WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.060 be seated. Good morning. My name is Matthew Capone, and I'm the pastor here at Cheyenne Mountain 00:00:08.060 --> 00:00:14.980 Presbyterian Church, and it's my joy to bring God's Word to you today. A special welcome if 00:00:14.980 --> 00:00:19.839 you are new or visiting with us. We're glad that you're here, and we're glad that you're here not 00:00:19.839 --> 00:00:24.960 because we're trying to fill seats, but because we're following Jesus together as one community, 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:30.280 and as we follow Jesus together, we become convinced that there's no one so good, they don't 00:00:30.280 --> 00:00:36.260 need God's grace, and no one so bad that they can't have it, which is why we come back week after week 00:00:36.260 --> 00:00:43.960 to hear what God has to say to us in His Word. We're continuing this Sunday in our series in the 00:00:43.960 --> 00:00:49.560 Book of Romans, and you'll remember that the Book of Romans is a letter written by the Apostle Paul 00:00:49.560 --> 00:00:55.900 in the 50s AD, and it's called Romans for a very simple reason, which is that it's written to the 00:00:55.900 --> 00:01:03.060 churches in the city of Rome. This letter is about the gospel. It's about the good news of Jesus' death 00:01:03.060 --> 00:01:09.159 and resurrection, and Paul's hope, as we saw back in chapter 1, is that these churches would be established 00:01:09.159 --> 00:01:16.060 in the gospel. Paul will make many applications as we go through this letter, but he's especially 00:01:16.060 --> 00:01:23.540 concerned with the mission and the unity of the church, and there are many spokes, there are many 00:01:23.540 --> 00:01:29.740 side quests and topics we're going to explore as we go through this. Paul constantly is going to take 00:01:29.740 --> 00:01:36.340 us back to the gospel. As I've told you before, it's tempting when we come to passages like this to 00:01:36.340 --> 00:01:42.280 just see each set of verses as sort of a random statement with random points, but what I want you to 00:01:42.280 --> 00:01:48.019 see is that Paul is making this overarching argument in the first three chapters of his letter, and the 00:01:48.019 --> 00:01:54.859 overarching argument is what he summarizes in chapter 3 when he says, all have sinned and fall short of 00:01:54.859 --> 00:02:04.240 the glory of God. So Paul spends three chapters to say everyone is a sinner. Okay, that's the main point. 00:02:04.319 --> 00:02:10.840 We're looking at that each week from different angles. Chapter 1, we talked about how Gentiles deserve 00:02:10.840 --> 00:02:16.960 God's wrath. Now in chapter 2, we're talking about how Jews deserve God's wrath, and we might, for us 00:02:16.960 --> 00:02:22.000 today, split that up into how those who are non-religious, those who are outside of the church, 00:02:22.340 --> 00:02:28.580 deserve God's judgment. Those who are religious, those who are inside the church, deserve God's judgment. 00:02:29.659 --> 00:02:35.219 Last week, we looked at this idea that having the law, having access to God's word will not save us. 00:02:35.219 --> 00:02:42.639 This week, Paul is going to close chapter 2 by reminding us that circumcision will not save the Jews, 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:52.680 which is a way of saying religious symbols, religious signs, religious activity is not our hope. 00:02:54.120 --> 00:03:00.099 And so with that, I invite you to turn with me now to Romans chapter 2, starting at verse 25. 00:03:00.099 --> 00:03:07.180 As we turn there, remember that this is God's word. God tells us that his word is more precious than gold, 00:03:07.259 --> 00:03:12.439 even the finest gold, and it's sweeter than honey, even honey that comes straight from the honeycomb. 00:03:13.060 --> 00:03:17.900 And so that's why we read now Romans chapter 2, starting at verse 25. 00:03:19.900 --> 00:03:26.599 For circumcision indeed is a value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision 00:03:26.599 --> 00:03:34.659 becomes uncircumcision. So if a man who is uncircumcised keeps the precepts of the law, 00:03:35.259 --> 00:03:43.359 will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? Then he who is physically uncircumcised 00:03:43.359 --> 00:03:50.500 but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision, but break the law. 00:03:50.500 --> 00:03:52.360 Verse 28. 00:03:53.319 --> 00:04:00.020 For no one is a Jew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 00:04:00.800 --> 00:04:05.919 But a Jew is one inwardly, and circumcision is a matter of the heart, 00:04:06.379 --> 00:04:09.699 by the spirit, not by the letter. 00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:14.099 His praise is not from man, but from God. 00:04:15.280 --> 00:04:19.139 I invite you to pray with me as we come to this portion of God's word. 00:04:19.139 --> 00:04:24.800 Our Father in heaven, we do praise you and we thank you as we do every Sunday, 00:04:25.079 --> 00:04:27.800 that you speak to us clearly in your word. 00:04:28.339 --> 00:04:31.419 And we ask, as we do every Sunday, that you would do that again. 00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:35.579 That you would unstop our ears, that you'd open our eyes, 00:04:36.060 --> 00:04:38.879 that you would clear our minds and you'd soften our hearts. 