WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.940 Well, Lord, we thank you that you are with us tonight. 00:00:07.419 --> 00:00:14.419 And so as we open your word, we thank you that the hope of glory, that Christ is in us, 00:00:15.480 --> 00:00:21.320 takes words that are written on a page and brings them to life. 00:00:21.460 --> 00:00:24.900 And so we invite now, Spirit, your activity. 00:00:24.899 --> 00:00:37.899 Father, would you take your word and by the work of the Spirit shine your light on the life that we have and share in Christ. 00:00:37.979 --> 00:00:39.280 We pray this in Jesus' name. 00:00:39.339 --> 00:00:40.119 And everybody said? 00:00:41.019 --> 00:00:41.539 Amen. 00:00:42.820 --> 00:00:43.340 Amen. 00:00:43.679 --> 00:00:48.459 For the last time, please open to Matthew chapter 5. 00:00:48.460 --> 00:00:53.420 Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. 00:00:53.799 --> 00:00:58.039 And you can also have your finger in Romans 8. 00:01:01.260 --> 00:01:06.219 We'll be reading verse 1 and verse 31 to the end of the chapter. 00:01:06.219 --> 00:01:16.379 But first, Matthew 5, verse 43, where we read of a gospel demand. 00:01:16.379 --> 00:01:18.459 A gospel demand. 00:01:19.739 --> 00:01:21.239 This is our Lord speaking. 00:01:21.379 --> 00:01:26.640 You have heard that it was said, you shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 00:01:26.780 --> 00:01:35.620 And I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:44.479 For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 00:01:44.480 --> 00:01:48.240 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? 00:01:49.020 --> 00:01:51.280 Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 00:01:52.240 --> 00:01:55.980 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? 00:01:56.900 --> 00:01:59.680 Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 00:02:00.800 --> 00:02:07.200 You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect. 00:02:07.200 --> 00:02:10.240 Romans 8, verse 1. 00:02:10.740 --> 00:02:18.599 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:20.980 Verse 31. 00:02:20.979 --> 00:02:23.879 What shall we say to these things? 00:02:24.419 --> 00:02:26.659 If God is for us, who can be against us? 00:02:27.399 --> 00:02:37.699 He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 00:02:38.479 --> 00:02:41.519 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? 00:02:41.879 --> 00:02:44.439 It is God who justifies. 00:02:45.120 --> 00:02:46.699 Who is to condemn? 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:49.259 Christ Jesus is the one who died. 00:02:49.619 --> 00:02:51.379 More than that, who was raised. 00:02:52.060 --> 00:02:53.979 Who is at the right hand of God. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:56.939 Who indeed is interceding for us. 00:02:57.780 --> 00:03:00.839 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? 00:03:01.579 --> 00:03:03.739 Shall tribulation or distress? 00:03:05.039 --> 00:03:07.639 Persecution or famine or nakedness? 00:03:08.879 --> 00:03:11.399 Danger or sword as it is written? 00:03:12.259 --> 00:03:15.780 For your sake we are being killed all the day long. 00:03:15.780 --> 00:03:18.699 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered. 00:03:18.699 --> 00:03:20.939 No, verse 37. 00:03:21.740 --> 00:03:29.180 In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 00:03:29.840 --> 00:03:37.180 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, 00:03:37.180 --> 00:03:52.379 nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:56.859 Thanks be to God for his word. 00:03:56.860 --> 00:03:58.540 All right. 00:03:58.540 --> 00:04:05.440 In that this is the last session of the seminar, but I have the privilege to be with you tomorrow morning for your services. 00:04:06.240 --> 00:04:10.480 I'm going to put you to work, and I think for some of us we need to work. 00:04:10.620 --> 00:04:19.199 Dinner was excellent, but it was heavily carved, and not everyone availed themselves to a cup of coffee or tea. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:31.459 So may I have a volunteer, a young lady or an older lady, I don't care, to read John 15, 1, 4 to 5. 00:04:31.620 --> 00:04:33.139 Just raise your hand and I'll bring you the card. 00:04:33.279 --> 00:04:33.659 Excellent. 00:04:34.839 --> 00:04:38.480 A young man to read, or an old man to read Galatians 2, 20. 00:04:40.000 --> 00:04:40.779 Thank you. 00:04:40.779 --> 00:04:45.359 Ladies, Ephesians 1, 3 to 5. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:48.399 I saw someone grab a sweatshirt. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:50.839 She wasn't raising her hand, though, so I didn't go that way. 00:04:51.839 --> 00:04:53.299 Gentlemen, Colossians 1. 00:04:53.979 --> 00:04:54.379 Awesome. 00:04:54.619 --> 00:04:54.899 Taylor. 00:04:57.399 --> 00:04:59.519 Oh, that didn't sound good. 00:05:00.219 --> 00:05:00.839 Oh, that's all right. 