WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.900 Thank you. 00:00:03.220 --> 00:00:05.060 What's your greatest fear? 00:00:07.339 --> 00:00:12.259 What is the most frightening thought that's ever crossed your mind? 00:00:13.919 --> 00:00:18.140 You know, I'd never thought of that kind of question until recently. 00:00:19.359 --> 00:00:22.300 Everybody has certain things they're afraid of. 00:00:23.620 --> 00:00:26.219 Everybody deals with certain kinds of fears. 00:00:26.219 --> 00:00:30.500 What's your greatest fear? 00:00:32.039 --> 00:00:37.000 Well, I read something that helped me to know how to answer that question. 00:00:38.000 --> 00:00:41.619 D.A. Carson, the New Testament scholar, made this statement. 00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:47.060 It always makes me fearful to remember that God knows my thoughts. 00:00:48.039 --> 00:00:49.960 Hebrews 4.13 reminds us, 00:00:49.960 --> 00:00:53.679 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. 00:00:53.679 --> 00:01:02.100 Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. 00:01:03.759 --> 00:01:05.819 Now, I want you to look at what that verse is saying. 00:01:05.939 --> 00:01:06.579 Think about it. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:12.079 Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. 00:01:12.260 --> 00:01:17.819 Some translations make that more personal and say no creature is hidden from God's sight. 00:01:17.819 --> 00:01:27.579 I think this verse reveals what should be, at least for most people, our greatest fear. 00:01:28.679 --> 00:01:36.019 Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give an account. 00:01:37.959 --> 00:01:39.839 God knows everything about us. 00:01:39.840 --> 00:01:44.820 Every single thing about us, He knows. 00:01:45.579 --> 00:01:49.719 And that includes our thoughts, our desires. 00:01:50.719 --> 00:01:54.460 Now, we all live with people. 00:01:54.780 --> 00:01:59.120 Family members, close friends, they know a lot about us. 00:01:59.120 --> 00:02:06.659 But no one but God really knows what's going on up here and here. 00:02:06.659 --> 00:02:19.219 And one day, we're going to have to stand before God and give an account of everything about our lives. 00:02:20.280 --> 00:02:25.500 Not just what we've done, but what we've said. 00:02:26.939 --> 00:02:28.599 What we've thought. 00:02:28.599 --> 00:02:36.379 D.A. Carson went on to point out that King David understood this about God, 00:02:36.939 --> 00:02:41.019 which led him to write this after his sin with Bathsheba. 00:02:41.959 --> 00:02:44.799 It's like a prayer from Psalm 139. 00:02:45.579 --> 00:02:46.039 He writes, 00:02:46.039 --> 00:03:05.299 Carson explains this verse clearly. 00:03:05.300 --> 00:03:32.000 Now, look at this. 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:32.740 He concludes, 00:03:33.340 --> 00:03:36.259 If you think holy thoughts, you'll be holy. 00:03:36.939 --> 00:03:39.840 If you think garbage, you'll be garbage. 00:03:42.180 --> 00:03:45.960 Carson is right in saying that from God's perspective, 00:03:47.240 --> 00:03:53.139 the real measure of an individual lies in what they think. 00:03:54.599 --> 00:03:58.979 That's why David wanted to be accountable to God for what he thought. 00:03:58.979 --> 00:04:02.399 That's why he said, search me, O God, and know my heart. 00:04:02.659 --> 00:04:04.099 Test me and know my anxious thoughts. 00:04:04.479 --> 00:04:08.159 David wanted to know, if my thinking is not right, show me, Lord. 00:04:09.539 --> 00:04:17.099 Don't let me have the wrong kinds of thoughts and desires because I'll act on it. 00:04:18.219 --> 00:04:22.680 What I think will come out in what I say and in what I do. 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:28.699 And so David prayed, search me, O God, and know my heart. 00:04:29.800 --> 00:04:34.280 Test me and know my anxious thoughts with the idea, make it known to me 00:04:34.280 --> 00:04:38.960 so that I can confess sinful thoughts, 00:04:39.300 --> 00:04:44.240 change unhealthy thoughts before I act on it. 00:04:44.240 --> 00:04:50.680 Jesus clearly taught that the source of our sinful behavior is our sinful thinking, 00:04:51.500 --> 00:04:53.280 our sinful thoughts and desires. 00:04:53.560 --> 00:04:54.400 Look at these verses. 00:04:54.900 --> 00:04:56.960 From the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said this, 00:04:57.160 --> 00:04:58.780 You have heard that it was said to those of old, 00:04:59.180 --> 00:05:00.040 You shall not murder. 00:05:00.759 --> 00:05:02.840 And whoever murders will be liable to judgment. 00:05:03.139 --> 00:05:06.840 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother 00:05:06.840 --> 00:05:08.819 will be liable to judgment. 00:05:08.819 --> 00:05:15.420 He's talking about murder begins in the heart, in the mind, with anger. 00:05:16.219 --> 00:05:17.079 He goes on to say, 00:05:17.860 --> 00:05:19.839 You have heard that it was said you should not commit adultery. 00:05:20.000 --> 00:05:23.240 But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent 00:05:23.240 --> 00:05:26.240 has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 00:05:26.680 --> 00:05:31.839 Adultery begins in the heart, in the mind, in fantasies. 00:05:33.120 --> 00:05:34.199 And then look at one more. 00:05:34.399 --> 00:05:36.339 We've looked at this in recent times, 00:05:36.399 --> 00:05:38.199 but I want to just look at this as a reminder. 00:05:38.199 --> 00:05:39.199 Jesus said this, 00:05:39.819 --> 00:05:42.860 What comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, 00:05:43.219 --> 00:05:45.159 and this defiles a person. 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:48.180 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, 00:05:48.379 --> 00:05:50.719 murder, adultery, sexual immorality, 00:05:51.099 --> 00:05:53.519 theft, false witness, slander. 00:05:54.459 --> 00:05:56.259 Now I want you to note, think about these verses. 00:05:56.919 --> 00:05:58.539 Jesus doesn't really make a distinction 00:05:58.539 --> 00:06:01.279 between our thoughts and our desires. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:06.439 It's all a part of what's inside us. 00:06:06.439 --> 00:06:10.100 Sometimes we think about it in terms of these thoughts, 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:13.040 these desires, these attitudes, these feelings. 00:06:13.180 --> 00:06:15.219 It's all what's inside. 00:06:16.620 --> 00:06:19.959 And that's where whatever comes out begins. 00:06:19.959 --> 00:06:24.899 Now, in the last two messages I preached, 00:06:25.519 --> 00:06:28.459 I used the title, Thinking Biblically. 00:06:29.060 --> 00:06:31.019 The first one was about governmental authority 00:06:31.019 --> 00:06:35.199 with a special emphasis on law enforcement men and women 00:06:35.199 --> 00:06:38.719 being the ones who enforce the laws. 00:06:39.299 --> 00:06:41.259 They're the agents of governmental authority. 00:06:41.699 --> 00:06:43.939 And then thinking biblically about race. 00:06:43.939 --> 00:06:49.560 My goal was for us to look at those two current hot-button issues 00:06:49.560 --> 00:06:52.420 from a biblical perspective 00:06:52.420 --> 00:06:57.639 instead of just a personal feeling perspective 00:06:57.639 --> 00:07:00.139 or even our culture's perspective. 00:07:01.240 --> 00:07:04.220 As Christians, it's important that we learn to think biblically. 00:07:04.579 --> 00:07:06.560 Some people in describing this concept 00:07:06.560 --> 00:07:08.879 talk about developing a Christian worldview 00:07:08.879 --> 00:07:11.420 or developing a biblical worldview. 00:07:11.420 --> 00:07:14.819 The idea is we as Christians, we need to learn to look at life, 00:07:14.920 --> 00:07:19.220 all of life, through the lens of Scripture. 