WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.080 Let me pray for us before we open that passage. 00:00:09.259 --> 00:00:11.359 Father God, we want to thank you for your word, 00:00:11.480 --> 00:00:13.800 and we want to ask that right now, as we have heard, 00:00:13.880 --> 00:00:16.960 that we would be not mere hearers but doers. 00:00:17.460 --> 00:00:22.240 We ask that you may enable us to be people who accurately reflect 00:00:22.240 --> 00:00:26.160 the life that you have purchased for us with the blood of Jesus. 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:27.519 Amen. 00:00:27.519 --> 00:00:33.280 One of the great struggles for those who call themselves a Christian 00:00:33.280 --> 00:00:38.939 is that everyone thinks they know how Christians are supposed to live. 00:00:39.659 --> 00:00:41.719 I'm sure that you have heard the phrase, 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:43.560 I thought you were a Christian, 00:00:44.439 --> 00:00:52.500 or I thought Christians weren't supposed to smoke, drink, get tattoos, be fun, 00:00:53.079 --> 00:00:55.420 stay up after 9.30, those sorts of things. 00:00:55.420 --> 00:01:01.000 Even here in the car park, when we ask cars who are not here for anything to do with us 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:03.060 to park elsewhere during the week, 00:01:03.500 --> 00:01:05.780 there is often abuse along the lines of, 00:01:05.900 --> 00:01:07.799 I thought you guys were supposed to be Christian. 00:01:08.400 --> 00:01:10.719 I'm not sure what that has to do with parking, 00:01:11.320 --> 00:01:12.900 but they are sure. 00:01:12.900 --> 00:01:18.980 And the sad reality is, even though the car park might not be a good example, 00:01:19.820 --> 00:01:23.040 more often than not, when you hear a comment like that, 00:01:23.680 --> 00:01:25.040 the critique is correct. 00:01:26.420 --> 00:01:33.280 So many people who wear the badge Christian live lives that look nothing like what the Bible says. 00:01:33.280 --> 00:01:39.519 And that's why so many people refuse to even hear the message of the Gospel. 00:01:41.460 --> 00:01:45.579 Hypocrisy is one of the biggest barriers when it comes to telling people about Jesus. 00:01:46.379 --> 00:01:50.240 I'm yet to meet a non-Christian who doesn't like Jesus. 00:01:51.439 --> 00:01:57.120 I mean, he's loving, he's forgiving, he's generous, he's compassionate, he's powerful, he's great. 00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:00.600 He'd be the perfect person to have in anyone's life. 00:02:01.579 --> 00:02:02.740 But it's Christians. 00:02:04.079 --> 00:02:07.020 And it's hypocritical lives that turn people off. 00:02:08.480 --> 00:02:13.259 And so we need to address the gap between what we say we believe and how we live 00:02:13.259 --> 00:02:17.500 if we're going to have any credibility in calling other people to follow Jesus. 00:02:20.900 --> 00:02:24.540 But in fact, hypocrisy causes an even bigger issue. 00:02:24.539 --> 00:02:27.340 An issue that strikes closer. 00:02:29.579 --> 00:02:31.340 Where there is hypocrisy, 00:02:32.319 --> 00:02:36.379 where there's inconsistency between the words that we speak or the faith that we profess 00:02:36.379 --> 00:02:40.439 and the life that we live and the actions that we do and the way that we speak, 00:02:41.299 --> 00:02:46.899 it's not just the world out there that is questioning the validity of what we believe. 00:02:48.859 --> 00:02:52.959 It should make us stop and ask searching questions of ourselves. 00:02:54.539 --> 00:02:57.219 About just how genuine our faith really is. 00:03:00.859 --> 00:03:05.819 But the challenge is that nobody sets out to be a hypocrite. 00:03:07.899 --> 00:03:11.659 Nobody's goal is to say their one thing and then do the other thing. 00:03:11.659 --> 00:03:19.359 At the heart of hypocrisy is self-deception. 00:03:22.120 --> 00:03:26.120 At the heart of that gap of the way that we live and the way that we speak 00:03:26.120 --> 00:03:29.500 is a self-deception that's convinced itself 00:03:29.500 --> 00:03:33.240 that actually we're living exactly how we claim to. 00:03:33.240 --> 00:03:39.920 It's a self-deception that has convinced ourselves that we are hitting the mark, 00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:41.760 that we are ticking the box. 00:03:45.240 --> 00:03:47.580 But unfortunately, when there is hypocrisy, 00:03:48.400 --> 00:03:50.620 when there's a gap between belief and action, 00:03:50.780 --> 00:03:51.939 between faith and life, 00:03:52.520 --> 00:03:54.100 there is deception. 00:03:54.099 --> 00:03:56.919 Verse 22. 00:03:58.479 --> 00:04:03.280 Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. 00:04:04.560 --> 00:04:05.799 Do what it says. 00:04:07.120 --> 00:04:08.959 James is writing to early Christians 00:04:08.959 --> 00:04:12.879 who have been scattered all throughout the world then in different corners. 00:04:13.259 --> 00:04:14.419 They have different trials. 00:04:14.419 --> 00:04:15.859 They have different temptations. 00:04:16.139 --> 00:04:18.719 They're struggling as a religious minority. 00:04:19.199 --> 00:04:21.560 And he wants to put a spotlight on them, 00:04:22.539 --> 00:04:25.300 particularly those who claim to be Christians, 00:04:26.639 --> 00:04:29.639 claim to be followers of Jesus, 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:31.339 but look nothing like it. 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:37.899 And the struggle is that this self-deception is hard to see 00:04:37.899 --> 00:04:40.300 because we're deceived. 00:04:41.939 --> 00:04:43.259 It's self-deception. 00:04:44.420 --> 00:04:46.780 We're blinded to what we're really like 00:04:46.780 --> 00:04:49.819 and instead we float along in this sort of false confidence. 00:04:50.600 --> 00:04:53.500 See, verse 22 assumes that there's a level of engagement 00:04:53.500 --> 00:04:56.480 because they're listening to the word. 00:04:58.240 --> 00:05:00.259 The problem isn't that they're not listening. 00:05:00.379 --> 00:05:02.300 The problem is that they're just listening. 00:05:02.600 --> 00:05:05.520 This whole letter of James is written to Christian churches, 00:05:06.259 --> 00:05:09.560 written to people who would have identified as followers of Jesus, 00:05:10.020 --> 00:05:13.020 written to people who probably gathered to study the Bible 00:05:13.020 --> 00:05:14.100 like we are now. 00:05:14.420 --> 00:05:16.420 Maybe had study groups during the week. 00:05:16.540 --> 00:05:17.939 Maybe did their quiet times. 00:05:18.100 --> 00:05:19.699 Maybe even memorized verses. 00:05:21.699 --> 00:05:24.560 And yet, because the churches then and now 00:05:24.560 --> 00:05:28.879 had a reputation and have a reputation for hypocrisy, 00:05:30.240 --> 00:05:32.180 James feels the need to warn them, 00:05:32.560 --> 00:05:33.180 and us, 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:36.040 don't be deceived. 00:05:38.459 --> 00:05:41.160 And he gives us two measures so that we can check 00:05:41.160 --> 00:05:43.680 just how genuine we are. 00:05:44.459 --> 00:05:46.780 So that we can check whether or not there is a gap 00:05:46.780 --> 00:05:48.500 that we've lost sight of or ignored. 00:05:50.500 --> 00:05:52.620 Two safeguards so that we can check 00:05:52.620 --> 00:05:53.939 and not waste our energy 00:05:53.939 --> 00:05:57.079 in a life of deluded hypocrisy. 00:05:57.079 --> 00:05:59.339 Verse 22. 00:06:01.139 --> 00:06:03.719 Do not merely listen to the word 00:06:03.719 --> 00:06:05.099 and so deceive yourselves. 00:06:05.899 --> 00:06:07.519 Do what it says. 00:06:08.959 --> 00:06:10.019 First safeguard, 00:06:11.019 --> 00:06:12.099 listen to the word. 00:06:13.479 --> 00:06:13.939 Second, 00:06:14.219 --> 00:06:15.180 do what it says. 00:06:15.180 --> 00:06:19.379 It's tempting to skip over the first one. 00:06:20.199 --> 00:06:22.240 Like that's the easy one of the two. 00:06:23.959 --> 00:06:25.300 But it's still essential. 00:06:26.800 --> 00:06:27.600 The verse says, 00:06:27.860 --> 00:06:30.900 don't merely listen to the word. 00:06:31.939 --> 00:06:34.480 Meaning you have to be at least listening to it. 00:06:34.480 --> 00:06:35.000 I mean, 00:06:35.040 --> 00:06:36.480 I know listening to it's not enough, 00:06:36.620 --> 00:06:37.640 but if you're not listening, 00:06:37.800 --> 00:06:39.600 then you have no hope of doing it. 00:06:39.740 --> 00:06:41.040 Because you would not know 00:06:41.040 --> 00:06:42.759 what it is that is required of you. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:45.360 And it's not as easy as it sounds. 00:06:47.280 --> 00:06:50.160 Listening is actually a lost art for many of us. 00:06:51.100 --> 00:06:53.120 Not just when it comes to God and the Bible, 00:06:53.200 --> 00:06:53.900 but with anyone. 