WEBVTT 00:00:00.640 --> 00:00:04.700 The scripture for today comes from Ephesians chapter 5. 00:00:06.140 --> 00:00:08.519 Starting in verse 3, we read, 00:00:09.939 --> 00:00:18.559 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 00:00:19.519 --> 00:00:25.519 Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor crude joking, which are out of place, 00:00:25.519 --> 00:00:29.339 but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 00:00:30.699 --> 00:00:35.960 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, 00:00:36.920 --> 00:00:43.740 or who is covetous, that is, idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 00:00:44.820 --> 00:00:52.799 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 00:00:54.060 --> 00:00:59.460 Therefore do not become partners with them, for at one time you were darkness, 00:01:00.000 --> 00:01:03.079 but now you are light in the Lord. 00:01:04.219 --> 00:01:11.500 Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true, 00:01:12.040 --> 00:01:15.359 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:22.799 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 00:01:23.879 --> 00:01:27.819 For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. 00:01:27.819 --> 00:01:36.280 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. 00:01:36.280 --> 00:01:38.540 Therefore it says, 00:01:38.540 --> 00:01:45.280 Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 00:01:46.859 --> 00:01:52.240 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:57.120 making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:04.100 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:02:04.960 --> 00:02:11.580 And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit. 00:02:12.340 --> 00:02:16.080 Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:19.840 singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 00:02:19.840 --> 00:02:27.460 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 00:02:28.120 --> 00:02:31.020 submitting to one another out of reference for Christ. 00:02:31.580 --> 00:02:32.780 This is the Word of God. 00:02:35.780 --> 00:02:37.620 Great. Well, let's keep that passage open. 00:02:41.780 --> 00:02:45.659 Well, I don't know if your friends or colleagues ever ask you something like, 00:02:45.759 --> 00:02:47.539 you know, what is it like to be a Christian? 00:02:47.539 --> 00:02:50.939 What is kind of your experience? 00:02:52.479 --> 00:02:56.019 I don't know if you, how you would answer that. 00:02:56.419 --> 00:02:59.919 Many people who are not Christians, they have the really wrong idea. 00:03:00.419 --> 00:03:04.120 Before I was a Christian, like 22 years ago, I thought it's like a hobby. 00:03:05.259 --> 00:03:05.399 Right? 00:03:05.699 --> 00:03:08.979 So, some people, they like golf, some people like yoga, 00:03:09.579 --> 00:03:12.479 some people, they like to go and sing songs on a Sunday morning, 00:03:12.919 --> 00:03:14.159 and they read a certain book, 00:03:14.159 --> 00:03:18.139 and they meet with another club on Thursday nights, 00:03:18.639 --> 00:03:19.359 something like that, right? 00:03:19.740 --> 00:03:22.039 And, you know, some people, they, you know, 00:03:22.079 --> 00:03:24.259 you choose to change your behavior. 00:03:24.479 --> 00:03:26.379 Some people, they're vegetarians, okay? 00:03:26.419 --> 00:03:27.579 They choose to not eat meat. 00:03:28.139 --> 00:03:30.259 Christians, they choose to not do certain things. 00:03:30.740 --> 00:03:31.960 But basically, that's what I thought. 00:03:32.019 --> 00:03:32.659 It's just a hobby. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:35.979 Not really something that changes your life. 00:03:35.979 --> 00:03:40.459 But my guess is many of us would say, well, you were really naive. 00:03:40.639 --> 00:03:43.399 And I realized I was really naive once I became a Christian. 00:03:44.419 --> 00:03:47.519 Because you work in an office. 00:03:48.159 --> 00:03:49.620 And suddenly you're different, right? 00:03:50.299 --> 00:03:52.819 Suddenly you don't like what other people like. 00:03:52.919 --> 00:03:54.620 You don't do what other people do. 00:03:55.259 --> 00:03:56.620 People will think you're strange. 00:03:57.259 --> 00:03:59.579 People may even be hostile to you, right? 00:04:00.239 --> 00:04:01.479 Things really change. 00:04:01.479 --> 00:04:04.019 At the same time, maybe there's others of you, well, actually, 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:06.399 well, maybe my Christian life feels like a hobby. 00:04:06.619 --> 00:04:08.939 Something I really enjoy doing on a Sunday morning. 00:04:09.620 --> 00:04:12.179 But it doesn't change really day to day. 00:04:12.280 --> 00:04:14.399 When all those hours I'm there in the office, 00:04:14.500 --> 00:04:15.839 or with my friends, or in uni. 00:04:17.819 --> 00:04:19.519 Well, we've been here in Ephesians. 00:04:19.680 --> 00:04:23.079 And I hope you've seen that, well, being a Christian, 00:04:23.339 --> 00:04:24.879 when Jesus comes into your life, 00:04:25.420 --> 00:04:26.980 it is life-changing, right? 00:04:27.879 --> 00:04:28.719 What are you? 00:04:28.720 --> 00:04:30.040 You are a new person. 00:04:30.200 --> 00:04:32.440 You're part of a new humanity. 00:04:33.320 --> 00:04:34.900 How does Ephesians describe it? 00:04:34.940 --> 00:04:35.880 Well, we were dead. 00:04:36.720 --> 00:04:38.800 One day, one time in the past, 00:04:38.880 --> 00:04:40.620 everyone in the world was spiritually dead. 00:04:41.320 --> 00:04:44.260 But then Jesus came and he took people and made them alive. 00:04:44.740 --> 00:04:47.240 Raised spiritually from the dead. 00:04:47.680 --> 00:04:49.260 People who used to follow Satan, 00:04:49.420 --> 00:04:52.800 now being children of God, following him. 00:04:53.340 --> 00:04:55.280 A complete change, right? 00:04:55.279 --> 00:04:59.559 And now the world is basically, in this book, divided in two groups. 00:05:00.339 --> 00:05:00.539 Right? 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:03.599 There are people who belong to Jesus, 00:05:03.899 --> 00:05:05.899 and there's still the rest of the world. 00:05:06.619 --> 00:05:08.719 And you've heard it very strongly in this passage, right? 00:05:09.500 --> 00:05:11.359 I mean, what is this passage about? 00:05:12.019 --> 00:05:13.559 You've heard the contrasts. 00:05:13.819 --> 00:05:16.979 Well, this is the saints, the holy ones. 00:05:17.419 --> 00:05:19.719 And these are, well, strong language. 00:05:19.819 --> 00:05:21.299 The sons of disobedience. 00:05:21.879 --> 00:05:24.139 It's a kind of a, it's a Jewish expression, you know. 00:05:24.680 --> 00:05:26.600 Children have the nature of their parents. 