WEBVTT

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 I want to look at Romans chapter 1 verses 16 to 18 today.

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 And I want to address the issue of being unashamed of the gospel.

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! Have you ever found yourself ashamed of the gospel?

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! I imagine if you are a believer, you have had some instance of this.

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 I remember one time when I was back in college, I was working retail.

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 I was a relatively new believer, very excited about the Lord,

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 and very faithful pretty much to share the gospel when I could.

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 And I was working in retail and just kind of enjoying life

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 and the fact that I belonged to Jesus.

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 I was rescued from my sin and so forth.

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 And I was whistling as I was working.

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 And then I went over to a customer and I said,

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 do you need help with anything more?

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 And he said, yeah. Why are you so happy?

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 Golden moment, right?

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 He asked me why you're so happy.

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 It's my chance to say, and for some reason,

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 I don't know if I was in, I think I was intimidated by the guy.

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 He was a big guy.

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 I came up with a really pathetic answer.

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 Instead of saying what I ought to, I said, well, I just am.

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 And it was just the worst answer.

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 And I felt terrible for it.

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 I don't know if you've had a moment like that.

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 That's not my only moment.

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 But I'm not here to share my bad moments.

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 There's that reality of being ashamed of the gospel.

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 And we do it for different reasons.

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 But God doesn't leave us there in that place of being ashamed and struggling.

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 He helps us.

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 He's given us his word.

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 His word is living and active.

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 And he wants to minister to us through it.

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 And to do that even today.

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 So if you are someone who has struggled like me with being ashamed of the gospel,

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 I have great hope for you.

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 Because God has given us his word.

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 And by his spirit, he wants to speak to us.

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 So let's pray.

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 And ask for his help that we might learn and respond to his word.

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 I'll pray.

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 And then we can stand to hear God's word read.

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 Lord, we thank you for you and your word.

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 And we thank you, Lord, that you are full of mercy and patient.

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 And Lord, in you is power.

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 And your word shapes us and changes us and enables us to walk with you and to walk in your way.

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 So I pray, Lord, as we look at your word today, that we would receive your word.

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 And you would grant us power to embrace it and to believe and obey.

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 And I pray you'd help me, Lord.

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 I feel weak.

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 I feel especially weak this morning for whatever reason.

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 But that's good because you're mighty.

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 And I pray you would show yourself mighty today as we look at your word.

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 Your life-giving, your true, your faithful word, your eternal word.

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 And we ask these things in Christ's name.

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 Amen.

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 Amen.

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 Please stand as we read God's word.

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 Romans 1, 16 through 18.

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 It says, Paul is speaking in the beginning of this letter.

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 He says,

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 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God,

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 for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

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 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith,

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 as it is written, the righteous shall live by faith.

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 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men

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 who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

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 Romans 1, 16 through 18.

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 God's word.

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 You may be seated.

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 Paul says plainly here in the beginning of verse 16,

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 I am not ashamed of the gospel.

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 Paul says that actually multiple times throughout his writings.

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 You can find that.

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 He is someone who is not ashamed of the gospel,

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 but who also prays for boldness.

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 He asks the churches to pray for boldness for him.

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 And really this struggle is at the heart of every believer.

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 This tendency to be ashamed, to not be bold.

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 And yet Paul instructs us here in some key ways.

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 And I want to take a look at these verses because they are Paul's reasons for not being ashamed,

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 but they are more than just Paul's reasons for not being ashamed.

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 They are our reasons.

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 So if you look at these verses, you can see a logic that's here.

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 First, of course, he says he's not ashamed of the gospel.

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 And he says because it's the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.

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 And then he gives the reason or that drives that.

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 It's because in it a righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith.

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 And then verse 18, the problem behind this is the wrath of God is being revealed

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 against all the unrighteousness, ungodliness of humanity.

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 So he's really giving a reverse order.

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 He says the problem at the end, then the answer,

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 and then how that drives him not to be ashamed.

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 And so I want to look at that logic, but the other way around.

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 So we're going to look at the problem first,

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 this reality of the wrath of God being revealed.

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 And then we're going to look at the answer,

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 the righteousness of God revealed in the gospel,

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 and then talk about the power of God and then why we're not ashamed.

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 In all this, at every point that I'm making,

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 there are reasons in these truths that drive us not being ashamed.

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 So we'll just walk through it.

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 So first, we're going to start at the end in verse 18 on the wrath,

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 God's wrath against our sin.

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 It says,

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 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven

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 against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men

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 who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.

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 This statement is what is the background

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 for everything that Paul is saying in this section.

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 So notice four things.

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 It speaks of God's wrath.

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 God's wrath.

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 Now, God's wrath is not human anger.

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 God's wrath is not in personal karma.

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 It is a settled, holy, judicial response

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 of a perfectly righteous God towards evil.

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 Second, it says it's being revealed.

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 It's ongoing.

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 God is actually revealing his wrath now.

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 And of course, it will be ultimately revealed in the final judgments.

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 But it's happening now.

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 Third, it says it's from heaven.

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 It's God's wrath.

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 It's just.

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 And it's against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men.

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 It's universal in scope.

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 And it's focused.

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 It's reasonable.

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 These are truths that are important to understand.

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 And Paul actually takes time after verse 18

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 to go through almost three chapters worth of why this is happening

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 to explain the background.

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 So I will just pretty quickly walk through that reasoning

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 and examine it for us that we might understand

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 this reality of the wrath of God.

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 The ground for it is not God just being wrathful for any reason.

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 And it's because of the unrighteousness and ungodliness of humanity.

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 God's wrath is being revealed against ungodliness, against unrighteousness.

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 This unrighteousness is a corporate reality for all of humanity.

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 Chapter 1, he talks about that.

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 It's a reality that is for all of us.

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 It's for the self-righteous who think that they don't qualify,

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 that they don't fall under this diagnosis.

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 And ultimately, it confronts every human being.

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 There's no unrighteous.

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 No, not one.

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 It's so important for us to understand this,

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 to understand this dark background to the glorious gospel of grace.

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 This dark background is really important to understand

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 because if you don't get the dark background,

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 the gospel doesn't look so bright and glorious.

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 Matter of fact, why do we even need this gospel of grace?

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 If we don't have a serious problem.

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 This is the right diagnosis for our own situation,

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 and we need to face it.

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 And often, it's the failure to understand this diagnosis of humanity,

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 all of humanity, and all of us also individually.

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 That is why we're ashamed of the gospel.

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 We don't understand how dire the circumstances are.

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 The reality is for all of humanity, is for us, is for your neighbor, is for your family member.

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 However, we subscribe to some other diagnosis of humanity often.

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 There's often compromise.

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 And we let the worldly ideas about humanity seep in and say,

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 well, we're okay, actually.

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 We're more or less good.

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 But that's not what Romans says.

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 Paul wants us to understand this dire situation that drives his compulsion

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 to share the gospel with whomever he can,

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 and his example for all of us as well,

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 to follow him as he follows Christ.

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 So chapter 1 goes at length to explain the situation

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 that we are unrighteous corporately, culturally, as a civilization, as a species,

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 even though God has displayed his glory and goodness clearly in creation.

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 No one has an excuse because it's displayed clearly before all of humanity.

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 Even though it's displayed, even though we are creatures made in his image,

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 and therefore we know, all of us, every human, every culture,

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 all of us knows right and wrong.

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 It's there.

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 You can study in terms of sociology all different people groups.

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 They all know right and wrong at a fundamental level.

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 They all share common morals.

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 We know we're made in the image of God,

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 even though we know right and wrong,

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 even though we intuitively understand the natural order of things,

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 even though all these things are there,

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 we have rejected God and pushed the obvious aside.

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 That's what Romans 1 teaches us.

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 Not only have we just merely pushed it aside,

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 we are actually actively spurting it.

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 That's what Romans 1 teaches us.

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 From one degree of corruption to another,

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 we are actively suppressing the truth,

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 as we saw Paul's statement in Romans 1.18.

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 This is who we are.

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 This is what we do.

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 We have stricken gratitude and reverence from God

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 from our songs, our stories, our celebrations.

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 You see that all around us.

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 God is the awkward and unwelcome guest in our culture, isn't he?

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 And Romans 1 says,

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 this is not by accident.

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 This is on purpose.

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 This is the situation.

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 This is the sorry state of humanity.

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 This is the ridiculous state of humanity.

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 Humanity has credited nature rather than the creator.

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 We've marveled at our own accomplishments

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 rather than the fact that we can do nothing

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 apart from the grace of God.

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 We have ignored and rejected and denied

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 and even raged against God.

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 It's a ridiculous and terrible tragedy.

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 That's what's clear here in Romans 1.

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 The culmination of our folly is actually

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 exchanging the glory of God

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 and all of his goodness and glory

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 as simply revealed in creation.

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 We've exchanged that for the creation,

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 for images made in the image of creation,

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 mankind, animals, birds, and worse.

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 We are hell-bent in worshiping anything else but God.

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 And as we pursue this line,

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 the choices get more and more bizarre.

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 This is the reality of humanity.

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 Paul accurately diagnoses us.

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 And you just need to look around.

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 Study our own culture.

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 Look at history.

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 It's undeniable.

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 He is speaking the truth.

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 We know it's spoken in God's very word.

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 Therefore, it is true.

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 But it's confirmed by our own observations around us.

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 And we do this all right in front of God,

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 living in his house, his world, his universe.

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 We do it with images, people, celebrities, ideals,

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 money, sex, power, entertainment, and self,

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 and self-image on and on without stopping.

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 And this is a cosmic crime.

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 And we are all guilty.

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 The late theology professor Cornelius Van Til

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 spoke of humanity as a little girl

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 sitting on her father's lap.

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 Slapping him in the face.

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 Telling him he doesn't exist.

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 That's what we do.

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 We sit on God's lap.

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 We sit in his creation amidst his revelation

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 of glory and goodness.

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 And we slap him.

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 You don't exist or you're mean.

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 It's a cosmic crime.

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 It's a sad reality.

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 And as we do this, Paul talks about the results

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 in chapter 1 of Romans.

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 We reject God and our universe,

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 our world, our culture, our relationships,

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 they unravel.

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 And so Paul says three times in chapter 1,

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 God gave them up in their foolishness,

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 in mankind's foolishness,

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 our foolishness.

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 Gave them up to the lust of their hearts.

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 Gave them up to dishonorable passions.

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 Gave them up to a debased mind.

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 God said, okay, if this is your choice,

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 I'm going to give you over to it.

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 And here you go.

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 And there we go.

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 Abandoning God results in being abandoned

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 by God to confusion and moral brokenness.

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 And the picture is appalling.

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 And we all know it shouldn't be this way.

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 Paul says that we are filled

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 with all manner of unrighteousness,

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 wickedness, greed, malice,

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 full of envy, murder, strife, deceit,

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 malevolence, gossipers, slanderers,

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 God-haters, insolent, arrogant, boastful,

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 inventors of evil,

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 disobedient to parents,

00:14:18.419 --> 00:14:20.379
 foolish, faithless, heartless, ruthless.

00:14:20.620 --> 00:14:21.919
 This is humanity.

00:14:22.259 --> 00:14:24.340
 All of us to one degree or another.

00:14:24.459 --> 00:14:25.720
 So be careful, by the way.

00:14:26.659 --> 00:14:27.759
 And I'll talk about this.

