WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.520 I want to say before she gets out, good job, Sophie. 00:00:04.120 --> 00:00:08.259 I called her by her sister's name in the first service. 00:00:08.859 --> 00:00:12.500 And what's so bad before I got up, 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.580 I thought, that is Sophie singing. 00:00:16.160 --> 00:00:17.800 I'm not going to get it confused. 00:00:18.179 --> 00:00:20.900 And I didn't think I did until Lisa told me after the service 00:00:20.900 --> 00:00:22.420 that I called you by the wrong name. 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:23.359 I am sorry. 00:00:24.580 --> 00:00:27.539 What kind of example are you? 00:00:27.539 --> 00:00:31.379 Now, everybody is an example. 00:00:32.759 --> 00:00:34.539 Some good, some bad. 00:00:35.859 --> 00:00:38.840 But what I really want us to think about this morning 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:43.359 is what kind of Christian example are you? 00:00:44.340 --> 00:00:48.259 What kind of example are you for other Christians? 00:00:49.480 --> 00:00:53.219 How are you influencing people in this church 00:00:53.219 --> 00:00:56.519 by your presence, by your involvement, 00:00:56.520 --> 00:01:00.300 by just the way they see you live your life 00:01:00.300 --> 00:01:03.240 outside the church, in your home? 00:01:04.240 --> 00:01:06.159 How are you influencing people in your home? 00:01:07.159 --> 00:01:08.879 Or the people you go to school with? 00:01:10.219 --> 00:01:12.000 People you work with every day? 00:01:13.320 --> 00:01:15.359 What kind of impact are you having on them? 00:01:15.359 --> 00:01:22.060 Are they looking to you as an example? 00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:25.719 For some, you just don't know. 00:01:26.519 --> 00:01:30.239 There may be some people at school, at work, 00:01:31.239 --> 00:01:34.560 and you never really understood it, don't know it even, 00:01:34.699 --> 00:01:36.560 but they're looking at you. 00:01:36.619 --> 00:01:37.439 They're watching you. 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:38.939 They know you're a member of this church. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:42.219 They know that you are a professing Christian. 00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:45.920 What kind of example are you setting for them? 00:01:45.920 --> 00:01:49.560 And you know, sometimes people don't really look at us. 00:01:50.439 --> 00:01:53.960 They're not really thinking about following our example, 00:01:54.120 --> 00:01:58.960 but sometimes our example rubs off on people, doesn't it? 00:02:00.340 --> 00:02:02.980 You know that there's people in your life you've been around a lot, 00:02:03.060 --> 00:02:04.760 and you never really tried to be like them. 00:02:05.320 --> 00:02:06.340 You didn't think about it, 00:02:06.340 --> 00:02:11.759 but you've seen how some of the things they do, 00:02:11.860 --> 00:02:13.180 they say mannerisms, 00:02:14.120 --> 00:02:15.360 have rubbed off on you. 00:02:17.099 --> 00:02:19.960 I want you to turn to Philippians chapter 3, verse 17, 00:02:20.219 --> 00:02:23.060 and see how Paul emphasizes the importance 00:02:23.060 --> 00:02:27.120 of providing the right kind of example 00:02:27.120 --> 00:02:29.340 for other Christians to follow. 00:02:30.840 --> 00:02:32.759 It is important that we 00:02:32.759 --> 00:02:38.580 understand the kind of example we should follow 00:02:38.580 --> 00:02:39.640 and not follow, 00:02:40.300 --> 00:02:41.480 and at the same time, 00:02:42.539 --> 00:02:44.060 the kind of example we need to set. 00:02:44.060 --> 00:02:46.960 So as we go through this passage, 00:02:47.759 --> 00:02:49.840 I want you to examine yourself. 00:02:52.599 --> 00:02:53.879 Are you helping people, 00:02:53.879 --> 00:02:55.140 examine yourself, 00:02:55.340 --> 00:02:56.219 just think, 00:02:56.640 --> 00:02:58.439 are you helping people become 00:02:58.439 --> 00:03:01.620 more like Jesus 00:03:01.620 --> 00:03:04.780 in terms of developing Christ-like character? 00:03:05.539 --> 00:03:05.980 Or, 00:03:06.539 --> 00:03:08.980 are you helping people 00:03:08.980 --> 00:03:12.020 to become more like the world 00:03:12.020 --> 00:03:14.180 that ignores Him 00:03:14.180 --> 00:03:17.300 or that even opposes Him? 00:03:18.300 --> 00:03:20.640 Which direction are you pointing people? 00:03:21.939 --> 00:03:22.780 Let's read it. 00:03:23.780 --> 00:03:24.980 Philippians chapter 3, 00:03:25.060 --> 00:03:26.219 beginning in verse 17. 00:03:27.080 --> 00:03:27.420 Brothers, 00:03:28.160 --> 00:03:30.300 join in imitating me 00:03:30.300 --> 00:03:33.600 and keep your eyes on those who walk 00:03:33.600 --> 00:03:36.360 according to the example you have in us. 00:03:37.400 --> 00:03:40.620 We're not going to get into that this morning, 00:03:40.620 --> 00:03:42.219 but I want to call your attention 00:03:42.219 --> 00:03:43.080 to the fact that 00:03:43.080 --> 00:03:45.860 most everything he has been talking about 00:03:45.860 --> 00:03:46.759 in this letter, 00:03:47.840 --> 00:03:49.960 he has been giving himself 00:03:49.960 --> 00:03:51.259 as an example 00:03:51.259 --> 00:03:54.080 for Christians to follow. 00:03:54.580 --> 00:03:56.420 But he's not an egomaniac. 00:03:57.680 --> 00:03:59.379 Paul has made it very clear, 00:04:00.560 --> 00:04:01.819 I don't think I've arrived. 00:04:03.540 --> 00:04:06.180 I am not by any means 00:04:06.180 --> 00:04:07.719 what I should be, 00:04:08.420 --> 00:04:09.400 but I'm working on it. 00:04:09.400 --> 00:04:11.620 I'm seeking to be faithful, 00:04:11.860 --> 00:04:12.400 to grow 00:04:12.400 --> 00:04:14.760 and become more like 00:04:14.760 --> 00:04:15.620 my Lord and Savior. 00:04:17.060 --> 00:04:17.420 So, 00:04:18.319 --> 00:04:19.060 as you think about, 00:04:19.340 --> 00:04:19.360 well, 00:04:19.840 --> 00:04:21.000 what is that example? 00:04:21.879 --> 00:04:22.120 Well, 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:23.860 if you've been here for these studies 00:04:23.860 --> 00:04:25.060 or you just read back 00:04:25.060 --> 00:04:26.959 through what he said 00:04:26.959 --> 00:04:28.040 in chapters 1, 2, and 3, 00:04:28.579 --> 00:04:30.360 he's given us a lot of 00:04:30.360 --> 00:04:32.280 illustrations or examples 00:04:32.280 --> 00:04:34.360 of how he lives, 00:04:35.240 --> 00:04:36.840 how he relates to the Lord, 00:04:36.939 --> 00:04:38.079 what his desires are. 00:04:38.079 --> 00:04:41.359 verse 18. 00:04:43.359 --> 00:04:43.979 For many, 00:04:44.919 --> 00:04:47.099 of whom I have often told you 00:04:47.099 --> 00:04:49.620 and now tell you even with tears, 00:04:50.339 --> 00:04:51.719 walk as enemies 00:04:51.719 --> 00:04:53.199 of the cross of Christ. 00:04:54.060 --> 00:04:55.620 Their end is destruction, 00:04:56.459 --> 00:04:58.240 their God is their belly, 00:04:58.799 --> 00:05:00.659 and they glory in their shame 00:05:00.659 --> 00:05:04.180 with minds set on earthly things. 00:05:04.180 --> 00:05:06.079 But our citizenship 00:05:06.079 --> 00:05:06.860 is in heaven, 00:05:07.720 --> 00:05:08.840 and from it we await 00:05:08.840 --> 00:05:09.420 a Savior, 00:05:09.579 --> 00:05:10.740 the Lord Jesus Christ, 00:05:11.259 --> 00:05:12.319 who will transform 00:05:12.319 --> 00:05:13.439 our lowly body 00:05:13.439 --> 00:05:15.199 to be like his glorious body 00:05:15.199 --> 00:05:16.879 by the power 00:05:16.879 --> 00:05:17.879 that enables him 00:05:17.879 --> 00:05:18.840 even to subject 00:05:18.840 --> 00:05:19.980 all things 00:05:19.980 --> 00:05:20.759 to himself. 00:05:22.340 --> 00:05:24.180 Paul is contrasting 00:05:24.180 --> 00:05:25.519 two basic examples 00:05:25.519 --> 00:05:27.319 of behavior 00:05:27.319 --> 00:05:29.659 that are found 00:05:29.659 --> 00:05:30.199 among 00:05:30.199 --> 00:05:32.579 professing Christians. 