WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:06.480 You are listening to a message from Southwood Presbyterian Church in Huntsville, Alabama. 00:00:06.980 --> 00:00:09.540 Our passion is to experience and express grace. 00:00:10.080 --> 00:00:10.620 Join us. 00:00:13.400 --> 00:00:17.760 Turn with me, if you will, to Ephesians chapter 5, Ephesians 5. 00:00:18.780 --> 00:00:23.839 We've been studying through the book of Ephesians, and Paul is continuing in the passage before 00:00:23.839 --> 00:00:28.760 us this morning his discussion of the new life that God has created us for. 00:00:28.760 --> 00:00:37.600 For us as the church, connected in Christ, to be the kind of peculiar people, the unique 00:00:37.600 --> 00:00:40.640 community that God intends for us to be. 00:00:40.980 --> 00:00:47.000 And we come this morning to a particularly challenging passage, to one that speaks very 00:00:47.000 --> 00:00:51.620 relevantly into our lives today and will give us much needed direction. 00:00:52.180 --> 00:00:55.380 Let's give our attention to the reading of God's holy word. 00:00:55.380 --> 00:01:04.480 True and relevant generation after generation, century after century, because it is His word. 00:01:05.060 --> 00:01:08.219 God's word, Ephesians chapter 5 at verse 1. 00:01:08.219 --> 00:01:16.299 Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children, and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave 00:01:16.299 --> 00:01:20.579 Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:01:21.640 --> 00:01:28.299 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper 00:01:28.299 --> 00:01:29.219 among saints. 00:01:29.960 --> 00:01:36.560 Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor crude joking which are out of place, but instead 00:01:36.560 --> 00:01:37.859 let there be thanksgiving. 00:01:38.980 --> 00:01:44.200 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is 00:01:44.200 --> 00:01:49.719 covetous, that is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 00:01:50.400 --> 00:01:55.379 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes 00:01:55.379 --> 00:01:57.240 upon the sons of disobedience. 00:01:57.239 --> 00:02:00.319 Therefore, do not associate with them. 00:02:01.439 --> 00:02:05.979 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:02:06.399 --> 00:02:11.019 Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right 00:02:11.019 --> 00:02:11.639 and true. 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.199 And try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:02:16.219 --> 00:02:21.439 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them, for it is shameful even 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:23.719 to speak of the things that they do in secret. 00:02:23.719 --> 00:02:27.859 But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible. 00:02:28.719 --> 00:02:30.860 For anything that becomes visible is light. 00:02:31.960 --> 00:02:36.280 Therefore, it says, awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you. 00:02:37.840 --> 00:02:43.319 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise, making the best use of the time, 00:02:43.379 --> 00:02:44.639 because the days are evil. 00:02:45.520 --> 00:02:50.120 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:02:50.780 --> 00:02:51.539 Will you pray with me? 00:02:51.539 --> 00:02:56.939 Father, these are indeed your words. 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:02.479 And so, Holy Spirit, we ask you to come and to teach us. 00:03:03.359 --> 00:03:08.879 We need your spirit, Father, or we will not understand. 00:03:09.519 --> 00:03:12.699 We need you to open our eyes, to soften our hearts, 00:03:12.939 --> 00:03:18.159 to make us those who would desire to submit ourselves to your word. 00:03:18.159 --> 00:03:19.579 Would you speak? 00:03:20.219 --> 00:03:23.439 Would you speak to each of us, and would you change us? 00:03:23.560 --> 00:03:25.819 We ask for Jesus' sake. 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:27.139 Amen. 00:03:29.680 --> 00:03:33.579 My first semester of college was a confusing one for me. 00:03:34.460 --> 00:03:41.939 I was confused by why the cute girl in front of me in Western Civ kept making better grades than I did. 00:03:41.939 --> 00:03:46.039 So I did the only reasonable thing there was to do, and married her. 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:53.579 I was confused how you could gain so much weight so quickly on an unlimited meal plan. 00:03:54.020 --> 00:03:56.079 I'd never thought about that before. 00:03:56.659 --> 00:04:03.419 But I was confused mostly about what it looked like to engage in new and different relationships. 00:04:03.819 --> 00:04:05.139 Lots of new relationships. 00:04:05.139 --> 00:04:10.439 For me, I'd grown up in what you might call a Christian bubble, so to speak. 00:04:10.779 --> 00:04:17.819 My dad's a pastor, so I spent a lot of time at church, around a lot of church people, and that was wonderful. 00:04:18.439 --> 00:04:22.339 I was homeschooled for a while and went to a Christian school through high school. 00:04:22.539 --> 00:04:30.079 So most of the friends that I spent a lot of time with were also professing faith in Jesus and wanting to follow Him. 00:04:30.079 --> 00:04:34.479 And there were many wonderful things about that that I'm very, very thankful for. 00:04:35.339 --> 00:04:38.159 It was also one of the reasons I was eager to go to Clemson. 00:04:38.839 --> 00:04:44.000 I wanted to see if what I believed could actually survive outside the bubble. 00:04:44.459 --> 00:04:51.240 If I could go to a place where there were people who were different from me, who believed different things, who acted differently, 00:04:51.459 --> 00:04:52.860 and to see how that would go. 00:04:52.939 --> 00:04:54.360 I was looking forward to that. 00:04:54.459 --> 00:04:56.819 I was eager for that opportunity. 00:04:56.819 --> 00:05:03.279 And so my first semester, after, of course, getting involved with RUF, our denomination's wonderful campus ministry, 00:05:04.120 --> 00:05:08.060 I went to meet somebody else who didn't think everything that I had thought when I was growing up. 00:05:08.139 --> 00:05:10.420 So I joined the student newspaper staff. 