WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.760 But here in today's passage, as Sam has already pointed out, 00:00:04.620 --> 00:00:09.080 Paul talks about a freedom that is really very, very different. 00:00:09.839 --> 00:00:14.800 This freedom sets us apart from the rest of the world. 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:19.039 It's what is behind discipleship. 00:00:19.400 --> 00:00:25.100 It's what will allow Christ's people to reflect the love of Christ 00:00:25.100 --> 00:00:28.339 to each other and also to the world. 00:00:28.339 --> 00:00:36.320 And if we understand it clearly, it will assist us in growing as disciples of Jesus 00:00:36.320 --> 00:00:41.380 and it will transform how we live each day. 00:00:41.620 --> 00:00:45.200 And dare I say, it will also make a difference 00:00:45.200 --> 00:00:49.060 as to where the Lord takes this church here at Chatswood. 00:00:50.079 --> 00:00:56.460 Now, we've been exploring over the last weeks how Paul is challenging the Galatians 00:00:56.460 --> 00:01:00.939 to not fall for the wrong teaching by the Judaizers, 00:01:01.740 --> 00:01:04.140 not to go back to the way that they were. 00:01:04.819 --> 00:01:08.620 They were to remember what they were saved from 00:01:08.620 --> 00:01:13.319 and to keep their eyes on Jesus who saves by grace alone, 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:17.240 not by any extra rules or traditions we've seen 00:01:17.240 --> 00:01:19.819 where they needed to perform with perfection 00:01:19.819 --> 00:01:22.299 because we've also seen time and time again 00:01:22.299 --> 00:01:25.139 that to do that you have to be perfect 00:01:25.139 --> 00:01:30.280 and it is impossible for any of us to do that. 00:01:30.799 --> 00:01:34.259 And we saw in chapter 4 that the Galatians were slaves 00:01:34.259 --> 00:01:38.119 but they are now free in Christ, 00:01:38.919 --> 00:01:44.599 meaning that everyone who is trusting Jesus is free. 00:01:44.599 --> 00:01:47.140 We are no longer slaves. 00:01:48.239 --> 00:01:52.199 Colossians 2 tells us that Jesus is no ordinary person. 00:01:52.359 --> 00:01:54.159 Many of you will know that already. 00:01:54.640 --> 00:01:57.899 He is the Son of God who came to save. 00:01:58.039 --> 00:02:02.560 He came from the heavenlies and he broke into this world as a man 00:02:02.560 --> 00:02:05.239 because we needed a saviour, 00:02:05.719 --> 00:02:08.419 a God who saves us from our sin, 00:02:09.180 --> 00:02:12.500 the sin that was taken on himself on the cross 00:02:12.500 --> 00:02:15.560 so that we could receive the righteousness 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:18.180 that we did not deserve 00:02:18.180 --> 00:02:21.599 and he took the punishment that we did deserve. 00:02:22.580 --> 00:02:25.319 This was all to make us free. 00:02:26.379 --> 00:02:29.680 Romans 8 tells us that what the law couldn't do, 00:02:29.840 --> 00:02:35.340 Jesus did in being a sin offering for us. 00:02:36.139 --> 00:02:37.939 And in Corinthians we read, 00:02:37.939 --> 00:02:40.300 we implore you as on God's behalf, 00:02:40.719 --> 00:02:41.960 be reconciled to God. 00:02:41.960 --> 00:02:46.000 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us 00:02:46.000 --> 00:02:49.260 so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:02:49.900 --> 00:02:51.420 Or in verse 17 it says, 00:02:51.719 --> 00:02:53.300 therefore if anyone is in Christ, 00:02:53.659 --> 00:02:54.860 he's a new creation, 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:58.159 the old has gone and the new has gone. 00:02:59.080 --> 00:03:00.520 Tim Keller says, 00:03:00.640 --> 00:03:03.920 freedom is both the means and the end 00:03:03.920 --> 00:03:05.860 of the operation of liberation. 00:03:07.100 --> 00:03:08.219 And in Luke 4, 00:03:08.520 --> 00:03:09.280 Jesus says, 00:03:09.280 --> 00:03:11.900 the spirit of the Lord is upon me 00:03:11.900 --> 00:03:17.580 because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. 00:03:17.580 --> 00:03:21.340 He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives 00:03:21.340 --> 00:03:23.240 and recovering sight to the blind, 00:03:23.860 --> 00:03:26.360 to set at liberty those who are oppressed 00:03:26.360 --> 00:03:28.520 to proclaim the year of the Lord's favour. 00:03:28.520 --> 00:03:31.980 And in Galatians now, 00:03:32.140 --> 00:03:33.540 in verse 1 it says, 00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:37.460 it is for freedom that Christ has set us free. 00:03:38.120 --> 00:03:39.200 Stand firm then, 00:03:39.660 --> 00:03:43.660 and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. 00:03:44.380 --> 00:03:51.140 Now this verse is really a summary of the entire letter to the Galatians. 00:03:51.139 --> 00:03:52.559 For freedom, 00:03:53.139 --> 00:03:54.599 Christ has freed you. 00:03:55.739 --> 00:03:56.859 And then Paul says, 00:03:56.959 --> 00:03:59.279 because you have been set free in Christ, 00:03:59.839 --> 00:04:01.039 stand firm. 00:04:01.799 --> 00:04:04.739 Well, stand firm is a military term. 00:04:05.559 --> 00:04:07.979 It means to guard your post, 00:04:08.199 --> 00:04:09.000 keep alert, 00:04:09.179 --> 00:04:10.179 be strong, 00:04:10.899 --> 00:04:12.259 resist attack, 00:04:12.519 --> 00:04:13.699 and stay together, 00:04:13.879 --> 00:04:15.039 hold the line. 00:04:15.039 --> 00:04:21.839 And we do this by Christ-centred Bible saturation, 00:04:22.039 --> 00:04:24.399 a core value here at St. Paul's, 00:04:24.459 --> 00:04:27.300 and for very, very good reasons it's a core value. 00:04:28.159 --> 00:04:29.500 It is standing on, 00:04:29.860 --> 00:04:30.860 advancing with, 00:04:31.199 --> 00:04:32.039 fighting for, 00:04:32.159 --> 00:04:33.839 and resting in God's word, 00:04:33.920 --> 00:04:37.079 the word that saves and rescues. 00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:40.060 The word sets us free. 00:04:40.060 --> 00:04:45.759 Now I know about this truth that we're talking about now. 00:04:46.620 --> 00:04:48.819 I know that Jesus has set me free, 00:04:49.019 --> 00:04:54.420 and I'm sure many of you also know this with all of your heart as well. 00:04:55.340 --> 00:04:56.519 I love the Lord. 00:04:57.000 --> 00:04:58.720 I have a good idea, 00:04:59.160 --> 00:05:00.980 be it not a complete idea, 00:05:01.420 --> 00:05:04.540 that my sin was taken on the cross. 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:06.639 What I have done wrong, 00:05:07.100 --> 00:05:08.879 Jesus suffered for it. 00:05:08.879 --> 00:05:14.139 My heart's desire is to serve the Lord until my dying breath. 00:05:15.079 --> 00:05:18.379 My heart's desire is to be very flexible 00:05:18.379 --> 00:05:21.819 and to hold very loosely to any ministry 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:24.240 that I have the pleasure of being part of. 00:05:24.639 --> 00:05:29.540 My heart's desire is to see others grow 00:05:29.540 --> 00:05:32.980 into being better at any of the ministries, 00:05:33.480 --> 00:05:36.899 ministry roles that I am currently involved in. 00:05:36.899 --> 00:05:40.519 My heart's desire is to always shine for Jesus 00:05:40.519 --> 00:05:41.819 in my thoughts, 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:42.859 in my actions, 00:05:43.039 --> 00:05:44.039 in my deeds. 00:05:45.159 --> 00:05:45.560 Hmm. 00:05:46.979 --> 00:05:48.399 But I don't. 00:05:49.439 --> 00:05:54.539 I fail on all of those accounts at various times, 00:05:54.919 --> 00:05:57.939 and I'm absolutely certain that you would also. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:06:01.019 Now, let me explain something. 00:06:01.920 --> 00:06:04.439 Many of you know the word sanctification. 00:06:05.160 --> 00:06:06.399 It's a great word. 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:08.500 It rolls off your tongue very nicely. 00:06:08.719 --> 00:06:09.819 I like saying it. 00:06:11.180 --> 00:06:17.920 But sanctification is that process of being made new in Christ. 00:06:17.920 --> 00:06:21.759 And when we acknowledge that we need a saviour 00:06:21.759 --> 00:06:24.640 and we repent of our sins 00:06:24.640 --> 00:06:26.699 and become part of the family of God, 00:06:26.879 --> 00:06:29.220 a great miracle occurs. 