WEBVTT

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 Let's go ahead and pray before we start here.

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 Jesus, we just are here to do exactly what the song just said.

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! We're here to worship you. We're here to praise you.

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 We're here to make much of you. We're here to understand more of your word

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 and thereby be able to glorify you more in our life.

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 We just ask for help to do that.

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 And we ask for your word to go forth in truth, Lord.

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 And you said that you're going to have worshipers that worship you in spirit and in truth.

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 Lord, I pray that the songs we sing would just aliven our spirits

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 and just get us, Lord, in tune with just the Holy Spirit today

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 and just listening and attentive and just able to focus.

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 And I pray that, Lord, these words would enable us to worship in truth.

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 And, God, we would leave this place truly honoring and glorifying you

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 more and more this upcoming week in our life

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 and more ready to do that

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 and to just take on whatever might be ahead of each of us.

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 We love you so very much.

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 And I'm so very grateful for this opportunity.

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 And I pray this would be done in your name. Amen.

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 So, I've always kind of been a fan of the abnormal.

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 Abnormal people, for sure.

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 And so, a couple years ago, I actually watched this movie called Rain Man.

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 Probably some of you guys have seen it.

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 It's about this idiot savant who has this amazing ability to basically count.

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 And just for mathematics, and he just remembers numbers.

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 So, his brother in the movie, Tom Cruise, actually uses him to go count cards in Vegas.

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 And that's the non-godly aspect of the movie.

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 But it kind of got me interested.

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 And so, I actually went and looked up who this movie was based on.

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 And there's this guy, a real guy named Kim Peek, who literally is an idiot savant

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 and remembers 98% of everything he's ever read or seen.

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 So, he could quote to you any verse of the Bible on point.

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 He can tell you every single county and every single state, every single area code.

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 He memorized the Encyclopedia Britannica at the age of three.

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 He, he's just, it's an amazing, amazing mind that this guy has.

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 It's fascinating to me.

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 There's another idiot savant that I actually looked up.

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 And this guy, he has, his skill is kind of in numbers as well, but also in languages.

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 And so, for, and he has, he has more of like the ability to communicate.

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 Like the, the, the Kim Peek guy can't really, he can't communicate hardly at all.

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 But this other guy, he has more of the, more of an ability to communicate.

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 So, he actually, in order to raise awareness for autism and for this idiot savant syndrome,

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 he memorized the mathematical constant pi, right, 3.14 or whatever.

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 He memorized that to the 25,000th place and quoted it back in five and one half hours perfectly.

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 I mean, it's just amazing, right?

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 I mean, just incredible how the, how the, that kind of a brain works.

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 So, how is that relevant, right?

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 I'm going to, I'm not going to twist that into the sermon.

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 I mean, the Apostle Paul wasn't an idiot savant, but he was abnormally intelligent.

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 Okay?

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 He was abnormally intelligent as a thinker.

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 And his mind worked on a lot of different levels.

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 Levels that you and I probably can't really grasp or get to.

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 He himself, in fact, in his defense of his apostleship to the Corinthians,

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 said, even if I'm unskilled in speech, he's like, I'm not a great orator.

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 I can't really speak well.

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 Even if I'm unskilled in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge.

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 He was brilliant, right?

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 And God used that brilliance of Paul to write 13 of the deepest, most inexhaustible books of the Bible.

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 13 letters, really.

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 And Peter, in fact, no doubt, having recently read through the Paul's letter to the Romans,

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 which is what we're in today,

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 in 2 Peter 3, he says this,

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 regard the patience of our Lord to be salvation.

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 It's the patience of God that leads us to salvation, he says.

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 Just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you.

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 As also in all his letters, speaking in them these things.

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 And then he says, in which are some things difficult to understand.

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 Right?

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 So Peter himself is like, I mean, Paul's pretty deep.

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 He's like, I've had trouble myself understanding.

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 I've had to reread him myself, you know?

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 So there's an element of Paul in his writing that we're not supposed to necessarily grasp at first glance.

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 And he's doing things with his intelligence in his writing that's meant to really kind of strike us at different levels.

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 So why is it important for us to understand why Paul is smart?

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 Okay?

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 Because smart people who are good teachers, and Paul was a great teacher,

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 they tend to possess this one similar trait that I think I found.

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 They drive home their points, not by stating and then restating the same thing over and over and over and over and over.

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 It just gets repetitious.

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 What really intelligent speakers and teachers do is they drive home their point by using synonyms.

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 By using different ways of saying the same thing.

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 Right?

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 That's what they do.

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 And so, for instance, let me just give you an example.

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 So, John Piper listened to this sermon.

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 Actually, it was a radio broadcast a couple years ago.

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 And he was kind of answering this secular radio personality's questions about Katrina.

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 And she came to the interview with John Piper basically just wanting to ask one question.

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 And she asked the same question repetitively throughout the entire time that they're talking.

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 It was like 45 minutes.

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 And she basically just says, how can bad things happen to good people?

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 Right?

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 And so, John Piper, the thing that was so cool about it, is that when he responds, he essentially says the same thing every single time, which is, nobody's good but God.

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 He essentially says that same basic principle over and over and over, but he says it in like nine different ways.

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 And so, at the end of the interview, like the radio personality is like, this was the best interview of all the people that we've talked to from different religions and different sects, whatever it might be.

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 Like, you have really kind of communicated the most clearly.

