WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:01.000 Amen. 00:00:01.000 --> 00:00:02.000 Amen. 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:03.000 Amen. 00:00:03.000 --> 00:00:04.000 Amen. 00:00:04.000 --> 00:00:05.000 Thank you, James. 00:00:05.000 --> 00:00:06.000 I hope you all enjoyed that song. 00:00:06.000 --> 00:00:07.000 You'll have a chance to sing it yourselves after the sermon. 00:00:07.000 --> 00:00:09.000 So, we look forward to that. 00:00:09.000 --> 00:00:13.000 I hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July. 00:00:13.000 --> 00:00:16.000 Maybe you got as crazy as we did. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:22.000 The cops ended up at my house at the house at the house at the house at the house at 00:00:22.000 --> 00:00:28.000 the house at the house at the house at the house at the house at the house at the house 00:00:28.000 --> 00:00:29.000 We did. 00:00:29.000 --> 00:00:30.000 The cops ended up at my house last night. 00:00:30.000 --> 00:00:33.000 Just kidding, they were next door, actually. 00:00:33.000 --> 00:00:38.000 I think our neighbors, they waited until all the rain stopped at about 1230 to shoot off 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:40.000 all their fireworks. 00:00:40.000 --> 00:00:43.000 And so, there was a sleeping preacher who was woken up. 00:00:43.000 --> 00:00:45.000 So, I hope that your night went better than mine did last night. 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:48.000 I'm excited to open God's Word with you. 00:00:48.000 --> 00:00:55.000 If you will look at Ephesians chapter 4, we'll be considering verses 25 through 32 this morning. 00:00:55.000 --> 00:00:57.000 Ephesians 4, 25 through 32. 00:00:57.000 --> 00:01:01.740 As you turn there, let me tell you, this is our last week in chapter 4 of Ephesians. 00:01:01.820 --> 00:01:06.719 You may recall that Will spent the past two weeks talking about verses 17 through 32, 00:01:07.120 --> 00:01:08.579 and the summary was this. 00:01:09.019 --> 00:01:15.359 There was the old way, there is the new way, and we have all of these gospel kingdom-minded 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:16.299 motivations. 00:01:17.219 --> 00:01:22.319 Paul says, because of how the gospel has changed your life, you now put on the new self, and 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:23.260 you now respond. 00:01:23.260 --> 00:01:26.280 You take up the calling in which you have been called. 00:01:27.000 --> 00:01:31.799 As we conclude this section, Will and I thought it would be helpful to spend a week talking 00:01:31.799 --> 00:01:36.140 particularly about verse 30, as it talks about grieving the Holy Spirit. 00:01:36.420 --> 00:01:40.379 I was the one lucky enough to get the verse on grieving the Holy Spirit. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:47.500 I really am excited, though, and look forward to sharing God's Word with you as we will focus 00:01:47.500 --> 00:01:48.359 on verse 30. 00:01:49.460 --> 00:01:52.420 The Holy Spirit's not something that we talk about very often. 00:01:52.960 --> 00:01:54.480 We don't talk about it very often. 00:01:54.480 --> 00:01:58.800 One, because there aren't many verses on the Holy Spirit, and two, the ones that are there 00:01:58.800 --> 00:02:00.840 are often difficult passages like this one. 00:02:00.880 --> 00:02:05.560 So I want to talk about our passage, but I also want to speak big picture about the Holy 00:02:05.560 --> 00:02:07.260 Spirit this morning as well. 00:02:07.420 --> 00:02:11.039 So look with me at Ephesians chapter 4. 00:02:11.219 --> 00:02:15.840 We'll go back and start in verse 25 and go through verse 32. 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:18.080 Look at God's Word with me. 00:02:18.080 --> 00:02:26.320 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for 00:02:26.320 --> 00:02:27.900 we are members one of another. 00:02:28.760 --> 00:02:30.280 Be angry and do not sin. 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:34.780 Do not let the sun go down on your anger and give no opportunity to the devil. 00:02:35.500 --> 00:02:40.780 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own 00:02:40.780 --> 00:02:44.460 hands so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 00:02:44.460 --> 00:02:50.439 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:54.600 as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 00:02:55.439 --> 00:03:00.600 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 00:03:01.560 --> 00:03:07.200 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along 00:03:07.200 --> 00:03:08.080 with all malice. 00:03:08.080 --> 00:03:17.500 Will you pray with me? 00:03:18.439 --> 00:03:24.700 Father, you tell us that the flowers fade, but your Word stands forever. 00:03:25.720 --> 00:03:30.980 And so, Father, we claim that promise this morning, that as we consider your Word this 00:03:30.980 --> 00:03:36.840 morning, that it might not fade, that it might carry with great power into our hearts and 00:03:36.840 --> 00:03:37.500 our lives. 00:03:37.979 --> 00:03:42.960 And Father, as we even consider the Holy Spirit, would you offer us your Holy Spirit this morning? 00:03:44.000 --> 00:03:48.740 That your Holy Spirit would be a teacher, that your Holy Spirit would be a guide to us as 00:03:48.740 --> 00:03:52.879 we consider this book, the book of Ephesians, the promises of Paul. 00:03:53.580 --> 00:03:54.659 So be with us now, Father. 00:03:54.780 --> 00:03:56.580 Guide us and keep us during this time. 00:03:57.400 --> 00:03:58.900 Pray these things in your heavenly Son's name. 00:03:59.319 --> 00:03:59.599 Amen. 00:03:59.599 --> 00:03:59.740 Amen. 00:04:00.840 --> 00:04:06.060 One of my professors in seminary was memorable for saying lots of things. 00:04:06.060 --> 00:04:10.180 There were lots of things that Jack Collins was known for saying. 00:04:10.900 --> 00:04:16.120 The class where he was most famous for saying famous things was Covenant Theology. 00:04:16.660 --> 00:04:20.840 It was the introductory course that all first-year students at Covenant Seminary take. 00:04:21.180 --> 00:04:25.420 And it was the class where the professors, it was four of them, they taught it together. 00:04:25.560 --> 00:04:29.939 And they took these entering students who were on top of the spiritual world. 00:04:29.939 --> 00:04:31.480 They thought they had it all figured out. 00:04:31.579 --> 00:04:36.219 And they put their theological world totally out of balance. 00:04:36.459 --> 00:04:40.699 They took everything that you thought you knew, and they pointed out your presuppositions. 00:04:41.060 --> 00:04:42.540 They pointed out your weaknesses. 00:04:42.540 --> 00:04:46.439 And they ultimately pointed out all the things that you didn't know. 00:04:46.839 --> 00:04:49.240 They were there to knock you down a notch. 00:04:49.240 --> 00:04:53.980 One of the things that Jack Collins was famous for saying was, 00:04:54.639 --> 00:04:56.180 Don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:58.680 Don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:04:58.780 --> 00:05:00.939 I think it originated from his impatience. 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:06.740 I think it came out of some of his disgust from students who would take giant leaps from 00:05:06.740 --> 00:05:11.280 one thing he said about a particular passage and draw all kinds of other conclusions. 00:05:11.819 --> 00:05:17.579 Don't hear what I'm not saying was the warning from Jack Collins all the time. 00:05:17.579 --> 00:05:23.759 It was a reminder to us to stay focused, to remember what we knew to be true about the 00:05:23.759 --> 00:05:24.879 subject at hand. 00:05:25.180 --> 00:05:27.680 Don't start drawing all kinds of crazy conclusions. 00:05:27.939 --> 00:05:30.079 Don't hear what I'm not saying. 00:05:31.159 --> 00:05:37.779 Dr. Collins knew from working with young seminarians that it was the habit of our eager hearts and 00:05:37.779 --> 00:05:43.339 minds to want to believe things that weren't actually in the text, that weren't actually there. 