00:07:20.580 --> 00:07:23.100 We need to learn to look at life, 00:07:23.280 --> 00:07:24.360 what's going on around about us, 00:07:24.379 --> 00:07:27.200 and be able to discern truth and error, 00:07:27.460 --> 00:07:29.220 right and wrong, good and bad, 00:07:29.360 --> 00:07:31.040 as we'll see in the passage in a moment, 00:07:31.920 --> 00:07:33.420 what is lovely, what's not. 00:07:33.420 --> 00:07:37.660 Today, I want us to step back a little bit 00:07:37.660 --> 00:07:45.259 and look at what it means to think biblically in general. 00:07:46.120 --> 00:07:47.840 And one of the best places to start 00:07:47.840 --> 00:07:50.600 is found in Philippians chapter 4, verse 8. 00:07:51.259 --> 00:07:52.300 It's going to be on the screen. 00:07:52.420 --> 00:07:54.600 A lot of you know this because Philippians chapter 4 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:56.660 is a lot of people's favorite chapter in the Bible. 00:07:56.900 --> 00:07:58.280 But let's look at it together. 00:07:58.279 --> 00:08:01.759 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, 00:08:02.439 --> 00:08:03.599 whatever is honorable, 00:08:04.179 --> 00:08:05.259 whatever is just, 00:08:05.799 --> 00:08:06.759 whatever is pure, 00:08:06.939 --> 00:08:07.719 whatever is lovely, 00:08:08.219 --> 00:08:09.299 whatever is commendable, 00:08:09.599 --> 00:08:10.879 if there is any excellence, 00:08:11.299 --> 00:08:13.579 if there is anything worthy of praise, 00:08:14.479 --> 00:08:16.739 think about these things. 00:08:17.859 --> 00:08:19.479 Now, before we get into that, 00:08:20.859 --> 00:08:24.139 I think it's interesting how several commentators 00:08:24.139 --> 00:08:26.039 point out that these qualities, 00:08:26.040 --> 00:08:27.700 look at it on the screen there, 00:08:29.220 --> 00:08:30.680 you know, whatever is true, 00:08:30.840 --> 00:08:32.519 honorable, just, pure, 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:33.580 these kind of qualities. 00:08:34.680 --> 00:08:37.820 They're not uniquely Christian virtues. 00:08:39.039 --> 00:08:40.600 In the Greek world, 00:08:41.720 --> 00:08:43.860 here in Philippi, 00:08:44.820 --> 00:08:46.580 Macedonia, where Paul was writing, 00:08:47.980 --> 00:08:50.879 as these people had this read to them, 00:08:50.980 --> 00:08:52.500 Paul's letter read to them, 00:08:52.500 --> 00:08:55.440 they were familiar with these concepts 00:08:55.440 --> 00:08:57.140 being admirable, 00:08:57.880 --> 00:08:59.120 what a person, 00:08:59.380 --> 00:09:00.780 a right, good person, 00:09:01.100 --> 00:09:01.900 would seek to, 00:09:02.740 --> 00:09:04.340 how they would seek to live. 00:09:05.380 --> 00:09:07.540 I want you to look at how Frank Thielman 00:09:07.540 --> 00:09:10.660 describes how these were common, 00:09:11.840 --> 00:09:13.860 desirable qualities in the ancient world. 00:09:14.120 --> 00:09:14.520 He says, 00:09:14.620 --> 00:09:16.680 the list of virtues that Paul asked the Philippians 00:09:16.680 --> 00:09:17.400 to think about 00:09:17.400 --> 00:09:21.240 is not a distinctively Christian list 00:09:21.240 --> 00:09:22.820 and could have been embraced 00:09:22.820 --> 00:09:24.980 by many right-thinking people in ancient times. 00:09:24.980 --> 00:09:27.620 It also assumes that the pagan world 00:09:27.620 --> 00:09:29.860 had some notion of good and bad, 00:09:30.120 --> 00:09:30.759 right and wrong, 00:09:30.919 --> 00:09:32.340 duty and irresponsibility, 00:09:32.659 --> 00:09:33.639 beauty and ugliness, 00:09:33.860 --> 00:09:34.860 honor and shame. 00:09:35.899 --> 00:09:36.980 He says elsewhere, 00:09:37.440 --> 00:09:39.180 Paul speaks of Gentiles 00:09:39.180 --> 00:09:41.659 who have the requirements of God's law 00:09:41.659 --> 00:09:43.039 written on their hearts 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:44.700 and says that occasionally 00:09:44.700 --> 00:09:46.480 they actually do these things. 00:09:46.539 --> 00:09:47.320 That's in Romans 2. 00:09:47.320 --> 00:09:50.700 What this is describing is that 00:09:50.700 --> 00:09:52.320 all human beings 00:09:52.900 --> 00:09:54.980 are created in God's image. 00:09:56.020 --> 00:09:57.200 And so all people, 00:09:58.920 --> 00:09:59.600 unbelievers 00:09:59.600 --> 00:10:01.520 of all stripes, 00:10:02.280 --> 00:10:04.320 all people have a sense of conscience, 00:10:06.240 --> 00:10:07.560 a sense of what's right and wrong, 00:10:07.700 --> 00:10:09.020 what's good and bad. 00:10:09.540 --> 00:10:11.800 Now everybody's conscience is not the same. 00:10:12.700 --> 00:10:15.200 Some people have a very tender conscience. 00:10:15.200 --> 00:10:20.080 They are easily convicted of something being, 00:10:20.500 --> 00:10:22.200 they have a lot of guilt maybe, 00:10:22.420 --> 00:10:23.620 easily it comes. 00:10:24.120 --> 00:10:27.520 Some people have a more calloused conscience. 00:10:28.080 --> 00:10:29.800 And our conscience changes over time. 00:10:30.140 --> 00:10:31.600 Some people become harder. 00:10:32.600 --> 00:10:33.720 Some people become softer. 00:10:34.140 --> 00:10:34.879 As Christians, 00:10:35.920 --> 00:10:37.500 the Holy Spirit lives within us. 00:10:38.560 --> 00:10:39.379 And the Holy Spirit 00:10:39.379 --> 00:10:41.960 enlightens our conscience. 00:10:41.960 --> 00:10:44.460 And so we as Christians, 00:10:45.080 --> 00:10:48.300 we should have a conscience 00:10:48.300 --> 00:10:50.920 that is sensitive to the Holy Spirit 00:10:50.920 --> 00:10:54.660 and we are from within. 00:10:54.840 --> 00:10:56.040 We have a desire to do what 00:10:56.040 --> 00:10:57.759 the Bible would say is what is right, 00:10:57.860 --> 00:10:58.620 what is good. 00:10:59.680 --> 00:11:03.840 And not do what would be not right, 00:11:04.379 --> 00:11:05.820 what would be evil. 00:11:06.759 --> 00:11:08.460 We should be people who desire 00:11:08.460 --> 00:11:09.900 to speak the truth, 00:11:10.340 --> 00:11:13.200 to be truthful, 00:11:13.840 --> 00:11:15.560 not to lie, 00:11:16.379 --> 00:11:19.200 not to be easily led astray 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:20.820 by that which is not true. 00:11:22.420 --> 00:11:24.019 But more often than not, 00:11:25.360 --> 00:11:28.000 people violate their own conscience. 00:11:29.300 --> 00:11:30.680 Christians and unbelievers 00:11:30.680 --> 00:11:35.600 by consciously choosing wrong over right. 00:11:35.600 --> 00:11:37.080 That's what sin is. 00:11:38.139 --> 00:11:39.620 We violate our conscience, 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:41.540 our God-given sense of right and wrong. 00:11:41.800 --> 00:11:43.759 We violate the clear teachings of Scripture. 00:11:44.220 --> 00:11:45.879 We break God's laws. 00:11:46.980 --> 00:11:49.220 That's the effect that sin has on us. 00:11:49.620 --> 00:11:51.300 And Paul explains that in detail 00:11:51.300 --> 00:11:52.820 in Romans chapter 1, 00:11:52.899 --> 00:11:53.639 verse 18, 00:11:53.879 --> 00:11:54.860 through chapter 3, 00:11:54.940 --> 00:11:55.360 verse 20, 00:11:55.440 --> 00:11:57.460 a long, lengthy explanation 00:11:57.460 --> 00:11:59.800 about what sin does 00:11:59.800 --> 00:12:00.680 in a person's life. 00:12:00.679 --> 00:12:01.639 Now, 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:04.479 Paul understood how powerful 00:12:04.479 --> 00:12:07.500 sin affects our thinking. 00:12:07.919 --> 00:12:09.779 It powerfully impacts 00:12:09.779 --> 00:12:12.079 how we think. 00:12:12.939 --> 00:12:13.879 He also knew that the key 00:12:13.879 --> 00:12:16.579 to changing the way that we think, 00:12:16.959 --> 00:12:18.259 or changing the way that we live, 00:12:19.059 --> 00:12:20.199 is to change the way we think. 