00:14:27.980 --> 00:14:30.100
 Not to say, well, I'm not as bad

00:14:30.100 --> 00:14:31.480
 as those others who do this.

00:14:31.579 --> 00:14:32.519
 I can't be that bad.

00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:35.819
 All of us are indicted by Romans 1 and 2 and 3

00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:37.159
 to one degree or another.

00:14:37.159 --> 00:14:39.819
 We are all guilty of these things.

00:14:41.519 --> 00:14:42.939
 We only need to look around

00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:44.139
 at our current moral landscape

00:14:44.139 --> 00:14:45.179
 to recognize this.

00:14:45.279 --> 00:14:47.500
 Our culture's present sexual ethics

00:14:47.500 --> 00:14:50.219
 are now governed by desire and preference

00:14:50.219 --> 00:14:52.079
 with personal identity

00:14:52.079 --> 00:14:53.579
 locked into these choices.

00:14:54.120 --> 00:14:55.980
 To value myself or anyone else,

00:14:56.059 --> 00:14:56.480
 the rule goes,

00:14:56.559 --> 00:14:58.480
 I must support whatever choices

00:14:58.480 --> 00:15:00.699
 that person makes.

00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.259
 And society has declared

00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.959
 sexual freedom non-negotiable

00:15:04.960 --> 00:15:06.860
 and treats anyone who disagrees

00:15:06.860 --> 00:15:08.960
 as the moral problem.

00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.519
 This is our culture,

00:15:12.660 --> 00:15:13.639
 hating the truth

00:15:13.639 --> 00:15:15.060
 and suppressing the truth

00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:15.900
 of God's word.

00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:19.240
 And in one way or the other,

00:15:19.360 --> 00:15:20.500
 we are all guilty

00:15:20.500 --> 00:15:23.019
 to a degree of related sins.

00:15:23.019 --> 00:15:27.399
 And God,

00:15:27.500 --> 00:15:29.059
 in his righteousness,

00:15:30.000 --> 00:15:31.779
 gives sinners

00:15:31.779 --> 00:15:33.319
 what they choose.

00:15:34.519 --> 00:15:35.980
 And this is what we see in humanity.

00:15:36.100 --> 00:15:37.399
 This is what we see all around us.

00:15:37.439 --> 00:15:38.699
 This is what we see to some degree

00:15:38.699 --> 00:15:39.740
 in our own hearts.

00:15:39.840 --> 00:15:41.399
 See, it's not just out there.

00:15:41.480 --> 00:15:43.059
 It's not just culture.

00:15:43.259 --> 00:15:44.340
 It's not just history,

00:15:44.460 --> 00:15:46.059
 but it's in all of us personally.

00:15:46.220 --> 00:15:47.220
 And so Paul will take time

00:15:47.220 --> 00:15:48.159
 in chapter 2

00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:49.299
 to turn the tables

00:15:49.299 --> 00:15:50.840
 on those who look at the culture

00:15:50.840 --> 00:15:51.080
 and say,

00:15:51.160 --> 00:15:52.120
 oh, it's awful.

00:15:53.700 --> 00:15:56.180
 It's going downhill fast,

00:15:56.360 --> 00:15:58.220
 but I'm not that bad.

00:15:58.259 --> 00:15:59.800
 And he will turn the tables

00:15:59.800 --> 00:16:00.300
 and say,

00:16:00.920 --> 00:16:03.399
 you also are guilty.

00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.300
 You who say they ought not to do this,

00:16:06.420 --> 00:16:07.100
 you do it.

00:16:07.200 --> 00:16:08.660
 Maybe not in the same way,

00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:10.040
 maybe not to the same degree,

00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:11.320
 but you do it as well.

00:16:12.060 --> 00:16:13.500
 Well, I've never murdered anybody,

00:16:13.700 --> 00:16:15.060
 but Jesus asks us,

00:16:15.139 --> 00:16:16.840
 have you ever been bitterly angry

00:16:17.440 --> 00:16:18.400
 with someone?

00:16:18.680 --> 00:16:19.639
 Have you ever wished

00:16:19.639 --> 00:16:20.699
 that person just simply

00:16:20.699 --> 00:16:21.819
 wasn't in your life anymore?

00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.139
 Is that really that different

00:16:23.139 --> 00:16:23.779
 than murder?

00:16:24.360 --> 00:16:25.460
 The same heart

00:16:25.460 --> 00:16:27.240
 that destroys another human

00:16:27.240 --> 00:16:28.340
 for our own convenience

00:16:28.340 --> 00:16:30.480
 is there in all of us.

00:16:31.379 --> 00:16:32.939
 Maybe you've never committed adultery,

00:16:33.019 --> 00:16:33.720
 but have you lusted

00:16:33.720 --> 00:16:34.659
 after someone

00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:36.159
 wanting them in a way

00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:37.679
 that doesn't belong to you

00:16:37.679 --> 00:16:38.500
 and is not appropriate?

00:16:41.819 --> 00:16:44.740
 We all are guilty.

00:16:45.620 --> 00:16:46.759
 Well, I've never stolen,

00:16:46.759 --> 00:16:48.039
 but really, have you?

00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:49.299
 Have you taken advantage

00:16:49.299 --> 00:16:51.120
 of anybody else in any way?

00:16:51.600 --> 00:16:52.860
 Taking something from them

00:16:52.860 --> 00:16:54.460
 that's not really yours to take?

00:16:56.980 --> 00:16:58.340
 I don't really lie,

00:16:58.480 --> 00:17:00.220
 but do you lie about others

00:17:00.220 --> 00:17:01.179
 or promote lies

00:17:01.179 --> 00:17:02.799
 and propagating things

00:17:02.799 --> 00:17:03.700
 that are not verified

00:17:03.700 --> 00:17:05.039
 and maybe slanderous?

00:17:05.160 --> 00:17:06.640
 That's kind of what happens

00:17:06.640 --> 00:17:08.099
 all around us in social media.

00:17:08.480 --> 00:17:09.599
 We are all guilty.

00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:12.920
 None of us are innocent in this,

00:17:12.920 --> 00:17:15.300
 and nothing will help us really.

00:17:15.300 --> 00:17:18.080
 No heightened activity

00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:19.340
 in church membership.

00:17:20.300 --> 00:17:21.920
 No knowing the truth

00:17:21.920 --> 00:17:23.120
 or being orthodox

00:17:23.120 --> 00:17:24.539
 in your profession of faith.

00:17:25.340 --> 00:17:27.200
 No amount of good works.

00:17:28.340 --> 00:17:30.380
 These things will not rescue us.

00:17:30.580 --> 00:17:31.800
 They will not undo

00:17:31.800 --> 00:17:33.180
 the unrighteousness

00:17:33.180 --> 00:17:34.740
 that is in our hearts.

00:17:34.840 --> 00:17:35.660
 It's dark,

00:17:36.240 --> 00:17:37.100
 and we don't even know

00:17:37.100 --> 00:17:37.820
 the half of it.

00:17:37.920 --> 00:17:38.480
 Can you imagine?

00:17:39.039 --> 00:17:40.180
 Maybe this will happen someday.

00:17:40.180 --> 00:17:44.460
 We invent a brainwave detector

00:17:44.460 --> 00:17:45.700
 that actually can interpret

00:17:45.700 --> 00:17:47.039
 what's going on in your brain.

00:17:48.039 --> 00:17:48.600
 So it's a brain.

00:17:48.680 --> 00:17:49.480
 Imagine if you had

00:17:49.480 --> 00:17:50.700
 on your phone this app.

00:17:50.860 --> 00:17:51.600
 I don't think any of us

00:17:51.600 --> 00:17:52.120
 would want to have it,

00:17:52.340 --> 00:17:53.740
 but a brainwave monitor

00:17:53.740 --> 00:17:54.519
 and interpreter

00:17:54.519 --> 00:17:56.340
 that could take all the things

00:17:56.340 --> 00:17:57.299
 you're thinking during the week

00:17:57.299 --> 00:17:58.880
 and actually create videos

00:17:58.880 --> 00:18:01.080
 and put those on your computer.

00:18:01.480 --> 00:18:02.799
 And today, after church,

00:18:02.840 --> 00:18:04.120
 we're actually going to have

00:18:04.120 --> 00:18:06.000
 somebody's brainwave

00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.820
 for this past week

00:18:06.820 --> 00:18:08.279
 on the screen here,

00:18:08.279 --> 00:18:09.160
 and we're all going to

00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:10.080
 enjoy it together.

00:18:10.180 --> 00:18:12.960
 Would anybody enjoy that?

00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.700
 Would the person

00:18:13.700 --> 00:18:15.180
 whose brainwaves are shown,

00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.220
 whose videos are shown,

00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:16.740
 enjoy that?

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.400
 No.

00:18:17.560 --> 00:18:18.680
 That just shows us

00:18:18.680 --> 00:18:19.860
 the reality that we don't

00:18:19.860 --> 00:18:20.460
 like to face,

00:18:20.539 --> 00:18:21.759
 that we are full

00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.940
 of unrighteousness.

00:18:24.880 --> 00:18:26.299
 It's at least embarrassing,

00:18:26.420 --> 00:18:28.039
 if not terribly condemning.

00:18:28.320 --> 00:18:29.279
 This is the reality.

00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.180
 The story is told

00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:35.019
 that the London Times

00:18:35.019 --> 00:18:37.279
 once sent out an inquiry

00:18:37.279 --> 00:18:38.259
 to famous authors

00:18:38.259 --> 00:18:40.359
 asking them to write an essay

00:18:40.359 --> 00:18:41.839
 about what's wrong

00:18:41.839 --> 00:18:42.480
 with the world,

00:18:42.599 --> 00:18:43.660
 and the famous author

00:18:43.660 --> 00:18:44.500
 G.K. Chesterton

00:18:44.500 --> 00:18:45.420
 wrote his essay

00:18:45.420 --> 00:18:46.799
 saying simply this,

00:18:47.160 --> 00:18:47.799
 Dear Sir,

00:18:48.539 --> 00:18:50.619
 I am yours,

00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:52.319
 G.K. Chesterton.

00:18:53.119 --> 00:18:54.059
 I am.

00:18:54.259 --> 00:18:54.980
 He understood

00:18:54.980 --> 00:18:56.059
 the biblical truth.

00:18:56.259 --> 00:18:57.259
 The problem with the world

00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.579
 is not what's out there,

00:18:58.640 --> 00:18:59.500
 it's what's in here

00:18:59.500 --> 00:19:00.339
 in my heart.

00:19:00.339 --> 00:19:03.379
 I am also unrighteous

00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:05.240
 before a holy God.

00:19:07.799 --> 00:19:09.079
 This is the reality.

00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:11.279
 Romans 3 tells us,

00:19:11.399 --> 00:19:12.699
 For all have sinned,

00:19:12.759 --> 00:19:13.720
 all have sinned,

00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.819
 and fall short

00:19:14.819 --> 00:19:15.740
 of the glory of God.

00:19:15.859 --> 00:19:17.819
 You, friend, brother,

00:19:17.919 --> 00:19:18.399
 or sister,

00:19:19.399 --> 00:19:19.980
 fall short

00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:20.939
 of the glory of God.

00:19:21.119 --> 00:19:22.220
 None is righteous,

00:19:22.439 --> 00:19:24.019
 Romans 3, 10 and 11.

00:19:24.379 --> 00:19:25.119
 No, not one.

00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.199
 No one understands.

00:19:26.599 --> 00:19:27.779
 No one seeks for God.