00:05:43.339 --> 00:05:49.819 And if I may, I believe that Paul would probably be saying the same thing to us this morning 00:05:49.819 --> 00:05:52.739 as we consider verse 32 about the Holy Spirit. 00:05:53.299 --> 00:05:57.179 Don't hear what I'm not saying would be the warning of Paul. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:58.379 He says, 00:05:58.519 --> 00:06:02.539 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption, but 00:06:02.539 --> 00:06:03.019 stop. 00:06:03.500 --> 00:06:06.000 Do not hear what I'm not saying. 00:06:06.000 --> 00:06:12.660 As we consider the passage this morning, we understand that there's a lot that the Bible 00:06:12.660 --> 00:06:17.839 teaches about the Holy Spirit, and we must be careful to not hear what the passage isn't 00:06:17.839 --> 00:06:18.220 saying. 00:06:19.500 --> 00:06:25.180 Sayings like these, that we grieve the Spirit, that we affect the Holy Spirit, can lead us 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:27.420 to hear things that are not in the text. 00:06:27.779 --> 00:06:30.819 So I want us just to slow down a little bit, and I want us to start there. 00:06:31.259 --> 00:06:35.180 Let's start there by talking about what this passage doesn't say. 00:06:35.180 --> 00:06:37.579 So if you want to start taking notes, start there. 00:06:37.639 --> 00:06:39.860 Here's what the passage doesn't say. 00:06:40.540 --> 00:06:43.540 What this passage doesn't say about the Holy Spirit. 00:06:44.240 --> 00:06:45.439 The first is this. 00:06:46.379 --> 00:06:51.259 The passage does not say that grieving and blaspheming are the same. 00:06:51.800 --> 00:06:56.500 If you're like me, you hear this passage, you read about the grieving of the Holy Spirit, 00:06:56.500 --> 00:07:00.720 and your mind immediately goes to Jesus' words about blaspheming the Spirit. 00:07:01.060 --> 00:07:04.560 And you start to get confused, and you think, oh no, I don't want to… 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:05.839 Paul's saying don't blaspheme the Spirit. 00:07:05.899 --> 00:07:06.560 That's what he's saying. 00:07:06.699 --> 00:07:08.959 I don't want to get caught up in this, what did Jesus call it? 00:07:09.540 --> 00:07:11.819 Blaspheming was the unforgivable sin, right? 00:07:12.680 --> 00:07:15.579 Look with me at Mark chapter 3. 00:07:15.780 --> 00:07:17.079 These are Jesus' words. 00:07:17.600 --> 00:07:18.280 He says this, 00:07:18.279 --> 00:07:44.419 In Mark chapter 3, Jesus is speaking about a much different act towards the Holy Spirit 00:07:44.419 --> 00:07:46.919 than the grieving that Paul is talking about here. 00:07:46.920 --> 00:07:50.800 We're not going to consider Mark chapter 3 entirely this morning. 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:52.680 I'm not going to do it justice. 00:07:53.000 --> 00:07:59.879 But you need to know that what Jesus was referring to here was a flagrant, willful, decisive judgment 00:07:59.879 --> 00:08:03.259 that the Spirit's testimony came from Satan. 00:08:03.819 --> 00:08:06.439 That the Spirit's testimony was untrue. 00:08:07.480 --> 00:08:13.439 Jesus is explaining that all those who have this persistent, unrepentant denial of the Holy Spirit 00:08:13.439 --> 00:08:15.259 will not experience forgiveness. 00:08:16.579 --> 00:08:21.500 The word that Jesus uses for blaspheming is entirely different. 00:08:21.959 --> 00:08:23.420 It has a different context. 00:08:23.540 --> 00:08:24.939 It was spoken by a different person. 00:08:25.079 --> 00:08:27.339 It comes from a different biblical author, 00:08:27.779 --> 00:08:32.620 and therefore it has a much different meaning than what Paul is talking about here in chapter 4. 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:41.960 It's also worth noting that many Christians fear from Mark chapter 3 that they themselves might blaspheme the Spirit. 00:08:43.200 --> 00:08:47.879 This concern, this consideration actually shows a sensitivity to the Spirit, 00:08:48.080 --> 00:08:50.179 and it's evidence that you're not blaspheming the Spirit. 00:08:50.500 --> 00:08:53.340 So if that's in the back of your mind somewhere, please know that. 00:08:53.700 --> 00:08:56.500 Please know that if you're sensitive to blaspheming the Spirit, 00:08:56.680 --> 00:08:58.539 you're not actually blaspheming the Spirit. 00:08:58.539 --> 00:09:00.240 You have good judgment. 00:09:00.379 --> 00:09:02.199 You're considering your own heart. 00:09:03.620 --> 00:09:08.639 Paul's word choice, though, his word choice in Ephesians chapter 4 verse 30 00:09:08.639 --> 00:09:14.120 is one that means to be made sad, to be made sorrowful, 00:09:14.439 --> 00:09:17.519 to affect with grief or to make one uneasy. 00:09:18.439 --> 00:09:24.159 This definition, along with Paul's whole context, makes these very different ideas. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:27.399 Grieving is not blaspheming. 00:09:27.399 --> 00:09:30.000 Grieving is not blaspheming. 00:09:30.679 --> 00:09:34.299 As we grieve the Spirit, which Paul knows that we will, 00:09:34.559 --> 00:09:36.559 he anticipates it by talking about it, 00:09:36.740 --> 00:09:41.659 we are doing something very different than what Jesus spoke about in Mark chapter 3. 00:09:42.360 --> 00:09:45.659 Paul is not saying that grieving is blaspheming. 00:09:46.319 --> 00:09:51.840 The second thing that Paul is not saying is that we can affect our relationship with the Father. 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:55.840 He's not saying that we can affect our relationship with the Father. 00:09:55.840 --> 00:10:00.040 We're going to talk a little bit more in a moment about our actions, 00:10:00.160 --> 00:10:02.600 both of our head and our hearts that grieve the Spirit, 00:10:03.019 --> 00:10:09.899 but we must first remove from our minds any idea that we can change or affect the standing that we have with the Father. 00:10:10.899 --> 00:10:15.220 Paul is not saying that we can affect our relationship with the Father. 00:10:15.220 --> 00:10:18.240 This is true for a number of reasons. 00:10:18.680 --> 00:10:23.420 The first is that the entire book of Ephesians so far doesn't support that idea. 00:10:23.920 --> 00:10:28.259 The entire book of Ephesians so far is founded upon, rooted in, 00:10:28.820 --> 00:10:32.540 the fact that we have received God's grace through Christ, 00:10:32.920 --> 00:10:34.940 and that we are eternally sealed by that. 00:10:34.940 --> 00:10:38.240 As Paul talks about us grieving the Spirit, 00:10:39.760 --> 00:10:43.900 it's not in contradiction to what he's talked about already about grace. 00:10:44.840 --> 00:10:47.340 Paul knows that we are sealed by the Father. 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:49.940 We are forever sons and daughters, 00:10:50.080 --> 00:10:52.720 and there's nothing that we can do to change that relationship. 00:10:54.180 --> 00:10:58.100 There's also a biblical precedent for grieving the Holy Spirit. 00:10:59.400 --> 00:11:01.960 Paul had in mind Isaiah 63. 00:11:01.960 --> 00:11:04.860 It was in clear view when he wrote this passage, 00:11:04.960 --> 00:11:09.000 and in Isaiah 63, the people of God are described the exact same way, 00:11:09.060 --> 00:11:11.300 as grieving the Holy Spirit. 00:11:11.700 --> 00:11:14.600 They've grieved the Holy Spirit through their disobedience. 00:11:15.500 --> 00:11:20.320 It was this common pattern of God's people to return to their sin again and again, right? 00:11:21.560 --> 00:11:25.040 And the Scripture tells us that God was saddened, 00:11:25.519 --> 00:11:26.600 that He was sorrowful, 00:11:26.940 --> 00:11:30.240 that He grieved when the people of God returned to their sin. 00:11:30.240 --> 00:11:38.060 We can't miss the clear indication and the significance of the fact that our sins do affect the Father, 00:11:38.279 --> 00:11:40.940 but they do not affect our relationship with the Father. 00:11:41.779 --> 00:11:46.200 This description of rebelling against God in Isaiah is couched, however, 00:11:46.279 --> 00:11:49.919 you need to understand, between two declarations of God's love. 00:11:50.680 --> 00:11:52.899 It's couched by two declarations of God's love. 00:11:53.000 --> 00:11:56.200 Look with me at Isaiah 63, beginning in verse 7. 