00:05:11.139 --> 00:05:14.159 And through that first semester, I started spending a lot of time with them. 00:05:14.240 --> 00:05:19.159 Lots of late nights, meeting deadlines, parties, hanging out, and so on. 00:05:19.319 --> 00:05:21.240 And I really enjoyed it. 00:05:21.560 --> 00:05:24.719 But I realized quickly, these people were very different from me. 00:05:24.720 --> 00:05:27.780 They didn't believe the things that I believed. 00:05:27.900 --> 00:05:29.100 They had different beliefs. 00:05:29.360 --> 00:05:31.700 They laughed at different jokes. 00:05:31.960 --> 00:05:34.180 They drank different drinks. 00:05:34.740 --> 00:05:36.180 They talked differently. 00:05:36.540 --> 00:05:39.680 And I remember starting to get really confused about that. 00:05:40.020 --> 00:05:43.520 And I went to a guy who was a senior in RUF that I really respected. 00:05:43.660 --> 00:05:45.880 And I said, hey, man, help me figure this out. 00:05:45.879 --> 00:05:48.959 Like, I came here for these relationships. 00:05:49.360 --> 00:05:54.639 But I also know the Bible says things like bad company corrupts good character. 00:05:54.920 --> 00:05:57.540 And what fellowship does light have with darkness? 00:05:57.899 --> 00:05:59.639 And so am I doing this right? 00:05:59.759 --> 00:06:01.199 Like, should I quit the newspaper? 00:06:01.339 --> 00:06:06.219 Do I need to stop hanging out with people who disagree with me about things and have different beliefs? 00:06:06.719 --> 00:06:08.800 I'm wondering how this works. 00:06:09.139 --> 00:06:12.779 How is it that I figure out these new relationships? 00:06:12.779 --> 00:06:22.179 I was wrestling in real life with a dilemma that Christians often describe as being in the world, but not of the world. 00:06:22.299 --> 00:06:24.639 You may have heard that phrase used before. 00:06:24.919 --> 00:06:27.279 It's not simply a struggle you run into in college. 00:06:28.000 --> 00:06:32.059 Paul tells the Ephesians in this passage, the days are evil. 00:06:32.839 --> 00:06:35.759 And there's plenty of darkness in our culture too, right? 00:06:35.759 --> 00:06:41.379 I suspect all of us have wrestled with issues like this in our society today. 00:06:41.779 --> 00:06:45.279 Should I as a Christian be just like everyone around me? 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:50.800 Do I have to be weird and awkward in order to be a Christian? 00:06:51.000 --> 00:06:56.719 Can I watch this or laugh at that or be on this board or foster these relationships? 00:06:57.199 --> 00:07:00.019 Am I able to do that and be a follower of Christ? 00:07:00.019 --> 00:07:06.240 If you haven't struggled with any of these things yourself, you may have for your kids. 00:07:07.719 --> 00:07:10.680 Oh man, what am I going to let my kids participate in? 00:07:11.019 --> 00:07:13.599 How am I going to teach my kids holiness? 00:07:13.859 --> 00:07:21.379 How to be followers of Christ without being hokey and just weird and nobody wants to be around them? 00:07:21.799 --> 00:07:22.939 How do I do that? 00:07:22.979 --> 00:07:24.779 How do I help my kids navigate that? 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:30.279 The list could go on and on of difficult situations that are tough for us to navigate. 00:07:30.959 --> 00:07:35.099 And it's actually something that's very important to our holy God. 00:07:35.479 --> 00:07:39.099 God's holiness, remember, being His otherness. 00:07:39.219 --> 00:07:41.359 That He's different from us. 00:07:41.679 --> 00:07:43.659 His separateness from sin. 00:07:43.759 --> 00:07:45.199 His utter purity. 00:07:45.359 --> 00:07:46.679 That's who He is. 00:07:47.219 --> 00:07:50.339 And this passage tells us to live as His holy children. 00:07:51.279 --> 00:07:53.019 To be like Him, right? 00:07:53.019 --> 00:07:53.099 Right? 00:07:53.459 --> 00:07:56.500 As the new, different people He has made us to be. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:08:00.979 I'm going to go ahead and tell you up front, it's not going to give us all the detailed, 00:08:01.259 --> 00:08:04.399 specific answers to all the questions that we have. 00:08:04.899 --> 00:08:10.099 But it does give us instructions and direction from our Father on what our lives as His children 00:08:10.099 --> 00:08:11.799 are to look like. 00:08:12.959 --> 00:08:18.399 The first thing God tells us as His children is to guard what your heart treasures. 00:08:19.560 --> 00:08:21.339 Guard what your heart treasures. 00:08:21.339 --> 00:08:24.959 I'll show you where Paul gets there in this passage. 00:08:25.119 --> 00:08:29.299 But to get there, Paul jumps immediately into our sexuality. 00:08:29.479 --> 00:08:30.479 Look at verse 3. 00:08:31.219 --> 00:08:37.319 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you as is proper 00:08:37.319 --> 00:08:38.179 among saints. 00:08:38.740 --> 00:08:43.339 Let there be no filthiness, nor foolish talk, nor crude joking which are out of place. 00:08:43.819 --> 00:08:45.720 But instead, let there be thanksgiving. 00:08:45.720 --> 00:08:52.279 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure or who is covetous, 00:08:52.379 --> 00:08:57.960 that is an idolater, has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:00.019 He starts right in there. 00:09:00.080 --> 00:09:01.060 These are God's words. 00:09:01.759 --> 00:09:04.399 Not my good advice on how to live as God's children. 00:09:04.399 --> 00:09:05.720 God's words. 00:09:05.860 --> 00:09:13.199 And the words He uses here are the broad and general ones that refer to any sexuality outside 00:09:13.199 --> 00:09:14.740 of the covenant of marriage. 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:19.699 In fact, He even goes beyond sexuality in both of the lists that He gives here. 00:09:20.279 --> 00:09:23.899 Those not in God's kingdom, He says, include the covetous. 00:09:24.299 --> 00:09:28.600 The word that we've talked about before for being continually greedy for more. 00:09:29.079 --> 00:09:32.199 Seeking fulfillment even beyond sexual issues. 00:09:32.200 --> 00:09:35.980 One brief side note for us here. 00:09:36.340 --> 00:09:39.040 You'll hear verses like this quoted a lot. 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:40.780 You may have heard them recently. 00:09:40.960 --> 00:09:45.520 They've been around social media a lot in days after the recent Supreme Court decision 00:09:45.520 --> 00:09:46.240 on marriage. 