00:05:26.780 --> 00:05:30.040 And how people live, well, looks like they come from disobedience. 00:05:30.120 --> 00:05:30.740 That's their nature. 00:05:31.939 --> 00:05:35.080 The next paragraph talks about light and darkness, right? 00:05:35.780 --> 00:05:36.860 Total contrast. 00:05:38.920 --> 00:05:42.439 Well, that is what it's, what we see here. 00:05:43.280 --> 00:05:45.080 People who are different. 00:05:45.220 --> 00:05:47.519 Two groups that are very different, spiritually speaking. 00:05:48.500 --> 00:05:49.839 And what is that like then? 00:05:50.399 --> 00:05:53.680 And today, we've talked a lot about, past few weeks about community, 00:05:53.899 --> 00:05:55.519 about loving each other, about church. 00:05:55.939 --> 00:05:57.939 But actually, we don't spend most of our life there, right? 00:05:58.639 --> 00:06:01.319 Most of our life will be in the office. 00:06:01.500 --> 00:06:04.879 Most of our life will be at uni, you know, in private, in society. 00:06:06.319 --> 00:06:07.599 What is it like then? 00:06:07.620 --> 00:06:08.740 How should we live then? 00:06:09.079 --> 00:06:10.699 That is what Paul moves on to next, 00:06:10.699 --> 00:06:13.819 as he talks about what it's like, yeah, to live. 00:06:14.159 --> 00:06:16.019 To live is part of God's plan, right? 00:06:16.019 --> 00:06:18.359 And the headline for this whole section was to, 00:06:18.620 --> 00:06:21.439 well, to live a life worthy of our calling, 00:06:21.620 --> 00:06:22.639 worthy of who we are, 00:06:22.799 --> 00:06:24.539 worthy of what Jesus has done to us. 00:06:25.060 --> 00:06:28.299 Well, what does that look like, well, in the world? 00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:30.180 That's, I think, where we're going today. 00:06:30.259 --> 00:06:31.319 And I hope that's useful, right? 00:06:31.359 --> 00:06:33.240 Because, again, that's so much part of our life. 00:06:34.199 --> 00:06:35.519 But what is that then? 00:06:35.659 --> 00:06:36.299 What is that? 00:06:36.439 --> 00:06:39.079 Well, the big thing, as you've heard, 00:06:39.079 --> 00:06:40.199 it's not the nicest passage. 00:06:40.319 --> 00:06:41.759 I was going to preach three weeks ago, 00:06:41.859 --> 00:06:42.879 but sadly, I got COVID. 00:06:43.319 --> 00:06:44.899 But I got this passage instead. 00:06:46.019 --> 00:06:51.060 Well, we should live differently, right? 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:54.199 Being a saint, belonging to Jesus, 00:06:54.359 --> 00:06:57.419 well, very clearly, you should live differently, 00:06:57.620 --> 00:06:59.379 radically differently. 00:07:00.159 --> 00:07:03.620 And not really now about community. 00:07:04.019 --> 00:07:07.120 No, yeah, our lives in the world. 00:07:07.120 --> 00:07:10.439 And the thing he singles out, as you've heard, 00:07:10.959 --> 00:07:13.819 surprisingly, is things about sex, right? 00:07:13.819 --> 00:07:15.719 Let me read verses 3 and 4 again. 00:07:16.319 --> 00:07:20.300 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness 00:07:20.300 --> 00:07:22.699 must not even be named among you, 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:24.579 as is proper among saints. 00:07:25.099 --> 00:07:28.060 Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, 00:07:28.139 --> 00:07:30.959 nor crude joking, which are out of place. 00:07:31.199 --> 00:07:33.560 But instead, let there be thanksgiving. 00:07:34.420 --> 00:07:35.579 Now, there's various things there, 00:07:35.639 --> 00:07:36.519 but quite a few, right? 00:07:36.560 --> 00:07:39.639 Sexual immorality and filthiness and impurity 00:07:39.639 --> 00:07:41.019 and crude joking. 00:07:42.099 --> 00:07:44.740 We always think that 21st century is obsessed with sex, 00:07:44.779 --> 00:07:46.599 but actually the first century just as much. 00:07:46.719 --> 00:07:48.000 Whenever Paul talks about sins, 00:07:48.279 --> 00:07:50.079 the first thing he mentions is this kind of thing. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:54.199 Maybe helpful to define what does sexual immorality mean? 00:07:54.339 --> 00:07:56.740 Well, anything outside, well, 00:07:56.819 --> 00:07:59.019 sex between a husband and wife, right? 00:07:59.019 --> 00:08:02.319 So, I guess, in a church like this, 00:08:02.399 --> 00:08:04.099 what would be the most common things? 00:08:04.159 --> 00:08:04.899 I guess pornography. 00:08:06.339 --> 00:08:09.939 Maybe boyfriends and girlfriends sleeping together before marriage. 00:08:10.419 --> 00:08:11.620 Those kind of things, right? 00:08:11.659 --> 00:08:14.740 That is not within marriage between husbands and wives. 00:08:16.539 --> 00:08:18.680 But then impurity, filthiness, crude joking, 00:08:18.799 --> 00:08:20.959 I guess that kind of life, right? 00:08:21.000 --> 00:08:23.159 Where this kind of colors our conversations 00:08:23.159 --> 00:08:25.759 and our attitudes and values. 00:08:25.759 --> 00:08:28.519 But actually there's other things as well, right? 00:08:28.539 --> 00:08:31.719 It talks about covetousness, like greed, 00:08:31.860 --> 00:08:33.159 where you want something 00:08:33.159 --> 00:08:35.200 and you want it more than is right. 00:08:36.360 --> 00:08:37.939 But why these things? 00:08:38.960 --> 00:08:40.279 I mean, I'm sure you recognize it. 00:08:40.319 --> 00:08:41.519 I don't know what your office is like. 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:43.240 I know what my office was like 00:08:43.240 --> 00:08:44.559 when I was in secular work. 00:08:46.519 --> 00:08:48.500 Well, why is this so typical of the world? 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:51.639 Well, verse 5 tells us why, right? 00:08:52.340 --> 00:08:54.899 You can be sure that everyone who is sexually immoral 00:08:54.899 --> 00:08:56.539 or impure or who is covetous, 00:08:56.620 --> 00:08:58.399 that is an idolater. 00:08:59.319 --> 00:09:01.459 Paul thinks these kind of things are idolatry. 00:09:02.240 --> 00:09:05.860 It is about worshipping idols. 00:09:07.159 --> 00:09:09.720 I mean, worshipping idols, that sounds very, you know, 00:09:09.779 --> 00:09:12.059 you think of someone bowing down to a statue, right? 00:09:12.079 --> 00:09:14.179 That's what we all think when you hear idolatry. 00:09:15.659 --> 00:09:19.439 Actually, idolatry is about what is most important to you. 00:09:20.179 --> 00:09:22.559 Where do you look to to make you happy? 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:24.740 The New Testament is very nuanced. 00:09:24.740 --> 00:09:29.360 That's why he says greed, covetousness, that is idolatry. 00:09:30.399 --> 00:09:32.340 Because who is going to make me happy? 