WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.980
 Well, as you're probably aware, the way of the world during the time of the New Testament

00:00:05.980 --> 00:00:15.300
 was utterly wicked. You understand that even if you grew up in the secular school system,

00:00:15.400 --> 00:00:19.500
 you will understand that to be the case in your studies of world history, or maybe once you got

00:00:19.500 --> 00:00:26.240
 to college and took history of civilization, the consistency of that time frame was nothing other

00:00:26.239 --> 00:00:33.239
 than wickedness. And that's not to say that our world is without such depravity now.

00:00:34.460 --> 00:00:42.539
 Events even this week have proven to us once again that sin is as pervasive as it's ever been,

00:00:42.560 --> 00:00:47.219
 as we think on the tragedy in Nashville this week and other things that have taken place.

00:00:47.939 --> 00:00:53.280
 But there is somewhat of a difference between our experience today, at least in Western culture,

00:00:53.280 --> 00:00:58.880
 versus the experience of Titus and the Cretans at the time that Paul wrote this letter.

00:00:59.600 --> 00:01:08.579
 Our modern Western culture, at least, is influenced by the historical testimony and teaching of

00:01:08.579 --> 00:01:20.700
 Christianity. In fact, even the secular arguments of morality and ethics often ignorantly have to borrow

00:01:20.700 --> 00:01:28.579
 from the biblical ethic in order to make their point. Our world is so influenced, at least in its history,

00:01:28.680 --> 00:01:34.299
 the Western world is so influenced, at least in its history of Christian teaching and Christian influence,

00:01:34.540 --> 00:01:40.820
 that atheists and agnostics who would try to convince us that their way is right have to actually borrow

00:01:40.820 --> 00:01:44.920
 from the Christian ethic to even get started. And they do that ignorantly often.

00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:50.579
 That's really the difference between what our experience is today versus what the experience of

00:01:50.579 --> 00:01:54.579
 the Cretans would have been in that day. But Christians in the early centuries,

00:01:54.799 --> 00:02:02.719
 they're immersed in a culture that was in total rebellion against all that God is, all that he commands

00:02:02.719 --> 00:02:10.780
 in his law. And this led, of course, to tremendous hostility toward those who stood out in the world.

00:02:10.780 --> 00:02:18.699
 And these early believers were constantly in need of encouragement to remain faithful,

00:02:19.199 --> 00:02:27.699
 to trust the Lord, to hope in his return, and to continue in godliness. And think about this for

00:02:27.699 --> 00:02:35.340
 just a moment. As their leaders and the people that they loved were martyred, as their lives were

00:02:35.340 --> 00:02:43.060
 continually under the threat of death and persecution, the temptation that these Christians faced was

00:02:43.060 --> 00:02:51.500
 either to abandon the faith, completely isolate themselves away from the world in total seclusion,

00:02:51.500 --> 00:02:59.780
 or it would be to become embittered and abandon righteous attitudes towards unbelievers.

00:03:00.280 --> 00:03:05.080
 And we see that all through the New Testament. Constant instruction, constant encouragement,

00:03:05.340 --> 00:03:11.200
 and exhortation as to how these early Christians were to think about the world outside of their

00:03:11.200 --> 00:03:17.939
 church, how they were to act towards those people and towards those systems, and how they were to live

00:03:17.939 --> 00:03:26.759
 and to function in a society that was alien to who they now are as people of God. So the New Testament

00:03:26.759 --> 00:03:31.340
 is replete with these exhortations regarding how they're to live and act in response to the world.

00:03:31.340 --> 00:03:37.140
 Let me give you just a few references that show this. We could give many. Let me just give you three.

00:03:37.800 --> 00:03:41.439
 In John chapter 16, Jesus actually helps us. He provides encouragement.

00:03:43.020 --> 00:03:49.039
 In this lecture that he's giving to the disciples where he essentially says,

00:03:49.199 --> 00:03:52.800
 I'm going to leave you, and the world's going to hate you,

00:03:53.020 --> 00:03:55.099
 and they're going to kick you out of the synagogue,

00:03:55.099 --> 00:03:58.819
 a thing that would have meant something significant to those men.

00:03:59.819 --> 00:04:01.659
 And eventually they're going to kill you.

00:04:01.960 --> 00:04:04.120
 Okay, Jesus is telling the disciples all of this.

00:04:05.400 --> 00:04:07.019
 And then he finishes with this.

00:04:07.319 --> 00:04:08.680
 I have said these things to you,

00:04:09.379 --> 00:04:10.379
 that in me

00:04:10.379 --> 00:04:12.159
 you may have peace.

00:04:13.199 --> 00:04:14.959
 Do you see what Jesus is getting at there?

00:04:14.960 --> 00:04:19.519
 Even if your life is easy in this world,

00:04:20.060 --> 00:04:21.819
 and for many of us it often is,

00:04:22.259 --> 00:04:24.240
 but even if your life is easy in this world,

00:04:24.540 --> 00:04:28.280
 your peace does not come from the ease of your experience in the world.

00:04:28.939 --> 00:04:29.519
 Jesus says,

00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:31.920
 I'm telling you these things so that when those times come,

00:04:32.180 --> 00:04:35.220
 your peace would not be found in what you experience in this life,

00:04:35.340 --> 00:04:37.660
 but that your peace would be found in me.

00:04:38.240 --> 00:04:39.480
 And he goes on to say,

00:04:39.680 --> 00:04:41.800
 in the world you will have tribulation,

00:04:41.800 --> 00:04:44.620
 but take heart, he says,

00:04:44.780 --> 00:04:46.759
 I have overcome the world.

00:04:47.639 --> 00:04:50.259
 Now that's a significant instruction from our Lord.

00:04:50.460 --> 00:04:51.319
 It's encouraging.

00:04:51.759 --> 00:04:54.220
 And there's times when we're going to face the hostility of the world.

00:04:54.400 --> 00:04:56.740
 And what we need to do is go back to John 16.

00:04:56.980 --> 00:04:59.360
 And we need to think about what Jesus was saying.

00:04:59.639 --> 00:05:01.720
 Our peace does not come from our experience here.

00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:03.740
 Our peace comes from Christ.

00:05:05.340 --> 00:05:06.439
 To the Philippians,

00:05:06.639 --> 00:05:09.980
 the men that have been gathering with us on Wednesday mornings at Chick-fil-A,

00:05:09.980 --> 00:05:11.900
 we just looked at this a couple of weeks ago.

00:05:12.220 --> 00:05:14.319
 Paul gives an instruction in these regards.

00:05:14.819 --> 00:05:16.180
 In Philippians chapter one,

00:05:16.220 --> 00:05:16.500
 he says,

00:05:16.840 --> 00:05:21.160
 only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ.

00:05:21.939 --> 00:05:23.120
 And then he continues on,

00:05:23.580 --> 00:05:28.300
 for it has been granted to you that for the sake of Christ,

00:05:28.879 --> 00:05:31.180
 you should not only believe in him,

00:05:31.400 --> 00:05:34.819
 but also suffer for his sake.

00:05:34.819 --> 00:05:40.459
 Paul speaks of this as if it is a grace from God.

00:05:40.659 --> 00:05:41.899
 That's the language he uses.

00:05:42.699 --> 00:05:47.139
 It has been granted to you that not only you should believe in Christ,

00:05:47.319 --> 00:05:49.500
 but that you should suffer for his sake.

00:05:50.839 --> 00:05:53.379
 Now, that's not an easy thing to hear, is it?

00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:59.579
 But it at least helps us in at least this experience of suffering and persecution

00:05:59.579 --> 00:06:03.800
 that we may face to know that things haven't all of a sudden just completely,

00:06:04.339 --> 00:06:07.519
 you know, went down the pipe on us here.

00:06:08.419 --> 00:06:10.019
 That God hasn't stepped away.

00:06:10.719 --> 00:06:14.599
 That there isn't anything that we're facing that all of a sudden he's kind of lost control

00:06:14.599 --> 00:06:15.599
 or he's forgotten us.

00:06:16.219 --> 00:06:18.060
 No, because he's actually told us already,

00:06:18.419 --> 00:06:20.620
 you need to live your life worthy of the gospel

00:06:20.620 --> 00:06:22.599
 because it's been granted to you actually to suffer.

00:06:22.860 --> 00:06:24.159
 This is going to happen.

00:06:24.740 --> 00:06:26.560
 You will suffer in some way.

00:06:26.560 --> 00:06:28.500
 And we all are aware of that.

00:06:29.399 --> 00:06:30.639
 We get to 1 Peter.

00:06:31.420 --> 00:06:37.199
 The entire letter is really focused on this idea of Peter instructing and encouraging the church

00:06:37.199 --> 00:06:41.980
 as they were facing persecution and dealing with suffering of their own.

00:06:43.139 --> 00:06:46.279
 And in this passage, he tells us to endure with hope.

00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:48.620
 Let me read it to you in 1 Peter chapter 5.

00:06:49.000 --> 00:06:50.939
 After you have suffered a little while.

00:06:51.980 --> 00:06:52.819
 Some of you are thinking,

00:06:53.240 --> 00:06:55.480
 my suffering does not feel like it's been a little while.

00:06:55.480 --> 00:07:00.240
 It may be the duration of your life, to be honest with you, from a biblical perspective.

00:07:01.280 --> 00:07:05.640
 What Peter seems to mean here is that the little while is just this life,

00:07:05.700 --> 00:07:09.780
 this life that is but a vapor that appears for a moment and then it vanishes away.

00:07:10.100 --> 00:07:11.560
 The suffering is the same thing.

00:07:11.680 --> 00:07:12.939
 It goes along with your life.

00:07:13.180 --> 00:07:16.259
 You will experience it, but it too is like your life.

00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:16.819
 It's a vapor.

00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:18.180
 It will appear.

00:07:18.460 --> 00:07:19.600
 It will vanish away.

00:07:19.800 --> 00:07:20.439
 And then he goes on.

00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:24.259
 And he says, after you've suffered a little while, the God of all grace,

00:07:24.579 --> 00:07:28.040
 who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ,

00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:35.959
 will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

00:07:37.040 --> 00:07:40.420
 And this causes Peter to immediately go into doxology.

00:07:40.420 --> 00:07:45.199
 And he follows it up with, to him be dominion forever and ever.

00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.920
 Amen, he says.

00:07:47.520 --> 00:07:48.939
 That's amazing, isn't it?

00:07:49.400 --> 00:07:50.840
 He says, you're going to suffer.

00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:53.500
 And he's talking about this life.

00:07:54.520 --> 00:07:58.520
 He says, but the God of all grace, he's going to return.

00:07:58.519 --> 00:08:02.339
 And when he returns, he will restore you.

00:08:02.599 --> 00:08:04.620
 He will confirm your salvation.

00:08:05.079 --> 00:08:06.439
 He will strengthen you.

00:08:06.680 --> 00:08:08.120
 He will establish you.

00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:11.939
 Give him dominion because all dominion actually belongs to him.

00:08:12.180 --> 00:08:13.180
 It's amazing, isn't it?

00:08:14.039 --> 00:08:15.899
 And so the Bible really helps us here, doesn't it?

00:08:16.479 --> 00:08:18.859
 It helps us to understand the reality of suffering.

00:08:19.039 --> 00:08:24.219
 It helps us to understand the dynamics of hostility that we will face

00:08:24.219 --> 00:08:27.579
 living in a wicked world that is against God.

00:08:27.579 --> 00:08:31.300
 And it teaches us on how we're to act, how we're to think,

00:08:31.800 --> 00:08:33.100
 and what our attitude should be.

00:08:34.399 --> 00:08:38.039
 Well, our immediate culture may not be as imminently deadly

00:08:38.039 --> 00:08:41.019
 as was the case for the Cretans here.

00:08:41.699 --> 00:08:46.480
 But it is becoming increasingly more hostile toward Christians,

00:08:47.399 --> 00:08:50.639
 toward our faith, toward our mental life.

00:08:50.699 --> 00:08:52.019
 There's no question about that.

00:08:52.679 --> 00:08:56.759
 The only reason this woman went to that school on Monday

00:08:56.759 --> 00:09:02.080
 was because they were Christians who stood for truth and against unrighteousness.

