08:31.340 Why does God regard Abel's offering and not Cain's? 00:08:33.120 --> 00:08:36.920 Well, I think the answer is actually found in verses 2 and 3, 00:08:37.180 --> 00:08:38.360 if we look a little closer. 00:08:39.379 --> 00:08:42.740 Consider, how is Abel's offering described? 00:08:43.660 --> 00:08:46.580 Abel's offering, the firstborn of his flock, 00:08:47.220 --> 00:08:48.200 the fat portions. 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:50.400 In other words, it's the best of the best. 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:53.780 But how is Cain's offering described? 00:08:55.520 --> 00:08:56.600 It's just an offering. 00:08:58.580 --> 00:09:00.540 You see, Abel gives his best. 00:09:00.780 --> 00:09:02.680 Cain gives a mere token. 00:09:05.020 --> 00:09:08.780 And these offerings reveal their hearts. 00:09:08.779 --> 00:09:12.339 Hebrews 11, 4 in the New Testament, 00:09:12.480 --> 00:09:13.539 looking back on this story, 00:09:13.620 --> 00:09:13.980 we'll say, 00:09:14.139 --> 00:09:16.779 by faith, Abel offered to God 00:09:16.779 --> 00:09:19.019 a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain. 00:09:19.220 --> 00:09:22.179 In other words, Abel's faith-filled heart 00:09:22.179 --> 00:09:25.799 flowed forth in an offering of his best to God. 00:09:27.159 --> 00:09:28.240 Cain's heart, however, 00:09:29.019 --> 00:09:30.959 was much more conflicted. 00:09:30.960 --> 00:09:38.940 But the Lord doesn't reject Cain because of this. 00:09:39.340 --> 00:09:40.240 What does God do? 00:09:40.360 --> 00:09:42.139 God actually approaches him. 00:09:42.500 --> 00:09:45.220 God pursues him with a question. 00:09:46.160 --> 00:09:46.639 Verse 6, 00:09:46.840 --> 00:09:47.820 why are you angry? 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:50.860 With an invitation in verse 7, 00:09:51.240 --> 00:09:53.420 come, change your heart, Cain, 00:09:53.459 --> 00:09:54.259 and you'll be accepted. 00:09:54.479 --> 00:09:57.159 There's a path for you to come back to me. 00:09:58.459 --> 00:10:00.899 And then a warning in the rest of verse 7. 00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:03.139 If you do not do well, 00:10:03.439 --> 00:10:05.620 that is, if you do not bring a genuine offering 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.599 of faith and love, 00:10:07.199 --> 00:10:08.299 if you do not do well, 00:10:09.379 --> 00:10:10.659 sin is crouching at the door. 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:14.139 Its desire is contrary to you, 00:10:14.860 --> 00:10:16.179 but you must rule over it. 00:10:18.719 --> 00:10:20.459 So the first appearance of the word sin 00:10:20.459 --> 00:10:21.799 in the Bible here in verse 7, 00:10:21.799 --> 00:10:24.039 do you capture the picture, 00:10:24.199 --> 00:10:24.599 the metaphor? 00:10:25.679 --> 00:10:27.039 The picture is of a predator 00:10:27.039 --> 00:10:29.359 stalking back and forth, 00:10:29.479 --> 00:10:30.339 ready to strike, 00:10:30.479 --> 00:10:32.639 like a lion waiting for its prey, 00:10:32.979 --> 00:10:34.079 crouching at the door, 00:10:34.419 --> 00:10:35.199 ready to pounce. 00:10:37.039 --> 00:10:37.839 The phrase, 00:10:37.979 --> 00:10:39.639 its desire is contrary to you, 00:10:39.719 --> 00:10:41.120 we actually saw last week. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:43.439 It describes a power struggle, 00:10:43.579 --> 00:10:44.219 a battle. 00:10:45.719 --> 00:10:48.059 And what this means is this, 00:10:48.179 --> 00:10:49.159 since the fall, 00:10:49.159 --> 00:10:52.679 sin is a power that is out to destroy us 00:10:52.679 --> 00:10:53.839 from the inside out. 00:10:54.339 --> 00:10:57.059 It's like the lid coming off of Pandora's box. 00:10:57.719 --> 00:11:00.459 When our first human parents rebelled against God, 00:11:00.779 --> 00:11:02.500 that lid was ripped off 00:11:02.500 --> 00:11:04.179 and sin is now unleashed, 00:11:04.819 --> 00:11:05.819 ready to consume. 00:11:05.820 --> 00:11:10.720 And doesn't that actually ring more true 00:11:10.720 --> 00:11:12.400 than our naive views of sin, 00:11:13.040 --> 00:11:15.500 mere sort of bad behaviors on the one hand, 00:11:15.600 --> 00:11:16.760 little indulgence in some of the other. 00:11:17.300 --> 00:11:17.940 Because after all, 00:11:17.980 --> 00:11:20.560 haven't you felt that inner battle at times? 00:11:22.920 --> 00:11:24.160 Imagine driving a car, 00:11:24.360 --> 00:11:26.140 and every time you want to make a turn, 00:11:26.400 --> 00:11:28.360 the wheel lurches in the opposite direction, 00:11:28.560 --> 00:11:30.160 and you have to pull with all your might 00:11:30.160 --> 00:11:32.020 to make it go the way you want it to go. 00:11:32.019 --> 00:11:34.639 Well, you'd think something was pretty wrong 00:11:34.639 --> 00:11:35.699 with your car, right? 00:11:38.100 --> 00:11:39.860 But is that not so often? 00:11:40.220 --> 00:11:41.199 Our own hearts. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.120 In Galatians 5, 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:47.819 Paul will talk about a war going on 00:11:47.819 --> 00:11:49.559 in our hearts between sin, 00:11:49.699 --> 00:11:50.639 our sinful nature, 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:52.299 and the Spirit of God. 00:11:53.240 --> 00:11:55.639 They are opposed to each other, he says, 00:11:55.840 --> 00:11:58.559 to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 00:12:02.019 --> 00:12:03.939 And how does this inner battle 00:12:03.939 --> 00:12:05.480 become visible in Cain's life? 00:12:06.679 --> 00:12:08.419 Note how he responds to God. 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.480 He is angry, 00:12:11.360 --> 00:12:13.139 and his face fell. 00:12:14.620 --> 00:12:16.600 Two seemingly different responses, 00:12:17.419 --> 00:12:19.059 but so often they live together. 00:12:19.259 --> 00:12:21.399 Anger and self-pity. 00:12:25.100 --> 00:12:26.939 Can I suggest to you this morning 00:12:26.939 --> 00:12:29.240 that there is a spiritual battle 00:12:29.240 --> 00:12:32.019 for your soul going on 00:12:32.019 --> 00:12:33.019 in your own heart? 00:12:34.940 --> 00:12:37.120 Can I suggest that sin is not a game, 00:12:37.720 --> 00:12:39.899 but a violent beast ready to devour, 00:12:40.019 --> 00:12:41.159 and if you don't see that, 00:12:41.220 --> 00:12:44.460 you will live a very spiritually naive life, 00:12:45.279 --> 00:12:46.539 tossed back and forth 00:12:46.539 --> 00:12:48.659 between anger and self-pity, 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:52.299 and ultimately ending in ruin. 00:12:54.740 --> 00:12:56.659 Because sin isn't just a destructive power 00:12:56.659 --> 00:12:57.339 in our hearts, 00:12:57.779 --> 00:12:59.539 it's also a destructive power 00:12:59.539 --> 00:13:00.579 in our relationships. 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:02.939 This is verses 8 through 16. 