00:05:01.379 --> 00:05:03.419 2 Corinthians 5, 17 to 19. 00:05:04.159 --> 00:05:04.599 Where are we? 00:05:04.719 --> 00:05:04.859 Good. 00:05:05.339 --> 00:05:06.139 Audrey, thank you. 00:05:06.679 --> 00:05:08.599 1 Peter 2, 5 to 6. 00:05:10.199 --> 00:05:10.639 Oh. 00:05:11.059 --> 00:05:12.279 All the way in the back. 00:05:12.699 --> 00:05:13.879 I'm getting my steps in. 00:05:14.579 --> 00:05:16.679 And 1 John 2, 5 to 6. 00:05:17.039 --> 00:05:17.339 Great. 00:05:17.539 --> 00:05:18.639 John, can you just pass it over, John? 00:05:18.739 --> 00:05:19.079 Excellent. 00:05:20.179 --> 00:05:23.759 Okay, I'll call on you in a moment to read those scriptures. 00:05:24.339 --> 00:05:33.679 When you read them, if you could stand up when you read them, and then also just cite the passage 00:05:35.679 --> 00:05:36.859 when you do read it. 00:05:36.860 --> 00:05:41.160 Question I want to answer today, which I think connects to what we've been talking about in 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:47.000 the first two sessions is, how do you know God loves you? 00:05:47.000 --> 00:05:51.579 If you're a parent and your child asks you that question, how do you answer that question? 00:05:52.579 --> 00:06:00.620 If you're a Christian and you're sharing the gospel with a coworker, a friend, a neighbor, 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:04.899 a family member, how would you answer that question? 00:06:04.899 --> 00:06:13.120 How do we answer that question when we experience difficulties and hardships and disappointments 00:06:13.120 --> 00:06:19.560 and suffering and various kinds of trials? 00:06:19.560 --> 00:06:24.959 How do we know God loves us? 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:30.060 Here's a different question, and it's a self-reflective question. 00:06:31.840 --> 00:06:36.819 Would you say that you are confident in God's love for you? 00:06:37.040 --> 00:06:44.399 Not do you know something, but would you say that you're confident in what you know? 00:06:44.399 --> 00:06:51.199 Meaning the person who knows you best, your spouse, your best friend, your roommate, the 00:06:51.199 --> 00:06:52.539 person who moves your trash. 00:06:52.639 --> 00:06:57.339 Would they say that person is confident in God's love for them? 00:06:58.319 --> 00:07:01.879 Even in life, that's a different question, isn't it? 00:07:06.519 --> 00:07:11.579 And then, what should we do when we're not? 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:16.180 What should we do when we're not? 00:07:16.259 --> 00:07:23.339 Not when we don't know something, but when our confidence in what we know begins to falter 00:07:23.339 --> 00:07:26.300 or flounder or flag. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:31.719 I sense tonight that some of you here that, spiritually speaking, know that God loves you, 00:07:32.180 --> 00:07:37.099 but your confidence has wavered lately. 00:07:37.839 --> 00:07:39.839 And there may be real reasons for that. 00:07:39.839 --> 00:07:42.000 Real reasons for that discouragement. 00:07:42.179 --> 00:07:45.000 Real reasons for that foggy windshield. 00:07:46.299 --> 00:07:50.619 When it comes to your perspective on Christ's love for you. 00:07:50.620 --> 00:08:01.939 And if I'm being honest, there have been seasons in my life, both recent and distant, early, 00:08:02.180 --> 00:08:10.100 following my conversion and throughout my journey with Christ where I knew God loved me. 00:08:10.199 --> 00:08:18.600 I believe my conversion to the gospel was legitimate, but my confidence in his love was faltering. 00:08:18.600 --> 00:08:25.740 And if you're honest, when your confidence is faltering, you can't fake it. 00:08:25.820 --> 00:08:33.420 You begin to look to other people or other things or other sources to bolster it, 00:08:33.659 --> 00:08:36.180 even if it's not ultimately Christ. 00:08:36.179 --> 00:08:44.779 I think when we're talking about mission mindfulness and we consider that Jesus calls us to join him in our mission, 00:08:44.879 --> 00:08:48.959 it's not only that he wants to reach the lost, which he does. 00:08:49.099 --> 00:08:53.039 He is the one who came to seek and save the lost. 00:08:53.039 --> 00:09:00.219 But there is something about mission that forces you, the Christian, and that forces us, the church, 00:09:00.579 --> 00:09:09.579 to really, really deepen our grasp and bolster our foundations in God's love for us. 00:09:09.579 --> 00:09:16.259 Because it will be, and it is often, tested in mission. 00:09:16.259 --> 00:09:23.419 And so tonight's passages point to two realities that I want to draw attention to briefly. 00:09:24.679 --> 00:09:25.480 Where's Jen? 00:09:25.700 --> 00:09:27.500 Is Jen still in the... 00:09:27.500 --> 00:09:29.980 I never got from you what time this is supposed to be over. 00:09:30.080 --> 00:09:31.200 Did you say 10 o'clock? 00:09:31.259 --> 00:09:32.240 I have till 10. 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:36.139 Then we're taking a long ice cream break, and then we're doing like a bonfire. 