00:12:21.939 --> 00:12:23.500 If you want to change some things 00:12:23.500 --> 00:12:24.419 about your life, 00:12:24.779 --> 00:12:25.839 generally speaking, 00:12:27.000 --> 00:12:27.559 is first of all, 00:12:27.599 --> 00:12:29.019 you've got to change your attitude, 00:12:29.019 --> 00:12:31.100 your thought process. 00:12:32.259 --> 00:12:33.679 You've got to change the way you think 00:12:33.679 --> 00:12:36.699 in order to change the way that you live. 00:12:37.539 --> 00:12:37.740 Now, 00:12:38.419 --> 00:12:40.860 that's why he calls us to think rightly, 00:12:41.179 --> 00:12:42.399 or think biblically, 00:12:42.759 --> 00:12:43.620 in verse 8. 00:12:44.079 --> 00:12:44.980 So let's look at now 00:12:44.980 --> 00:12:45.919 what this means. 00:12:46.240 --> 00:12:46.840 What does it mean 00:12:46.840 --> 00:12:49.039 to think biblically? 00:12:49.939 --> 00:12:50.240 Well, 00:12:50.799 --> 00:12:52.139 anytime we look at a question like this, 00:12:52.179 --> 00:12:52.759 I think it's important 00:12:52.759 --> 00:12:54.139 to answer, first of all, 00:12:54.179 --> 00:12:55.039 what it does not mean. 00:12:55.899 --> 00:12:57.039 Thinking biblically 00:12:57.039 --> 00:12:59.059 does not mean that you deny reality. 00:12:59.719 --> 00:13:01.019 I'm sure there's some people 00:13:01.019 --> 00:13:01.500 in this room, 00:13:01.579 --> 00:13:01.980 you thought, 00:13:02.219 --> 00:13:03.919 as we read through that verse, 00:13:04.099 --> 00:13:05.079 verse 8 there, 00:13:06.159 --> 00:13:06.779 finally, brothers, 00:13:06.839 --> 00:13:07.519 whatever's true, 00:13:07.719 --> 00:13:08.099 honorable, 00:13:08.339 --> 00:13:08.759 just, 00:13:08.959 --> 00:13:09.279 pure, 00:13:09.459 --> 00:13:09.839 lovely, 00:13:09.959 --> 00:13:11.099 think about these things. 00:13:11.419 --> 00:13:12.279 And I'm sure some people said, 00:13:12.279 --> 00:13:13.799 how in the world can you do that 00:13:13.799 --> 00:13:14.519 and live in the world 00:13:14.519 --> 00:13:15.179 we live in today? 00:13:16.539 --> 00:13:17.959 This world we live in today 00:13:17.959 --> 00:13:19.120 is anything but true 00:13:19.120 --> 00:13:19.639 and honorable 00:13:19.639 --> 00:13:20.259 and lovely 00:13:20.259 --> 00:13:20.699 and pure 00:13:20.699 --> 00:13:21.319 and all of that. 00:13:21.320 --> 00:13:23.640 So what you're saying is 00:13:23.640 --> 00:13:24.900 to think this way, 00:13:24.980 --> 00:13:25.640 you've just sort of got to 00:13:25.640 --> 00:13:26.420 close your eyes 00:13:26.420 --> 00:13:27.600 what's going on around about you. 00:13:28.640 --> 00:13:29.080 No. 00:13:30.100 --> 00:13:32.140 Paul would never say that. 00:13:32.700 --> 00:13:33.820 Jesus never taught 00:13:33.820 --> 00:13:34.879 anything like that. 00:13:35.879 --> 00:13:36.800 As Christians, 00:13:37.000 --> 00:13:38.540 we are never to pretend 00:13:38.540 --> 00:13:39.580 that all is right 00:13:39.580 --> 00:13:40.240 with the world. 00:13:41.600 --> 00:13:42.760 We're not supposed 00:13:42.760 --> 00:13:44.120 to close our eyes 00:13:44.120 --> 00:13:44.860 to the cold, 00:13:45.060 --> 00:13:46.820 harsh realities of life. 00:13:47.140 --> 00:13:48.300 That's just a part of 00:13:48.299 --> 00:13:49.500 what is 00:13:49.500 --> 00:13:51.959 the world we live in. 00:13:53.000 --> 00:13:53.679 D.A. Carson 00:13:53.679 --> 00:13:55.359 explains this well. 00:13:55.519 --> 00:13:56.120 Look at this 00:13:56.120 --> 00:13:57.959 in writing about 00:13:57.959 --> 00:13:58.559 verse 8. 00:13:58.559 --> 00:13:59.779 This is not 00:13:59.779 --> 00:14:00.559 some escapist 00:14:01.120 --> 00:14:01.559 demand 00:14:02.120 --> 00:14:03.259 to avoid 00:14:03.259 --> 00:14:04.219 the harsh realities 00:14:04.219 --> 00:14:05.139 of our fallen world. 00:14:05.579 --> 00:14:06.659 The sad fact is 00:14:06.659 --> 00:14:07.539 that many people 00:14:07.539 --> 00:14:08.740 dwell on dirt 00:14:08.740 --> 00:14:10.479 without grasping 00:14:10.479 --> 00:14:12.120 that it's dirt. 00:14:12.579 --> 00:14:13.599 The wise Christian 00:14:13.599 --> 00:14:14.379 will see plenty 00:14:14.379 --> 00:14:14.979 of dirt 00:14:14.979 --> 00:14:15.599 in the world 00:14:15.599 --> 00:14:16.719 but will recognize 00:14:16.719 --> 00:14:17.459 it as dirt 00:14:17.460 --> 00:14:19.160 precisely because 00:14:19.160 --> 00:14:21.240 everything that is clean 00:14:21.240 --> 00:14:22.759 has captured 00:14:22.759 --> 00:14:23.980 his or her mind. 00:14:26.000 --> 00:14:27.580 There is much 00:14:27.580 --> 00:14:29.340 around about us 00:14:29.340 --> 00:14:31.480 that is opposite 00:14:31.480 --> 00:14:33.080 of these virtues 00:14:33.080 --> 00:14:33.960 Paul lists. 00:14:35.000 --> 00:14:35.600 There's a lot 00:14:35.600 --> 00:14:36.720 around about us 00:14:36.720 --> 00:14:37.920 you see 00:14:37.920 --> 00:14:38.940 in people's lives. 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:41.240 You see 00:14:41.240 --> 00:14:42.160 in the media 00:14:42.160 --> 00:14:44.220 things that are untrue 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:45.820 that are dishonorable 00:14:45.820 --> 00:14:46.820 that are unfair 00:14:46.820 --> 00:14:47.720 that are filthy 00:14:47.720 --> 00:14:48.580 that are ugly. 00:14:49.780 --> 00:14:50.680 That's what Carson 00:14:50.680 --> 00:14:52.200 is calling dirt. 00:14:53.980 --> 00:14:55.360 And the problem 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:57.640 is that too many 00:14:57.640 --> 00:14:58.680 of us as Christians 00:14:58.680 --> 00:15:00.900 don't recognize 00:15:00.900 --> 00:15:01.940 the dirt. 00:15:02.900 --> 00:15:04.360 Or even worse 00:15:04.360 --> 00:15:07.080 we don't mind 00:15:07.080 --> 00:15:08.800 the dirt. 00:15:10.200 --> 00:15:11.640 We accept it. 00:15:11.639 --> 00:15:14.319 we embrace it. 00:15:16.539 --> 00:15:17.100 We 00:15:17.100 --> 00:15:18.960 live it. 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.580 What we need 00:15:21.580 --> 00:15:22.059 to do 00:15:22.059 --> 00:15:23.340 in order to learn 00:15:23.340 --> 00:15:24.279 to think biblically 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:26.240 we need to recognize 00:15:26.240 --> 00:15:27.199 the dirt around 00:15:27.199 --> 00:15:27.639 about us 00:15:27.639 --> 00:15:28.340 in this world 00:15:28.340 --> 00:15:29.939 wherever it is 00:15:29.939 --> 00:15:30.840 in whomever 00:15:30.840 --> 00:15:31.419 it's in. 00:15:32.340 --> 00:15:33.139 We need to call 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:33.899 it what it is. 00:15:35.600 --> 00:15:36.480 If we can 00:15:36.480 --> 00:15:37.299 clean it up 00:15:37.299 --> 00:15:38.340 we have that kind 00:15:38.340 --> 00:15:39.659 of power 00:15:39.659 --> 00:15:40.319 influence 00:15:40.320 --> 00:15:41.020 we need to get 00:15:41.020 --> 00:15:41.379 involved 00:15:41.379 --> 00:15:41.720 and try to 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.379 clean it up. 00:15:43.960 --> 00:15:45.040 If we can't 00:15:45.040 --> 00:15:46.600 we need to avoid 00:15:46.600 --> 00:15:48.340 what we can avoid. 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:49.860 We don't need 00:15:49.860 --> 00:15:50.740 to dirty ourselves 00:15:50.740 --> 00:15:52.140 with the world's dirt. 00:15:55.860 --> 00:15:56.260 That's 00:15:56.260 --> 00:15:58.160 I want you to understand. 00:15:59.020 --> 00:15:59.700 Paul is saying 00:15:59.700 --> 00:16:00.200 when he talks about 00:16:00.200 --> 00:16:01.020 think about what's true 00:16:01.020 --> 00:16:01.760 and lovely and honorable. 00:16:02.180 --> 00:16:02.900 He doesn't mean 00:16:02.900 --> 00:16:04.480 pretend that everything's good. 00:16:05.260 --> 00:16:05.820 He does not say 00:16:05.820 --> 00:16:06.620 and be naive. 