00:06:55.060 --> 00:06:57.240 Have you noticed that most of our conversations, 00:06:57.480 --> 00:06:58.480 if we're really honest, 00:06:58.840 --> 00:07:01.280 are not two people engaging with one another. 00:07:01.600 --> 00:07:03.759 They're two people taking it in turns, 00:07:03.759 --> 00:07:05.199 saying what they want to say. 00:07:05.680 --> 00:07:08.199 We don't sit and carefully listen to one another. 00:07:08.319 --> 00:07:09.319 We wait for our turn. 00:07:09.420 --> 00:07:10.000 We're distracted, 00:07:10.180 --> 00:07:12.879 focusing on what words it is that we will speak next. 00:07:13.839 --> 00:07:14.819 Just last week, 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:16.779 we had Are You Okay Day. 00:07:18.199 --> 00:07:20.259 It's a day designed to encourage people 00:07:20.259 --> 00:07:21.879 to ask one another how we're doing. 00:07:22.519 --> 00:07:24.560 In the hopes that those struggling 00:07:24.560 --> 00:07:27.500 with feelings of hopelessness and suicide 00:07:27.500 --> 00:07:28.560 might be cared for. 00:07:29.480 --> 00:07:31.879 The very fact that we need a day 00:07:31.879 --> 00:07:35.079 to force us to have those conversations 00:07:35.079 --> 00:07:36.480 and ask those questions 00:07:36.480 --> 00:07:39.360 says that we have lost the art of listening. 00:07:41.680 --> 00:07:43.219 Says that we're much more interested 00:07:43.219 --> 00:07:45.360 in what we have to say or what we think 00:07:45.360 --> 00:07:47.860 rather than those around us. 00:07:48.579 --> 00:07:49.620 It's not a new thing. 00:07:50.740 --> 00:07:52.079 James challenges the Christians 00:07:52.079 --> 00:07:53.399 in the first century as well. 00:07:53.540 --> 00:07:54.279 Verse 19. 00:07:54.279 --> 00:07:56.259 My dear brothers, 00:07:56.379 --> 00:07:57.259 take note of this. 00:07:57.419 --> 00:07:59.319 Every one of you should be quick to listen, 00:07:59.859 --> 00:08:00.779 slow to speak, 00:08:00.979 --> 00:08:02.399 and slow to become angry. 00:08:03.279 --> 00:08:05.119 For man's anger does not bring about 00:08:05.119 --> 00:08:07.139 the righteous life that God desires. 00:08:07.939 --> 00:08:10.000 See, our inability to listen well 00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:11.919 inhibits us in our relationships 00:08:11.919 --> 00:08:12.679 with one another. 00:08:13.539 --> 00:08:15.379 It reflects pride. 00:08:16.439 --> 00:08:18.419 It reflects self-absorption 00:08:18.419 --> 00:08:20.219 that exists in all of us. 00:08:20.220 --> 00:08:24.240 And that pride draws us away 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:26.340 from the life that God desires for us. 00:08:26.540 --> 00:08:29.000 From the life that God has designed for us. 00:08:30.720 --> 00:08:33.540 A life lived self-seeking like that 00:08:33.540 --> 00:08:35.220 lacks the capacity, 00:08:36.639 --> 00:08:38.279 lacks the power to produce 00:08:38.279 --> 00:08:41.840 the kind of life that God has designed. 00:08:42.779 --> 00:08:44.220 And so we need another way. 00:08:45.460 --> 00:08:47.120 And in verse 21 we find it. 00:08:47.120 --> 00:08:48.120 Therefore, 00:08:50.419 --> 00:08:51.519 given that, you know, 00:08:51.580 --> 00:08:52.120 looking after ourselves, 00:08:53.460 --> 00:08:54.419 worrying about ourselves, 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.360 speaking first, 00:08:55.460 --> 00:08:56.179 listening second, 00:08:56.960 --> 00:08:58.039 being quick to react, 00:08:58.259 --> 00:08:59.620 given that that doesn't work, 00:09:00.179 --> 00:09:00.700 therefore, 00:09:01.580 --> 00:09:03.480 get rid of all moral filth 00:09:03.480 --> 00:09:05.299 and the evil that is so prevalent 00:09:05.299 --> 00:09:09.480 and humbly accept the word planted in you 00:09:09.480 --> 00:09:10.940 which can save you. 00:09:12.360 --> 00:09:14.960 That pride that shapes so much 00:09:14.960 --> 00:09:16.460 of how we relate to one another 00:09:16.460 --> 00:09:19.080 is not just a slight deviation 00:09:19.080 --> 00:09:20.300 from God's design. 00:09:20.639 --> 00:09:23.600 It's not just a sort of slight challenge 00:09:23.600 --> 00:09:25.240 to what God has for us. 00:09:25.960 --> 00:09:27.580 It's opposition to it. 00:09:29.040 --> 00:09:30.879 It's moral filth. 00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.320 Just like you can't have a relationship 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:38.740 with a friend or spouse 00:09:38.740 --> 00:09:39.660 if you don't listen, 00:09:40.100 --> 00:09:42.139 you can't expect to have one with God 00:09:42.139 --> 00:09:43.180 if you don't listen either. 00:09:43.179 --> 00:09:47.199 This passage has really strong echoes 00:09:47.199 --> 00:09:49.459 of Jesus' teaching in Matthew chapter 7 00:09:49.459 --> 00:09:51.599 where Jesus speaks about the wise 00:09:51.599 --> 00:09:52.679 and the foolish builder 00:09:52.679 --> 00:09:54.679 and people come to him 00:09:54.679 --> 00:09:55.879 who have done miracles, 00:09:56.159 --> 00:09:57.099 who have preached sermons, 00:09:57.219 --> 00:09:58.279 who have driven out demons 00:09:58.279 --> 00:09:59.559 and they are sent away 00:09:59.559 --> 00:10:01.599 because God says, 00:10:01.600 --> 00:10:04.980 I never knew you. 00:10:07.820 --> 00:10:10.100 The Bible and the story of Jesus 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:13.240 is a relational word. 00:10:14.220 --> 00:10:16.860 It's designed to help us get to know God. 00:10:18.159 --> 00:10:20.120 And so if we come to it with a pride 00:10:20.120 --> 00:10:22.120 where our first response is to speak 00:10:22.120 --> 00:10:23.120 instead of listen, 00:10:23.120 --> 00:10:29.340 we will be incapable 00:10:29.340 --> 00:10:32.100 of having the relationship 00:10:32.100 --> 00:10:33.080 that God wants. 00:10:34.060 --> 00:10:36.279 The Bible is not some opinion column 00:10:36.279 --> 00:10:36.940 in the paper. 00:10:37.740 --> 00:10:39.419 It's not the wise musings 00:10:39.419 --> 00:10:40.700 of some gurus. 00:10:41.460 --> 00:10:42.580 It's God's word. 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:44.919 It's the creator 00:10:44.919 --> 00:10:46.980 speaking to creatures. 00:10:46.980 --> 00:10:50.879 And so we must listen 00:10:50.879 --> 00:10:52.220 with humility. 00:10:55.680 --> 00:10:57.180 This word has power. 00:10:57.960 --> 00:10:59.600 Did you notice it gets a few different names 00:10:59.600 --> 00:11:00.259 in these verses? 00:11:01.259 --> 00:11:02.560 Listen to how it's described. 00:11:02.700 --> 00:11:04.360 Go back one verse to verse 18. 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:05.659 It says, 00:11:05.759 --> 00:11:07.320 He chose to give us birth 00:11:07.320 --> 00:11:09.039 through the word of truth. 00:11:09.759 --> 00:11:11.039 God's word has the power 00:11:11.039 --> 00:11:11.820 to give life. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:14.000 Or verse 21 again, 00:11:14.000 --> 00:11:15.679 Get rid of all moral filth 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.139 and the evil that is so prevalent 00:11:17.139 --> 00:11:18.200 and humbly accept 00:11:18.200 --> 00:11:19.820 the word planted in you 00:11:19.820 --> 00:11:21.440 which can save you. 00:11:22.480 --> 00:11:23.860 God's word can save. 00:11:24.019 --> 00:11:24.879 Verse 25, 00:11:25.759 --> 00:11:26.960 The man who looks intently 00:11:26.960 --> 00:11:28.500 into the perfect law 00:11:28.500 --> 00:11:29.820 that gives freedom. 00:11:31.360 --> 00:11:32.980 God's word gives life, 00:11:33.320 --> 00:11:35.000 can save and gives freedom. 00:11:36.299 --> 00:11:37.779 It is the word of truth. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:38.779 It is unchanging. 00:11:38.980 --> 00:11:40.559 It is reality defining. 00:11:40.799 --> 00:11:41.320 By it, 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:43.420 we understand everything else 00:11:43.420 --> 00:11:44.120 in existence. 00:11:44.400 --> 00:11:47.220 We must listen to it. 00:11:48.820 --> 00:11:50.840 And not just waiting to respond 00:11:50.840 --> 00:11:52.000 and say what we think 00:11:52.000 --> 00:11:52.620 or speak, 00:11:53.760 --> 00:11:56.080 but hanging on 00:11:56.080 --> 00:11:57.680 every life-giving word, 00:11:57.879 --> 00:11:59.540 eager for this to be the thing 00:11:59.540 --> 00:12:01.240 that defines who we are, 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:03.460 what we care about. 