00:09:36.240 --> 00:09:37.120 When do I have to be done? 00:09:38.960 --> 00:09:39.799 8.40. 00:09:39.799 --> 00:09:46.639 I might go a little longer, but that's helpful. 00:09:47.240 --> 00:09:47.959 I see the clock. 00:09:48.919 --> 00:09:49.579 Two ideas. 00:09:49.679 --> 00:09:53.620 The first one will be brief and amazing, and if not amazing, it'll be brief. 00:09:54.039 --> 00:09:55.859 And the second one will be briefer. 00:09:56.500 --> 00:09:59.039 And that will be amazing, if you know me. 00:09:59.459 --> 00:10:02.759 First, first point, humble confidence in God's love for me. 00:10:02.839 --> 00:10:03.500 Really simple. 00:10:04.219 --> 00:10:05.859 Humble confidence in God's love for me. 00:10:05.860 --> 00:10:12.019 The second one is we're called to imitate God's love for me to others. 00:10:13.620 --> 00:10:17.639 Humble confidence, imitate Christ. 00:10:18.560 --> 00:10:20.019 Let's talk about the first one. 00:10:20.820 --> 00:10:24.659 Humble confidence in God's love for me. 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:31.539 There's a really simple answer to that, 00:10:31.539 --> 00:10:38.019 and then there's a more profound reflection that allows that truth-filled reality 00:10:38.019 --> 00:10:43.459 to, by the work of the Spirit, deepen our grasp of it. 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:52.279 The death and resurrection of Christ gives Christians humble confidence in God's love. 00:10:52.819 --> 00:10:57.279 And that is not only evident in the passages that we read, 00:10:57.279 --> 00:11:07.600 that is Paul's confident hope as he articulated it in the Romans 8 passage just a moment ago. 00:11:07.659 --> 00:11:09.439 If you'll turn back there with me. 00:11:10.179 --> 00:11:17.379 He says, in the midst of what is just not only beautiful writing, 00:11:17.379 --> 00:11:25.840 but he says that in all these things, what things, Paul? 00:11:26.559 --> 00:11:30.279 The things that separate us from the love of God, right? 00:11:30.360 --> 00:11:34.259 The things that cause our confidence to waver in the love of God. 00:11:34.320 --> 00:11:39.639 He says in verse 37 that in all these things we are more than conquerors 00:11:39.639 --> 00:11:43.539 through him who loved us. 00:11:43.539 --> 00:11:46.919 Through him who loved us. 00:11:49.319 --> 00:11:54.899 The death and resurrection of Christ gives us confidence in God's love for us 00:11:54.899 --> 00:11:58.539 through him who loved us. 00:11:58.819 --> 00:12:03.120 Meaning, tonight, Christ, if you're a Christian, 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:09.179 has set and committed his heart to you. 00:12:09.480 --> 00:12:13.360 He loves you and he loves me too. 00:12:13.419 --> 00:12:16.860 And he loves Trinity Church. 00:12:19.000 --> 00:12:20.060 Full stop. 00:12:23.120 --> 00:12:31.720 And that gives Paul humble confidence in God's love. 00:12:31.720 --> 00:12:33.480 It's in the past tense. 00:12:33.920 --> 00:12:37.540 You can consult Sean on the Greek syntax of that. 00:12:37.680 --> 00:12:40.800 But through him who loved us, that's past tense. 00:12:41.560 --> 00:12:43.980 So this is a settled matter. 00:12:45.320 --> 00:12:46.740 It is not open for debate. 00:12:47.100 --> 00:12:52.560 Your faithfulness does not change his commitment to love us. 00:12:52.580 --> 00:12:53.440 Isn't that good news? 00:12:53.779 --> 00:12:55.279 That is great news. 00:12:55.620 --> 00:13:01.120 That sounds like a gospel that remains full of grace. 00:13:01.720 --> 00:13:08.680 That God's love for me is rooted in the actions and work of Christ alone. 00:13:08.800 --> 00:13:09.040 Amen? 00:13:10.040 --> 00:13:16.440 And so when my faith is confident, that does not change his love for me. 00:13:16.540 --> 00:13:19.820 It may change my experience of it in some way. 00:13:19.820 --> 00:13:27.220 But when my faith is floundering or faltering or I'm discouraged or even doubting or any host of things. 00:13:27.900 --> 00:13:38.680 Paul says nothing can separate us from him through him who loves us. 00:13:38.679 --> 00:13:40.679 That's extraordinary. 00:13:40.679 --> 00:13:42.479 That's extraordinary. 00:13:43.739 --> 00:13:50.239 And I don't think I grasp it sufficiently as a pastor, preacher to minister it. 00:13:50.239 --> 00:13:51.339 But I can illustrate it. 00:13:52.239 --> 00:13:55.319 Which invites me to dive in deeper still. 00:13:55.320 --> 00:14:10.120 Linda helps explain anything that involves hardware, houses, and all the practical matters of life that we depend on every day. 00:14:10.120 --> 00:14:25.220 And I ask her to explain to me what's the difference between a master key and the keys that you get when you buy a home or duplicate keys for cars or some other possession. 00:14:25.220 --> 00:14:34.519 And she said in very simple terms that the master key that you get, well, it goes the deepest into the lock. 00:14:35.040 --> 00:14:36.660 It goes all the way in. 00:14:37.740 --> 00:14:39.639 Because it has to be able to open, right? 