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 And again, it was just because he was saying the same thing, very simple truth, just through one or two or three or four or five, in his case, like nine different ways.

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 It was brilliant.

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 And so, Paul does this all the time.

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 He kind of, in a sense, what Piper did, so, was he takes the listener and he kind of convinces you that you're receiving something fresh.

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 You're receiving something new.

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 But really, it's the same truth, just redressed.

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 And that's what Paul is doing in our text today.

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 He's taking the same thing he's been saying, that he always says, and as I begin to kind of cross-reference the passage today,

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 it's amazing how often you see him communicating the same exact truth.

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 But he's just redressing it in a new way, in a fresh way.

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 So, that's what we're going to look at this morning.

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 And really, this is kind of what I wanted to say.

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 Well, let's read our passage first, I guess.

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 So, go to Romans 15 for me.

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 This is, I was supposed to do one through six, but Nathan does not yet know I'm only doing one through three.

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 So, we're not going to make it that far today.

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 So, Romans 15, this is verse one through three.

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 It says this,

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 So, when I first started reading this passage, I really had a difficult time understanding what I was supposed to say,

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 or how I was supposed to basically draw to this text something that's really not there, just at face value.

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 Because it seems pretty simple to me.

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 Just, obviously, submit yourself to other people's consciences, other people's, you know, give preference to them, that kind of thing.

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 But really, the main theme that he's trying to basically drive home, through not just this section of Scripture,

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 but through the last three chapters, is this idea of unification, of unity in the body of Christ.

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 And it is a pervasive theme in Scripture.

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 It's all over the Scripture.

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 This unity idea.

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 And it's literally, and I just want to say this at the beginning,

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 I think it's the greatest weapon that we have,

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 as a body of Christ,

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 trying to bring the kingdom of God to bear on this earth.

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 Our unity, our oneness, our togetherness,

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 on the things that we do,

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 is so strengthening.

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 Think about a family, right?

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 We have some great families in here that are good examples of this.

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 If you have a strong family, right?

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 You have a husband and a wife that are together.

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 You have children that respect and love their parents.

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 You have parents that love and respect and honor and serve their children.

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 Then you have this unit that really is, I mean, it's almost unbreakable.

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 It's so, it's impenetrable in so many ways.

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 And so that's exactly kind of the idea that I think Paul,

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 and of course God, and through Christ,

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 and through the words that God's inspiring Paul to write here,

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 is trying to communicate, is we have got to be unified.

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 We've got to be unified.

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 Okay?

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 God is greatly concerned with the unity of His people.

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 One author said it this way.

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 By salvation, He has effected a real spiritual oneness.

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 He has created a commonness based on sharing the same eternal life, right?

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 It's common to all of us.

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 This reality of conversion should impact the life of the church

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 by being the impetus for practical unity.

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 It's interesting because I didn't know what the word impetus meant either.

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 So I was like, I went and looked it up.

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 And the definition of impetus literally in the dictionary says,

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 the force or energy with which a body moves.

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 That's what it means, right?

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 So the conversion, our like-minded conversion, our oneness, right?

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 And the idea that we're joined together in Christ

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 is really meant to kind of drive us on

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 and to energize us in our spiritual life together as a body.

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 And I think that's, again, what He's really trying to kind of,

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 He's using all these different ways of saying

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 and getting to the point of we've got to be unified

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 through the last three chapters.

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 We're going to try to kind of cover some of that

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 and make sense of it here.

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 We are together.

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 The body of Christ,

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 we are propelled forward in life and in our mission

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 by a common force.

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 That is, by our union with Christ.

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 And it's our union with Christ

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 that gives us union with one another.

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 That's what we have in common.

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 It's Christ.

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 That's the common denominator.

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 And just like, kind of like two siblings, right?

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 Who are different in every single way

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 and yet they love one another

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 because they have the same blood,

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 they have the same name,

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 they come from the same home, right?

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 There's just a certain union and bond

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 that comes from being family.

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 That's the same exact thing here.

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 We've been ushered into the same bloodline as Christ.

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 And so therefore we have to begin acting out

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 our faith in that same way, together,

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 instead of separate.

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 This is really, and let me just say this as well,

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 this is really an idea

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 that a lot of American Christians especially

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 don't really identify with

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 because there's so much emphasis put

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 in our place in our society on individualism,

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 on being your own person,

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 your own man, your own woman,

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 having your own relationship,

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 whatever it might be.

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 There's not a lot of,

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 like in this time,

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 like this day and age,

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 in the first century,

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 there was a ton of emphasis put on family

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 because if you didn't have,

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 if you weren't working together as a unit,

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 as a family,

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 you really were,

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 I mean, you know,

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 probably very poor,

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 probably, you know,

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 again, not really making ends meet,

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 whatever it might be.

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 So there was so much emphasis

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 put on that familial tie.

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 And that's where he, I think,

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 is really communicating well

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 to these early Christians

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 and we need to be mindful of that as well.

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 So really, I think,

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 the underlying theme throughout Scripture

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 as a whole is unity.

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 Okay?

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 This is the,

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 like I know that we're conditioned

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 to think it's redemption

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 and it is redemption,

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 but I think unity kind of is a synonym

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 in this case.

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 Think about it, right?

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 Our first and foremost,

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 our unity with God

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 through Christ or redemption.

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 And then secondly,

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 our unity with others,

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 which is the second, right,

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 and the greatest commandment.

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 Loving God with all our heart,

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 soul, mind, and strength

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 and loving our neighbor as ourself.