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.019 Is it Jesus, my Savior, my King? 00:09:36.279 --> 00:09:37.299 Or is it money? 00:09:38.340 --> 00:09:39.539 Is it my latest phone? 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:41.180 Is it this new car? 00:09:41.379 --> 00:09:42.560 What is going to make me happy? 00:09:42.759 --> 00:09:43.879 What is going to satisfy me? 00:09:43.940 --> 00:09:45.799 What is going to make me who I am? 00:09:45.860 --> 00:09:46.940 What is going to give me meaning? 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:50.519 Ultimately, yeah, that is idolatry, right? 00:09:50.879 --> 00:09:52.600 And so these are vertical sins. 00:09:52.879 --> 00:09:55.060 We've talked a lot about horizontal sins, right? 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:57.500 Where people are impatient and lie. 00:09:58.540 --> 00:10:00.379 But this passage is vertical. 00:10:01.159 --> 00:10:02.279 It sins against God. 00:10:03.720 --> 00:10:07.420 And actually, of course, all sins are against God, but this particularly, right? 00:10:07.419 --> 00:10:11.579 And actually, that's also with the sexual immorality. 00:10:12.079 --> 00:10:14.759 The Bible would say that it's idolatry. 00:10:15.519 --> 00:10:17.279 Because we often think of adultery. 00:10:17.399 --> 00:10:18.679 Yeah, that's a horizontal sin, right? 00:10:19.319 --> 00:10:21.679 Adultery is when you betray your spouse. 00:10:21.779 --> 00:10:23.819 That is where you sin against other people. 00:10:24.659 --> 00:10:28.860 But then two young people who consent to something, surely that's okay, right? 00:10:28.860 --> 00:10:29.839 They're not hurting anyone. 00:10:29.840 --> 00:10:33.060 Well, no, maybe. 00:10:33.899 --> 00:10:35.600 But the thing is, it's idolatry, right? 00:10:36.120 --> 00:10:38.879 You are saying, this is more important to me. 00:10:38.960 --> 00:10:43.399 Jesus, I know what you say, but actually, right now, this is more important to me. 00:10:44.080 --> 00:10:44.220 Right? 00:10:44.460 --> 00:10:45.360 It's idolatry. 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:49.480 What are you looking for to satisfy you in that moment? 00:10:51.840 --> 00:10:53.080 So, idolatry. 00:10:53.960 --> 00:10:54.960 And it's actually, yeah. 00:10:56.220 --> 00:10:56.960 Pornography, right? 00:10:57.280 --> 00:10:58.340 Isn't it idolatry? 00:10:58.340 --> 00:11:02.160 You might think it's just looking at a screen, nothing horizontal. 00:11:03.280 --> 00:11:05.800 Of course, there's actually a whole industry that you are supporting. 00:11:06.740 --> 00:11:08.540 And what is it doing to your heart? 00:11:08.600 --> 00:11:09.800 And if you're married, what are you doing? 00:11:10.160 --> 00:11:11.379 How are you betraying your spouse? 00:11:11.500 --> 00:11:13.620 Actually, there's a lot of horizontal stuff going on. 00:11:13.740 --> 00:11:15.440 But vertically, right? 00:11:15.720 --> 00:11:16.519 In that time. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:16.980 Okay. 00:11:18.240 --> 00:11:19.040 I'm stressed. 00:11:19.620 --> 00:11:21.340 What is the thing that's going to relieve me? 00:11:21.940 --> 00:11:23.220 Is it time with Jesus? 00:11:24.259 --> 00:11:25.440 Or is it something else? 00:11:25.620 --> 00:11:25.780 Right? 00:11:25.840 --> 00:11:26.660 It's idolatry. 00:11:26.659 --> 00:11:29.339 And, of course, we belong to Jesus. 00:11:29.699 --> 00:11:31.699 And so, he should be the number one in our lives. 00:11:31.819 --> 00:11:33.079 That is who we are. 00:11:33.559 --> 00:11:35.379 And the world, yeah, they don't have Jesus. 00:11:35.500 --> 00:11:37.819 No wonder they look for satisfaction in something else. 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:39.500 Right? 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:45.259 That's why idolatry and, you know, how that is expressed and all these things, that is basically what Paul focuses on. 00:11:46.199 --> 00:11:48.480 And he says, yeah, avoid these things. 00:11:48.519 --> 00:11:48.659 Right? 00:11:49.120 --> 00:11:49.459 Why? 00:11:49.899 --> 00:11:51.019 No, it's not who you are. 00:11:51.019 --> 00:11:53.879 This is not proper among saints. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:54.620 Verse 3. 00:11:54.720 --> 00:11:54.819 Right? 00:11:54.879 --> 00:11:56.000 It's out of place. 00:11:57.039 --> 00:11:58.139 Remember who you are. 00:11:58.279 --> 00:11:59.779 Remember what Jesus has done for you. 00:12:01.100 --> 00:12:03.899 Why live like everyone else? 00:12:03.980 --> 00:12:04.240 Why? 00:12:04.759 --> 00:12:08.179 They look for things and they think they can help them. 00:12:08.319 --> 00:12:09.220 Actually, they don't. 00:12:09.279 --> 00:12:09.419 Right? 00:12:09.419 --> 00:12:10.159 You've got Jesus. 00:12:10.319 --> 00:12:12.199 You've got the most wonderful person in the universe. 00:12:13.559 --> 00:12:15.079 You want to follow him. 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.500 And so, you want to avoid these things. 00:12:19.500 --> 00:12:25.620 I guess, you know, if you're going out and you're young, I guess you know what that means. 00:12:25.720 --> 00:12:27.039 But also, greed. 00:12:27.220 --> 00:12:28.220 You want to avoid that. 00:12:29.039 --> 00:12:30.139 I mean, greed is harder. 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:30.480 Right? 00:12:30.799 --> 00:12:34.179 I guess with sexual immorality, it's very clear what you should avoid. 00:12:35.200 --> 00:12:37.259 Greed is harder. 00:12:37.360 --> 00:12:37.539 Right? 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:39.740 I mean, is this phone okay for me or not? 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:41.539 It really depends on lots of things. 00:12:41.580 --> 00:12:41.740 Right? 00:12:41.740 --> 00:12:43.299 It's not a bad thing in itself. 00:12:43.440 --> 00:12:44.899 But it's, what is your heart like? 00:12:45.679 --> 00:12:45.840 Right? 00:12:45.840 --> 00:12:53.000 Is this something that I can have or is it something that actually, if I'm a good steward, I shouldn't do. 00:12:53.600 --> 00:12:54.899 But I still want it. 00:12:55.340 --> 00:12:56.780 Is it too important for me? 00:12:56.879 --> 00:13:00.700 That's a hard question and I can't answer that for every person in every situation. 00:13:02.399 --> 00:13:04.320 But again, remember who you are. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:07.780 Remember what Jesus has done for you. 00:13:09.240 --> 00:13:10.500 And now just live differently. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:10.740 Right? 00:13:10.900 --> 00:13:12.519 You're no longer the same person. 