WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:09.040 If you've just joined us, we are working our way through the New Testament book of Romans. 00:00:09.859 --> 00:00:14.060 Romans, as I said right at the beginning, is one of the most powerful and influential 00:00:14.060 --> 00:00:15.960 pieces of literature ever written. 00:00:16.960 --> 00:00:24.740 It has been the force behind some of the most significant transformations in society, in 00:00:24.740 --> 00:00:26.300 all of history, in fact. 00:00:26.300 --> 00:00:31.219 And it's my hope as we journey through this book that we would experience something of 00:00:31.219 --> 00:00:35.719 that deep and radical change in our own lives as we journey through it. 00:00:36.240 --> 00:00:41.899 The story of Romans so far, as we have been going through over these number of weeks, is 00:00:41.899 --> 00:00:49.359 that though we deserve God's judgment, we can in fact be right with our creator God because 00:00:49.359 --> 00:00:56.799 Jesus Christ himself, God the Son, bore God's right anger for our sin in our place. 00:00:57.780 --> 00:01:04.239 True faith is trusting in God's promises in Jesus Christ and all that Jesus has achieved 00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:05.099 on our behalf. 00:01:05.280 --> 00:01:12.239 Being made right with God, just justified by Jesus Christ means that therefore that we enjoy 00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:18.199 peace with God, peace with God, access to God and even in the midst of hardship and suffering 00:01:18.199 --> 00:01:21.939 in this world, a real sense of contentment and joy. 00:01:23.099 --> 00:01:33.659 This is all because of Jesus Christ, our representative, that he himself has obeyed God's requirements 00:01:33.659 --> 00:01:35.579 on our behalf. 00:01:36.119 --> 00:01:38.840 He's done and achieved what we could not achieve. 00:01:38.840 --> 00:01:43.799 And crucially, we don't obey God to be made right with God. 00:01:44.460 --> 00:01:46.159 That's not how we get right with God. 00:01:46.280 --> 00:01:47.620 Religion does not help you. 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:54.020 But because of who we are, it's because of who we are in Jesus and what he's achieved for 00:01:54.020 --> 00:01:54.400 us. 00:01:55.260 --> 00:02:00.780 That's really the first five chapters of Romans in a very short summary. 00:02:01.060 --> 00:02:06.439 Chapters six and seven are a hinge in the book of Romans. 00:02:06.439 --> 00:02:08.900 We started in chapter six last week. 00:02:09.439 --> 00:02:10.120 There are hinge. 00:02:10.659 --> 00:02:17.639 Paul zooms in here in these chapters to show us how God's grace to us in Jesus not only 00:02:17.639 --> 00:02:23.879 justifies us, makes us right with God, but also transforms us. 00:02:24.280 --> 00:02:25.500 It changes us. 00:02:25.500 --> 00:02:39.680 If you like, they answer the question, in view of Romans one to five, what happens now? 00:02:40.400 --> 00:02:41.379 What's next? 00:02:42.620 --> 00:02:44.780 That's what chapters six and seven do. 00:02:46.240 --> 00:02:49.539 That is, these chapters are a theology of change. 00:02:49.539 --> 00:02:58.859 God's grace is not just powerful enough to save us from sin, but also to save us to obedience. 00:03:00.039 --> 00:03:06.599 In chapter six, last week, Paul says that we are united with Jesus in the most intimate 00:03:06.599 --> 00:03:08.479 relationship possible. 00:03:08.479 --> 00:03:15.039 And we are now set free to serve God for our joy and his glory. 00:03:16.780 --> 00:03:21.839 Why would we not want to obey God after all that he's achieved for us in Jesus? 00:03:22.519 --> 00:03:26.039 Why would we not want to treasure him in all of life? 00:03:27.479 --> 00:03:29.139 Well, that brings us to chapter seven. 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:30.579 That's where we're in now. 00:03:30.580 --> 00:03:38.420 Now, this is a chapter that you can spend five minutes on and give you a brief overview, 00:03:38.960 --> 00:03:40.580 or you can spend weeks on it. 00:03:43.160 --> 00:03:48.160 For your joy, I will be closer to the five minutes than the weeks this morning, but it 00:03:48.160 --> 00:03:50.420 is a deep, deep chapter. 00:03:50.419 --> 00:04:01.019 What this chapter tells us, in summary, is that all of life is a battle between two selves. 00:04:01.719 --> 00:04:02.579 All of life. 00:04:03.839 --> 00:04:12.799 We all have a war going on inside of us between the good and the bad in our hearts. 00:04:13.060 --> 00:04:13.759 All of us. 00:04:13.759 --> 00:04:21.240 What it's telling us is that before Jesus, we think we're winning that war. 00:04:23.539 --> 00:04:28.300 With Jesus, it feels like we're losing the war. 00:04:30.539 --> 00:04:33.139 And this is Paul bringing perspective to us here. 00:04:34.039 --> 00:04:39.099 When you become a Christian, the point is, when you become a Christian, you don't move 00:04:39.099 --> 00:04:40.480 from warfare to peace. 00:04:40.480 --> 00:04:43.960 With God you do, but not with the battle within. 00:04:44.300 --> 00:04:45.819 You don't move from warfare to peace. 00:04:45.939 --> 00:04:47.740 We move from one battle to a new battle. 00:04:48.780 --> 00:04:49.640 That's what happens. 00:04:51.280 --> 00:04:56.879 We move from a war that we cannot win to a war that we cannot lose. 00:04:58.540 --> 00:05:01.700 That's what Romans 7 is laying out for us. 00:05:01.780 --> 00:05:06.600 So the three points today, if you've got St. Paul's app, the battle before Christ, the battle 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:08.319 in Christ, and the battle with Christ. 00:05:08.319 --> 00:05:10.699 That's how we're going to move through this text. 00:05:10.920 --> 00:05:18.759 So verses 7 to 13 is the battle that every human being has got going on inside of them. 00:05:19.259 --> 00:05:21.439 It's the battle that we have before Christ. 00:05:21.600 --> 00:05:28.740 Verse 7, Paul introduces another question on the back of his argument of the previous six 00:05:28.740 --> 00:05:32.060 verses, and in particular, verse 6 of chapter 7. 00:05:32.060 --> 00:05:42.819 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve 00:05:42.819 --> 00:05:47.300 in the new way of the spirit and not in the old way of the written code. 00:05:48.100 --> 00:05:52.079 And so the question in verse 7 is, what shall we say then? 00:05:52.759 --> 00:05:54.779 Is the law sinful? 00:05:56.279 --> 00:05:57.540 It is the Old Testament law. 00:05:57.660 --> 00:05:59.620 God's word, is it sinful? 00:05:59.620 --> 00:06:11.079 If we need to be released from the law, which is now referred to here as the old way, doesn't 00:06:11.079 --> 00:06:12.720 it mean that the law is sinful? 00:06:13.000 --> 00:06:13.780 It's evil. 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:18.560 And of course, the short answer is, certainly not. 00:06:19.759 --> 00:06:22.360 And then the long answer comes from verses 7 to 13. 00:06:22.360 --> 00:06:30.340 The summary version is, is it sin in us that makes the law ineffective? 00:06:31.340 --> 00:06:36.699 It's not that the law is evil, but it's the sin in us that makes the law ineffective. 00:06:38.460 --> 00:06:42.860 So the question is, well, what therefore is the law for? 00:06:43.439 --> 00:06:46.160 And that's what Paul does here in these verses. 00:06:46.319 --> 00:06:47.819 What therefore does the law do? 00:06:47.819 --> 00:06:54.699 The main purpose of the law is it shows us the character of sin. 00:06:54.819 --> 00:06:55.339 Verse 7. 00:06:55.959 --> 00:07:02.920 Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. 00:07:05.699 --> 00:07:10.759 The law does that by, firstly, it defines sin for us. 00:07:10.860 --> 00:07:11.579 Verse 7 again. 00:07:11.579 --> 00:07:18.120 For I would not have known what covening really was if the law had said, you shall not covet. 00:07:20.500 --> 00:07:28.539 That is, this means the very concept of covening is outlined by the law. 00:07:30.180 --> 00:07:37.620 That is, without that standard of the law, you shall not covet, Paul would not have known 00:07:37.620 --> 00:07:39.819 that covening was a sin. 00:07:39.819 --> 00:07:41.519 That's what he's saying. 00:07:43.740 --> 00:07:45.939 So it defines what sin is. 00:07:46.860 --> 00:07:48.500 Secondly, the law reveals sin. 00:07:48.599 --> 00:07:49.219 Verse 8. 00:07:49.599 --> 00:07:55.659 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covening. 00:07:56.539 --> 00:08:00.819 For apart from the law, sin was dead. 00:08:00.819 --> 00:08:08.699 That is, when a commandment of God comes to us, this is what Paul's saying here. 00:08:09.159 --> 00:08:14.839 When it comes to us, it aggravates and stirs up sin in our hearts. 00:08:16.199 --> 00:08:23.579 It doesn't just show us what sin is in general, but how sin resides in us. 00:08:23.579 --> 00:08:28.060 The same idea is stated in verse 13. 00:08:28.279 --> 00:08:37.699 In order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good, that's the law, to bring 00:08:37.699 --> 00:08:39.720 about my death. 00:08:39.720 --> 00:08:48.639 So that through the commandment, sin might become utterly sinful. 00:08:48.639 --> 00:08:59.519 What Paul's saying here is the more I tried to avoid coveting, the more coveting grew in me. 00:09:01.519 --> 00:09:07.620 The law made sin in my life utterly sinful. 00:09:07.620 --> 00:09:14.539 That is, I didn't realize how sinful I was before the law. 00:09:17.000 --> 00:09:20.740 The law made sin in his life utterly sinful. 00:09:20.860 --> 00:09:22.220 That is, much worse. 00:09:22.779 --> 00:09:24.700 Totally inexcusable. 00:09:24.700 --> 00:09:39.200 So for the religious person sitting in this room or online, the Old Testament law, or let's 00:09:39.200 --> 00:09:45.960 summarize that, the Ten Commandments were never meant as a means to salvation. 00:09:47.259 --> 00:09:47.680 Never. 00:09:48.540 --> 00:09:52.520 As if you could obey them and somehow be right with God. 00:09:52.519 --> 00:09:59.279 Because, and this is Paul's point, it's because it was given to sinners. 00:10:01.259 --> 00:10:06.659 Instead, what the law does is exposes our need for salvation. 00:10:07.899 --> 00:10:10.980 It helps us to see how sinful we are. 00:10:11.279 --> 00:10:18.259 Without the law, we will consistently be in denial about the depth and the nature of our sin. 00:10:18.259 --> 00:10:22.879 So the law defines sin for us. 00:10:23.720 --> 00:10:25.340 It reveals sin in us. 00:10:25.419 --> 00:10:28.240 But thirdly, it provokes sin in us. 00:10:29.200 --> 00:10:34.480 Sin is aroused by the exposure to the law. 00:10:35.899 --> 00:10:44.100 This points us back to the early chapters of Romans and the bleak condition of every human heart. 