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 So those are kind of the two unifying themes

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 of the entire Scripture.

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 It's gigantic.

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 So I'm just going to read you guys

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 some Scriptures here.

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 Take notes if you want.

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 I'm just going to read them off.

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 These are just some verses

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 that kind of identify this for us.

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 This is when I began cross-referencing

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 and finding all these different places

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 that say it.

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 So in Jeremiah 32,

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 verses 38 and 39,

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 God says this,

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 They shall be my people

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 and I will be their God

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 and I will give them one heart

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 and one way

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 that they may fear me always

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 for their own good

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 and for the good of their children

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 after them.

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 In Zephaniah 3, 9,

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 God says of both Jews

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 and Gentiles alike,

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 I will give to the people's

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 purified lips

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 that all of them may call

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 on the name of the Lord

00:13:07.420 --> 00:13:08.720
 to serve Him

00:13:08.720 --> 00:13:10.320
 shoulder to shoulder.

00:13:11.960 --> 00:13:13.080
 Shoulder to shoulder, right?

00:13:13.140 --> 00:13:13.880
 Like side by side,

00:13:13.960 --> 00:13:15.040
 like brothers or like soldiers.

00:13:16.220 --> 00:13:17.820
 So there's this idea of unity.

00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:18.900
 I'm going to give them

00:13:18.900 --> 00:13:19.580
 this new heart,

00:13:19.680 --> 00:13:21.000
 this new idea of who I am,

00:13:21.460 --> 00:13:22.740
 this new vision for Christ

00:13:22.740 --> 00:13:23.520
 and then by that,

00:13:23.680 --> 00:13:24.820
 I'm going to unify them together

00:13:24.820 --> 00:13:25.620
 with one heart,

00:13:25.879 --> 00:13:26.560
 one mind,

00:13:26.700 --> 00:13:27.260
 one soul

00:13:27.260 --> 00:13:28.220
 and they're going to become

00:13:28.220 --> 00:13:30.640
 this powerful army,

00:13:31.140 --> 00:13:32.280
 this powerful brotherhood,

00:13:32.340 --> 00:13:33.600
 this powerful family

00:13:33.600 --> 00:13:35.340
 that's going to overcome

00:13:35.340 --> 00:13:36.100
 the wicked one,

00:13:37.400 --> 00:13:38.160
 that's going to overcome

00:13:38.160 --> 00:13:39.379
 the power of the devil,

00:13:39.460 --> 00:13:40.140
 that's going to escape

00:13:40.140 --> 00:13:41.720
 the perversion of this generation.

00:13:42.860 --> 00:13:43.900
 But it's together.

00:13:44.660 --> 00:13:46.340
 It's all of our forces in one.

00:13:46.340 --> 00:13:48.360
 Christ says it differently

00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:49.060
 in the New Testament.

00:13:50.259 --> 00:13:51.820
 He says in John 10, 16,

00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:54.259
 I have other sheep,

00:13:54.399 --> 00:13:55.519
 he's speaking of Gentiles,

00:13:55.580 --> 00:13:56.620
 which are not of this fold.

00:13:57.120 --> 00:13:58.259
 I must bring them also

00:13:58.259 --> 00:13:59.500
 and they shall hear my voice

00:13:59.500 --> 00:14:00.259
 and they shall become

00:14:00.259 --> 00:14:01.019
 one flock

00:14:01.019 --> 00:14:02.700
 with one shepherd, right?

00:14:03.120 --> 00:14:03.879
 One flock

00:14:03.879 --> 00:14:04.940
 with one shepherd,

00:14:05.040 --> 00:14:05.860
 united together.

00:14:06.160 --> 00:14:06.639
 In other words,

00:14:06.700 --> 00:14:07.340
 one author said

00:14:07.340 --> 00:14:08.800
 the God's eternal plan

00:14:08.800 --> 00:14:10.660
 is that all who believe

00:14:10.660 --> 00:14:11.440
 in Him

00:14:11.440 --> 00:14:13.160
 will become outwardly

00:14:13.160 --> 00:14:15.260
 what they are inwardly,

00:14:16.200 --> 00:14:17.340
 unified in Him

00:14:17.340 --> 00:14:18.460
 through faith in His Son.

00:14:20.760 --> 00:14:21.360
 Another one,

00:14:21.420 --> 00:14:21.620
 Jesus,

00:14:21.920 --> 00:14:23.500
 before His arrest,

00:14:23.600 --> 00:14:23.860
 actually,

00:14:24.100 --> 00:14:25.820
 He was speaking to the disciples.

00:14:26.020 --> 00:14:26.920
 This is in John 17.

00:14:27.040 --> 00:14:28.200
 It's the high priestly prayer.

00:14:28.580 --> 00:14:29.940
 It's such a powerful text.

00:14:30.320 --> 00:14:31.100
 So this is right before,

00:14:31.200 --> 00:14:31.340
 I mean,

00:14:31.380 --> 00:14:32.120
 the last thing Jesus

00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:33.020
 is basically saying

00:14:33.020 --> 00:14:33.760
 to the disciples

00:14:33.760 --> 00:14:35.340
 before He goes to the cross.

00:14:35.800 --> 00:14:36.500
 He gets up

00:14:36.500 --> 00:14:37.900
 and He basically prays this

00:14:37.900 --> 00:14:39.320
 in verse 11 of chapter 17

00:14:39.320 --> 00:14:40.760
 in the book of John.

