WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.339 It would be very dangerous if I got up here without any sense of time at all. 00:00:04.580 --> 00:00:08.759 I forgot my watch. Now I have it, so you don't have to worry too much. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:15.000 I'm not going to ask for a show of hands, and it would be a little bit of an academic exercise anyway today, probably. 00:00:15.660 --> 00:00:24.060 But how many men here would willingly be circumcised if it helped them to share the gospel with some friends? 00:00:25.039 --> 00:00:26.719 Probably not many of us. 00:00:26.719 --> 00:00:43.019 I mean, that would really take an awful lot of conviction by the Holy Spirit for a man to be circumcised just so they could share the gospel with people and they could be better evangelists. 00:00:43.640 --> 00:00:47.560 But that's actually something which is recorded as having happened in the book of Acts. 00:00:48.019 --> 00:00:52.019 I'm not going to read it now, but if you want to look at it later, it's Acts chapter 16. 00:00:52.020 --> 00:01:04.900 And one of the things which is so curious about the story is that Paul has just spent, had a huge fight over the issue of whether or not men had to be circumcised. 00:01:04.900 --> 00:01:18.580 And in fact, if you read Acts 15, it sort of brings to, at least on an official level, a culmination of several years of argument that Paul had been involved in, 00:01:18.880 --> 00:01:25.360 precisely arguing that to be a Christian, you did not have to be circumcised. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:34.599 And then as soon as he's won that battle, almost, I mean, within about a paragraph of him having won that battle in Acts chapter 15, 00:01:35.239 --> 00:01:39.000 Paul feels called to go out once again on another missionary journey. 00:01:39.340 --> 00:01:44.460 And the first thing he does is he takes Timothy and has him circumcised. 00:01:44.459 --> 00:01:52.739 And he has him circumcised precisely because Paul is concerned that as he goes into certain areas to evangelize, 00:01:53.239 --> 00:01:59.459 Timothy's not being circumcised will be a barrier to people hearing the gospel. 00:02:00.199 --> 00:02:02.439 And so he has Timothy circumcised. 00:02:03.239 --> 00:02:05.459 Now, is Paul being just really inconsistent? 00:02:06.319 --> 00:02:10.879 Is he one of those guys, you know, one day he says this, the next day he says that, you know, 00:02:10.879 --> 00:02:15.479 he'd be the world's worst air traffic controller, move the plane over there. 00:02:15.560 --> 00:02:17.439 No, no, no, no, I changed my mind back there. 00:02:17.500 --> 00:02:19.159 You can land. No, no, I changed my mind. 00:02:19.240 --> 00:02:23.079 You know, like you can just imagine all of the tragedy that would ensue. 00:02:23.340 --> 00:02:24.359 Is Paul like that? 00:02:24.680 --> 00:02:26.859 Is he just like a guy who can't make up his mind? 00:02:27.800 --> 00:02:30.919 What motivates Paul is something that we're going to look at in a moment. 00:02:30.919 --> 00:02:34.800 It's just the part of scripture before the first Corinthians text, which we read. 00:02:34.800 --> 00:02:43.100 And one of the things is that we have to understand that the scripture is inviting us to understand that it doesn't matter at all, 00:02:43.260 --> 00:02:50.640 that there's countless things in this life that have been relativized by the person of Jesus Christ 00:02:50.640 --> 00:02:55.400 and by his death upon the cross and the triumph of his resurrection. 00:02:56.640 --> 00:03:02.380 We Christians should be the leading relativists in Canadian society. 00:03:02.379 --> 00:03:07.680 The problem is that much of Canadian society are moral relativists, 00:03:07.960 --> 00:03:10.799 and that's the area that we're not to be relativists. 00:03:11.120 --> 00:03:14.539 We are to be the relativists who say, you know, it doesn't matter if you're a man or a woman. 00:03:14.639 --> 00:03:16.219 It doesn't matter if you're old or young. 00:03:16.299 --> 00:03:20.379 It doesn't matter if you're homosexually inclined or heterosexually inclined. 00:03:20.539 --> 00:03:23.740 It doesn't matter if you're rich or poor, well-educated or not well-educated. 00:03:24.419 --> 00:03:25.740 You just keep on going. 00:03:25.740 --> 00:03:33.640 None of these things, all of these things that we think are very, very important and might be central to our identity 00:03:33.640 --> 00:03:42.500 are completely and utterly irrelevant because of the mighty act that God has done in the human race, 00:03:42.879 --> 00:03:47.060 in human history by sending his son to die upon the cross, 00:03:47.060 --> 00:03:53.780 bearing your sins and rebellion in mind and bearing your punishment in mind, 00:03:54.300 --> 00:04:00.300 tasting all there is to taste of death and triumphing on the third day, on Easter Sunday, 00:04:00.979 --> 00:04:05.259 triumphing over sin, everything that separates us from God, 00:04:05.460 --> 00:04:09.900 triumphing over death, hostile spiritual powers, hell itself. 00:04:09.900 --> 00:04:12.879 Christ has triumphed. 00:04:12.879 --> 00:04:19.259 And all of these other things are part of a world that is passing away, 00:04:19.459 --> 00:04:26.280 and they are all pretty relative compared to this fundamental victorious act of God 00:04:26.280 --> 00:04:30.420 that you and I, mere mortals, are invited to share in. 00:04:31.060 --> 00:04:34.840 Let's turn in your Bibles to 1 Corinthians chapter 7. 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:39.060 If you're using your pew Bibles, it's page 991. 00:04:39.980 --> 00:04:43.939 But for all of us, it's 1 Corinthians 7, verse 17. 00:04:45.000 --> 00:04:48.839 And this is a passage that was read last week, 00:04:49.100 --> 00:04:51.939 and just as I was working through the text, 00:04:52.060 --> 00:04:54.019 I just wasn't able to fit it in last week, 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:56.379 and I thought I'd put it in today as it leads into, 00:04:56.720 --> 00:05:01.699 in fact, it actually leads in better to the part that was read by Jason a few minutes earlier. 00:05:03.079 --> 00:05:06.600 And this text, as we start to read it, it's really saying, 00:05:06.600 --> 00:05:13.120 wherever you are, live like one called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:05:13.540 --> 00:05:19.020 Wherever you are, live like one called to belong to Jesus Christ. 00:05:19.379 --> 00:05:22.000 In fact, now belonging to Jesus Christ. 00:05:22.680 --> 00:05:24.200 Let's listen to what it says. 00:05:24.199 --> 00:05:37.819 Just pause here before we go any farther. 00:05:37.819 --> 00:05:43.459 Sometimes Christians use the language of call to describe vocation. 00:05:44.480 --> 00:05:47.779 I could tell you, in my particular case, 00:05:47.920 --> 00:05:51.459 I'm maybe not, you know, normal in this sense, 00:05:51.719 --> 00:05:53.819 but there's lots of ways I'm not normal. 00:05:54.339 --> 00:05:58.699 But I actually have a very, very particular incident, 00:05:58.920 --> 00:06:03.219 a very, very particular moment where I realized that God was calling me to the ordained ministry. 00:06:03.220 --> 00:06:05.840 Like, you know, if I'd been keeping a journal, 00:06:06.220 --> 00:06:10.960 I would have been able to say on August, you know, whatever, 1981, 00:06:11.620 --> 00:06:15.040 I realized that I had been running from God, 00:06:15.380 --> 00:06:17.720 and that God had for quite a while been saying, 00:06:17.840 --> 00:06:19.600 George, I want you to be an ordained minister. 00:06:20.180 --> 00:06:22.080 And it was as if God spoke to me, 00:06:22.160 --> 00:06:25.260 and I realized that I had been running from that for several years. 00:06:26.120 --> 00:06:30.220 And so sometimes Christians use the language of call to describe vocation, 00:06:30.880 --> 00:06:32.240 and that's completely appropriate. 