WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:08.060 So as a teenager, I thought my parents' role in life was to spoil my fun and restrict my freedom. 00:00:09.919 --> 00:00:11.060 Seriously, that's what I thought. 00:00:12.259 --> 00:00:16.940 When I went to university, I discovered a form of freedom, the freedom I had longed for, 00:00:17.679 --> 00:00:22.280 and I quickly realised it wasn't what it promised to be. 00:00:23.600 --> 00:00:25.039 It wasn't even what I wanted. 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:34.740 And I realised then how much my parents had just poured love into my rebellious, foolish life. 00:00:36.219 --> 00:00:41.939 And from that point on, I've been really intentional in being a better son, 00:00:42.359 --> 00:00:47.399 in loving and honouring my parents in the way that they properly deserved. 00:00:50.299 --> 00:00:53.939 And I think it's like that, isn't it, for most things we value in life, 00:00:53.939 --> 00:00:56.519 things that are really at the heart of who we are. 00:00:58.099 --> 00:01:04.219 Whether it's relationships and roles, like husband or wife, or being a child, or being a parent, or a grandparent, 00:01:04.340 --> 00:01:06.719 being a father, being a mother, being a friend. 00:01:07.659 --> 00:01:13.479 All those relationships, or whether it's wider than that, whether it's a work situation, 00:01:13.739 --> 00:01:17.640 or a hobby, or music, or a career, or sport. 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:23.819 Whatever it is that we value in life, whatever is at the heart of things for us, 00:01:24.140 --> 00:01:29.019 then it's natural that we want to get better at doing those things, at being those things. 00:01:30.719 --> 00:01:31.719 We want to grow. 00:01:32.519 --> 00:01:33.760 We want to mature. 00:01:33.879 --> 00:01:34.599 We want to thrive. 00:01:34.700 --> 00:01:37.799 We want to excel in the things that we do. 00:01:37.799 --> 00:01:44.840 And to get there, we then are quite intentional. 00:01:46.519 --> 00:01:48.379 We're quite passionate. 00:01:49.179 --> 00:01:51.560 Sometimes even a bit obsessive. 00:01:52.519 --> 00:01:55.840 Because these things are so important to us. 00:01:57.620 --> 00:01:59.579 So we train endlessly. 00:02:01.259 --> 00:02:02.939 We read widely. 00:02:03.879 --> 00:02:05.979 We learn as much as we can. 00:02:05.980 --> 00:02:11.240 We hang out with others who are ahead of us in skills and maturity, 00:02:11.240 --> 00:02:16.140 so we might learn from their wisdom and pick up their model. 00:02:21.480 --> 00:02:25.520 But I need to confess something to you this morning, as I stand here before you. 00:02:25.520 --> 00:02:31.939 that while I'm passionate to get better, 00:02:32.360 --> 00:02:38.060 to grow in almost every relationship I'm in, 00:02:38.900 --> 00:02:41.380 and every role I have in life, 00:02:42.379 --> 00:02:46.700 there have been too many times in my life 00:02:46.699 --> 00:02:53.079 when my passion and intentionality for growing in Christ 00:02:53.079 --> 00:02:58.000 has been dwarfed or eclipsed by other passions in my life. 00:02:59.000 --> 00:03:00.139 Too many times. 00:03:00.139 --> 00:03:09.239 This morning I want to challenge you, 00:03:09.359 --> 00:03:12.500 as I've been challenged this week in preparing for this morning, 00:03:13.119 --> 00:03:17.079 I want to challenge you to think about how passionate you are 00:03:17.079 --> 00:03:19.599 in growing in Christ. 00:03:19.599 --> 00:03:29.740 Because the Bible tells us very clearly, 00:03:29.879 --> 00:03:31.560 God tells us in his word very clearly, 00:03:32.000 --> 00:03:34.859 that you have been saved from sin 00:03:34.859 --> 00:03:37.439 to holiness. 00:03:37.439 --> 00:03:47.579 But are you passionate in nurturing the mind of Christ 00:03:47.579 --> 00:03:51.579 and demonstrating the mind of Christ 00:03:51.579 --> 00:03:54.659 in your actions, 00:03:55.120 --> 00:03:57.879 in whatever role or position you have in life, 00:03:58.319 --> 00:04:00.219 whatever relationship you're engaged in? 00:04:00.219 --> 00:04:06.099 Are you passionate so that practically 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:11.039 you actually are getting better at serving Christ 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:14.479 in a world that's hostile to him? 00:04:16.060 --> 00:04:22.899 Are you passionate in your determination to become like Christ 00:04:22.899 --> 00:04:27.939 in your attitudes and in your speech 00:04:27.939 --> 00:04:30.579 and in your actions? 00:04:39.540 --> 00:04:41.319 In confronting this reality, 00:04:42.439 --> 00:04:44.019 you may, in thinking about this, 00:04:44.040 --> 00:04:45.399 you may have to confront the reality 00:04:45.399 --> 00:04:49.839 that as we think through this series of God's words, 00:04:49.959 --> 00:04:51.620 you actually might have to realize 00:04:51.620 --> 00:04:55.800 that yes, well, I'm actually quite passionate about God 00:04:55.800 --> 00:04:56.899 and learning about God 00:04:56.899 --> 00:04:59.719 and I'm quite passionate about the Bible 00:04:59.719 --> 00:05:00.979 and using it and learning it. 00:05:01.779 --> 00:05:04.019 I'm quite passionate about the idea of salvation 00:05:04.019 --> 00:05:04.919 and being saved. 00:05:05.259 --> 00:05:08.500 I'm even quite passionate about being part of this local church. 00:05:11.139 --> 00:05:12.519 But here's the catch, you see, 00:05:12.620 --> 00:05:14.859 we can be passionate about all those things 00:05:14.859 --> 00:05:19.299 and not actually passionate about growing in Christ. 00:05:19.300 --> 00:05:27.000 Passionate about the peripheral things. 00:05:27.000 --> 00:05:29.100 That peripheral doesn't mean unimportant, 00:05:29.800 --> 00:05:30.680 but they're not central. 00:05:32.960 --> 00:05:35.400 And yet not passionate about the central thing 00:05:35.400 --> 00:05:37.519 of becoming like Christ. 00:05:39.840 --> 00:05:41.420 Growing up into Christ 00:05:41.420 --> 00:05:44.600 as a saved or died for person 00:05:44.600 --> 00:05:46.939 in the context of this church community 00:05:46.939 --> 00:05:49.439 and with the help of the Holy Spirit and the Bible. 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:54.139 So again, you see, 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:55.500 this is one of these words 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:56.980 that God has spoken clearly about. 00:05:58.319 --> 00:05:59.339 Growing in Christ 00:05:59.339 --> 00:06:01.639 is not an optional extra 00:06:01.639 --> 00:06:03.300 for us Christians. 00:06:03.300 --> 00:06:08.460 even though it appears 00:06:08.460 --> 00:06:10.360 that that's what many Christians 00:06:10.360 --> 00:06:11.360 seem to think. 00:06:14.259 --> 00:06:16.360 Galatians 5, 13 to 26 00:06:16.360 --> 00:06:19.100 is built around a huge contrast. 00:06:20.000 --> 00:06:20.759 On the one hand, 00:06:20.879 --> 00:06:21.699 we have the flesh 00:06:21.699 --> 00:06:23.720 or what that means is 00:06:23.720 --> 00:06:24.980 it's not the physical flesh, 00:06:25.100 --> 00:06:26.540 it's the spiritual flesh. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:26.879 That is, 00:06:27.120 --> 00:06:28.600 the old, distorted, 00:06:29.100 --> 00:06:30.939 rebellious expression of self. 00:06:30.939 --> 00:06:34.860 And on the other hand, 00:06:34.920 --> 00:06:36.040 it's contrasted with 00:06:36.040 --> 00:06:37.300 the renewed, 00:06:37.759 --> 00:06:38.579 spirit-driven 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:40.560 expression of self. 00:06:43.160 --> 00:06:44.540 And this contrast, 00:06:44.639 --> 00:06:45.540 it's a huge contrast, 00:06:45.779 --> 00:06:46.939 happens in the context 00:06:46.939 --> 00:06:48.339 of a key word here 00:06:48.339 --> 00:06:49.319 which is called freedom. 00:06:49.800 --> 00:06:50.800 Look at verse 15, 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:51.639 13 rather. 00:06:52.120 --> 00:06:53.060 For you were called 00:06:53.060 --> 00:06:54.319 to freedom, brothers. 00:06:55.899 --> 00:06:57.040 Called to freedom. 00:06:57.040 --> 00:07:01.520 And we need to understand freedom 00:07:01.520 --> 00:07:02.480 if we're to understand 00:07:02.480 --> 00:07:03.200 the contrast. 00:07:04.620 --> 00:07:05.080 So, 00:07:05.360 --> 00:07:06.140 the fact that freedom 00:07:06.140 --> 00:07:07.020 is a calling 00:07:07.020 --> 00:07:08.480 suggests 00:07:08.480 --> 00:07:11.260 it's a basic characteristic 00:07:11.260 --> 00:07:13.160 of being a Christian. 00:07:14.759 --> 00:07:17.280 Of being gospel-shaped people 00:07:17.280 --> 00:07:19.040 as we respond 00:07:19.040 --> 00:07:20.140 to God's grace 00:07:20.140 --> 00:07:20.879 in our lives. 00:07:21.180 --> 00:07:21.800 The same idea 00:07:21.800 --> 00:07:22.780 begins chapter 1. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:23.480 So look back to 00:07:23.480 --> 00:07:24.720 chapter 5. 00:07:24.800 --> 00:07:25.640 Look back to verse 1 00:07:25.640 --> 00:07:26.360 of chapter 5. 00:07:26.360 --> 00:07:27.100 It says there, 00:07:27.199 --> 00:07:27.800 for freedom, 00:07:28.680 --> 00:07:30.100 Christ has set us free. 00:07:32.020 --> 00:07:33.680 Freedom is the consequence 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:35.480 or the natural outworking 00:07:35.480 --> 00:07:36.900 of being in Christ. 00:07:37.540 --> 00:07:38.960 A fundamental aspect 00:07:38.960 --> 00:07:40.360 of being a Christian. 