WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:11.480 Well, good morning. It's great to see you all today. Beautiful sunny day. I hope you had a good day yesterday and that you will enjoy the day today. 00:00:12.519 --> 00:00:18.820 Let's open our Bibles then to this passage, Ephesians chapter 2. 00:00:18.820 --> 00:00:36.120 Thank you. I'm going to pray and ask for God to help us as we look at his word together. Let's pray again. 00:00:36.119 --> 00:00:47.839 Father, thank you for this beautiful day. Thank you for the sun that you created. 00:00:47.840 --> 00:01:09.180 And we thank you for your spirit that is now present with us. And we pray that his light would shine in our hearts and warm us afresh to the wonder of your amazing grace. 00:01:09.920 --> 00:01:14.719 So help us now, we pray in Jesus name. Amen. 00:01:14.719 --> 00:01:25.799 So we're starting a new series today, asking the question, the big question is, what is a Christian? 00:01:26.900 --> 00:01:33.719 And over the next few weeks, we're going to take some of the main themes that tell us what a Christian is. 00:01:33.900 --> 00:01:40.200 So you can think of it like this. Think of an orange. OK, the orange is the Christian. 00:01:40.200 --> 00:01:49.240 And we're going to take a segment of that piece and we're going to look at it week by week to see what it has to say. 00:01:49.359 --> 00:01:53.540 And then hopefully we'll have a complete picture of what a Christian is. 00:01:53.960 --> 00:02:00.460 So this morning, we're going to see that a Christian is someone who is saved by grace. 00:02:00.960 --> 00:02:03.420 So look at the end of verse five with me. 00:02:03.420 --> 00:02:09.659 It is by grace you have been saved. 00:02:10.300 --> 00:02:14.539 And in case we forget, it's repeated for us in verse eight. 00:02:16.240 --> 00:02:20.240 For it is by grace you have been saved. 00:02:21.860 --> 00:02:25.020 Now, grace is a word we use quite a bit. 00:02:26.159 --> 00:02:29.639 And so I've got a definition here. You can see it on screen. 00:02:29.639 --> 00:02:34.659 You can tell me what you think of it later. Maybe you can come up with something better. 00:02:34.779 --> 00:02:39.859 But here we go. Grace means God's joyful acceptance of us. 00:02:40.679 --> 00:02:44.279 Not because we have earned it or deserved it. 00:02:44.959 --> 00:02:51.699 But because he delights to give it to us freely at Christ's expense. 00:02:53.099 --> 00:02:55.619 God joyfully accepts us. 00:02:55.620 --> 00:03:00.280 He delights to give us his grace. 00:03:01.219 --> 00:03:04.680 You see, grace is what makes us a Christian. 00:03:05.099 --> 00:03:10.159 We don't become a Christian by birth or our heritage or our tradition. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:16.040 It's not even my decision that I become a Christian. 00:03:17.040 --> 00:03:20.520 It's not by our effort or our performance. 00:03:20.520 --> 00:03:24.040 So God looks down and says, oh, well, they've read their Bible. 00:03:24.159 --> 00:03:25.360 They've been going to church. 00:03:26.000 --> 00:03:27.580 I'll make them a Christian. 00:03:27.780 --> 00:03:29.480 It's not by our effort. 00:03:29.700 --> 00:03:31.540 Do you see what it says in verse nine? 00:03:32.780 --> 00:03:33.719 Thank you, Daniel. 00:03:34.180 --> 00:03:35.600 Do you see what it says in verse nine? 00:03:36.420 --> 00:03:41.620 Not by works so that no one can boast. 00:03:41.620 --> 00:03:52.740 If we're a Christian today, it's because of God's kindness and goodness, which is unearned and undeserved. 00:03:53.340 --> 00:03:58.819 So we're going to unpack that this morning by looking at three big themes. 00:03:59.060 --> 00:04:02.780 And each of them have a number of points, but we're going to go through them quickly. 00:04:02.780 --> 00:04:07.400 So you can follow along on the screen or write in your notes. 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:10.500 So here's the first big idea this morning. 00:04:10.500 --> 00:04:14.759 First, we're dead without grace. 00:04:15.840 --> 00:04:17.720 But you say, no, I'm quite alive today. 00:04:17.839 --> 00:04:18.600 I'm speaking. 00:04:18.759 --> 00:04:19.319 I can hear. 00:04:19.759 --> 00:04:27.480 No, the writer is describing what life is like before we become a Christian. 00:04:28.399 --> 00:04:29.839 OK, so look at verse one. 00:04:31.180 --> 00:04:38.060 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins. 00:04:38.060 --> 00:04:41.899 It's like we're spiritual zombies. 00:04:42.399 --> 00:04:45.740 You've seen some of those films or the programs on TV. 00:04:46.319 --> 00:04:48.860 We are literally the walking dead. 00:04:49.759 --> 00:04:52.819 Look at what our dead life is like. 00:04:52.920 --> 00:04:54.199 We're dead in sin. 00:04:54.579 --> 00:04:56.579 And it's described in three ways. 00:04:56.579 --> 00:05:00.219 First, we follow the ways of the world. 00:05:00.879 --> 00:05:02.579 Let's read verses one and two. 00:05:02.719 --> 00:05:12.599 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins in which you used to live when you followed the ways of the world. 00:05:12.600 --> 00:05:20.400 The ways of the world is a way, is a path that walks away from God. 00:05:20.640 --> 00:05:25.780 It's a life that resists and rejects God's rule. 00:05:25.779 --> 00:05:29.359 But not only do we follow the ways of the world. 00:05:30.259 --> 00:05:31.000 Keep with me. 00:05:31.119 --> 00:05:33.439 We follow the way of the devil. 00:05:33.599 --> 00:05:34.859 Look at the rest of verse two. 00:05:35.559 --> 00:05:42.959 We follow the ways of this world and we follow the ruler of the kingdom of the air. 00:05:44.199 --> 00:05:46.959 You know who that is, the ruler of the kingdom of the air? 00:05:47.819 --> 00:05:48.919 It's the devil. 00:05:48.920 --> 00:05:53.800 And his work is to tell us lies. 00:05:54.620 --> 00:05:57.860 The kind of lies that he's used from the very beginning of time. 00:05:58.280 --> 00:06:03.020 A lie that says things like, you can be like God. 00:06:04.300 --> 00:06:07.879 You decide what is right and wrong. 00:06:08.819 --> 00:06:16.580 And we can't help but listen to him and follow him and live disobedient lives. 00:06:16.579 --> 00:06:19.199 So we follow the ways of the world. 00:06:20.120 --> 00:06:22.120 We follow the way of the devil. 00:06:23.459 --> 00:06:26.379 And third, we follow the way of our desires. 00:06:26.659 --> 00:06:27.620 Look at verse three. 00:06:29.439 --> 00:06:33.319 All of us also lived among them at one time. 00:06:33.399 --> 00:06:38.379 So again, he's talking about a life before you become a Christian. 00:06:38.579 --> 00:06:39.680 This is what it's like. 00:06:39.680 --> 00:06:50.040 You are gratifying the cravings of your flesh and following its desires and thoughts. 00:06:51.040 --> 00:06:59.740 It's very simply saying that we want, we work, we will pursue for whatever we desire. 00:06:59.740 --> 00:07:09.379 And the problem is, before we're a Christian, the only thing we desire is what I want for me. 00:07:10.079 --> 00:07:12.019 We don't desire God. 00:07:12.819 --> 00:07:15.840 Essentially, we live with self at the centre. 00:07:16.060 --> 00:07:19.199 We remove God from the centre and put ourselves at the centre. 00:07:19.720 --> 00:07:24.879 We feed and we pursue our selfish desires. 00:07:24.879 --> 00:07:31.040 Now this is what it means to be spiritually dead. 00:07:31.759 --> 00:07:36.259 It's like we've joined humanity's great protest against God. 00:07:36.519 --> 00:07:39.079 You've seen protests walking down the streets. 00:07:40.000 --> 00:07:43.100 Well, we're part of this great big cosmic march. 00:07:43.519 --> 00:07:45.899 And we're all holding up our placard saying, 00:07:46.459 --> 00:07:48.860 My way, not God's way. 00:07:49.740 --> 00:07:52.439 My will, not God's will. 00:07:52.439 --> 00:07:56.480 We're like spiritual zombies. 00:07:57.620 --> 00:07:59.600 We're the walking dead. 00:08:00.600 --> 00:08:05.139 We don't want or desire to walk any other way. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:11.800 And without grace, that's me and that's you. 00:08:12.759 --> 00:08:14.060 What do you think about that? 00:08:14.120 --> 00:08:15.459 Do you like that diagnosis? 00:08:15.459 --> 00:08:19.180 Well, there's more to it. 00:08:20.219 --> 00:08:24.279 Because that puts us into a very, very difficult situation. 00:08:25.639 --> 00:08:29.680 We are deserving of God's wrath. 00:08:30.639 --> 00:08:31.459 Did you see that? 00:08:31.539 --> 00:08:32.480 The end of verse 3? 00:08:33.220 --> 00:08:38.240 For those who follow the ways of the world, the way of the devil and the way of our desires. 00:08:39.019 --> 00:08:40.600 Look at the rest of verse 3. 00:08:40.600 --> 00:08:48.779 We, like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 00:08:49.820 --> 00:08:54.320 Well, I know we don't like to talk about wrath and God being anger. 