00:09:02.080 --> 00:09:08.020
 To be sure, it's far worse in other places around the world.

00:09:08.120 --> 00:09:12.780
 We can think about Christians in Afghanistan who today, on the Lord's Day,

00:09:13.000 --> 00:09:17.879
 it might be that two or three men have to sit in their car and drive around the city

00:09:17.879 --> 00:09:19.320
 and play the radio.

00:09:19.480 --> 00:09:21.900
 But as the radio is going, they're singing hymns to one another

00:09:21.900 --> 00:09:23.840
 and they're speaking the truth of God to one another,

00:09:23.960 --> 00:09:27.700
 hoping that the people outside will not pick up on what they're doing.

00:09:27.700 --> 00:09:30.480
 There are some people around our world who are worshiping that way today.

00:09:31.320 --> 00:09:36.200
 There are some places in Asia today where Christians will gather in apartment complexes

00:09:36.200 --> 00:09:40.200
 and they'll pack into these apartments and they'll whisper hymns to one another

00:09:40.200 --> 00:09:41.140
 rather than sing them.

00:09:42.720 --> 00:09:48.280
 For fear that if their neighbors were to hear and were to turn them in to the government,

00:09:48.440 --> 00:09:50.420
 they would face persecution.

00:09:50.560 --> 00:09:52.580
 We don't live under that kind of persecution here.

00:09:52.580 --> 00:09:56.120
 Sure, it's surely worse in other places around the world.

00:09:56.259 --> 00:10:01.460
 But undoubtedly, there is enough hostility toward Christianity now in the United States

00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:09.700
 that we will inevitably face the same temptations that our forefathers in Rome and Philippi

00:10:09.700 --> 00:10:12.360
 and Ephesus and Crete experienced.

00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:18.120
 And what we need to ask ourselves and what we must consider this morning in light of this text is

00:10:18.120 --> 00:10:26.000
 how the Bible instructs us to think and act towards those who seek to destroy us,

00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:33.620
 who hate us, who hate our God, who live in defiance to Him.

00:10:35.039 --> 00:10:37.240
 How is it that we're supposed to think about them?

00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:38.860
 How do we treat them?

00:10:38.980 --> 00:10:40.659
 What are we supposed to do?

00:10:40.659 --> 00:10:49.240
 Does the reality of their wickedness change the way that we should behave in any way?

00:10:50.439 --> 00:10:53.459
 We may ask ourselves a few questions as we come to this text.

00:10:53.579 --> 00:11:00.980
 Does the wickedness of our government absolve us of the responsibility to submit to its authority?

00:11:00.980 --> 00:11:15.560
 Do the injustices of our criminal justice system justify rebellion against the agents tasked with enforcing the law of the land?

00:11:15.559 --> 00:11:32.619
 Does the insanity of worldly ideas of gender and sexuality free us from God's demands regarding kindness, meekness, and the pursuit of peace?

00:11:33.000 --> 00:11:34.619
 Those are the questions we need to consider.

00:11:34.620 --> 00:11:41.940
 Because this section of Titus provides us with very helpful and practical and theological answers to those questions.

00:11:43.080 --> 00:11:49.460
 The exhortations of these verses reflect even the attitudes of believers who,

00:11:49.679 --> 00:11:53.639
 through a form of elitism, spiritual arrogance,

00:11:53.639 --> 00:12:05.740
 use their Christianity to justify civil rebellion, community isolation, and a general attitude of harshness toward outsiders.

00:12:05.899 --> 00:12:07.279
 That's what Paul is confronting here.

00:12:07.279 --> 00:12:15.799
 These verses expose Christians who have stopped living daily in light of the gospel of grace.

00:12:16.600 --> 00:12:24.459
 And they instruct believers who are rightfully angry and frustrated about the deep depravity of our world.

00:12:25.740 --> 00:12:32.299
 Paul's instruction to Titus in leading and teaching the Christians in Crete is what gives us the form for the study this morning.

00:12:32.299 --> 00:12:37.979
 He says in verse 1, Titus was to remind the Cretan believers of certain things.

00:12:38.479 --> 00:12:41.359
 He is to remind them of certain things that they are to believe,

00:12:41.579 --> 00:12:46.459
 and remind them of certain practices that they are to adopt and continue in,

00:12:46.559 --> 00:12:49.679
 in order to please and represent Christ.

00:12:50.079 --> 00:12:53.199
 And if we're to please Christ and represent Him well in our world,

00:12:53.399 --> 00:12:55.299
 we must remember these things as well.

00:12:55.639 --> 00:12:57.259
 Three of them I'd like to point out to you, okay?

00:12:57.599 --> 00:12:58.539
 The first thing is this.

00:12:58.959 --> 00:13:00.959
 Remember how to live in the world.

00:13:00.960 --> 00:13:05.540
 Remember how to live in the world.

00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:10.019
 Verses 1 and 2, remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities,

00:13:10.019 --> 00:13:13.379
 to be obedient, to be ready for every good work,

00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:16.400
 to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling,

00:13:16.960 --> 00:13:21.460
 to be gentle, to show perfect courtesy towards all people.

00:13:22.920 --> 00:13:28.840
 Like I said a moment ago, these two verses are the main clause for most of this final chapter.

00:13:28.840 --> 00:13:33.800
 Everything that follows in verses 3 through 11, as we'll get to in the next few weeks,

00:13:34.040 --> 00:13:37.660
 falls beneath the scope of what Paul introduces here.

00:13:38.700 --> 00:13:45.759
 And it seems like one of Paul's main concerns is that the Cretans were behaving in such a way

00:13:45.759 --> 00:13:49.780
 that they were causing political agitation,

00:13:49.779 --> 00:13:57.199
 persecution, which made the gospel and the church suspicious and brought them under more intensified

00:13:57.199 --> 00:13:58.740
 threats of persecution.

00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:00.159
 You can understand that, right?

00:14:00.639 --> 00:14:02.659
 Persecution wasn't hard to find in those days.

00:14:03.039 --> 00:14:06.299
 Paul here, in one sense, is actually instructing the people,

00:14:06.839 --> 00:14:07.919
 don't make it worse.

00:14:07.919 --> 00:14:12.139
 Don't make it worse than what it already is in the way that you act,

00:14:12.199 --> 00:14:15.299
 in the way, in the attitudes that you have.

00:14:16.079 --> 00:14:19.339
 Another concern that seems to be on Paul's mind here is that

00:14:19.339 --> 00:14:22.719
 the spirit of these Christians towards unbelievers

00:14:22.719 --> 00:14:25.919
 would actually discredit the gospel,

00:14:26.579 --> 00:14:30.179
 leading the world to hate Christians for their arrogance

00:14:30.179 --> 00:14:33.899
 and immediately dismiss the message of salvation

00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:36.360
 before even really giving it a chance to hear it.

00:14:37.419 --> 00:14:38.459
 Do you see the difference there?

00:14:39.980 --> 00:14:41.340
 That it's one thing to stand for truth,

00:14:41.439 --> 00:14:43.259
 but if the way that we're standing for truth

00:14:43.259 --> 00:14:45.779
 is immediately a turnoff to the world

00:14:45.779 --> 00:14:48.959
 so that they never hear the truth that we're actually proclaiming,

00:14:49.100 --> 00:14:50.120
 what good is it?

00:14:50.899 --> 00:14:52.360
 Paul's confronting these things.

00:14:52.980 --> 00:14:54.659
 That's the purpose behind what he's saying.

00:14:55.019 --> 00:14:57.039
 In the Old Testament, it's often said that

00:14:57.039 --> 00:15:01.159
 the actions of certain people caused the Israelites to, quote,

00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.759
 stink or become a stench.

00:15:03.899 --> 00:15:07.379
 In the minds of other nations.

00:15:08.620 --> 00:15:12.379
 And there is a sense here in which Paul is commanding behavior

00:15:12.379 --> 00:15:19.259
 that will prevent Christians from becoming an unnecessary stench to the world.

00:15:20.600 --> 00:15:22.879
 But even more important than that

00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:27.539
 is the fact that these behaviors demonstrate true righteousness.

00:15:28.199 --> 00:15:33.299
 They mimic the attitudes and actions of the Lord Jesus in his ministry.

00:15:33.899 --> 00:15:36.419
 That's the most important of these things.

00:15:36.879 --> 00:15:39.399
 If we are going to live like Christ lived,

00:15:39.500 --> 00:15:43.899
 then we're going to have to adopt the things that Paul is instructing here in these verses.

00:15:43.899 --> 00:15:48.379
 And in the end, it all boils down to one thing.

00:15:49.379 --> 00:15:52.240
 Living with grace towards others.

00:15:52.240 --> 00:15:54.039
 That's really the key word here.

00:15:54.759 --> 00:15:55.200
 Grace.

00:15:55.919 --> 00:15:59.120
 So let me, instead of just going through all of these details,

00:15:59.240 --> 00:16:00.840
 it would take us forever to do that.

00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:05.080
 I'll leave it to you to examine each word individually if you'd like to do that on your own.

00:16:05.320 --> 00:16:08.539
 I've broken them up into two categories that I think will be helpful for us.

00:16:09.060 --> 00:16:09.940
 Here's the first one.

00:16:09.940 --> 00:16:14.940
 We are to show grace through civic responsibility.

00:16:15.720 --> 00:16:18.440
 We are to show grace through civic responsibility.

00:16:18.580 --> 00:16:19.460
 Look again at verse one.

00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:24.500
 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities,

00:16:24.500 --> 00:16:28.960
 to be obedient to those rulers and authorities,

00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:33.320
 and to be ready for every good work.

00:16:33.320 --> 00:16:36.600
 So the items listed here in this first verse,

00:16:36.680 --> 00:16:41.060
 they all have to do with the Christian's engagement in the life of the community.

00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:43.180
 And it answers the question,

00:16:43.560 --> 00:16:51.440
 does the wickedness of our governing rulers justify our rebellion against their general authority?

00:16:52.379 --> 00:16:56.100
 And the resounding answer is no, it doesn't.

00:16:57.480 --> 00:17:01.200
 It wouldn't be surprising that the Cretans are actually dealing with this either, would it?

00:17:01.200 --> 00:17:03.259
 Because as we learned in chapter one,

00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:07.980
 there were false teachers that primarily belonged to the Jewish sect,

00:17:08.080 --> 00:17:10.840
 perhaps the party of circumcision,

00:17:11.180 --> 00:17:12.700
 that were coming into the church,

00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:14.220
 they were distorting the gospel,

00:17:15.160 --> 00:17:19.880
 and part of their mindset was an anti-government insurrectionist type of view.

00:17:20.120 --> 00:17:22.700
 It's the same thing that Jesus dealt with in his ministry,

00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:24.480
 and this is only a few years later.

00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:28.319
 This letter is being written only a few years before actually

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:31.099
 an ultimate rebellion comes in in Israel,

00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:33.819
 and Rome comes in and absolutely decimates Jerusalem.

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:36.159
 So this is a common mindset among Jews,

00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:38.139
 this insurrectionist type of mindset.

00:17:39.019 --> 00:17:43.159
 Remember, one of the reasons that the Jews continued to reject Jesus

00:17:43.159 --> 00:17:48.859
 is because he did not come to be that messianic ruler that they thought he would be,

00:17:49.619 --> 00:17:53.559
 but he actually came to give his life for our sins,

00:17:53.619 --> 00:17:55.240
 and so many of them turned away from him.

00:17:55.240 --> 00:18:00.799
 But Paul says Christians are to be submissive to rulers and authorities,

00:18:01.120 --> 00:18:03.940
 that they are to be obedient to them,

00:18:04.319 --> 00:18:07.120
 because, as he says in Romans 13,

00:18:07.559 --> 00:18:11.480
 they have been instituted and ordained by God.

00:18:12.740 --> 00:18:14.240
 We're to pay our taxes.

00:18:15.940 --> 00:18:17.220
 Jesus said that.

00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:20.039
 We're to obey the rule of law.

00:18:20.039 --> 00:18:24.139
 We're to comply with the government's demands insofar

00:18:24.139 --> 00:18:28.319
 as they do not lead us to violate the commands of Scripture.

00:18:29.480 --> 00:18:33.879
 This is a part of how we're to obey and live and think in the world.