00:14:39.700 --> 00:14:40.420 Isn't this what you said? 00:14:40.940 --> 00:14:41.820 I was listening. 00:14:42.379 --> 00:14:43.560 I told him I don't listen in a while. 00:14:44.060 --> 00:14:46.580 Opens all the doors in the house, right? 00:14:46.860 --> 00:14:50.399 We have a master key at Crossway Church, but we can't find it. 00:14:50.399 --> 00:14:54.959 So we got a bunch of copied keys. 00:14:55.059 --> 00:14:56.959 They're opening all the doors at Crossway Church. 00:14:57.039 --> 00:14:57.959 We're joking about this. 00:14:58.740 --> 00:15:03.600 But if you don't have a master key, you can only open some of the doors, which is better than nothing, right? 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:06.039 Gets you in some rooms. 00:15:09.759 --> 00:15:18.059 The death and resurrection of Christ, right, is the master key in the scriptures. 00:15:18.059 --> 00:15:21.899 It opens all the doors. 00:15:22.559 --> 00:15:23.500 But listen to this. 00:15:25.159 --> 00:15:38.819 But when Paul wants churches to grasp that and deepen their appreciation of it and have their worship through song fueled by it, 00:15:38.879 --> 00:15:47.459 have their prayers to God the Father changed by it, have their evangelism emboldened by it, 00:15:47.460 --> 00:15:49.720 he talks about union with Christ. 00:15:50.800 --> 00:15:54.340 A hundred and sixty times explicitly in his letters. 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:59.200 And most Christians I talk to don't know what that means. 00:15:59.940 --> 00:16:01.639 They just think it's two words. 00:16:02.540 --> 00:16:03.759 In Christ. 00:16:04.820 --> 00:16:06.019 With Christ. 00:16:06.800 --> 00:16:07.680 Through Christ. 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:10.840 Like it's a Bible prepositional thing, you know. 00:16:10.840 --> 00:16:27.460 Now, he is saying that the master key, the gospel, entitles us to a new covenant, new testament reality of union with him and his communion with us. 00:16:27.460 --> 00:16:44.320 That if nothing else assures us of his love for us so that nothing, nothing will separate us from him. 00:16:44.320 --> 00:16:47.200 There's so many more things we can say. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:17:00.680 But if we're going to live out of confidence, right, as Christians, as we're seeking to grow in our sanctification, in our Christ image bearing, in our godliness and holiness, 00:17:00.679 --> 00:17:13.139 we will have to open up all the doors that the gospel master key allows us in Paul's writings when it comes to this teaching on union with Christ. 00:17:13.720 --> 00:17:19.720 I mean, just not to overstate it, but the book of Ephesians, the first long sentence, 00:17:19.720 --> 00:17:25.420 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us in the heavenly places with every spirit. 00:17:25.420 --> 00:17:31.140 He mentions union with Christ 11 times in that sentence. 00:17:31.500 --> 00:17:38.759 But in my life and in many of my peers' life, what gets the attention is, oh, no, the doctrine of sovereign election and salvation. 00:17:38.759 --> 00:17:40.579 That's what's important in that passage. 00:17:43.079 --> 00:17:46.980 Or the doctrine of atonement through his blood. 00:17:47.039 --> 00:17:47.980 That's what's emphasized. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:49.700 Those are important, crucial. 00:17:50.880 --> 00:17:58.339 But the emphasis of Ephesians 1 is in the new covenant, in this new reality. 00:17:59.339 --> 00:18:05.420 We have been joined to him, and he has joined himself to us. 00:18:05.579 --> 00:18:13.559 And the hope of glory gives us humble confidence in God's love. 00:18:13.559 --> 00:18:23.539 There was a period in my life when it just felt like every ministry support was being pulled away and kicked out. 00:18:23.659 --> 00:18:24.599 And so here we are. 00:18:24.720 --> 00:18:28.379 We're a young church plant, I guess similar to Trinity. 00:18:28.380 --> 00:18:45.400 And it was just bad news followed by worse news of individuals and ministries that had supported us and been a vital part of life here in New England. 00:18:45.400 --> 00:18:49.580 And they weren't just going away like they were gone. 00:18:49.579 --> 00:18:55.839 And I remember it was a beautiful, sunny day there in Cape May, New Jersey, in my family reunion. 00:18:55.839 --> 00:18:59.480 And I'm walking, and I really wasn't talking to the Lord. 00:18:59.539 --> 00:19:00.659 I think I was angry at him. 00:19:00.679 --> 00:19:03.259 I'm pretty sure I was angry at him, which is, I know, sinful. 00:19:03.259 --> 00:19:06.940 And I was so preoccupied in my mind. 