00:13:04.379 --> 00:13:05.539 Note the power of sin 00:13:05.539 --> 00:13:07.600 in Cain's relationship with his brother, 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:11.299 and ultimately how selfish it makes Cain. 00:13:12.799 --> 00:13:13.659 Verse 8. 00:13:14.360 --> 00:13:15.919 Cain murders his brother. 00:13:16.339 --> 00:13:19.139 In essence, saying that Abel's the problem, 00:13:19.319 --> 00:13:19.899 not me. 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:22.579 Rather than deal with his own heart before God, 00:13:22.639 --> 00:13:23.879 which is the real issue, 00:13:23.879 --> 00:13:25.539 Cain blames Abel, 00:13:25.639 --> 00:13:27.519 and his anger becomes murder. 00:13:29.439 --> 00:13:30.080 Verse 9. 00:13:30.679 --> 00:13:33.259 Cain denies any responsibility for others. 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:34.340 Am I my brother's keeper? 00:13:34.939 --> 00:13:36.740 I'm not responsible for him. 00:13:38.039 --> 00:13:39.379 Verses 10 through 13. 00:13:39.919 --> 00:13:42.179 Cain expresses more remorse 00:13:42.179 --> 00:13:43.360 for his punishment 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:45.620 than for his crime. 00:13:47.179 --> 00:13:49.600 In fact, he only expresses remorse 00:13:49.600 --> 00:13:50.539 for his punishment 00:13:50.539 --> 00:13:52.059 and none for his crime. 00:13:52.120 --> 00:13:52.740 Did you see that? 00:13:52.740 --> 00:13:54.680 No regret, 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.500 no remorse 00:13:55.500 --> 00:13:56.759 for having killed his own brother, 00:13:56.860 --> 00:13:57.680 only a complaint 00:13:57.680 --> 00:13:59.580 that the punishment's too much for him. 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.659 In other words, 00:14:01.759 --> 00:14:03.000 sin makes us care more 00:14:03.000 --> 00:14:04.720 about the consequences to ourselves 00:14:04.720 --> 00:14:05.940 than the harm we've done 00:14:05.940 --> 00:14:06.639 to other people 00:14:06.639 --> 00:14:08.419 and the offense we've made to God. 00:14:10.740 --> 00:14:12.460 Last, verses 14 through 16. 00:14:12.659 --> 00:14:14.759 Cain would rather be alone 00:14:14.759 --> 00:14:15.960 than repent. 00:14:17.960 --> 00:14:19.100 God, in mercy, 00:14:19.240 --> 00:14:20.360 puts a mark on Cain. 00:14:20.500 --> 00:14:21.279 We don't know exactly 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:22.179 what that looked like, 00:14:22.399 --> 00:14:23.860 but it basically protected Cain. 00:14:23.959 --> 00:14:25.039 It was a visual warning 00:14:25.039 --> 00:14:25.860 against anyone 00:14:25.860 --> 00:14:27.079 who would kill Cain 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:28.439 in revenge for what he did. 00:14:30.299 --> 00:14:30.980 And to be sure, 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:32.819 Cain would no longer be able 00:14:32.819 --> 00:14:34.279 to cultivate the ground 00:14:34.279 --> 00:14:35.279 like he did. 00:14:35.480 --> 00:14:36.860 Part of God's punishment on Cain 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.539 is that the ground 00:14:37.539 --> 00:14:38.419 would no longer yield 00:14:38.419 --> 00:14:39.159 its fruit for him. 00:14:39.500 --> 00:14:39.699 You see, 00:14:39.759 --> 00:14:41.579 the ground once yielded to Cain 00:14:41.579 --> 00:14:42.079 its fruit. 00:14:42.339 --> 00:14:43.639 And what was Cain's response? 00:14:43.639 --> 00:14:45.639 Cain would no longer be able 00:14:45.639 --> 00:14:45.960 to shed his brother's blood back into it. 00:14:46.639 --> 00:14:47.759 So God says, 00:14:48.220 --> 00:14:48.620 no more. 00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:52.259 Now Cain will have to hunt, 00:14:52.580 --> 00:14:53.159 to gather, 00:14:53.720 --> 00:14:55.500 and to be dependent on others. 00:14:57.279 --> 00:14:59.019 But rather than humbly accept 00:14:59.019 --> 00:15:00.519 that this sentence was fitting 00:15:00.519 --> 00:15:01.659 because of his crime, 00:15:01.919 --> 00:15:03.199 and rather than humbly repent 00:15:03.199 --> 00:15:04.000 for what he did, 00:15:04.679 --> 00:15:05.259 Cain leaves. 00:15:06.279 --> 00:15:07.460 He'd rather be alone 00:15:07.460 --> 00:15:09.259 than actually repent. 00:15:09.259 --> 00:15:13.279 Do you see 00:15:13.279 --> 00:15:15.100 how sin is a power 00:15:15.100 --> 00:15:16.759 that destroys our relationships 00:15:16.759 --> 00:15:17.759 and so quickly? 00:15:18.200 --> 00:15:19.120 The sad thing 00:15:19.120 --> 00:15:20.980 is that this whole incident happens 00:15:20.980 --> 00:15:22.879 not ten generations after the fall, 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.159 not five generations, 00:15:24.299 --> 00:15:24.799 but one. 00:15:27.340 --> 00:15:29.159 And is that so far-fetched? 00:15:30.439 --> 00:15:32.100 How many marriages dissolve 00:15:32.100 --> 00:15:33.240 in just a few years? 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.620 How many roommates 00:15:35.620 --> 00:15:36.480 have a falling out 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.759 in just a semester or two? 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:40.620 How many friendships crumble 00:15:40.620 --> 00:15:41.879 in seemingly no time? 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:45.519 Now you might be thinking, 00:15:45.919 --> 00:15:47.679 geez, I haven't killed anybody. 00:15:48.080 --> 00:15:49.080 Is it really that bad? 00:15:50.179 --> 00:15:51.840 Well, perhaps you haven't killed anybody. 00:15:52.019 --> 00:15:52.740 That's a good thing. 00:15:52.899 --> 00:15:53.620 I'm thankful for that. 00:15:55.220 --> 00:15:57.139 But there are more ways 00:15:57.139 --> 00:15:58.120 than murder 00:15:58.120 --> 00:15:59.399 for sin 00:15:59.399 --> 00:16:01.200 to ruin relationships. 00:16:02.279 --> 00:16:04.419 And the underlying dynamic 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:06.179 is still the same. 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:09.199 Like Cain, 00:16:09.279 --> 00:16:10.039 we come to believe 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:10.919 that I'm not the problem 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.419 they are. 00:16:11.859 --> 00:16:12.439 And after all, 00:16:12.479 --> 00:16:13.339 I'm not really responsible 00:16:13.339 --> 00:16:14.139 for them anyway. 00:16:14.839 --> 00:16:15.639 And I care more 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.519 about the consequences 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:17.779 of my own harmful actions 00:16:17.779 --> 00:16:18.239 than the ones 00:16:18.239 --> 00:16:19.279 I've actually wronged. 00:16:19.399 --> 00:16:20.539 And I'd rather be alone. 00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.339 I'd rather choose 00:16:21.339 --> 00:16:22.620 isolation than restoration. 