00:07:41.480 --> 00:07:42.180 And the fact that 00:07:42.180 --> 00:07:42.660 there's repetition 00:07:42.660 --> 00:07:43.540 in that sentence 00:07:43.540 --> 00:07:44.080 for freedom, 00:07:44.480 --> 00:07:45.600 Christ has set us free, 00:07:45.980 --> 00:07:46.480 suggests 00:07:46.480 --> 00:07:47.720 and emphasizes 00:07:47.720 --> 00:07:48.060 that 00:07:48.060 --> 00:07:49.680 Christ has liberated 00:07:49.680 --> 00:07:50.879 us into freedom 00:07:50.879 --> 00:07:52.980 with the intention 00:07:52.980 --> 00:07:54.480 that we would experience 00:07:54.480 --> 00:07:55.480 and grow 00:07:55.480 --> 00:07:56.180 and enjoy 00:07:56.180 --> 00:07:57.120 the life of freedom. 00:07:57.939 --> 00:07:58.779 It doesn't just 00:07:58.779 --> 00:07:59.740 make us free. 00:08:00.379 --> 00:08:01.379 The intention is 00:08:01.379 --> 00:08:02.199 that we have a life 00:08:02.199 --> 00:08:02.740 of freedom. 00:08:03.199 --> 00:08:04.459 That we grow into that. 00:08:07.040 --> 00:08:07.759 My friends, 00:08:08.199 --> 00:08:09.680 this concept 00:08:09.680 --> 00:08:10.540 of freedom, 00:08:11.319 --> 00:08:11.839 this concept 00:08:11.839 --> 00:08:12.800 of growing in Christ 00:08:12.800 --> 00:08:13.420 is more than just 00:08:13.420 --> 00:08:14.060 a theory. 00:08:14.060 --> 00:08:17.199 it's even more 00:08:17.199 --> 00:08:18.300 than an expectation. 00:08:20.800 --> 00:08:21.879 It's a command. 00:08:28.879 --> 00:08:30.639 Like so many other commands 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:31.579 in the scriptures, 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:36.100 grow in Christ. 00:08:36.100 --> 00:08:39.620 But what does this 00:08:39.620 --> 00:08:40.840 freedom look like 00:08:40.840 --> 00:08:41.360 in the life 00:08:41.360 --> 00:08:41.980 of a Christian? 00:08:43.700 --> 00:08:44.019 Well you see, 00:08:44.080 --> 00:08:44.920 we think freedom, 00:08:45.980 --> 00:08:46.700 as I mentioned 00:08:46.700 --> 00:08:47.259 in my introduction, 00:08:47.360 --> 00:08:48.019 we think of freedom 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:48.800 as having, 00:08:49.120 --> 00:08:49.840 as being free 00:08:49.840 --> 00:08:50.720 from restraint 00:08:50.720 --> 00:08:53.600 so that I'm 00:08:53.600 --> 00:08:54.600 able to do 00:08:54.600 --> 00:08:55.879 what I want to do 00:08:55.879 --> 00:08:56.980 when I want to do it. 00:08:58.659 --> 00:08:59.800 Freedom from restraint 00:08:59.800 --> 00:09:01.320 in how I express myself. 00:09:04.540 --> 00:09:05.519 But when you dig down 00:09:05.519 --> 00:09:06.080 into that notion, 00:09:06.100 --> 00:09:06.440 of freedom, 00:09:06.519 --> 00:09:07.580 it actually isn't possible 00:09:07.580 --> 00:09:10.399 because constantly 00:09:10.399 --> 00:09:11.680 we're bashing into 00:09:11.680 --> 00:09:13.860 things that restrict 00:09:13.860 --> 00:09:14.320 our freedom. 00:09:15.300 --> 00:09:16.040 I'm restricted 00:09:16.040 --> 00:09:17.040 constantly 00:09:17.040 --> 00:09:17.899 by my gender. 00:09:18.940 --> 00:09:20.019 To the extreme, 00:09:20.139 --> 00:09:21.540 I can't get pregnant 00:09:21.540 --> 00:09:22.659 and deliver a baby. 00:09:22.860 --> 00:09:23.680 I can't create 00:09:23.680 --> 00:09:24.560 another human being 00:09:24.560 --> 00:09:26.019 because I'm a bloke. 00:09:28.340 --> 00:09:29.840 I can't fly 00:09:29.840 --> 00:09:30.480 through the sky 00:09:30.480 --> 00:09:31.019 unassisted. 00:09:31.779 --> 00:09:32.680 I can't live 00:09:32.680 --> 00:09:33.259 under the sea 00:09:33.259 --> 00:09:33.860 unassisted. 00:09:34.920 --> 00:09:35.879 I'm constantly 00:09:35.879 --> 00:09:36.639 coming against 00:09:36.639 --> 00:09:38.120 restraints 00:09:38.120 --> 00:09:39.480 by gender 00:09:39.480 --> 00:09:40.299 and my humanness. 00:09:41.220 --> 00:09:42.539 So the idea 00:09:42.539 --> 00:09:43.019 of freedom 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:43.679 that our society 00:09:43.679 --> 00:09:44.279 bandies around 00:09:44.279 --> 00:09:45.039 just doesn't work 00:09:45.039 --> 00:09:45.639 in practice. 00:09:46.139 --> 00:09:46.559 The Bible, 00:09:46.700 --> 00:09:47.059 on the other hand, 00:09:47.100 --> 00:09:48.000 is much more realistic. 00:09:48.960 --> 00:09:49.840 So true freedom 00:09:49.840 --> 00:09:51.059 as defined by God 00:09:51.059 --> 00:09:52.700 is the ability 00:09:52.700 --> 00:09:53.419 and desire 00:09:53.419 --> 00:09:54.000 to be 00:09:54.000 --> 00:09:54.980 what I was created 00:09:54.980 --> 00:09:55.539 to be. 00:09:55.539 --> 00:10:01.179 God tells us 00:10:01.179 --> 00:10:01.679 that humans 00:10:01.679 --> 00:10:02.240 were created 00:10:02.240 --> 00:10:02.779 to enjoy 00:10:02.779 --> 00:10:03.459 relationship 00:10:03.459 --> 00:10:03.959 with him, 00:10:04.980 --> 00:10:05.679 to enjoy 00:10:05.679 --> 00:10:06.319 relationship 00:10:06.319 --> 00:10:07.000 with one another 00:10:07.000 --> 00:10:07.919 as image bearers 00:10:07.919 --> 00:10:08.719 under God, 00:10:09.519 --> 00:10:10.259 to creatively 00:10:10.259 --> 00:10:11.019 enjoy this 00:10:11.019 --> 00:10:11.959 physical world 00:10:11.959 --> 00:10:14.240 full of all 00:10:14.240 --> 00:10:14.759 good things 00:10:14.759 --> 00:10:15.179 that he's made 00:10:15.179 --> 00:10:15.659 for us. 00:10:16.120 --> 00:10:17.219 But this freedom, 00:10:17.639 --> 00:10:18.379 we're also told 00:10:18.379 --> 00:10:18.779 in the scripture, 00:10:18.879 --> 00:10:20.039 was lost as a result, 00:10:20.139 --> 00:10:20.679 a consequence 00:10:20.679 --> 00:10:21.500 of rebellion. 00:10:21.500 --> 00:10:24.779 And then as the passage 00:10:24.779 --> 00:10:25.919 of Bible follows through, 00:10:26.000 --> 00:10:26.659 the story of the Bible, 00:10:27.100 --> 00:10:27.659 we're told then 00:10:27.659 --> 00:10:28.399 that the gospel 00:10:28.399 --> 00:10:30.080 restores true freedom 00:10:30.080 --> 00:10:31.539 again as a consequence, 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:32.960 this time a consequence 00:10:32.960 --> 00:10:34.639 of Christ's rescue mission 00:10:34.639 --> 00:10:35.919 which undid 00:10:35.919 --> 00:10:36.440 the effects 00:10:36.440 --> 00:10:36.940 of rebellion 00:10:36.940 --> 00:10:37.980 and restored 00:10:37.980 --> 00:10:39.000 full relationship 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.720 between God 00:10:39.720 --> 00:10:40.159 and his people. 00:10:42.259 --> 00:10:43.139 God's purpose 00:10:43.139 --> 00:10:44.019 is not just 00:10:44.019 --> 00:10:45.039 to make us free 00:10:45.039 --> 00:10:46.799 in the storyline 00:10:46.799 --> 00:10:47.379 of the Bible, 00:10:47.480 --> 00:10:47.879 his purpose 00:10:47.879 --> 00:10:48.419 for the world. 00:10:49.259 --> 00:10:49.840 God's purpose 00:10:49.840 --> 00:10:50.299 is not just 00:10:50.299 --> 00:10:51.299 to make us free 00:10:51.299 --> 00:10:54.019 but that we enjoy 00:10:54.019 --> 00:10:55.299 the life of freedom 00:10:55.299 --> 00:10:57.019 that we were created for, 00:10:58.240 --> 00:10:59.479 available to us now 00:10:59.479 --> 00:11:00.299 in Christ. 00:11:04.659 --> 00:11:05.799 And in the context 00:11:05.799 --> 00:11:06.579 of the letter 00:11:06.579 --> 00:11:07.439 to the Galatians, 00:11:07.620 --> 00:11:08.839 practically that meant 00:11:08.839 --> 00:11:11.899 freedom from slavery, 00:11:12.279 --> 00:11:13.779 the slavery of trying 00:11:13.779 --> 00:11:14.899 to earn acceptance 00:11:14.899 --> 00:11:15.679 with God 00:11:15.679 --> 00:11:17.759 through their own 00:11:17.759 --> 00:11:18.879 religious efforts 00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:20.659 and any notion 00:11:20.659 --> 00:11:21.480 of somehow or other 00:11:21.480 --> 00:11:22.219 having some sort 00:11:22.219 --> 00:11:23.559 of intrinsic goodness 00:11:23.559 --> 00:11:25.139 to bring to the table 00:11:25.139 --> 00:11:27.279 as we negotiate 00:11:27.279 --> 00:11:28.559 relationship with God. 00:11:29.299 --> 00:11:30.120 That's what we're 00:11:30.120 --> 00:11:31.419 set free from 00:11:31.419 --> 00:11:32.860 ultimately. 00:11:35.159 --> 00:11:36.100 The freedom 00:11:36.100 --> 00:11:37.139 we have in Christ 00:11:37.139 --> 00:11:38.879 is in being 00:11:38.879 --> 00:11:39.779 made acceptable 00:11:39.779 --> 00:11:40.500 to God 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:41.839 and actually 00:11:41.839 --> 00:11:42.779 coming into 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:43.480 what the Bible 00:11:43.480 --> 00:11:44.199 calls forever 00:11:44.199 --> 00:11:44.959 relationship 00:11:44.960 --> 00:11:46.320 with God 00:11:46.320 --> 00:11:47.340 by grace, 00:11:48.340 --> 00:11:49.560 by God's initiative 00:11:49.560 --> 00:11:50.019 alone. 00:11:53.139 --> 00:11:54.759 Not our performance, 00:11:55.420 --> 00:11:56.280 being good, 00:11:56.519 --> 00:11:57.340 keeping God's rules, 00:11:57.519 --> 00:11:58.400 doing religious things, 00:11:59.519 --> 00:12:00.780 but Jesus' performance 00:12:00.780 --> 00:12:02.180 on our behalf. 00:12:05.180 --> 00:12:06.480 And added to this 00:12:06.480 --> 00:12:07.700 idea of freedom 00:12:07.700 --> 00:12:08.560 is the reality 00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:09.259 of renewal 00:12:09.259 --> 00:12:10.120 by God's spirit. 00:12:10.780 --> 00:12:11.320 Verse 5, 00:12:11.800 --> 00:12:12.480 we won't stop 00:12:12.480 --> 00:12:14.440 for through the spirit 00:12:14.440 --> 00:12:15.080 by faith 00:12:15.080 --> 00:12:15.899 we ourselves 00:12:15.899 --> 00:12:16.700 eagerly wait 00:12:16.700 --> 00:12:17.080 for the hope 00:12:17.080 --> 00:12:17.700 of righteousness. 