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:43.639 That we would be able to hear and see and understand and believe 00:04:43.639 --> 00:04:46.419 everything that you've written in your word. 00:04:46.420 --> 00:04:49.500 And most of all, we ask that you would show us Jesus Christ, 00:04:50.000 --> 00:04:55.379 and that we would see his great glory and majesty and beauty and holiness and power and authority, 00:04:56.080 --> 00:04:58.220 his mercy, his grace, and his love. 00:04:58.720 --> 00:05:03.040 We ask that you would grow us, that we would have more love and affection and reverence and awe 00:05:03.040 --> 00:05:04.580 and obedience for him. 00:05:05.120 --> 00:05:08.259 And we ask all of these things in the mighty name of Jesus Christ. 00:05:08.840 --> 00:05:09.100 Amen. 00:05:09.100 --> 00:05:19.620 I want you to imagine with me for a minute that you are having a one-on-one meeting with someone. 00:05:20.660 --> 00:05:22.260 You are meeting with a man, 00:05:22.600 --> 00:05:28.939 and it has just come out that this man has been engaged in an extramarital affair for 10 years. 00:05:28.939 --> 00:05:34.819 So he's had 10 years of cheating on his wife, and he's finally been caught. 00:05:35.379 --> 00:05:39.860 His wife knows, and it has shaken the foundations of his marriage. 00:05:40.600 --> 00:05:42.699 And so you meet with him, and you ask him, you say, 00:05:42.779 --> 00:05:43.800 How are things going? 00:05:44.920 --> 00:05:48.100 Is there anything left of your marriage? 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:52.320 And this man says to you, things are going great. 00:05:53.420 --> 00:05:56.100 My marriage is actually fantastic. 00:05:56.780 --> 00:05:57.820 It's very strong. 00:05:58.520 --> 00:06:02.060 And you can tell this man's not joking, and so you're shocked, right? 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:04.379 How in the world could he say such a thing? 00:06:04.760 --> 00:06:06.160 And so you start to ask him questions. 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:08.760 You say, well, are you and your wife talking right now? 00:06:09.360 --> 00:06:10.180 He says, no. 00:06:12.160 --> 00:06:13.120 Are you living? 00:06:13.220 --> 00:06:14.400 Is she still living with you? 00:06:15.140 --> 00:06:15.740 He says, no. 00:06:15.800 --> 00:06:16.439 She's moved out. 00:06:16.520 --> 00:06:17.360 She's with her sister. 00:06:17.360 --> 00:06:20.520 You say, have you cut things off with that other woman? 00:06:21.520 --> 00:06:22.280 He says, no. 00:06:23.500 --> 00:06:23.699 Right? 00:06:23.740 --> 00:06:30.319 And so you say to him, how in the world can you say to me that your marriage is strong? 00:06:31.180 --> 00:06:35.020 And at this point, he whips out his left hand, and he says, look. 00:06:35.580 --> 00:06:36.600 Look at it. 00:06:36.860 --> 00:06:39.100 You can see my ring. 00:06:40.300 --> 00:06:41.860 I'm still wearing it. 00:06:42.720 --> 00:06:46.819 And he looks like he's just presented this royal flush, right, in a game of poker. 00:06:46.819 --> 00:06:50.219 He has got you with that, right? 00:06:51.259 --> 00:06:52.519 Read it and weep. 00:06:53.199 --> 00:06:53.759 Checkmate. 00:06:55.360 --> 00:06:56.920 I've got the ring. 00:06:57.540 --> 00:06:59.639 Nothing else matters. 00:07:00.480 --> 00:07:05.019 And you might be thinking, and you would rightly to think this, what planet is this man on? 00:07:05.860 --> 00:07:06.139 Right? 00:07:06.139 --> 00:07:15.159 What planet is he on that he thinks that what really matters in the midst of his unfaithfulness, that he's still wearing his wedding ring? 00:07:15.800 --> 00:07:18.979 You would say to him, man, you're not connected to reality. 00:07:20.099 --> 00:07:24.139 If you're a member of Gen Z, you might say, brother, you need to touch grass. 00:07:25.000 --> 00:07:25.259 Okay? 00:07:25.259 --> 00:07:29.180 Something is off here. 00:07:30.079 --> 00:07:31.399 What has happened? 00:07:32.420 --> 00:07:38.659 This man has confused the symbol and the reality. 00:07:38.660 --> 00:07:42.080 He's put those things together. 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:43.880 He's in a wrong way, right? 00:07:44.000 --> 00:07:48.660 He's confused the ring with the commitment it signifies. 00:07:50.060 --> 00:07:50.580 Right? 00:07:50.640 --> 00:07:51.700 He's taken this ring. 00:07:51.800 --> 00:07:58.420 He thinks that's enough, not the life of commitment and the substance of his relationship. 00:07:59.379 --> 00:08:04.120 That's the point that Paul is making here at the end of Romans chapter 2. 00:08:04.560 --> 00:08:08.960 Remember, Romans chapter 1, he's saying, look, all the Gentiles receive God's judgment. 00:08:09.319 --> 00:08:14.400 Then in chapter 2, he turns to the Jews and he says the Jews deserve God's judgment as well. 00:08:14.480 --> 00:08:17.560 And yet he knows he's going to be met with skepticism. 00:08:18.400 --> 00:08:24.160 And so throughout chapter 2, he's raising all the objections that he knows that they will come up with. 00:08:24.680 --> 00:08:27.920 He knows that the Jews are going to say, as we saw last week, look, we have the law. 00:08:27.920 --> 00:08:28.280 Right? 00:08:29.140 --> 00:08:32.200 Now he comes to the final and last objection. 00:08:32.800 --> 00:08:36.779 The Jews are going to say to him, what do you mean we're under God's judgment? 00:08:37.440 --> 00:08:39.740 We have circumcision. 00:08:41.279 --> 00:08:44.580 And so he's responding to this idea that was common among Jews of that time, 00:08:44.580 --> 00:08:49.960 that this sign that God had given, this special sign of his people in Genesis chapter 17, 00:08:50.139 --> 00:08:54.139 the sign by itself was enough to save. 00:08:55.100 --> 00:08:58.240 They believed that this was a guarantee of God's blessing. 00:08:58.419 --> 00:09:02.799 That those uncircumcised Gentiles, they needed to worry about God's judgment. 00:09:02.799 --> 00:09:05.439 Those who are circumcised do not. 00:09:05.919 --> 00:09:06.659 They're safe. 00:09:07.279 --> 00:09:08.079 They're protected. 