00:16:24.379 --> 00:16:25.859 And when that happens, 00:16:26.079 --> 00:16:27.299 we find ourselves 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.500 doing things 00:16:28.500 --> 00:16:29.279 we thought 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.500 we would never do. 00:16:30.500 --> 00:16:33.820 because sin 00:16:33.820 --> 00:16:34.740 is powerful 00:16:34.740 --> 00:16:36.720 in our hearts 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.940 and out into 00:16:37.940 --> 00:16:38.840 our relationships. 00:16:40.379 --> 00:16:41.360 But third, 00:16:41.799 --> 00:16:43.659 we see the power of sin 00:16:43.659 --> 00:16:45.379 in our human cultures. 00:16:46.580 --> 00:16:48.600 This is verses 17 through 24. 00:16:49.279 --> 00:16:51.240 The story of Cain's descendants. 00:16:52.080 --> 00:16:52.740 We see here 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:53.399 the growth 00:16:53.399 --> 00:16:54.679 of a broad family, 00:16:55.039 --> 00:16:56.019 the growth of a culture, 00:16:56.159 --> 00:16:56.539 if you will, 00:16:56.580 --> 00:16:57.899 a whole interconnected way 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.940 of being and living 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:00.020 and making sense 00:17:00.020 --> 00:17:00.600 of the world. 00:17:03.040 --> 00:17:04.220 Now, the first observation 00:17:04.220 --> 00:17:05.240 that we have to make here 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:06.680 is that there is much 00:17:06.680 --> 00:17:08.380 common grace 00:17:08.380 --> 00:17:10.340 amidst Cain's descendants. 00:17:11.440 --> 00:17:12.279 In verse 17, 00:17:12.420 --> 00:17:13.019 Cain marries, 00:17:13.180 --> 00:17:13.700 has a child, 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:14.500 and they found a city. 00:17:14.860 --> 00:17:15.519 Now, we're not told 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.860 where Cain's wife comes from. 00:17:16.940 --> 00:17:17.519 This is one of the old 00:17:17.519 --> 00:17:18.019 sort of like 00:17:18.019 --> 00:17:19.519 Bible questions 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.240 of the ages. 00:17:20.559 --> 00:17:21.559 Where did Cain find a wife? 00:17:21.600 --> 00:17:22.700 It was just him and Abel. 00:17:23.180 --> 00:17:24.480 Well, I think it's plausible 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.000 he married 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.200 one of his other family members 00:17:26.200 --> 00:17:26.840 as Adam and Eve 00:17:26.840 --> 00:17:27.559 kept reproducing 00:17:27.559 --> 00:17:27.940 and growing 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:28.900 in the human family group. 00:17:28.980 --> 00:17:29.539 If you want to talk more 00:17:29.539 --> 00:17:30.420 about that after the service, 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.160 we can chat about 00:17:31.160 --> 00:17:32.220 where Cain's wife came from. 00:17:32.259 --> 00:17:33.000 But it's not important. 00:17:33.380 --> 00:17:34.120 Genesis isn't really 00:17:34.120 --> 00:17:34.840 interested in that. 00:17:35.360 --> 00:17:36.019 The point is, 00:17:36.100 --> 00:17:36.559 Cain marries, 00:17:36.620 --> 00:17:37.059 has a child, 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.860 they found a city, 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.320 and isn't that exactly 00:17:39.320 --> 00:17:40.799 what God had originally intended? 00:17:41.299 --> 00:17:42.660 For humans to be fruitful 00:17:42.660 --> 00:17:43.380 and multiply. 00:17:45.019 --> 00:17:45.880 Common grace. 00:17:47.019 --> 00:17:48.740 And then in verses 20 through 22, 00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:50.700 we see Cain's descendants 00:17:50.700 --> 00:17:51.840 as culture makers. 00:17:52.900 --> 00:17:53.840 Dwelling in tents 00:17:53.840 --> 00:17:54.720 and having livestock. 00:17:55.519 --> 00:17:57.259 Playing the lyre in the pipe. 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:59.339 Forgers of bronze and iron. 00:17:59.420 --> 00:17:59.900 In other words, 00:17:59.980 --> 00:18:00.819 we see the advance 00:18:00.819 --> 00:18:01.519 of agriculture, 00:18:01.799 --> 00:18:02.480 of arts, 00:18:02.700 --> 00:18:03.579 of technology. 00:18:03.920 --> 00:18:05.019 These are good gifts. 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:07.240 God's common grace 00:18:07.240 --> 00:18:08.319 hasn't abandoned 00:18:08.319 --> 00:18:09.900 human culture making. 00:18:11.660 --> 00:18:13.660 And I think we have to remember this 00:18:13.660 --> 00:18:14.700 as the church. 00:18:15.660 --> 00:18:16.839 Because in any city, 00:18:16.960 --> 00:18:17.700 in any society, 00:18:17.839 --> 00:18:18.599 there are going to be 00:18:18.599 --> 00:18:20.279 these marks of common grace. 00:18:20.720 --> 00:18:22.500 Things that we can approve of. 00:18:22.900 --> 00:18:24.220 Ways in which God's hand 00:18:24.220 --> 00:18:25.100 is still at work. 00:18:27.240 --> 00:18:28.640 Are you able to identify 00:18:28.640 --> 00:18:29.440 those things? 00:18:30.940 --> 00:18:32.360 Are you able to give thanks 00:18:32.360 --> 00:18:33.779 to God for those things? 00:18:35.460 --> 00:18:36.740 To allow those things 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:38.360 to actually provide an avenue 00:18:38.360 --> 00:18:39.620 for pointing our friends 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.079 and neighbors 00:18:40.079 --> 00:18:40.880 to the source 00:18:40.880 --> 00:18:41.779 of those good gifts? 00:18:43.559 --> 00:18:45.460 There's much common grace here. 00:18:45.460 --> 00:18:48.440 But there's also 00:18:48.440 --> 00:18:49.640 another dynamic at work, 00:18:49.680 --> 00:18:50.100 isn't there? 00:18:50.579 --> 00:18:52.039 At one and the same time. 00:18:53.720 --> 00:18:54.900 What we see also 00:18:54.900 --> 00:18:56.819 in this sort of brief snapshot 00:18:56.819 --> 00:18:57.880 of Cain's descendants 00:18:57.880 --> 00:18:59.420 is that sin 00:18:59.420 --> 00:19:01.100 becomes systemic. 00:19:03.680 --> 00:19:04.279 Lamech, 00:19:04.620 --> 00:19:05.640 the sixth generation 00:19:05.640 --> 00:19:06.220 from Cain, 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.400 the seventh from Adam. 00:19:08.460 --> 00:19:09.319 And what do we see? 00:19:10.500 --> 00:19:11.019 Polygamy, 00:19:11.740 --> 00:19:12.200 violence, 00:19:12.819 --> 00:19:13.200 pride. 00:19:15.460 --> 00:19:16.700 If Genesis 4 shows us 00:19:16.700 --> 00:19:17.299 how quickly 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:19.120 sin creates death, 00:19:19.660 --> 00:19:20.519 it also shows us 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:22.259 how deeply entrenched 00:19:22.259 --> 00:19:23.100 it becomes 00:19:23.100 --> 00:19:23.900 in our way 00:19:23.900 --> 00:19:24.920 of being in the world. 