00:09:48.060 --> 00:09:54.820 Other verses like this that are similar to this with a list of sins and with God saying, 00:09:55.000 --> 00:10:00.040 people such as this will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven or inherit the kingdom 00:10:00.040 --> 00:10:01.460 of Christ and of God. 00:10:01.460 --> 00:10:08.360 Do use terms that refer to particular misuses of God's gift of sexuality. 00:10:08.740 --> 00:10:13.879 Including those that have become controversial in our country in recent years. 00:10:14.680 --> 00:10:19.240 Places like 1 Corinthians use words that are more specific than the ones here. 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:26.759 God tells us in His word clearly that He has designed this beautiful gift of sex for 00:10:26.759 --> 00:10:29.740 one man and one woman in the covenant of marriage. 00:10:29.740 --> 00:10:36.919 And there are many things that could be said and should be said in regards to these issues. 00:10:37.120 --> 00:10:44.799 And how we both think biblically and at the same time love generously in our culture and 00:10:44.799 --> 00:10:48.799 with our neighbors and friends regarding these issues. 00:10:48.799 --> 00:10:51.579 We want truth and love to connect there. 00:10:51.579 --> 00:10:56.039 And so often we fail and we're better at one than the other. 00:10:56.439 --> 00:10:58.419 And that's a whole other conversation. 00:10:58.599 --> 00:11:00.819 But I want us to be very careful on this point. 00:11:01.919 --> 00:11:07.799 These verses in Ephesians remind us that those more particular words that are in some verses 00:11:07.799 --> 00:11:11.399 that are in some verses are never alone in these lists. 00:11:12.179 --> 00:11:20.139 Your and my crude joking, lustful hearts, impurity and so on are out of place, 00:11:20.879 --> 00:11:23.259 are against God's design, 00:11:23.659 --> 00:11:27.259 and can reveal hearts that are seeking fulfillment 00:11:27.259 --> 00:11:31.080 in doing things our way rather than His. 00:11:32.399 --> 00:11:35.500 That's the air we breathe in our culture these days, isn't it? 00:11:36.019 --> 00:11:37.779 Materialism, immorality. 00:11:37.899 --> 00:11:39.700 It was the same way in Ephesus. 00:11:40.319 --> 00:11:45.500 All around us, we're greedy for more of all sorts of things, aren't we? 00:11:46.439 --> 00:11:51.059 And because such sin is increasingly normal and is everywhere you turn, 00:11:51.439 --> 00:11:53.679 sometimes we can assume it's harmless. 00:11:53.679 --> 00:11:55.579 Well, it's all over the place. 00:11:55.679 --> 00:11:57.039 It must be harmless. 00:11:57.659 --> 00:12:00.519 But we dare not downplay the seriousness. 00:12:01.139 --> 00:12:04.059 Paul says these things have eternal consequences. 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:07.339 They incite the wrath of a holy God. 00:12:09.019 --> 00:12:14.339 I think sometimes we in our circles ignore the seriousness of materialism, 00:12:15.379 --> 00:12:18.799 immorality, greed, lust. 00:12:19.439 --> 00:12:21.819 By two right and good things. 00:12:21.819 --> 00:12:23.579 There's probably a number of ways we do it, 00:12:23.580 --> 00:12:27.800 but at least two that Reformed Presbyterians are prone to do. 00:12:28.220 --> 00:12:32.460 We misuse, first of all, the truth of God's grace and forgiveness. 00:12:34.379 --> 00:12:36.720 We say to ourselves things like, 00:12:37.400 --> 00:12:41.520 well, if I cross the line a little here or indulge a little there, 00:12:41.680 --> 00:12:44.620 it's not that bad because God always forgives. 00:12:44.620 --> 00:12:49.120 I won't go into that again this morning, but that's true. 00:12:49.419 --> 00:12:50.500 He does forgive. 00:12:50.840 --> 00:12:54.620 But it's not grace you're talking about if it's not transforming your heart 00:12:54.620 --> 00:12:58.159 and making you love the things that your Father loves. 00:12:59.899 --> 00:13:05.259 Or secondly, we do it by misusing the priority of cultural engagement. 00:13:05.259 --> 00:13:12.639 We know we Reformed Christians love to talk about engaging the culture and redeeming the culture. 00:13:12.740 --> 00:13:15.000 We're supposed to be in the world, right? 00:13:15.319 --> 00:13:17.279 And so we'll use that. 00:13:17.539 --> 00:13:19.899 And we've got to be in the world. 00:13:20.139 --> 00:13:21.220 That's so true. 00:13:21.220 --> 00:13:27.740 But as true as it is, when we use it as an excuse to treat sin lightly, it's deadly. 00:13:29.279 --> 00:13:32.600 We say things like, I just wanted to see what was out there, you know, 00:13:32.680 --> 00:13:34.840 what people are dealing with in the culture. 00:13:35.540 --> 00:13:39.060 I've got to have something to connect with the guys at work about. 00:13:39.740 --> 00:13:43.480 How will I be funny if I don't mix in some of those jokes anymore? 00:13:43.660 --> 00:13:46.360 It's what I always make people laugh about. 00:13:47.600 --> 00:13:49.120 And Paul says, stop it. 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.960 Stop. 00:13:51.220 --> 00:13:51.660 Stop. 00:13:52.340 --> 00:13:53.920 There's no room for that. 00:13:55.100 --> 00:13:57.860 And listen, Paul's not here gone off the reservation. 00:13:58.460 --> 00:14:00.600 Paul is the apostle of grace, right? 00:14:01.180 --> 00:14:02.460 Not some legalist. 00:14:03.820 --> 00:14:06.480 Paul is the author of cultural engagement, 00:14:06.800 --> 00:14:08.779 that we would be all things to all men, 00:14:08.840 --> 00:14:10.960 that by any means we might save some. 00:14:11.300 --> 00:14:14.120 He's not some isolationist. 00:14:14.399 --> 00:14:15.920 Remove yourself from the world. 00:14:16.399 --> 00:14:21.100 And Paul says, let no one deceive you with empty words. 00:14:21.220 --> 00:14:24.960 That make these things seem harmless or tame. 00:14:25.960 --> 00:14:26.420 Why? 00:14:26.420 --> 00:14:28.080 Why is he so concerned? 00:14:28.460 --> 00:14:30.960 Why is Paul worked up about this? 00:14:31.180 --> 00:14:33.300 He's concerned about our hearts, isn't he? 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:35.660 He's saying guard your hearts. 00:14:35.659 --> 00:14:38.699 It's idolatry he's warning against, isn't it? 00:14:38.699 --> 00:14:46.299 Those who desire more and more stuff, those who covet more and more money, those who crave more and more sex, 00:14:47.299 --> 00:14:48.279 are idolaters. 