00:18:35.259 --> 00:18:36.879
 The final statement in this verse,

00:18:36.980 --> 00:18:38.819
 to be ready for every good work,

00:18:38.879 --> 00:18:43.139
 it moves us from passive obedience to active and positive engagement.

00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:46.220
 Donald Guthrie is helpful here.

00:18:46.220 --> 00:18:49.839
 He says the Christian should be ready to do whatever is good

00:18:49.839 --> 00:18:52.160
 in the community in which he lives.

00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:56.299
 Where good citizenship demands communal action,

00:18:56.799 --> 00:18:58.819
 he must always be cooperative,

00:18:59.559 --> 00:19:03.120
 provided no question of conscience is involved,

00:19:03.720 --> 00:19:08.160
 which confronts our temptations to completely isolate ourselves

00:19:08.160 --> 00:19:10.180
 from the community where God has placed us.

00:19:10.180 --> 00:19:14.960
 Whenever we can do good to our neighbors and for our neighbors,

00:19:15.080 --> 00:19:16.560
 whether they're believers or not,

00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:20.259
 we must be ready for every good work.

00:19:22.340 --> 00:19:24.680
 Remember, Jesus, it seems contradictory,

00:19:24.900 --> 00:19:25.960
 but it's what Jesus said.

00:19:26.060 --> 00:19:26.640
 Jesus said,

00:19:27.900 --> 00:19:29.259
 you are not of this world,

00:19:29.759 --> 00:19:32.700
 but I'm actually sending you into it.

00:19:33.580 --> 00:19:35.259
 And I'm sending you into it,

00:19:35.320 --> 00:19:37.259
 not so that you would isolate away from it,

00:19:37.259 --> 00:19:40.720
 but that you would stand out in the midst of it.

00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:45.420
 That people may see you in their midst

00:19:45.420 --> 00:19:47.640
 as his kingdom people.

00:19:49.180 --> 00:19:52.220
 And if we're not willing to graciously serve our community,

00:19:52.379 --> 00:19:54.319
 we'll fall short of Christ's desire

00:19:54.319 --> 00:19:57.900
 and we'll ultimately inhibit the work of evangelism in our lives

00:19:57.900 --> 00:19:59.079
 and through our church.

00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:02.920
 You say, well, how am I supposed to be involved?

00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:07.060
 It may be as simple as casting your vote when the election comes.

00:20:08.800 --> 00:20:13.759
 Thinking I want to do something that is going to be good for my community.

00:20:15.160 --> 00:20:17.300
 I want to be ready for every good work,

00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:20.600
 which means I will exercise the voice that God has allowed me to have,

00:20:20.660 --> 00:20:24.740
 at least in a local, in a state, in a federal election.

00:20:24.840 --> 00:20:27.480
 I think that's an implication of this text for us.

00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:33.799
 It may be advocating for better education in your kid's school.

00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:36.940
 It may be volunteering in some way,

00:20:37.019 --> 00:20:38.960
 maybe in the community like we're doing this afternoon.

00:20:39.140 --> 00:20:42.200
 This is the town's event that we're involved with this afternoon,

00:20:42.299 --> 00:20:43.019
 not our event.

00:20:43.559 --> 00:20:45.420
 We are volunteering to help them,

00:20:45.599 --> 00:20:48.019
 and in response, they are so gracious

00:20:48.019 --> 00:20:51.000
 to let us influence the people that are coming to their event,

00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:53.640
 trying to do good in the community.

00:20:54.140 --> 00:20:55.960
 Maybe it's when natural disasters come

00:20:55.960 --> 00:20:57.680
 and you find a way to help your neighbors,

00:20:57.819 --> 00:21:00.140
 find ways to help them get along,

00:21:00.200 --> 00:21:02.360
 whether they're believers or not.

00:21:03.640 --> 00:21:05.960
 This isn't a command for political obsession.

00:21:06.120 --> 00:21:08.240
 That's actually something that we need to avoid.

00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:10.920
 It's actually seeking good for our neighbors.

00:21:11.160 --> 00:21:13.120
 And Paul says, this is the way we live in the world.

00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:16.799
 So we show grace in doing that.

00:21:17.360 --> 00:21:18.880
 We show grace in civic responsibility.

00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:23.980
 Number two, we show grace by communicating courteously.

00:21:23.980 --> 00:21:28.220
 Communicating, is this not the most difficult thing in this passage?

00:21:28.620 --> 00:21:31.740
 Verse two, to speak evil of no one,

00:21:32.240 --> 00:21:34.700
 to avoid quarreling,

00:21:35.200 --> 00:21:37.220
 but to be gentle,

00:21:37.620 --> 00:21:42.039
 to show perfect courtesy toward all people.

00:21:43.319 --> 00:21:45.700
 Notice that all of the items here in this verse

00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:47.779
 are connected to how we speak.

00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:51.119
 We are to avoid slander,

00:21:52.639 --> 00:21:53.920
 foolish argumentation,

00:21:53.980 --> 00:21:57.259
 and instead show gentleness and perfect courtesy

00:21:57.259 --> 00:22:00.339
 toward all people.

00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:04.639
 So that no matter how great our frustration,

00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:06.440
 our stand for truth,

00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:08.859
 and our stand against sin,

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:11.859
 must be wrapped and clothed in

00:22:11.859 --> 00:22:14.240
 kindness and courtesy

00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:17.480
 and the love that was modeled by our Lord.

00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:21.660
 Who Peter writes in 1 Peter chapter two,

00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:23.180
 when he was reviled,

00:22:23.500 --> 00:22:25.180
 did not revile in return.

00:22:25.759 --> 00:22:27.059
 When he suffered,

00:22:27.359 --> 00:22:28.599
 he did not threaten,

00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:31.759
 but continued entrusting himself

00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:33.839
 to him who judges justly.

00:22:34.099 --> 00:22:35.599
 Is Jesus not our pattern here?

00:22:37.779 --> 00:22:39.400
 He did not curse those

00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:41.680
 who nailed him to a cross.

00:22:41.680 --> 00:22:43.100
 He said instead,

00:22:43.299 --> 00:22:44.120
 Father, forgive them.

00:22:45.000 --> 00:22:46.400
 They don't even know what they're doing.

00:22:47.560 --> 00:22:49.000
 Paul would later on say that

00:22:49.000 --> 00:22:49.980
 before his conversion,

00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:51.320
 in the way that he breathed out

00:22:51.320 --> 00:22:52.320
 threatenings to the church,

00:22:52.380 --> 00:22:54.019
 he did so in ignorance.

00:22:54.560 --> 00:22:56.000
 It's the same thing Jesus was saying

00:22:56.000 --> 00:22:57.960
 from the cross about the Romans

00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:59.480
 who nailed him there and crucified

00:22:59.480 --> 00:23:00.240
 and Father, forgive them.

00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:01.360
 They don't even know what they're doing.

00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:02.640
 Paul says,

00:23:02.720 --> 00:23:03.240
 I didn't even know,

00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:05.480
 I didn't even know how sinful I was

00:23:05.480 --> 00:23:06.519
 in what I was doing.

00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:07.900
 I thought I was pleasing the Lord.

00:23:08.420 --> 00:23:10.080
 I wasn't doing any of those things.

00:23:10.079 --> 00:23:14.159
 So that when Jesus was reviled,

00:23:14.259 --> 00:23:15.000
 he didn't revile.

00:23:15.659 --> 00:23:16.539
 When he suffered,

00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:17.259
 he didn't threaten.

00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:18.720
 That's our pattern.

00:23:19.699 --> 00:23:23.079
 Rather than engaging in spiteful rants

00:23:23.079 --> 00:23:24.199
 and hateful rhetoric,

00:23:24.759 --> 00:23:27.720
 we should be discerning in our speech,

00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:30.359
 seeking to show grace

00:23:30.359 --> 00:23:31.939
 in our communication of the gospel.

00:23:32.799 --> 00:23:33.339
 And I've said this,

00:23:33.480 --> 00:23:34.559
 if I've said it once,

00:23:34.579 --> 00:23:35.659
 I've said it a hundred times

00:23:35.659 --> 00:23:37.179
 on Sunday mornings here,

00:23:37.180 --> 00:23:38.720
 if the world must hate us

00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:39.600
 and they will,

00:23:39.720 --> 00:23:40.779
 Jesus said they will,

00:23:42.140 --> 00:23:43.539
 let it be for the truth

00:23:43.539 --> 00:23:44.539
 that we proclaim

00:23:44.539 --> 00:23:46.960
 rather than the way

00:23:46.960 --> 00:23:48.480
 we communicate that truth.

00:23:50.240 --> 00:23:52.460
 If they are to despise us,

00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:55.060
 let it be for the gospel consistency

00:23:55.060 --> 00:23:56.039
 of our lives

00:23:56.039 --> 00:23:57.200
 that brings conviction

00:23:57.200 --> 00:23:57.960
 to their own

00:23:57.960 --> 00:24:00.360
 rather than an ungracious manner

00:24:00.360 --> 00:24:01.180
 that actually contradicts

00:24:01.799 --> 00:24:02.759
 the message of grace

00:24:02.759 --> 00:24:03.360
 that we say

00:24:03.360 --> 00:24:04.820
 that we believe and proclaim.

00:24:04.819 --> 00:24:07.259
 Colossians 4,

00:24:08.259 --> 00:24:09.299
 walk in wisdom

00:24:09.299 --> 00:24:10.819
 toward outsiders,

00:24:11.559 --> 00:24:12.119
 unbelievers,

00:24:12.259 --> 00:24:12.740
 in the world.

00:24:12.859 --> 00:24:13.599
 Walk in wisdom.

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:16.599
 And how are we to do that?

00:24:18.179 --> 00:24:19.819
 Letting our speech be gracious,

00:24:21.559 --> 00:24:22.579
 seasoned with salt,

00:24:23.359 --> 00:24:24.980
 so that you may know

00:24:24.980 --> 00:24:26.119
 how you ought to answer

00:24:26.119 --> 00:24:26.859
 each person.

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.779
 We can't allow our frustration

00:24:30.779 --> 00:24:31.899
 with the wickedness

00:24:31.899 --> 00:24:32.519
 of our culture

00:24:32.519 --> 00:24:33.440
 to lead us

00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:34.599
 to respond sinfully

00:24:34.599 --> 00:24:35.299
 towards them.

00:24:37.299 --> 00:24:38.619
 Neither must we allow

00:24:38.619 --> 00:24:39.259
 the wickedness

00:24:39.259 --> 00:24:40.119
 of our culture

00:24:40.119 --> 00:24:41.960
 to silence us

00:24:41.960 --> 00:24:42.900
 from speaking

00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.960
 the truth of God

00:24:43.960 --> 00:24:45.339
 and calling them

00:24:45.339 --> 00:24:45.960
 to turn

00:24:45.960 --> 00:24:47.119
 from their wickedness

00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.859
 to the grace of God.

00:24:50.460 --> 00:24:51.819
 But in calling them

00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.339
 to turn,

00:24:52.879 --> 00:24:53.660
 we must do it

00:24:53.660 --> 00:24:54.180
 in a way

00:24:54.180 --> 00:24:55.359
 that is gracious,

00:24:56.160 --> 00:24:56.480
 loving,

00:24:57.519 --> 00:24:57.900
 kind,

00:24:58.539 --> 00:24:59.079
 and courteous.

00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:01.299
 someone may say,

00:25:01.659 --> 00:25:02.319
 why should we care

00:25:02.319 --> 00:25:03.439
 to act this way?

00:25:03.480 --> 00:25:04.039
 Why should we care

00:25:04.039 --> 00:25:04.779
 to be involved

00:25:04.779 --> 00:25:06.500
 in a world system

00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.720
 who hates us?

00:25:07.779 --> 00:25:09.339
 Why should we care

00:25:09.339 --> 00:25:10.039
 at all

00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.079
 to actually be

00:25:11.079 --> 00:25:11.839
 of any benefit

00:25:11.839 --> 00:25:12.799
 to a community

00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:14.419
 who hates our God

00:25:14.419 --> 00:25:15.879
 and hates our message?

00:25:16.259 --> 00:25:17.939
 They don't deserve that.