00:19:26.860 --> 00:19:27.819 Lamech rejects 00:19:27.819 --> 00:19:28.860 God's design for marriage 00:19:28.860 --> 00:19:30.140 and takes two wives. 00:19:31.079 --> 00:19:32.000 And the rest of Genesis 00:19:32.000 --> 00:19:32.759 will show us 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.519 how much pain 00:19:33.519 --> 00:19:34.460 and heartache 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:36.059 such a practice creates. 00:19:37.480 --> 00:19:39.160 Lamech is a brutal person 00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:41.259 killing a young man 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.680 just for a minor run-in. 00:19:42.680 --> 00:19:46.080 We had a scrape 00:19:46.080 --> 00:19:47.259 so I killed him. 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.660 And to top it all off, 00:19:51.660 --> 00:19:52.580 he boasts, 00:19:53.740 --> 00:19:55.180 if Cain's revenge 00:19:55.180 --> 00:19:56.060 is sevenfold, 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:57.920 mine is 77. 00:19:57.920 --> 00:20:04.120 And so sin 00:20:04.120 --> 00:20:05.320 is not some trifle, 00:20:06.100 --> 00:20:06.820 some game, 00:20:07.480 --> 00:20:09.100 but a destructive power 00:20:09.100 --> 00:20:09.940 in our hearts, 00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:11.259 in our relationships, 00:20:11.500 --> 00:20:12.039 and even, 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:13.640 despite much common grace, 00:20:13.779 --> 00:20:15.160 systemically invading 00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:16.340 our human cultures. 00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:22.180 So how would Genesis 4 00:20:22.180 --> 00:20:23.180 have us respond? 00:20:24.580 --> 00:20:25.700 If all this is starting 00:20:25.700 --> 00:20:26.660 to ring true for us, 00:20:26.660 --> 00:20:27.500 if we're starting to see 00:20:27.500 --> 00:20:28.560 that sin is this power 00:20:28.560 --> 00:20:29.140 unleashed, 00:20:29.240 --> 00:20:30.019 crouching at the door, 00:20:30.120 --> 00:20:30.840 ready to strike, 00:20:30.880 --> 00:20:31.740 how should we respond? 00:20:34.420 --> 00:20:35.620 Well, first we have to see 00:20:35.620 --> 00:20:36.600 how God responds. 00:20:39.080 --> 00:20:40.320 The chapter ends 00:20:40.320 --> 00:20:41.680 with the birth 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:43.060 of another son. 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.620 Adam and Eve 00:20:45.620 --> 00:20:46.880 call his name Seth, 00:20:47.440 --> 00:20:48.140 which sounds like 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.820 the Hebrew word 00:20:48.820 --> 00:20:49.200 appointed, 00:20:49.560 --> 00:20:50.420 and they call him Seth 00:20:50.420 --> 00:20:51.040 because they say 00:20:51.040 --> 00:20:52.019 God appointed him 00:20:52.019 --> 00:20:53.640 in the place of the son 00:20:53.640 --> 00:20:54.400 they had lost. 00:20:54.400 --> 00:20:56.360 So we see here 00:20:56.360 --> 00:20:56.960 that in the midst 00:20:56.960 --> 00:20:57.660 of the ruin, 00:20:57.920 --> 00:20:58.860 there comes hope. 00:20:59.540 --> 00:21:00.740 A new branch 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:01.900 of the family tree, 00:21:02.040 --> 00:21:03.220 another offspring. 00:21:05.400 --> 00:21:06.400 And that word 00:21:06.400 --> 00:21:07.420 offspring is so 00:21:07.420 --> 00:21:08.440 laden with meaning 00:21:08.440 --> 00:21:09.220 when you go back 00:21:09.220 --> 00:21:10.160 to chapter 3 00:21:10.160 --> 00:21:11.620 and see the promise 00:21:11.620 --> 00:21:12.440 about what God 00:21:12.440 --> 00:21:13.080 would do 00:21:13.080 --> 00:21:13.860 through Eve's offspring. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:14.800 Another offspring 00:21:14.800 --> 00:21:15.420 is here. 00:21:17.080 --> 00:21:18.400 A new branch 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.680 of the family tree, 00:21:19.820 --> 00:21:20.860 and this time 00:21:20.860 --> 00:21:22.000 it's different. 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:24.180 Seth has a son, 00:21:24.519 --> 00:21:24.960 Enosh, 00:21:25.400 --> 00:21:26.339 and people begin 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.200 calling upon 00:21:27.200 --> 00:21:28.180 the name of the Lord. 00:21:29.079 --> 00:21:29.519 That is, 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.759 they become a family line 00:21:30.759 --> 00:21:32.180 that worships God. 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.500 A new family 00:21:35.500 --> 00:21:35.980 in the midst 00:21:35.980 --> 00:21:36.559 of the old. 00:21:38.420 --> 00:21:39.740 And it's through 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:41.720 Seth's line 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:43.839 that God's rescue 00:21:43.839 --> 00:21:44.900 from the power 00:21:44.900 --> 00:21:45.839 of sin will come. 00:21:47.380 --> 00:21:48.200 Ages later, 00:21:48.279 --> 00:21:49.119 when all of humanity 00:21:49.119 --> 00:21:50.160 is still captive 00:21:50.160 --> 00:21:50.819 under the power 00:21:50.819 --> 00:21:51.279 of sin, 00:21:51.599 --> 00:21:52.500 a new son 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:53.559 like Seth 00:21:53.559 --> 00:21:54.299 is born. 00:21:54.859 --> 00:21:56.159 A new start 00:21:56.159 --> 00:21:57.139 is made. 00:21:58.319 --> 00:21:59.139 Do you remember 00:21:59.139 --> 00:21:59.919 how the New Testament 00:21:59.919 --> 00:22:00.519 begins? 00:22:02.039 --> 00:22:03.639 With a genealogy. 00:22:04.779 --> 00:22:05.799 How many times 00:22:05.799 --> 00:22:06.220 have you read 00:22:06.220 --> 00:22:07.059 Matthew chapter 1 00:22:07.059 --> 00:22:07.419 and thought, 00:22:07.599 --> 00:22:08.740 what is going on? 00:22:09.339 --> 00:22:10.819 The most important work 00:22:10.819 --> 00:22:11.839 in all of human history 00:22:11.839 --> 00:22:12.399 and it starts 00:22:12.399 --> 00:22:13.439 with a list of names? 00:22:14.500 --> 00:22:14.819 And yet, 00:22:14.879 --> 00:22:15.559 how fitting. 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:17.099 Down through 00:22:17.099 --> 00:22:18.399 the fallen human family, 00:22:18.599 --> 00:22:20.159 one finally comes 00:22:20.160 --> 00:22:21.519 to break sin's power 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.540 and set us free. 00:22:23.040 --> 00:22:23.920 Jesus comes 00:22:23.920 --> 00:22:25.500 appointed by God 00:22:25.500 --> 00:22:26.259 like Seth. 00:22:27.540 --> 00:22:28.720 But Jesus will do 00:22:28.720 --> 00:22:29.380 what Seth 00:22:29.380 --> 00:22:30.700 never could do. 00:22:32.800 --> 00:22:33.279 You see, 00:22:33.340 --> 00:22:33.880 Seth could never 00:22:33.880 --> 00:22:34.840 really take 00:22:34.840 --> 00:22:35.700 Abel's place, 00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.000 right? 