00:14:41.300 --> 00:14:41.580
 He says,

00:14:41.680 --> 00:14:43.000
 I am no more in the world

00:14:43.000 --> 00:14:45.340
 and yet they themselves

00:14:45.340 --> 00:14:46.160
 are in the world

00:14:46.160 --> 00:14:47.700
 and I come to you.

00:14:47.760 --> 00:14:48.620
 He's speaking to His Father.

00:14:48.920 --> 00:14:49.500
 Holy Father,

00:14:49.640 --> 00:14:51.020
 keep them in Your name,

00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:52.560
 the name which You have given Me,

00:14:52.900 --> 00:14:54.400
 that they may be one

00:14:54.400 --> 00:14:56.180
 as we are one.

00:14:57.460 --> 00:14:57.820
 Right?

00:14:57.900 --> 00:14:58.560
 So what does He pray?

00:14:58.640 --> 00:14:59.140
 He prays,

00:14:59.400 --> 00:14:59.600
 God,

00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.440
 make them one,

00:15:00.520 --> 00:15:01.280
 make them unified

00:15:01.280 --> 00:15:02.340
 as we are unified.

00:15:03.900 --> 00:15:04.840
 He's praying for that.

00:15:04.920 --> 00:15:07.060
 That's what His purpose is.

00:15:07.100 --> 00:15:08.000
 That's what He wants them to hear.

00:15:08.000 --> 00:15:09.340
 And the last thing that He says,

00:15:09.399 --> 00:15:09.879
 I want you guys

00:15:09.879 --> 00:15:11.059
 to be together on this.

00:15:11.480 --> 00:15:11.860
 I want you guys

00:15:11.860 --> 00:15:13.080
 to focus on the mission,

00:15:13.500 --> 00:15:14.179
 that great commission

00:15:14.179 --> 00:15:15.200
 that I'm calling you to,

00:15:15.620 --> 00:15:16.039
 together.

00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:18.580
 It's powerful.

00:15:19.299 --> 00:15:20.039
 And then of course,

00:15:20.120 --> 00:15:21.000
 we got Paul's examples

00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.039
 and this is all over the place.

00:15:22.100 --> 00:15:22.759
 I started reading

00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:23.940
 the cross references

00:15:23.940 --> 00:15:24.840
 for Paul himself.

00:15:25.580 --> 00:15:26.539
 To the Ephesians,

00:15:26.639 --> 00:15:28.120
 he says in chapter 4,

00:15:28.179 --> 00:15:28.860
 1-5,

00:15:29.460 --> 00:15:29.759
 he says,

00:15:29.820 --> 00:15:30.279
 I therefore,

00:15:30.419 --> 00:15:31.340
 the prisoner of the Lord,

00:15:31.460 --> 00:15:32.399
 entreat you to walk

00:15:32.399 --> 00:15:33.019
 in a manner worthy

00:15:33.019 --> 00:15:33.740
 of the calling

00:15:33.740 --> 00:15:35.240
 with which you have been called.

00:15:35.759 --> 00:15:36.659
 With all humility,

00:15:36.820 --> 00:15:37.320
 with gentleness,

00:15:37.320 --> 00:15:38.020
 with patience,

00:15:38.420 --> 00:15:39.360
 showing forbearance

00:15:39.360 --> 00:15:40.520
 to one another in love,

00:15:41.400 --> 00:15:42.060
 being diligent

00:15:42.060 --> 00:15:43.320
 to preserve

00:15:43.320 --> 00:15:45.280
 the unity of the Spirit

00:15:45.280 --> 00:15:46.860
 in the bond of peace.

00:15:47.860 --> 00:15:48.260
 Right?

00:15:48.320 --> 00:15:48.800
 So what is he saying?

00:15:48.820 --> 00:15:49.340
 I want you guys

00:15:49.340 --> 00:15:50.879
 to be humble.

00:15:51.379 --> 00:15:52.460
 I want you to be gentle

00:15:52.460 --> 00:15:53.140
 towards one another.

00:15:53.420 --> 00:15:54.540
 I want you to be patient.

00:15:54.700 --> 00:15:56.100
 I want you to show forbearance.

00:15:56.480 --> 00:15:57.680
 I want you to be strong

00:15:57.680 --> 00:15:59.320
 for the sake,

00:15:59.400 --> 00:15:59.580
 right,

00:15:59.660 --> 00:16:00.480
 all for the purpose

00:16:00.480 --> 00:16:01.360
 of being diligent

00:16:01.360 --> 00:16:02.160
 to preserve

00:16:02.160 --> 00:16:03.940
 the unity of the Spirit

00:16:03.940 --> 00:16:05.900
 in the bond of peace.

00:16:05.899 --> 00:16:07.759
 this theme

00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:08.459
 is everywhere.

00:16:09.000 --> 00:16:10.039
 He says of the Galatians,

00:16:10.379 --> 00:16:11.620
 for you are all sons of God

00:16:11.620 --> 00:16:12.899
 through faith in Christ Jesus.

00:16:13.019 --> 00:16:13.480
 All of you guys

00:16:13.480 --> 00:16:14.179
 are sons now.

00:16:14.600 --> 00:16:15.500
 For you all who are,

00:16:15.620 --> 00:16:16.620
 for all of you,

00:16:16.899 --> 00:16:17.100
 wait,

00:16:17.179 --> 00:16:17.899
 all of you who were

00:16:17.899 --> 00:16:18.879
 baptized into Christ

00:16:18.879 --> 00:16:20.240
 have clothed yourselves

00:16:20.240 --> 00:16:20.919
 with Christ.