00:09:08.080 --> 00:09:18.759 And so that's why he says here in verse 25, circumcision is indeed is of value if you obey the law. 00:09:18.759 --> 00:09:29.120 We might say to this man, yes, your wedding ring is of great value if you are a faithful spouse. 00:09:30.559 --> 00:09:30.679 Right? 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:33.399 Outside of that, it's lost its meaning. 00:09:33.399 --> 00:09:39.299 You think that this sign is enough to cover you when the substance is missing. 00:09:39.299 --> 00:09:43.679 Verse 27, he goes on to make the same point. 00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:51.539 He who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law will condemn you who have the written code and circumcision, 00:09:51.939 --> 00:09:54.000 but break the law. 00:09:54.819 --> 00:09:59.639 Okay, you have this great sign of God's people, but you don't walk in God's ways. 00:09:59.639 --> 00:10:03.179 The sign will not help. 00:10:05.399 --> 00:10:11.620 Oh, you have this sign, this symbol of your commitment to your spouse, but that's not how you're living? 00:10:12.799 --> 00:10:14.240 That sign's not going to help you. 00:10:14.299 --> 00:10:15.539 It's not going to save you. 00:10:16.100 --> 00:10:18.720 That is not what really matters. 00:10:20.159 --> 00:10:23.259 Verse 26, you don't have circumcision, but you keep the law. 00:10:23.259 --> 00:10:25.580 Well, it can be saved. 00:10:26.539 --> 00:10:29.500 The symbol is not ultimate. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:33.500 And so what Paul is highlighting here, his point, is this. 00:10:33.819 --> 00:10:41.720 The Jews are relying on religious ritual, religious symbols, religious activity. 00:10:42.580 --> 00:10:47.080 What they do not have is a new spiritual reality. 00:10:48.319 --> 00:10:51.679 The Jews are relying on what is on the outside. 00:10:51.679 --> 00:10:57.120 They're not concerned with what's going on on the inside. 00:10:58.159 --> 00:11:00.579 And you'll see this on page 7 of your worship guide. 00:11:01.419 --> 00:11:07.959 Circumcision was of great value if one understood and lived its intended significance. 00:11:08.959 --> 00:11:19.339 However, if its meaning was disregarded, it was as meaningless as a wedding ring on an adulterer's finger. 00:11:19.340 --> 00:11:25.000 Faith and performance gave circumcision its reality. 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:28.360 And so Paul's warning them here. 00:11:28.460 --> 00:11:33.180 He's saying, look, you take confidence in this religious ritual, these signs, this activity, 00:11:33.639 --> 00:11:40.259 but the internal reality of your lives and your hearts is not attached to God and his ways. 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:45.460 Circumcision, what one can see on the outside, will not save. 00:11:45.460 --> 00:11:49.620 We might say this today, baptism will not save you. 00:11:50.920 --> 00:11:52.560 Baptism points to something. 00:11:52.660 --> 00:11:53.860 It represents something. 00:11:54.180 --> 00:11:55.480 It shows something. 00:11:55.600 --> 00:11:57.820 It's God washing you clean of your sins. 00:11:58.180 --> 00:12:01.920 Is that true on the inside as well? 00:12:01.919 --> 00:12:10.939 Is your hope in God's mercy and his grace or is your hope in your religious activity? 00:12:12.679 --> 00:12:16.819 Many years ago, you know, when you come and join our church and become a member, 00:12:17.299 --> 00:12:20.079 you meet with the elders of the church and we ask you this question, you know, 00:12:20.120 --> 00:12:25.479 how do you, why do you believe that you're a Christian or how did you come to know Jesus? 00:12:25.480 --> 00:12:30.620 And we asked this a number of years ago of an older man who came to be interviewed for membership. 00:12:30.800 --> 00:12:32.300 We said, how do you know that you're a Christian? 00:12:33.139 --> 00:12:42.180 And this man said to us, well, I worked for many years to send my children to Presbyterian schools. 00:12:44.860 --> 00:12:46.019 We thought, wait, what? 00:12:47.240 --> 00:12:50.620 You're a Christian because you sent your kids to the Presbyterian school? 00:12:50.620 --> 00:12:53.179 We need to talk some more about this. 00:12:53.480 --> 00:12:57.000 Okay, we need to unpack that and understand what you mean by this. 00:12:57.299 --> 00:13:03.340 The very suggestion that we would need to talk more was so offensive to this man that he just stormed out of our church. 00:13:04.899 --> 00:13:08.000 He said, you think you want to talk about whether I'm a Christian or not? 00:13:08.039 --> 00:13:09.919 How dare you question that? 00:13:10.740 --> 00:13:12.700 I sent my kids to Presbyterian school. 00:13:14.680 --> 00:13:17.100 I was involved in the right religious activities. 00:13:17.100 --> 00:13:21.360 I participated in the right rituals. 00:13:22.440 --> 00:13:24.740 If you're not a Christian, you might be surprised by that. 00:13:24.800 --> 00:13:26.980 You might think, wait, I thought that's what Christianity was about. 00:13:28.019 --> 00:13:31.920 I thought it was about keeping the right rules and living in the right way. 00:13:33.040 --> 00:13:34.560 And so I'm here to tell you this morning, no. 00:13:35.860 --> 00:13:39.920 Paul's reminding us Christianity, in fact, is about a radical transformation of the heart 00:13:39.920 --> 00:13:42.840 in which we have a heart of stone replaced by a heart of flesh. 00:13:42.840 --> 00:13:46.080 And so we have new loves and affections and desires and hopes. 00:13:47.100 --> 00:13:52.500 Yes, there's a way of living that flows downstream of that. 00:13:53.740 --> 00:13:58.940 It's not those religious rituals or activities that we put our hope in. 00:14:00.440 --> 00:14:05.879 If you are a Christian, you might be thinking, well, of course, I know better than to say something like that, right? 