00:22:37.680 --> 00:22:38.820 But Jesus, 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:40.200 fully human 00:22:40.200 --> 00:22:41.360 and fully God, 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:43.140 could stand 00:22:43.140 --> 00:22:44.700 in all of our place. 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:47.299 and like Abel, 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.019 Jesus' 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.840 innocent blood 00:22:48.840 --> 00:22:49.819 would also be shed. 00:22:50.460 --> 00:22:51.700 His own family members, 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:52.400 his own people, 00:22:52.480 --> 00:22:53.319 his own brothers 00:22:53.319 --> 00:22:54.279 would betray him 00:22:54.279 --> 00:22:55.559 and in anger 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:56.640 and jealousy 00:22:56.640 --> 00:22:58.059 they would kill him. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:02.580 But the New Testament 00:23:02.580 --> 00:23:03.259 book of Hebrews 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:04.160 again points 00:23:04.160 --> 00:23:05.100 something out to us. 00:23:06.299 --> 00:23:06.920 In Hebrews 12, 00:23:07.000 --> 00:23:07.400 24, 00:23:07.559 --> 00:23:08.140 the writer says 00:23:08.140 --> 00:23:09.019 this curious word, 00:23:09.080 --> 00:23:09.319 it says, 00:23:09.460 --> 00:23:10.380 Jesus' blood 00:23:10.380 --> 00:23:12.480 speaks a better word 00:23:12.480 --> 00:23:13.440 than the blood 00:23:13.440 --> 00:23:13.960 of Abel. 00:23:16.519 --> 00:23:17.279 Abel's blood 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:17.900 cried out 00:23:17.900 --> 00:23:18.940 to God 00:23:18.940 --> 00:23:20.180 for justice, 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:21.019 did it not? 00:23:22.500 --> 00:23:22.900 And yet, 00:23:22.940 --> 00:23:23.779 Jesus' blood 00:23:23.779 --> 00:23:25.259 cries out to God 00:23:25.259 --> 00:23:25.880 for mercy. 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:30.140 Jesus died the death 00:23:30.140 --> 00:23:31.400 that we deserve to die. 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:33.500 He died in our place, 00:23:33.580 --> 00:23:34.160 the innocent 00:23:34.160 --> 00:23:35.299 for the guilty 00:23:35.299 --> 00:23:36.580 so that the guilty 00:23:36.580 --> 00:23:37.500 could be forgiven. 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.360 And on the grounds 00:23:40.360 --> 00:23:41.740 of his death, 00:23:41.799 --> 00:23:42.620 his perfect 00:23:42.619 --> 00:23:43.899 sacrifice, 00:23:44.319 --> 00:23:45.519 when all of sin 00:23:45.519 --> 00:23:46.099 and death 00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.559 had come upon him 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:48.599 at the cross, 00:23:49.079 --> 00:23:49.979 sin's power 00:23:49.979 --> 00:23:51.059 was at last 00:23:51.059 --> 00:23:52.039 swallowed 00:23:52.039 --> 00:23:53.119 and defeated. 00:23:55.099 --> 00:23:56.259 And three days later, 00:23:57.179 --> 00:23:57.959 Jesus rose 00:23:57.959 --> 00:23:58.659 from the grave 00:23:58.659 --> 00:24:00.139 because sin 00:24:00.139 --> 00:24:00.500 and death 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.159 could no longer 00:24:01.159 --> 00:24:01.699 hold him. 00:24:03.979 --> 00:24:04.939 And after spending 00:24:04.939 --> 00:24:05.559 40 days 00:24:05.559 --> 00:24:06.379 with his disciples, 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.479 the risen Jesus 00:24:07.479 --> 00:24:08.599 ascended to the Father 00:24:08.599 --> 00:24:09.599 and poured out 00:24:09.599 --> 00:24:10.279 the Holy Spirit 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.019 at Pentecost 00:24:11.019 --> 00:24:12.500 so that now 00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.079 we might live, 00:24:14.399 --> 00:24:15.579 all of us, 00:24:16.099 --> 00:24:16.899 in the power 00:24:16.899 --> 00:24:18.039 of his death 00:24:18.039 --> 00:24:18.660 and resurrection. 00:24:20.259 --> 00:24:21.480 This is what God 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:22.059 has done 00:24:22.059 --> 00:24:22.779 in the face 00:24:22.779 --> 00:24:23.660 of the power 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:24.200 of sin. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:26.160 So now, 00:24:26.259 --> 00:24:27.240 how do we respond 00:24:27.240 --> 00:24:28.960 to the power 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:29.680 of sin shown us 00:24:29.680 --> 00:24:30.319 in Genesis 4? 00:24:30.379 --> 00:24:31.119 Let's walk back 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:31.839 through the passage 00:24:31.839 --> 00:24:32.920 and consider 00:24:32.920 --> 00:24:34.299 what this hope 00:24:34.299 --> 00:24:35.039 in Christ, 00:24:35.180 --> 00:24:36.000 this new power, 00:24:36.119 --> 00:24:36.480 means 00:24:36.480 --> 00:24:37.399 as we confront 00:24:37.400 --> 00:24:37.820 the power 00:24:37.820 --> 00:24:38.160 of sin 00:24:38.160 --> 00:24:38.759 first 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.900 in our hearts. 00:24:41.840 --> 00:24:42.740 And the reality 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.320 that we have 00:24:43.320 --> 00:24:44.220 to address here 00:24:44.220 --> 00:24:46.360 is quite frankly 00:24:46.360 --> 00:24:47.840 that we need 00:24:47.840 --> 00:24:48.420 new hearts. 00:24:50.759 --> 00:24:51.519 And that is 00:24:51.519 --> 00:24:52.000 what Christ 00:24:52.000 --> 00:24:52.680 provides. 00:24:53.460 --> 00:24:54.259 The power 00:24:54.259 --> 00:24:55.780 to be born 00:24:55.780 --> 00:24:56.620 anew 00:24:56.620 --> 00:24:57.360 spiritually, 00:24:57.740 --> 00:24:59.500 to be regenerated 00:24:59.500 --> 00:25:00.300 as a gift 00:25:00.300 --> 00:25:01.240 of the Holy Spirit 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.019 through faith 00:25:02.019 --> 00:25:02.600 in Christ, 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:03.759 to go from 00:25:03.759 --> 00:25:04.740 spiritual death 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:05.240 living under 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:05.920 the dominion 00:25:05.920 --> 00:25:06.500 of sin, 00:25:06.660 --> 00:25:07.279 to now 00:25:07.279 --> 00:25:08.340 spiritual life 00:25:08.340 --> 00:25:09.460 with the Holy Spirit 00:25:09.460 --> 00:25:10.539 living in us 00:25:10.539 --> 00:25:12.120 and the Spirit 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:13.039 waging war 00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:14.560 against sin's power. 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:16.779 You see, 00:25:16.880 --> 00:25:18.140 when we come 00:25:18.140 --> 00:25:18.860 to faith 00:25:18.860 --> 00:25:19.759 in Christ, 00:25:20.700 --> 00:25:21.920 this frees us 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:22.460 not just from 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:23.340 the penalty of sin 00:25:23.340 --> 00:25:23.860 but also from 00:25:23.860 --> 00:25:24.580 the power of sin 00:25:24.580 --> 00:25:25.480 because the Holy Spirit 00:25:25.480 --> 00:25:26.380 now resides within. 