00:16:22.340 --> 00:16:23.439
 There is neither Jew

00:16:23.439 --> 00:16:23.919
 nor Greek.

00:16:24.039 --> 00:16:24.879
 There is neither slave

00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.600
 nor free man.

00:16:25.679 --> 00:16:26.480
 There is neither male

00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.399
 nor female.

00:16:27.600 --> 00:16:28.699
 You are all one

00:16:28.699 --> 00:16:29.899
 in Christ Jesus.

00:16:29.899 --> 00:16:30.419
 Jesus.

00:16:32.079 --> 00:16:33.039
 It is pervasive.

00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:34.059
 The last thing I will say

00:16:34.059 --> 00:16:35.659
 to again drive home

00:16:35.659 --> 00:16:36.100
 this point,

00:16:36.539 --> 00:16:37.679
 Philippians 1.27,

00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:38.799
 only conduct yourselves

00:16:38.799 --> 00:16:40.120
 in a manner worthy

00:16:40.120 --> 00:16:41.159
 of the gospel of Christ

00:16:41.159 --> 00:16:42.480
 so that whether I come

00:16:42.480 --> 00:16:43.000
 to see you

00:16:43.000 --> 00:16:44.159
 or remain absent from you,

00:16:44.419 --> 00:16:45.240
 I may hear

00:16:45.240 --> 00:16:46.419
 that you are standing firm

00:16:46.419 --> 00:16:47.120
 in one spirit

00:16:47.120 --> 00:16:48.899
 with one mind,

00:16:49.539 --> 00:16:50.220
 striving together

00:16:50.220 --> 00:16:50.840
 for the faith

00:16:50.840 --> 00:16:51.819
 of one gospel.

00:16:53.220 --> 00:16:53.740
 Right?

00:16:53.819 --> 00:16:54.559
 It is amazing.

00:16:55.240 --> 00:16:56.120
 It is all over the place.

00:16:56.259 --> 00:16:57.399
 So why is it so vital

00:16:57.399 --> 00:16:58.319
 for us to be unified?

00:16:58.980 --> 00:17:00.060
 That was my next question.

00:17:00.180 --> 00:17:01.120
 Why is it so important

00:17:01.120 --> 00:17:02.620
 for us to be together

00:17:02.620 --> 00:17:03.180
 on this stuff?

00:17:03.300 --> 00:17:04.920
 What does it mean for us?

00:17:04.980 --> 00:17:05.799
 Why does God care?

00:17:06.740 --> 00:17:07.340
 There is three,

00:17:07.460 --> 00:17:07.600
 I think,

00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:08.220
 simple reasons.

00:17:08.980 --> 00:17:09.779
 The first reason

00:17:09.779 --> 00:17:10.620
 is because the devil

00:17:10.620 --> 00:17:11.259
 is a wolf.

00:17:12.519 --> 00:17:12.799
 Okay?

00:17:13.340 --> 00:17:14.080
 He is a wolf

00:17:14.080 --> 00:17:16.880
 who strategically feeds

00:17:16.880 --> 00:17:18.400
 on the sheep

00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:19.460
 who stray

00:17:19.460 --> 00:17:20.500
 from the fold.

00:17:22.000 --> 00:17:22.580
 That is the way

00:17:22.580 --> 00:17:23.700
 the Bible paints

00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.539
 a picture of him.

00:17:24.600 --> 00:17:25.340
 He is like a wolf,

00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:25.580
 right?

00:17:26.420 --> 00:17:27.380
 He is deceptive.

00:17:28.319 --> 00:17:30.319
 So,

00:17:30.740 --> 00:17:32.500
 I lived with Clay Naylor

00:17:32.500 --> 00:17:33.460
 for about a year,

00:17:33.759 --> 00:17:34.000
 okay?

00:17:34.059 --> 00:17:34.899
 During which time,

00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.799
 I watched

00:17:36.799 --> 00:17:38.779
 more nature shows

00:17:38.779 --> 00:17:39.819
 than I have ever watched

00:17:39.819 --> 00:17:40.759
 in my entire life.

00:17:42.500 --> 00:17:43.519
 And I promise you,

00:17:43.559 --> 00:17:44.019
 this is kind of

00:17:44.019 --> 00:17:44.859
 how it always goes,

00:17:44.939 --> 00:17:45.139
 okay?

00:17:45.200 --> 00:17:46.460
 Like when the one,

00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:46.799
 you know,

00:17:47.200 --> 00:17:48.119
 you or the one,

00:17:48.179 --> 00:17:48.439
 you know,

00:17:48.819 --> 00:17:49.240
 lamb,

00:17:49.319 --> 00:17:50.019
 whatever it might be,

00:17:50.259 --> 00:17:51.000
 the one straggler

00:17:51.000 --> 00:17:51.619
 kind of gets separated

00:17:51.619 --> 00:17:52.259
 from the flock,

00:17:52.259 --> 00:17:54.700
 that's when the wolf

00:17:54.700 --> 00:17:55.200
 or whatever,

00:17:55.299 --> 00:17:56.259
 whatever the predator is,

00:17:56.379 --> 00:17:56.660
 pounces.

00:17:57.099 --> 00:17:58.359
 It happens every time.

00:17:59.099 --> 00:17:59.339
 Right?