00:08:54.659 --> 00:08:56.240 Surely God's a God of love. 00:08:56.680 --> 00:08:57.379 Yes, he is. 00:08:57.500 --> 00:08:59.060 But he's a loving God. 00:08:59.639 --> 00:09:01.639 He's not temper-like. 00:09:02.019 --> 00:09:03.460 He doesn't lose his control. 00:09:03.460 --> 00:09:09.519 You can't press God's buttons by living a certain way and he just responds in an outrage. 00:09:10.840 --> 00:09:13.460 No, God's wrath is fair. 00:09:14.300 --> 00:09:15.420 It's just. 00:09:16.139 --> 00:09:17.879 It's been reasoned. 00:09:18.680 --> 00:09:23.700 It's God's response to people like us who follow the way of the world, 00:09:24.360 --> 00:09:26.280 who follow the lies of the devil, 00:09:26.860 --> 00:09:29.740 and who follow the ways of our own desires. 00:09:29.740 --> 00:09:37.460 By our nature, a nature that we're born with and a nature that we live with, 00:09:37.720 --> 00:09:40.000 we're all set against God. 00:09:41.120 --> 00:09:44.500 And that puts us on a collision course with God. 00:09:44.720 --> 00:09:46.519 We're under his justice. 00:09:48.019 --> 00:09:50.200 And God can't overlook our sin. 00:09:51.100 --> 00:09:54.440 He can't pretend, oh, just live as you want, it's all right. 00:09:54.440 --> 00:09:59.740 No, God cannot tolerate our protest forever. 00:10:01.120 --> 00:10:04.900 In other words, if we follow the world, 00:10:05.940 --> 00:10:07.660 if we follow the devil, 00:10:08.880 --> 00:10:11.600 and if we follow our own desires, 00:10:12.480 --> 00:10:16.000 it means we're taking a path, we're walking a path, 00:10:16.440 --> 00:10:18.960 that will lead us to hell. 00:10:18.960 --> 00:10:24.019 A life separated from God and his goodness. 00:10:24.920 --> 00:10:26.740 And all that is beautiful forever. 00:10:29.220 --> 00:10:32.680 Now, it's going to get worse. 00:10:33.560 --> 00:10:34.519 Follow with me. 00:10:35.500 --> 00:10:38.280 Because if we're spiritually dead, 00:10:39.300 --> 00:10:42.940 that means you and I can't change our predicament, 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:46.639 and nor do we actually want to change. 00:10:46.639 --> 00:10:49.819 Just think about this with me for a minute. 00:10:50.519 --> 00:10:52.139 Just think of a food, 00:10:52.720 --> 00:10:55.600 a particular food that you really don't like. 00:10:56.259 --> 00:10:56.399 Okay? 00:10:56.779 --> 00:10:58.539 Think of a food you don't like. 00:11:00.240 --> 00:11:02.199 Mine is sandwich spread. 00:11:03.199 --> 00:11:04.419 Do you ever eat that stuff? 00:11:05.360 --> 00:11:07.759 It's a paste with cut up vegetables 00:11:07.759 --> 00:11:10.679 and horrible things like celery and peppers 00:11:10.679 --> 00:11:13.000 in a detestable sauce. 00:11:13.319 --> 00:11:14.559 It says cream sauce. 00:11:14.559 --> 00:11:16.439 No, it's not cream sauce. 00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:19.220 I hate sandwich spread. 00:11:20.000 --> 00:11:22.399 I have no desire for it. 00:11:22.600 --> 00:11:24.840 I don't even want to like it. 00:11:24.980 --> 00:11:27.080 If there was a course put on and said, 00:11:27.439 --> 00:11:30.840 come to this course and we will help you like sandwich spread. 00:11:31.120 --> 00:11:32.659 No, I'm not going to like it. 00:11:33.340 --> 00:11:34.500 Put it anywhere near me 00:11:34.500 --> 00:11:36.279 and I'm going to run in the opposite direction. 00:11:36.639 --> 00:11:39.340 I don't want sandwich spread. 00:11:39.340 --> 00:11:42.800 Do you believe that truth about ourselves before we are Christians? 00:11:42.799 --> 00:11:44.179 Well, if you don't believe what I've tried to say, 00:11:44.179 --> 00:11:45.179 I'm going to say, 00:11:45.179 --> 00:11:46.139 I'm going to say, 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:47.019 I'm going to say, 00:11:47.019 --> 00:11:49.099 I have no desire for God. 00:11:49.100 --> 00:11:54.159 I do not even want to desire God. 00:11:54.159 --> 00:11:57.439 put God anywhere near me 00:11:57.439 --> 00:11:59.639 and I'm going to run away. 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.639 I don't want it. 00:12:01.639 --> 00:12:08.679 Do you believe that truth about ourselves before we are Christians? 00:12:08.679 --> 00:12:13.399 Well, if you don't believe what I've tried to illustrate, 00:12:14.679 --> 00:12:17.099 go back to Romans chapter 3. 00:12:17.219 --> 00:12:22.779 Go back a few pages to Romans chapter 3. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:32.159 The whole case at the beginning of Romans is showing that everybody, 00:12:32.539 --> 00:12:35.459 no matter our background, our religion, our culture, 00:12:36.500 --> 00:12:38.579 that we're all guilty before God. 00:12:40.919 --> 00:12:44.100 We're going to pick it up in verse 10. 00:12:45.500 --> 00:12:47.639 Romans chapter 3 in verse 10. 00:12:49.319 --> 00:12:50.639 As it is written, 00:12:50.639 --> 00:12:53.899 There is no one righteous, 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:56.279 not even one. 00:12:58.360 --> 00:13:01.080 There is no one who understands. 00:13:02.679 --> 00:13:07.199 There is no one who seeks God. 00:13:09.340 --> 00:13:11.039 Do you believe that? 00:13:11.759 --> 00:13:13.439 Before you are a Christian, 00:13:14.759 --> 00:13:16.919 you do not seek God. 00:13:17.659 --> 00:13:19.200 You've no desire for him. 00:13:19.200 --> 00:13:23.540 Let's go back to Ephesians chapter 2. 00:13:24.400 --> 00:13:26.340 One writer put it like this. 00:13:28.200 --> 00:13:31.879 No one prompted by their own decision and acting 00:13:31.879 --> 00:13:33.660 in their own ability 00:13:33.660 --> 00:13:37.000 wants to find God. 00:13:38.180 --> 00:13:38.900 We say, 00:13:39.040 --> 00:13:39.820 no, no, no, no. 00:13:40.259 --> 00:13:41.200 I did. 00:13:41.879 --> 00:13:43.620 I wanted to find God. 00:13:43.620 --> 00:13:45.340 Well, no, no, no, no. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:45.519 No, no, no, no. 00:13:45.519 --> 00:13:45.620 No, no, no, no, no, no. 00:13:45.620 --> 00:13:46.960 No, no, no, no, no, no, no, no, no. 00:13:46.960 --> 00:13:48.740 More about that later in a minute. 00:13:49.639 --> 00:13:52.139 You see, left in our dead state, 00:13:53.039 --> 00:13:54.820 we do not seek God. 00:13:55.600 --> 00:14:00.120 Dead people cannot make themselves alive again. 00:14:01.240 --> 00:14:04.419 Do you know anybody who made themselves rise from the dead? 00:14:04.419 --> 00:14:08.299 Just as we can't do that physically, 00:14:09.240 --> 00:14:12.099 so we can't make ourselves spiritually alive. 00:14:12.719 --> 00:14:13.459 We're dead. 00:14:15.059 --> 00:14:16.559 Now the question is, 00:14:17.500 --> 00:14:20.839 will you accept God's diagnosis of your life? 00:14:20.840 --> 00:14:25.100 I'm dead in my sins, 00:14:26.320 --> 00:14:28.000 deserving of God's wrath. 00:14:29.540 --> 00:14:30.820 Without grace, 00:14:31.980 --> 00:14:33.120 this is who I am. 00:14:37.220 --> 00:14:37.800 Well, 00:14:38.340 --> 00:14:40.620 doesn't sound great, does it? 00:14:40.980 --> 00:14:42.180 But we need to hear 00:14:42.180 --> 00:14:44.280 what God says. 00:14:45.379 --> 00:14:45.900 Second, 00:14:48.300 --> 00:14:49.940 saved by grace, 00:14:49.940 --> 00:14:51.400 dead without grace, 00:14:52.460 --> 00:14:53.860 saved by grace. 00:14:54.560 --> 00:14:56.020 Let's pick it up in verse 4. 00:14:57.700 --> 00:14:58.220 But, 00:14:58.640 --> 00:15:00.360 so something's changed. 00:15:00.480 --> 00:15:01.440 There's an intervention. 00:15:01.820 --> 00:15:02.720 Something has happened. 00:15:03.240 --> 00:15:04.640 God has done something. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:05.940 Verse 4. 00:15:06.600 --> 00:15:06.940 But, 00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:09.420 because of his great love for us, 00:15:10.100 --> 00:15:10.640 God, 00:15:10.760 --> 00:15:11.900 who is rich in mercy, 00:15:12.860 --> 00:15:13.760 made us 00:15:13.760 --> 00:15:15.060 alive. 00:15:16.680 --> 00:15:17.380 He is 00:15:17.380 --> 00:15:18.260 rich 00:15:18.259 --> 00:15:20.139 rich in mercy. 00:15:21.259 --> 00:15:22.879 God didn't respond 00:15:22.879 --> 00:15:25.340 because we were pleading for mercy. 00:15:26.539 --> 00:15:26.879 No, 00:15:27.000 --> 00:15:28.319 God acted. 00:15:29.019 --> 00:15:30.399 God took the initiative. 00:15:31.200 --> 00:15:32.919 God moved towards us 00:15:32.919 --> 00:15:33.460 because 00:15:33.460 --> 00:15:34.259 he 00:15:34.259 --> 00:15:36.000 is rich in mercy. 00:15:37.779 --> 00:15:40.279 And look at how God intervened in our life. 00:15:40.279 --> 00:15:41.699 it's amazing. 00:15:41.699 --> 00:15:42.699 It's beautiful. 00:15:42.699 --> 00:15:44.000 Three things. 00:15:44.179 --> 00:15:44.459 First, 00:15:45.299 --> 00:15:46.879 he made us alive 00:15:46.879 --> 00:15:48.419 with Christ. 