WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:14.560 I would like you to turn your Bibles to a passage that has colored my thinking this morning. 00:00:16.000 --> 00:00:20.000 ! And it is preparation for the text that we'll study together. 00:00:20.000 --> 00:00:31.100 So turn in your Bibles, if you would, to 2 Corinthians 2, where the apostle, I'm going to pick up there if I could in verse 12, says, 00:00:31.100 --> 00:00:40.240 When I came to Troas to preach the gospel of Christ, even though a door was opened for me in the Lord, my spirit was not at rest because I did not find my brother Titus there. 00:00:41.039 --> 00:00:43.320 So I took leave of them and went to Macedonia. 00:00:43.320 --> 00:00:55.240 But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. 00:00:56.500 --> 00:01:04.299 For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. 00:01:04.299 --> 00:01:08.640 To one, a fragrance of death to death. 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:12.840 To the other, a fragrance of life to life. 00:01:13.259 --> 00:01:19.539 Who is sufficient for these things? 00:01:19.540 --> 00:01:37.040 I want you to turn now to Ephesians chapter 3. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:50.160 There are many truths in the scripture which drive me to the point of wondering about my sufficiency. 00:01:52.340 --> 00:01:56.219 In fact, the truth of the matter is, is I don't know when I open the book that I'm not struck by, 00:01:56.680 --> 00:02:00.800 who is sufficient for these things? 00:02:00.799 --> 00:02:09.599 But I feel a little bit like the boy who's cried wolf so many times that people don't believe him. 00:02:10.919 --> 00:02:16.680 You know, if I were to say to you this morning, this is probably one of the best passages in the Bible, 00:02:18.139 --> 00:02:19.819 he'd probably just snicker. 00:02:21.560 --> 00:02:23.400 Because you've heard it so many times. 00:02:25.079 --> 00:02:27.419 I have to confess that I took small comfort. 00:02:27.419 --> 00:02:31.500 I remember when I was reading John Boyce and he said that actually, he said, 00:02:31.559 --> 00:02:33.699 a pastor should probably feel that way every Sunday. 00:02:35.439 --> 00:02:39.819 Because the word is priceless, every word of it. 00:02:41.719 --> 00:02:45.959 But having said that, this is one of the best passages. 00:02:47.219 --> 00:02:48.599 And I don't say it lightly. 00:02:52.179 --> 00:02:55.359 You'll hear me say that again next month and I'll probably say the same thing. 00:02:55.360 --> 00:03:00.240 But I tell you, this text is sweet, beyond imagination. 00:03:00.740 --> 00:03:04.600 And I would appeal to you, I would plead with you here at the very outset, 00:03:05.560 --> 00:03:07.660 I want you to say to yourself, just quietly, 00:03:09.000 --> 00:03:11.480 I think I might work at memorizing that. 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:12.000 Would you do that? 00:03:12.060 --> 00:03:12.540 Just say it to you. 00:03:12.780 --> 00:03:14.560 That is not really binding. 00:03:14.760 --> 00:03:16.320 That's not a contractual statement. 00:03:16.840 --> 00:03:18.420 But it kind of gets you moving. 00:03:18.540 --> 00:03:20.040 It gets you a little bit of motivation. 00:03:20.039 --> 00:03:23.039 I think I might work at memorizing that. 00:03:23.139 --> 00:03:23.780 Say it to yourself. 00:03:23.939 --> 00:03:26.459 Don't let your wife know or your friend know. 00:03:26.579 --> 00:03:29.259 But go ahead and just, I think I might memorize it. 00:03:29.280 --> 00:03:29.599 Say it. 00:03:29.639 --> 00:03:29.919 Say it. 00:03:29.979 --> 00:03:30.319 Go ahead. 00:03:31.039 --> 00:03:32.180 Just quietly to yourself. 00:03:33.579 --> 00:03:36.680 Before the service is over, I'm not going to lead you in saying it publicly 00:03:36.680 --> 00:03:39.680 and have the deacons jot down the names of all of you 00:03:39.680 --> 00:03:41.899 and say it's a four-week performance bond here. 00:03:41.900 --> 00:03:49.000 But this is a wonderful text, and it is at the heart of the rich blessings 00:03:49.000 --> 00:03:51.120 that we have in the Lord Jesus Christ. 00:03:52.759 --> 00:03:58.640 I can't help but go back and remind myself that so many of the things that I pray for, 00:03:58.759 --> 00:04:00.819 and I would imagine that you pray for, 00:04:01.159 --> 00:04:06.540 are not of the same quality of the things that Paul is praying for here. 00:04:06.539 --> 00:04:14.079 Hey, it's okay to pray for sickness and job and all those kind of things, 00:04:14.180 --> 00:04:17.680 but here's Paul in prison in great affliction, and he says, 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:24.159 for this cause, this is why I bow my knee to the Father, 00:04:26.099 --> 00:04:32.560 that you would be strengthened with his Spirit in the inner man, 00:04:32.560 --> 00:04:37.720 that Christ may dwell in you, 00:04:38.600 --> 00:04:42.379 that you might be rooted and grounded, 00:04:43.740 --> 00:04:49.019 and that you might be able to comprehend with all the saints 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:55.079 what is the breadth and height and width and depth of the love of Christ, 00:04:56.079 --> 00:05:00.680 that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. 00:05:00.680 --> 00:05:06.340 So we are in the midst of this prayer 00:05:06.340 --> 00:05:11.939 where the apostle is praying for people that he dearly, dearly loves, 00:05:12.060 --> 00:05:17.079 and he is praying for the most essential thing that they need. 00:05:17.960 --> 00:05:21.759 It's the power of the Spirit in their life, 00:05:22.060 --> 00:05:27.579 working in a believer that they might have Christ dwell in them. 00:05:27.579 --> 00:05:31.879 So we have some questions that we want to ask ourselves 00:05:31.879 --> 00:05:34.099 as we work our way through this passage, 00:05:34.099 --> 00:05:38.879 and first of all, we need to recognize what this passage is not talking about. 00:05:39.680 --> 00:05:42.519 You look at that statement there in verse 17, it says, 00:05:42.860 --> 00:05:45.959 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. 00:05:47.519 --> 00:05:50.579 And we have to ask ourselves, well, what does that mean? 00:05:50.579 --> 00:05:57.359 And we understand the Bible truth that we have been taught 00:05:57.359 --> 00:06:00.719 and should have fairly established in our heart 00:06:00.719 --> 00:06:04.560 that from the moment of salvation, the believer has what? 00:06:05.579 --> 00:06:07.979 Christ in you, the hope of glory. 00:06:09.039 --> 00:06:11.799 And so I want to remind you of what we find over in Romans, 00:06:11.919 --> 00:06:13.479 and let's turn there just for a moment 00:06:13.479 --> 00:06:15.740 to remind ourselves of the truth 00:06:15.740 --> 00:06:19.420 that genuine conversion transforms the believer 00:06:19.420 --> 00:06:22.579 from being a child of Satan to being a child of God, 00:06:22.759 --> 00:06:25.920 and along with that transformation comes the reality 00:06:25.920 --> 00:06:31.000 that the believer is indwelt by the Holy Spirit and by Christ. 00:06:32.280 --> 00:06:36.139 Look there, if you will, at Romans 8, verse 9 and 10. 00:06:36.400 --> 00:06:37.720 You may want to underline it. 00:06:37.780 --> 00:06:39.740 You may want to study it later on your leisure, 00:06:40.560 --> 00:06:41.660 but look at what it says there. 00:06:41.660 --> 00:06:44.280 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit. 00:06:44.279 --> 00:06:47.479 If, in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you, 00:06:47.599 --> 00:06:49.899 anybody who does not have the Spirit of Christ 00:06:49.899 --> 00:06:50.979 does not belong to Him. 00:06:51.759 --> 00:06:53.000 You've ever bumped into people who say, 00:06:53.159 --> 00:06:55.019 well, actually, the Spirit comes in subsequently. 00:06:55.559 --> 00:06:57.619 Later time, there's a second work of grace. 00:06:57.739 --> 00:07:00.679 There's a time where you have this spiritual kick, 00:07:00.839 --> 00:07:04.179 and as a result, you have some dramatic outflow, 00:07:04.399 --> 00:07:06.539 and, well, that's proof of the fact that you have the Spirit. 00:07:06.659 --> 00:07:07.579 No, here's the truth. 00:07:08.519 --> 00:07:11.259 From the moment of our conversion, 00:07:11.259 --> 00:07:15.259 the Spirit of God comes and dwells in the believer, 00:07:15.779 --> 00:07:19.539 and that is one of the distinct, undeniable blessings of salvation. 00:07:20.439 --> 00:07:21.120 Verse 10, 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:22.339 But if Christ is in you, 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:24.539 although the body is dead because of sin, 00:07:24.599 --> 00:07:26.379 the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 00:07:28.459 --> 00:07:31.439 And so we recognize that this Scripture makes it quite clear 00:07:31.439 --> 00:07:36.599 that salvation brings Christ into our life as our Lord and Master. 00:07:36.600 --> 00:07:41.600 And that's one of the reasons that we can expect genuine conversion 00:07:41.600 --> 00:07:43.100 to result in change. 00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:47.400 Our lives begin to change because there's a new life in us, 00:07:47.420 --> 00:07:51.100 and there's a new person in control and working in our heart. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:53.320 And as a result of that, over time, 00:07:53.379 --> 00:07:55.320 we begin to see more and more of that change. 