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:12.680 I'm supposed to be on vacation, enjoying the waves, and playing with my kids, and, you know, eating Cape May, whatever food. 00:19:13.259 --> 00:19:22.799 I wound up walking onto that part of beach that's like the Coast Guard part of the beach that, you know, they're sort of tracking you with missiles at that point and ready to take you down. 00:19:23.339 --> 00:19:26.920 And I mean, so there's no one on that beach, and I'm just walking, and I'm in this. 00:19:26.920 --> 00:19:35.019 And I stopped, and I turned, and I realized I'm all alone, right, because I'm on a beach, and I'm not supposed to be. 00:19:35.640 --> 00:19:37.800 And I heard that still, small voice. 00:19:41.240 --> 00:19:46.440 Not audibly, but in my spirit, I knew it was the Lord. 00:19:47.120 --> 00:19:48.220 It was just crystal clear. 00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:51.500 Bauer, you have never been alone. 00:19:52.900 --> 00:19:56.740 Now, I'm on vacation, and I hadn't had devotions at all that week. 00:19:57.279 --> 00:19:58.000 I'm a pastor. 00:19:58.120 --> 00:19:58.740 I'm on payroll. 00:19:58.840 --> 00:20:00.100 I'm paid to have my devotions. 00:20:04.140 --> 00:20:05.680 And I know how to fake it. 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:11.800 I wasn't listening to worship songs like this that week. 00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:18.920 I had probably on my playlist from, I don't know, the 70s classic rock, you know, WMGK. 00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:21.620 In other words, I wasn't seeking the Lord. 00:20:22.600 --> 00:20:23.519 I was angry. 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:27.660 I was saying things to him like, I didn't sign up for this. 00:20:29.359 --> 00:20:34.319 This is not the arrangement we made when I said I would church plant for your glory. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:39.119 This is not how it's supposed to turn out. 00:20:39.879 --> 00:20:41.220 There's a whole list of things. 00:20:41.220 --> 00:20:48.220 But that didn't change his union with me. 00:20:49.980 --> 00:20:52.180 Otherwise, how do you explain in that moment? 00:20:52.779 --> 00:20:59.120 When I'm not looking for him, he interrupts and says, you've never been alone. 00:20:59.779 --> 00:21:00.700 I broke. 00:21:00.700 --> 00:21:03.059 I just started weeping. 00:21:03.059 --> 00:21:13.319 But I returned to my family on the beach, having had the master key open a new door. 00:21:13.319 --> 00:21:22.939 That when you're not doing well in Jesus, when you're not growing the way you want to, 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:28.740 when you feel like you've tried everything and there's no strength, no power, no growth, no hope, 00:21:29.679 --> 00:21:31.139 this is God's benediction. 00:21:31.140 --> 00:21:38.440 In all these things, we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 00:21:39.020 --> 00:21:41.060 So how do we know God loves us? 00:21:41.320 --> 00:21:45.700 What do we do to have confidence in the love God has for us? 00:21:45.740 --> 00:21:48.660 How can we live out of that confidence in Christ's mission? 00:21:48.660 --> 00:22:01.820 Think about the death and resurrection of Christ and how it gives you humble confidence in God's love 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:07.900 because he, he has joined himself to you. 00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:09.980 Now I need my friends to read those scriptures. 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:14.480 Who has Galatians 2.20? 00:22:15.060 --> 00:22:16.360 Just stand up and read it for us. 00:22:16.359 --> 00:22:18.559 I have been crucified with Christ. 00:22:19.039 --> 00:22:21.979 It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. 00:22:22.459 --> 00:22:26.119 In a life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, 00:22:26.240 --> 00:22:28.459 who loved me and gave himself for me. 00:22:29.219 --> 00:22:30.379 Galatians 2.20 00:22:30.379 --> 00:22:31.199 Thank you. 00:22:31.359 --> 00:22:33.299 Galatians 1.28-29 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:38.099 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, 00:22:38.559 --> 00:22:41.099 that we may present everyone mature in Christ. 00:22:41.219 --> 00:22:44.339 For this I toil, struggling with all his energy, 00:22:44.339 --> 00:22:46.720 that he powerfully works within me. 00:22:47.459 --> 00:22:49.720 Colossians 2.28-29 00:22:49.720 --> 00:22:52.439 Ephesians 1.3-5 00:22:52.439 --> 00:22:55.879 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:59.980 who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, 00:23:00.419 --> 00:23:03.639 even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:06.439 that we should be holy and blameless before him. 00:23:06.440 --> 00:23:11.519 In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, 00:23:11.860 --> 00:23:13.660 according to the purpose of his will. 00:23:14.200 --> 00:23:15.860 Ephesians 1.3-5 00:23:15.860 --> 00:23:16.620 Excellent. 00:23:16.820 --> 00:23:18.660 John 15.1-4-5 00:23:18.660 --> 00:23:22.560 I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. 