00:10:44.100 --> 00:10:52.840 That is, what Romans 1 to 3 tells us is that there is a perversity about every human heart. 00:10:52.960 --> 00:10:59.899 Perversity being a desire to do something for no other reason than because it's wrong. 00:11:00.259 --> 00:11:01.620 That's what perversity means. 00:11:02.740 --> 00:11:05.960 It's a joy in wrongdoing for its own sake. 00:11:05.960 --> 00:11:13.660 And I had a heap of illustrations, personal illustrations, that I could bring to bear here. 00:11:14.019 --> 00:11:19.940 But because of my own children in the building, I decided not to go back into history, 00:11:20.080 --> 00:11:24.259 but instead to go way back into history and use St. Augustine instead. 00:11:25.100 --> 00:11:28.580 I think we'll throw him on the dock here rather than me. 00:11:28.920 --> 00:11:32.900 And the ones that immediately came to mind about my joy in sin. 00:11:32.899 --> 00:11:38.220 St. Augustine writes about this in his Confessions. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:42.799 He describes a time when he stole some pears as a boy. 00:11:43.279 --> 00:11:47.779 And then he draws some amazing insights from that experience. 00:11:48.500 --> 00:11:49.519 This is, I'll quote him. 00:11:50.059 --> 00:11:53.620 Near our vineyard was a pear tree loaded with fruit, 00:11:54.259 --> 00:11:58.079 though the fruit was not particularly attractive either in colour or taste. 00:11:58.080 --> 00:12:07.320 I and some other youths conceived the idea of shaking the pears off this tree and carrying them away. 00:12:08.080 --> 00:12:12.900 We set out late at night, stole all the fruit that we could carry, 00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:15.100 and this was not to feed ourselves. 00:12:15.540 --> 00:12:17.259 We may have tasted a few. 00:12:17.840 --> 00:12:19.800 Then we threw the rest to the pigs. 00:12:20.660 --> 00:12:26.340 Our real pleasure was simply in doing something that was not allowed. 00:12:26.340 --> 00:12:29.639 I had plenty of better pears of my own. 00:12:30.220 --> 00:12:34.899 I only took these ones in order that I might be a thief. 00:12:35.580 --> 00:12:38.620 Once I had taken them, I threw them away, 00:12:38.940 --> 00:12:43.680 and all I tasted in them was my own iniquity, 00:12:44.100 --> 00:12:47.639 which I enjoyed very much. 00:12:51.780 --> 00:12:53.220 That's every human heart. 00:12:53.220 --> 00:12:56.879 His point is, 00:12:57.340 --> 00:13:00.200 there is always a much deeper motive 00:13:00.200 --> 00:13:03.139 for the surface sins, 00:13:03.960 --> 00:13:05.960 and for every surface sin. 00:13:06.540 --> 00:13:11.399 When we lie or steal or impure or cruel, 00:13:11.639 --> 00:13:13.320 there is a superficial motive, 00:13:13.420 --> 00:13:14.460 and it might be greed, 00:13:14.580 --> 00:13:15.360 it might be anger, 00:13:15.460 --> 00:13:16.300 it might be loneliness, 00:13:16.720 --> 00:13:21.639 but there is a much deeper motive driving the superficial one. 00:13:21.639 --> 00:13:24.879 An Augustine study of the Bible, 00:13:25.120 --> 00:13:26.960 and experience with the pear tree, 00:13:27.299 --> 00:13:31.299 showed him that the ultimate underlying motive 00:13:31.299 --> 00:13:33.379 for all sin 00:13:33.379 --> 00:13:37.059 is a desire to be God, 00:13:37.919 --> 00:13:39.259 to play God. 00:13:40.240 --> 00:13:41.819 We have a deep desire 00:13:41.819 --> 00:13:45.019 to be in charge of our lives, 00:13:45.019 --> 00:13:46.799 and our world, 00:13:46.799 --> 00:13:47.439 in fact, 00:13:48.000 --> 00:13:49.059 to the degree 00:13:49.059 --> 00:13:51.720 that every person exists 00:13:51.720 --> 00:13:53.939 for my glory, 00:13:54.860 --> 00:13:55.740 for your glory. 00:13:57.299 --> 00:13:59.360 And when they block my glory, 00:14:00.120 --> 00:14:00.439 anger 00:14:00.439 --> 00:14:02.699 is the result. 00:14:04.000 --> 00:14:06.000 Point out a problem with anger 00:14:06.000 --> 00:14:07.899 is what you get. 00:14:07.899 --> 00:14:12.319 We want to be sovereign. 00:14:13.340 --> 00:14:17.740 That goes right back to Genesis chapter 3. 00:14:19.179 --> 00:14:22.799 Every law God lays down in His word, 00:14:22.959 --> 00:14:23.639 Ten Commandments, 00:14:23.759 --> 00:14:24.539 everything else, 00:14:24.759 --> 00:14:28.199 every single law that He lays down 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:29.500 is an infringement 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:33.799 upon my perceived absolute sovereignty in life. 00:14:33.799 --> 00:14:35.839 Every one of them. 00:14:36.579 --> 00:14:37.599 Every one of them 00:14:37.599 --> 00:14:38.359 is a reminder 00:14:38.359 --> 00:14:40.479 that I am not God 00:14:40.479 --> 00:14:42.039 and prevents me 00:14:42.039 --> 00:14:43.099 from living life 00:14:43.099 --> 00:14:44.519 the way that I think 00:14:44.519 --> 00:14:45.839 life should be lived. 00:14:48.379 --> 00:14:50.199 The essence of the very first sin 00:14:50.199 --> 00:14:51.059 of the Garden of Eden 00:14:51.059 --> 00:14:52.299 was to be like God, 00:14:52.599 --> 00:14:54.240 and it's the essence of all sin 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.099 from that moment. 00:14:56.139 --> 00:14:57.120 So the more 00:14:57.120 --> 00:14:58.839 God's word, 00:14:59.359 --> 00:14:59.899 His law, 00:14:59.979 --> 00:15:00.799 is exposed 00:15:00.799 --> 00:15:01.279 exposed 00:15:01.279 --> 00:15:02.599 in me, 00:15:03.419 --> 00:15:04.259 the more 00:15:04.259 --> 00:15:06.259 that that sinful force, 00:15:06.599 --> 00:15:07.799 that deep desire 00:15:07.799 --> 00:15:08.240 in me 00:15:08.240 --> 00:15:09.799 will be aggravated 00:15:09.799 --> 00:15:11.459 into reaction 00:15:11.459 --> 00:15:12.319 against it. 00:15:14.259 --> 00:15:15.199 And this leads 00:15:15.199 --> 00:15:15.939 to the fourth thing 00:15:15.939 --> 00:15:16.759 that sin does. 00:15:18.019 --> 00:15:19.699 It leads to an overwhelming 00:15:19.699 --> 00:15:21.139 conviction of sin. 00:15:22.620 --> 00:15:23.819 That's Paul's point 00:15:23.819 --> 00:15:25.879 in verses 9 to 11. 00:15:27.159 --> 00:15:28.120 This is what he says 00:15:28.120 --> 00:15:28.779 in verse 9. 00:15:28.779 --> 00:15:29.939 Once I was alive 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:31.120 apart from the law, 00:15:31.919 --> 00:15:33.860 but when the commandment came, 00:15:35.299 --> 00:15:37.159 sin sprang to life 00:15:37.159 --> 00:15:39.159 and I died. 00:15:42.079 --> 00:15:43.019 Now Paul here 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:43.860 is not referring 00:15:43.860 --> 00:15:46.039 to a previous time 00:15:46.039 --> 00:15:46.939 in his life 00:15:46.939 --> 00:15:48.959 when the law of God 00:15:48.959 --> 00:15:49.799 had no bearing 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.679 on his life. 00:15:51.939 --> 00:15:53.799 That is just not possible 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:54.939 to interpret that verse 00:15:54.939 --> 00:15:55.600 in that way. 00:15:55.600 --> 00:15:57.460 That's because 00:15:57.460 --> 00:15:59.440 the Apostle Paul 00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:00.519 was a devout, 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.899 he was a Jewish boy 00:16:01.899 --> 00:16:03.120 from a devout family. 00:16:04.060 --> 00:16:04.659 There was not 00:16:04.659 --> 00:16:05.860 a single time 00:16:05.860 --> 00:16:07.860 in his pre-Christian 00:16:07.860 --> 00:16:08.680 days 00:16:08.680 --> 00:16:10.040 when he did not 00:16:10.040 --> 00:16:11.060 know the law 00:16:11.060 --> 00:16:12.100 or try to obey 00:16:12.100 --> 00:16:12.620 the law. 00:16:12.860 --> 00:16:14.120 Right from birth, 00:16:14.200 --> 00:16:15.300 that was his life. 00:16:17.480 --> 00:16:18.320 So I think 00:16:18.320 --> 00:16:18.920 he's meaning 00:16:18.920 --> 00:16:19.860 that before 00:16:19.860 --> 00:16:21.420 he was a Christian, 00:16:21.419 --> 00:16:23.579 he did not 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:24.799 know the demands 00:16:24.799 --> 00:16:25.599 of the law, 00:16:26.659 --> 00:16:27.299 the true, 00:16:27.459 --> 00:16:28.319 the deep demands 00:16:28.319 --> 00:16:28.860 of the law. 00:16:29.199 --> 00:16:30.360 He did not know 00:16:30.360 --> 00:16:31.339 what the law 00:16:31.339 --> 00:16:32.699 truly required. 00:16:34.000 --> 00:16:35.039 He saw a bunch 00:16:35.039 --> 00:16:35.719 of rules 00:16:35.719 --> 00:16:37.139 but did not 00:16:37.139 --> 00:16:37.699 understand 00:16:37.699 --> 00:16:38.679 the deep thrust 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.379 of them all. 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:42.120 He did not know 00:16:42.120 --> 00:16:43.240 what it truly 00:16:43.240 --> 00:16:44.099 meant to love 00:16:44.099 --> 00:16:45.299 God supremely. 00:16:45.299 --> 00:16:47.839 And so when 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:48.359 he says 00:16:48.359 --> 00:16:49.620 I was alive, 00:16:50.399 --> 00:16:51.519 he's writing 00:16:51.519 --> 00:16:52.679 about his own 00:16:52.679 --> 00:16:53.859 self-deception, 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.259 his own 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.919 self-perception. 00:16:58.019 --> 00:16:59.120 I'm basically 00:16:59.120 --> 00:16:59.919 a good guy. 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:01.299 Look at the rules 00:17:01.299 --> 00:17:01.979 that I keep. 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.259 He thought 00:17:05.259 --> 00:17:05.680 that he was 00:17:05.680 --> 00:17:06.539 morally good, 00:17:07.119 --> 00:17:08.079 pleasing God. 00:17:08.599 --> 00:17:09.740 God was in fact 00:17:09.740 --> 00:17:11.000 satisfied with him. 00:17:11.359 --> 00:17:12.559 And when he writes 00:17:12.559 --> 00:17:13.639 the commandment 00:17:13.639 --> 00:17:14.779 came, 00:17:15.259 --> 00:17:16.440 he died, 00:17:17.779 --> 00:17:18.859 he realised 00:17:18.859 --> 00:17:19.500 he was 00:17:19.500 --> 00:17:20.299 in fact 00:17:20.299 --> 00:17:21.659 spiritually dead 00:17:21.659 --> 00:17:22.639 at that moment. 