00:25:28.720 --> 00:25:29.580 So the question 00:25:29.580 --> 00:25:29.840 is, 00:25:29.960 --> 00:25:30.240 friends, 00:25:30.720 --> 00:25:32.279 have you experienced 00:25:32.279 --> 00:25:33.080 this new birth? 00:25:35.920 --> 00:25:37.279 Have you turned 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:38.140 from seeking 00:25:38.140 --> 00:25:39.620 to justify yourself 00:25:39.620 --> 00:25:41.019 and pull yourself 00:25:41.019 --> 00:25:41.779 up by your own 00:25:41.779 --> 00:25:43.120 moral bootstraps? 00:25:43.820 --> 00:25:44.640 Have you stopped 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.539 trying to do that 00:25:45.539 --> 00:25:46.440 and have you surrendered 00:25:46.440 --> 00:25:47.120 your life 00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:48.060 to Jesus 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.940 as Savior 00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:49.900 and Lord? 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:52.560 Until you do that, 00:25:53.380 --> 00:25:54.640 your battle 00:25:54.640 --> 00:25:55.480 against sin 00:25:55.480 --> 00:25:56.779 will be a losing one 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:59.880 because you'll never 00:25:59.880 --> 00:26:00.860 get to the root 00:26:00.860 --> 00:26:02.360 of the battle. 00:26:02.359 --> 00:26:03.819 Yes, 00:26:03.859 --> 00:26:04.740 you may trade 00:26:04.740 --> 00:26:05.899 one set of behaviors 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:06.639 for another 00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:08.979 but you'll never 00:26:08.979 --> 00:26:10.099 get down to the heart 00:26:10.099 --> 00:26:11.779 of your resistance 00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:12.519 to God. 00:26:13.799 --> 00:26:14.799 You'll never get down 00:26:14.799 --> 00:26:15.339 to the heart 00:26:15.339 --> 00:26:16.559 of your self-reliance 00:26:16.559 --> 00:26:17.599 and rejection 00:26:17.599 --> 00:26:18.240 of God 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.479 as your only hope 00:26:19.479 --> 00:26:20.759 and your only king. 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:25.099 And until you've come 00:26:25.099 --> 00:26:27.179 to be born anew 00:26:27.179 --> 00:26:28.659 through faith in Christ, 00:26:29.579 --> 00:26:31.279 only then 00:26:31.279 --> 00:26:33.139 through the Holy Spirit 00:26:33.139 --> 00:26:34.579 by grace in Christ 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:35.680 will you get down 00:26:35.680 --> 00:26:36.379 to that root 00:26:36.379 --> 00:26:38.359 and real change 00:26:38.359 --> 00:26:39.200 will begin to happen 00:26:39.200 --> 00:26:41.059 because by the grace 00:26:41.059 --> 00:26:41.839 of the Holy Spirit 00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:43.839 you can put sin to death. 00:26:44.539 --> 00:26:45.039 You don't have 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:45.799 to give in anymore. 00:26:45.920 --> 00:26:46.700 You don't have to listen 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.720 to its voice anymore. 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:49.299 You can now set your mind 00:26:49.299 --> 00:26:50.200 on things above 00:26:50.200 --> 00:26:51.519 where Christ is seated 00:26:51.519 --> 00:26:52.599 at the right hand of God 00:26:52.599 --> 00:26:54.259 interceding for you 00:26:54.259 --> 00:26:55.379 and you can live 00:26:55.379 --> 00:26:56.639 a life full of the fruit 00:26:56.639 --> 00:26:57.559 of the Holy Spirit 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.500 living within you. 00:26:58.700 --> 00:26:59.759 A life of joy 00:26:59.759 --> 00:27:00.799 and peace 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:02.099 and patience 00:27:02.099 --> 00:27:02.740 and kindness 00:27:02.740 --> 00:27:03.359 and goodness 00:27:03.359 --> 00:27:04.460 and faithfulness 00:27:04.460 --> 00:27:05.180 and gentleness 00:27:05.180 --> 00:27:06.119 and self-control 00:27:06.119 --> 00:27:07.559 and above all 00:27:07.559 --> 00:27:10.160 a life of love. 00:27:12.539 --> 00:27:13.420 And that takes us 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.140 to the second part. 00:27:14.240 --> 00:27:15.140 What hope is there 00:27:15.140 --> 00:27:16.599 in the face of sin's power 00:27:16.599 --> 00:27:17.579 in our relationships? 00:27:19.299 --> 00:27:20.099 Listen again 00:27:20.099 --> 00:27:21.420 to 1 John chapter 3. 00:27:22.500 --> 00:27:23.460 This is the message 00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.079 that you've heard 00:27:24.079 --> 00:27:24.740 from the beginning 00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:26.140 of your faith in Christ 00:27:26.140 --> 00:27:28.000 that we should love 00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:28.460 one another. 00:27:29.480 --> 00:27:30.920 We should not be like Cain 00:27:30.920 --> 00:27:32.400 who was of the evil one 00:27:32.400 --> 00:27:33.240 and murdered his brother. 00:27:34.440 --> 00:27:35.980 We know that we've passed 00:27:35.980 --> 00:27:36.759 out of death 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.559 into life 00:27:37.559 --> 00:27:38.960 because we love 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.559 the brothers. 00:27:41.059 --> 00:27:42.000 By this 00:27:42.000 --> 00:27:42.920 we know love 00:27:42.920 --> 00:27:44.059 that he, 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:44.660 Jesus, 00:27:45.059 --> 00:27:45.859 laid down his life 00:27:45.859 --> 00:27:46.380 for us 00:27:46.380 --> 00:27:48.140 and we ought to lay down 00:27:48.140 --> 00:27:48.839 our lives 00:27:48.839 --> 00:27:49.500 for the brothers. 00:27:52.519 --> 00:27:53.700 Do you see the dynamic 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.420 at work there? 00:27:54.420 --> 00:27:55.940 You see, 00:27:56.080 --> 00:27:56.259 friends, 00:27:56.340 --> 00:27:56.940 there's one 00:27:56.940 --> 00:27:57.980 who laid down 00:27:57.980 --> 00:27:58.960 his life for you, 00:27:59.259 --> 00:28:01.500 who looked upon you 00:28:01.500 --> 00:28:03.200 not when you were innocent 00:28:03.200 --> 00:28:05.539 but when you were rebellious. 