00:15:49.019 --> 00:15:51.019 Let's read those couple of verses again. 00:15:51.120 --> 00:15:51.659 Verse 4. 00:15:52.519 --> 00:15:54.179 Because of his great love for us, 00:15:54.620 --> 00:15:54.939 God, 00:15:55.059 --> 00:15:57.059 who is rich in mercy, 00:15:58.059 --> 00:16:00.139 made us alive with Christ, 00:16:00.139 --> 00:16:03.000 even when we were dead 00:16:03.000 --> 00:16:05.319 in our transgressions. 00:16:06.819 --> 00:16:09.059 We were spiritually dead, 00:16:09.840 --> 00:16:11.080 but now he says, 00:16:11.299 --> 00:16:13.220 you can be made alive. 00:16:14.500 --> 00:16:14.879 Well, 00:16:14.919 --> 00:16:15.879 how does that happen? 00:16:16.740 --> 00:16:17.199 Well, 00:16:17.259 --> 00:16:18.059 when Christ 00:16:18.059 --> 00:16:19.899 died on the cross, 00:16:20.360 --> 00:16:21.919 something extraordinary 00:16:21.919 --> 00:16:23.059 took place. 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:24.779 Christ 00:16:24.779 --> 00:16:25.879 took my 00:16:25.879 --> 00:16:27.500 dead in sin 00:16:27.500 --> 00:16:28.679 kind of life 00:16:28.679 --> 00:16:31.159 and he made it his own. 00:16:32.699 --> 00:16:33.559 It was as if 00:16:33.559 --> 00:16:34.439 Christ, 00:16:34.599 --> 00:16:35.419 or not as if, 00:16:35.479 --> 00:16:36.099 it was 00:16:36.099 --> 00:16:36.859 that Christ 00:16:36.859 --> 00:16:37.659 was treated 00:16:37.659 --> 00:16:39.259 as someone 00:16:39.259 --> 00:16:41.079 who followed 00:16:41.079 --> 00:16:42.279 the ways of the world, 00:16:43.019 --> 00:16:43.939 followed the way 00:16:43.939 --> 00:16:44.579 of the devil, 00:16:44.979 --> 00:16:45.659 and followed 00:16:45.659 --> 00:16:46.599 his own desires. 00:16:46.959 --> 00:16:47.599 He took 00:16:47.599 --> 00:16:48.699 my dead 00:16:48.699 --> 00:16:49.539 in sin 00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.379 life 00:16:50.379 --> 00:16:52.460 and the wrath 00:16:52.460 --> 00:16:53.039 of God, 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:53.779 the judgment 00:16:53.779 --> 00:16:54.840 that I deserve, 00:16:55.259 --> 00:16:56.019 fell 00:16:56.019 --> 00:16:57.639 on Christ 00:16:57.639 --> 00:16:59.899 and was absorbed 00:16:59.899 --> 00:17:00.679 by him. 00:17:01.899 --> 00:17:03.379 My spiritual 00:17:03.379 --> 00:17:04.700 dead life 00:17:04.700 --> 00:17:06.180 was put 00:17:06.180 --> 00:17:07.200 to death 00:17:07.200 --> 00:17:09.099 in the death 00:17:09.099 --> 00:17:09.640 of Jesus. 00:17:11.200 --> 00:17:12.539 My dead 00:17:12.539 --> 00:17:13.140 life 00:17:13.140 --> 00:17:14.740 was put 00:17:14.740 --> 00:17:15.400 to death. 00:17:16.720 --> 00:17:17.539 But more 00:17:17.539 --> 00:17:18.180 than that, 00:17:19.299 --> 00:17:19.940 not only 00:17:19.940 --> 00:17:20.580 were we made 00:17:20.580 --> 00:17:21.140 alive, 00:17:21.680 --> 00:17:22.340 we were 00:17:22.340 --> 00:17:23.100 raised 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:24.440 with Christ. 00:17:25.059 --> 00:17:25.440 Look at 00:17:25.440 --> 00:17:26.140 verse 6. 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.740 And God 00:17:28.740 --> 00:17:29.460 raised us 00:17:29.460 --> 00:17:29.820 up 00:17:29.820 --> 00:17:31.340 with Christ. 00:17:32.559 --> 00:17:33.460 When Christ 00:17:33.460 --> 00:17:34.519 died on the 00:17:34.519 --> 00:17:34.960 cross, 00:17:35.340 --> 00:17:35.860 physically 00:17:35.860 --> 00:17:36.720 he died, 00:17:37.140 --> 00:17:37.900 he was raised 00:17:37.900 --> 00:17:38.559 from the dead, 00:17:39.000 --> 00:17:39.840 so he's saying 00:17:39.840 --> 00:17:40.880 you too 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:41.640 had a 00:17:41.640 --> 00:17:42.320 spiritual 00:17:42.320 --> 00:17:43.200 resurrection 00:17:43.200 --> 00:17:44.380 in your life. 00:17:45.360 --> 00:17:45.680 We 00:17:45.680 --> 00:17:47.120 came alive 00:17:47.120 --> 00:17:48.000 to God. 00:17:48.320 --> 00:17:48.779 We were 00:17:48.779 --> 00:17:49.900 drawn to him. 00:17:49.940 --> 00:17:50.620 we had 00:17:50.620 --> 00:17:51.299 a desire 00:17:51.299 --> 00:17:51.779 for him. 00:17:52.180 --> 00:17:52.740 We began 00:17:52.740 --> 00:17:53.440 to pursue 00:17:53.440 --> 00:17:54.000 him. 00:17:54.580 --> 00:17:54.940 God 00:17:54.940 --> 00:17:55.940 breathed 00:17:55.940 --> 00:17:57.140 new life 00:17:57.140 --> 00:17:58.000 into our 00:17:58.000 --> 00:17:58.740 spiritual 00:17:58.740 --> 00:17:59.759 dead 00:17:59.759 --> 00:18:00.840 lives. 00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.799 He 00:18:02.799 --> 00:18:04.039 resurrected 00:18:04.039 --> 00:18:04.720 us. 00:18:05.860 --> 00:18:06.320 We were 00:18:06.320 --> 00:18:07.140 dead in our 00:18:07.140 --> 00:18:07.539 sin. 00:18:08.180 --> 00:18:08.820 Now we've 00:18:08.820 --> 00:18:09.259 been made 00:18:09.259 --> 00:18:09.799 alive 00:18:09.799 --> 00:18:11.059 with Christ. 00:18:13.400 --> 00:18:14.580 But he also 00:18:14.580 --> 00:18:15.299 did something 00:18:15.299 --> 00:18:16.120 more wonderful 00:18:16.120 --> 00:18:16.640 again. 00:18:17.779 --> 00:18:18.340 Do you see it 00:18:18.340 --> 00:18:18.500 there, 00:18:18.500 --> 00:18:18.940 the rest 00:18:18.940 --> 00:18:19.319 of verse 00:18:19.319 --> 00:18:19.700 6? 00:18:21.299 --> 00:18:22.299 We were 00:18:22.299 --> 00:18:23.339 raised up 00:18:23.339 --> 00:18:24.539 with Christ. 00:18:25.240 --> 00:18:26.099 Not just 00:18:26.099 --> 00:18:27.019 raised with 00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:28.160 him, but 00:18:28.160 --> 00:18:28.880 he seated 00:18:28.880 --> 00:18:29.660 us with 00:18:29.660 --> 00:18:30.640 him in 00:18:30.640 --> 00:18:31.279 the heavenly 00:18:31.279 --> 00:18:32.859 realms in 00:18:32.859 --> 00:18:33.779 Christ Jesus. 00:18:34.740 --> 00:18:35.960 When Christ 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.779 was raised, 00:18:37.380 --> 00:18:38.240 he ascended 00:18:38.240 --> 00:18:38.960 into heaven 00:18:38.960 --> 00:18:40.240 and was 00:18:40.240 --> 00:18:40.960 seated at the 00:18:40.960 --> 00:18:41.519 right hand of 00:18:41.519 --> 00:18:41.900 the Father. 00:18:42.000 --> 00:18:42.359 That's a 00:18:42.359 --> 00:18:42.920 position of 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:44.119 all power and 00:18:44.119 --> 00:18:44.680 authority. 00:18:44.680 --> 00:18:46.060 God 00:18:46.060 --> 00:18:46.279 and because 00:18:46.279 --> 00:18:46.740 we have 00:18:46.740 --> 00:18:46.920 been 00:18:46.920 --> 00:18:47.700 spiritually 00:18:47.700 --> 00:18:48.519 raised and 00:18:48.519 --> 00:18:49.039 given new 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:50.160 life, we 00:18:50.160 --> 00:18:51.019 are seated 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:52.220 with him. 00:18:53.440 --> 00:18:53.980 In other 00:18:53.980 --> 00:18:55.100 words, God 00:18:55.100 --> 00:18:55.920 now treats 00:18:55.920 --> 00:18:57.200 us as his 00:18:57.200 --> 00:18:57.940 own son. 00:18:59.120 --> 00:19:00.060 Because my 00:19:00.060 --> 00:19:01.060 dead in sin 00:19:01.060 --> 00:19:01.680 life was 00:19:01.680 --> 00:19:02.320 dealt with, 00:19:02.680 --> 00:19:03.220 because I 00:19:03.220 --> 00:19:04.000 now have the 00:19:04.000 --> 00:19:04.480 life of 00:19:04.480 --> 00:19:05.500 Christ, I 00:19:05.500 --> 00:19:05.960 am now 00:19:05.960 --> 00:19:07.220 welcomed, I 00:19:07.220 --> 00:19:07.860 am now 00:19:07.860 --> 00:19:09.380 accepted, I 00:19:09.380 --> 00:19:09.900 am now 00:19:09.900 --> 00:19:11.019 treasured. 00:19:11.019 --> 00:19:13.039 That's 00:19:13.039 --> 00:19:13.900 what happens 00:19:13.900 --> 00:19:15.139 when God, 00:19:15.319 --> 00:19:16.359 who is rich 00:19:16.359 --> 00:19:17.220 in mercy, 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.660 reaches out 00:19:18.660 --> 00:19:19.619 and intervenes 00:19:19.619 --> 00:19:20.099 into our 00:19:20.099 --> 00:19:20.460 life. 00:19:20.980 --> 00:19:21.740 God takes 00:19:21.740 --> 00:19:22.359 us from the 00:19:22.359 --> 00:19:23.039 path of 00:19:23.039 --> 00:19:24.180 walking the 00:19:24.180 --> 00:19:24.819 way of the 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:25.299 dead. 00:19:26.139 --> 00:19:26.940 He makes 00:19:26.940 --> 00:19:27.980 us alive 00:19:27.980 --> 00:19:28.900 and rises 00:19:28.900 --> 00:19:29.920 us up, so 00:19:29.920 --> 00:19:30.740 we now walk 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:31.680 a new path. 00:19:32.519 --> 00:19:33.420 We now have 00:19:33.420 --> 00:19:34.400 desires for 00:19:34.400 --> 00:19:34.940 God and 00:19:34.940 --> 00:19:35.700 loves for 00:19:35.700 --> 00:19:36.000 God. 00:19:36.400 --> 00:19:36.940 We seek 00:19:36.940 --> 00:19:37.440 him, we 00:19:37.440 --> 00:19:38.319 pursue him. 00:19:38.319 --> 00:19:40.779 we wonderfully 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:43.139 receive his 00:19:43.139 --> 00:19:44.759 grace that 00:19:44.759 --> 00:19:45.799 saves us. 00:19:47.399 --> 00:19:48.639 We are 00:19:48.639 --> 00:19:52.419 recipients of 00:19:52.419 --> 00:19:53.419 God's grace. 