00:11:56.200 --> 00:11:57.280 It says this, 00:11:57.279 --> 00:12:00.220 I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, 00:12:00.620 --> 00:12:04.539 the praises of the Lord according to all that the Lord has granted us, 00:12:04.579 --> 00:12:06.539 and the great goodness to the house of Israel, 00:12:07.039 --> 00:12:09.740 according to the abundance of His steadfast love. 00:12:10.519 --> 00:12:11.220 For He said, 00:12:11.319 --> 00:12:12.659 Surely they are My people, 00:12:13.299 --> 00:12:16.139 children who will not deal falsely. 00:12:16.779 --> 00:12:18.039 And He became their Savior. 00:12:18.620 --> 00:12:20.399 In all their affliction, He was afflicted, 00:12:20.439 --> 00:12:22.559 and the angel of His presence saved them in His love, 00:12:22.559 --> 00:12:24.299 and in His pity, He redeemed them. 00:12:24.579 --> 00:12:27.859 He lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. 00:12:28.199 --> 00:12:31.739 God's love is offered again and again and again. 00:12:32.059 --> 00:12:35.219 His spirit grieves, but then listen to what comes next. 00:12:36.059 --> 00:12:36.839 In verse 11, 00:12:37.639 --> 00:12:41.099 Then He remembered the days of old, of Moses and His people. 00:12:41.979 --> 00:12:46.299 Where is He who brought them up out of the sea with the shepherds of His flock? 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:49.839 Where is He who put in the midst of them His Holy Spirit, 00:12:49.840 --> 00:12:54.040 who caused His glorious arm to go at the right hand of Moses, 00:12:54.220 --> 00:12:58.899 who divided the waters before them to make for Himself an everlasting name? 00:12:59.360 --> 00:13:00.899 The proclamation is there. 00:13:01.320 --> 00:13:02.680 The message is clear. 00:13:03.060 --> 00:13:05.500 God's love never stops pursuing you. 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:06.740 Even in His grief, 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:10.660 there's nothing that will change your relationship with the Father. 00:13:12.259 --> 00:13:15.620 Just as God does not want us to walk in sin, 00:13:15.620 --> 00:13:20.460 He also does not want us to ever forget His love and His redemption. 00:13:21.899 --> 00:13:25.159 Many can perceive these accounts from the Old Testament, 00:13:25.759 --> 00:13:28.019 even Ephesians chapter 4, 00:13:28.539 --> 00:13:29.879 read them on their own, 00:13:30.120 --> 00:13:33.360 and consider God as having this overriding sentiment 00:13:33.360 --> 00:13:35.940 of looking over your shoulder with shame. 00:13:36.500 --> 00:13:38.700 He looks over your shoulder, shaking His head. 00:13:39.320 --> 00:13:40.779 He can't believe what you've done. 00:13:40.779 --> 00:13:41.279 No. 00:13:42.919 --> 00:13:45.620 The Father stands in front of you, 00:13:45.919 --> 00:13:47.019 and He smiles, 00:13:47.759 --> 00:13:48.220 and He says, 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:49.120 You are my son, 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.500 and you are my daughter. 00:13:51.179 --> 00:13:52.399 I grieve your sin, 00:13:52.500 --> 00:13:55.480 but it does not change your standing with me. 00:13:56.579 --> 00:13:58.600 The reality of God's grievance 00:13:58.600 --> 00:14:03.199 cannot be separated from the truth of His unconditional love. 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:06.339 The prophet Isaiah did not lose sight of it. 00:14:06.620 --> 00:14:09.000 The apostle Paul did not lose sight of it. 00:14:09.000 --> 00:14:13.799 We cannot lose sight of the unchanging love that God has for us. 00:14:15.100 --> 00:14:20.059 Don't hear Paul saying that we can affect our relationship with the Father. 00:14:20.799 --> 00:14:23.860 The third thing that we don't need to hear, 00:14:23.980 --> 00:14:26.279 that we can't hear in this passage, 00:14:26.620 --> 00:14:30.519 is that human emotion is equivalent to divine emotion. 00:14:31.120 --> 00:14:34.460 That human emotion is equivalent to divine emotion. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:36.779 What I mean when I say that is this. 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:41.620 We must be able to separate our own understanding of an emotion as expressed 00:14:41.620 --> 00:14:44.299 between sinful human beings 00:14:44.299 --> 00:14:48.539 and how it's expressed from a holy and perfect God. 00:14:49.579 --> 00:14:53.819 Something similar to this would be our understanding from the Bible of God's jealousy, 00:14:54.539 --> 00:14:55.480 of His wrath, 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:56.620 of His anger. 00:14:56.620 --> 00:15:01.539 It's difficult for us to imagine a holy expression of those emotions 00:15:01.539 --> 00:15:05.419 when we so often only understand an expression of those emotions 00:15:05.419 --> 00:15:07.560 as it's affected by the fall, right? 00:15:08.879 --> 00:15:10.100 For many of us, 00:15:10.220 --> 00:15:12.039 our experience of our wrongdoing, 00:15:12.419 --> 00:15:13.879 when we've sinned, 00:15:14.000 --> 00:15:15.139 when we disobeyed, 00:15:15.379 --> 00:15:16.519 with our heavenly parents, 00:15:16.519 --> 00:15:21.439 it was reflected in a removal of affection. 00:15:22.240 --> 00:15:23.579 Maybe there was shame. 00:15:24.460 --> 00:15:27.279 Maybe there was abuse when you got out of line. 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:33.079 Maybe your identity became your sin in that moment. 00:15:33.080 --> 00:15:35.200 Or perhaps, 00:15:35.800 --> 00:15:37.540 although you had very loving, 00:15:37.720 --> 00:15:39.100 very well-intentioned parents, 00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:41.600 you still struggled all through your childhood, 00:15:41.660 --> 00:15:42.400 and even today, 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:44.379 to separate your behavior 00:15:44.379 --> 00:15:48.320 from the verdict of what Jesus says about you. 00:15:49.660 --> 00:15:50.960 In our sinful state, 00:15:51.020 --> 00:15:52.120 and in our broken world, 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:54.200 we often create a version of God 00:15:54.200 --> 00:15:56.259 that's flawed and incorrect. 00:15:57.740 --> 00:15:59.300 Blaise Pascal said that 00:15:59.299 --> 00:16:01.740 God created man in His own image, 00:16:01.959 --> 00:16:03.139 and man returned the favor. 00:16:04.839 --> 00:16:08.099 We must not create a version of God 00:16:08.099 --> 00:16:10.039 whose expression of emotions 00:16:10.039 --> 00:16:12.339 directly mirrors ours 00:16:12.339 --> 00:16:14.599 as ours are flawed and imperfect. 00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.639 The grievance of God 00:16:16.639 --> 00:16:18.719 doesn't always look like the grievance of man. 00:16:19.659 --> 00:16:21.299 The grievance of God is perfect, 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.399 it's holy, 00:16:22.959 --> 00:16:23.620 it's pure. 00:16:24.299 --> 00:16:25.899 Its motives are without flaw, 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:28.899 and its intentions are always good, 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:29.819 and right. 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:33.759 And so Paul does not want us 00:16:33.759 --> 00:16:34.659 to hear him saying 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.659 that human emotions 00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:37.259 are directly reflected 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:38.679 in divine emotions. 00:16:39.659 --> 00:16:40.720 If these are the things, 00:16:40.799 --> 00:16:42.159 then, that Paul doesn't want us 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.240 to hear him saying, 00:16:43.340 --> 00:16:44.459 what do we hear him saying? 00:16:44.819 --> 00:16:46.100 What is actually true? 00:16:46.179 --> 00:16:47.279 How do we then respond? 00:16:47.379 --> 00:16:47.759 You want to know, 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:48.639 okay, Chad, I got it. 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:50.439 How do I not grieve the Spirit? 00:16:51.199 --> 00:16:52.299 How do I respond 00:16:52.299 --> 00:16:53.679 to the Spirit appropriately? 