00:28:06.100 --> 00:28:06.560 There's one 00:28:06.560 --> 00:28:07.279 who looked upon you 00:28:07.279 --> 00:28:07.759 when you were 00:28:07.759 --> 00:28:08.620 an enemy of God 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:09.320 and when I was 00:28:09.320 --> 00:28:10.220 an enemy of God 00:28:10.220 --> 00:28:12.840 and who saw us 00:28:12.840 --> 00:28:13.620 in our sin 00:28:13.620 --> 00:28:15.080 and our rejection 00:28:15.080 --> 00:28:15.660 of him 00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:17.279 and who was willing 00:28:17.279 --> 00:28:18.420 to call us 00:28:18.420 --> 00:28:20.259 brothers and sisters 00:28:20.259 --> 00:28:21.880 when we didn't deserve it. 00:28:23.080 --> 00:28:24.240 Jesus comes and says, 00:28:24.240 --> 00:28:24.880 I am 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:25.960 my brother's keeper. 00:28:26.319 --> 00:28:26.900 I am 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:27.980 my sister's keeper. 00:28:30.559 --> 00:28:31.680 And he's faithful 00:28:31.680 --> 00:28:32.319 for us 00:28:32.319 --> 00:28:32.900 and to us 00:28:32.900 --> 00:28:33.500 to the end. 00:28:35.359 --> 00:28:35.759 And so, 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:37.000 knowing his love 00:28:37.000 --> 00:28:37.720 for us, 00:28:39.120 --> 00:28:40.160 how could we 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.839 not turn 00:28:40.839 --> 00:28:41.400 to our brothers 00:28:41.400 --> 00:28:42.039 and sisters 00:28:42.039 --> 00:28:43.240 and love them 00:28:43.240 --> 00:28:43.759 the same? 00:28:44.680 --> 00:28:45.120 That's what 00:28:45.120 --> 00:28:45.980 1 John is saying, 00:28:46.559 --> 00:28:47.640 riffing on this passage 00:28:47.640 --> 00:28:48.599 from Genesis 4. 00:28:49.620 --> 00:28:49.980 You see, 00:28:50.059 --> 00:28:50.759 sin wants us 00:28:50.759 --> 00:28:51.339 to remain 00:28:51.339 --> 00:28:52.140 self-centered. 00:28:54.240 --> 00:28:55.039 I'm not 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.460 the problem 00:28:55.460 --> 00:28:56.019 they are. 00:28:56.120 --> 00:28:56.460 I'm not 00:28:56.460 --> 00:28:57.319 responsible for them. 00:28:57.380 --> 00:28:57.900 I care more 00:28:57.900 --> 00:28:58.500 about myself. 00:28:58.640 --> 00:28:58.819 No, 00:28:58.920 --> 00:29:00.480 but Christ 00:29:00.480 --> 00:29:01.200 through the Spirit 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:01.940 turns us 00:29:01.940 --> 00:29:03.240 from self-centeredness 00:29:03.240 --> 00:29:04.059 outward 00:29:04.059 --> 00:29:05.680 in love. 00:29:06.099 --> 00:29:06.539 Why? 00:29:07.400 --> 00:29:08.099 Because we've 00:29:08.099 --> 00:29:08.779 been loved. 00:29:08.779 --> 00:29:09.779 sin. 00:29:09.779 --> 00:29:13.859 And this life 00:29:13.859 --> 00:29:14.220 of love 00:29:14.220 --> 00:29:15.220 creates a culture. 00:29:16.779 --> 00:29:17.680 In the third 00:29:17.680 --> 00:29:18.460 part of Genesis 4, 00:29:18.539 --> 00:29:19.279 we saw that amidst 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:20.319 much common grace, 00:29:20.579 --> 00:29:22.180 sin still becomes 00:29:22.180 --> 00:29:22.680 entrenched 00:29:22.680 --> 00:29:23.859 in cultural patterns. 00:29:23.859 --> 00:29:27.799 But Christ, 00:29:27.919 --> 00:29:28.619 through the Spirit, 00:29:29.219 --> 00:29:29.839 is creating 00:29:29.839 --> 00:29:30.779 a counterculture 00:29:30.779 --> 00:29:31.639 in the midst 00:29:31.639 --> 00:29:32.219 of the world's 00:29:32.219 --> 00:29:32.579 cultures. 00:29:33.659 --> 00:29:34.339 In the midst 00:29:34.339 --> 00:29:35.219 of common grace, 00:29:35.299 --> 00:29:36.059 he's gathering 00:29:36.059 --> 00:29:36.539 a people 00:29:36.539 --> 00:29:37.259 to proclaim 00:29:37.259 --> 00:29:38.279 and embody 00:29:38.279 --> 00:29:39.559 saving grace. 00:29:40.719 --> 00:29:41.119 You see, 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:41.579 when Christ 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.259 poured out 00:29:42.259 --> 00:29:42.699 his Spirit 00:29:42.699 --> 00:29:43.419 at Pentecost, 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.359 he launched 00:29:44.359 --> 00:29:44.879 a movement 00:29:44.879 --> 00:29:45.459 of renewal 00:29:45.459 --> 00:29:46.459 upon the world. 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:48.079 And that movement, 00:29:48.219 --> 00:29:49.219 that counterculture 00:29:49.219 --> 00:29:50.579 is nothing less 00:29:50.579 --> 00:29:52.799 than the church. 00:29:53.859 --> 00:29:55.639 here, 00:29:55.979 --> 00:29:56.439 us, 00:29:56.839 --> 00:29:57.479 you and me, 00:29:58.879 --> 00:30:00.059 the radical 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:01.099 beachhead 00:30:01.099 --> 00:30:01.819 and spearhead 00:30:01.819 --> 00:30:02.319 of the very 00:30:02.319 --> 00:30:03.259 kingdom of God 00:30:03.259 --> 00:30:04.519 sitting here 00:30:04.519 --> 00:30:05.139 on these 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.579 uncomfortable 00:30:05.579 --> 00:30:06.439 wooden pews. 00:30:07.519 --> 00:30:08.259 Here we are. 00:30:11.240 --> 00:30:11.699 You see, 00:30:11.759 --> 00:30:11.919 friends, 00:30:11.959 --> 00:30:12.459 we're not supposed 00:30:12.459 --> 00:30:13.059 to do this 00:30:13.059 --> 00:30:13.939 Christian thing alone. 00:30:14.419 --> 00:30:14.939 We're meant 00:30:14.939 --> 00:30:15.559 to be a body. 00:30:15.859 --> 00:30:16.119 We're meant 00:30:16.119 --> 00:30:16.919 to be a family 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.959 so that we can 00:30:17.959 --> 00:30:19.259 display and become 00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:20.500 something new 00:30:20.500 --> 00:30:21.059 together. 00:30:21.959 --> 00:30:23.099 A new kind 00:30:23.099 --> 00:30:23.699 of family 00:30:23.700 --> 00:30:24.460 in the middle 00:30:24.460 --> 00:30:25.059 of the world's 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:25.500 families. 00:30:25.799 --> 00:30:26.400 But this one's 00:30:26.400 --> 00:30:27.299 now not defined 00:30:27.299 --> 00:30:28.700 by who your 00:30:28.700 --> 00:30:29.640 biological parents 00:30:29.640 --> 00:30:30.000 were, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.620 but whose father 00:30:32.620 --> 00:30:33.080 you are. 00:30:33.360 --> 00:30:34.259 Whose father 00:30:34.259 --> 00:30:35.559 has become God 00:30:35.559 --> 00:30:36.759 is now your father. 00:30:37.740 --> 00:30:38.420 And now we're all 00:30:38.420 --> 00:30:39.100 part of the same 00:30:39.100 --> 00:30:40.420 family in Christ. 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:42.640 And together, 00:30:42.779 --> 00:30:43.480 Jesus says, 00:30:44.100 --> 00:30:44.600 you're going to be 00:30:44.600 --> 00:30:45.580 salt and you're 00:30:45.580 --> 00:30:46.200 going to be light. 00:30:47.380 --> 00:30:48.580 Salt to restore, 00:30:48.720 --> 00:30:49.220 to preserve, 00:30:49.600 --> 00:30:50.220 to flavor, 00:30:50.380 --> 00:30:51.340 and light to reveal, 00:30:51.339 --> 00:30:52.500 and to warm, 00:30:52.819 --> 00:30:53.480 and to grow. 00:30:53.879 --> 00:30:54.279 And you know 00:30:54.279 --> 00:30:54.699 one of the most 00:30:54.699 --> 00:30:55.799 powerful ways 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:56.919 that we live 00:30:56.919 --> 00:30:58.019 as this movement, 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:59.179 as this counterculture 00:30:59.179 --> 00:31:00.119 of salt and light? 