00:06:32.240 --> 00:06:36.740 Paul here is not using call in the sense of vocation. 00:06:37.280 --> 00:06:41.680 He's using call in the sense that every Christian has a call. 00:06:41.800 --> 00:06:44.980 He's using it as a way to understand conversion. 00:06:46.139 --> 00:06:54.040 See, a way for us to understand conversion is that Jesus called to me 00:06:54.040 --> 00:07:02.379 to turn from my preoccupations and look to him and then say yes to him and follow him. 00:07:03.100 --> 00:07:06.740 And for those of us who have been raised in a Christian home, 00:07:07.439 --> 00:07:11.360 there might be, there's not going to be any particular moment that that's happened, 00:07:11.360 --> 00:07:15.020 because in a sense, well, you know, what did I just pray for the kids? 00:07:15.019 --> 00:07:18.500 Like in a sense, we all, Christian parents have different ways of praying it, 00:07:18.579 --> 00:07:21.759 but in different words, but that's what we all pray. 00:07:21.879 --> 00:07:24.759 We pray that for our children, those of us who have children, 00:07:24.859 --> 00:07:27.620 we pray as they hear the stories of the Bible, 00:07:27.620 --> 00:07:31.299 and in a sense as they're brought to Christian gatherings like this, 00:07:31.560 --> 00:07:35.279 may they grow into confident, joyful disciples of Jesus Christ. 00:07:35.359 --> 00:07:36.959 That's a Christian parent's prayer. 00:07:36.959 --> 00:07:40.479 And so for those of us raised in Christian homes, 00:07:40.620 --> 00:07:44.139 there might not be any particular moment where we're sensitive of a call. 00:07:44.239 --> 00:07:49.359 We're just always sensitive of the claim of Christ upon our lives. 00:07:49.419 --> 00:07:51.339 And sometimes we maybe ignore that. 00:07:51.479 --> 00:07:52.919 Sometimes we stray from that. 00:07:53.039 --> 00:07:55.479 Sometimes we really get excited about it and live in it. 00:07:55.740 --> 00:08:00.939 But in a sense, you grow up always conscious that there is such a call. 00:08:01.099 --> 00:08:05.879 But some of us have either really strayed from our Christian home 00:08:05.879 --> 00:08:07.839 or didn't have that type of background. 00:08:08.459 --> 00:08:10.699 And as teenagers or as adults, 00:08:11.060 --> 00:08:16.040 there comes a point in time when you realize that Christ has called you to be his. 00:08:16.839 --> 00:08:20.879 For some of you, you might have literally a moment like I did around my ordination, 00:08:21.019 --> 00:08:23.600 and you might be able to say on August 20th, 00:08:24.500 --> 00:08:27.719 you know, if I say 1981, that half of you weren't born then, 00:08:27.719 --> 00:08:30.040 so you have to sort of move it to the appropriate age. 00:08:30.180 --> 00:08:32.620 But some of you might be able to say a particular moment, 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:34.639 then you realize that Christ was calling you, 00:08:34.639 --> 00:08:36.539 and you realize you had to respond. 00:08:37.259 --> 00:08:41.360 And others of us might say that we became conscious of the claims of Christ, 00:08:41.659 --> 00:08:45.120 and at such and such a time, we were definitely not responding to it. 00:08:45.319 --> 00:08:49.319 And at some point in time, one day, it was as if the Holy Spirit spoke to us and said, 00:08:49.360 --> 00:08:53.299 you know what, Sinclair, sometime over the last couple of months, 00:08:53.759 --> 00:08:56.500 you actually did respond to the call of Christ, 00:08:56.500 --> 00:08:58.039 and now you are living as a Christian. 00:08:58.039 --> 00:09:00.579 And whatever way it happens, it doesn't matter, 00:09:00.759 --> 00:09:06.939 but everyone who comes to Christ comes because Christ has first called you. 00:09:07.759 --> 00:09:10.000 And so in all of this text which follows, 00:09:10.879 --> 00:09:12.139 Paul is using... 00:09:12.139 --> 00:09:14.519 Paul... I'm getting too worked up. 00:09:14.879 --> 00:09:18.219 Paul is using called in that sense. 00:09:19.980 --> 00:09:21.480 Jack in the box preaching. 00:09:21.480 --> 00:09:24.820 And so let's just listen along. 00:09:25.019 --> 00:09:25.740 Verse 18. 00:09:26.940 --> 00:09:28.980 We'll start at verse 17 again. 00:09:29.100 --> 00:09:31.360 But as God has distributed to each one, 00:09:31.460 --> 00:09:33.980 as the Lord has called each one, 00:09:34.420 --> 00:09:35.620 so let him walk, 00:09:35.759 --> 00:09:37.860 and so I ordain in all the churches. 00:09:38.379 --> 00:09:40.639 Was anyone called while circumcised? 00:09:40.940 --> 00:09:42.620 Let him not become uncircumcised. 00:09:43.019 --> 00:09:45.360 Was anyone called while uncircumcised? 00:09:45.720 --> 00:09:47.220 Let him not be circumcised. 00:09:47.220 --> 00:09:49.420 Circumcision is nothing, 00:09:49.899 --> 00:09:52.080 and uncircumcision is nothing, 00:09:52.399 --> 00:09:55.139 but keeping the commandments of God is what matters. 00:09:55.460 --> 00:09:57.460 In other words, responding to the call of Christ, 00:09:57.740 --> 00:10:01.019 and then learning to live as a follower of Jesus. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:05.920 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 00:10:06.600 --> 00:10:07.980 Were you called while a slave? 00:10:08.399 --> 00:10:09.960 Do not be concerned about it, 00:10:10.160 --> 00:10:11.540 but if you can be made free, 00:10:12.259 --> 00:10:12.740 use it. 00:10:12.740 --> 00:10:18.419 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freed man. 00:10:19.039 --> 00:10:23.180 Likewise, he who is called while free is Christ's slave. 00:10:23.980 --> 00:10:25.299 Here's the key verse. 00:10:25.779 --> 00:10:28.000 You were bought at a price. 00:10:28.940 --> 00:10:30.500 Do not become slaves of men. 00:10:31.139 --> 00:10:32.039 Brothers and sisters, 00:10:32.460 --> 00:10:36.600 let each one remain with God in that calling in which he was called. 00:10:37.440 --> 00:10:39.759 Just sort of pause here before we go on. 00:10:39.759 --> 00:10:42.919 Now, if, what Paul is saying is this, 00:10:43.080 --> 00:10:45.220 that the way it works is not, 00:10:45.960 --> 00:10:49.799 that God sort of looks down from heaven at Sinclair and says, 00:10:50.360 --> 00:10:52.399 can't call Sinclair in this situation, 00:10:52.600 --> 00:10:54.379 can't call Sinclair in this situation, 00:10:54.559 --> 00:10:56.299 can't call Sinclair in this situation. 00:10:56.939 --> 00:10:59.980 Gosh, I wish George would have gone to that graduate school, 00:11:00.059 --> 00:11:02.220 or done this, or, you know, done that, 00:11:02.259 --> 00:11:03.580 and then finally I could call, 00:11:03.980 --> 00:11:05.120 doesn't work like that at all. 00:11:05.120 --> 00:11:10.379 Most of you have never had the honor of meeting Hugh Reynolds. 00:11:10.639 --> 00:11:12.519 He died about five or six years ago. 00:11:12.620 --> 00:11:15.519 He was one of the very first people that I met when I came to this church. 00:11:16.080 --> 00:11:18.060 The first Sunday I came to do services, 00:11:18.299 --> 00:11:20.259 Hugh Reynolds sat at the very back pew, 00:11:20.799 --> 00:11:21.679 close to the door, 00:11:22.360 --> 00:11:26.700 and if you had asked me after the service to describe Hugh's background, 00:11:26.820 --> 00:11:30.820 I would have bet you $100 that he was a retired sergeant major 00:11:30.820 --> 00:11:33.379 where chief warrant officer from the army. 00:11:33.379 --> 00:11:36.300 He had the haircut, he had the bearing, 00:11:36.700 --> 00:11:39.120 and it was only after I had been in the church for several months 00:11:39.120 --> 00:11:42.620 that I discovered that he had spent 50 years as a street person. 00:11:43.700 --> 00:11:47.520 And it was while he was a street person, an alcoholic, 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:52.980 that he heard the call of Christ to his life and turned around. 