00:23:23.140 --> 00:23:27.080 Abide in me, and I in you, as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:31.380 unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 00:23:31.880 --> 00:23:33.840 I am the vine, you are the branches. 00:23:34.380 --> 00:23:38.560 Whoever abides in me, and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, 00:23:38.720 --> 00:23:40.779 for apart from me you can do nothing. 00:23:41.320 --> 00:23:43.820 John 15.1-4-5 00:23:43.820 --> 00:23:46.640 2 Corinthians 5.17-19 00:23:46.640 --> 00:23:50.340 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 00:23:50.980 --> 00:23:52.200 The old has passed away. 00:23:52.780 --> 00:23:54.000 Behold, the new has come. 00:23:54.660 --> 00:23:58.280 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself 00:23:58.280 --> 00:24:00.780 and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:24:01.700 --> 00:24:05.320 That is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, 00:24:05.860 --> 00:24:08.180 not counting their trespasses against them, 00:24:08.180 --> 00:24:11.320 and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 00:24:12.280 --> 00:24:15.440 2 Corinthians 5.17-19 00:24:15.440 --> 00:24:16.280 Thank you. 00:24:16.279 --> 00:24:17.139 1 Peter 2. 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:22.420 You yourselves, like living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house 00:24:22.420 --> 00:24:28.119 to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 00:24:28.839 --> 00:24:30.079 For it stands in Scripture, 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:33.119 Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, 00:24:33.539 --> 00:24:35.440 a cornerstone chosen and precious, 00:24:36.000 --> 00:24:38.519 and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame. 00:24:39.059 --> 00:24:41.599 1 Peter 2.5-6 00:24:41.599 --> 00:24:43.500 Last one. 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.339 1 John 2. 00:24:45.139 --> 00:24:46.599 But whoever keeps his word, 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:49.519 in him truly the love of God is perfected. 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:51.879 By this we may know that we are in him. 00:24:52.240 --> 00:24:54.019 Whoever says he abides in him 00:24:54.019 --> 00:24:57.039 ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 00:24:57.459 --> 00:24:59.919 1 John 2.5-6 00:24:59.920 --> 00:25:01.140 Thank you, John. 00:25:01.380 --> 00:25:08.120 There are 180 passages in your New Testament that use language of in, with, and through Christ 00:25:08.120 --> 00:25:12.440 to give the believer and the believing church humble confidence in God's love. 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:17.500 So if I can appeal to you in your mission mindfulness, 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:21.640 let's find them. 00:25:22.220 --> 00:25:22.980 Let's read them. 00:25:23.660 --> 00:25:24.720 Let's internalize them. 00:25:25.420 --> 00:25:26.460 Let's be shaped by them. 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:28.539 Second point. 00:25:29.539 --> 00:25:38.440 Out of that place of gospel reality flowing into our deepest parts, 00:25:39.440 --> 00:25:46.900 where God's tender heart and tender love for sinful and suffering people like me and you 00:25:46.900 --> 00:25:48.160 flows so deeply, 00:25:48.539 --> 00:25:53.519 we're called to imitate Jesus and God's love for others. 00:25:53.519 --> 00:26:01.480 which means in my relationships with the Jonathans of my life, 00:26:01.539 --> 00:26:04.579 in my relationships with the people who move my trash can, 00:26:04.660 --> 00:26:11.859 in the relationships with people that it is difficult to love, 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:17.480 I have to learn how to deny myself 00:26:17.480 --> 00:26:20.319 and take up his cross 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:23.019 and walk in the way. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.119 of Christ. 00:26:25.420 --> 00:26:28.680 Jesus says that anyone who wants to follow him 00:26:28.680 --> 00:26:30.359 must take up their cross. 00:26:30.440 --> 00:26:30.900 You know that. 00:26:31.000 --> 00:26:33.480 You are well taught and you believe that if you were a believer 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:34.619 before you came to Trinity, 00:26:34.839 --> 00:26:36.420 when you first came to Christ. 00:26:36.519 --> 00:26:37.339 That means that 00:26:37.339 --> 00:26:39.720 the shape of our life 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:42.639 is one of sacrificial love, 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.139 service, 00:26:44.660 --> 00:26:46.480 and even suffering 00:26:46.480 --> 00:26:47.640 suffering for others. 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:50.440 It means, 00:26:50.440 --> 00:26:55.500 as we read in Matthew 6, 00:26:55.640 --> 00:27:00.240 that you and I do not have the option to hate our enemies any more. 00:27:00.380 --> 00:27:01.519 We must love them. 