00:31:03.119 --> 00:31:04.199 It's through the power 00:31:04.199 --> 00:31:04.839 of forgiveness. 00:31:08.839 --> 00:31:09.599 Lamech boasted 00:31:09.599 --> 00:31:10.559 that if anyone 00:31:10.559 --> 00:31:11.399 crossed him, 00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:12.699 there would be 00:31:12.699 --> 00:31:13.959 77 times 00:31:13.959 --> 00:31:15.079 wrath to pay. 00:31:15.079 --> 00:31:18.339 But Jesus, 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:20.240 perhaps echoing 00:31:20.240 --> 00:31:21.379 this very passage, 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.899 said that for his 00:31:22.899 --> 00:31:23.379 followers, 00:31:23.519 --> 00:31:24.019 it would not be 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.579 revenge, 00:31:25.139 --> 00:31:26.139 but forgiveness 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:27.179 that must be 00:31:27.179 --> 00:31:28.919 extended 70 times 00:31:28.919 --> 00:31:29.299 7. 00:31:32.399 --> 00:31:33.460 The church is the 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:34.099 place where the 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:34.960 cycle of revenge 00:31:34.960 --> 00:31:35.500 stops, 00:31:36.279 --> 00:31:37.259 and where even 00:31:37.259 --> 00:31:38.159 enemies are loved. 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:41.419 And friends, 00:31:41.619 --> 00:31:43.579 that will create 00:31:43.579 --> 00:31:45.079 a counterculture 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:47.199 like something 00:31:47.199 --> 00:31:47.559 the world 00:31:47.559 --> 00:31:48.339 has never seen. 00:31:50.019 --> 00:31:50.500 Here, 00:31:50.839 --> 00:31:51.579 under the cross 00:31:51.579 --> 00:31:52.220 of Christ, 00:31:53.079 --> 00:31:53.919 loving one another, 00:31:54.579 --> 00:31:55.059 and loving 00:31:55.059 --> 00:31:55.639 our enemies. 00:31:59.399 --> 00:32:00.059 And so, 00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:00.759 Genesis 4. 00:32:01.899 --> 00:32:02.960 The power of sin 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:03.539 is real. 00:32:03.639 --> 00:32:04.220 Let us not 00:32:04.220 --> 00:32:05.359 underestimate it. 00:32:05.419 --> 00:32:06.000 Let us not 00:32:06.000 --> 00:32:06.599 be naive. 00:32:08.179 --> 00:32:08.939 But let us 00:32:08.939 --> 00:32:09.960 not over 00:32:09.960 --> 00:32:11.099 estimate it. 00:32:12.019 --> 00:32:12.759 The power 00:32:12.759 --> 00:32:13.480 of Christ 00:32:13.480 --> 00:32:14.500 working through 00:32:14.500 --> 00:32:15.400 his Holy Spirit 00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:15.920 in you, 00:32:16.019 --> 00:32:16.700 in us, 00:32:17.059 --> 00:32:17.660 is greater. 00:32:19.660 --> 00:32:20.299 Sin is 00:32:20.299 --> 00:32:20.980 crouching at 00:32:20.980 --> 00:32:21.380 the door, 00:32:21.660 --> 00:32:22.000 yes, 00:32:22.920 --> 00:32:24.299 but Jesus 00:32:24.299 --> 00:32:25.240 stands knocking 00:32:25.240 --> 00:32:25.799 at the door. 00:32:27.240 --> 00:32:27.740 Sin wants 00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.420 to devour. 00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:30.319 Jesus wants 00:32:30.319 --> 00:32:30.880 to come in 00:32:30.880 --> 00:32:31.460 and dine with 00:32:31.460 --> 00:32:31.960 us and make 00:32:31.960 --> 00:32:32.700 us his friends. 00:32:33.339 --> 00:32:33.880 And through 00:32:33.880 --> 00:32:34.360 us, 00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.240 together, 00:32:35.819 --> 00:32:36.599 to go out 00:32:36.599 --> 00:32:37.839 and set 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.539 many captives 00:32:38.539 --> 00:32:38.860 free. 00:32:40.019 --> 00:32:40.319 Amen? 00:32:41.160 --> 00:32:41.880 Let's pray. 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:41.940 Amen. 00:32:43.519 --> 00:32:49.579 Why don't we 00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.299 pause for just 00:32:50.299 --> 00:32:50.740 a moment? 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.920 Take just a 00:32:52.920 --> 00:32:53.240 moment of 00:32:53.240 --> 00:32:54.000 quiet before 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.900 God together. 00:32:54.900 --> 00:33:14.880 Lord Jesus, I know there are many of my friends in this room 00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:18.720 who know firsthand what it's like 00:33:18.720 --> 00:33:22.300 to experience the power of sin. 00:33:24.900 --> 00:33:30.360 Lord, many trials, much heartache, many addictions, many broken relationships, many ways in which 00:33:30.360 --> 00:33:31.740 the culture shapes us. 00:33:36.220 --> 00:33:39.140 So, Lord, this morning we turn our hands open to you 00:33:39.140 --> 00:33:44.160 and we ask for your help. 00:33:47.640 --> 00:33:49.660 Lord, we surrender to you this morning. 00:33:54.900 --> 00:34:00.560 And we give you thanks that you have not left us 00:34:00.560 --> 00:34:06.640 helpless, hopeless, but you have come to us. 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:10.160 Oh, Lord, would you fill us with your spirit 00:34:10.160 --> 00:34:14.700 this day, Monday, Tuesday, 00:34:15.240 --> 00:34:17.940 out into this week, out through the rest of this month. 00:34:17.940 --> 00:34:20.900 Lord, help us to keep in step with your spirit. 00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:27.559 Fixing our eyes on you, Lord Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. 00:34:28.980 --> 00:34:34.820 So that we might not be oblivious to the power of sin, but that we might walk 00:34:34.820 --> 00:34:37.940 in daily victory. 00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:42.599 Not through us, but through you, Lord Jesus, our great victor. 00:34:42.599 --> 00:34:48.819 Lord, we know that you hold the keys to death and hell in your hands. 00:34:49.920 --> 00:34:54.639 Lord, one day every knee in heaven and earth and under the earth will bow to you 00:34:54.639 --> 00:34:57.199 and confess you as Lord. 00:34:58.059 --> 00:35:01.339 Jesus, that is what we do this morning in anticipation of that great day. 00:35:01.440 --> 00:35:02.400 We call you Lord. 00:35:02.900 --> 00:35:06.639 And we pray that more and more you would be the Lord of our lives, 00:35:06.639 --> 00:35:11.139 that your kingdom would come and your will would be done in us and through us 00:35:11.139 --> 00:35:13.239 on earth as it is in heaven. 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:14.900 Amen. 00:35:18.679 --> 00:35:22.679 Well, friends, as the music team comes up, let's respond together by singing 00:35:22.679 --> 00:35:27.159 in Christ alone, praising Christ for all that he is and all that he's done for us. 00:35:27.159 --> 00:35:27.219 Amen.