WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:24.320 Well, as David has already alluded to, this is not a typical stage for a normal Sunday morning. 00:00:25.460 --> 00:00:26.120 ! 00:00:26.120 --> 00:00:32.420 Standing center in this stage is a ziggurat, which has been used in many different ways. 00:00:32.719 --> 00:00:41.240 But this coming week, it's to help call attention or reminder to Genesis chapter 11 and the ziggurat 00:00:41.240 --> 00:00:48.880 that stood there in Genesis chapter 11 where the people who were in existence at the time, 00:00:48.980 --> 00:00:51.760 descendants of Noah, came to build. 00:00:51.759 --> 00:00:57.559 Now, there are two things that stand as observations for me, 00:00:57.960 --> 00:01:03.939 and maybe perhaps stand as an observation for you as well, when you see this behind me. 00:01:03.939 --> 00:01:12.299 First is there was a time when all the nations were combined and collected together. 00:01:12.539 --> 00:01:21.219 All descendants of Noah, there as one massive group speaking one language, part of one assembly, 00:01:21.219 --> 00:01:28.179 having one purpose, and there they were in this plane building this ziggurat. 00:01:29.319 --> 00:01:37.079 In one manner of speaking, they were fulfilling the command of God to be fruitful and multiply, 00:01:37.420 --> 00:01:39.340 and certainly they were numerous. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:50.359 Many, many people had come as one body collected to orchestrate this one purpose of building this monument to themselves. 00:01:50.359 --> 00:01:58.439 And this coming week, kind of playing off of the one nation, 00:01:58.439 --> 00:02:05.359 the incredible race that is one people all connected through not only Adam, 00:02:05.480 --> 00:02:09.520 but connected together because of Noah and his sons. 00:02:10.139 --> 00:02:16.240 Everyone represented in this room have a common ancestry in that we all go back to Noah. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:23.700 And here, as a signpost of that, is this ziggurat behind me. 00:02:24.860 --> 00:02:31.040 But it's also a remembrance or observation of the absolute rebellion of people. 00:02:32.100 --> 00:02:38.300 Because although they had been faithful in fulfilling one mandate to be fruitful and multiply, 00:02:38.640 --> 00:02:41.840 they had not been faithful to carry out the remaining mandate, 00:02:41.840 --> 00:02:44.540 and that was, and fill the earth. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:48.599 Instead, they decided to congregate together. 00:02:50.000 --> 00:02:58.399 Their goal was not to celebrate the glory of God as much as it was to celebrate the glory of their own personal accomplishments. 00:02:59.899 --> 00:03:04.879 As a matter of fact, we find in Genesis chapter 11, verse 4, it says, 00:03:04.879 --> 00:03:25.919 Mankind was bent on self-sufficiency, building a monument. 00:03:25.919 --> 00:03:26.819 Come and see. 00:03:27.099 --> 00:03:28.099 Look what we've done. 00:03:28.219 --> 00:03:29.759 Let's congregate together. 00:03:29.759 --> 00:03:33.439 Let's have a reason for staying put. 00:03:34.959 --> 00:03:41.739 So God, as God will do, helped to intervene and carry out his purposes 00:03:41.739 --> 00:03:44.819 because man was bent on doing his own thing. 00:03:45.819 --> 00:03:53.539 So God came and confused their language and, in a sense, also dispersed them across the face of the earth. 00:03:53.539 --> 00:03:59.359 God did for men what man would not do for himself. 00:04:01.000 --> 00:04:04.560 Well, that is exactly what we've been looking at in Romans chapter 8. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:12.860 And if you are as encouraged as I am to understand the continuity of the scripture, 00:04:14.300 --> 00:04:20.220 that the same that happens in Genesis is the same pattern that we see of a faithful God 00:04:20.220 --> 00:04:22.920 who is the same yesterday, today, and forever, 00:04:23.300 --> 00:04:28.699 and continues to do for man what man cannot do for himself. 00:04:28.699 --> 00:04:34.219 We've been looking at Romans chapter 8, beginning in verse 1. 00:04:35.159 --> 00:04:35.759 It says, 00:04:37.079 --> 00:04:44.360 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:04:45.379 --> 00:04:51.240 For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:54.480 For God did, and here it is, 00:04:54.860 --> 00:05:01.319 For God did what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. 00:05:02.400 --> 00:05:09.000 By sending his Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:12.079 he condemned sin in the flesh. 00:05:13.079 --> 00:05:19.420 In order that, the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us 00:05:19.420 --> 00:05:24.780 who walk not according to the law or according to the flesh, 00:05:25.040 --> 00:05:26.340 but according to the Spirit. 00:05:27.800 --> 00:05:34.180 You see, Jesus accomplished victory when man could not accomplish it for himself. 00:05:35.520 --> 00:05:40.420 And since the beginning of time, mankind has been bent on sin. 00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:45.500 And even though he provided a perfect and good standard, 00:05:45.500 --> 00:05:48.980 a righteous standard in the law, 00:05:49.339 --> 00:05:52.899 man, because of being weakened by his sinful flesh, 00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:56.319 rather than rising to the occasion, 00:05:57.120 --> 00:05:58.860 found himself consistently, 00:05:59.420 --> 00:06:02.120 and to man, woman, and child, 00:06:02.259 --> 00:06:05.560 every single individual who has ever walked the planet, 00:06:05.680 --> 00:06:07.759 unable to measure up to the standard. 00:06:07.759 --> 00:06:15.420 Because the law, instead of helping to encourage mankind to do what was right, 00:06:16.699 --> 00:06:21.300 actually was a fuse to lead him to greater sin. 00:06:22.379 --> 00:06:30.680 It was a fuse that led him to want the very things that were prohibited from him or her. 00:06:30.680 --> 00:06:35.259 Or on the flip side, to do what the law required, 00:06:35.439 --> 00:06:39.879 but then to rejoice in his own ability or her own ability 00:06:39.879 --> 00:06:42.379 to perform the standard that God had set, 00:06:42.519 --> 00:06:45.879 and thus to then turn it all around and make it about me, 00:06:46.579 --> 00:06:49.840 instead of making it about representing and glorifying God. 00:06:50.960 --> 00:06:54.280 So whether you were a law keeper or a law breaker, 00:06:55.079 --> 00:06:56.040 you were a sinner. 00:06:56.040 --> 00:06:59.640 Because, as we find in Isaiah, 00:07:00.600 --> 00:07:03.460 all our righteousnesses were as filthy rags 00:07:03.460 --> 00:07:06.500 before Jesus came to intervene. 00:07:07.879 --> 00:07:13.240 Jesus came to do what the law could not do. 00:07:13.320 --> 00:07:15.060 Not because the law was not good, 00:07:15.140 --> 00:07:18.939 but because we were unable to do what the law required. 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:22.920 So as a matter of recap, 00:07:22.920 --> 00:07:28.640 I want to just bring us back to some of those same points we discussed last week. 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:32.580 And then that will help as a segue to then get to our second point. 00:07:33.400 --> 00:07:35.800 I want us to talk about the significance of righteousness. 00:07:37.240 --> 00:07:41.240 The righteousness that comes, first of all, because of Jesus. 00:07:41.400 --> 00:07:43.259 And that is our first point this morning. 00:07:43.840 --> 00:07:46.860 We are righteous because of Jesus. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:52.120 And if you haven't already, please turn with me to Romans chapter 8. 00:07:53.740 --> 00:07:54.860 It's on the page... 00:08:02.860 --> 00:08:05.980 ...of Jesus. 00:08:07.000 --> 00:08:09.180 And there were two things that Jesus did 00:08:09.180 --> 00:08:12.860 in order to be the righteous fulfillment 00:08:13.560 --> 00:08:15.699 of what all that God expected. 00:08:15.699 --> 00:08:18.699 First, Jesus fulfilled the law. 00:08:20.000 --> 00:08:39.679 Jesus fulfilled the law first through His humanity. 00:08:40.279 --> 00:08:42.200 Fulfilled the law through His humanity. 00:08:42.200 --> 00:08:47.040 He sent Jesus as the incarnate Word of God. 00:08:47.500 --> 00:08:50.180 The Word of God made flesh for us. 00:08:53.100 --> 00:08:59.020 Jesus was able to accomplish in His flesh 00:08:59.020 --> 00:09:03.259 what no man, woman, or child was ever able to accomplish. 00:09:03.360 --> 00:09:07.040 But He must do that as a man, 00:09:07.100 --> 00:09:09.540 as weakened by sinful flesh. 00:09:09.539 --> 00:09:13.500 We find from Hebrews chapter 4, verse 15, 00:09:13.579 --> 00:09:16.159 that He was tempted in all points, 00:09:16.599 --> 00:09:19.159 just as we are, yet without sin. 00:09:20.719 --> 00:09:24.519 If you're here this morning and you are saying, 00:09:24.779 --> 00:09:28.019 there is no way that anyone can really understand 00:09:28.019 --> 00:09:29.459 what I'm going through. 