00:17:23.200 --> 00:17:23.899 He thought 00:17:23.899 --> 00:17:24.480 I'm going along 00:17:24.480 --> 00:17:25.419 really well spiritually 00:17:25.419 --> 00:17:26.299 compared to everyone else 00:17:26.299 --> 00:17:27.220 I'm doing really well. 00:17:28.859 --> 00:17:29.519 Felt 00:17:29.519 --> 00:17:30.720 better than most. 00:17:33.519 --> 00:17:34.539 And then 00:17:34.539 --> 00:17:36.179 the law came 00:17:36.179 --> 00:17:37.599 and he had 00:17:37.599 --> 00:17:38.279 an overwhelming 00:17:38.279 --> 00:17:38.980 sense 00:17:38.980 --> 00:17:40.659 of his failure 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:42.119 and his condemnation. 00:17:42.559 --> 00:17:44.159 That is, 00:17:44.500 --> 00:17:45.220 if you like, 00:17:45.339 --> 00:17:46.240 the commandment 00:17:46.240 --> 00:17:47.740 came home 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.480 to him. 00:17:50.559 --> 00:17:51.759 The reality 00:17:51.759 --> 00:17:52.240 of it 00:17:52.240 --> 00:17:53.119 struck me. 00:17:54.839 --> 00:17:55.700 I came 00:17:55.700 --> 00:17:56.339 under the conviction 00:17:56.339 --> 00:17:56.980 of sin. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:00.619 And verse 00:18:00.619 --> 00:18:01.879 eight tells us 00:18:01.879 --> 00:18:02.759 that the commandment 00:18:02.759 --> 00:18:03.179 that came 00:18:03.179 --> 00:18:04.700 home to him 00:18:04.700 --> 00:18:06.359 that exposed 00:18:06.359 --> 00:18:06.960 his sin 00:18:06.960 --> 00:18:07.879 and his failure 00:18:07.879 --> 00:18:09.200 was the 00:18:09.200 --> 00:18:10.259 tenth commandment. 00:18:10.259 --> 00:18:12.099 you shall 00:18:12.099 --> 00:18:12.539 not 00:18:12.539 --> 00:18:13.440 covet. 00:18:15.279 --> 00:18:16.019 Why that 00:18:16.019 --> 00:18:16.319 one? 00:18:17.259 --> 00:18:17.720 Why that 00:18:17.720 --> 00:18:17.980 one? 00:18:19.180 --> 00:18:19.599 What's 00:18:19.599 --> 00:18:20.440 special about 00:18:20.440 --> 00:18:20.700 it? 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:22.339 You see, 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:23.500 as a Pharisee, 00:18:23.940 --> 00:18:24.619 Paul would have 00:18:24.619 --> 00:18:25.799 thought of sin 00:18:25.799 --> 00:18:27.379 only in terms 00:18:27.379 --> 00:18:29.019 of external 00:18:29.019 --> 00:18:29.839 actions. 00:18:30.400 --> 00:18:30.799 As 00:18:30.799 --> 00:18:32.079 I go to say, 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.140 most people do 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:33.879 think of sin 00:18:33.879 --> 00:18:34.839 only in terms 00:18:34.839 --> 00:18:35.579 of external 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:36.160 actions. 00:18:37.119 --> 00:18:37.680 He would have 00:18:37.680 --> 00:18:38.359 thought that if I 00:18:38.359 --> 00:18:38.979 didn't commit 00:18:38.979 --> 00:18:39.839 an evil act, 00:18:39.919 --> 00:18:40.559 I was therefore 00:18:40.559 --> 00:18:41.439 not guilty of sin. 00:18:41.859 --> 00:18:42.039 You know, 00:18:42.099 --> 00:18:42.719 there's no time 00:18:42.719 --> 00:18:43.079 I've committed 00:18:43.079 --> 00:18:43.539 adultery, 00:18:43.639 --> 00:18:44.319 so tick the box. 00:18:44.379 --> 00:18:45.059 I've done that one. 00:18:45.259 --> 00:18:45.479 You know, 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:46.019 tick the box. 00:18:46.099 --> 00:18:46.359 I haven't 00:18:46.359 --> 00:18:46.939 murdered anyone. 00:18:47.079 --> 00:18:47.519 Tick the box, 00:18:47.599 --> 00:18:47.979 tick the box, 00:18:48.039 --> 00:18:48.459 tick the box. 00:18:48.819 --> 00:18:49.139 Woohoo! 00:18:49.979 --> 00:18:50.699 Gone through the 00:18:50.699 --> 00:18:51.379 first nine, 00:18:52.079 --> 00:18:52.639 tick the box, 00:18:52.759 --> 00:18:53.259 tick the box, 00:18:53.379 --> 00:18:54.019 tick the box. 00:18:54.439 --> 00:18:55.479 I'm a good guy. 00:18:55.480 --> 00:19:01.059 But in the 00:19:01.059 --> 00:19:01.559 Sermon on the 00:19:01.559 --> 00:19:01.839 Mount, 00:19:02.099 --> 00:19:02.819 Jesus showed 00:19:02.819 --> 00:19:03.759 us that all 00:19:03.759 --> 00:19:04.460 the Ten 00:19:04.460 --> 00:19:05.059 Commandments 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.960 refer not only 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:06.579 to behaviour, 00:19:07.299 --> 00:19:08.500 but to much 00:19:08.500 --> 00:19:09.519 deeper level 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.259 of inward 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.059 attitudes and 00:19:11.059 --> 00:19:11.720 motives as 00:19:11.720 --> 00:19:12.019 well. 00:19:13.519 --> 00:19:14.120 And yet, 00:19:14.279 --> 00:19:14.839 you can 00:19:14.839 --> 00:19:15.839 interpret the 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.660 Ten Commandments 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.980 superficially as 00:19:17.980 --> 00:19:19.360 behavioural rules 00:19:19.360 --> 00:19:21.200 relatively easy 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:21.900 to keep. 00:19:21.900 --> 00:19:25.340 as did 00:19:25.340 --> 00:19:26.480 the rich 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:27.080 young ruler 00:19:27.080 --> 00:19:29.160 when he 00:19:29.160 --> 00:19:29.660 came to 00:19:29.660 --> 00:19:30.500 Jesus and 00:19:30.500 --> 00:19:31.240 asked Jesus, 00:19:31.380 --> 00:19:31.980 what must I 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:32.759 do to 00:19:32.759 --> 00:19:33.600 inherit eternal 00:19:33.600 --> 00:19:34.180 life? 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.660 What did 00:19:35.660 --> 00:19:36.360 Jesus do? 00:19:37.560 --> 00:19:38.100 What was 00:19:38.100 --> 00:19:38.380 Jesus' 00:19:38.540 --> 00:19:39.019 response? 00:19:41.180 --> 00:19:42.160 He listed 00:19:42.160 --> 00:19:42.860 off the 00:19:42.860 --> 00:19:43.360 commandments, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:45.880 except 00:19:45.880 --> 00:19:47.580 Jesus didn't 00:19:47.580 --> 00:19:47.940 mention 00:19:47.940 --> 00:19:48.440 Commandment 00:19:48.440 --> 00:19:48.800 One, 00:19:49.200 --> 00:19:49.460 love the 00:19:49.460 --> 00:19:49.759 Lord your 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:50.019 God with 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.180 all your 00:19:50.180 --> 00:19:50.360 heart, 00:19:50.420 --> 00:19:50.700 soul and 00:19:50.700 --> 00:19:51.019 mind, 00:19:51.019 --> 00:19:51.879 and he 00:19:51.879 --> 00:19:52.019 didn't 00:19:52.019 --> 00:19:52.279 mention 00:19:52.279 --> 00:19:52.519 number 00:19:52.519 --> 00:19:53.000 Ten, 00:19:53.599 --> 00:19:53.940 do not 00:19:53.940 --> 00:19:54.180 covet. 00:19:58.920 --> 00:19:59.400 Jesus 00:19:59.400 --> 00:19:59.680 said go 00:19:59.680 --> 00:19:59.920 away and 00:19:59.920 --> 00:20:00.200 do that 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.420 and you 00:20:00.420 --> 00:20:00.779 live, 00:20:01.400 --> 00:20:01.740 and he 00:20:01.740 --> 00:20:02.019 walked 00:20:02.019 --> 00:20:03.339 away sad. 00:20:07.059 --> 00:20:07.440 You see, 00:20:07.579 --> 00:20:08.259 coveting has 00:20:08.259 --> 00:20:08.859 everything to 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:09.319 do with 00:20:09.319 --> 00:20:10.400 inner motives. 00:20:11.079 --> 00:20:11.440 It has 00:20:11.440 --> 00:20:12.019 everything to 00:20:12.019 --> 00:20:12.559 do with 00:20:12.559 --> 00:20:13.940 heart issues. 00:20:14.559 --> 00:20:14.900 It's the 00:20:14.900 --> 00:20:15.839 one of 00:20:15.839 --> 00:20:16.859 these Ten 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.400 Commandments 00:20:17.400 --> 00:20:17.680 that you 00:20:17.680 --> 00:20:18.240 cannot tick 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:18.859 the box and 00:20:18.859 --> 00:20:19.099 say, 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:20.039 I've done 00:20:20.039 --> 00:20:20.599 it practically. 00:20:21.019 --> 00:20:25.059 coveting 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:26.000 includes 00:20:26.000 --> 00:20:26.539 envy, 00:20:27.359 --> 00:20:28.299 self-pitying, 00:20:28.879 --> 00:20:29.299 grumbling, 00:20:30.220 --> 00:20:30.740 murmuring. 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.480 Coveting is 00:20:32.480 --> 00:20:32.900 not just 00:20:32.900 --> 00:20:33.379 wanting, 00:20:33.799 --> 00:20:34.119 it's an 00:20:34.119 --> 00:20:34.839 idolatrous 00:20:34.839 --> 00:20:35.599 longing for 00:20:35.599 --> 00:20:36.319 more beauty, 00:20:36.839 --> 00:20:37.240 for more 00:20:37.240 --> 00:20:37.759 wealth, 00:20:38.160 --> 00:20:38.559 for more 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.240 approval, 00:20:39.720 --> 00:20:40.059 for more 00:20:40.059 --> 00:20:40.900 popularity than 00:20:40.900 --> 00:20:41.440 you have. 00:20:42.660 --> 00:20:43.339 And Paul 00:20:43.339 --> 00:20:43.960 had never 00:20:43.960 --> 00:20:44.639 understood 00:20:44.639 --> 00:20:46.019 sin as a 00:20:46.019 --> 00:20:46.480 matter of 00:20:46.480 --> 00:20:46.920 inward 00:20:46.920 --> 00:20:47.720 longings and 00:20:47.720 --> 00:20:48.440 idolatrous 00:20:48.440 --> 00:20:49.059 drives and 00:20:49.059 --> 00:20:49.500 desires. 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:50.940 He had 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.579 never seen 00:20:51.579 --> 00:20:52.519 sin as 00:20:52.519 --> 00:20:53.240 essentially 00:20:53.240 --> 00:20:54.539 coveting 00:20:54.539 --> 00:20:55.299 against 00:20:55.299 --> 00:20:55.940 God, 00:20:57.279 --> 00:20:58.480 failing to 00:20:58.480 --> 00:20:59.299 love God 00:20:59.299 --> 00:21:00.019 enough to 00:21:00.019 --> 00:21:00.599 be content 00:21:00.599 --> 00:21:01.559 with God. 00:21:02.119 --> 00:21:02.720 He thought 00:21:02.720 --> 00:21:03.400 of sin only 00:21:03.400 --> 00:21:04.059 in terms of 00:21:04.059 --> 00:21:05.220 violating rules. 00:21:06.160 --> 00:21:06.740 And so when 00:21:06.740 --> 00:21:07.460 the commandment 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.819 came home 00:21:08.819 --> 00:21:09.400 to him, 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.640 he first in 00:21:12.640 --> 00:21:13.400 his life saw 00:21:13.400 --> 00:21:14.920 the depth 00:21:14.920 --> 00:21:16.320 of his sin 00:21:16.320 --> 00:21:19.100 right to 00:21:19.100 --> 00:21:19.500 the core 00:21:19.500 --> 00:21:19.800 of his 00:21:19.800 --> 00:21:20.200 being. 