00:25:18.699 --> 00:25:19.679
 And you're right.

00:25:20.460 --> 00:25:21.379
 But the answer

00:25:21.379 --> 00:25:22.639
 is in the next few verses.

00:25:23.799 --> 00:25:24.659
 The answer

00:25:24.659 --> 00:25:25.299
 for the reason

00:25:25.299 --> 00:25:26.579
 for us to show grace

00:25:26.579 --> 00:25:27.699
 to the world around us

00:25:27.700 --> 00:25:29.259
 is because of all the grace

00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:30.680
 that we have received

00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.539
 when we didn't deserve it.

00:25:33.840 --> 00:25:35.080
 That's what Paul moves to

00:25:35.080 --> 00:25:35.660
 in the next thing.

00:25:35.740 --> 00:25:36.120
 So first,

00:25:36.400 --> 00:25:37.100
 we are to remember

00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.980
 how to live in the world.

00:25:38.100 --> 00:25:38.519
 Number two,

00:25:38.880 --> 00:25:40.100
 remember what you were.

00:25:41.059 --> 00:25:42.080
 Remember what you were.

00:25:42.259 --> 00:25:42.720
 Verse three,

00:25:43.080 --> 00:25:44.039
 for we ourselves.

00:25:44.220 --> 00:25:44.420
 Remember,

00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:45.340
 I told you a few weeks ago,

00:25:45.420 --> 00:25:46.140
 this word for,

00:25:46.340 --> 00:25:46.720
 often,

00:25:47.120 --> 00:25:48.500
 it's a grounding statement,

00:25:48.940 --> 00:25:50.360
 meaning that whatever follows

00:25:50.360 --> 00:25:51.259
 from this conjunction,

00:25:51.460 --> 00:25:52.240
 from this particular

00:25:52.240 --> 00:25:53.980
 turn of phrase,

00:25:54.140 --> 00:25:55.240
 is going to establish

00:25:55.240 --> 00:25:56.220
 the motivation

00:25:56.220 --> 00:25:58.319
 for what has just been said.

00:25:58.579 --> 00:25:59.279
 So Paul says,

00:25:59.620 --> 00:26:00.140
 do this,

00:26:00.259 --> 00:26:01.279
 live this way in the world,

00:26:01.420 --> 00:26:02.420
 and here's why.

00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:04.319
 For we ourselves

00:26:04.319 --> 00:26:05.360
 were once foolish,

00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:06.620
 disobedient,

00:26:06.880 --> 00:26:07.600
 led astray,

00:26:08.000 --> 00:26:09.500
 slaves to various passions

00:26:09.500 --> 00:26:10.140
 and pleasures,

00:26:10.579 --> 00:26:11.559
 passing our days

00:26:11.559 --> 00:26:12.640
 in malice and envy,

00:26:13.059 --> 00:26:13.960
 hated by others,

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.720
 and hating one another.

00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:18.000
 I mentioned before

00:26:18.000 --> 00:26:19.220
 that the undergirding,

00:26:19.440 --> 00:26:20.579
 undergirding this section

00:26:20.579 --> 00:26:21.339
 is the problem

00:26:21.339 --> 00:26:22.220
 of spiritual arrogance

00:26:22.819 --> 00:26:23.220
 and elitism

00:26:23.220 --> 00:26:23.779
 elitism

00:26:23.779 --> 00:26:25.120
 that can sometimes

00:26:25.120 --> 00:26:26.519
 pervade the Christian heart.

00:26:27.640 --> 00:26:28.839
 And it's Paul's appeal

00:26:28.839 --> 00:26:30.579
 in verses three through five

00:26:30.579 --> 00:26:32.160
 that leads me to believe

00:26:32.160 --> 00:26:33.039
 that was the force

00:26:33.039 --> 00:26:34.259
 behind the issues in Crete.

00:26:34.880 --> 00:26:36.220
 He could have easily

00:26:36.220 --> 00:26:37.319
 instructed the things

00:26:37.319 --> 00:26:38.740
 of verse one and two

00:26:38.740 --> 00:26:40.940
 by a direct appeal

00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.960
 to the commandments

00:26:41.960 --> 00:26:42.640
 of the scripture,

00:26:42.860 --> 00:26:44.180
 but that's not what he does.

00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:45.160
 Instead,

00:26:45.600 --> 00:26:46.579
 he told Titus

00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:48.380
 to remind the Cretan believers

00:26:48.380 --> 00:26:50.160
 that their motivation

00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.960
 is their life

00:26:51.960 --> 00:26:53.260
 before Christ.

00:26:54.620 --> 00:26:55.500
 That's what he says.

00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.680
 Do this

00:26:56.680 --> 00:26:57.660
 because this is

00:26:57.660 --> 00:26:58.820
 what you once were.

00:27:01.140 --> 00:27:02.660
 It's as if they had forgotten

00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:04.500
 how desperately sinful

00:27:04.500 --> 00:27:05.300
 they were

00:27:05.300 --> 00:27:06.740
 before being shown

00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:07.620
 the grace of God.

00:27:08.840 --> 00:27:10.300
 They had stopped living daily

00:27:10.300 --> 00:27:10.880
 in the light

00:27:10.880 --> 00:27:11.980
 of the gospel of grace

00:27:11.980 --> 00:27:12.540
 and had begun

00:27:12.540 --> 00:27:13.820
 thinking of themselves

00:27:13.820 --> 00:27:14.740
 more highly

00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:16.780
 than they ought to think.

00:27:18.380 --> 00:27:19.680
 And again,

00:27:19.720 --> 00:27:20.360
 I'll leave it to you

00:27:20.360 --> 00:27:20.820
 to think through

00:27:20.820 --> 00:27:21.440
 all the details,

00:27:21.600 --> 00:27:23.220
 but the opening item here

00:27:23.220 --> 00:27:24.040
 is what shapes

00:27:24.040 --> 00:27:24.980
 the rest of the list.

00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:26.860
 He says,

00:27:27.180 --> 00:27:30.100
 for we were once foolish.

00:27:31.080 --> 00:27:32.180
 And by foolish,

00:27:32.320 --> 00:27:33.220
 Paul means that

00:27:33.220 --> 00:27:35.100
 we were at one time

00:27:35.100 --> 00:27:37.220
 without spiritual understanding,

00:27:37.780 --> 00:27:38.940
 which meant that

00:27:38.940 --> 00:27:40.980
 we were in bondage to sin,

00:27:41.220 --> 00:27:42.880
 bearing the fruit of wickedness

00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:43.840
 in the world

00:27:43.840 --> 00:27:44.740
 and in our lives.

00:27:46.580 --> 00:27:47.860
 We were as dead

00:27:47.859 --> 00:27:49.319
 in our trespasses and sins,

00:27:49.419 --> 00:27:50.500
 according to Ephesians 2,

00:27:50.799 --> 00:27:52.299
 as everybody else is dead

00:27:52.299 --> 00:27:53.599
 in their trespasses and sin.

00:27:53.799 --> 00:27:54.819
 But these Cretans

00:27:54.819 --> 00:27:55.639
 seem to have

00:27:55.639 --> 00:27:56.919
 begun to forget

00:27:56.919 --> 00:27:58.099
 their utter lostness

00:27:58.099 --> 00:27:59.019
 without Jesus.

00:28:01.199 --> 00:28:02.119
 And instead of looking

00:28:02.119 --> 00:28:02.659
 at the world

00:28:02.659 --> 00:28:03.579
 with compassion

00:28:03.579 --> 00:28:05.099
 and sympathy

00:28:05.099 --> 00:28:06.319
 towards their plight,

00:28:06.699 --> 00:28:07.719
 the general attitude

00:28:07.719 --> 00:28:08.799
 had become arrogant

00:28:08.799 --> 00:28:10.559
 and condescending.

00:28:12.359 --> 00:28:13.439
 Look at where we are.

00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:15.019
 We're so much better than you.

00:28:15.019 --> 00:28:17.660
 And that shapes the way

00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:18.119
 that they look

00:28:18.119 --> 00:28:19.119
 at the rest of the world,

00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:20.720
 putting themselves here,

00:28:21.519 --> 00:28:22.720
 pushing everyone else below.

00:28:24.379 --> 00:28:25.240
 And they begin,

00:28:25.379 --> 00:28:26.160
 at least in their minds

00:28:26.160 --> 00:28:26.779
 and their actions,

00:28:26.940 --> 00:28:27.460
 to abandon

00:28:27.460 --> 00:28:28.359
 the gospel of grace.

00:28:28.660 --> 00:28:28.859
 You see,

00:28:28.920 --> 00:28:29.440
 this is why

00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:31.539
 we talk about disagreements

00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:32.559
 in structures

00:28:32.559 --> 00:28:33.259
 and formats

00:28:33.259 --> 00:28:33.879
 and frameworks

00:28:33.879 --> 00:28:34.660
 for the gospel

00:28:34.660 --> 00:28:35.220
 and things like that.

00:28:35.259 --> 00:28:36.279
 But this is one of the reasons

00:28:36.279 --> 00:28:37.200
 it's so important

00:28:37.200 --> 00:28:38.619
 for us to care about that

00:28:38.619 --> 00:28:39.660
 and to have those discussions.

00:28:40.059 --> 00:28:41.079
 Because at the moment

00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:41.779
 that we begin

00:28:41.779 --> 00:28:42.579
 to insinuate

00:28:42.579 --> 00:28:43.500
 that our salvation

00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.879
 has anything to do with us,

00:28:44.980 --> 00:28:45.740
 we're going to start

00:28:45.740 --> 00:28:47.319
 letting issues like this

00:28:47.319 --> 00:28:48.339
 creep into our behavior

00:28:48.339 --> 00:28:49.339
 and into our thoughts.

00:28:53.240 --> 00:28:54.259
 If we decided

00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.000
 to give the world

00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:55.799
 what it deserves

00:28:55.799 --> 00:28:57.779
 and demanded

00:28:57.779 --> 00:28:58.699
 that God do that,

00:28:59.399 --> 00:29:01.679
 we would also need

00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:02.799
 to receive what we deserve.

00:29:04.159 --> 00:29:05.599
 And what we all deserve

00:29:05.599 --> 00:29:07.579
 is the wrath of God.

00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:11.159
 But God is so gracious

00:29:11.159 --> 00:29:13.659
 even to the most vehement

00:29:13.659 --> 00:29:14.740
 of sinners

00:29:14.740 --> 00:29:16.500
 reserving His wrath

00:29:16.500 --> 00:29:17.599
 for a future judgment.

00:29:18.759 --> 00:29:19.519
 We look at the world

00:29:19.519 --> 00:29:20.500
 around us and say,

00:29:20.899 --> 00:29:22.720
 why does God

00:29:22.720 --> 00:29:23.740
 let any of us live?

00:29:25.379 --> 00:29:26.480
 Forget even for a moment

00:29:26.480 --> 00:29:27.119
 the question of

00:29:27.119 --> 00:29:27.740
 why would God

00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.579
 save any of us

00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:29.339
 and just think

00:29:29.339 --> 00:29:29.960
 for just a moment,

00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.579
 why would God

00:29:30.579 --> 00:29:31.519
 let any of us live?

00:29:33.679 --> 00:29:34.899
 That's what R.C. Sproul

00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:35.579
 was getting at

00:29:35.579 --> 00:29:38.779
 in that famous statement

00:29:38.779 --> 00:29:39.159
 he made.

00:29:39.220 --> 00:29:40.099
 People laugh about it

00:29:40.099 --> 00:29:40.879
 and they've made

00:29:40.879 --> 00:29:41.639
 t-shirts out of it

00:29:41.639 --> 00:29:42.039
 when he says,

00:29:42.179 --> 00:29:43.059
 what's wrong with you people?

00:29:43.839 --> 00:29:44.399
 He meant that

00:29:44.399 --> 00:29:45.639
 because he was seriously angry

00:29:45.639 --> 00:29:46.439
 about a question

00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:48.519
 where people were questioning

00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:49.259
 whether or not

00:29:49.259 --> 00:29:50.299
 God was just

00:29:50.299 --> 00:29:52.779
 in condemning Adam

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:53.460
 for his sin,

00:29:53.559 --> 00:29:54.339
 a sin that to us

00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:56.019
 seems like such a little thing.