00:16:08.180 --> 00:16:09.220 But what does he mean? 00:16:09.220 --> 00:16:10.779 Well thinking biblically 00:16:10.779 --> 00:16:11.379 means that we need 00:16:11.379 --> 00:16:11.860 to think 00:16:11.860 --> 00:16:13.300 intentionally 00:16:13.300 --> 00:16:15.639 about the right 00:16:15.639 --> 00:16:16.960 kinds of things. 00:16:17.500 --> 00:16:18.060 We need to learn 00:16:18.060 --> 00:16:19.379 to think rightly 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.879 think biblically 00:16:20.879 --> 00:16:21.980 and what he's doing 00:16:21.980 --> 00:16:22.680 here is listing 00:16:22.680 --> 00:16:23.779 several ways 00:16:23.779 --> 00:16:24.560 that we actually 00:16:24.560 --> 00:16:25.420 do that 00:16:25.420 --> 00:16:26.180 in this list. 00:16:26.440 --> 00:16:27.019 Let's start looking 00:16:27.019 --> 00:16:27.759 at it today 00:16:27.759 --> 00:16:29.259 and we'll come back 00:16:29.259 --> 00:16:30.360 and finish it next week. 00:16:31.360 --> 00:16:31.879 Number one 00:16:31.879 --> 00:16:32.360 think about 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.360 whatever is true. 00:16:34.620 --> 00:16:35.540 Whatever is true. 00:16:36.779 --> 00:16:37.480 We need to think 00:16:37.480 --> 00:16:38.039 that way. 00:16:38.259 --> 00:16:39.159 Now broadly speaking 00:16:39.159 --> 00:16:40.680 truth is that 00:16:40.680 --> 00:16:41.379 which corresponds 00:16:41.379 --> 00:16:42.460 to reality. 00:16:43.360 --> 00:16:43.920 Kent Hughes 00:16:43.920 --> 00:16:45.080 describes it like this. 00:16:45.720 --> 00:16:46.940 Everything that is true 00:16:46.940 --> 00:16:48.860 is from God 00:16:48.860 --> 00:16:50.120 because all truth 00:16:50.120 --> 00:16:51.080 is God's truth. 00:16:52.639 --> 00:16:53.620 All things 00:16:53.620 --> 00:16:54.840 that are true 00:16:54.840 --> 00:16:57.659 that's God's truth. 00:16:58.920 --> 00:16:59.639 Wherever is true 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:00.360 and right 00:17:00.360 --> 00:17:02.420 wherever you find it 00:17:02.420 --> 00:17:03.060 in this world 00:17:03.060 --> 00:17:06.400 that is of God. 00:17:06.400 --> 00:17:09.660 Q's goes on to say 00:17:09.660 --> 00:17:10.600 this mind seeks 00:17:10.600 --> 00:17:11.620 whatever is true 00:17:11.620 --> 00:17:13.000 in every avenue 00:17:13.000 --> 00:17:13.680 of life 00:17:13.680 --> 00:17:14.720 from faith 00:17:14.720 --> 00:17:15.880 to science 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.860 to relationships 00:17:16.860 --> 00:17:18.420 to public life 00:17:18.420 --> 00:17:19.720 to business. 00:17:21.000 --> 00:17:22.320 Paul is telling us 00:17:22.320 --> 00:17:23.640 to think 00:17:23.640 --> 00:17:27.440 whatever is true. 00:17:28.560 --> 00:17:29.680 Think that way 00:17:29.680 --> 00:17:31.680 in every realm of life 00:17:31.680 --> 00:17:33.120 wherever you see it 00:17:33.120 --> 00:17:34.000 even a pagan 00:17:34.000 --> 00:17:35.680 even in a place 00:17:35.680 --> 00:17:36.660 you didn't think 00:17:36.660 --> 00:17:37.319 you'd see it 00:17:37.319 --> 00:17:38.960 that which is true 00:17:38.960 --> 00:17:39.900 that which corresponds 00:17:39.900 --> 00:17:40.839 to reality 00:17:40.839 --> 00:17:44.099 learn from it. 00:17:44.740 --> 00:17:45.259 Learn from him 00:17:45.259 --> 00:17:45.680 or her. 00:17:48.559 --> 00:17:49.319 That's in the 00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.259 general sense. 00:17:51.259 --> 00:17:52.299 In this general sense 00:17:52.299 --> 00:17:52.779 we're to think 00:17:52.779 --> 00:17:53.220 in terms of 00:17:53.220 --> 00:17:53.859 what's real 00:17:53.859 --> 00:17:55.500 what's accurate 00:17:55.500 --> 00:17:56.940 what's rational 00:17:56.940 --> 00:17:58.119 what 00:17:58.119 --> 00:18:00.279 is proven 00:18:00.279 --> 00:18:01.759 in any area 00:18:01.759 --> 00:18:02.319 of life. 00:18:03.579 --> 00:18:04.479 We're to do that 00:18:04.479 --> 00:18:05.079 instead of 00:18:05.079 --> 00:18:06.799 just believe 00:18:06.799 --> 00:18:07.579 everything you read 00:18:07.579 --> 00:18:08.119 on the internet 00:18:08.119 --> 00:18:11.019 or believe 00:18:11.019 --> 00:18:11.639 fall 00:18:11.639 --> 00:18:12.659 victim to 00:18:12.659 --> 00:18:13.859 every conspiracy 00:18:13.859 --> 00:18:15.159 theory out there 00:18:15.159 --> 00:18:15.879 about everything 00:18:15.879 --> 00:18:16.359 that's happening 00:18:16.359 --> 00:18:17.159 in the world today. 00:18:18.459 --> 00:18:19.359 We need to be 00:18:19.359 --> 00:18:20.519 discerning people 00:18:20.519 --> 00:18:22.059 part of looking 00:18:22.059 --> 00:18:23.000 for what the truth 00:18:23.000 --> 00:18:23.419 is learning 00:18:23.419 --> 00:18:24.739 to be wise 00:18:24.740 --> 00:18:26.160 but more 00:18:26.160 --> 00:18:26.900 specifically 00:18:26.900 --> 00:18:28.759 whatever is true 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.299 refers to 00:18:29.299 --> 00:18:30.259 whatever is ethical 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:32.420 whatever is truthful 00:18:32.420 --> 00:18:33.140 whatever is 00:18:33.140 --> 00:18:34.539 dependable 00:18:34.539 --> 00:18:35.759 as opposed 00:18:35.759 --> 00:18:36.220 to what is 00:18:36.220 --> 00:18:37.220 deceptive 00:18:37.220 --> 00:18:39.059 what is phony 00:18:39.059 --> 00:18:39.579 what is 00:18:39.579 --> 00:18:40.620 a lie. 00:18:42.019 --> 00:18:42.900 The reason 00:18:42.900 --> 00:18:43.539 that I preached 00:18:43.539 --> 00:18:43.920 on 00:18:43.920 --> 00:18:45.900 government authority 00:18:45.900 --> 00:18:48.140 law enforcement 00:18:48.140 --> 00:18:49.039 officers 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.839 carrying out 00:18:50.839 --> 00:18:51.720 government authority 00:18:51.720 --> 00:18:53.420 and race 00:18:53.420 --> 00:18:54.559 in my last 00:18:54.559 --> 00:18:55.240 two sermons 00:18:55.240 --> 00:18:57.000 is to point out 00:18:57.000 --> 00:18:57.660 a lot of the 00:18:57.660 --> 00:18:58.700 untruthful 00:18:58.700 --> 00:18:59.600 things 00:18:59.600 --> 00:19:00.960 that are being 00:19:00.960 --> 00:19:01.620 said in 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:02.980 mainstream media 00:19:02.980 --> 00:19:05.900 and also 00:19:05.900 --> 00:19:06.640 to describe 00:19:06.640 --> 00:19:08.299 what is true 00:19:08.299 --> 00:19:09.440 about governmental 00:19:09.440 --> 00:19:10.000 authority 00:19:10.000 --> 00:19:11.620 about race 00:19:11.620 --> 00:19:13.220 according to 00:19:13.220 --> 00:19:13.559 scripture. 00:19:14.860 --> 00:19:15.420 Now since I 00:19:15.420 --> 00:19:16.019 preached those 00:19:16.019 --> 00:19:16.660 two sermons 00:19:16.660 --> 00:19:17.860 I have found 00:19:17.860 --> 00:19:18.480 an article 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:19.980 of an interview 00:19:19.980 --> 00:19:21.620 with Ed Young 00:19:21.619 --> 00:19:22.979 he is pastor 00:19:22.979 --> 00:19:23.699 of Fellowship 00:19:23.699 --> 00:19:24.639 Church in Texas 00:19:24.639 --> 00:19:26.119 described as 00:19:26.119 --> 00:19:26.879 one of North 00:19:26.879 --> 00:19:27.439 America's 00:19:27.439 --> 00:19:28.299 largest churches 00:19:28.299 --> 00:19:29.099 they even have 00:19:29.099 --> 00:19:30.059 satellite campuses 00:19:30.059 --> 00:19:31.399 in other states 00:19:31.399 --> 00:19:33.159 not just in 00:19:33.159 --> 00:19:34.399 the Fort Worth 00:19:34.399 --> 00:19:35.279 Dallas area. 00:19:36.219 --> 00:19:36.839 In the interview 00:19:36.839 --> 00:19:38.159 Ed Young 00:19:38.159 --> 00:19:38.759 describes 00:19:38.759 --> 00:19:39.859 how some 00:19:39.859 --> 00:19:40.679 Christian leaders 00:19:40.679 --> 00:19:41.959 have abandoned 00:19:41.959 --> 00:19:42.819 the truth 00:19:42.819 --> 00:19:44.219 