00:21:20.720 --> 00:21:21.180 He saw 00:21:21.180 --> 00:21:22.000 how utterly 00:21:22.000 --> 00:21:23.320 evil and 00:21:23.320 --> 00:21:23.960 wicked he 00:21:23.960 --> 00:21:24.580 was. 00:21:25.860 --> 00:21:26.200 And so 00:21:26.200 --> 00:21:27.000 the flaw 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:28.840 was not 00:21:28.840 --> 00:21:29.420 in the 00:21:29.420 --> 00:21:29.980 law. 00:21:31.620 --> 00:21:32.160 Verse 12 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:32.980 indicates 00:21:32.980 --> 00:21:33.960 it's in fact 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.620 quite the 00:21:34.620 --> 00:21:35.160 reverse. 00:21:36.200 --> 00:21:37.100 The flaw 00:21:37.100 --> 00:21:37.980 was in 00:21:37.980 --> 00:21:39.080 Paul 00:21:39.079 --> 00:21:40.460 and us 00:21:40.460 --> 00:21:42.059 not the 00:21:42.059 --> 00:21:42.480 law. 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.759 Externally 00:21:44.759 --> 00:21:46.019 we may be 00:21:46.019 --> 00:21:46.740 very good. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.379 Internally 00:21:48.379 --> 00:21:49.699 we cannot 00:21:49.699 --> 00:21:50.639 be anything 00:21:50.639 --> 00:21:51.220 other than 00:21:51.220 --> 00:21:51.699 a sinful. 00:21:52.339 --> 00:21:52.899 The law 00:21:52.899 --> 00:21:53.659 is good 00:21:53.659 --> 00:21:55.240 but I 00:21:55.240 --> 00:21:56.659 am evil. 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.939 That's 00:21:58.939 --> 00:21:59.559 his point 00:21:59.559 --> 00:22:00.519 in the 00:22:00.519 --> 00:22:01.079 first bit 00:22:01.079 --> 00:22:01.639 of chapter 00:22:01.639 --> 00:22:02.039 seven. 00:22:04.119 --> 00:22:04.839 He's 00:22:04.839 --> 00:22:05.399 talking about 00:22:05.399 --> 00:22:06.179 his pre-Christian 00:22:06.179 --> 00:22:06.659 days. 00:22:06.660 --> 00:22:08.940 When you 00:22:08.940 --> 00:22:09.360 move to 00:22:09.360 --> 00:22:10.700 verse 14 00:22:10.700 --> 00:22:12.440 there's now 00:22:12.440 --> 00:22:13.040 a shift 00:22:13.040 --> 00:22:13.580 and he's 00:22:13.580 --> 00:22:14.240 now referring 00:22:14.240 --> 00:22:14.960 to his 00:22:14.960 --> 00:22:15.500 battle 00:22:15.500 --> 00:22:16.740 in Christ 00:22:16.740 --> 00:22:18.120 as a 00:22:18.120 --> 00:22:18.480 Christian. 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.400 The first 00:22:20.400 --> 00:22:22.259 half is 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:22.960 Paul looking 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:23.660 back before 00:22:23.660 --> 00:22:23.980 he's a 00:22:23.980 --> 00:22:24.259 Christian 00:22:24.259 --> 00:22:25.380 now and 00:22:25.380 --> 00:22:25.700 how the 00:22:25.700 --> 00:22:26.320 law calls 00:22:26.320 --> 00:22:26.660 him to 00:22:26.660 --> 00:22:27.660 look beyond 00:22:27.660 --> 00:22:28.340 himself to 00:22:28.340 --> 00:22:29.000 Jesus for 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.440 rescue. 00:22:31.100 --> 00:22:31.800 And this 00:22:31.800 --> 00:22:32.220 is now 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.220 Paul writing 00:22:33.220 --> 00:22:33.860 about his 00:22:33.860 --> 00:22:34.519 current 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.660 experience 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.640 battling 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.900 sin as 00:22:37.900 --> 00:22:38.040 a 00:22:38.040 --> 00:22:38.400 Christian. 00:22:39.480 --> 00:22:40.080 This 00:22:40.080 --> 00:22:41.400 is his 00:22:41.400 --> 00:22:41.880 battle 00:22:41.880 --> 00:22:42.840 and that 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.720 of every 00:22:43.720 --> 00:22:44.180 Christian 00:22:44.180 --> 00:22:45.640 in Jesus 00:22:45.640 --> 00:22:46.780 in Christ. 00:22:47.920 --> 00:22:48.480 Now I 00:22:48.480 --> 00:22:48.800 need to 00:22:48.800 --> 00:22:49.540 disclose here 00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:50.020 that this 00:22:50.020 --> 00:22:50.560 section 00:22:50.560 --> 00:22:51.560 has been 00:22:51.560 --> 00:22:52.200 debated 00:22:52.200 --> 00:22:53.440 for 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:54.640 centuries. 00:22:55.759 --> 00:22:56.220 These 00:22:56.220 --> 00:22:57.120 verses here 00:22:57.120 --> 00:22:57.500 the second 00:22:57.500 --> 00:22:57.960 half of 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.620 chapter seven 00:22:58.620 --> 00:22:59.020 have been 00:22:59.020 --> 00:22:59.460 debated 00:22:59.460 --> 00:23:00.540 for centuries. 00:23:01.160 --> 00:23:01.740 The issue 00:23:01.740 --> 00:23:02.900 is whether 00:23:02.900 --> 00:23:03.920 Paul is 00:23:03.920 --> 00:23:04.860 still writing 00:23:04.860 --> 00:23:05.740 here about 00:23:05.740 --> 00:23:06.099 his 00:23:06.099 --> 00:23:07.380 pre-Christian 00:23:07.380 --> 00:23:08.019 experience 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:08.440 of battling 00:23:08.440 --> 00:23:09.700 sin or 00:23:09.700 --> 00:23:10.059 his 00:23:10.059 --> 00:23:11.059 current 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:11.859 Christian 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.700 experience 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.200 of battling 00:23:13.200 --> 00:23:13.620 sin. 00:23:14.940 --> 00:23:15.599 And let me 00:23:15.599 --> 00:23:16.079 just say 00:23:16.079 --> 00:23:16.500 that there 00:23:16.500 --> 00:23:17.059 have been 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:18.000 plenty, 00:23:18.579 --> 00:23:19.640 plenty of 00:23:19.640 --> 00:23:20.319 thoughtful, 00:23:20.940 --> 00:23:21.460 wise, 00:23:22.079 --> 00:23:23.059 godly people 00:23:23.059 --> 00:23:24.200 on both 00:23:24.200 --> 00:23:24.740 sides of 00:23:24.740 --> 00:23:25.440 that debate. 00:23:26.519 --> 00:23:27.319 Still are 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:28.620 on both 00:23:28.620 --> 00:23:29.059 sides of 00:23:29.059 --> 00:23:29.559 that debate. 00:23:30.440 --> 00:23:31.359 For instance, 00:23:31.920 --> 00:23:32.759 some find it 00:23:32.759 --> 00:23:33.259 hard to 00:23:33.259 --> 00:23:33.799 reconcile 00:23:33.799 --> 00:23:34.779 that a 00:23:34.779 --> 00:23:35.139 Christian 00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.419 could 00:23:35.419 --> 00:23:35.720 write 00:23:35.720 --> 00:23:35.980 as 00:23:35.980 --> 00:23:36.240 Paul 00:23:36.240 --> 00:23:36.619 does 00:23:36.619 --> 00:23:36.879 in 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.119 verse 00:23:37.119 --> 00:23:37.799 14, 00:23:38.500 --> 00:23:38.919 I am 00:23:38.919 --> 00:23:39.839 unspiritual 00:23:39.839 --> 00:23:41.259 sold as 00:23:41.259 --> 00:23:41.680 a slave 00:23:41.680 --> 00:23:42.200 to sin. 00:23:43.259 --> 00:23:43.940 He also 00:23:43.940 --> 00:23:44.720 confesses 00:23:44.720 --> 00:23:45.359 that he 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:45.680 sins 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:46.200 regularly 00:23:46.200 --> 00:23:46.559 in 00:23:46.559 --> 00:23:47.399 verse 15, 00:23:47.819 --> 00:23:48.059 I do 00:23:48.059 --> 00:23:48.220 not 00:23:48.220 --> 00:23:48.799 understand 00:23:48.799 --> 00:23:49.099 what I 00:23:49.099 --> 00:23:49.460 do. 00:23:49.879 --> 00:23:49.980 For 00:23:49.980 --> 00:23:51.379 what I 00:23:51.379 --> 00:23:51.759 want 00:23:51.759 --> 00:23:52.460 to do 00:23:52.460 --> 00:23:53.379 I do, 00:23:53.659 --> 00:23:54.559 but what 00:23:54.559 --> 00:23:55.159 I hate 00:23:55.159 --> 00:23:55.740 I do. 00:23:55.839 --> 00:23:56.119 And again 00:23:56.119 --> 00:23:56.500 in verse 00:23:56.500 --> 00:23:57.200 18, 00:23:57.700 --> 00:23:58.259 I have 00:23:58.259 --> 00:23:58.879 the desire 00:23:58.879 --> 00:23:59.319 to do 00:23:59.319 --> 00:23:59.680 what is 00:23:59.680 --> 00:24:00.099 good, 00:24:00.440 --> 00:24:00.759 but I 00:24:00.759 --> 00:24:01.059 cannot 00:24:01.059 --> 00:24:01.619 carry it 00:24:01.619 --> 00:24:01.959 out. 00:24:03.719 --> 00:24:04.299 Now, 00:24:05.199 --> 00:24:05.739 the reason 00:24:05.739 --> 00:24:06.419 I think 00:24:06.419 --> 00:24:06.639 he's 00:24:06.639 --> 00:24:06.939 writing 00:24:06.939 --> 00:24:07.259 about 00:24:07.259 --> 00:24:07.519 his 00:24:07.519 --> 00:24:08.279 current 00:24:08.279 --> 00:24:09.000 Christian 00:24:09.000 --> 00:24:09.919 experience 00:24:09.919 --> 00:24:11.039 of 00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:11.419 battle 00:24:11.419 --> 00:24:11.699 with 00:24:11.699 --> 00:24:12.059 sin 00:24:12.059 --> 00:24:13.199 is 00:24:13.199 --> 00:24:13.659 really 00:24:13.659 --> 00:24:14.059 four 00:24:14.059 --> 00:24:14.679 reasons. 00:24:15.339 --> 00:24:15.779 Firstly, 00:24:16.500 --> 00:24:16.979 the change 00:24:16.979 --> 00:24:17.419 of verb 00:24:17.419 --> 00:24:17.879 tenses. 00:24:18.779 --> 00:24:19.479 He moves 00:24:19.479 --> 00:24:19.859 from the 00:24:19.859 --> 00:24:20.599 past in 00:24:20.599 --> 00:24:21.039 the tense 00:24:21.039 --> 00:24:21.299 of the 00:24:21.299 --> 00:24:21.519 verbs 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:21.879 to the 00:24:21.879 --> 00:24:22.219 present 00:24:22.219 --> 00:24:22.699 tense 00:24:22.699 --> 00:24:23.179 in 00:24:23.179 --> 00:24:23.439 all 00:24:23.439 --> 00:24:24.019 verbs 00:24:24.019 --> 00:24:25.279 in. 00:24:26.719 --> 00:24:27.439 That 00:24:27.439 --> 00:24:27.659 is, 00:24:27.779 --> 00:24:28.179 in 7 00:24:28.179 --> 00:24:28.719 to 13, 00:24:29.379 --> 00:24:30.019 the verbs 00:24:30.019 --> 00:24:30.819 are past 00:24:30.819 --> 00:24:31.219 tense, 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.079 14 00:24:32.079 --> 00:24:32.640 onwards, 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.180 present 00:24:33.180 --> 00:24:33.559 tense, 00:24:33.720 --> 00:24:34.039 he's 00:24:34.039 --> 00:24:34.259 talking 00:24:34.259 --> 00:24:34.620 about 00:24:34.620 --> 00:24:35.120 now. 00:24:35.720 --> 00:24:36.100 Secondly, 00:24:36.519 --> 00:24:36.779 there's 00:24:36.779 --> 00:24:37.220 also a 00:24:37.220 --> 00:24:37.519 change 00:24:37.519 --> 00:24:37.640 of 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:38.299 situation. 