00:19:54.220 --> 00:19:54.720 Look at 00:19:54.720 --> 00:19:55.539 verse 7 with 00:19:55.539 --> 00:19:55.819 me. 00:19:58.240 --> 00:19:59.259 God did 00:19:59.259 --> 00:20:00.000 all this. 00:20:00.819 --> 00:20:01.279 God did 00:20:01.279 --> 00:20:01.919 us making 00:20:01.919 --> 00:20:02.379 alive, 00:20:02.759 --> 00:20:03.460 resurrecting 00:20:03.460 --> 00:20:04.039 us, seating 00:20:04.039 --> 00:20:04.539 us with 00:20:04.539 --> 00:20:04.779 him. 00:20:05.059 --> 00:20:05.579 He did 00:20:05.579 --> 00:20:06.399 all of 00:20:06.399 --> 00:20:07.000 that work 00:20:07.000 --> 00:20:07.519 for us, 00:20:07.639 --> 00:20:08.179 verse 7, 00:20:08.319 --> 00:20:09.299 in order 00:20:09.299 --> 00:20:09.799 that in 00:20:09.799 --> 00:20:10.359 the coming 00:20:10.359 --> 00:20:12.200 ages, he 00:20:12.200 --> 00:20:12.939 might show 00:20:12.939 --> 00:20:14.799 the incomparable 00:20:14.799 --> 00:20:15.599 riches of 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:16.359 his grace 00:20:16.359 --> 00:20:18.519 expressed in 00:20:18.519 --> 00:20:19.139 his kindness 00:20:19.139 --> 00:20:19.939 to us in 00:20:19.939 --> 00:20:20.759 Christ Jesus. 00:20:22.119 --> 00:20:23.039 God did 00:20:23.039 --> 00:20:23.619 this. 00:20:24.799 --> 00:20:25.859 God acts 00:20:25.859 --> 00:20:26.859 in grace 00:20:26.859 --> 00:20:28.240 towards people 00:20:28.240 --> 00:20:29.179 like us 00:20:29.179 --> 00:20:30.980 to show 00:20:30.980 --> 00:20:31.539 to a 00:20:31.539 --> 00:20:32.019 watching 00:20:32.019 --> 00:20:32.819 world 00:20:32.819 --> 00:20:34.039 how 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.679 gracious 00:20:34.679 --> 00:20:36.439 God is. 00:20:36.440 --> 00:20:37.440 God's 00:20:37.440 --> 00:20:37.660 grace. 00:20:37.660 --> 00:20:37.960 It's like 00:20:37.960 --> 00:20:38.539 we become 00:20:38.539 --> 00:20:39.120 a living 00:20:39.120 --> 00:20:39.980 display 00:20:39.980 --> 00:20:41.340 of God's 00:20:41.340 --> 00:20:41.820 grace. 00:20:42.960 --> 00:20:43.500 Think of 00:20:43.500 --> 00:20:43.880 it like 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:44.360 this. 00:20:44.860 --> 00:20:45.299 When an 00:20:45.299 --> 00:20:45.920 artist, for 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.320 those of 00:20:46.320 --> 00:20:46.759 you who 00:20:46.759 --> 00:20:48.279 can draw 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:48.880 and paint 00:20:48.880 --> 00:20:49.200 and all 00:20:49.200 --> 00:20:49.580 that sort 00:20:49.580 --> 00:20:49.880 of thing, 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:50.799 when you're 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:51.620 finished your 00:20:51.620 --> 00:20:52.140 work, 00:20:53.340 --> 00:20:54.160 you hang 00:20:54.160 --> 00:20:54.580 it up, 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.100 don't you? 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.580 A great 00:20:56.580 --> 00:20:57.259 artist will 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:57.799 be able to 00:20:57.799 --> 00:20:58.259 hang it up 00:20:58.259 --> 00:20:58.640 in a 00:20:58.640 --> 00:20:59.200 gallery. 00:21:00.100 --> 00:21:00.600 They put 00:21:00.600 --> 00:21:01.360 their artwork 00:21:01.360 --> 00:21:02.360 on display 00:21:02.359 --> 00:21:03.459 for people 00:21:03.459 --> 00:21:04.119 to be able 00:21:04.119 --> 00:21:04.699 to see. 00:21:05.199 --> 00:21:05.479 And as 00:21:05.479 --> 00:21:06.219 people walk 00:21:06.219 --> 00:21:06.879 around and 00:21:06.879 --> 00:21:07.599 stop and 00:21:07.599 --> 00:21:08.139 sit and 00:21:08.139 --> 00:21:08.899 look at 00:21:08.899 --> 00:21:09.639 these beautiful 00:21:09.639 --> 00:21:10.099 pictures, 00:21:10.519 --> 00:21:11.319 they marvel 00:21:11.319 --> 00:21:12.599 at the 00:21:12.599 --> 00:21:13.019 picture. 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.819 But not 00:21:14.819 --> 00:21:15.459 just at the 00:21:15.459 --> 00:21:15.819 picture, 00:21:16.240 --> 00:21:17.000 they marvel 00:21:17.000 --> 00:21:17.539 at the 00:21:17.539 --> 00:21:18.079 artist. 00:21:20.039 --> 00:21:20.419 You see, 00:21:20.500 --> 00:21:20.759 when you 00:21:20.759 --> 00:21:21.240 look at the 00:21:21.240 --> 00:21:21.599 picture, 00:21:22.019 --> 00:21:23.059 you celebrate 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:24.519 the artist. 00:21:26.699 --> 00:21:27.299 But when 00:21:27.299 --> 00:21:28.179 God acts 00:21:28.179 --> 00:21:28.859 in grace 00:21:28.859 --> 00:21:29.819 towards us, 00:21:29.819 --> 00:21:30.799 it's like 00:21:30.799 --> 00:21:31.799 he puts 00:21:31.799 --> 00:21:33.039 us on 00:21:33.039 --> 00:21:33.859 display 00:21:33.859 --> 00:21:35.079 before a 00:21:35.079 --> 00:21:35.879 watching world. 00:21:36.259 --> 00:21:36.879 He hangs 00:21:36.879 --> 00:21:37.539 us up and 00:21:37.539 --> 00:21:37.759 says, 00:21:38.159 --> 00:21:38.559 look! 00:21:41.440 --> 00:21:42.519 Not so 00:21:42.519 --> 00:21:43.240 that people 00:21:43.240 --> 00:21:43.740 would think 00:21:43.740 --> 00:21:44.319 how great 00:21:44.319 --> 00:21:45.059 we are, 00:21:46.299 --> 00:21:47.480 but people 00:21:47.480 --> 00:21:48.159 will look 00:21:48.159 --> 00:21:48.960 at us 00:21:48.960 --> 00:21:50.940 and see 00:21:50.940 --> 00:21:52.099 how amazing 00:21:52.099 --> 00:21:53.480 and how 00:21:53.480 --> 00:21:54.139 rich 00:21:54.139 --> 00:21:55.359 God's 00:21:55.359 --> 00:21:56.139 grace is 00:21:56.139 --> 00:21:57.119 to people 00:21:57.119 --> 00:21:57.940 like us. 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.759 That God 00:21:59.759 --> 00:22:00.480 could change 00:22:00.480 --> 00:22:00.879 us and 00:22:00.879 --> 00:22:01.619 save us. 00:22:01.799 --> 00:22:02.799 that's 00:22:02.799 --> 00:22:03.440 worth putting 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:04.159 on display 00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:04.579 to the 00:22:04.579 --> 00:22:05.000 world. 00:22:06.480 --> 00:22:06.859 You see, 00:22:06.940 --> 00:22:07.460 the wonder 00:22:07.460 --> 00:22:07.919 is, 00:22:08.419 --> 00:22:09.279 God delights 00:22:09.279 --> 00:22:09.819 in giving 00:22:09.819 --> 00:22:11.039 grace to 00:22:11.039 --> 00:22:11.700 dead in 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:12.079 sin, 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.480 deserving of 00:22:13.480 --> 00:22:13.839 wrath, 00:22:14.000 --> 00:22:14.599 people like 00:22:14.599 --> 00:22:15.139 us. 00:22:16.460 --> 00:22:16.960 God 00:22:16.960 --> 00:22:17.680 saves us 00:22:17.680 --> 00:22:18.480 by grace 00:22:18.480 --> 00:22:19.720 so that 00:22:19.720 --> 00:22:20.220 we might 00:22:20.220 --> 00:22:20.960 praise him. 00:22:22.419 --> 00:22:23.039 Now, 00:22:23.099 --> 00:22:23.639 this is all 00:22:23.639 --> 00:22:24.399 good news. 00:22:24.539 --> 00:22:25.220 It's great 00:22:25.220 --> 00:22:25.759 news. 00:22:26.599 --> 00:22:27.259 Left to 00:22:27.259 --> 00:22:27.899 ourselves, 00:22:28.399 --> 00:22:29.519 we're never 00:22:29.519 --> 00:22:29.940 going to 00:22:29.940 --> 00:22:30.759 choose God. 00:22:31.480 --> 00:22:32.120 We enter 00:22:32.120 --> 00:22:32.640 the world 00:22:32.640 --> 00:22:33.299 spiritually 00:22:33.299 --> 00:22:33.720 dead. 00:22:33.720 --> 00:22:34.519 As one 00:22:34.519 --> 00:22:35.180 writer put 00:22:35.180 --> 00:22:35.360 it, 00:22:35.420 --> 00:22:35.700 you can 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.160 see this 00:22:36.160 --> 00:22:36.820 on screen, 00:22:37.840 --> 00:22:39.320 just as 00:22:39.320 --> 00:22:39.940 the physically 00:22:39.940 --> 00:22:41.059 dead can't 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:41.519 communicate 00:22:41.519 --> 00:22:42.100 with the 00:22:42.100 --> 00:22:42.380 living, 00:22:43.380 --> 00:22:44.259 so also 00:22:44.259 --> 00:22:44.860 those who 00:22:44.860 --> 00:22:45.720 are spiritually 00:22:45.720 --> 00:22:46.299 dead 00:22:46.299 --> 00:22:47.100 cannot 00:22:47.100 --> 00:22:47.779 communicate 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.500 with the 00:22:48.500 --> 00:22:49.080 eternal 00:22:49.080 --> 00:22:50.019 living God. 00:22:50.019 --> 00:22:50.160 God. 00:22:51.960 --> 00:22:52.740 But when 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:53.420 God, 00:22:53.519 --> 00:22:53.819 who is 00:22:53.819 --> 00:22:54.319 rich in 00:22:54.319 --> 00:22:54.720 mercy, 00:22:55.879 --> 00:22:56.619 takes the 00:22:56.619 --> 00:22:57.960 initiative and 00:22:57.960 --> 00:22:58.839 intervenes in 00:22:58.839 --> 00:22:59.279 your life, 00:22:59.539 --> 00:23:00.559 he makes you 00:23:00.559 --> 00:23:01.539 alive to 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:01.839 God. 00:23:02.200 --> 00:23:02.619 He gives 00:23:02.619 --> 00:23:03.259 you a new 00:23:03.259 --> 00:23:03.799 life. 00:23:04.980 --> 00:23:05.720 He sparks 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:06.539 off a new 00:23:06.539 --> 00:23:08.539 beginning where 00:23:08.539 --> 00:23:09.599 you begin to 00:23:09.599 --> 00:23:10.099 pursue, 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.079 seek, 00:23:11.500 --> 00:23:12.299 and desire 00:23:12.299 --> 00:23:12.859 God. 