00:06:29.840 --> 00:06:32.040 We're taken from spiritual darkness 00:06:32.040 --> 00:06:35.740 of this world into the light of God. 00:06:36.180 --> 00:06:39.080 Our spirits are brought to life in Jesus, 00:06:39.639 --> 00:06:42.600 where we were once spiritually dead. 00:06:42.600 --> 00:06:47.260 That is called personal sanctification. 00:06:48.340 --> 00:06:50.939 This aspect of sanctification 00:06:50.939 --> 00:06:54.860 speaks to our being set apart 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:58.600 from the world for God. 00:07:00.080 --> 00:07:03.420 It's an instantaneous act of grace. 00:07:04.460 --> 00:07:06.460 And we're declared right before God 00:07:06.460 --> 00:07:10.280 and we are set apart for God to use. 00:07:10.279 --> 00:07:12.859 Ephesians 1.4 says, 00:07:13.000 --> 00:07:15.479 For he, God, chose us in him 00:07:15.479 --> 00:07:17.139 before the creation of the world 00:07:17.139 --> 00:07:20.159 to be holy and blameless in his sight. 00:07:20.819 --> 00:07:22.539 1 Corinthians 6 says, 00:07:22.939 --> 00:07:24.659 And that is what some of you were, 00:07:24.779 --> 00:07:27.099 but you were washed and you were sanctified. 00:07:27.239 --> 00:07:29.619 You were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus 00:07:29.619 --> 00:07:31.639 and by the Spirit of our God. 00:07:32.179 --> 00:07:35.579 This is positional sanctification. 00:07:36.119 --> 00:07:37.039 It's set. 00:07:37.479 --> 00:07:39.179 It doesn't change. 00:07:39.180 --> 00:07:44.079 But then there is progressive sanctification. 00:07:44.579 --> 00:07:47.540 And as the word suggests, it moves. 00:07:48.840 --> 00:07:52.939 It is living out what that positional sanctification, 00:07:53.900 --> 00:07:56.519 it's about living that out. 00:07:57.019 --> 00:08:00.079 It's the process whereby we daily 00:08:00.079 --> 00:08:03.420 become more and more like Jesus Christ 00:08:03.420 --> 00:08:07.220 through the death of our sin in our lives 00:08:07.220 --> 00:08:12.500 as we endeavour to live according to the grace in the gospel. 00:08:14.040 --> 00:08:16.780 But we're aware that we all fail. 00:08:18.120 --> 00:08:20.200 Romans 7, this is a famous passage 00:08:20.200 --> 00:08:22.360 that you would all have heard most probably, 00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:24.960 where Paul shares, 00:08:24.959 --> 00:08:27.939 I do not do what I want to do, 00:08:28.299 --> 00:08:29.719 but what I hate to do. 00:08:30.419 --> 00:08:32.919 And if I do what I do not want to do, 00:08:33.039 --> 00:08:35.179 I agree that the law is good. 00:08:35.860 --> 00:08:36.720 As it is, 00:08:37.000 --> 00:08:39.199 it is no longer I myself who do it, 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:41.759 but it is the sin living in me. 00:08:42.319 --> 00:08:44.039 So this sounds a bit like a riddle. 00:08:44.039 --> 00:08:47.919 But if Paul is confessing that he struggles with sin, 00:08:48.579 --> 00:08:53.480 I take it that it's really okay for us also to confess 00:08:53.480 --> 00:08:57.079 that we too struggle with sin. 00:08:58.480 --> 00:09:00.360 The third sanctification, 00:09:00.480 --> 00:09:01.599 I'll come back to the other, 00:09:01.740 --> 00:09:04.039 but the third sanctification is perfect sanctification. 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:09.279 It's the glorification of which happens 00:09:09.279 --> 00:09:10.819 when Jesus returns 00:09:10.819 --> 00:09:13.419 and he makes us perfect to be with him. 00:09:14.419 --> 00:09:17.699 And oh, how good will that day be 00:09:17.699 --> 00:09:18.980 when Jesus returns 00:09:18.980 --> 00:09:22.860 and we are made perfect to live eternally with him. 00:09:23.439 --> 00:09:25.779 So we have positional sanctification, 00:09:26.179 --> 00:09:27.079 we have progressive, 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:28.759 and we have perfect. 00:09:29.439 --> 00:09:33.139 We live in this progressive section here. 00:09:34.039 --> 00:09:36.719 The Galatians were saved by grace 00:09:36.719 --> 00:09:39.879 and now they are needing to live out 00:09:39.879 --> 00:09:41.659 what that looks like. 00:09:41.860 --> 00:09:44.199 That's what this middle section is all about. 00:09:45.500 --> 00:09:47.279 For the Galatians to obey the law 00:09:47.279 --> 00:09:52.120 as being encouraged, 00:09:52.259 --> 00:09:54.319 they would be turning away from Christ, 00:09:54.459 --> 00:09:58.259 as Paul is suggesting in verses one to four. 00:09:59.339 --> 00:10:00.740 But does it mean 00:10:00.740 --> 00:10:03.759 that if they obeyed the law, 00:10:04.039 --> 00:10:05.000 does that mean 00:10:05.000 --> 00:10:07.199 that they would lose their salvation completely, 00:10:07.399 --> 00:10:09.319 as it might suggest in verse four, 00:10:09.439 --> 00:10:10.319 where Paul says, 00:10:10.919 --> 00:10:12.759 if you follow the wrong teaching, 00:10:13.480 --> 00:10:16.099 you have fallen away from grace. 00:10:17.500 --> 00:10:18.699 Now, interestingly, 00:10:19.579 --> 00:10:21.860 Paul knows these Galatians really well 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:24.459 and he has great confidence 00:10:24.459 --> 00:10:26.620 that they are not going to turn 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:28.679 their backs away completely. 00:10:28.679 --> 00:10:31.479 because we see in verse five, 00:10:31.819 --> 00:10:32.279 he says, 00:10:32.779 --> 00:10:33.899 but by faith, 00:10:34.019 --> 00:10:35.639 we eagerly await 00:10:35.639 --> 00:10:36.719 through the spirit, 00:10:36.839 --> 00:10:37.479 the righteousness 00:10:37.479 --> 00:10:38.899 for which we hope. 00:10:39.279 --> 00:10:41.079 He knows that they're going to be 00:10:41.079 --> 00:10:43.399 to turn back to Christ. 00:10:43.799 --> 00:10:45.979 He has such a confidence 00:10:45.979 --> 00:10:47.519 in the Galatians 00:10:47.519 --> 00:10:49.120 that they will follow 00:10:49.120 --> 00:10:50.439 the gospel of Jesus. 00:10:51.479 --> 00:10:53.539 Now, this is a situation 00:10:53.539 --> 00:10:55.639 that many of us know 00:10:55.639 --> 00:10:56.740 only too well. 00:10:57.279 --> 00:10:58.299 We have friends 00:10:58.299 --> 00:10:59.620 and we have loved ones 00:10:59.620 --> 00:11:01.620 who have declared 00:11:01.620 --> 00:11:03.480 a saving faith in Jesus 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:06.099 at some stage in their life, 00:11:06.459 --> 00:11:08.120 but they have lost their way 00:11:08.120 --> 00:11:10.839 and seemingly lost their faith 00:11:10.839 --> 00:11:12.459 and they are far away 00:11:12.459 --> 00:11:13.659 from Jesus today. 00:11:14.639 --> 00:11:15.860 We want to know, 00:11:15.959 --> 00:11:17.000 are they saved? 00:11:17.719 --> 00:11:19.099 When Jesus returns, 00:11:19.219 --> 00:11:20.819 will Jesus know their name 00:11:20.820 --> 00:11:21.860 and call their name 00:11:21.860 --> 00:11:22.720 to be his own. 00:11:23.820 --> 00:11:24.580 Now, let me say, 00:11:24.680 --> 00:11:25.200 first of all, 00:11:25.320 --> 00:11:26.379 nobody knows 00:11:26.379 --> 00:11:27.780 what really is in the heart 00:11:27.780 --> 00:11:28.860 of any individual. 00:11:29.980 --> 00:11:31.340 Only God knows that. 00:11:32.180 --> 00:11:33.540 But what we do know 00:11:33.540 --> 00:11:35.300 is in Romans 8, 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:37.020 for I am convinced 00:11:37.020 --> 00:11:38.140 that neither death 00:11:38.140 --> 00:11:38.960 nor life, 00:11:39.100 --> 00:11:39.920 neither angels 00:11:39.920 --> 00:11:40.640 or demons, 00:11:41.120 --> 00:11:41.980 neither the present 00:11:41.980 --> 00:11:42.800 nor the future, 00:11:43.160 --> 00:11:44.280 nor any powers, 00:11:44.680 --> 00:11:45.380 neither height 00:11:45.380 --> 00:11:46.040 nor depth, 00:11:46.600 --> 00:11:47.920 nor anything else 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:48.720 in all creation 00:11:48.720 --> 00:11:49.460 will be able 00:11:49.460 --> 00:11:52.139 from the love of God 00:11:52.139 --> 00:11:54.100 that is in Christ Jesus, 00:11:54.500 --> 00:11:55.040 our Lord. 00:11:56.100 --> 00:11:58.379 But scripture also tells us 00:11:58.379 --> 00:12:00.780 that we have a purpose. 00:12:01.879 --> 00:12:03.639 Our progressive sanctification, 00:12:03.820 --> 00:12:04.519 that middle bit 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:05.600 that I told you about, 00:12:06.000 --> 00:12:07.660 will indeed confirm 00:12:07.660 --> 00:12:09.820 if the first bit, 00:12:10.460 --> 00:12:13.259 the positional sanctification, 00:12:13.560 --> 00:12:14.519 was real. 00:12:15.320 --> 00:12:16.519 Okay, so it's important. 