00:05:34.099 --> 00:05:35.120 His intent 00:05:35.120 --> 00:05:35.980 is obvious. 00:05:37.180 --> 00:05:37.860 We need to make 00:05:37.860 --> 00:05:39.000 an intentional effort 00:05:39.000 --> 00:05:40.399 to follow 00:05:40.399 --> 00:05:42.060 the right examples 00:05:42.060 --> 00:05:44.480 and not 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:45.259 to follow 00:05:45.259 --> 00:05:47.740 the wrong examples. 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:49.659 Reject them outright. 00:05:50.279 --> 00:05:51.039 Let's look at this. 00:05:51.040 --> 00:05:51.840 First, 00:05:52.460 --> 00:05:53.020 don't follow 00:05:53.020 --> 00:05:53.580 the example 00:05:53.580 --> 00:05:55.379 of fake Christians. 00:05:56.800 --> 00:05:57.680 Don't follow 00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.500 the example 00:05:58.500 --> 00:06:01.300 of people 00:06:01.300 --> 00:06:01.879 in the church 00:06:01.879 --> 00:06:03.680 who profess 00:06:03.680 --> 00:06:04.660 to be a Christian 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:05.620 or pretend 00:06:05.620 --> 00:06:06.340 to be a Christian. 00:06:07.060 --> 00:06:08.000 I'm calling them 00:06:08.000 --> 00:06:09.040 fake Christians. 00:06:09.720 --> 00:06:10.340 Paul gives us 00:06:10.340 --> 00:06:12.120 a detailed description 00:06:12.120 --> 00:06:14.540 of who these people are. 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:16.939 We can spot them 00:06:16.939 --> 00:06:18.100 by looking 00:06:18.100 --> 00:06:18.780 at what he says 00:06:18.780 --> 00:06:20.520 in verses 18 and 19. 00:06:20.519 --> 00:06:20.879 Look, 00:06:21.599 --> 00:06:22.199 for many 00:06:22.199 --> 00:06:23.180 of whom I have 00:06:23.180 --> 00:06:23.979 often told you 00:06:23.979 --> 00:06:24.839 and now tell you 00:06:24.839 --> 00:06:25.639 even with tears 00:06:25.639 --> 00:06:28.199 walk or live 00:06:28.199 --> 00:06:29.139 as enemies 00:06:29.139 --> 00:06:30.599 of the cross of Christ. 00:06:31.439 --> 00:06:32.099 Their end 00:06:32.099 --> 00:06:32.859 is destruction. 00:06:33.939 --> 00:06:34.459 We need to be 00:06:34.459 --> 00:06:34.819 on guard 00:06:34.819 --> 00:06:36.219 against fake Christians 00:06:36.219 --> 00:06:37.299 in the church. 00:06:38.779 --> 00:06:39.599 Paul's writing 00:06:39.599 --> 00:06:40.259 to Christians, 00:06:40.500 --> 00:06:41.459 the church at Philippi. 00:06:42.500 --> 00:06:43.379 And he says, 00:06:43.519 --> 00:06:44.060 I've done this 00:06:44.060 --> 00:06:44.680 in the past. 00:06:44.919 --> 00:06:45.279 I've done it 00:06:45.279 --> 00:06:45.979 over and over again. 00:06:46.199 --> 00:06:46.959 Called attention 00:06:46.959 --> 00:06:48.979 to these type people. 00:06:50.519 --> 00:06:50.919 But he doesn't 00:06:50.919 --> 00:06:51.779 identify who they are. 00:06:53.219 --> 00:06:53.959 He doesn't say, 00:06:54.339 --> 00:06:56.539 here's who they are 00:06:56.539 --> 00:06:58.439 or give you 00:06:58.439 --> 00:06:58.759 a kind of 00:06:58.759 --> 00:06:59.799 detailed description. 00:07:00.799 --> 00:07:02.259 But we can figure out. 00:07:03.259 --> 00:07:04.379 He's talking about 00:07:04.379 --> 00:07:06.079 professing Christians 00:07:06.079 --> 00:07:08.060 but they were 00:07:08.060 --> 00:07:08.919 not true believers. 00:07:09.919 --> 00:07:10.779 That's why I'm calling 00:07:10.779 --> 00:07:12.259 them fake Christians. 00:07:12.259 --> 00:07:13.259 Note, 00:07:13.959 --> 00:07:15.079 here's why we can know this. 00:07:15.079 --> 00:07:15.839 First, 00:07:16.639 --> 00:07:17.800 Paul wrote this warning 00:07:17.800 --> 00:07:19.060 with tears 00:07:19.060 --> 00:07:21.659 because he knows 00:07:21.659 --> 00:07:22.199 these people. 00:07:23.099 --> 00:07:24.219 He wouldn't be writing 00:07:24.219 --> 00:07:25.479 and making this warning 00:07:25.479 --> 00:07:26.439 with tears 00:07:26.439 --> 00:07:27.079 about people 00:07:27.079 --> 00:07:28.000 he didn't know 00:07:28.000 --> 00:07:29.000 had no involvement 00:07:29.000 --> 00:07:29.939 with like 00:07:29.939 --> 00:07:30.899 just the average 00:07:30.899 --> 00:07:31.360 pagan 00:07:31.360 --> 00:07:33.120 on the street 00:07:33.120 --> 00:07:33.959 of Philippi. 00:07:34.919 --> 00:07:35.819 He's writing 00:07:35.819 --> 00:07:36.259 to people 00:07:36.259 --> 00:07:37.219 that he knows 00:07:37.219 --> 00:07:38.860 who've made 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:39.879 professions of faith 00:07:39.879 --> 00:07:40.919 who have been 00:07:40.919 --> 00:07:41.779 or are even 00:07:41.779 --> 00:07:42.360 still a part 00:07:42.360 --> 00:07:43.060 of the church. 00:07:43.060 --> 00:07:45.079 And it breaks 00:07:45.079 --> 00:07:45.680 his heart 00:07:45.680 --> 00:07:46.439 to think about 00:07:46.439 --> 00:07:47.639 how they have 00:07:47.639 --> 00:07:49.560 departed 00:07:49.560 --> 00:07:50.500 from the faith 00:07:50.500 --> 00:07:51.699 or they have 00:07:51.699 --> 00:07:52.439 revealed that 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:53.879 they've never been 00:07:53.879 --> 00:07:55.800 true to begin with. 00:07:56.360 --> 00:07:57.759 It tears him up. 00:07:58.060 --> 00:07:58.860 So he's writing 00:07:58.860 --> 00:07:59.399 with tears 00:07:59.399 --> 00:08:00.300 a heavy heart. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:01.740 He takes no pleasure 00:08:01.740 --> 00:08:03.300 in pointing out 00:08:03.300 --> 00:08:04.959 these fake Christians. 00:08:05.699 --> 00:08:06.519 He also describes 00:08:06.519 --> 00:08:07.720 them as enemies 00:08:07.720 --> 00:08:08.980 of the cross of Christ. 00:08:09.939 --> 00:08:11.139 That may mean 00:08:11.139 --> 00:08:11.980 that they were 00:08:11.980 --> 00:08:14.400 professing Christians 00:08:14.400 --> 00:08:16.360 who opposed 00:08:16.360 --> 00:08:17.100 the gospel 00:08:17.100 --> 00:08:18.300 of salvation 00:08:18.300 --> 00:08:18.860 by the grace 00:08:18.860 --> 00:08:19.280 of God 00:08:19.280 --> 00:08:19.800 through faith 00:08:19.800 --> 00:08:20.240 in Jesus 00:08:20.240 --> 00:08:21.400 plus nothing else. 00:08:22.140 --> 00:08:22.980 He may be referring 00:08:22.980 --> 00:08:24.240 to those Judaizers 00:08:24.240 --> 00:08:25.860 the ones we looked 00:08:25.860 --> 00:08:26.520 at a few weeks ago 00:08:26.520 --> 00:08:27.200 that he recalled 00:08:27.200 --> 00:08:27.920 dogs, 00:08:28.020 --> 00:08:28.920 beware the dogs. 00:08:30.300 --> 00:08:31.460 These were professing 00:08:31.460 --> 00:08:32.379 Jewish Christians 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:34.680 who said yes 00:08:34.680 --> 00:08:35.680 you've got to believe 00:08:35.680 --> 00:08:36.080 in Jesus 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:36.659 but you've also 00:08:36.659 --> 00:08:37.240 got to become 00:08:37.240 --> 00:08:38.139 an Old Testament Jew. 00:08:38.320 --> 00:08:38.879 You've got to keep 00:08:38.879 --> 00:08:39.440 the law. 00:08:39.440 --> 00:08:41.220 You've got to practice 00:08:41.220 --> 00:08:42.120 all these 00:08:42.120 --> 00:08:44.820 things that the 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:45.560 Old Testament law 00:08:45.560 --> 00:08:46.180 required. 00:08:46.300 --> 00:08:46.700 You've got to keep 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.120 the Sabbath. 00:08:47.480 --> 00:08:48.440 Practice circumcision. 00:08:48.820 --> 00:08:49.660 All this kind of stuff. 00:08:51.480 --> 00:08:52.300 So it could be 00:08:52.300 --> 00:08:53.860 that they're enemies 00:08:53.860 --> 00:08:54.640 of the cross 00:08:54.640 --> 00:08:55.260 of Christ. 