00:19:27.779 --> 00:19:29.420
 This is the reality

00:19:29.420 --> 00:19:30.480
 for all of us

00:19:30.480 --> 00:19:31.799
 in our natural state.

00:19:32.019 --> 00:19:34.700
 We are all unrighteous.

00:19:35.039 --> 00:19:37.119
 We are all polluted by sin.

00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.160
 We're like glasses of water

00:19:39.160 --> 00:19:41.359
 into which mud

00:19:41.359 --> 00:19:42.240
 has been introduced.

00:19:43.519 --> 00:19:45.680
 Stinky, foul, sewer mud.

00:19:47.200 --> 00:19:47.980
 And some of us,

00:19:48.180 --> 00:19:49.379
 maybe the glass

00:19:49.379 --> 00:19:50.759
 is almost all mud.

00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.960
 And maybe you know it

00:19:53.960 --> 00:19:55.299
 if that's the case.

00:19:55.960 --> 00:19:56.759
 Others of us,

00:19:56.759 --> 00:19:58.720
 it's just a little bit

00:19:58.720 --> 00:19:59.920
 of stinky sewer mud.

00:20:00.299 --> 00:20:01.000
 Just a little bit.

00:20:01.680 --> 00:20:02.220
 And we're certainly

00:20:02.220 --> 00:20:03.099
 not like those glasses

00:20:03.099 --> 00:20:03.740
 that are all mud.

00:20:03.900 --> 00:20:05.680
 But are any of the glasses

00:20:05.680 --> 00:20:07.079
 fit to drink?

00:20:08.539 --> 00:20:09.220
 Not one.

00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:12.180
 We are all unrighteous

00:20:12.180 --> 00:20:13.460
 before a holy God.

00:20:14.079 --> 00:20:15.379
 And this diagnosis

00:20:15.379 --> 00:20:17.000
 is so important.

00:20:18.259 --> 00:20:19.240
 Understanding this truth.

00:20:19.460 --> 00:20:20.519
 It's important, of course,

00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.500
 because it's true.

00:20:21.599 --> 00:20:22.579
 It's the ultimate reality.

00:20:22.680 --> 00:20:23.660
 It's important to grasp

00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:25.380
 because the world

00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:25.820
 will give you

00:20:25.820 --> 00:20:26.740
 every other diagnosis

00:20:26.740 --> 00:20:27.460
 but this one.

00:20:29.040 --> 00:20:30.360
 And that will affect you.

00:20:31.300 --> 00:20:32.920
 And that will dampen

00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:33.920
 your zeal

00:20:33.920 --> 00:20:34.920
 to make

00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:37.300
 the gospel of grace

00:20:37.300 --> 00:20:37.620
 known

00:20:37.620 --> 00:20:39.200
 to those around you.

00:20:39.900 --> 00:20:41.200
 I know it's uncomfortable.

00:20:42.000 --> 00:20:42.779
 And believe me,

00:20:42.840 --> 00:20:43.519
 it's really awkward

00:20:43.519 --> 00:20:44.600
 for me to come as your guest

00:20:44.600 --> 00:20:45.840
 and just preach what I did.

00:20:45.839 --> 00:20:48.919
 But we need to hear it.

00:20:49.359 --> 00:20:50.059
 And we need to realize

00:20:50.059 --> 00:20:50.619
 it's true.

00:20:51.459 --> 00:20:52.259
 And we need to realize

00:20:52.259 --> 00:20:53.099
 that this diagnosis

00:20:53.099 --> 00:20:54.659
 is not given to us

00:20:54.659 --> 00:20:56.220
 to condemn us

00:20:56.220 --> 00:20:57.159
 but to rescue us.

00:20:57.240 --> 00:20:58.279
 That's the trajectory

00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.099
 of all this.

00:20:59.679 --> 00:21:00.740
 This diagnosis

00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.279
 of the dark backdrop

00:21:02.279 --> 00:21:03.000
 to the gospel

00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:04.139
 of our sickness,

00:21:04.299 --> 00:21:05.179
 of our moral sickness

00:21:05.179 --> 00:21:06.379
 is so important

00:21:06.379 --> 00:21:07.559
 so that we might understand

00:21:07.559 --> 00:21:09.000
 how much we need to cure.

00:21:09.259 --> 00:21:10.720
 But not only you personally,

00:21:10.859 --> 00:21:11.259
 of course,

00:21:11.359 --> 00:21:12.759
 that's your first priority.

00:21:13.139 --> 00:21:14.779
 But all those around you,

00:21:14.779 --> 00:21:16.879
 and all peoples

00:21:16.879 --> 00:21:17.779
 throughout the whole globe,

00:21:18.920 --> 00:21:19.859
 need the cure

00:21:19.859 --> 00:21:20.519
 that comes

00:21:20.519 --> 00:21:22.059
 in relationship to this.

00:21:22.639 --> 00:21:23.500
 Because it's not just

00:21:23.500 --> 00:21:24.460
 that we're unrighteous

00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:25.379
 but we're unrighteous

00:21:25.379 --> 00:21:26.759
 before a holy God.

00:21:27.440 --> 00:21:28.839
 God is holy.

00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.720
 He is pure.

00:21:31.299 --> 00:21:32.539
 He is pure goodness.

00:21:33.639 --> 00:21:35.539
 He is infinitely glorious.

00:21:36.420 --> 00:21:38.119
 And He is perfectly just.

00:21:39.160 --> 00:21:40.319
 He's not capricious.

00:21:41.700 --> 00:21:44.259
 He would never judge anything

00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:45.059
 in a way that would be

00:21:45.059 --> 00:21:46.180
 just over the top,

00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:46.759
 excessive.

00:21:47.160 --> 00:21:48.039
 Dante's Inferno

00:21:48.039 --> 00:21:49.000
 is not biblical.

00:21:50.640 --> 00:21:51.640
 But hell is.

00:21:53.099 --> 00:21:55.759
 And God's perfect justice is.

00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:57.539
 The wrath of God

00:21:57.539 --> 00:21:59.420
 is not narcissism

00:21:59.420 --> 00:22:00.079
 on God's part.

00:22:00.180 --> 00:22:01.819
 It's His holy, patient,

00:22:02.059 --> 00:22:03.440
 determined opposition

00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.579
 to evil

00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:06.720
 and attitude and action

00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:09.059
 that leads Him

00:22:09.059 --> 00:22:10.400
 to a faithful commitment

00:22:10.400 --> 00:22:11.319
 to respond

00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:12.920
 and eradicate all evil,

00:22:12.920 --> 00:22:13.759
 to judge it all.

00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.480
 And there is real evil

00:22:15.480 --> 00:22:17.060
 all around us,

00:22:17.140 --> 00:22:17.980
 inside of us.

00:22:18.620 --> 00:22:20.220
 And God is the creator of all

00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.880
 and Lord of all

00:22:21.880 --> 00:22:23.039
 who is goodness.

00:22:23.240 --> 00:22:24.500
 And so He must act.

00:22:24.580 --> 00:22:25.600
 He must be just.

00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:27.580
 Now we all understand justice.

00:22:27.800 --> 00:22:28.240
 We do.

00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.920
 When we see something done

00:22:30.920 --> 00:22:32.039
 to an innocent person,

00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.200
 relatively innocent person,

00:22:33.480 --> 00:22:35.759
 we're shocked and concerned

00:22:35.759 --> 00:22:36.920
 if we watched

00:22:36.920 --> 00:22:37.980
 an elderly woman

00:22:37.980 --> 00:22:39.359
 get knocked to the ground

00:22:39.359 --> 00:22:40.720
 and robbed in the street.

00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.279
 We probably would chase

00:22:42.279 --> 00:22:43.059
 after the guy.

00:22:43.379 --> 00:22:44.960
 We'd be upset at least.

00:22:45.200 --> 00:22:46.299
 We understand justice.

00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.259
 That's wrong

00:22:47.259 --> 00:22:48.039
 and we feel it

00:22:48.039 --> 00:22:48.819
 and we know it

00:22:48.819 --> 00:22:50.079
 when we hear of

00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:51.059
 the mistreatment of children

00:22:51.059 --> 00:22:52.900
 and all these other evil things.

00:22:54.119 --> 00:22:55.000
 We're indignant,

00:22:55.200 --> 00:22:56.039
 appropriately so.

00:22:56.119 --> 00:22:57.480
 We get justice.

00:22:58.660 --> 00:22:59.700
 We understand it

00:22:59.700 --> 00:23:00.700
 but we are often good

00:23:00.700 --> 00:23:01.879
 at applying it to others

00:23:01.879 --> 00:23:02.960
 and not to ourselves.

00:23:02.960 --> 00:23:05.799
 And God is perfect

00:23:05.799 --> 00:23:06.559
 in His justice.

00:23:07.860 --> 00:23:08.880
 He must judge

00:23:08.880 --> 00:23:10.640
 those who have sinned

00:23:10.640 --> 00:23:12.539
 against the innocent one,

00:23:12.740 --> 00:23:13.420
 God Himself,

00:23:13.799 --> 00:23:15.039
 in His goodness and glory,

00:23:15.180 --> 00:23:15.840
 in our rebellion.

00:23:16.160 --> 00:23:17.059
 He must judge

00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:19.180
 sin done against one another,

00:23:19.299 --> 00:23:19.960
 against those made

00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.799
 in the image of God.

00:23:21.880 --> 00:23:23.500
 We have all fallen short

00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:25.860
 and sinned in these ways.

00:23:26.759 --> 00:23:29.039
 This justice is revealed

00:23:29.039 --> 00:23:29.759
 from heaven

00:23:29.759 --> 00:23:32.140
 by a perfect God.

00:23:32.140 --> 00:23:33.740
 not an offended dictator

00:23:33.740 --> 00:23:34.920
 but the Holy One.

00:23:35.180 --> 00:23:36.100
 It's not vindictive.

00:23:36.180 --> 00:23:37.140
 It's not cruel.

00:23:38.120 --> 00:23:39.040
 It's not partial.

00:23:40.000 --> 00:23:40.740
 It's perfect.

00:23:40.840 --> 00:23:41.080
 Actually,

00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:42.480
 the saints in heaven

00:23:42.480 --> 00:23:44.180
 recorded in Revelation 15

00:23:44.180 --> 00:23:46.140
 celebrate His justice

00:23:46.140 --> 00:23:46.980
 and His judgment.

00:23:47.140 --> 00:23:47.880
 Great and amazing

00:23:47.880 --> 00:23:48.380
 are your deeds.

00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:48.740
 It says,

00:23:49.080 --> 00:23:49.660
 O Lord God,

00:23:50.000 --> 00:23:50.480
 the Almighty,

00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.520
 just and true

00:23:51.520 --> 00:23:52.080
 are your ways,

00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:53.340
 O King of the nations.

00:23:53.460 --> 00:23:54.380
 They celebrate

00:23:54.380 --> 00:23:55.740
 His perfect justice

00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:56.500
 and His judgment.

00:23:56.980 --> 00:23:57.740
 And His justice

00:23:57.740 --> 00:24:00.300
 is exactly appropriate.

00:24:00.299 --> 00:24:01.960
 And therefore,

00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:03.700
 it is appropriately severe

00:24:03.700 --> 00:24:05.379
 for sinners.

00:24:06.279 --> 00:24:07.200
 The punishment

00:24:07.200 --> 00:24:09.059
 fits the crime.