00:29:57.720 --> 00:29:58.679
 And Sproul says,

00:29:59.220 --> 00:30:01.139
 what's wrong with us?

00:30:02.439 --> 00:30:03.339
 Adam was a creature

00:30:03.339 --> 00:30:04.099
 of the dirt

00:30:04.099 --> 00:30:05.939
 who defied

00:30:05.939 --> 00:30:06.799
 the living God

00:30:06.799 --> 00:30:09.299
 and it was only

00:30:09.299 --> 00:30:10.019
 of God's grace

00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:10.719
 that he breathed

00:30:10.719 --> 00:30:11.659
 another breath

00:30:11.659 --> 00:30:14.539
 and when we begin

00:30:14.539 --> 00:30:15.139
 to understand

00:30:15.139 --> 00:30:16.039
 the grace of God

00:30:16.039 --> 00:30:17.919
 we see it is only

00:30:17.919 --> 00:30:18.799
 by God's grace

00:30:18.799 --> 00:30:19.919
 that we take

00:30:19.919 --> 00:30:20.659
 a single breath

00:30:20.659 --> 00:30:21.319
 in this life.

00:30:22.779 --> 00:30:23.740
 Matthew 5

00:30:23.740 --> 00:30:24.480
 Jesus said,

00:30:25.199 --> 00:30:25.679
 for he makes

00:30:25.679 --> 00:30:26.980
 his son to rise

00:30:26.980 --> 00:30:27.459
 on the evil

00:30:27.459 --> 00:30:28.079
 and on the good.

00:30:29.500 --> 00:30:30.779
 He sends the rain

00:30:30.779 --> 00:30:31.359
 on the just

00:30:31.359 --> 00:30:32.879
 and on the unjust.

00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:35.400
 And if this is

00:30:35.400 --> 00:30:36.680
 how God responds

00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:37.460
 to unbelievers,

00:30:38.220 --> 00:30:39.260
 shouldn't we be concerned

00:30:39.260 --> 00:30:40.220
 to do the same thing?

00:30:41.760 --> 00:30:43.200
 Rather than to be like

00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:44.420
 James and John

00:30:44.420 --> 00:30:45.100
 asking to

00:30:45.100 --> 00:30:46.300
 call down fire

00:30:46.300 --> 00:30:46.840
 from heaven

00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:47.940
 to consume the people

00:30:47.940 --> 00:30:48.800
 who offend us,

00:30:49.660 --> 00:30:51.000
 should we not instead

00:30:51.000 --> 00:30:52.340
 respond with the same grace

00:30:52.340 --> 00:30:53.560
 that God has shown to us?

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:56.879
 we should remember

00:30:56.879 --> 00:30:57.559
 what we were

00:30:57.559 --> 00:31:00.059
 and in remembering

00:31:00.059 --> 00:31:00.859
 what we were

00:31:00.859 --> 00:31:02.299
 it will shape

00:31:02.299 --> 00:31:03.099
 the way we think

00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:04.319
 and live in this world

00:31:04.319 --> 00:31:06.559
 and it should produce

00:31:06.559 --> 00:31:07.839
 a gracious compassion,

00:31:08.519 --> 00:31:09.839
 a desire for

00:31:09.839 --> 00:31:10.679
 the conversion

00:31:10.679 --> 00:31:11.720
 of the lost

00:31:11.720 --> 00:31:12.700
 rather than

00:31:12.700 --> 00:31:13.579
 the condemnation

00:31:13.579 --> 00:31:14.720
 of the lost.

00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:16.700
 And I'm not convinced

00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:17.360
 that conversion

00:31:17.360 --> 00:31:17.920
 is always

00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:18.759
 what our hope is.

00:31:19.240 --> 00:31:20.460
 At least in the way

00:31:20.460 --> 00:31:21.140
 that we think

00:31:21.140 --> 00:31:21.539
 and the way

00:31:21.539 --> 00:31:22.539
 that we speak.

00:31:23.220 --> 00:31:24.700
 It's as if we relish

00:31:24.700 --> 00:31:25.240
 the fact

00:31:25.240 --> 00:31:26.700
 that people will spend

00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.319
 an eternity

00:31:27.319 --> 00:31:28.319
 away from God.

00:31:29.460 --> 00:31:30.640
 Why would we desire

00:31:30.640 --> 00:31:31.500
 that for anyone?

00:31:35.180 --> 00:31:35.620
 Thirdly,

00:31:35.660 --> 00:31:36.140
 he says,

00:31:37.160 --> 00:31:37.900
 remember the goodness

00:31:37.900 --> 00:31:38.460
 of God.

00:31:39.500 --> 00:31:40.319
 Remember the goodness

00:31:40.319 --> 00:31:40.740
 of God.

00:31:40.799 --> 00:31:41.240
 Verse 4,

00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:43.980
 but when the goodness

00:31:43.980 --> 00:31:45.539
 and loving kindness

00:31:45.539 --> 00:31:46.579
 of God our Savior

00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:47.200
 appeared,

00:31:48.099 --> 00:31:49.240
 he saved us

00:31:49.240 --> 00:31:51.660
 not because of works

00:31:51.660 --> 00:31:52.460
 done by us

00:31:52.460 --> 00:31:53.099
 in righteousness

00:31:53.099 --> 00:31:55.140
 but according

00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:56.099
 to his own

00:31:56.099 --> 00:31:57.259
 mercy.

00:31:58.779 --> 00:31:59.759
 We're going to return

00:31:59.759 --> 00:32:00.460
 to this verse

00:32:00.460 --> 00:32:01.240
 in a couple of weeks

00:32:01.240 --> 00:32:01.900
 but I at least want

00:32:01.900 --> 00:32:02.660
 to consider it

00:32:02.660 --> 00:32:03.720
 in light of these

00:32:03.720 --> 00:32:04.539
 first three verses.

00:32:05.680 --> 00:32:05.940
 Again,

00:32:06.039 --> 00:32:06.859
 the fact that Paul

00:32:06.859 --> 00:32:08.140
 appeals to this dynamic

00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:09.859
 of works versus grace

00:32:09.859 --> 00:32:11.220
 helps us understand

00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:12.480
 what the general problem

00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.519
 must have been in Crete.

00:32:14.900 --> 00:32:16.660
 The longer we're saved,

00:32:17.180 --> 00:32:19.000
 the more prone we are

00:32:19.000 --> 00:32:20.620
 to forget the crucial work

00:32:20.620 --> 00:32:21.380
 of God's grace

00:32:21.380 --> 00:32:22.079
 and salvation.

00:32:23.559 --> 00:32:25.120
 And if we aren't careful

00:32:25.120 --> 00:32:27.019
 to preach the gospel

00:32:27.019 --> 00:32:27.779
 to ourselves

00:32:27.779 --> 00:32:28.579
 every day,

00:32:29.100 --> 00:32:30.579
 we'll start to think

00:32:30.579 --> 00:32:31.539
 that our salvation

00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.579
 has something to do

00:32:32.579 --> 00:32:33.120
 with us.

00:32:35.519 --> 00:32:37.200
 That we made ourselves

00:32:37.200 --> 00:32:38.400
 savable

00:32:38.400 --> 00:32:40.680
 and in return,

00:32:41.180 --> 00:32:41.900
 God introduced

00:32:41.900 --> 00:32:42.980
 his grace to us.

00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:47.040
 And when that happens,

00:32:47.800 --> 00:32:48.880
 we'll start to speak

00:32:48.880 --> 00:32:49.460
 to the world

00:32:49.460 --> 00:32:50.259
 as if their path

00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:50.940
 to salvation

00:32:50.940 --> 00:32:53.400
 is to be more like us.

00:32:54.500 --> 00:32:55.620
 Be more like us.

00:32:56.019 --> 00:32:56.940
 Think more like us.

00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:58.200
 Talk more like us.

00:32:58.560 --> 00:32:59.060
 Do the things

00:32:59.060 --> 00:32:59.660
 that we do.

00:33:00.140 --> 00:33:01.100
 Vote the way we vote.

00:33:01.600 --> 00:33:02.340
 Do all the things

00:33:02.340 --> 00:33:02.900
 that we do

00:33:02.900 --> 00:33:03.620
 in our lives.

00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.300
 We'll start to think

00:33:04.300 --> 00:33:05.300
 that your path

00:33:05.300 --> 00:33:05.880
 to righteousness

00:33:05.880 --> 00:33:06.660
 and peace with God

00:33:06.660 --> 00:33:08.019
 is to be like me

00:33:08.019 --> 00:33:09.600
 because look how good

00:33:09.600 --> 00:33:10.160
 I've done

00:33:10.160 --> 00:33:11.720
 at obeying God.

00:33:13.100 --> 00:33:14.500
 We'll become evangelists

00:33:14.500 --> 00:33:15.540
 for conservatism

00:33:15.540 --> 00:33:17.100
 that is influenced

00:33:17.100 --> 00:33:18.220
 by Christian ethics

00:33:18.220 --> 00:33:19.680
 rather than

00:33:19.680 --> 00:33:21.279
 preachers of the gospel

00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.880
 of grace.

00:33:23.040 --> 00:33:24.320
 And Paul very quickly

00:33:24.320 --> 00:33:25.040
 reminds them

00:33:25.040 --> 00:33:27.259
 that when the goodness

00:33:27.259 --> 00:33:28.640
 and loving kindness

00:33:28.640 --> 00:33:29.560
 of God our Savior

00:33:29.560 --> 00:33:29.980
 appeared,

00:33:30.259 --> 00:33:30.800
 he saved us

00:33:30.800 --> 00:33:32.440
 not because of works

00:33:32.440 --> 00:33:33.380
 done by us

00:33:33.380 --> 00:33:33.980
 in righteousness.

00:33:33.980 --> 00:33:34.019
 righteousness.

00:33:34.420 --> 00:33:35.460
 It wasn't because

00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:36.839
 you just figured it out.

00:33:37.360 --> 00:33:38.339
 It wasn't because

00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.299
 you were more savable

00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.279
 than anyone else.

00:33:41.519 --> 00:33:42.599
 But it was according

00:33:42.599 --> 00:33:44.460
 to his own mercy

00:33:44.460 --> 00:33:47.000
 that he shows

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:48.680
 on whomever he wills.

00:33:51.079 --> 00:33:52.240
 Titus was to remind

00:33:52.240 --> 00:33:52.680
 the people

00:33:52.680 --> 00:33:53.660
 that they weren't saved

00:33:53.660 --> 00:33:54.299
 because they got

00:33:54.299 --> 00:33:54.900
 their lives

00:33:54.900 --> 00:33:55.860
 put together

00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:56.680
 in a certain way

00:33:56.680 --> 00:33:58.640
 and they weren't saved

00:33:58.640 --> 00:33:59.579
 because they were smart

00:33:59.579 --> 00:34:00.700
 enough to choose Jesus

00:34:00.700 --> 00:34:01.620
 when others didn't.

00:34:01.619 --> 00:34:03.759
 No, they were saved

00:34:03.759 --> 00:34:04.939
 because the goodness

00:34:04.939 --> 00:34:05.939
 of God's grace

00:34:05.939 --> 00:34:07.939
 shone in Jesus Christ

00:34:07.939 --> 00:34:10.920
 awakened in their heart

00:34:10.920 --> 00:34:12.699
 by the Spirit of God.

00:34:13.779 --> 00:34:14.199
 You see,

00:34:14.259 --> 00:34:15.639
 the gospel of grace alone

00:34:15.639 --> 00:34:16.719
 ultimately shapes

00:34:16.719 --> 00:34:17.380
 our attitudes

00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:18.119
 and our actions

00:34:18.119 --> 00:34:18.900
 in this life.

00:34:19.739 --> 00:34:21.119
 It is our hope

00:34:21.119 --> 00:34:22.719
 of Christ's return

00:34:22.719 --> 00:34:24.420
 and his eternal rule

00:34:24.420 --> 00:34:25.900
 that helps us endure

00:34:25.900 --> 00:34:26.719
 the sufferings

00:34:26.719 --> 00:34:27.400
 of this world.