00:07:56.400 --> 00:07:59.500 I have to tell you, I wish that it all took place instantaneously. 00:07:59.500 --> 00:08:01.240 How many would join in saying, 00:08:01.660 --> 00:08:03.399 I wish the moment I came to faith, 00:08:03.759 --> 00:08:06.980 the whole matter of transformation was settled, 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:11.639 and I had no more problems with my anger or my lust or my covetousness, 00:08:11.800 --> 00:08:14.120 my selfishness, my arrogance, whatever. 00:08:14.439 --> 00:08:16.540 Wouldn't it be nice if it was all cured immediately? 00:08:17.259 --> 00:08:18.060 But it's not. 00:08:19.379 --> 00:08:23.779 But oh, what a privilege to know that we who have Christ in us 00:08:23.779 --> 00:08:27.779 have the power of the Spirit of God working in us. 00:08:29.579 --> 00:08:31.479 And since Christ is in the genuine believer, 00:08:31.619 --> 00:08:35.539 we can say that He dwells in every Christian. 00:08:36.720 --> 00:08:38.659 So what is Paul talking about here? 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:41.899 Look back, if you will, go to Ephesians again, 00:08:42.199 --> 00:08:42.879 and it says, 00:08:43.039 --> 00:08:44.220 so that Christ may dwell. 00:08:44.319 --> 00:08:44.699 Well, hold it. 00:08:44.720 --> 00:08:46.120 I thought He was there already. 00:08:47.159 --> 00:08:47.779 He is. 00:08:47.779 --> 00:08:53.679 But this is something that Paul wants us to think about carefully, 00:08:53.899 --> 00:08:58.620 and he nuances or he kind of uses a word that helps us understand this. 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:00.100 What does dwelling mean? 00:09:01.699 --> 00:09:07.059 I want you to recognize there's a difference between a guest and a homeowner. 00:09:08.019 --> 00:09:11.579 The Greek word that is used here is a word that is actually talking about 00:09:11.579 --> 00:09:13.679 the distinction between the two. 00:09:13.679 --> 00:09:17.959 A guest is someone who is welcomed at the door and greeted and told that 00:09:17.959 --> 00:09:21.899 you want them to feel as comfortable in your home as possible, 00:09:22.099 --> 00:09:27.179 and we will spare no expense or effort to make you feel comfortable. 00:09:27.279 --> 00:09:28.299 But let me tell you something. 00:09:28.739 --> 00:09:32.120 The guest ought not to be in the fridge drinking milk from the jug. 00:09:37.419 --> 00:09:39.159 When my children were growing up, 00:09:39.240 --> 00:09:42.240 and I can tell this story safely because the individual's not present, 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:46.840 we often had some of the young people over to the house. 00:09:46.960 --> 00:09:48.320 They were involved in various things, 00:09:48.379 --> 00:09:49.159 and I'll never forget, 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:54.539 he is now a surgeon practicing somewhere within the 500-mile radius, 00:09:54.659 --> 00:09:56.379 so you don't want to think too much about it. 00:09:56.539 --> 00:09:59.240 But I remember Judith came to me and said, 00:09:59.360 --> 00:10:01.539 what is he doing drinking out of the jug? 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:02.340 What? 00:10:03.460 --> 00:10:04.440 I went in and said, 00:10:04.500 --> 00:10:06.779 hey, listen, we're glad you're here, but stop. 00:10:06.779 --> 00:10:11.779 You know, a guest is treated with courtesy. 00:10:13.039 --> 00:10:15.079 But when they're sitting at the dinner table, 00:10:15.299 --> 00:10:17.819 it's not their place to suggest the next menu. 00:10:17.899 --> 00:10:18.379 Am I right? 00:10:19.480 --> 00:10:21.639 I mean, they ought to limit themselves to saying, 00:10:21.720 --> 00:10:23.779 man, this is the best meal I've had in a long time 00:10:23.779 --> 00:10:26.139 and really appreciate you cooking, blah, blah, blah. 00:10:26.379 --> 00:10:29.399 But don't bring up what you'd like to have for breakfast. 00:10:29.399 --> 00:10:33.600 And top it all off when the guest needs a toothbrush. 00:10:34.559 --> 00:10:37.139 Don't go in my bathroom, run hot water on mine, 00:10:37.199 --> 00:10:38.279 and go ahead and use it. 00:10:42.740 --> 00:10:45.840 You see, there really is a difference between a guest 00:10:45.840 --> 00:10:48.419 and the owner of the home. 00:10:48.419 --> 00:10:54.559 And the difference lies to a large degree 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:56.559 on the fact that the owner is the one 00:10:56.559 --> 00:10:58.279 who has control and has authority. 00:10:58.419 --> 00:11:02.079 And when Paul speaks of Christ dwelling in the believer's life, 00:11:02.159 --> 00:11:05.539 he's speaking of Christ having practical control of our life 00:11:05.539 --> 00:11:07.559 and being the center of it. 00:11:08.219 --> 00:11:09.740 So I want you to think about that with me. 00:11:10.939 --> 00:11:13.620 Christ being the one who has control 00:11:13.620 --> 00:11:17.539 and directing our life rather than being someone who we... 00:11:17.539 --> 00:11:18.939 Well, it's a good thing you're here, 00:11:19.039 --> 00:11:21.639 and we're glad you're here, but no. 00:11:23.319 --> 00:11:27.019 This word that says that Christ would dwell in your heart 00:11:27.019 --> 00:11:32.199 means we consciously and deliberately confess his lordship 00:11:32.199 --> 00:11:36.539 and his daily control in all that's taking place. 00:11:37.860 --> 00:11:39.579 Let me have you turn to another passage 00:11:39.579 --> 00:11:41.240 to maybe add a little bit of understanding, 00:11:41.459 --> 00:11:42.319 insight to this matter. 00:11:42.459 --> 00:11:44.419 Turn back to Romans 6, verse 11. 00:11:47.539 --> 00:11:50.959 Romans 6, verse 11, it says, 00:11:51.059 --> 00:11:53.959 So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin 00:11:53.959 --> 00:11:55.779 and alive to God in Jesus Christ. 00:11:56.839 --> 00:11:59.759 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body 00:11:59.759 --> 00:12:02.740 to make you obey its passions. 00:12:04.439 --> 00:12:06.039 Paul is talking to the believer, 00:12:06.819 --> 00:12:09.899 and he is challenging the believer to live a life 00:12:09.899 --> 00:12:12.779 that is no longer under the terrible mastery of sin. 00:12:12.779 --> 00:12:15.819 How do we go about doing that? 00:12:17.179 --> 00:12:20.500 Not by a mere fact of self-will, 00:12:20.600 --> 00:12:21.819 and there's not a one of us here 00:12:21.819 --> 00:12:23.100 that on one occasion or another 00:12:23.100 --> 00:12:24.120 has not said, 00:12:24.279 --> 00:12:25.919 All right, all right, I'm going to stop that. 00:12:27.600 --> 00:12:28.259 It's done. 00:12:29.319 --> 00:12:32.259 And what happens to our well-intentioned efforts 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:34.639 on our own to deal with sin problems? 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:36.379 How many of you discovered that when you go about 00:12:36.379 --> 00:12:38.879 launching on your own just kind of arbitrarily, 00:12:39.199 --> 00:12:40.159 I'm going to do that, 00:12:40.159 --> 00:12:42.980 we end up often just actually having more problems 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.899 than we ever anticipated. 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:47.559 It's not just a matter of self-will. 00:12:47.699 --> 00:12:49.839 There's more at work, 00:12:49.899 --> 00:12:51.459 or should be more at work, 00:12:51.600 --> 00:12:52.839 in the life of the believer 00:12:52.839 --> 00:12:54.480 in dealing with indwelling sin. 00:12:56.039 --> 00:12:57.600 And so, you see, 00:12:57.759 --> 00:12:59.839 what Paul is drawing our attention to 00:12:59.839 --> 00:13:00.740 here in this passage 00:13:00.740 --> 00:13:03.959 is that sin no longer has authority 00:13:03.959 --> 00:13:05.480 in the believer's life. 00:13:06.379 --> 00:13:07.639 Prior to conversion, 00:13:08.179 --> 00:13:08.720 follow me, 00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.600 you couldn't help 00:13:10.600 --> 00:13:11.980 but sin. 00:13:12.680 --> 00:13:14.440 You were a slave 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:16.580 and under the mastery of sin, 00:13:16.800 --> 00:13:18.860 and it was just as natural 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.360 for you to sin 00:13:20.360 --> 00:13:22.120 as it is for a cat 00:13:22.120 --> 00:13:23.279 to pounce on a mouse. 00:13:23.899 --> 00:13:25.139 It was just hardwired. 00:13:26.320 --> 00:13:27.899 Conversion delivered you 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:29.000 from that slavery 00:13:29.000 --> 00:13:30.720 and has made it 00:13:30.720 --> 00:13:32.720 an ability for you 00:13:32.720 --> 00:13:33.680 to say no. 00:13:33.679 --> 00:13:36.739 And we find in this passage 00:13:36.739 --> 00:13:37.719 that Paul says, 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:40.039 you have to consciously 00:13:40.039 --> 00:13:42.899 consider yourself dead to sin. 00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:44.679 Now, what does that mean? 00:13:45.219 --> 00:13:47.579 To reckon or to count the fact 00:13:47.579 --> 00:13:49.359 that sin no longer has the right 00:13:49.359 --> 00:13:50.120 to control you, 00:13:50.239 --> 00:13:52.019 and you have the liberty of saying, 00:13:52.019 --> 00:13:53.719 I'm not going to do that 00:13:53.719 --> 00:13:56.019 because I am not under your domination 00:13:56.539 --> 00:13:57.639 or your dominion. 