00:12:08.060 --> 00:12:09.780 And so you need to ask yourself 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:10.379 the question, 00:12:11.059 --> 00:12:13.000 are you putting yourself 00:12:13.000 --> 00:12:13.919 in situations 00:12:13.919 --> 00:12:15.120 where you can listen 00:12:15.120 --> 00:12:16.720 to the word of God? 00:12:18.799 --> 00:12:20.360 Are you making the most 00:12:20.360 --> 00:12:21.459 of the opportunities 00:12:21.459 --> 00:12:22.579 that God is placing 00:12:22.579 --> 00:12:23.620 in front of you now? 00:12:25.799 --> 00:12:27.259 Are you preparing well 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.539 for church when we gather? 00:12:31.299 --> 00:12:32.419 Are you making sure 00:12:32.419 --> 00:12:33.699 you get a good night's sleep? 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:35.959 Are you asking God 00:12:35.959 --> 00:12:37.100 to take away the things 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:37.779 in your mind 00:12:37.779 --> 00:12:38.339 that you know 00:12:38.339 --> 00:12:39.279 will distract you 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:40.159 or make you anxious? 00:12:41.559 --> 00:12:42.299 Are you sitting 00:12:42.299 --> 00:12:43.339 in a good spot here 00:12:43.339 --> 00:12:43.819 where you know 00:12:43.819 --> 00:12:45.100 you can concentrate best? 00:12:46.220 --> 00:12:46.959 Are you eager 00:12:46.959 --> 00:12:47.919 to take notes? 00:12:48.759 --> 00:12:49.639 Are you blocking out 00:12:49.639 --> 00:12:50.740 time to read the Bible 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.399 for yourself? 00:12:54.399 --> 00:12:55.199 Or is it just 00:12:55.199 --> 00:12:56.480 one of many voices 00:12:56.480 --> 00:12:58.819 that you're just 00:12:58.819 --> 00:12:59.699 looking for a gap in 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:00.559 so that you can let us 00:13:00.559 --> 00:13:01.360 know what you think 00:13:01.360 --> 00:13:03.059 or how you see things? 00:13:03.059 --> 00:13:06.059 verse 22 00:13:06.059 --> 00:13:10.119 Do not merely listen 00:13:10.119 --> 00:13:10.799 to the word 00:13:10.799 --> 00:13:12.299 and so deceive yourselves. 00:13:12.859 --> 00:13:13.839 Do what it says. 00:13:15.079 --> 00:13:16.419 Don't be deceived. 00:13:18.019 --> 00:13:18.339 Listen 00:13:18.339 --> 00:13:20.419 to the word. 00:13:22.179 --> 00:13:23.599 Don't merely listen 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:26.740 but listen 00:13:26.740 --> 00:13:28.560 so that you can do 00:13:28.560 --> 00:13:29.300 what it says. 00:13:31.460 --> 00:13:32.300 One of the great 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:33.759 strengths for our church 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:34.500 is that we are 00:13:34.500 --> 00:13:35.480 Bible people. 00:13:36.420 --> 00:13:37.420 We love the Bible. 00:13:37.620 --> 00:13:38.320 Darren's already 00:13:38.320 --> 00:13:40.019 alluded to the fact 00:13:40.019 --> 00:13:41.060 that here in Australia 00:13:41.060 --> 00:13:41.879 and here in Sydney 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:42.420 especially 00:13:42.420 --> 00:13:43.820 there is a saturation 00:13:43.820 --> 00:13:45.779 of good Bible teachers 00:13:45.779 --> 00:13:47.259 and good Bible teaching. 00:13:47.680 --> 00:13:48.680 People who love 00:13:48.680 --> 00:13:49.220 God's word 00:13:49.220 --> 00:13:50.259 and seek to proclaim 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.200 it faithfully. 00:13:52.799 --> 00:13:53.899 We love to read 00:13:53.899 --> 00:13:54.360 the Bible. 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:56.039 We love to sing 00:13:56.039 --> 00:13:56.759 bits of scripture 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:57.539 in our songs. 00:13:57.759 --> 00:13:58.519 We love to declare 00:13:58.519 --> 00:13:59.620 it in our creeds. 00:14:00.080 --> 00:14:00.879 We love to preach 00:14:00.879 --> 00:14:01.279 from it. 00:14:01.379 --> 00:14:02.279 We do Bible studies 00:14:02.279 --> 00:14:02.720 around it. 00:14:02.779 --> 00:14:03.860 We learn memory verses. 00:14:05.960 --> 00:14:07.580 But does all of that 00:14:07.580 --> 00:14:08.620 make any difference 00:14:08.620 --> 00:14:09.659 to the way that you 00:14:09.659 --> 00:14:10.779 speak 00:14:10.779 --> 00:14:13.059 or think 00:14:13.059 --> 00:14:14.919 or act 00:14:14.919 --> 00:14:16.159 or feel? 00:14:16.159 --> 00:14:20.719 Imagine a scenario 00:14:20.719 --> 00:14:21.620 in my house 00:14:21.620 --> 00:14:22.120 with me 00:14:22.120 --> 00:14:23.019 and my son Bailey. 00:14:24.199 --> 00:14:24.939 I've just 00:14:24.939 --> 00:14:25.799 put him to bed 00:14:25.799 --> 00:14:27.379 and I've explained 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:28.179 that he has to 00:14:28.179 --> 00:14:29.120 stay in his room 00:14:29.120 --> 00:14:30.259 and go to sleep. 00:14:32.279 --> 00:14:33.100 I've wandered out 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.740 to watch TV 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.679 for my moment 00:14:34.679 --> 00:14:35.259 of solitude 00:14:35.259 --> 00:14:35.819 in the day 00:14:35.819 --> 00:14:37.519 and a few minutes 00:14:37.519 --> 00:14:38.779 later he reappears 00:14:38.779 --> 00:14:40.659 working his cheeky grin. 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:42.000 He always comes out 00:14:42.000 --> 00:14:42.939 and asks a question 00:14:42.939 --> 00:14:43.759 like he doesn't know. 00:14:44.019 --> 00:14:45.259 Oh, what are you doing? 00:14:45.259 --> 00:14:46.279 And leans around 00:14:46.279 --> 00:14:47.159 and starts watching TV. 00:14:47.259 --> 00:14:48.019 Oh, it's the TV. 00:14:48.100 --> 00:14:48.740 What's on TV? 00:14:48.819 --> 00:14:49.319 And then sort of 00:14:49.319 --> 00:14:49.759 works his way 00:14:49.759 --> 00:14:50.519 to sit on the lounge. 00:14:52.039 --> 00:14:52.819 So I say, 00:14:53.819 --> 00:14:54.059 Bailey, 00:14:54.259 --> 00:14:55.819 go back to your room, 00:14:56.460 --> 00:14:57.179 get into bed 00:14:57.179 --> 00:14:58.100 and stay there. 00:14:59.539 --> 00:15:00.399 He continues 00:15:00.399 --> 00:15:01.120 to watch TV 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.259 so thinking 00:15:02.259 --> 00:15:03.480 that he wasn't listening 00:15:03.480 --> 00:15:04.100 I say, 00:15:04.419 --> 00:15:04.740 Bailey, 00:15:05.659 --> 00:15:07.799 go back to your room, 00:15:08.659 --> 00:15:09.299 get in bed 00:15:09.299 --> 00:15:10.139 and stay there. 00:15:11.000 --> 00:15:12.000 He looks at me. 00:15:13.559 --> 00:15:14.379 Here's the seriousness 00:15:14.379 --> 00:15:15.159 of my tone. 00:15:16.059 --> 00:15:16.259 He says, 00:15:16.360 --> 00:15:16.600 okay, 00:15:17.480 --> 00:15:18.399 and wanders off, 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.659 stamping as loud 00:15:19.659 --> 00:15:20.080 as he can 00:15:20.080 --> 00:15:20.799 to wake Hudson up. 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:22.740 Now, 00:15:22.840 --> 00:15:23.620 a little while later, 00:15:23.860 --> 00:15:24.620 imagine I wander 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.299 down the hallway 00:15:25.299 --> 00:15:26.340 to get something 00:15:26.340 --> 00:15:27.019 out of my room 00:15:27.019 --> 00:15:28.000 and I find Bailey 00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:28.799 sitting in the hallway 00:15:28.799 --> 00:15:29.539 reading books. 00:15:32.179 --> 00:15:32.960 I'd be like, 00:15:34.039 --> 00:15:34.360 Bailey, 00:15:34.500 --> 00:15:35.639 didn't you listen to me? 00:15:38.240 --> 00:15:39.200 Imagine if he was 00:15:39.200 --> 00:15:39.960 to look up to me 00:15:39.960 --> 00:15:40.379 and say, 00:15:41.580 --> 00:15:42.580 yeah, dad, 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.019 I listened 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:44.740 and I've been 00:15:44.740 --> 00:15:45.620 thinking about 00:15:45.620 --> 00:15:46.299 what you said, 00:15:47.539 --> 00:15:49.360 really studying it 00:15:49.360 --> 00:15:52.759 and I think 00:15:52.759 --> 00:15:54.919 that you were 00:15:54.919 --> 00:15:55.559 talking about 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.639 me staying in my bed 00:15:56.639 --> 00:15:58.480 and going to sleep. 00:15:59.360 --> 00:15:59.919 In fact, 00:15:59.980 --> 00:16:00.439 I think I've 00:16:00.439 --> 00:16:01.539 memorised what you said. 00:16:02.819 --> 00:16:04.039 I think you said, 00:16:04.539 --> 00:16:04.799 Bailey, 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.740 go back to your room, 00:16:07.299 --> 00:16:07.899 get in bed 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:09.019 and stay there. 00:16:10.419 --> 00:16:11.379 You can imagine 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:11.879 how the rest 00:16:11.879 --> 00:16:12.579 of the conversation 00:16:12.579 --> 00:16:13.879 might go from my side. 00:16:16.179 --> 00:16:17.579 That kind of listening 00:16:17.579 --> 00:16:19.139 isn't okay 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.679 in any sphere 00:16:20.679 --> 00:16:21.419 of our life. 00:16:22.799 --> 00:16:23.980 That kind of listening 00:16:23.980 --> 00:16:24.600 won't cut it 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:25.259 with your boss 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:25.899 when they give you 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.459 instructions. 