00:16:53.840 --> 00:16:54.500 Here's what you do. 00:16:55.000 --> 00:16:55.899 The first, 00:16:56.340 --> 00:16:57.659 Paul wants you to understand 00:16:57.659 --> 00:16:59.219 that your actions 00:16:59.219 --> 00:17:01.439 do impact God's Spirit. 00:17:02.439 --> 00:17:03.159 That's the truth. 00:17:03.939 --> 00:17:04.819 Your actions 00:17:04.819 --> 00:17:06.920 do impact God's Spirit. 00:17:07.799 --> 00:17:09.220 The actions of your heart, 00:17:09.539 --> 00:17:10.519 of your mind, 00:17:10.799 --> 00:17:11.639 of your hands 00:17:11.639 --> 00:17:13.000 do indeed 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:14.680 impact God's Spirit. 00:17:15.519 --> 00:17:16.519 But this is challenging 00:17:16.519 --> 00:17:17.200 for us, right? 00:17:17.700 --> 00:17:18.920 It's challenging for us 00:17:18.920 --> 00:17:19.579 because it's hard 00:17:19.579 --> 00:17:20.720 for us to imagine 00:17:20.720 --> 00:17:21.500 that something 00:17:21.500 --> 00:17:22.839 that we would do 00:17:22.839 --> 00:17:23.519 would affect 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:24.839 God's heart, right? 00:17:24.839 --> 00:17:26.959 It feels almost 00:17:26.959 --> 00:17:28.159 contradictory for us 00:17:28.159 --> 00:17:28.659 to think about 00:17:28.659 --> 00:17:29.419 the Holy Spirit, 00:17:29.939 --> 00:17:30.659 the Holy Spirit 00:17:30.659 --> 00:17:32.019 who seals us 00:17:32.019 --> 00:17:32.759 in redemption, 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.720 Paul tells us, 00:17:34.119 --> 00:17:35.659 who binds us together 00:17:35.659 --> 00:17:36.359 in love, 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.339 who gives us 00:17:37.339 --> 00:17:38.079 a new birth, 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:39.220 who we dwell 00:17:39.220 --> 00:17:40.179 in intimacy with, 00:17:40.279 --> 00:17:41.659 that that same Spirit 00:17:41.659 --> 00:17:42.919 we could cause 00:17:42.919 --> 00:17:43.699 to grieve, 00:17:44.659 --> 00:17:45.279 that we could cause 00:17:45.279 --> 00:17:46.220 that same Spirit 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.079 to be sad. 00:17:48.480 --> 00:17:49.759 Paul confirms for us 00:17:49.759 --> 00:17:51.220 that this is indeed 00:17:51.220 --> 00:17:51.799 true, 00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:53.259 that our actions 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:54.019 do matter. 00:17:55.200 --> 00:17:56.440 But let's consider it 00:17:56.440 --> 00:17:57.599 in the analogy 00:17:57.599 --> 00:17:58.400 of a parent 00:17:58.400 --> 00:17:59.539 and a child. 00:18:00.319 --> 00:18:01.299 Think of your own 00:18:01.299 --> 00:18:01.799 children. 00:18:02.460 --> 00:18:03.019 Think about when 00:18:03.019 --> 00:18:04.039 your children sin 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:05.299 or when they disobey. 00:18:05.819 --> 00:18:06.879 When they depart 00:18:06.879 --> 00:18:07.480 from the way 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.240 in which you have 00:18:08.240 --> 00:18:09.559 called them to walk in, 00:18:09.900 --> 00:18:11.019 how do your hearts respond? 00:18:12.019 --> 00:18:12.940 Your hearts are grieved, 00:18:13.019 --> 00:18:13.240 right? 00:18:13.920 --> 00:18:14.819 You're saddened. 00:18:15.119 --> 00:18:16.579 When my daughter 00:18:16.579 --> 00:18:17.980 sinfully acts 00:18:17.980 --> 00:18:19.539 out towards her brother, 00:18:19.759 --> 00:18:20.640 towards her mother, 00:18:21.259 --> 00:18:22.099 towards her friends, 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:23.519 I'm saddened 00:18:23.519 --> 00:18:24.399 that her heart 00:18:24.399 --> 00:18:25.159 has led her 00:18:25.159 --> 00:18:26.059 to these actions. 00:18:26.559 --> 00:18:27.679 But does that sin 00:18:27.679 --> 00:18:28.500 change the way 00:18:28.500 --> 00:18:29.159 that I feel 00:18:29.159 --> 00:18:29.980 about my daughter? 00:18:30.679 --> 00:18:31.679 Absolutely not. 00:18:32.139 --> 00:18:33.599 Do I love her less 00:18:33.599 --> 00:18:34.879 because she has sinned? 00:18:35.179 --> 00:18:36.139 Absolutely not. 00:18:36.379 --> 00:18:37.459 But am I grieved 00:18:37.459 --> 00:18:38.119 over the fact 00:18:38.119 --> 00:18:39.019 that she's a sinner, 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:41.539 that she still sins? 00:18:41.879 --> 00:18:43.119 Yes, I am. 00:18:44.000 --> 00:18:44.759 These things are not 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.559 in contradiction 00:18:45.559 --> 00:18:46.099 with each other. 00:18:46.159 --> 00:18:46.699 They can actually 00:18:46.699 --> 00:18:47.539 live together, 00:18:48.079 --> 00:18:49.159 that God can grieve 00:18:49.160 --> 00:18:49.759 our sin, 00:18:49.900 --> 00:18:51.000 but still never 00:18:51.000 --> 00:18:52.660 stop loving us. 00:18:55.700 --> 00:18:57.740 This is the correct view 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:59.320 of the divine emotion 00:18:59.320 --> 00:19:00.580 that we should consider 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.779 from Ephesians. 00:19:02.320 --> 00:19:03.220 Just as we never 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.820 stop loving our children 00:19:04.820 --> 00:19:06.200 in their sin, 00:19:06.400 --> 00:19:07.360 even more so, 00:19:07.640 --> 00:19:08.600 the Father never, 00:19:08.820 --> 00:19:10.700 ever stops loving us, 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:12.100 even as He has grieved 00:19:12.100 --> 00:19:12.860 over our sin. 00:19:13.840 --> 00:19:14.740 Can you imagine 00:19:14.740 --> 00:19:16.259 a father who didn't care 00:19:16.259 --> 00:19:17.660 if we sinned? 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.099 Can you imagine 00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.359 if He was so checked out 00:19:20.359 --> 00:19:21.200 from our relationship 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.200 that our sins 00:19:22.200 --> 00:19:23.140 didn't matter to Him? 00:19:24.119 --> 00:19:24.599 Actually, 00:19:25.180 --> 00:19:26.140 His grievance, 00:19:26.579 --> 00:19:27.500 His saddening 00:19:27.500 --> 00:19:28.140 over our sin 00:19:28.140 --> 00:19:29.039 is an expression 00:19:29.039 --> 00:19:29.980 of His love, right? 00:19:30.240 --> 00:19:31.460 It's because He cares. 00:19:31.799 --> 00:19:32.960 He wants us to walk 00:19:32.960 --> 00:19:34.519 as followers of Him. 00:19:35.240 --> 00:19:36.400 That's what Paul's 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:37.400 reminding us of. 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.599 Our hands and our hearts 00:19:40.599 --> 00:19:41.319 produce sin 00:19:41.319 --> 00:19:41.960 in such a way 00:19:41.960 --> 00:19:43.339 that God is affected 00:19:43.339 --> 00:19:44.059 with sadness. 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:46.039 it's affected 00:19:46.039 --> 00:19:47.220 because His children, 00:19:47.859 --> 00:19:48.700 His children 00:19:48.700 --> 00:19:50.039 are not walking 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:50.899 in the way 00:19:50.899 --> 00:19:52.419 in which He has called them. 00:19:53.480 --> 00:19:54.619 But what's also encouraging 00:19:54.619 --> 00:19:55.079 southward 00:19:55.079 --> 00:19:55.759 is that the opposite 00:19:55.759 --> 00:19:56.299 is true. 00:19:56.599 --> 00:19:58.019 That when we do walk 00:19:58.019 --> 00:19:58.859 in obedience, 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.740 the Spirit is encouraged. 00:20:01.379 --> 00:20:02.039 When we walk 00:20:02.039 --> 00:20:02.500 in obedience, 00:20:02.659 --> 00:20:03.659 the Spirit is encouraged 00:20:03.659 --> 00:20:04.679 and lifted up. 00:20:05.339 --> 00:20:05.940 God's kingdom 00:20:05.940 --> 00:20:06.799 moves forward 00:20:06.799 --> 00:20:07.899 as we honor 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.980 and obey the Spirit. 00:20:09.359 --> 00:20:10.119 So the opposite 00:20:10.119 --> 00:20:11.039 is also true. 00:20:11.659 --> 00:20:12.980 Just as we can grieve 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:14.099 the Spirit with our sin, 00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.140 we can lift the Spirit up 00:20:16.140 --> 00:20:16.839 in our obedience. 