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:09.220 I've been to enough Sunday school classes. 00:14:09.220 --> 00:14:12.899 I'm smart enough to not say something like that out loud. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:19.220 I know the right answer, but I've saved by grace through faith in Christ alone. 00:14:21.259 --> 00:14:24.700 And that doesn't mean that we always think that or live that. 00:14:24.700 --> 00:14:29.900 And so Paul is raising a question for us, which is this. 00:14:30.160 --> 00:14:32.540 How do you know that you're a Christian? 00:14:34.759 --> 00:14:35.920 How do you know that you're a Christian? 00:14:37.360 --> 00:14:39.740 Are you a Christian because you grew up in the church? 00:14:41.200 --> 00:14:41.600 No. 00:14:41.600 --> 00:14:48.300 Are you a Christian because you helped put on the Christmas pageant at Cheyenne Mountain Presbyterian Church? 00:14:48.299 --> 00:14:48.500 No. 00:14:52.500 --> 00:14:56.539 Are you a Christian because you're planning on voting for the right candidates next month? 00:14:58.339 --> 00:15:01.819 You know, the Christian candidates, whichever ones those are. 00:15:03.819 --> 00:15:04.259 No. 00:15:05.919 --> 00:15:08.319 Are you a Christian because you serve on the missions team? 00:15:09.539 --> 00:15:09.979 No. 00:15:09.980 --> 00:15:10.019 No. 00:15:11.820 --> 00:15:14.139 Because you're a church member and you're here on Sunday morning? 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:15.899 No. 00:15:16.899 --> 00:15:18.039 Because you were baptized? 00:15:19.759 --> 00:15:20.180 No. 00:15:21.019 --> 00:15:25.420 Because you read the holiness of God by R.C. Sproul and you now know the correct way to think? 00:15:27.399 --> 00:15:27.800 No. 00:15:29.960 --> 00:15:31.060 Verse 28. 00:15:31.059 --> 00:15:45.500 You'll see this on page 8 of your worship guide. 00:15:46.500 --> 00:15:50.899 Human beings are comfortable with what is outward, visible, material, and superficial. 00:15:51.779 --> 00:15:58.879 What matters to God is a deep, inward, secret work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts. 00:15:58.879 --> 00:16:07.519 Paul here is saying, look, it's great that you've been circumcised on the outside. 00:16:09.539 --> 00:16:13.860 But the real question is, are you circumcised on the inside? 00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:18.820 In fact, that's what Britt read for us from Deuteronomy chapter 10. 00:16:20.539 --> 00:16:25.259 Through Moses, God says to his people, circumcise the foreskins of your hearts. 00:16:25.840 --> 00:16:28.779 He's saying, what's true of the sign, let it be true in reality. 00:16:29.419 --> 00:16:32.919 We might say, be baptized in your hearts. 00:16:33.519 --> 00:16:40.439 As baptism represents being part of God's people, united to Christ, washed clean of our sins, and filled with the Holy Spirit. 00:16:41.240 --> 00:16:44.200 Let that be true of your life as well. 00:16:45.679 --> 00:16:49.559 Baptism by itself is of no help. 00:16:49.559 --> 00:16:55.979 I've told you that Romans is the fifth gospel because what it teaches, Jesus taught first. 00:16:56.639 --> 00:16:58.500 Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 7, 00:16:58.500 --> 00:17:05.099 Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:09.599 But the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:19.740 On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and cast out demons in your name? 00:17:19.740 --> 00:17:24.380 And do many mighty works in your name? 00:17:26.120 --> 00:17:29.160 And then I will declare to them, I never knew you. 00:17:29.859 --> 00:17:33.079 Depart from me, you workers of lawlessness. 00:17:33.079 --> 00:17:35.960 We might say this. 00:17:36.619 --> 00:17:42.919 On that day, many will say to me, Lord, Lord, did we not attend worship every Sunday morning? 00:17:44.119 --> 00:17:51.599 Lord, Lord, did we not embrace the right doctrines and understand that reformed theology is what our church subscribes to? 00:17:52.179 --> 00:17:55.919 Lord, Lord, were we not busy with many religious activities? 00:17:55.920 --> 00:17:56.320 Yes. 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:04.920 But was there a transformation of your heart and mind and life? 00:18:06.220 --> 00:18:12.460 Did you love the Lord Jesus Christ with your soul and mind and strength? 00:18:14.160 --> 00:18:16.840 Paul's point in these verses is very simple. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:25.440 Religious activity, religious signs, and religious symbols will not save. 00:18:25.920 --> 00:18:34.800 Religious activity, religious signs, religious symbols will not save. 00:18:37.840 --> 00:18:41.980 Now, if those things don't save, and by the way, I'm not saying those things aren't important. 00:18:42.060 --> 00:18:42.600 They don't matter. 00:18:43.440 --> 00:18:45.620 Paul's not saying circumcision doesn't matter. 00:18:45.920 --> 00:18:52.500 In fact, he says, verse 25, circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law. 00:18:53.560 --> 00:18:55.460 We might say the same thing about wedding rings. 00:18:55.460 --> 00:19:01.360 Wedding rings are, in fact, of great value if what they represent is true. 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.940 They're very helpful. 00:19:04.079 --> 00:19:06.920 There's a reason we use them in our culture. 00:19:07.279 --> 00:19:09.299 There's a reason we talk about the ring check. 00:19:10.600 --> 00:19:14.640 It's extremely helpful if you're single to know whether someone's taken or not. 