00:12:16.780 --> 00:12:18.240 What we're living in right now 00:12:18.240 --> 00:12:19.440 is really important. 00:12:20.259 --> 00:12:20.879 That is, 00:12:21.200 --> 00:12:22.720 the way we live 00:12:22.720 --> 00:12:23.620 reflects 00:12:23.620 --> 00:12:25.860 if we are truly saved. 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:28.000 Now, let me state 00:12:28.000 --> 00:12:29.480 very, very clearly 00:12:29.480 --> 00:12:31.899 that that does not mean 00:12:31.899 --> 00:12:32.860 that a person 00:12:32.860 --> 00:12:35.500 cannot turn back 00:12:35.500 --> 00:12:37.100 to the gospel 00:12:37.100 --> 00:12:38.860 they heard once 00:12:38.860 --> 00:12:40.299 when they were younger 00:12:40.299 --> 00:12:40.899 or whenever 00:12:40.899 --> 00:12:43.180 and that stops them 00:12:43.180 --> 00:12:43.960 from repenting 00:12:43.960 --> 00:12:45.060 of living far away 00:12:45.060 --> 00:12:45.600 from God. 00:12:45.879 --> 00:12:46.680 That can happen. 00:12:46.679 --> 00:12:48.620 The story of the prodigal son 00:12:48.620 --> 00:12:51.339 is a typical case in point. 00:12:52.479 --> 00:12:53.159 That son, 00:12:53.299 --> 00:12:54.019 he turned away 00:12:54.019 --> 00:12:54.779 from his father, 00:12:54.879 --> 00:12:55.519 you'll remember. 00:12:56.099 --> 00:12:57.519 He lived a wild life, 00:12:57.979 --> 00:12:59.179 but he realised 00:12:59.179 --> 00:13:00.059 he was foolish 00:13:00.059 --> 00:13:01.379 and he returned 00:13:01.379 --> 00:13:02.319 to the father 00:13:02.319 --> 00:13:03.639 with a heart 00:13:03.639 --> 00:13:04.939 filled with repentance 00:13:04.939 --> 00:13:07.019 and was welcomed 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:08.219 with open arms. 00:13:09.839 --> 00:13:10.279 You see, 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:11.439 there are many 00:13:11.439 --> 00:13:12.539 who live 00:13:12.539 --> 00:13:14.439 as if it doesn't matter 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:15.220 what they do. 00:13:15.940 --> 00:13:16.820 They believe 00:13:16.820 --> 00:13:17.500 that once 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:18.860 they said a prayer 00:13:18.860 --> 00:13:20.840 to Jesus, 00:13:21.520 --> 00:13:22.760 a prayer of repentance, 00:13:23.480 --> 00:13:24.720 and because Christ 00:13:24.720 --> 00:13:25.900 offers forgiveness 00:13:25.900 --> 00:13:26.840 and freedom, 00:13:27.400 --> 00:13:28.020 they think 00:13:28.020 --> 00:13:28.940 it's okay 00:13:28.940 --> 00:13:30.420 to live 00:13:30.420 --> 00:13:31.900 in any way 00:13:31.900 --> 00:13:32.760 they would like to 00:13:32.760 --> 00:13:33.780 from that moment on. 00:13:34.420 --> 00:13:35.900 I certainly have friends 00:13:35.900 --> 00:13:36.740 who live that way. 00:13:36.740 --> 00:13:38.500 I have friends 00:13:38.500 --> 00:13:39.519 who believe 00:13:39.519 --> 00:13:40.519 that they are Christians 00:13:40.519 --> 00:13:42.500 because they said a prayer 00:13:42.500 --> 00:13:44.180 and they were baptised, 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:46.159 but they choose 00:13:46.159 --> 00:13:48.120 not to fellowship 00:13:48.120 --> 00:13:49.700 with any other Christian people. 00:13:49.799 --> 00:13:50.259 They choose 00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.039 not to actually 00:13:51.039 --> 00:13:51.879 read their Bible. 00:13:52.460 --> 00:13:53.080 They choose 00:13:53.080 --> 00:13:54.960 to live a promiscuous life, 00:13:54.960 --> 00:13:57.019 and yet 00:13:57.019 --> 00:13:59.060 they still 00:13:59.060 --> 00:14:00.100 are living 00:14:00.100 --> 00:14:00.900 under 00:14:00.900 --> 00:14:03.480 the wrong 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:05.019 attitude 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:05.680 of thinking 00:14:05.680 --> 00:14:06.519 that the grace 00:14:06.519 --> 00:14:07.000 that God 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:08.360 actually had given them 00:14:08.360 --> 00:14:09.720 that that will cover 00:14:09.720 --> 00:14:10.639 all of their sin 00:14:10.639 --> 00:14:11.680 for all times. 00:14:14.440 --> 00:14:14.680 Now, 00:14:14.740 --> 00:14:15.540 earlier I mentioned 00:14:15.540 --> 00:14:16.400 the older brother 00:14:16.400 --> 00:14:17.600 of the prodigal son. 00:14:17.900 --> 00:14:18.040 Well, 00:14:18.120 --> 00:14:19.000 the younger brother 00:14:19.000 --> 00:14:19.820 equally 00:14:19.820 --> 00:14:21.740 fell for the trap 00:14:21.740 --> 00:14:22.320 of living 00:14:22.320 --> 00:14:23.639 how he wanted to. 00:14:23.639 --> 00:14:26.740 he had a hard heart 00:14:26.740 --> 00:14:28.199 and had 00:14:28.199 --> 00:14:29.759 an expectant heart 00:14:29.759 --> 00:14:30.840 of having everything 00:14:30.840 --> 00:14:31.659 come to him. 00:14:32.399 --> 00:14:33.100 He too 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:34.259 was under sin, 00:14:34.720 --> 00:14:35.960 and he took advantage 00:14:35.960 --> 00:14:37.500 of the grace 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:38.559 that was given 00:14:38.559 --> 00:14:39.000 to him 00:14:39.000 --> 00:14:39.799 by his father 00:14:39.799 --> 00:14:40.240 as well. 00:14:41.480 --> 00:14:41.879 This 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:43.379 taking advantage, 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:44.539 this living 00:14:44.539 --> 00:14:45.799 as if it doesn't 00:14:45.799 --> 00:14:46.100 matter 00:14:46.100 --> 00:14:47.659 what I do, 00:14:48.000 --> 00:14:48.939 this is called 00:14:48.939 --> 00:14:50.399 living by licence. 00:14:51.879 --> 00:14:52.200 It's 00:14:52.200 --> 00:14:53.460 by rejecting 00:14:53.460 --> 00:14:54.340 the call 00:14:54.340 --> 00:14:55.180 to live 00:14:55.180 --> 00:14:56.460 a holy life. 00:14:57.879 --> 00:14:58.820 Verse 13 00:14:58.820 --> 00:14:59.580 in our passage 00:14:59.580 --> 00:15:00.020 says, 00:15:00.420 --> 00:15:01.160 you, my brothers, 00:15:01.259 --> 00:15:01.700 were called 00:15:01.700 --> 00:15:02.580 to be free, 00:15:03.340 --> 00:15:04.000 but do not 00:15:04.000 --> 00:15:04.840 use your freedom 00:15:04.840 --> 00:15:05.720 to indulge 00:15:05.720 --> 00:15:06.740 the sinful nature, 00:15:07.000 --> 00:15:07.920 rather serve 00:15:07.920 --> 00:15:08.540 one another 00:15:08.540 --> 00:15:09.259 in love. 00:15:10.620 --> 00:15:11.100 Freedom 00:15:11.100 --> 00:15:12.580 in Christ 00:15:12.580 --> 00:15:13.860 is not 00:15:13.860 --> 00:15:14.540 a freedom 00:15:14.540 --> 00:15:15.660 to sin 00:15:15.660 --> 00:15:17.400 as we saw 00:15:17.400 --> 00:15:18.200 before, 00:15:18.460 --> 00:15:19.480 but it's a freedom 00:15:19.480 --> 00:15:20.280 from sin. 00:15:20.279 --> 00:15:21.459 It's not 00:15:21.459 --> 00:15:21.899 a freedom 00:15:21.899 --> 00:15:22.500 to ignore 00:15:22.500 --> 00:15:23.059 Christ 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.039 and his word. 00:15:24.620 --> 00:15:25.319 John 14 00:15:25.319 --> 00:15:25.720 says, 00:15:26.439 --> 00:15:27.360 if you love 00:15:27.360 --> 00:15:27.600 me, 00:15:27.720 --> 00:15:28.059 you will 00:15:28.059 --> 00:15:28.579 keep my 00:15:28.579 --> 00:15:29.100 commandments. 00:15:29.519 --> 00:15:29.799 Anyone 00:15:29.799 --> 00:15:30.519 who loves 00:15:30.519 --> 00:15:30.860 me 00:15:30.860 --> 00:15:31.620 will obey 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.379 my teaching. 00:15:32.839 --> 00:15:33.419 My father 00:15:33.419 --> 00:15:33.959 will love 00:15:33.959 --> 00:15:34.179 them, 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:34.620 and we 00:15:34.620 --> 00:15:35.179 will come 00:15:35.179 --> 00:15:35.779 to them 00:15:35.779 --> 00:15:36.299 and make 00:15:36.299 --> 00:15:36.819 our home 00:15:36.819 --> 00:15:37.279 with them. 00:15:37.699 --> 00:15:38.019 Anyone 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:38.740 who does 00:15:38.740 --> 00:15:39.259 not love 00:15:39.259 --> 00:15:39.439 me 00:15:39.439 --> 00:15:40.039 will not 00:15:40.039 --> 00:15:40.339 obey 00:15:40.339 --> 00:15:41.019 my teaching. 