00:12:19.360 --> 00:12:19.960 The spirit 00:12:19.960 --> 00:12:20.440 is working 00:12:20.440 --> 00:12:21.680 daily within us 00:12:21.680 --> 00:12:23.680 to produce 00:12:23.680 --> 00:12:24.379 new gospel 00:12:24.379 --> 00:12:24.899 attitudes, 00:12:25.200 --> 00:12:25.680 new gospel 00:12:25.680 --> 00:12:26.159 desires, 00:12:26.279 --> 00:12:26.620 new gospel 00:12:26.620 --> 00:12:27.000 thinking, 00:12:27.120 --> 00:12:27.500 new gospel 00:12:27.500 --> 00:12:28.500 orientation 00:12:28.500 --> 00:12:30.340 towards heaven 00:12:30.340 --> 00:12:31.399 and being with Christ 00:12:31.399 --> 00:12:32.580 and being like Christ 00:12:32.580 --> 00:12:35.840 so that 00:12:35.840 --> 00:12:37.240 practically 00:12:37.240 --> 00:12:38.340 we grow 00:12:38.340 --> 00:12:39.460 in our reliance 00:12:39.460 --> 00:12:40.240 on what God 00:12:40.240 --> 00:12:41.539 does for us. 00:12:42.480 --> 00:12:43.680 in Jesus. 00:12:45.340 --> 00:12:45.779 And that 00:12:45.779 --> 00:12:47.259 is expressed 00:12:47.259 --> 00:12:48.159 then in radically 00:12:48.159 --> 00:12:49.220 different lifestyle 00:12:49.220 --> 00:12:49.779 and radically 00:12:49.779 --> 00:12:50.740 different actions 00:12:50.740 --> 00:12:51.340 and thinking 00:12:51.340 --> 00:12:52.220 and speaking 00:12:52.220 --> 00:12:54.779 on the outside. 00:13:00.659 --> 00:13:01.879 Growing in Christ 00:13:01.879 --> 00:13:04.560 is the freedom 00:13:04.560 --> 00:13:05.259 we were given. 00:13:08.639 --> 00:13:09.800 The command 00:13:09.800 --> 00:13:10.639 we were given. 00:13:10.639 --> 00:13:12.299 that also means 00:13:12.299 --> 00:13:12.840 then as we look 00:13:12.840 --> 00:13:13.580 further into this 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.240 passage here 00:13:14.240 --> 00:13:14.980 that growing in Christ 00:13:14.980 --> 00:13:15.919 is more than a command. 00:13:17.019 --> 00:13:18.299 It's also a promise. 00:13:20.720 --> 00:13:21.639 Being called, 00:13:21.819 --> 00:13:22.740 verse 13 again, 00:13:22.799 --> 00:13:23.600 being called 00:13:23.600 --> 00:13:25.159 to freedom, 00:13:26.019 --> 00:13:26.980 to live the truly 00:13:26.980 --> 00:13:28.000 free life 00:13:28.000 --> 00:13:28.620 in Christ 00:13:28.620 --> 00:13:30.419 carries with it 00:13:30.419 --> 00:13:31.159 the promise 00:13:31.159 --> 00:13:32.500 that genuine 00:13:32.500 --> 00:13:33.080 commitment 00:13:33.080 --> 00:13:33.600 and struggle 00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:34.299 to express 00:13:34.299 --> 00:13:35.179 daily who we now 00:13:35.179 --> 00:13:36.019 are in Christ 00:13:36.019 --> 00:13:38.059 will actually 00:13:38.059 --> 00:13:38.840 result in 00:13:38.840 --> 00:13:39.220 growing 00:13:39.220 --> 00:13:41.059 Christ-likeness 00:13:41.059 --> 00:13:42.259 in holiness. 00:13:43.299 --> 00:13:43.799 Why? 00:13:44.279 --> 00:13:44.720 Because 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.439 we have the 00:13:45.439 --> 00:13:46.319 spirit working 00:13:46.319 --> 00:13:47.000 for that same 00:13:47.000 --> 00:13:47.939 end within us. 00:13:53.139 --> 00:13:54.299 The renewing 00:13:54.299 --> 00:13:55.120 work of God's 00:13:55.120 --> 00:13:55.819 spirit within 00:13:55.819 --> 00:13:56.439 believers 00:13:56.439 --> 00:13:57.779 creates 00:13:57.779 --> 00:13:58.819 and actually 00:13:58.819 --> 00:13:59.519 helps or 00:13:59.519 --> 00:14:00.480 assists us 00:14:00.480 --> 00:14:01.100 grow 00:14:01.100 --> 00:14:02.139 in holiness, 00:14:02.860 --> 00:14:03.939 in Christ-likeness, 00:14:04.120 --> 00:14:04.759 in the mind 00:14:04.759 --> 00:14:05.279 of Christ, 00:14:05.399 --> 00:14:05.879 whichever term 00:14:05.879 --> 00:14:06.159 you want to 00:14:06.159 --> 00:14:06.620 use there. 00:14:08.419 --> 00:14:09.179 The desire 00:14:09.179 --> 00:14:10.279 and ability 00:14:10.279 --> 00:14:11.159 to be loving, 00:14:11.500 --> 00:14:12.019 obedient, 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:13.419 worshipping 00:14:13.419 --> 00:14:14.799 servants of God 00:14:14.799 --> 00:14:16.580 as we were 00:14:16.580 --> 00:14:17.279 created to be. 00:14:18.299 --> 00:14:18.779 And that 00:14:18.779 --> 00:14:19.620 is true freedom 00:14:19.620 --> 00:14:21.139 in the Holy 00:14:21.139 --> 00:14:21.559 Spirit, 00:14:22.059 --> 00:14:22.700 in Christ. 00:14:22.700 --> 00:14:22.780 Christ. 00:14:25.720 --> 00:14:26.400 And what's 00:14:26.400 --> 00:14:26.980 the evidence 00:14:26.980 --> 00:14:27.560 of growing 00:14:27.560 --> 00:14:28.080 in freedom, 00:14:29.080 --> 00:14:29.780 of growing 00:14:29.780 --> 00:14:30.400 in Christ, 00:14:31.240 --> 00:14:32.080 growing into 00:14:32.080 --> 00:14:32.980 Christ-likeness? 00:14:33.100 --> 00:14:33.420 What's the 00:14:33.420 --> 00:14:33.720 evidence? 00:14:34.440 --> 00:14:34.800 We'll look at 00:14:34.800 --> 00:14:35.620 verse 13, 00:14:35.720 --> 00:14:35.980 14, 00:14:36.100 --> 00:14:36.520 15. 00:14:37.640 --> 00:14:38.220 The short 00:14:38.220 --> 00:14:38.580 answer, 00:14:38.720 --> 00:14:39.240 says Paul, 00:14:40.000 --> 00:14:40.660 one word, 00:14:41.580 --> 00:14:41.879 love. 00:14:44.360 --> 00:14:44.920 More 00:14:44.920 --> 00:14:45.680 extended answer, 00:14:47.700 --> 00:14:48.440 generous, 00:14:49.440 --> 00:14:50.280 purposeful, 00:14:51.000 --> 00:14:51.920 other person 00:14:51.919 --> 00:14:52.459 centred 00:14:52.459 --> 00:14:53.240 commitment 00:14:53.240 --> 00:14:55.000 to serving, 00:14:55.979 --> 00:14:56.579 building up 00:14:56.579 --> 00:14:57.139 one another 00:14:57.139 --> 00:14:58.919 in a 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.240 Christian 00:14:59.240 --> 00:14:59.620 community, 00:14:59.699 --> 00:15:00.120 this church 00:15:00.120 --> 00:15:00.519 family. 00:15:07.079 --> 00:15:07.679 Love 00:15:07.679 --> 00:15:08.519 your neighbour 00:15:08.519 --> 00:15:10.139 as yourself. 00:15:11.779 --> 00:15:12.799 So familiar 00:15:12.799 --> 00:15:13.259 that old 00:15:13.259 --> 00:15:13.519 verse, 00:15:13.620 --> 00:15:13.819 isn't it? 00:15:13.839 --> 00:15:14.159 That little 00:15:14.159 --> 00:15:14.519 statement. 00:15:15.639 --> 00:15:16.279 That's so 00:15:16.279 --> 00:15:17.079 hard to do. 00:15:18.299 --> 00:15:19.279 So foreign. 00:15:20.179 --> 00:15:20.759 Did pretty 00:15:20.759 --> 00:15:21.480 well all of us 00:15:21.480 --> 00:15:21.659 here. 00:15:21.919 --> 00:15:31.039 many plants 00:15:31.039 --> 00:15:32.360 are propagated 00:15:32.360 --> 00:15:33.620 by taking 00:15:33.620 --> 00:15:34.299 a really 00:15:34.299 --> 00:15:34.799 healthy, 00:15:35.039 --> 00:15:35.719 vigorous root 00:15:35.719 --> 00:15:36.139 stock 00:15:36.139 --> 00:15:37.860 and grafting 00:15:37.860 --> 00:15:38.559 onto that 00:15:38.559 --> 00:15:39.179 root stock 00:15:39.179 --> 00:15:39.919 a cutting 00:15:39.919 --> 00:15:40.519 from some 00:15:40.519 --> 00:15:41.319 other species 00:15:41.319 --> 00:15:41.759 or plant 00:15:41.759 --> 00:15:41.979 that you 00:15:41.979 --> 00:15:42.240 want to 00:15:42.240 --> 00:15:42.500 grow. 00:15:44.079 --> 00:15:44.579 And the 00:15:44.579 --> 00:15:45.279 evidence of 00:15:45.279 --> 00:15:45.959 the success 00:15:45.959 --> 00:15:46.319 of that 00:15:46.319 --> 00:15:46.860 graft 00:15:46.860 --> 00:15:48.259 is that 00:15:48.259 --> 00:15:48.779 the cutting 00:15:48.779 --> 00:15:49.699 starts to 00:15:49.699 --> 00:15:49.919 grow. 00:15:49.919 --> 00:15:57.219 and ultimately 00:15:57.219 --> 00:15:58.099 produces fruit. 00:15:59.779 --> 00:16:00.159 Well, 00:16:01.299 --> 00:16:02.059 the evidence 00:16:02.059 --> 00:16:02.579 of being 00:16:02.579 --> 00:16:03.439 successfully 00:16:03.439 --> 00:16:04.419 grafted 00:16:04.419 --> 00:16:05.059 into Christ, 00:16:05.120 --> 00:16:05.419 and that's the 00:16:05.419 --> 00:16:05.799 language of 00:16:05.799 --> 00:16:06.179 John chapter 00:16:06.179 --> 00:16:06.659 15, 00:16:07.539 --> 00:16:08.179 grafted into 00:16:08.179 --> 00:16:08.599 the vine, 00:16:08.699 --> 00:16:08.939 the Lord 00:16:08.939 --> 00:16:09.259 Jesus. 00:16:09.659 --> 00:16:10.259 The evidence 00:16:10.259 --> 00:16:10.620 of being 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:11.399 successfully 00:16:11.399 --> 00:16:12.319 grafted into 00:16:12.319 --> 00:16:12.939 freedom in 00:16:12.939 --> 00:16:13.319 Christ 00:16:13.319 --> 00:16:14.939 is growth. 00:16:14.940 --> 00:16:17.560 in displaying 00:16:17.560 --> 00:16:18.520 practically 00:16:18.520 --> 00:16:19.700 the mind 00:16:19.700 --> 00:16:20.180 of Christ. 00:16:20.660 --> 00:16:20.860 In other 00:16:20.860 --> 00:16:20.960 words, 00:16:21.060 --> 00:16:21.440 we're getting 00:16:21.440 --> 00:16:22.060 our life 00:16:22.060 --> 00:16:23.100 and direction 00:16:23.100 --> 00:16:23.520 from the 00:16:23.520 --> 00:16:24.160 rootstock, 00:16:24.600 --> 00:16:24.980 which is 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:25.380 Christ. 00:16:25.379 --> 00:16:27.320 a desire 00:16:27.320 --> 00:16:27.939 and commitment 00:16:27.939 --> 00:16:29.279 to modelling 00:16:29.279 --> 00:16:30.200 the love 00:16:30.200 --> 00:16:30.980 and grace 00:16:30.980 --> 00:16:32.019 of God 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.340 and Jesus, 00:16:32.419 --> 00:16:32.759 which we 00:16:32.759 --> 00:16:33.080 ourselves 00:16:33.080 --> 00:16:33.659 have received. 