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:18.600 It's a value if it represents what's real. 00:19:18.599 --> 00:19:20.719 It's a value to the person wearing it. 00:19:20.759 --> 00:19:26.000 They look at it and they remember, I made promises until death do we part. 00:19:27.619 --> 00:19:28.099 Right? 00:19:28.219 --> 00:19:32.579 But it's only of value if it represents what's true. 00:19:34.079 --> 00:19:36.859 What does matter in this situation? 00:19:37.339 --> 00:19:40.679 What is Paul commending to these folks in these churches? 00:19:40.680 --> 00:19:50.500 Well, he tells us, it is the work of God's Spirit transforming the entire person. 00:19:50.500 --> 00:19:59.400 What matters is the work of God's Spirit transforming the entire person. 00:20:00.279 --> 00:20:02.059 That's what he tells us in verse 29. 00:20:03.400 --> 00:20:03.740 He says, 00:20:03.740 --> 00:20:19.660 And when he says Spirit versus letter here, the letter, he's talking about the Old Testament law that was given to God's people. 00:20:19.960 --> 00:20:23.039 And what he's saying is that the law is good, right? 00:20:23.700 --> 00:20:27.180 The law cannot change your heart. 00:20:27.180 --> 00:20:29.600 Man, it's great. 00:20:29.680 --> 00:20:31.039 We'll talk about this next week. 00:20:31.299 --> 00:20:33.560 It's great that you are given the Old Testament. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:35.420 You have access to God's Word. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:38.779 It is going to show you the way to walk in this world. 00:20:39.960 --> 00:20:41.620 But it cannot change you. 00:20:43.240 --> 00:20:44.700 You know what can change you? 00:20:45.279 --> 00:20:46.060 The Spirit. 00:20:47.820 --> 00:20:55.580 The Holy Spirit, God's Spirit at work being sent by Jesus as he sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty 00:20:55.579 --> 00:20:59.339 is what brings new life into a Christian. 00:21:00.899 --> 00:21:02.439 The law can show your heart. 00:21:03.240 --> 00:21:04.639 It can reveal your heart. 00:21:05.339 --> 00:21:07.199 It cannot change your heart. 00:21:08.399 --> 00:21:12.619 Only the Spirit of the living God can do that. 00:21:14.039 --> 00:21:16.419 And so what's Paul talking about here in verse 29? 00:21:17.359 --> 00:21:23.740 He's speaking of the obedience that comes from a transformed heart. 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:28.819 He's talking about someone that we hear about in Ephesians chapter 2. 00:21:28.940 --> 00:21:32.940 Someone who was spiritually dead who's been brought to spiritual life. 00:21:34.120 --> 00:21:35.319 And what does that person do? 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.700 Ephesians chapter 2, verses 8 and 9. 00:21:37.799 --> 00:21:41.620 They do the good works that God has prepared beforehand. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:47.099 They're changed by the Spirit, not by the letter. 00:21:49.400 --> 00:21:50.900 Verse 29, he tells us. 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:51.559 This is the end. 00:21:51.640 --> 00:21:52.460 I didn't read this part. 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:56.420 His praise is not from man, but from God. 00:21:57.880 --> 00:22:02.019 How do we know that this person is being transformed and changed by the Spirit 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:06.360 rather than relying on religious activity and ritual and sign? 00:22:07.940 --> 00:22:13.000 Well, because this person cares about what God thinks more than what man thinks. 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:18.299 This person's eyes are set on heaven. 00:22:18.420 --> 00:22:20.799 Remember, we talked about that in chapter 1. 00:22:21.140 --> 00:22:23.720 They are looking for God to say, 00:22:23.839 --> 00:22:25.660 well done and good and faithful servant. 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:28.279 They're not looking for man to say that. 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:35.059 They care about God's opinion more than anyone else. 00:22:35.059 --> 00:22:39.859 That's what Paul is telling them here. 00:22:40.480 --> 00:22:41.679 Stop relying. 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:45.539 Stop trusting in circumcision. 00:22:45.539 --> 00:22:48.159 That's not what's going to save you. 00:22:48.799 --> 00:22:50.599 That's not what's going to transform you. 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:58.099 In the summer of 2007, before my freshman year of college, 00:22:58.579 --> 00:23:03.819 I went through this series of lectures in the book of Ephesians by a scholar named Bill Wilder. 00:23:03.980 --> 00:23:06.819 And I had this kind of spiral notebook in which I took notes from it. 00:23:06.819 --> 00:23:09.119 And I have no idea where that notebook is today. 00:23:09.479 --> 00:23:13.759 And I really don't remember most of what I listened to because 2007 was a long time ago. 00:23:14.859 --> 00:23:16.139 But I do remember this. 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:19.379 That as he taught about Ephesians chapter 1, 00:23:19.500 --> 00:23:22.479 he spent a special focus on verses 19 and 20. 00:23:22.839 --> 00:23:25.079 And in verses 19 and 20, Paul says this, 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:28.839 look, there's a power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead. 00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:30.959 There's a resurrection power. 00:23:31.759 --> 00:23:35.599 If you're a Christian, that same power is at work in you. 00:23:35.599 --> 00:23:40.019 There is a coming back from the dead sort of power. 00:23:40.639 --> 00:23:42.919 And in fact, that's the kind of power that's necessary. 