00:24:10.919 --> 00:24:12.500
 Romans 6 tells us

00:24:12.500 --> 00:24:14.059
 the wages of sin

00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:17.079
 is death.

00:24:17.079 --> 00:24:17.180
 Death.

00:24:20.339 --> 00:24:20.940
 Death.

00:24:21.119 --> 00:24:22.539
 Eternal separation

00:24:22.539 --> 00:24:24.539
 from all the goodness

00:24:24.539 --> 00:24:25.480
 and greatness

00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.399
 of God

00:24:26.399 --> 00:24:27.940
 and His mercy

00:24:27.940 --> 00:24:28.440
 and kindness

00:24:28.440 --> 00:24:29.240
 that we all know

00:24:29.240 --> 00:24:30.039
 and we all take

00:24:30.039 --> 00:24:30.619
 for granted.

00:24:32.420 --> 00:24:34.099
 It is a just reckoning

00:24:34.099 --> 00:24:35.759
 for those who reject God

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.940
 and persist in it

00:24:36.940 --> 00:24:40.240
 who rely on their own

00:24:40.240 --> 00:24:41.240
 supposed righteousness

00:24:41.240 --> 00:24:42.180
 instead of running

00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.599
 to Christ for rescue.

00:24:44.000 --> 00:24:44.740
 That existence

00:24:44.740 --> 00:24:46.000
 is eternal.

00:24:47.200 --> 00:24:48.099
 Eternal separation.

00:24:48.240 --> 00:24:48.839
 We call that

00:24:48.839 --> 00:24:49.559
 hell.

00:24:49.559 --> 00:24:53.019
 And Paul teaches

00:24:53.019 --> 00:24:54.740
 in chapter 2 actually

00:24:54.740 --> 00:24:56.679
 that those wages

00:24:56.679 --> 00:24:57.879
 and implications

00:24:57.879 --> 00:24:58.720
 and the fullness

00:24:58.720 --> 00:24:59.879
 of God's justice

00:24:59.879 --> 00:25:00.799
 is accumulating

00:25:00.799 --> 00:25:02.200
 even now for us

00:25:02.200 --> 00:25:03.039
 as we continue,

00:25:03.200 --> 00:25:04.019
 if we do,

00:25:04.159 --> 00:25:05.339
 continue to reject God.

00:25:06.119 --> 00:25:06.879
 Romans 2.5,

00:25:06.960 --> 00:25:07.940
 But because of your hard

00:25:07.940 --> 00:25:08.879
 and impenitent heart

00:25:08.879 --> 00:25:10.379
 you are storing up

00:25:10.379 --> 00:25:11.440
 wrath for yourself

00:25:11.440 --> 00:25:13.480
 on the day of wrath

00:25:13.480 --> 00:25:14.960
 when God's righteous judgment

00:25:14.960 --> 00:25:16.059
 will be revealed.

00:25:16.419 --> 00:25:17.639
 We are storing it up

00:25:17.639 --> 00:25:18.279
 if we continue

00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:19.379
 to live in that place

00:25:19.380 --> 00:25:20.740
 of sin,

00:25:20.860 --> 00:25:21.240
 rebellion,

00:25:21.360 --> 00:25:22.320
 and self-righteousness.

00:25:22.420 --> 00:25:23.420
 We add to this

00:25:23.420 --> 00:25:24.640
 terrible treasure chest.

00:25:24.920 --> 00:25:25.700
 It makes me think

00:25:25.700 --> 00:25:26.620
 of Marley

00:25:26.620 --> 00:25:28.220
 in Christmas Carol

00:25:28.220 --> 00:25:30.220
 as he encounters

00:25:30.220 --> 00:25:31.000
 Ebenezer.

00:25:33.260 --> 00:25:34.260
 And Ebenezer

00:25:34.260 --> 00:25:35.940
 asks about this chain

00:25:35.940 --> 00:25:36.700
 that Marley

00:25:36.700 --> 00:25:37.720
 is carrying.

00:25:39.720 --> 00:25:40.580
 And Marley

00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:41.680
 says to Scrooge

00:25:41.680 --> 00:25:42.580
 about the chain

00:25:42.580 --> 00:25:43.000
 which is

00:25:43.000 --> 00:25:44.440
 the judgment of God

00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:45.060
 on Marley

00:25:45.060 --> 00:25:46.720
 and on Scrooge

00:25:46.720 --> 00:25:47.000
 he says

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.980
 it was as full,

00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:48.800
 as heavy,

00:25:48.799 --> 00:25:49.460
 and as long

00:25:49.460 --> 00:25:49.940
 as this

00:25:49.940 --> 00:25:51.139
 seven Christmas

00:25:51.139 --> 00:25:51.839
 Eves ago.

00:25:52.539 --> 00:25:53.839
 You have labored

00:25:53.839 --> 00:25:54.379
 on it

00:25:54.379 --> 00:25:55.240
 since.

00:25:56.079 --> 00:25:57.639
 It is a ponderous

00:25:57.639 --> 00:25:58.440
 chain.

00:25:59.839 --> 00:26:00.879
 This is the reality

00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.839
 in God's holiness

00:26:01.839 --> 00:26:02.460
 and justice.

00:26:03.460 --> 00:26:04.279
 He will bring

00:26:04.279 --> 00:26:06.240
 a just reward,

00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:08.159
 a just punishment

00:26:08.159 --> 00:26:09.379
 for our sin.

00:26:10.419 --> 00:26:11.379
 And apart from Christ

00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:12.180
 we all,

00:26:12.319 --> 00:26:12.799
 each one,

00:26:13.779 --> 00:26:15.379
 and all humanity,

00:26:15.380 --> 00:26:16.380
 each one,

00:26:16.380 --> 00:26:18.300
 is in serious

00:26:18.300 --> 00:26:18.640
 trouble.

00:26:21.640 --> 00:26:22.860
 I take no pleasure

00:26:22.860 --> 00:26:24.660
 in bringing you

00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.760
 bad news,

00:26:26.280 --> 00:26:27.640
 but it is the reality.

00:26:29.040 --> 00:26:29.980
 And I must,

00:26:30.420 --> 00:26:31.820
 for my own heart's sake,

00:26:31.880 --> 00:26:32.760
 my own mind's sake,

00:26:32.980 --> 00:26:33.680
 and for yours,

00:26:33.760 --> 00:26:34.660
 remind you of this

00:26:34.660 --> 00:26:35.800
 situation so that you

00:26:35.800 --> 00:26:36.440
 don't go around

00:26:36.440 --> 00:26:37.640
 thinking things are

00:26:37.640 --> 00:26:38.240
 quite alright.

00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.180
 Thank you.

00:26:39.940 --> 00:26:41.060
 A.W. Tozer warned,

00:26:41.160 --> 00:26:42.040
 the vague and tenuous

00:26:42.040 --> 00:26:42.780
 hope that God

00:26:42.779 --> 00:26:43.879
 is too kind

00:26:43.879 --> 00:26:45.039
 to punish the ungodly

00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.579
 has become a deadly

00:26:46.579 --> 00:26:47.399
 opiate

00:26:47.399 --> 00:26:49.160
 for the consciences

00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:49.899
 of millions.

00:26:51.019 --> 00:26:51.740
 And this opiate

00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:53.079
 is in the air

00:26:53.079 --> 00:26:54.059
 that we breathe.

00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:58.500
 In August 2007,

00:26:58.779 --> 00:27:00.039
 the I-35 bridge

00:27:00.039 --> 00:27:01.039
 in Minneapolis

00:27:01.039 --> 00:27:01.899
 collapsed.

00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.819
 Major bridge,

00:27:04.019 --> 00:27:04.639
 major highway,

00:27:04.819 --> 00:27:05.940
 killing 13 people.

00:27:06.859 --> 00:27:07.740
 Part of the tragedy

00:27:07.740 --> 00:27:08.639
 is that the engineers

00:27:08.639 --> 00:27:09.500
 knew the bridge

00:27:09.500 --> 00:27:10.259
 needed repairs.

00:27:10.899 --> 00:27:11.660
 And because of

00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:12.639
 budget constraints,

00:27:12.779 --> 00:27:14.539
 they hadn't gotten

00:27:14.539 --> 00:27:15.220
 to it in time,

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:15.839
 and they assumed

00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:16.539
 the bridge would

00:27:16.539 --> 00:27:17.680
 last longer.

00:27:19.619 --> 00:27:20.799
 They assumed the bridge

00:27:20.799 --> 00:27:21.759
 would be okay.

00:27:22.299 --> 00:27:22.779
 Thank you.

00:27:23.720 --> 00:27:25.000
 And the reality is

00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:28.220
 that people without Christ,

00:27:28.379 --> 00:27:30.779
 our beloved family members

00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.940
 and friends and neighbors,

00:27:32.200 --> 00:27:33.500
 are traveling on a bridge

00:27:33.500 --> 00:27:35.399
 destined to collapse.

00:27:36.539 --> 00:27:38.019
 And we, like those engineers,

00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:38.660
 think, well,

00:27:39.440 --> 00:27:40.319
 we got time,

00:27:40.379 --> 00:27:41.680
 and it's not that serious.

00:27:41.680 --> 00:27:43.019
 They won't really happen.

00:27:44.100 --> 00:27:45.500
 And we need to recognize,

00:27:46.440 --> 00:27:46.840
 no,

00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:48.960
 they're traveling through life

00:27:48.960 --> 00:27:50.340
 on a collapsing bridge,

00:27:50.440 --> 00:27:51.519
 and it will collapse.

00:27:52.480 --> 00:27:53.640
 And we are called

00:27:53.640 --> 00:27:55.180
 as ones who,

00:27:55.320 --> 00:27:56.799
 if you know the good news,

00:27:57.360 --> 00:27:58.600
 to come to the rescue

00:27:58.600 --> 00:27:59.779
 and sharing that good news,

00:27:59.860 --> 00:28:00.560
 to have that heart,

00:28:00.700 --> 00:28:02.140
 to have a heart of compassion

00:28:02.140 --> 00:28:03.160
 for those who are traveling

00:28:03.160 --> 00:28:03.759
 on this bridge,

00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:05.740
 even as Christ had compassion

00:28:05.740 --> 00:28:06.360
 on sinners.

00:28:06.359 --> 00:28:06.559
 sinners.

00:28:07.559 --> 00:28:08.559
 This is the heart

00:28:08.559 --> 00:28:09.659
 we all need.

00:28:10.839 --> 00:28:12.119
 This is the heart you need

00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:14.979
 on Tuesday at the office,

00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:18.019
 Wednesday around the dinner table,

00:28:18.279 --> 00:28:19.259
 Thursday with the neighbor

00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.019
 across the way,

00:28:20.099 --> 00:28:21.399
 each day of the week

00:28:21.399 --> 00:28:22.279
 as we interact

00:28:22.279 --> 00:28:23.659
 with those around us,

00:28:24.659 --> 00:28:26.179
 to have the same heart.

00:28:27.039 --> 00:28:27.439
 Well,

00:28:27.799 --> 00:28:29.599
 that's the backdrop.

00:28:30.240 --> 00:28:31.319
 That's the situation.

00:28:31.639 --> 00:28:32.399
 That's the diagnosis.

00:28:32.619 --> 00:28:34.059
 It's not the end of the story.

00:28:34.059 --> 00:28:35.440
 Thank God.