00:08:55.960 --> 00:08:57.120 They reject 00:08:57.120 --> 00:08:58.740 that Jesus' 00:08:59.040 --> 00:08:59.900 death on the cross 00:08:59.900 --> 00:09:01.140 is sufficient 00:09:01.140 --> 00:09:02.640 to pay the penalty 00:09:02.640 --> 00:09:03.460 for our sins. 00:09:04.140 --> 00:09:04.640 Or 00:09:04.640 --> 00:09:06.220 he may be 00:09:06.220 --> 00:09:07.520 describing people 00:09:07.519 --> 00:09:07.960 as enemies 00:09:07.960 --> 00:09:08.600 of the cross 00:09:08.600 --> 00:09:09.179 of Christ 00:09:09.179 --> 00:09:10.159 as people 00:09:10.159 --> 00:09:11.100 who were 00:09:11.100 --> 00:09:11.939 professing Christians 00:09:11.939 --> 00:09:12.600 in the church 00:09:12.600 --> 00:09:13.879 but they rejected 00:09:13.879 --> 00:09:14.899 what Jesus taught 00:09:14.899 --> 00:09:16.399 about if anyone's 00:09:16.399 --> 00:09:17.139 going to follow me 00:09:17.139 --> 00:09:17.939 you've got to take 00:09:17.939 --> 00:09:18.679 up your cross 00:09:18.679 --> 00:09:19.159 daily 00:09:19.159 --> 00:09:20.860 in order to follow me. 00:09:21.439 --> 00:09:22.519 Jesus was talking 00:09:22.519 --> 00:09:22.860 about 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:23.919 you've got to be 00:09:23.919 --> 00:09:24.500 willing to 00:09:24.500 --> 00:09:26.199 suffer for my sake. 00:09:27.679 --> 00:09:28.559 You've got to be 00:09:28.559 --> 00:09:29.519 willing to die 00:09:29.519 --> 00:09:30.939 if necessary. 00:09:32.039 --> 00:09:32.879 The Christian life 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:33.639 is a life 00:09:33.639 --> 00:09:34.480 of sacrifice 00:09:34.480 --> 00:09:35.220 at times. 00:09:35.220 --> 00:09:36.259 A time 00:09:36.259 --> 00:09:37.320 for suffering 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:38.460 for your faith. 00:09:38.840 --> 00:09:39.800 Suffering because 00:09:39.800 --> 00:09:40.700 you're attached 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:41.160 to me. 00:09:42.620 --> 00:09:43.300 And it may be 00:09:43.300 --> 00:09:43.540 that 00:09:43.540 --> 00:09:45.139 there's people 00:09:45.139 --> 00:09:45.540 in the church 00:09:45.540 --> 00:09:46.259 who say no. 00:09:46.560 --> 00:09:47.000 They're more 00:09:47.000 --> 00:09:47.600 into the health 00:09:47.600 --> 00:09:48.399 and wealth gospel. 00:09:48.660 --> 00:09:48.960 They're more 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:49.620 into the positive 00:09:49.620 --> 00:09:50.080 thinking 00:09:50.080 --> 00:09:50.820 and they just 00:09:50.820 --> 00:09:51.899 reject the true 00:09:51.899 --> 00:09:53.019 gospel. 00:09:53.740 --> 00:09:54.560 They reject 00:09:54.560 --> 00:09:55.320 what it means 00:09:55.320 --> 00:09:56.139 to be a Christian. 00:09:57.680 --> 00:09:58.379 That's the kind 00:09:58.379 --> 00:09:58.740 of person 00:09:58.740 --> 00:09:59.300 he's talking 00:09:59.300 --> 00:09:59.720 about here. 00:10:01.200 --> 00:10:01.620 Well Paul 00:10:01.620 --> 00:10:02.440 makes it clear 00:10:02.440 --> 00:10:04.080 that these 00:10:04.080 --> 00:10:05.300 bad examples 00:10:05.300 --> 00:10:06.560 are not 00:10:06.560 --> 00:10:07.060 Christians 00:10:07.060 --> 00:10:08.420 because he 00:10:08.420 --> 00:10:09.040 describes how 00:10:09.040 --> 00:10:09.460 their life 00:10:09.460 --> 00:10:09.800 is going to 00:10:09.800 --> 00:10:10.020 end. 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:10.400 He says 00:10:10.400 --> 00:10:11.180 their end 00:10:11.180 --> 00:10:11.840 is destruction. 00:10:12.460 --> 00:10:12.700 They're going 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:13.400 to be eternally 00:10:13.400 --> 00:10:13.860 condemned 00:10:13.860 --> 00:10:14.340 on the day 00:10:14.340 --> 00:10:14.900 of judgment. 00:10:17.020 --> 00:10:17.900 They not only 00:10:17.900 --> 00:10:18.660 don't follow 00:10:18.660 --> 00:10:19.300 Christ 00:10:19.300 --> 00:10:20.680 they're not 00:10:20.680 --> 00:10:21.280 truly Christians 00:10:21.280 --> 00:10:21.860 he's talking 00:10:21.860 --> 00:10:22.220 about people 00:10:22.220 --> 00:10:22.560 who are going 00:10:22.560 --> 00:10:22.900 to spend 00:10:22.900 --> 00:10:23.420 eternity 00:10:23.420 --> 00:10:24.120 in hell. 00:10:26.440 --> 00:10:26.620 So 00:10:26.620 --> 00:10:28.779 Paul 00:10:28.779 --> 00:10:29.860 is telling 00:10:29.860 --> 00:10:30.340 us 00:10:30.340 --> 00:10:31.860 as we 00:10:31.860 --> 00:10:32.500 apply this 00:10:32.500 --> 00:10:32.879 to us 00:10:32.879 --> 00:10:33.440 he's telling 00:10:33.440 --> 00:10:34.120 those people 00:10:34.120 --> 00:10:35.659 be on guard 00:10:35.659 --> 00:10:37.100 for fake 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:37.960 Christians 00:10:37.960 --> 00:10:39.639 people who 00:10:39.639 --> 00:10:40.600 profess to be 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:42.639 maybe even 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.159 still a part 00:10:43.159 --> 00:10:43.840 of the church 00:10:43.840 --> 00:10:45.080 but they're 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:45.919 not real 00:10:45.919 --> 00:10:47.000 they're not 00:10:47.000 --> 00:10:48.080 truly followers 00:10:48.080 --> 00:10:48.820 of Jesus 00:10:48.820 --> 00:10:50.240 they're enemies 00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:51.759 of his cross 00:10:51.759 --> 00:10:52.860 their end 00:10:52.860 --> 00:10:53.860 is destruction. 00:10:53.860 --> 00:10:55.879 So as we 00:10:55.879 --> 00:10:56.680 begin this 00:10:56.680 --> 00:10:58.100 we 00:10:58.100 --> 00:10:59.680 we need 00:10:59.680 --> 00:11:00.159 to be on 00:11:00.159 --> 00:11:00.480 guard 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:00.960 against 00:11:00.960 --> 00:11:02.659 the bad 00:11:02.659 --> 00:11:03.480 examples 00:11:03.480 --> 00:11:05.379 of professing 00:11:05.379 --> 00:11:05.980 Christians 00:11:05.980 --> 00:11:07.600 if they're 00:11:07.600 --> 00:11:08.000 in this 00:11:08.000 --> 00:11:08.320 church 00:11:08.320 --> 00:11:08.659 or any 00:11:08.659 --> 00:11:08.899 other 00:11:08.899 --> 00:11:09.440 church 00:11:09.440 --> 00:11:11.399 and the 00:11:11.399 --> 00:11:11.779 way we'll 00:11:11.779 --> 00:11:12.139 know it 00:11:12.139 --> 00:11:12.659 is because 00:11:12.659 --> 00:11:13.580 their lifestyle 00:11:13.580 --> 00:11:15.899 their lifestyle 00:11:15.899 --> 00:11:16.860 will betray 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.659 their profession. 00:11:18.720 --> 00:11:19.440 Their lifestyle 00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:20.259 will reveal 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.680 they're not 00:11:21.680 --> 00:11:22.220 true followers 00:11:22.220 --> 00:11:22.680 of Jesus. 00:11:23.860 --> 00:11:24.300 Let's look 00:11:24.300 --> 00:11:24.779 on. 00:11:25.960 --> 00:11:26.779 We know 00:11:26.779 --> 00:11:27.840 who some 00:11:27.840 --> 00:11:28.080 of the 00:11:28.080 --> 00:11:28.340 fake 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:28.740 Christians 00:11:28.740 --> 00:11:29.159 are 00:11:29.159 --> 00:11:30.759 because 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:33.840 they show 00:11:33.840 --> 00:11:34.659 signs 00:11:34.659 --> 00:11:35.440 or no 00:11:35.440 --> 00:11:36.060 signs 00:11:36.060 --> 00:11:36.899 of spiritual 00:11:36.899 --> 00:11:37.419 life. 00:11:39.560 --> 00:11:40.379 Paul is 00:11:40.379 --> 00:11:40.820 identifying 00:11:40.820 --> 00:11:41.320 fake 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:41.800 Christians 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:42.279 in the 00:11:42.279 --> 00:11:42.639 midst. 