00:09:29.460 --> 00:09:33.920 No one can really appreciate the struggle that I'm facing. 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:41.080 No one can really understand the burdens that I carry. 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:44.820 And we find from this verse that Jesus can. 00:09:45.940 --> 00:09:49.280 He is the great high priest who can sympathize with your weaknesses. 00:09:49.279 --> 00:09:52.959 Because He was tempted in every way, 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:55.459 just like you are, yet without sin. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:59.299 There is nothing that you can experience in life, 00:09:59.459 --> 00:10:01.699 no pressure, no injustice, 00:10:02.179 --> 00:10:03.899 no burden, no crisis, 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:07.379 no conflict, no accusation, 00:10:07.620 --> 00:10:09.659 that you can endure or experience, 00:10:09.659 --> 00:10:12.879 that Jesus has not experienced Himself. 00:10:12.879 --> 00:10:15.340 And in His experience, 00:10:15.340 --> 00:10:18.439 He shows you and points you to the better way. 00:10:19.379 --> 00:10:22.620 Jesus was able to fulfill the law 00:10:22.620 --> 00:10:26.100 by being the sum total of all that the law expected. 00:10:26.740 --> 00:10:28.519 And He did that in His flesh. 00:10:29.419 --> 00:10:31.000 He did that in His humanity. 00:10:31.600 --> 00:10:33.779 But He also did that through His holiness. 00:10:34.899 --> 00:10:36.820 Fulfilled the law in His humanity. 00:10:37.460 --> 00:10:39.379 He fulfilled the law in His holiness. 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:42.080 Because of His perfection, 00:10:42.299 --> 00:10:46.439 Jesus fulfilled all the righteous demands of the law. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:49.379 Not only fulfilling the demands of the law 00:10:49.379 --> 00:10:51.679 in an external and outward way, 00:10:51.939 --> 00:10:54.419 but fulfilling the demands of the law internally. 00:10:55.259 --> 00:10:58.720 His motivations, His purposes, His attitudes. 00:11:00.080 --> 00:11:03.460 I'm sure you've heard the story of that little boy 00:11:03.460 --> 00:11:07.519 who is told by his mother at the breakfast table 00:11:07.519 --> 00:11:08.480 to sit down. 00:11:09.379 --> 00:11:11.159 And she continued to say, 00:11:11.439 --> 00:11:12.980 Well, son, sit down. 00:11:13.639 --> 00:11:15.899 And He demanded to stand up. 00:11:16.679 --> 00:11:18.519 And finally, He sat down, 00:11:18.639 --> 00:11:20.939 and she thanked Him for His obedience. 00:11:21.240 --> 00:11:22.620 And He said to her, 00:11:23.059 --> 00:11:24.000 this little five-year-old, 00:11:24.080 --> 00:11:26.399 Well, I might be sitting down on the outside, 00:11:26.580 --> 00:11:28.759 but I am standing up on the inside. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:34.559 Jesus had perfect alignment, 00:11:35.200 --> 00:11:38.179 not only with His external attitudes, 00:11:38.179 --> 00:11:39.559 and actions, 00:11:39.559 --> 00:11:41.759 but His internal motivation, 00:11:42.339 --> 00:11:43.459 His internal purposes, 00:11:44.319 --> 00:11:45.359 His internal heart. 00:11:45.799 --> 00:11:48.979 He measured up to all that the law demanded. 00:11:49.539 --> 00:11:52.299 As we find in the Sermon on the Mount, 00:11:52.399 --> 00:11:53.299 where Jesus says, 00:11:53.399 --> 00:11:54.699 Well, you have heard it said, 00:11:56.000 --> 00:11:57.439 but I say to you, 00:11:57.479 --> 00:11:59.500 and raises the bar to the next level. 00:11:59.500 --> 00:12:02.779 You have said that you should not commit adultery, 00:12:02.879 --> 00:12:03.799 but I say to you, 00:12:03.960 --> 00:12:06.480 if you even look at a woman to lust after her, 00:12:06.639 --> 00:12:08.440 you have committed adultery in your heart. 00:12:09.559 --> 00:12:10.500 I say to you, 00:12:10.600 --> 00:12:11.480 you should not murder. 00:12:12.240 --> 00:12:13.519 Or the Bible says you should not murder. 00:12:13.600 --> 00:12:14.419 But I say to you, 00:12:14.659 --> 00:12:16.200 if you hate your brother, 00:12:16.340 --> 00:12:18.779 you have committed murder in your heart. 00:12:18.779 --> 00:12:20.139 Jesus, 00:12:20.939 --> 00:12:23.199 in His life and actions, 00:12:23.319 --> 00:12:25.079 but also in His internal motivation, 00:12:25.299 --> 00:12:26.959 demonstrated consistency 00:12:26.959 --> 00:12:29.319 in meeting and measuring up 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:31.740 to all that the law demanded. 00:12:33.120 --> 00:12:34.720 Of course, the religious Jews 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:37.720 were very good at meeting external expectations. 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:40.919 They were very good at the piety 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:42.480 that was required of those 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:44.120 who were in their position. 00:12:44.120 --> 00:12:46.560 But Jesus identified 00:12:46.560 --> 00:12:49.360 the true corruption of their hearts 00:12:49.360 --> 00:12:52.320 when He says in Luke 11, 39, 00:12:53.159 --> 00:12:54.240 Now you Pharisees, 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.159 you make the outside. 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:08.460 ...to go and anoint a new king. 00:13:09.220 --> 00:13:12.259 King Saul had messed things up in Israel 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:15.100 and God was searching for a new king. 00:13:16.419 --> 00:13:20.059 And Samuel goes to the family of Jesse 00:13:20.059 --> 00:13:22.220 and he begins to look at each of the sons 00:13:22.220 --> 00:13:24.559 and each one that he goes to, 00:13:24.779 --> 00:13:26.059 it is clear that they are 00:13:26.059 --> 00:13:27.860 head and shoulders above the rest 00:13:27.860 --> 00:13:30.299 and they're handsome and they're strong, 00:13:30.460 --> 00:13:33.139 but they're not the ones that God selected. 00:13:34.039 --> 00:13:36.319 The criteria that was important to God 00:13:36.319 --> 00:13:39.700 was as what we find in 1 Samuel 16, 7. 00:13:39.700 --> 00:13:43.320 Man looks on the outward appearance, 00:13:43.900 --> 00:13:46.160 but God looks at the heart. 00:13:47.860 --> 00:13:49.940 Jesus honored the law to the letter 00:13:49.940 --> 00:13:52.720 both internally and externally 00:13:52.720 --> 00:13:55.560 and as a result of fulfilling the law, 00:13:55.740 --> 00:13:57.379 Jesus positions Himself 00:13:57.379 --> 00:14:01.620 to condemn sin in the flesh. 00:14:01.620 --> 00:14:02.140 ... 00:14:09.700 --> 00:14:11.700 ... 00:14:11.700 --> 00:14:12.540 ... 00:14:12.540 --> 00:14:13.400 And we looked at this 00:14:13.400 --> 00:14:15.340 a bit last week. 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.540 He condemns sin in His ministry 00:14:17.540 --> 00:14:18.940 as He heals individuals 00:14:18.940 --> 00:14:19.580 and says, 00:14:20.140 --> 00:14:21.220 Go and sin no more. 00:14:22.180 --> 00:14:24.020 The mandate that He gave to them 00:14:24.020 --> 00:14:27.720 was to live in the purity of life 00:14:27.720 --> 00:14:28.640 that the law demanded. 00:14:29.640 --> 00:14:31.420 Of course, they could not do that 00:14:31.420 --> 00:14:33.759 because of the corruption of the flesh, 00:14:33.759 --> 00:14:38.779 but that was still the overriding command 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.059 that God had given to His people. 00:14:41.279 --> 00:14:42.580 He condemned sin in the flesh 00:14:42.580 --> 00:14:45.519 by calling people to righteousness, 00:14:45.740 --> 00:14:47.759 but He also condemned sin in the flesh 00:14:47.759 --> 00:14:48.679 through His ministry 00:14:48.679 --> 00:14:50.700 by reversing the effects 00:14:50.700 --> 00:14:53.720 that sin had on sin-ravaged bodies. 00:14:55.600 --> 00:14:56.919 Lazarus, who had died, 00:14:57.720 --> 00:14:59.779 Jairus' daughter who had died, 00:14:59.879 --> 00:15:01.480 and Jesus raised to show 00:15:01.480 --> 00:15:03.360 that He had power over the grave, 00:15:03.620 --> 00:15:05.639 power over sin and death. 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:09.240 Jesus, in healing those 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.200 who had blindness 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:12.759 or lameness or leprosy, 00:15:13.420 --> 00:15:14.539 able to demonstrate 00:15:14.539 --> 00:15:15.500 that He alone 00:15:15.500 --> 00:15:16.279 had the ability 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:18.220 to reverse the effects of sin 00:15:18.220 --> 00:15:20.580 and that to stand 00:15:20.580 --> 00:15:21.279 as an illustration 00:15:21.279 --> 00:15:22.600 of what He would do 00:15:22.600 --> 00:15:24.340 not on a temporary basis 00:15:24.340 --> 00:15:25.940 but on an eternal basis, 00:15:26.680 --> 00:15:28.700 a picture in a physical way 00:15:28.700 --> 00:15:29.759 of what He had hoped to do 00:15:29.759 --> 00:15:31.379 for them spiritually 00:15:31.379 --> 00:15:33.120 through His death. 