00:13:12.700 --> 00:13:13.639 God has changed you. 00:13:14.180 --> 00:13:15.019 You're in his family. 00:13:15.840 --> 00:13:19.480 Although actually, he then goes on, right? 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:20.360 With other things. 00:13:20.480 --> 00:13:26.360 Because I guess when you hear this passage, the thing that we are worried about is, he talks about judgment. 00:13:27.680 --> 00:13:28.820 Verses 5 and 6. 00:13:28.899 --> 00:13:29.040 Right? 00:13:29.120 --> 00:13:37.700 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or who is covetous, that is an idolater, 00:13:37.800 --> 00:13:41.519 has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 00:13:41.519 --> 00:13:45.019 Let no one deceive you with empty words. 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:50.139 For because of these things, the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.600 Strong language, right? 00:13:53.699 --> 00:13:55.779 I mean, Ephesians has been a very positive book. 00:13:55.860 --> 00:13:58.100 But this is language about judgment. 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:00.860 I mean, God is going to bring everything together under Christ. 00:14:00.860 --> 00:14:03.120 But how about those who don't want to be under Christ? 00:14:04.060 --> 00:14:05.120 Those who refuse. 00:14:05.740 --> 00:14:08.800 Yeah, they, of course, then they won't be in the kingdom. 00:14:09.539 --> 00:14:12.800 And the Bible does talk about a massive judgment coming. 00:14:14.080 --> 00:14:18.539 Which kind of, then, if that is the kind of behavior that leads to this, why would you be doing that? 00:14:18.539 --> 00:14:20.019 That would be very inappropriate, right? 00:14:20.039 --> 00:14:24.539 As a Christian, I know that all of this is going to lead to this judgment. 00:14:24.779 --> 00:14:26.439 And I just do the same things. 00:14:27.659 --> 00:14:33.120 But I know, I'm sure there's people here, and myself included, you read this and you think, 00:14:33.779 --> 00:14:35.599 man, is this for me? 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:37.279 Is this something I should be warned about? 00:14:37.379 --> 00:14:38.959 And it feels like a warning, right? 00:14:39.819 --> 00:14:41.779 I think we need to understand this rightly. 00:14:41.779 --> 00:14:47.500 Well, what does Paul mean when he says people will not inherit the kingdom of God? 00:14:49.019 --> 00:14:52.100 Now, if you're worried, this doesn't talk about a certain standard, right? 00:14:53.039 --> 00:14:57.459 It's not that kind of, oh, if you've sinned this much, sorry, you will not enter the kingdom. 00:14:57.539 --> 00:14:59.199 But if you're below the line, then it's okay. 00:15:00.699 --> 00:15:01.939 That can't be true, right? 00:15:01.959 --> 00:15:02.899 Because that's not the gospel. 00:15:03.579 --> 00:15:07.839 The gospel is that we're saved by what Jesus has done, not by what we do. 00:15:07.839 --> 00:15:09.579 And if the difference, here's two people. 00:15:09.580 --> 00:15:13.580 And they both trust in Jesus, but one has sinned too much and the other hasn't. 00:15:14.040 --> 00:15:14.840 How are they saved? 00:15:15.420 --> 00:15:16.600 It's through their own efforts, right? 00:15:17.200 --> 00:15:18.540 That can't be true. 00:15:19.500 --> 00:15:22.240 And it's also not true that you need to be perfect, right? 00:15:22.660 --> 00:15:26.639 I mean, what Paul says here, in some ways it's impossible. 00:15:27.400 --> 00:15:29.100 Because we're all broken sinners. 00:15:30.259 --> 00:15:31.920 Now, Paul is talking spiritually. 00:15:32.160 --> 00:15:35.160 You're, you know, there's light and dark and you're complete opposites. 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:39.480 But we know that, yeah, I may be a new creation, but I'm a new creation. 00:15:39.580 --> 00:15:40.639 In an old sinful body. 00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:41.639 Right? 00:15:41.680 --> 00:15:42.460 We all are. 00:15:43.360 --> 00:15:45.400 None of us read this and think, yeah, that's me. 00:15:45.780 --> 00:15:50.600 Paul didn't have to write these chapters if it was easy, if this was natural, that the 00:15:50.600 --> 00:15:51.680 Christians just never sin. 00:15:51.759 --> 00:15:53.379 No, we are all broken sinners. 00:15:53.580 --> 00:15:58.259 And you hear this, and, you know, I'm guilty like many of us. 00:15:58.259 --> 00:16:02.460 And, you know, maybe you have, might feel clean in this area. 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:06.840 Yeah, I'm sure there's many other areas of idolatry in our lives that Paul doesn't talk 00:16:06.840 --> 00:16:07.120 about. 00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.060 But what do we do then with these warnings? 00:16:11.220 --> 00:16:13.600 I think this is about identity. 00:16:14.320 --> 00:16:15.840 Paul is talking about two groups. 00:16:16.759 --> 00:16:20.280 He doesn't say, watch out that the wrath of God is coming on you. 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:22.879 He said, it's coming on the sons of disobedience. 00:16:24.000 --> 00:16:24.280 Right? 00:16:24.400 --> 00:16:25.160 There's two groups. 00:16:25.159 --> 00:16:30.539 There's Jesus people, and there's those who are not with Jesus. 00:16:31.139 --> 00:16:32.719 Even when he's in verse 5, right? 00:16:32.719 --> 00:16:33.379 What does he say? 00:16:33.799 --> 00:16:36.179 The person who is sexually immoral. 00:16:36.679 --> 00:16:38.319 Not just the person who did something. 00:16:38.419 --> 00:16:39.899 The person who is like this. 00:16:39.939 --> 00:16:41.360 It's about identity. 00:16:41.519 --> 00:16:42.500 What defines you? 00:16:42.600 --> 00:16:43.259 Who are you? 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:45.419 Right? 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:47.480 And then, yeah, there are two groups of people. 00:16:47.539 --> 00:16:48.939 And the question is who you are. 00:16:49.759 --> 00:16:51.639 Are you in this group, or are you in that group? 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:54.879 And ultimately, that is based on what Jesus has done, right? 00:16:55.100 --> 00:16:56.939 Are you dead, or are you alive? 00:16:57.779 --> 00:16:58.819 It's what Jesus has done. 00:16:58.860 --> 00:17:00.419 It's not about what I do. 00:17:02.740 --> 00:17:07.279 I think the way we would then connect it to our behavior is, of course, that if Jesus 00:17:07.279 --> 00:17:09.700 is in your life, that would show. 00:17:10.359 --> 00:17:15.339 Someone who's a Christian, I guess they're signs of spiritual life, right? 00:17:16.099 --> 00:17:17.779 There will be a desire for Jesus. 