00:28:36.720 --> 00:28:38.019
 God has provided

00:28:38.019 --> 00:28:39.720
 a way of escape

00:28:39.720 --> 00:28:41.480
 from His just judgment.

00:28:42.519 --> 00:28:43.659
 And His provided way

00:28:43.659 --> 00:28:44.740
 actually is also

00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:45.720
 perfectly just,

00:28:46.339 --> 00:28:47.500
 perfectly righteous.

00:28:49.200 --> 00:28:50.299
 He does not compromise

00:28:50.299 --> 00:28:51.839
 His justice one bit

00:28:51.839 --> 00:28:52.960
 in His solution

00:28:52.960 --> 00:28:54.720
 for our unrighteousness.

00:28:55.700 --> 00:28:56.659
 And Romans 1.17

00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.299
 speaks of it,

00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:58.279
 for in it the righteousness

00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.599
 of God in the gospel

00:28:59.599 --> 00:29:00.179
 is revealed

00:29:00.179 --> 00:29:01.659
 from faith for faith.

00:29:02.599 --> 00:29:03.419
 As it is written,

00:29:03.420 --> 00:29:03.920
 the righteous

00:29:03.920 --> 00:29:05.640
 shall live by faith.

00:29:05.740 --> 00:29:07.560
 The righteousness of God here

00:29:07.560 --> 00:29:09.120
 certainly involves

00:29:09.120 --> 00:29:11.660
 His justice towards sin.

00:29:12.160 --> 00:29:12.640
 It involves

00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:13.600
 His perfect character.

00:29:14.600 --> 00:29:15.300
 But it's speaking

00:29:15.300 --> 00:29:16.019
 of a righteousness

00:29:16.019 --> 00:29:17.259
 that comes to us,

00:29:17.600 --> 00:29:19.200
 revealed from faith

00:29:19.200 --> 00:29:19.880
 for faith,

00:29:20.080 --> 00:29:21.160
 that would be given

00:29:21.160 --> 00:29:22.759
 to those who live by faith.

00:29:22.880 --> 00:29:24.620
 It's a righteous declaration

00:29:24.620 --> 00:29:25.940
 given by God,

00:29:26.080 --> 00:29:28.000
 a verdict in righteousness

00:29:28.000 --> 00:29:29.480
 of not guilty,

00:29:30.319 --> 00:29:31.279
 fully approved,

00:29:31.740 --> 00:29:32.160
 accepted.

00:29:33.160 --> 00:29:34.380
 And He grants this

00:29:34.380 --> 00:29:35.000
 to sinners

00:29:35.000 --> 00:29:36.440
 on the basis

00:29:36.440 --> 00:29:37.740
 of the righteousness

00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:39.259
 of another.

00:29:40.259 --> 00:29:41.119
 Romans 3.

00:29:42.720 --> 00:29:43.859
 After Paul has spent

00:29:43.859 --> 00:29:44.819
 all this time

00:29:44.819 --> 00:29:45.720
 talking about this

00:29:45.720 --> 00:29:46.619
 dark backdrop,

00:29:46.700 --> 00:29:47.819
 that is so important

00:29:47.819 --> 00:29:48.460
 to understand

00:29:48.460 --> 00:29:49.779
 and apply to our lives.

00:29:49.779 --> 00:29:51.319
 He transitions

00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:52.779
 once we recognize

00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:54.579
 we don't have anything

00:29:54.579 --> 00:29:55.619
 to stand on ourselves.

00:29:55.799 --> 00:29:56.500
 He transitions

00:29:56.500 --> 00:29:58.039
 to God's answer.

00:29:59.139 --> 00:29:59.920
 But now,

00:30:00.500 --> 00:30:01.119
 the righteousness

00:30:01.119 --> 00:30:01.839
 of God

00:30:01.839 --> 00:30:04.180
 has been manifested

00:30:04.180 --> 00:30:05.059
 apart from the law,

00:30:05.259 --> 00:30:05.799
 although the law

00:30:05.799 --> 00:30:06.200
 and prophets

00:30:06.200 --> 00:30:07.099
 bear witness to it.

00:30:07.359 --> 00:30:07.920
 The righteousness

00:30:07.920 --> 00:30:08.539
 of God

00:30:08.539 --> 00:30:10.059
 through faith

00:30:10.059 --> 00:30:12.059
 in Jesus Christ

00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:14.200
 for all who believe

00:30:14.200 --> 00:30:16.180
 and are justified

00:30:16.180 --> 00:30:17.619
 by His grace

00:30:17.619 --> 00:30:18.779
 as a gift

00:30:18.779 --> 00:30:20.619
 through the redemption

00:30:20.619 --> 00:30:22.079
 that is in Christ Jesus

00:30:22.079 --> 00:30:24.159
 whom God put forward

00:30:24.159 --> 00:30:25.979
 as a propitiation

00:30:25.979 --> 00:30:26.679
 by His blood

00:30:26.679 --> 00:30:28.139
 to be received by faith.

00:30:28.659 --> 00:30:29.539
 This was to show

00:30:29.539 --> 00:30:30.919
 God's righteousness.

00:30:32.559 --> 00:30:33.019
 First,

00:30:33.099 --> 00:30:33.559
 I just want you

00:30:33.559 --> 00:30:34.119
 to recognize

00:30:34.119 --> 00:30:34.919
 and we'll talk about

00:30:34.919 --> 00:30:35.819
 how this all works,

00:30:35.919 --> 00:30:36.739
 but to recognize

00:30:36.739 --> 00:30:37.819
 that the center

00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.619
 of this righteousness

00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.779
 is not an idea,

00:30:40.179 --> 00:30:41.199
 it's not a method,

00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:42.379
 it's not a system.

00:30:43.659 --> 00:30:46.259
 It is a person.

00:30:47.339 --> 00:30:48.819
 His name is Jesus.

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:51.379
 He is the righteousness

00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.059
 of God

00:30:52.059 --> 00:30:53.240
 as we read earlier,

00:30:53.559 --> 00:30:54.179
 because of Him

00:30:54.179 --> 00:30:55.259
 you are in Christ Jesus

00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.559
 who became to us

00:30:56.559 --> 00:30:57.500
 wisdom from God,

00:30:57.879 --> 00:30:58.359
 righteousness,

00:30:58.919 --> 00:30:59.599
 sanctification,

00:30:59.919 --> 00:31:00.379
 and redemption.

00:31:00.639 --> 00:31:02.079
 It's the person of Jesus.

00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:03.779
 Jesus Christ

00:31:03.779 --> 00:31:04.980
 is God Himself

00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:07.059
 who took on flesh

00:31:07.059 --> 00:31:08.159
 to rescue us,

00:31:08.439 --> 00:31:10.339
 to be the fulfillment

00:31:10.339 --> 00:31:11.599
 of all righteousness

00:31:11.599 --> 00:31:12.599
 in His life,

00:31:12.720 --> 00:31:13.559
 in His faith,

00:31:13.679 --> 00:31:14.379
 in His obedience

00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:16.059
 as the perfect human being,

00:31:16.700 --> 00:31:18.039
 to fulfill the promises

00:31:18.039 --> 00:31:18.519
 of God

00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:19.379
 that are throughout

00:31:19.379 --> 00:31:19.980
 the Scriptures,

00:31:20.980 --> 00:31:22.839
 and then to take

00:31:22.839 --> 00:31:23.700
 that righteous,

00:31:24.079 --> 00:31:24.460
 worthy,

00:31:24.740 --> 00:31:25.579
 perfect life,

00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.259
 that beautiful,

00:31:26.440 --> 00:31:27.259
 glorious life,

00:31:27.839 --> 00:31:29.259
 and then lay it down

00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.119
 on the cross

00:31:30.119 --> 00:31:34.940
 to die for sin.

00:31:36.379 --> 00:31:37.859
 He who knew no sin

00:31:37.859 --> 00:31:41.920
 became sin for us

00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:43.659
 so that in Him

00:31:43.659 --> 00:31:44.279
 we might become

00:31:44.279 --> 00:31:45.319
 the righteousness of God.

00:31:45.399 --> 00:31:46.220
 He became sin.

00:31:46.220 --> 00:31:47.440
 He took upon Himself

00:31:47.440 --> 00:31:48.279
 our sins,

00:31:48.740 --> 00:31:49.740
 our unrighteousness,

00:31:49.940 --> 00:31:51.019
 the fullness of it,

00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:52.500
 all the evil,

00:31:52.700 --> 00:31:54.680
 all the disgusting details

00:31:54.680 --> 00:31:55.940
 that God knows

00:31:55.940 --> 00:31:56.400
 in fullness

00:31:56.400 --> 00:31:57.799
 were all put on Christ,

00:31:58.180 --> 00:31:59.000
 the Holy One,

00:31:59.640 --> 00:32:00.480
 bore our sin

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.240
 on the cross,

00:32:01.299 --> 00:32:03.140
 and then the Holy One,

00:32:03.319 --> 00:32:03.860
 the Father,

00:32:04.000 --> 00:32:04.420
 poured out

00:32:04.420 --> 00:32:05.799
 holy justice on Him.

00:32:07.880 --> 00:32:08.819
 God Himself,

00:32:08.980 --> 00:32:09.400
 Father, Son,

00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:10.079
 and Holy Spirit,

00:32:10.799 --> 00:32:11.900
 put forward Christ

00:32:11.900 --> 00:32:13.000
 as this offering

00:32:13.000 --> 00:32:15.460
 so that He Himself

00:32:15.460 --> 00:32:16.299
 would receive

00:32:16.299 --> 00:32:16.940
 perfect,

00:32:17.160 --> 00:32:17.539
 complete,

00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:18.900
 final justice

00:32:18.900 --> 00:32:20.039
 for your sins,

00:32:20.160 --> 00:32:21.980
 for all who would believe,

00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:23.000
 all and any,

00:32:23.319 --> 00:32:23.880
 whosoever.

00:32:26.460 --> 00:32:27.740
 And if you're hearing this

00:32:27.740 --> 00:32:28.200
 today,

00:32:28.279 --> 00:32:29.579
 maybe for the first time,

00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:31.220
 that includes you.

00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:32.799
 The invitation is to

00:32:32.799 --> 00:32:34.180
 whosoever would believe.

00:32:34.779 --> 00:32:35.960
 This is an offer done.

00:32:36.039 --> 00:32:36.480
 In history,

00:32:36.579 --> 00:32:37.160
 it's real.

00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:38.880
 And God verified

00:32:38.880 --> 00:32:40.220
 its historical truth

00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:41.600
 by what we know

00:32:41.600 --> 00:32:42.840
 from the Scriptures,

00:32:43.060 --> 00:32:43.960
 but through the resurrection

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.580
 of Christ,

00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.120
 it is real

00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:46.779
 and it is offered

00:32:46.779 --> 00:32:48.180
 whosoever should believe.

00:32:48.900 --> 00:32:49.980
 Our sins are placed

00:32:49.980 --> 00:32:50.420
 on Him

00:32:50.420 --> 00:32:51.540
 and He pays the penalty.

00:32:51.900 --> 00:32:52.940
 He is a propitiation.

00:32:53.040 --> 00:32:54.060
 That word is a word

00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:54.960
 we don't use much.

00:32:55.120 --> 00:32:56.180
 It's an offering

00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:57.720
 to appease wrath,

00:32:57.840 --> 00:32:58.600
 but in the case of God,

00:32:58.680 --> 00:32:59.300
 it's holy,

00:32:59.640 --> 00:33:00.360
 just wrath.