00:13:58.419 --> 00:13:59.779 The term that we find here, 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:01.019 the term consider, 00:14:01.679 --> 00:14:03.939 is a legal or an accounting term, 00:14:04.039 --> 00:14:04.840 and it's talking about 00:14:04.840 --> 00:14:06.500 reckoning or accounting something 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:06.980 to be true 00:14:06.980 --> 00:14:08.179 and then acting accordingly. 00:14:09.600 --> 00:14:09.939 And so, 00:14:10.139 --> 00:14:11.639 in the passage in Romans, 00:14:12.679 --> 00:14:13.480 Paul is saying, 00:14:13.559 --> 00:14:13.799 listen, 00:14:14.199 --> 00:14:15.539 you have to recognize 00:14:15.539 --> 00:14:17.639 the fact that you're no longer 00:14:17.639 --> 00:14:20.059 in control of sin 00:14:20.059 --> 00:14:22.179 or you're no longer controlled by sin, 00:14:22.179 --> 00:14:23.899 and you have the right of saying no, 00:14:23.899 --> 00:14:25.279 and so live accordingly. 00:14:26.459 --> 00:14:28.100 By the same token, 00:14:29.079 --> 00:14:30.240 what we have here 00:14:30.240 --> 00:14:31.539 in the Ephesians passage, 00:14:31.659 --> 00:14:32.439 and you go back there, 00:14:32.539 --> 00:14:33.120 if you will, 00:14:33.220 --> 00:14:33.620 with me, 00:14:34.019 --> 00:14:35.059 to Ephesians 3, 00:14:35.179 --> 00:14:35.980 verse 17, 00:14:36.860 --> 00:14:37.980 Paul is telling us 00:14:37.980 --> 00:14:39.319 that we have to live 00:14:39.319 --> 00:14:41.259 according to the fact 00:14:41.259 --> 00:14:43.959 of Christ being the one 00:14:43.959 --> 00:14:46.240 who is in control of our life. 00:14:47.059 --> 00:14:49.179 And the point that he is making 00:14:49.179 --> 00:14:49.899 is this, 00:14:50.559 --> 00:14:52.220 is that we are to live 00:14:52.220 --> 00:14:54.920 as though Christ is most important 00:14:54.920 --> 00:14:56.980 and the one whose interests 00:14:56.980 --> 00:14:59.540 are in control of our life. 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:01.060 Now, think about that with me 00:15:01.060 --> 00:15:01.680 just for a moment. 00:15:02.279 --> 00:15:03.800 When we say, 00:15:04.320 --> 00:15:05.600 when Paul is praying, 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:07.660 I want you to have the power 00:15:07.660 --> 00:15:10.139 of the Spirit of God inside 00:15:10.139 --> 00:15:13.379 so that Christ may dwell in your heart, 00:15:13.660 --> 00:15:14.259 he is saying, 00:15:14.660 --> 00:15:16.379 you need the Spirit's enabling 00:15:16.379 --> 00:15:18.980 that Christ might be the one 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:21.320 who actually is supremely important 00:15:21.320 --> 00:15:22.900 and the one whose interests 00:15:22.900 --> 00:15:24.640 are actually in charge of your life. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:26.320 It's understandable 00:15:26.320 --> 00:15:27.600 why Paul would pray that way, 00:15:27.660 --> 00:15:27.940 isn't it? 00:15:27.960 --> 00:15:28.640 When you stop and think 00:15:28.640 --> 00:15:29.360 about your own life, 00:15:30.320 --> 00:15:31.900 you need the Holy Spirit's help. 00:15:32.580 --> 00:15:34.060 You need the Holy Spirit's power 00:15:34.060 --> 00:15:36.420 so that Christ would dwell within 00:15:36.420 --> 00:15:38.160 and so that we might sense him 00:15:38.160 --> 00:15:40.520 as being more than an invited guest 00:15:40.520 --> 00:15:43.540 in a formal part of our domain. 00:15:44.980 --> 00:15:46.740 Let me speak here in practical terms 00:15:46.740 --> 00:15:47.840 of what this looks like 00:15:47.840 --> 00:15:48.840 a little bit for us. 00:15:48.840 --> 00:15:50.259 For one, 00:15:50.420 --> 00:15:51.720 when Christ dwells within, 00:15:52.160 --> 00:15:54.300 we're persuaded of his personal presence 00:15:54.300 --> 00:15:55.780 and his supremacy. 00:15:56.420 --> 00:15:59.120 We are persuaded of his personal presence 00:15:59.120 --> 00:16:00.820 and his supremacy. 00:16:01.960 --> 00:16:04.160 It's amazing how often 00:16:04.160 --> 00:16:05.420 we find ourselves living 00:16:05.420 --> 00:16:07.740 with kind of an absent sense 00:16:07.740 --> 00:16:08.420 of the presence 00:16:08.420 --> 00:16:09.879 and the significance of Christ 00:16:09.879 --> 00:16:10.519 in our life, 00:16:10.639 --> 00:16:12.360 and we all go through that. 00:16:12.620 --> 00:16:14.480 We make decisions often, 00:16:14.840 --> 00:16:16.780 and we don't think much about, 00:16:16.779 --> 00:16:18.120 well, how does this affect Christ? 00:16:18.220 --> 00:16:19.360 What does he think about it? 00:16:20.439 --> 00:16:22.339 I use a comparison here. 00:16:22.419 --> 00:16:22.879 One of the things 00:16:22.879 --> 00:16:23.939 that I greatly appreciate 00:16:23.939 --> 00:16:25.740 about a husband-wife relationship 00:16:25.740 --> 00:16:28.379 is that that oneness means 00:16:28.379 --> 00:16:30.240 that when a husband considers something, 00:16:30.579 --> 00:16:32.019 guess what else he is considering? 00:16:32.319 --> 00:16:33.759 How is this going to affect, 00:16:34.899 --> 00:16:37.059 hello, my wife? 00:16:37.059 --> 00:16:40.000 I know of one couple 00:16:40.000 --> 00:16:40.479 where, 00:16:41.000 --> 00:16:42.159 whether it is the husband 00:16:42.159 --> 00:16:43.239 or is the wife, 00:16:43.519 --> 00:16:45.019 when I have been involved 00:16:45.019 --> 00:16:46.159 in asking a question, 00:16:46.359 --> 00:16:48.279 would you think about doing such and so? 00:16:48.519 --> 00:16:51.839 The first thing out of either of those, 00:16:52.239 --> 00:16:53.299 that couple's mouth, 00:16:53.419 --> 00:16:53.879 is this, 00:16:54.199 --> 00:16:56.279 well, let me talk with my husband, 00:16:56.679 --> 00:16:58.419 let me talk with my wife. 00:16:58.719 --> 00:17:01.519 Perfect expression of oneness 00:17:01.519 --> 00:17:02.459 where, hey, 00:17:02.899 --> 00:17:03.519 we're together 00:17:03.519 --> 00:17:04.599 and we ought to weigh this 00:17:04.599 --> 00:17:05.659 and think about it carefully 00:17:05.659 --> 00:17:06.359 in relationship 00:17:06.359 --> 00:17:08.079 to how does it affect us. 00:17:09.219 --> 00:17:11.299 And so if Christ is dwelling within, 00:17:12.500 --> 00:17:13.779 there should be a sense 00:17:13.779 --> 00:17:15.240 of his presence 00:17:15.240 --> 00:17:16.019 and a sensitivity 00:17:16.019 --> 00:17:17.419 to his presence 00:17:17.419 --> 00:17:19.319 and a recognition of, 00:17:19.559 --> 00:17:20.399 hey, you're here 00:17:20.399 --> 00:17:21.719 and I don't want to do that. 00:17:23.000 --> 00:17:23.859 Turn over in your Bible 00:17:23.859 --> 00:17:24.459 just for a moment 00:17:24.459 --> 00:17:25.980 to a classic illustration of that. 00:17:26.059 --> 00:17:27.480 1 Corinthians 6, 00:17:28.259 --> 00:17:29.719 verse 19. 00:17:29.720 --> 00:17:34.100 Paul is writing 00:17:34.100 --> 00:17:35.160 to the church at Corinth 00:17:35.160 --> 00:17:36.160 and he is addressing 00:17:36.160 --> 00:17:37.500 in this particular case 00:17:37.500 --> 00:17:40.299 the matter of sexual immorality. 00:17:40.460 --> 00:17:41.380 And now let me tell you something. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:43.339 In the city of Corinth, 00:17:43.940 --> 00:17:44.880 sexual immorality 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:46.120 was about as rampant 00:17:46.120 --> 00:17:48.740 as it is here in our day. 00:17:50.600 --> 00:17:51.480 Well, you think it couldn't get 00:17:51.480 --> 00:17:52.500 any worse than it is today. 00:17:52.500 --> 00:17:53.920 But it was no worse, 00:17:54.200 --> 00:17:54.720 no better. 00:17:55.759 --> 00:17:57.140 You didn't have the internet 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:59.519 where every time you fired up the thing 00:17:59.519 --> 00:18:01.839 to look at MSN or CNN 00:18:01.839 --> 00:18:02.879 or whatever else, 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:04.059 you have over on the side 00:18:04.059 --> 00:18:05.220 the immediate temptations 00:18:05.220 --> 00:18:06.420 that one click 00:18:06.420 --> 00:18:07.859 can put you in spiritual trouble. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.700 Am I right or wrong? 00:18:09.160 --> 00:18:09.920 One click. 00:18:11.700 --> 00:18:12.859 Well, in those days, 00:18:14.299 --> 00:18:15.859 prostitution was formalized 00:18:15.859 --> 00:18:16.960 as a religious issue. 00:18:18.160 --> 00:18:18.900 Now, can you imagine 00:18:18.900 --> 00:18:20.279 the culture that gets to the point 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:22.099 that you do spiritual good 00:18:22.099 --> 00:18:23.599 by engaging with immorality 00:18:23.599 --> 00:18:24.359 with a prostitute? 00:18:24.579 --> 00:18:26.079 That's what Corinth was like. 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:29.759 And Paul writes to the church 00:18:29.759 --> 00:18:30.099 and he says, 00:18:30.159 --> 00:18:30.579 hey, listen, 00:18:30.720 --> 00:18:32.279 you back up and think about this. 00:18:33.259 --> 00:18:34.460 And so his argument 00:18:34.460 --> 00:18:35.899 plays out in these verses, 00:18:36.119 --> 00:18:37.379 but it comes to a head here 00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:38.199 in verse 19. 00:18:38.579 --> 00:18:39.639 Or do you not know 00:18:39.639 --> 00:18:41.000 that your body is a temple 00:18:41.000 --> 00:18:43.039 of the Holy Spirit within you 00:18:43.039 --> 00:18:44.159 whom you have from God? 00:18:44.299 --> 00:18:45.199 You're not your own. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.960 Guess who is inside you? 00:18:47.879 --> 00:18:48.139 Who? 00:18:49.619 --> 00:18:50.699 The Spirit of God. 