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:24.839 There will be a desire to please him, a desire, you know, if someone is satisfied with Jesus, 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:26.519 they will look for Jesus. 00:17:26.859 --> 00:17:27.660 Those kind of things. 00:17:28.899 --> 00:17:29.039 Right? 00:17:29.119 --> 00:17:30.599 So what is your life like? 00:17:32.059 --> 00:17:34.019 I mean, I sometimes explain it like this. 00:17:34.639 --> 00:17:37.059 Here in Hong Kong, we have all these big skyscrapers. 00:17:37.119 --> 00:17:38.960 And what's beautiful is just all the lights, right? 00:17:39.139 --> 00:17:40.319 How they light up the city. 00:17:41.099 --> 00:17:42.220 Why are all the lights on? 00:17:42.240 --> 00:17:43.240 Because there's people at home. 00:17:43.240 --> 00:17:47.779 Where, close to where we live, there's some new apartment buildings, and they're not open 00:17:47.779 --> 00:17:48.000 yet. 00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.660 How do I know? 00:17:49.240 --> 00:17:50.359 All the lights are off. 00:17:51.720 --> 00:17:51.960 Right? 00:17:52.019 --> 00:17:53.940 It's completely dark when I go out. 00:17:54.000 --> 00:17:55.660 So I know there's no one living there. 00:17:56.720 --> 00:18:00.180 Now, of course, it could be that just there are people living there, but they're all having 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:01.420 dinner outside at the moment. 00:18:01.779 --> 00:18:02.859 That's why all the lights are off. 00:18:03.000 --> 00:18:04.019 In theory, that's possible. 00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:09.000 But if every time I see that building, lights are out, there's no one living there. 00:18:09.000 --> 00:18:12.519 And I think that's spiritually the case, right? 00:18:13.119 --> 00:18:19.079 You know, if someone says, Jesus is living in my heart, I guess you'd expect the lights 00:18:19.079 --> 00:18:20.079 to be on sometimes, right? 00:18:20.579 --> 00:18:22.339 You'd expect signs of spiritual life. 00:18:22.400 --> 00:18:27.539 And if there's never any sign, if someone just, you know, they're happy with sin, and 00:18:27.539 --> 00:18:34.339 there's no desire for Jesus, and, you know, they don't care, well, are you really a new 00:18:34.339 --> 00:18:34.720 person? 00:18:34.859 --> 00:18:36.279 Is there really new life in you? 00:18:36.339 --> 00:18:37.599 Have you really been brought alive? 00:18:37.599 --> 00:18:38.859 I think that's how we should see it. 00:18:39.299 --> 00:18:40.000 Does that make sense? 00:18:40.700 --> 00:18:43.519 But Paul doesn't encourage us to kind of try it out. 00:18:43.599 --> 00:18:48.119 He doesn't encourage us, so don't worry, just sin as much as you want, as long as you're 00:18:48.119 --> 00:18:49.660 trusting in Jesus, right? 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.779 We don't want that. 00:18:51.779 --> 00:18:53.640 Make sure you're not one of them the best way. 00:18:53.940 --> 00:18:54.700 Just avoid it. 00:18:55.140 --> 00:18:56.759 You know, live the Christian life. 00:18:57.019 --> 00:18:59.460 And isn't the Christian life so much better? 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:04.059 Ultimately, whatever it may look like, Jesus will be more satisfying, right? 00:19:04.059 --> 00:19:11.240 Ultimately, the Christian life should be much better than, yeah, the life of an idolater. 00:19:12.679 --> 00:19:16.940 But actually, Paul, he doesn't include this passage just because he wants to warn sinners. 00:19:17.059 --> 00:19:18.039 That's not what he's about. 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:23.179 You know, this passage actually, Paul wants this to be very positive. 00:19:23.180 --> 00:19:25.560 So, let's leave that behind. 00:19:25.700 --> 00:19:27.220 We know why does God, Paul wants this? 00:19:27.320 --> 00:19:29.560 Well, he wants us to live shiningly. 00:19:30.220 --> 00:19:32.600 You know, he hasn't just saved you. 00:19:32.840 --> 00:19:34.100 He wants to use you. 00:19:34.099 --> 00:19:41.559 Look, your different life is something that's supposed to shine because in 7 to 14, he has 00:19:41.559 --> 00:19:43.500 the same contrast but with this metaphor. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:47.559 Look, there's light and darkness and you are light, right? 00:19:47.659 --> 00:19:53.099 Verse 8, for one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:19:53.579 --> 00:19:56.000 Not just you were in the dark and now you're in the light. 00:19:56.359 --> 00:19:57.299 No, you have changed. 00:19:57.719 --> 00:19:58.619 You were darkness. 00:19:58.619 --> 00:20:03.799 You were this darkened person lost in sin, dead. 00:20:04.159 --> 00:20:05.279 Now you are light. 00:20:06.179 --> 00:20:08.959 And light is, well, we know light and dark, right? 00:20:09.079 --> 00:20:10.019 We love the light. 00:20:10.099 --> 00:20:11.399 We don't like the dark, do we? 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:13.919 No one wants to feel safe in the dark. 00:20:14.339 --> 00:20:16.699 Darkness is where sin takes place, right? 00:20:17.000 --> 00:20:20.059 Light, on the other hand, is good and beautiful and true. 00:20:20.639 --> 00:20:23.619 And, of course, he's talking about behavior, not just knowledge, right? 00:20:23.619 --> 00:20:28.859 The fruit of light, verse 9, is found in all that is good and right and true. 00:20:29.379 --> 00:20:34.699 And that's opposed to, yeah, verse 11, the unfruitful works of darkness. 00:20:35.799 --> 00:20:42.279 Beautiful light, beautiful, you know, good and right and true. 00:20:43.239 --> 00:20:44.139 That's who you are. 00:20:44.219 --> 00:20:46.299 That's how Paul wants us to live. 00:20:46.399 --> 00:20:49.519 But the thing about light and darkness, it's not just a contrast, right? 00:20:49.819 --> 00:20:51.119 What does light do? 00:20:51.119 --> 00:20:54.859 Light influences the darkness, right? 00:20:54.899 --> 00:20:58.079 If the light shines in the darkness, the darkness is dispelled. 00:20:58.639 --> 00:20:59.939 The darkness is lessened. 00:21:01.059 --> 00:21:02.739 Isn't that the point of light and darkness? 00:21:02.899 --> 00:21:04.979 Light, you know, it gets rid of the darkness. 00:21:05.119 --> 00:21:06.579 It attracts people to the light. 00:21:07.519 --> 00:21:09.199 And that is what Paul wants. 00:21:09.319 --> 00:21:14.339 He doesn't want it to just be different, but through being different, in your office, wherever, 00:21:15.959 --> 00:21:17.799 you are drawing people to the light. 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.699 You are dispelling the darkness. 