00:33:01.019 --> 00:33:02.320
 Who put forward

00:33:02.320 --> 00:33:02.759
 Jesus?

00:33:03.040 --> 00:33:03.600
 God Himself.

00:33:04.220 --> 00:33:04.980
 Who is the one

00:33:04.980 --> 00:33:05.620
 who is perfectly

00:33:05.620 --> 00:33:06.340
 just punishing?

00:33:06.460 --> 00:33:07.080
 God Himself.

00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.720
 He offered

00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.940
 the offering Himself

00:33:09.940 --> 00:33:12.240
 to rescue us.

00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:14.320
 By His blood,

00:33:14.740 --> 00:33:15.720
 He died on the cross

00:33:15.720 --> 00:33:16.620
 in our place

00:33:16.620 --> 00:33:19.019
 and He bore

00:33:19.019 --> 00:33:20.080
 the full wrath of God.

00:33:20.640 --> 00:33:21.940
 God's wrath burned

00:33:21.940 --> 00:33:22.960
 white-hot in holiness

00:33:22.960 --> 00:33:23.779
 toward His Son

00:33:23.779 --> 00:33:25.279
 and He released

00:33:25.279 --> 00:33:26.180
 perfect vengeance

00:33:26.180 --> 00:33:27.640
 for our evil

00:33:27.640 --> 00:33:29.680
 on Jesus.

00:33:30.860 --> 00:33:32.600
 He is the righteousness

00:33:32.600 --> 00:33:34.220
 of God in every way,

00:33:35.000 --> 00:33:35.960
 fulfilling our righteousness

00:33:35.960 --> 00:33:37.259
 and our righteousness

00:33:37.259 --> 00:33:38.740
 because when we trust

00:33:38.740 --> 00:33:39.200
 in Him,

00:33:39.299 --> 00:33:40.480
 we are forgiven.

00:33:40.620 --> 00:33:41.360
 We are credited

00:33:41.360 --> 00:33:42.980
 as if we had never sinned

00:33:42.980 --> 00:33:43.819
 and our sins

00:33:43.819 --> 00:33:44.980
 are taken away by Him.

00:33:45.240 --> 00:33:46.340
 He is our righteousness

00:33:46.340 --> 00:33:47.220
 in every way

00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:48.079
 and to Him

00:33:48.079 --> 00:33:49.840
 be the glory alone.

00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:53.459
 and it is through simple faith

00:33:53.459 --> 00:33:55.500
 that righteousness

00:33:55.500 --> 00:33:57.859
 is from faith

00:33:57.859 --> 00:33:58.559
 for faith.

00:33:58.659 --> 00:33:59.319
 It's trusting

00:33:59.319 --> 00:34:00.099
 in another,

00:34:00.259 --> 00:34:01.039
 trusting in Him,

00:34:01.939 --> 00:34:02.959
 trusting in Christ

00:34:02.959 --> 00:34:04.720
 through simple faith.

00:34:04.779 --> 00:34:05.500
 What does that faith

00:34:05.500 --> 00:34:06.000
 look like?

00:34:06.119 --> 00:34:07.659
 Simply turning away

00:34:07.659 --> 00:34:08.880
 from our sin,

00:34:09.579 --> 00:34:10.119
 turning away

00:34:10.119 --> 00:34:11.619
 from self-righteousness

00:34:11.619 --> 00:34:13.099
 and trusting

00:34:13.099 --> 00:34:14.619
 in God's solution

00:34:14.619 --> 00:34:17.099
 for our unrighteousness

00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:18.019
 and for our sin.

00:34:18.940 --> 00:34:20.239
 This is the answer

00:34:20.239 --> 00:34:22.539
 and this is the only answer

00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:24.239
 for the terrible predicament

00:34:24.239 --> 00:34:24.859
 of humanity.

00:34:25.119 --> 00:34:27.199
 It is the most important thing

00:34:27.199 --> 00:34:28.359
 that you could tell

00:34:28.359 --> 00:34:29.679
 anybody you know

00:34:29.679 --> 00:34:33.420
 because their biggest need,

00:34:34.139 --> 00:34:35.319
 gravest concern,

00:34:35.320 --> 00:34:37.480
 ultimate,

00:34:37.680 --> 00:34:39.300
 ultimate issue

00:34:39.300 --> 00:34:42.820
 is not how successful they are,

00:34:43.539 --> 00:34:46.019
 not how their family's doing

00:34:46.019 --> 00:34:47.200
 as important as that is,

00:34:47.340 --> 00:34:49.300
 not how well they're being fed

00:34:49.300 --> 00:34:50.300
 as important as that is.

00:34:50.300 --> 00:34:50.860
 All those things

00:34:50.860 --> 00:34:51.400
 have their place.

00:34:51.480 --> 00:34:51.900
 They're important

00:34:51.900 --> 00:34:53.580
 but the biggest issue

00:34:53.580 --> 00:34:55.059
 is they're a separation

00:34:55.059 --> 00:34:56.360
 from God by their sin

00:34:56.360 --> 00:34:58.000
 and the solution is Jesus.

00:35:00.340 --> 00:35:01.960
 They are in dire need

00:35:01.960 --> 00:35:03.140
 of that solution.

00:35:03.240 --> 00:35:03.920
 We all are

00:35:03.920 --> 00:35:05.180
 and that solution

00:35:05.180 --> 00:35:06.440
 has been provided fully

00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:07.539
 in God through Christ

00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.760
 and is offered

00:35:08.760 --> 00:35:10.579
 to any and all.

00:35:11.380 --> 00:35:13.840
 So your coworkers,

00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.460
 your friends,

00:35:14.720 --> 00:35:15.139
 your neighbors,

00:35:15.460 --> 00:35:16.200
 your family members

00:35:16.200 --> 00:35:17.400
 and the countless tribes

00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:18.220
 throughout the globe

00:35:18.220 --> 00:35:20.360
 need this answer

00:35:20.360 --> 00:35:22.340
 and he is the answer fully.

00:35:24.019 --> 00:35:25.280
 So stop thinking

00:35:25.280 --> 00:35:27.740
 that some other issue

00:35:27.740 --> 00:35:28.840
 and other answer

00:35:28.840 --> 00:35:29.760
 is more important.

00:35:31.900 --> 00:35:32.920
 This is part of why

00:35:32.920 --> 00:35:33.880
 we're ashamed at times

00:35:33.880 --> 00:35:34.820
 and it just can't be

00:35:34.820 --> 00:35:35.420
 that important.

00:35:36.340 --> 00:35:37.579
 This person will be insulted

00:35:37.579 --> 00:35:38.460
 or whatever it might be.

00:35:38.539 --> 00:35:39.200
 No, there's nothing

00:35:39.200 --> 00:35:39.860
 more important.

00:35:40.240 --> 00:35:40.960
 Their predicament

00:35:40.960 --> 00:35:42.200
 is their biggest issue

00:35:42.200 --> 00:35:43.480
 and the answer of Christ

00:35:43.480 --> 00:35:44.640
 is their biggest solution

00:35:44.640 --> 00:35:45.579
 that they need to hear

00:35:45.579 --> 00:35:46.340
 and know.

00:35:47.720 --> 00:35:49.059
 And so this motivates Paul

00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:50.559
 because the gospel

00:35:50.559 --> 00:35:54.539
 is the power of God.

00:35:55.300 --> 00:35:56.180
 The gospel

00:35:56.180 --> 00:35:58.539
 is the power of God.

00:35:58.619 --> 00:35:59.660
 There are lots of things

00:35:59.660 --> 00:36:00.579
 that are the power of God.

00:36:00.680 --> 00:36:02.059
 God's power is all around us.

00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:03.440
 We see it in creation.

00:36:03.599 --> 00:36:04.679
 It's amazing to think

00:36:04.679 --> 00:36:05.360
 about the power

00:36:05.360 --> 00:36:06.059
 that's out there

00:36:06.059 --> 00:36:07.159
 and things like this.

00:36:07.219 --> 00:36:09.360
 And I have a science background

00:36:09.360 --> 00:36:10.139
 and maybe this is why

00:36:10.139 --> 00:36:10.719
 I'm just geeky.

00:36:10.799 --> 00:36:11.480
 I just drive around

00:36:11.480 --> 00:36:12.159
 at times and just think

00:36:12.159 --> 00:36:13.639
 like that is a continuous

00:36:13.639 --> 00:36:15.639
 fusion explosion

00:36:15.639 --> 00:36:16.460
 in the sky.

00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:17.739
 It's massive

00:36:17.739 --> 00:36:18.880
 and it heats us

00:36:18.880 --> 00:36:19.599
 and we love it.

00:36:19.900 --> 00:36:20.719
 It's amazing.

00:36:21.400 --> 00:36:22.440
 So it's powerful.

00:36:22.579 --> 00:36:23.239
 There's lots of things

00:36:23.239 --> 00:36:24.000
 that are God's power

00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:24.779
 but the gospel

00:36:24.779 --> 00:36:25.639
 ultimately

00:36:25.639 --> 00:36:26.940
 is the power of God.

00:36:26.940 --> 00:36:29.039
 the most important power

00:36:29.039 --> 00:36:29.500
 of God

00:36:29.500 --> 00:36:31.099
 for the salvation

00:36:31.099 --> 00:36:34.760
 of all who believe.

00:36:36.019 --> 00:36:37.039
 To the Jew first

00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.740
 and also to the Greek

00:36:37.740 --> 00:36:38.900
 really for everybody

00:36:38.900 --> 00:36:40.280
 every type of person

00:36:40.280 --> 00:36:41.119
 every human

00:36:41.119 --> 00:36:43.000
 throughout the globe

00:36:43.000 --> 00:36:43.900
 throughout history

00:36:43.900 --> 00:36:45.039
 it is for them

00:36:45.039 --> 00:36:45.880
 the salvation

00:36:45.880 --> 00:36:47.340
 that God provides.

00:36:47.480 --> 00:36:48.519
 It's the power of God

00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:49.760
 for their salvation

00:36:49.760 --> 00:36:50.539
 in every way

00:36:50.539 --> 00:36:51.960
 from the penalty of sin

00:36:51.960 --> 00:36:53.519
 because Christ

00:36:53.519 --> 00:36:54.740
 takes on himself

00:36:54.740 --> 00:36:55.340
 that penalty.

00:36:55.340 --> 00:36:56.460
 No more penalty

00:36:56.460 --> 00:36:58.480
 when we run to Jesus

00:36:58.480 --> 00:36:59.260
 and trust in him.

00:36:59.519 --> 00:37:00.380
 The believer

00:37:00.380 --> 00:37:02.500
 finds in Jesus

00:37:02.500 --> 00:37:03.559
 the penalty of sin

00:37:03.559 --> 00:37:04.300
 paid for

00:37:04.300 --> 00:37:05.400
 but not just the penalty

00:37:05.400 --> 00:37:06.840
 but the power of sin.

00:37:06.920 --> 00:37:07.440
 Paul is going to

00:37:07.440 --> 00:37:08.780
 go on in Romans

00:37:08.780 --> 00:37:09.760
 and talk about this.

00:37:09.840 --> 00:37:10.660
 The power of sin

00:37:10.660 --> 00:37:11.140
 is broken.