00:11:44.419 --> 00:11:45.060 We know 00:11:45.060 --> 00:11:45.360 who some 00:11:45.360 --> 00:11:45.620 of them 00:11:45.620 --> 00:11:46.440 are because 00:11:46.440 --> 00:11:47.480 of the way 00:11:47.480 --> 00:11:48.120 they live. 00:11:48.659 --> 00:11:49.139 They show 00:11:49.139 --> 00:11:50.480 no signs 00:11:50.480 --> 00:11:51.300 of any 00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:51.879 kind of 00:11:51.879 --> 00:11:52.659 spiritual 00:11:52.659 --> 00:11:53.139 life. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:53.419 Look at 00:11:53.419 --> 00:11:54.039 verse 19. 00:11:54.580 --> 00:11:55.159 Their God 00:11:55.159 --> 00:11:55.539 is their 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:56.039 belly 00:11:56.039 --> 00:11:57.080 and they 00:11:57.080 --> 00:11:57.620 glory 00:11:57.620 --> 00:11:58.220 in their 00:11:58.220 --> 00:11:58.840 shame 00:11:58.840 --> 00:12:00.379 with minds 00:12:00.379 --> 00:12:00.939 set on 00:12:00.939 --> 00:12:01.279 earthly 00:12:01.279 --> 00:12:01.799 things. 00:12:02.659 --> 00:12:02.960 Let's think 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:03.259 about what 00:12:03.259 --> 00:12:03.620 he's talking 00:12:03.620 --> 00:12:03.860 about. 00:12:04.340 --> 00:12:04.679 Fake 00:12:04.679 --> 00:12:05.259 Christians 00:12:05.259 --> 00:12:05.879 focus on 00:12:05.879 --> 00:12:06.580 satisfying 00:12:06.580 --> 00:12:07.399 their physical 00:12:07.399 --> 00:12:08.179 appetites. 00:12:08.600 --> 00:12:09.100 That's what 00:12:09.100 --> 00:12:09.399 he means 00:12:09.399 --> 00:12:09.960 their God 00:12:09.960 --> 00:12:10.360 is their 00:12:10.360 --> 00:12:10.779 belly. 00:12:11.980 --> 00:12:12.460 They live 00:12:12.460 --> 00:12:13.500 for sensual 00:12:13.500 --> 00:12:16.319 or physical 00:12:16.319 --> 00:12:17.340 pleasure. 00:12:18.860 --> 00:12:19.460 He's talking 00:12:19.460 --> 00:12:19.819 about people 00:12:19.819 --> 00:12:20.220 who just 00:12:20.220 --> 00:12:21.240 do what 00:12:21.240 --> 00:12:22.019 feels good 00:12:22.019 --> 00:12:22.360 at the 00:12:22.360 --> 00:12:22.840 moment. 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:25.240 That could 00:12:25.240 --> 00:12:25.620 include 00:12:25.620 --> 00:12:25.939 anything 00:12:25.939 --> 00:12:27.279 from sexual 00:12:27.279 --> 00:12:28.019 immorality 00:12:28.019 --> 00:12:30.120 to gluttony 00:12:30.120 --> 00:12:32.439 to laziness. 00:12:34.019 --> 00:12:34.819 Whatever 00:12:34.819 --> 00:12:35.439 would fit 00:12:35.439 --> 00:12:36.360 in this 00:12:36.360 --> 00:12:39.720 sensual 00:12:39.720 --> 00:12:40.620 or physical 00:12:40.620 --> 00:12:41.579 pleasure. 00:12:41.819 --> 00:12:42.319 Sensual 00:12:42.319 --> 00:12:42.879 pleasures, 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:43.799 physical 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:45.019 excesses. 00:12:47.699 --> 00:12:48.100 Paul's 00:12:48.100 --> 00:12:48.379 describing 00:12:48.379 --> 00:12:48.740 somebody 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.340 whose goal 00:12:49.340 --> 00:12:49.939 is simply 00:12:49.940 --> 00:12:51.080 just be 00:12:51.080 --> 00:12:51.440 happy. 00:12:53.440 --> 00:12:53.880 Just 00:12:53.880 --> 00:12:54.940 do whatever 00:12:54.940 --> 00:12:55.560 it takes 00:12:55.560 --> 00:12:56.660 to be 00:12:56.660 --> 00:12:57.380 happy at 00:12:57.380 --> 00:12:57.920 the moment. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:00.100 You've heard 00:13:00.100 --> 00:13:00.440 people say 00:13:00.440 --> 00:13:00.920 that haven't 00:13:00.920 --> 00:13:01.060 you? 00:13:01.780 --> 00:13:02.340 You've heard 00:13:02.340 --> 00:13:02.960 people say 00:13:02.960 --> 00:13:03.460 I just want 00:13:03.460 --> 00:13:03.680 to be 00:13:03.680 --> 00:13:04.020 happy. 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:05.140 And maybe 00:13:05.140 --> 00:13:05.820 you've joined 00:13:05.820 --> 00:13:06.180 in with 00:13:06.180 --> 00:13:06.280 them. 00:13:06.320 --> 00:13:06.520 I heard 00:13:06.520 --> 00:13:06.800 this not 00:13:06.800 --> 00:13:07.080 too long 00:13:07.080 --> 00:13:07.380 ago. 00:13:09.880 --> 00:13:10.320 Somebody 00:13:10.320 --> 00:13:10.640 who was 00:13:10.640 --> 00:13:11.020 making a 00:13:11.020 --> 00:13:11.940 comment about 00:13:11.940 --> 00:13:12.900 somebody close 00:13:12.900 --> 00:13:13.480 to them 00:13:13.480 --> 00:13:14.800 and they 00:13:14.800 --> 00:13:15.140 were not 00:13:15.140 --> 00:13:16.000 living a 00:13:16.000 --> 00:13:16.620 faithful Christian 00:13:16.620 --> 00:13:17.120 life at 00:13:17.120 --> 00:13:18.280 all and 00:13:18.280 --> 00:13:18.660 made the 00:13:18.659 --> 00:13:19.259 comment well 00:13:19.259 --> 00:13:19.500 I just 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:19.740 want them 00:13:19.740 --> 00:13:19.959 to be 00:13:19.959 --> 00:13:20.339 happy. 00:13:23.120 --> 00:13:23.679 Don't 00:13:23.679 --> 00:13:26.439 want the 00:13:26.439 --> 00:13:26.980 people that 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:27.899 you love 00:13:27.899 --> 00:13:29.959 who are 00:13:29.959 --> 00:13:30.699 living in 00:13:30.699 --> 00:13:32.679 a sinful 00:13:32.679 --> 00:13:33.600 or rebellious 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:33.959 way of 00:13:33.959 --> 00:13:35.240 life don't 00:13:35.240 --> 00:13:36.039 want them 00:13:36.039 --> 00:13:36.419 to be 00:13:36.419 --> 00:13:37.199 happy in 00:13:37.199 --> 00:13:37.600 that. 00:13:39.600 --> 00:13:40.360 As we'll 00:13:40.360 --> 00:13:40.699 see in a 00:13:40.699 --> 00:13:41.139 little while 00:13:41.139 --> 00:13:43.139 a true 00:13:43.139 --> 00:13:43.819 Christian can't 00:13:43.819 --> 00:13:44.459 be happy in 00:13:44.459 --> 00:13:44.799 that for 00:13:44.799 --> 00:13:46.139 long because 00:13:46.139 --> 00:13:46.699 the Spirit 00:13:46.699 --> 00:13:47.059 of God 00:13:47.059 --> 00:13:47.620 within them 00:13:47.620 --> 00:13:48.279 will convict 00:13:48.279 --> 00:13:48.679 them that 00:13:48.679 --> 00:13:49.200 it's wrong 00:13:49.200 --> 00:13:50.039 and make 00:13:50.039 --> 00:13:50.740 them miserable. 00:13:53.560 --> 00:13:53.779 You know 00:13:53.779 --> 00:13:54.060 there's a 00:13:54.060 --> 00:13:54.779 major problem 00:13:54.779 --> 00:13:56.159 with us 00:13:56.159 --> 00:13:56.519 if it 00:13:56.519 --> 00:13:57.940 applies but 00:13:57.940 --> 00:13:58.159 there's a 00:13:58.159 --> 00:13:58.600 major problem 00:13:58.600 --> 00:13:59.139 with anybody 00:13:59.139 --> 00:14:01.279 who they 00:14:01.279 --> 00:14:01.600 just want to 00:14:01.600 --> 00:14:02.060 be happy. 00:14:03.340 --> 00:14:03.960 That's the 00:14:03.960 --> 00:14:05.139 defining goal 00:14:05.139 --> 00:14:05.440 of their 00:14:05.440 --> 00:14:05.919 life. 00:14:07.000 --> 00:14:07.120 You know 00:14:07.120 --> 00:14:08.000 God calls 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:08.720 us to be 00:14:08.720 --> 00:14:10.659 holy not 00:14:10.659 --> 00:14:11.179 happy. 00:14:12.860 --> 00:14:13.360 That's 00:14:13.360 --> 00:14:13.759 something that 00:14:13.759 --> 00:14:14.379 is easy to 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:14.779 remember. 00:14:15.560 --> 00:14:15.840 I've talked 00:14:15.840 --> 00:14:16.100 about it 00:14:16.100 --> 00:14:17.080 before but 00:14:17.080 --> 00:14:17.399 something we 00:14:17.399 --> 00:14:17.800 never need 00:14:17.800 --> 00:14:18.040 to lose 00:14:18.040 --> 00:14:18.519 sight of. 00:14:19.519 --> 00:14:19.960 Almighty 00:14:19.960 --> 00:14:21.980 God is 00:14:21.980 --> 00:14:23.680 concerned that 00:14:23.680 --> 00:14:24.159 you and 00:14:24.159 --> 00:14:25.460 me if we're 00:14:25.460 --> 00:14:26.320 calling ourselves 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:27.000 His children 00:14:27.000 --> 00:14:28.060 He wants us 00:14:28.060 --> 00:14:28.779 to be holy 00:14:28.779 --> 00:14:29.300 more than 00:14:29.300 --> 00:14:29.700 anything. 