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.980 Christ dwells within me. 00:18:52.740 --> 00:18:53.880 And the thought 00:18:53.880 --> 00:18:55.620 that Paul is bringing 00:18:55.620 --> 00:18:56.860 to the table here is, 00:18:57.160 --> 00:18:58.680 what are you thinking about? 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.980 How do you think 00:18:59.980 --> 00:19:01.380 the Spirit of God feels 00:19:01.380 --> 00:19:02.360 when you engage 00:19:02.360 --> 00:19:04.160 in looking at that pornography? 00:19:05.360 --> 00:19:07.400 I know some individuals 00:19:07.400 --> 00:19:07.860 who have said, 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.680 well, what I'm going to do 00:19:08.680 --> 00:19:09.779 is I'm going to put my computer 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.500 in the family room. 00:19:11.900 --> 00:19:13.180 That's probably not a bad idea 00:19:13.180 --> 00:19:14.299 because in the family room, 00:19:14.440 --> 00:19:16.160 you have a higher probability 00:19:16.160 --> 00:19:17.259 of somebody walking in 00:19:17.259 --> 00:19:18.039 and seeing something 00:19:18.039 --> 00:19:19.500 if you're on the wrong place. 00:19:19.700 --> 00:19:20.960 But let me tell you something. 00:19:20.960 --> 00:19:22.279 There's someone more important 00:19:22.279 --> 00:19:23.519 than your children 00:19:23.519 --> 00:19:24.779 or your wife 00:19:24.779 --> 00:19:27.180 who is always on sight. 00:19:27.279 --> 00:19:27.799 Who is that? 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.840 It is Christ. 00:19:30.380 --> 00:19:31.759 And He's within us. 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.940 And when it says, 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:35.400 let Christ dwell within, 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.319 it is saying, listen, 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.200 recognize that He 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:40.140 who is your Lord and Savior 00:19:40.140 --> 00:19:41.660 abides within. 00:19:43.180 --> 00:19:44.500 He's there to control. 00:19:46.620 --> 00:19:48.340 I want you to recognize also 00:19:48.340 --> 00:19:49.279 that when we think about 00:19:49.279 --> 00:19:50.599 this matter of Christ within 00:19:50.599 --> 00:19:52.079 and His presence 00:19:52.079 --> 00:19:52.899 and the sensitivity 00:19:52.899 --> 00:19:53.720 of His presence, 00:19:54.019 --> 00:19:54.539 I want you to look 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.259 at another passage 00:19:55.259 --> 00:19:56.579 in which we see this play out. 00:19:56.899 --> 00:19:57.779 Turn over in your Bible 00:19:57.779 --> 00:19:59.940 to probably one of the more commonly 00:19:59.940 --> 00:20:05.460 lifted passages 00:20:05.460 --> 00:20:06.399 out of context. 00:20:06.519 --> 00:20:07.220 Now, I don't think 00:20:07.220 --> 00:20:09.660 it does great harm 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:10.299 in its lifting, 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:11.420 but let me have you look 00:20:11.420 --> 00:20:13.599 at Revelation 3, verse 20. 00:20:13.680 --> 00:20:14.079 By the way, 00:20:14.139 --> 00:20:15.539 who was Revelation written to? 00:20:15.539 --> 00:20:16.359 And the answer is 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:17.220 to churches. 00:20:18.599 --> 00:20:19.420 Verse 20 says, 00:20:19.500 --> 00:20:20.579 Behold, I stand at the door 00:20:20.579 --> 00:20:21.039 and knock. 00:20:21.200 --> 00:20:22.319 If any man hears my voice 00:20:22.319 --> 00:20:23.039 and opens the door, 00:20:23.359 --> 00:20:24.500 I will come in to him 00:20:24.500 --> 00:20:25.180 and eat with him 00:20:25.180 --> 00:20:25.940 and he with me. 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.359 I don't think 00:20:28.359 --> 00:20:29.019 there's a problem 00:20:29.019 --> 00:20:30.440 using it to encourage people 00:20:30.440 --> 00:20:31.819 to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:20:31.920 --> 00:20:33.099 but the predominant focus 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:34.279 of this passage 00:20:34.279 --> 00:20:35.319 is written to believers 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:35.779 and saying, 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.299 hey, listen, 00:20:37.579 --> 00:20:39.420 don't push Christ out. 00:20:40.680 --> 00:20:41.319 Don't put Him 00:20:41.319 --> 00:20:42.019 on the periphery, 00:20:42.059 --> 00:20:42.599 on the margin. 00:20:42.599 --> 00:20:44.819 What had happened 00:20:44.819 --> 00:20:45.959 in the church there 00:20:45.959 --> 00:20:47.339 is that they had 00:20:47.339 --> 00:20:48.379 distanced themselves 00:20:48.379 --> 00:20:49.019 from Christ 00:20:49.019 --> 00:20:49.959 in their carnality 00:20:49.959 --> 00:20:51.399 and there Christ 00:20:51.399 --> 00:20:52.579 was appealing to them 00:20:52.579 --> 00:20:53.779 that the intimacy 00:20:53.779 --> 00:20:54.759 of their communion 00:20:54.759 --> 00:20:55.779 would not be hindered 00:20:55.779 --> 00:20:56.919 and He appeals to them, 00:20:56.959 --> 00:20:57.759 hey, open the door, 00:20:57.839 --> 00:20:58.439 let me in. 00:20:59.819 --> 00:21:00.419 There are some of you 00:21:00.419 --> 00:21:01.079 here this morning 00:21:01.079 --> 00:21:01.939 that the truth 00:21:01.939 --> 00:21:02.500 of the matter is 00:21:02.500 --> 00:21:03.559 is you haven't sat down 00:21:03.559 --> 00:21:04.079 with Jesus 00:21:04.079 --> 00:21:05.740 and had sweet communion 00:21:05.740 --> 00:21:07.659 for weeks and months 00:21:07.659 --> 00:21:08.459 at a time. 00:21:09.059 --> 00:21:09.399 Do you understand 00:21:09.399 --> 00:21:09.919 what I'm saying? 00:21:09.920 --> 00:21:12.120 The last time 00:21:12.120 --> 00:21:13.060 you had devotions 00:21:13.060 --> 00:21:14.279 that really meant anything 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.380 other than grabbing 00:21:15.380 --> 00:21:16.019 a daily bread 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:17.259 and maybe taking a millisecond 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.400 to read one of the verses 00:21:18.400 --> 00:21:19.779 and then I've done my part, 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:22.460 months have passed. 00:21:24.360 --> 00:21:25.200 And Christ is saying, 00:21:25.340 --> 00:21:25.480 listen, 00:21:25.620 --> 00:21:26.840 we have this relationship. 00:21:28.180 --> 00:21:28.980 What's happened? 00:21:30.200 --> 00:21:31.660 I'm your Lord and Savior 00:21:31.660 --> 00:21:33.720 and here you've pushed me out 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.060 and well, 00:21:34.100 --> 00:21:35.200 I know I'm too busy, right? 00:21:35.660 --> 00:21:37.480 Oh, try that with your wife 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:39.259 and see how long 00:21:39.259 --> 00:21:41.079 your relationship endures 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:42.360 with that kind of abuse. 00:21:44.539 --> 00:21:46.640 For Christ to dwell within 00:21:46.640 --> 00:21:48.120 really means that you are living 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:49.839 with an intimate awareness 00:21:49.839 --> 00:21:50.839 of His presence 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:51.640 and His supremacy. 00:21:51.839 --> 00:21:53.380 Can I stress that again? 00:21:53.680 --> 00:21:55.160 To have Christ dwell within 00:21:55.160 --> 00:21:56.460 means that you are living 00:21:56.460 --> 00:21:58.799 with an intimate awareness 00:21:58.799 --> 00:21:59.799 of His presence 00:21:59.799 --> 00:22:00.860 and His supremacy. 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:03.299 There's another thing 00:22:03.299 --> 00:22:04.039 that goes with 00:22:04.039 --> 00:22:05.480 Christ dwelling within 00:22:05.480 --> 00:22:07.180 and that is that we are genuinely 00:22:07.180 --> 00:22:09.420 affected by His Word. 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:12.279 We're genuinely affected 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:13.319 by His Word. 00:22:14.200 --> 00:22:16.579 His Word is not just a set 00:22:16.579 --> 00:22:17.500 of ramblings 00:22:17.500 --> 00:22:20.220 of some ancient itinerant 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:21.740 guest lecturer in Palestine. 00:22:23.000 --> 00:22:24.480 His Word is our life. 00:22:25.120 --> 00:22:26.759 His Word is what we rely upon 00:22:26.759 --> 00:22:28.400 for wisdom and counsel. 00:22:28.779 --> 00:22:30.259 His Word is what corrects 00:22:30.259 --> 00:22:32.120 the carnality of our flesh. 00:22:32.460 --> 00:22:33.640 His Word is what brings 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:35.440 His encouragement in adversity. 00:22:35.840 --> 00:22:37.460 His Word is what lifts us up 00:22:37.460 --> 00:22:39.220 when our heart is struggling. 00:22:41.540 --> 00:22:43.340 Oh, does our mind go 00:22:43.340 --> 00:22:44.940 to places it shouldn't go? 00:22:45.160 --> 00:22:46.560 And the answer is yes, 00:22:46.680 --> 00:22:47.800 all the time. 00:22:47.960 --> 00:22:49.360 I like the song we were singing. 00:22:49.759 --> 00:22:50.480 Prone to wonder, 00:22:50.620 --> 00:22:51.560 Lord, I feel it. 00:22:51.880 --> 00:22:54.020 Prone to leave the God I love. 00:22:55.300 --> 00:22:56.240 Take my heart, 00:22:56.320 --> 00:22:57.480 oh, take and seal it. 