about race. 00:19:44.579 --> 00:19:45.000 Now listen 00:19:45.000 --> 00:19:46.439 Ed Young 00:19:46.439 --> 00:19:48.959 he has a father 00:19:48.959 --> 00:19:49.659 who is pastor 00:19:49.659 --> 00:19:50.319 of Second Baptist 00:19:50.319 --> 00:19:51.039 Church of Houston 00:19:51.039 --> 00:19:52.460 Edwin Young 00:19:52.460 --> 00:19:53.720 some of you 00:19:53.720 --> 00:19:54.279 may have heard 00:19:54.279 --> 00:19:54.700 of him 00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.440 he is a former 00:19:55.440 --> 00:19:56.299 pastor in 00:19:56.299 --> 00:19:56.819 Columbia 00:19:56.819 --> 00:19:57.819 in Taylor 00:19:57.819 --> 00:19:58.680 South Carolina 00:19:58.680 --> 00:19:59.099 he has some 00:19:59.099 --> 00:19:59.680 South Carolina 00:19:59.680 --> 00:20:00.159 roots 00:20:00.159 --> 00:20:00.980 well this is 00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.619 Ed Young 00:20:01.619 --> 00:20:02.399 Edwin's 00:20:02.399 --> 00:20:03.259 son 00:20:03.259 --> 00:20:05.559 I will have 00:20:05.559 --> 00:20:06.000 sort of a 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:06.639 lengthy quote 00:20:06.639 --> 00:20:06.980 here 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.899 I do not 00:20:07.899 --> 00:20:08.339 agree with 00:20:08.339 --> 00:20:09.059 every word 00:20:09.059 --> 00:20:09.879 that he says 00:20:09.879 --> 00:20:10.799 but I think 00:20:10.799 --> 00:20:11.139 he makes 00:20:11.139 --> 00:20:12.259 a very powerful 00:20:12.259 --> 00:20:12.980 statement 00:20:12.980 --> 00:20:13.940 someone in 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.839 his position 00:20:14.839 --> 00:20:16.779 that we need 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:17.220 to hear 00:20:17.220 --> 00:20:17.759 today. 00:20:17.759 --> 00:20:19.079 look at this 00:20:19.079 --> 00:20:21.140 woke Christian 00:20:21.140 --> 00:20:21.859 leaders and 00:20:21.859 --> 00:20:22.920 pastors today 00:20:22.920 --> 00:20:24.019 are jumping 00:20:24.019 --> 00:20:24.980 on the hype 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.599 train of what 00:20:26.599 --> 00:20:27.579 culture is 00:20:27.579 --> 00:20:28.140 currently 00:20:28.140 --> 00:20:29.000 applauding 00:20:29.000 --> 00:20:30.140 but they don't 00:20:30.140 --> 00:20:30.819 really look at 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.619 what the hype 00:20:31.619 --> 00:20:32.420 train is 00:20:32.420 --> 00:20:33.200 connected to 00:20:33.200 --> 00:20:34.299 for example 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.319 many of the 00:20:35.319 --> 00:20:36.259 things culture 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:37.400 applauds are 00:20:37.400 --> 00:20:38.180 connected to 00:20:38.180 --> 00:20:39.000 relativism 00:20:39.000 --> 00:20:39.859 abortion 00:20:39.859 --> 00:20:41.680 transgenderism 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.720 the breakup of 00:20:42.720 --> 00:20:43.160 the nuclear 00:20:43.160 --> 00:20:43.759 family. 00:20:43.759 --> 00:20:45.119 one example 00:20:45.119 --> 00:20:45.799 of the hype 00:20:45.799 --> 00:20:46.420 train 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:47.119 many Christians 00:20:47.119 --> 00:20:47.460 have been 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.500 far too eager 00:20:48.500 --> 00:20:49.079 to jump on 00:20:49.079 --> 00:20:49.440 in recent 00:20:49.440 --> 00:20:49.940 months 00:20:49.940 --> 00:20:50.640 is the 00:20:50.640 --> 00:20:51.559 promotion of 00:20:51.559 --> 00:20:52.299 the Black 00:20:52.299 --> 00:20:53.299 Lives Matter 00:20:53.299 --> 00:20:54.339 organization. 00:20:55.200 --> 00:20:56.079 I wholeheartedly 00:20:56.079 --> 00:20:56.700 agree with the 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.879 phrase Black 00:20:57.879 --> 00:20:58.579 Lives Matter 00:20:58.579 --> 00:21:00.680 I believe in it 00:21:00.680 --> 00:21:01.440 and the church 00:21:01.440 --> 00:21:02.099 should champion 00:21:02.099 --> 00:21:02.379 it. 00:21:02.640 --> 00:21:02.900 We should 00:21:02.900 --> 00:21:03.660 stand up for 00:21:03.660 --> 00:21:04.460 equality and 00:21:04.460 --> 00:21:04.900 justice. 00:21:05.259 --> 00:21:05.819 I believe we 00:21:05.819 --> 00:21:06.460 need to lead 00:21:06.460 --> 00:21:07.980 out but I 00:21:07.980 --> 00:21:09.119 can't support 00:21:09.119 --> 00:21:10.099 or agree with 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:11.339 the core beliefs 00:21:11.339 --> 00:21:12.519 of the organization 00:21:12.519 --> 00:21:13.740 Black Lives Matter 00:21:13.740 --> 00:21:14.000 matter. 00:21:14.359 --> 00:21:15.140 It is tied to 00:21:15.140 --> 00:21:15.620 abortion, 00:21:16.079 --> 00:21:17.079 homosexuality, 00:21:17.440 --> 00:21:18.759 transgenderism and 00:21:18.759 --> 00:21:19.819 the breakup of 00:21:19.819 --> 00:21:21.039 the nuclear family 00:21:21.039 --> 00:21:22.599 just to name a 00:21:22.599 --> 00:21:22.960 few. 00:21:23.220 --> 00:21:23.920 I want to stop 00:21:23.920 --> 00:21:24.539 the quote. 00:21:26.400 --> 00:21:27.660 The Black Lives 00:21:27.660 --> 00:21:28.799 Matter organization 00:21:28.799 --> 00:21:30.480 does not truly 00:21:30.480 --> 00:21:31.819 believe that all 00:21:31.819 --> 00:21:33.079 black lives 00:21:33.079 --> 00:21:33.720 matter. 00:21:34.720 --> 00:21:35.819 They do not 00:21:35.819 --> 00:21:37.480 believe that the 00:21:37.480 --> 00:21:38.599 lives of black 00:21:38.599 --> 00:21:39.579 law enforcement 00:21:39.579 --> 00:21:41.059 officers matter. 00:21:41.059 --> 00:21:44.179 in the riots 00:21:44.179 --> 00:21:45.079 and looting that 00:21:45.079 --> 00:21:45.859 has taken place 00:21:45.859 --> 00:21:46.480 since Memorial 00:21:46.480 --> 00:21:47.759 Day, there have 00:21:47.759 --> 00:21:48.460 been at least 00:21:48.460 --> 00:21:50.379 two black law 00:21:50.379 --> 00:21:51.639 enforcement officers 00:21:51.639 --> 00:21:52.500 or former 00:21:52.500 --> 00:21:54.659 officers who 00:21:54.659 --> 00:21:58.440 were killed by 00:21:58.440 --> 00:22:00.839 the rioters, by 00:22:00.839 --> 00:22:02.119 the anarchists. 00:22:02.119 --> 00:22:03.119 police officers 00:22:03.119 --> 00:22:04.519 and the Black 00:22:04.519 --> 00:22:05.219 Lives Matter 00:22:05.219 --> 00:22:06.159 organization has 00:22:06.159 --> 00:22:07.239 said nothing 00:22:07.239 --> 00:22:09.319 about the 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:11.619 murder of 00:22:11.619 --> 00:22:13.000 these two black 00:22:13.000 --> 00:22:13.799 officers. 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:17.459 There have been 00:22:17.459 --> 00:22:20.119 black businessmen. 00:22:22.259 --> 00:22:23.459 One received a lot 00:22:23.459 --> 00:22:24.179 of national attention, 00:22:24.279 --> 00:22:25.259 a former fireman 00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:27.099 who scraped 00:22:27.099 --> 00:22:28.259 together everything 00:22:28.259 --> 00:22:29.859 he had, had his 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:30.660 own business. 00:22:31.500 --> 00:22:32.220 And in one of the 00:22:32.220 --> 00:22:33.720 riots, it was 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:35.299 burned to the 00:22:35.299 --> 00:22:35.720 ground. 00:22:37.160 --> 00:22:38.379 There was another 00:22:38.379 --> 00:22:40.980 city in which a 00:22:40.980 --> 00:22:42.319 black business owner 00:22:42.319 --> 00:22:45.180 wrote on the 00:22:45.180 --> 00:22:46.879 window of his 00:22:46.879 --> 00:22:47.500 business. 00:22:47.859 --> 00:22:48.940 This is a black 00:22:48.940 --> 00:22:50.539 owned business. 00:22:50.740 --> 00:22:51.799 They broke out the 00:22:51.799 --> 00:22:54.339 windows of his 00:22:54.339 --> 00:22:54.839 business. 