00:14:31.700 --> 00:14:32.740 His goal is 00:14:32.740 --> 00:14:33.240 not to make 00:14:33.240 --> 00:14:33.800 us happy. 00:14:33.899 --> 00:14:34.360 I want you to 00:14:34.360 --> 00:14:34.980 understand that. 00:14:36.460 --> 00:14:39.480 Now if you 00:14:39.480 --> 00:14:41.399 will seek 00:14:41.399 --> 00:14:43.600 happiness in 00:14:43.600 --> 00:14:44.920 being holy 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:47.159 well that's 00:14:47.159 --> 00:14:47.500 good. 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:50.600 You will 00:14:50.600 --> 00:14:51.000 seek to 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.680 find happiness 00:14:51.680 --> 00:14:52.320 in being 00:14:52.320 --> 00:14:52.580 holy. 00:14:52.920 --> 00:14:53.700 Now that 00:14:53.700 --> 00:14:54.220 word holy 00:14:54.220 --> 00:14:55.460 turns some 00:14:55.460 --> 00:14:55.940 people off 00:14:55.940 --> 00:14:56.300 they think 00:14:56.300 --> 00:14:56.940 you're talking 00:14:56.940 --> 00:14:57.820 about somebody 00:14:57.820 --> 00:14:58.200 who's just 00:14:58.200 --> 00:15:00.040 perfect just 00:15:00.040 --> 00:15:00.580 like Jesus. 00:15:00.740 --> 00:15:00.899 No. 00:15:01.379 --> 00:15:01.720 To be holy 00:15:01.720 --> 00:15:02.220 means to be 00:15:02.220 --> 00:15:03.259 set apart 00:15:03.259 --> 00:15:04.920 for God 00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:05.519 for God's 00:15:05.519 --> 00:15:05.960 purposes. 00:15:05.960 --> 00:15:07.920 To be holy 00:15:07.920 --> 00:15:08.420 is to be 00:15:08.420 --> 00:15:09.639 different because 00:15:09.639 --> 00:15:10.460 you are a 00:15:10.460 --> 00:15:11.279 follower of 00:15:11.279 --> 00:15:11.759 Jesus. 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.799 God calls 00:15:15.799 --> 00:15:16.439 us to be 00:15:16.439 --> 00:15:16.779 holy. 00:15:17.620 --> 00:15:18.240 To live like 00:15:18.240 --> 00:15:18.980 we belong to 00:15:18.980 --> 00:15:19.259 Him. 00:15:20.939 --> 00:15:22.059 To live like 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:22.519 we have 00:15:22.519 --> 00:15:23.059 committed our 00:15:23.059 --> 00:15:24.039 lives and 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:24.799 set ourselves 00:15:24.799 --> 00:15:25.519 apart to 00:15:25.519 --> 00:15:26.740 follow Jesus 00:15:26.740 --> 00:15:28.699 and not be 00:15:28.699 --> 00:15:29.220 like everybody 00:15:29.220 --> 00:15:29.679 else. 00:15:31.620 --> 00:15:32.779 Ideally we 00:15:32.779 --> 00:15:33.319 as Christians 00:15:33.319 --> 00:15:34.559 need to seek 00:15:34.559 --> 00:15:35.079 to find 00:15:35.079 --> 00:15:36.039 happiness in 00:15:36.039 --> 00:15:36.759 being holy 00:15:36.759 --> 00:15:37.659 and pleasing 00:15:37.659 --> 00:15:38.839 God. 00:15:38.840 --> 00:15:42.440 God, don't 00:15:42.440 --> 00:15:44.080 you with 00:15:44.080 --> 00:15:44.840 your family, 00:15:45.259 --> 00:15:45.639 with your 00:15:45.639 --> 00:15:47.940 spouse, with 00:15:47.940 --> 00:15:48.620 your children, 00:15:48.800 --> 00:15:49.340 with close 00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:51.660 friends, don't 00:15:51.660 --> 00:15:52.580 you find 00:15:52.580 --> 00:15:54.379 happiness and 00:15:54.379 --> 00:15:55.759 joy in 00:15:55.759 --> 00:15:56.879 pleasing them? 00:15:58.160 --> 00:15:59.139 When you do 00:15:59.139 --> 00:15:59.620 something for 00:15:59.620 --> 00:16:00.160 somebody that 00:16:00.160 --> 00:16:00.820 you love, that 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:01.259 you really care 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:03.440 about, you 00:16:03.440 --> 00:16:04.800 do something for 00:16:04.800 --> 00:16:05.960 them and they 00:16:05.960 --> 00:16:07.460 smile, they 00:16:07.460 --> 00:16:08.500 enjoy it. 00:16:08.840 --> 00:16:09.780 they let you 00:16:09.780 --> 00:16:10.180 know they 00:16:10.180 --> 00:16:10.940 enjoy it. 00:16:11.800 --> 00:16:12.560 Doesn't it 00:16:12.560 --> 00:16:13.340 please you, 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:13.899 brings you 00:16:13.899 --> 00:16:14.440 pleasure, 00:16:14.920 --> 00:16:17.040 happiness, that 00:16:17.040 --> 00:16:17.680 you have 00:16:17.680 --> 00:16:19.580 pleased somebody? 00:16:21.320 --> 00:16:22.519 Well, our 00:16:22.519 --> 00:16:23.300 relationship with 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:24.700 God should be 00:16:24.700 --> 00:16:26.580 such that we 00:16:26.580 --> 00:16:27.879 find joy and 00:16:27.879 --> 00:16:28.899 happiness and 00:16:28.899 --> 00:16:30.899 pleasure when we 00:16:30.899 --> 00:16:31.440 know we 00:16:31.440 --> 00:16:32.560 please Him. 00:16:33.560 --> 00:16:34.100 And He tells 00:16:34.100 --> 00:16:34.460 us in His 00:16:34.460 --> 00:16:35.660 Word how we 00:16:35.660 --> 00:16:36.160 can live our 00:16:36.160 --> 00:16:36.540 lives to 00:16:36.540 --> 00:16:37.000 please Him. 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:38.960 always remember 00:16:38.960 --> 00:16:39.600 what I'm 00:16:39.600 --> 00:16:40.120 talking about 00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:40.500 is not some 00:16:40.500 --> 00:16:41.059 kind of far 00:16:41.059 --> 00:16:41.759 fetched idea. 00:16:42.679 --> 00:16:43.419 Holiness is 00:16:43.419 --> 00:16:44.440 not an option 00:16:44.440 --> 00:16:45.000 for a 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:45.340 Christian. 00:16:46.539 --> 00:16:47.039 Look at this 00:16:47.039 --> 00:16:48.000 verse from 00:16:48.000 --> 00:16:48.600 Hebrews chapter 00:16:48.600 --> 00:16:49.059 12. 00:16:51.059 --> 00:16:51.840 Make every 00:16:51.840 --> 00:16:52.700 effort to live 00:16:52.700 --> 00:16:53.679 in peace with 00:16:53.679 --> 00:16:55.299 everyone and 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:56.460 to be holy 00:16:56.460 --> 00:16:58.600 without holiness 00:16:58.600 --> 00:17:00.620 no one will 00:17:00.620 --> 00:17:01.379 see the Lord. 00:17:01.379 --> 00:17:01.580 God. 00:17:01.580 --> 00:17:03.860 If you want to 00:17:03.860 --> 00:17:04.500 live like a 00:17:04.500 --> 00:17:05.839 pagan and just 00:17:05.839 --> 00:17:06.940 blend in with 00:17:06.940 --> 00:17:08.539 everybody else and 00:17:08.539 --> 00:17:09.319 you can feel good 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.160 about that, you 00:17:10.160 --> 00:17:10.819 are not a 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.200 Christian. 00:17:12.740 --> 00:17:14.019 You will never 00:17:14.019 --> 00:17:16.160 see God except 00:17:16.160 --> 00:17:19.059 in judgment when 00:17:19.059 --> 00:17:19.779 your life comes to 00:17:19.779 --> 00:17:20.119 an end. 00:17:21.700 --> 00:17:22.519 So we need to 00:17:22.519 --> 00:17:23.319 take this seriously 00:17:23.319 --> 00:17:23.799 this morning. 00:17:25.480 --> 00:17:26.180 Fake Christians 00:17:26.180 --> 00:17:27.440 focus on satisfying 00:17:27.440 --> 00:17:29.980 their physical or 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:31.640 sensual appetites. 00:17:31.819 --> 00:17:32.240 Their God is 00:17:32.240 --> 00:17:32.599 their belly. 00:17:32.700 --> 00:17:33.160 Look at this. 00:17:33.860 --> 00:17:34.559 Fake Christians 00:17:34.559 --> 00:17:35.700 are proud of what 00:17:35.700 --> 00:17:36.200 they should be 00:17:36.200 --> 00:17:36.900 ashamed of. 00:17:37.539 --> 00:17:39.620 They glory in 00:17:39.620 --> 00:17:40.279 their shame. 00:17:41.039 --> 00:17:41.559 Now this would 00:17:41.559 --> 00:17:42.740 certainly apply to 00:17:42.740 --> 00:17:45.519 all kinds of 00:17:45.519 --> 00:17:46.400 immorality. 