00:15:41.459 --> 00:15:41.860 These 00:15:41.860 --> 00:15:42.240 words 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.839 you hear 00:15:42.839 --> 00:15:43.579 are not 00:15:43.579 --> 00:15:44.159 my own. 00:15:44.500 --> 00:15:44.659 They 00:15:44.659 --> 00:15:45.000 belong 00:15:45.000 --> 00:15:45.399 to the 00:15:45.399 --> 00:15:45.759 father 00:15:45.759 --> 00:15:46.459 who sent 00:15:46.459 --> 00:15:46.759 me. 00:15:47.600 --> 00:15:47.839 The 00:15:47.839 --> 00:15:48.559 Galatians, 00:15:48.559 --> 00:15:49.519 on the 00:15:49.519 --> 00:15:49.799 other 00:15:49.799 --> 00:15:50.259 hand, 00:15:50.579 --> 00:15:51.099 were being 00:15:51.099 --> 00:15:51.859 encouraged 00:15:51.859 --> 00:15:52.579 to live 00:15:52.579 --> 00:15:54.019 by legalism 00:15:54.019 --> 00:15:55.559 and add 00:15:55.559 --> 00:15:56.259 rules 00:15:56.259 --> 00:15:57.500 and regulations 00:15:57.500 --> 00:15:58.099 to the 00:15:58.099 --> 00:15:58.459 gospel. 00:15:59.659 --> 00:16:00.419 Licence 00:16:00.419 --> 00:16:02.099 and legalism 00:16:02.099 --> 00:16:03.879 are different 00:16:03.879 --> 00:16:04.919 sides of 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.500 the same 00:16:05.500 --> 00:16:06.119 coin. 00:16:07.899 --> 00:16:08.359 They are 00:16:08.359 --> 00:16:09.419 both enemies 00:16:09.419 --> 00:16:10.139 of the 00:16:10.139 --> 00:16:10.919 gospel of 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.299 freedom. 00:16:12.859 --> 00:16:13.099 Living 00:16:13.099 --> 00:16:13.819 either by 00:16:13.819 --> 00:16:14.359 license 00:16:14.359 --> 00:16:15.059 or by 00:16:15.059 --> 00:16:15.759 legalism 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:16.719 will not 00:16:16.719 --> 00:16:17.659 save you. 00:16:18.559 --> 00:16:19.099 There 00:16:19.099 --> 00:16:19.679 is only 00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:20.039 one 00:16:20.039 --> 00:16:20.459 sure 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:20.979 way 00:16:20.979 --> 00:16:21.519 to 00:16:21.519 --> 00:16:21.899 live. 00:16:22.479 --> 00:16:22.639 It 00:16:22.639 --> 00:16:23.079 is the 00:16:23.079 --> 00:16:23.579 gospel 00:16:23.579 --> 00:16:23.979 of 00:16:23.979 --> 00:16:24.439 freedom. 00:16:25.279 --> 00:16:26.099 That 00:16:26.099 --> 00:16:26.859 is freedom 00:16:26.859 --> 00:16:27.939 from our 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:28.459 sin but 00:16:28.459 --> 00:16:28.839 it is 00:16:28.839 --> 00:16:29.339 also 00:16:29.339 --> 00:16:30.199 freedom 00:16:30.199 --> 00:16:31.000 to 00:16:31.000 --> 00:16:31.619 something. 00:16:33.339 --> 00:16:33.819 What 00:16:33.819 --> 00:16:34.659 is this 00:16:34.659 --> 00:16:35.099 freedom 00:16:35.099 --> 00:16:35.799 to? 00:16:36.879 --> 00:16:37.159 Well, 00:16:37.259 --> 00:16:37.599 it's a 00:16:37.599 --> 00:16:37.939 freedom 00:16:37.939 --> 00:16:39.179 to love. 00:16:40.339 --> 00:16:40.539 Verse 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:41.179 6 says, 00:16:41.299 --> 00:16:41.719 for in 00:16:41.719 --> 00:16:42.079 Christ 00:16:42.079 --> 00:16:42.500 Jesus 00:16:42.500 --> 00:16:42.879 neither 00:16:42.879 --> 00:16:43.739 circumcision 00:16:43.739 --> 00:16:44.059 nor 00:16:44.059 --> 00:16:45.099 uncircumcision 00:16:45.099 --> 00:16:46.059 has any 00:16:46.059 --> 00:16:46.439 value. 00:16:46.559 --> 00:16:46.679 The 00:16:46.679 --> 00:16:47.439 only thing 00:16:47.439 --> 00:16:47.939 that counts 00:16:47.940 --> 00:16:48.700 is faith 00:16:48.700 --> 00:16:49.900 expressing 00:16:49.900 --> 00:16:51.420 itself 00:16:51.420 --> 00:16:51.740 through 00:16:51.740 --> 00:16:52.140 love. 00:16:52.680 --> 00:16:52.840 The 00:16:52.840 --> 00:16:53.420 saving 00:16:53.420 --> 00:16:54.020 gospel 00:16:54.020 --> 00:16:55.520 doesn't 00:16:55.520 --> 00:16:56.240 give us 00:16:56.240 --> 00:16:57.140 license to 00:16:57.140 --> 00:16:58.380 live how 00:16:58.380 --> 00:16:59.000 we want. 00:16:59.380 --> 00:16:59.940 It gives 00:16:59.940 --> 00:17:00.760 a freedom. 00:17:01.540 --> 00:17:01.960 It gives 00:17:01.960 --> 00:17:03.020 ability and 00:17:03.020 --> 00:17:04.360 desire to 00:17:04.360 --> 00:17:04.880 live how 00:17:04.880 --> 00:17:05.920 God wants. 00:17:06.820 --> 00:17:07.200 As 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:07.820 Christians, 00:17:08.140 --> 00:17:08.700 we do 00:17:08.700 --> 00:17:10.000 not attempt 00:17:10.000 --> 00:17:10.759 to produce 00:17:10.759 --> 00:17:11.460 perfect 00:17:11.460 --> 00:17:12.180 righteousness 00:17:12.180 --> 00:17:12.940 in our 00:17:12.940 --> 00:17:13.559 own lives 00:17:13.559 --> 00:17:14.059 by our 00:17:14.059 --> 00:17:14.420 own 00:17:14.420 --> 00:17:14.880 efforts. 00:17:14.880 --> 00:17:18.420 hope is 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.060 not in 00:17:19.060 --> 00:17:19.780 ourselves. 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:21.180 It is 00:17:21.180 --> 00:17:22.060 in Christ 00:17:22.060 --> 00:17:23.400 and Christ 00:17:23.400 --> 00:17:23.920 alone. 00:17:24.880 --> 00:17:25.360 More 00:17:25.360 --> 00:17:26.020 than that, 00:17:26.700 --> 00:17:26.880 the 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:27.360 Christian 00:17:27.360 --> 00:17:28.040 life is 00:17:28.040 --> 00:17:28.700 hoping for 00:17:28.700 --> 00:17:29.140 what we 00:17:29.140 --> 00:17:29.700 already 00:17:29.700 --> 00:17:30.480 have. 00:17:31.040 --> 00:17:31.420 This 00:17:31.420 --> 00:17:31.720 sounds 00:17:31.720 --> 00:17:32.060 really 00:17:32.060 --> 00:17:32.520 very 00:17:32.520 --> 00:17:33.220 strange 00:17:33.220 --> 00:17:33.620 to the 00:17:33.620 --> 00:17:33.960 world 00:17:33.960 --> 00:17:34.660 because 00:17:34.660 --> 00:17:35.500 worldly 00:17:35.500 --> 00:17:36.700 hope is 00:17:36.700 --> 00:17:37.080 not a 00:17:37.080 --> 00:17:37.440 gospel 00:17:37.440 --> 00:17:37.900 hope. 00:17:38.540 --> 00:17:39.040 Worldly 00:17:39.040 --> 00:17:39.800 hope says, 00:17:40.220 --> 00:17:40.480 oh, 00:17:40.560 --> 00:17:40.980 I hope 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.500 this works 00:17:41.500 --> 00:17:41.720 out. 00:17:41.720 --> 00:17:42.079 I hope 00:17:42.079 --> 00:17:42.539 it doesn't 00:17:42.539 --> 00:17:42.799 rain 00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:43.259 tomorrow 00:17:43.259 --> 00:17:43.880 because I 00:17:43.880 --> 00:17:44.200 want to 00:17:44.200 --> 00:17:44.440 do 00:17:44.440 --> 00:17:44.880 something. 00:17:45.620 --> 00:17:46.059 Gospel 00:17:46.059 --> 00:17:47.100 hope says, 00:17:47.700 --> 00:17:48.839 I know 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:49.900 that this 00:17:49.900 --> 00:17:50.720 will work 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:51.120 out. 00:17:51.740 --> 00:17:52.440 It means 00:17:52.440 --> 00:17:52.839 that we 00:17:52.839 --> 00:17:53.860 have total 00:17:53.860 --> 00:17:55.000 assurance. 00:17:56.160 --> 00:17:56.860 Paul uses 00:17:56.860 --> 00:17:57.259 it in 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.759 verse 5 00:17:57.759 --> 00:17:58.140 simply 00:17:58.140 --> 00:17:58.600 meaning 00:17:58.600 --> 00:17:59.380 that we're 00:17:59.380 --> 00:18:00.000 awaiting 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:01.160 this 00:18:01.160 --> 00:18:01.819 righteousness. 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.059 We don't 00:18:03.059 --> 00:18:03.900 work or 00:18:03.900 --> 00:18:05.000 strive for 00:18:05.000 --> 00:18:05.240 it. 00:18:05.600 --> 00:18:06.299 We know 00:18:06.299 --> 00:18:06.720 that it 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.319 is coming 00:18:07.319 --> 00:18:08.019 so we 00:18:08.019 --> 00:18:08.480 can wait 00:18:08.480 --> 00:18:09.319 eagerly 00:18:09.319 --> 00:18:10.380 and not 00:18:10.380 --> 00:18:11.100 anxiously. 00:18:11.720 --> 00:18:12.759 What is 00:18:12.759 --> 00:18:13.039 it that 00:18:13.039 --> 00:18:13.299 we're 00:18:13.299 --> 00:18:13.720 awaiting? 