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:06.480 We must love our enemies who ridicule us and despise us 00:27:06.480 --> 00:27:14.059 and even act as if they are going to do things that would hurt or harm us. 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:19.220 We are called to love as Jesus loves. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:21.660 And clearly, 00:27:21.980 --> 00:27:26.440 we will not be able to imitate Jesus in every respect. 00:27:27.559 --> 00:27:29.319 But in this respect, 00:27:29.680 --> 00:27:31.600 we do not have a choice. 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:36.380 Jesus answered the question for his disciples in Luke 9 when he said, 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:38.480 if anyone would come after me, 00:27:38.620 --> 00:27:40.220 he must deny himself, 00:27:41.020 --> 00:27:42.480 take up his cross daily, 00:27:42.880 --> 00:27:44.320 and follow me. 00:27:45.140 --> 00:27:46.280 For me, 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:49.820 that means the stamp on my Christian life every day. 00:27:49.880 --> 00:27:51.020 I remember Tim Shorey, 00:27:51.120 --> 00:27:52.200 who I think some of you know, 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.460 just impressed this on me. 00:27:54.760 --> 00:27:56.040 Every day, 00:27:56.700 --> 00:27:59.400 as I celebrate the grace God gives me in Christ, 00:27:59.480 --> 00:28:00.920 as I rejoice in my union, 00:28:01.080 --> 00:28:03.800 as I come to Jesus as my salvation, 00:28:03.799 --> 00:28:07.019 as I receive forgiveness for the sins that I've committed, 00:28:07.159 --> 00:28:09.559 and rejoice in my justification, 00:28:09.940 --> 00:28:11.859 as I celebrate our reconciliation, 00:28:12.259 --> 00:28:15.359 as I rejoice that I'm his adopted child, 00:28:15.480 --> 00:28:17.559 the call remains, 00:28:17.720 --> 00:28:21.299 I am called to die to myself, 00:28:21.720 --> 00:28:24.419 which always involves sacrifice of something, 00:28:24.619 --> 00:28:27.019 submission to God in some way, 00:28:27.240 --> 00:28:28.099 self-denial, 00:28:28.879 --> 00:28:29.399 service, 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.960 and suffering. 00:28:30.960 --> 00:28:32.240 And therefore, 00:28:33.000 --> 00:28:39.680 I need that humble confidence in God's love to do that, 00:28:39.840 --> 00:28:40.940 to grow in that, 00:28:41.019 --> 00:28:42.299 to have a will for that, 00:28:42.420 --> 00:28:46.220 to have even the ability and power and inclination to do it. 00:28:48.900 --> 00:28:49.799 Believe me, 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:56.640 when God made it clear that I was going to have to return to bivocational ministry a few years ago, 00:28:56.640 --> 00:29:00.380 and no longer be a full-time shepherd, 00:29:01.040 --> 00:29:03.040 but hold two jobs, 00:29:03.800 --> 00:29:04.360 not one, 00:29:04.380 --> 00:29:07.400 in order to serve the flock that I'm called to pastor, 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:11.080 my hours would have to increase, 00:29:11.480 --> 00:29:14.240 the number of people I'm serving would increase, 00:29:14.320 --> 00:29:17.280 which means the number of problems I'm going to face is going to increase. 00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:19.700 My first response was not, 00:29:20.280 --> 00:29:21.020 yes, 00:29:21.640 --> 00:29:22.759 thank you, 00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:23.120 Lord. 00:29:24.400 --> 00:29:25.980 That's what I signed up for. 00:29:26.640 --> 00:29:28.900 My first response was, 00:29:29.120 --> 00:29:29.520 no, 00:29:29.680 --> 00:29:30.280 Lord. 00:29:33.180 --> 00:29:41.860 But he has been faithful through Christ's union with me to give me not only the energy to do it, 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:51.220 but the ability to do it because he is discipling me in the way of denying myself. 00:29:51.220 --> 00:29:58.339 And so I realized this is what it means to follow him. 00:29:58.480 --> 00:30:07.579 This is what it means to be missionally mindful in our world as a Christian that has his identity stamped on me. 00:30:07.579 --> 00:30:14.699 It's to have those words that he spoke in Mark 8 repeated again. 00:30:14.699 --> 00:30:16.759 If anyone would come after me, 00:30:16.960 --> 00:30:18.799 he must deny himself, 00:30:19.319 --> 00:30:20.279 take up his cross, 00:30:20.539 --> 00:30:21.859 and follow me. 00:30:21.859 --> 00:30:25.919 So the issue is not do we know that. 00:30:27.199 --> 00:30:28.839 The issue is, 00:30:29.019 --> 00:30:30.219 by God's grace, 00:30:31.219 --> 00:30:34.299 are we resolved to doing that? 00:30:34.299 --> 00:30:41.000 The good news is that in Christ, 00:30:41.519 --> 00:30:48.419 as we falter and flounder and grow slowly in that call to imitate him, 00:30:49.099 --> 00:30:54.919 God still smiles upon us because our union with him remains firm. 00:30:54.920 --> 00:31:00.440 But his call remains clear. 