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:14.799 God, 00:23:14.900 --> 00:23:15.619 who is rich 00:23:15.619 --> 00:23:16.420 in mercy, 00:23:17.420 --> 00:23:18.559 saves us 00:23:18.559 --> 00:23:20.139 by grace. 00:23:21.359 --> 00:23:21.879 Now the 00:23:21.879 --> 00:23:22.559 big question 00:23:22.559 --> 00:23:23.319 here is, 00:23:24.279 --> 00:23:24.919 will you 00:23:24.919 --> 00:23:25.740 accept what 00:23:25.740 --> 00:23:26.200 God has 00:23:26.200 --> 00:23:26.659 done for 00:23:26.659 --> 00:23:26.899 you? 00:23:28.099 --> 00:23:28.960 The empty 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.579 wisdom of 00:23:29.579 --> 00:23:29.960 the world 00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.359 says, 00:23:30.940 --> 00:23:31.279 no, no, 00:23:31.319 --> 00:23:31.659 no, no, 00:23:31.659 --> 00:23:32.299 I don't 00:23:32.299 --> 00:23:33.039 need God. 00:23:33.879 --> 00:23:34.919 I can do 00:23:34.919 --> 00:23:35.419 it alone. 00:23:36.879 --> 00:23:37.639 But the 00:23:37.639 --> 00:23:38.319 words of 00:23:38.319 --> 00:23:39.000 God to 00:23:39.000 --> 00:23:39.639 us today 00:23:39.639 --> 00:23:40.279 is saying, 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.980 Christ is 00:23:41.980 --> 00:23:42.679 everything you 00:23:42.679 --> 00:23:43.099 need, 00:23:43.899 --> 00:23:44.639 and I give 00:23:44.639 --> 00:23:45.500 him to you 00:23:45.500 --> 00:23:46.679 freely. 00:23:46.680 --> 00:23:49.220 so dead 00:23:49.220 --> 00:23:49.600 without 00:23:49.600 --> 00:23:50.259 grace, 00:23:51.860 --> 00:23:52.660 saved 00:23:52.660 --> 00:23:54.120 by grace, 00:23:55.220 --> 00:23:56.539 and then 00:23:56.539 --> 00:23:56.920 third, 00:23:57.160 --> 00:23:58.200 experiencing 00:23:58.200 --> 00:23:59.220 forever 00:23:59.220 --> 00:24:00.140 grace. 00:24:00.700 --> 00:24:01.100 So the 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:01.620 question we 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.279 want to ask 00:24:02.279 --> 00:24:02.820 here is, 00:24:02.860 --> 00:24:03.259 as we look 00:24:03.259 --> 00:24:03.539 at this 00:24:03.539 --> 00:24:04.279 last part, 00:24:04.779 --> 00:24:05.680 is how 00:24:05.680 --> 00:24:06.200 do we 00:24:06.200 --> 00:24:06.680 get to 00:24:06.680 --> 00:24:07.420 experience 00:24:07.420 --> 00:24:08.140 grace? 00:24:08.900 --> 00:24:09.680 How can 00:24:09.680 --> 00:24:10.240 this be 00:24:10.240 --> 00:24:10.860 amazing 00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:11.640 grace for 00:24:11.640 --> 00:24:11.940 me? 00:24:13.120 --> 00:24:13.360 Well, 00:24:13.420 --> 00:24:13.660 look at 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:13.900 verse 00:24:13.900 --> 00:24:14.280 8. 00:24:17.060 --> 00:24:17.840 For it 00:24:17.840 --> 00:24:18.240 is by 00:24:18.240 --> 00:24:19.040 grace you 00:24:19.040 --> 00:24:19.500 have been 00:24:19.500 --> 00:24:20.160 saved, 00:24:20.840 --> 00:24:21.420 through 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.060 faith, 00:24:22.840 --> 00:24:23.759 and this 00:24:23.759 --> 00:24:24.259 is not 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.840 from 00:24:24.840 --> 00:24:25.480 yourself, 00:24:26.160 --> 00:24:27.380 it is 00:24:27.380 --> 00:24:28.300 the gift 00:24:28.300 --> 00:24:29.700 of God. 00:24:31.780 --> 00:24:32.700 Experiencing 00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.720 grace is 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:35.440 a beautiful 00:24:35.440 --> 00:24:37.180 gift from 00:24:37.180 --> 00:24:38.620 God to 00:24:38.620 --> 00:24:38.960 you. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:41.600 these 00:24:41.600 --> 00:24:42.180 gifts 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:43.500 come in 00:24:43.500 --> 00:24:44.140 three ways. 00:24:44.240 --> 00:24:44.420 We're 00:24:44.420 --> 00:24:44.660 going to 00:24:44.660 --> 00:24:45.059 just look 00:24:45.059 --> 00:24:45.440 at three 00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:45.740 here. 00:24:45.900 --> 00:24:46.279 First, 00:24:46.960 --> 00:24:47.819 the gift 00:24:47.819 --> 00:24:49.140 of a 00:24:49.140 --> 00:24:49.519 new 00:24:49.519 --> 00:24:50.240 faith. 00:24:51.160 --> 00:24:51.500 Do you 00:24:51.500 --> 00:24:51.819 see it 00:24:51.819 --> 00:24:52.200 there in 00:24:52.200 --> 00:24:52.460 verse 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.799 8? 00:24:53.920 --> 00:24:54.559 It is 00:24:54.559 --> 00:24:55.220 by grace 00:24:55.220 --> 00:24:55.559 you've 00:24:55.559 --> 00:24:55.740 been 00:24:55.740 --> 00:24:56.279 saved, 00:24:56.680 --> 00:24:57.299 through 00:24:57.299 --> 00:24:58.220 faith, 00:24:59.279 --> 00:24:59.860 and this 00:24:59.860 --> 00:25:00.420 is not 00:25:00.420 --> 00:25:00.700 from 00:25:00.700 --> 00:25:01.299 yourselves, 00:25:02.299 --> 00:25:02.680 it is 00:25:02.680 --> 00:25:03.120 the gift 00:25:03.120 --> 00:25:03.720 of God. 00:25:05.579 --> 00:25:06.220 God's 00:25:06.220 --> 00:25:07.100 intervening 00:25:07.100 --> 00:25:08.039 grace is 00:25:08.039 --> 00:25:08.720 a gift, 00:25:08.960 --> 00:25:10.759 and the 00:25:10.759 --> 00:25:11.880 faith to 00:25:11.880 --> 00:25:12.799 believe and 00:25:12.799 --> 00:25:13.440 the faith 00:25:13.440 --> 00:25:14.340 to trust 00:25:14.340 --> 00:25:16.100 is also 00:25:16.100 --> 00:25:16.960 a gift. 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.660 Look closely 00:25:18.660 --> 00:25:19.140 at verse 00:25:19.140 --> 00:25:19.500 8. 00:25:20.340 --> 00:25:20.860 It says, 00:25:21.400 --> 00:25:22.000 this is 00:25:22.000 --> 00:25:22.620 not from 00:25:22.620 --> 00:25:23.220 yourselves. 00:25:24.759 --> 00:25:25.019 Well, 00:25:25.079 --> 00:25:25.620 what's not 00:25:25.620 --> 00:25:25.880 from 00:25:25.880 --> 00:25:26.380 ourselves? 00:25:28.600 --> 00:25:29.400 Faith 00:25:29.400 --> 00:25:30.519 is not 00:25:30.519 --> 00:25:30.819 from 00:25:30.819 --> 00:25:31.319 yourself. 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:33.059 Faith 00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:34.039 is gift 00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:35.160 from God. 00:25:36.180 --> 00:25:36.660 It's not 00:25:36.660 --> 00:25:37.279 something we 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.720 kind of 00:25:37.720 --> 00:25:38.920 build up 00:25:38.920 --> 00:25:39.240 within 00:25:39.240 --> 00:25:39.759 ourselves 00:25:39.759 --> 00:25:40.700 or motivate 00:25:40.700 --> 00:25:41.320 ourselves 00:25:41.320 --> 00:25:41.960 from within. 00:25:42.600 --> 00:25:43.180 Faith is 00:25:43.180 --> 00:25:43.539 a gift 00:25:43.539 --> 00:25:44.160 from God 00:25:44.160 --> 00:25:44.640 so that 00:25:44.640 --> 00:25:45.039 you can 00:25:45.039 --> 00:25:45.900 respond to 00:25:45.900 --> 00:25:46.200 him. 00:25:46.980 --> 00:25:47.460 When I 00:25:47.460 --> 00:25:48.300 was spiritually 00:25:48.300 --> 00:25:49.019 dead, 00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.620 my faith 00:25:50.620 --> 00:25:51.100 was in 00:25:51.100 --> 00:25:51.539 me, 00:25:52.480 --> 00:25:52.860 and in 00:25:52.860 --> 00:25:53.620 nobody else 00:25:53.620 --> 00:25:54.460 but me. 00:25:54.840 --> 00:25:55.620 I depended 00:25:55.620 --> 00:25:56.360 on self. 00:25:56.779 --> 00:25:57.460 Now I've 00:25:57.460 --> 00:25:58.019 been given 00:25:58.019 --> 00:25:58.980 a new 00:25:58.980 --> 00:25:59.600 faith, 00:26:00.200 --> 00:26:00.940 a faith 00:26:00.940 --> 00:26:01.680 that enables 00:26:01.680 --> 00:26:02.200 me to 00:26:02.200 --> 00:26:03.140 trust only 00:26:03.140 --> 00:26:03.940 in Christ 00:26:03.940 --> 00:26:05.279 and his 00:26:05.279 --> 00:26:05.940 grace to 00:26:05.940 --> 00:26:06.220 me. 00:26:07.700 --> 00:26:08.720 So we've 00:26:08.720 --> 00:26:09.200 been given 00:26:09.200 --> 00:26:10.019 a gift 00:26:10.019 --> 00:26:10.860 of faith. 00:26:12.220 --> 00:26:12.779 We've 00:26:12.779 --> 00:26:13.360 also been 00:26:13.360 --> 00:26:13.920 given a 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:14.600 gift of 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.080 a new 00:26:15.080 --> 00:26:15.840 status. 