00:16:33.860 --> 00:16:34.240 We then 00:16:34.240 --> 00:16:34.559 want to 00:16:34.559 --> 00:16:34.939 pass it 00:16:34.939 --> 00:16:35.059 on. 00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:35.279 That's 00:16:35.279 --> 00:16:35.799 the evidence 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.159 of that 00:16:36.159 --> 00:16:36.700 graft, 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:39.000 being 00:16:39.000 --> 00:16:39.620 successful 00:16:39.620 --> 00:16:40.759 and being 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:41.120 real. 00:16:46.120 --> 00:16:47.059 My friends, 00:16:47.159 --> 00:16:47.679 the authentic 00:16:47.679 --> 00:16:48.939 Christian life, 00:16:49.460 --> 00:16:50.340 the authentic 00:16:50.340 --> 00:16:51.159 Christian life 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:51.820 is seen 00:16:51.820 --> 00:16:52.320 in the 00:16:52.320 --> 00:16:52.879 lifelong 00:16:52.879 --> 00:16:53.799 obsession 00:16:53.799 --> 00:16:55.299 and struggle 00:16:55.299 --> 00:16:57.819 to express 00:16:57.819 --> 00:16:59.079 and demonstrate 00:16:59.079 --> 00:17:00.079 who we 00:17:00.079 --> 00:17:00.500 are in 00:17:00.500 --> 00:17:00.879 Christ. 00:17:06.039 --> 00:17:06.720 Use a 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:06.919 different 00:17:06.919 --> 00:17:07.220 picture. 00:17:07.319 --> 00:17:07.720 We're under 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:08.000 new 00:17:08.000 --> 00:17:08.460 management. 00:17:10.819 --> 00:17:11.700 The Holy 00:17:11.700 --> 00:17:12.240 Spirit, 00:17:12.819 --> 00:17:13.259 according to 00:17:13.259 --> 00:17:13.659 Galatians, 00:17:13.740 --> 00:17:13.980 here we'll 00:17:13.980 --> 00:17:14.319 move into 00:17:14.319 --> 00:17:14.879 the next 00:17:14.879 --> 00:17:15.319 verses in 00:17:15.319 --> 00:17:15.559 a few 00:17:15.559 --> 00:17:15.899 seconds, 00:17:16.339 --> 00:17:16.740 the Holy 00:17:16.740 --> 00:17:17.299 Spirit is 00:17:17.299 --> 00:17:17.759 now our 00:17:17.759 --> 00:17:18.279 controlling 00:17:18.279 --> 00:17:19.159 passion. 00:17:20.919 --> 00:17:21.440 And daily 00:17:21.440 --> 00:17:22.559 our struggle 00:17:22.559 --> 00:17:23.099 is to 00:17:23.099 --> 00:17:24.000 overflow 00:17:24.000 --> 00:17:25.579 in that 00:17:25.579 --> 00:17:26.439 which reflects 00:17:26.439 --> 00:17:26.899 the mind 00:17:26.899 --> 00:17:27.359 of Christ 00:17:27.359 --> 00:17:28.059 mediated to 00:17:28.059 --> 00:17:28.299 us through 00:17:28.299 --> 00:17:28.539 the Holy 00:17:28.539 --> 00:17:28.859 Spirit. 00:17:29.059 --> 00:17:29.339 That is, 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:30.279 to overflow 00:17:30.279 --> 00:17:31.299 in a desire 00:17:31.299 --> 00:17:31.759 to say 00:17:31.759 --> 00:17:32.539 yes to 00:17:32.539 --> 00:17:33.059 righteousness, 00:17:33.199 --> 00:17:33.679 to choose 00:17:33.679 --> 00:17:34.240 righteousness 00:17:34.240 --> 00:17:35.179 and to 00:17:35.179 --> 00:17:35.919 say no 00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:37.579 to that 00:17:37.579 --> 00:17:38.159 which reflects 00:17:38.159 --> 00:17:38.719 our old 00:17:38.719 --> 00:17:39.219 sinful, 00:17:39.379 --> 00:17:39.879 distorted 00:17:39.879 --> 00:17:41.240 self-expression. 00:17:43.939 --> 00:17:44.639 To say 00:17:44.639 --> 00:17:45.219 yes to 00:17:45.219 --> 00:17:45.579 righteousness 00:17:45.579 --> 00:17:46.099 because that 00:17:46.099 --> 00:17:46.939 reflects our 00:17:46.939 --> 00:17:47.679 new master, 00:17:48.379 --> 00:17:48.799 our new 00:17:48.799 --> 00:17:49.240 manager, 00:17:49.399 --> 00:17:49.639 our new 00:17:49.639 --> 00:17:49.939 owner, 00:17:50.019 --> 00:17:50.199 as it 00:17:50.199 --> 00:17:50.379 were. 00:17:50.380 --> 00:17:52.100 It 00:17:52.100 --> 00:17:52.420 reflects 00:17:52.420 --> 00:17:52.600 his 00:17:52.600 --> 00:17:53.060 character, 00:17:53.240 --> 00:17:53.280 it 00:17:53.280 --> 00:17:53.540 reflects 00:17:53.540 --> 00:17:53.720 his 00:17:53.720 --> 00:17:54.100 wishes. 00:17:59.640 --> 00:18:00.180 And so 00:18:00.180 --> 00:18:00.420 we want 00:18:00.420 --> 00:18:00.680 to say 00:18:00.680 --> 00:18:01.840 no to 00:18:01.840 --> 00:18:02.260 anything 00:18:02.260 --> 00:18:03.320 that's in 00:18:03.320 --> 00:18:04.100 competition 00:18:04.100 --> 00:18:04.540 with that. 00:18:05.200 --> 00:18:05.540 So the 00:18:05.540 --> 00:18:06.000 question then 00:18:06.000 --> 00:18:06.240 is, 00:18:06.880 --> 00:18:07.480 what will 00:18:07.480 --> 00:18:08.380 you cultivate 00:18:08.380 --> 00:18:09.420 and what 00:18:09.420 --> 00:18:09.700 will you 00:18:09.700 --> 00:18:10.200 kill off? 00:18:12.720 --> 00:18:13.360 In order 00:18:13.360 --> 00:18:14.020 to produce 00:18:14.020 --> 00:18:15.020 good fruit 00:18:15.020 --> 00:18:15.480 and heaps 00:18:15.480 --> 00:18:15.840 of it, 00:18:16.340 --> 00:18:16.840 a plant 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:17.560 requires 00:18:17.559 --> 00:18:18.379 cultivation, 00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:20.279 purposeful 00:18:20.279 --> 00:18:20.819 cultivation. 00:18:21.019 --> 00:18:21.359 It needs 00:18:21.359 --> 00:18:21.599 to be 00:18:21.599 --> 00:18:21.859 fed, 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:22.119 it needs 00:18:22.119 --> 00:18:22.339 to be 00:18:22.339 --> 00:18:22.779 watered, 00:18:23.039 --> 00:18:23.539 and it 00:18:23.539 --> 00:18:24.099 needs to 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.899 have around 00:18:24.899 --> 00:18:25.339 about it 00:18:25.339 --> 00:18:26.079 anything that 00:18:26.079 --> 00:18:26.720 will compete, 00:18:26.940 --> 00:18:27.279 weeds, 00:18:27.940 --> 00:18:28.359 any other 00:18:28.359 --> 00:18:28.639 thing, 00:18:28.759 --> 00:18:29.220 plant around 00:18:29.220 --> 00:18:29.579 it needs 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:29.899 to be 00:18:29.899 --> 00:18:31.940 removed so 00:18:31.940 --> 00:18:32.779 that plant 00:18:32.779 --> 00:18:33.759 will thrive 00:18:33.759 --> 00:18:34.279 and produce 00:18:34.279 --> 00:18:34.639 fruit. 00:18:39.259 --> 00:18:39.779 Paul's 00:18:39.779 --> 00:18:40.240 saying here 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.799 for us as 00:18:40.799 --> 00:18:41.279 Christians as 00:18:41.279 --> 00:18:41.599 we think 00:18:41.599 --> 00:18:42.059 about growing 00:18:42.059 --> 00:18:42.619 in Christ, 00:18:43.419 --> 00:18:43.679 there can 00:18:43.679 --> 00:18:44.740 only be 00:18:44.740 --> 00:18:45.419 one 00:18:45.419 --> 00:18:46.440 controlling 00:18:46.440 --> 00:18:47.399 passion. 00:18:47.559 --> 00:18:51.059 either it 00:18:51.059 --> 00:18:51.339 will be 00:18:51.339 --> 00:18:52.059 the flesh, 00:18:53.419 --> 00:18:54.079 says Paul, 00:18:54.859 --> 00:18:55.539 our old 00:18:55.539 --> 00:18:56.379 distorted 00:18:56.379 --> 00:18:57.319 self-seeking, 00:18:57.539 --> 00:18:58.339 self-governed 00:18:58.339 --> 00:18:58.740 attitudes, 00:18:59.019 --> 00:18:59.399 desires, 00:18:59.519 --> 00:18:59.940 and thinking, 00:19:00.359 --> 00:19:01.259 either that 00:19:01.259 --> 00:19:01.839 will shape 00:19:01.839 --> 00:19:02.859 our pattern 00:19:02.859 --> 00:19:03.379 of living 00:19:03.379 --> 00:19:05.539 or 00:19:05.539 --> 00:19:07.619 our new 00:19:07.619 --> 00:19:08.619 spirit-driven, 00:19:09.659 --> 00:19:10.480 spirit-enabled 00:19:10.480 --> 00:19:12.720 attitudes, 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.440 desires, 00:19:13.599 --> 00:19:14.039 and thinking 00:19:14.039 --> 00:19:14.639 and actions 00:19:14.639 --> 00:19:16.500 will drive 00:19:16.500 --> 00:19:16.779 us. 00:19:17.559 --> 00:19:20.099 they can't 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.579 both be 00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:20.919 operating 00:19:20.919 --> 00:19:21.279 at the same 00:19:21.279 --> 00:19:21.579 time, 00:19:21.639 --> 00:19:21.899 says Paul, 00:19:21.940 --> 00:19:22.220 because they're 00:19:22.220 --> 00:19:22.779 totally opposed 00:19:22.779 --> 00:19:23.079 to one 00:19:23.079 --> 00:19:23.339 another. 00:19:25.599 --> 00:19:26.039 They're 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.480 pulling us 00:19:26.480 --> 00:19:26.799 in different 00:19:26.799 --> 00:19:27.299 directions. 00:19:31.019 --> 00:19:31.579 That's why 00:19:31.579 --> 00:19:32.119 Paul uses 00:19:32.119 --> 00:19:32.779 towards verse 00:19:32.779 --> 00:19:33.299 23, 00:19:33.399 --> 00:19:33.720 24, 00:19:33.819 --> 00:19:34.419 25 there, 00:19:34.720 --> 00:19:35.139 Paul uses 00:19:35.139 --> 00:19:35.539 the language 00:19:35.539 --> 00:19:36.539 of crucifixion. 00:19:38.299 --> 00:19:39.539 Crucify your 00:19:39.539 --> 00:19:39.980 flesh, 00:19:40.099 --> 00:19:40.480 says Paul. 00:19:40.740 --> 00:19:40.899 Now, 00:19:40.940 --> 00:19:41.579 that's a very 00:19:41.579 --> 00:19:42.480 violent word, 00:19:42.480 --> 00:19:43.140 and Paul 00:19:43.140 --> 00:19:43.720 uses it, 00:19:43.759 --> 00:19:44.220 I take it, 00:19:44.259 --> 00:19:45.259 because it 00:19:45.259 --> 00:19:46.120 demonstrates 00:19:46.120 --> 00:19:47.339 the ruthlessness 00:19:47.339 --> 00:19:50.019 with which we 00:19:50.019 --> 00:19:50.640 have to deal 00:19:50.640 --> 00:19:51.440 with ourselves 00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:55.980 in killing 00:19:55.980 --> 00:19:56.680 off anything 00:19:56.680 --> 00:19:57.500 that competes 00:19:57.500 --> 00:19:57.960 for our 00:19:57.960 --> 00:19:58.480 loyalty 00:19:58.480 --> 00:20:00.200 or threatens 00:20:00.200 --> 00:20:00.860 to shape 00:20:00.860 --> 00:20:01.620 us contrary 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:02.860 to how Christ 00:20:02.860 --> 00:20:03.460 wants us 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.000 shaped by 00:20:04.000 --> 00:20:04.539 spirit. 