00:22:55.799 --> 00:22:56.859 The Black Lives 00:22:56.859 --> 00:22:58.179 Matter organization 00:22:58.179 --> 00:23:00.459 does not care about 00:23:00.459 --> 00:23:02.839 all black lives. 00:23:04.419 --> 00:23:05.539 They do not care 00:23:05.539 --> 00:23:06.399 about black 00:23:06.399 --> 00:23:08.000 conservatives. 00:23:09.659 --> 00:23:10.740 They do not care 00:23:10.740 --> 00:23:11.699 about the lives of 00:23:11.699 --> 00:23:13.639 black Bible-believing 00:23:13.639 --> 00:23:14.319 Christians. 00:23:15.699 --> 00:23:17.359 And I say that and 00:23:17.359 --> 00:23:18.819 can back that because 00:23:18.819 --> 00:23:20.179 of their silence. 00:23:20.180 --> 00:23:24.360 when black 00:23:24.360 --> 00:23:25.620 policemen are 00:23:25.620 --> 00:23:26.580 killed, black 00:23:26.580 --> 00:23:28.039 business owners lose 00:23:28.039 --> 00:23:29.500 everything they have 00:23:29.500 --> 00:23:31.240 and their very 00:23:31.240 --> 00:23:33.120 statements of who 00:23:33.120 --> 00:23:33.640 they are and what 00:23:33.640 --> 00:23:34.900 they are deny 00:23:34.900 --> 00:23:37.200 basic Christian 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:39.200 values as Ed Young 00:23:39.200 --> 00:23:41.039 pointed out just a 00:23:41.039 --> 00:23:41.720 moment ago in that 00:23:41.720 --> 00:23:42.060 quote. 00:23:42.799 --> 00:23:43.440 I want to continue 00:23:43.440 --> 00:23:44.580 with Young's quote 00:23:44.580 --> 00:23:44.860 now. 00:23:45.820 --> 00:23:47.200 Racism is an obvious 00:23:47.200 --> 00:23:48.320 issue that must always 00:23:48.320 --> 00:23:49.019 be addressed. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.940 We must call it out 00:23:50.940 --> 00:23:52.139 and point people to 00:23:52.139 --> 00:23:53.400 the answers found in 00:23:53.400 --> 00:23:54.480 the person of Jesus 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:55.000 Christ. 00:23:55.519 --> 00:23:56.740 I'm all for supporting 00:23:56.740 --> 00:23:57.960 legislation that 00:23:57.960 --> 00:23:59.000 pushes the ball of 00:23:59.000 --> 00:23:59.980 equality down the 00:23:59.980 --> 00:24:00.279 field. 00:24:00.680 --> 00:24:02.000 But real change is 00:24:02.000 --> 00:24:03.000 only going to happen 00:24:03.000 --> 00:24:04.519 when we have a heart 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:05.839 transformation. 00:24:06.839 --> 00:24:08.220 Too many leaders are 00:24:08.220 --> 00:24:09.559 fearful to stand. 00:24:10.519 --> 00:24:11.180 Where is the 00:24:11.180 --> 00:24:11.799 boldness? 00:24:12.559 --> 00:24:13.799 Both sides of the 00:24:13.799 --> 00:24:14.940 aisle have dropped 00:24:14.940 --> 00:24:15.639 the ball. 00:24:16.160 --> 00:24:17.299 We must have open 00:24:17.299 --> 00:24:19.299 conversations, face our 00:24:19.299 --> 00:24:20.440 fears, and find 00:24:20.440 --> 00:24:22.079 solutions that work. 00:24:22.759 --> 00:24:23.759 I think that we have 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:26.220 more of a systemic sin 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.659 problem in our world 00:24:27.659 --> 00:24:29.839 than a skin problem. 00:24:30.639 --> 00:24:32.059 Most people I know 00:24:32.059 --> 00:24:34.039 aren't racist. 00:24:35.039 --> 00:24:36.659 I want to stop there 00:24:36.659 --> 00:24:38.000 and I want to make that 00:24:38.000 --> 00:24:38.720 statement as well. 00:24:39.240 --> 00:24:41.059 Most people I know in 00:24:41.059 --> 00:24:42.759 this world are not 00:24:42.759 --> 00:24:43.740 racist. 00:24:43.740 --> 00:24:46.279 But according to the 00:24:46.279 --> 00:24:47.799 mainstream media, 00:24:48.559 --> 00:24:49.900 everybody who is white 00:24:49.900 --> 00:24:50.960 is a racist in this 00:24:50.960 --> 00:24:51.960 country today, it 00:24:51.960 --> 00:24:52.599 seems. 00:24:55.240 --> 00:24:57.500 Ed Young, most people 00:24:57.500 --> 00:24:58.019 I know are not 00:24:58.019 --> 00:24:58.460 racist. 00:24:59.460 --> 00:25:00.519 Some are, and I know 00:25:00.519 --> 00:25:01.720 some who are as well, 00:25:02.880 --> 00:25:03.620 and they're wrong. 00:25:04.299 --> 00:25:05.200 He says, some are, 00:25:05.359 --> 00:25:05.720 yes. 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:07.380 And I believe there's a 00:25:07.380 --> 00:25:08.059 skin problem. 00:25:08.640 --> 00:25:09.900 I just don't believe it's 00:25:09.900 --> 00:25:13.140 systemically the core 00:25:13.140 --> 00:25:13.580 issue. 00:25:13.580 --> 00:25:16.640 The real issue is sin, 00:25:17.060 --> 00:25:18.340 not skin. 00:25:19.019 --> 00:25:20.240 That's the root issue. 00:25:20.920 --> 00:25:22.540 But we're too fearful to 00:25:22.540 --> 00:25:24.220 say that because we could 00:25:24.220 --> 00:25:26.700 be misunderstood and 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.960 maligned. 00:25:29.940 --> 00:25:31.759 So what he's saying is that 00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:33.120 we as Christians, especially 00:25:33.120 --> 00:25:34.640 too many Christian leaders, 00:25:36.040 --> 00:25:37.860 they're so afraid of being 00:25:37.859 --> 00:25:39.439 misunderstood and maligned, 00:25:40.639 --> 00:25:41.699 that they keep their 00:25:41.699 --> 00:25:44.699 mouth closed, and by 00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:47.339 their silence agree to 00:25:47.339 --> 00:25:49.859 the lies and half-truths 00:25:50.979 --> 00:25:51.819 that's being promoted by 00:25:51.819 --> 00:25:53.599 the mainstream media day 00:25:53.599 --> 00:25:54.619 after day after day. 00:25:56.000 --> 00:25:57.219 We need to learn to think 00:25:57.219 --> 00:25:58.459 about what is true and 00:25:58.459 --> 00:26:01.240 about every issue in life, 00:26:02.039 --> 00:26:03.159 regardless of what this 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:07.099 cultural hype train, and 00:26:07.099 --> 00:26:08.319 those on it, rather, are 00:26:08.319 --> 00:26:08.779 saying. 00:26:09.859 --> 00:26:10.819 But I want to be real 00:26:10.819 --> 00:26:11.159 clear. 00:26:12.179 --> 00:26:13.219 Don't look for the 00:26:13.219 --> 00:26:15.279 mainstream media in this 00:26:15.279 --> 00:26:18.559 country today to find the 00:26:18.559 --> 00:26:18.959 truth. 00:26:20.339 --> 00:26:21.480 They don't know it. 00:26:22.599 --> 00:26:24.299 The ones who do are not 00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.299 allowed to speak. 00:26:26.399 --> 00:26:27.319 They're fired. 00:26:29.199 --> 00:26:30.459 If you're not liberal 00:26:30.459 --> 00:26:33.119 enough, you can't work for 00:26:33.119 --> 00:26:34.339 mainstream media today. 00:26:34.399 --> 00:26:35.299 You'll be terminated. 00:26:35.299 --> 00:26:38.759 It's the mainstream media 00:26:38.759 --> 00:26:41.819 liberal, socialists, who 00:26:41.819 --> 00:26:43.099 are driving today's 00:26:43.099 --> 00:26:45.500 cultural hype train. 00:26:46.799 --> 00:26:47.899 And they're going to run it 00:26:47.899 --> 00:26:48.460 into the ground. 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:51.339 Eventually, they're going to 00:26:51.339 --> 00:26:54.579 wreck our country if 00:26:54.579 --> 00:26:55.480 they're not stopped. 00:26:56.879 --> 00:26:58.879 And the only way to be 00:26:58.879 --> 00:27:01.859 stopped is to combat their 00:27:01.859 --> 00:27:03.440 lies with the truth. 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:08.019 combat their half-truths with 00:27:08.019 --> 00:27:08.759 the full truth. 00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.660 We're going to come back 00:27:10.660 --> 00:27:11.539 next week and look at the 00:27:11.539 --> 00:27:12.900 rest of Paul's list of 00:27:12.900 --> 00:27:13.720 virtues here. 00:27:14.519 --> 00:27:15.340 But I want to conclude 00:27:15.340 --> 00:27:16.299 today by looking at where 00:27:16.299 --> 00:27:19.120 we must look first to find 00:27:19.120 --> 00:27:19.539 the truth. 