00:15:34.460 --> 00:15:35.519 Through His ministry, 00:15:35.720 --> 00:15:36.460 He condemned sin 00:15:36.460 --> 00:15:38.179 by reversing the effects of sin, 00:15:38.779 --> 00:15:40.860 but finally and fully 00:15:40.860 --> 00:15:44.080 satisfying the righteous demands 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:46.340 of God for sin 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:48.799 by dying for sinners. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:52.240 He condemned sin in the flesh. 00:15:53.399 --> 00:15:55.120 Jesus agreed with the Father 00:15:55.120 --> 00:15:57.220 that sin was worthy 00:15:57.220 --> 00:15:58.759 of eternal judgment. 00:15:58.759 --> 00:16:01.840 1 Peter 3.18 says, 00:16:01.840 --> 00:16:03.659 For Christ also suffered 00:16:03.659 --> 00:16:04.519 once for sins, 00:16:05.019 --> 00:16:06.840 the righteous for the unrighteous, 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:09.179 that He might bring us to God, 00:16:09.759 --> 00:16:11.399 being put to death in the flesh 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:13.960 but made alive in the Spirit. 00:16:14.960 --> 00:16:18.000 Romans 5.6-9 says this, 00:16:18.159 --> 00:16:19.799 For while we were still weak, 00:16:20.600 --> 00:16:22.740 at the right time Christ died 00:16:22.740 --> 00:16:23.679 for the ungodly. 00:16:23.679 --> 00:16:25.919 Since therefore we have now 00:16:25.919 --> 00:16:27.559 been justified by His blood, 00:16:27.559 --> 00:16:29.859 much more shall we be saved 00:16:29.859 --> 00:16:33.620 by Him from the wrath of God. 00:16:34.679 --> 00:16:36.719 It is because of the work 00:16:36.719 --> 00:16:38.359 of Jesus' death 00:16:38.359 --> 00:16:39.919 that Paul concludes 00:16:39.919 --> 00:16:42.559 there is now no condemnation 00:16:42.559 --> 00:16:45.819 for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:16:45.820 --> 00:16:49.840 It is because of the final 00:16:49.840 --> 00:16:53.060 and full work of Christ 00:16:53.060 --> 00:16:54.000 on Calvary 00:16:54.000 --> 00:16:57.200 to purchase for us redemption. 00:16:58.840 --> 00:17:01.300 Well, what does this righteousness mean for us? 00:17:01.840 --> 00:17:02.800 There are so many things 00:17:02.800 --> 00:17:03.440 that we could say. 00:17:04.840 --> 00:17:06.840 First, this righteousness means 00:17:06.840 --> 00:17:10.160 our salvation is secure. 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:14.200 If you are in Christ today, 00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:17.740 the righteousness of Christ 00:17:17.740 --> 00:17:19.320 rests on you 00:17:19.320 --> 00:17:21.759 and your salvation is secure 00:17:21.759 --> 00:17:24.820 because there is nothing more 00:17:24.820 --> 00:17:25.980 that is required. 00:17:26.779 --> 00:17:29.000 The debt has been fully paid. 00:17:30.019 --> 00:17:32.740 So there is nothing that you need to do 00:17:32.740 --> 00:17:35.759 to work your way to God. 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:38.240 There is nothing else that is demanded 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:40.640 because Jesus paid it all. 00:17:41.220 --> 00:17:43.240 All to Him I owe. 00:17:44.259 --> 00:17:45.319 And if you are in Christ, 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:47.759 all to Him you owe as well 00:17:47.759 --> 00:17:50.779 because Jesus paid it all. 00:17:51.779 --> 00:17:54.660 And if He is the full 00:17:54.660 --> 00:17:56.200 and complete righteousness 00:17:56.200 --> 00:17:57.920 that is demanded by God, 00:17:58.000 --> 00:18:01.059 there is nothing left to do 00:18:01.059 --> 00:18:04.160 so your salvation in Christ 00:18:04.160 --> 00:18:05.380 is secure. 00:18:05.380 --> 00:18:08.200 It should provide for you 00:18:08.200 --> 00:18:09.600 not only peace of mind 00:18:09.600 --> 00:18:12.840 but also motivation for worship, 00:18:13.740 --> 00:18:15.760 urgency in the Christian life, 00:18:16.440 --> 00:18:18.460 cause for devotion 00:18:18.460 --> 00:18:22.300 because Jesus provided a way 00:18:22.300 --> 00:18:23.560 that is secure. 00:18:25.020 --> 00:18:27.720 It also means that righteousness 00:18:27.720 --> 00:18:29.880 is obtained through faith 00:18:29.880 --> 00:18:32.880 and not through law keeping. 00:18:33.580 --> 00:18:34.620 And that's important. 00:18:35.619 --> 00:18:36.939 Righteousness is obtained 00:18:36.939 --> 00:18:38.099 through faith 00:18:38.099 --> 00:18:39.859 and not through law keeping. 00:18:40.500 --> 00:18:41.679 We touched on this 00:18:41.679 --> 00:18:42.899 a couple of weeks ago 00:18:42.899 --> 00:18:44.519 when we were looking through 00:18:44.519 --> 00:18:45.599 no condemnation 00:18:45.599 --> 00:18:47.799 and we saw in Romans chapter 4, 00:18:47.899 --> 00:18:50.500 we saw that Abraham was righteous 00:18:50.500 --> 00:18:52.179 because of faith. 00:18:52.659 --> 00:18:54.299 Faith was counted to him 00:18:54.299 --> 00:18:55.559 as righteousness, 00:18:55.939 --> 00:18:57.659 not the things that he had done 00:18:57.659 --> 00:18:59.099 in terms of circumcision 00:18:59.099 --> 00:19:00.819 or an offering Isaac 00:19:00.819 --> 00:19:02.719 as he was commanded to do. 00:19:02.720 --> 00:19:04.360 It wasn't his works 00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:06.539 that merited any kind of favor 00:19:06.539 --> 00:19:07.400 in God's eyes. 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.759 It was faith alone 00:19:08.759 --> 00:19:11.640 that stood as the standing precedent 00:19:11.640 --> 00:19:12.360 for us, 00:19:12.539 --> 00:19:14.500 for those who seek to be blessed 00:19:14.500 --> 00:19:15.600 like Abraham 00:19:15.600 --> 00:19:17.579 and being called children of God. 00:19:17.720 --> 00:19:19.039 We can be children of God 00:19:19.039 --> 00:19:21.059 in Christ through faith. 00:19:23.380 --> 00:19:25.279 And righteousness is obtained 00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.680 through faith 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:28.759 and not through your law keeping. 00:19:28.759 --> 00:19:31.279 You cannot add 00:19:31.279 --> 00:19:33.440 and you cannot subtract 00:19:33.440 --> 00:19:34.920 to perfection. 00:19:36.200 --> 00:19:38.799 There is nothing more to be done 00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:41.680 that Christ has not already accomplished. 00:19:41.680 --> 00:19:44.560 It is his righteousness, 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.080 not yours, 00:19:46.500 --> 00:19:49.039 that stands in God the Father's eyes 00:19:49.039 --> 00:19:51.400 as being acceptable and pleasing. 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.960 It is credited to your account 00:19:54.960 --> 00:19:58.720 but is unaffected by anything 00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.600 that you could do. 00:20:00.740 --> 00:20:02.539 It rests on him 00:20:02.539 --> 00:20:04.880 fulfilling the law's demands. 00:20:05.600 --> 00:20:08.779 It rests on his sacrifice, 00:20:08.779 --> 00:20:11.399 paying the full price 00:20:11.399 --> 00:20:12.299 of sin's penalty, 00:20:13.000 --> 00:20:14.339 obtaining for us 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:16.639 what we could never pay. 00:20:18.399 --> 00:20:19.119 Hallelujah. 00:20:21.279 --> 00:20:22.619 Jesus' sacrifice 00:20:22.619 --> 00:20:25.559 was not about temporary benefits, 00:20:26.059 --> 00:20:26.339 though, 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:29.299 of just removing sin's effects. 00:20:30.019 --> 00:20:31.119 And that's where we begin 00:20:31.119 --> 00:20:32.019 to move next. 00:20:33.079 --> 00:20:34.160 It was not just about 00:20:34.160 --> 00:20:35.599 declaring you righteous. 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:38.819 It was about making you righteous 00:20:38.819 --> 00:20:40.980 through the power 00:20:40.980 --> 00:20:42.139 of the Holy Spirit. 00:20:42.919 --> 00:20:44.179 And that's where we go next. 00:20:44.279 --> 00:20:46.759 Not only the righteousness of Jesus, 00:20:46.939 --> 00:20:48.559 but now we are righteous 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:50.480 because of the Spirit. 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:53.379 Righteous because of the Spirit. 00:20:54.559 --> 00:20:56.319 Notice, picking up in verse 4, 00:20:56.859 --> 00:20:58.779 in order that the righteous requirements 00:20:58.779 --> 00:20:59.639 of the law 00:20:59.639 --> 00:21:02.219 might be fulfilled in us 00:21:02.219 --> 00:21:04.619 who walk not according to the flesh 00:21:04.619 --> 00:21:07.039 but according to the Spirit. 