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.660 This begs the question then, 00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:20.860 what does it look like 00:20:20.860 --> 00:20:21.420 to obey? 00:20:21.920 --> 00:20:23.640 Specifically from this passage then, 00:20:23.660 --> 00:20:24.360 what does it look like 00:20:24.360 --> 00:20:24.779 to obey? 00:20:24.920 --> 00:20:26.460 There's lots of speculation 00:20:26.460 --> 00:20:28.220 about whether Paul 00:20:28.220 --> 00:20:29.000 intended for this 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.539 to be a standalone statement, 00:20:30.920 --> 00:20:31.640 whether Paul intended 00:20:31.640 --> 00:20:32.579 for this to be tied 00:20:32.579 --> 00:20:33.440 with the rest of the verses. 00:20:33.740 --> 00:20:34.620 I'm actually going to go 00:20:34.620 --> 00:20:35.180 both ways. 00:20:35.339 --> 00:20:36.319 I'm going to say yes. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:36.960 All right? 00:20:37.140 --> 00:20:38.500 So Paul had some things 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.799 to say that particularly 00:20:39.799 --> 00:20:41.700 applied to this passage, 00:20:41.700 --> 00:20:42.900 and it was these things. 00:20:43.580 --> 00:20:44.819 That God desires 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.740 our obedience 00:20:45.740 --> 00:20:47.660 as we are sensitive 00:20:47.660 --> 00:20:48.559 to truthfulness 00:20:48.559 --> 00:20:49.319 and integrity. 00:20:50.240 --> 00:20:51.460 That God desires 00:20:51.460 --> 00:20:52.559 obedience to the Spirit 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:54.620 as we respond 00:20:54.620 --> 00:20:55.259 to each other 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:56.120 appropriately 00:20:56.120 --> 00:20:56.840 in our anger. 00:20:57.640 --> 00:20:58.940 God cares about us 00:20:58.940 --> 00:21:00.160 doing honest work. 00:21:00.920 --> 00:21:01.900 God cares about us 00:21:01.900 --> 00:21:02.880 being sensitive 00:21:02.880 --> 00:21:04.319 to wholesome talk 00:21:04.319 --> 00:21:05.519 coming from our mouths. 00:21:06.640 --> 00:21:07.460 God is sensitive 00:21:07.460 --> 00:21:08.279 to our hearts 00:21:08.279 --> 00:21:08.960 being ruled 00:21:08.960 --> 00:21:09.740 by love 00:21:09.740 --> 00:21:10.880 and gentleness. 00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:12.579 He's sensitive 00:21:12.579 --> 00:21:13.559 that all malice, 00:21:13.940 --> 00:21:14.620 all slander, 00:21:15.039 --> 00:21:15.799 all wrath, 00:21:16.220 --> 00:21:16.720 all bitterness 00:21:16.720 --> 00:21:17.519 be put away. 00:21:18.279 --> 00:21:18.940 So the verses 00:21:18.940 --> 00:21:19.799 that are surrounding 00:21:19.799 --> 00:21:20.700 this passage 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:21.819 all apply. 00:21:22.220 --> 00:21:22.759 Those are ways 00:21:22.759 --> 00:21:23.480 to lift up 00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.500 and encourage the Spirit. 00:21:24.839 --> 00:21:25.380 But if we look 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:26.180 at the bigger picture 00:21:26.180 --> 00:21:27.519 of Paul's message 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:28.000 in Ephesians, 00:21:28.099 --> 00:21:28.819 what has he been telling us 00:21:28.819 --> 00:21:29.660 about over and over again? 00:21:30.079 --> 00:21:30.500 Unity. 00:21:31.200 --> 00:21:32.480 That one of the greatest ways 00:21:32.480 --> 00:21:33.660 that you honor the Spirit, 00:21:33.759 --> 00:21:35.039 that you lift up the Spirit, 00:21:35.279 --> 00:21:36.120 is in your unity. 00:21:36.119 --> 00:21:39.119 Paul's warning 00:21:39.119 --> 00:21:39.939 is that as we 00:21:39.939 --> 00:21:41.139 walk in the way 00:21:41.139 --> 00:21:42.139 of our old self, 00:21:42.479 --> 00:21:43.399 as we indulge 00:21:43.399 --> 00:21:43.939 in our sin, 00:21:44.039 --> 00:21:44.739 particularly those 00:21:44.739 --> 00:21:45.459 of deception, 00:21:46.059 --> 00:21:46.419 theft, 00:21:46.939 --> 00:21:48.359 but especially those 00:21:48.359 --> 00:21:49.519 that disrupt our unity, 00:21:49.599 --> 00:21:51.000 when we do those things, 00:21:51.159 --> 00:21:52.039 we are grieving 00:21:52.039 --> 00:21:52.959 the Spirit. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.479 One commentator explains 00:21:55.479 --> 00:21:56.059 that everything 00:21:56.059 --> 00:21:57.559 that is incompatible 00:21:57.559 --> 00:21:58.699 with the purity 00:21:58.699 --> 00:21:59.699 and the unity 00:21:59.699 --> 00:22:00.479 of the church 00:22:00.479 --> 00:22:01.899 is incompatible 00:22:01.899 --> 00:22:02.979 with the Spirit's 00:22:02.979 --> 00:22:03.599 own nature. 00:22:03.599 --> 00:22:05.519 Incompatible 00:22:05.519 --> 00:22:06.219 with the Spirit's 00:22:06.219 --> 00:22:06.619 own nature. 00:22:06.719 --> 00:22:07.599 And so because of that, 00:22:07.819 --> 00:22:09.079 it's going to naturally 00:22:09.079 --> 00:22:10.399 sadden the Spirit 00:22:10.399 --> 00:22:11.619 when we don't have unity. 00:22:13.339 --> 00:22:14.639 Sins which disrupt 00:22:14.639 --> 00:22:15.819 the communal life, 00:22:16.439 --> 00:22:17.119 which disrupt 00:22:17.119 --> 00:22:17.899 our connection 00:22:17.899 --> 00:22:19.579 as the body of Christ, 00:22:19.799 --> 00:22:20.839 are in opposition 00:22:20.839 --> 00:22:21.519 to the work 00:22:21.519 --> 00:22:22.039 of the Spirit. 00:22:22.559 --> 00:22:24.099 Because when we are unified, 00:22:24.659 --> 00:22:25.339 God's kingdom 00:22:25.339 --> 00:22:26.179 can move forward. 00:22:27.000 --> 00:22:27.980 When we are unified 00:22:27.980 --> 00:22:28.859 as the church, 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:29.599 God's kingdom 00:22:29.599 --> 00:22:30.619 moves forward. 00:22:30.619 --> 00:22:33.000 The final thing 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:34.279 that we will consider 00:22:34.279 --> 00:22:35.039 about the Spirit, 00:22:35.419 --> 00:22:36.899 what Paul does tell us 00:22:36.899 --> 00:22:37.619 about the Spirit 00:22:37.619 --> 00:22:38.659 is this, 00:22:38.799 --> 00:22:39.819 and don't miss this. 00:22:40.819 --> 00:22:41.979 When we respond 00:22:41.979 --> 00:22:42.579 in obedience, 00:22:43.559 --> 00:22:44.199 when we honor 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:45.199 the Spirit in obedience, 00:22:45.479 --> 00:22:46.219 we do so 00:22:46.219 --> 00:22:47.319 as saved 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.539 and redeemed people. 00:22:49.299 --> 00:22:50.259 When we respond 00:22:50.259 --> 00:22:50.719 to the Spirit, 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.919 we do so as saved 00:22:51.919 --> 00:22:52.859 and redeemed people. 00:22:53.339 --> 00:22:54.539 The second clause 00:22:54.539 --> 00:22:55.279 of this verse 00:22:55.279 --> 00:22:56.719 cannot be separated 00:22:56.719 --> 00:22:57.879 from the first clause. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:22:59.539 That as we grieve 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.819 the Spirit in our disobedience, 00:23:00.899 --> 00:23:01.639 the second clause 00:23:01.639 --> 00:23:02.659 reminds us of what? 00:23:02.879 --> 00:23:03.799 That we were sealed 00:23:03.799 --> 00:23:05.399 for the day of redemption. 00:23:06.559 --> 00:23:07.319 Paul's creating 00:23:07.319 --> 00:23:09.019 two big markers in time, 00:23:09.180 --> 00:23:09.680 and he's saying 00:23:09.680 --> 00:23:10.500 when you were sealed, 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.819 when you were saved, 00:23:11.859 --> 00:23:12.359 when you came to 00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:13.119 a saving knowledge 00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:13.700 of Christ, 00:23:14.079 --> 00:23:15.200 the payment for your sin 00:23:15.200 --> 00:23:16.420 was forever paid, 00:23:17.399 --> 00:23:17.960 and you are now 00:23:17.960 --> 00:23:19.079 sealed for heaven. 