00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.379
 Every single time.

00:18:00.960 --> 00:18:01.940
 And so that's the same idea.

00:18:02.000 --> 00:18:02.599
 Like there's strength

00:18:02.599 --> 00:18:03.180
 in numbers, right?

00:18:03.220 --> 00:18:04.119
 Even dumb animals

00:18:04.119 --> 00:18:05.400
 understand instinctually

00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.460
 that I'm going to pray

00:18:06.460 --> 00:18:06.759
 on the guy

00:18:06.759 --> 00:18:07.519
 that's by himself.

00:18:08.920 --> 00:18:09.960
 Satan is like this,

00:18:10.000 --> 00:18:10.160
 right?

00:18:10.200 --> 00:18:11.119
 He prays on the people

00:18:11.119 --> 00:18:11.960
 that are by themselves.

00:18:12.379 --> 00:18:13.240
 So the first reason

00:18:13.240 --> 00:18:14.180
 why we have to be unified

00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.900
 together is because

00:18:14.900 --> 00:18:16.359
 of your safety.

00:18:16.940 --> 00:18:17.619
 As believers,

00:18:17.619 --> 00:18:19.039
 we need to be protected

00:18:19.039 --> 00:18:19.519
 by one another,

00:18:19.579 --> 00:18:20.459
 which is one of the reasons

00:18:20.459 --> 00:18:22.739
 why I think,

00:18:22.779 --> 00:18:22.959
 you know,

00:18:23.059 --> 00:18:23.859
 missionaries that are

00:18:23.859 --> 00:18:25.659
 doing mission elsewhere

00:18:25.659 --> 00:18:27.019
 overseas in dangerous places

00:18:27.019 --> 00:18:28.319
 where fellowship like this

00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:28.859
 is scarce,

00:18:29.239 --> 00:18:30.199
 they come together

00:18:30.199 --> 00:18:31.539
 in very unique ways.

00:18:31.619 --> 00:18:31.679
 I mean,

00:18:31.699 --> 00:18:32.299
 like when you're under

00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:33.199
 persecution,

00:18:33.379 --> 00:18:33.919
 like the church

00:18:33.919 --> 00:18:35.259
 of the scriptures was,

00:18:35.319 --> 00:18:35.459
 right?

00:18:35.519 --> 00:18:36.479
 Like when that initial

00:18:36.479 --> 00:18:37.299
 first century church,

00:18:37.379 --> 00:18:38.119
 they came together,

00:18:38.419 --> 00:18:39.819
 they were so strong

00:18:39.819 --> 00:18:41.479
 because they had to be unified

00:18:41.479 --> 00:18:42.219
 because they knew

00:18:42.219 --> 00:18:43.019
 they couldn't survive

00:18:43.019 --> 00:18:44.339
 the elements themselves.

00:18:44.979 --> 00:18:46.000
 They had to be together.

00:18:47.619 --> 00:18:48.059
 Okay?

00:18:48.899 --> 00:18:49.739
 The more the devil

00:18:49.739 --> 00:18:50.559
 can separate us,

00:18:50.639 --> 00:18:51.479
 the greater his chances

00:18:51.479 --> 00:18:52.559
 are of devouring us.

00:18:54.079 --> 00:18:54.819
 Number two,

00:18:55.019 --> 00:18:55.699
 second reason why

00:18:55.699 --> 00:18:56.539
 it's vital for the church

00:18:56.539 --> 00:18:57.119
 to be unified.

00:18:58.299 --> 00:18:59.859
 Apart from outright sin,

00:19:00.799 --> 00:19:01.099
 okay,

00:19:01.579 --> 00:19:02.179
 adultery,

00:19:03.000 --> 00:19:03.399
 murder,

00:19:03.619 --> 00:19:04.279
 whatever it might be,

00:19:04.339 --> 00:19:05.619
 apart from outright sin,

00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:06.979
 nothing shatters

00:19:06.979 --> 00:19:08.099
 the fellowship,

00:19:09.079 --> 00:19:10.079
 stunts the growth,

00:19:10.419 --> 00:19:11.439
 and ruins the witness

00:19:11.439 --> 00:19:12.139
 of the congregation

00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:12.979
 of Christ

00:19:12.979 --> 00:19:14.059
 so much

00:19:14.059 --> 00:19:14.919
 as disunity

00:19:14.919 --> 00:19:16.319
 or disharmony

00:19:16.319 --> 00:19:17.379
 among its members.

00:19:18.619 --> 00:19:19.099
 Nothing

00:19:19.099 --> 00:19:20.579
 has greater potential

00:19:20.579 --> 00:19:21.419
 to really ruin

00:19:21.419 --> 00:19:22.139
 our witness

00:19:22.139 --> 00:19:23.439
 as a church body

00:19:23.439 --> 00:19:25.719
 than disharmony

00:19:25.719 --> 00:19:26.439
 and disunity.

00:19:27.019 --> 00:19:27.759
 I hate it when I hear

00:19:27.759 --> 00:19:28.759
 churches have divided.

00:19:29.919 --> 00:19:30.179
 You know?

00:19:30.379 --> 00:19:30.579
 I mean,

00:19:30.599 --> 00:19:31.119
 I've heard that churches

00:19:31.119 --> 00:19:31.719
 have divided over

00:19:31.719 --> 00:19:32.559
 the color of the carpet.