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.680 Do you know how He seals it? 00:22:58.680 --> 00:23:02.560 Thy Word is a lamp 00:23:02.560 --> 00:23:03.340 into my feet 00:23:03.340 --> 00:23:05.279 and a light always. 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.620 Beloved, 00:23:08.380 --> 00:23:10.019 if we are going to have 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:11.380 Christ dwell within, 00:23:11.560 --> 00:23:12.940 there has to be something 00:23:12.940 --> 00:23:14.960 happening with His Word 00:23:14.960 --> 00:23:16.240 in our heart 00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:17.980 that makes His Word 00:23:17.980 --> 00:23:19.180 of more significance 00:23:19.180 --> 00:23:20.519 than something peripheral 00:23:20.519 --> 00:23:21.799 that we look at 00:23:21.799 --> 00:23:23.560 on a very occasional basis. 00:23:23.559 --> 00:23:26.679 turn over in your Bible, 00:23:26.779 --> 00:23:27.059 if you would, 00:23:27.099 --> 00:23:27.759 to Colossians. 00:23:27.879 --> 00:23:28.740 We're in Philippians. 00:23:28.879 --> 00:23:29.879 Well, we went to Revelation, 00:23:30.079 --> 00:23:31.659 but just go to Colossians 3, 00:23:31.919 --> 00:23:32.839 verse 16. 00:23:35.759 --> 00:23:37.319 Colossians 3, verse 16, 00:23:37.399 --> 00:23:37.960 it says this, 00:23:37.960 --> 00:23:39.079 let the Word of Christ 00:23:39.079 --> 00:23:41.480 dwell in you richly, 00:23:41.679 --> 00:23:42.960 teaching and admonishing 00:23:42.960 --> 00:23:44.200 one another in all wisdom, 00:23:44.359 --> 00:23:45.539 singing psalms and hymns 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:47.159 and spiritual songs 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:49.880 with thankfulness 00:23:49.880 --> 00:23:51.080 in your hearts to God. 00:23:51.960 --> 00:23:52.880 Let me have you think with me 00:23:52.880 --> 00:23:53.440 just for a moment 00:23:53.440 --> 00:23:54.779 about that little statement there. 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.259 Let the Word of Christ 00:23:56.259 --> 00:23:59.259 dwell in you richly. 00:24:03.140 --> 00:24:04.320 That's saying that 00:24:04.320 --> 00:24:06.759 Christ's Word 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:10.180 is the occupying force 00:24:10.180 --> 00:24:11.779 in your life. 00:24:11.779 --> 00:24:17.940 and that Christ's Word 00:24:17.940 --> 00:24:21.399 is the thing that dominates 00:24:21.399 --> 00:24:22.819 and affects your thinking. 00:24:23.039 --> 00:24:24.819 It governs where you look. 00:24:25.200 --> 00:24:27.139 It governs how you respond 00:24:27.139 --> 00:24:28.440 when you're put out. 00:24:28.819 --> 00:24:30.240 It deals with the attitudes 00:24:30.240 --> 00:24:31.119 of your heart 00:24:31.119 --> 00:24:32.720 within the inner man. 00:24:34.079 --> 00:24:35.000 How many of you realize 00:24:35.000 --> 00:24:36.180 that Shakespeare had it right, 00:24:36.420 --> 00:24:38.099 that one may smile and smile 00:24:38.099 --> 00:24:39.099 and still be a villain? 00:24:39.099 --> 00:24:43.039 And we are all fairly good 00:24:43.039 --> 00:24:44.619 at smiling and smiling 00:24:44.619 --> 00:24:46.379 and being pretty villainous 00:24:46.379 --> 00:24:48.179 sometimes in our own thought life. 00:24:48.219 --> 00:24:49.059 Am I right or wrong? 00:24:50.459 --> 00:24:51.159 But beloved, 00:24:51.319 --> 00:24:52.859 when Christ's Word 00:24:52.859 --> 00:24:55.159 dwells within with richness, 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:57.099 it ends up dealing 00:24:57.099 --> 00:24:58.459 with those errant, 00:24:59.079 --> 00:25:01.079 aberrant thoughts quickly. 00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.679 I like that. 00:25:04.179 --> 00:25:05.579 I desperately need it. 00:25:05.639 --> 00:25:06.519 Do you understand that? 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:10.339 my mind will go left of center 00:25:10.339 --> 00:25:12.420 quicker than I can imagine. 00:25:13.879 --> 00:25:15.639 But as I grow in the Lord 00:25:15.639 --> 00:25:17.420 and as more and more 00:25:17.420 --> 00:25:18.460 Scripture begins 00:25:18.460 --> 00:25:19.660 to possess my heart, 00:25:19.879 --> 00:25:21.039 then the Word of God 00:25:21.039 --> 00:25:22.240 dwells in me richly 00:25:22.240 --> 00:25:23.519 and begins to capture 00:25:23.519 --> 00:25:24.500 those imaginations 00:25:24.500 --> 00:25:26.460 and bring them into captivity 00:25:26.460 --> 00:25:27.960 to the supremacy of Christ. 00:25:28.039 --> 00:25:28.900 Do you understand that? 00:25:28.900 --> 00:25:32.800 Paul says, 00:25:32.920 --> 00:25:33.820 this is my prayer. 00:25:34.620 --> 00:25:35.220 This is the thing 00:25:35.220 --> 00:25:36.960 I'm praying to the Father for, 00:25:37.180 --> 00:25:38.519 that the Spirit would 00:25:38.519 --> 00:25:40.580 strengthen you 00:25:40.580 --> 00:25:42.500 in the inner man, 00:25:42.860 --> 00:25:45.900 that Christ may dwell 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:47.440 in your heart 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:50.160 by faith. 00:25:51.180 --> 00:25:52.880 There's another piece in this 00:25:52.880 --> 00:25:54.160 that I want you to think about. 00:25:54.160 --> 00:25:56.920 when Christ is dwelling 00:25:56.920 --> 00:25:57.640 in our heart, 00:25:57.740 --> 00:25:58.400 it ends up 00:25:58.400 --> 00:26:00.279 that we grow in our love. 00:26:01.600 --> 00:26:02.960 That we grow in our love. 00:26:04.180 --> 00:26:05.320 We, by nature, 00:26:05.480 --> 00:26:07.000 are fairly adept. 00:26:07.320 --> 00:26:08.700 We're good at loving one person. 00:26:08.800 --> 00:26:09.580 Guess who that is? 00:26:10.220 --> 00:26:10.700 Who is it? 00:26:11.700 --> 00:26:12.920 I saw him in the mirror 00:26:12.920 --> 00:26:13.460 this morning. 00:26:14.440 --> 00:26:15.120 He recognized 00:26:15.120 --> 00:26:16.180 that his hair 00:26:16.180 --> 00:26:16.900 was in trouble 00:26:16.900 --> 00:26:17.880 and so he actually 00:26:17.880 --> 00:26:19.500 stooped to using spray 00:26:19.500 --> 00:26:20.759 to hold it. 00:26:20.980 --> 00:26:22.140 There are fewer and fewer 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:23.660 pieces to keep in place 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:25.000 and spray as more 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:25.740 and more desperate. 00:26:26.720 --> 00:26:27.700 I looked at him. 00:26:27.780 --> 00:26:28.080 I said, 00:26:28.180 --> 00:26:28.500 dude, 00:26:28.640 --> 00:26:29.400 what happened 00:26:29.400 --> 00:26:30.320 to all that stuff? 00:26:33.380 --> 00:26:34.600 That's who I love normally. 00:26:35.980 --> 00:26:37.100 But when the Spirit of God 00:26:37.100 --> 00:26:38.340 is at work in my heart, 00:26:38.700 --> 00:26:39.360 there's something 00:26:39.360 --> 00:26:40.460 that begins to happen 00:26:40.460 --> 00:26:41.820 in terms of my relationship 00:26:41.820 --> 00:26:43.820 with Christ 00:26:43.820 --> 00:26:46.100 and with others. 00:26:47.460 --> 00:26:48.100 Look over, 00:26:48.220 --> 00:26:48.600 if you would, 00:26:48.680 --> 00:26:50.259 to John chapter 17. 00:26:52.140 --> 00:26:54.259 Oh, by the way, 00:26:54.920 --> 00:26:55.640 let me throw this out. 00:26:55.700 --> 00:26:56.360 This is a sidebar. 00:26:56.420 --> 00:26:57.320 Do you know what a sidebar is? 00:26:57.340 --> 00:26:57.980 It's a little discussion 00:26:57.980 --> 00:26:58.560 on the side. 00:26:59.940 --> 00:27:00.980 I am praying 00:27:00.980 --> 00:27:02.340 about preaching on John. 00:27:04.180 --> 00:27:05.220 I've started reading 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:05.820 through John 00:27:05.820 --> 00:27:06.520 again and again 00:27:06.520 --> 00:27:07.920 and that's usually a hint 00:27:07.920 --> 00:27:08.820 that's where I'm going. 00:27:08.940 --> 00:27:09.880 I'm thinking about it. 00:27:09.960 --> 00:27:10.780 But, oh, 00:27:10.980 --> 00:27:11.820 what a book. 00:27:12.280 --> 00:27:13.180 I think it would be 00:27:13.180 --> 00:27:14.220 my magnum opus. 00:27:15.420 --> 00:27:16.100 By the way, 00:27:16.340 --> 00:27:17.400 I didn't write it, 00:27:17.480 --> 00:27:18.140 so if you're wondering 00:27:18.140 --> 00:27:18.780 what I mean, 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.540 I have to go 00:27:19.540 --> 00:27:20.340 to Charlotte's Web. 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.759 Here we go. 00:27:25.119 --> 00:27:25.899 I'm sorry. 00:27:28.139 --> 00:27:29.039 John 17, 00:27:29.119 --> 00:27:29.779 verse 23, 00:27:29.899 --> 00:27:30.480 here we are. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.959 I in them 00:27:31.959 --> 00:27:33.559 and they in me, 00:27:34.259 --> 00:27:35.959 that they may become 00:27:35.959 --> 00:27:36.759 perfectly one 00:27:36.759 --> 00:27:37.619 so that the world 00:27:37.619 --> 00:27:38.099 may know 00:27:38.099 --> 00:27:38.939 that you sent me 00:27:38.939 --> 00:27:39.619 and love them 00:27:39.619 --> 00:27:41.119 even as you love me. 00:27:43.399 --> 00:27:44.279 That the world 00:27:44.279 --> 00:27:44.759 may know 00:27:44.759 --> 00:27:45.659 that you sent me 00:27:45.659 --> 00:27:46.480 and love them 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:48.059 even as you love me. 00:27:48.059 --> 00:28:16.980 may be one, 00:28:16.980 --> 00:28:18.380 may be with me 00:28:18.380 --> 00:28:19.019 where I am 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:19.880 to see my glory 00:28:19.880 --> 00:28:20.860 that you have given me 00:28:20.860 --> 00:28:22.339 because you love me 00:28:22.339 --> 00:28:23.279 before the foundation 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:24.599 of the world. 