00:24:38.759 --> 00:24:39.079 Verses 00:24:39.079 --> 00:24:39.539 7 00:24:39.539 --> 00:24:40.500 to 13 00:24:40.500 --> 00:24:41.420 is sin 00:24:41.420 --> 00:24:41.860 killing 00:24:41.860 --> 00:24:42.380 him, 00:24:42.900 --> 00:24:43.339 but from 00:24:43.339 --> 00:24:43.600 verses 00:24:43.600 --> 00:24:44.160 14 00:24:44.160 --> 00:24:44.740 onwards, 00:24:44.839 --> 00:24:44.960 it's 00:24:44.960 --> 00:24:45.120 him 00:24:45.120 --> 00:24:45.519 wrestling 00:24:45.519 --> 00:24:45.779 with 00:24:45.779 --> 00:24:46.019 sin. 00:24:47.660 --> 00:24:48.000 It's 00:24:48.000 --> 00:24:48.380 a battle 00:24:48.380 --> 00:24:48.700 that he 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:49.200 refuses 00:24:49.200 --> 00:24:49.500 to 00:24:49.500 --> 00:24:50.240 surrender 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.620 to, 00:24:51.740 --> 00:24:52.620 but he 00:24:52.620 --> 00:24:53.160 is not 00:24:53.160 --> 00:24:53.799 dead or 00:24:53.799 --> 00:24:54.559 dying or 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.019 losing. 00:24:55.960 --> 00:24:56.420 Thirdly, 00:24:57.400 --> 00:24:58.360 Paul delights 00:24:58.360 --> 00:24:59.059 in God's 00:24:59.059 --> 00:24:59.660 law in 00:24:59.660 --> 00:25:00.680 verse 22, 00:25:00.680 --> 00:25:01.440 for in 00:25:01.440 --> 00:25:02.000 my inner 00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:03.000 being I 00:25:03.000 --> 00:25:04.460 delight in 00:25:04.460 --> 00:25:04.900 God's 00:25:04.900 --> 00:25:05.220 law, 00:25:05.860 --> 00:25:06.420 even though 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.080 sin is 00:25:07.080 --> 00:25:07.460 at work 00:25:07.460 --> 00:25:07.860 in him. 00:25:08.420 --> 00:25:09.340 Romans 8, 00:25:09.400 --> 00:25:09.940 the very next 00:25:09.940 --> 00:25:10.180 chapter, 00:25:10.320 --> 00:25:10.900 Romans 8 00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:11.820 verse 7 00:25:11.820 --> 00:25:13.220 tells us 00:25:13.220 --> 00:25:14.160 that a sinful 00:25:14.160 --> 00:25:15.160 mind that is 00:25:15.160 --> 00:25:16.039 hostile to 00:25:16.039 --> 00:25:17.340 God cannot 00:25:17.340 --> 00:25:18.279 delight in 00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:18.860 God's law, 00:25:20.120 --> 00:25:20.900 cannot submit 00:25:20.900 --> 00:25:21.600 to God's 00:25:21.600 --> 00:25:21.880 law. 00:25:22.440 --> 00:25:23.500 A non-believer 00:25:23.500 --> 00:25:25.039 cannot delight 00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:26.299 in God's 00:25:26.299 --> 00:25:26.560 law. 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.559 God's 00:25:27.559 --> 00:25:27.759 law. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:29.000 Fourthly, 00:25:29.679 --> 00:25:30.419 Paul admits 00:25:30.419 --> 00:25:30.779 he's a 00:25:30.779 --> 00:25:31.259 sinner in 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.220 verse 18, 00:25:32.740 --> 00:25:33.039 and an 00:25:33.039 --> 00:25:33.720 unbeliever 00:25:33.720 --> 00:25:34.579 is unaware 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.799 that they 00:25:35.799 --> 00:25:36.259 are so 00:25:36.259 --> 00:25:36.960 sinful that 00:25:36.960 --> 00:25:37.379 they cannot 00:25:37.379 --> 00:25:37.740 save 00:25:37.740 --> 00:25:38.200 themselves. 00:25:39.159 --> 00:25:39.379 They 00:25:39.379 --> 00:25:39.779 cannot 00:25:39.779 --> 00:25:40.379 acknowledge 00:25:40.379 --> 00:25:40.899 the depth 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.259 of their 00:25:41.259 --> 00:25:41.539 sin. 00:25:42.399 --> 00:25:42.879 That is 00:25:42.879 --> 00:25:43.179 why I 00:25:43.179 --> 00:25:43.839 think Paul 00:25:43.839 --> 00:25:44.559 is here 00:25:44.559 --> 00:25:45.099 in these 00:25:45.099 --> 00:25:45.579 verses 00:25:45.579 --> 00:25:46.859 laying out 00:25:46.859 --> 00:25:47.619 his inner 00:25:47.619 --> 00:25:48.359 struggle 00:25:48.359 --> 00:25:50.759 as a 00:25:50.759 --> 00:25:51.119 Christian. 00:25:51.119 --> 00:25:51.159 Christian. 00:25:52.299 --> 00:25:52.739 It's the 00:25:52.739 --> 00:25:53.879 experience of 00:25:53.879 --> 00:25:55.139 every believer 00:25:55.139 --> 00:25:55.959 in Jesus. 00:25:57.019 --> 00:25:57.819 That experience 00:25:57.819 --> 00:25:59.279 is that on 00:25:59.279 --> 00:25:59.879 the one 00:25:59.879 --> 00:26:00.419 hand, 00:26:00.839 --> 00:26:01.739 we now see 00:26:01.739 --> 00:26:02.379 God's law 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.399 as spiritual, 00:26:03.659 --> 00:26:04.419 verse 14, 00:26:04.859 --> 00:26:05.419 good, 00:26:05.699 --> 00:26:06.559 verse 16, 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:08.379 and have a 00:26:08.379 --> 00:26:09.299 desire to keep 00:26:09.299 --> 00:26:09.819 it in 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:11.939 verses 15 00:26:11.939 --> 00:26:12.759 and 18. 00:26:14.279 --> 00:26:15.179 Paul says 00:26:15.179 --> 00:26:15.939 that in his 00:26:15.939 --> 00:26:16.779 inner being, 00:26:17.179 --> 00:26:18.559 he rejoices 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.519 in the law. 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:20.960 in his 00:26:20.960 --> 00:26:21.539 heart of 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.079 hearts, 00:26:22.279 --> 00:26:22.859 in the 00:26:22.859 --> 00:26:23.519 depths of 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.180 himself, 00:26:24.819 --> 00:26:25.819 he loves 00:26:25.819 --> 00:26:26.259 the law 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.859 of God. 00:26:28.559 --> 00:26:29.220 But on 00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:29.559 the other 00:26:29.559 --> 00:26:29.980 hand, 00:26:31.319 --> 00:26:32.240 his actions 00:26:32.240 --> 00:26:33.680 are against 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:34.180 the law. 00:26:36.059 --> 00:26:36.639 Sort of 00:26:36.639 --> 00:26:37.059 like 00:26:37.059 --> 00:26:38.299 Robert Louis 00:26:38.299 --> 00:26:38.960 Stevenson's 00:26:38.960 --> 00:26:39.220 Dr. 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:39.720 Jekyll and 00:26:39.720 --> 00:26:39.920 Mr. 00:26:40.039 --> 00:26:40.400 Hyde. 00:26:43.079 --> 00:26:43.779 If you've 00:26:43.779 --> 00:26:44.279 never read 00:26:44.279 --> 00:26:44.720 it, it's a 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.220 really helpful 00:26:45.220 --> 00:26:45.740 little read. 00:26:45.819 --> 00:26:46.119 It's only 00:26:46.119 --> 00:26:46.940 really short, 00:26:47.139 --> 00:26:47.519 like 80 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:48.099 pages or 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.500 something in 00:26:48.500 --> 00:26:48.879 the original 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.339 form. 00:26:49.519 --> 00:26:49.799 Don't 00:26:49.799 --> 00:26:50.139 watch a 00:26:50.139 --> 00:26:50.700 movie or 00:26:50.700 --> 00:26:51.500 just read 00:26:51.500 --> 00:26:51.839 the book. 00:26:52.940 --> 00:26:53.500 Really, 00:26:53.619 --> 00:26:54.099 really helpful. 00:26:55.339 --> 00:26:56.220 The premise 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:56.720 of the book 00:26:56.720 --> 00:26:57.379 is that 00:26:57.379 --> 00:26:58.139 every single 00:26:58.139 --> 00:26:59.720 being has 00:26:59.720 --> 00:27:00.680 a sense 00:27:00.680 --> 00:27:01.180 of two 00:27:01.180 --> 00:27:01.579 cells 00:27:01.579 --> 00:27:02.119 battling. 00:27:03.700 --> 00:27:04.039 Two 00:27:04.039 --> 00:27:05.279 sense of 00:27:05.279 --> 00:27:05.660 cells, 00:27:05.839 --> 00:27:06.519 a sense 00:27:06.519 --> 00:27:06.819 of two 00:27:06.819 --> 00:27:07.019 cells 00:27:07.019 --> 00:27:07.420 battling. 00:27:09.819 --> 00:27:10.879 The principle 00:27:10.879 --> 00:27:11.639 of the book 00:27:11.639 --> 00:27:13.299 is which 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.220 one am I 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:14.700 truly? 00:27:16.339 --> 00:27:17.099 Which one 00:27:17.099 --> 00:27:17.619 is truly 00:27:17.619 --> 00:27:17.960 me? 00:27:17.960 --> 00:27:18.019 me? 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.100 And you 00:27:21.100 --> 00:27:21.559 don't want 00:27:21.559 --> 00:27:21.900 to end 00:27:21.900 --> 00:27:22.759 up at 00:27:22.759 --> 00:27:23.980 the, in 00:27:23.980 --> 00:27:24.160 case you 00:27:24.160 --> 00:27:24.600 never read 00:27:24.600 --> 00:27:25.960 it, he 00:27:25.960 --> 00:27:26.220 kills 00:27:26.220 --> 00:27:26.720 himself. 00:27:28.720 --> 00:27:29.860 Because the 00:27:29.860 --> 00:27:30.720 evil one 00:27:30.720 --> 00:27:31.480 became more 00:27:31.480 --> 00:27:31.779 him. 00:27:33.860 --> 00:27:34.660 That became 00:27:34.660 --> 00:27:35.120 his true 00:27:35.120 --> 00:27:35.519 sense. 00:27:36.380 --> 00:27:36.799 But that's 00:27:36.799 --> 00:27:37.039 what we 00:27:37.039 --> 00:27:37.480 wrestle with. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:37.940 Which one 00:27:37.940 --> 00:27:38.420 is truly 00:27:38.420 --> 00:27:38.779 me? 00:27:39.299 --> 00:27:39.519 And 00:27:39.519 --> 00:27:39.880 particularly 00:27:39.880 --> 00:27:40.180 as a 00:27:40.180 --> 00:27:40.420 Christian? 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:40.799 Am I 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.180 a sinner 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.660 or am I 00:27:41.660 --> 00:27:42.120 a saint? 00:27:42.119 --> 00:27:42.279 a saint? 00:27:45.000 --> 00:27:45.759 Before he 00:27:45.759 --> 00:27:46.039 was a 00:27:46.039 --> 00:27:46.379 Christian, 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:46.899 Paul thought 00:27:46.899 --> 00:27:47.139 he was 00:27:47.139 --> 00:27:47.599 a saint. 00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:49.139 Now that 00:27:49.139 --> 00:27:49.539 he's a 00:27:49.539 --> 00:27:49.959 Christian, 00:27:50.399 --> 00:27:51.119 a saint, 00:27:51.599 --> 00:27:52.799 right before 00:27:52.799 --> 00:27:53.639 Jesus Christ, 00:27:53.739 --> 00:27:54.079 he now 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:54.559 wrestles 00:27:54.559 --> 00:27:55.199 with am I 00:27:55.199 --> 00:27:55.739 actually a 00:27:55.739 --> 00:27:55.939 sinner? 00:27:59.099 --> 00:27:59.919 His sense 00:27:59.919 --> 00:28:00.199 of his 00:28:00.199 --> 00:28:00.699 sinfulness 00:28:00.699 --> 00:28:01.439 is much 00:28:01.439 --> 00:28:02.259 stronger and 00:28:02.259 --> 00:28:03.000 more disturbing 00:28:03.000 --> 00:28:03.539 to him 00:28:03.539 --> 00:28:04.759 now. 00:28:06.139 --> 00:28:06.899 So which 00:28:06.899 --> 00:28:07.539 one is he? 00:28:08.179 --> 00:28:08.599 Which one 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.079 is he? 00:28:09.079 --> 00:28:11.500 The deepest 00:28:11.500 --> 00:28:12.119 desire is 00:28:12.119 --> 00:28:12.559 hard. 00:28:12.679 --> 00:28:13.220 Am I a 00:28:13.220 --> 00:28:13.659 sinner or 00:28:13.659 --> 00:28:14.079 am I a 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.439 saint? 