00:21:08.759 --> 00:21:12.039 God is after complete transformation. 00:21:13.079 --> 00:21:15.359 God is interested in the gospel 00:21:15.359 --> 00:21:18.699 having power to save you 00:21:18.699 --> 00:21:20.819 from everything that is corrupt 00:21:20.819 --> 00:21:21.659 in this world. 00:21:22.679 --> 00:21:23.919 We're going to see that more 00:21:23.919 --> 00:21:26.599 in verses 5 to verse 11. 00:21:27.279 --> 00:21:28.859 Verses 5 to 8 speak 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:30.579 of the transformation of God 00:21:30.579 --> 00:21:32.439 in transforming our mind. 00:21:32.440 --> 00:21:34.840 In verses 9 to 11 00:21:34.840 --> 00:21:36.140 speak of God 00:21:36.140 --> 00:21:38.000 transforming our bodies. 00:21:38.900 --> 00:21:40.259 Mind and body 00:21:40.259 --> 00:21:42.500 all align to the purposes of God 00:21:42.500 --> 00:21:44.680 transformed by the Holy Spirit 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:45.680 in helping us 00:21:45.680 --> 00:21:46.820 to be a sanctified people. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:50.960 But tucked between verse 3 00:21:50.960 --> 00:21:52.700 and verse 5 00:21:52.700 --> 00:21:53.820 is verse 4. 00:21:54.360 --> 00:21:54.820 And you say, 00:21:54.900 --> 00:21:56.080 oh, you're a rocket scientist. 00:21:56.140 --> 00:21:56.900 You must be really smart. 00:21:57.320 --> 00:21:58.360 Good job there, Andrew. 00:21:58.359 --> 00:22:02.119 What's difficult about verse 4 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.759 is the way it starts. 00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:05.899 It says, 00:22:06.339 --> 00:22:07.119 in order that 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:09.059 the righteous requirement 00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:09.939 of the law 00:22:09.939 --> 00:22:11.919 might be fulfilled in us. 00:22:12.059 --> 00:22:12.339 Well, 00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:14.919 whose righteousness is that? 00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:18.059 Is that Christ's righteousness 00:22:18.059 --> 00:22:19.759 applied to our account? 00:22:20.099 --> 00:22:22.339 Or is that the Spirit's righteousness 00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:24.059 working itself out 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:25.939 through a transformed life? 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:28.500 Well, I want to make a case 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:29.100 for the fact that 00:22:29.100 --> 00:22:31.100 it is personal righteousness. 00:22:31.820 --> 00:22:34.779 It is Spirit-transformed righteousness. 00:22:35.620 --> 00:22:36.320 And I want to give you 00:22:36.320 --> 00:22:38.380 three reasons, I think, 00:22:38.580 --> 00:22:40.680 why that is the case. 00:22:41.340 --> 00:22:42.700 Now, I want to be really careful 00:22:42.700 --> 00:22:44.400 because theologians 00:22:44.400 --> 00:22:46.519 that are much smarter than me 00:22:46.519 --> 00:22:49.080 differ on this point. 00:22:50.080 --> 00:22:52.640 But I think there's a really good case 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:55.480 for seeing it as personal righteousness. 00:22:55.940 --> 00:22:58.480 It really boils down to two words. 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:01.500 The first word is the word fulfilled, 00:23:02.380 --> 00:23:03.720 which is completed. 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:07.620 And as we would evaluate the text, 00:23:07.700 --> 00:23:09.299 we would begin this thing to ourselves, 00:23:09.480 --> 00:23:10.340 now, time out. 00:23:10.799 --> 00:23:12.779 The only one who has fulfilled 00:23:12.779 --> 00:23:13.980 or completed 00:23:13.980 --> 00:23:16.559 or met the perfect standard of righteousness 00:23:16.559 --> 00:23:17.880 is Jesus himself. 00:23:18.400 --> 00:23:19.000 Obviously, 00:23:19.400 --> 00:23:21.160 this is infused righteousness 00:23:21.160 --> 00:23:22.420 of Christ on us. 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:23.019 righteousness. 00:23:23.019 --> 00:23:26.120 The difficulty with that is 00:23:26.120 --> 00:23:27.500 that it also uses 00:23:27.500 --> 00:23:29.759 the words in us, 00:23:29.840 --> 00:23:30.800 which would indicate 00:23:30.800 --> 00:23:32.380 it is not for us. 00:23:32.940 --> 00:23:34.240 It is actually righteousness 00:23:34.240 --> 00:23:36.080 that's being worked out 00:23:36.080 --> 00:23:36.920 from within. 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:38.259 It's personal. 00:23:38.259 --> 00:23:42.140 I want you to notice, 00:23:42.640 --> 00:23:45.319 first of all, 00:23:46.299 --> 00:23:49.299 verses 1 and 2 00:23:49.299 --> 00:23:50.799 and then verses 3 and 4. 00:23:51.339 --> 00:23:52.640 I want you to notice, 00:23:52.799 --> 00:23:53.339 first of all, 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:55.039 the parallel nature 00:23:55.039 --> 00:23:57.039 of these verses. 00:23:58.119 --> 00:23:59.700 Notice the similar words 00:23:59.700 --> 00:24:00.500 that are used. 00:24:00.500 --> 00:24:01.980 In verse 1, 00:24:02.059 --> 00:24:02.460 notice, 00:24:03.019 --> 00:24:04.839 no condemnation. 00:24:05.759 --> 00:24:07.440 In verse 3, 00:24:08.019 --> 00:24:08.559 notice, 00:24:09.079 --> 00:24:11.920 he condemned sin in the flesh. 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.000 Obviously, 00:24:13.220 --> 00:24:14.859 verse 1 and verse 3 00:24:14.859 --> 00:24:15.740 are synonymous. 00:24:16.359 --> 00:24:17.500 Speaking and describing 00:24:17.500 --> 00:24:18.299 the same thing. 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.720 Notice in verse 2 00:24:20.720 --> 00:24:23.599 that the law of the spirit of life 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:24.480 has set you free. 00:24:25.440 --> 00:24:27.960 And notice in verse 4, 00:24:27.960 --> 00:24:29.620 who walk according 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:31.400 to the spirit. 00:24:33.240 --> 00:24:34.799 The parallel nature. 00:24:35.880 --> 00:24:36.740 It seems to indicate 00:24:36.740 --> 00:24:37.700 that what is ever happening 00:24:37.700 --> 00:24:38.960 in verse 2 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:40.420 is also happening 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.240 in verse 4. 00:24:42.539 --> 00:24:44.000 Notice reason number 2. 00:24:44.279 --> 00:24:45.319 Notice the cause 00:24:45.319 --> 00:24:46.759 and effect relationship 00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:48.200 that is reinforced 00:24:48.200 --> 00:24:49.160 in 1 and 2 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:50.860 and also repeated then 00:24:50.860 --> 00:24:52.000 in verse 3 and 4. 00:24:52.960 --> 00:24:54.160 As we spoke 00:24:54.160 --> 00:24:55.279 in previous weeks, 00:24:55.380 --> 00:24:57.000 we saw that the reason 00:24:57.000 --> 00:24:58.920 for no condemnation, 00:24:59.619 --> 00:25:00.980 the cause 00:25:00.980 --> 00:25:02.839 for no condemnation 00:25:02.839 --> 00:25:05.059 is met by the evidence, 00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.480 the result that we see 00:25:06.480 --> 00:25:07.140 in verse 2, 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.380 that the law 00:25:08.380 --> 00:25:09.440 of the spirit of life 00:25:09.440 --> 00:25:10.339 is the one 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:12.059 who is working out 00:25:12.059 --> 00:25:13.279 sanctification, 00:25:13.720 --> 00:25:14.799 a renewed life 00:25:14.799 --> 00:25:16.380 that is happening in us. 00:25:17.240 --> 00:25:17.880 Justification 00:25:17.880 --> 00:25:19.920 precedes sanctification 00:25:19.920 --> 00:25:21.319 in verses 1 and 2. 00:25:22.920 --> 00:25:24.619 Notice a similar thing 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.500 that is going on 00:25:25.500 --> 00:25:27.039 in verses 3 and 4. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.519 The cause and effect 00:25:28.519 --> 00:25:29.139 relationship. 00:25:30.139 --> 00:25:32.659 We see in verse 3 00:25:32.659 --> 00:25:35.299 that the cause 00:25:35.299 --> 00:25:37.399 for what happened 00:25:37.399 --> 00:25:39.619 is God sent his son 00:25:39.619 --> 00:25:41.099 in the likeness 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.859 of sinful flesh 00:25:41.859 --> 00:25:42.639 and for sin 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.479 he condemned 00:25:43.479 --> 00:25:44.659 sin in the flesh. 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.979 That is the reason 00:25:46.979 --> 00:25:48.579 for what we find now 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.679 in verse 4. 