00:23:19.619 --> 00:23:20.299 But then he says 00:23:20.299 --> 00:23:21.200 there's also coming 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:22.099 a day of redemption 00:23:22.099 --> 00:23:23.399 where your bodies 00:23:23.399 --> 00:23:24.859 will receive final redemption 00:23:24.859 --> 00:23:25.759 and consummation. 00:23:26.079 --> 00:23:27.039 So Paul's establishing 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:28.279 a marker in time 00:23:28.279 --> 00:23:29.240 when you were saved, 00:23:29.379 --> 00:23:30.259 and then he's establishing 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.299 a marker in time 00:23:31.299 --> 00:23:32.899 when full consummation, 00:23:33.079 --> 00:23:34.119 redemption will happen. 00:23:34.319 --> 00:23:34.799 And he says 00:23:34.799 --> 00:23:35.700 you live in between 00:23:35.700 --> 00:23:36.539 those two markers. 00:23:37.940 --> 00:23:38.639 That as you grieve 00:23:38.639 --> 00:23:39.039 the Spirit, 00:23:39.139 --> 00:23:39.819 you live in between 00:23:39.819 --> 00:23:40.559 those two markers, 00:23:40.700 --> 00:23:41.460 but don't forget 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.240 those two markers. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:43.980 Don't forget 00:23:43.980 --> 00:23:45.059 that as you obey, 00:23:45.359 --> 00:23:46.660 you do so as people 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.619 who were saved 00:23:47.619 --> 00:23:48.619 and people who 00:23:48.619 --> 00:23:49.720 were being redeemed. 00:23:51.440 --> 00:23:52.720 As we're challenged 00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:54.019 not to grieve 00:23:54.019 --> 00:23:54.519 the Spirit, 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:55.920 we are reminded 00:23:55.920 --> 00:23:56.839 that we live 00:23:56.839 --> 00:23:57.319 as people 00:23:57.319 --> 00:23:58.579 who are already saved, 00:23:59.459 --> 00:23:59.779 beloved, 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:01.379 and who are promised 00:24:01.379 --> 00:24:02.279 full redemption. 00:24:03.599 --> 00:24:04.119 Southwood, 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:06.480 we cannot miss 00:24:06.480 --> 00:24:07.379 the importance 00:24:07.379 --> 00:24:08.339 of the gospel 00:24:08.339 --> 00:24:09.480 as we consider 00:24:09.480 --> 00:24:10.539 how sin 00:24:10.539 --> 00:24:12.139 impacts God's Spirit. 00:24:13.459 --> 00:24:15.119 To better understand 00:24:15.119 --> 00:24:15.939 this message 00:24:15.939 --> 00:24:16.980 of God's love, 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:18.159 I want you to hear 00:24:18.159 --> 00:24:19.299 from a friend of mine. 00:24:20.039 --> 00:24:20.839 He's not actually 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:21.299 a friend. 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:22.740 I wish he was my friend, 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:24.099 and you'll find out 00:24:24.099 --> 00:24:24.399 in a minute. 00:24:24.500 --> 00:24:25.480 His name is 00:24:25.480 --> 00:24:26.159 Brennan Manning. 00:24:26.660 --> 00:24:27.279 He's written 00:24:27.279 --> 00:24:28.560 a whole host of books. 00:24:28.660 --> 00:24:29.180 I would recommend 00:24:29.180 --> 00:24:29.759 every book 00:24:29.759 --> 00:24:30.420 that he's written. 00:24:31.220 --> 00:24:32.460 The video that you're 00:24:32.460 --> 00:24:32.880 going to see 00:24:32.880 --> 00:24:33.779 was a sermon 00:24:33.779 --> 00:24:34.500 that he gave, 00:24:34.820 --> 00:24:36.500 and it's not in HD. 00:24:37.040 --> 00:24:37.920 The sound quality 00:24:37.920 --> 00:24:38.519 is not great, 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:39.080 but that's part of 00:24:39.080 --> 00:24:39.840 what I love about it. 00:24:40.019 --> 00:24:41.580 It's an unpolished message 00:24:41.580 --> 00:24:43.660 about the gospel of grace, 00:24:43.680 --> 00:24:44.880 and he says it far better 00:24:44.880 --> 00:24:45.980 than I ever will, 00:24:46.060 --> 00:24:46.720 so I'd like for you 00:24:46.720 --> 00:24:47.660 to hear it from him. 00:24:47.980 --> 00:24:48.700 Y'all watch with me. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:52.100 If you'd like to benefit 00:24:52.100 --> 00:24:53.360 most from the worship 00:24:53.360 --> 00:24:53.980 this morning, 00:24:54.539 --> 00:24:55.720 I would suggest 00:24:55.720 --> 00:24:57.059 that from this moment 00:24:57.059 --> 00:24:58.299 until you put your head 00:24:58.299 --> 00:24:59.200 in the pillow tonight, 00:24:59.740 --> 00:25:00.460 you know that the focus 00:25:00.460 --> 00:25:01.519 of your inner life 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.960 rests on one truth, 00:25:03.660 --> 00:25:04.759 the staggering, 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.700 mind-blowing truth 00:25:06.700 --> 00:25:09.000 that God loves you 00:25:09.000 --> 00:25:10.819 just as you are 00:25:10.819 --> 00:25:12.440 and not as you should be 00:25:12.440 --> 00:25:14.440 because nobody in this building 00:25:14.440 --> 00:25:15.940 is as they should be. 00:25:17.059 --> 00:25:18.740 That God loves you, 00:25:19.100 --> 00:25:20.340 not the person next to you, 00:25:20.680 --> 00:25:21.820 not that God loves 00:25:21.820 --> 00:25:22.559 Billy Graham, 00:25:22.820 --> 00:25:23.440 Mother Teresa, 00:25:23.860 --> 00:25:24.779 not that God loves 00:25:24.779 --> 00:25:25.259 the church, 00:25:25.380 --> 00:25:25.920 the world, 00:25:26.240 --> 00:25:27.039 not that God loves 00:25:27.039 --> 00:25:27.980 in some vague way 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:29.320 the whole human race, 00:25:29.820 --> 00:25:30.680 but the truth 00:25:30.680 --> 00:25:32.100 that God loves you 00:25:32.100 --> 00:25:33.519 in such a way 00:25:33.519 --> 00:25:35.019 that he'd rather die 00:25:35.019 --> 00:25:35.980 than be without you. 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:39.259 Isn't it difficult 00:25:39.259 --> 00:25:40.220 to believe you're worth 00:25:40.220 --> 00:25:41.000 the death of anyone? 00:25:41.960 --> 00:25:42.840 Least of all, 00:25:42.920 --> 00:25:43.759 the all-holy God. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:47.360 This moment, 00:25:47.480 --> 00:25:48.720 do you truly believe 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:51.000 that God loves you 00:25:51.000 --> 00:25:51.840 unconditionally 00:25:51.840 --> 00:25:53.559 as you are 00:25:53.559 --> 00:25:55.400 and not as you should be? 00:25:56.420 --> 00:25:57.000 Do you? 00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.539 You know, 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:01.400 I've never asked a Christian 00:26:01.400 --> 00:26:02.259 in 20 years, 00:26:02.559 --> 00:26:03.600 do you believe God loves you? 00:26:03.640 --> 00:26:04.160 He's not replied, 00:26:04.259 --> 00:26:05.059 oh yeah, yeah. 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:06.360 I've known that quite a while. 00:26:09.160 --> 00:26:09.600 In fact, 00:26:09.640 --> 00:26:10.660 I've known that since childhood. 00:26:11.940 --> 00:26:13.279 And watch the way they live. 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.700 Lives of anxiety, 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:16.940 fear, 00:26:17.539 --> 00:26:18.019 shame, 00:26:18.539 --> 00:26:18.900 guilt, 00:26:19.360 --> 00:26:20.420 low self-esteem, 00:26:20.860 --> 00:26:21.460 remorse, 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.860 self-condemnation, 00:26:23.299 --> 00:26:24.000 and self-hatred. 00:26:24.640 --> 00:26:24.860 Oh, 00:26:24.860 --> 00:26:25.759 they believe that God 00:26:25.759 --> 00:26:26.980 loves you in some vague, 00:26:27.100 --> 00:26:28.279 distant, abstract way, 00:26:28.799 --> 00:26:29.880 but they'd be hard-pressed 00:26:29.880 --> 00:26:31.140 to say that right now 00:26:31.140 --> 00:26:32.440 the essence 00:26:32.440 --> 00:26:33.759 of their Christian life 00:26:33.759 --> 00:26:35.140 is a love affair, 00:26:35.539 --> 00:26:36.559 and not just a simple 00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:37.200 love affair, 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.400 but what G.K. 00:26:38.460 --> 00:26:39.440 justin' called 00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:41.080 a furious 00:26:41.080 --> 00:26:42.259 love affair 00:26:42.259 --> 00:26:43.460 going on 00:26:43.460 --> 00:26:44.880 between Christ themselves 00:26:44.880 --> 00:26:46.400 at this very moment. 