00:14:49.120 --> 00:14:49.719 Verse 5. 00:14:49.980 --> 00:14:52.719 Are worshiping something ahead of God. 00:14:52.720 --> 00:15:02.800 One way to describe idolatry is when you're looking to anything else for what you should only get from God. 00:15:03.399 --> 00:15:04.420 Say that again. 00:15:04.759 --> 00:15:12.160 Idolatry is looking to anything else for what you should only get from God. 00:15:12.159 --> 00:15:12.439 God. 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:16.980 I've told you my heart is capable of making an idol out of donuts. 00:15:17.399 --> 00:15:17.600 Right? 00:15:18.360 --> 00:15:25.059 Out of things that we think will get comfort and fulfillment and pleasure from when we should be driven to God. 00:15:25.179 --> 00:15:28.559 And we go to anything else and say it's that that I need more of. 00:15:28.759 --> 00:15:32.139 My heart wants that more than it wants God in this moment. 00:15:32.139 --> 00:15:39.319 It's why God says in this passage the antidote to the crude talk and the filthiness is what? 00:15:39.639 --> 00:15:40.399 What is it? 00:15:41.360 --> 00:15:45.559 Instead of crude talk and filthiness, let there be thanksgiving? 00:15:46.080 --> 00:15:46.879 What's he saying? 00:15:47.659 --> 00:15:48.299 Thanksgiving. 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:51.259 Worship of God. 00:15:51.600 --> 00:15:58.220 Thanking Him, for instance, for His good gift of sex rather than selfishly using it for our own ends. 00:15:58.620 --> 00:16:01.399 Finding your fulfillment in Him alone. 00:16:01.399 --> 00:16:02.360 Worshiping. 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.159 Valuing Him above all else. 00:16:05.539 --> 00:16:06.980 Treasuring God in your heart. 00:16:07.240 --> 00:16:08.399 That's what Paul's after. 00:16:08.759 --> 00:16:13.459 Guards your heart against other things that would creep in to take His place. 00:16:14.579 --> 00:16:19.120 It's not just physical sin, he says, but where do your eyes and your tongue lead your heart? 00:16:21.039 --> 00:16:22.959 Paul says make no room for it. 00:16:24.279 --> 00:16:25.939 But do we make room for it? 00:16:26.299 --> 00:16:27.539 In our conversations? 00:16:29.399 --> 00:16:31.360 In the privacy of our own homes? 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:34.399 In the longings of our hearts? 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:36.659 Where have you made room for it? 00:16:38.360 --> 00:16:40.000 There's danger there. 00:16:40.699 --> 00:16:45.000 And if no one has ever warned you, hear God's word clearly this morning. 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:50.220 There is grave danger in anything else displacing God in your heart. 00:16:51.179 --> 00:16:53.399 Anything else taking His place. 00:16:53.960 --> 00:16:54.419 Danger. 00:16:54.600 --> 00:16:56.559 The bridge is out ahead. 00:16:57.700 --> 00:16:58.899 What is it for you? 00:16:59.340 --> 00:17:02.480 Is it someone or something you're gazing at? 00:17:03.740 --> 00:17:05.640 Is it things you constantly talk about? 00:17:06.140 --> 00:17:08.000 Something you long to have? 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:16.599 I gotta tell you, some of the things we talk about and complain about in regard to our material possessions 00:17:16.599 --> 00:17:20.200 are as obscene as the jokes that we won't laugh at. 00:17:20.200 --> 00:17:22.299 And we miss it. 00:17:22.299 --> 00:17:23.500 We don't see it. 00:17:23.539 --> 00:17:28.180 It's become normal and we don't realize the hold that it has on our hearts. 00:17:28.799 --> 00:17:30.240 You see, that's what this verse means. 00:17:30.680 --> 00:17:34.920 Is it really saying that everyone who's slipped up sexually is going to hell? 00:17:35.080 --> 00:17:39.660 That there's no forgiveness for sins in the categories listed here in this passage? 00:17:39.660 --> 00:17:41.040 Is that what he's saying? 00:17:41.779 --> 00:17:42.300 No. 00:17:42.779 --> 00:17:44.600 No, that's not what Paul's saying. 00:17:44.960 --> 00:17:50.580 It's talking about people who have set their hearts on seeking fulfillment apart from God. 00:17:51.019 --> 00:17:59.220 Who have unabashedly and unrepentantly pursued their own means of finding life and won't turn back. 00:18:00.740 --> 00:18:06.500 He uses light and darkness to make a similar point about our hearts in verses 7 and 8. 00:18:06.500 --> 00:18:11.240 He says, don't become partners with them. 00:18:12.220 --> 00:18:15.819 At one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. 00:18:16.140 --> 00:18:17.700 Walk as children of light. 00:18:18.299 --> 00:18:21.440 When he says, don't become partners with them, 00:18:21.859 --> 00:18:26.619 he means don't share their values and pursue their goals. 00:18:26.740 --> 00:18:28.759 Not never be seen with them. 00:18:29.400 --> 00:18:31.220 The word goes to our hearts. 00:18:31.680 --> 00:18:32.599 What do we treasure? 00:18:32.759 --> 00:18:34.180 What do we prioritize? 00:18:34.180 --> 00:18:39.120 And again here, God's children are called to guard their hearts. 00:18:40.460 --> 00:18:45.600 Not, mind you, because they're better than someone else. 00:18:46.759 --> 00:18:49.200 But because he has called them to be different. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:51.460 We're not the source of light. 00:18:52.259 --> 00:18:54.440 We're reflecting light. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:56.740 We're now light in the Lord. 00:18:57.000 --> 00:19:02.220 Even though we struggle with sin, just the same as others, we know the sin, don't we? 00:19:02.220 --> 00:19:07.559 It's not that we're better, it's that God has changed something about us. 00:19:08.240 --> 00:19:10.900 We do have an inheritance in the kingdom of God. 00:19:11.160 --> 00:19:14.940 He's not looking to pounce on his children for a sin this afternoon. 00:19:15.680 --> 00:19:19.319 But he's calling them to guard what their hearts treasure. 00:19:21.039 --> 00:19:25.539 The example of Moses mentioned in Hebrews 11 is instructive for us. 00:19:25.940 --> 00:19:26.680 You remember Moses? 00:19:26.680 --> 00:19:31.560 Do you remember when Moses was born, his mom placed him in a basket and put him out among 00:19:31.560 --> 00:19:35.279 the reeds so that he wouldn't get killed along with the other Hebrew children? 