00:21:19.700 --> 00:21:23.160 That's always been a metaphor, right? 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:27.100 In the Old Testament, Israel was supposed to be a light to the nations. 00:21:27.720 --> 00:21:30.160 They knew God, and they lived with Him. 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:33.799 And all the other nations should see that and think, wow, and come to Him. 00:21:33.819 --> 00:21:35.900 Because they're supposed to be a light in the darkness. 00:21:37.240 --> 00:21:39.039 Of course, Israel didn't do very well. 00:21:40.140 --> 00:21:43.180 The problem is that inside, they were exactly the same as everyone else. 00:21:43.180 --> 00:21:45.200 Because they were still spiritually dead. 00:21:45.420 --> 00:21:48.400 And giving dead people a list of rules, they're not going to keep it. 00:21:50.560 --> 00:21:52.840 But now Jesus is doing something new, right? 00:21:53.039 --> 00:21:55.060 In the New Testament, it's not just external. 00:21:55.660 --> 00:22:00.060 Jesus comes into our life, and He writes the law on our hearts. 00:22:00.059 --> 00:22:03.919 And so, Jesus says the same thing then in Matthew, right? 00:22:04.319 --> 00:22:06.139 You are the light of the world. 00:22:08.019 --> 00:22:13.960 That means that He wants you to shine in the darkness and bring people to Him, right? 00:22:14.480 --> 00:22:18.460 Not just, of course, yeah. 00:22:19.000 --> 00:22:20.980 And not just that they think you are great. 00:22:21.119 --> 00:22:22.379 No, come to Jesus, right? 00:22:22.380 --> 00:22:27.000 But verse 14, for anything that becomes visible is light, right? 00:22:27.120 --> 00:22:31.060 He wants you to make things visible, exposing things. 00:22:31.260 --> 00:22:33.760 And therefore, it says, awake, O sleeper. 00:22:34.040 --> 00:22:36.520 Arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 00:22:36.760 --> 00:22:37.900 What a beautiful image, right? 00:22:38.740 --> 00:22:42.560 You are there, living, and people, and it shines. 00:22:42.720 --> 00:22:45.000 And ultimately, it's Christ shining through you. 00:22:45.040 --> 00:22:48.000 And people come to you, and well, what's going on? 00:22:48.060 --> 00:22:49.660 Well, it's Jesus, and people come to Him. 00:22:50.000 --> 00:22:51.380 That is what Paul wants. 00:22:51.380 --> 00:22:53.760 That's what God wants, and isn't that great? 00:22:54.440 --> 00:22:56.980 I mean, we talk about judgment, and we talk about darkness. 00:22:57.960 --> 00:23:00.720 But God loves people who are still in the dark, right? 00:23:01.920 --> 00:23:04.360 God loves to save people from judgment. 00:23:05.400 --> 00:23:07.900 And that's why He wants to use you. 00:23:08.020 --> 00:23:11.220 That's why He wants you to be a light in your office. 00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:14.440 Not just to make things hard for you or anything, no. 00:23:14.780 --> 00:23:15.980 He wants to save people. 00:23:16.100 --> 00:23:18.580 That's why He puts a light in the office, and that's you. 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:21.519 Of course, how do we do that? 00:23:22.059 --> 00:23:25.679 You know, it talks about exposing the darkness, right? 00:23:26.119 --> 00:23:29.960 Don't be, take no part in your fruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 00:23:31.059 --> 00:23:32.980 Now, some people wonder what that means. 00:23:33.460 --> 00:23:35.119 And some churches, they take it the wrong way. 00:23:35.179 --> 00:23:39.579 They talk about, they're basically pointing out sin and pronouncing judgment. 00:23:39.579 --> 00:23:41.399 There are some churches in the U.S., they do that. 00:23:41.439 --> 00:23:45.759 They go to a gay pride parade, and just, you're going to hell. 00:23:45.919 --> 00:23:46.740 God hates you. 00:23:47.759 --> 00:23:49.399 I don't think that's what this means, right? 00:23:49.559 --> 00:23:51.439 There's no grace there. 00:23:51.879 --> 00:23:52.960 No humility. 00:23:53.199 --> 00:23:54.359 Just self-righteousness. 00:23:54.500 --> 00:23:56.139 Now, how do we expose? 00:23:57.119 --> 00:23:59.579 Just by our good deeds, right? 00:23:59.579 --> 00:24:01.619 5 verse 16 in Matthew. 00:24:02.879 --> 00:24:08.059 Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father. 00:24:08.720 --> 00:24:12.419 Just by being different, actually, you're showing a better way. 00:24:13.259 --> 00:24:14.500 I mean, remember Kenny and Katie. 00:24:14.720 --> 00:24:15.799 Such a wonderful story. 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:19.839 But, you know, Kenny became a Christian, and a month later, his wife Katie. 00:24:20.220 --> 00:24:23.519 That wasn't because he started to point out all her sins, right? 00:24:23.599 --> 00:24:25.299 It's because he was changed. 00:24:25.399 --> 00:24:27.019 He was different, and people saw that. 00:24:27.019 --> 00:24:29.559 She saw that, and she thought, wow, God is real. 00:24:30.359 --> 00:24:32.639 That is a picture of what God would love. 00:24:33.519 --> 00:24:35.700 Why God has put you there, here in the world. 00:24:36.500 --> 00:24:37.119 That's great, right? 00:24:37.160 --> 00:24:38.099 Light in the darkness. 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:38.960 And that's exciting. 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:41.859 It doesn't mean it's automatic. 00:24:43.019 --> 00:24:46.539 It doesn't mean that, you know, you will always see things change around you. 00:24:47.180 --> 00:24:49.039 Ultimately, people change by God's grace. 00:24:50.000 --> 00:24:52.400 Ultimately, again, people are spiritually dead. 00:24:53.299 --> 00:24:55.079 You can shine a torch on a dead person. 00:24:55.079 --> 00:24:56.039 It doesn't make them alive. 00:24:56.039 --> 00:24:57.680 It's only if God works in their hearts. 00:24:59.399 --> 00:25:02.420 And at the same time, it's also not always easy. 00:25:03.119 --> 00:25:04.460 I mean, some things are easy, right? 00:25:04.480 --> 00:25:10.259 We know that we shouldn't cheat, and we know we are full of kindness and integrity. 00:25:11.240 --> 00:25:16.099 But sometimes, you know, being different in the office, I found it really challenging when I was in secular work. 00:25:16.099 --> 00:25:20.759 What do you do with, say, the crude joking we talked about earlier? 00:25:22.019 --> 00:25:23.179 Because we should... 00:25:23.179 --> 00:25:26.679 It also says things like, well, don't share with them and don't take part in them. 00:25:27.099 --> 00:25:30.740 What do you do if you're with your colleagues and they... 00:25:30.740 --> 00:25:31.459 Crude joking. 00:25:31.539 --> 00:25:32.159 What do you do? 00:25:32.899 --> 00:25:34.719 Do you just stay silent and not laugh? 