00:26:16.759 --> 00:26:17.380 Look at 00:26:17.380 --> 00:26:17.980 verse 10. 00:26:19.820 --> 00:26:20.380 For we 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.340 are God's 00:26:21.340 --> 00:26:23.200 handiwork. 00:26:25.200 --> 00:26:25.500 Can you 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.259 consider what 00:26:26.259 --> 00:26:26.840 that means? 00:26:27.000 --> 00:26:27.400 Literally, 00:26:27.600 --> 00:26:28.279 God is saying 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.720 to you, 00:26:28.720 --> 00:26:29.100 if you're 00:26:29.100 --> 00:26:29.600 a Christian, 00:26:30.180 --> 00:26:31.559 you are 00:26:31.559 --> 00:26:32.079 a work 00:26:32.079 --> 00:26:32.660 of art. 00:26:34.319 --> 00:26:35.420 You are 00:26:35.420 --> 00:26:36.039 my 00:26:36.039 --> 00:26:37.360 masterpiece. 00:26:39.259 --> 00:26:39.700 God has 00:26:39.700 --> 00:26:40.559 taken people 00:26:40.559 --> 00:26:41.360 like us 00:26:41.360 --> 00:26:43.519 and created 00:26:43.519 --> 00:26:44.140 us 00:26:44.140 --> 00:26:45.460 and worked 00:26:45.460 --> 00:26:46.180 in us 00:26:46.180 --> 00:26:48.079 who deserve 00:26:48.079 --> 00:26:48.700 God's 00:26:48.700 --> 00:26:49.160 wrath 00:26:49.160 --> 00:26:50.380 to be 00:26:50.380 --> 00:26:50.839 recipients 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.380 of his 00:26:51.380 --> 00:26:51.880 grace. 00:26:53.140 --> 00:26:53.700 And God's 00:26:53.700 --> 00:26:54.279 assessment, 00:26:54.460 --> 00:26:55.019 because he's 00:26:55.019 --> 00:26:55.600 worked in 00:26:55.600 --> 00:26:55.839 us, 00:26:56.079 --> 00:26:56.480 when he 00:26:56.480 --> 00:26:56.980 looks at 00:26:56.980 --> 00:26:57.700 us and 00:26:57.700 --> 00:26:58.400 inspects 00:26:58.400 --> 00:26:58.640 us, 00:26:58.720 --> 00:26:59.460 he sees 00:26:59.460 --> 00:27:00.539 no flaws, 00:27:02.319 --> 00:27:02.839 nothing 00:27:02.839 --> 00:27:03.380 wrong, 00:27:04.539 --> 00:27:06.559 because you 00:27:06.559 --> 00:27:06.980 are his 00:27:06.980 --> 00:27:07.640 masterpiece. 00:27:08.839 --> 00:27:09.319 You are 00:27:09.319 --> 00:27:09.900 loved, 00:27:10.440 --> 00:27:11.019 treasured, 00:27:11.299 --> 00:27:11.779 accepted, 00:27:12.319 --> 00:27:12.680 welcomed, 00:27:13.259 --> 00:27:13.839 saved for 00:27:13.839 --> 00:27:14.039 other. 00:27:14.299 --> 00:27:14.720 In other 00:27:14.720 --> 00:27:15.019 words, 00:27:15.100 --> 00:27:15.579 you have 00:27:15.579 --> 00:27:16.140 been given 00:27:16.140 --> 00:27:16.839 the same 00:27:16.839 --> 00:27:18.180 status as 00:27:18.180 --> 00:27:18.980 the Son, 00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:20.480 Jesus Christ. 00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:22.120 That means 00:27:22.120 --> 00:27:23.079 God treats 00:27:23.079 --> 00:27:24.180 you as 00:27:24.180 --> 00:27:25.039 his own 00:27:25.039 --> 00:27:25.779 dear Son. 00:27:26.120 --> 00:27:26.640 No matter 00:27:26.640 --> 00:27:27.380 how much 00:27:27.380 --> 00:27:28.079 you fail, 00:27:28.079 --> 00:27:28.759 no matter 00:27:28.759 --> 00:27:29.339 how much 00:27:29.339 --> 00:27:30.019 you fall, 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:32.559 that status 00:27:32.559 --> 00:27:33.339 will not 00:27:33.339 --> 00:27:33.960 change. 00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.240 What an 00:27:35.240 --> 00:27:35.919 incredible 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:36.500 gift. 00:27:37.859 --> 00:27:38.599 New faith, 00:27:39.399 --> 00:27:40.559 new status, 00:27:41.460 --> 00:27:44.079 what we 00:27:44.079 --> 00:27:44.480 call the 00:27:44.480 --> 00:27:45.059 last one, 00:27:46.000 --> 00:27:46.480 a new 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:47.099 purpose. 00:27:47.899 --> 00:27:48.500 Read verse 00:27:48.500 --> 00:27:49.179 10 with me 00:27:49.179 --> 00:27:49.559 again. 00:27:49.559 --> 00:27:50.519 for we 00:27:50.519 --> 00:27:51.559 are God's 00:27:51.559 --> 00:27:52.819 handiwork, 00:27:53.819 --> 00:27:55.319 created in 00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:56.220 Christ Jesus 00:27:56.220 --> 00:27:57.220 to do 00:27:57.220 --> 00:27:59.139 good works, 00:27:59.139 --> 00:28:00.879 which God 00:28:00.879 --> 00:28:01.720 prepared in 00:28:01.720 --> 00:28:02.440 advance for 00:28:02.440 --> 00:28:03.159 us to do. 00:28:03.960 --> 00:28:04.799 We do 00:28:04.799 --> 00:28:05.700 good works. 00:28:05.700 --> 00:28:08.279 we serve 00:28:08.279 --> 00:28:08.759 God, 00:28:08.759 --> 00:28:09.680 not to 00:28:09.680 --> 00:28:10.360 earn his 00:28:10.360 --> 00:28:10.779 favour, 00:28:11.100 --> 00:28:11.580 not to 00:28:11.580 --> 00:28:12.039 earn his 00:28:12.039 --> 00:28:12.380 grace, 00:28:12.600 --> 00:28:13.080 not to 00:28:13.080 --> 00:28:13.680 get God's 00:28:13.680 --> 00:28:14.319 attention and 00:28:14.319 --> 00:28:14.480 say, 00:28:14.779 --> 00:28:15.559 I'm here, 00:28:15.960 --> 00:28:16.460 give me your 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.740 grace, 00:28:16.819 --> 00:28:17.299 did you see 00:28:17.299 --> 00:28:17.660 what I 00:28:17.660 --> 00:28:17.960 did? 00:28:18.259 --> 00:28:18.519 No, 00:28:18.600 --> 00:28:19.440 we serve 00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.720 because we 00:28:20.720 --> 00:28:22.200 have received 00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:22.840 grace. 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:24.039 It's a 00:28:24.039 --> 00:28:24.880 response. 00:28:26.180 --> 00:28:26.600 When we 00:28:26.600 --> 00:28:27.340 were spiritually 00:28:27.340 --> 00:28:27.860 dead, 00:28:28.299 --> 00:28:29.059 we served 00:28:29.059 --> 00:28:29.580 self. 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.600 Look back 00:28:31.600 --> 00:28:31.980 at verse 00:28:31.980 --> 00:28:32.600 three if you 00:28:32.600 --> 00:28:33.340 need reminded. 00:28:33.339 --> 00:28:35.919 we lived 00:28:35.919 --> 00:28:37.399 gratifying the 00:28:37.399 --> 00:28:38.319 cravings of 00:28:38.319 --> 00:28:39.059 our flesh 00:28:39.059 --> 00:28:40.720 and following 00:28:40.720 --> 00:28:41.659 its desires 00:28:41.659 --> 00:28:42.299 and thoughts. 00:28:42.720 --> 00:28:43.399 We served 00:28:43.399 --> 00:28:44.039 self. 00:28:45.199 --> 00:28:46.179 We didn't 00:28:46.179 --> 00:28:47.099 serve God, 00:28:47.980 --> 00:28:49.079 but now 00:28:49.079 --> 00:28:49.579 we've been 00:28:49.579 --> 00:28:50.279 given a new 00:28:50.279 --> 00:28:50.740 purpose. 00:28:51.240 --> 00:28:51.859 We serve 00:28:51.859 --> 00:28:52.359 the God 00:28:52.359 --> 00:28:52.980 who saved 00:28:52.980 --> 00:28:53.259 us. 00:28:53.599 --> 00:28:54.339 Because I 00:28:54.339 --> 00:28:55.019 am loved, 00:28:55.319 --> 00:28:55.899 I now 00:28:55.899 --> 00:28:56.599 love him. 00:28:57.740 --> 00:28:58.619 Because I've 00:28:58.619 --> 00:28:59.419 been accepted, 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.659 I now want 00:29:00.659 --> 00:29:01.259 to obey 00:29:01.259 --> 00:29:01.599 him. 00:29:02.519 --> 00:29:03.319 Because I'm 00:29:03.319 --> 00:29:04.119 his child, 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:04.519 I want 00:29:04.519 --> 00:29:04.939 to hear 00:29:04.939 --> 00:29:05.779 his voice 00:29:05.779 --> 00:29:06.419 and I 00:29:06.419 --> 00:29:06.799 want to 00:29:06.799 --> 00:29:07.579 follow his 00:29:07.579 --> 00:29:08.059 way. 00:29:09.319 --> 00:29:10.319 Because I've 00:29:10.319 --> 00:29:11.279 been saved 00:29:11.279 --> 00:29:12.179 by grace, 00:29:12.519 --> 00:29:13.519 I want to 00:29:13.519 --> 00:29:14.460 live for 00:29:14.460 --> 00:29:14.759 him. 00:29:17.319 --> 00:29:17.859 Now, 00:29:17.980 --> 00:29:18.319 if all 00:29:18.319 --> 00:29:18.960 this is a 00:29:18.960 --> 00:29:19.720 gift from 00:29:19.720 --> 00:29:20.240 God, 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.039 and it 00:29:21.039 --> 00:29:21.539 is, 00:29:23.220 --> 00:29:23.939 what's that 00:29:23.939 --> 00:29:24.259 going to 00:29:24.259 --> 00:29:24.579 mean? 00:29:24.879 --> 00:29:25.639 If it's 00:29:25.639 --> 00:29:26.039 all a 00:29:26.039 --> 00:29:26.480 gift, 00:29:27.159 --> 00:29:27.980 what does 00:29:27.980 --> 00:29:28.419 that mean 00:29:28.419 --> 00:29:29.099 for us? 00:29:29.099 --> 00:29:30.099 God's 00:29:30.099 --> 00:29:31.099 grace? 00:29:31.099 --> 00:29:31.139 Well, 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:33.480 we boast 00:29:33.480 --> 00:29:34.679 in Christ 00:29:34.679 --> 00:29:35.899 alone. 00:29:36.719 --> 00:29:37.219 We boast 00:29:37.219 --> 00:29:37.679 in his 00:29:37.679 --> 00:29:38.159 grace. 