00:19:32.679 --> 00:19:32.799
 I mean,

00:19:32.899 --> 00:19:34.119
 it's insane what happens

00:19:34.119 --> 00:19:34.819
 in some of these churches

00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.299
 these days.

00:19:35.739 --> 00:19:36.500
 Satan has got them

00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:37.179
 so twisted

00:19:37.179 --> 00:19:38.679
 to think that these things

00:19:38.679 --> 00:19:39.419
 are so important.

00:19:40.119 --> 00:19:40.279
 I mean,

00:19:40.339 --> 00:19:40.679
 like maybe,

00:19:40.859 --> 00:19:41.719
 of course it's not

00:19:41.719 --> 00:19:42.379
 the color of the carpet

00:19:42.379 --> 00:19:42.799
 for us,

00:19:42.839 --> 00:19:43.159
 but I mean,

00:19:43.259 --> 00:19:44.019
 there's things

00:19:44.019 --> 00:19:45.819
 within certain congregations

00:19:45.819 --> 00:19:46.599
 very nearby

00:19:46.599 --> 00:19:47.839
 that have tons

00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:48.359
 of disunity

00:19:48.359 --> 00:19:48.960
 as a result

00:19:48.960 --> 00:19:50.460
 of peripheral doctrine.

00:19:51.399 --> 00:19:51.659
 Right?

00:19:52.319 --> 00:19:53.799
 They're so hard-lined

00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:54.700
 on certain things

00:19:54.700 --> 00:19:55.419
 that they're not willing

00:19:55.419 --> 00:19:56.740
 to even have fellowship with

00:19:56.740 --> 00:19:57.980
 and enjoy a pleasant

00:19:57.980 --> 00:19:59.000
 conversation with

00:19:59.000 --> 00:20:00.019
 and encouraging Christ

00:20:00.019 --> 00:20:00.980
 somebody that is

00:20:00.980 --> 00:20:01.539
 of a different

00:20:01.539 --> 00:20:02.960
 belief system

00:20:02.960 --> 00:20:04.139
 on perhaps,

00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.460
 I don't know,

00:20:05.539 --> 00:20:06.639
 baptism or eschatology,

00:20:06.740 --> 00:20:07.500
 whatever it might be.

00:20:08.019 --> 00:20:08.639
 And that just shouldn't

00:20:08.639 --> 00:20:09.259
 be the case.

00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.639
 It just shouldn't be

00:20:10.639 --> 00:20:11.139
 the case.

00:20:11.140 --> 00:20:12.660
 You know?

00:20:12.800 --> 00:20:13.100
 So, I mean,

00:20:13.160 --> 00:20:14.060
 Satan is very clever

00:20:14.060 --> 00:20:14.800
 in how he does this

00:20:14.800 --> 00:20:16.240
 and so getting us disunified

00:20:16.240 --> 00:20:17.720
 is another vital reason

00:20:17.720 --> 00:20:19.259
 why we have to be unified

00:20:19.259 --> 00:20:19.980
 because Satan will

00:20:19.980 --> 00:20:21.060
 definitely take advantage

00:20:21.060 --> 00:20:21.300
 of that.

00:20:21.380 --> 00:20:22.000
 Satan doesn't care

00:20:22.000 --> 00:20:22.780
 about you and me.

00:20:23.420 --> 00:20:24.120
 He doesn't care

00:20:24.120 --> 00:20:24.759
 at all about you and me.

00:20:24.820 --> 00:20:25.300
 He cares about

00:20:25.300 --> 00:20:26.420
 shaming Christ

00:20:26.420 --> 00:20:27.600
 through you

00:20:27.600 --> 00:20:28.400
 and through me.

00:20:29.480 --> 00:20:29.780
 Okay?

00:20:29.920 --> 00:20:30.600
 So he doesn't care

00:20:30.600 --> 00:20:31.400
 what it takes

00:20:31.400 --> 00:20:34.560
 but he lays the temptations

00:20:34.560 --> 00:20:35.380
 at our feet, right?

00:20:35.420 --> 00:20:36.060
 He tempts us,

00:20:36.140 --> 00:20:37.120
 he tries to ensnare us

00:20:37.120 --> 00:20:38.140
 in pride or greed

00:20:38.140 --> 00:20:39.640
 or lust or envy

00:20:39.640 --> 00:20:42.220
 so that he might strike

00:20:42.220 --> 00:20:43.300
 a blow against Christ.

00:20:44.660 --> 00:20:44.880
 Okay?

00:20:44.940 --> 00:20:45.660
 Think about it this way.

00:20:46.080 --> 00:20:46.680
 The greatest way

00:20:46.680 --> 00:20:48.080
 to enrage a man,

00:20:48.360 --> 00:20:49.560
 the greatest way

00:20:49.560 --> 00:20:51.000
 to really enrage a man

00:20:51.000 --> 00:20:53.080
 is to go after his family,

00:20:53.140 --> 00:20:53.300
 right?

00:20:55.100 --> 00:20:56.140
 So he's not going to

00:20:56.140 --> 00:20:57.000
 necessarily attack

00:20:57.000 --> 00:20:57.500
 just Christ.

00:20:57.580 --> 00:20:58.720
 He wants to attack you,

00:20:58.800 --> 00:21:00.080
 the people that Christ loves.

00:21:00.340 --> 00:21:01.620
 He wants to attack his family

00:21:01.620 --> 00:21:03.960
 because that's going to

00:21:03.960 --> 00:21:04.680
 strike the greatest blow

00:21:04.680 --> 00:21:05.120
 against him.