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.879 And the 00:28:17.879 --> 00:28:18.319 point of 00:28:18.319 --> 00:28:19.259 these verses 00:28:19.259 --> 00:28:20.179 is that for 00:28:20.179 --> 00:28:20.939 the Christian 00:28:20.939 --> 00:28:23.500 that 00:28:23.500 --> 00:28:25.859 question is 00:28:25.859 --> 00:28:26.240 settled. 00:28:27.859 --> 00:28:28.419 It's 00:28:28.419 --> 00:28:28.779 settled. 00:28:29.779 --> 00:28:30.299 Even 00:28:30.299 --> 00:28:30.779 though the 00:28:30.779 --> 00:28:31.659 battle continues 00:28:31.659 --> 00:28:32.399 to rage, 00:28:32.539 --> 00:28:33.259 the question, 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:34.000 the issue 00:28:34.000 --> 00:28:34.679 is settled. 00:28:36.419 --> 00:28:37.619 Verse 23, 00:28:37.619 --> 00:28:39.119 the law 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:40.199 of God 00:28:40.199 --> 00:28:40.799 is our 00:28:40.799 --> 00:28:41.539 utmost 00:28:41.539 --> 00:28:42.039 delight. 00:28:43.119 --> 00:28:43.599 There is 00:28:43.599 --> 00:28:44.319 still a 00:28:44.319 --> 00:28:44.819 powerful 00:28:44.819 --> 00:28:45.659 force of 00:28:45.659 --> 00:28:46.359 sin and 00:28:46.359 --> 00:28:46.799 rebellion 00:28:46.799 --> 00:28:47.500 within me, 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:48.599 but those 00:28:48.599 --> 00:28:49.839 desires are 00:28:49.839 --> 00:28:50.739 not the 00:28:50.739 --> 00:28:51.239 deepest 00:28:51.239 --> 00:28:52.000 sense of 00:28:52.000 --> 00:28:52.399 who I 00:28:52.399 --> 00:28:52.919 am. 00:28:56.119 --> 00:28:56.779 As 00:28:56.779 --> 00:28:57.359 verse 20 00:28:57.359 --> 00:28:57.819 says, 00:28:58.279 --> 00:28:59.059 if I do 00:28:59.059 --> 00:28:59.659 what I do 00:28:59.659 --> 00:29:00.199 not want 00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:00.899 to do, 00:29:01.419 --> 00:29:02.259 it is no 00:29:02.259 --> 00:29:03.639 longer I, 00:29:04.000 --> 00:29:04.699 my deepest 00:29:04.699 --> 00:29:05.439 sense who 00:29:05.439 --> 00:29:06.179 does it, 00:29:06.180 --> 00:29:07.539 but it 00:29:07.539 --> 00:29:08.000 is sin 00:29:08.000 --> 00:29:08.539 living in 00:29:08.539 --> 00:29:08.880 me that 00:29:08.880 --> 00:29:09.340 does it. 00:29:12.000 --> 00:29:12.700 As we 00:29:12.700 --> 00:29:13.299 saw last 00:29:13.299 --> 00:29:13.700 week, a 00:29:13.700 --> 00:29:15.279 Christian has 00:29:15.279 --> 00:29:16.160 had a 00:29:16.160 --> 00:29:17.220 identity 00:29:17.220 --> 00:29:18.299 transformation. 00:29:19.940 --> 00:29:20.160 A 00:29:20.160 --> 00:29:20.620 Christian 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.880 really seeks 00:29:21.880 --> 00:29:22.840 God and 00:29:22.840 --> 00:29:23.400 loves his 00:29:23.400 --> 00:29:23.840 law and 00:29:23.840 --> 00:29:24.240 holiness. 00:29:25.240 --> 00:29:25.720 Even 00:29:25.720 --> 00:29:26.539 while sin 00:29:26.539 --> 00:29:28.039 remains in 00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.600 us with a 00:29:28.600 --> 00:29:29.140 whole lot of 00:29:29.140 --> 00:29:29.720 strength, 00:29:30.140 --> 00:29:31.000 whole lot of 00:29:31.000 --> 00:29:31.460 strength, 00:29:31.860 --> 00:29:33.019 it no longer 00:29:33.019 --> 00:29:34.940 controls our 00:29:34.940 --> 00:29:36.019 personality and 00:29:36.019 --> 00:29:36.740 our life. 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:40.240 That is our 00:29:40.240 --> 00:29:41.579 weakness, our 00:29:41.579 --> 00:29:42.480 inner conflict. 00:29:43.879 --> 00:29:44.680 The strength 00:29:44.680 --> 00:29:45.480 of the 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:45.940 remaining 00:29:45.940 --> 00:29:47.059 corruption of 00:29:47.059 --> 00:29:47.940 our lives 00:29:47.940 --> 00:29:49.700 will still 00:29:49.700 --> 00:29:50.519 lead us to 00:29:50.519 --> 00:29:51.579 disobey God. 00:29:52.980 --> 00:29:53.839 Even in 00:29:53.839 --> 00:29:54.339 this, and 00:29:54.339 --> 00:29:55.139 if this is 00:29:55.139 --> 00:29:55.680 you right 00:29:55.680 --> 00:29:56.460 now, and 00:29:56.460 --> 00:29:57.440 very conscious 00:29:57.440 --> 00:29:57.779 of your 00:29:57.779 --> 00:29:59.359 sin, the 00:29:59.359 --> 00:30:00.059 strength of 00:30:00.059 --> 00:30:00.619 the remaining 00:30:00.619 --> 00:30:01.619 corruption in 00:30:01.619 --> 00:30:02.500 your life, the 00:30:02.500 --> 00:30:03.099 sin in your 00:30:03.099 --> 00:30:04.079 life, will 00:30:04.079 --> 00:30:05.139 still lead 00:30:05.139 --> 00:30:05.439 you to 00:30:05.439 --> 00:30:06.519 disobey God 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:08.059 even in 00:30:08.059 --> 00:30:08.819 the same 00:30:08.819 --> 00:30:10.019 ways you 00:30:10.019 --> 00:30:11.219 did prior 00:30:11.219 --> 00:30:12.059 to you being 00:30:12.059 --> 00:30:12.579 a Christian. 00:30:14.339 --> 00:30:15.579 But now, 00:30:16.839 --> 00:30:17.419 that 00:30:17.419 --> 00:30:18.099 behaviour, 00:30:19.099 --> 00:30:20.119 that sin, 00:30:20.579 --> 00:30:22.059 goes against 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.519 your deepest 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:25.119 identity in 00:30:25.119 --> 00:30:25.619 Christ. 00:30:29.099 --> 00:30:30.059 Many are 00:30:30.059 --> 00:30:30.919 puzzled, that 00:30:30.919 --> 00:30:31.559 I think the 00:30:31.559 --> 00:30:32.139 Paul seems 00:30:32.139 --> 00:30:32.679 to write 00:30:32.679 --> 00:30:33.379 here as 00:30:33.379 --> 00:30:34.240 if he's 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:34.759 defeated. 00:30:36.059 --> 00:30:36.579 He writes 00:30:36.579 --> 00:30:36.940 in verse 00:30:36.940 --> 00:30:37.819 14, I 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.980 am unspiritual, 00:30:39.480 --> 00:30:40.379 sold as a 00:30:40.379 --> 00:30:40.859 slave to 00:30:40.859 --> 00:30:41.139 sin. 00:30:42.259 --> 00:30:43.099 I think he 00:30:43.099 --> 00:30:43.799 is saying 00:30:43.799 --> 00:30:44.759 that in 00:30:44.759 --> 00:30:45.519 ourselves, 00:30:46.319 --> 00:30:47.319 even as a 00:30:47.319 --> 00:30:49.399 Christian, we 00:30:49.399 --> 00:30:50.399 are still 00:30:50.399 --> 00:30:51.599 incapable of 00:30:51.599 --> 00:30:52.139 keeping the 00:30:52.139 --> 00:30:54.220 law in 00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:54.759 ourselves. 00:30:57.359 --> 00:30:58.159 Notice that 00:30:58.159 --> 00:30:58.899 he uses the 00:30:58.899 --> 00:30:59.799 word I 00:30:59.799 --> 00:31:01.619 numerous times 00:31:01.619 --> 00:31:02.180 in these 00:31:02.180 --> 00:31:02.579 verses. 00:31:04.980 --> 00:31:05.879 He seems 00:31:05.879 --> 00:31:06.519 to be saying 00:31:06.519 --> 00:31:07.119 that in 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:08.019 himself, 00:31:09.619 --> 00:31:10.099 left to 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.659 his own 00:31:10.659 --> 00:31:11.259 devices, 00:31:12.379 --> 00:31:14.059 he is 00:31:14.059 --> 00:31:15.139 unable to 00:31:15.139 --> 00:31:15.879 live as 00:31:15.879 --> 00:31:16.500 he should. 00:31:19.339 --> 00:31:19.960 Even 00:31:19.960 --> 00:31:20.500 though there 00:31:20.500 --> 00:31:21.139 is a new 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:22.339 identity in 00:31:22.339 --> 00:31:22.720 Jesus, 00:31:23.599 --> 00:31:24.019 a new 00:31:24.019 --> 00:31:24.680 love, 00:31:25.180 --> 00:31:25.599 a new 00:31:25.599 --> 00:31:26.419 delight in 00:31:26.420 --> 00:31:27.240 God's law, 00:31:28.380 --> 00:31:29.220 a Christian 00:31:29.220 --> 00:31:30.300 is still 00:31:30.300 --> 00:31:31.700 incapable in 00:31:31.700 --> 00:31:32.420 and of 00:31:32.420 --> 00:31:33.279 themselves 00:31:33.279 --> 00:31:36.500 of keeping 00:31:36.500 --> 00:31:37.000 the law 00:31:37.000 --> 00:31:39.160 in its 00:31:39.160 --> 00:31:39.680 entirety, 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:41.700 keeping the 00:31:41.700 --> 00:31:42.620 law and 00:31:42.620 --> 00:31:43.380 all the 00:31:43.380 --> 00:31:44.240 expectations 00:31:44.240 --> 00:31:45.660 of the 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:45.920 law. 00:31:47.500 --> 00:31:48.160 That's the 00:31:48.160 --> 00:31:48.620 battle of the 00:31:48.620 --> 00:31:49.380 Christian life. 00:31:49.380 --> 00:31:49.460 life. 00:31:50.580 --> 00:31:50.840 And it's 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.220 the battle 00:31:51.220 --> 00:31:51.500 of the 00:31:51.500 --> 00:31:51.800 Christian 00:31:51.800 --> 00:31:53.660 life that 00:31:53.660 --> 00:31:54.840 if you 00:31:54.840 --> 00:31:55.260 are looking 00:31:55.260 --> 00:31:55.880 just to 00:31:55.880 --> 00:31:56.820 yourself and 00:31:56.820 --> 00:31:57.440 your own 00:31:57.440 --> 00:31:58.320 actions and 00:31:58.320 --> 00:31:58.760 not to 00:31:58.760 --> 00:31:59.360 Christ at 00:31:59.360 --> 00:31:59.780 the same 00:31:59.780 --> 00:32:00.440 time, 00:32:01.380 --> 00:32:02.120 you will 00:32:02.120 --> 00:32:02.340 feel 00:32:02.340 --> 00:32:02.840 defeated. 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.420 You will 00:32:05.420 --> 00:32:06.020 feel defeated. 00:32:09.280 --> 00:32:09.980 And this 00:32:09.980 --> 00:32:10.600 leads the 00:32:10.600 --> 00:32:11.340 apostle Paul 00:32:11.340 --> 00:32:12.020 and I 00:32:12.020 --> 00:32:12.480 believe the 00:32:12.480 --> 00:32:13.180 Christian to 00:32:13.180 --> 00:32:13.620 the last 00:32:13.620 --> 00:32:14.120 point, the 00:32:14.120 --> 00:32:14.780 battle cry 00:32:14.780 --> 00:32:16.200 that comes 00:32:16.200 --> 00:32:17.480 with Christ. 00:32:17.480 --> 00:32:19.019 verses 24 00:32:19.019 --> 00:32:19.700 and 25. 00:32:21.059 --> 00:32:21.880 These verses 00:32:21.880 --> 00:32:22.620 here are both a 00:32:22.620 --> 00:32:23.400 warning and a 00:32:23.400 --> 00:32:23.759 comfort. 00:32:25.000 --> 00:32:25.559 The first 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.920 warning is 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:27.620 that no one 00:32:27.620 --> 00:32:28.720 ever gets so 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.980 advanced in 00:32:29.980 --> 00:32:30.559 the Christian 00:32:30.559 --> 00:32:31.860 life that 00:32:31.860 --> 00:32:32.740 they no longer 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.480 have sin in 00:32:33.480 --> 00:32:34.120 their life. 00:32:35.240 --> 00:32:36.140 Get rid of 00:32:36.140 --> 00:32:36.980 all notions 00:32:36.980 --> 00:32:38.000 of perfectionism. 