00:11:53.680 --> 00:11:55.580 And boy, when he turned around, 00:11:55.680 --> 00:11:57.100 I mean, he still had some aspects. 00:11:57.100 --> 00:11:58.019 He had a temper. 00:11:59.940 --> 00:12:02.639 But when he turned around, he turned around. 00:12:03.220 --> 00:12:05.779 And if over coffee later on today, 00:12:05.820 --> 00:12:07.060 or if we were to have a potluck meal 00:12:07.060 --> 00:12:08.519 and we were to share with each other, 00:12:08.620 --> 00:12:09.279 you would say, you know, 00:12:09.659 --> 00:12:11.340 some of us heard the call of Christ 00:12:11.340 --> 00:12:13.259 when we were living in Rockcliffe 00:12:13.259 --> 00:12:14.560 and we were older in age. 00:12:14.600 --> 00:12:16.300 And some of us heard the call of Christ 00:12:16.300 --> 00:12:17.720 when we were, you know, 00:12:17.779 --> 00:12:19.820 maybe experimenting with different religions. 00:12:20.540 --> 00:12:22.399 Maybe some of us heard the call of Christ 00:12:22.399 --> 00:12:26.179 in the midst of a real commitment to drugs and alcohol 00:12:26.179 --> 00:12:29.539 and all of the things that would go along with that. 00:12:29.639 --> 00:12:31.439 And some of us heard the call of Christ 00:12:31.439 --> 00:12:33.600 while we were suburban moms or dads. 00:12:33.879 --> 00:12:35.319 Some of us heard it in this situation. 00:12:35.459 --> 00:12:36.699 Some of us heard it in that situation. 00:12:36.819 --> 00:12:37.959 And what Paul is saying is, 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.679 you know what? 00:12:39.819 --> 00:12:42.059 God doesn't care about that situation. 00:12:43.799 --> 00:12:46.759 In the midst of whatever situation you are in, 00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:48.899 God has been, I mean, in a sense, 00:12:48.899 --> 00:12:50.600 in a sense, when we get to heaven, 00:12:50.879 --> 00:12:52.340 we will understand that from the moment 00:12:52.340 --> 00:12:54.120 we were conceived in our mother's womb, 00:12:54.340 --> 00:12:55.959 that God was saying, 00:12:56.740 --> 00:12:59.019 George, I want you to be mine. 00:12:59.699 --> 00:13:01.299 George, I want you to be mine. 00:13:02.019 --> 00:13:02.980 And just finally, 00:13:03.480 --> 00:13:04.860 we get to that sitting affairs 00:13:04.860 --> 00:13:06.079 where we can actually hear 00:13:06.079 --> 00:13:09.459 and we can respond with a yes. 00:13:09.600 --> 00:13:11.139 Sometimes a reluctant yes. 00:13:11.500 --> 00:13:13.100 Sometimes a frightened yes. 00:13:14.059 --> 00:13:17.980 And sometimes with a just yes type of excitement. 00:13:17.980 --> 00:13:20.120 And that's when the great adventure, 00:13:20.680 --> 00:13:24.039 that's when the great quest really begins 00:13:24.039 --> 00:13:25.360 when we say to Christ, 00:13:25.820 --> 00:13:26.879 you say yes to Christ. 00:13:27.039 --> 00:13:28.200 And so Paul is saying this. 00:13:28.259 --> 00:13:28.600 You know what? 00:13:29.240 --> 00:13:31.460 Your situation doesn't particularly matter. 00:13:31.560 --> 00:13:33.039 It's relatively relative. 00:13:33.960 --> 00:13:36.899 What matters is hearing the call of Christ 00:13:36.899 --> 00:13:41.379 and then learning to live as one who is bought. 00:13:42.600 --> 00:13:44.399 You see, here's this great transaction 00:13:44.399 --> 00:13:46.779 that happens when I say yes to Jesus Christ. 00:13:46.779 --> 00:13:49.139 And when you have said yes to Jesus Christ, 00:13:50.279 --> 00:13:52.579 you now belong to him. 00:13:53.419 --> 00:13:54.899 I don't belong to myself. 00:13:55.360 --> 00:13:56.980 The government doesn't own me. 00:13:57.259 --> 00:13:58.579 I don't own me. 00:13:59.240 --> 00:14:01.159 The banks don't own me. 00:14:03.480 --> 00:14:04.799 Christ owns me. 00:14:05.819 --> 00:14:07.740 And so the message throughout all of this is, 00:14:07.799 --> 00:14:08.659 you know what, George? 00:14:08.659 --> 00:14:13.120 Whether you are a priest in St. Albans 00:14:13.120 --> 00:14:15.719 or whether you were a priest in the Arctic Circle 00:14:15.719 --> 00:14:19.219 or whether you were a missionary somewhere else, 00:14:19.659 --> 00:14:21.759 live every day. 00:14:21.959 --> 00:14:23.399 Wake up every day and say, 00:14:23.659 --> 00:14:25.600 I belong to Jesus. 00:14:26.120 --> 00:14:28.779 Father, help me to live like one who belongs to Jesus. 00:14:29.719 --> 00:14:32.720 Stephen Harper claims to be a Christian. 00:14:32.860 --> 00:14:34.659 In a sense, every day Stephen Harper 00:14:34.659 --> 00:14:36.220 should not wake up first and say, 00:14:36.220 --> 00:14:37.720 I am the Prime Minister of Canada. 00:14:37.820 --> 00:14:38.980 He should wake up every day 00:14:38.980 --> 00:14:40.420 and the first thing he should say is, 00:14:40.820 --> 00:14:42.000 I belong to Jesus. 00:14:42.360 --> 00:14:45.080 Father, help me to live like I belong to Jesus. 00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:47.700 If you are called in the midst of alcoholism, 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:48.840 as an alcoholic, 00:14:49.000 --> 00:14:50.100 you are called to wake up 00:14:50.100 --> 00:14:51.860 and every day start to learn to say, 00:14:51.940 --> 00:14:54.480 Jesus, help me to live today like I belong to you. 00:14:54.899 --> 00:14:56.300 If you're retired, 00:14:56.680 --> 00:14:57.680 if you're a student, 00:14:58.139 --> 00:15:00.220 if you're in the fast track in your job, 00:15:00.220 --> 00:15:01.879 if you're about to be downsized, 00:15:02.000 --> 00:15:03.840 no matter what our situation is, 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:06.120 Christ is saying to us, 00:15:06.740 --> 00:15:08.920 remember that you have been called by me 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:09.879 and you said yes, 00:15:10.379 --> 00:15:11.480 you belong to me. 00:15:12.440 --> 00:15:14.720 And that's what we'll be invited to understand 00:15:14.720 --> 00:15:15.840 and to live our lives, 00:15:15.940 --> 00:15:17.100 not as atheists, 00:15:17.779 --> 00:15:19.600 live as if nothing has happened, 00:15:19.720 --> 00:15:21.840 but learning to try to live every day, 00:15:22.360 --> 00:15:26.399 understanding that we now belong to Jesus Christ. 00:15:26.399 --> 00:15:26.559 Christ. 00:15:27.980 --> 00:15:29.559 Let's just turn briefly, 00:15:30.039 --> 00:15:31.299 keeping all of this in mind, 00:15:31.659 --> 00:15:33.039 to the text which follows, 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:34.459 beginning at verse 25. 00:15:35.279 --> 00:15:36.840 Those of you who are guests this morning, 00:15:37.340 --> 00:15:39.199 one of the things that we do at St. Albans now 00:15:39.199 --> 00:15:40.480 is we preach through the Bible. 00:15:41.179 --> 00:15:42.399 It means I look at texts, 00:15:42.600 --> 00:15:43.720 I can tell you this, 00:15:44.299 --> 00:15:46.659 if it was left up to my flesh, 00:15:47.439 --> 00:15:48.919 if it was just left up to me 00:15:48.919 --> 00:15:51.139 using my worldly best wisdom, 00:15:51.279 --> 00:15:53.500 I would never preach on 1 Corinthians 7. 00:15:53.620 --> 00:15:54.799 Like I'd probably give you a nice, 00:15:54.799 --> 00:15:57.559 comforting religious thought from Philippians 00:15:57.559 --> 00:15:59.139 virtually every Sunday, 00:15:59.259 --> 00:16:00.599 if it was completely up to me. 00:16:01.120 --> 00:16:03.319 But we are called to understand 00:16:03.319 --> 00:16:04.379 God's word written 00:16:04.379 --> 00:16:06.539 and we are called to search the scriptures 00:16:06.539 --> 00:16:08.219 and so we preach through texts. 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:11.479 So let's continue reading at verse 25. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.799 Now concerning virgins, 00:16:14.620 --> 00:16:16.219 I have no commandment from the Lord, 00:16:16.339 --> 00:16:17.859 yet I give judgment as one 00:16:17.859 --> 00:16:19.379 whom the Lord in his mercy 00:16:19.379 --> 00:16:20.699 has made trustworthy. 00:16:21.839 --> 00:16:22.019 Now, 00:16:22.019 --> 00:16:24.759 and we're going to read one more verse, 00:16:24.860 --> 00:16:25.199 26, 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:25.939 I suppose, 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:26.860 therefore, 00:16:27.299 --> 00:16:28.759 that this is good 00:16:28.759 --> 00:16:31.199 because of the present distress 00:16:31.199 --> 00:16:32.899 that it is good for a man 00:16:32.899 --> 00:16:34.240 to remain as he is. 00:16:34.720 --> 00:16:36.120 And there it could also be good 00:16:36.120 --> 00:16:37.319 for a man or for a woman 00:16:37.319 --> 00:16:39.439 to remain as they are. 00:16:40.279 --> 00:16:41.720 Now just want to pause here 00:16:41.720 --> 00:16:42.779 before we go any farther. 00:16:43.879 --> 00:16:45.159 The text as a whole 00:16:45.159 --> 00:16:46.519 is inviting us to live 00:16:46.519 --> 00:16:48.460 like we know the punchline 00:16:48.460 --> 00:16:50.940 or to live like we know 00:16:50.940 --> 00:16:51.980 the final word 00:16:51.980 --> 00:16:53.580 about the story of our lives. 00:16:54.139 --> 00:16:54.500 Now, 00:16:54.620 --> 00:16:55.340 the first thing is 00:16:55.340 --> 00:16:56.040 we're going through this. 00:16:56.080 --> 00:16:57.220 This is a very unusual 00:16:57.220 --> 00:16:58.240 passage of scripture. 00:16:58.379 --> 00:16:59.540 I'm not sure if it's the only 00:16:59.540 --> 00:17:00.519 passage of scripture 00:17:00.519 --> 00:17:02.139 like it in the whole Bible, 00:17:02.259 --> 00:17:03.840 but if it's not the only, 00:17:03.960 --> 00:17:05.000 it's one of very few. 00:17:05.860 --> 00:17:07.000 And it's because the text 00:17:07.000 --> 00:17:07.720 is so odd 00:17:07.720 --> 00:17:09.259 that it's caused much mischief 00:17:09.259 --> 00:17:10.100 amongst Christians. 00:17:11.100 --> 00:17:12.400 At the 8 o'clock service 00:17:12.400 --> 00:17:13.759 and the 11 o'clock service today, 00:17:13.799 --> 00:17:15.100 we said the Ten Commandments. 00:17:15.099 --> 00:17:15.779 And hopefully, 00:17:15.959 --> 00:17:17.179 if I get organized enough 00:17:17.179 --> 00:17:18.579 throughout the rest of Lent, 00:17:18.679 --> 00:17:19.419 every Sunday 00:17:19.419 --> 00:17:20.719 at this 915 service, 00:17:20.819 --> 00:17:22.179 we will say the Ten Commandments. 00:17:22.799 --> 00:17:24.019 I'm just not organized enough 00:17:24.019 --> 00:17:24.859 to have done it today. 00:17:25.539 --> 00:17:27.019 But the Ten Commandments 00:17:27.019 --> 00:17:28.119 are exactly that. 00:17:28.240 --> 00:17:29.059 They are commandments. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:32.579 It is not ten words of advice, 00:17:33.000 --> 00:17:34.219 ten suggestions. 00:17:35.059 --> 00:17:35.319 You know, 00:17:35.399 --> 00:17:35.859 it's saying, 00:17:35.919 --> 00:17:36.399 when it says, 00:17:36.759 --> 00:17:37.000 you know, 00:17:37.199 --> 00:17:37.599 George, 00:17:37.679 --> 00:17:38.759 you shall not covet, 00:17:39.240 --> 00:17:40.279 the text is saying, 00:17:40.659 --> 00:17:41.059 George, 00:17:41.480 --> 00:17:42.379 coveting is wrong. 00:17:42.699 --> 00:17:43.579 Look at your life. 00:17:43.579 --> 00:17:45.339 Are you coveting things? 00:17:46.159 --> 00:17:46.919 Stop it. 00:17:47.339 --> 00:17:48.119 You can't stop. 00:17:48.439 --> 00:17:48.579 Like, 00:17:49.019 --> 00:17:50.720 apologize to God. 00:17:51.159 --> 00:17:52.619 Call out to Him for help. 00:17:53.000 --> 00:17:54.339 Ask for the Holy Spirit 00:17:54.339 --> 00:17:55.720 that you might amend your life 00:17:55.720 --> 00:17:56.939 according to His Holy Word, 00:17:57.039 --> 00:17:57.939 but you shouldn't covet. 00:17:58.299 --> 00:17:59.480 You don't commit adultery. 00:17:59.720 --> 00:18:01.919 You don't take innocent life. 00:18:02.379 --> 00:18:02.619 You know, 00:18:02.720 --> 00:18:03.619 and on and on and on. 00:18:03.659 --> 00:18:04.819 There are Ten Commandments. 00:18:05.720 --> 00:18:06.899 What we get now 00:18:06.899 --> 00:18:08.759 from 1 Corinthians 7.25 00:18:08.759 --> 00:18:09.519 to the end, 00:18:09.579 --> 00:18:10.599 it's one of the few places 00:18:10.599 --> 00:18:11.179 in the Bible 00:18:11.179 --> 00:18:12.119 that what we get 00:18:12.119 --> 00:18:12.939 is advice. 00:18:13.579 --> 00:18:15.439 Not a commandment. 00:18:16.179 --> 00:18:17.679 It's a very unusual passage 00:18:17.679 --> 00:18:18.279 of Scripture. 00:18:19.019 --> 00:18:19.819 We get advice. 00:18:20.639 --> 00:18:21.659 Paul is dealing 00:18:21.659 --> 00:18:23.579 with super spiritual guys. 00:18:24.099 --> 00:18:24.919 They are going to try 00:18:24.919 --> 00:18:25.899 to launch a sort of 00:18:25.899 --> 00:18:27.000 super spiritual, 00:18:27.460 --> 00:18:28.139 ascetic, 00:18:28.579 --> 00:18:29.960 celibacy campaign. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.179 They happen to know 00:18:31.179 --> 00:18:31.859 that Paul, 00:18:32.179 --> 00:18:33.539 who is maybe widowed early 00:18:33.539 --> 00:18:34.419 or whatever, 00:18:34.619 --> 00:18:35.639 he's been living 00:18:35.639 --> 00:18:36.500 a single, 00:18:36.659 --> 00:18:37.259 celibate life 00:18:37.259 --> 00:18:38.199 for quite a few years. 00:18:38.639 --> 00:18:40.000 They're trying to get Paul 00:18:40.000 --> 00:18:40.839 to join in 00:18:40.839 --> 00:18:41.879 with their campaign, 00:18:41.880 --> 00:18:43.500 and Paul is resisting them. 00:18:44.100 --> 00:18:46.200 And he's also dealing 00:18:46.200 --> 00:18:46.700 with people 00:18:46.700 --> 00:18:47.240 who are in the midst 00:18:47.240 --> 00:18:48.740 of a distress. 00:18:49.540 --> 00:18:50.440 And Bible scholars 00:18:50.440 --> 00:18:51.200 and archaeologists, 00:18:51.280 --> 00:18:52.260 we don't know what it is, 00:18:52.300 --> 00:18:53.600 but there was some crisis 00:18:53.600 --> 00:18:54.400 going on 00:18:54.400 --> 00:18:55.580 in Corinth 00:18:55.580 --> 00:18:56.420 at the time 00:18:56.420 --> 00:18:57.440 when Paul is writing 00:18:57.440 --> 00:18:57.940 this letter 00:18:57.940 --> 00:18:58.800 and he knows about it. 00:18:58.840 --> 00:18:59.400 We just don't know 00:18:59.400 --> 00:19:00.140 what it is now. 00:19:00.780 --> 00:19:02.200 And Paul is just 00:19:02.200 --> 00:19:02.920 giving advice. 00:19:03.320 --> 00:19:04.120 And the heart 00:19:04.120 --> 00:19:04.840 of his advice 00:19:04.840 --> 00:19:06.480 is this. 00:19:06.480 --> 00:19:09.039 consider godly singleness. 00:19:10.960 --> 00:19:12.599 Just consider godly singleness. 00:19:12.740 --> 00:19:13.279 Don't consider 00:19:13.279 --> 00:19:14.579 ungodly singleness, 00:19:15.400 --> 00:19:16.220 which, you know, 00:19:16.240 --> 00:19:17.380 don't consider singleness 00:19:17.380 --> 00:19:17.839 that, you know, 00:19:17.880 --> 00:19:18.559 you're going to, you know, 00:19:18.579 --> 00:19:19.339 ignore marriage 00:19:19.339 --> 00:19:19.900 because you want 00:19:19.900 --> 00:19:20.940 to pursue your career 00:19:20.940 --> 00:19:21.759 or you're going to 00:19:21.759 --> 00:19:22.680 ignore marriage 00:19:22.680 --> 00:19:23.420 because you'd rather 00:19:23.420 --> 00:19:24.339 just date, you know, 00:19:24.380 --> 00:19:25.259 I'll speak to guys, 00:19:25.559 --> 00:19:26.400 a whole succession 00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:26.900 of women, 00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:28.120 embed a whole succession 00:19:28.120 --> 00:19:28.680 of women, 00:19:29.240 --> 00:19:30.400 and, you know, 00:19:30.460 --> 00:19:32.059 maybe you've reached 40 00:19:32.059 --> 00:19:32.559 or, you know, 00:19:32.599 --> 00:19:33.559 life is sort of over, 00:19:33.660 --> 00:19:34.460 then you get married 00:19:34.460 --> 00:19:35.380 and have some kids 00:19:35.380 --> 00:19:35.960 and move on. 00:19:36.059 --> 00:19:36.640 Like, you know, 00:19:36.640 --> 00:19:37.200 don't consider 00:19:37.200 --> 00:19:38.400 ungodly singleness. 