00:29:38.519 --> 00:29:39.279 Let's read 00:29:39.279 --> 00:29:39.919 verses 8 00:29:39.919 --> 00:29:40.319 and 9 00:29:40.319 --> 00:29:40.699 and you'll 00:29:40.699 --> 00:29:41.079 pick it 00:29:41.079 --> 00:29:41.359 up and 00:29:41.359 --> 00:29:41.539 you'll 00:29:41.539 --> 00:29:42.039 get the 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.379 focus here. 00:29:44.379 --> 00:29:44.659 For it 00:29:44.659 --> 00:29:45.059 is by 00:29:45.059 --> 00:29:45.980 grace you 00:29:45.980 --> 00:29:46.439 have been 00:29:46.439 --> 00:29:47.039 saved, 00:29:47.659 --> 00:29:48.159 through 00:29:48.159 --> 00:29:48.740 faith, 00:29:48.839 --> 00:29:49.359 which is a 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:49.619 gift, 00:29:49.719 --> 00:29:50.099 it's not 00:29:50.099 --> 00:29:50.779 from yourselves, 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.339 it's from 00:29:51.339 --> 00:29:51.799 God, 00:29:52.839 --> 00:29:53.899 not by 00:29:53.899 --> 00:29:54.719 works, 00:29:55.579 --> 00:29:56.059 not by 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:56.719 anything we 00:29:56.719 --> 00:29:57.279 can do, 00:29:57.279 --> 00:29:57.799 by your 00:29:57.799 --> 00:29:58.399 performance 00:29:58.399 --> 00:29:59.059 or anything 00:29:59.059 --> 00:29:59.480 else, 00:29:59.920 --> 00:30:00.639 so that 00:30:00.639 --> 00:30:01.680 no one 00:30:01.680 --> 00:30:03.559 can boast. 00:30:05.839 --> 00:30:06.660 You see, 00:30:06.740 --> 00:30:07.139 when we 00:30:07.139 --> 00:30:07.960 experience 00:30:07.960 --> 00:30:08.480 God's 00:30:08.480 --> 00:30:08.940 grace, 00:30:09.859 --> 00:30:10.539 there is 00:30:10.539 --> 00:30:11.119 no longer 00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.099 any I 00:30:12.099 --> 00:30:12.920 or me. 00:30:14.799 --> 00:30:15.539 Think this 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.000 through with 00:30:16.000 --> 00:30:17.139 me as 00:30:17.139 --> 00:30:18.440 we try 00:30:18.440 --> 00:30:19.160 to capture 00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.559 what it 00:30:19.559 --> 00:30:20.099 means to 00:30:20.099 --> 00:30:20.740 boast in 00:30:20.740 --> 00:30:21.240 grace. 00:30:22.279 --> 00:30:23.119 If somebody 00:30:23.119 --> 00:30:23.759 says to 00:30:23.759 --> 00:30:24.099 you, 00:30:24.779 --> 00:30:25.660 why are 00:30:25.660 --> 00:30:26.039 you a 00:30:26.039 --> 00:30:26.440 Christian? 00:30:27.279 --> 00:30:28.339 what would 00:30:28.339 --> 00:30:28.819 you say? 00:30:30.079 --> 00:30:30.599 Well, 00:30:30.759 --> 00:30:31.440 because I 00:30:31.440 --> 00:30:32.180 was searching 00:30:32.180 --> 00:30:32.819 or seeking 00:30:32.819 --> 00:30:33.420 God, 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:35.259 because I 00:30:35.259 --> 00:30:36.279 decided to 00:30:36.279 --> 00:30:37.139 follow Jesus. 00:30:38.799 --> 00:30:39.359 Well, 00:30:39.420 --> 00:30:39.960 if you say 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:40.660 anything like 00:30:40.660 --> 00:30:41.059 that, 00:30:41.319 --> 00:30:41.660 you know 00:30:41.660 --> 00:30:41.839 what, 00:30:41.879 --> 00:30:42.039 you're 00:30:42.039 --> 00:30:42.480 boasting 00:30:42.480 --> 00:30:43.180 in self, 00:30:44.119 --> 00:30:44.460 you're 00:30:44.460 --> 00:30:44.879 trusting 00:30:44.879 --> 00:30:45.720 in self. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:47.879 If you 00:30:47.879 --> 00:30:48.920 seek God, 00:30:49.379 --> 00:30:49.899 it's only 00:30:49.899 --> 00:30:50.779 because God 00:30:50.779 --> 00:30:51.440 sought you 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.980 first. 00:30:53.160 --> 00:30:53.920 If you 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.899 decide to 00:30:54.899 --> 00:30:55.799 follow Jesus, 00:30:55.799 --> 00:30:57.079 it's 00:30:57.079 --> 00:30:57.859 because God 00:30:57.859 --> 00:30:58.720 has enabled 00:30:58.720 --> 00:30:59.299 you to 00:30:59.299 --> 00:31:00.319 follow Jesus. 00:31:01.720 --> 00:31:02.639 Or put it 00:31:02.639 --> 00:31:03.139 this way, 00:31:03.480 --> 00:31:04.039 if someone 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:04.500 says, 00:31:05.200 --> 00:31:05.940 why are you 00:31:05.940 --> 00:31:06.579 a Christian 00:31:06.579 --> 00:31:08.039 and they're 00:31:08.039 --> 00:31:08.619 not a 00:31:08.619 --> 00:31:09.039 Christian? 00:31:10.639 --> 00:31:11.240 And you 00:31:11.240 --> 00:31:11.960 answer something 00:31:11.960 --> 00:31:12.440 like this, 00:31:12.819 --> 00:31:12.980 well, 00:31:13.119 --> 00:31:13.720 because I 00:31:13.720 --> 00:31:14.639 had faith 00:31:14.639 --> 00:31:16.599 or because 00:31:16.599 --> 00:31:17.819 I chose 00:31:17.819 --> 00:31:18.419 God. 00:31:19.919 --> 00:31:20.279 Well, 00:31:20.339 --> 00:31:20.599 again, 00:31:20.700 --> 00:31:21.119 we're doing 00:31:21.119 --> 00:31:21.339 it, 00:31:21.419 --> 00:31:22.139 we're boasting 00:31:22.139 --> 00:31:22.739 in self. 00:31:23.059 --> 00:31:23.299 We're 00:31:23.299 --> 00:31:23.659 saying, 00:31:24.259 --> 00:31:24.419 we're 00:31:24.419 --> 00:31:25.119 basically 00:31:25.119 --> 00:31:25.619 saying, 00:31:25.799 --> 00:31:26.379 if only 00:31:26.379 --> 00:31:27.099 they had 00:31:27.099 --> 00:31:27.799 faith like 00:31:27.799 --> 00:31:28.319 I had 00:31:28.319 --> 00:31:28.819 faith, 00:31:29.739 --> 00:31:30.899 if only 00:31:30.899 --> 00:31:31.479 they did 00:31:31.479 --> 00:31:31.979 what I 00:31:31.979 --> 00:31:32.299 did, 00:31:32.639 --> 00:31:33.079 they would 00:31:33.079 --> 00:31:33.659 be saved 00:31:33.659 --> 00:31:34.019 too. 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:35.299 No, 00:31:35.379 --> 00:31:35.739 if you 00:31:35.739 --> 00:31:35.979 have 00:31:35.979 --> 00:31:36.579 faith, 00:31:37.639 --> 00:31:37.939 it's 00:31:37.939 --> 00:31:38.639 because God 00:31:38.639 --> 00:31:39.299 gave you 00:31:39.299 --> 00:31:39.759 faith. 00:31:41.299 --> 00:31:42.099 It's all 00:31:42.099 --> 00:31:42.699 a gift. 00:31:43.939 --> 00:31:44.659 We can't 00:31:44.659 --> 00:31:45.239 boast in 00:31:45.239 --> 00:31:45.879 ourself 00:31:45.879 --> 00:31:47.479 for anything. 00:31:47.480 --> 00:31:50.000 Now, 00:31:50.079 --> 00:31:50.319 I know 00:31:50.319 --> 00:31:51.039 that greats 00:31:51.039 --> 00:31:51.380 with us, 00:31:51.440 --> 00:31:51.860 we don't 00:31:51.860 --> 00:31:52.579 like that. 00:31:53.839 --> 00:31:54.539 And the 00:31:54.539 --> 00:31:55.339 reason is 00:31:55.339 --> 00:31:56.500 pride. 00:31:58.759 --> 00:31:59.680 But pride 00:31:59.680 --> 00:32:00.180 isn't going 00:32:00.180 --> 00:32:00.680 to save 00:32:00.680 --> 00:32:00.940 you. 00:32:01.620 --> 00:32:02.339 It's going 00:32:02.339 --> 00:32:03.000 to destroy 00:32:03.000 --> 00:32:03.480 you and 00:32:03.480 --> 00:32:04.120 crush you. 00:32:05.400 --> 00:32:05.740 You see, 00:32:05.819 --> 00:32:06.220 when we 00:32:06.220 --> 00:32:07.120 experience 00:32:07.120 --> 00:32:07.740 grace, 00:32:08.660 --> 00:32:09.519 it 00:32:09.519 --> 00:32:10.120 humbles 00:32:10.120 --> 00:32:10.480 you. 00:32:11.559 --> 00:32:11.839 It 00:32:11.839 --> 00:32:12.660 changes us 00:32:12.660 --> 00:32:13.140 from the 00:32:13.140 --> 00:32:14.420 inside out. 00:32:14.420 --> 00:32:15.420 It makes 00:32:15.420 --> 00:32:16.120 us into 00:32:16.120 --> 00:32:17.019 beautiful 00:32:17.019 --> 00:32:17.599 and 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:18.240 attractive 00:32:18.240 --> 00:32:18.920 people. 00:32:20.799 --> 00:32:21.740 Rather than 00:32:21.740 --> 00:32:22.379 people who 00:32:22.379 --> 00:32:23.139 hide their 00:32:23.139 --> 00:32:25.359 sin and 00:32:25.359 --> 00:32:26.039 pretend that 00:32:26.039 --> 00:32:26.879 sin doesn't 00:32:26.879 --> 00:32:27.339 matter, 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:28.960 well, 00:32:29.059 --> 00:32:29.460 we now 00:32:29.460 --> 00:32:30.039 begin to 00:32:30.039 --> 00:32:30.660 admit our 00:32:30.660 --> 00:32:31.059 sin and 00:32:31.059 --> 00:32:31.539 we begin 00:32:31.539 --> 00:32:32.259 to repent. 00:32:32.740 --> 00:32:33.279 We run 00:32:33.279 --> 00:32:33.960 to God 00:32:33.960 --> 00:32:34.359 who is 00:32:34.359 --> 00:32:35.339 full of 00:32:35.339 --> 00:32:36.440 grace and 00:32:36.440 --> 00:32:36.960 is rich 00:32:36.960 --> 00:32:37.559 in mercy. 