00:32:38.620 --> 00:32:39.079 No, this 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.220 is the, I 00:32:40.220 --> 00:32:40.799 mean, it's 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.420 easy to see 00:32:41.420 --> 00:32:42.120 that in me, 00:32:42.339 --> 00:32:42.759 but this is 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.120 the apostle 00:32:43.120 --> 00:32:43.920 Paul speaking 00:32:43.920 --> 00:32:44.299 here. 00:32:45.740 --> 00:32:45.839 Right? 00:32:45.940 --> 00:32:46.240 This is 00:32:46.240 --> 00:32:48.400 Saint Paul 00:32:48.400 --> 00:32:51.160 saying, I'm 00:32:51.160 --> 00:32:52.140 battling with 00:32:52.140 --> 00:32:52.819 sin in my 00:32:52.819 --> 00:32:53.339 life. 00:32:53.759 --> 00:32:54.420 Saint Paul, 00:32:54.720 --> 00:32:54.920 right? 00:32:55.339 --> 00:32:55.779 Not me, 00:32:56.180 --> 00:32:56.839 Saint Paul. 00:32:58.259 --> 00:32:59.240 Even he 00:32:59.240 --> 00:32:59.700 has not 00:32:59.700 --> 00:33:00.559 advanced in 00:33:00.559 --> 00:33:01.120 the Christian 00:33:01.120 --> 00:33:01.799 life that he 00:33:01.799 --> 00:33:02.940 no longer has 00:33:02.940 --> 00:33:03.480 to battle with 00:33:03.480 --> 00:33:03.779 sin. 00:33:04.380 --> 00:33:05.120 If we ever 00:33:05.120 --> 00:33:05.799 think that we've 00:33:05.799 --> 00:33:06.440 conquered our 00:33:06.440 --> 00:33:07.420 sin and are 00:33:07.420 --> 00:33:07.940 pretty good 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:09.259 Christians, it's 00:33:09.259 --> 00:33:09.859 the first 00:33:09.859 --> 00:33:10.799 indication of 00:33:10.799 --> 00:33:11.500 self-deception. 00:33:11.500 --> 00:33:14.579 if you ever 00:33:14.579 --> 00:33:15.640 think that you 00:33:15.640 --> 00:33:16.200 are a pretty 00:33:16.200 --> 00:33:17.119 good Christian, 00:33:17.900 --> 00:33:20.339 then that is 00:33:20.339 --> 00:33:21.200 the indication 00:33:21.200 --> 00:33:22.160 of self-deception. 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:28.140 The more we 00:33:28.140 --> 00:33:28.819 grow as a 00:33:28.819 --> 00:33:30.099 Christian, the 00:33:30.099 --> 00:33:30.799 more we see 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.480 our sin. 00:33:32.259 --> 00:33:33.319 The more we 00:33:33.319 --> 00:33:34.259 become holy, 00:33:34.779 --> 00:33:35.720 the less holy 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:36.839 we will feel. 00:33:36.839 --> 00:33:40.399 That's the 00:33:40.399 --> 00:33:40.759 battle of the 00:33:40.759 --> 00:33:41.480 Christian life. 00:33:43.379 --> 00:33:44.099 Even as we 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:45.019 make progress 00:33:45.019 --> 00:33:46.199 against many 00:33:46.199 --> 00:33:46.899 bad habits 00:33:46.899 --> 00:33:47.699 and attitudes, 00:33:48.459 --> 00:33:49.339 we will grow 00:33:49.339 --> 00:33:50.500 more aware 00:33:50.500 --> 00:33:51.379 of the 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:52.059 rebellious, 00:33:52.759 --> 00:33:53.119 sinful, 00:33:53.519 --> 00:33:55.099 deep roots 00:33:55.099 --> 00:33:55.579 in our 00:33:55.579 --> 00:33:56.019 hearts. 00:33:57.299 --> 00:33:58.119 The second 00:33:58.119 --> 00:33:58.720 warning, which 00:33:58.720 --> 00:33:59.179 is linked to 00:33:59.179 --> 00:34:00.079 that, is 00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:00.819 that no one 00:34:00.819 --> 00:34:01.659 grows to a 00:34:01.659 --> 00:34:02.139 point where 00:34:02.139 --> 00:34:02.779 they no longer 00:34:02.779 --> 00:34:03.720 battle in. 00:34:03.720 --> 00:34:06.480 It is 00:34:06.480 --> 00:34:06.880 quite 00:34:06.880 --> 00:34:07.900 important 00:34:07.900 --> 00:34:09.139 that the 00:34:09.139 --> 00:34:09.539 Christian 00:34:09.539 --> 00:34:10.579 expects 00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:12.059 life to 00:34:12.059 --> 00:34:12.639 be an 00:34:12.639 --> 00:34:13.220 internal 00:34:13.220 --> 00:34:13.940 battle 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:14.940 against 00:34:14.940 --> 00:34:15.679 two 00:34:15.679 --> 00:34:16.679 selves. 00:34:22.639 --> 00:34:23.420 That's 00:34:23.420 --> 00:34:23.780 why this 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:24.179 talk is 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:24.460 called 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:24.960 Warfare 00:34:24.960 --> 00:34:25.240 Within. 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.340 In fact, if 00:34:28.340 --> 00:34:28.860 I may draw 00:34:28.860 --> 00:34:29.340 upon my 00:34:29.340 --> 00:34:29.699 past 00:34:29.699 --> 00:34:30.280 experience 00:34:30.280 --> 00:34:30.840 and past 00:34:30.840 --> 00:34:31.380 profession, 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:33.800 a wounded 00:34:33.800 --> 00:34:34.640 feral pig 00:34:34.640 --> 00:34:35.960 is more 00:34:35.960 --> 00:34:36.480 dangerous 00:34:36.480 --> 00:34:36.840 than a 00:34:36.840 --> 00:34:37.200 healthy and 00:34:37.200 --> 00:34:37.500 a happy 00:34:37.500 --> 00:34:37.840 one. 00:34:39.460 --> 00:34:40.099 More 00:34:40.099 --> 00:34:40.640 dangerous 00:34:40.640 --> 00:34:41.440 than a 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.820 healthy and 00:34:41.820 --> 00:34:42.360 happy one. 00:34:42.980 --> 00:34:43.460 And so 00:34:43.460 --> 00:34:43.740 it is 00:34:43.740 --> 00:34:44.360 with sin. 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:45.980 Our new 00:34:45.980 --> 00:34:46.519 identity 00:34:46.519 --> 00:34:47.200 in Jesus 00:34:47.200 --> 00:34:47.840 Christ 00:34:47.840 --> 00:34:48.460 has 00:34:48.460 --> 00:34:49.240 mortally 00:34:49.240 --> 00:34:50.160 wounded 00:34:50.160 --> 00:34:51.220 the sinful 00:34:51.220 --> 00:34:51.780 nature 00:34:51.780 --> 00:34:53.700 in us. 00:34:54.619 --> 00:34:55.079 Killed 00:34:55.079 --> 00:34:55.780 it completely 00:34:55.780 --> 00:34:57.079 but mortally 00:34:57.079 --> 00:34:57.619 wounded it 00:34:57.619 --> 00:34:58.260 within us 00:34:58.260 --> 00:34:59.440 and it 00:34:59.440 --> 00:35:00.200 is stirred 00:35:00.200 --> 00:35:00.599 up 00:35:00.599 --> 00:35:01.940 to fight 00:35:01.940 --> 00:35:02.360 back. 00:35:04.679 --> 00:35:05.719 The great 00:35:05.719 --> 00:35:06.599 comfort of 00:35:06.599 --> 00:35:07.539 this passage 00:35:07.539 --> 00:35:08.920 is that the 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.579 struggle 00:35:09.579 --> 00:35:10.559 itself, 00:35:11.659 --> 00:35:12.119 oh and if 00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:12.799 you're a 00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.119 Christian, 00:35:13.500 --> 00:35:13.960 you're hanging 00:35:13.960 --> 00:35:14.599 on to Christ 00:35:14.599 --> 00:35:14.940 and you're 00:35:14.940 --> 00:35:15.360 struggling with 00:35:15.360 --> 00:35:15.739 your sin, 00:35:15.839 --> 00:35:16.440 you hear 00:35:16.440 --> 00:35:16.839 this, 00:35:18.420 --> 00:35:19.139 the struggle 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:20.179 itself 00:35:20.179 --> 00:35:21.759 is testimony 00:35:21.759 --> 00:35:22.799 to our 00:35:22.799 --> 00:35:23.679 new identity 00:35:23.679 --> 00:35:24.480 in Jesus. 00:35:24.480 --> 00:35:24.619 Jesus. 00:35:27.059 --> 00:35:27.900 When we 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.300 struggle 00:35:28.300 --> 00:35:28.940 with sin, 00:35:29.840 --> 00:35:30.340 it is 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:31.079 typical to 00:35:31.079 --> 00:35:31.559 think that 00:35:31.559 --> 00:35:31.960 we are 00:35:31.960 --> 00:35:32.460 such 00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:33.679 terrible 00:35:33.679 --> 00:35:34.240 Christians 00:35:34.240 --> 00:35:37.639 and how 00:35:37.639 --> 00:35:38.559 often people 00:35:38.559 --> 00:35:38.940 are quick 00:35:38.940 --> 00:35:39.539 to remind 00:35:39.539 --> 00:35:40.000 you that 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.579 you're such 00:35:40.579 --> 00:35:41.280 a terrible 00:35:41.280 --> 00:35:42.420 Christian. 00:35:44.019 --> 00:35:44.900 It's one 00:35:44.900 --> 00:35:45.679 thing I think 00:35:45.679 --> 00:35:47.659 to struggle 00:35:47.659 --> 00:35:48.019 with it 00:35:48.019 --> 00:35:48.579 internally, 00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:49.360 it's very, 00:35:49.820 --> 00:35:50.300 it's much 00:35:50.300 --> 00:35:50.840 harder when 00:35:50.840 --> 00:35:51.260 other people 00:35:51.260 --> 00:35:52.079 join with 00:35:52.079 --> 00:35:52.480 you and 00:35:52.480 --> 00:35:53.460 affirm your 00:35:53.460 --> 00:35:54.279 internal 00:35:54.279 --> 00:35:54.759 struggle. 00:35:58.719 --> 00:35:59.360 This 00:35:59.360 --> 00:35:59.699 chapter 00:35:59.699 --> 00:36:00.619 encourages us 00:36:00.619 --> 00:36:01.440 that temptation 00:36:01.440 --> 00:36:02.139 and conflict 00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.659 with sin, 00:36:02.799 --> 00:36:04.340 even relapses 00:36:04.340 --> 00:36:05.319 into sin, 00:36:07.159 --> 00:36:07.980 are not 00:36:07.980 --> 00:36:09.579 inconsistent 00:36:09.579 --> 00:36:11.319 with a 00:36:11.319 --> 00:36:12.000 growing 00:36:12.000 --> 00:36:13.099 Christian. 00:36:17.480 --> 00:36:18.159 The 00:36:18.159 --> 00:36:19.079 acknowledgement 00:36:19.599 --> 00:36:20.299 and the 00:36:20.299 --> 00:36:21.319 awareness of 00:36:21.320 --> 00:36:21.980 the internal 00:36:21.980 --> 00:36:22.600 battle 00:36:22.600 --> 00:36:24.140 is 00:36:24.140 --> 00:36:25.240 consistent 00:36:25.240 --> 00:36:26.960 with a 00:36:26.960 --> 00:36:27.220 growing 00:36:27.220 --> 00:36:27.700 Christian. 