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:28.140 Then in verse 26, 00:28:28.259 --> 00:28:28.680 it says, 00:28:29.240 --> 00:28:30.160 I made known to them 00:28:30.160 --> 00:28:30.799 your name 00:28:30.799 --> 00:28:32.519 and I will continue 00:28:32.519 --> 00:28:33.279 to make it known 00:28:33.279 --> 00:28:33.980 that the love 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:35.319 with which you have loved me 00:28:35.319 --> 00:28:36.700 may be in them 00:28:36.700 --> 00:28:37.720 and I in them. 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:42.259 can I tell you something 00:28:42.259 --> 00:28:43.720 about longevity 00:28:43.720 --> 00:28:44.360 and ministry? 00:28:45.620 --> 00:28:46.740 One of the undeniable 00:28:46.740 --> 00:28:47.579 things you learn 00:28:47.579 --> 00:28:48.400 when you stay around 00:28:48.400 --> 00:28:48.980 for a while 00:28:48.980 --> 00:28:49.799 is that 00:28:49.799 --> 00:28:51.039 people 00:28:51.039 --> 00:28:52.079 require 00:28:52.079 --> 00:28:52.819 loving. 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.299 And 00:28:55.299 --> 00:28:56.319 one of the things 00:28:56.319 --> 00:28:57.019 I've learned 00:28:57.019 --> 00:28:58.380 is that 00:28:58.380 --> 00:28:59.640 at the end of the day 00:28:59.640 --> 00:29:00.880 you're better served 00:29:00.880 --> 00:29:01.660 to love those 00:29:01.660 --> 00:29:02.279 who God has 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.920 in front of you 00:29:02.920 --> 00:29:03.680 rather than wishing 00:29:03.680 --> 00:29:04.480 that God would bring 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:05.240 someone else. 00:29:05.240 --> 00:29:07.359 because when someone 00:29:07.359 --> 00:29:07.880 leaves, 00:29:08.220 --> 00:29:08.660 guess what? 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.079 The someone else 00:29:10.079 --> 00:29:10.740 who shows up 00:29:10.740 --> 00:29:11.700 is still just as much 00:29:11.700 --> 00:29:12.640 of a person to love 00:29:12.640 --> 00:29:14.019 as the person who left. 00:29:15.220 --> 00:29:16.640 So it's best to love 00:29:16.640 --> 00:29:17.880 the ones God gives you 00:29:17.880 --> 00:29:19.079 and stay with it 00:29:19.079 --> 00:29:20.279 and work at it. 00:29:21.339 --> 00:29:21.980 And can I tell you 00:29:21.980 --> 00:29:22.539 a little secret? 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.640 If marriage is 00:29:24.640 --> 00:29:25.740 two sinners in a canoe, 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:28.859 then church is 00:29:28.859 --> 00:29:29.660 lots of sinners 00:29:29.660 --> 00:29:30.640 in a bigger canoe. 00:29:30.640 --> 00:29:35.780 And the more 00:29:35.780 --> 00:29:36.460 we get to know 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:36.980 each other, 00:29:37.820 --> 00:29:40.160 which is God's plan 00:29:40.160 --> 00:29:41.000 in relationship, 00:29:41.160 --> 00:29:41.880 I want you to understand 00:29:41.880 --> 00:29:42.180 that, 00:29:43.060 --> 00:29:44.759 the more conscious 00:29:44.759 --> 00:29:45.520 and intentional 00:29:45.520 --> 00:29:46.980 must our 00:29:46.980 --> 00:29:48.259 commitment 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.960 to love 00:29:48.960 --> 00:29:49.580 become. 00:29:51.560 --> 00:29:52.180 It's easier 00:29:52.180 --> 00:29:52.680 just to kind of 00:29:52.680 --> 00:29:53.200 walk in, 00:29:54.020 --> 00:29:54.520 sit somewhere 00:29:54.520 --> 00:29:55.259 towards the back, 00:29:56.300 --> 00:29:56.840 kind of listen 00:29:56.840 --> 00:29:57.380 to the music, 00:29:57.759 --> 00:29:58.460 walk out. 00:29:59.020 --> 00:29:59.740 That doesn't take 00:29:59.740 --> 00:30:00.259 much love. 00:30:00.640 --> 00:30:01.640 For anybody. 00:30:03.420 --> 00:30:03.800 But buddy, 00:30:03.900 --> 00:30:04.860 when you anchor in 00:30:04.860 --> 00:30:05.940 and you become 00:30:05.940 --> 00:30:06.420 invested 00:30:06.420 --> 00:30:07.500 and you become 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:08.100 involved 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:08.940 and you become 00:30:08.940 --> 00:30:09.900 spent for the 00:30:09.900 --> 00:30:11.300 testimony of Christ 00:30:11.300 --> 00:30:12.000 and ministry, 00:30:12.340 --> 00:30:13.240 you're going to find 00:30:13.240 --> 00:30:14.180 that the people 00:30:14.180 --> 00:30:15.100 you're working with 00:30:15.100 --> 00:30:16.040 are just downright 00:30:16.040 --> 00:30:16.600 squirrely. 00:30:18.000 --> 00:30:18.920 And you need 00:30:18.920 --> 00:30:19.520 the grace of God. 00:30:19.540 --> 00:30:20.340 They think that of you 00:30:20.340 --> 00:30:20.940 too, by the way, 00:30:21.020 --> 00:30:21.780 just in case you're 00:30:21.780 --> 00:30:22.200 wondering. 00:30:22.700 --> 00:30:23.660 And you're going to 00:30:23.660 --> 00:30:24.740 need to have 00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:26.520 Christ dwelling in you 00:30:26.520 --> 00:30:27.380 or it's not going 00:30:27.380 --> 00:30:27.840 to work. 00:30:28.600 --> 00:30:29.400 Can I say that again? 00:30:30.200 --> 00:30:31.040 You're going to need 00:30:31.040 --> 00:30:32.240 Christ dwelling in you 00:30:32.240 --> 00:30:32.880 or it's not going 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:33.300 to work. 00:30:34.300 --> 00:30:35.320 And when you decide 00:30:35.320 --> 00:30:35.680 you're going to 00:30:35.680 --> 00:30:36.480 pack off and move 00:30:36.480 --> 00:30:37.220 to another place, 00:30:37.480 --> 00:30:38.400 the same kind of 00:30:38.400 --> 00:30:39.280 people live there 00:30:39.280 --> 00:30:40.080 as lived here. 00:30:42.580 --> 00:30:43.480 I'll never forget 00:30:43.480 --> 00:30:45.080 moving from 00:30:45.080 --> 00:30:46.620 a small rural 00:30:46.620 --> 00:30:47.800 church in 00:30:47.800 --> 00:30:49.900 northeastern Ohio. 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:49.960 Ohio. 00:30:51.759 --> 00:30:52.620 And I remember 00:30:52.620 --> 00:30:53.360 actually moving 00:30:53.360 --> 00:30:54.240 from Columbus. 00:30:54.380 --> 00:30:54.940 I was a member 00:30:54.940 --> 00:30:55.660 here at Maranatha 00:30:55.660 --> 00:30:56.240 and I remember 00:30:56.240 --> 00:30:56.880 going up there 00:30:56.880 --> 00:30:57.700 to northeastern Ohio 00:30:57.700 --> 00:30:58.140 and thinking, 00:30:58.740 --> 00:30:59.040 you know, 00:30:59.160 --> 00:30:59.860 this is a little 00:30:59.860 --> 00:31:00.720 rural community 00:31:00.720 --> 00:31:02.240 and I'm going 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.160 to imagine that 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.400 sin is not on 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.519 steroids out here 00:31:05.519 --> 00:31:06.280 in the middle 00:31:06.280 --> 00:31:06.800 of nowhere. 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:07.400 I'd been there 00:31:07.400 --> 00:31:08.140 about three or four 00:31:08.140 --> 00:31:09.259 months and one 00:31:09.259 --> 00:31:10.180 dear lady decided 00:31:10.180 --> 00:31:10.840 that she'd had 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.380 enough of her 00:31:11.380 --> 00:31:12.220 husband's pornography 00:31:12.220 --> 00:31:14.100 and she snuck up 00:31:14.100 --> 00:31:14.640 behind him and 00:31:14.640 --> 00:31:15.220 blew his brains 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.500 out with a revolver. 00:31:16.500 --> 00:31:18.900 I could just go 00:31:18.900 --> 00:31:19.559 on and tell you 00:31:19.559 --> 00:31:20.440 one thing after 00:31:20.440 --> 00:31:20.960 another and I 00:31:20.960 --> 00:31:21.160 thought, 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:21.559 whoa. 00:31:24.200 --> 00:31:25.079 And then I came 00:31:25.079 --> 00:31:25.779 to Columbus and 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:26.259 guess what? 00:31:28.099 --> 00:31:28.660 Nobody's here 00:31:28.660 --> 00:31:29.480 shot anybody so 00:31:29.480 --> 00:31:29.819 I'm going to have 00:31:29.819 --> 00:31:30.420 the real thing 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:30.819 for that. 00:31:31.519 --> 00:31:32.680 And don't think 00:31:32.680 --> 00:31:33.720 I'm suggesting it. 00:31:36.039 --> 00:31:36.740 But you know 00:31:36.740 --> 00:31:37.099 what? 00:31:38.039 --> 00:31:39.119 People are people. 00:31:39.240 --> 00:31:39.599 How many of you 00:31:39.599 --> 00:31:40.019 figured that one 00:31:40.019 --> 00:31:40.279 out? 00:31:41.779 --> 00:31:43.539 And we need 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.740 the ministry of 00:31:44.740 --> 00:31:45.660 the Spirit of God 00:31:45.660 --> 00:31:46.400 within us 00:31:46.400 --> 00:31:47.140 that we would 00:31:47.140 --> 00:31:47.840 love each other 00:31:47.840 --> 00:31:48.519 the way Christ 00:31:48.519 --> 00:31:49.220 wants us to 00:31:49.220 --> 00:31:49.900 love each other. 00:31:50.100 --> 00:31:51.300 It takes His 00:31:51.300 --> 00:31:52.720 work in us. 00:31:54.320 --> 00:31:54.840 And finally, 00:31:56.040 --> 00:31:56.980 what part do we 00:31:56.980 --> 00:31:57.540 have to play in 00:31:57.540 --> 00:31:58.060 all of this? 00:31:59.340 --> 00:32:00.140 I want you to 00:32:00.140 --> 00:32:00.440 think. 