00:26:47.500 --> 00:26:49.000 Do you honestly believe 00:26:49.000 --> 00:26:50.580 that with all the wrong turns 00:26:50.580 --> 00:26:51.880 you made in your past, 00:26:52.240 --> 00:26:53.039 the mistakes, 00:26:53.400 --> 00:26:54.039 the detours, 00:26:54.500 --> 00:26:55.559 the moments of sin, 00:26:55.940 --> 00:26:56.519 selfishness, 00:26:56.799 --> 00:26:57.400 dishonesty, 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.700 and degraded love, 00:26:59.039 --> 00:27:00.539 that God has used them all 00:27:00.539 --> 00:27:01.400 to bring them 00:27:01.400 --> 00:27:03.120 where you are right now, 00:27:03.119 --> 00:27:04.779 and the word says 00:27:04.779 --> 00:27:06.039 you are standing 00:27:06.039 --> 00:27:07.339 on holy ground? 00:27:08.279 --> 00:27:09.199 This moment, 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:10.639 do you honestly believe 00:27:10.639 --> 00:27:12.599 that God loves you 00:27:12.599 --> 00:27:14.059 beyond worthiness 00:27:14.059 --> 00:27:15.139 and unworthiness, 00:27:15.539 --> 00:27:16.459 beyond fidelity 00:27:16.459 --> 00:27:17.539 and infidelity, 00:27:18.059 --> 00:27:18.819 that he loves you 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:19.959 in the morning sun 00:27:19.959 --> 00:27:21.579 and the evening rain 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:22.819 without caution, 00:27:23.000 --> 00:27:23.459 regret, 00:27:23.939 --> 00:27:24.399 boundary, 00:27:24.799 --> 00:27:25.119 limit, 00:27:25.319 --> 00:27:26.039 breaking point, 00:27:26.319 --> 00:27:27.779 no matter what's gone down, 00:27:28.219 --> 00:27:30.079 he can't stop loving you. 00:27:30.079 --> 00:27:34.220 If you don't fully trust that, 00:27:35.019 --> 00:27:35.919 you're living a life 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:36.579 of illusion, 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.519 superstition, 00:27:39.419 --> 00:27:40.019 cowardice, 00:27:40.679 --> 00:27:41.419 you're projecting 00:27:41.419 --> 00:27:42.259 onto Jesus 00:27:42.259 --> 00:27:44.119 your own hateful feelings 00:27:44.119 --> 00:27:44.899 toward yourself, 00:27:45.579 --> 00:27:47.419 assuming he feels about you 00:27:47.419 --> 00:27:49.119 the way you feel about you, 00:27:49.519 --> 00:27:50.379 and thus you're worshipping 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:52.419 a God of human manufacturing, 00:27:52.980 --> 00:27:54.319 a God who does not exist. 00:27:55.199 --> 00:27:56.500 There is one God 00:27:56.500 --> 00:27:57.500 of the Christian vision, 00:27:57.500 --> 00:27:59.299 the God revealed 00:27:59.299 --> 00:28:00.900 by and in Jesus Christ, 00:28:01.339 --> 00:28:02.240 who this moment 00:28:02.240 --> 00:28:04.000 walks directly to your seat, 00:28:04.519 --> 00:28:05.059 looks you straight 00:28:05.059 --> 00:28:05.720 in the eye, 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:07.299 and says, 00:28:07.420 --> 00:28:08.539 I have a word for you. 00:28:10.460 --> 00:28:12.140 I know your whole life story. 00:28:13.359 --> 00:28:14.700 I know every skeleton 00:28:14.700 --> 00:28:15.359 in your closet. 00:28:16.279 --> 00:28:17.519 I know every moment 00:28:17.519 --> 00:28:18.180 of sin, 00:28:18.400 --> 00:28:18.839 shame, 00:28:19.000 --> 00:28:19.599 dishonesty, 00:28:19.740 --> 00:28:20.660 and degraded love 00:28:20.660 --> 00:28:21.599 that has darkened 00:28:21.599 --> 00:28:22.299 your past. 00:28:23.119 --> 00:28:23.900 Right now, 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:25.319 I know your shallow faith, 00:28:25.599 --> 00:28:26.700 your feeble prayer life, 00:28:26.700 --> 00:28:28.539 your inconsistent discipleship. 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.220 Nothing is hidden 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.200 from my eyes, 00:28:31.700 --> 00:28:34.039 and my word is this. 00:28:35.539 --> 00:28:37.559 I dare you to trust 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:39.759 that I love you 00:28:39.759 --> 00:28:40.759 as you are, 00:28:41.580 --> 00:28:43.120 and not as you should be, 00:28:43.500 --> 00:28:44.860 because you're never 00:28:44.860 --> 00:28:45.559 going to be 00:28:45.559 --> 00:28:46.940 as you should be. 00:28:52.500 --> 00:28:53.580 Isn't that powerful? 00:28:53.579 --> 00:28:55.699 this powerful truth? 00:28:56.659 --> 00:28:57.879 At this moment, 00:28:58.460 --> 00:29:00.299 do you truly believe 00:29:00.299 --> 00:29:01.599 that God loves you 00:29:01.599 --> 00:29:02.619 unconditionally? 00:29:03.619 --> 00:29:04.559 At this moment, 00:29:04.599 --> 00:29:05.159 do you believe 00:29:05.159 --> 00:29:06.220 that God loves you 00:29:06.220 --> 00:29:07.379 despite all your failure, 00:29:07.759 --> 00:29:08.399 all your doubt, 00:29:08.559 --> 00:29:09.419 all your wrongdoing, 00:29:09.819 --> 00:29:10.619 all your lying, 00:29:10.759 --> 00:29:11.179 your cheating, 00:29:11.299 --> 00:29:11.740 your stealing, 00:29:11.859 --> 00:29:12.439 your lust, 00:29:12.859 --> 00:29:13.859 your degraded love, 00:29:13.939 --> 00:29:14.720 your impure motives? 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:15.379 Do you believe 00:29:15.379 --> 00:29:16.220 that God loves you 00:29:16.220 --> 00:29:17.099 so much 00:29:17.099 --> 00:29:18.720 that He can't 00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:19.480 stop 00:29:19.480 --> 00:29:20.639 pursuing you? 00:29:20.640 --> 00:29:23.340 Do you believe 00:29:23.340 --> 00:29:24.060 that Jesus 00:29:24.060 --> 00:29:24.980 looks at you 00:29:24.980 --> 00:29:25.560 and says, 00:29:26.100 --> 00:29:26.580 I love you 00:29:26.580 --> 00:29:27.160 as you are, 00:29:27.800 --> 00:29:28.880 not as you should be, 00:29:29.380 --> 00:29:30.320 because you're never 00:29:30.320 --> 00:29:31.100 going to be 00:29:31.100 --> 00:29:32.320 as you should be? 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.540 Brothers and sisters, 00:29:34.800 --> 00:29:36.140 our text is telling us 00:29:36.140 --> 00:29:37.460 that we live 00:29:37.460 --> 00:29:38.180 in this place 00:29:38.180 --> 00:29:39.720 where God loves us 00:29:39.720 --> 00:29:41.060 just as we are, 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.560 not as we should be, 00:29:42.680 --> 00:29:44.180 because until that day 00:29:44.180 --> 00:29:45.480 of final redemption, 00:29:45.480 --> 00:29:47.300 we're never going to be 00:29:47.300 --> 00:29:48.340 as we should be. 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:50.099 We're going to continue 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:51.000 to live 00:29:51.000 --> 00:29:52.319 as sinful beings 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.759 in a broken world, 00:29:53.919 --> 00:29:55.379 but God loves you 00:29:55.379 --> 00:29:56.819 as you are, 00:29:57.199 --> 00:29:58.980 not as you should be. 00:30:02.439 --> 00:30:04.639 There are lots of things 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:06.439 that my daughter 00:30:06.439 --> 00:30:07.659 can do wrong. 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.799 There are plenty of sins 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.779 which her heart 00:30:10.779 --> 00:30:11.659 is capable of. 00:30:12.619 --> 00:30:13.579 She can lie, 00:30:14.439 --> 00:30:16.359 she can cause me pain, 00:30:16.359 --> 00:30:18.679 she can hurt others 00:30:18.679 --> 00:30:19.539 with her words, 00:30:20.199 --> 00:30:21.559 she can disrespect, 00:30:22.479 --> 00:30:23.579 she can quickly grow 00:30:23.579 --> 00:30:26.339 impatient and disobedient. 