00:17:47.660 --> 00:17:48.519 That's sort of a 00:17:48.519 --> 00:17:49.299 given, isn't it? 00:17:50.299 --> 00:17:51.160 But it also 00:17:51.160 --> 00:17:52.160 includes anyone who 00:17:52.160 --> 00:17:52.980 adopts and 00:17:52.980 --> 00:17:54.380 celebrates the 00:17:54.380 --> 00:17:57.380 world's values that 00:17:57.380 --> 00:17:59.460 are contrary to 00:17:59.460 --> 00:18:00.040 the truth of 00:18:00.040 --> 00:18:00.740 God's word. 00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:03.480 This is what a 00:18:03.480 --> 00:18:05.320 lot of liberal 00:18:05.320 --> 00:18:06.720 Christians or 00:18:06.720 --> 00:18:07.580 professing Christians 00:18:07.580 --> 00:18:08.120 do today. 00:18:09.280 --> 00:18:10.240 What I'm about to 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.800 get into, we're 00:18:11.800 --> 00:18:12.380 not talking about 00:18:12.380 --> 00:18:13.080 politics. 00:18:13.760 --> 00:18:14.420 We're not talking 00:18:14.420 --> 00:18:15.080 about the White 00:18:15.080 --> 00:18:15.440 House. 00:18:15.800 --> 00:18:16.280 We're not talking 00:18:16.280 --> 00:18:17.280 about liberals in 00:18:17.280 --> 00:18:17.880 Washington. 00:18:19.320 --> 00:18:20.300 What we're about to 00:18:20.300 --> 00:18:21.440 look at next, I'm 00:18:21.440 --> 00:18:22.840 talking about liberals 00:18:22.839 --> 00:18:27.000 in churches, professing 00:18:27.000 --> 00:18:28.919 Christians who are 00:18:28.919 --> 00:18:30.919 proud of what they 00:18:30.919 --> 00:18:31.779 should be ashamed 00:18:31.779 --> 00:18:32.319 of. 00:18:33.699 --> 00:18:34.639 They're proud of 00:18:34.639 --> 00:18:35.639 their opposition to 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.679 the clear teaching of 00:18:36.679 --> 00:18:40.099 God's word by being 00:18:40.099 --> 00:18:40.980 pro-abortion. 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:43.259 Now they'll talk about 00:18:43.259 --> 00:18:44.480 being pro-choice. 00:18:45.480 --> 00:18:46.279 I don't remember the 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:47.039 denomination, but 00:18:47.039 --> 00:18:47.579 there's plenty of 00:18:47.579 --> 00:18:49.259 liberal denominations. 00:18:49.980 --> 00:18:50.899 Presbyterian Church, 00:18:51.079 --> 00:18:51.799 USA. 00:18:52.839 --> 00:18:54.319 The Episcopal Church 00:18:54.319 --> 00:18:58.279 and others, they are 00:18:58.279 --> 00:19:00.240 openly, they'll call 00:19:00.240 --> 00:19:01.459 it pro-choice. 00:19:01.679 --> 00:19:02.699 They are pro-abortion. 00:19:03.039 --> 00:19:04.500 They are pro-killing 00:19:04.500 --> 00:19:06.419 the life of a baby in 00:19:06.419 --> 00:19:08.019 the mother's womb and 00:19:08.019 --> 00:19:08.819 thinking that's some 00:19:08.819 --> 00:19:10.959 kind of great thing to 00:19:10.959 --> 00:19:12.039 do for a woman to have 00:19:12.039 --> 00:19:12.899 that kind of choice. 00:19:15.299 --> 00:19:17.000 There are liberals in 00:19:17.000 --> 00:19:20.299 churches right now that 00:19:20.299 --> 00:19:22.099 are proud of their 00:19:22.099 --> 00:19:23.539 personal and their 00:19:23.539 --> 00:19:24.359 churches and their 00:19:24.359 --> 00:19:27.480 denominations pro-abortion 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:30.159 views, position. 00:19:31.719 --> 00:19:33.240 There are churches 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:34.839 filled with people right 00:19:34.839 --> 00:19:35.139 now. 00:19:36.259 --> 00:19:37.599 They've adopted the 00:19:37.599 --> 00:19:39.959 world's anti-authority 00:19:39.959 --> 00:19:40.779 attitude. 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.779 They're especially 00:19:42.779 --> 00:19:46.019 anti-police, which is 00:19:46.019 --> 00:19:48.000 sort of the liberal wave 00:19:48.000 --> 00:19:49.400 all across the country 00:19:49.400 --> 00:19:49.980 this morning. 00:19:51.359 --> 00:19:53.240 Liberals are fools. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:56.400 They truly are. 00:19:57.440 --> 00:19:58.559 To think you can live in 00:19:58.559 --> 00:20:00.660 this country and abolish 00:20:00.660 --> 00:20:03.720 police, governmental 00:20:03.720 --> 00:20:04.579 authority. 00:20:04.579 --> 00:20:07.440 If you have a problem with 00:20:07.440 --> 00:20:08.519 that, you read Romans 00:20:08.519 --> 00:20:09.720 chapter 13. 00:20:09.720 --> 00:20:12.259 God has given government 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:14.740 the power, the authority 00:20:14.740 --> 00:20:17.799 to enforce laws even to 00:20:17.799 --> 00:20:19.079 the point of using the 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:20.779 sword as he talks about. 00:20:22.660 --> 00:20:24.160 There are liberals 00:20:24.160 --> 00:20:25.819 claiming to be Christians 00:20:25.819 --> 00:20:26.440 this morning. 00:20:26.980 --> 00:20:29.720 They celebrate giving a 00:20:29.720 --> 00:20:31.039 woman the freedom to kill 00:20:31.039 --> 00:20:32.559 her unborn child just 00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:33.480 because she don't want 00:20:33.480 --> 00:20:34.319 that child. 00:20:34.319 --> 00:20:37.119 They celebrate these 00:20:37.119 --> 00:20:41.799 riots and lootings and 00:20:41.799 --> 00:20:43.039 killings that take place 00:20:43.039 --> 00:20:44.599 across our country in the 00:20:44.599 --> 00:20:47.299 name of being anti-authority 00:20:47.299 --> 00:20:48.679 and anti-police. 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.679 A lot of liberal 00:20:51.679 --> 00:20:53.299 Christians or professing 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.099 Christians this morning 00:20:54.099 --> 00:20:55.419 support every form of 00:20:55.419 --> 00:20:57.919 sexual expression that is 00:20:57.919 --> 00:20:59.899 contrary to God's design 00:20:59.899 --> 00:21:02.579 like same-sex marriage, 00:21:02.579 --> 00:21:05.059 transgenderism. 00:21:06.019 --> 00:21:06.960 Now this may come as a 00:21:06.960 --> 00:21:08.039 surprise to you but there 00:21:08.039 --> 00:21:09.279 are Christians, 00:21:10.480 --> 00:21:11.559 professing Christians, 00:21:12.419 --> 00:21:15.279 pastors in upstate 00:21:15.279 --> 00:21:17.980 South Carolina who strongly 00:21:17.980 --> 00:21:22.559 support homosexuality, 00:21:23.899 --> 00:21:26.220 transgenderism, same-sex 00:21:26.220 --> 00:21:27.759 marriage and they'll perform 00:21:27.759 --> 00:21:29.819 weddings for couples of the 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.559 same sex. 00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.159 Christians. 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:32.679 What I want you to see, 00:21:33.940 --> 00:21:35.759 these are fake Christians 00:21:35.759 --> 00:21:37.700 who are proud of what they 00:21:37.700 --> 00:21:39.220 should be ashamed of. 00:21:40.500 --> 00:21:43.740 They are proud to oppose the 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:47.259 clear teaching of God's 00:21:47.259 --> 00:21:47.700 word. 00:21:49.339 --> 00:21:50.539 And what Paul is trying to 00:21:50.539 --> 00:21:52.460 help us understand is don't 00:21:52.460 --> 00:21:53.720 follow their example. 00:21:55.119 --> 00:21:56.399 Don't listen to them. 00:21:56.399 --> 00:21:58.059 Don't let them influence you. 00:21:58.059 --> 00:22:02.019 true Christians indwell by the 00:22:02.019 --> 00:22:06.379 spirit of God cannot glory in 00:22:06.379 --> 00:22:08.799 the clear things that are 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:12.159 taught in God's word that are 00:22:12.159 --> 00:22:15.139 sinful, that are shameful. 00:22:16.099 --> 00:22:17.720 It is an impossibility for the 00:22:17.720 --> 00:22:19.700 spirit of God who inspired the 00:22:19.700 --> 00:22:21.599 writers to put what they put in 00:22:21.599 --> 00:22:21.919 scripture. 