00:32:01.700 --> 00:32:02.460 Is Christ 00:32:02.460 --> 00:32:03.019 really, and 00:32:03.019 --> 00:32:04.340 this is a 00:32:04.340 --> 00:32:05.100 profoundly 00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:06.460 significant 00:32:06.460 --> 00:32:07.180 question, 00:32:08.740 --> 00:32:09.460 to you who 00:32:09.460 --> 00:32:10.500 are believers 00:32:10.500 --> 00:32:11.620 it ought to be 00:32:11.620 --> 00:32:12.880 one that you 00:32:12.880 --> 00:32:13.720 engage in 00:32:13.720 --> 00:32:14.259 considering 00:32:14.259 --> 00:32:15.080 periodically. 00:32:15.079 --> 00:32:16.480 has your love 00:32:16.480 --> 00:32:17.359 gone cold? 00:32:18.099 --> 00:32:18.899 Can it do that? 00:32:19.179 --> 00:32:19.559 And what's the 00:32:19.559 --> 00:32:19.859 answer? 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:20.799 Oh yeah. 00:32:21.659 --> 00:32:22.059 Oh yeah. 00:32:25.119 --> 00:32:25.779 But how 00:32:25.779 --> 00:32:26.339 significant 00:32:26.339 --> 00:32:28.220 is Christ 00:32:28.220 --> 00:32:30.240 to you 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:30.819 in a 00:32:30.819 --> 00:32:31.339 personal 00:32:31.339 --> 00:32:32.240 and very 00:32:32.240 --> 00:32:32.919 real 00:32:32.919 --> 00:32:33.659 sense? 00:32:35.980 --> 00:32:36.699 Oh, I'm not 00:32:36.699 --> 00:32:37.179 talking about the 00:32:37.179 --> 00:32:38.079 fact you show up. 00:32:38.079 --> 00:32:40.500 I'm not 00:32:40.500 --> 00:32:41.000 talking about the 00:32:41.000 --> 00:32:41.519 fact that you 00:32:41.519 --> 00:32:42.240 may participate. 00:32:43.460 --> 00:32:44.359 I'm talking about 00:32:44.359 --> 00:32:45.099 the fact that 00:32:45.099 --> 00:32:46.500 within the 00:32:46.500 --> 00:32:47.619 inner man, 00:32:47.819 --> 00:32:48.359 how 00:32:48.359 --> 00:32:49.759 significant 00:32:49.759 --> 00:32:50.899 is the 00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.659 sweetness of 00:32:51.659 --> 00:32:52.559 your relationship 00:32:52.559 --> 00:32:53.460 with Christ? 00:32:57.339 --> 00:32:58.159 So what do you 00:32:58.159 --> 00:32:58.379 do? 00:32:59.659 --> 00:33:00.480 Number one, 00:33:00.539 --> 00:33:00.919 you pray. 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:03.019 here's Paul 00:33:03.019 --> 00:33:03.820 in Ephesians 00:33:03.820 --> 00:33:04.420 chapter 3 00:33:04.420 --> 00:33:05.160 verse 14, 00:33:05.680 --> 00:33:06.380 for this 00:33:06.380 --> 00:33:07.900 cause I 00:33:07.900 --> 00:33:08.660 bow 00:33:08.660 --> 00:33:09.980 the knee. 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.539 And if 00:33:13.539 --> 00:33:14.200 Paul prayed 00:33:14.200 --> 00:33:14.560 for the 00:33:14.560 --> 00:33:14.980 power of 00:33:14.980 --> 00:33:15.340 the Spirit 00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:15.779 of God 00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.279 to work 00:33:16.279 --> 00:33:16.519 in the 00:33:16.519 --> 00:33:16.980 inner man 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:17.360 so that 00:33:17.360 --> 00:33:17.940 Christ could 00:33:17.940 --> 00:33:18.759 dwell in 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.180 the hearts 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.759 of believers 00:33:19.759 --> 00:33:20.220 that he 00:33:20.220 --> 00:33:20.700 loved, 00:33:20.960 --> 00:33:21.500 it makes 00:33:21.500 --> 00:33:22.160 sense for 00:33:22.160 --> 00:33:22.920 you and 00:33:22.920 --> 00:33:23.640 me to be 00:33:23.640 --> 00:33:24.039 conscious 00:33:24.039 --> 00:33:24.820 and deliberate 00:33:24.820 --> 00:33:26.039 and persistent 00:33:26.039 --> 00:33:27.100 in praying 00:33:27.100 --> 00:33:28.680 about that 00:33:28.680 --> 00:33:29.500 thing taking 00:33:29.500 --> 00:33:30.200 place in our 00:33:30.200 --> 00:33:31.019 life and 00:33:31.019 --> 00:33:31.660 if you ask 00:33:31.660 --> 00:33:32.220 yourself the 00:33:32.220 --> 00:33:32.840 question this 00:33:32.840 --> 00:33:33.140 morning, 00:33:33.500 --> 00:33:34.680 so how am I 00:33:34.680 --> 00:33:35.319 in love with 00:33:35.319 --> 00:33:36.319 Jesus and is 00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:36.819 my heart 00:33:36.819 --> 00:33:37.660 affected by 00:33:37.660 --> 00:33:38.680 his glory and 00:33:38.680 --> 00:33:39.440 am I interested 00:33:39.440 --> 00:33:40.259 in his person 00:33:40.259 --> 00:33:41.440 and do I sense 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:42.440 his presence and 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.160 the answer comes 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:43.460 back, 00:33:43.700 --> 00:33:44.759 I'm a little 00:33:44.759 --> 00:33:45.220 cold, 00:33:45.440 --> 00:33:45.980 then I would 00:33:45.980 --> 00:33:46.580 plead with you 00:33:46.580 --> 00:33:47.220 to get down on 00:33:47.220 --> 00:33:47.620 your knee and 00:33:47.620 --> 00:33:48.160 say Christ, 00:33:48.620 --> 00:33:49.460 it's not to be 00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:49.960 this way. 00:33:51.840 --> 00:33:52.840 And I want you 00:33:52.840 --> 00:33:53.240 to do, 00:33:53.420 --> 00:33:54.279 here's the catch, 00:33:54.500 --> 00:33:54.980 are you listening? 00:33:55.880 --> 00:33:56.519 I want you to 00:33:56.519 --> 00:33:57.720 do whatever you 00:33:57.720 --> 00:33:59.100 think is best. 00:34:00.200 --> 00:34:02.759 but get me 00:34:02.759 --> 00:34:03.299 back to where 00:34:03.299 --> 00:34:03.740 I need to 00:34:03.740 --> 00:34:04.000 be. 00:34:06.559 --> 00:34:06.980 Secondly, 00:34:07.100 --> 00:34:07.340 I would 00:34:07.340 --> 00:34:07.940 encourage you 00:34:07.940 --> 00:34:08.579 to have 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.119 something to 00:34:09.119 --> 00:34:09.440 do with 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:09.740 the right 00:34:09.740 --> 00:34:10.360 perspective 00:34:10.360 --> 00:34:11.059 and let 00:34:11.059 --> 00:34:11.320 me just 00:34:11.320 --> 00:34:11.820 recite a 00:34:11.820 --> 00:34:12.400 passage in 00:34:12.400 --> 00:34:12.820 Colossians 00:34:12.820 --> 00:34:13.440 chapter 3, 00:34:13.599 --> 00:34:14.559 just reference 00:34:14.559 --> 00:34:15.079 it very 00:34:15.079 --> 00:34:15.699 quickly here, 00:34:15.800 --> 00:34:16.039 but in 00:34:16.039 --> 00:34:16.519 Colossians 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.179 chapter 3, 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.139 it says, 00:34:18.460 --> 00:34:18.920 if then you 00:34:18.920 --> 00:34:19.380 be risen 00:34:19.380 --> 00:34:20.119 with Christ, 00:34:20.199 --> 00:34:20.480 can anybody 00:34:20.480 --> 00:34:20.920 finish it 00:34:20.920 --> 00:34:21.240 off for 00:34:21.240 --> 00:34:21.400 me? 00:34:22.099 --> 00:34:22.920 Set your 00:34:22.920 --> 00:34:24.179 affections on 00:34:24.179 --> 00:34:24.900 things which 00:34:24.900 --> 00:34:25.579 are above. 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:25.659 love. 00:34:27.440 --> 00:34:28.319 I am 00:34:28.319 --> 00:34:31.619 struck by 00:34:31.619 --> 00:34:33.539 an unbelieving 00:34:33.539 --> 00:34:33.819 world. 00:34:34.159 --> 00:34:34.779 Judith and I 00:34:34.779 --> 00:34:36.579 are, my 00:34:36.579 --> 00:34:36.960 honey is 00:34:36.960 --> 00:34:37.360 actually going 00:34:37.360 --> 00:34:37.840 to run a 00:34:37.840 --> 00:34:38.860 5K. 00:34:39.360 --> 00:34:39.920 I'm going to 00:34:39.920 --> 00:34:40.219 be in a 00:34:40.219 --> 00:34:40.579 deacon's 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:40.779 meeting, 00:34:40.920 --> 00:34:41.139 so I 00:34:41.139 --> 00:34:41.920 understand 00:34:41.920 --> 00:34:42.179 that. 00:34:43.619 --> 00:34:45.000 But she 00:34:45.000 --> 00:34:45.340 says she's 00:34:45.340 --> 00:34:45.519 going to 00:34:45.519 --> 00:34:46.259 walk some 00:34:46.259 --> 00:34:46.759 and run 00:34:46.759 --> 00:34:46.980 some. 00:34:46.980 --> 00:34:48.819 But we're 00:34:48.819 --> 00:34:50.199 going all 00:34:50.199 --> 00:34:50.619 around these 00:34:50.619 --> 00:34:51.279 different parks, 00:34:51.380 --> 00:34:51.779 and I've got to 00:34:51.779 --> 00:34:52.119 tell you, 00:34:52.119 --> 00:34:54.179 I am struck 00:34:54.179 --> 00:34:55.480 by how 00:34:55.480 --> 00:34:56.519 addicted our 00:34:56.519 --> 00:34:57.460 culture is to 00:34:57.460 --> 00:34:57.980 athletics. 00:34:59.799 --> 00:35:00.179 I see 00:35:00.179 --> 00:35:00.819 believers who 00:35:00.819 --> 00:35:01.119 are at the 00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:01.859 altar too. 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.739 Beloved, 00:35:09.239 --> 00:35:10.159 set your 00:35:10.159 --> 00:35:10.940 affections on 00:35:10.940 --> 00:35:11.359 things that 00:35:11.359 --> 00:35:11.940 are above 00:35:11.940 --> 00:35:13.259 where Christ 00:35:13.259 --> 00:35:14.799 dwells. 00:35:16.480 --> 00:35:17.159 Third, 00:35:18.539 --> 00:35:19.319 persistence. 00:35:21.420 --> 00:35:22.099 Persistence. 00:35:22.599 --> 00:35:22.920 Prayer, 00:35:24.159 --> 00:35:24.719 perspective, 00:35:25.579 --> 00:35:26.339 and persistence. 00:35:27.659 --> 00:35:28.559 Can I tell you 00:35:28.559 --> 00:35:28.839 something? 00:35:28.960 --> 00:35:29.659 Something that is 00:35:29.659 --> 00:35:30.440 really important 00:35:30.440 --> 00:35:31.119 to you, you 00:35:31.119 --> 00:35:32.059 will ask for 00:35:32.059 --> 00:35:33.019 again and 00:35:33.019 --> 00:35:33.960 again and 00:35:33.960 --> 00:35:34.900 again and 00:35:34.900 --> 00:35:35.839 again and 00:35:35.839 --> 00:35:36.119 again. 