00:30:27.839 --> 00:30:29.139 Each of these things 00:30:29.139 --> 00:30:31.139 saddens and grieves me 00:30:31.139 --> 00:30:32.299 as her father, 00:30:33.319 --> 00:30:33.779 but you know 00:30:33.779 --> 00:30:34.740 what grieves me the most? 00:30:35.839 --> 00:30:37.359 What hurts my heart 00:30:37.359 --> 00:30:38.119 the most 00:30:38.119 --> 00:30:40.059 is when she forgets 00:30:40.059 --> 00:30:40.899 how much I love her. 00:30:42.219 --> 00:30:43.819 My heart is most broken 00:30:43.819 --> 00:30:44.599 when my daughter 00:30:44.599 --> 00:30:45.720 is led to believe 00:30:45.720 --> 00:30:47.039 that her sin 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.579 will alter 00:30:47.579 --> 00:30:48.779 how I feel about her 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:49.919 or that her sin 00:30:49.919 --> 00:30:51.059 says something different 00:30:51.059 --> 00:30:52.319 about who she is 00:30:52.319 --> 00:30:53.359 besides being 00:30:53.359 --> 00:30:55.159 my beloved child. 00:30:56.399 --> 00:30:58.039 My heart is most broken 00:30:58.039 --> 00:30:59.960 when she does not believe 00:30:59.960 --> 00:31:01.379 that she is eternally loved. 00:31:02.899 --> 00:31:04.079 This Southwood 00:31:04.079 --> 00:31:05.559 is the thing 00:31:05.559 --> 00:31:06.859 which I think grieves 00:31:06.859 --> 00:31:07.720 the Holy Spirit 00:31:07.720 --> 00:31:08.319 the most. 00:31:09.179 --> 00:31:10.299 When we refuse 00:31:10.299 --> 00:31:10.819 to believe 00:31:10.819 --> 00:31:11.759 or we forget 00:31:11.759 --> 00:31:13.539 that we are forgiven, 00:31:14.039 --> 00:31:15.160 that we are sealed, 00:31:15.359 --> 00:31:16.039 that we are covered 00:31:16.039 --> 00:31:17.019 in Christ's blood 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:19.059 so that the all-holy God 00:31:19.059 --> 00:31:20.420 will never leave us 00:31:20.420 --> 00:31:21.879 nor forsake us. 00:31:23.619 --> 00:31:24.339 Have you imagined 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:24.920 the gospel 00:31:24.920 --> 00:31:26.559 to be so big, 00:31:26.879 --> 00:31:28.299 to be so real 00:31:28.299 --> 00:31:28.900 in your life 00:31:28.900 --> 00:31:30.220 that God the Father 00:31:30.220 --> 00:31:31.240 and Jesus Christ 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:32.000 would walk 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.599 into this room 00:31:32.599 --> 00:31:33.180 right now 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.279 that he would sit down 00:31:34.279 --> 00:31:34.859 beside you 00:31:34.859 --> 00:31:35.500 and he would say, 00:31:36.019 --> 00:31:36.259 do you know 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.359 how proud I am of you? 00:31:38.379 --> 00:31:39.740 That he would walk up 00:31:39.740 --> 00:31:40.819 to you and say, 00:31:40.819 --> 00:31:41.960 you know what breaks 00:31:41.960 --> 00:31:42.539 my heart 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:44.059 is when you refuse 00:31:44.059 --> 00:31:44.679 to accept 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:45.559 that every sin 00:31:45.559 --> 00:31:46.579 of your past life 00:31:46.579 --> 00:31:48.039 is not only forgiven 00:31:48.039 --> 00:31:49.659 but it's so forgiven 00:31:49.659 --> 00:31:50.299 that I can't even 00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.639 remember what it was. 00:31:52.319 --> 00:31:52.879 Do you know 00:31:52.879 --> 00:31:53.639 that I've loved you 00:31:53.639 --> 00:31:54.619 from all eternity 00:31:54.619 --> 00:31:55.759 and that no matter 00:31:55.759 --> 00:31:56.700 what happens 00:31:56.700 --> 00:31:58.579 I can't stop 00:31:58.579 --> 00:31:59.639 loving you? 00:32:00.240 --> 00:32:01.000 Do you believe 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:02.019 that Jesus would tell you 00:32:02.019 --> 00:32:02.700 that if he walked 00:32:02.700 --> 00:32:03.339 in this room 00:32:03.339 --> 00:32:04.279 right now? 00:32:06.099 --> 00:32:06.619 Beloved, 00:32:07.399 --> 00:32:08.299 this is why 00:32:08.299 --> 00:32:09.279 God loves 00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:10.480 and adores you 00:32:10.480 --> 00:32:12.500 because of his son, 00:32:13.059 --> 00:32:13.960 because of what 00:32:13.960 --> 00:32:15.519 Jesus did for you. 00:32:15.599 --> 00:32:16.240 Your sins 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.579 have been eternally 00:32:17.579 --> 00:32:18.359 forgiven. 00:32:19.480 --> 00:32:20.279 When the Father 00:32:20.279 --> 00:32:20.980 looks at you, 00:32:21.799 --> 00:32:22.919 he doesn't look at you 00:32:22.919 --> 00:32:24.299 with shameful contempt. 00:32:24.980 --> 00:32:26.139 He looks at you 00:32:26.139 --> 00:32:27.180 and he smiles. 00:32:28.440 --> 00:32:29.139 This God, 00:32:30.079 --> 00:32:31.259 his Holy Spirit 00:32:31.259 --> 00:32:32.339 who we love 00:32:32.339 --> 00:32:32.879 and serve 00:32:32.879 --> 00:32:33.740 with our lives 00:32:33.740 --> 00:32:35.279 is the same God 00:32:35.279 --> 00:32:35.940 who gave us 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:36.440 his son 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:38.220 who paid the debt 00:32:38.220 --> 00:32:39.079 for our sins 00:32:39.079 --> 00:32:40.799 so that God's promises 00:32:40.799 --> 00:32:41.880 would be fully 00:32:41.880 --> 00:32:43.200 redeemed again. 00:32:43.799 --> 00:32:44.380 Redeemed, 00:32:45.059 --> 00:32:45.460 forgiven, 00:32:45.839 --> 00:32:46.900 and loved. 00:32:47.680 --> 00:32:49.019 This is who you are 00:32:49.019 --> 00:32:50.259 before God the Father 00:32:50.259 --> 00:32:52.400 and God does not want you 00:32:52.400 --> 00:32:53.799 to ever forget it. 00:32:54.440 --> 00:32:55.799 You are his 00:32:55.799 --> 00:32:56.819 forever. 00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.279 Let's pray. 00:32:58.279 --> 00:32:59.920 Father, 00:33:01.420 --> 00:33:02.859 could this 00:33:02.859 --> 00:33:04.740 glorious news 00:33:04.740 --> 00:33:05.559 be true 00:33:05.559 --> 00:33:07.500 that no matter 00:33:07.500 --> 00:33:09.180 how wicked 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:10.660 the works 00:33:10.660 --> 00:33:11.460 of our hands, 00:33:12.000 --> 00:33:12.639 no matter 00:33:12.639 --> 00:33:13.599 how sinful 00:33:13.599 --> 00:33:14.539 our hearts, 00:33:15.099 --> 00:33:15.819 that you would 00:33:15.819 --> 00:33:16.639 offer us 00:33:16.639 --> 00:33:17.299 love, 00:33:18.700 --> 00:33:19.180 forgiveness, 00:33:19.740 --> 00:33:20.480 and redemption. 00:33:21.779 --> 00:33:22.079 Father, 00:33:22.200 --> 00:33:22.799 thank you. 00:33:23.139 --> 00:33:23.960 Thank you for 00:33:23.960 --> 00:33:24.660 the Spirit 00:33:24.660 --> 00:33:26.019 who not only 00:33:26.019 --> 00:33:26.500 grieves 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.399 in our disobedience, 00:33:27.400 --> 00:33:28.220 but the Spirit 00:33:28.220 --> 00:33:29.360 who lovingly 00:33:29.360 --> 00:33:29.960 comes into 00:33:29.960 --> 00:33:31.000 our hearts 00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.360 and lives. 00:33:31.500 --> 00:33:31.620 Father, 00:33:31.680 --> 00:33:32.519 hopefully right now 00:33:32.519 --> 00:33:33.140 in this moment 00:33:33.140 --> 00:33:34.280 and reminds us 00:33:34.280 --> 00:33:34.980 of this truth, 00:33:36.040 --> 00:33:36.700 reminds us 00:33:36.700 --> 00:33:37.440 of the good news 00:33:37.440 --> 00:33:38.040 of the gospel. 00:33:38.920 --> 00:33:39.900 Would you work that 00:33:39.900 --> 00:33:41.060 in the hearts 00:33:41.060 --> 00:33:41.820 of these, 00:33:41.900 --> 00:33:42.320 your people? 00:33:43.000 --> 00:33:44.000 Would you remind us 00:33:44.000 --> 00:33:44.460 of this, 00:33:44.580 --> 00:33:45.360 not only today 00:33:45.360 --> 00:33:46.620 but throughout this week 00:33:46.620 --> 00:33:47.900 as we enter 00:33:47.900 --> 00:33:48.900 into a broken 00:33:48.900 --> 00:33:50.060 and sinful world 00:33:50.060 --> 00:33:51.120 and face the reality 00:33:51.120 --> 00:33:52.160 of our sinful hearts 00:33:52.160 --> 00:33:52.580 again? 00:33:53.480 --> 00:33:53.740 Father, 00:33:53.820 --> 00:33:54.340 remind us 00:33:54.340 --> 00:33:55.120 of this good news 00:33:55.120 --> 00:33:56.060 and we thank you 00:33:56.060 --> 00:33:56.480 for it. 00:33:56.580 --> 00:33:57.320 In Jesus' name. 00:33:57.640 --> 00:33:57.860 Amen. 00:34:02.320 --> 00:34:03.540 For more information, 00:34:03.920 --> 00:34:04.840 visit us online 00:34:04.840 --> 00:34:06.120 at southwood.org.