00:19:35.460 --> 00:19:37.620 And who finds Moses in the reeds? 00:19:39.259 --> 00:19:40.060 Pharaoh's daughter. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:45.539 The princess finds Moses, raises him as prince of Egypt, right? 00:19:45.799 --> 00:19:46.700 At least you've seen the movie. 00:19:47.039 --> 00:19:49.480 Okay, so here he is, prince of Egypt. 00:19:49.480 --> 00:19:52.700 And what happens with Moses as he grows up? 00:19:52.759 --> 00:20:00.440 He chooses to side with the oppressed, miserable people of God instead of enjoying life in the 00:20:00.440 --> 00:20:00.759 palace. 00:20:00.900 --> 00:20:02.799 Here's how Hebrews talks about it. 00:20:03.519 --> 00:20:08.240 By faith, Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, 00:20:08.700 --> 00:20:14.279 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures 00:20:14.279 --> 00:20:15.200 of sin. 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:21.680 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he 00:20:21.680 --> 00:20:23.920 was looking to the reward. 00:20:25.559 --> 00:20:30.539 Why was Moses able to deny himself temporal comfort and pleasure? 00:20:30.759 --> 00:20:35.920 Because his heart was fixed on an eternal home, something he was looking forward to, something 00:20:35.920 --> 00:20:36.840 worth more. 00:20:37.299 --> 00:20:42.140 The reproach of Christ greater than the riches of Egypt. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.400 Wow. 00:20:45.200 --> 00:20:48.039 Father, change my heart. 00:20:48.980 --> 00:20:50.400 Make me long for that. 00:20:50.519 --> 00:20:53.580 Make me treasure you more. 00:20:54.819 --> 00:20:57.220 Don't you long to treasure him like that? 00:20:58.340 --> 00:21:03.920 At this point, I think if you're tracking with me, you're ready to take yourself and your 00:21:03.920 --> 00:21:12.039 family, get in a hole somewhere in the ground, cover up, never see a mall or a computer or a 00:21:12.039 --> 00:21:13.539 catalog ever again. 00:21:13.539 --> 00:21:15.700 And I get that. 00:21:15.819 --> 00:21:17.639 I've got three young daughters. 00:21:18.259 --> 00:21:21.639 And there are many days where that option makes a lot of sense to me. 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.960 It seems very logical. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:24.960 Seems like a great idea. 00:21:25.299 --> 00:21:26.920 We'll wait for Jesus to come back. 00:21:27.460 --> 00:21:29.920 We'll be in the hole in the ground when he gets here. 00:21:29.920 --> 00:21:34.900 But God says, I've actually got a harder path for you. 00:21:35.519 --> 00:21:39.880 Guard what your heart treasures and exercise godly wisdom. 00:21:40.220 --> 00:21:41.160 Look at verse 9. 00:21:42.759 --> 00:21:47.460 Walk as children of light, for the fruit of light is found in all that's good and right 00:21:47.460 --> 00:21:47.900 and true. 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:49.360 And try to do what? 00:21:49.359 --> 00:21:52.139 To discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 00:21:52.259 --> 00:21:54.339 Verse 15 says it a different way. 00:21:54.799 --> 00:22:00.279 Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time 00:22:00.279 --> 00:22:01.539 because the days are evil. 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:05.619 Therefore, don't be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 00:22:07.119 --> 00:22:08.059 Good news. 00:22:09.419 --> 00:22:11.479 Apparently, how you live matters. 00:22:12.699 --> 00:22:13.879 God cares about it. 00:22:13.939 --> 00:22:14.599 It's important. 00:22:15.079 --> 00:22:15.939 It's a big deal. 00:22:15.939 --> 00:22:18.219 But it's not simple. 00:22:18.220 --> 00:22:23.100 God's doing something magnificent in the world with eternal consequences. 00:22:23.299 --> 00:22:27.440 And the decisions you make and the actions you take are significant in that. 00:22:29.000 --> 00:22:30.740 You're to look carefully at how you live. 00:22:30.819 --> 00:22:32.360 To make the most of opportunities. 00:22:32.559 --> 00:22:35.279 To seek after God's will in each situation. 00:22:36.460 --> 00:22:37.559 But it's hard, isn't it? 00:22:37.620 --> 00:22:38.600 It's not simple. 00:22:39.339 --> 00:22:45.019 The rest of the light and dark verses remind us it's not simply run away and hide from the 00:22:45.019 --> 00:22:45.259 world. 00:22:45.380 --> 00:22:47.039 The hole in the ground approach. 00:22:47.039 --> 00:22:50.399 But actually bring light into darkness. 00:22:51.259 --> 00:22:57.659 Expose it, the passage says, by which the word actually means bring light into darkness, 00:22:57.859 --> 00:23:00.059 thereby making it visible. 00:23:00.460 --> 00:23:01.240 Exposing it. 00:23:01.559 --> 00:23:03.440 Showing what's right and true. 00:23:04.740 --> 00:23:06.899 But in every situation, redeem the time. 00:23:07.420 --> 00:23:10.659 Discern God's will without a specific detailed list. 00:23:10.660 --> 00:23:11.340 There's no list. 00:23:11.980 --> 00:23:13.320 There's no list, is there? 00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:17.080 Paul doesn't go into everything. 00:23:17.160 --> 00:23:17.900 When to speak. 00:23:18.460 --> 00:23:19.360 When to be silent. 00:23:19.480 --> 00:23:20.320 That seems hard. 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:24.640 What about what movies to watch and what movies not to watch? 00:23:25.019 --> 00:23:25.900 What's too much? 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.800 What's not enough? 00:23:28.060 --> 00:23:29.120 There's no list. 00:23:29.660 --> 00:23:32.360 So godly wisdom is required. 00:23:32.359 --> 00:23:36.699 And so that means being suspect of our natural desires. 00:23:37.219 --> 00:23:37.979 Here's what I mean. 00:23:39.419 --> 00:23:44.559 Our instinct, our tendency is to know that there are all these issues in the middle. 00:23:45.079 --> 00:23:47.119 We sometimes call them wisdom issues. 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:51.179 There's no clear black and white, right and wrong on all of these things. 00:23:51.180 --> 00:23:53.160 And so what do we naturally do? 00:23:54.000 --> 00:23:58.279 Instead of exercising godly wisdom, we justify our natural desires, don't we? 00:23:58.620 --> 00:24:02.960 We think this is my personal preference, so it's a wisdom issue. 