00:25:49.680 --> 00:25:52.980 the cause 00:25:52.980 --> 00:25:53.799 or the result 00:25:53.799 --> 00:25:54.799 is in order 00:25:54.799 --> 00:25:55.279 that 00:25:55.279 --> 00:25:56.960 that we might, 00:25:57.160 --> 00:25:57.940 the righteous requirement 00:25:57.940 --> 00:25:58.820 might be fulfilled 00:25:58.820 --> 00:25:59.519 in us. 00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:01.680 The final reason, 00:26:01.860 --> 00:26:02.539 reason number 3, 00:26:03.700 --> 00:26:04.380 is notice 00:26:04.380 --> 00:26:05.920 the inseparable link 00:26:05.920 --> 00:26:07.240 between the phrases. 00:26:08.660 --> 00:26:09.600 Verse 1 begins 00:26:09.600 --> 00:26:10.320 with therefore. 00:26:11.259 --> 00:26:12.519 Verse 2 begins 00:26:12.519 --> 00:26:13.340 with for. 00:26:14.060 --> 00:26:15.200 Verse 3 begins 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:16.440 with for. 00:26:16.440 --> 00:26:18.980 Verse 4 begins 00:26:18.980 --> 00:26:20.039 with in order that. 00:26:20.140 --> 00:26:22.080 Notice the prepositions 00:26:22.080 --> 00:26:23.580 and the purpose clauses 00:26:23.580 --> 00:26:24.860 that are used throughout 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.400 but then 00:26:25.400 --> 00:26:26.700 now in the middle 00:26:26.700 --> 00:26:27.960 of verse 4 00:26:27.960 --> 00:26:29.640 there is no transitional word 00:26:29.640 --> 00:26:30.400 which means 00:26:30.400 --> 00:26:31.400 that it is connected 00:26:31.400 --> 00:26:32.380 to the first phrase. 00:26:33.940 --> 00:26:35.120 Who walk 00:26:35.120 --> 00:26:35.720 not according 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.400 to the flesh 00:26:36.400 --> 00:26:37.080 but according 00:26:37.080 --> 00:26:37.600 to the spirit 00:26:37.600 --> 00:26:38.660 then describes 00:26:38.660 --> 00:26:39.660 what's happening 00:26:39.660 --> 00:26:40.940 at the beginning 00:26:40.940 --> 00:26:41.539 of verse 4. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:43.620 Now you might be saying 00:26:43.620 --> 00:26:44.019 Andrew, 00:26:44.200 --> 00:26:45.180 you are so technical. 00:26:45.180 --> 00:26:46.600 what is the point 00:26:46.600 --> 00:26:47.299 of all of this? 00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:49.500 The point of all of this 00:26:49.500 --> 00:26:51.279 is to help you 00:26:51.279 --> 00:26:52.740 see that you can 00:26:52.740 --> 00:26:53.920 do this for yourself. 00:26:54.420 --> 00:26:54.580 Okay? 00:26:55.340 --> 00:26:56.240 As you begin 00:26:56.240 --> 00:26:58.100 to take notice 00:26:58.100 --> 00:26:58.940 of what is happening 00:26:58.940 --> 00:26:59.600 in the text 00:26:59.600 --> 00:27:00.660 you can begin 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.700 to pray 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.820 that God helps you 00:27:02.820 --> 00:27:04.000 lead you by the spirit 00:27:04.000 --> 00:27:05.019 to arrive 00:27:05.019 --> 00:27:06.000 at certain conclusions 00:27:06.000 --> 00:27:06.720 and I believe 00:27:06.720 --> 00:27:08.220 the right conclusion 00:27:08.220 --> 00:27:09.200 the best 00:27:09.200 --> 00:27:10.779 the best conclusion 00:27:10.779 --> 00:27:11.500 that we can draw 00:27:11.500 --> 00:27:12.220 from verse 4 00:27:12.220 --> 00:27:13.420 is that verse 4 00:27:13.420 --> 00:27:14.700 is actually talking 00:27:14.700 --> 00:27:16.600 about personal righteousness 00:27:16.600 --> 00:27:18.060 that the Holy Spirit 00:27:18.060 --> 00:27:19.700 intends to give to us 00:27:19.700 --> 00:27:22.240 because he wants 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:23.920 not only to declare 00:27:23.920 --> 00:27:24.640 us righteous 00:27:24.640 --> 00:27:26.420 he wants 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.539 to make you 00:27:27.539 --> 00:27:28.420 righteous. 00:27:31.140 --> 00:27:32.440 God is not 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:33.100 interested 00:27:33.100 --> 00:27:34.900 in so much 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:35.900 the positional 00:27:35.900 --> 00:27:36.420 righteousness 00:27:36.420 --> 00:27:37.860 although that is 00:27:37.860 --> 00:27:38.880 important obviously. 00:27:39.700 --> 00:27:40.840 He is not interested 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.480 in distant righteousness 00:27:42.480 --> 00:27:43.779 that is somebody 00:27:43.779 --> 00:27:44.919 else's righteousness 00:27:44.919 --> 00:27:46.179 although that is 00:27:46.179 --> 00:27:46.639 important 00:27:46.639 --> 00:27:47.639 to lead us 00:27:47.639 --> 00:27:48.659 to the next step. 00:27:49.659 --> 00:27:50.639 God is interested 00:27:50.639 --> 00:27:52.019 in practical 00:27:52.019 --> 00:27:53.259 real 00:27:53.259 --> 00:27:54.199 tangible 00:27:54.199 --> 00:27:55.159 true 00:27:55.159 --> 00:27:56.339 sincere 00:27:56.339 --> 00:27:57.339 righteousness 00:27:57.339 --> 00:27:58.659 that you have 00:27:58.659 --> 00:28:00.240 because of the work 00:28:00.240 --> 00:28:00.959 of the gospel 00:28:00.959 --> 00:28:02.059 in your life. 00:28:02.519 --> 00:28:03.399 Because God 00:28:03.399 --> 00:28:04.480 is living in you 00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.559 just like 00:28:05.559 --> 00:28:06.659 the spirit 00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.220 was living 00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:08.399 in Jesus. 00:28:08.400 --> 00:28:10.000 the same 00:28:10.000 --> 00:28:10.800 resources 00:28:10.800 --> 00:28:11.560 that were 00:28:11.560 --> 00:28:12.500 given to Christ 00:28:12.500 --> 00:28:12.940 to live 00:28:12.940 --> 00:28:13.420 the righteous 00:28:13.420 --> 00:28:13.860 life 00:28:13.860 --> 00:28:14.500 are given 00:28:14.500 --> 00:28:15.160 to you 00:28:15.160 --> 00:28:16.160 so you would 00:28:16.160 --> 00:28:16.720 expect 00:28:16.720 --> 00:28:17.220 the same 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.860 results. 00:28:19.500 --> 00:28:20.380 And certainly 00:28:20.380 --> 00:28:21.620 that is what we see. 00:28:22.820 --> 00:28:23.560 We see 00:28:23.560 --> 00:28:24.360 this cause 00:28:24.360 --> 00:28:24.880 and effect 00:28:24.880 --> 00:28:26.300 that God 00:28:26.300 --> 00:28:27.840 has stated 00:28:27.840 --> 00:28:29.100 and declared 00:28:29.100 --> 00:28:29.940 righteousness 00:28:29.940 --> 00:28:31.019 for his people 00:28:31.019 --> 00:28:32.360 so they have 00:28:32.360 --> 00:28:33.280 right and perfect 00:28:33.280 --> 00:28:33.759 standing 00:28:33.759 --> 00:28:35.080 before God 00:28:35.080 --> 00:28:35.900 but he is also 00:28:35.900 --> 00:28:37.080 in doing that 00:28:37.079 --> 00:28:38.659 given his Holy Spirit 00:28:38.659 --> 00:28:39.279 to work 00:28:39.279 --> 00:28:40.099 real 00:28:40.099 --> 00:28:41.199 and practical 00:28:41.199 --> 00:28:42.240 and true 00:28:42.240 --> 00:28:42.839 righteousness 00:28:42.839 --> 00:28:43.899 out in you 00:28:43.899 --> 00:28:45.899 so that when people 00:28:45.899 --> 00:28:46.740 see you 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:48.079 they don't see you 00:28:48.079 --> 00:28:49.279 they see God 00:28:49.279 --> 00:28:50.960 so that God 00:28:50.960 --> 00:28:51.899 gets the glory. 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:53.240 That's the point. 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.960 And up until this point 00:28:55.960 --> 00:28:57.939 no man 00:28:57.939 --> 00:28:58.899 woman or child 00:28:58.899 --> 00:28:59.859 has ever been able 00:28:59.859 --> 00:29:00.960 to work righteousness 00:29:00.960 --> 00:29:01.819 on their own 00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:03.019 because all their 00:29:03.019 --> 00:29:03.879 righteousnesses 00:29:03.879 --> 00:29:05.139 were as filthy rags 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:06.060 but now 00:29:06.060 --> 00:29:07.240 because of Christ 00:29:07.240 --> 00:29:08.540 and because of justification 00:29:08.540 --> 00:29:10.000 and now the work 00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:10.500 of the Spirit 00:29:10.500 --> 00:29:11.040 in our life 00:29:11.040 --> 00:29:12.280 we can actually 00:29:12.280 --> 00:29:13.040 work out 00:29:13.040 --> 00:29:13.960 some righteousness 00:29:13.960 --> 00:29:14.780 in our life. 00:29:15.020 --> 00:29:15.840 We have a choice 00:29:15.840 --> 00:29:16.680 to make 00:29:16.680 --> 00:29:17.440 as we find 00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:19.060 in Romans chapter 6. 00:29:19.180 --> 00:29:19.620 We are not 00:29:19.620 --> 00:29:21.400 slaves to sin anymore 00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.480 we are slaves 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.160 to God. 00:29:24.460 --> 00:29:25.160 Our members 00:29:25.160 --> 00:29:26.400 belong to him 00:29:26.400 --> 00:29:27.840 and as we saw 00:29:27.840 --> 00:29:28.759 in verse 2 00:29:28.759 --> 00:29:30.120 the law 00:29:30.120 --> 00:29:30.780 of the Spirit 00:29:30.780 --> 00:29:31.300 of life 00:29:31.300 --> 00:29:32.400 has set you free 00:29:32.400 --> 00:29:33.200 from the law 00:29:33.200 --> 00:29:33.980 of sin and death. 