00:18:14.579 --> 00:18:15.319 It is 00:18:15.319 --> 00:18:15.600 a 00:18:15.600 --> 00:18:16.420 completely 00:18:16.420 --> 00:18:17.779 right 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.600 record 00:18:18.600 --> 00:18:19.519 and right 00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:20.339 relationship 00:18:20.339 --> 00:18:21.019 with God. 00:18:21.819 --> 00:18:22.460 Paul is 00:18:22.460 --> 00:18:23.019 saying that 00:18:23.019 --> 00:18:23.579 we can 00:18:23.579 --> 00:18:24.079 live 00:18:24.079 --> 00:18:24.960 today 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:26.059 in the 00:18:26.059 --> 00:18:26.620 light 00:18:26.620 --> 00:18:27.360 of our 00:18:27.360 --> 00:18:27.960 certain 00:18:27.960 --> 00:18:28.640 hope, 00:18:29.100 --> 00:18:29.380 a 00:18:29.380 --> 00:18:29.980 guaranteed 00:18:29.980 --> 00:18:31.480 future, 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:32.160 a 00:18:32.160 --> 00:18:33.360 glorification 00:18:33.360 --> 00:18:34.779 and be 00:18:34.779 --> 00:18:35.559 welcomed 00:18:35.559 --> 00:18:36.740 by 00:18:36.740 --> 00:18:37.740 God 00:18:37.740 --> 00:18:38.539 and his 00:18:38.539 --> 00:18:39.559 open arms 00:18:39.559 --> 00:18:40.200 one day. 00:18:40.200 --> 00:18:41.460 God 00:18:41.460 --> 00:18:42.400 has 00:18:42.400 --> 00:18:43.340 made 00:18:43.340 --> 00:18:43.620 us 00:18:43.620 --> 00:18:48.460 heirs. 00:18:49.460 --> 00:18:49.700 It 00:18:49.700 --> 00:18:50.160 doesn't 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:50.440 mean 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:50.860 that we're 00:18:50.860 --> 00:18:51.080 left 00:18:51.080 --> 00:18:51.500 sitting 00:18:51.500 --> 00:18:51.900 on our 00:18:51.900 --> 00:18:52.240 hands 00:18:52.240 --> 00:18:52.559 doing 00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:52.940 nothing 00:18:52.940 --> 00:18:53.319 though. 00:18:53.779 --> 00:18:53.920 By 00:18:53.920 --> 00:18:54.400 faith 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:54.600 the 00:18:54.600 --> 00:18:54.860 Holy 00:18:54.860 --> 00:18:55.299 Spirit 00:18:55.299 --> 00:18:56.160 enables 00:18:56.160 --> 00:18:56.779 us 00:18:56.779 --> 00:18:57.299 to 00:18:57.299 --> 00:18:58.160 experience 00:18:58.160 --> 00:18:58.819 the 00:18:58.819 --> 00:18:59.700 presence 00:18:59.700 --> 00:19:00.100 of 00:19:00.100 --> 00:19:00.559 Christ 00:19:00.559 --> 00:19:01.200 in 00:19:01.200 --> 00:19:01.420 the 00:19:01.420 --> 00:19:01.819 here 00:19:01.819 --> 00:19:02.180 and 00:19:02.180 --> 00:19:02.680 now. 00:19:03.460 --> 00:19:03.860 By 00:19:03.860 --> 00:19:04.700 faith 00:19:04.700 --> 00:19:05.460 the 00:19:05.460 --> 00:19:05.779 Holy 00:19:05.779 --> 00:19:06.240 Spirit 00:19:06.240 --> 00:19:06.799 enables 00:19:06.799 --> 00:19:07.100 us 00:19:07.099 --> 00:19:07.359 to 00:19:07.359 --> 00:19:08.119 enjoy 00:19:08.119 --> 00:19:08.819 the 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:09.359 commands 00:19:09.359 --> 00:19:09.799 of 00:19:09.799 --> 00:19:10.299 Christ 00:19:10.299 --> 00:19:11.259 and 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:11.659 these 00:19:11.659 --> 00:19:12.439 commands 00:19:12.439 --> 00:19:13.699 are not 00:19:13.699 --> 00:19:14.679 burdensome 00:19:14.679 --> 00:19:15.819 but they 00:19:15.819 --> 00:19:16.559 are free. 00:19:17.879 --> 00:19:18.559 Freedom 00:19:18.559 --> 00:19:19.539 in Christ 00:19:19.539 --> 00:19:20.399 is 00:19:20.399 --> 00:19:21.399 demonstrated 00:19:21.399 --> 00:19:22.240 through 00:19:22.240 --> 00:19:23.139 love 00:19:23.139 --> 00:19:23.759 and 00:19:23.759 --> 00:19:24.740 selfless 00:19:24.740 --> 00:19:25.719 service 00:19:25.719 --> 00:19:26.279 to 00:19:26.279 --> 00:19:26.839 others. 00:19:27.899 --> 00:19:28.319 Gospel 00:19:28.319 --> 00:19:29.099 truth 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.419 is never 00:19:30.419 --> 00:19:30.980 limited. 00:19:32.740 --> 00:19:33.480 Gospel 00:19:33.480 --> 00:19:34.199 truth is 00:19:34.200 --> 00:19:34.660 never 00:19:34.660 --> 00:19:35.440 intended 00:19:35.440 --> 00:19:36.180 to 00:19:36.180 --> 00:19:36.840 only 00:19:36.840 --> 00:19:37.580 be 00:19:37.580 --> 00:19:38.340 believed. 00:19:40.259 --> 00:19:40.620 Gospel 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.019 truth 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:41.259 is 00:19:41.259 --> 00:19:42.120 always 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:43.380 intended 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:44.059 to be 00:19:44.059 --> 00:19:44.720 obeyed 00:19:44.720 --> 00:19:45.100 and 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:45.539 shared. 00:19:46.059 --> 00:19:46.460 Let me 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:46.860 say it 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.180 again. 00:19:47.640 --> 00:19:48.000 Gospel 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:48.779 truth 00:19:48.779 --> 00:19:50.360 is never 00:19:50.360 --> 00:19:51.220 intended 00:19:51.220 --> 00:19:52.380 to just 00:19:52.380 --> 00:19:52.680 be 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:53.299 believed, 00:19:53.559 --> 00:19:54.000 to just 00:19:54.000 --> 00:19:54.620 be head 00:19:54.620 --> 00:19:55.039 knowledge 00:19:55.039 --> 00:19:55.480 that you 00:19:55.480 --> 00:19:56.160 hold on 00:19:56.160 --> 00:19:56.460 to 00:19:56.460 --> 00:19:57.580 for 00:19:57.580 --> 00:19:58.120 yourself. 00:19:59.000 --> 00:19:59.380 Gospel 00:19:59.380 --> 00:19:59.819 truth 00:19:59.819 --> 00:20:00.860 is always 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:01.799 intended 00:20:01.799 --> 00:20:02.400 to be 00:20:02.400 --> 00:20:03.140 obeyed 00:20:03.140 --> 00:20:03.840 and 00:20:03.840 --> 00:20:04.480 shared. 00:20:05.740 --> 00:20:06.140 Love 00:20:06.140 --> 00:20:06.980 for God 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.880 shows 00:20:07.880 --> 00:20:08.540 itself 00:20:08.540 --> 00:20:09.980 in our 00:20:09.980 --> 00:20:10.460 love 00:20:10.460 --> 00:20:10.960 for 00:20:10.960 --> 00:20:11.500 others. 00:20:12.100 --> 00:20:12.259 The 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.820 two 00:20:12.820 --> 00:20:13.540 are 00:20:13.540 --> 00:20:14.259 inseparable. 00:20:15.900 --> 00:20:16.120 Verse 00:20:16.120 --> 00:20:16.800 14 says 00:20:16.800 --> 00:20:17.600 the entire 00:20:17.600 --> 00:20:18.240 law 00:20:18.240 --> 00:20:19.180 is summed 00:20:19.180 --> 00:20:19.680 up in 00:20:19.680 --> 00:20:20.380 a single 00:20:20.380 --> 00:20:21.040 command, 00:20:21.580 --> 00:20:22.240 love your 00:20:22.240 --> 00:20:22.640 neighbour 00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:23.200 as 00:20:23.200 --> 00:20:24.080 yourself. 00:20:24.780 --> 00:20:25.380 How do 00:20:25.380 --> 00:20:25.800 we do 00:20:25.800 --> 00:20:26.360 this? 00:20:27.060 --> 00:20:27.640 Living 00:20:27.640 --> 00:20:28.580 in freedom 00:20:28.580 --> 00:20:29.280 to 00:20:29.280 --> 00:20:30.000 love, 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:33.000 loving 00:20:33.000 --> 00:20:33.500 others 00:20:33.500 --> 00:20:33.759 is 00:20:33.759 --> 00:20:34.220 serving 00:20:34.220 --> 00:20:34.819 others. 00:20:35.859 --> 00:20:36.079 It's 00:20:36.079 --> 00:20:36.400 about 00:20:36.400 --> 00:20:36.700 not 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:37.400 wanting 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.220 everything 00:20:38.220 --> 00:20:38.960 to be 00:20:38.960 --> 00:20:39.559 about 00:20:39.559 --> 00:20:40.539 me. 00:20:41.940 --> 00:20:42.359 Now 00:20:42.359 --> 00:20:42.859 many of 00:20:42.859 --> 00:20:43.299 you know 00:20:43.299 --> 00:20:43.680 that I 00:20:43.680 --> 00:20:44.059 have a 00:20:44.059 --> 00:20:44.740 six-year-old 00:20:44.740 --> 00:20:45.339 grandson, 00:20:45.980 --> 00:20:46.599 gorgeous 00:20:46.599 --> 00:20:47.079 Lincoln, 00:20:47.859 --> 00:20:48.779 and I 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:49.079 had the 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.500 joy of 00:20:49.500 --> 00:20:49.740 having 00:20:49.740 --> 00:20:50.039 Lincoln 00:20:50.039 --> 00:20:50.640 stay with 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:50.940 me for 00:20:50.940 --> 00:20:51.259 a couple 00:20:51.259 --> 00:20:51.720 of days 00:20:51.720 --> 00:20:52.039 in the 00:20:52.039 --> 00:20:52.460 holidays. 