00:23:43.099 --> 00:23:45.259 Because in Ephesians chapter 2, Paul says, 00:23:45.459 --> 00:23:50.959 look, you're so spiritually dead, you can't give yourself life. 00:23:51.799 --> 00:23:54.679 Now, I was a very zealous 18-year-old. 00:23:55.439 --> 00:23:57.439 And so I showed up to my freshman year of college, 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:59.359 trying out these different Christian ministries. 00:23:59.779 --> 00:24:01.439 And I don't recommend doing this. 00:24:01.740 --> 00:24:05.359 But I met with a woman who was leading InterVarsity Christian Fellowship 00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:06.119 at my college. 00:24:06.559 --> 00:24:07.879 And I asked her this, 00:24:08.199 --> 00:24:11.240 because I had just listened to this sermon series on Ephesians. 00:24:11.359 --> 00:24:15.579 I said, is the same power that raised Christ from the dead 00:24:15.579 --> 00:24:17.019 at work in your community? 00:24:18.579 --> 00:24:20.519 Is that what I'm going to find in InterVarsity? 00:24:20.819 --> 00:24:22.619 Because I just listened to this man talking, 00:24:22.699 --> 00:24:24.379 and he said, that's what the church should be. 00:24:24.559 --> 00:24:28.139 It should be this place where we see resurrection power at work, 00:24:28.579 --> 00:24:31.199 raising people from spiritual death to spiritual life. 00:24:31.200 --> 00:24:36.019 And I could tell that this woman had never had an 18-year-old ask her that before. 00:24:38.039 --> 00:24:39.920 And I don't recommend dropping that. 00:24:40.480 --> 00:24:42.000 It is an intense question. 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:45.720 It's also a clarifying question. 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:48.660 It's a clarifying question. 00:24:49.000 --> 00:24:50.000 What are we doing here? 00:24:51.640 --> 00:24:52.440 What are we doing? 00:24:52.440 --> 00:24:57.519 When we gather on Sunday morning, are we playing religious games? 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:59.279 Are we going through religious rituals? 00:25:01.920 --> 00:25:03.740 Or are we worshiping the living God? 00:25:06.720 --> 00:25:07.500 What are we doing? 00:25:08.779 --> 00:25:09.700 Why are you here? 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:15.299 It's a question, maybe not for the leader of InterVarsity, 00:25:15.380 --> 00:25:16.820 but it is a question for the Christian. 00:25:16.819 --> 00:25:19.960 When you look at your life, what do you see? 00:25:21.399 --> 00:25:24.039 Do you see merely religious activity? 00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:28.460 Or do you see a resurrection power at work? 00:25:30.200 --> 00:25:35.119 Is the power that raised Christ from the dead at work in you? 00:25:36.220 --> 00:25:39.039 Is that power taking you from death to life? 00:25:39.099 --> 00:25:41.399 Is your heart of stone turning to a heart of flesh? 00:25:41.400 --> 00:25:46.800 Do you have a new ability to say no to sin and yes to godliness? 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:50.600 Do you have a hunger that's growing for God and his ways? 00:25:50.840 --> 00:25:52.240 Not that you're perfect, right? 00:25:52.259 --> 00:25:54.460 Not that we as a church have it all figured out, 00:25:54.519 --> 00:25:57.080 but this is a place where people are being transformed. 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:02.680 This is a place where the power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:04.340 is at work in us. 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:08.140 Is this a place, is your life a place where you're being changed 00:26:08.140 --> 00:26:11.360 more and more into the image of Jesus Christ? 00:26:12.740 --> 00:26:17.840 Are you having a life that's characterized by growing in holiness and obedience? 00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:21.960 Or can you tell that your heart and your mind and your life, 00:26:22.259 --> 00:26:25.460 little by little, step by step, are changing? 00:26:25.460 --> 00:26:35.299 That is a matter of the heart, not of the letter, but by the spirit. 00:26:36.940 --> 00:26:41.480 That is someone who is living not for praise from man, but from God. 00:26:45.360 --> 00:26:46.160 Is that you? 00:26:51.579 --> 00:26:53.600 Paul tells us that's what it means to be a Christian. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.579 Yes. 00:26:57.860 --> 00:27:00.160 Showing up to church is of value 00:27:00.160 --> 00:27:04.240 if you're following after Christ. 00:27:06.059 --> 00:27:08.680 Serving on the missions team is of great value 00:27:08.680 --> 00:27:10.840 if you're following after Christ. 00:27:15.900 --> 00:27:20.940 Helping, studying in God's word is of some value, 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:22.960 great value, as we'll see next week, 00:27:22.960 --> 00:27:26.360 if you're following Christ. 00:27:31.079 --> 00:27:33.039 If you're feeling troubled by all this, 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:37.759 great. 00:27:40.759 --> 00:27:41.920 Conviction is the first step. 00:27:43.579 --> 00:27:45.759 Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit, right? 00:27:45.819 --> 00:27:48.180 What does it mean to be changed by the spirit 00:27:48.180 --> 00:27:49.000 and not by the letter? 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:53.299 The Jews that were presuming on circumcision 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.380 when they heard this, 00:27:54.480 --> 00:27:55.339 they weren't convicted, 00:27:55.519 --> 00:27:56.259 they were angry. 00:27:58.079 --> 00:27:58.519 Right? 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:02.079 Those without the Holy Spirit 00:28:02.079 --> 00:28:03.220 don't get convicted. 