00:25:35.819 --> 00:25:36.879 Should you walk away? 00:25:36.880 --> 00:25:41.100 Should you try and say something and turn the conversation around? 00:25:41.240 --> 00:25:43.860 Actually, sometimes it's really hard to know. 00:25:44.060 --> 00:25:46.560 We want to be in the world, right? 00:25:46.600 --> 00:25:49.100 We need to be with the darkness to shine the light. 00:25:49.220 --> 00:25:51.840 And yet, we need to be not of the world. 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.760 We need to be different. 00:25:52.920 --> 00:25:54.260 And sometimes, what does that look like? 00:25:54.280 --> 00:25:55.040 It's very difficult. 00:25:55.039 --> 00:25:57.480 And many of us are struggling. 00:25:57.619 --> 00:26:02.000 Well, what is the best way to actually live in my workplace or in my uni? 00:26:02.220 --> 00:26:03.639 How can I best be... 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.720 Yeah, be a shining light. 00:26:04.819 --> 00:26:05.539 It's not easy. 00:26:05.720 --> 00:26:08.899 It's something we need to talk about and pray for wisdom and those kind of things. 00:26:09.980 --> 00:26:11.819 But we have the Spirit, right? 00:26:11.899 --> 00:26:17.440 We, you know, it is God's plan and God won't leave us unequipped. 00:26:17.440 --> 00:26:25.400 And that, in a way, brings us to the last paragraph, which seems a bit out of place, but actually fits really well. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:28.860 Because what does Paul go on to? 00:26:29.440 --> 00:26:31.720 Not just live differently, live shiningly. 00:26:32.539 --> 00:26:34.000 He says, live carefully. 00:26:34.900 --> 00:26:35.759 Live carefully. 00:26:36.100 --> 00:26:38.680 Verse 15, look carefully in how you walk. 00:26:39.380 --> 00:26:40.880 Not as unwise, but as wise. 00:26:41.259 --> 00:26:41.740 Carefully. 00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:42.519 What does he mean? 00:26:42.900 --> 00:26:44.340 Well, you've heard a few contrasts, right? 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:47.100 Not as unwise, but as wise. 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:52.519 Verse 17, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:26:52.820 --> 00:26:56.220 And do not get drunk with wine, but be filled with the Spirit. 00:26:57.580 --> 00:26:59.440 Now, there could just be opposite behaviors. 00:26:59.620 --> 00:27:02.200 But you just think about the things you shouldn't do. 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.860 What kind of person is that? 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:07.940 Someone who is unwise, foolish, drunk? 00:27:09.000 --> 00:27:11.059 It's someone who is unaware, right? 00:27:11.519 --> 00:27:13.460 Someone who doesn't know what's going on. 00:27:13.620 --> 00:27:14.580 Someone who is senseless. 00:27:14.579 --> 00:27:18.460 And the opposite is someone who understands. 00:27:18.599 --> 00:27:19.500 Someone who is wise. 00:27:20.500 --> 00:27:21.599 That's the idea here. 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:25.439 And the reason for that, well, verse 16. 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:29.259 Making the best use of the time because the days are evil. 00:27:31.019 --> 00:27:32.139 Because that's the thing, right? 00:27:32.240 --> 00:27:34.919 You are light, but you're in the darkness. 00:27:34.920 --> 00:27:37.660 God's plan isn't finished yet. 00:27:38.140 --> 00:27:39.700 I think that's the problem here. 00:27:39.779 --> 00:27:43.759 And I think this is almost, you know, what God wants is for the light to influence the darkness. 00:27:45.080 --> 00:27:50.500 Actually, the danger is, the problem is, if you don't watch out, is that the darkness influences the light. 00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.300 Right? 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:57.579 Well, the danger is that, you know, rather than you influencing your colleagues, your colleagues will influence you. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:28:00.980 And so, be aware. 00:28:01.539 --> 00:28:02.940 Be careful. 00:28:03.240 --> 00:28:06.159 Because, you know, this is not a safe world. 00:28:06.279 --> 00:28:07.419 The world is evil. 00:28:07.940 --> 00:28:08.220 Right? 00:28:08.379 --> 00:28:09.220 It's darkness. 00:28:09.819 --> 00:28:11.599 And often you see Christians, they're not careful. 00:28:11.759 --> 00:28:15.000 Yeah, they go to church, but they're not switched on. 00:28:15.000 --> 00:28:20.940 And they, you know, the world's values about money and career, they just absorb it. 00:28:21.859 --> 00:28:26.740 Or priorities and education, they just absorb what the world thinks. 00:28:27.400 --> 00:28:30.859 Or, you know, whatever feels right is right. 00:28:31.240 --> 00:28:32.140 You do you. 00:28:33.079 --> 00:28:34.119 So many things, right? 00:28:34.160 --> 00:28:36.059 The world says it and we just believe it. 00:28:36.740 --> 00:28:41.819 No, you know, if we want to be light, we need to be wise. 00:28:41.900 --> 00:28:42.539 We need to understand. 00:28:42.539 --> 00:28:44.799 And not by avoiding things, no. 00:28:45.319 --> 00:28:47.420 Paul says, you know, know the truth. 00:28:47.559 --> 00:28:48.799 Understand the will of the Lord. 00:28:48.920 --> 00:28:50.079 Understand what God is like. 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:52.940 And I think this last phrase really helps. 00:28:53.480 --> 00:28:54.819 Be filled with the Spirit. 00:28:55.000 --> 00:28:56.460 Now, that's maybe unusual. 00:28:57.720 --> 00:28:58.460 There's debate. 00:28:58.539 --> 00:28:59.140 What does this mean? 00:28:59.220 --> 00:29:00.339 Be filled with the Spirit. 00:29:00.839 --> 00:29:08.039 Some people, they think there's a kind of, you know, one of your being zapped by the, they call it the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 00:29:08.039 --> 00:29:12.019 Where suddenly the Holy Spirit does something and you're completely transformed. 00:29:12.960 --> 00:29:16.119 Now, whether that's in the Bible or not, that's not what this passage is about. 00:29:16.539 --> 00:29:20.940 You can't see it well here, but the Greek tense is about keep being filled. 00:29:21.259 --> 00:29:23.819 Keep continually being filled with the Spirit. 00:29:24.240 --> 00:29:25.220 Or by the Spirit. 00:29:25.339 --> 00:29:26.299 Keep being filled. 00:29:26.299 --> 00:29:28.259 How do you live in the world? 00:29:28.359 --> 00:29:30.259 How do you live in the evil days? 00:29:30.720 --> 00:29:32.299 Keep being filled by the Spirit. 00:29:33.440 --> 00:29:36.099 And then you think, well, how does being filled use in Ephesians? 