00:24:03.240 --> 00:24:06.160 I just do it the way that seems right to me. 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:12.700 Rather than seeking godly wisdom that might challenge or stretch our personal preferences. 00:24:14.160 --> 00:24:15.920 For example, think this morning. 00:24:15.920 --> 00:24:22.779 How did it make you feel when I said there was no list in these verses of how to handle every situation? 00:24:23.740 --> 00:24:29.120 For those of you that that makes you feel happy, that there's no list, you're glad for that. 00:24:29.140 --> 00:24:32.600 It makes you want to spike the ball on all of the legalists out there, right? 00:24:32.960 --> 00:24:33.860 There's no list. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:35.720 See, there's not a list you can hold over me. 00:24:35.900 --> 00:24:39.400 If that's the way it makes you feel when you realize there's no list, 00:24:40.080 --> 00:24:43.180 then likely your tendency is to indulgence. 00:24:43.180 --> 00:24:48.299 To allowing yourself to pursue the desires of your heart unchecked. 00:24:48.700 --> 00:24:50.400 And to justify it by saying what? 00:24:50.519 --> 00:24:51.519 Cultural engagement. 00:24:52.880 --> 00:24:54.440 I love engaging the culture. 00:24:56.100 --> 00:25:02.400 On the other hand, if the lack of a list makes you feel sad, fearful, 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:05.799 you're worried about making the wrong decision, 00:25:05.960 --> 00:25:09.480 you were hoping to have a checklist for everything that's going to come up, 00:25:09.519 --> 00:25:10.960 you're afraid you're going to do it wrong, 00:25:10.960 --> 00:25:14.240 your tendency is probably to withdrawal. 00:25:14.680 --> 00:25:18.840 To allowing yourself to miss opportunities for being light and darkness 00:25:18.840 --> 00:25:21.460 and engaging your neighbor or your culture 00:25:21.460 --> 00:25:25.720 because you're fearful of going too far, doing the wrong thing. 00:25:27.360 --> 00:25:27.960 Okay, great. 00:25:28.079 --> 00:25:29.279 Well, so what does that mean? 00:25:29.779 --> 00:25:31.079 So I've got some tendencies. 00:25:31.299 --> 00:25:31.819 Yeah, maybe. 00:25:32.079 --> 00:25:32.579 Maybe not. 00:25:32.640 --> 00:25:33.079 I don't know. 00:25:33.620 --> 00:25:34.440 What does it mean? 00:25:34.440 --> 00:25:40.259 Godly wisdom means submitting your natural desires and instincts to God's Word, 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:43.840 to wrestling with God honestly in prayer, 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:47.980 to godly counsel from people who have a different perspective from you, 00:25:48.100 --> 00:25:50.720 not just the people you know are going to tell you what you want to hear, 00:25:51.799 --> 00:25:53.900 but people who are going to challenge you in the other direction. 00:25:54.660 --> 00:25:58.360 Exercising godly wisdom means asking Him for direction, 00:25:58.740 --> 00:26:02.340 not assuming you have all the wisdom you need on your own. 00:26:02.339 --> 00:26:04.720 Don't be foolish, Paul says. 00:26:05.179 --> 00:26:09.579 Instead, understand what the Lord's will is. 00:26:11.579 --> 00:26:15.899 So guard your hearts, exercise godly wisdom, 00:26:16.899 --> 00:26:22.079 and above all else, demonstrate sacrificial love. 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:24.659 That's what drives this whole passage, isn't it? 00:26:25.000 --> 00:26:27.240 Look back at verses 1 and 2. 00:26:27.240 --> 00:26:31.359 Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children, 00:26:31.660 --> 00:26:36.400 and walk in love as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, 00:26:36.700 --> 00:26:40.339 a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 00:26:40.980 --> 00:26:46.039 The way we are like our Holy Father is by living a life of love 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:48.700 where we sacrifice ourselves for others, right? 00:26:49.579 --> 00:26:52.299 In other words, there's nothing in this passage that says 00:26:52.299 --> 00:26:56.119 living as God's holy children is easy or pain-free. 00:26:57.200 --> 00:27:01.980 Jesus taught us that when He spoke to His disciples about following Him. 00:27:02.000 --> 00:27:03.279 He said it's going to cost you, right? 00:27:03.680 --> 00:27:05.220 It's going to cost you self-denial, 00:27:05.740 --> 00:27:07.180 taking up your cross, 00:27:08.139 --> 00:27:11.599 possibly even laying down your life to follow Him. 00:27:13.059 --> 00:27:14.419 How are we called to love? 00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:18.400 Jesus put your needs before His own. 00:27:18.519 --> 00:27:21.019 He put your comfort before His own. 00:27:21.259 --> 00:27:24.080 He put your good before His own 00:27:24.080 --> 00:27:27.340 and paid a high price to rescue you. 00:27:28.580 --> 00:27:33.039 That kind of sacrifice is not supposed to be an exceptional day for us, 00:27:33.700 --> 00:27:35.640 but our daily pattern. 00:27:37.360 --> 00:27:42.440 What will you have to sacrifice to follow God's Word above your own desires? 00:27:42.440 --> 00:27:47.960 What will living as God's holy child, a life of love, cost you? 00:27:49.000 --> 00:27:51.960 It may cost you fitting in relationally. 00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:55.320 It may cost you advancement professionally. 00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:01.720 It may cost you exercising your sexual desires the way you would like. 00:28:02.799 --> 00:28:07.039 The way that feels good or seems right to you. 00:28:07.039 --> 00:28:12.899 It may cost you venting your just judgment of others' sin 00:28:12.899 --> 00:28:16.659 and showing patience instead. 00:28:17.899 --> 00:28:21.000 It may cost you every day for the rest of your life 00:28:21.000 --> 00:28:24.639 the emotional turmoil of battling the sin in your heart 00:28:24.639 --> 00:28:26.639 day by day and moment by moment 00:28:26.639 --> 00:28:29.299 rather than just giving in and giving up. 00:28:29.659 --> 00:28:34.099 The path of least resistance is often not the path of godly wisdom 00:28:34.099 --> 00:28:35.299 and holy living. 