00:37:12.559 --> 00:37:13.519
 In chapter 5

00:37:13.519 --> 00:37:14.240
 he just talks about

00:37:14.240 --> 00:37:15.620
 the wonder of the grace

00:37:15.620 --> 00:37:16.059
 of God

00:37:16.059 --> 00:37:16.600
 that the penalty

00:37:16.600 --> 00:37:17.600
 is taken care of

00:37:17.600 --> 00:37:18.380
 and then in chapter 6

00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:18.620
 it says

00:37:18.620 --> 00:37:19.559
 and the reason that

00:37:19.559 --> 00:37:20.480
 we don't just go out

00:37:20.480 --> 00:37:20.800
 and sin

00:37:20.800 --> 00:37:21.220
 is because

00:37:21.220 --> 00:37:22.400
 we are now united

00:37:22.400 --> 00:37:23.039
 with Christ.

00:37:24.019 --> 00:37:24.920
 We belong to him

00:37:24.920 --> 00:37:25.579
 through faith

00:37:25.579 --> 00:37:27.059
 and sin is broken

00:37:27.059 --> 00:37:27.579
 we don't want to

00:37:27.579 --> 00:37:28.519
 live that way anymore

00:37:28.519 --> 00:37:30.860
 and he's given us

00:37:30.860 --> 00:37:31.539
 his spirit

00:37:31.539 --> 00:37:33.059
 so sin doesn't have

00:37:33.059 --> 00:37:33.980
 to dominate us

00:37:33.980 --> 00:37:34.619
 anymore

00:37:34.619 --> 00:37:35.680
 we are free

00:37:35.680 --> 00:37:36.760
 in the gospel.

00:37:38.300 --> 00:37:38.559
 And then

00:37:38.559 --> 00:37:39.880
 chapter 8

00:37:39.880 --> 00:37:40.960
 he talks about

00:37:40.960 --> 00:37:41.559
 the reality

00:37:41.559 --> 00:37:42.260
 that ultimately

00:37:42.260 --> 00:37:43.960
 we are growing

00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:45.460
 in our walk with God

00:37:45.460 --> 00:37:46.420
 and putting sin away

00:37:46.420 --> 00:37:47.059
 and then there will be

00:37:47.059 --> 00:37:47.880
 a day when we go

00:37:47.880 --> 00:37:48.500
 to be with him

00:37:48.500 --> 00:37:48.980
 in glory

00:37:48.980 --> 00:37:50.659
 and sin's presence

00:37:50.659 --> 00:37:51.619
 will be permanently

00:37:51.619 --> 00:37:53.260
 eradicated from our lives

00:37:53.260 --> 00:37:54.360
 and then in the new creation.

00:37:54.960 --> 00:37:55.960
 This is the salvation

00:37:55.960 --> 00:37:57.540
 that is ours in Jesus

00:37:57.540 --> 00:38:00.440
 and this is

00:38:00.440 --> 00:38:01.320
 the goodness

00:38:01.320 --> 00:38:02.240
 of God

00:38:02.240 --> 00:38:03.280
 this is the power

00:38:03.280 --> 00:38:03.800
 of God

00:38:03.800 --> 00:38:04.940
 for salvation.

00:38:05.320 --> 00:38:05.820
 The gospel

00:38:05.820 --> 00:38:06.660
 is powerful

00:38:06.660 --> 00:38:07.340
 it's the most

00:38:07.340 --> 00:38:08.300
 powerful thing

00:38:08.300 --> 00:38:09.340
 that you can ever handle.

00:38:10.840 --> 00:38:11.700
 This room

00:38:11.700 --> 00:38:12.520
 is full

00:38:12.520 --> 00:38:13.840
 of miracles

00:38:13.840 --> 00:38:15.460
 full of those

00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:15.940
 who have been

00:38:15.940 --> 00:38:17.200
 raised from the dead.

00:38:18.440 --> 00:38:19.440
 If you are a believer

00:38:19.440 --> 00:38:20.120
 you've been raised

00:38:20.120 --> 00:38:20.460
 from the dead

00:38:20.460 --> 00:38:21.440
 spiritually already.

00:38:22.240 --> 00:38:23.060
 How did it happen?

00:38:23.059 --> 00:38:25.460
 Well the spirit

00:38:25.460 --> 00:38:26.139
 of God came in

00:38:26.139 --> 00:38:26.519
 and did it

00:38:26.519 --> 00:38:27.380
 but how did it happen?

00:38:27.980 --> 00:38:28.679
 You heard

00:38:28.679 --> 00:38:29.279
 the word

00:38:29.279 --> 00:38:29.900
 of truth.

00:38:32.880 --> 00:38:33.599
 You heard

00:38:33.599 --> 00:38:34.039
 the word

00:38:34.039 --> 00:38:34.940
 somebody

00:38:34.940 --> 00:38:36.259
 was unashamed

00:38:36.259 --> 00:38:36.599
 enough

00:38:36.599 --> 00:38:37.259
 to share it

00:38:37.259 --> 00:38:37.619
 with you

00:38:37.619 --> 00:38:38.360
 and you heard

00:38:38.360 --> 00:38:39.320
 this proclamation

00:38:39.320 --> 00:38:40.380
 of the forgiveness

00:38:40.380 --> 00:38:40.900
 of God

00:38:40.900 --> 00:38:41.440
 in Christ

00:38:41.440 --> 00:38:43.119
 and at that moment

00:38:43.119 --> 00:38:44.500
 something happened

00:38:44.500 --> 00:38:45.539
 that changed

00:38:45.539 --> 00:38:46.440
 your eternity.

00:38:47.139 --> 00:38:48.559
 Your dead soul

00:38:48.559 --> 00:38:50.019
 your dead spirit

00:38:50.019 --> 00:38:50.880
 was raised

00:38:50.880 --> 00:38:51.440
 to life.

00:38:51.579 --> 00:38:52.079
 You were given

00:38:52.079 --> 00:38:53.239
 a new heart

00:38:53.239 --> 00:38:54.559
 and you received

00:38:54.559 --> 00:38:55.440
 eternal life

00:38:55.440 --> 00:38:56.059
 at that moment

00:38:56.059 --> 00:38:57.039
 and that life

00:38:57.039 --> 00:38:57.860
 will never perish

00:38:57.860 --> 00:38:58.460
 and you now

00:38:58.460 --> 00:38:59.059
 are alive

00:38:59.059 --> 00:39:00.179
 and hearing the word

00:39:00.179 --> 00:39:00.699
 and responding

00:39:00.699 --> 00:39:01.579
 because of the

00:39:01.579 --> 00:39:02.420
 resurrection life

00:39:02.420 --> 00:39:03.159
 that's in you.

00:39:03.319 --> 00:39:04.199
 That's the power

00:39:04.199 --> 00:39:04.500
 of God.

00:39:04.599 --> 00:39:05.259
 It changed you

00:39:05.259 --> 00:39:05.659
 forever

00:39:05.659 --> 00:39:06.360
 and made it

00:39:06.360 --> 00:39:06.659
 so that you

00:39:06.659 --> 00:39:07.319
 could be forgiven

00:39:07.319 --> 00:39:08.319
 and be formed

00:39:08.319 --> 00:39:08.739
 in the image

00:39:08.739 --> 00:39:09.139
 of Christ

00:39:09.139 --> 00:39:09.599
 and have an

00:39:09.599 --> 00:39:11.000
 eternity ahead

00:39:11.000 --> 00:39:11.440
 with God.

00:39:11.699 --> 00:39:12.880
 That's power.

00:39:13.559 --> 00:39:14.079
 The greatest

00:39:14.079 --> 00:39:15.099
 miracle you can

00:39:15.099 --> 00:39:15.559
 experience

00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:16.380
 is that

00:39:16.380 --> 00:39:17.860
 because that miracle

00:39:17.860 --> 00:39:19.099
 leads to eternal life

00:39:19.099 --> 00:39:19.960
 and everything else.

00:39:21.259 --> 00:39:22.059
 The gospel

00:39:22.059 --> 00:39:23.400
 is the power

00:39:23.400 --> 00:39:23.920
 of God.

00:39:24.799 --> 00:39:25.420
 It is the most

00:39:25.420 --> 00:39:26.039
 powerful thing

00:39:26.039 --> 00:39:27.440
 you can ever handle

00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:29.159
 because as you share

00:39:29.159 --> 00:39:30.259
 God

00:39:30.259 --> 00:39:31.000
 and his infinite

00:39:31.000 --> 00:39:32.000
 power and glory

00:39:32.000 --> 00:39:33.659
 and his purpose

00:39:33.659 --> 00:39:35.000
 of using the word

00:39:35.000 --> 00:39:36.739
 works in those

00:39:36.739 --> 00:39:38.579
 who hear it

00:39:38.579 --> 00:39:39.500
 to bring life

00:39:39.500 --> 00:39:40.400
 and it's happening

00:39:40.400 --> 00:39:42.019
 and I'm sure

00:39:42.019 --> 00:39:43.119
 it's been happening here.

00:39:43.259 --> 00:39:43.679
 It's happening

00:39:43.679 --> 00:39:44.639
 all around the globe.

00:39:45.839 --> 00:39:46.199
 There are,

00:39:46.579 --> 00:39:47.739
 we live in an amazing time

00:39:47.739 --> 00:39:48.219
 as the gospel

00:39:48.219 --> 00:39:48.879
 is going forward

00:39:48.879 --> 00:39:49.899
 but yet so many more

00:39:49.899 --> 00:39:50.639
 need to hear it.

00:39:51.199 --> 00:39:52.299
 Lives are being changed,

00:39:52.500 --> 00:39:53.319
 cultures changed,

00:39:53.479 --> 00:39:54.299
 families changed

00:39:54.299 --> 00:39:55.259
 in the power

00:39:55.259 --> 00:39:56.219
 of the gospel.

00:39:58.159 --> 00:39:58.699
 So that's why

00:39:58.699 --> 00:39:59.719
 Paul's not ashamed

00:39:59.719 --> 00:40:00.079
 of it

00:40:00.079 --> 00:40:03.079
 because he knows

00:40:03.079 --> 00:40:03.679
 it's the power

00:40:03.679 --> 00:40:03.979
 of God

00:40:03.979 --> 00:40:04.579
 for the salvation

00:40:04.579 --> 00:40:05.019
 of everyone

00:40:05.019 --> 00:40:06.119
 who believes.

00:40:07.099 --> 00:40:07.619
 He knows

00:40:07.619 --> 00:40:08.339
 that in the gospel

00:40:08.339 --> 00:40:09.339
 is the righteousness

00:40:09.339 --> 00:40:10.079
 of God

00:40:10.079 --> 00:40:11.579
 his answer

00:40:11.579 --> 00:40:12.879
 for our problem

00:40:12.879 --> 00:40:14.019
 of unrighteousness

00:40:14.019 --> 00:40:14.779
 and the justice

00:40:14.779 --> 00:40:15.259
 of God,

00:40:15.359 --> 00:40:16.079
 the holy wrath

00:40:16.079 --> 00:40:16.459
 of God.

00:40:16.599 --> 00:40:17.259
 He knows

00:40:17.260 --> 00:40:17.820
 that that's

00:40:17.820 --> 00:40:19.400
 the ultimate truth

00:40:19.400 --> 00:40:20.060
 and that's

00:40:20.060 --> 00:40:21.100
 the ultimate thing

00:40:21.100 --> 00:40:21.600
 that others

00:40:21.600 --> 00:40:22.360
 need to know.

00:40:24.060 --> 00:40:25.080
 This gospel.