00:32:39.980 --> 00:32:40.819 If we 00:32:40.819 --> 00:32:41.599 experience 00:32:41.599 --> 00:32:42.000 grace, 00:32:42.079 --> 00:32:42.299 it will 00:32:42.299 --> 00:32:42.759 make us 00:32:42.759 --> 00:32:43.500 so humble 00:32:43.500 --> 00:32:44.379 that we 00:32:44.379 --> 00:32:44.819 will no 00:32:44.819 --> 00:32:45.519 longer look 00:32:45.519 --> 00:32:46.059 down on 00:32:46.059 --> 00:32:46.720 anybody and 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:46.960 say, 00:32:47.019 --> 00:32:47.839 they're 00:32:47.839 --> 00:32:48.759 undeserving 00:32:48.759 --> 00:32:51.139 because God 00:32:51.139 --> 00:32:51.660 gave us 00:32:51.660 --> 00:32:52.119 what we 00:32:52.119 --> 00:32:52.500 don't 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.039 deserve 00:32:53.039 --> 00:32:54.000 and could 00:32:54.000 --> 00:32:54.359 never 00:32:54.359 --> 00:32:54.779 earn. 00:32:56.379 --> 00:32:56.920 It means 00:32:56.920 --> 00:32:57.579 we'll never 00:32:57.579 --> 00:32:58.480 ever again 00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:59.759 write anybody 00:32:59.759 --> 00:33:00.319 off and 00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:00.559 say, 00:33:00.920 --> 00:33:01.220 you know 00:33:01.220 --> 00:33:01.500 what, 00:33:01.599 --> 00:33:02.180 their sin 00:33:02.180 --> 00:33:02.519 and what 00:33:02.519 --> 00:33:02.960 they did, 00:33:03.319 --> 00:33:04.139 they're beyond 00:33:04.139 --> 00:33:04.819 God's 00:33:04.819 --> 00:33:05.200 mercy. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:07.940 We don't 00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.599 think like 00:33:08.599 --> 00:33:10.480 that because 00:33:10.480 --> 00:33:11.440 God didn't 00:33:11.440 --> 00:33:12.200 write me 00:33:12.200 --> 00:33:12.759 off and 00:33:12.759 --> 00:33:13.180 he didn't 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.799 write you 00:33:13.799 --> 00:33:14.220 off. 00:33:14.220 --> 00:33:16.700 he loved 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.019 you. 00:33:18.839 --> 00:33:19.380 And it 00:33:19.380 --> 00:33:19.839 means we 00:33:19.839 --> 00:33:20.500 will forgive 00:33:20.500 --> 00:33:21.279 those no 00:33:21.279 --> 00:33:21.839 matter what 00:33:21.839 --> 00:33:22.460 wrong they 00:33:22.460 --> 00:33:23.220 do to us 00:33:23.220 --> 00:33:23.880 and we 00:33:23.880 --> 00:33:24.600 will hold 00:33:24.600 --> 00:33:25.660 no grudges 00:33:25.660 --> 00:33:26.920 because God 00:33:26.920 --> 00:33:27.620 loved you 00:33:27.620 --> 00:33:28.339 and forgave 00:33:28.339 --> 00:33:29.279 you and 00:33:29.279 --> 00:33:29.880 dealt with 00:33:29.880 --> 00:33:30.380 your sin 00:33:30.380 --> 00:33:30.940 once and 00:33:30.940 --> 00:33:31.440 for all. 00:33:31.440 --> 00:33:34.240 it'll make 00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.900 you humble, 00:33:35.620 --> 00:33:36.100 beautiful 00:33:36.100 --> 00:33:37.420 and attractive. 00:33:38.420 --> 00:33:39.519 You will 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.299 be filled 00:33:40.299 --> 00:33:41.259 with grace 00:33:41.259 --> 00:33:42.840 and you 00:33:42.840 --> 00:33:43.259 will live 00:33:43.259 --> 00:33:43.840 a life 00:33:43.840 --> 00:33:44.500 of grace 00:33:44.500 --> 00:33:45.519 because God 00:33:45.519 --> 00:33:45.960 has been 00:33:45.960 --> 00:33:46.420 gracious 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:47.799 to you. 00:33:49.759 --> 00:33:50.460 Consider 00:33:50.460 --> 00:33:51.000 this, 00:33:51.700 --> 00:33:53.240 if you 00:33:53.240 --> 00:33:54.120 understand 00:33:54.120 --> 00:33:54.759 grace 00:33:54.759 --> 00:33:56.460 you will 00:33:56.460 --> 00:33:57.340 never boast 00:33:57.340 --> 00:33:58.180 in yourself, 00:33:58.180 --> 00:34:00.000 you will 00:34:00.000 --> 00:34:00.779 only boast 00:34:00.779 --> 00:34:01.660 in Christ 00:34:01.660 --> 00:34:03.460 who achieved 00:34:03.460 --> 00:34:04.200 salvation 00:34:04.200 --> 00:34:05.519 for you. 00:34:07.259 --> 00:34:07.980 So what 00:34:07.980 --> 00:34:08.300 is a 00:34:08.300 --> 00:34:08.700 Christian? 00:34:10.460 --> 00:34:11.380 It's 00:34:11.380 --> 00:34:11.860 someone 00:34:11.860 --> 00:34:13.440 who is 00:34:13.440 --> 00:34:13.940 saved 00:34:13.940 --> 00:34:15.280 by grace. 00:34:16.280 --> 00:34:17.099 Let's 00:34:17.099 --> 00:34:17.360 pray. 00:34:17.360 --> 00:34:17.440 Amen. 00:34:17.440 --> 00:34:17.519 Amen. 00:34:17.519 --> 00:34:17.539 Amen. 00:34:17.539 --> 00:34:19.440 Amen. 00:34:19.440 --> 00:34:21.440 Amen. 00:34:21.440 --> 00:34:21.519 Amen. 00:34:21.519 --> 00:34:23.440 Amen. 00:34:23.440 --> 00:34:23.519 Amen. 00:34:23.519 --> 00:34:24.440 Amen. 00:34:24.440 --> 00:34:25.519 Amen. 00:34:25.519 --> 00:34:25.579 Amen. 00:34:25.579 --> 00:34:26.519 Amen. 00:34:26.519 --> 00:34:26.579 Amen. 00:34:26.579 --> 00:34:26.619 Amen. 00:34:26.619 --> 00:34:26.639 Amen. 00:34:26.639 --> 00:34:27.119 Amen. 00:34:27.119 --> 00:34:27.579 Amen. 00:34:27.579 --> 00:34:28.159 Amen. 00:34:28.179 --> 00:34:29.179 Amen. 00:34:29.179 --> 00:34:30.179 Amen. 00:34:30.179 --> 00:34:31.179 Amen. 00:34:31.179 --> 00:34:32.179 Amen. 00:34:32.179 --> 00:34:33.179 Amen. 00:34:33.179 --> 00:34:33.339 Father, 00:34:33.519 --> 00:34:34.259 your word 00:34:34.259 --> 00:34:35.599 is so 00:34:35.599 --> 00:34:36.519 simple 00:34:36.519 --> 00:34:38.440 and so 00:34:38.440 --> 00:34:38.960 clear. 00:34:40.579 --> 00:34:41.779 Help us 00:34:41.779 --> 00:34:42.799 to accept 00:34:42.799 --> 00:34:44.279 your 00:34:44.279 --> 00:34:45.159 diagnosis 00:34:45.159 --> 00:34:46.039 of who 00:34:46.039 --> 00:34:46.599 we are 00:34:46.599 --> 00:34:47.079 and what 00:34:47.079 --> 00:34:47.460 we are 00:34:47.460 --> 00:34:47.879 like. 00:34:49.619 --> 00:34:50.739 Help us 00:34:50.739 --> 00:34:51.579 to accept 00:34:51.579 --> 00:34:52.440 what God 00:34:52.440 --> 00:34:53.000 has done 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.940 for us 00:34:53.940 --> 00:34:55.500 who is 00:34:55.500 --> 00:34:56.079 rich 00:34:56.079 --> 00:34:57.000 in mercy 00:34:57.000 --> 00:34:58.840 making 00:34:58.840 --> 00:34:59.119 making us 00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.659 alive, 00:35:00.000 --> 00:35:01.179 making us 00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:01.500 to a 00:35:01.500 --> 00:35:02.099 new way 00:35:02.099 --> 00:35:03.659 and 00:35:03.659 --> 00:35:04.099 seating 00:35:04.099 --> 00:35:04.480 us 00:35:04.480 --> 00:35:04.739 with 00:35:04.739 --> 00:35:05.280 Christ. 00:35:07.079 --> 00:35:07.920 Thank you 00:35:07.920 --> 00:35:08.320 for the 00:35:08.320 --> 00:35:08.920 gift of 00:35:08.920 --> 00:35:09.380 faith. 00:35:10.880 --> 00:35:11.739 Thank you 00:35:11.739 --> 00:35:12.119 for the 00:35:12.119 --> 00:35:13.000 new status 00:35:13.000 --> 00:35:13.820 we have, 00:35:15.219 --> 00:35:15.719 a new 00:35:15.719 --> 00:35:16.219 purpose 00:35:16.219 --> 00:35:16.780 to live 00:35:16.780 --> 00:35:17.260 for you. 00:35:17.260 --> 00:35:19.260 and we 00:35:19.260 --> 00:35:20.000 pray and 00:35:20.000 --> 00:35:20.520 ask that 00:35:20.520 --> 00:35:20.900 we would 00:35:20.900 --> 00:35:21.520 experience 00:35:21.520 --> 00:35:22.320 your grace 00:35:22.320 --> 00:35:22.900 more and 00:35:22.900 --> 00:35:23.180 more, 00:35:24.260 --> 00:35:24.740 that it 00:35:24.740 --> 00:35:24.900 would 00:35:24.900 --> 00:35:25.580 humble us 00:35:25.580 --> 00:35:26.340 and change 00:35:26.340 --> 00:35:28.120 us so 00:35:28.120 --> 00:35:28.480 that we 00:35:28.480 --> 00:35:29.200 become more 00:35:29.200 --> 00:35:29.980 beautiful and 00:35:29.980 --> 00:35:30.540 attractive, 00:35:32.100 --> 00:35:33.180 a display 00:35:33.180 --> 00:35:34.280 piece to 00:35:34.280 --> 00:35:34.960 the world 00:35:34.960 --> 00:35:36.980 of how good 00:35:36.980 --> 00:35:37.560 and gracious 00:35:37.560 --> 00:35:38.460 you are. 00:35:39.760 --> 00:35:40.660 Thank you, 00:35:40.760 --> 00:35:41.220 Jesus. 00:35:41.220 --> 00:35:42.220 Amen. 00:35:42.219 --> 00:35:47.439 Well, 00:35:47.539 --> 00:35:47.899 guess what 00:35:47.899 --> 00:35:48.219 we're going 00:35:48.219 --> 00:35:48.619 to sing? 00:35:51.019 --> 00:35:51.699 Amazing 00:35:51.699 --> 00:35:52.259 grace, 00:35:53.059 --> 00:35:53.779 how sweet 00:35:53.779 --> 00:35:54.379 the sound. 00:35:54.879 --> 00:35:55.500 Let's stand 00:35:55.500 --> 00:35:56.119 together as 00:35:56.119 --> 00:35:56.559 we're able 00:35:56.559 --> 00:35:57.319 and let's 00:35:57.319 --> 00:35:58.259 rejoice and 00:35:58.259 --> 00:35:59.339 sing and 00:35:59.339 --> 00:36:00.359 remind ourselves 00:36:00.359 --> 00:36:00.779 of how 00:36:00.779 --> 00:36:01.639 beautiful and 00:36:01.639 --> 00:36:02.399 how great 00:36:02.399 --> 00:36:03.819 God's grace 00:36:03.819 --> 00:36:05.059 to us is. 00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.179 Amen. 00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:05.219 Amen. 00:36:05.219 --> 00:36:05.259 Amen. 00:36:05.259 --> 00:36:05.279 Amen. 00:36:05.279 --> 00:36:05.359 Amen. 00:36:05.359 --> 00:36:05.399 Amen. 00:36:05.399 --> 00:36:05.439 Amen. 00:36:05.439 --> 00:36:05.459 Amen. 00:36:05.459 --> 00:36:05.799 Amen. 00:36:05.799 --> 00:36:05.839 Amen. 00:36:05.839 --> 00:36:05.980 Amen. 00:36:05.980 --> 00:36:06.399 Amen. 00:36:06.399 --> 00:36:06.439 Amen. 00:36:06.439 --> 00:36:06.939 Amen. 00:36:06.939 --> 00:36:07.079 Amen. 00:36:07.079 --> 00:36:07.339 Amen. 00:36:07.339 --> 00:36:07.379 Amen.