00:34:27.759 --> 00:34:28.440
 That's what Peter

00:34:28.440 --> 00:34:29.039
 was getting at

00:34:29.039 --> 00:34:29.900
 in the earlier passage

00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:31.019
 we quoted.

00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:32.179
 It's the goodness

00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.579
 of God shown to us

00:34:33.579 --> 00:34:36.019
 that drives our desire

00:34:36.019 --> 00:34:37.320
 for others to be saved

00:34:37.320 --> 00:34:38.699
 rather than destroyed.

00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.880
 That's what Paul's

00:34:39.880 --> 00:34:41.099
 just made a point of

00:34:41.099 --> 00:34:41.759
 in verse 3.

00:34:42.139 --> 00:34:42.920
 And in the end

00:34:42.920 --> 00:34:43.940
 the gospel

00:34:43.940 --> 00:34:45.340
 will always,

00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.539
 always,

00:34:47.039 --> 00:34:48.280
 always

00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:50.519
 produce humility

00:34:50.519 --> 00:34:52.579
 not arrogance

00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.920
 and hatefulness.

00:34:54.860 --> 00:34:56.940
 And if your struggle today

00:34:56.940 --> 00:34:59.119
 is to live in humility

00:34:59.119 --> 00:35:00.579
 toward outsiders,

00:35:00.579 --> 00:35:03.019
 it's because you either

00:35:03.019 --> 00:35:03.900
 don't understand

00:35:03.900 --> 00:35:05.239
 or you're not living

00:35:05.239 --> 00:35:06.199
 in light of

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:07.179
 the gospel

00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:08.679
 of God's grace

00:35:08.679 --> 00:35:10.980
 because the gospel

00:35:10.980 --> 00:35:14.059
 always produces humility.

00:35:15.199 --> 00:35:16.139
 Which is why

00:35:16.139 --> 00:35:16.980
 it's so important.

00:35:17.139 --> 00:35:18.319
 We must not think

00:35:18.319 --> 00:35:18.920
 of the gospel

00:35:18.920 --> 00:35:19.759
 as something

00:35:19.759 --> 00:35:21.000
 that is useful for us

00:35:21.000 --> 00:35:21.480
 at the moment

00:35:21.480 --> 00:35:22.139
 of conversion

00:35:22.139 --> 00:35:23.519
 but is just the milk

00:35:23.519 --> 00:35:24.019
 of the word

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:24.940
 that we leave behind

00:35:24.940 --> 00:35:26.139
 and go on to greater things

00:35:26.139 --> 00:35:27.259
 like what exactly

00:35:27.259 --> 00:35:28.000
 will it be like

00:35:28.000 --> 00:35:28.920
 when Jesus returns

00:35:28.920 --> 00:35:30.099
 and which millennial

00:35:30.099 --> 00:35:31.119
 perspective is right.

00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:32.199
 We think those are the,

00:35:32.279 --> 00:35:33.059
 we think that those

00:35:33.059 --> 00:35:34.179
 are the significant things.

00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.719
 We think that's

00:35:35.719 --> 00:35:36.480
 the meat of the word.

00:35:37.039 --> 00:35:37.879
 No, the meat of the word

00:35:37.879 --> 00:35:38.480
 is the gospel.

00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.539
 It's the gospel.

00:35:41.920 --> 00:35:42.359
 And no matter

00:35:42.359 --> 00:35:43.659
 how much you dig into it,

00:35:43.719 --> 00:35:45.279
 no matter how many years

00:35:45.279 --> 00:35:46.299
 you spend as a Christian

00:35:46.299 --> 00:35:47.539
 thinking on the gospel

00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:47.980
 of grace,

00:35:48.139 --> 00:35:49.480
 it will never grow tired.

00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:50.960
 It will never grow old.

00:35:51.139 --> 00:35:52.379
 And even after years

00:35:52.379 --> 00:35:53.139
 of being a Christian,

00:35:53.139 --> 00:35:54.079
 you'll have moments

00:35:54.079 --> 00:35:55.339
 where the spirit of God

00:35:55.339 --> 00:35:56.659
 awakens your mind

00:35:56.659 --> 00:35:57.859
 and enlightens your mind

00:35:57.859 --> 00:35:58.920
 to the reality

00:35:58.920 --> 00:35:59.900
 of his goodness

00:35:59.900 --> 00:36:01.179
 and of his grace

00:36:01.179 --> 00:36:01.920
 towards us.

00:36:03.739 --> 00:36:05.099
 It always produces

00:36:05.099 --> 00:36:05.619
 humility.

00:36:06.359 --> 00:36:07.379
 And if what it's produced

00:36:07.379 --> 00:36:08.579
 in you is some type

00:36:08.579 --> 00:36:09.139
 of arrogance

00:36:09.139 --> 00:36:10.039
 or hatefulness,

00:36:10.279 --> 00:36:11.420
 it's not the gospel

00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.039
 of grace

00:36:12.039 --> 00:36:12.519
 that you've come

00:36:12.519 --> 00:36:13.019
 to believe.

00:36:19.059 --> 00:36:19.539
 Really,

00:36:19.659 --> 00:36:20.359
 there's two ways

00:36:20.359 --> 00:36:21.259
 that we must

00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:23.200
 think of responding

00:36:23.200 --> 00:36:24.060
 to this text.

00:36:26.600 --> 00:36:27.460
 There may be more,

00:36:27.560 --> 00:36:28.280
 but I'm going to give you two.

00:36:29.900 --> 00:36:30.340
 And the way

00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:31.040
 that you respond

00:36:31.040 --> 00:36:31.940
 really depends

00:36:31.940 --> 00:36:32.920
 on which side

00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:34.520
 of the but

00:36:34.520 --> 00:36:35.400
 in verse four

00:36:35.400 --> 00:36:36.640
 you find yourself on.

00:36:36.840 --> 00:36:37.380
 You see that?

00:36:37.940 --> 00:36:38.520
 Verse four,

00:36:38.880 --> 00:36:39.800
 but when the goodness

00:36:39.800 --> 00:36:41.780
 of God appeared to us

00:36:41.780 --> 00:36:43.080
 in the person of Christ.

00:36:44.700 --> 00:36:45.260
 And there may be

00:36:45.260 --> 00:36:46.060
 someone here today

00:36:46.060 --> 00:36:47.100
 that has never

00:36:47.100 --> 00:36:48.160
 actually experienced

00:36:48.160 --> 00:36:49.900
 the saving grace

00:36:49.900 --> 00:36:50.440
 of God.

00:36:50.440 --> 00:36:51.119
 of course,

00:36:51.200 --> 00:36:51.780
 the very fact

00:36:51.780 --> 00:36:52.440
 that you're here

00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:53.639
 and that you have breath

00:36:53.639 --> 00:36:55.059
 and that you're not starving

00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:56.639
 and that you're not

00:36:56.639 --> 00:36:57.900
 on the verge of death

00:36:57.900 --> 00:36:59.740
 is evidence

00:36:59.740 --> 00:37:00.360
 that you have

00:37:00.360 --> 00:37:01.440
 in some sense

00:37:01.440 --> 00:37:02.659
 received

00:37:02.659 --> 00:37:04.000
 the grace of God

00:37:04.000 --> 00:37:04.639
 that is given

00:37:04.639 --> 00:37:06.320
 to every single person

00:37:06.320 --> 00:37:06.880
 out of the

00:37:06.880 --> 00:37:08.059
 loving kindness

00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.559
 of God.

00:37:09.220 --> 00:37:10.079
 What we would call

00:37:10.079 --> 00:37:10.760
 common grace.

00:37:12.300 --> 00:37:13.360
 But you may not

00:37:13.360 --> 00:37:15.099
 have ever experienced

00:37:15.099 --> 00:37:16.960
 the saving grace

00:37:16.960 --> 00:37:17.420
 of God.

00:37:17.420 --> 00:37:19.480
 you're still living

00:37:19.480 --> 00:37:20.139
 your life

00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:21.340
 in verse three.

00:37:22.880 --> 00:37:23.599
 Foolish.

00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:27.220
 Chasing after passions

00:37:27.220 --> 00:37:28.860
 and pleasures

00:37:28.860 --> 00:37:29.740
 of this life.

00:37:30.300 --> 00:37:31.659
 Filled with malice

00:37:31.659 --> 00:37:32.220
 and envy.

00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.940
 Hated by others.

00:37:36.099 --> 00:37:36.940
 Hating one another.

00:37:36.940 --> 00:37:42.720
 Now your behavior

00:37:42.720 --> 00:37:43.720
 may be

00:37:43.720 --> 00:37:44.460
 conservative.

00:37:46.539 --> 00:37:47.700
 It may perhaps

00:37:47.700 --> 00:37:48.639
 generally conform

00:37:48.639 --> 00:37:49.700
 to a Christian ethic

00:37:49.700 --> 00:37:50.780
 or it could be

00:37:50.780 --> 00:37:51.500
 the opposite of that.

00:37:51.559 --> 00:37:52.559
 It could be notoriously

00:37:52.559 --> 00:37:54.019
 set against everything

00:37:54.019 --> 00:37:54.820
 that God says

00:37:54.820 --> 00:37:56.659
 and that God is.

00:37:56.840 --> 00:37:57.940
 But in either case,

00:37:58.440 --> 00:37:59.619
 you're resting

00:37:59.619 --> 00:38:00.760
 your eternal hope

00:38:00.760 --> 00:38:02.760
 on self-righteousness

00:38:02.760 --> 00:38:04.619
 rather than the grace

00:38:04.619 --> 00:38:05.000
 of God.

00:38:05.739 --> 00:38:06.440
 You're hoping

00:38:06.440 --> 00:38:07.480
 you'll make it

00:38:07.480 --> 00:38:09.400
 because you have

00:38:09.400 --> 00:38:10.299
 the right mindset

00:38:10.299 --> 00:38:11.960
 and the right worldview

00:38:11.960 --> 00:38:13.139
 and you're doing

00:38:13.139 --> 00:38:13.940
 the right things

00:38:13.940 --> 00:38:14.739
 and since you're doing

00:38:14.739 --> 00:38:15.599
 the right things

00:38:15.599 --> 00:38:16.420
 then how could God

00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:17.319
 ever turn you away?

00:38:19.339 --> 00:38:20.319
 And you've received

00:38:20.319 --> 00:38:21.079
 common grace

00:38:21.079 --> 00:38:23.819
 but you haven't

00:38:23.819 --> 00:38:24.819
 actually experienced

00:38:24.819 --> 00:38:25.639
 saving grace.

00:38:27.719 --> 00:38:28.579
 And this week,

00:38:28.659 --> 00:38:29.199
 if you would just

00:38:29.199 --> 00:38:30.259
 look to the cross,

00:38:31.259 --> 00:38:33.900
 the cross of Christ

00:38:33.900 --> 00:38:35.160
 exposes

00:38:35.160 --> 00:38:37.400
 the complete error

00:38:37.400 --> 00:38:38.380
 of that way of thinking.

00:38:39.740 --> 00:38:40.920
 If there was anything

00:38:40.920 --> 00:38:42.200
 good you could do

00:38:42.200 --> 00:38:44.280
 to be at peace

00:38:44.280 --> 00:38:44.820
 with God,

00:38:45.820 --> 00:38:47.559
 then there was no reason

00:38:47.559 --> 00:38:48.920
 for Jesus to suffer

00:38:48.920 --> 00:38:50.039
 and die

00:38:50.039 --> 00:38:51.260
 and be crucified

00:38:51.260 --> 00:38:52.139
 on that cross.

00:38:52.900 --> 00:38:54.519
 The very fact

00:38:54.519 --> 00:38:55.400
 that he did

00:38:55.400 --> 00:38:58.820
 shows that you are

00:38:58.820 --> 00:39:00.700
 utterly lost

00:39:00.700 --> 00:39:01.760
 on your own.

00:39:03.900 --> 00:39:05.519
 and I beg you

00:39:05.519 --> 00:39:08.039
 to leave

00:39:08.039 --> 00:39:09.300
 your self-righteousness

00:39:09.300 --> 00:39:12.240
 and turn

00:39:12.240 --> 00:39:12.940
 finally

00:39:12.940 --> 00:39:14.920
 to the grace

00:39:14.920 --> 00:39:15.400
 of God

00:39:15.400 --> 00:39:16.139
 in Christ.