00:22:22.740 --> 00:22:24.440 It is impossible for the Holy 00:22:24.440 --> 00:22:25.740 Spirit who inspired those 00:22:25.740 --> 00:22:30.339 biblical writers to affirm us as 00:22:30.339 --> 00:22:36.859 he dwells in us to reject that 00:22:36.859 --> 00:22:38.099 which he inspired the biblical 00:22:38.099 --> 00:22:38.819 writers to write. 00:22:39.460 --> 00:22:40.359 You see what I'm talking about? 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:42.160 The logic of that? 00:22:42.160 --> 00:22:47.500 We need to ignore, reject, 00:22:48.120 --> 00:22:53.200 oppose fake Christians who are 00:22:53.200 --> 00:22:57.019 proud of what scripture says 00:22:57.019 --> 00:22:59.860 Christians should be ashamed of. 00:23:00.900 --> 00:23:02.180 And then fake Christians have a 00:23:02.180 --> 00:23:05.720 worldly view of life with minds 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.019 set on earthly things, he says. 00:23:07.060 --> 00:23:08.019 That's the phrase for that. 00:23:08.640 --> 00:23:10.360 New Testament commentator Frank 00:23:10.359 --> 00:23:12.639 Thielman has a helpful description 00:23:12.639 --> 00:23:14.039 of what Paul is talking about 00:23:14.039 --> 00:23:14.299 here. 00:23:14.979 --> 00:23:17.019 He says earthly things are not the 00:23:17.019 --> 00:23:18.799 practical affairs of everyday life, 00:23:18.959 --> 00:23:20.639 but things that characterize 00:23:20.639 --> 00:23:24.119 worldly life in opposition to God. 00:23:24.899 --> 00:23:26.459 I appreciate that definition, 00:23:26.979 --> 00:23:28.199 that point. 00:23:29.199 --> 00:23:32.959 It's not wrong to take care of the 00:23:32.959 --> 00:23:34.879 practical affairs of everyday life. 00:23:35.679 --> 00:23:37.279 I mean God calls us to be good 00:23:37.279 --> 00:23:39.679 stewards of everything he entrusts to 00:23:39.680 --> 00:23:40.340 our care. 00:23:44.900 --> 00:23:49.240 God expects you as a man to be the 00:23:49.240 --> 00:23:53.200 leader of your home and take care of 00:23:53.200 --> 00:23:53.960 your family. 00:23:53.960 --> 00:23:57.779 It is your God-given responsibility. 00:23:59.519 --> 00:24:01.340 You better give attention to the 00:24:01.340 --> 00:24:06.400 affairs of your home and take care of 00:24:06.400 --> 00:24:11.040 your spouse, your children, whoever else 00:24:11.040 --> 00:24:12.900 God has placed under your roof and 00:24:12.900 --> 00:24:13.980 under your authority. 00:24:15.560 --> 00:24:19.880 It is not worldly in a sinful way for 00:24:19.880 --> 00:24:22.980 you to take care of your financial 00:24:22.980 --> 00:24:23.640 affairs. 00:24:24.440 --> 00:24:26.280 That's why I tell these young people 00:24:26.280 --> 00:24:28.500 graduate, major in something you can 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:29.620 make a living at because sooner or 00:24:29.620 --> 00:24:30.380 later you've got to make a living. 00:24:30.680 --> 00:24:32.019 Get a job and something will pay the 00:24:32.019 --> 00:24:32.740 bills, Josh. 00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:36.420 And that applies to everybody here. 00:24:37.799 --> 00:24:39.440 You don't go to college just to have a 00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:43.579 good time or at least I just don't know 00:24:43.579 --> 00:24:45.279 people who are that wealthy to send their 00:24:45.279 --> 00:24:47.039 children to college and just let them blow 00:24:47.039 --> 00:24:49.259 thousands of dollars for no good purpose. 00:24:49.259 --> 00:24:57.339 We should be responsible people, good stewards of 00:24:57.339 --> 00:24:58.680 everything that God gives us. 00:24:59.480 --> 00:25:02.059 We've got to work and earn and save and 00:25:02.059 --> 00:25:05.119 invest to take care of ourselves now and if 00:25:05.119 --> 00:25:06.359 Lord lets us live in the future. 00:25:08.220 --> 00:25:09.859 You've got to provide a home. 00:25:10.039 --> 00:25:11.359 There's just certain things about living in 00:25:11.359 --> 00:25:13.519 this world we need to take care of. 00:25:13.640 --> 00:25:14.859 In order to take care of it, we need to be 00:25:14.859 --> 00:25:15.940 concerned about it. 00:25:15.940 --> 00:25:22.000 It is not wrong to give attention to the 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:24.940 things in this world that will enable you to 00:25:25.559 --> 00:25:27.799 faithfully serve God and to fulfill the 00:25:27.799 --> 00:25:29.620 responsibilities that God has given you. 00:25:29.660 --> 00:25:31.640 Let's take care of yourself and your family. 00:25:35.240 --> 00:25:40.240 It is actually wrong, sinfully wrong for 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:44.000 Christians to be irresponsible or lazy. 00:25:44.000 --> 00:25:48.220 when it comes to taking care of the people and 00:25:48.220 --> 00:25:51.359 things God has given us to care for. 00:25:52.119 --> 00:25:54.000 If you've got a house, you need to take care of it. 00:25:54.019 --> 00:25:54.859 You need to maintain it. 00:25:54.940 --> 00:25:55.859 You need to care. 00:25:57.500 --> 00:26:00.019 It's part of your responsibility as a steward. 00:26:01.900 --> 00:26:07.339 Laziness today, irresponsibility today is rampant. 00:26:07.339 --> 00:26:11.659 And what we in the church need to make sure is that we 00:26:11.659 --> 00:26:17.000 don't in any way overlook it or fail to condemn it. 00:26:18.259 --> 00:26:20.619 Be a responsible human being. 00:26:21.039 --> 00:26:23.679 Be a responsible person created in God's image. 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:30.299 Be a responsible caretaker of the creation he has given to 00:26:30.299 --> 00:26:33.480 us and especially what he has entrusted to your care. 00:26:33.480 --> 00:26:41.120 Now, the fact is many people go too far and live as if this 00:26:41.120 --> 00:26:43.279 world is all that matters. 00:26:45.019 --> 00:26:46.039 That's the problem. 00:26:47.000 --> 00:26:50.579 That's what we've got to guard against with mindset on 00:26:50.579 --> 00:26:51.779 earthly things. 00:26:53.200 --> 00:26:55.559 He's talking about people who are just consumed with the here 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:57.460 and now with no thought of anything else. 00:26:57.460 --> 00:27:02.160 In fact, this phrase, with mindset on earthly things, Paul is 00:27:02.160 --> 00:27:06.740 summarizing the attitude of fake Christians when he describes 00:27:06.740 --> 00:27:10.079 them of in this way. 00:27:11.700 --> 00:27:12.840 I want you to understand. 00:27:13.880 --> 00:27:19.220 He may not be talking about any kind of wicked living at all. 00:27:19.220 --> 00:27:24.819 He's talking about people who are just basically caught up in this 00:27:24.819 --> 00:27:27.700 world's values and concerns. 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:35.700 He's talking about people who rarely, if ever, think about life, 00:27:36.700 --> 00:27:41.259 think about the affairs of this world from an eternal perspective, 00:27:41.779 --> 00:27:43.880 which we'll get into more next week. 00:27:44.960 --> 00:27:47.500 Paul's description of fake Christians is alarming. 00:27:47.500 --> 00:27:49.380 Look at it. 00:27:49.440 --> 00:27:50.019 Think about it. 00:27:51.099 --> 00:27:55.400 They could be members of our church or any church. 00:27:58.980 --> 00:28:06.660 These fake Christians, we need to evaluate ourselves to make sure we 00:28:06.660 --> 00:28:07.599 don't fit in that category. 00:28:08.700 --> 00:28:10.099 So let's take a moment and think. 00:28:11.420 --> 00:28:14.220 What are you most concerned about right now? 00:28:15.859 --> 00:28:17.319 I'm talking about the big picture. 00:28:17.500 --> 00:28:19.359 I'm not talking about what time it is. 00:28:19.799 --> 00:28:22.480 In the big picture of life, what are you most concerned about right now? 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:27.119 Is it your checkbook or however you take care of your affairs today? 