00:28:04.059 --> 00:28:04.960 Their hearts are hard. 00:28:06.819 --> 00:28:08.339 If you're troubled by that, 00:28:08.519 --> 00:28:09.579 this, that's good news. 00:28:10.480 --> 00:28:12.119 That's God's spirit at work. 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:14.579 That's the spirit of the living God 00:28:14.579 --> 00:28:15.880 turning hearts of stone 00:28:15.880 --> 00:28:17.440 to hearts of flesh. 00:28:19.920 --> 00:28:21.620 Maybe you're not troubled by this, 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.660 you're overwhelmed by it. 00:28:24.040 --> 00:28:24.980 And you ask yourself, 00:28:25.060 --> 00:28:25.960 how can this be true 00:28:25.960 --> 00:28:28.060 if Jesus tells us in Matthew 11, 00:28:29.000 --> 00:28:30.260 come to me all who labor 00:28:30.260 --> 00:28:31.320 and are heavy laden 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:33.260 and I will give you rest. 00:28:34.540 --> 00:28:35.860 Take my yoke upon you 00:28:35.860 --> 00:28:36.760 and learn from me 00:28:36.760 --> 00:28:37.620 for I am gentle 00:28:37.620 --> 00:28:39.140 and lowly in heart 00:28:39.140 --> 00:28:41.259 and you will find rest 00:28:41.259 --> 00:28:42.140 for your souls. 00:28:43.640 --> 00:28:44.940 For my yoke is easy 00:28:44.940 --> 00:28:47.560 and my burden is light. 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:50.880 This doesn't sound like an easy yoke 00:28:50.880 --> 00:28:51.620 or a light burden. 00:28:52.800 --> 00:28:53.980 This sounds pretty daunting. 00:28:54.080 --> 00:28:55.380 I'm supposed to have this transformation 00:28:55.380 --> 00:28:57.040 of heart and mind and life 00:28:57.040 --> 00:28:57.660 and you're telling me 00:28:57.660 --> 00:28:59.360 that this religious activity 00:28:59.360 --> 00:29:00.440 that I've been involved in 00:29:00.440 --> 00:29:01.360 is not enough 00:29:01.360 --> 00:29:02.520 and it sounds like 00:29:02.520 --> 00:29:03.220 from all of this 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:04.420 that I really just want to go home 00:29:04.420 --> 00:29:05.160 and take a nap. 00:29:05.160 --> 00:29:12.620 The good news is that 00:29:12.620 --> 00:29:14.180 it's not the letter at work 00:29:14.180 --> 00:29:15.860 and it's not you at work. 00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:18.700 It's the spirit of the living God. 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.840 Jesus has this encounter 00:29:21.840 --> 00:29:22.779 in John chapter 3 00:29:22.779 --> 00:29:24.640 with a man named Nicodemus. 00:29:24.740 --> 00:29:26.540 Nicodemus is this religious leader 00:29:26.540 --> 00:29:27.259 of the Jews. 00:29:27.420 --> 00:29:30.060 He certainly places a high value 00:29:30.060 --> 00:29:30.820 on circumcision. 00:29:32.080 --> 00:29:33.200 And yet he also knows 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:34.620 that Jesus is saying something 00:29:34.619 --> 00:29:36.039 that's very true. 00:29:36.639 --> 00:29:37.739 He recognizes 00:29:37.739 --> 00:29:38.859 that he's missing something 00:29:38.859 --> 00:29:40.199 and so he has this late night 00:29:40.199 --> 00:29:41.199 meeting with Jesus 00:29:41.199 --> 00:29:43.099 so he can not be seen 00:29:43.099 --> 00:29:43.659 by anyone 00:29:43.659 --> 00:29:45.219 because it would be scandalous, right, 00:29:45.279 --> 00:29:46.159 for him to be talking 00:29:46.159 --> 00:29:46.699 to someone 00:29:46.699 --> 00:29:47.739 who opposes 00:29:47.739 --> 00:29:49.299 the Jewish religious leadership. 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:50.859 He says, 00:29:50.919 --> 00:29:51.059 Jesus, 00:29:51.179 --> 00:29:52.519 what is going on here? 00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:53.659 We know that you're saying 00:29:53.659 --> 00:29:54.539 things that are true. 00:29:55.319 --> 00:29:56.379 And Jesus says this, 00:29:57.019 --> 00:29:57.819 truly, truly, 00:29:57.939 --> 00:29:58.699 I say to you, 00:29:59.439 --> 00:30:00.579 unless one is born 00:30:00.579 --> 00:30:01.979 of water and the spirit, 00:30:02.459 --> 00:30:04.199 he cannot enter the kingdom. 00:30:04.619 --> 00:30:05.399 of God. 00:30:08.139 --> 00:30:09.399 Does this feel overwhelming? 00:30:11.099 --> 00:30:11.779 It's good 00:30:11.779 --> 00:30:13.279 because you can't do it. 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:16.919 Unless you are born 00:30:16.919 --> 00:30:17.939 of water and the spirit, 00:30:18.199 --> 00:30:19.439 you cannot enter 00:30:19.439 --> 00:30:20.939 the kingdom of God. 00:30:21.919 --> 00:30:22.979 The point 00:30:22.979 --> 00:30:24.699 that the Holy Spirit, 00:30:24.819 --> 00:30:26.000 that the resurrection power 00:30:26.000 --> 00:30:26.919 needs to be at work 00:30:26.919 --> 00:30:27.639 is that 00:30:27.639 --> 00:30:28.659 the Holy Spirit, 00:30:28.779 --> 00:30:29.799 the resurrection power, 00:30:29.899 --> 00:30:30.859 needs to be at work. 00:30:30.859 --> 00:30:33.199 What does it take 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:34.319 for there to be a power 00:30:34.319 --> 00:30:35.779 that raised Jesus 00:30:35.779 --> 00:30:36.299 from the dead 00:30:36.299 --> 00:30:37.059 at work in us? 00:30:37.299 --> 00:30:38.619 It means that the power 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.299 that raised Jesus 00:30:39.299 --> 00:30:39.859 from the dead 00:30:39.859 --> 00:30:41.179 is at work in us. 00:30:42.219 --> 00:30:43.339 It's not a coincidence 00:30:43.339 --> 00:30:44.099 that immediately 00:30:44.099 --> 00:30:45.519 after his conversation 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.579 with Nicodemus, 00:30:46.919 --> 00:30:47.879 Jesus says this, 00:30:48.379 --> 00:30:50.299 for God so loved the world 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:52.500 that he gave his only son 00:30:52.500 --> 00:30:55.500 that whoever believes in him 00:30:55.500 --> 00:30:57.439 should not perish 00:30:57.440 --> 00:30:59.900 but have eternal life. 00:31:01.200 --> 00:31:02.380 This is the gospel. 