00:28:35.299 --> 00:28:36.919 So don't be surprised by that. 00:28:37.299 --> 00:28:40.220 God is not telling you this should all be a piece of cake. 00:28:40.740 --> 00:28:42.559 He knows the struggle is real 00:28:42.559 --> 00:28:45.680 and He's calling you to believe that He's caring for you 00:28:45.680 --> 00:28:47.000 in the midst of it. 00:28:47.339 --> 00:28:50.399 To trust Him to know what's best for you. 00:28:51.159 --> 00:28:54.180 Don't think it's unusual that living as God's holy children 00:28:54.180 --> 00:28:58.899 is hard or painful or costly for you. 00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:02.799 Remember Moses among many others in the Bible. 00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:05.019 Because he trusted God, 00:29:05.019 --> 00:29:07.899 he chose mistreatment and reproach 00:29:07.899 --> 00:29:11.659 and sacrificed wealth and status and comfort 00:29:11.659 --> 00:29:13.919 and fleeting pleasures of sin, 00:29:14.139 --> 00:29:15.839 a costly sacrifice 00:29:15.839 --> 00:29:19.159 because he knew God was worth it. 00:29:19.160 --> 00:29:27.040 There are two emotions that are right below the surface for most of us 00:29:27.040 --> 00:29:30.759 when we talk about topics like this passage addresses this morning. 00:29:31.300 --> 00:29:35.840 When we talk about the importance of living as God's holy children. 00:29:36.220 --> 00:29:38.759 I've experienced both of them this week. 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.920 Emotions of shame. 00:29:42.500 --> 00:29:43.560 Emotions of fear. 00:29:43.559 --> 00:29:48.519 Shame that comes so quickly into our hearts 00:29:48.519 --> 00:29:54.519 because we remember ways we've failed to live as children of light. 00:29:54.940 --> 00:29:57.399 As the people God has called us to be 00:29:57.399 --> 00:29:59.319 and so in our shame we want to hide. 00:30:00.759 --> 00:30:03.579 We feel dirty or worthless. 00:30:04.639 --> 00:30:06.259 We blame ourselves. 00:30:06.259 --> 00:30:10.299 Fear is right there too. 00:30:10.940 --> 00:30:13.779 Because it's easy to feel like I'll never measure up 00:30:13.779 --> 00:30:15.839 and God will be disappointed 00:30:15.839 --> 00:30:19.680 or He's going to subtly punish me if I don't meet the standard. 00:30:19.819 --> 00:30:22.440 He's somehow going to get back at me when I cross the line 00:30:22.440 --> 00:30:24.000 or make the wrong decision. 00:30:25.059 --> 00:30:27.279 I'm going to do something that's going to ruin my children. 00:30:28.480 --> 00:30:31.460 So it's easy to walk out of this room into this world 00:30:31.460 --> 00:30:33.900 and be motivated and driven by shame. 00:30:35.200 --> 00:30:38.819 It's easy to walk out of this room into this world 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:43.340 and knowing our own hearts to feel fearful and ashamed. 00:30:45.299 --> 00:30:49.900 And God would have you leave with neither of those this morning. 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:55.340 I want to remind you of how God actually feels about His beloved children. 00:30:56.620 --> 00:30:59.740 When these issues of holiness come up in Scripture, 00:30:59.740 --> 00:31:02.759 sacrifice is often close by. 00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.599 Holiness and sacrifice. 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:07.019 Holiness and sacrifice. 00:31:07.279 --> 00:31:09.799 Over and over you'll see them together. 00:31:09.960 --> 00:31:14.220 When the fragrant offering and sacrifice to God is mentioned in verse 2, 00:31:14.579 --> 00:31:17.640 it clearly calls to mind the Old Testament sacrifices 00:31:17.640 --> 00:31:19.759 and the way God spoke of them. 00:31:20.259 --> 00:31:21.339 And when did those start? 00:31:21.400 --> 00:31:23.700 What was the background of those sacrifices? 00:31:23.880 --> 00:31:25.160 Here's where they came into play. 00:31:25.779 --> 00:31:27.000 In the book of Exodus, 00:31:27.180 --> 00:31:29.440 God has delivered His people out of Egypt, right? 00:31:29.740 --> 00:31:32.460 Out of their slavery there, He set them free. 00:31:32.740 --> 00:31:34.039 But instead of following Him, 00:31:34.099 --> 00:31:35.460 they run after idols, don't they? 00:31:36.099 --> 00:31:37.259 They turn after idols. 00:31:37.359 --> 00:31:38.779 They turn their back on God. 00:31:39.039 --> 00:31:42.339 They go after fulfillment in their own ways rather than Him. 00:31:42.539 --> 00:31:44.000 All the things we have done. 00:31:45.680 --> 00:31:49.019 And yet the book of Exodus ends strangely. 00:31:49.019 --> 00:31:53.140 Not with God running away from His people, 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:55.460 but with a tabernacle being built. 00:31:55.460 --> 00:32:00.279 A house for God in the midst of His people. 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.360 Listen to the last verses of Exodus. 00:32:03.600 --> 00:32:05.740 The cloud covered the tent of meeting 00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:10.160 and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 00:32:10.460 --> 00:32:13.880 And Moses was not even able to enter the tent of meeting 00:32:13.880 --> 00:32:15.480 because the cloud settled on it 00:32:15.480 --> 00:32:18.019 and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. 00:32:18.019 --> 00:32:21.220 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day 00:32:21.220 --> 00:32:23.019 and fire was in it by night 00:32:23.019 --> 00:32:24.920 and the sight of all the house of Israel 00:32:24.920 --> 00:32:26.839 throughout all their journeys. 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.619 Listen to me. 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:33.680 The holy God says to His shameful children, 00:32:34.200 --> 00:32:37.099 not, I want to get away from you 00:32:37.099 --> 00:32:38.960 and I can't stand you, 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:43.240 but I want to live right there in the midst of you. 00:32:44.180 --> 00:32:46.460 That's what He says to His children 00:32:46.460 --> 00:32:47.880 in the midst of their shame. 