00:20:53.720 --> 00:20:54.000 Now 00:20:54.000 --> 00:20:54.920 Link 00:20:54.920 --> 00:20:55.599 is a 00:20:55.599 --> 00:20:55.980 typical 00:20:55.980 --> 00:20:57.160 six-year-old. 00:20:57.160 --> 00:20:57.860 His 00:20:57.860 --> 00:20:58.600 world 00:20:58.600 --> 00:20:59.840 revolves 00:20:59.840 --> 00:21:00.580 around 00:21:00.580 --> 00:21:01.000 him. 00:21:02.200 --> 00:21:02.540 He 00:21:02.540 --> 00:21:03.000 wants 00:21:03.000 --> 00:21:03.540 everything 00:21:03.540 --> 00:21:03.980 for 00:21:03.980 --> 00:21:04.720 himself, 00:21:05.160 --> 00:21:05.800 be it 00:21:05.800 --> 00:21:06.279 food, 00:21:06.540 --> 00:21:06.840 be it 00:21:06.840 --> 00:21:07.400 time, 00:21:07.580 --> 00:21:07.880 be it 00:21:07.880 --> 00:21:08.440 goods, 00:21:09.279 --> 00:21:09.720 be it 00:21:09.720 --> 00:21:10.340 anything, 00:21:10.980 --> 00:21:11.440 he's a 00:21:11.440 --> 00:21:11.860 typical 00:21:11.860 --> 00:21:12.660 six-year-old. 00:21:12.700 --> 00:21:13.019 He's a 00:21:13.019 --> 00:21:13.320 gorgeous 00:21:13.320 --> 00:21:13.759 boy, 00:21:14.120 --> 00:21:14.900 but he's 00:21:14.900 --> 00:21:15.360 a typical 00:21:15.360 --> 00:21:16.220 six-year-old. 00:21:16.660 --> 00:21:17.259 The sad 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.000 thing is 00:21:18.000 --> 00:21:18.660 many of 00:21:18.660 --> 00:21:18.880 us 00:21:18.880 --> 00:21:19.680 adults 00:21:19.680 --> 00:21:20.820 want to 00:21:20.820 --> 00:21:21.340 live like 00:21:21.340 --> 00:21:21.540 the 00:21:21.540 --> 00:21:22.340 six-year-old. 00:21:23.120 --> 00:21:23.740 I want 00:21:23.740 --> 00:21:24.080 to live 00:21:24.080 --> 00:21:24.500 like a 00:21:24.500 --> 00:21:25.120 six-year-old 00:21:25.120 --> 00:21:25.740 sometimes. 00:21:25.740 --> 00:21:27.480 I want 00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:27.579 to 00:21:27.579 --> 00:21:27.920 actually 00:21:27.920 --> 00:21:28.799 but that's 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:29.200 not what 00:21:29.200 --> 00:21:29.660 this is 00:21:29.660 --> 00:21:30.140 about. 00:21:31.160 --> 00:21:31.519 Gospel 00:21:31.519 --> 00:21:32.160 freedom 00:21:32.160 --> 00:21:33.279 actually 00:21:33.279 --> 00:21:33.980 helps us 00:21:33.980 --> 00:21:34.559 to grow 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.599 up to 00:21:35.599 --> 00:21:36.059 be the 00:21:36.059 --> 00:21:36.519 adult, 00:21:36.680 --> 00:21:37.059 not the 00:21:37.059 --> 00:21:37.960 six-year-old. 00:21:38.579 --> 00:21:38.819 Our 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.380 world 00:21:39.380 --> 00:21:39.900 doesn't 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:40.539 revolve 00:21:40.539 --> 00:21:40.859 around 00:21:40.859 --> 00:21:41.279 just 00:21:41.279 --> 00:21:41.839 us. 00:21:44.720 --> 00:21:45.039 Now 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:46.799 being 00:21:46.799 --> 00:21:47.599 free in 00:21:47.599 --> 00:21:48.099 Christ 00:21:48.099 --> 00:21:49.000 calls for 00:21:49.000 --> 00:21:49.559 something 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.599 radically 00:21:50.599 --> 00:21:51.160 different. 00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:52.880 Christ 00:21:52.880 --> 00:21:53.440 empowers 00:21:53.440 --> 00:21:54.079 a change 00:21:54.079 --> 00:21:54.559 in us 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:55.420 to love 00:21:55.420 --> 00:21:56.019 in such 00:21:56.019 --> 00:21:56.340 a way 00:21:56.340 --> 00:21:56.720 that is 00:21:56.720 --> 00:21:57.259 counter 00:21:57.259 --> 00:21:57.900 cultural 00:21:57.900 --> 00:21:58.740 to what 00:21:58.740 --> 00:21:59.380 society 00:21:59.380 --> 00:21:59.960 thinks. 00:22:00.980 --> 00:22:01.400 Christian 00:22:01.400 --> 00:22:01.820 freedom 00:22:01.820 --> 00:22:02.460 is about 00:22:02.460 --> 00:22:03.480 discipleship. 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:04.759 It allows 00:22:04.759 --> 00:22:05.680 the world 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.680 to see 00:22:06.680 --> 00:22:07.259 Jesus 00:22:07.259 --> 00:22:08.640 in us 00:22:08.640 --> 00:22:10.160 because of 00:22:10.160 --> 00:22:10.519 the way 00:22:10.519 --> 00:22:10.860 that we 00:22:10.860 --> 00:22:11.440 love each 00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:11.980 other and 00:22:11.980 --> 00:22:12.300 the way 00:22:12.300 --> 00:22:12.620 that we 00:22:12.620 --> 00:22:12.980 love the 00:22:12.980 --> 00:22:13.200 world. 00:22:13.320 --> 00:22:13.640 That is 00:22:13.640 --> 00:22:14.279 an awesome 00:22:14.279 --> 00:22:15.180 responsibility 00:22:15.180 --> 00:22:15.920 my friends 00:22:15.920 --> 00:22:17.120 but let me 00:22:17.120 --> 00:22:18.240 say the 00:22:18.240 --> 00:22:18.820 great thing 00:22:18.820 --> 00:22:19.480 is that 00:22:19.480 --> 00:22:20.019 God doesn't 00:22:20.019 --> 00:22:20.500 leave us 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:20.960 to do it 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.279 all on 00:22:21.279 --> 00:22:21.680 our own. 00:22:21.779 --> 00:22:22.140 We have 00:22:22.140 --> 00:22:22.539 the Holy 00:22:22.539 --> 00:22:23.160 Spirit to 00:22:23.160 --> 00:22:23.680 help us. 00:22:23.680 --> 00:22:25.480 Christian 00:22:25.480 --> 00:22:25.940 love is 00:22:25.940 --> 00:22:26.640 saying that 00:22:26.640 --> 00:22:27.140 you would 00:22:27.140 --> 00:22:27.680 deny 00:22:27.680 --> 00:22:28.640 yourself 00:22:28.640 --> 00:22:30.580 and give 00:22:30.580 --> 00:22:31.580 whatever is 00:22:31.580 --> 00:22:32.400 needed to 00:22:32.400 --> 00:22:32.720 another 00:22:32.720 --> 00:22:33.200 person. 00:22:34.380 --> 00:22:35.000 There are 00:22:35.000 --> 00:22:35.660 plenty of 00:22:35.660 --> 00:22:36.299 ways that 00:22:36.299 --> 00:22:36.640 we can 00:22:36.640 --> 00:22:37.240 do this. 00:22:38.420 --> 00:22:38.860 It can 00:22:38.860 --> 00:22:39.380 range from 00:22:39.380 --> 00:22:39.860 a simple 00:22:39.860 --> 00:22:40.700 smile that 00:22:40.700 --> 00:22:41.200 you might 00:22:41.200 --> 00:22:41.640 give to 00:22:41.640 --> 00:22:42.320 somebody who 00:22:42.320 --> 00:22:42.840 serves you 00:22:42.840 --> 00:22:43.480 morning tea. 00:22:43.880 --> 00:22:44.360 It might 00:22:44.360 --> 00:22:45.279 be a smile 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.160 for a 00:22:46.160 --> 00:22:46.840 shopkeeper. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.080 That's 00:22:48.080 --> 00:22:48.460 Christian 00:22:48.460 --> 00:22:48.880 love. 00:22:49.580 --> 00:22:49.980 But it 00:22:49.980 --> 00:22:50.320 might be 00:22:50.320 --> 00:22:50.799 bigger than 00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.080 that. 00:22:51.079 --> 00:22:52.099 It might 00:22:52.099 --> 00:22:53.299 be offering 00:22:53.299 --> 00:22:54.339 to provide 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:55.019 a meal to 00:22:55.019 --> 00:22:55.879 somebody who 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.740 is having 00:22:56.740 --> 00:22:57.460 a tough 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.159 time and 00:22:58.159 --> 00:22:58.519 just to 00:22:58.519 --> 00:22:58.839 give them 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.759 a little 00:22:59.759 --> 00:23:01.220 special treat. 00:23:01.599 --> 00:23:02.139 It might 00:23:02.139 --> 00:23:03.000 actually be 00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:03.939 coming and 00:23:03.939 --> 00:23:05.279 helping with 00:23:05.279 --> 00:23:06.519 kids here 00:23:06.519 --> 00:23:08.119 at Kids 00:23:08.119 --> 00:23:08.519 Church. 