00:19:38.600 --> 00:19:39.840 Consider godly singleness. 00:19:40.120 --> 00:19:40.720 Just some advice. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:41.460 Just think about it 00:19:41.460 --> 00:19:41.880 for a second. 00:19:41.980 --> 00:19:42.079 You know, 00:19:42.120 --> 00:19:45.019 if, you know, 00:19:45.100 --> 00:19:46.600 my wife tragically 00:19:46.600 --> 00:19:47.920 was to die, 00:19:48.160 --> 00:19:48.400 I mean, 00:19:48.460 --> 00:19:48.840 in a sense, 00:19:48.920 --> 00:19:50.279 this text is to say 00:19:50.279 --> 00:19:50.680 to me, 00:19:51.180 --> 00:19:51.440 George, 00:19:51.539 --> 00:19:52.279 consider whether, 00:19:52.680 --> 00:19:54.039 just spend some time 00:19:54.039 --> 00:19:55.140 in fasting and prayer 00:19:55.140 --> 00:19:56.140 and consider whether 00:19:56.140 --> 00:19:57.000 you are being called 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.120 to godly singleness. 00:19:58.700 --> 00:19:59.579 Just consider it. 00:20:00.039 --> 00:20:00.500 Advice. 00:20:01.620 --> 00:20:01.819 You know, 00:20:01.900 --> 00:20:03.860 a moment from God, 00:20:03.859 --> 00:20:05.079 not a command, 00:20:06.000 --> 00:20:07.039 just something 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.579 to prayerfully consider. 00:20:10.079 --> 00:20:10.979 And that's what 00:20:10.979 --> 00:20:11.959 this text is. 00:20:12.159 --> 00:20:13.559 It's some advice, 00:20:13.899 --> 00:20:14.519 and that's why 00:20:14.519 --> 00:20:15.799 Paul carries around 00:20:15.799 --> 00:20:16.319 with saying, 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.059 you know, 00:20:17.079 --> 00:20:18.859 my advice in verse 25, 00:20:19.019 --> 00:20:20.419 yet I give advice 00:20:20.419 --> 00:20:21.879 as one whom 00:20:21.879 --> 00:20:22.879 the Lord in his mercy 00:20:22.879 --> 00:20:24.000 has made trustworthy. 00:20:24.240 --> 00:20:25.059 It's a language 00:20:25.059 --> 00:20:25.579 of just, 00:20:26.019 --> 00:20:26.740 just, 00:20:27.419 --> 00:20:27.740 you know, 00:20:27.899 --> 00:20:29.000 we're pell-mell, 00:20:30.119 --> 00:20:30.699 you know, 00:20:30.819 --> 00:20:31.719 we're pell-mell 00:20:31.719 --> 00:20:32.919 or we're distracted, 00:20:32.920 --> 00:20:34.039 and in the midst 00:20:34.039 --> 00:20:34.940 of being pell-mell 00:20:34.940 --> 00:20:35.420 or in the midst 00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.259 of being distracted 00:20:36.259 --> 00:20:36.840 or in the midst 00:20:36.840 --> 00:20:37.519 of just allowing 00:20:37.519 --> 00:20:38.500 ourselves to be carried 00:20:38.500 --> 00:20:39.880 along by the pressures 00:20:39.880 --> 00:20:40.779 of our culture, 00:20:41.279 --> 00:20:42.039 it's in a sense 00:20:42.039 --> 00:20:43.360 a call out to you 00:20:43.360 --> 00:20:43.700 and to me 00:20:43.700 --> 00:20:45.920 just to prayerfully 00:20:45.920 --> 00:20:46.840 consider something. 00:20:47.460 --> 00:20:48.140 Just prayerfully 00:20:48.140 --> 00:20:48.740 consider it. 00:20:50.259 --> 00:20:51.980 So let's continue. 00:20:52.420 --> 00:20:53.140 Verse 27, 00:20:53.300 --> 00:20:53.800 are you bound 00:20:53.800 --> 00:20:54.400 to a wife? 00:20:55.080 --> 00:20:55.920 Do not seek 00:20:55.920 --> 00:20:56.539 to be loosed. 00:20:56.700 --> 00:20:57.200 Are you loosed 00:20:57.200 --> 00:20:57.700 from a wife? 00:20:57.700 --> 00:20:58.759 Do not seek a wife. 00:20:59.000 --> 00:21:00.060 But even if you do marry, 00:21:00.059 --> 00:21:01.220 you have not sinned. 00:21:01.720 --> 00:21:02.619 If a virgin marry, 00:21:02.740 --> 00:21:03.579 she has not sinned. 00:21:03.679 --> 00:21:03.980 Nevertheless, 00:21:04.480 --> 00:21:05.639 such will have trouble 00:21:05.639 --> 00:21:06.419 in the flesh. 00:21:06.659 --> 00:21:06.960 That means, 00:21:07.079 --> 00:21:07.940 flesh here means 00:21:07.940 --> 00:21:09.980 the frail nature 00:21:09.980 --> 00:21:11.460 of our mortal existence. 00:21:12.299 --> 00:21:13.539 But I would spare you. 00:21:14.139 --> 00:21:14.819 But I say, 00:21:14.940 --> 00:21:16.299 brothers and sisters, 00:21:16.419 --> 00:21:16.980 this I say, 00:21:17.059 --> 00:21:18.139 the time is short 00:21:18.139 --> 00:21:20.279 so that from now on 00:21:20.279 --> 00:21:21.139 even those 00:21:21.139 --> 00:21:22.179 who have wives 00:21:22.179 --> 00:21:23.440 should be as though 00:21:23.440 --> 00:21:24.519 they had none. 00:21:25.179 --> 00:21:26.339 Those who weep 00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:26.980 as though 00:21:26.980 --> 00:21:28.039 they did not weep. 00:21:28.039 --> 00:21:29.139 Those who rejoice 00:21:29.139 --> 00:21:29.899 as though 00:21:29.899 --> 00:21:30.960 they did not rejoice. 00:21:31.220 --> 00:21:32.139 Those who buy 00:21:32.139 --> 00:21:33.000 as though 00:21:33.000 --> 00:21:34.059 they did not possess. 00:21:34.559 --> 00:21:35.059 And those 00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:36.299 who this world 00:21:36.299 --> 00:21:37.599 and those 00:21:37.599 --> 00:21:38.720 who use this world 00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:40.200 as not misusing it 00:21:40.200 --> 00:21:41.399 for the form 00:21:41.399 --> 00:21:42.480 of this world 00:21:42.480 --> 00:21:43.680 is passing away. 00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:45.379 I just want to pause. 00:21:45.480 --> 00:21:46.200 There's two really 00:21:46.200 --> 00:21:47.119 big ideas 00:21:47.119 --> 00:21:47.859 in this text 00:21:47.859 --> 00:21:48.779 which are motivating 00:21:48.779 --> 00:21:50.240 all of his advice. 00:21:50.980 --> 00:21:51.799 And it's advice 00:21:51.799 --> 00:21:52.859 to all of us 00:21:52.859 --> 00:21:53.619 at every time 00:21:53.619 --> 00:21:54.319 and situation 00:21:54.319 --> 00:21:55.680 in our lives. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:58.220 Paul is urging us 00:21:58.220 --> 00:21:59.440 to live 00:21:59.440 --> 00:22:00.200 like we know 00:22:00.200 --> 00:22:01.360 the end of the story. 00:22:03.120 --> 00:22:05.600 Or the punchline. 00:22:06.720 --> 00:22:07.220 Now I'm not, 00:22:07.500 --> 00:22:08.620 this isn't being arrogant. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:09.840 This is far from it. 00:22:11.120 --> 00:22:12.140 I know 00:22:12.140 --> 00:22:13.860 the final word 00:22:13.860 --> 00:22:15.140 about my life. 00:22:17.360 --> 00:22:18.460 And those of you 00:22:18.460 --> 00:22:19.299 who are in Christ, 00:22:19.580 --> 00:22:20.779 you know the final word 00:22:20.779 --> 00:22:22.120 about your life as well. 00:22:22.820 --> 00:22:23.120 See, 00:22:23.460 --> 00:22:24.660 this isn't being arrogant, 00:22:24.880 --> 00:22:25.180 folks. 00:22:25.680 --> 00:22:26.400 You know, 00:22:26.940 --> 00:22:28.320 if I, 00:22:28.500 --> 00:22:28.680 you know, 00:22:28.759 --> 00:22:29.700 if it wasn't for the, 00:22:29.799 --> 00:22:30.039 just the, 00:22:30.180 --> 00:22:30.340 I mean, 00:22:30.420 --> 00:22:31.680 I could give you 00:22:31.680 --> 00:22:32.700 endless lists 00:22:32.700 --> 00:22:33.980 of my failings 00:22:33.980 --> 00:22:34.880 and my sins. 00:22:35.940 --> 00:22:37.220 And I am making 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.259 no comment 00:22:38.259 --> 00:22:38.820 whatsoever 00:22:38.820 --> 00:22:39.759 about the fact 00:22:39.759 --> 00:22:40.799 that after this sermon 00:22:40.799 --> 00:22:41.220 is over, 00:22:41.299 --> 00:22:42.500 my failings will end 00:22:42.500 --> 00:22:43.580 and my sins will end. 