00:29:33.980 --> 00:29:34.799 the power 00:29:34.799 --> 00:29:35.539 of the Spirit 00:29:35.539 --> 00:29:36.420 is working 00:29:36.420 --> 00:29:37.240 to overcome 00:29:37.240 --> 00:29:38.860 all of the sin 00:29:38.860 --> 00:29:39.579 and corruption 00:29:39.579 --> 00:29:40.700 of your life 00:29:40.700 --> 00:29:41.700 to help lead you 00:29:41.700 --> 00:29:42.579 to real 00:29:42.579 --> 00:29:43.620 and true righteousness 00:29:43.620 --> 00:29:45.940 so that when people 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.299 see you 00:29:47.299 --> 00:29:48.319 they see 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:49.120 the gospel 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:51.519 and when they hear you 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:53.220 there is consistency 00:29:53.220 --> 00:29:55.400 between what you say 00:29:55.400 --> 00:29:56.759 and what they see. 00:29:57.319 --> 00:29:58.360 There is evidence 00:29:58.360 --> 00:29:59.539 just like with Jesus 00:29:59.539 --> 00:30:01.220 in performing miracles 00:30:01.220 --> 00:30:02.620 that they confirmed 00:30:02.619 --> 00:30:03.959 the work of God 00:30:03.959 --> 00:30:05.019 in his life 00:30:05.019 --> 00:30:05.659 they confirmed 00:30:05.659 --> 00:30:06.299 the message 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.019 of God 00:30:07.019 --> 00:30:08.019 on him. 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.679 The same is true 00:30:09.679 --> 00:30:10.699 for you and for me 00:30:10.699 --> 00:30:12.139 when we talk about 00:30:12.139 --> 00:30:13.319 the power of the gospel 00:30:13.319 --> 00:30:14.359 we talk about 00:30:14.359 --> 00:30:15.319 Jesus' ability 00:30:15.319 --> 00:30:16.479 to save us 00:30:16.479 --> 00:30:17.179 from sin 00:30:17.179 --> 00:30:18.819 and then they see it 00:30:18.819 --> 00:30:19.679 show up 00:30:19.679 --> 00:30:20.819 in our relationships 00:30:20.819 --> 00:30:22.159 they see it show up 00:30:22.159 --> 00:30:23.139 in the way we treat 00:30:23.139 --> 00:30:23.859 our spouses 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:25.419 they see it show up 00:30:25.419 --> 00:30:25.899 in the way 00:30:25.899 --> 00:30:27.079 we treat our children 00:30:27.079 --> 00:30:28.639 they see it show up 00:30:28.639 --> 00:30:29.199 in the way 00:30:29.200 --> 00:30:29.920 that we work 00:30:29.920 --> 00:30:31.019 they say 00:30:31.019 --> 00:30:32.860 God must be 00:30:32.860 --> 00:30:33.840 living in them 00:30:33.840 --> 00:30:35.019 the gospel 00:30:35.019 --> 00:30:36.180 must be true 00:30:36.180 --> 00:30:38.519 and that is the point 00:30:38.519 --> 00:30:39.700 of righteousness 00:30:39.700 --> 00:30:41.140 being fulfilled 00:30:41.140 --> 00:30:42.539 in you 00:30:42.539 --> 00:30:43.180 and in me. 00:30:45.680 --> 00:30:46.960 God desires 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:47.980 for us 00:30:47.980 --> 00:30:48.500 not to be 00:30:48.500 --> 00:30:49.759 enslaved by sin 00:30:49.759 --> 00:30:51.340 but to be 00:30:51.340 --> 00:30:52.580 given 00:30:52.580 --> 00:30:53.140 and 00:30:53.140 --> 00:30:54.700 enslaved 00:30:54.700 --> 00:30:55.860 to righteousness 00:30:55.859 --> 00:30:57.000 the spirit 00:30:57.000 --> 00:30:57.759 working 00:30:57.759 --> 00:30:59.759 and directing 00:30:59.759 --> 00:31:00.699 and guiding 00:31:00.699 --> 00:31:01.459 our lives 00:31:01.459 --> 00:31:02.679 helping us be 00:31:02.679 --> 00:31:04.159 the kinds of people 00:31:04.159 --> 00:31:05.240 that God has created 00:31:05.240 --> 00:31:06.039 us to be 00:31:06.039 --> 00:31:07.899 no longer 00:31:07.899 --> 00:31:08.459 tainted 00:31:08.459 --> 00:31:09.619 no longer 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.319 polluted 00:31:10.319 --> 00:31:11.259 no longer 00:31:11.259 --> 00:31:12.399 self-oriented 00:31:12.399 --> 00:31:13.259 but oriented 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:13.740 to 00:31:13.740 --> 00:31:14.779 the glory 00:31:14.779 --> 00:31:15.719 of our savior 00:31:15.719 --> 00:31:18.119 it's not only 00:31:18.119 --> 00:31:19.079 a personal righteousness 00:31:19.079 --> 00:31:19.919 it is also 00:31:19.919 --> 00:31:21.199 a progressive 00:31:21.199 --> 00:31:22.179 righteousness 00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:23.799 a progressive 00:31:23.799 --> 00:31:25.059 righteousness 00:31:25.059 --> 00:31:26.139 righteousness 00:31:26.139 --> 00:31:27.220 notice it says 00:31:27.220 --> 00:31:28.119 that the second 00:31:28.119 --> 00:31:29.159 part of verse 4 00:31:29.159 --> 00:31:30.259 who walk 00:31:30.259 --> 00:31:31.379 not according 00:31:31.379 --> 00:31:32.779 to the flesh 00:31:32.779 --> 00:31:34.019 but according 00:31:34.019 --> 00:31:35.559 to the spirit 00:31:35.559 --> 00:31:37.279 this word 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:37.980 walk 00:31:37.980 --> 00:31:38.879 is 00:31:38.879 --> 00:31:39.980 peripeteo 00:31:39.980 --> 00:31:40.539 which is 00:31:40.539 --> 00:31:41.059 a 00:31:41.059 --> 00:31:42.899 present active 00:31:42.899 --> 00:31:43.619 participle 00:31:43.619 --> 00:31:44.359 and the 00:31:44.359 --> 00:31:45.460 the benefit 00:31:45.460 --> 00:31:45.839 of that 00:31:45.839 --> 00:31:46.519 is it talks 00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.419 about and speaks 00:31:47.419 --> 00:31:48.039 of a life 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.079 that continues 00:31:49.079 --> 00:31:49.579 it is 00:31:49.579 --> 00:31:50.299 a life 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:50.779 that is not 00:31:50.779 --> 00:31:51.399 static 00:31:51.399 --> 00:31:51.940 but a life 00:31:51.940 --> 00:31:52.220 that is 00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.980 dynamic 00:31:52.980 --> 00:31:54.220 it is moving 00:31:54.220 --> 00:31:55.100 it is active 00:31:55.100 --> 00:31:55.960 it is progressing 00:31:55.960 --> 00:31:58.039 it's not satisfied 00:31:58.039 --> 00:31:59.079 with how things 00:31:59.079 --> 00:31:59.880 are today 00:31:59.880 --> 00:32:00.900 it's not always 00:32:00.900 --> 00:32:01.819 looking back 00:32:01.819 --> 00:32:02.900 at what you 00:32:02.900 --> 00:32:03.500 accomplished 00:32:03.500 --> 00:32:04.059 for God 00:32:04.059 --> 00:32:05.880 in the years 00:32:05.880 --> 00:32:06.559 gone by 00:32:06.559 --> 00:32:07.039 it's not 00:32:07.039 --> 00:32:08.120 what Paul says 00:32:08.120 --> 00:32:08.900 looking to the 00:32:08.900 --> 00:32:10.160 things behind me 00:32:10.160 --> 00:32:11.140 but looking forward 00:32:11.140 --> 00:32:11.960 to the things 00:32:11.960 --> 00:32:12.740 that Christ wants 00:32:12.740 --> 00:32:13.220 to continue 00:32:13.220 --> 00:32:13.920 to accomplish 00:32:13.920 --> 00:32:16.339 not being satisfied 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.799 with what God 00:32:17.799 --> 00:32:18.600 has already done 00:32:18.600 --> 00:32:19.100 in your life 00:32:19.100 --> 00:32:20.759 but looking for ways 00:32:20.759 --> 00:32:21.299 for God 00:32:21.299 --> 00:32:22.000 for God 00:32:22.000 --> 00:32:22.539 to make you 00:32:22.539 --> 00:32:23.019 more 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:23.799 like him 00:32:23.799 --> 00:32:25.619 and I love 00:32:25.619 --> 00:32:26.119 this word 00:32:26.119 --> 00:32:26.599 walk 00:32:26.599 --> 00:32:28.500 because if it 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:29.200 was run 00:32:29.200 --> 00:32:30.139 it would not 00:32:30.139 --> 00:32:30.599 be a word 00:32:30.599 --> 00:32:31.139 for me 00:32:31.139 --> 00:32:34.740 walking 00:32:34.740 --> 00:32:36.419 helps us 00:32:36.419 --> 00:32:37.099 see the 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:37.839 consistency 00:32:37.839 --> 00:32:38.779 of life 00:32:38.779 --> 00:32:39.919 that God 00:32:39.919 --> 00:32:40.460 is calling 00:32:40.460 --> 00:32:40.799 us 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:42.000 to live 00:32:42.000 --> 00:32:43.480 we see 00:32:43.480 --> 00:32:44.099 this all 00:32:44.099 --> 00:32:45.019 over Romans 00:32:45.019 --> 00:32:45.659 and we don't 00:32:45.659 --> 00:32:46.319 have time 00:32:46.319 --> 00:32:47.220 to look at them 00:32:47.220 --> 00:32:47.599 but I just 00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:48.039 want to call 00:32:48.039 --> 00:32:48.539 your attention 00:32:48.539 --> 00:32:49.139 to a few 00:32:49.139 --> 00:32:50.759 Romans chapter 6 00:32:50.759 --> 00:32:51.579 verse 4 00:32:51.579 --> 00:32:53.299 says this 00:32:53.299 --> 00:32:54.740 we were buried 00:32:54.740 --> 00:32:55.680 therefore with him 00:32:55.680 --> 