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:38.039 Well, remember chapter 3, right? 00:29:38.099 --> 00:29:39.799 Being filled to the fullness of God. 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.180 How? 00:29:40.180 --> 00:29:45.519 Well, if the Spirit works in you to make you know Jesus' love, then you are filled. 00:29:46.140 --> 00:29:47.960 Then you get filled to the fullness of God. 00:29:48.060 --> 00:29:49.180 So, that's what we need to be. 00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:55.160 Again, you know, having the Spirit fill us with Christ's love, with the gospel. 00:29:56.440 --> 00:29:58.720 That is when we can live in this world, right? 00:29:59.480 --> 00:30:02.220 Because what happens if people do that? 00:30:02.580 --> 00:30:03.820 Well, you can read it here, right? 00:30:03.819 --> 00:30:07.779 We get a community that's alive with Christ, that's alive with the gospel. 00:30:08.439 --> 00:30:13.639 Verse 19, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, 00:30:14.019 --> 00:30:17.019 singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, 00:30:17.439 --> 00:30:22.339 giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 00:30:22.960 --> 00:30:28.279 A community that is alive with the gospel, that is alive with joy to Christ. 00:30:28.619 --> 00:30:30.599 A community that sings to each other. 00:30:30.599 --> 00:30:33.339 I guess back then people didn't have their paper Bibles. 00:30:33.819 --> 00:30:36.359 How did they remember the gospel? 00:30:36.759 --> 00:30:39.019 They knew it in song and they sang it to each other. 00:30:39.720 --> 00:30:42.839 People who are giving thanks because they're just so alive. 00:30:43.179 --> 00:30:44.759 They know their Father. 00:30:45.099 --> 00:30:46.339 They know He's in control. 00:30:46.500 --> 00:30:47.519 They know His goodness. 00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:49.679 Can you see? 00:30:50.419 --> 00:30:51.859 In a way, we're back at community, right? 00:30:51.879 --> 00:30:53.579 Just like we always get in Ephesians. 00:30:54.039 --> 00:30:55.740 How can we live out in the world? 00:30:55.839 --> 00:30:57.359 Well, through what we do here. 00:30:58.099 --> 00:30:59.500 Or what you do in the morning. 00:31:00.319 --> 00:31:00.419 Right? 00:31:01.379 --> 00:31:03.099 Filling yourself with the gospel. 00:31:03.099 --> 00:31:07.039 Filling yourself with Christ as you see Him in the Word. 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.500 As we do that together. 00:31:10.159 --> 00:31:10.659 So, yeah. 00:31:10.719 --> 00:31:12.019 We want to be a shining light. 00:31:12.659 --> 00:31:13.639 What do we need to do? 00:31:13.980 --> 00:31:16.019 Actually, it starts again with renewal, right? 00:31:16.399 --> 00:31:20.259 It starts with, well, with church. 00:31:20.379 --> 00:31:20.919 With CG. 00:31:21.179 --> 00:31:22.579 With daily delight. 00:31:22.719 --> 00:31:23.899 Do sign up for that course. 00:31:23.900 --> 00:31:27.660 If you're feeling that, man, I'm not daily being renewed. 00:31:28.240 --> 00:31:29.100 Would be great. 00:31:29.840 --> 00:31:31.200 But that's what we need to do, right? 00:31:31.300 --> 00:31:34.759 Then, well, as we say every week, then we can go into Hong Kong this week. 00:31:34.840 --> 00:31:36.740 God wants us to go into Hong Kong this week. 00:31:37.340 --> 00:31:39.200 Do the good works He has prepared for us. 00:31:39.200 --> 00:31:42.720 But we can't do it by ourselves. 00:31:42.840 --> 00:31:44.819 We can't do it on our own. 00:31:44.920 --> 00:31:45.740 How do we do it? 00:31:45.819 --> 00:31:48.779 Well, blessed with all the riches of grace in Christ. 00:31:49.620 --> 00:31:51.019 Rooted in the love of the Father. 00:31:51.960 --> 00:31:52.920 Strengthened by the Spirit. 00:31:55.140 --> 00:31:55.539 Great. 00:31:55.799 --> 00:31:57.360 Well, what a wonderful vision, right? 00:31:57.359 --> 00:32:00.599 Let's pray that God would make that real for us. 00:32:06.240 --> 00:32:10.679 Our Father, we confess that this passage is so true for us. 00:32:10.839 --> 00:32:11.779 We were darkness. 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:14.159 Still there's so much darkness in us. 00:32:14.319 --> 00:32:15.879 And yet, thank you for saving us. 00:32:16.319 --> 00:32:19.439 Thank you for coming into our life and making us light. 00:32:20.319 --> 00:32:21.219 Changing us. 00:32:21.839 --> 00:32:23.699 Father, we want to live like this. 00:32:23.779 --> 00:32:27.240 We want to be light shining here in Hong Kong. 00:32:27.859 --> 00:32:29.500 In the places you've put us. 00:32:30.399 --> 00:32:31.879 In the whole city. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:34.619 Father, we need to be renewed again. 00:32:35.139 --> 00:32:37.000 Please keep doing that in us. 00:32:37.579 --> 00:32:39.659 Make it something intentional for us. 00:32:40.319 --> 00:32:41.199 But then use us. 00:32:41.259 --> 00:32:45.019 Help us to see where we are finding meaning in other things. 00:32:45.119 --> 00:32:47.479 Where we are worshipping idols in our hearts. 00:32:47.479 --> 00:32:50.039 Not by bowing down, but just in what we love and treasure. 00:32:50.819 --> 00:32:53.579 Help us to see that next to Jesus and turn away. 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:56.279 To turn to Him and find everything in Him. 00:32:56.279 --> 00:33:00.119 And would that come through us? 00:33:00.180 --> 00:33:01.980 Just knowing Him more. 00:33:02.139 --> 00:33:03.220 Spending time with Him. 00:33:03.799 --> 00:33:05.319 That we don't want to go somewhere else. 00:33:05.759 --> 00:33:07.899 Father, we know we're all sinners in this regard. 00:33:08.099 --> 00:33:09.639 And yet, draw us again to Jesus. 00:33:10.200 --> 00:33:11.500 And as we love Him more, 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:13.660 would the other things just fade away 00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:15.700 in the light of His glorious grace. 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:17.279 In Jesus' name. 00:33:17.660 --> 00:33:18.019 Amen. 00:33:18.019 --> 00:33:18.139 Amen. 00:33:18.139 --> 00:33:18.180 Amen. 00:33:18.180 --> 00:33:18.200 Amen. 00:33:18.200 --> 00:33:18.240 Amen. 00:33:18.240 --> 00:33:18.259 Amen. 00:33:18.259 --> 00:33:18.279 Amen. 00:33:18.279 --> 00:33:20.220 Amen. 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.240 Amen. 00:33:20.240 --> 00:33:22.240 Amen. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:22.299 Amen. 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:22.319 Amen. 00:33:22.319 --> 00:33:22.339 Amen. 00:33:22.339 --> 00:33:26.259 Amen.