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:44.660 If there's one thing 00:22:44.660 --> 00:22:45.299 I know about me 00:22:45.299 --> 00:22:46.039 into the future, 00:22:46.460 --> 00:22:47.220 it is that I will 00:22:47.220 --> 00:22:48.380 continue to have failings 00:22:48.380 --> 00:22:49.180 and I will continue 00:22:49.180 --> 00:22:49.640 to sin. 00:22:50.200 --> 00:22:51.240 I'm not saying this 00:22:51.240 --> 00:22:51.940 out of any sense 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.580 of arrogance 00:22:52.580 --> 00:22:53.440 whatsoever. 00:22:53.440 --> 00:22:56.440 I am saying, 00:22:56.960 --> 00:22:57.740 for God so loved 00:22:57.740 --> 00:22:58.160 the world 00:22:58.160 --> 00:22:58.759 that he gave 00:22:58.759 --> 00:22:59.640 his only begotten 00:22:59.640 --> 00:23:00.820 son to the end 00:23:00.820 --> 00:23:01.539 that those who 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.259 believe in him 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:03.160 will not perish 00:23:03.160 --> 00:23:04.720 but have everlasting 00:23:04.720 --> 00:23:05.220 life. 00:23:05.620 --> 00:23:06.340 Come to me, 00:23:06.400 --> 00:23:07.120 all who labor 00:23:07.120 --> 00:23:07.900 and are heavy laden, 00:23:07.960 --> 00:23:09.160 and I will give you rest. 00:23:09.519 --> 00:23:10.720 Take my yoke upon you 00:23:10.720 --> 00:23:11.519 and learn from me 00:23:11.519 --> 00:23:12.180 for I am gentle 00:23:12.180 --> 00:23:13.039 and lowly of heart 00:23:13.039 --> 00:23:14.059 and you will find 00:23:14.059 --> 00:23:15.120 rest for your souls 00:23:15.120 --> 00:23:16.220 for my yoke is easy 00:23:16.220 --> 00:23:17.279 and my burden is light. 00:23:17.279 --> 00:23:18.799 Part of what it means 00:23:18.799 --> 00:23:19.759 to become a Christian 00:23:19.759 --> 00:23:20.379 is this, 00:23:20.899 --> 00:23:22.000 that when we hear 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.119 the call of Christ, 00:23:23.619 --> 00:23:24.839 when we respond 00:23:24.839 --> 00:23:25.980 with yes to the call 00:23:25.980 --> 00:23:26.539 of Christ, 00:23:27.039 --> 00:23:27.779 when Jesus, 00:23:28.079 --> 00:23:29.019 as a result of us 00:23:29.019 --> 00:23:30.019 saying yes to that, 00:23:30.399 --> 00:23:31.259 he, in a sense, 00:23:31.500 --> 00:23:32.639 he reveals to us 00:23:32.639 --> 00:23:33.680 that by saying yes, 00:23:33.920 --> 00:23:35.319 he has purchased us, 00:23:35.960 --> 00:23:36.839 purchased us, 00:23:36.920 --> 00:23:38.139 and we now belong 00:23:38.139 --> 00:23:38.660 to him, 00:23:39.039 --> 00:23:40.099 that in him, 00:23:40.160 --> 00:23:40.879 and we might not 00:23:40.879 --> 00:23:41.899 even recognize 00:23:41.899 --> 00:23:42.680 or realize this 00:23:42.680 --> 00:23:43.480 when we turn to Christ 00:23:43.480 --> 00:23:43.879 at first, 00:23:44.220 --> 00:23:45.379 that on him, 00:23:45.380 --> 00:23:47.480 as he lay dying, 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:48.520 as he hung dying 00:23:48.520 --> 00:23:49.340 upon the cross, 00:23:49.400 --> 00:23:50.160 that he and his, 00:23:50.260 --> 00:23:51.420 he and his body 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.300 and he and his person 00:23:52.300 --> 00:23:54.600 bare bore every single 00:23:54.600 --> 00:23:56.040 failing and sin 00:23:56.040 --> 00:23:56.940 and shame 00:23:56.940 --> 00:23:58.380 that has ever been 00:23:58.380 --> 00:23:59.360 part of my life 00:23:59.360 --> 00:24:00.020 and will be ever 00:24:00.020 --> 00:24:00.780 part of my life, 00:24:00.880 --> 00:24:02.260 and all of these things 00:24:02.260 --> 00:24:04.940 lay upon him 00:24:04.940 --> 00:24:06.620 as he hung upon the cross, 00:24:06.740 --> 00:24:08.300 and all of the appropriate 00:24:08.300 --> 00:24:09.020 punishment 00:24:09.020 --> 00:24:10.360 which those things deserve, 00:24:10.680 --> 00:24:12.840 they were all on him, 00:24:13.780 --> 00:24:15.160 and he trades 00:24:15.160 --> 00:24:17.100 his sinless relationship 00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:18.160 with the Father 00:24:18.160 --> 00:24:19.940 for my sins 00:24:19.940 --> 00:24:21.300 and my failings, 00:24:21.519 --> 00:24:23.100 and he buys me, 00:24:24.140 --> 00:24:26.259 and so, 00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:30.540 nothing can separate me 00:24:30.540 --> 00:24:32.180 from the love of God, 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:33.220 and I know 00:24:33.220 --> 00:24:34.440 that when I die 00:24:34.440 --> 00:24:36.380 and I open my eyes, 00:24:37.259 --> 00:24:38.240 my loved ones 00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.620 will see me die, 00:24:40.460 --> 00:24:42.180 and they will then 00:24:42.180 --> 00:24:42.980 just see the body 00:24:42.980 --> 00:24:43.600 with the soul 00:24:43.599 --> 00:24:44.579 having been gone, 00:24:45.019 --> 00:24:46.099 but I will wake, 00:24:46.439 --> 00:24:47.119 and I will look 00:24:47.119 --> 00:24:48.240 at my heavenly Father, 00:24:48.379 --> 00:24:49.099 and he will say, 00:24:49.199 --> 00:24:49.579 welcome. 00:24:51.179 --> 00:24:52.579 I'm so glad 00:24:52.579 --> 00:24:53.219 you're here. 00:24:54.159 --> 00:24:55.699 That is the final word 00:24:55.699 --> 00:24:56.500 about my life, 00:24:56.619 --> 00:24:57.980 and it's the final word 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.639 of the life 00:24:58.639 --> 00:24:59.339 of everyone 00:24:59.339 --> 00:25:00.619 who responds 00:25:00.619 --> 00:25:01.899 to the call of Christ 00:25:01.899 --> 00:25:02.879 and says yes. 00:25:03.879 --> 00:25:05.699 Not weighing our merits, 00:25:05.839 --> 00:25:07.319 but pardoning our offenses. 00:25:07.319 --> 00:25:10.460 not because of works, 00:25:10.939 --> 00:25:12.399 but by grace alone, 00:25:12.599 --> 00:25:13.619 through Christ alone, 00:25:13.799 --> 00:25:14.700 through faith alone, 00:25:14.819 --> 00:25:16.480 that is the only reason 00:25:16.480 --> 00:25:17.399 that I can know 00:25:17.399 --> 00:25:18.720 the final word 00:25:18.720 --> 00:25:19.700 about my life, 00:25:19.939 --> 00:25:21.019 and Paul is saying, 00:25:21.200 --> 00:25:21.679 George, 00:25:22.399 --> 00:25:24.059 live as one 00:25:24.059 --> 00:25:25.220 who knows 00:25:25.220 --> 00:25:26.319 the final word 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:28.019 about your life. 00:25:29.059 --> 00:25:30.599 Become who you are. 00:25:31.819 --> 00:25:32.819 Every day, 00:25:33.500 --> 00:25:34.539 live as one 00:25:34.539 --> 00:25:35.480 who knows 00:25:35.480 --> 00:25:36.579 the end of the story. 00:25:37.980 --> 00:25:39.220 Shape your life 00:25:39.220 --> 00:25:40.899 in terms of the fact 00:25:40.899 --> 00:25:41.919 that you know 00:25:41.919 --> 00:25:42.939 the end of the story. 00:25:43.579 --> 00:25:44.379 The end of the story, 00:25:44.500 --> 00:25:44.619 you know, 00:25:44.700 --> 00:25:46.200 the end of my story 00:25:46.200 --> 00:25:46.759 might be 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:48.099 that I am too poor 00:25:48.099 --> 00:25:49.899 and too all of those things 00:25:49.899 --> 00:25:50.559 that I won't get 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.200 an obituary 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:52.339 in the National Post. 00:25:52.439 --> 00:25:53.439 I won't get an obituary 00:25:53.439 --> 00:25:54.319 in the Globe and Mail. 00:25:54.419 --> 00:25:54.859 There won't be 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:56.500 something about me 00:25:56.500 --> 00:25:58.179 on global television 00:25:58.179 --> 00:25:59.000 or CTV, 00:25:59.139 --> 00:25:59.819 and the flags 00:25:59.819 --> 00:26:01.359 won't fly at half-mask, 00:26:01.579 --> 00:26:02.379 and maybe there are 00:26:02.379 --> 00:26:03.159 all sorts of people 00:26:03.159 --> 00:26:03.839 that what really 00:26:03.839 --> 00:26:04.720 motivates them 00:26:04.720 --> 00:26:05.319 that they will have 00:26:05.319 --> 00:26:06.899 a fantastic obituary 00:26:06.900 --> 00:26:08.380 and we are to live 00:26:08.380 --> 00:26:08.880 our lives 00:26:08.880 --> 00:26:09.840 not concerning 00:26:09.840 --> 00:26:10.720 what the world 00:26:10.720 --> 00:26:11.980 will say about us 00:26:11.980 --> 00:26:13.320 in our obituary. 