00:31:03.100 --> 00:31:04.559 The gospel is recognizing 00:31:04.559 --> 00:31:06.759 I must change 00:31:06.759 --> 00:31:09.360 and I cannot change myself. 00:31:10.360 --> 00:31:12.380 I must change 00:31:12.380 --> 00:31:15.720 and I cannot change myself. 00:31:16.660 --> 00:31:18.200 There must be 00:31:18.200 --> 00:31:19.440 a resurrection power 00:31:20.620 --> 00:31:21.500 at work. 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:23.819 There must be something 00:31:23.819 --> 00:31:24.720 so powerful 00:31:24.720 --> 00:31:26.200 that it raised 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.240 Jesus Christ 00:31:27.240 --> 00:31:28.359 from the dead. 00:31:29.680 --> 00:31:30.380 Christian, 00:31:30.980 --> 00:31:32.740 that is the power 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:33.940 that's at work 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:35.259 in you. 00:31:37.579 --> 00:31:39.440 We rely on that, 00:31:40.079 --> 00:31:41.980 not on religious 00:31:41.980 --> 00:31:43.839 signs and symbols 00:31:43.839 --> 00:31:45.759 and activities. 00:31:47.359 --> 00:31:48.220 Remember, 00:31:48.380 --> 00:31:49.759 circumcision is an outward sign 00:31:49.759 --> 00:31:50.680 of an inward reality. 00:31:50.680 --> 00:31:52.460 Baptism is an outward sign 00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.620 of an inward reality. 00:31:54.060 --> 00:31:55.660 What is that inward reality? 00:31:56.900 --> 00:31:58.440 Have you ever seen someone 00:31:58.440 --> 00:31:59.560 baptize themselves? 00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:01.759 No. 00:32:02.960 --> 00:32:05.240 It's an outside power 00:32:05.240 --> 00:32:07.259 acting upon us. 00:32:07.580 --> 00:32:08.440 And so what is our hope? 00:32:09.380 --> 00:32:10.400 It's that God would do 00:32:10.400 --> 00:32:11.180 that very thing. 00:32:11.279 --> 00:32:11.700 And so that's what 00:32:11.700 --> 00:32:12.539 we're going to sing now. 00:32:12.900 --> 00:32:14.100 Not that we would change 00:32:14.100 --> 00:32:14.779 our hearts, no. 00:32:14.920 --> 00:32:16.000 Change my heart, 00:32:16.100 --> 00:32:16.560 oh God. 00:32:17.100 --> 00:32:18.100 Make it ever true. 00:32:19.080 --> 00:32:20.160 Change my heart, 00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:20.759 oh God. 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:23.840 May I be like you. 00:32:24.880 --> 00:32:25.540 Let's pray. 00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.259 Our Father in heaven, 00:32:28.360 --> 00:32:29.440 we do praise you 00:32:29.440 --> 00:32:30.060 and thank you 00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:30.759 for your word 00:32:30.759 --> 00:32:31.440 that is living 00:32:31.440 --> 00:32:32.040 and active. 00:32:33.019 --> 00:32:33.940 We thank you 00:32:33.940 --> 00:32:35.120 that as we know 00:32:35.120 --> 00:32:35.940 we must change 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:37.160 and that we cannot 00:32:37.160 --> 00:32:37.900 change ourselves, 00:32:38.000 --> 00:32:39.220 that your Holy Spirit 00:32:39.220 --> 00:32:40.259 is at work 00:32:40.259 --> 00:32:41.560 in your children. 00:32:42.080 --> 00:32:42.920 We ask that that 00:32:42.920 --> 00:32:43.640 would be true of us 00:32:43.640 --> 00:32:44.080 this morning, 00:32:44.160 --> 00:32:45.140 that the same power 00:32:45.140 --> 00:32:45.960 that raised Jesus 00:32:45.960 --> 00:32:46.860 from the dead 00:32:46.860 --> 00:32:48.420 would be at work in us, 00:32:48.420 --> 00:32:49.480 changing our hearts 00:32:49.480 --> 00:32:50.300 and our minds 00:32:50.300 --> 00:32:51.340 and our lives. 00:32:51.820 --> 00:32:52.460 We thank you 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.360 that we don't worry 00:32:53.360 --> 00:32:53.860 this morning 00:32:53.860 --> 00:32:54.980 about whether we've earned 00:32:54.980 --> 00:32:56.160 or deserved these things. 00:32:56.440 --> 00:32:58.039 We know that we haven't 00:32:58.039 --> 00:32:58.980 and so we ask for them 00:32:58.980 --> 00:33:00.160 simply in the mighty name 00:33:00.160 --> 00:33:01.400 of Jesus Christ. 00:33:01.779 --> 00:33:02.000 Amen. 00:33:03.160 --> 00:33:04.300 I invite you to stand 00:33:04.299 --> 00:33:05.220 for our closing hymn. 00:33:05.220 --> 00:33:35.200 Thank you. 00:33:35.220 --> 00:33:44.720 Change my heart, oh my heart, may I be like you. 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:54.660 You are the powder, I am the clay. 00:33:56.660 --> 00:34:04.100 Mold me and make me, this is what I pray. 00:34:05.220 --> 00:34:13.720 Change my heart, oh God, make it ever true. 00:34:15.659 --> 00:34:23.220 Change my heart, oh God, may I be like you. 00:34:23.219 --> 00:34:33.219 You are the powder, I am the clay. 00:34:33.219 --> 00:34:43.219 Mold me and make me, this is what I pray. 00:34:43.219 --> 00:34:49.719 Change my heart, oh God, may I be like you. 00:34:49.719 --> 00:34:53.219 Make it ever true. 00:34:55.219 --> 00:34:58.219 Change my heart, oh God. 00:34:58.219 --> 00:35:03.719 May I be like you. 00:35:04.719 --> 00:35:07.719 Change my heart, oh God. 00:35:09.719 --> 00:35:12.619 Make it ever true. 00:35:14.819 --> 00:35:17.719 Change my heart, oh God. 00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:23.219 May I be like you. 00:35:23.219 --> 00:35:25.219 Change my heart, oh God. 00:35:25.219 --> 00:35:27.719 Change my heart, oh God. 00:35:27.719 --> 00:35:29.319 Time together with a benediction. 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:31.019 And a benediction is...