00:27:20.860 --> 00:27:21.799 So the second question 00:27:21.799 --> 00:27:23.039 today, how do we develop the 00:27:23.039 --> 00:27:24.240 habit of thinking biblically? 00:27:25.240 --> 00:27:26.559 Well, the best way to learn to 00:27:26.559 --> 00:27:29.539 think truthfully is through 00:27:29.539 --> 00:27:31.940 consistent Bible reading and 00:27:31.940 --> 00:27:32.340 study. 00:27:32.759 --> 00:27:33.440 I want to be clear. 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.900 This is not the only way. 00:27:38.400 --> 00:27:40.740 Paul said, look again in 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:44.299 verse 8, whatever is true, we 00:27:44.299 --> 00:27:46.680 can find truth in many realms of 00:27:46.680 --> 00:27:47.140 life. 00:27:47.519 --> 00:27:53.160 But the first, the best source of 00:27:53.160 --> 00:27:55.680 truth, the infallible source of 00:27:55.680 --> 00:27:57.900 truth is the Word of God. 00:27:57.900 --> 00:28:00.800 We need to understand it is 00:28:00.800 --> 00:28:02.220 impossible for us to get rid of 00:28:02.220 --> 00:28:04.320 the deception, lies, and garbage 00:28:04.320 --> 00:28:08.360 that comes into our minds without 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:12.300 replacing it with an entirely 00:28:12.300 --> 00:28:14.400 different way of thinking. 00:28:15.800 --> 00:28:17.780 And I'm talking about biblical truth 00:28:17.780 --> 00:28:18.840 is a different way of thinking. 00:28:20.400 --> 00:28:21.560 You know, throughout Israel's 00:28:21.560 --> 00:28:22.440 history, as you read through the 00:28:22.440 --> 00:28:24.920 Old Testament, it seems that 00:28:24.920 --> 00:28:26.900 everything, whenever something new 00:28:26.900 --> 00:28:29.540 about to take place, a new leader 00:28:29.540 --> 00:28:32.660 was installed, there was a great 00:28:32.660 --> 00:28:36.860 emphasis for that leader to get 00:28:36.860 --> 00:28:38.920 prepared to lead the people into 00:28:38.920 --> 00:28:40.320 whatever the new endeavor was going 00:28:40.320 --> 00:28:43.880 to be by saturating his mind with 00:28:43.880 --> 00:28:44.580 the Word of God. 00:28:45.180 --> 00:28:46.900 One of the best examples of that is 00:28:47.519 --> 00:28:48.880 found in the first chapter of 00:28:48.880 --> 00:28:49.460 Joshua. 00:28:49.960 --> 00:28:52.200 Joshua succeeded Moses as the leader 00:28:52.200 --> 00:28:53.100 of the nation of Israel. 00:28:53.700 --> 00:28:55.100 And he was going to lead the people of 00:28:55.099 --> 00:28:56.379 Israel into the promised land. 00:28:57.500 --> 00:28:59.439 Here's one verse that emphasizes what 00:28:59.439 --> 00:29:00.119 I'm talking about. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:02.319 God said this to Joshua, 00:29:03.059 --> 00:29:04.719 This book of the law shall not depart 00:29:04.719 --> 00:29:06.740 from your mouth, but you shall 00:29:06.740 --> 00:29:09.159 meditate on it day and night, so that 00:29:09.159 --> 00:29:10.980 you may be careful to do according to 00:29:10.980 --> 00:29:12.659 all that is written in it. 00:29:13.199 --> 00:29:14.579 For then you will make your way 00:29:14.579 --> 00:29:17.279 prosperous, and then you will have 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:18.059 good success. 00:29:19.559 --> 00:29:21.199 That was God's way of saying, Joshua, 00:29:21.200 --> 00:29:24.000 If you want to have success, you've got 00:29:24.000 --> 00:29:27.100 to do things my way, according to my 00:29:27.100 --> 00:29:27.680 plan. 00:29:29.940 --> 00:29:31.180 You know, we live in a day where 00:29:31.180 --> 00:29:33.720 everyone is busy. 00:29:35.559 --> 00:29:36.799 Everyone is busy. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:41.259 And most people's minds are filled with 00:29:41.259 --> 00:29:42.120 a lot of clutter. 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:45.259 A lot of things that don't matter. 00:29:46.380 --> 00:29:48.400 A lot of things could be just called 00:29:48.400 --> 00:29:49.160 junk. 00:29:50.360 --> 00:29:52.040 Kent Hughes describes this as our 00:29:52.040 --> 00:29:53.259 greatest danger today. 00:29:53.560 --> 00:29:54.080 Look at this. 00:29:54.640 --> 00:29:56.040 The greatest danger in our busy, 00:29:56.360 --> 00:29:58.540 increasingly post-literate world 00:29:58.540 --> 00:30:00.940 is that we make little or no effort 00:30:00.940 --> 00:30:03.500 to think God's thoughts after Him. 00:30:04.019 --> 00:30:05.640 To hide His word in our hearts 00:30:05.640 --> 00:30:07.480 so that we may not sin against Him. 00:30:07.740 --> 00:30:09.220 That comes from Psalm 119.11. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:11.220 We cannot be profoundly influenced 00:30:11.840 --> 00:30:15.040 by that which we do not know. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:19.659 I said earlier, the Spirit of God 00:30:19.659 --> 00:30:21.039 lives in every Christian. 00:30:22.420 --> 00:30:26.220 He influences us according to the 00:30:26.220 --> 00:30:27.460 truth of God's word. 00:30:28.599 --> 00:30:30.079 But we're going to miss out on some 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:31.859 of His influence if we don't know 00:30:31.859 --> 00:30:34.019 the truth of God's word. 00:30:35.139 --> 00:30:36.319 Jesus emphasized this. 00:30:36.680 --> 00:30:38.359 You know, before Jesus, on the night 00:30:38.359 --> 00:30:39.519 He was arrested, He was going to be 00:30:39.519 --> 00:30:40.539 crucified the next day. 00:30:41.159 --> 00:30:43.299 Jesus prayed for His people. 00:30:43.299 --> 00:30:46.399 Here's an example of, or here's part 00:30:46.399 --> 00:30:47.059 of His prayer. 00:30:47.299 --> 00:30:48.279 It's in John 17. 00:30:48.779 --> 00:30:51.180 Jesus prayed for our spiritual growth, 00:30:51.379 --> 00:30:52.779 our sanctification. 00:30:53.279 --> 00:30:54.159 He prayed like this. 00:30:54.659 --> 00:30:56.740 Sanctify them by the truth. 00:30:57.319 --> 00:31:00.099 Your word is truth. 00:31:01.539 --> 00:31:03.480 There's no way in the world we can 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:08.200 be growing Christians apart from 00:31:08.200 --> 00:31:11.039 regularly reading and studying 00:31:11.039 --> 00:31:12.220 God's word. 00:31:12.960 --> 00:31:14.720 There's no way we're going to be 00:31:14.720 --> 00:31:16.920 sanctified, as Jesus said, 00:31:17.920 --> 00:31:20.119 apart from the truth of God's word 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:22.960 saturating our minds. 00:31:24.339 --> 00:31:26.099 You know, Paul said in Romans 12, too, 00:31:26.200 --> 00:31:27.980 that the only way we can avoid 00:31:27.980 --> 00:31:31.039 conforming to the mindset of this world 00:31:31.039 --> 00:31:33.879 is by renewing our minds. 00:31:33.880 --> 00:31:36.420 And what he was talking about 00:31:36.420 --> 00:31:37.480 was learning to think 00:31:37.480 --> 00:31:39.640 about that which is true. 00:31:40.420 --> 00:31:42.000 Learning to think biblically. 00:31:43.260 --> 00:31:44.080 Let's wrap it up. 00:31:45.080 --> 00:31:46.080 I want you to think with me now. 00:31:46.860 --> 00:31:47.640 I've got some questions. 00:31:49.280 --> 00:31:50.840 How well are you dealing with 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:52.420 the deception of this world? 