00:32:48.099 --> 00:32:51.099 I love you and I want to be with you. 00:32:51.480 --> 00:32:52.940 God's holy glory, 00:32:53.160 --> 00:32:56.960 not some halfway kind of pure part of God, 00:32:57.200 --> 00:33:00.059 His holy glory comes right in the midst of the people 00:33:00.059 --> 00:33:00.519 and says, 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:04.539 I'm coming and I'm staying right here with you 00:33:04.539 --> 00:33:05.799 day after day, 00:33:06.259 --> 00:33:07.279 everywhere you go, 00:33:07.440 --> 00:33:08.839 I'm not leaving you. 00:33:09.480 --> 00:33:10.319 I love you. 00:33:10.319 --> 00:33:11.319 God's holy glory comes right here. 00:33:11.319 --> 00:33:12.319 God's holy. 00:33:12.319 --> 00:33:13.859 And so what's immediately necessary? 00:33:15.419 --> 00:33:17.500 Right after His holiness shows up, 00:33:18.059 --> 00:33:19.299 flip the page from Exodus, 00:33:19.460 --> 00:33:20.919 what's the next page of the Bible? 00:33:21.700 --> 00:33:22.179 Leviticus. 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.079 You ever read Leviticus? 00:33:24.119 --> 00:33:25.659 It sounds a lot like this. 00:33:26.240 --> 00:33:28.740 Sacrifice, offering, another offering, 00:33:28.939 --> 00:33:29.799 another sacrifice. 00:33:30.059 --> 00:33:30.679 Do it this way. 00:33:30.779 --> 00:33:31.539 Bring these animals. 00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.619 Here's how many times. 00:33:32.720 --> 00:33:33.539 Here's what you're going to do. 00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:35.779 Sacrifice, sacrifice, sacrifice. 00:33:36.480 --> 00:33:38.819 Immediately when holiness shows up, 00:33:38.819 --> 00:33:40.000 what does God do? 00:33:40.319 --> 00:33:41.319 Sacrifice. 00:33:41.319 --> 00:33:42.240 Sacrifice. 00:33:44.299 --> 00:33:46.720 When the holy God moves in with sinful people, 00:33:47.399 --> 00:33:49.339 when light enters darkness, 00:33:49.579 --> 00:33:51.379 and when the children of light live 00:33:51.379 --> 00:33:54.279 where God has placed them in a broken world, 00:33:54.779 --> 00:33:56.839 sacrifice is necessary. 00:33:59.039 --> 00:34:01.319 Beloved children of God, 00:34:01.980 --> 00:34:04.220 those for whom Jesus gave 00:34:04.220 --> 00:34:08.179 the fragrant offering and sacrifice 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.679 acceptable to God, 00:34:10.179 --> 00:34:12.159 your Father would not have you 00:34:12.159 --> 00:34:13.739 leave this room this morning 00:34:13.739 --> 00:34:16.179 ashamed and fearful. 00:34:16.899 --> 00:34:18.859 Your Father would not have you 00:34:18.859 --> 00:34:20.440 walk out the back of this sanctuary 00:34:20.440 --> 00:34:22.299 this morning feeling like 00:34:22.299 --> 00:34:24.440 He doesn't want anything to do with you. 00:34:25.099 --> 00:34:27.299 Like He'd rather get away from you. 00:34:27.300 --> 00:34:30.300 He would not have that. 00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:32.200 Where's that moment for you? 00:34:32.280 --> 00:34:33.100 Where's your shame? 00:34:34.460 --> 00:34:35.440 Where's your fear? 00:34:35.780 --> 00:34:38.240 Where's the most intense point that you feel? 00:34:38.320 --> 00:34:40.200 What's run through your mind when I've said that? 00:34:40.420 --> 00:34:41.280 What experience? 00:34:43.080 --> 00:34:43.880 What decision? 00:34:44.519 --> 00:34:46.600 What circumstance causes the shame 00:34:46.600 --> 00:34:48.280 and the fear to well up in you? 00:34:48.280 --> 00:34:51.060 Your Father says, 00:34:51.460 --> 00:34:53.840 I want to meet you right there. 00:34:54.500 --> 00:34:56.760 I want to be with you there. 00:34:57.040 --> 00:34:59.120 That's not the place I'm trying to avoid. 00:34:59.380 --> 00:35:01.519 It's not the place you have to hide from me. 00:35:01.680 --> 00:35:04.280 It's the place I want to enter in. 00:35:04.680 --> 00:35:05.980 He would have you remember that 00:35:05.980 --> 00:35:08.700 your holiness is so important to Him. 00:35:09.019 --> 00:35:11.980 His desire to have fellowship as a holy God 00:35:11.980 --> 00:35:14.240 with you, His holy child, 00:35:14.239 --> 00:35:17.799 is so strong that He sent His Son 00:35:17.799 --> 00:35:19.259 to live and die 00:35:19.259 --> 00:35:22.759 so you would be holy for sure and forever. 00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:25.399 That's how important it was to Him. 00:35:27.139 --> 00:35:28.519 And your Father says, 00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:29.939 I love you so much 00:35:29.939 --> 00:35:31.339 that I must tell you 00:35:31.339 --> 00:35:33.199 to guard what your heart treasures 00:35:33.199 --> 00:35:36.239 so that nothing else ever displaces me. 00:35:37.359 --> 00:35:39.279 To exercise godly wisdom 00:35:39.279 --> 00:35:41.079 because the days are evil 00:35:41.079 --> 00:35:42.659 and the way is hard. 00:35:42.659 --> 00:35:45.219 And to demonstrate sacrificial love 00:35:45.219 --> 00:35:47.779 because holiness always, 00:35:48.099 --> 00:35:51.319 always requires sacrifice. 00:35:51.659 --> 00:35:52.319 Let's pray. 00:35:56.899 --> 00:35:58.819 Father, You are holy 00:35:58.819 --> 00:36:03.079 and we so quickly feel unworthy. 00:36:05.879 --> 00:36:10.440 None of us is free from the stain of sin. 00:36:10.440 --> 00:36:13.599 And this passage reminds us of that. 00:36:14.599 --> 00:36:15.960 Thank You for Jesus. 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:19.119 Thank You that You weren't willing 00:36:19.119 --> 00:36:20.260 to leave us there 00:36:20.260 --> 00:36:21.820 but that You made a way. 00:36:22.240 --> 00:36:23.760 That You sent a sacrifice. 00:36:25.760 --> 00:36:27.380 Father, would You make us people 00:36:27.380 --> 00:36:30.800 who drink deeply of that sacrifice for us 00:36:30.800 --> 00:36:32.519 and who are willing to sacrifice 00:36:32.519 --> 00:36:35.300 at great cost to ourselves 00:36:35.300 --> 00:36:37.240 to love others. 00:36:37.239 --> 00:36:40.000 teach us what it looks like 00:36:40.000 --> 00:36:41.179 to live as Your children 00:36:41.179 --> 00:36:42.799 and make it something 00:36:42.799 --> 00:36:44.219 that changes every moment 00:36:44.219 --> 00:36:45.599 of every day 00:36:45.599 --> 00:36:46.779 for the rest of our lives. 00:36:46.979 --> 00:36:48.199 We pray in Jesus' name. 00:36:48.699 --> 00:36:48.979 Amen. 00:36:48.979 --> 00:36:49.099 Amen. 00:36:53.619 --> 00:36:55.159 For more information, 00:36:55.539 --> 00:36:56.459 visit us online 00:36:56.459 --> 00:36:57.759 at southwood.org. 00:36:57.760 --> 00:36:58.880 For more information, 00:36:58.880 --> 00:37:00.940 you