00:32:56.539 by baptism 00:32:56.539 --> 00:32:57.279 into death 00:32:57.279 --> 00:32:58.500 in order that 00:32:58.500 --> 00:32:59.779 just as Christ 00:32:59.779 --> 00:33:00.480 was raised 00:33:00.480 --> 00:33:01.119 from the dead 00:33:01.119 --> 00:33:02.359 by the glory 00:33:02.359 --> 00:33:02.940 of the father 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.980 we too 00:33:03.980 --> 00:33:05.079 might walk 00:33:05.079 --> 00:33:06.139 in newness 00:33:06.139 --> 00:33:07.119 of life 00:33:07.119 --> 00:33:08.659 that's what 00:33:08.659 --> 00:33:09.720 Jesus' death 00:33:09.720 --> 00:33:10.420 and resurrection 00:33:10.420 --> 00:33:11.319 accomplished 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:11.960 for you 00:33:11.960 --> 00:33:13.119 not just a 00:33:13.119 --> 00:33:13.539 declaration 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.539 of righteousness 00:33:14.539 --> 00:33:15.920 but real 00:33:15.920 --> 00:33:16.799 righteousness 00:33:16.799 --> 00:33:18.059 through the 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:18.500 power 00:33:18.500 --> 00:33:19.119 of the 00:33:19.119 --> 00:33:19.639 Holy Spirit 00:33:19.639 --> 00:33:21.339 we see it 00:33:21.339 --> 00:33:21.819 in Romans 00:33:21.819 --> 00:33:22.859 chapter 14 00:33:22.859 --> 00:33:23.980 verse 15 00:33:23.980 --> 00:33:25.099 we see it 00:33:25.099 --> 00:33:25.559 in Romans 00:33:25.559 --> 00:33:26.579 chapter 13 00:33:26.579 --> 00:33:27.700 verses 13 00:33:27.700 --> 00:33:28.859 and 14 00:33:28.859 --> 00:33:29.599 okay I just 00:33:29.599 --> 00:33:29.839 want to 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.319 just take notes 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.200 read them later 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:32.700 we don't have 00:33:32.700 --> 00:33:33.259 time for them 00:33:33.259 --> 00:33:33.779 this morning 00:33:33.779 --> 00:33:36.480 Galatians 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:37.240 chapter 5 00:33:37.240 --> 00:33:37.899 verse 16 00:33:37.899 --> 00:33:38.339 says 00:33:38.339 --> 00:33:39.480 but I say 00:33:39.480 --> 00:33:40.099 walk 00:33:40.099 --> 00:33:40.980 by the spirit 00:33:40.980 --> 00:33:41.539 and you 00:33:41.539 --> 00:33:42.359 will not 00:33:42.359 --> 00:33:43.139 gratify 00:33:43.139 --> 00:33:44.240 the desires 00:33:44.240 --> 00:33:45.180 of the flesh 00:33:45.180 --> 00:33:47.500 there is 00:33:47.500 --> 00:33:47.940 a way 00:33:47.940 --> 00:33:48.500 of life 00:33:48.500 --> 00:33:49.519 that must 00:33:49.519 --> 00:33:50.560 mark 00:33:50.560 --> 00:33:51.660 every believer 00:33:51.660 --> 00:33:53.200 not because 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:54.080 you muster 00:33:54.080 --> 00:33:54.860 in yourself 00:33:54.860 --> 00:33:55.820 some ability 00:33:55.820 --> 00:33:56.759 to carry out 00:33:56.759 --> 00:33:57.759 some supposed 00:33:57.759 --> 00:33:58.320 righteousness 00:33:58.320 --> 00:33:58.980 but because 00:33:58.980 --> 00:33:59.759 there is a 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.400 yielding 00:34:00.400 --> 00:34:00.900 of your 00:34:00.900 --> 00:34:01.759 life 00:34:01.759 --> 00:34:02.299 to the 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:02.680 power 00:34:02.680 --> 00:34:03.380 of God 00:34:03.380 --> 00:34:04.740 allowing 00:34:04.740 --> 00:34:05.740 his power 00:34:05.740 --> 00:34:06.740 his spirit 00:34:06.740 --> 00:34:07.180 to work 00:34:07.180 --> 00:34:08.019 through you 00:34:08.019 --> 00:34:09.019 to create 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.460 in you 00:34:09.460 --> 00:34:09.800 what you 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.180 cannot 00:34:10.180 --> 00:34:10.579 create 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.200 for yourself 00:34:11.200 --> 00:34:13.940 so much 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.400 to say 00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:17.179 and the 00:34:17.179 --> 00:34:17.599 greatest 00:34:17.599 --> 00:34:18.320 fulfillment 00:34:18.320 --> 00:34:19.059 of the 00:34:19.059 --> 00:34:19.420 law 00:34:19.420 --> 00:34:21.200 is love 00:34:21.200 --> 00:34:23.519 the 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.360 culmination 00:34:24.360 --> 00:34:25.200 of the 00:34:25.200 --> 00:34:25.740 entire 00:34:25.740 --> 00:34:26.619 Old Testament 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:27.400 and law 00:34:27.400 --> 00:34:29.019 is encapsulated 00:34:29.019 --> 00:34:29.900 in two 00:34:29.900 --> 00:34:30.579 commands 00:34:30.579 --> 00:34:31.579 love the 00:34:31.579 --> 00:34:31.860 Lord your 00:34:31.860 --> 00:34:32.079 God 00:34:32.079 --> 00:34:32.360 with all 00:34:32.360 --> 00:34:32.679 your heart 00:34:32.679 --> 00:34:32.880 soul 00:34:32.880 --> 00:34:33.260 and mind 00:34:33.260 --> 00:34:34.220 love your 00:34:34.220 --> 00:34:34.500 neighbor 00:34:34.500 --> 00:34:35.139 as yourself 00:34:35.139 --> 00:34:35.900 you cannot 00:34:35.900 --> 00:34:36.920 do this 00:34:36.920 --> 00:34:37.280 on your 00:34:37.280 --> 00:34:37.579 own 00:34:37.579 --> 00:34:39.159 we are 00:34:39.159 --> 00:34:39.679 called 00:34:39.679 --> 00:34:40.119 to a 00:34:40.119 --> 00:34:40.700 standard 00:34:40.700 --> 00:34:42.099 that totally 00:34:42.099 --> 00:34:43.280 blows us 00:34:43.280 --> 00:34:43.760 up 00:34:43.760 --> 00:34:45.960 who has 00:34:45.960 --> 00:34:46.960 ever imagined 00:34:46.960 --> 00:34:47.340 that we 00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:48.180 could love 00:34:48.180 --> 00:34:48.720 our enemies 00:34:48.720 --> 00:34:49.200 but that's 00:34:49.200 --> 00:34:49.760 what Jesus 00:34:49.760 --> 00:34:50.320 calls us 00:34:50.320 --> 00:34:50.540 to 00:34:50.540 --> 00:34:52.300 who could 00:34:52.300 --> 00:34:53.180 ever imagine 00:34:53.180 --> 00:34:53.519 that you 00:34:53.519 --> 00:34:54.300 could love 00:34:54.300 --> 00:34:55.660 your unjust 00:34:55.660 --> 00:34:56.500 employer 00:34:56.500 --> 00:34:57.360 but that's 00:34:57.360 --> 00:34:57.920 what Jesus 00:34:57.920 --> 00:34:58.500 calls us 00:34:58.500 --> 00:34:59.340 to in 00:34:59.340 --> 00:35:00.040 1 Peter 00:35:00.040 --> 00:35:01.180 chapter 2 00:35:01.180 --> 00:35:01.960 verses 18 00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.100 through 23 00:35:03.100 --> 00:35:04.860 who could 00:35:04.860 --> 00:35:06.120 ever imagine 00:35:06.120 --> 00:35:06.420 that you 00:35:06.420 --> 00:35:07.080 could love 00:35:07.080 --> 00:35:08.100 somebody who 00:35:08.100 --> 00:35:08.780 is not like 00:35:08.780 --> 00:35:09.820 you and 00:35:09.820 --> 00:35:10.500 that's exactly 00:35:10.500 --> 00:35:11.019 what God 00:35:11.019 --> 00:35:11.860 calls us to 00:35:11.860 --> 00:35:12.880 in James 00:35:12.880 --> 00:35:13.840 chapter 2 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:14.800 love that 00:35:14.800 --> 00:35:15.920 is impartial 00:35:15.920 --> 00:35:17.260 love that 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:17.720 is not 00:35:17.720 --> 00:35:18.740 prejudiced 00:35:18.740 --> 00:35:19.500 and that 00:35:19.500 --> 00:35:20.160 is so 00:35:20.160 --> 00:35:21.039 in us 00:35:21.039 --> 00:35:21.640 isn't it 00:35:21.640 --> 00:35:23.720 but who 00:35:23.720 --> 00:35:24.079 could ever 00:35:24.079 --> 00:35:24.559 imagine 00:35:24.559 --> 00:35:24.900 that we 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.539 could love 00:35:25.539 --> 00:35:26.539 our brothers 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.559 especially 00:35:27.559 --> 00:35:28.760 those 00:35:28.760 --> 00:35:29.720 who offend 00:35:29.720 --> 00:35:30.079 us 00:35:30.079 --> 00:35:30.720 and hurt 00:35:30.720 --> 00:35:31.079 us 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.500 and take 00:35:31.500 --> 00:35:31.920 advantage 00:35:31.920 --> 00:35:32.559 of us 00:35:32.559 --> 00:35:34.019 but in 00:35:34.019 --> 00:35:34.539 1 John 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.200 chapter 4 00:35:35.200 --> 00:35:35.900 verses 19 00:35:35.900 --> 00:35:36.400 and 21 00:35:36.400 --> 00:35:36.800 it says 00:35:36.800 --> 00:35:37.380 we love 00:35:37.380 --> 00:35:38.180 because he 00:35:38.180 --> 00:35:38.760 first loved 00:35:38.760 --> 00:35:39.099 us 00:35:39.099 --> 00:35:39.739 if anyone 00:35:39.739 --> 00:35:40.219 says I 00:35:40.219 --> 00:35:40.739 love God 00:35:40.739 --> 00:35:41.360 and hates 00:35:41.360 --> 00:35:42.299 his brother 00:35:42.299 --> 00:35:43.159 he is a 00:35:43.159 --> 00:35:43.659 liar 00:35:43.659 --> 00:35:45.420 for he 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:45.779 who does 00:35:45.779 --> 00:35:46.279 not love 00:35:46.279 --> 00:35:46.719 his brother 00:35:46.719 --> 00:35:47.099 whom he 00:35:47.099 --> 00:35:47.679 has seen 