00:16:27.639 --> 00:16:28.079 In fact, 00:16:28.139 --> 00:16:29.259 it completely defeats 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.000 the purpose 00:16:30.000 --> 00:16:31.500 for me speaking 00:16:31.500 --> 00:16:32.240 those words. 00:16:33.579 --> 00:16:34.620 My goal wasn't 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.279 that Bailey knew 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:36.059 what I said. 00:16:36.059 --> 00:16:37.759 my goal was 00:16:37.759 --> 00:16:38.679 that Bailey did 00:16:38.679 --> 00:16:39.959 what I said. 00:16:42.799 --> 00:16:43.739 And yet, 00:16:44.759 --> 00:16:47.099 often that's the way 00:16:47.099 --> 00:16:47.839 we listen 00:16:47.839 --> 00:16:49.859 to God's word. 00:16:52.199 --> 00:16:53.519 We think about it, 00:16:54.259 --> 00:16:55.519 we study it, 00:16:56.119 --> 00:16:57.379 we have study groups 00:16:57.379 --> 00:16:58.039 for it. 00:16:59.619 --> 00:17:01.159 We write in our journals, 00:17:02.119 --> 00:17:02.959 maybe we even 00:17:02.959 --> 00:17:03.819 memorise it. 00:17:03.820 --> 00:17:06.200 But does it 00:17:06.200 --> 00:17:07.100 make any difference? 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.480 I've sat 00:17:09.480 --> 00:17:10.279 in Bible studies 00:17:10.279 --> 00:17:10.900 with people 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:11.860 who when confronted 00:17:11.860 --> 00:17:13.019 with parts of the Bible 00:17:13.019 --> 00:17:13.880 that were uncomfortable 00:17:13.880 --> 00:17:15.039 or challenging, 00:17:15.360 --> 00:17:16.140 maybe bits that 00:17:16.140 --> 00:17:17.600 demanded some change 00:17:17.600 --> 00:17:19.220 or some sacrifice, 00:17:20.279 --> 00:17:21.120 and so those bits 00:17:21.120 --> 00:17:21.720 were completely 00:17:21.720 --> 00:17:22.480 pushed aside 00:17:22.480 --> 00:17:23.059 and rejected. 00:17:24.799 --> 00:17:25.680 And the issue 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.480 wasn't that they 00:17:26.480 --> 00:17:27.140 thought the Bible 00:17:27.140 --> 00:17:28.440 was saying something else, 00:17:29.440 --> 00:17:31.059 it's that they 00:17:31.059 --> 00:17:31.860 just didn't care. 00:17:31.859 --> 00:17:34.659 we're happy 00:17:34.659 --> 00:17:35.439 to read it 00:17:35.439 --> 00:17:37.219 and understand it, 00:17:37.959 --> 00:17:39.240 but the gap 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:41.199 is in our obedience. 00:17:42.759 --> 00:17:43.579 In effect, 00:17:43.699 --> 00:17:44.279 they were saying, 00:17:44.979 --> 00:17:47.679 I've listened, 00:17:48.240 --> 00:17:49.740 I know what you said, 00:17:50.740 --> 00:17:52.079 but I disagree. 00:17:54.559 --> 00:17:55.759 Maybe it's more subtle 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.019 than that for some of us. 00:17:57.539 --> 00:17:58.719 We read what the Bible 00:17:58.719 --> 00:17:59.179 says, 00:17:59.279 --> 00:18:00.679 we agree with what it says, 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.900 but we either wrongly 00:18:01.900 --> 00:18:02.480 think it doesn't 00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:03.259 apply to us, 00:18:03.620 --> 00:18:04.440 you know the classic, 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.740 I really hope that person's 00:18:05.740 --> 00:18:06.340 listening today 00:18:06.340 --> 00:18:07.360 because this is a message 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:07.840 for them. 00:18:08.519 --> 00:18:09.480 If they want to be 00:18:09.480 --> 00:18:10.400 as godly and humble 00:18:10.400 --> 00:18:10.759 as me, 00:18:10.840 --> 00:18:11.580 they've got some things 00:18:11.580 --> 00:18:12.420 they need to adjust. 00:18:14.799 --> 00:18:15.200 Or, 00:18:15.560 --> 00:18:16.840 maybe we feel 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:17.539 that little twinge 00:18:17.539 --> 00:18:18.000 of guilt, 00:18:19.060 --> 00:18:20.160 we hear that little 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:21.080 challenge or rebuke, 00:18:21.160 --> 00:18:21.880 but then we walk away 00:18:21.880 --> 00:18:22.420 and do nothing. 00:18:22.420 --> 00:18:29.000 verse 23 says, 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:29.960 anyone who listens 00:18:29.960 --> 00:18:30.660 to the word 00:18:30.660 --> 00:18:31.840 but does not do 00:18:31.840 --> 00:18:32.519 what it says 00:18:32.519 --> 00:18:33.320 is like a man 00:18:33.320 --> 00:18:34.220 who looks at his face 00:18:34.220 --> 00:18:34.700 in a mirror 00:18:34.700 --> 00:18:36.500 and after looking 00:18:36.500 --> 00:18:36.920 at himself 00:18:36.920 --> 00:18:37.620 goes away 00:18:37.620 --> 00:18:38.220 and immediately 00:18:38.220 --> 00:18:39.380 forgets what he 00:18:39.380 --> 00:18:40.019 looks like. 00:18:41.620 --> 00:18:42.000 Now, 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.460 I don't know many 00:18:42.460 --> 00:18:43.259 people who enjoy 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.160 looking at themselves 00:18:44.160 --> 00:18:44.740 in the mirror. 00:18:45.800 --> 00:18:46.160 Actually, 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:47.180 that's not entirely true. 00:18:47.860 --> 00:18:48.580 Just about everyone 00:18:48.580 --> 00:18:49.460 at the gym I go to 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:50.019 enjoys checking 00:18:50.019 --> 00:18:50.759 themselves at the mirror. 00:18:50.759 --> 00:18:53.259 But there are 00:18:53.259 --> 00:18:53.980 a lot of people 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:54.559 for whom 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.420 a mirror 00:18:55.420 --> 00:18:56.640 can be very 00:18:56.640 --> 00:18:57.119 uncomfortable. 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.680 Because a mirror 00:18:58.680 --> 00:18:59.619 shows all the bits 00:18:59.619 --> 00:19:00.460 that you probably 00:19:00.460 --> 00:19:01.140 spend time 00:19:01.140 --> 00:19:01.960 trying to hide 00:19:01.960 --> 00:19:02.740 or disguise 00:19:02.740 --> 00:19:04.599 or trick yourself 00:19:04.599 --> 00:19:05.180 into thinking 00:19:05.180 --> 00:19:05.799 aren't there. 00:19:06.879 --> 00:19:07.240 And so, 00:19:07.339 --> 00:19:07.900 if you don't like 00:19:07.900 --> 00:19:08.480 what you see 00:19:08.480 --> 00:19:08.960 when you look 00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:09.400 in the mirror, 00:19:09.519 --> 00:19:10.200 it makes sense 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.460 that you probably 00:19:11.460 --> 00:19:12.319 won't look that often 00:19:12.319 --> 00:19:14.819 and even if you do, 00:19:14.960 --> 00:19:15.700 you probably won't 00:19:15.700 --> 00:19:16.859 work too hard 00:19:16.859 --> 00:19:17.420 to remember 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.079 what you saw. 00:19:18.079 --> 00:19:20.679 It's much 00:19:20.679 --> 00:19:21.199 more pleasant 00:19:21.199 --> 00:19:21.819 to delude 00:19:21.819 --> 00:19:22.379 yourself into 00:19:22.379 --> 00:19:23.059 thinking you 00:19:23.059 --> 00:19:23.679 look how you 00:19:23.679 --> 00:19:24.299 want to look. 00:19:25.859 --> 00:19:26.539 So forget 00:19:26.539 --> 00:19:27.119 about the rough 00:19:27.119 --> 00:19:27.500 edges. 00:19:28.859 --> 00:19:29.500 But pleasant 00:19:29.500 --> 00:19:29.919 or not, 00:19:30.000 --> 00:19:30.279 it's not 00:19:30.279 --> 00:19:30.799 reality. 00:19:33.539 --> 00:19:34.179 Looking in 00:19:34.179 --> 00:19:34.559 the mirror 00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:35.220 of God's 00:19:35.220 --> 00:19:35.779 word will 00:19:35.779 --> 00:19:36.399 at times 00:19:36.399 --> 00:19:36.980 make you 00:19:36.980 --> 00:19:37.559 uncomfortable. 00:19:40.240 --> 00:19:40.819 It will 00:19:40.819 --> 00:19:41.559 challenge you. 00:19:42.179 --> 00:19:42.599 It will 00:19:42.599 --> 00:19:43.359 demand things 00:19:43.359 --> 00:19:43.879 from you. 00:19:44.139 --> 00:19:44.500 It will 00:19:44.500 --> 00:19:44.899 show you 00:19:44.899 --> 00:19:45.500 parts of your 00:19:45.500 --> 00:19:46.099 life and 00:19:46.099 --> 00:19:46.639 parts of your 00:19:46.639 --> 00:19:47.319 character that 00:19:47.319 --> 00:19:48.539 are deeply 00:19:48.539 --> 00:19:49.859 offensive to 00:19:49.859 --> 00:19:50.179 God. 00:19:52.980 --> 00:19:53.919 But pretending 00:19:53.919 --> 00:19:54.700 that's not how 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.279 it is, 00:19:55.659 --> 00:19:56.500 isn't going to 00:19:56.500 --> 00:19:56.899 help you. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:58.980 The point 00:19:58.980 --> 00:19:59.399 of a mirror 00:19:59.399 --> 00:20:00.119 is to see 00:20:00.119 --> 00:20:00.659 what's there 00:20:00.659 --> 00:20:01.439 so that you 00:20:01.439 --> 00:20:01.799 can make 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.259 adjustments. 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.839 If I get up 00:20:04.839 --> 00:20:05.319 in the morning 00:20:05.319 --> 00:20:05.619 and I'm 00:20:05.619 --> 00:20:06.119 looking in the 00:20:06.119 --> 00:20:06.559 mirror and I'm 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:07.200 styling my 00:20:07.200 --> 00:20:07.539 hair, 00:20:07.960 --> 00:20:08.599 bit of product 00:20:08.599 --> 00:20:08.919 in it, 00:20:08.960 --> 00:20:09.480 little twist 00:20:09.480 --> 00:20:09.720 here, 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.220 little pat 00:20:10.220 --> 00:20:10.559 there, 00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:12.960 if when I 00:20:12.960 --> 00:20:13.359 look in the 00:20:13.359 --> 00:20:13.799 mirror I'm 00:20:13.799 --> 00:20:14.240 not happy 00:20:14.240 --> 00:20:14.799 with what I 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.179 see, 00:20:16.220 --> 00:20:17.059 I make 00:20:17.059 --> 00:20:17.500 adjustments. 00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:19.200 I deal 00:20:19.200 --> 00:20:19.500 with the 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:19.679 little 00:20:19.679 --> 00:20:20.299 alfalfa 00:20:20.299 --> 00:20:20.500 that's 00:20:20.500 --> 00:20:20.819 going on 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.000 at the 00:20:21.000 --> 00:20:21.339 back. 00:20:22.639 --> 00:20:23.339 I put it 00:20:23.339 --> 00:20:23.759 where I was 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.179 trying to 00:20:24.179 --> 00:20:24.579 put it so 00:20:24.579 --> 00:20:24.919 it looks 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:25.220 how I 00:20:25.220 --> 00:20:25.500 want it 00:20:25.500 --> 00:20:25.980 to look. 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:28.319 I'm not 00:20:28.319 --> 00:20:28.819 walking out 00:20:28.819 --> 00:20:29.159 the door 00:20:29.159 --> 00:20:29.480 looking 00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:29.919 ridiculous. 00:20:32.279 --> 00:20:33.039 The solution 00:20:33.039 --> 00:20:33.579 isn't to 00:20:33.579 --> 00:20:34.079 avoid the 00:20:34.079 --> 00:20:34.500 mirror because 00:20:34.500 --> 00:20:35.000 it makes me 00:20:35.000 --> 00:20:35.460 uncomfortable, 00:20:36.460 --> 00:20:37.419 it's to 00:20:37.419 --> 00:20:38.019 deal with 00:20:38.019 --> 00:20:38.319 what the 00:20:38.319 --> 00:20:38.879 mirror shows 00:20:38.879 --> 00:20:39.119 me. 00:20:40.399 --> 00:20:40.859 And yet 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:41.200 again, 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:41.500 when it 00:20:41.500 --> 00:20:41.919 comes to 00:20:41.919 --> 00:20:42.460 our character, 00:20:42.559 --> 00:20:42.799 when the 00:20:42.799 --> 00:20:43.440 Bible shows 00:20:43.440 --> 00:20:44.000 us the gap 00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:44.980 between how 00:20:44.980 --> 00:20:45.460 we're living 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:45.860 and what 00:20:45.860 --> 00:20:46.380 we claim 00:20:46.380 --> 00:20:47.140 to believe, 00:20:48.759 --> 00:20:49.519 often our 00:20:49.519 --> 00:20:50.180 first reaction 00:20:50.180 --> 00:20:50.500 is to 00:20:50.500 --> 00:20:50.920 pretend we 00:20:50.920 --> 00:20:51.339 didn't see 00:20:51.339 --> 00:20:51.620 it. 00:20:53.960 --> 00:20:54.720 To trick 00:20:54.720 --> 00:20:55.380 ourselves into 00:20:55.380 --> 00:20:55.900 thinking that 00:20:55.900 --> 00:20:56.339 we're actually 00:20:56.339 --> 00:20:56.860 better than 00:20:56.860 --> 00:20:57.299 we are. 00:20:58.140 --> 00:20:58.759 We shrug 00:20:58.759 --> 00:20:59.319 our shoulders 00:20:59.319 --> 00:21:00.180 and we 00:21:00.180 --> 00:21:00.740 live in 00:21:00.740 --> 00:21:02.380 self-delusion 00:21:02.380 --> 00:21:04.640 rather than 00:21:04.640 --> 00:21:05.120 fixing the 00:21:05.120 --> 00:21:05.360 issue. 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:07.120 To not do 00:21:07.120 --> 00:21:07.640 what Scripture 00:21:07.640 --> 00:21:08.380 calls you to 00:21:08.380 --> 00:21:08.980 do, to not 00:21:08.980 --> 00:21:09.620 obey what 00:21:09.620 --> 00:21:10.220 you hear, 00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.480 is to waste 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:12.339 the opportunity 00:21:12.339 --> 00:21:13.059 given to you 00:21:13.059 --> 00:21:13.619 by God. 00:21:14.339 --> 00:21:15.139 The opportunity 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.079 to be changed, 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.980 to grow, 00:21:17.139 --> 00:21:17.740 to be better 00:21:17.740 --> 00:21:18.379 and even 00:21:18.379 --> 00:21:19.399 to be blessed. 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:21.619 Did you 00:21:21.619 --> 00:21:22.179 catch that 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:22.980 in verse 25? 00:21:23.240 --> 00:21:23.839 Look there 00:21:23.839 --> 00:21:24.500 with me now. 00:21:26.379 --> 00:21:27.460 In contrast 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.039 to the 00:21:29.039 --> 00:21:29.539 deluded, 00:21:29.700 --> 00:21:30.159 forgetful 00:21:30.159 --> 00:21:30.519 man, 00:21:32.819 --> 00:21:33.759 religion that, 00:21:33.960 --> 00:21:34.279 sorry, 00:21:34.460 --> 00:21:35.139 verse 25, 00:21:35.259 --> 00:21:35.940 the man who 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.779 looks intently 00:21:36.779 --> 00:21:37.539 into the 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:38.179 perfect law 00:21:38.179 --> 00:21:38.639 that gives 00:21:38.639 --> 00:21:39.419 freedom and 00:21:39.419 --> 00:21:40.339 continues to 00:21:40.339 --> 00:21:40.879 do this, 00:21:41.159 --> 00:21:41.839 not forgetting 00:21:41.839 --> 00:21:42.279 what he has 00:21:42.279 --> 00:21:42.679 heard but 00:21:42.680 --> 00:21:43.480 doing it, 00:21:44.120 --> 00:21:45.039 he will be 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.820 blessed in 00:21:46.820 --> 00:21:47.140 what he 00:21:47.140 --> 00:21:47.539 does. 00:21:49.140 --> 00:21:50.060 The opposite 00:21:50.060 --> 00:21:50.580 of looking 00:21:50.580 --> 00:21:51.180 and forgetting 00:21:51.180 --> 00:21:53.539 is continuing, 00:21:53.940 --> 00:21:54.880 not forgetting, 00:21:55.279 --> 00:21:55.620 doing, 00:21:56.700 --> 00:21:57.440 grabbing hold 00:21:57.440 --> 00:21:58.400 of the opportunity 00:21:58.400 --> 00:21:59.539 presented by 00:21:59.539 --> 00:22:00.240 the chance to 00:22:00.240 --> 00:22:00.940 see the bits 00:22:00.940 --> 00:22:01.480 that need 00:22:01.480 --> 00:22:01.980 work. 00:22:03.660 --> 00:22:03.940 I mean, 00:22:03.980 --> 00:22:04.420 did you notice 00:22:04.420 --> 00:22:04.920 what the mirror 00:22:04.920 --> 00:22:05.539 became there? 00:22:06.740 --> 00:22:07.440 This is an 00:22:07.440 --> 00:22:08.480 opposing analogy. 00:22:08.600 --> 00:22:09.100 These verses 00:22:09.100 --> 00:22:09.660 are connected 00:22:09.660 --> 00:22:10.240 but in one 00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:10.680 half, 00:22:11.060 --> 00:22:11.600 a man looks 00:22:11.600 --> 00:22:12.220 into a mirror. 00:22:12.680 --> 00:22:13.440 But in 00:22:13.440 --> 00:22:14.400 verse 25, 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:16.259 a man looks 00:22:16.259 --> 00:22:16.779 into the 00:22:16.779 --> 00:22:18.279 perfect law 00:22:18.279 --> 00:22:19.279 that gives 00:22:19.279 --> 00:22:19.799 freedom. 00:22:21.240 --> 00:22:21.840 The word of 00:22:21.840 --> 00:22:22.480 God is so 00:22:22.480 --> 00:22:23.039 much more 00:22:23.039 --> 00:22:23.900 than rules. 00:22:24.360 --> 00:22:24.960 It does so 00:22:24.960 --> 00:22:25.519 much more 00:22:25.519 --> 00:22:26.180 than show us 00:22:26.180 --> 00:22:26.700 the standard 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:27.100 that God 00:22:27.100 --> 00:22:27.580 has set 00:22:27.580 --> 00:22:27.880 that we 00:22:27.880 --> 00:22:28.220 are not 00:22:28.220 --> 00:22:28.660 making. 00:22:28.820 --> 00:22:29.299 It shows 00:22:29.299 --> 00:22:30.000 us Jesus. 00:22:31.600 --> 00:22:32.340 It shows 00:22:32.340 --> 00:22:32.820 us a 00:22:32.820 --> 00:22:33.380 saviour. 00:22:34.080 --> 00:22:34.799 It is only 00:22:34.799 --> 00:22:35.660 perfect and 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.360 it only brings 00:22:36.360 --> 00:22:37.160 freedom because 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:37.759 of Jesus. 