00:23:08.619 --> 00:23:09.059 It might 00:23:09.059 --> 00:23:09.659 be helping 00:23:09.659 --> 00:23:10.559 with kids 00:23:10.559 --> 00:23:11.460 at ESL 00:23:11.460 --> 00:23:11.960 or even 00:23:11.960 --> 00:23:12.579 helping with 00:23:12.579 --> 00:23:13.079 ESL. 00:23:13.079 --> 00:23:13.819 And let me 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.639 just plug, 00:23:15.039 --> 00:23:16.259 ESL desperately 00:23:16.259 --> 00:23:17.759 needs a 00:23:17.759 --> 00:23:19.179 helper on 00:23:19.179 --> 00:23:20.319 Friday mornings 00:23:20.319 --> 00:23:20.859 because we've 00:23:20.859 --> 00:23:21.460 now got 00:23:21.460 --> 00:23:22.279 two families, 00:23:22.419 --> 00:23:22.859 so three 00:23:22.859 --> 00:23:23.279 children, 00:23:23.799 --> 00:23:24.480 coming to 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:25.179 ESL and 00:23:25.179 --> 00:23:27.299 we cannot 00:23:27.299 --> 00:23:28.639 actually have 00:23:28.639 --> 00:23:29.119 the second 00:23:29.119 --> 00:23:30.619 mum come 00:23:30.619 --> 00:23:31.460 if we don't 00:23:31.460 --> 00:23:32.019 have a second 00:23:32.019 --> 00:23:32.960 person looking 00:23:32.960 --> 00:23:33.439 after the 00:23:33.439 --> 00:23:33.740 kids. 00:23:34.079 --> 00:23:34.379 So that 00:23:34.379 --> 00:23:34.740 would be 00:23:34.740 --> 00:23:35.379 terrible if 00:23:35.379 --> 00:23:36.559 we had to 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:36.939 tell that 00:23:36.939 --> 00:23:37.339 mum that 00:23:37.339 --> 00:23:37.779 she can't 00:23:37.779 --> 00:23:38.019 come. 00:23:38.779 --> 00:23:39.399 But we 00:23:39.399 --> 00:23:40.079 can do 00:23:40.079 --> 00:23:40.960 things that 00:23:40.960 --> 00:23:41.460 would actually 00:23:41.460 --> 00:23:42.379 help in 00:23:42.379 --> 00:23:43.139 many and 00:23:43.139 --> 00:23:43.700 different ways. 00:23:43.839 --> 00:23:44.200 Here at 00:23:44.200 --> 00:23:44.879 St Paul's, 00:23:45.139 --> 00:23:45.859 you will find 00:23:45.859 --> 00:23:46.220 in our 00:23:46.220 --> 00:23:47.079 vision series 00:23:47.079 --> 00:23:48.500 an abundance 00:23:48.500 --> 00:23:50.059 of ways in 00:23:50.059 --> 00:23:50.819 which you 00:23:50.819 --> 00:23:51.519 can serve 00:23:51.519 --> 00:23:52.059 here at 00:23:52.059 --> 00:23:52.519 church. 00:23:52.759 --> 00:23:53.220 But it's 00:23:53.220 --> 00:23:53.720 not just 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.440 serving here 00:23:54.440 --> 00:23:54.900 at church 00:23:54.900 --> 00:23:55.740 and loving 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:57.279 here at 00:23:57.279 --> 00:23:57.619 church, 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:58.240 it's about 00:23:58.240 --> 00:23:59.220 loving out 00:23:59.220 --> 00:23:59.519 in the 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:00.420 world also. 00:24:01.079 --> 00:24:01.660 So there's 00:24:01.660 --> 00:24:02.019 many, 00:24:02.220 --> 00:24:03.240 many ways. 00:24:03.920 --> 00:24:04.359 Might I 00:24:04.359 --> 00:24:05.299 also say 00:24:05.299 --> 00:24:06.759 that we 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.400 are also 00:24:07.400 --> 00:24:08.400 encouraged 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:10.759 to love 00:24:10.759 --> 00:24:11.220 and to 00:24:11.220 --> 00:24:11.900 love means 00:24:11.900 --> 00:24:12.240 that we 00:24:12.240 --> 00:24:13.019 will resolve 00:24:13.019 --> 00:24:14.279 any conflict 00:24:14.279 --> 00:24:15.559 quickly so 00:24:15.559 --> 00:24:16.180 that sin 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.779 does not 00:24:16.779 --> 00:24:17.899 fester and 00:24:17.899 --> 00:24:18.240 we do 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:18.660 not get 00:24:18.660 --> 00:24:19.019 a bitter 00:24:19.019 --> 00:24:19.740 heart. 00:24:20.879 --> 00:24:21.319 Now, 00:24:21.480 --> 00:24:21.920 we have 00:24:21.920 --> 00:24:22.519 set as 00:24:22.519 --> 00:24:22.799 one of 00:24:22.799 --> 00:24:23.200 our core 00:24:23.200 --> 00:24:23.720 values, 00:24:24.180 --> 00:24:24.920 humble 00:24:24.920 --> 00:24:25.700 authenticity, 00:24:26.339 --> 00:24:27.619 where we 00:24:27.619 --> 00:24:28.059 want to 00:24:28.059 --> 00:24:28.519 deal with 00:24:28.519 --> 00:24:29.639 hurt quickly 00:24:29.639 --> 00:24:30.879 and appropriately 00:24:30.879 --> 00:24:31.539 and with 00:24:31.539 --> 00:24:32.740 the appropriate 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:33.839 people. 00:24:34.359 --> 00:24:34.720 And so 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.559 that is 00:24:35.559 --> 00:24:36.359 another way 00:24:36.359 --> 00:24:36.720 that we 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.359 actually show 00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:37.680 that we 00:24:37.680 --> 00:24:37.960 love. 00:24:38.059 --> 00:24:38.460 If we 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:38.839 cannot 00:24:38.839 --> 00:24:39.339 resolve 00:24:39.339 --> 00:24:39.819 conflict 00:24:39.819 --> 00:24:40.420 here in 00:24:40.420 --> 00:24:41.039 our church 00:24:41.039 --> 00:24:42.619 at St Paul's, 00:24:42.740 --> 00:24:43.440 we have 00:24:43.440 --> 00:24:44.700 absolutely no 00:24:44.700 --> 00:24:45.279 chance of 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:46.079 being able to 00:24:46.079 --> 00:24:46.919 reflect how 00:24:46.919 --> 00:24:47.379 to solve 00:24:47.379 --> 00:24:48.179 conflict out 00:24:48.179 --> 00:24:48.460 in the 00:24:48.460 --> 00:24:48.740 world. 00:24:49.139 --> 00:24:49.539 So we 00:24:49.539 --> 00:24:49.919 need to 00:24:49.919 --> 00:24:50.240 do it 00:24:50.240 --> 00:24:50.980 well here. 00:24:51.359 --> 00:24:51.659 That's 00:24:51.659 --> 00:24:51.980 humble 00:24:51.980 --> 00:24:52.639 authenticity, 00:24:52.839 --> 00:24:53.119 one of 00:24:53.119 --> 00:24:53.539 our core 00:24:53.539 --> 00:24:54.119 values. 00:24:55.519 --> 00:24:55.759 And, 00:24:55.859 --> 00:24:56.279 you know, 00:24:56.339 --> 00:24:56.679 sort of, 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:58.039 there is 00:24:58.039 --> 00:24:58.919 no end 00:24:58.919 --> 00:24:59.799 to how 00:24:59.799 --> 00:25:00.619 we can 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.679 love and 00:25:01.679 --> 00:25:02.240 serve, 00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:02.879 my friends. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:03.839 We need 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.559 to understand 00:25:04.559 --> 00:25:05.079 that this 00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.819 freedom we 00:25:05.819 --> 00:25:06.639 have is 00:25:06.639 --> 00:25:07.259 because we 00:25:07.259 --> 00:25:07.980 serve a 00:25:07.980 --> 00:25:08.599 new king. 00:25:09.259 --> 00:25:09.699 We are 00:25:09.699 --> 00:25:11.000 not obligated 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:11.980 to return 00:25:11.980 --> 00:25:12.799 to our 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.740 old ways 00:25:13.740 --> 00:25:14.460 of living. 00:25:14.460 --> 00:25:15.759 to be 00:25:15.759 --> 00:25:16.480 fooled into 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.120 living by 00:25:17.120 --> 00:25:18.700 license or 00:25:18.700 --> 00:25:20.000 by legalism 00:25:20.000 --> 00:25:20.740 as the 00:25:20.740 --> 00:25:21.500 Galatians were 00:25:21.500 --> 00:25:22.299 being encouraged 00:25:22.299 --> 00:25:23.299 to do is 00:25:23.299 --> 00:25:24.039 just truly 00:25:24.039 --> 00:25:24.799 foolishness. 00:25:25.579 --> 00:25:26.279 We need to 00:25:26.279 --> 00:25:27.980 understand that 00:25:27.980 --> 00:25:28.960 we are going 00:25:28.960 --> 00:25:29.759 to be tempted 00:25:29.759 --> 00:25:31.880 because Jesus 00:25:31.880 --> 00:25:33.539 hasn't returned 00:25:33.539 --> 00:25:34.559 just yet 00:25:34.559 --> 00:25:36.120 to take us 00:25:36.120 --> 00:25:36.480 home. 00:25:37.100 --> 00:25:37.640 And so in 00:25:37.640 --> 00:25:38.140 the meantime, 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:38.920 when we're in 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.400 this middle 00:25:39.400 --> 00:25:40.460 section, we are 00:25:40.460 --> 00:25:41.100 going to be 00:25:41.100 --> 00:25:41.420 tempted. 00:25:41.420 --> 00:25:42.880 and when 00:25:42.880 --> 00:25:44.259 Jesus 00:25:44.259 --> 00:25:45.700 returns, he 00:25:45.700 --> 00:25:46.460 will make us 00:25:46.460 --> 00:25:47.380 totally new, 00:25:47.560 --> 00:25:48.120 he will make 00:25:48.120 --> 00:25:48.860 us totally 00:25:48.860 --> 00:25:49.360 perfect, 00:25:50.080 --> 00:25:50.700 he will 00:25:50.700 --> 00:25:51.900 sanctify us. 00:25:52.600 --> 00:25:53.039 But for 00:25:53.039 --> 00:25:54.840 now, we 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.460 live in this 00:25:55.460 --> 00:25:55.860 world where 00:25:55.860 --> 00:25:57.080 temptation exists 00:25:57.080 --> 00:25:58.320 and at the 00:25:58.320 --> 00:25:59.400 same time, we 00:25:59.400 --> 00:26:00.120 live with the 00:26:00.120 --> 00:26:00.580 hope of 00:26:00.580 --> 00:26:00.920 heaven. 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.340 But we 00:26:02.340 --> 00:26:03.160 cannot stop 00:26:03.160 --> 00:26:04.080 that temptation, 00:26:04.820 --> 00:26:05.580 but we 00:26:05.580 --> 00:26:06.660 can choose 00:26:06.660 --> 00:26:07.539 what we do 00:26:07.539 --> 00:26:08.180 with any 00:26:08.180 --> 00:26:08.900 temptation. 