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:09.220 That language 00:20:09.220 --> 00:20:09.859 doesn't resonate 00:20:09.859 --> 00:20:10.259 with us 00:20:10.259 --> 00:20:11.599 in 2019, 00:20:11.819 --> 00:20:12.159 does it? 00:20:13.299 --> 00:20:13.700 Who, 00:20:13.839 --> 00:20:14.259 for goodness 00:20:14.259 --> 00:20:14.480 sake, 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.200 who crucifies 00:20:15.200 --> 00:20:15.519 themselves? 00:20:19.279 --> 00:20:19.920 We don't 00:20:19.920 --> 00:20:20.460 mind praising 00:20:20.460 --> 00:20:21.000 ourselves, 00:20:22.059 --> 00:20:22.700 but the 00:20:22.700 --> 00:20:23.119 language of 00:20:23.119 --> 00:20:23.759 crucifixion is 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:24.200 not easily 00:20:24.200 --> 00:20:24.599 applied. 00:20:25.740 --> 00:20:26.339 We won't 00:20:26.339 --> 00:20:26.779 allow others 00:20:26.779 --> 00:20:27.339 to apply it 00:20:27.339 --> 00:20:27.700 to us, 00:20:28.539 --> 00:20:29.099 and we 00:20:29.099 --> 00:20:29.440 certainly 00:20:29.440 --> 00:20:29.759 don't want 00:20:29.759 --> 00:20:30.159 to apply it 00:20:30.159 --> 00:20:30.680 to ourselves. 00:20:31.759 --> 00:20:32.440 But here's 00:20:32.440 --> 00:20:32.759 the point, 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.119 you see. 00:20:33.119 --> 00:20:34.299 Paul's issue 00:20:34.299 --> 00:20:35.259 here is if 00:20:35.259 --> 00:20:35.879 we're not 00:20:35.879 --> 00:20:36.559 growing in 00:20:36.559 --> 00:20:37.019 Christ, 00:20:37.699 --> 00:20:39.139 then we're 00:20:39.139 --> 00:20:39.899 allowing that 00:20:39.899 --> 00:20:40.979 space to be 00:20:40.979 --> 00:20:42.159 filled and 00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:43.699 shaped by 00:20:43.699 --> 00:20:44.219 attitudes, 00:20:44.659 --> 00:20:44.939 thinking, 00:20:45.019 --> 00:20:45.519 or actions 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.259 which are 00:20:46.259 --> 00:20:46.959 opposed to 00:20:46.959 --> 00:20:47.439 living under 00:20:47.439 --> 00:20:48.059 Christ's rule 00:20:48.059 --> 00:20:48.679 by Christ's 00:20:48.679 --> 00:20:48.919 spirit. 00:20:50.759 --> 00:20:51.319 That's 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:52.000 verse 17. 00:20:54.839 --> 00:20:55.699 So Paul's 00:20:55.699 --> 00:20:56.000 point is 00:20:56.000 --> 00:20:56.299 this, 00:20:57.179 --> 00:20:57.579 that our 00:20:57.579 --> 00:20:58.019 outward 00:20:58.019 --> 00:20:58.879 actions, 00:20:59.659 --> 00:21:00.099 our outward 00:21:00.099 --> 00:21:00.659 words, 00:21:00.660 --> 00:21:04.000 are an 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.540 indicator 00:21:04.540 --> 00:21:06.140 of our 00:21:06.140 --> 00:21:06.620 inward 00:21:06.620 --> 00:21:07.500 character 00:21:07.500 --> 00:21:08.240 and actions, 00:21:08.800 --> 00:21:09.460 an indicator 00:21:09.460 --> 00:21:10.040 of our 00:21:10.040 --> 00:21:10.600 real 00:21:10.600 --> 00:21:11.500 controlling 00:21:11.500 --> 00:21:12.000 passion. 00:21:15.800 --> 00:21:16.000 See, 00:21:16.019 --> 00:21:16.240 we can 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:16.920 say we're 00:21:16.920 --> 00:21:17.380 controlled 00:21:17.380 --> 00:21:18.620 by the 00:21:18.620 --> 00:21:18.920 spirit, 00:21:19.800 --> 00:21:20.680 but the 00:21:20.680 --> 00:21:21.500 acid test 00:21:21.500 --> 00:21:21.779 is, 00:21:22.940 --> 00:21:23.600 what do 00:21:23.600 --> 00:21:24.100 our words 00:21:24.100 --> 00:21:24.420 say? 00:21:24.840 --> 00:21:25.160 What do 00:21:25.160 --> 00:21:25.680 our actions 00:21:25.680 --> 00:21:26.000 say? 00:21:26.340 --> 00:21:26.620 What do 00:21:26.620 --> 00:21:27.100 our attitudes 00:21:27.100 --> 00:21:27.519 say? 00:21:27.519 --> 00:21:34.559 And it's 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:34.900 not just 00:21:34.900 --> 00:21:35.099 about 00:21:35.099 --> 00:21:35.480 books 00:21:35.480 --> 00:21:36.460 ticking when 00:21:36.460 --> 00:21:37.220 we go to 00:21:37.220 --> 00:21:37.819 talk about 00:21:37.819 --> 00:21:38.279 growing in 00:21:38.279 --> 00:21:38.559 Christ. 00:21:38.819 --> 00:21:39.240 It's not as 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:39.740 if we're 00:21:39.740 --> 00:21:40.200 just here, 00:21:40.279 --> 00:21:40.639 we've got a 00:21:40.639 --> 00:21:41.039 list of 00:21:41.039 --> 00:21:41.379 things, 00:21:41.720 --> 00:21:42.079 and these 00:21:42.079 --> 00:21:42.359 are all 00:21:42.359 --> 00:21:42.839 bad things, 00:21:42.879 --> 00:21:43.160 and these 00:21:43.160 --> 00:21:43.359 are all 00:21:43.359 --> 00:21:43.759 good things. 00:21:43.819 --> 00:21:44.299 So it's 00:21:44.299 --> 00:21:44.680 not as if 00:21:44.680 --> 00:21:44.960 we're just 00:21:44.960 --> 00:21:45.339 trying to 00:21:45.339 --> 00:21:45.900 tick all 00:21:45.900 --> 00:21:47.019 the boxes 00:21:47.019 --> 00:21:47.779 and change 00:21:47.779 --> 00:21:48.160 our behaviour 00:21:48.160 --> 00:21:48.559 so we've 00:21:48.559 --> 00:21:48.980 got all the 00:21:48.980 --> 00:21:49.559 right things 00:21:49.559 --> 00:21:50.099 in place. 00:21:50.319 --> 00:21:51.059 It's not 00:21:51.059 --> 00:21:51.920 just about 00:21:51.920 --> 00:21:52.279 that. 00:21:52.720 --> 00:21:53.180 It is about 00:21:53.180 --> 00:21:53.460 that, but 00:21:53.460 --> 00:21:53.759 it's not 00:21:53.759 --> 00:21:54.279 just about 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.559 that. 00:21:54.559 --> 00:21:56.819 It's not 00:21:56.819 --> 00:21:57.700 just about 00:21:57.700 --> 00:21:58.259 trying to 00:21:58.259 --> 00:21:58.859 get the 00:21:58.859 --> 00:21:59.440 bounds right 00:21:59.440 --> 00:21:59.839 so we 00:21:59.839 --> 00:22:00.639 do more 00:22:00.639 --> 00:22:01.319 good things 00:22:01.319 --> 00:22:01.700 in life 00:22:01.700 --> 00:22:02.319 than bad 00:22:02.319 --> 00:22:02.819 things. 00:22:06.419 --> 00:22:06.980 It's about 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.460 a process, 00:22:07.700 --> 00:22:08.059 it's about 00:22:08.059 --> 00:22:08.619 a pattern 00:22:08.619 --> 00:22:09.119 of living, 00:22:09.220 --> 00:22:09.440 it's about 00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.859 a habit 00:22:09.859 --> 00:22:10.559 of life, 00:22:11.259 --> 00:22:13.119 which is 00:22:13.119 --> 00:22:14.079 characterised 00:22:14.079 --> 00:22:15.700 by inward 00:22:15.700 --> 00:22:16.399 controlling 00:22:16.399 --> 00:22:16.960 passion. 00:22:17.559 --> 00:22:17.740 And there 00:22:17.740 --> 00:22:17.940 are only 00:22:17.940 --> 00:22:18.679 two possibilities. 00:22:19.460 --> 00:22:19.740 Let's have 00:22:19.740 --> 00:22:20.079 a look at 00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.339 them in 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.960 verses 19 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.299 through to 00:22:21.299 --> 00:22:21.639 21, 00:22:21.799 --> 00:22:21.940 and we're 00:22:21.940 --> 00:22:22.200 just going 00:22:22.200 --> 00:22:22.419 to take 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:22.720 a walk 00:22:22.720 --> 00:22:22.899 through 00:22:22.899 --> 00:22:23.119 them. 00:22:24.559 --> 00:22:24.779 It's 00:22:24.779 --> 00:22:25.019 interesting 00:22:25.019 --> 00:22:25.279 that when 00:22:25.279 --> 00:22:25.679 we read 00:22:25.679 --> 00:22:25.859 through 00:22:25.859 --> 00:22:26.099 these 00:22:26.099 --> 00:22:26.579 passages, 00:22:27.419 --> 00:22:27.940 and I 00:22:27.940 --> 00:22:28.419 make no 00:22:28.419 --> 00:22:29.200 comment here 00:22:29.200 --> 00:22:30.200 to Catherine, 00:22:31.279 --> 00:22:33.000 but we 00:22:33.000 --> 00:22:33.619 actually tend 00:22:33.619 --> 00:22:34.319 to read 00:22:34.319 --> 00:22:36.200 the works 00:22:36.200 --> 00:22:36.399 of the 00:22:36.399 --> 00:22:36.639 flesh 00:22:36.639 --> 00:22:37.019 quicker, 00:22:37.500 --> 00:22:38.119 and then we 00:22:38.119 --> 00:22:38.639 slow down 00:22:38.639 --> 00:22:38.839 when it 00:22:38.839 --> 00:22:39.179 comes to 00:22:39.179 --> 00:22:39.440 reading 00:22:39.440 --> 00:22:40.359 the fruits 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:40.559 of the 00:22:40.559 --> 00:22:40.839 Spirit. 00:22:43.519 --> 00:22:43.960 I'm 00:22:43.960 --> 00:22:44.139 going to 00:22:44.139 --> 00:22:44.559 reverse it 00:22:44.559 --> 00:22:44.919 this morning. 00:22:49.039 --> 00:22:49.460 Verses 00:22:49.460 --> 00:22:49.740 19, 00:22:49.819 --> 00:22:50.039 3 to 00:22:50.039 --> 00:22:51.279 21 is 00:22:51.279 --> 00:22:51.419 the 00:22:51.419 --> 00:22:51.960 expression 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.319 of a 00:22:52.319 --> 00:22:52.559 life 00:22:52.559 --> 00:22:53.220 dominated 00:22:53.220 --> 00:22:53.639 by the 00:22:53.639 --> 00:22:53.819 old 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.240 nature. 00:22:54.559 --> 00:22:56.019 And I 00:22:56.019 --> 00:22:56.539 want you 00:22:56.539 --> 00:22:56.839 to notice 00:22:56.839 --> 00:22:57.240 several 00:22:57.240 --> 00:22:57.659 things as 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.259 we walk 00:22:58.259 --> 00:22:58.720 into this 00:22:58.720 --> 00:22:59.099 slowly. 