00:31:55.120 --> 00:31:57.480 Do you read, watch, 00:31:58.000 --> 00:32:00.260 do you take in the information, 00:32:00.259 --> 00:32:02.720 the news that comes from this world 00:32:02.720 --> 00:32:07.779 in a discerning way? 00:32:10.640 --> 00:32:12.940 Do you try to sift through 00:32:12.940 --> 00:32:16.420 what you hear, see, read? 00:32:17.700 --> 00:32:21.160 Try to discover that which is true, 00:32:22.039 --> 00:32:24.720 that which is obviously not, 00:32:24.940 --> 00:32:26.700 that which is very biased. 00:32:26.700 --> 00:32:30.840 How well are you dealing 00:32:30.840 --> 00:32:33.440 with the deception of this world? 00:32:35.440 --> 00:32:36.160 Number two, 00:32:36.819 --> 00:32:37.980 do you need to make some changes 00:32:37.980 --> 00:32:39.220 in the way that you think? 00:32:41.480 --> 00:32:42.840 Do you need to make some changes 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:44.600 in the things you are exposing 00:32:44.600 --> 00:32:46.160 your mind and heart to? 00:32:47.860 --> 00:32:49.299 Things you're taking in. 00:32:50.660 --> 00:32:52.100 Because what you're taking in 00:32:52.100 --> 00:32:53.299 affects what you think, 00:32:53.380 --> 00:32:54.120 how you feel, 00:32:54.680 --> 00:32:56.000 and it comes out in how you speak 00:32:56.000 --> 00:32:56.759 and how you live. 00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:00.579 Do you, as a Christian, 00:33:01.720 --> 00:33:03.299 maybe need to make a new commitment 00:33:03.299 --> 00:33:06.980 to daily read God's Word? 00:33:08.299 --> 00:33:10.279 I mean, read it 00:33:10.279 --> 00:33:13.079 in order to get into your mind 00:33:13.079 --> 00:33:15.480 who God is, how He is, 00:33:16.019 --> 00:33:17.180 what His will is, 00:33:17.440 --> 00:33:18.339 what pleases Him, 00:33:18.579 --> 00:33:19.799 what doesn't please Him, 00:33:20.460 --> 00:33:21.299 that kind of thing. 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.819 You need to make a commitment 00:33:23.819 --> 00:33:25.700 to daily read His Word 00:33:25.700 --> 00:33:29.299 and regularly study it. 00:33:30.439 --> 00:33:31.119 Now, for an example, 00:33:31.319 --> 00:33:32.819 we're studying God's Word together 00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.759 here on Sunday mornings. 00:33:34.819 --> 00:33:36.439 Eventually, we'll start back Sunday school 00:33:36.439 --> 00:33:37.700 and we'll do it there too. 00:33:37.700 --> 00:33:42.559 There is more good, solid, 00:33:42.720 --> 00:33:45.599 biblical teaching available online today 00:33:45.599 --> 00:33:48.799 than any time in the world in history. 00:33:48.799 --> 00:33:52.619 Our church subscribes to Right Now Media, 00:33:52.799 --> 00:33:53.960 which gives us access 00:33:53.960 --> 00:33:56.539 to all kinds of good, solid Bible teaching. 00:33:58.319 --> 00:34:01.879 You need to take advantage of that 00:34:01.879 --> 00:34:03.919 more than you are now 00:34:03.919 --> 00:34:07.720 to help you to think more biblically. 00:34:09.800 --> 00:34:10.840 You know, that's the first 00:34:10.840 --> 00:34:12.779 and best source of truth available to us. 00:34:13.820 --> 00:34:14.820 I want to encourage you 00:34:14.820 --> 00:34:16.199 to set a time and place 00:34:16.199 --> 00:34:18.639 that you're going to read God's Word every day 00:34:18.639 --> 00:34:19.799 if you're not already doing that. 00:34:20.659 --> 00:34:22.079 Make an appointment with God 00:34:22.079 --> 00:34:24.460 and ask God to help you 00:34:24.460 --> 00:34:25.679 not just to read it, 00:34:26.939 --> 00:34:28.199 not just to read the words, 00:34:29.199 --> 00:34:30.899 but to think about it, 00:34:31.739 --> 00:34:33.299 to believe it. 00:34:34.179 --> 00:34:35.859 Ask God to help you to understand it. 00:34:37.339 --> 00:34:38.219 Ask God to help you 00:34:38.219 --> 00:34:39.259 to put it into practice, 00:34:40.259 --> 00:34:41.699 to teach it even 00:34:41.699 --> 00:34:43.319 and model it to people around you, 00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:45.439 your friends, your family members. 00:34:47.199 --> 00:34:47.879 And when I say 00:34:47.879 --> 00:34:48.679 make an appointment with God 00:34:48.679 --> 00:34:49.419 and read His Word, 00:34:50.419 --> 00:34:52.899 do what you have time to do. 00:34:54.099 --> 00:34:55.019 I want to encourage you 00:34:55.019 --> 00:34:55.960 to start in the New Testament. 00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.359 Start in the New Testament. 00:34:59.259 --> 00:35:00.899 Whether it's morning, noon, or night, 00:35:01.659 --> 00:35:04.839 make it a habit of reading 00:35:04.839 --> 00:35:06.599 a paragraph, a chapter, 00:35:07.019 --> 00:35:08.119 whatever you have time to do 00:35:08.119 --> 00:35:09.779 with a prayer. 00:35:09.879 --> 00:35:11.359 God, teach me. 00:35:12.159 --> 00:35:12.639 Help me to understand. 00:35:12.639 --> 00:35:14.960 Help me to do it. 00:35:15.739 --> 00:35:17.000 Help me to model it. 00:35:19.199 --> 00:35:21.599 We need, as Christians, 00:35:21.859 --> 00:35:23.019 more than any other time in history, 00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:24.859 to learn to think. 00:35:26.599 --> 00:35:28.639 A lot of you, your job, 00:35:28.739 --> 00:35:30.480 your schoolwork requires you 00:35:30.480 --> 00:35:32.839 to truly think. 00:35:33.900 --> 00:35:35.139 Put yourself into it. 00:35:35.139 --> 00:35:38.000 But when it comes to 00:35:38.000 --> 00:35:40.119 living out your faith, 00:35:40.299 --> 00:35:41.480 reading God's Word, 00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:43.019 you're a dummy. 00:35:45.099 --> 00:35:46.559 Because you ignore it. 00:35:47.259 --> 00:35:48.960 Or because you skim it. 00:35:50.139 --> 00:35:51.279 Because you don't take it 00:35:51.279 --> 00:35:52.019 as seriously 00:35:52.019 --> 00:35:53.980 as you do your schoolwork 00:35:53.980 --> 00:35:55.460 or your job. 00:35:56.460 --> 00:35:58.219 And that's an indictment on you 00:35:58.219 --> 00:36:00.219 if that's the case 00:36:00.219 --> 00:36:02.500 and your commitment to God 00:36:02.500 --> 00:36:04.480 and to living for Him 00:36:04.480 --> 00:36:05.039 in this world. 00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:07.239 And if that's the case, 00:36:07.360 --> 00:36:08.599 it can change today. 00:36:08.940 --> 00:36:10.219 Confess and repent of that 00:36:10.219 --> 00:36:10.860 as sin. 00:36:12.280 --> 00:36:13.300 And ask God to help you 00:36:13.300 --> 00:36:15.519 to get even more serious 00:36:15.519 --> 00:36:17.079 about knowing Him 00:36:17.079 --> 00:36:18.039 and His way and His will 00:36:18.039 --> 00:36:18.920 through His Word 00:36:18.920 --> 00:36:21.360 than you are about your schoolwork 00:36:21.360 --> 00:36:22.539 and you are about your job. 00:36:23.920 --> 00:36:25.739 Be committed to your schoolwork. 00:36:25.840 --> 00:36:27.039 Be committed to your job. 00:36:28.039 --> 00:36:30.059 Just be more committed to God 00:36:30.059 --> 00:36:32.079 and live in life His way. 00:36:32.500 --> 00:36:34.679 As revealed in His Word. 00:36:35.340 --> 00:36:36.079 Let's pray together. 00:36:36.860 --> 00:36:37.179 Father, 00:36:37.920 --> 00:36:41.659 show us how we should respond 00:36:41.659 --> 00:36:44.480 so that we can 00:36:44.480 --> 00:36:47.519 be Christians, 00:36:48.159 --> 00:36:49.099 your men and women 00:36:49.099 --> 00:36:52.460 who think biblically 00:36:52.460 --> 00:36:56.179 and as a result 00:36:56.179 --> 00:36:57.679 who live like your people 00:36:57.679 --> 00:37:01.079 and have the kind of influence 00:37:01.079 --> 00:37:03.119 you want us to have 00:37:03.119 --> 00:37:04.859 as your representatives. 00:37:05.879 --> 00:37:06.759 Let's just pray. 00:37:07.839 --> 00:37:08.440 Talk to God. 00:37:08.539 --> 00:37:09.159 Listen to God. 00:37:09.279 --> 00:37:10.039 Obey God 00:37:10.039 --> 00:37:12.019 during these next few minutes. 00:37:12.440 --> 00:37:25.880 Keep us a prayer. 00:37:27.280 --> 00:37:29.199 God bless you.