00:22:37.759 --> 00:22:38.039 Jesus. 00:22:39.400 --> 00:22:39.900 Jesus 00:22:39.900 --> 00:22:40.920 himself says, 00:22:41.480 --> 00:22:41.859 I came 00:22:41.859 --> 00:22:42.599 to fulfil 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.940 the law. 00:22:46.359 --> 00:22:47.220 When Jesus 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:47.740 comes to 00:22:47.740 --> 00:22:48.019 earth, 00:22:48.099 --> 00:22:48.259 he's 00:22:48.259 --> 00:22:48.779 perfect, 00:22:49.640 --> 00:22:50.379 perfectly 00:22:50.379 --> 00:22:51.119 obedient in 00:22:51.119 --> 00:22:51.779 every way, 00:22:51.859 --> 00:22:52.259 in every 00:22:52.259 --> 00:22:52.879 opportunity. 00:22:53.039 --> 00:22:53.700 He obeys his 00:22:53.700 --> 00:22:54.339 heavenly father, 00:22:54.420 --> 00:22:54.920 even to the 00:22:54.920 --> 00:22:55.279 point of 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:55.700 dying. 00:22:56.660 --> 00:22:56.900 And then 00:22:56.900 --> 00:22:57.440 when he 00:22:57.440 --> 00:22:57.940 dies, 00:22:58.200 --> 00:22:58.980 he dies as 00:22:58.980 --> 00:22:59.660 a substitute 00:22:59.660 --> 00:23:00.279 for every 00:23:00.279 --> 00:23:00.940 person who's 00:23:00.940 --> 00:23:01.759 failed to do 00:23:01.759 --> 00:23:02.240 that in their 00:23:02.240 --> 00:23:02.740 lives. 00:23:03.879 --> 00:23:05.000 He dies to 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.879 offer forgiveness. 00:23:05.880 --> 00:23:06.780 He dies to 00:23:06.780 --> 00:23:07.360 pay debt. 00:23:07.460 --> 00:23:08.060 He offers to 00:23:08.060 --> 00:23:08.840 take shame 00:23:08.840 --> 00:23:09.800 and guilt. 00:23:10.860 --> 00:23:12.140 He offers to 00:23:12.140 --> 00:23:13.020 take away that 00:23:13.020 --> 00:23:14.180 moral filth and 00:23:14.180 --> 00:23:15.020 that evil that 00:23:15.020 --> 00:23:15.480 we need to 00:23:15.480 --> 00:23:16.140 get rid of. 00:23:19.320 --> 00:23:20.460 This is why 00:23:20.460 --> 00:23:21.800 it's the 00:23:21.800 --> 00:23:22.300 word that 00:23:22.300 --> 00:23:22.980 saves. 00:23:25.600 --> 00:23:26.360 Because it's 00:23:26.360 --> 00:23:26.980 the word about 00:23:26.980 --> 00:23:27.380 Jesus. 00:23:28.880 --> 00:23:29.800 It's the word 00:23:29.800 --> 00:23:30.460 about the one 00:23:30.460 --> 00:23:31.340 who forgives 00:23:31.340 --> 00:23:32.640 sinful people, 00:23:33.200 --> 00:23:34.540 who loves 00:23:34.540 --> 00:23:35.140 those who 00:23:35.140 --> 00:23:35.760 don't deserve 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:36.700 it, who 00:23:36.700 --> 00:23:37.759 exchanges his 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:39.039 life for our 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:39.980 life so that 00:23:39.980 --> 00:23:40.359 we can be 00:23:40.359 --> 00:23:41.099 acceptable to 00:23:41.099 --> 00:23:41.420 God. 00:23:43.680 --> 00:23:44.279 Jesus 00:23:44.279 --> 00:23:45.379 satisfies the 00:23:45.379 --> 00:23:45.579 law. 00:23:46.759 --> 00:23:47.559 He perfects 00:23:47.559 --> 00:23:47.720 it. 00:23:48.420 --> 00:23:49.119 He transforms 00:23:49.119 --> 00:23:49.740 it. 00:23:50.740 --> 00:23:51.200 And then 00:23:51.200 --> 00:23:53.640 he redeploys 00:23:53.640 --> 00:23:55.160 it in our 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.619 lives. 00:23:56.759 --> 00:23:57.420 Now the 00:23:57.420 --> 00:23:57.839 mirror has 00:23:57.839 --> 00:23:58.299 become a 00:23:58.299 --> 00:23:58.579 map. 00:23:59.420 --> 00:24:00.119 Before it 00:24:00.119 --> 00:24:00.920 was uncomfortable, 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.099 but now it 00:24:02.099 --> 00:24:02.960 shows us where 00:24:02.960 --> 00:24:03.500 we are. 00:24:03.859 --> 00:24:04.740 It shows us the 00:24:04.740 --> 00:24:05.660 destination that 00:24:05.660 --> 00:24:06.080 God has 00:24:06.080 --> 00:24:06.720 prepared for 00:24:06.720 --> 00:24:07.300 his people. 00:24:07.460 --> 00:24:07.900 Last week 00:24:07.900 --> 00:24:08.480 James showed 00:24:08.480 --> 00:24:08.820 us in 00:24:08.820 --> 00:24:10.279 James 1 00:24:10.279 --> 00:24:11.040 and verse 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:12.519 4 about 00:24:12.519 --> 00:24:13.420 the goal of 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:14.840 being mature 00:24:14.840 --> 00:24:15.740 and complete 00:24:15.740 --> 00:24:16.140 and not 00:24:16.140 --> 00:24:16.440 lacking 00:24:16.440 --> 00:24:17.019 anything. 00:24:18.600 --> 00:24:19.160 The mirror 00:24:19.160 --> 00:24:19.720 is now a 00:24:19.720 --> 00:24:20.160 map that 00:24:20.160 --> 00:24:20.920 shows us our 00:24:20.920 --> 00:24:22.740 inadequacies and 00:24:22.740 --> 00:24:23.240 failures, 00:24:23.519 --> 00:24:24.240 shows us the 00:24:24.240 --> 00:24:24.840 finish line, 00:24:24.940 --> 00:24:25.720 but also 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:27.140 shows us in 00:24:27.140 --> 00:24:28.100 Jesus how we 00:24:28.100 --> 00:24:28.660 might get to 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.120 that finish 00:24:29.120 --> 00:24:29.420 line. 00:24:29.940 --> 00:24:30.860 And shows us 00:24:30.860 --> 00:24:31.400 how we might 00:24:31.400 --> 00:24:32.160 have as much 00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.880 blessing as 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.920 possible every 00:24:33.920 --> 00:24:34.500 step of the 00:24:34.500 --> 00:24:34.820 way and 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:35.320 every day 00:24:35.320 --> 00:24:35.920 between now 00:24:35.920 --> 00:24:36.300 and then. 00:24:37.880 --> 00:24:38.540 It's not 00:24:38.540 --> 00:24:39.320 something to be 00:24:39.320 --> 00:24:40.000 scared of or 00:24:40.000 --> 00:24:41.100 intimidated by. 00:24:42.160 --> 00:24:43.220 It's God's 00:24:43.220 --> 00:24:44.260 guide on how 00:24:44.260 --> 00:24:45.280 you might be 00:24:45.280 --> 00:24:46.680 most blessed 00:24:46.680 --> 00:24:48.500 in the life 00:24:48.500 --> 00:24:48.840 that he's 00:24:48.840 --> 00:24:49.360 given you. 00:24:50.640 --> 00:24:51.560 It's not about 00:24:51.560 --> 00:24:52.580 guilt anymore 00:24:52.580 --> 00:24:54.660 because Jesus 00:24:54.660 --> 00:24:55.520 has dealt with 00:24:55.520 --> 00:24:56.420 that by dying 00:24:56.420 --> 00:24:56.920 for guilty 00:24:56.920 --> 00:24:57.400 people. 00:24:57.400 --> 00:25:00.140 God's word 00:25:00.140 --> 00:25:00.640 is about 00:25:00.640 --> 00:25:01.500 pouring as 00:25:01.500 --> 00:25:02.519 much blessing 00:25:02.519 --> 00:25:03.080 as can 00:25:03.080 --> 00:25:03.960 possibly be 00:25:03.960 --> 00:25:04.840 squashed into 00:25:04.840 --> 00:25:05.480 your life. 00:25:08.680 --> 00:25:09.560 Will we still 00:25:09.560 --> 00:25:10.180 get corrected 00:25:10.180 --> 00:25:12.120 and rebuked 00:25:12.120 --> 00:25:12.880 and challenged? 00:25:13.600 --> 00:25:14.040 Will there 00:25:14.040 --> 00:25:14.759 still be huge 00:25:14.759 --> 00:25:15.980 sacrifices and 00:25:15.980 --> 00:25:16.820 changes that are 00:25:16.820 --> 00:25:17.640 demanded of us? 00:25:17.980 --> 00:25:18.500 Will we still 00:25:18.500 --> 00:25:19.120 feel guilty 00:25:19.120 --> 00:25:20.019 sometimes when 00:25:20.019 --> 00:25:20.780 we read it or 00:25:20.780 --> 00:25:21.620 listen to sermons? 00:25:24.280 --> 00:25:24.800 Yes. 00:25:27.400 --> 00:25:28.740 But what's 00:25:28.740 --> 00:25:29.620 different now 00:25:29.620 --> 00:25:30.140 because of 00:25:30.140 --> 00:25:32.600 Jesus is 00:25:32.600 --> 00:25:33.160 what we do 00:25:33.160 --> 00:25:33.500 with that 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:33.800 guilt. 00:25:36.740 --> 00:25:37.560 I remember 00:25:37.560 --> 00:25:38.360 my first job 00:25:38.360 --> 00:25:39.200 quite distinctly. 00:25:39.480 --> 00:25:40.440 I worked at 00:25:40.440 --> 00:25:41.519 Kentucky Fried 00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:41.820 Chicken. 00:25:43.340 --> 00:25:44.259 It was my 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:44.940 dream job 00:25:44.940 --> 00:25:46.080 after working 00:25:46.080 --> 00:25:46.420 in a video 00:25:46.420 --> 00:25:46.940 store because I 00:25:46.940 --> 00:25:47.360 didn't think you 00:25:47.360 --> 00:25:47.700 had to do 00:25:47.700 --> 00:25:48.140 anything in a 00:25:48.140 --> 00:25:48.660 video store. 00:25:48.980 --> 00:25:49.540 But working 00:25:49.540 --> 00:25:50.740 at KFC was 00:25:50.740 --> 00:25:51.420 also a dream 00:25:51.420 --> 00:25:51.940 job because I 00:25:51.940 --> 00:25:52.300 figured you 00:25:52.300 --> 00:25:52.759 could eat as 00:25:52.759 --> 00:25:53.240 much chicken 00:25:53.240 --> 00:25:53.780 as you wanted. 