00:26:13.860 --> 00:26:14.600 We are to live 00:26:14.600 --> 00:26:15.200 our lives 00:26:15.200 --> 00:26:15.800 as one 00:26:15.800 --> 00:26:16.800 who will wake 00:26:16.800 --> 00:26:18.040 upon death 00:26:18.040 --> 00:26:19.080 and see our 00:26:19.080 --> 00:26:19.920 heavenly Father 00:26:19.920 --> 00:26:20.280 say, 00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:21.480 I am so glad 00:26:21.480 --> 00:26:22.140 you are here. 00:26:22.140 --> 00:26:25.500 I am so glad 00:26:25.500 --> 00:26:26.680 that you said yes 00:26:26.680 --> 00:26:27.180 to Christ 00:26:27.180 --> 00:26:27.820 and you are here. 00:26:28.600 --> 00:26:29.380 Live like one 00:26:29.380 --> 00:26:29.980 like that. 00:26:31.280 --> 00:26:32.040 Listen again 00:26:32.040 --> 00:26:33.259 to what 00:26:33.259 --> 00:26:34.240 what Paul 00:26:34.240 --> 00:26:35.040 has just said 00:26:35.040 --> 00:26:37.320 in verse 00:26:37.320 --> 00:26:43.520 verse 29. 00:26:43.520 --> 00:26:44.540 I say this, 00:26:44.759 --> 00:26:44.860 brethren, 00:26:44.960 --> 00:26:46.220 the time is short. 00:26:46.440 --> 00:26:47.520 That's what he means. 00:26:47.519 --> 00:26:49.059 He's painting 00:26:49.059 --> 00:26:49.639 a picture 00:26:49.639 --> 00:26:50.240 of the fact 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:50.839 that you know 00:26:50.839 --> 00:26:51.819 the end 00:26:51.819 --> 00:26:52.579 of the story. 00:26:52.980 --> 00:26:53.639 It's an image 00:26:53.639 --> 00:26:54.400 here of knowing 00:26:54.400 --> 00:26:54.779 the end 00:26:54.779 --> 00:26:55.299 of the story 00:26:55.299 --> 00:26:56.180 so that from now 00:26:56.180 --> 00:26:56.460 on, 00:26:56.559 --> 00:26:57.039 even those 00:26:57.039 --> 00:26:57.720 who have wives 00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:58.559 should be as 00:26:58.559 --> 00:26:59.119 though they had 00:26:59.119 --> 00:26:59.400 none. 00:26:59.960 --> 00:27:00.519 And here's the 00:27:00.519 --> 00:27:01.200 second thing 00:27:01.200 --> 00:27:01.680 which Paul 00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:02.240 is trying to 00:27:02.240 --> 00:27:02.639 communicate, 00:27:02.819 --> 00:27:03.319 that not only 00:27:03.319 --> 00:27:03.839 are we to live 00:27:03.839 --> 00:27:04.299 our lives 00:27:04.299 --> 00:27:04.740 as if we know 00:27:04.740 --> 00:27:05.039 the end 00:27:05.039 --> 00:27:05.660 of the story, 00:27:06.339 --> 00:27:07.039 but that we 00:27:07.039 --> 00:27:07.799 are to live 00:27:07.799 --> 00:27:08.839 and love. 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.539 We are to love 00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.660 at the same time 00:27:11.660 --> 00:27:13.059 as we are detached. 00:27:14.460 --> 00:27:15.139 It's a very 00:27:15.139 --> 00:27:15.819 odd idea, 00:27:15.819 --> 00:27:16.319 but let me 00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:16.740 try to give 00:27:16.740 --> 00:27:17.559 you one example 00:27:17.559 --> 00:27:18.139 to try to get 00:27:18.139 --> 00:27:18.579 what Paul 00:27:18.579 --> 00:27:19.200 is getting at. 00:27:20.119 --> 00:27:20.659 I don't know 00:27:20.659 --> 00:27:21.059 if you've ever 00:27:21.059 --> 00:27:21.599 met anybody 00:27:21.599 --> 00:27:22.240 who's gotten 00:27:22.240 --> 00:27:22.859 the bad word 00:27:22.859 --> 00:27:23.679 about cancer 00:27:23.679 --> 00:27:24.519 or some other 00:27:24.519 --> 00:27:25.480 serious illness 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.799 and they know 00:27:26.799 --> 00:27:27.619 they maybe have 00:27:27.619 --> 00:27:28.460 a month to live 00:27:28.460 --> 00:27:29.159 or three months 00:27:29.159 --> 00:27:29.559 to live 00:27:29.559 --> 00:27:30.359 or six months 00:27:30.359 --> 00:27:30.879 to live. 00:27:31.240 --> 00:27:31.579 They know 00:27:31.579 --> 00:27:32.000 that there's 00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:32.519 nothing that 00:27:32.519 --> 00:27:33.220 can happen. 00:27:34.039 --> 00:27:34.779 Barring an 00:27:34.779 --> 00:27:35.839 unbelievable miracle 00:27:35.839 --> 00:27:36.299 of God, 00:27:36.399 --> 00:27:36.819 they are going 00:27:36.819 --> 00:27:37.319 to die. 00:27:37.519 --> 00:27:37.779 And I don't 00:27:37.779 --> 00:27:38.139 know if you've 00:27:38.139 --> 00:27:38.480 ever met 00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:40.259 anybody who knows 00:27:40.259 --> 00:27:40.839 that they're going 00:27:40.839 --> 00:27:42.079 to die and has 00:27:42.079 --> 00:27:43.139 come to peace 00:27:43.139 --> 00:27:43.899 about it. 00:27:43.900 --> 00:27:46.420 And they 00:27:46.420 --> 00:27:46.880 have come 00:27:46.880 --> 00:27:47.420 to peace 00:27:47.420 --> 00:27:48.040 about it 00:27:48.040 --> 00:27:49.660 and so in a 00:27:49.660 --> 00:27:50.120 sense, 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:51.400 they can just 00:27:51.400 --> 00:27:52.140 sort of look 00:27:52.140 --> 00:27:52.880 at the beauty 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.860 of a grandchild 00:27:53.860 --> 00:27:55.400 and just love 00:27:55.400 --> 00:27:56.320 that grandchild 00:27:56.320 --> 00:27:56.880 but at the same 00:27:56.880 --> 00:27:57.320 time know 00:27:57.320 --> 00:27:57.720 that it's going 00:27:57.720 --> 00:27:58.080 to end. 00:27:59.040 --> 00:27:59.740 And they can 00:27:59.740 --> 00:28:00.540 look at a sunset, 00:28:00.900 --> 00:28:01.380 they can drink 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:01.860 coffee, 00:28:02.000 --> 00:28:02.380 they can do 00:28:02.380 --> 00:28:02.920 all of these 00:28:02.920 --> 00:28:03.340 things. 00:28:04.180 --> 00:28:04.720 And on one 00:28:04.720 --> 00:28:05.060 level, 00:28:06.019 --> 00:28:06.680 there is a 00:28:06.680 --> 00:28:08.000 profound love 00:28:08.000 --> 00:28:08.980 and enjoyment 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:10.500 of each instant 00:28:10.500 --> 00:28:11.640 but at the 00:28:11.640 --> 00:28:12.400 same time 00:28:12.400 --> 00:28:13.200 they know 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:14.200 that the 00:28:14.200 --> 00:28:15.180 story is 00:28:15.180 --> 00:28:15.700 about to 00:28:15.700 --> 00:28:16.119 come to 00:28:16.119 --> 00:28:16.460 an end 00:28:16.460 --> 00:28:16.920 for them. 00:28:18.240 --> 00:28:18.880 That the 00:28:18.880 --> 00:28:19.380 time is 00:28:19.380 --> 00:28:19.640 over. 00:28:20.819 --> 00:28:21.680 And in a 00:28:21.680 --> 00:28:22.319 sense then 00:28:22.319 --> 00:28:22.720 what they 00:28:22.720 --> 00:28:23.420 do is they 00:28:23.420 --> 00:28:23.980 have this 00:28:23.980 --> 00:28:24.460 ability, 00:28:24.900 --> 00:28:26.140 this grace 00:28:26.140 --> 00:28:27.380 that allows 00:28:27.380 --> 00:28:27.940 them to 00:28:27.940 --> 00:28:29.759 love and 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:30.119 to be 00:28:30.119 --> 00:28:30.660 detached. 00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.960 To love 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:32.960 their wife 00:28:32.960 --> 00:28:34.519 but know 00:28:34.519 --> 00:28:35.160 that they're 00:28:35.160 --> 00:28:35.460 not going 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:35.720 to have 00:28:35.720 --> 00:28:36.099 their wife 00:28:36.099 --> 00:28:36.480 for much 00:28:36.480 --> 00:28:36.880 longer. 