00:36:28.860 --> 00:36:29.340 You see, 00:36:29.420 --> 00:36:29.920 the Christian 00:36:29.920 --> 00:36:30.800 heart cries 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:31.580 two things 00:36:31.580 --> 00:36:32.059 at the 00:36:32.059 --> 00:36:32.900 same time. 00:36:35.900 --> 00:36:36.740 There is 00:36:36.740 --> 00:36:37.320 the desperate 00:36:37.320 --> 00:36:38.000 cry of 00:36:38.000 --> 00:36:38.780 discouragement 00:36:38.780 --> 00:36:40.620 as we look 00:36:40.620 --> 00:36:41.160 at our 00:36:41.160 --> 00:36:42.140 own efforts 00:36:42.140 --> 00:36:43.519 and our 00:36:43.519 --> 00:36:44.440 own failing 00:36:44.440 --> 00:36:45.200 and our 00:36:45.200 --> 00:36:46.039 own sin. 00:36:46.840 --> 00:36:47.320 It's the 00:36:47.320 --> 00:36:47.900 cry of the 00:36:47.900 --> 00:36:48.519 apostle Paul 00:36:48.519 --> 00:36:48.920 in verse 00:36:48.920 --> 00:36:49.440 24, 00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:51.119 what a 00:36:51.119 --> 00:36:51.380 wretched 00:36:51.380 --> 00:36:52.260 man I 00:36:52.260 --> 00:36:52.760 am. 00:36:53.360 --> 00:36:53.940 Who will 00:36:53.940 --> 00:36:54.539 rescue me 00:36:54.539 --> 00:36:54.940 from this 00:36:54.940 --> 00:36:55.740 body that 00:36:55.740 --> 00:36:56.400 is subject 00:36:56.400 --> 00:36:57.039 to death? 00:36:58.800 --> 00:36:59.240 You see, 00:36:59.300 --> 00:36:59.659 when we 00:36:59.659 --> 00:37:00.460 read God's 00:37:00.460 --> 00:37:01.240 law properly 00:37:01.240 --> 00:37:03.820 and look 00:37:03.820 --> 00:37:04.159 at our 00:37:04.159 --> 00:37:05.059 own hearts 00:37:05.059 --> 00:37:05.820 honestly, 00:37:06.340 --> 00:37:08.019 we can 00:37:08.019 --> 00:37:09.019 only conclude 00:37:09.019 --> 00:37:09.599 that we are 00:37:09.599 --> 00:37:10.280 truly wretched. 00:37:10.280 --> 00:37:12.280 God's 00:37:12.280 --> 00:37:13.000 and when we 00:37:13.000 --> 00:37:13.780 judge ourselves 00:37:13.780 --> 00:37:14.519 by God's 00:37:14.519 --> 00:37:14.900 standard 00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.380 rather than 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:16.180 our own, 00:37:17.900 --> 00:37:18.640 what a 00:37:18.640 --> 00:37:19.400 wretched man 00:37:19.400 --> 00:37:20.180 I am 00:37:20.180 --> 00:37:20.760 is the 00:37:20.760 --> 00:37:21.040 only 00:37:21.040 --> 00:37:21.640 conclusion. 00:37:22.720 --> 00:37:23.019 When we 00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:23.600 stop comparing 00:37:23.600 --> 00:37:24.060 ourselves with 00:37:24.060 --> 00:37:24.700 other people 00:37:24.700 --> 00:37:25.700 and look 00:37:25.700 --> 00:37:26.280 instead to 00:37:26.280 --> 00:37:26.600 a holy 00:37:26.600 --> 00:37:27.060 God, 00:37:27.140 --> 00:37:27.500 that's the 00:37:27.500 --> 00:37:27.860 only 00:37:27.860 --> 00:37:28.440 conclusion. 00:37:30.440 --> 00:37:30.700 Without 00:37:30.700 --> 00:37:32.120 accepting God's 00:37:32.120 --> 00:37:32.920 devastating 00:37:32.920 --> 00:37:33.960 critique of 00:37:33.960 --> 00:37:34.800 human nature, 00:37:35.140 --> 00:37:35.720 our own 00:37:35.720 --> 00:37:36.240 hearts, 00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:36.939 we will 00:37:36.939 --> 00:37:37.519 never, 00:37:37.519 --> 00:37:38.819 ever grasp 00:37:38.819 --> 00:37:39.979 the glory 00:37:39.979 --> 00:37:40.919 of the 00:37:40.919 --> 00:37:41.859 gospel of 00:37:41.859 --> 00:37:42.619 Jesus Christ 00:37:42.619 --> 00:37:43.559 justification by 00:37:43.559 --> 00:37:44.099 faith alone. 00:37:45.259 --> 00:37:45.639 We will 00:37:45.639 --> 00:37:46.379 never grasp 00:37:46.379 --> 00:37:46.639 that. 00:37:47.139 --> 00:37:47.439 We will 00:37:47.439 --> 00:37:48.139 never understand 00:37:48.139 --> 00:37:48.459 it as 00:37:48.459 --> 00:37:49.119 beautiful and 00:37:49.119 --> 00:37:49.519 glorious. 00:37:50.579 --> 00:37:50.919 We will 00:37:50.919 --> 00:37:51.799 never appreciate 00:37:51.799 --> 00:37:52.959 the gospel of 00:37:52.959 --> 00:37:53.739 a received 00:37:53.739 --> 00:37:54.939 right standing 00:37:54.939 --> 00:37:55.739 with God 00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:57.059 only through 00:37:57.059 --> 00:37:58.059 Jesus Christ, 00:37:58.939 --> 00:37:59.679 only through 00:37:59.679 --> 00:38:00.000 him. 00:38:03.599 --> 00:38:04.759 It is only 00:38:04.759 --> 00:38:05.159 when our 00:38:05.159 --> 00:38:05.799 hearts truly 00:38:05.800 --> 00:38:06.620 cry out 00:38:06.620 --> 00:38:07.240 about our 00:38:07.240 --> 00:38:07.940 wretchedness, 00:38:08.320 --> 00:38:08.640 that we 00:38:08.640 --> 00:38:09.180 can know 00:38:09.180 --> 00:38:10.060 and experience 00:38:10.060 --> 00:38:10.620 the hope, 00:38:11.580 --> 00:38:12.220 the liberation 00:38:12.220 --> 00:38:13.140 of looking 00:38:13.140 --> 00:38:13.780 away from 00:38:13.780 --> 00:38:14.519 ourselves to 00:38:14.519 --> 00:38:15.260 what God 00:38:15.260 --> 00:38:16.019 has done 00:38:16.019 --> 00:38:16.580 for us in 00:38:16.580 --> 00:38:17.440 Jesus Christ. 00:38:17.820 --> 00:38:18.340 And so as 00:38:18.340 --> 00:38:19.060 Paul cries 00:38:19.060 --> 00:38:19.580 out, 00:38:20.100 --> 00:38:20.480 not just 00:38:20.480 --> 00:38:20.920 what a 00:38:20.920 --> 00:38:21.480 wretched man 00:38:21.480 --> 00:38:22.000 I am, 00:38:22.060 --> 00:38:22.460 but who's 00:38:22.460 --> 00:38:22.780 going to 00:38:22.780 --> 00:38:23.580 rescue me 00:38:23.580 --> 00:38:24.240 from this 00:38:24.240 --> 00:38:25.380 body of 00:38:25.380 --> 00:38:25.960 death? 00:38:26.539 --> 00:38:27.300 Verse 25, 00:38:27.480 --> 00:38:28.039 thanks be to 00:38:28.039 --> 00:38:28.620 God. 00:38:30.039 --> 00:38:30.600 Thanks be to 00:38:30.600 --> 00:38:31.180 God who 00:38:31.180 --> 00:38:31.860 delivers me 00:38:31.860 --> 00:38:32.560 through Jesus 00:38:32.560 --> 00:38:33.340 Christ, 00:38:33.780 --> 00:38:34.539 our Lord. 00:38:35.800 --> 00:38:37.800 God's 00:38:37.800 --> 00:38:38.320 love for 00:38:38.320 --> 00:38:38.800 us. 00:38:38.800 --> 00:38:39.400 He said, 00:38:39.400 --> 00:38:40.800 St. Paul 00:38:40.800 --> 00:38:42.180 has got no 00:38:42.180 --> 00:38:42.660 hope in 00:38:42.660 --> 00:38:43.160 himself. 00:38:44.660 --> 00:38:45.920 There is no 00:38:45.920 --> 00:38:46.580 hope in 00:38:46.580 --> 00:38:48.260 ourselves for 00:38:48.260 --> 00:38:48.820 salvation. 00:38:50.160 --> 00:38:51.580 No hope even 00:38:51.580 --> 00:38:52.400 in our present 00:38:52.400 --> 00:38:52.980 obedience. 00:38:53.260 --> 00:38:54.380 No hope in 00:38:54.380 --> 00:38:56.080 pursuit of 00:38:56.080 --> 00:38:58.340 the well-being 00:38:58.340 --> 00:38:58.960 of others. 00:38:59.240 --> 00:39:00.039 No hope in 00:39:00.039 --> 00:39:00.519 giving more 00:39:00.519 --> 00:39:00.960 money. 00:39:01.120 --> 00:39:01.880 No hope in 00:39:01.880 --> 00:39:02.940 any form of 00:39:02.940 --> 00:39:03.460 activity. 00:39:04.679 --> 00:39:05.300 Everything 00:39:05.300 --> 00:39:07.380 that we 00:39:07.380 --> 00:39:08.700 have done, 00:39:10.179 --> 00:39:11.860 everything that 00:39:11.860 --> 00:39:12.260 you have 00:39:12.260 --> 00:39:12.599 done, 00:39:12.720 --> 00:39:13.260 good and 00:39:13.260 --> 00:39:13.740 bad, 00:39:13.960 --> 00:39:14.940 everything that 00:39:14.940 --> 00:39:15.760 you are, 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:17.639 only merits 00:39:17.639 --> 00:39:18.740 judgment. 00:39:20.740 --> 00:39:21.340 Only 00:39:21.340 --> 00:39:22.200 merits judgment. 00:39:26.800 --> 00:39:27.539 That's what 00:39:27.539 --> 00:39:28.179 Romans is 00:39:28.179 --> 00:39:28.820 telling us. 00:39:29.820 --> 00:39:30.480 Don't look at 00:39:30.480 --> 00:39:30.880 your good 00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:31.539 things and think 00:39:31.539 --> 00:39:32.199 they're good. 00:39:32.559 --> 00:39:33.059 There's a 00:39:33.059 --> 00:39:33.840 deeper motive 00:39:33.840 --> 00:39:34.340 that's going 00:39:34.340 --> 00:39:34.659 on. 00:39:34.759 --> 00:39:35.059 There's a 00:39:35.059 --> 00:39:35.779 heart issue 00:39:35.779 --> 00:39:36.380 going on 00:39:36.380 --> 00:39:36.739 here. 00:39:39.619 --> 00:39:40.500 Our only 00:39:40.500 --> 00:39:42.380 hope is to 00:39:42.380 --> 00:39:42.779 look to 00:39:42.779 --> 00:39:43.860 Jesus dying 00:39:43.860 --> 00:39:45.519 on the 00:39:45.519 --> 00:39:45.980 cross for 00:39:45.980 --> 00:39:46.340 us. 00:39:47.980 --> 00:39:49.099 Our only 00:39:49.099 --> 00:39:49.940 hope is to 00:39:49.940 --> 00:39:50.559 rest in 00:39:50.559 --> 00:39:51.840 his righteousness, 00:39:52.480 --> 00:39:53.340 his right 00:39:53.340 --> 00:39:54.079 standing before 00:39:54.079 --> 00:39:54.599 God. 00:39:56.119 --> 00:39:56.460 You see, 00:39:56.579 --> 00:39:58.539 Jesus on 00:39:58.539 --> 00:39:59.239 the cross 00:39:59.239 --> 00:40:00.799 became 00:40:00.799 --> 00:40:01.239 wretched. 00:40:04.459 --> 00:40:05.279 He took 00:40:05.279 --> 00:40:06.459 my sin, 00:40:06.559 --> 00:40:07.059 your sin, 00:40:07.119 --> 00:40:07.539 the sin of 00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:08.039 this world 00:40:08.039 --> 00:40:08.379 in the 00:40:08.379 --> 00:40:08.759 depths of 00:40:08.759 --> 00:40:09.259 his heart 00:40:09.259 --> 00:40:10.699 and became 00:40:10.699 --> 00:40:11.099 wretched 00:40:11.099 --> 00:40:13.399 so that 00:40:13.399 --> 00:40:14.439 you and 00:40:14.439 --> 00:40:15.699 I might 00:40:15.699 --> 00:40:16.399 receive his 00:40:16.399 --> 00:40:16.859 righteousness. 00:40:21.579 --> 00:40:22.539 We are 00:40:22.539 --> 00:40:22.819 wretched, 00:40:23.039 --> 00:40:23.599 but God is 00:40:23.599 --> 00:40:23.959 not. 00:40:23.960 --> 00:40:25.960 God is 00:40:25.960 --> 00:40:26.260 and he 00:40:26.260 --> 00:40:26.740 gives us 00:40:26.740 --> 00:40:27.980 his right 00:40:27.980 --> 00:40:28.519 standing 00:40:28.519 --> 00:40:29.119 through 00:40:29.119 --> 00:40:29.500 Jesus 00:40:29.500 --> 00:40:30.019 Christ. 00:40:31.079 --> 00:40:32.019 Jesus is 00:40:32.019 --> 00:40:32.420 the one 00:40:32.420 --> 00:40:32.760 who has 00:40:32.760 --> 00:40:33.639 rescued us 00:40:33.639 --> 00:40:35.099 and through 00:40:35.099 --> 00:40:35.559 the Holy 00:40:35.559 --> 00:40:36.480 Spirit he 00:40:36.480 --> 00:40:37.380 is in the 00:40:37.380 --> 00:40:38.440 process of 00:40:38.440 --> 00:40:38.980 changing 00:40:38.980 --> 00:40:39.659 us, 00:40:40.380 --> 00:40:41.079 but that's 00:40:41.079 --> 00:40:41.519 a battle 00:40:41.519 --> 00:40:42.619 that we 00:40:42.619 --> 00:40:43.280 will always 00:40:43.280 --> 00:40:44.019 wrestle with 00:40:44.019 --> 00:40:46.619 and he's 00:40:46.619 --> 00:40:47.320 changing us 00:40:47.320 --> 00:40:47.780 so that we 00:40:47.780 --> 00:40:48.440 can enjoy 00:40:48.440 --> 00:40:48.880 him 00:40:48.880 --> 00:40:49.800 forever. 00:40:49.800 --> 00:40:51.700 And that's 00:40:51.700 --> 00:40:52.280 chapter 8 00:40:52.280 --> 00:40:53.320 and that's 00:40:53.320 --> 00:40:53.580 the next 00:40:53.580 --> 00:40:54.000 couple of 00:40:54.000 --> 00:40:54.260 weeks. 00:40:54.260 --> 00:40:54.360 Thank you.