00:23:01.460 --> 00:23:02.200 That the 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:03.159 whole thing, 00:23:03.279 --> 00:23:04.000 all of it, 00:23:04.059 --> 00:23:04.500 I say, 00:23:04.799 --> 00:23:06.980 is marked 00:23:06.980 --> 00:23:08.480 by self-centeredness, 00:23:08.740 --> 00:23:09.740 by divisiveness, 00:23:09.940 --> 00:23:10.980 by aggressiveness, 00:23:11.639 --> 00:23:12.000 by the 00:23:12.000 --> 00:23:12.700 consumerist 00:23:12.700 --> 00:23:13.819 relationships that 00:23:13.819 --> 00:23:14.500 Paul mentions 00:23:14.500 --> 00:23:15.460 in verse 15. 00:23:16.139 --> 00:23:16.639 But if you 00:23:16.639 --> 00:23:17.059 bite and 00:23:17.059 --> 00:23:17.700 devour one 00:23:17.700 --> 00:23:17.980 another, 00:23:18.259 --> 00:23:18.839 watch out that 00:23:18.839 --> 00:23:19.139 you're not 00:23:19.139 --> 00:23:19.740 consumed by 00:23:19.740 --> 00:23:20.119 one another. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:21.980 So the 00:23:21.980 --> 00:23:22.480 works of the 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:22.899 flesh are, 00:23:22.899 --> 00:23:23.220 as it were, 00:23:23.220 --> 00:23:24.200 a living, 00:23:24.480 --> 00:23:24.819 breathing 00:23:24.819 --> 00:23:25.500 demonstration 00:23:25.500 --> 00:23:25.980 of that 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.519 very thing. 00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:31.400 And as we 00:23:31.400 --> 00:23:31.819 slow down 00:23:31.819 --> 00:23:32.120 and dig 00:23:32.120 --> 00:23:32.519 into this, 00:23:32.680 --> 00:23:32.860 man, 00:23:32.920 --> 00:23:33.039 it's 00:23:33.039 --> 00:23:33.500 nasty. 00:23:38.600 --> 00:23:39.140 The second 00:23:39.140 --> 00:23:39.519 thing I want you 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:39.860 notice about 00:23:39.860 --> 00:23:40.819 this list 00:23:40.819 --> 00:23:41.160 before we 00:23:41.160 --> 00:23:41.620 move into it 00:23:41.620 --> 00:23:42.160 is not just 00:23:42.160 --> 00:23:42.720 a remote, 00:23:43.019 --> 00:23:43.860 random list 00:23:43.860 --> 00:23:45.279 of characteristics 00:23:45.279 --> 00:23:45.880 that sort of 00:23:45.880 --> 00:23:46.600 bad people 00:23:46.600 --> 00:23:47.160 somewhere out 00:23:47.160 --> 00:23:47.640 there might 00:23:47.640 --> 00:23:47.900 do. 00:23:47.900 --> 00:23:49.740 Paul's 00:23:49.740 --> 00:23:50.300 writing this 00:23:50.300 --> 00:23:51.140 to the 00:23:51.140 --> 00:23:51.720 Christians 00:23:51.720 --> 00:23:52.360 in the 00:23:52.360 --> 00:23:52.860 churches 00:23:52.860 --> 00:23:53.840 in Galatia. 00:23:56.720 --> 00:23:57.600 We can't 00:23:57.600 --> 00:23:57.940 hold it 00:23:57.940 --> 00:23:58.360 at arm's 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.720 length. 00:23:59.259 --> 00:23:59.780 We've got to 00:23:59.780 --> 00:24:00.580 engage with 00:24:00.580 --> 00:24:01.500 it personally 00:24:01.500 --> 00:24:02.140 and individually. 00:24:03.940 --> 00:24:04.720 Is this 00:24:04.720 --> 00:24:05.120 me? 00:24:12.800 --> 00:24:13.320 Well, 00:24:13.340 --> 00:24:13.640 let's have a 00:24:13.640 --> 00:24:13.800 look at 00:24:13.800 --> 00:24:14.380 verse 19. 00:24:14.380 --> 00:24:17.860 The works 00:24:17.860 --> 00:24:18.100 of the 00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:18.540 flesh, 00:24:19.740 --> 00:24:19.900 they're 00:24:19.900 --> 00:24:20.360 evidence, 00:24:20.500 --> 00:24:20.820 says Paul. 00:24:22.460 --> 00:24:22.920 Sexual 00:24:22.920 --> 00:24:23.500 immorality, 00:24:23.680 --> 00:24:24.120 impurity, 00:24:24.340 --> 00:24:24.980 sensuality. 00:24:25.220 --> 00:24:25.500 There's the 00:24:25.500 --> 00:24:25.920 first group, 00:24:26.020 --> 00:24:26.580 verse 19. 00:24:27.800 --> 00:24:28.420 A whole 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:29.400 range of 00:24:29.400 --> 00:24:29.780 what? 00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:32.080 Self-gratifying, 00:24:33.360 --> 00:24:34.280 exploitative, 00:24:35.560 --> 00:24:36.600 sexual expression. 00:24:36.599 --> 00:24:40.599 And who's 00:24:40.599 --> 00:24:40.799 at the 00:24:40.799 --> 00:24:41.099 center of 00:24:41.099 --> 00:24:41.299 that? 00:24:41.919 --> 00:24:42.339 Me, 00:24:42.500 --> 00:24:42.879 me, 00:24:43.139 --> 00:24:43.399 me, 00:24:43.799 --> 00:24:44.439 my needs, 00:24:44.539 --> 00:24:45.179 my desires. 00:24:46.399 --> 00:24:46.799 So 00:24:46.799 --> 00:24:47.439 contrary 00:24:47.439 --> 00:24:49.740 to the 00:24:49.740 --> 00:24:50.299 way we 00:24:50.299 --> 00:24:50.740 were created 00:24:50.740 --> 00:24:51.299 to be 00:24:51.299 --> 00:24:51.959 in our 00:24:51.959 --> 00:24:52.439 expression 00:24:52.439 --> 00:24:52.959 of self. 00:24:55.000 --> 00:24:55.599 But it 00:24:55.599 --> 00:24:56.199 gets worse, 00:24:56.659 --> 00:24:57.019 gets more 00:24:57.019 --> 00:24:57.419 personal, 00:24:57.559 --> 00:24:58.039 verse 20. 00:24:59.379 --> 00:24:59.679 Look at 00:24:59.679 --> 00:25:00.319 that long 00:25:00.319 --> 00:25:00.899 list going 00:25:00.899 --> 00:25:01.439 through there. 00:25:03.839 --> 00:25:04.619 And every 00:25:04.619 --> 00:25:05.240 one of those 00:25:05.240 --> 00:25:06.419 things describes 00:25:06.420 --> 00:25:07.140 in part 00:25:07.140 --> 00:25:08.539 something of 00:25:08.539 --> 00:25:09.539 the endless 00:25:09.539 --> 00:25:11.279 pain and 00:25:11.279 --> 00:25:12.259 mess we 00:25:12.259 --> 00:25:12.759 cause in 00:25:12.759 --> 00:25:13.440 relationships 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.420 when we 00:25:14.420 --> 00:25:15.360 make ourselves 00:25:15.360 --> 00:25:15.900 the center 00:25:15.900 --> 00:25:16.420 of life 00:25:16.420 --> 00:25:16.860 rather than 00:25:16.860 --> 00:25:17.140 God. 00:25:21.340 --> 00:25:22.060 Idolatry 00:25:22.060 --> 00:25:24.420 is acting 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.000 like I 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.519 am God. 00:25:28.920 --> 00:25:29.600 Me, 00:25:30.380 --> 00:25:31.340 me is 00:25:31.340 --> 00:25:31.820 everything 00:25:31.820 --> 00:25:32.720 and demands 00:25:32.720 --> 00:25:33.259 that others 00:25:33.259 --> 00:25:34.120 fall into 00:25:34.120 --> 00:25:34.740 line with 00:25:34.740 --> 00:25:35.140 me. 00:25:35.140 --> 00:25:36.180 me and 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.460 if you 00:25:36.460 --> 00:25:37.040 don't fall 00:25:37.040 --> 00:25:37.480 into line 00:25:37.480 --> 00:25:37.800 with me 00:25:37.800 --> 00:25:38.120 then you 00:25:38.120 --> 00:25:38.720 can expect 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.780 me to 00:25:39.780 --> 00:25:40.240 do my 00:25:40.240 --> 00:25:40.720 best to 00:25:40.720 --> 00:25:41.320 take you 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:41.800 down. 00:25:46.660 --> 00:25:47.100 Sorcery. 00:25:47.440 --> 00:25:47.740 Well, 00:25:48.060 --> 00:25:48.420 we might 00:25:48.420 --> 00:25:48.600 think, 00:25:48.720 --> 00:25:48.740 well, 00:25:48.740 --> 00:25:48.960 that's 00:25:48.960 --> 00:25:49.240 something 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:49.759 relegated 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.259 to the 00:25:50.259 --> 00:25:50.880 olden 00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.259 days as 00:25:51.259 --> 00:25:51.460 well, 00:25:51.820 --> 00:25:53.140 or pagan 00:25:53.140 --> 00:25:53.720 societies. 00:25:53.860 --> 00:25:54.020 Well, 00:25:54.259 --> 00:25:54.680 sorcery, 00:25:54.759 --> 00:25:54.980 when you 00:25:54.980 --> 00:25:55.420 dig down 00:25:55.420 --> 00:25:55.920 into it, 00:25:57.020 --> 00:25:57.960 is people 00:25:57.960 --> 00:25:59.520 trying to 00:25:59.520 --> 00:26:00.480 manipulate the 00:26:00.480 --> 00:26:00.920 lives of 00:26:00.920 --> 00:26:01.200 others. 00:26:01.200 --> 00:26:01.920 people 00:26:01.920 --> 00:26:02.120 in 00:26:02.120 --> 00:26:02.700 animistic 00:26:02.700 --> 00:26:03.200 societies 00:26:03.200 --> 00:26:03.480 they do 00:26:03.480 --> 00:26:03.799 that with 00:26:03.799 --> 00:26:04.580 special words 00:26:04.580 --> 00:26:05.059 and special 00:26:05.059 --> 00:26:05.860 potions and 00:26:05.860 --> 00:26:06.480 special 00:26:06.480 --> 00:26:07.400 incantations. 00:26:09.220 --> 00:26:09.660 And personally, 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.180 I think we 00:26:10.180 --> 00:26:10.680 Christians have 00:26:10.680 --> 00:26:11.000 a very 00:26:11.000 --> 00:26:12.019 sophisticated way 00:26:12.019 --> 00:26:12.440 of doing the 00:26:12.440 --> 00:26:12.980 same thing 00:26:12.980 --> 00:26:14.140 in the context 00:26:14.140 --> 00:26:14.840 of quasi 00:26:14.840 --> 00:26:15.480 Christian 00:26:15.480 --> 00:26:16.000 language. 00:26:16.880 --> 00:26:17.620 So we have 00:26:17.620 --> 00:26:18.360 special words 00:26:18.360 --> 00:26:19.519 sharing and 00:26:19.519 --> 00:26:19.940 fellowship. 00:26:22.539 --> 00:26:23.340 The means by 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.680 which we 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.279 communicate 00:26:24.279 --> 00:26:25.539 mistruths, 00:26:25.580 --> 00:26:27.400 misrepresentations 00:26:27.400 --> 00:26:27.779 of others 00:26:27.779 --> 00:26:28.279 around us, 00:26:28.580 --> 00:26:29.500 untruths about 00:26:29.500 --> 00:26:30.000 others around 00:26:30.000 --> 00:26:30.259 us. 00:26:31.680 --> 00:26:32.079 Why? 00:26:32.579 --> 00:26:33.059 Because we're 00:26:33.059 --> 00:26:33.400 trying to 00:26:33.400 --> 00:26:34.019 manipulate 00:26:34.019 --> 00:26:35.380 relationships 00:26:35.380 --> 00:26:36.480 and outcomes. 00:26:40.839 --> 00:26:41.200 Enmity. 