00:35:47.679 --> 00:35:48.920 cannot love 00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.299 God 00:35:49.299 --> 00:35:49.719 whom he 00:35:49.719 --> 00:35:50.279 has not 00:35:50.279 --> 00:35:50.799 seen 00:35:50.799 --> 00:35:52.179 and this 00:35:52.179 --> 00:35:52.679 commandment 00:35:52.679 --> 00:35:53.079 we have 00:35:53.079 --> 00:35:53.500 from him 00:35:53.500 --> 00:35:54.000 whoever 00:35:54.000 --> 00:35:55.179 loves God 00:35:55.179 --> 00:35:56.000 must also 00:35:56.000 --> 00:35:56.599 love his 00:35:56.599 --> 00:35:56.940 brother 00:35:56.940 --> 00:35:59.319 if you 00:35:59.319 --> 00:36:00.000 don't love 00:36:00.000 --> 00:36:00.900 your spouse 00:36:00.900 --> 00:36:02.139 if you 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.659 don't love 00:36:02.659 --> 00:36:03.699 your parents 00:36:03.699 --> 00:36:04.480 if you 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.059 don't love 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.839 a brother 00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:06.460 or sister 00:36:06.460 --> 00:36:06.960 in this 00:36:06.960 --> 00:36:07.360 room 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.640 John 00:36:08.640 --> 00:36:09.099 calls 00:36:09.099 --> 00:36:09.320 into 00:36:09.320 --> 00:36:09.760 question 00:36:09.760 --> 00:36:10.220 if you 00:36:10.220 --> 00:36:10.640 really 00:36:10.640 --> 00:36:10.940 love 00:36:10.940 --> 00:36:11.240 God 00:36:11.240 --> 00:36:11.780 at all 00:36:11.780 --> 00:36:12.800 and if 00:36:12.800 --> 00:36:13.039 you are 00:36:13.039 --> 00:36:13.320 loved 00:36:13.320 --> 00:36:13.880 by God 00:36:13.880 --> 00:36:14.960 you will 00:36:14.960 --> 00:36:15.780 demonstrate 00:36:15.780 --> 00:36:16.680 the character 00:36:16.680 --> 00:36:17.180 of one 00:36:17.180 --> 00:36:17.820 who is 00:36:17.820 --> 00:36:18.440 filled by 00:36:18.440 --> 00:36:18.780 God 00:36:18.780 --> 00:36:19.380 and the 00:36:19.380 --> 00:36:19.820 fruit of 00:36:19.820 --> 00:36:20.200 the spirit 00:36:20.200 --> 00:36:21.000 is first 00:36:21.000 --> 00:36:22.320 love 00:36:22.320 --> 00:36:26.320 well what does 00:36:26.320 --> 00:36:26.800 this righteousness 00:36:26.800 --> 00:36:27.640 mean to us 00:36:27.640 --> 00:36:29.920 that brings us 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.340 to our time 00:36:30.340 --> 00:36:30.780 of communion 00:36:30.780 --> 00:36:33.480 first 00:36:33.480 --> 00:36:35.579 this righteousness 00:36:35.579 --> 00:36:37.160 means for us 00:36:37.159 --> 00:36:38.559 a reminder 00:36:38.559 --> 00:36:39.359 of the 00:36:39.359 --> 00:36:40.079 body 00:36:40.079 --> 00:36:40.779 and blood 00:36:40.779 --> 00:36:41.339 of Jesus 00:36:41.339 --> 00:36:42.879 and the 00:36:42.879 --> 00:36:43.559 costliness 00:36:43.559 --> 00:36:44.299 of sin 00:36:44.299 --> 00:36:46.639 it reminds us 00:36:46.639 --> 00:36:47.079 of how 00:36:47.079 --> 00:36:47.920 gruesome 00:36:47.920 --> 00:36:49.559 and how 00:36:49.559 --> 00:36:51.519 disgusting 00:36:51.519 --> 00:36:52.440 sin is 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:52.960 to God 00:36:52.960 --> 00:36:55.059 it caused 00:36:55.059 --> 00:36:55.559 him to 00:36:55.559 --> 00:36:56.179 bring his 00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:56.500 son 00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:57.460 and to 00:36:57.460 --> 00:36:59.219 crucify him 00:36:59.219 --> 00:36:59.859 on the cross 00:36:59.859 --> 00:37:01.759 he was bruised 00:37:01.759 --> 00:37:02.199 for our 00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.559 iniquity 00:37:02.559 --> 00:37:02.859 he was 00:37:02.859 --> 00:37:03.539 crushed 00:37:03.539 --> 00:37:04.239 for our 00:37:04.239 --> 00:37:05.219 transgressions 00:37:05.219 --> 00:37:06.759 he did 00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:06.980 that 00:37:06.980 --> 00:37:07.299 because 00:37:07.299 --> 00:37:08.000 of the 00:37:08.000 --> 00:37:08.599 costliness 00:37:08.599 --> 00:37:09.859 of sin 00:37:09.859 --> 00:37:12.039 I would like 00:37:12.039 --> 00:37:12.500 to invite 00:37:12.500 --> 00:37:13.639 the deacons 00:37:13.639 --> 00:37:14.259 to come 00:37:14.259 --> 00:37:14.599 forward 00:37:14.599 --> 00:37:16.539 as I read 00:37:16.539 --> 00:37:17.019 Hebrews 00:37:17.019 --> 00:37:17.859 chapter 9 00:37:17.859 --> 00:37:18.599 verses 15 00:37:18.599 --> 00:37:19.079 to 22 00:37:19.079 --> 00:37:21.619 this is 00:37:21.619 --> 00:37:22.279 perhaps 00:37:22.279 --> 00:37:23.099 another way 00:37:23.099 --> 00:37:24.039 to look 00:37:24.039 --> 00:37:24.539 at our 00:37:24.539 --> 00:37:25.000 communion 00:37:25.000 --> 00:37:25.739 passage 00:37:25.739 --> 00:37:27.019 and as 00:37:27.019 --> 00:37:27.559 they come 00:37:27.559 --> 00:37:27.839 I'm going 00:37:27.839 --> 00:37:28.199 to read 00:37:28.199 --> 00:37:28.679 it says 00:37:28.679 --> 00:37:29.159 this 00:37:29.159 --> 00:37:50.739 verse 18 00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:52.399 Hebrews 9 00:37:52.400 --> 00:37:53.420 therefore 00:37:53.420 --> 00:37:54.980 not even 00:37:54.980 --> 00:37:55.539 the first 00:37:55.539 --> 00:37:55.900 covenant 00:37:55.900 --> 00:37:56.800 was inaugurated 00:37:56.800 --> 00:37:57.139 without 00:37:57.139 --> 00:37:57.680 blood 00:37:57.680 --> 00:37:59.320 for when 00:37:59.320 --> 00:37:59.720 every 00:37:59.720 --> 00:38:00.440 commandment 00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:00.700 of the 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:00.920 law 00:38:00.920 --> 00:38:01.300 had been 00:38:01.300 --> 00:38:01.700 declared 00:38:01.700 --> 00:38:02.300 by Moses 00:38:02.300 --> 00:38:03.019 to all 00:38:03.019 --> 00:38:03.460 the people 00:38:03.460 --> 00:38:04.059 he took 00:38:04.059 --> 00:38:04.660 the blood 00:38:04.660 --> 00:38:04.980 of the 00:38:04.980 --> 00:38:05.300 calves 00:38:05.300 --> 00:38:05.800 and goats 00:38:05.800 --> 00:38:06.639 with water 00:38:06.639 --> 00:38:07.300 and scarlet 00:38:07.300 --> 00:38:07.599 wool 00:38:07.599 --> 00:38:08.119 and hyssop 00:38:08.119 --> 00:38:09.220 and sprinkled 00:38:09.220 --> 00:38:09.800 both the 00:38:09.800 --> 00:38:10.599 book itself 00:38:10.599 --> 00:38:11.260 and the 00:38:11.260 --> 00:38:11.539 people 00:38:11.539 --> 00:38:12.019 saying 00:38:12.019 --> 00:38:13.500 this is 00:38:13.500 --> 00:38:13.860 the blood 00:38:13.860 --> 00:38:14.099 of the 00:38:14.099 --> 00:38:14.420 covenant 00:38:14.420 --> 00:38:15.360 that God 00:38:15.360 --> 00:38:16.059 has commanded 00:38:16.059 --> 00:38:16.579 for you 00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:17.059 that sound 00:38:17.059 --> 00:38:17.360 familiar 00:38:17.360 --> 00:38:20.079 and in the 00:38:20.079 --> 00:38:20.599 same way 00:38:20.599 --> 00:38:22.360 he sprinkled 00:38:22.360 --> 00:38:22.839 with blood 00:38:22.839 --> 00:38:23.380 both the 00:38:23.380 --> 00:38:23.779 tent 00:38:23.779 --> 00:38:24.179 and the 00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:24.500 vessels 00:38:24.500 --> 00:38:24.960 used in 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.279 worship 00:38:25.279 --> 00:38:26.380 indeed 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:27.059 under the 00:38:27.059 --> 00:38:27.380 law 00:38:27.380 --> 00:38:27.839 almost 00:38:27.839 --> 00:38:28.380 everything 00:38:28.380 --> 00:38:29.119 is purified 00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:29.759 with blood 00:38:29.759 --> 00:38:30.960 and without 00:38:30.960 --> 00:38:31.619 the shedding 00:38:31.619 --> 00:38:32.059 of blood 00:38:32.059 --> 00:38:32.940 there is no 00:38:32.940 --> 00:38:33.819 forgiveness 00:38:33.819 --> 00:38:35.099 of sins 00:38:35.099 --> 00:38:36.799 but as it 00:38:36.799 --> 00:38:37.099 is 00:38:37.099 --> 00:38:37.900 he appeared 00:38:37.900 --> 00:38:38.519 once and for 00:38:38.519 --> 00:38:38.679 all 00:38:38.679 --> 00:38:39.139 speaking of 00:38:39.139 --> 00:38:39.460 Jesus 00:38:39.460 --> 00:38:40.940 at the 00:38:40.940 --> 00:38:41.380 end of the 00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:41.659 age 00:38:41.659 --> 00:38:42.099 to put 00:38:42.099 --> 00:38:42.500 away 00:38:42.500 --> 00:38:43.400 sin 00:38:43.400 --> 00:38:44.380 by 00:38:44.380 --> 00:38:44.920 the 00:38:44.920 --> 00:38:45.719 sacrifice 00:38:45.719 --> 00:38:46.880 of himself 00:38:46.880 --> 00:38:48.299 Jesus 00:38:48.299 --> 00:38:49.839 did it 00:38:49.840 --> 00:38:51.480 through 00:38:51.480 --> 00:38:52.019 his body 00:38:52.019 --> 00:38:52.800 through 00:38:52.800 --> 00:38:53.260 his blood 00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:54.400 let me pray 00:38:54.400 --> 00:38:55.220 miracle 00:38:55.220 --> 00:38:55.559 miracle 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:38:55.559 00:38:55.559 --> 00:39:25.539 Thank you.