00:40:26.340 --> 00:40:26.500
 So,

00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:27.760
 why?

00:40:29.120 --> 00:40:30.280
 Why would we ever

00:40:30.280 --> 00:40:32.460
 be ashamed

00:40:32.460 --> 00:40:33.340
 of this gospel?

00:40:36.060 --> 00:40:37.080
 We need to

00:40:37.080 --> 00:40:38.000
 think about

00:40:38.000 --> 00:40:38.620
 these truths

00:40:38.620 --> 00:40:41.560
 by God's grace.

00:40:42.820 --> 00:40:44.300
 Have them affect us.

00:40:44.780 --> 00:40:45.000
 Now,

00:40:45.100 --> 00:40:45.760
 there's lots

00:40:45.760 --> 00:40:46.380
 of forgiveness

00:40:46.380 --> 00:40:47.560
 as infinite

00:40:47.560 --> 00:40:47.920
 forgiveness

00:40:47.920 --> 00:40:48.540
 in Christ's

00:40:48.540 --> 00:40:48.960
 atonement.

00:40:49.660 --> 00:40:50.260
 I'm forgiven

00:40:50.260 --> 00:40:51.340
 for my pathetic

00:40:51.340 --> 00:40:52.440
 answer to that guy.

00:40:53.120 --> 00:40:54.180
 The Lord is gracious

00:40:54.180 --> 00:40:55.160
 so I don't want you

00:40:55.160 --> 00:40:56.220
 to live in condemnation

00:40:56.220 --> 00:40:57.280
 but I want you

00:40:57.280 --> 00:40:58.060
 as you hear the word

00:40:58.060 --> 00:40:58.920
 to be motivated.

00:40:59.980 --> 00:41:00.260
 Lord,

00:41:00.380 --> 00:41:01.320
 please help me

00:41:01.320 --> 00:41:02.900
 soak in these things

00:41:02.900 --> 00:41:03.920
 and propel me

00:41:03.920 --> 00:41:05.100
 to be unashamed

00:41:05.100 --> 00:41:05.940
 to share the gospel,

00:41:06.440 --> 00:41:08.120
 to pray for those neighbors.

00:41:08.520 --> 00:41:08.660
 Don't,

00:41:08.920 --> 00:41:09.080
 now,

00:41:09.520 --> 00:41:10.400
 there are a thousand

00:41:10.400 --> 00:41:11.220
 qualifiers to this

00:41:11.220 --> 00:41:11.680
 whole message,

00:41:12.060 --> 00:41:12.260
 right?

00:41:12.260 --> 00:41:12.860
 So don't go up

00:41:12.860 --> 00:41:13.220
 to your neighbor

00:41:13.220 --> 00:41:14.260
 and be obnoxious.

00:41:14.340 --> 00:41:15.040
 I'm not saying that.

00:41:15.380 --> 00:41:15.500
 But,

00:41:15.880 --> 00:41:16.320
 but,

00:41:16.680 --> 00:41:17.240
 pray.

00:41:18.320 --> 00:41:19.180
 Pray for them.

00:41:19.640 --> 00:41:20.380
 Love them.

00:41:20.640 --> 00:41:21.960
 Look to do good works

00:41:21.960 --> 00:41:22.600
 to bless them

00:41:22.600 --> 00:41:24.260
 because you've been blessed.

00:41:24.340 --> 00:41:25.420
 Not because you're doing,

00:41:25.700 --> 00:41:25.800
 like,

00:41:25.880 --> 00:41:26.580
 if I can just share

00:41:26.580 --> 00:41:27.300
 the gospel as a result.

00:41:27.380 --> 00:41:28.040
 We do good works

00:41:28.040 --> 00:41:29.580
 because of who we are

00:41:29.580 --> 00:41:30.040
 in God.

00:41:30.120 --> 00:41:30.240
 But,

00:41:30.340 --> 00:41:31.260
 but through that,

00:41:31.460 --> 00:41:33.160
 pray for open doors

00:41:33.160 --> 00:41:34.300
 for the gospel

00:41:34.300 --> 00:41:35.520
 and pray like Paul does

00:41:35.520 --> 00:41:36.940
 who is maybe

00:41:36.940 --> 00:41:38.180
 the chief unashamed person.

00:41:38.300 --> 00:41:38.880
 He still said,

00:41:38.980 --> 00:41:39.980
 please pray for boldness

00:41:39.980 --> 00:41:40.360
 for me.

00:41:41.079 --> 00:41:41.820
 Pray for boldness

00:41:41.820 --> 00:41:42.440
 for one another.

00:41:43.519 --> 00:41:44.420
 And then be bold.

00:41:46.320 --> 00:41:47.140
 Be bold

00:41:47.140 --> 00:41:48.180
 and share the gospel

00:41:48.180 --> 00:41:49.400
 in those awkward moments.

00:41:49.539 --> 00:41:49.800
 It's never,

00:41:49.900 --> 00:41:50.680
 you never get past

00:41:50.680 --> 00:41:51.480
 the awkwardness

00:41:51.480 --> 00:41:53.660
 because of these reasons.

00:41:55.380 --> 00:41:56.340
 Because it's the power

00:41:56.340 --> 00:41:56.640
 of God

00:41:56.640 --> 00:41:57.240
 for the salvation

00:41:57.240 --> 00:41:57.680
 of everyone

00:41:57.680 --> 00:41:58.440
 who believes.

00:41:58.940 --> 00:41:59.340
 In it,

00:41:59.380 --> 00:41:59.840
 the righteousness

00:41:59.840 --> 00:42:01.119
 of God is revealed

00:42:01.119 --> 00:42:02.420
 from faith for faith.

00:42:03.160 --> 00:42:03.480
 The righteous

00:42:03.480 --> 00:42:04.340
 shall live by faith.

00:42:04.599 --> 00:42:05.460
 For the wrath of God

00:42:05.460 --> 00:42:06.260
 is revealed from heaven

00:42:06.260 --> 00:42:07.340
 against all ungodliness

00:42:07.340 --> 00:42:08.079
 and unrighteousness

00:42:08.079 --> 00:42:08.440
 of men

00:42:08.440 --> 00:42:10.000
 who by their unrighteousness

00:42:10.000 --> 00:42:11.420
 suppress the truth.

00:42:11.599 --> 00:42:13.480
 These are all reasons

00:42:13.480 --> 00:42:14.940
 to be unashamed.

00:42:15.119 --> 00:42:15.300
 So,

00:42:15.740 --> 00:42:16.579
 listen to the word.

00:42:17.400 --> 00:42:17.980
 Stop listening

00:42:17.980 --> 00:42:19.179
 to the rival gospels

00:42:19.179 --> 00:42:20.039
 that fill our ears,

00:42:20.159 --> 00:42:20.659
 the deceptions

00:42:20.659 --> 00:42:21.320
 that are out there,

00:42:21.400 --> 00:42:23.240
 the other diagnoses

00:42:23.240 --> 00:42:24.260
 that are there

00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:26.800
 that will always

00:42:26.800 --> 00:42:28.079
 diminish these truths.

00:42:29.420 --> 00:42:30.280
 There's lots of things

00:42:30.280 --> 00:42:30.840
 that are out there.

00:42:31.460 --> 00:42:33.740
 Lots of false gospels

00:42:33.740 --> 00:42:34.760
 of all sorts.

00:42:34.980 --> 00:42:35.559
 They come in

00:42:35.559 --> 00:42:36.780
 dressed as politics

00:42:36.780 --> 00:42:37.700
 on the left and the right,

00:42:37.699 --> 00:42:38.779
 as social movements,

00:42:38.939 --> 00:42:39.739
 twisted virtues,

00:42:40.419 --> 00:42:41.239
 the American dream,

00:42:41.379 --> 00:42:42.359
 a Marxist utopia,

00:42:42.699 --> 00:42:43.159
 religions,

00:42:43.819 --> 00:42:44.819
 humanism and atheism

00:42:44.819 --> 00:42:45.819
 dressed in lab coats

00:42:45.819 --> 00:42:46.759
 to look really nice.

00:42:47.539 --> 00:42:48.819
 It's all foolishness.

00:42:49.939 --> 00:42:50.719
 Don't be fooled.

00:42:52.439 --> 00:42:53.419
 Don't be afraid.

00:42:54.539 --> 00:42:55.399
 Don't compromise.

00:42:56.460 --> 00:42:57.960
 Don't let the upside down world

00:42:57.960 --> 00:42:58.960
 define your reality.

00:42:58.960 --> 00:43:01.639
 let the truth

00:43:01.639 --> 00:43:03.320
 of God's word

00:43:03.320 --> 00:43:05.280
 transform you

00:43:05.280 --> 00:43:06.780
 so that you

00:43:06.780 --> 00:43:08.059
 and I together

00:43:08.059 --> 00:43:09.000
 that we might be

00:43:09.000 --> 00:43:09.559
 unashamed

00:43:09.559 --> 00:43:10.599
 of the gospel.

00:43:10.960 --> 00:43:11.579
 Let's pray.

00:43:15.119 --> 00:43:15.780
 Thank you, Lord,

00:43:15.820 --> 00:43:16.320
 for your word.

00:43:19.519 --> 00:43:20.380
 And we need you

00:43:20.380 --> 00:43:21.039
 so much, Lord.

00:43:23.300 --> 00:43:24.320
 And those around us

00:43:24.320 --> 00:43:25.119
 need you so much.

00:43:25.760 --> 00:43:27.059
 And you deserve the glory

00:43:27.059 --> 00:43:28.279
 of our bold proclamation.

00:43:29.779 --> 00:43:30.980
 So I pray you'd stir us

00:43:30.980 --> 00:43:31.440
 all up

00:43:31.440 --> 00:43:33.360
 that we would

00:43:33.360 --> 00:43:34.880
 not stop praying

00:43:34.880 --> 00:43:35.460
 and loving

00:43:35.460 --> 00:43:36.659
 and serving

00:43:36.659 --> 00:43:38.559
 and not stop looking

00:43:38.559 --> 00:43:40.639
 for every opportunity

00:43:40.639 --> 00:43:42.239
 to proclaim

00:43:42.239 --> 00:43:43.900
 the gospel,

00:43:44.779 --> 00:43:46.039
 the power of God

00:43:46.039 --> 00:43:46.739
 for salvation.

00:43:48.219 --> 00:43:48.699
 Use us,

00:43:48.779 --> 00:43:49.099
 oh Lord.

00:43:49.659 --> 00:43:50.239
 Fill us.

00:43:51.579 --> 00:43:51.840
 Lord,

00:43:51.900 --> 00:43:52.579
 I pray that there

00:43:52.579 --> 00:43:53.139
 be many

00:43:53.139 --> 00:43:54.440
 who come to know you

00:43:54.440 --> 00:43:55.519
 as a result

00:43:55.519 --> 00:43:56.320
 of these truths

00:43:56.320 --> 00:43:58.059
 transforming us

00:43:58.059 --> 00:44:00.340
 for the glory

00:44:00.340 --> 00:44:00.760
 of your name.

00:44:00.840 --> 00:44:01.360
 You are worthy.

00:44:01.460 --> 00:44:02.079
 We love you, Lord.

00:44:02.220 --> 00:44:03.000
 And we ask these things

00:44:03.000 --> 00:44:03.619
 in Christ's name.

00:44:04.139 --> 00:44:04.360
 Amen.

00:44:04.360 --> 00:44:04.480
 Amen.