00:35:36.199 --> 00:35:36.500 Isn't that 00:35:36.500 --> 00:35:36.679 right? 00:35:37.920 --> 00:35:38.500 If it's 00:35:38.500 --> 00:35:39.579 important, we 00:35:39.579 --> 00:35:40.819 will ask until 00:35:40.819 --> 00:35:41.739 we wear out 00:35:41.739 --> 00:35:42.619 the ear of 00:35:42.619 --> 00:35:42.980 God. 00:35:45.339 --> 00:35:46.079 Christ will 00:35:46.079 --> 00:35:46.599 not dwell 00:35:46.599 --> 00:35:47.380 comfortably in 00:35:47.380 --> 00:35:47.819 the heart of 00:35:47.819 --> 00:35:48.519 the believer that 00:35:48.519 --> 00:35:49.679 can't find time 00:35:49.679 --> 00:35:50.980 for communion and 00:35:50.980 --> 00:35:51.359 prayer. 00:35:52.119 --> 00:35:52.719 Christ will 00:35:52.719 --> 00:35:53.779 not have much 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:54.719 influence in the 00:35:54.719 --> 00:35:55.639 life that is 00:35:55.639 --> 00:35:57.599 consumed by the 00:35:57.599 --> 00:35:58.679 world and the 00:35:58.679 --> 00:35:59.799 affections of this 00:35:59.799 --> 00:36:01.000 world and things 00:36:01.000 --> 00:36:02.039 that distract the 00:36:02.039 --> 00:36:02.920 heart from the 00:36:02.920 --> 00:36:03.739 things of God. 00:36:03.920 --> 00:36:04.779 You ask yourself, 00:36:04.880 --> 00:36:05.699 when was the last 00:36:05.699 --> 00:36:06.659 time that I 00:36:06.659 --> 00:36:08.159 honestly found 00:36:08.159 --> 00:36:08.799 pleasure? 00:36:08.799 --> 00:36:09.739 I'm talking about 00:36:09.739 --> 00:36:11.880 pleasure in your 00:36:11.880 --> 00:36:13.079 quiet time with the 00:36:13.079 --> 00:36:13.400 Lord. 00:36:14.679 --> 00:36:16.059 That's an indicator of 00:36:16.059 --> 00:36:16.839 where your heart 00:36:16.839 --> 00:36:17.859 really is at. 00:36:17.900 --> 00:36:18.279 Do you understand 00:36:18.280 --> 00:36:18.580 that? 00:36:20.720 --> 00:36:21.780 I've said it so 00:36:21.780 --> 00:36:22.540 many times that I 00:36:22.540 --> 00:36:23.140 know it's redundant 00:36:23.140 --> 00:36:24.920 but I get up way 00:36:24.920 --> 00:36:26.320 before my wife does, 00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:26.840 daughter does. 00:36:27.019 --> 00:36:29.080 My wife, I have a 00:36:29.080 --> 00:36:29.820 wonderful time with 00:36:29.820 --> 00:36:30.740 the Lord but I also 00:36:30.740 --> 00:36:32.560 like Judith and I 00:36:32.560 --> 00:36:33.700 have all kinds of 00:36:33.700 --> 00:36:34.620 little ways to make 00:36:34.620 --> 00:36:35.300 her want to get out 00:36:35.300 --> 00:36:35.640 of bed. 00:36:37.200 --> 00:36:38.260 Do you know why I do 00:36:38.260 --> 00:36:38.860 those things? 00:36:40.180 --> 00:36:41.340 I like her. 00:36:42.300 --> 00:36:43.740 I want her around. 00:36:44.659 --> 00:36:45.559 And I don't mind 00:36:45.559 --> 00:36:46.219 jacking up the 00:36:46.219 --> 00:36:46.879 thermometer and 00:36:46.879 --> 00:36:47.579 temperature to kind 00:36:47.579 --> 00:36:48.179 of make the heater 00:36:48.179 --> 00:36:49.000 go off and she's 00:36:49.000 --> 00:36:49.459 sitting in there 00:36:49.459 --> 00:36:50.299 sweating in bed and 00:36:50.299 --> 00:36:51.299 she thinks, well, 00:36:51.479 --> 00:36:52.959 okay, it's the hint. 00:36:53.799 --> 00:36:55.279 And I drop the 00:36:55.279 --> 00:36:56.399 blinds, you know, 00:36:56.459 --> 00:36:57.119 because suddenly 00:36:57.119 --> 00:36:58.259 light, that's the 00:36:58.259 --> 00:36:58.959 thing I like about 00:36:58.959 --> 00:36:59.459 the summertime, 00:36:59.639 --> 00:37:00.759 you know, that it 00:37:00.759 --> 00:37:01.859 gets lighter earlier. 00:37:02.219 --> 00:37:03.179 It's harder to sleep 00:37:03.179 --> 00:37:03.519 in. 00:37:03.759 --> 00:37:04.039 You know, she, 00:37:04.179 --> 00:37:05.439 make the room dark. 00:37:05.519 --> 00:37:06.759 I said, no, the 00:37:06.759 --> 00:37:08.059 room is light, you 00:37:08.059 --> 00:37:08.199 know. 00:37:09.439 --> 00:37:10.319 But it's because, 00:37:11.119 --> 00:37:13.619 so, beloved, where's 00:37:13.619 --> 00:37:14.299 your relationship 00:37:14.299 --> 00:37:15.000 with Christ? 00:37:15.139 --> 00:37:15.980 When was the last 00:37:15.980 --> 00:37:16.400 time? 00:37:17.179 --> 00:37:18.219 When was the last 00:37:18.219 --> 00:37:19.319 time that you found 00:37:19.319 --> 00:37:21.299 satisfaction in your 00:37:21.299 --> 00:37:22.980 time with the living 00:37:22.980 --> 00:37:24.359 God and Savior of 00:37:24.359 --> 00:37:24.940 your life? 00:37:27.480 --> 00:37:28.920 He does not deserve 00:37:28.920 --> 00:37:30.380 to be treated with 00:37:30.380 --> 00:37:31.219 just kind of some 00:37:31.219 --> 00:37:33.359 functional duty that 00:37:33.359 --> 00:37:34.900 you obligate yourself 00:37:34.900 --> 00:37:36.139 to accomplish and 00:37:36.139 --> 00:37:37.440 then move quickly on 00:37:37.440 --> 00:37:38.279 because there are 00:37:38.279 --> 00:37:38.980 other important 00:37:38.980 --> 00:37:39.920 things to do. 00:37:39.920 --> 00:37:44.440 persist in 00:37:44.440 --> 00:37:44.920 pleading, 00:37:46.659 --> 00:37:47.280 persist in 00:37:47.280 --> 00:37:47.740 reading, 00:37:49.280 --> 00:37:49.940 persist in 00:37:49.940 --> 00:37:50.440 pursuing. 00:37:52.119 --> 00:37:52.539 And you know 00:37:52.539 --> 00:37:52.800 what? 00:37:54.500 --> 00:37:55.579 Christ will dwell 00:37:55.579 --> 00:37:57.840 in you, 00:37:59.119 --> 00:38:00.760 in the inner man, 00:38:01.760 --> 00:38:03.920 and satisfy you 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:07.500 far more than 00:38:07.500 --> 00:38:08.900 any other 00:38:08.900 --> 00:38:10.280 thing or 00:38:10.280 --> 00:38:11.599 person in 00:38:11.599 --> 00:38:13.000 this life. 00:38:17.000 --> 00:38:17.800 Let's pray. 00:38:24.280 --> 00:38:24.720 Without 00:38:24.720 --> 00:38:25.360 anybody looking 00:38:25.360 --> 00:38:25.900 around this 00:38:25.900 --> 00:38:26.420 morning, I want 00:38:26.420 --> 00:38:26.940 to ask you a 00:38:26.940 --> 00:38:27.880 quiet question that 00:38:27.880 --> 00:38:28.960 you think about in 00:38:28.960 --> 00:38:29.700 your own heart. 00:38:29.699 --> 00:38:32.699 where is your 00:38:32.699 --> 00:38:35.659 love for Christ? 00:38:39.859 --> 00:38:41.119 Is he of 00:38:41.119 --> 00:38:42.079 preeminence? 00:38:43.259 --> 00:38:46.819 Does he dwell as 00:38:46.819 --> 00:38:48.079 the supreme and 00:38:48.079 --> 00:38:49.239 significant one in 00:38:49.239 --> 00:38:50.279 your heart and life? 00:38:50.519 --> 00:38:52.939 Or is your heart and 00:38:52.939 --> 00:38:54.059 the ambitions of your 00:38:54.059 --> 00:38:55.939 soul consumed with 00:38:55.939 --> 00:38:58.139 every other thing? 00:38:59.699 --> 00:39:01.000 I would plead with 00:39:01.000 --> 00:39:01.759 you this morning if 00:39:01.759 --> 00:39:02.659 the Spirit of God is 00:39:02.659 --> 00:39:03.579 convicting you that 00:39:03.579 --> 00:39:04.759 you quietly attend to 00:39:04.759 --> 00:39:05.599 that where you sit. 00:39:08.500 --> 00:39:09.399 And if it would be of 00:39:09.399 --> 00:39:10.119 help to you, I would 00:39:10.119 --> 00:39:10.939 encourage you to raise 00:39:10.939 --> 00:39:11.519 your hand and say, 00:39:11.599 --> 00:39:12.419 Pastor, that's me. 00:39:12.679 --> 00:39:14.559 I need to rededicate my 00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.559 heart to pursuing 00:39:15.559 --> 00:39:17.299 Christ and having him 00:39:17.299 --> 00:39:18.239 dwell within. 00:39:19.739 --> 00:39:21.139 And I put myself on 00:39:21.139 --> 00:39:22.179 notice, yes, this 00:39:22.179 --> 00:39:24.099 morning, yes, yes. 00:39:24.139 --> 00:39:26.059 I want Christ to have 00:39:26.059 --> 00:39:26.939 first place. 00:39:28.039 --> 00:39:28.480 Yes. 00:39:28.480 --> 00:39:29.439 Anybody else? 00:39:30.679 --> 00:39:31.619 Anybody else? 00:39:34.759 --> 00:39:35.679 If you're here this 00:39:35.679 --> 00:39:36.939 morning and you do not 00:39:36.939 --> 00:39:37.839 know Christ as your 00:39:37.839 --> 00:39:39.079 personal Savior, yes, 00:39:39.480 --> 00:39:39.939 yes. 00:39:40.879 --> 00:39:42.039 I would plead with you 00:39:42.039 --> 00:39:43.099 that this morning is the 00:39:43.099 --> 00:39:45.339 day to repent of your 00:39:45.339 --> 00:39:46.519 sins and trust in the 00:39:46.519 --> 00:39:47.839 living God who sent his 00:39:47.839 --> 00:39:49.719 son, Jesus Christ, to be 00:39:49.719 --> 00:39:50.179 your Savior. 00:39:51.500 --> 00:39:52.619 And if that's the need 00:39:52.619 --> 00:39:53.659 of your heart, you need 00:39:53.659 --> 00:39:54.879 salvation this morning, 00:39:54.939 --> 00:39:55.779 would you slip your hand 00:39:55.779 --> 00:39:57.119 up where you are and 00:39:57.119 --> 00:39:59.039 just say, I need Jesus 00:39:59.039 --> 00:40:00.400 as my Savior and put your 00:40:00.400 --> 00:40:01.099 hand back down. 00:40:03.799 --> 00:40:06.179 Father, you know our 00:40:06.179 --> 00:40:06.599 hearts. 00:40:07.940 --> 00:40:09.219 You know our needs. 00:40:10.420 --> 00:40:11.880 Do not let our arrogance 00:40:11.880 --> 00:40:13.319 and our pride interfere 00:40:13.319 --> 00:40:15.099 this morning with the 00:40:15.099 --> 00:40:16.739 sweet blessing that comes 00:40:16.739 --> 00:40:17.519 with humility. 00:40:17.519 --> 00:40:21.219 rekindle our affections 00:40:21.219 --> 00:40:23.420 for Christ. 00:40:24.059 --> 00:40:24.980 We ask it in your 00:40:24.980 --> 00:40:25.719 precious name. 00:40:26.119 --> 00:40:26.360 Amen. 00:40:26.360 --> 00:40:26.480 Amen. 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:26.920 00:40:26.920 --> 00:40:56.900 Thank you.