00:25:54.700 --> 00:25:55.160 That was a 00:25:55.160 --> 00:25:55.740 half-truth. 00:25:56.120 --> 00:25:56.540 But it was 00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.299 still a fun 00:25:57.299 --> 00:25:57.639 job. 00:25:58.279 --> 00:25:59.019 But I remember 00:25:59.019 --> 00:25:59.799 working in there 00:25:59.799 --> 00:26:00.599 I actually had a 00:26:00.599 --> 00:26:01.180 lot to learn. 00:26:01.440 --> 00:26:02.399 I was 15 and 00:26:02.399 --> 00:26:03.639 so I'd never had 00:26:03.639 --> 00:26:04.240 any other job 00:26:04.240 --> 00:26:05.259 before trying to 00:26:05.259 --> 00:26:06.599 figure out that I 00:26:06.599 --> 00:26:07.079 had to wear my 00:26:07.079 --> 00:26:07.920 uniform correctly 00:26:07.920 --> 00:26:08.940 because I hadn't 00:26:08.940 --> 00:26:09.619 learnt that in the 00:26:09.619 --> 00:26:10.240 first however many 00:26:10.240 --> 00:26:10.839 years of school. 00:26:11.379 --> 00:26:11.879 So I had to wear 00:26:11.879 --> 00:26:12.859 my uniform correctly. 00:26:13.119 --> 00:26:13.659 I had to be there 00:26:13.659 --> 00:26:14.099 on time. 00:26:14.200 --> 00:26:14.639 I had to stay 00:26:14.639 --> 00:26:15.119 until the right 00:26:15.119 --> 00:26:15.480 time. 00:26:15.779 --> 00:26:16.299 I had to keep 00:26:16.299 --> 00:26:17.059 myself busy. 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:17.839 I had to always 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:18.559 be doing whatever 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:19.279 they asked me. 00:26:19.619 --> 00:26:20.059 And so there was 00:26:20.059 --> 00:26:21.119 kind of this fear 00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:22.039 that drives you in 00:26:22.039 --> 00:26:22.500 your job. 00:26:22.740 --> 00:26:23.759 I need to tick the 00:26:23.759 --> 00:26:24.839 boxes required of me 00:26:24.839 --> 00:26:25.899 otherwise my boss 00:26:25.900 --> 00:26:26.420 is going to turn 00:26:26.420 --> 00:26:27.040 around and say 00:26:27.040 --> 00:26:27.740 you're cut. 00:26:28.460 --> 00:26:29.000 You're fired. 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:29.460 You're sacked. 00:26:29.540 --> 00:26:29.920 I can get a 00:26:29.920 --> 00:26:30.680 different 15 year 00:26:30.680 --> 00:26:31.220 old who can do 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:31.640 your job. 00:26:31.720 --> 00:26:32.780 And so when you're 00:26:32.780 --> 00:26:33.600 at work there is 00:26:33.600 --> 00:26:35.540 this motivation for 00:26:35.540 --> 00:26:36.340 you to do what is 00:26:36.340 --> 00:26:37.019 required of you. 00:26:37.480 --> 00:26:39.140 And that is if you 00:26:39.140 --> 00:26:40.980 don't do it you're 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:41.259 gone. 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:42.940 You're fired. 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.660 That's it. 00:26:43.780 --> 00:26:44.259 Game over. 00:26:45.720 --> 00:26:46.700 However growing up 00:26:46.700 --> 00:26:47.720 living in my family 00:26:47.720 --> 00:26:49.060 there was a different 00:26:49.060 --> 00:26:50.140 motivation to do what 00:26:50.140 --> 00:26:51.000 was required of me. 00:26:51.000 --> 00:26:53.779 It wasn't that if I 00:26:53.779 --> 00:26:54.740 didn't do it I was 00:26:54.740 --> 00:26:55.019 cut. 00:26:55.460 --> 00:26:56.140 That's not how 00:26:56.140 --> 00:26:56.880 families work. 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.480 What do they say? 00:26:57.559 --> 00:26:58.259 You can choose your 00:26:58.259 --> 00:26:59.559 friends but you can't 00:26:59.559 --> 00:27:00.200 choose your family. 00:27:00.660 --> 00:27:01.579 You're stuck together. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.559 And so I obeyed 00:27:05.559 --> 00:27:08.059 secure that obey or 00:27:08.059 --> 00:27:09.140 not obey I'm still 00:27:09.140 --> 00:27:09.660 going to be my 00:27:09.660 --> 00:27:12.119 parents' son but also 00:27:12.119 --> 00:27:12.920 confident that 00:27:12.920 --> 00:27:13.700 ultimately they loved 00:27:13.700 --> 00:27:14.380 me even if I 00:27:14.380 --> 00:27:15.619 disagreed with what 00:27:15.619 --> 00:27:16.420 they thought was best 00:27:16.420 --> 00:27:16.819 for me. 00:27:16.819 --> 00:27:20.960 I obeyed from a 00:27:20.960 --> 00:27:22.019 place of security 00:27:22.019 --> 00:27:24.700 not hoping to meet a 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:26.879 standard not hoping to 00:27:26.879 --> 00:27:27.879 get something back from 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.839 them as a result. 00:27:30.579 --> 00:27:31.859 Doing the word 00:27:31.859 --> 00:27:33.599 obeying God's word 00:27:33.599 --> 00:27:34.879 isn't about being 00:27:34.879 --> 00:27:35.539 perfect. 00:27:36.599 --> 00:27:37.599 It's not about 00:27:37.599 --> 00:27:39.539 achieving a level so 00:27:39.539 --> 00:27:40.539 that God might think 00:27:40.539 --> 00:27:41.879 you're great or might 00:27:41.879 --> 00:27:42.720 love you more. 00:27:44.159 --> 00:27:45.179 It's about being 00:27:45.179 --> 00:27:45.679 honest. 00:27:46.819 --> 00:27:48.439 Obeying the word 00:27:48.439 --> 00:27:50.460 about Jesus means 00:27:50.460 --> 00:27:52.179 seeing in the map and 00:27:52.179 --> 00:27:53.299 recognizing that you're 00:27:53.299 --> 00:27:54.059 not good enough. 00:27:55.819 --> 00:27:58.299 It means trusting him 00:27:58.299 --> 00:28:00.159 to fix the issue. 00:28:01.480 --> 00:28:02.740 Trusting that his 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.519 forgiveness is 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.039 sufficient. 00:28:06.579 --> 00:28:07.359 Trusting that no 00:28:07.359 --> 00:28:09.639 failure is too big for 00:28:09.639 --> 00:28:11.019 his love to cover it. 00:28:12.299 --> 00:28:14.079 And then secure in his 00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:16.439 love chasing with every 00:28:16.440 --> 00:28:17.440 bit of energy the 00:28:17.440 --> 00:28:18.460 blessing that he has 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.660 designed in obeying 00:28:19.660 --> 00:28:19.960 him. 00:28:21.080 --> 00:28:22.320 In making the hard 00:28:22.320 --> 00:28:22.759 choices. 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:24.559 In sacrificing. 00:28:25.160 --> 00:28:25.960 In changing. 00:28:28.240 --> 00:28:29.620 True hypocrisy 00:28:29.620 --> 00:28:32.279 comes when we delude 00:28:32.279 --> 00:28:33.360 ourselves into thinking 00:28:33.360 --> 00:28:34.200 that we've made it. 00:28:36.920 --> 00:28:38.400 When we start convincing 00:28:38.400 --> 00:28:39.340 ourselves that there are 00:28:39.340 --> 00:28:40.640 no faults or adjustments 00:28:40.640 --> 00:28:43.180 required and instead are 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:44.340 very quick to point out the 00:28:44.339 --> 00:28:45.539 adjustments required in 00:28:45.539 --> 00:28:45.919 others. 00:28:47.459 --> 00:28:48.959 It's a delusion that we 00:28:48.959 --> 00:28:51.959 have invented because we 00:28:51.959 --> 00:28:52.859 want to be secure. 00:28:56.019 --> 00:28:57.659 But the security that God's 00:28:57.659 --> 00:28:59.059 word offers is far better. 00:29:01.019 --> 00:29:02.379 At the beginning we talked 00:29:02.379 --> 00:29:03.740 briefly about how the world 00:29:03.740 --> 00:29:04.939 around us is quick to let us 00:29:04.939 --> 00:29:05.720 know when there's a gap 00:29:05.720 --> 00:29:06.959 between what we claim to 00:29:06.959 --> 00:29:08.439 believe and the way that we 00:29:08.439 --> 00:29:08.740 live. 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:12.079 The issue isn't that we're 00:29:12.079 --> 00:29:12.759 not perfect. 00:29:16.039 --> 00:29:17.779 That's not the expectation in 00:29:17.779 --> 00:29:18.380 God's word. 00:29:18.799 --> 00:29:20.039 It's not even the expectation 00:29:20.039 --> 00:29:21.059 in the world. 00:29:24.680 --> 00:29:26.759 The issue is that we claim to 00:29:26.759 --> 00:29:27.420 be perfect. 00:29:30.460 --> 00:29:32.180 Whereas God's word tells us 00:29:32.180 --> 00:29:33.960 over and over we are far from 00:29:33.960 --> 00:29:34.160 it. 00:29:34.160 --> 00:29:37.600 The issue is that we put a 00:29:37.600 --> 00:29:39.740 standard here and then live 00:29:39.740 --> 00:29:40.220 here. 00:29:40.840 --> 00:29:42.820 When in actual fact this is all 00:29:42.820 --> 00:29:44.560 God's word requires from us. 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.940 That we would be distinct. 00:29:46.200 --> 00:29:47.040 That we would be different. 00:29:47.180 --> 00:29:48.360 That we would stand out. 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:51.519 But not that we would be 00:29:51.519 --> 00:29:51.840 perfect. 