00:39:17.900 --> 00:39:18.940
 Trusting in him

00:39:18.940 --> 00:39:19.480
 alone,

00:39:20.700 --> 00:39:21.240
 clinging

00:39:21.240 --> 00:39:23.079
 to his work

00:39:23.079 --> 00:39:23.599
 of mercy

00:39:23.599 --> 00:39:24.340
 and grace,

00:39:25.880 --> 00:39:26.900
 abandoning your sin,

00:39:28.119 --> 00:39:28.780
 abandoning your

00:39:28.780 --> 00:39:29.760
 selfish pursuits

00:39:29.760 --> 00:39:31.200
 and the efforts

00:39:31.200 --> 00:39:31.900
 that you have

00:39:31.900 --> 00:39:33.500
 burdened yourself

00:39:33.500 --> 00:39:33.800
 with.

00:39:34.480 --> 00:39:35.460
 Leave the burden

00:39:35.460 --> 00:39:36.019
 alone.

00:39:37.800 --> 00:39:38.400
 Leave it.

00:39:42.360 --> 00:39:43.079
 Others here,

00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:44.220
 you know

00:39:44.220 --> 00:39:44.619
 the grace

00:39:44.619 --> 00:39:45.160
 of Christ.

00:39:45.800 --> 00:39:46.240
 You know

00:39:46.240 --> 00:39:46.700
 the glory

00:39:46.700 --> 00:39:47.039
 of it.

00:39:48.519 --> 00:39:49.180
 There's times

00:39:49.180 --> 00:39:49.639
 in your life

00:39:49.639 --> 00:39:49.900
 where you're

00:39:49.900 --> 00:39:50.420
 overwhelmed

00:39:50.420 --> 00:39:50.960
 when you begin

00:39:50.960 --> 00:39:51.700
 to think of it.

00:39:52.240 --> 00:39:52.900
 The fact

00:39:52.900 --> 00:39:53.300
 that God

00:39:53.300 --> 00:39:54.480
 has so ordained

00:39:54.480 --> 00:39:54.860
 the steps

00:39:54.860 --> 00:39:55.440
 of your life

00:39:55.440 --> 00:39:56.059
 that he would

00:39:56.059 --> 00:39:56.860
 be so gracious

00:39:56.860 --> 00:39:58.000
 that you would

00:39:58.000 --> 00:39:58.559
 not only hear

00:39:58.559 --> 00:39:59.000
 the gospel

00:39:59.000 --> 00:39:59.559
 because there's

00:39:59.559 --> 00:40:00.019
 many people

00:40:00.019 --> 00:40:00.740
 who don't,

00:40:00.739 --> 00:40:01.459
 but not only

00:40:01.459 --> 00:40:01.919
 that you would

00:40:01.919 --> 00:40:02.579
 hear the gospel

00:40:02.579 --> 00:40:03.179
 but that he

00:40:03.179 --> 00:40:03.839
 would open

00:40:03.839 --> 00:40:04.179
 your heart

00:40:04.179 --> 00:40:04.919
 to believe it.

00:40:07.899 --> 00:40:08.639
 But the truth

00:40:08.639 --> 00:40:09.119
 is you're not

00:40:09.119 --> 00:40:09.919
 living in light

00:40:09.919 --> 00:40:10.599
 of that gospel

00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.319
 day by day.

00:40:12.859 --> 00:40:13.539
 And it may be

00:40:13.539 --> 00:40:14.159
 that your general

00:40:14.159 --> 00:40:15.000
 attitude towards

00:40:15.000 --> 00:40:15.639
 unbelievers

00:40:15.639 --> 00:40:16.899
 is kind of

00:40:16.899 --> 00:40:17.519
 condescending,

00:40:18.359 --> 00:40:19.319
!

00:40:19.319 --> 00:40:20.059
 A little hateful!

00:40:22.459 --> 00:40:23.099
 And if you're

00:40:23.099 --> 00:40:23.479
 to be real

00:40:23.479 --> 00:40:24.000
 honest with

00:40:24.000 --> 00:40:24.399
 yourself,

00:40:24.539 --> 00:40:25.039
 you'd have to

00:40:25.039 --> 00:40:25.379
 say,

00:40:25.380 --> 00:40:29.460
 my persona

00:40:29.460 --> 00:40:30.840
 in my community

00:40:30.840 --> 00:40:31.740
 or maybe

00:40:31.740 --> 00:40:33.420
 online

00:40:33.420 --> 00:40:33.940
 or whatever

00:40:33.940 --> 00:40:34.420
 it is

00:40:34.420 --> 00:40:34.840
 or with my

00:40:34.840 --> 00:40:35.260
 family,

00:40:35.980 --> 00:40:37.519
 I've actually

00:40:37.519 --> 00:40:38.240
 probably

00:40:38.240 --> 00:40:40.140
 made the gospel

00:40:40.140 --> 00:40:40.700
 stink

00:40:40.700 --> 00:40:41.800
 to a lot

00:40:41.800 --> 00:40:42.220
 of people.

00:40:45.140 --> 00:40:46.000
 And if that's

00:40:46.000 --> 00:40:46.260
 you,

00:40:48.579 --> 00:40:49.019
 can I just,

00:40:49.260 --> 00:40:50.180
 if you'll just

00:40:50.180 --> 00:40:51.480
 reconsider day

00:40:51.480 --> 00:40:51.940
 by day

00:40:51.940 --> 00:40:53.220
 the gospel

00:40:53.219 --> 00:40:53.739
 of grace,

00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:55.839
 preach to

00:40:55.839 --> 00:40:56.539
 yourself the

00:40:56.539 --> 00:40:57.619
 gospel every

00:40:57.619 --> 00:40:58.779
 single day.

00:40:59.599 --> 00:41:00.139
 Start your

00:41:00.139 --> 00:41:01.339
 day by

00:41:01.339 --> 00:41:02.439
 asking yourself,

00:41:02.759 --> 00:41:04.059
 what is the

00:41:04.059 --> 00:41:04.379
 gospel?

00:41:06.500 --> 00:41:07.399
 What is the

00:41:07.399 --> 00:41:07.659
 gospel?

00:41:08.779 --> 00:41:09.199
 And if you

00:41:09.199 --> 00:41:09.859
 really understand

00:41:09.859 --> 00:41:10.199
 it,

00:41:10.699 --> 00:41:11.299
 you'll begin

00:41:11.299 --> 00:41:11.959
 each day

00:41:11.959 --> 00:41:13.559
 in praise

00:41:13.559 --> 00:41:15.339
 that God

00:41:15.339 --> 00:41:15.719
 would love

00:41:15.719 --> 00:41:15.980
 you,

00:41:16.859 --> 00:41:17.459
 that he would

00:41:17.459 --> 00:41:18.119
 save you,

00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:19.319
 and that will

00:41:19.319 --> 00:41:19.980
 shape the way

00:41:19.980 --> 00:41:20.659
 that you respond

00:41:20.659 --> 00:41:21.079
 to the other

00:41:21.079 --> 00:41:21.759
 people that

00:41:21.759 --> 00:41:23.119
 frustrate

00:41:23.119 --> 00:41:23.400
 you at

00:41:23.400 --> 00:41:23.980
 your work.

00:41:24.980 --> 00:41:25.579
 It will

00:41:25.579 --> 00:41:27.079
 shape the

00:41:27.079 --> 00:41:27.299
 way that

00:41:27.299 --> 00:41:27.920
 you post.

00:41:28.659 --> 00:41:28.960
 It will

00:41:28.960 --> 00:41:30.579
 shape your

00:41:30.579 --> 00:41:31.199
 isolation

00:41:31.199 --> 00:41:31.599
 versus

00:41:31.599 --> 00:41:32.199
 engagement.

00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:34.099
 It will

00:41:34.099 --> 00:41:34.559
 motivate

00:41:34.559 --> 00:41:35.219
 evangelism.

00:41:35.279 --> 00:41:35.420
 It will

00:41:35.420 --> 00:41:35.719
 do all

00:41:35.719 --> 00:41:36.259
 those things.

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.599
 When I

00:41:39.599 --> 00:41:40.000
 was growing

00:41:40.000 --> 00:41:40.339
 up,

00:41:40.960 --> 00:41:42.579
 anytime I

00:41:42.579 --> 00:41:42.920
 was going

00:41:42.920 --> 00:41:43.319
 somewhere,

00:41:43.420 --> 00:41:43.759
 if it was

00:41:43.759 --> 00:41:44.019
 to a

00:41:44.019 --> 00:41:44.319
 friend's

00:41:44.319 --> 00:41:44.839
 house or

00:41:44.839 --> 00:41:45.359
 maybe on

00:41:45.359 --> 00:41:45.659
 a youth

00:41:45.659 --> 00:41:46.079
 activity,

00:41:46.299 --> 00:41:46.519
 wherever

00:41:46.519 --> 00:41:47.079
 it was

00:41:47.079 --> 00:41:47.519
 that I

00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:47.719
 wasn't

00:41:47.719 --> 00:41:48.099
 around my

00:41:48.099 --> 00:41:48.679
 dad and

00:41:48.679 --> 00:41:49.259
 he couldn't

00:41:49.259 --> 00:41:49.739
 see me,

00:41:49.739 --> 00:41:52.439
 he would

00:41:52.439 --> 00:41:53.099
 the last

00:41:53.099 --> 00:41:53.319
 thing he

00:41:53.319 --> 00:41:53.679
 would say

00:41:53.679 --> 00:41:54.079
 to me is

00:41:54.079 --> 00:41:54.279
 he would

00:41:54.279 --> 00:41:54.579
 make me

00:41:54.579 --> 00:41:54.919
 say my

00:41:54.919 --> 00:41:55.219
 name.

00:41:55.519 --> 00:41:55.739
 He didn't

00:41:55.739 --> 00:41:55.979
 care about

00:41:55.979 --> 00:41:56.299
 my first

00:41:56.299 --> 00:41:56.419
 name.

00:41:56.539 --> 00:41:57.059
 He wanted

00:41:57.059 --> 00:41:59.319
 me to

00:41:59.319 --> 00:42:00.119
 hear myself

00:42:00.119 --> 00:42:00.879
 say my

00:42:00.879 --> 00:42:01.579
 last name

00:42:01.579 --> 00:42:02.759
 knowing that

00:42:02.759 --> 00:42:03.159
 it's also

00:42:03.159 --> 00:42:03.699
 his last

00:42:03.699 --> 00:42:03.899
 name.

00:42:03.959 --> 00:42:04.219
 That was

00:42:04.219 --> 00:42:04.579
 really the

00:42:04.579 --> 00:42:05.000
 purpose of

00:42:05.000 --> 00:42:05.159
 that.

00:42:06.500 --> 00:42:06.979
 And then

00:42:06.979 --> 00:42:07.159
 he would

00:42:07.159 --> 00:42:07.459
 make this

00:42:07.459 --> 00:42:07.719
 statement.

00:42:07.799 --> 00:42:07.919
 It's the

00:42:07.919 --> 00:42:08.179
 last thing

00:42:08.179 --> 00:42:08.319
 he would

00:42:08.319 --> 00:42:08.719
 always say.

00:42:09.019 --> 00:42:09.259
 He would

00:42:09.259 --> 00:42:09.519
 say,

00:42:09.859 --> 00:42:10.199
 remember

00:42:10.199 --> 00:42:10.919
 who you

00:42:10.919 --> 00:42:12.879
 are and

00:42:12.879 --> 00:42:13.319
 remember

00:42:13.319 --> 00:42:14.199
 whose

00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:15.119
 you are.

00:42:15.119 --> 00:42:16.900
 And what

00:42:16.900 --> 00:42:17.359
 dad meant

00:42:17.359 --> 00:42:17.920
 by that

00:42:17.920 --> 00:42:19.099
 was two

00:42:19.099 --> 00:42:19.359
 fold.