00:31:01.300 --> 00:31:02.920 And so as I close this, 00:31:03.700 --> 00:31:05.120 here's my closing question, 00:31:05.680 --> 00:31:10.800 as we consider mission mindfulness one last time. 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:19.960 Knowing that humble confidence in God's love through the death and resurrection of Christ 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:26.620 is one of the great benefits given to us in the gospel. 00:31:27.620 --> 00:31:35.819 How does the call to imitate him through denying ourselves and taking up our cross, 00:31:36.120 --> 00:31:42.400 how will you do that through him who loved us? 00:31:42.400 --> 00:31:53.480 How will we remain faithful to him in taking up that cross through him who loved us? 00:31:53.860 --> 00:32:00.080 May God give us grace to not only hold closely to the heart of the gospel, 00:32:00.600 --> 00:32:02.759 but through our union with Christ, 00:32:02.920 --> 00:32:06.860 be shaped by the gospel in our imitation of Jesus. 00:32:07.019 --> 00:32:07.360 Let's pray. 00:32:07.359 --> 00:32:19.059 Lord, the demands of the gospel are daunting. 00:32:20.959 --> 00:32:28.359 And the grace given to us through the gospel are exhilarating. 00:32:28.919 --> 00:32:36.279 I pray, Lord, that you would bring together those two realities in a fresh way 00:32:36.279 --> 00:32:41.519 for me and for my friends as we conclude this portion of the retreat, 00:32:41.639 --> 00:32:48.940 that we would identify those circumstances or voices or difficulties in our lives 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:52.139 that cause our confidence in your love for us to waver, 00:32:53.259 --> 00:32:54.359 to falter, 00:32:55.200 --> 00:32:56.779 to flounder. 00:32:58.680 --> 00:33:02.599 And through your ministry and through the encouragement of friends, 00:33:02.599 --> 00:33:09.579 find by grace a growing humble confidence through our union with Christ, 00:33:09.959 --> 00:33:16.379 that the death and resurrection of Jesus has sealed your love. 00:33:17.279 --> 00:33:21.619 But I pray too, Lord, as those who are called to Christ in mission, 00:33:22.359 --> 00:33:26.959 that you would help us to imitate him through taking up our cross, 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:32.920 denying ourself and sacrificing ourself for others. 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.640 Lord, not only in the church, 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:38.279 certainly as those who desire to display the reality of the kingdom, 00:33:38.640 --> 00:33:43.120 but for those outside the church that are watching us, 00:33:43.559 --> 00:33:44.579 for we are salt, 00:33:45.200 --> 00:33:47.059 we are light, 00:33:47.819 --> 00:33:51.420 and we are called to good works in Christ. 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:53.920 So lead us in our reflection, Lord. 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:56.940 Make us fruitful and faithful for your glory. 00:33:57.320 --> 00:33:58.340 In Jesus' name. 00:33:58.380 --> 00:33:59.140 And everybody said, 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.380 Amen. 00:34:00.920 --> 00:34:02.240 If I can promote, just in closing, 00:34:02.380 --> 00:34:03.259 two quick resources, 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:04.980 and I'll turn my mic off. 00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:07.420 We're promoting these at Crossway, 00:34:07.460 --> 00:34:08.780 and I highly recommend them. 00:34:09.480 --> 00:34:13.659 It's helped us grow in our understanding of some of the things I've been talking about. 00:34:14.139 --> 00:34:14.940 This is new. 00:34:15.300 --> 00:34:17.360 I had to go to Ireland to find it, 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:21.480 but covered it while Linda and I were celebrating our anniversary in Ireland. 00:34:21.940 --> 00:34:26.800 The Christian's True Identity by Jonathan Landry Cruz. 00:34:26.940 --> 00:34:28.099 It's outstanding, 00:34:28.940 --> 00:34:33.840 and I think you will find it very relevant and accessible. 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.660 And then Warren Betcher, 00:34:35.760 --> 00:34:37.079 who's a name I think some of you know, 00:34:37.180 --> 00:34:39.380 when he was with us two years ago, 00:34:39.960 --> 00:34:41.579 read this book, 00:34:41.680 --> 00:34:42.460 Union with Christ, 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:48.440 and said it personally impacted him in ways that was profound. 00:34:48.619 --> 00:34:49.559 And so I commit this. 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.679 This is by Rankin-Wilburn. 00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:54.039 I'll leave them out on the chairs if you want to look at it. 00:34:54.240 --> 00:35:00.000 But both of them will feed your appetite for more on this vital teaching. 00:35:00.199 --> 00:35:00.460 Thanks. 00:35:00.460 --> 00:35:00.539 Thanks. 00:35:00.539 --> 00:35:00.579 Thanks.