00:26:08.900 --> 00:26:09.540 temptation 00:26:09.540 --> 00:26:11.080 because King 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:12.980 Jesus has 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:13.720 called us to 00:26:13.720 --> 00:26:14.320 be holy. 00:26:15.740 --> 00:26:16.480 It's about 00:26:16.480 --> 00:26:17.420 being alert 00:26:17.420 --> 00:26:18.360 to the fact 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:19.200 that we 00:26:19.200 --> 00:26:19.980 all have 00:26:19.980 --> 00:26:20.840 weak spots 00:26:20.840 --> 00:26:21.480 and if you 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:21.960 don't know 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:22.500 your weak 00:26:22.500 --> 00:26:23.060 spots, you 00:26:23.060 --> 00:26:23.660 need to go 00:26:23.660 --> 00:26:24.620 home and ask 00:26:24.620 --> 00:26:25.200 the Lord what 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.680 your weak 00:26:25.680 --> 00:26:26.240 spots are. 00:26:26.360 --> 00:26:26.920 Where do you 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.480 get tempted 00:26:27.480 --> 00:26:27.900 most? 00:26:28.320 --> 00:26:29.360 What lies do 00:26:29.360 --> 00:26:30.080 you believe 00:26:30.080 --> 00:26:31.220 in your head 00:26:31.220 --> 00:26:32.259 that make you 00:26:32.259 --> 00:26:33.240 cause you to 00:26:33.240 --> 00:26:33.920 live in a 00:26:33.920 --> 00:26:34.519 different way? 00:26:35.880 --> 00:26:36.820 Because once we 00:26:36.820 --> 00:26:37.440 know our weak 00:26:37.440 --> 00:26:38.100 spots, then we 00:26:38.099 --> 00:26:39.059 can resist the 00:26:39.059 --> 00:26:39.899 temptations when 00:26:39.899 --> 00:26:40.299 they come. 00:26:41.539 --> 00:26:42.079 Well, these 00:26:42.079 --> 00:26:42.980 last verses of 00:26:42.980 --> 00:26:44.339 our passage help 00:26:44.339 --> 00:26:47.159 us with how 00:26:47.159 --> 00:26:47.799 we are to 00:26:47.799 --> 00:26:48.099 live. 00:26:48.879 --> 00:26:49.859 You need to 00:26:49.859 --> 00:26:50.459 believe. 00:26:51.539 --> 00:26:52.579 You need to 00:26:52.579 --> 00:26:53.399 know what you 00:26:53.399 --> 00:26:54.000 believe. 00:26:54.519 --> 00:26:54.659 Okay? 00:26:55.259 --> 00:26:56.179 We need to 00:26:56.179 --> 00:26:57.079 read God's 00:26:57.079 --> 00:26:57.399 word. 00:26:58.039 --> 00:26:58.619 We need to 00:26:58.619 --> 00:27:00.159 pursue Jesus. 00:27:00.699 --> 00:27:01.939 Be active in 00:27:01.939 --> 00:27:03.219 our response to 00:27:03.219 --> 00:27:04.059 the freedom that 00:27:04.059 --> 00:27:04.959 Christ has won 00:27:04.959 --> 00:27:06.539 for you and he 00:27:06.539 --> 00:27:07.379 has won it on 00:27:07.379 --> 00:27:08.039 your behalf. 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:09.939 It's about this 00:27:09.939 --> 00:27:11.219 active pursuit, 00:27:11.480 --> 00:27:13.279 being alive to 00:27:13.279 --> 00:27:13.879 Christ. 00:27:14.459 --> 00:27:15.819 If you are not 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:17.419 actively pursuing 00:27:17.419 --> 00:27:19.759 Christ, then you 00:27:19.759 --> 00:27:20.740 will be sliding 00:27:20.740 --> 00:27:22.599 back either into 00:27:22.599 --> 00:27:24.399 legalism or 00:27:24.399 --> 00:27:26.179 into license or 00:27:26.179 --> 00:27:27.159 maybe both, 00:27:27.279 --> 00:27:28.199 depending on how 00:27:28.199 --> 00:27:29.679 you wake up on a 00:27:29.679 --> 00:27:30.500 particular day. 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:33.199 Friends, we don't 00:27:33.199 --> 00:27:35.059 grow by accident. 00:27:35.059 --> 00:27:38.220 If we never read 00:27:38.220 --> 00:27:39.220 our Bible, we 00:27:39.220 --> 00:27:40.659 never pray, we 00:27:40.659 --> 00:27:42.179 never apply what 00:27:42.179 --> 00:27:44.379 we learn, if we 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.480 limit when we're 00:27:45.480 --> 00:27:46.700 around Christian 00:27:46.700 --> 00:27:48.480 community, we 00:27:48.480 --> 00:27:50.379 will focus on what 00:27:50.379 --> 00:27:51.299 are worldly 00:27:51.299 --> 00:27:52.859 things and we 00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:54.179 will not focus on 00:27:54.179 --> 00:27:54.579 Jesus. 00:27:55.579 --> 00:27:56.759 You won't grow 00:27:56.759 --> 00:27:58.000 because you are not 00:27:58.000 --> 00:27:59.119 pursuing Christ. 00:27:59.119 --> 00:27:59.179 Christ. 00:28:00.339 --> 00:28:02.000 You can allow sin 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:04.899 to reign or you 00:28:04.899 --> 00:28:05.799 can choose to 00:28:05.799 --> 00:28:07.079 confess and to 00:28:07.079 --> 00:28:07.419 grow. 00:28:08.099 --> 00:28:08.879 Trying to deal 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:10.319 with sin on your 00:28:10.319 --> 00:28:11.539 own will just get 00:28:11.539 --> 00:28:13.279 you into trouble and 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:14.219 you will constantly 00:28:14.219 --> 00:28:14.699 fail. 00:28:15.339 --> 00:28:16.099 You need to 00:28:16.099 --> 00:28:17.639 confess to the 00:28:17.639 --> 00:28:19.179 one who has taken 00:28:19.179 --> 00:28:20.519 it on the cross for 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:20.779 you. 00:28:21.779 --> 00:28:23.039 But remembering the 00:28:23.039 --> 00:28:25.479 gospel, preaching it 00:28:25.480 --> 00:28:26.900 to yourself day by 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:28.980 day, you will 00:28:28.980 --> 00:28:30.259 know that the 00:28:30.259 --> 00:28:31.319 Spirit of God 00:28:31.319 --> 00:28:32.660 will empower you 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:33.860 to receive the 00:28:33.860 --> 00:28:35.700 grace of God, 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:36.579 to not only 00:28:36.579 --> 00:28:37.839 confess the sin 00:28:37.839 --> 00:28:39.039 when needed, 00:28:39.579 --> 00:28:40.819 but will give you 00:28:40.819 --> 00:28:42.220 a heart to 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:44.120 serve, a heart 00:28:44.120 --> 00:28:46.120 to love, a 00:28:46.120 --> 00:28:47.279 heart that will 00:28:47.279 --> 00:28:48.460 live not wanting 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.299 there to be 00:28:49.299 --> 00:28:50.620 anything that 00:28:50.620 --> 00:28:51.620 stands in the 00:28:51.620 --> 00:28:53.120 way of you 00:28:53.120 --> 00:28:55.160 encouraging, 00:28:55.480 --> 00:28:56.400 and loving 00:28:56.400 --> 00:28:57.880 others as 00:28:57.880 --> 00:28:59.460 Christ desires 00:28:59.460 --> 00:29:00.220 for you to be 00:29:00.220 --> 00:29:00.519 doing. 00:29:01.480 --> 00:29:02.460 Why can we be 00:29:02.460 --> 00:29:03.559 confident in this? 00:29:04.299 --> 00:29:05.700 Because Jesus in 00:29:05.700 --> 00:29:06.440 his death and 00:29:06.440 --> 00:29:08.019 resurrection gave 00:29:08.019 --> 00:29:10.160 up his life and 00:29:10.160 --> 00:29:11.759 by this life gave 00:29:11.759 --> 00:29:13.620 us a freedom to 00:29:13.620 --> 00:29:14.799 love to the 00:29:14.799 --> 00:29:16.259 full, to be 00:29:16.259 --> 00:29:17.839 loved and he 00:29:17.839 --> 00:29:18.660 gave us a 00:29:18.660 --> 00:29:20.420 heart to serve 00:29:20.420 --> 00:29:21.440 others beyond 00:29:21.440 --> 00:29:23.519 anything that we 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.539 would naturally 00:29:24.539 --> 00:29:25.420 choose by 00:29:25.420 --> 00:29:26.039 ourselves. 00:29:27.259 --> 00:29:28.560 The world will 00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:29.580 have different 00:29:29.580 --> 00:29:30.900 views on what 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:32.140 freedom is really 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:33.779 about and what 00:29:33.779 --> 00:29:34.640 it looks like. 00:29:35.500 --> 00:29:37.200 But friends, we 00:29:37.200 --> 00:29:39.080 have freedom to 00:29:39.080 --> 00:29:39.759 love. 00:29:39.980 --> 00:29:40.680 It's a freedom 00:29:40.680 --> 00:29:42.160 that comes with 00:29:42.160 --> 00:29:42.720 the gospel. 00:29:43.560 --> 00:29:45.460 Let's be the 00:29:45.460 --> 00:29:46.440 church that 00:29:46.440 --> 00:29:47.420 reflects the 00:29:47.420 --> 00:29:48.320 freedom that 00:29:48.320 --> 00:29:49.120 Christ has given 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:49.480 us. 00:29:49.480 --> 00:29:50.620 Amen.