00:28:37.380 --> 00:28:37.920 To love 00:28:37.920 --> 00:28:38.740 their possessions 00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:40.700 knowing that 00:28:40.700 --> 00:28:40.980 they will 00:28:40.980 --> 00:28:41.420 not have 00:28:41.420 --> 00:28:42.019 their possessions 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.799 much longer. 00:28:42.920 --> 00:28:43.120 In fact, 00:28:43.180 --> 00:28:43.660 many people 00:28:43.660 --> 00:28:43.940 in that 00:28:43.940 --> 00:28:44.500 situation, 00:28:45.000 --> 00:28:45.420 what they 00:28:45.420 --> 00:28:46.099 do is they 00:28:46.099 --> 00:28:46.500 love their 00:28:46.500 --> 00:28:46.900 possessions 00:28:46.900 --> 00:28:47.380 and give 00:28:47.380 --> 00:28:47.859 them away 00:28:47.859 --> 00:28:49.779 because they'd 00:28:49.779 --> 00:28:50.220 like to 00:28:50.220 --> 00:28:51.359 witness the 00:28:51.359 --> 00:28:52.019 smile on the 00:28:52.019 --> 00:28:52.740 other person's 00:28:52.740 --> 00:28:53.299 face when they 00:28:53.299 --> 00:28:53.720 give it to 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.099 them or when 00:28:54.099 --> 00:28:54.500 they tell 00:28:54.500 --> 00:28:54.819 them this 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:55.380 is yours, 00:28:55.680 --> 00:28:56.079 this is 00:28:56.079 --> 00:28:56.500 yours, 00:28:56.799 --> 00:28:57.200 this is 00:28:57.200 --> 00:28:57.599 yours, 00:28:57.859 --> 00:28:58.240 this is 00:28:58.240 --> 00:28:58.559 yours. 00:28:58.799 --> 00:28:59.380 They give 00:28:59.380 --> 00:28:59.920 it away not 00:28:59.920 --> 00:29:00.500 because they 00:29:00.500 --> 00:29:01.539 hate it but 00:29:01.539 --> 00:29:02.279 because they 00:29:02.279 --> 00:29:02.779 love it. 00:29:03.500 --> 00:29:03.940 And it is 00:29:03.940 --> 00:29:05.180 this that 00:29:05.180 --> 00:29:06.200 Paul is 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:06.940 calling us 00:29:06.940 --> 00:29:07.200 to. 00:29:08.740 --> 00:29:09.480 To live 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:10.180 our lives 00:29:10.180 --> 00:29:10.839 every day 00:29:10.839 --> 00:29:11.460 understanding 00:29:11.460 --> 00:29:11.740 that we 00:29:11.740 --> 00:29:12.140 were bought 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:12.420 with the 00:29:12.420 --> 00:29:12.700 price, 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.140 we belong 00:29:13.140 --> 00:29:13.740 to Christ, 00:29:14.140 --> 00:29:14.720 to live 00:29:14.720 --> 00:29:15.440 every day 00:29:15.440 --> 00:29:16.059 as if we 00:29:16.059 --> 00:29:16.880 understand the 00:29:16.880 --> 00:29:17.579 final word 00:29:17.579 --> 00:29:18.180 about us 00:29:18.180 --> 00:29:18.819 and that 00:29:18.819 --> 00:29:19.279 does not 00:29:19.279 --> 00:29:19.640 lead us 00:29:19.640 --> 00:29:20.620 to presumption 00:29:20.620 --> 00:29:21.319 or to 00:29:21.319 --> 00:29:21.740 arrogance 00:29:21.740 --> 00:29:22.759 but to 00:29:22.759 --> 00:29:23.319 humility 00:29:23.319 --> 00:29:25.039 and thankfulness 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:26.519 and gratefulness 00:29:26.519 --> 00:29:27.500 and an ability 00:29:27.500 --> 00:29:28.180 that when we 00:29:28.180 --> 00:29:29.000 fail and when 00:29:29.000 --> 00:29:29.620 we fall 00:29:29.620 --> 00:29:30.420 to turn to 00:29:30.420 --> 00:29:30.900 our heavenly 00:29:30.900 --> 00:29:31.519 father and 00:29:31.519 --> 00:29:31.700 say, 00:29:31.819 --> 00:29:32.519 father I am 00:29:32.519 --> 00:29:33.039 sorry, 00:29:33.599 --> 00:29:34.259 please pour 00:29:34.259 --> 00:29:34.680 your holy 00:29:34.680 --> 00:29:35.359 spirit upon 00:29:35.359 --> 00:29:35.900 me again 00:29:35.900 --> 00:29:36.460 and help me 00:29:36.460 --> 00:29:36.960 to live my 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.039 life as you 00:29:38.039 --> 00:29:38.480 would have 00:29:38.480 --> 00:29:38.980 me live 00:29:38.980 --> 00:29:40.579 and we 00:29:40.579 --> 00:29:41.220 are open 00:29:41.220 --> 00:29:42.099 to understanding 00:29:42.099 --> 00:29:42.759 how we can 00:29:42.759 --> 00:29:43.579 love and love 00:29:43.579 --> 00:29:44.200 and love and 00:29:44.200 --> 00:29:45.159 love and 00:29:45.159 --> 00:29:46.339 love without 00:29:46.339 --> 00:29:47.399 possessing or 00:29:47.399 --> 00:29:48.259 thinking that we 00:29:48.259 --> 00:29:48.980 have to clutch 00:29:48.980 --> 00:29:49.839 it to ourselves. 00:29:50.779 --> 00:29:51.579 Shall we bow 00:29:51.579 --> 00:29:52.099 our heads in 00:29:52.099 --> 00:29:52.319 prayer? 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:52.379 Amen. 00:29:52.779 --> 00:29:52.859 Amen. 00:29:52.859 --> 00:30:07.419 Father, we 00:30:07.419 --> 00:30:07.879 ask that you 00:30:07.879 --> 00:30:08.299 would pour 00:30:08.299 --> 00:30:08.679 out your 00:30:08.679 --> 00:30:09.259 holy spirit 00:30:09.259 --> 00:30:09.919 upon us. 00:30:11.679 --> 00:30:12.379 Father, we 00:30:12.379 --> 00:30:13.419 acknowledge before 00:30:13.419 --> 00:30:14.240 you it is so 00:30:14.240 --> 00:30:15.079 easy for us to 00:30:15.079 --> 00:30:15.979 get distracted. 00:30:17.279 --> 00:30:17.679 Father, we 00:30:17.679 --> 00:30:18.500 even seek 00:30:18.500 --> 00:30:20.599 distraction and 00:30:20.599 --> 00:30:21.399 it is so easy 00:30:21.400 --> 00:30:21.820 for us, 00:30:21.940 --> 00:30:22.640 just to be 00:30:22.640 --> 00:30:23.519 pushed around 00:30:23.519 --> 00:30:24.019 by the 00:30:24.019 --> 00:30:25.160 word, the 00:30:25.160 --> 00:30:25.820 world and 00:30:25.820 --> 00:30:26.820 our circumstances 00:30:26.820 --> 00:30:27.480 and forget 00:30:27.480 --> 00:30:27.960 about your 00:30:27.960 --> 00:30:28.560 word, forget 00:30:28.560 --> 00:30:29.259 about Christ, 00:30:29.420 --> 00:30:29.820 forget about 00:30:29.820 --> 00:30:30.519 your promises. 00:30:31.200 --> 00:30:31.560 Father, we 00:30:31.560 --> 00:30:32.440 confess before 00:30:32.440 --> 00:30:33.280 you that often 00:30:33.280 --> 00:30:34.080 we spend a 00:30:34.080 --> 00:30:34.680 day as if we 00:30:34.680 --> 00:30:35.820 were atheists 00:30:35.820 --> 00:30:37.000 and not as 00:30:37.000 --> 00:30:37.519 ones who 00:30:37.519 --> 00:30:38.360 understand that 00:30:38.360 --> 00:30:39.620 we have, that 00:30:39.620 --> 00:30:40.519 your son has 00:30:40.519 --> 00:30:41.259 taken us for 00:30:41.259 --> 00:30:42.420 himself, that 00:30:42.420 --> 00:30:44.780 he will unerringly 00:30:44.780 --> 00:30:46.180 and powerfully 00:30:46.180 --> 00:30:46.840 bring us to 00:30:46.840 --> 00:30:48.060 you and he 00:30:48.060 --> 00:30:48.880 will present us 00:30:48.880 --> 00:30:49.940 to you and 00:30:49.940 --> 00:30:50.760 you will smile 00:30:50.760 --> 00:30:51.300 at him and 00:30:51.300 --> 00:30:52.480 at us and 00:30:52.480 --> 00:30:53.300 say welcome. 00:30:54.440 --> 00:30:55.180 Father, help 00:30:55.180 --> 00:30:56.580 us to live as 00:30:56.580 --> 00:30:58.080 ones who are 00:30:58.080 --> 00:30:59.440 bought and 00:30:59.440 --> 00:31:00.280 now belong to 00:31:00.280 --> 00:31:00.500 you. 00:31:00.680 --> 00:31:01.300 Help us to 00:31:01.300 --> 00:31:02.240 live as ones 00:31:02.240 --> 00:31:03.160 who understand 00:31:03.160 --> 00:31:04.780 that final word 00:31:04.780 --> 00:31:06.660 and desire to 00:31:06.660 --> 00:31:07.620 become what we 00:31:07.620 --> 00:31:07.940 are. 00:31:08.620 --> 00:31:09.120 Help us, 00:31:09.480 --> 00:31:09.840 Father, to 00:31:09.840 --> 00:31:10.880 live and to 00:31:10.880 --> 00:31:12.120 love without 00:31:12.120 --> 00:31:13.020 desiring to 00:31:13.020 --> 00:31:14.040 possess and 00:31:14.040 --> 00:31:14.860 clutch and 00:31:14.860 --> 00:31:15.300 grasp. 00:31:16.180 --> 00:31:16.980 All this we 00:31:16.980 --> 00:31:17.560 ask in the 00:31:17.560 --> 00:31:18.280 name of Jesus, 00:31:18.279 --> 00:31:19.480 your son and 00:31:19.480 --> 00:31:20.059 our savior. 00:31:20.660 --> 00:31:21.019 Amen.