00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:21.119
 Because he

00:42:21.119 --> 00:42:21.380
 was a

00:42:21.380 --> 00:42:21.719
 Christian,

00:42:22.159 --> 00:42:22.739
 he wanted

00:42:22.739 --> 00:42:23.119
 me to

00:42:23.119 --> 00:42:23.440
 remember

00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:24.019
 the fact

00:42:24.019 --> 00:42:25.179
 that I

00:42:25.179 --> 00:42:25.639
 belonged to

00:42:25.639 --> 00:42:26.779
 Christ and

00:42:26.779 --> 00:42:27.099
 that that

00:42:27.099 --> 00:42:28.319
 mattered in

00:42:28.319 --> 00:42:28.699
 the way that

00:42:28.699 --> 00:42:29.219
 I lived and

00:42:29.219 --> 00:42:29.619
 the way that

00:42:29.619 --> 00:42:30.000
 I treated

00:42:30.000 --> 00:42:30.559
 others and

00:42:30.559 --> 00:42:31.199
 the whole

00:42:31.199 --> 00:42:31.500
 thing.

00:42:33.500 --> 00:42:34.099
 The other

00:42:34.099 --> 00:42:34.500
 thing that he

00:42:34.500 --> 00:42:35.039
 wanted me to

00:42:35.039 --> 00:42:35.639
 remember is

00:42:35.639 --> 00:42:35.880
 that I

00:42:35.880 --> 00:42:36.420
 belonged to

00:42:36.420 --> 00:42:38.440
 him and

00:42:38.440 --> 00:42:38.819
 that wherever

00:42:38.819 --> 00:42:39.380
 I went,

00:42:39.659 --> 00:42:40.039
 I carried

00:42:40.039 --> 00:42:40.480
 his name

00:42:40.480 --> 00:42:40.960
 with me.

00:42:42.980 --> 00:42:43.319
 And that

00:42:43.319 --> 00:42:44.679
 if I

00:42:44.679 --> 00:42:45.139
 were to

00:42:45.139 --> 00:42:45.639
 act in

00:42:45.639 --> 00:42:46.379
 a way that

00:42:46.379 --> 00:42:46.819
 was

00:42:46.819 --> 00:42:47.500
 disrespectful

00:42:47.500 --> 00:42:48.399
 or sinful

00:42:48.399 --> 00:42:49.359
 or dishonorable,

00:42:50.019 --> 00:42:50.919
 it would

00:42:50.919 --> 00:42:51.559
 not only

00:42:51.559 --> 00:42:53.519
 reflect my

00:42:53.519 --> 00:42:54.159
 attitudes and

00:42:54.159 --> 00:42:54.519
 actions,

00:42:54.719 --> 00:42:55.099
 but it would

00:42:55.099 --> 00:42:55.719
 be a reflection

00:42:55.719 --> 00:42:56.960
 on him because

00:42:56.960 --> 00:42:57.779
 I belong to

00:42:57.779 --> 00:42:58.179
 him.

00:42:59.539 --> 00:43:00.119
 And there

00:43:00.119 --> 00:43:00.659
 is a sense

00:43:00.659 --> 00:43:01.219
 in which this

00:43:01.219 --> 00:43:01.639
 passage,

00:43:01.779 --> 00:43:02.480
 Paul is telling

00:43:02.480 --> 00:43:02.919
 Titus,

00:43:03.339 --> 00:43:03.940
 just gather

00:43:03.940 --> 00:43:04.339
 the church

00:43:04.339 --> 00:43:05.219
 together and

00:43:05.219 --> 00:43:05.679
 just tell

00:43:05.679 --> 00:43:05.919
 them,

00:43:06.419 --> 00:43:06.960
 remember who

00:43:06.960 --> 00:43:07.419
 you are

00:43:07.419 --> 00:43:09.319
 and remember

00:43:09.319 --> 00:43:09.940
 whose you

00:43:09.940 --> 00:43:10.299
 are.

00:43:11.399 --> 00:43:12.000
 And who

00:43:12.000 --> 00:43:12.399
 are you?

00:43:12.539 --> 00:43:12.899
 If you

00:43:12.899 --> 00:43:13.480
 know Christ,

00:43:13.879 --> 00:43:14.599
 it's the

00:43:14.599 --> 00:43:15.039
 song that

00:43:15.039 --> 00:43:15.460
 we used

00:43:15.460 --> 00:43:15.759
 to all

00:43:15.759 --> 00:43:16.500
 probably sing

00:43:16.500 --> 00:43:17.079
 growing up,

00:43:17.339 --> 00:43:17.819
 I'm just

00:43:17.819 --> 00:43:18.319
 a sinner

00:43:18.319 --> 00:43:19.440
 saved by

00:43:19.440 --> 00:43:19.839
 grace.

00:43:20.500 --> 00:43:21.179
 That's all

00:43:21.179 --> 00:43:21.480
 that I

00:43:21.480 --> 00:43:21.739
 am.

00:43:23.299 --> 00:43:24.059
 I told you

00:43:24.059 --> 00:43:24.259
 a couple

00:43:24.259 --> 00:43:24.500
 of weeks

00:43:24.500 --> 00:43:24.900
 ago a

00:43:24.900 --> 00:43:25.819
 little bit

00:43:25.819 --> 00:43:26.259
 about Martin

00:43:26.259 --> 00:43:26.739
 Lloyd-Jones.

00:43:27.119 --> 00:43:27.559
 When it

00:43:27.559 --> 00:43:28.179
 came to

00:43:28.179 --> 00:43:30.039
 his dying

00:43:30.039 --> 00:43:30.460
 days,

00:43:30.579 --> 00:43:30.980
 the young

00:43:30.980 --> 00:43:31.299
 man that

00:43:31.299 --> 00:43:31.619
 was doing

00:43:31.619 --> 00:43:32.179
 his funeral,

00:43:32.639 --> 00:43:33.079
 he told

00:43:33.079 --> 00:43:33.239
 him,

00:43:33.380 --> 00:43:33.619
 he said,

00:43:34.039 --> 00:43:35.259
 when you

00:43:35.259 --> 00:43:35.860
 stand before

00:43:35.860 --> 00:43:36.500
 that congregation

00:43:36.500 --> 00:43:37.199
 at my

00:43:37.199 --> 00:43:37.599
 funeral,

00:43:38.639 --> 00:43:39.599
 just tell

00:43:39.599 --> 00:43:41.039
 them I

00:43:41.039 --> 00:43:41.420
 was a

00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:42.860
 sinner saved

00:43:42.860 --> 00:43:43.360
 by grace.

00:43:43.519 --> 00:43:44.019
 That's all

00:43:44.019 --> 00:43:44.519
 I was.

00:43:45.719 --> 00:43:46.019
 And his

00:43:46.019 --> 00:43:46.400
 point was

00:43:46.400 --> 00:43:46.920
 don't make

00:43:46.920 --> 00:43:47.199
 it about

00:43:47.199 --> 00:43:48.019
 any accolades

00:43:48.019 --> 00:43:48.400
 that you

00:43:48.400 --> 00:43:48.739
 may want

00:43:48.739 --> 00:43:49.019
 to give

00:43:49.019 --> 00:43:49.219
 me or

00:43:49.219 --> 00:43:49.719
 about anything

00:43:49.719 --> 00:43:50.340
 that perhaps

00:43:50.340 --> 00:43:50.659
 that I

00:43:50.659 --> 00:43:51.019
 have done

00:43:51.019 --> 00:43:51.259
 in my

00:43:51.259 --> 00:43:51.480
 life.

00:43:51.679 --> 00:43:52.119
 Just tell

00:43:52.119 --> 00:43:52.460
 them at

00:43:52.460 --> 00:43:52.980
 the heart

00:43:52.980 --> 00:43:53.159
 of it,

00:43:53.239 --> 00:43:53.579
 I'm just

00:43:53.579 --> 00:43:53.920
 a sinner.

00:43:54.039 --> 00:43:54.460
 That's all

00:43:54.460 --> 00:43:54.759
 that I

00:43:54.759 --> 00:43:55.039
 am.

00:43:55.800 --> 00:43:56.300
 That has

00:43:56.300 --> 00:43:56.699
 been shown

00:43:56.699 --> 00:43:57.159
 the wonderful

00:43:57.159 --> 00:43:57.639
 grace of

00:43:57.639 --> 00:43:57.860
 God.

00:43:58.239 --> 00:43:58.619
 And if you

00:43:58.619 --> 00:43:59.019
 know Christ,

00:43:59.079 --> 00:43:59.340
 that's what

00:43:59.340 --> 00:43:59.639
 you are.

00:43:59.739 --> 00:44:00.119
 That's who

00:44:00.119 --> 00:44:00.599
 you are.

00:44:01.940 --> 00:44:02.440
 You're just

00:44:02.440 --> 00:44:02.719
 a sinner.

00:44:02.840 --> 00:44:03.059
 Remember

00:44:03.059 --> 00:44:03.400
 what you

00:44:03.400 --> 00:44:03.639
 are.

00:44:04.340 --> 00:44:04.699
 But now

00:44:04.699 --> 00:44:05.019
 remember

00:44:05.019 --> 00:44:05.400
 what you

00:44:05.400 --> 00:44:05.679
 are.

00:44:06.480 --> 00:44:06.840
 You're

00:44:06.840 --> 00:44:07.199
 saved.

00:44:07.539 --> 00:44:07.880
 Saved

00:44:07.880 --> 00:44:08.420
 by grace.

00:44:09.019 --> 00:44:09.739
 And remember

00:44:09.739 --> 00:44:10.739
 whose you

00:44:10.739 --> 00:44:10.979
 are.

00:44:12.319 --> 00:44:12.919
 You are

00:44:12.919 --> 00:44:13.299
 not your

00:44:13.299 --> 00:44:13.559
 own.

00:44:14.579 --> 00:44:15.199
 For you

00:44:15.199 --> 00:44:15.559
 have been

00:44:15.559 --> 00:44:15.959
 bought with

00:44:15.959 --> 00:44:16.479
 a price.

00:44:17.659 --> 00:44:18.019
 Therefore

00:44:18.019 --> 00:44:19.539
 glorify God

00:44:19.539 --> 00:44:20.279
 in your

00:44:20.279 --> 00:44:20.639
 body,

00:44:21.319 --> 00:44:21.639
 in the way

00:44:21.639 --> 00:44:21.899
 that you

00:44:21.899 --> 00:44:22.259
 live,

00:44:22.899 --> 00:44:23.299
 in the way

00:44:23.299 --> 00:44:23.519
 that you

00:44:23.519 --> 00:44:23.859
 think.

00:44:24.559 --> 00:44:25.259
 Because the

00:44:25.259 --> 00:44:25.719
 things that

00:44:25.719 --> 00:44:26.119
 you do

00:44:26.119 --> 00:44:26.599
 are a

00:44:26.599 --> 00:44:27.000
 reflection

00:44:27.000 --> 00:44:28.039
 on him

00:44:28.039 --> 00:44:29.159
 to whom

00:44:29.159 --> 00:44:29.639
 you belong.

00:44:31.239 --> 00:44:31.799
 And we

00:44:31.799 --> 00:44:32.139
 don't want

00:44:32.139 --> 00:44:32.439
 to make

00:44:32.439 --> 00:44:33.179
 Cornelius

00:44:33.179 --> 00:44:35.939
 plug their

00:44:35.939 --> 00:44:36.539
 noses when

00:44:36.539 --> 00:44:37.019
 they see the

00:44:37.019 --> 00:44:37.619
 Christians come

00:44:37.619 --> 00:44:37.859
 by.

00:44:38.559 --> 00:44:39.239
 Because the

00:44:39.239 --> 00:44:39.719
 Christians are

00:44:39.719 --> 00:44:40.059
 the most

00:44:40.059 --> 00:44:40.639
 arrogant of

00:44:40.639 --> 00:44:40.900
 us.

00:44:42.339 --> 00:44:42.779
 No.

00:44:43.879 --> 00:44:44.500
 They may

00:44:44.500 --> 00:44:45.039
 hate us.

00:44:45.559 --> 00:44:46.079
 But let it

00:44:46.079 --> 00:44:46.940
 not be because

00:44:46.940 --> 00:44:48.139
 we're continuing

00:44:48.139 --> 00:44:48.739
 in the sin

00:44:48.739 --> 00:44:49.059
 that we've

00:44:49.059 --> 00:44:49.480
 been saved

00:44:49.480 --> 00:44:49.679
 from.