00:26:41.460 --> 00:26:41.740 You might 00:26:41.740 --> 00:26:42.220 disagree with 00:26:42.220 --> 00:26:42.660 the sorcery 00:26:42.660 --> 00:26:42.839 one. 00:26:42.940 --> 00:26:43.299 That's fine. 00:26:43.339 --> 00:26:43.740 I don't care. 00:26:43.940 --> 00:26:44.519 But enmity. 00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:45.359 You can come 00:26:45.359 --> 00:26:45.740 with me on 00:26:45.740 --> 00:26:46.019 this one. 00:26:46.460 --> 00:26:47.140 Enmity is, 00:26:47.640 --> 00:26:48.099 you can check 00:26:48.099 --> 00:26:48.579 these words out 00:26:48.579 --> 00:26:48.900 for yourself, 00:26:48.980 --> 00:26:49.200 it's an 00:26:49.200 --> 00:26:49.779 attitude that 00:26:49.779 --> 00:26:50.400 assumes the 00:26:50.400 --> 00:26:50.940 worst about 00:26:50.940 --> 00:26:52.359 others and 00:26:52.359 --> 00:26:53.299 is happily 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:54.480 content to 00:26:54.480 --> 00:26:55.140 push people 00:26:55.140 --> 00:26:56.039 into opposing 00:26:56.039 --> 00:26:57.119 divided hostile 00:26:57.119 --> 00:26:57.599 camps. 00:26:59.200 --> 00:26:59.839 Strife. 00:27:00.000 --> 00:27:01.000 A preparedness 00:27:01.000 --> 00:27:01.519 to go to 00:27:01.519 --> 00:27:02.119 war with 00:27:02.119 --> 00:27:02.460 people, 00:27:03.079 --> 00:27:03.440 with those 00:27:03.440 --> 00:27:04.220 with whom 00:27:04.220 --> 00:27:04.759 you disagree 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.299 because you're 00:27:06.299 --> 00:27:07.079 so convinced 00:27:07.079 --> 00:27:07.619 of your own 00:27:07.619 --> 00:27:08.099 right and 00:27:08.099 --> 00:27:08.400 your own 00:27:08.400 --> 00:27:08.859 rights. 00:27:10.900 --> 00:27:11.420 Jealousy. 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:12.380 Wondering what 00:27:12.380 --> 00:27:12.940 God has given 00:27:12.940 --> 00:27:14.400 to others and 00:27:14.400 --> 00:27:15.240 been dissatisfied 00:27:15.240 --> 00:27:15.799 with what God 00:27:15.799 --> 00:27:16.240 has given to 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.619 us. 00:27:18.220 --> 00:27:18.779 Fits of 00:27:18.779 --> 00:27:19.380 anger or 00:27:19.380 --> 00:27:19.779 rage. 00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:20.519 Well, 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:21.619 that's really 00:27:21.619 --> 00:27:22.579 just unleashing 00:27:22.579 --> 00:27:23.200 ruthless 00:27:23.200 --> 00:27:25.099 strategies to 00:27:25.099 --> 00:27:25.400 try and 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.420 overpower or 00:27:26.420 --> 00:27:27.319 blaster our way 00:27:27.319 --> 00:27:27.740 through and get 00:27:27.740 --> 00:27:28.279 what we want. 00:27:28.279 --> 00:27:31.839 rivalries. 00:27:32.740 --> 00:27:33.559 They come out 00:27:33.559 --> 00:27:34.180 of continual 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:35.039 self-promotion, 00:27:35.700 --> 00:27:36.119 continually 00:27:36.119 --> 00:27:37.299 pushing my 00:27:37.299 --> 00:27:38.399 profile at 00:27:38.399 --> 00:27:39.000 the expense 00:27:39.000 --> 00:27:39.460 of others. 00:27:40.319 --> 00:27:40.799 Dissensions 00:27:40.799 --> 00:27:41.420 and divisions, 00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.680 acting to 00:27:43.680 --> 00:27:44.379 get what you 00:27:44.379 --> 00:27:45.399 want regardless 00:27:45.399 --> 00:27:46.200 of the impact 00:27:46.200 --> 00:27:46.779 on unity 00:27:46.779 --> 00:27:47.819 and community. 00:27:51.819 --> 00:27:52.220 Envy. 00:27:53.220 --> 00:27:53.700 A bit like 00:27:53.700 --> 00:27:54.059 jealousy. 00:27:54.059 --> 00:27:55.039 It's the 00:27:55.039 --> 00:27:55.559 attitude that 00:27:55.559 --> 00:27:56.740 can't stand 00:27:56.740 --> 00:27:57.359 by and let 00:27:57.359 --> 00:27:57.899 others have 00:27:57.899 --> 00:27:59.240 success that 00:27:59.240 --> 00:27:59.879 you believe is 00:27:59.879 --> 00:28:00.599 yours to 00:28:00.599 --> 00:28:00.960 have. 00:28:05.440 --> 00:28:05.899 Drunkenness 00:28:05.899 --> 00:28:06.399 and orgies. 00:28:07.099 --> 00:28:07.319 Well, 00:28:07.619 --> 00:28:08.599 most commentators 00:28:08.599 --> 00:28:09.139 think that's a 00:28:09.139 --> 00:28:09.720 separate category. 00:28:09.859 --> 00:28:10.399 I'm just lumping 00:28:10.399 --> 00:28:10.799 it in here. 00:28:10.899 --> 00:28:11.119 You can, 00:28:11.339 --> 00:28:11.519 again, 00:28:11.619 --> 00:28:12.079 do what you 00:28:12.079 --> 00:28:12.720 like with what 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.279 you think I've 00:28:13.279 --> 00:28:13.419 done. 00:28:13.519 --> 00:28:13.779 But anyway, 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:15.059 it's sort of 00:28:15.059 --> 00:28:16.759 when all that 00:28:16.759 --> 00:28:17.740 sometimes fails 00:28:17.740 --> 00:28:19.779 and we 00:28:19.779 --> 00:28:20.519 sometimes look 00:28:20.519 --> 00:28:21.220 for relief 00:28:21.220 --> 00:28:21.679 and for 00:28:21.679 --> 00:28:22.759 satisfaction and 00:28:22.759 --> 00:28:23.279 comfort in 00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:23.900 other things, 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.440 things other 00:28:24.440 --> 00:28:24.980 than God. 00:28:29.900 --> 00:28:30.579 And those 00:28:30.579 --> 00:28:31.000 things are 00:28:31.000 --> 00:28:31.619 often taken 00:28:31.619 --> 00:28:32.160 up as an 00:28:32.160 --> 00:28:32.819 overflow of 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:34.200 brokenness and 00:28:34.200 --> 00:28:35.099 frustration in 00:28:35.099 --> 00:28:36.559 relationships and 00:28:36.559 --> 00:28:37.359 attempt to fix 00:28:37.359 --> 00:28:38.119 them ourselves or 00:28:38.119 --> 00:28:38.579 fix them with 00:28:38.579 --> 00:28:39.119 something else 00:28:39.119 --> 00:28:39.539 rather than 00:28:39.539 --> 00:28:40.160 going back to 00:28:40.160 --> 00:28:40.539 God and 00:28:40.539 --> 00:28:40.940 repentance. 00:28:45.339 --> 00:28:45.779 Now, 00:28:45.819 --> 00:28:46.079 friends, 00:28:46.879 --> 00:28:47.539 the last time I 00:28:47.539 --> 00:28:47.900 said this 00:28:47.900 --> 00:28:48.440 sentence I got 00:28:48.440 --> 00:28:49.079 into a serious 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.420 amount of 00:28:49.420 --> 00:28:50.140 trouble, so 00:28:50.140 --> 00:28:50.599 here goes 00:28:50.599 --> 00:28:50.879 again. 00:28:52.759 --> 00:28:55.039 these 00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:55.980 attitudes and 00:28:55.980 --> 00:28:57.059 characteristics are 00:28:57.059 --> 00:28:58.319 alive and well in 00:28:58.319 --> 00:28:59.180 our church family 00:28:59.180 --> 00:29:00.759 and thriving in 00:29:00.759 --> 00:29:01.359 some parts. 00:29:08.940 --> 00:29:10.059 We so easily 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.940 live with them. 00:29:12.319 --> 00:29:13.359 We so easily 00:29:13.359 --> 00:29:15.039 cultivate them by 00:29:15.039 --> 00:29:16.180 actually engaging 00:29:16.180 --> 00:29:17.339 with those who 00:29:17.339 --> 00:29:18.079 want to give 00:29:18.079 --> 00:29:18.940 expression to 00:29:18.940 --> 00:29:19.500 these sorts of 00:29:19.500 --> 00:29:20.279 things privately. 00:29:20.779 --> 00:29:21.319 We have 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:22.519 conversations with 00:29:22.519 --> 00:29:25.059 them and 00:29:25.059 --> 00:29:25.940 thereby cultivate 00:29:25.940 --> 00:29:26.180 them. 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.619 We give them 00:29:26.619 --> 00:29:28.680 oxygen when we 00:29:28.680 --> 00:29:29.319 should be saying 00:29:29.319 --> 00:29:29.799 to one another, 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.559 no, stop. 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.440 We've got to 00:29:31.440 --> 00:29:32.079 kill these 00:29:32.079 --> 00:29:32.660 things off. 00:29:33.059 --> 00:29:33.440 Otherwise, 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:35.240 they're slowly 00:29:35.240 --> 00:29:36.519 conversation by 00:29:36.519 --> 00:29:37.740 conversation killing 00:29:37.740 --> 00:29:38.619 us off as a 00:29:38.619 --> 00:29:39.019 church. 00:29:39.019 --> 00:29:47.859 in contrast, 00:29:48.019 --> 00:29:48.599 verses 22, 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.180 23, and 00:29:49.180 --> 00:29:49.619 24, 00:29:50.619 --> 00:29:51.740 the expression of 00:29:51.740 --> 00:29:52.639 a life dominated 00:29:52.639 --> 00:29:53.259 by our new 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:53.940 spirit-driven 00:29:53.940 --> 00:29:54.359 nature. 00:29:55.119 --> 00:29:55.720 That's the 00:29:55.720 --> 00:29:56.539 overflow of the 00:29:56.539 --> 00:29:57.359 mind of Christ 00:29:57.359 --> 00:29:58.180 developing within 00:29:58.180 --> 00:29:59.779 us, growing in 00:29:59.779 --> 00:30:00.240 the life of 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:00.859 freedom, growing 00:30:00.859 --> 00:30:01.500 in Christ, 00:30:01.920 --> 00:30:03.779 cultivating the 00:30:03.779 --> 00:30:04.240 fruit of the 00:30:04.240 --> 00:30:04.579 spirit. 00:30:05.759 --> 00:30:06.299 Notice here 00:30:06.299 --> 00:30:07.500 there's only one 00:30:07.500 --> 00:30:07.740 fruit. 