00:29:52.759 --> 00:29:54.420 That's a work that God is 00:29:54.420 --> 00:29:55.320 doing in us. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:57.700 That's a job that won't be 00:29:57.700 --> 00:29:59.340 finished until Jesus comes 00:29:59.340 --> 00:30:00.720 back or we get called home. 00:30:00.720 --> 00:30:05.000 And so what it means to have 00:30:05.000 --> 00:30:05.640 integrity. 00:30:06.019 --> 00:30:06.799 To be genuine. 00:30:06.940 --> 00:30:07.700 To be authentic. 00:30:09.019 --> 00:30:10.579 Is to actually say what the 00:30:10.579 --> 00:30:11.339 Bible says. 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.440 I'm not there yet. 00:30:16.620 --> 00:30:17.839 I'm still sinful. 00:30:19.980 --> 00:30:22.059 What it means is to have the 00:30:22.059 --> 00:30:23.600 humility talked about in verse 00:30:23.600 --> 00:30:25.620 21 where our starting point 00:30:25.620 --> 00:30:27.900 when we open the Bible is I 00:30:27.900 --> 00:30:29.100 know there's something that 00:30:29.100 --> 00:30:30.579 needs to change even if I'm not 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.559 sure what it is yet. 00:30:35.199 --> 00:30:37.079 To be so secure in God's 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:39.379 love that it's okay. 00:30:39.579 --> 00:30:42.159 In fact it's even exciting to 00:30:42.159 --> 00:30:42.939 admit mistake. 00:30:44.699 --> 00:30:46.339 Because that's the step towards 00:30:46.339 --> 00:30:47.679 the growth that God wants to 00:30:47.679 --> 00:30:47.919 bring. 00:30:48.859 --> 00:30:50.299 That's the step towards the 00:30:50.299 --> 00:30:51.699 blessing that God has designed 00:30:51.699 --> 00:30:52.359 for us. 00:30:53.759 --> 00:30:55.639 Authentic faith is so secure in 00:30:55.639 --> 00:30:57.119 what Jesus has done and in the 00:30:57.119 --> 00:30:59.059 unconditional love of God that 00:30:59.059 --> 00:31:01.539 it is honest and real about 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:01.960 failure. 00:31:02.960 --> 00:31:05.099 And it delights to confess sin. 00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.700 Even publicly. 00:31:07.559 --> 00:31:08.980 Because that just shows how 00:31:08.980 --> 00:31:10.279 amazing Jesus is. 00:31:12.799 --> 00:31:14.639 But none of this lets us off 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:15.019 the hook. 00:31:17.179 --> 00:31:19.220 The end point is not sweet. 00:31:19.319 --> 00:31:20.359 All I've got to do is admit that 00:31:20.359 --> 00:31:21.500 I'm not good enough and I can 00:31:21.500 --> 00:31:22.200 relax a bit. 00:31:22.200 --> 00:31:25.400 The word still does demand 00:31:25.400 --> 00:31:25.920 change. 00:31:26.019 --> 00:31:27.059 It does demand that we are 00:31:27.059 --> 00:31:28.120 distinct from the world. 00:31:28.220 --> 00:31:29.860 It does show us what God wants. 00:31:30.140 --> 00:31:31.600 It does expect us to be on a 00:31:31.600 --> 00:31:33.259 journey towards that perfection 00:31:33.259 --> 00:31:34.700 that God is working in us. 00:31:35.900 --> 00:31:38.799 And if anything the freedom that 00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:40.680 we have because of Jesus, the 00:31:40.680 --> 00:31:42.360 security we have in his love 00:31:42.360 --> 00:31:44.720 should increase our urgency. 00:31:45.840 --> 00:31:48.680 Should grow our desire to obey 00:31:48.680 --> 00:31:50.059 because it's not something we're not 00:31:50.059 --> 00:31:51.759 being chased with a naughty stick 00:31:51.759 --> 00:31:52.339 anymore. 00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:55.879 God has laid out in front of us the 00:31:55.879 --> 00:31:58.399 promise of blessing and motivated 00:31:58.399 --> 00:32:00.639 us to pursue obedience because of 00:32:00.639 --> 00:32:01.119 his goodness. 00:32:03.079 --> 00:32:05.379 Verse 26 gives us a scary warning. 00:32:05.539 --> 00:32:06.919 If anyone considers himself 00:32:06.919 --> 00:32:08.879 religious and yet does not keep a 00:32:08.879 --> 00:32:10.240 tight rein on his tongue, he 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:12.379 deceives himself and his religion is 00:32:12.379 --> 00:32:12.879 worthless. 00:32:13.319 --> 00:32:15.039 There is still the warning here from 00:32:15.039 --> 00:32:16.720 James having pointed us to Jesus 00:32:16.720 --> 00:32:18.799 that if we claim one thing and live 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:20.819 differently, we run the risk of having 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:22.759 a worthless religion. 00:32:24.859 --> 00:32:27.500 But 27, religion that God our 00:32:27.500 --> 00:32:29.379 Father accepts as pure and faultless 00:32:29.379 --> 00:32:31.700 is this, to look after orphans and 00:32:31.700 --> 00:32:33.419 widows in their distress and to keep 00:32:33.419 --> 00:32:35.859 oneself from being polluted by the 00:32:35.859 --> 00:32:36.240 world. 00:32:37.039 --> 00:32:38.919 Three quick opportunities to put into 00:32:38.919 --> 00:32:40.980 practice what James has challenged us 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:41.220 on. 00:32:41.940 --> 00:32:45.299 Our conversations, our compassion and 00:32:45.299 --> 00:32:45.899 our character. 00:32:46.379 --> 00:32:47.980 It's not an exhaustive list. 00:32:47.980 --> 00:32:50.019 This is not everything that it is to be 00:32:50.019 --> 00:32:51.440 a Christian but I'm sure it's a 00:32:51.440 --> 00:32:52.779 sufficient amount to make us feel 00:32:52.779 --> 00:32:53.220 uncomfortable. 00:32:56.599 --> 00:32:59.500 Do your words reflect God's design for 00:32:59.500 --> 00:32:59.700 them? 00:33:03.700 --> 00:33:04.920 Are you encouraging? 00:33:07.160 --> 00:33:08.720 Are your words life-giving? 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:13.360 Or is your mouth full of gossip and 00:33:13.360 --> 00:33:16.200 slander and coarseness? 00:33:18.880 --> 00:33:22.380 Second one, are you actively engaged in 00:33:22.380 --> 00:33:24.180 caring for those who are less fortunate, 00:33:25.259 --> 00:33:26.259 those in need? 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:30.880 How do you respond to pictures of a 00:33:30.880 --> 00:33:32.720 three-year-old Syrian boy washed up on a 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.019 beach? 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:42.660 And third, can your friends and family and 00:33:42.660 --> 00:33:44.759 colleagues and neighbours see something 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:48.279 different in you compared to those 00:33:48.279 --> 00:33:48.819 around you? 00:33:51.420 --> 00:33:55.039 Or have you been diluted with the world 00:33:55.039 --> 00:33:55.700 that you live in? 00:33:56.539 --> 00:33:58.579 Are you just like everyone else? 00:33:58.579 --> 00:34:02.960 Now we're going to unpack those three 00:34:02.960 --> 00:34:04.419 things more as we go through this 00:34:04.419 --> 00:34:04.839 series. 00:34:06.199 --> 00:34:08.599 But if just those couple of verses, just 00:34:08.599 --> 00:34:10.179 those three examples have made you 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:13.279 uncomfortable or made you see something 00:34:13.279 --> 00:34:17.380 that you know needs to change, don't 00:34:17.380 --> 00:34:19.159 just listen. 00:34:19.159 --> 00:34:24.319 Do what it says. 00:34:27.539 --> 00:34:29.599 Confess your failure. 00:34:31.440 --> 00:34:33.519 Admit your inadequacy. 00:34:35.039 --> 00:34:37.739 And trust Jesus to forgive you. 00:34:39.299 --> 00:34:41.839 Trust him to be the one who will work in 00:34:41.839 --> 00:34:42.799 you to change you. 00:34:44.339 --> 00:34:48.379 And secure in his perfect love, work with 00:34:48.380 --> 00:34:51.700 everything you've got to try and live in 00:34:51.700 --> 00:34:54.480 the blessing of obedience to his word. 00:34:56.640 --> 00:34:58.220 Hear this, verse 22 again. 00:34:59.260 --> 00:35:02.360 Do not merely listen to the word and so 00:35:02.360 --> 00:35:03.400 deceive yourselves. 00:35:04.320 --> 00:35:05.980 Do what it says. 00:35:07.660 --> 00:35:09.860 The man who looks intently into the 00:35:09.860 --> 00:35:11.519 perfect law that gives freedom and 00:35:11.519 --> 00:35:13.780 continues to do this, not forgetting what 00:35:13.780 --> 00:35:16.640 he has heard but doing it, he will be 00:35:16.639 --> 00:35:18.739 blessed in what he does. 00:35:20.059 --> 00:35:20.379 Amen. 00:35:20.379 --> 00:35:20.440 Amen. 00:35:20.440 --> 00:35:25.240 Amen. 00:35:25.260 --> 00:35:26.059 Amen. 00:35:27.900 --> 00:35:28.159 . 00:35:28.159 --> 00:35:28.700 . 00:35:28.700 --> 00:35:30.539 . 00:35:32.139 --> 00:35:32.460 . 00:35:32.460 --> 00:35:35.119 A 00:35:35.119 --> 00:35:35.599 . 00:35:35.599 --> 00:35:36.599 .