00:28:30.000 --> 00:28:31.119 Look at your checkbook. 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:32.779 Look at your calendar. 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:37.059 That'll help you know what you're most concerned about, really. 00:28:37.059 --> 00:28:41.339 A faithful, committed Christian. 00:28:41.339 --> 00:28:45.500 If you look at their, pull out their phone, look at their financial apps. 00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:46.960 Look at their calendar. 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:54.460 A faithful Christian will demonstrate they are investing their life, their time, and their money 00:28:54.460 --> 00:28:56.000 in the kingdom of God. 00:28:56.599 --> 00:28:58.480 The church of Jesus Christ. 00:28:59.440 --> 00:29:02.119 Things that will pay eternal dividends. 00:29:02.119 --> 00:29:02.419 Fake Christians. 00:29:03.419 --> 00:29:08.019 Fake Christians are the kind of people, it's all about me. 00:29:08.679 --> 00:29:15.059 I'm going to spend my money and my time on me, mine, mine as the mood strikes. 00:29:15.059 --> 00:29:17.460 That's a fact. 00:29:18.460 --> 00:29:21.919 So what does your time and money say about you? 00:29:23.519 --> 00:29:24.480 Think about this. 00:29:25.740 --> 00:29:29.519 Are you more concerned with growing in Christ's likeness, developing Christian character, 00:29:29.919 --> 00:29:38.519 or just growing in wealth and power and influence and popularity or material things? 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:41.819 Here's a good one. 00:29:42.480 --> 00:29:46.440 What are you most concerned about for your children and your grandchildren? 00:29:48.359 --> 00:29:50.220 I mean, what are you most concerned about? 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:53.059 We're concerned about a lot of things for our children and grandchildren. 00:29:53.599 --> 00:29:54.440 That's a fact. 00:29:55.960 --> 00:29:59.279 But are you more concerned with their spiritual well-being, 00:29:59.279 --> 00:30:08.940 or with their grades or popularity or athletic or musical abilities or their careers? 00:30:11.500 --> 00:30:13.379 What are you most concerned about? 00:30:14.220 --> 00:30:15.240 That they get a job? 00:30:15.779 --> 00:30:17.000 They get a big house? 00:30:17.079 --> 00:30:18.920 They have a nice salary if they live comfortably? 00:30:20.920 --> 00:30:26.359 Or that they have a close relationship with the Lord that just grows and continues throughout their life, 00:30:26.359 --> 00:30:27.980 regardless of what kind of house they live in? 00:30:29.279 --> 00:30:35.220 What Paul is describing is serious because these fake Christians end up in hell. 00:30:36.639 --> 00:30:38.339 Their end is destruction. 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:40.039 They're not true Christians. 00:30:40.799 --> 00:30:41.940 Now, don't misunderstand the point here. 00:30:43.200 --> 00:30:50.579 We all struggle and have a problem at times with maintaining a proper focus and proper priorities. 00:30:51.539 --> 00:30:52.420 We all do. 00:30:52.420 --> 00:30:57.480 And we all battle temptations to do sinful things, 00:30:57.480 --> 00:30:59.680 to just be selfish. 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:07.339 What should concern you is if you never have these kind of struggles or battles. 00:31:09.200 --> 00:31:13.200 What should concern you is that you don't struggle or battle because you don't care about pleasing God. 00:31:14.960 --> 00:31:17.019 If that's true about you, you cannot be a Christian. 00:31:17.019 --> 00:31:21.460 You are an enemy of the cross of Christ. 00:31:22.039 --> 00:31:25.460 If you just don't care about knowing and pleasing God. 00:31:26.500 --> 00:31:28.920 Your only hope this morning is to admit that. 00:31:30.379 --> 00:31:31.940 Admit that's who you are. 00:31:33.559 --> 00:31:36.940 And cry out to Jesus to save you, to change you. 00:31:36.940 --> 00:31:41.000 Do that now. 00:31:42.519 --> 00:31:44.120 One more thing about fake Christians. 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.340 Leave them alone. 00:31:49.400 --> 00:31:52.180 Don't let them influence you. 00:31:53.779 --> 00:31:56.480 Bibles fill with warnings about following the wrong example. 00:31:56.620 --> 00:31:57.360 I want you to look at two. 00:31:57.779 --> 00:31:58.600 Proverbs 13. 00:31:58.599 --> 00:32:01.639 Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise. 00:32:02.319 --> 00:32:07.419 But the companion of fools will suffer harm. 00:32:08.819 --> 00:32:09.500 And then look at this. 00:32:09.659 --> 00:32:10.480 1 Corinthians 15. 00:32:10.879 --> 00:32:11.740 Do not be misled. 00:32:12.159 --> 00:32:15.119 Bad company corrupts good character. 00:32:17.759 --> 00:32:19.740 Bad company corrupts the good character. 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:28.440 I want to encourage you to avoid following the example of anyone whose life ignores or dishonors the Lord. 00:32:30.259 --> 00:32:32.099 Don't let them rub off on you. 00:32:33.180 --> 00:32:33.940 Leave them alone. 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:37.599 That applies to all of us in here, but especially young people. 00:32:39.200 --> 00:32:41.440 Be careful who you allow to influence you. 00:32:41.440 --> 00:32:51.240 And parents, do all you can to prevent your children from being led astray by bad company. 00:32:51.960 --> 00:32:56.080 Because sooner or later, bad company corrupts good character. 00:32:57.080 --> 00:32:58.180 Now, very quickly. 00:32:58.779 --> 00:33:02.559 By God's grace, everybody around us is not a bad example. 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:10.960 There are many good examples that we can follow as Christians in this church and in many other churches. 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:14.200 Paul emphasizes this in the next section. 00:33:14.460 --> 00:33:16.519 That's what we're really going to look at next week. 00:33:16.900 --> 00:33:17.420 But let's look. 00:33:17.539 --> 00:33:18.120 One thing. 00:33:18.539 --> 00:33:19.420 The right example. 00:33:20.420 --> 00:33:21.140 Note one thing. 00:33:21.559 --> 00:33:27.400 We need to identify faithful Christians in our church and learn from them. 00:33:28.019 --> 00:33:28.340 He says, 00:33:28.340 --> 00:33:36.539 Brothers, join in imitating me and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. 00:33:37.480 --> 00:33:39.320 There are many things about the Christian life. 00:33:39.680 --> 00:33:40.299 You know this. 00:33:41.440 --> 00:33:43.960 It's better caught than taught. 00:33:44.960 --> 00:33:48.380 That's why Paul tells these people, look around for good models. 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.640 He's not an egomaniac. 00:33:51.100 --> 00:33:52.559 He's taught about his shortcomings. 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:56.519 But he's trying to provide a positive example. 00:33:56.519 --> 00:34:01.100 We need to make sure that we are following the right example. 00:34:01.460 --> 00:34:02.660 Final thought here now. 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:10.039 We need to make sure that we are providing the right example for other Christians to follow us. 00:34:10.780 --> 00:34:13.139 We're all influencers for good or bad. 00:34:14.180 --> 00:34:15.380 Which are you? 00:34:15.380 --> 00:34:23.780 Are you by your example leading people to Christ and eventually heaven? 00:34:23.780 --> 00:34:33.400 Or are you pushing people away from Christ, which will ultimately be held by your bad example? 00:34:33.400 --> 00:34:34.780 Let's pray. 00:34:34.780 --> 00:34:34.820 Let's pray. 00:34:34.820 --> 00:35:04.800 Thank you.