00:30:07.839 --> 00:30:08.759 It's not fruits 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.359 of the spirit 00:30:09.359 --> 00:30:09.799 so that we 00:30:09.799 --> 00:30:10.220 can sort of 00:30:10.220 --> 00:30:11.799 cherry pick and 00:30:11.799 --> 00:30:12.599 take the ones we 00:30:12.599 --> 00:30:13.180 want and leave the 00:30:13.180 --> 00:30:14.279 other ones and 00:30:14.279 --> 00:30:15.259 sort of play them 00:30:15.259 --> 00:30:15.579 off and say, 00:30:15.660 --> 00:30:16.259 well, I've got 00:30:16.259 --> 00:30:17.319 this one, I've got 00:30:17.319 --> 00:30:18.220 patience and love, 00:30:18.279 --> 00:30:19.200 so therefore I 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:19.839 don't need to worry 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.259 about these other 00:30:20.259 --> 00:30:20.460 ones. 00:30:20.680 --> 00:30:21.680 No, it's one fruit 00:30:21.680 --> 00:30:22.079 of the spirit. 00:30:22.539 --> 00:30:23.180 Together they 00:30:23.180 --> 00:30:24.339 characterize what 00:30:24.339 --> 00:30:25.240 we ought to be as 00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:25.700 Christians. 00:30:25.700 --> 00:30:25.779 Christians. 00:30:32.720 --> 00:30:33.880 And notice also 00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:35.279 that they're not 00:30:35.279 --> 00:30:36.819 just, again in 00:30:36.819 --> 00:30:37.440 contrast to the 00:30:37.440 --> 00:30:37.819 other ones, they're 00:30:37.819 --> 00:30:38.880 not just a warm 00:30:38.880 --> 00:30:40.740 fuzzy description of 00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.380 what Christians will 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:42.940 sort of be 00:30:42.940 --> 00:30:45.380 automatically by 00:30:45.380 --> 00:30:45.960 virtue of being 00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:46.380 Christians. 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:48.039 No, these things 00:30:48.039 --> 00:30:49.900 are really hard 00:30:49.900 --> 00:30:51.920 work to get a 00:30:51.920 --> 00:30:52.920 hold of and to 00:30:52.920 --> 00:30:53.880 develop and grow 00:30:53.880 --> 00:30:54.120 in. 00:30:54.119 --> 00:30:58.959 They're seriously 00:30:58.959 --> 00:30:59.899 hard to cultivate 00:30:59.899 --> 00:31:01.859 and call for real 00:31:01.859 --> 00:31:02.819 radical change. 00:31:03.579 --> 00:31:04.279 And generally we 00:31:04.279 --> 00:31:05.059 need incentive to 00:31:05.059 --> 00:31:05.479 change. 00:31:06.739 --> 00:31:07.939 We need to believe 00:31:07.939 --> 00:31:08.559 that the gospel 00:31:08.559 --> 00:31:10.500 shaped life is 00:31:10.500 --> 00:31:12.179 far more attractive 00:31:12.179 --> 00:31:13.479 and beautiful than 00:31:13.479 --> 00:31:14.379 where we are at 00:31:14.379 --> 00:31:14.619 the minute. 00:31:14.839 --> 00:31:15.899 That's why we will 00:31:15.899 --> 00:31:16.679 be motivated to 00:31:16.679 --> 00:31:17.799 change in large 00:31:17.799 --> 00:31:18.159 part. 00:31:19.699 --> 00:31:20.579 So again, the 00:31:20.579 --> 00:31:21.339 question is, as we 00:31:21.339 --> 00:31:22.439 see this contrast, 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:24.099 is how attractive 00:31:24.099 --> 00:31:24.779 is our current 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:26.119 position as 00:31:26.119 --> 00:31:26.779 opposed to how 00:31:26.779 --> 00:31:27.879 attractive is this 00:31:27.879 --> 00:31:28.759 spirit-driven, 00:31:28.939 --> 00:31:29.719 spirit-controlled 00:31:29.719 --> 00:31:31.139 place, the fruit of 00:31:31.139 --> 00:31:31.639 the spirit. 00:31:34.559 --> 00:31:35.159 Love. 00:31:36.799 --> 00:31:38.199 Moving towards one 00:31:38.199 --> 00:31:39.719 another and serving 00:31:39.719 --> 00:31:40.559 people for their own 00:31:40.559 --> 00:31:43.539 good without promise 00:31:43.539 --> 00:31:44.919 of personal benefit 00:31:44.919 --> 00:31:45.480 in return. 00:31:46.619 --> 00:31:46.959 Joy. 00:31:47.839 --> 00:31:48.879 Finding satisfaction 00:31:48.880 --> 00:31:51.240 in God, not in 00:31:51.240 --> 00:31:52.040 people's responses 00:31:52.040 --> 00:31:52.520 to you. 00:31:53.260 --> 00:31:53.640 Peace. 00:31:54.720 --> 00:31:55.480 Being committed to 00:31:55.480 --> 00:31:56.760 reconciling and 00:31:56.760 --> 00:31:58.040 restoring relationships 00:31:58.040 --> 00:31:58.640 for Ireland, being 00:31:58.640 --> 00:31:59.080 committed to 00:31:59.080 --> 00:31:59.800 destroying them. 00:32:01.580 --> 00:32:02.100 Patience. 00:32:02.400 --> 00:32:03.200 Being generous to 00:32:03.200 --> 00:32:03.900 others when they get 00:32:03.900 --> 00:32:05.100 it wrong, repeatedly. 00:32:06.840 --> 00:32:07.900 Kindness, goodness, 00:32:08.140 --> 00:32:08.860 faithfulness. 00:32:09.800 --> 00:32:10.900 Demonstrating a steady 00:32:10.900 --> 00:32:13.020 display of grace and 00:32:13.020 --> 00:32:14.000 commitment to serving 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:16.060 others when you may 00:32:16.059 --> 00:32:17.279 well have reason to 00:32:17.279 --> 00:32:18.259 withdraw from them 00:32:18.259 --> 00:32:18.799 because of their 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.339 failures. 00:32:23.339 --> 00:32:24.159 Gentleness and 00:32:24.159 --> 00:32:24.819 self-control. 00:32:27.480 --> 00:32:28.579 Humility towards 00:32:28.579 --> 00:32:31.240 others arising from a 00:32:31.240 --> 00:32:33.000 very healthy self-awareness. 00:32:36.639 --> 00:32:37.700 Ask yourself, my 00:32:37.700 --> 00:32:39.940 friends, are you 00:32:39.940 --> 00:32:40.759 growing in Christ? 00:32:40.759 --> 00:32:44.660 Is growing in Christ a 00:32:44.660 --> 00:32:45.460 passion for you? 00:32:52.460 --> 00:32:53.619 Do you think you've 00:32:53.619 --> 00:32:55.660 arrived at an end 00:32:55.660 --> 00:32:57.240 point, the end point 00:32:57.240 --> 00:32:58.359 that God has for you 00:32:58.359 --> 00:32:59.900 simply because you are 00:32:59.900 --> 00:33:00.680 a Christian, you've 00:33:00.680 --> 00:33:02.480 been saved, you've 00:33:02.480 --> 00:33:03.259 been delivered from 00:33:03.259 --> 00:33:04.000 your sin, you're now 00:33:04.000 --> 00:33:04.900 secure, you have a 00:33:04.900 --> 00:33:06.480 place kept for you in 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:06.700 heaven. 00:33:07.319 --> 00:33:08.539 Is that the end point 00:33:08.539 --> 00:33:08.980 for you? 00:33:10.759 --> 00:33:15.660 And so you live 00:33:15.660 --> 00:33:16.980 easily without concern 00:33:16.980 --> 00:33:18.420 to showcase the mind 00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:20.140 of Christ and grow to 00:33:20.140 --> 00:33:21.200 maturity in Christ. 00:33:23.660 --> 00:33:24.859 And I ask each of you, 00:33:25.000 --> 00:33:25.740 as I've looked at 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:27.240 myself this week, and I 00:33:27.240 --> 00:33:28.099 genuinely have looked 00:33:28.099 --> 00:33:28.960 at myself this week, as 00:33:28.960 --> 00:33:29.839 I do every week in 00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:31.440 preparation, I want you 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:32.660 to go back and revisit 00:33:32.660 --> 00:33:33.920 the conversations you've 00:33:33.920 --> 00:33:34.960 had over the past week, 00:33:35.079 --> 00:33:35.980 the past month, the 00:33:35.980 --> 00:33:38.279 past year, and ask 00:33:38.279 --> 00:33:39.460 yourself which 00:33:39.460 --> 00:33:40.740 controlling passion 00:33:40.740 --> 00:33:43.160 did you communicate 00:33:43.160 --> 00:33:44.099 to the person you 00:33:44.099 --> 00:33:45.000 were speaking to in 00:33:45.000 --> 00:33:45.700 your conversation? 00:33:53.200 --> 00:33:55.299 Was it, did it sit 00:33:55.299 --> 00:33:56.500 easily in this context 00:33:56.500 --> 00:33:57.120 of the fruit of the 00:33:57.120 --> 00:33:57.400 Spirit? 00:34:00.299 --> 00:34:01.000 Or would your 00:34:01.000 --> 00:34:02.279 conversations be better 00:34:02.279 --> 00:34:04.380 fit for verse 26? 00:34:07.640 --> 00:34:08.579 Friends, we need to ask 00:34:08.579 --> 00:34:09.780 these tough questions 00:34:09.780 --> 00:34:11.680 individually and as a 00:34:11.680 --> 00:34:11.980 church. 00:34:12.200 --> 00:34:14.500 The general health and 00:34:14.500 --> 00:34:16.040 well-being of our 00:34:16.040 --> 00:34:18.840 church, the authenticity 00:34:18.840 --> 00:34:21.860 of gospel renewal, and 00:34:21.860 --> 00:34:23.760 ultimately the honour of 00:34:23.760 --> 00:34:27.260 God stands or falls in our 00:34:27.260 --> 00:34:28.640 answers to these questions. 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:30.240 Let me pray. 00:34:30.239 --> 00:34:42.500 Lord, your word bites really 00:34:42.500 --> 00:34:43.399 deeply into us. 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:48.219 Forgive us, I pray. 00:34:48.639 --> 00:34:49.639 Forgive me, I pray. 00:34:51.379 --> 00:34:53.559 For the times, oh so many 00:34:53.559 --> 00:34:55.099 times, far too many times, 00:34:55.139 --> 00:34:56.819 when I've lost passion to 00:34:56.820 --> 00:34:59.539 grow in you, but simply 00:34:59.539 --> 00:35:02.960 wallowed in the security I 00:35:02.960 --> 00:35:05.539 have in you. 00:35:08.500 --> 00:35:13.840 Forgive us, Lord, when we 00:35:13.840 --> 00:35:15.280 are better described by verse 00:35:15.280 --> 00:35:19.000 15 and verse 26 than we are 00:35:19.000 --> 00:35:21.039 by verses 22, 23, and 24, 00:35:21.140 --> 00:35:21.940 the fruit of the Spirit. 00:35:23.380 --> 00:35:24.740 Forgive us for that, oh Lord. 00:35:24.739 --> 00:35:27.500 Give us a heart to repent. 00:35:28.759 --> 00:35:30.379 Give us a heart to go back and 00:35:30.379 --> 00:35:32.619 revisit those conversations with 00:35:32.619 --> 00:35:34.539 the people we've spoken to and 00:35:34.539 --> 00:35:35.219 correct them. 00:35:36.299 --> 00:35:37.579 In Jesus' name I pray. 00:35:37.819 --> 00:35:38.059 Amen.