00:21:06.000 --> 00:21:06.700
 Third reason why

00:21:06.700 --> 00:21:08.140
 we have got to be unified

00:21:08.140 --> 00:21:08.780
 as a body

00:21:08.779 --> 00:21:10.579
 is because nothing

00:21:10.579 --> 00:21:11.980
 strengthens the fellowship,

00:21:13.119 --> 00:21:14.259
 stimulates growth,

00:21:14.579 --> 00:21:16.000
 and purifies the witness

00:21:16.000 --> 00:21:16.799
 of the congregation

00:21:16.799 --> 00:21:18.599
 so much as unity

00:21:18.599 --> 00:21:19.359
 among its members.

00:21:20.619 --> 00:21:20.980
 Okay?

00:21:21.099 --> 00:21:22.019
 Just turn it on its side.

00:21:22.079 --> 00:21:22.819
 It's the same exact thing

00:21:22.819 --> 00:21:23.460
 as the last thing,

00:21:23.480 --> 00:21:24.139
 it's just the opposite.

00:21:25.220 --> 00:21:26.339
 The thing that the early church

00:21:26.339 --> 00:21:27.119
 had going for them

00:21:27.119 --> 00:21:28.160
 was a unique level

00:21:28.160 --> 00:21:29.399
 of unity

00:21:29.399 --> 00:21:31.119
 and all togetherness,

00:21:31.180 --> 00:21:31.339
 right,

00:21:31.379 --> 00:21:32.559
 that rose kind of above

00:21:32.559 --> 00:21:33.700
 this persecution

00:21:33.700 --> 00:21:34.519
 of the day.

00:21:34.619 --> 00:21:35.299
 Nero was, I mean,

00:21:35.359 --> 00:21:36.539
 coming down on these Christians

00:21:36.539 --> 00:21:38.279
 as hard as he possibly could.

00:21:38.779 --> 00:21:39.839
 He was lighting up

00:21:39.839 --> 00:21:40.619
 his garden parties

00:21:40.619 --> 00:21:41.660
 with, you know,

00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.460
 burning bodies

00:21:42.460 --> 00:21:42.960
 of Christians

00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:43.740
 being crucified.

00:21:44.240 --> 00:21:45.920
 It was an extreme time.

00:21:46.519 --> 00:21:47.480
 Extreme time.

00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:48.180
 Right?

00:21:48.240 --> 00:21:48.559
 And so,

00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:49.799
 in the midst of all of that,

00:21:50.779 --> 00:21:51.379
 the church,

00:21:51.500 --> 00:21:52.319
 in that they kept,

00:21:52.539 --> 00:21:54.160
 not only, you know,

00:21:54.240 --> 00:21:55.119
 kept alive,

00:21:55.259 --> 00:21:55.420
 I mean,

00:21:55.460 --> 00:21:56.559
 they were alive for sure,

00:21:56.599 --> 00:21:57.779
 but they were actually vibrant.

00:21:58.480 --> 00:21:59.639
 They were actually growing.

00:21:59.740 --> 00:22:00.619
 They were powerful.

00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:02.240
 They were becoming a force

00:22:02.240 --> 00:22:03.339
 to be reckoned with.

00:22:03.379 --> 00:22:04.359
 And even torture

00:22:04.359 --> 00:22:05.019
 and that kind of stuff,

00:22:05.079 --> 00:22:05.920
 extreme measures,

00:22:06.119 --> 00:22:07.279
 couldn't even dissuade them

00:22:07.279 --> 00:22:08.240
 from following Jesus.

00:22:08.740 --> 00:22:09.539
 And that's because

00:22:09.539 --> 00:22:10.899
 they had this unique union.

00:22:11.000 --> 00:22:11.059
 I mean,

00:22:11.059 --> 00:22:11.980
 you can read about that.

00:22:12.039 --> 00:22:12.299
 In fact,

00:22:12.359 --> 00:22:12.980
 let's go ahead and do that.

00:22:13.019 --> 00:22:13.899
 Let's go to Acts 2.

00:22:14.539 --> 00:22:15.440
 Let me just show you guys

00:22:15.440 --> 00:22:16.779
 exactly what I'm talking about here.

00:22:17.639 --> 00:22:17.839
 Because,

00:22:18.000 --> 00:22:19.680
 let's just,

00:22:19.819 --> 00:22:19.940
 you know,

00:22:20.000 --> 00:22:20.079
 like,

00:22:20.079 --> 00:22:20.259
 I mean,

00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:21.700
 they were obviously

00:22:21.700 --> 00:22:22.339
 a great example

00:22:22.339 --> 00:22:22.799
 of what it meant

00:22:22.799 --> 00:22:23.460
 to be unified,

00:22:23.720 --> 00:22:25.579
 so what characterized them?

00:22:26.379 --> 00:22:27.180
 What characterized

00:22:27.180 --> 00:22:29.160
 these first century Christians

00:22:29.160 --> 00:22:30.279
 that we need to emulate

00:22:31.019 --> 00:22:31.599
 if we can?

00:22:32.180 --> 00:22:33.299
 This is Acts 2,

00:22:33.879 --> 00:22:36.259
 beginning in verse 42.

00:22:36.259 --> 00:22:39.480
 And it says this,

00:22:39.599 --> 00:22:40.599
 And they were continually

00:22:40.599 --> 00:22:41.779
 devoting themselves

00:22:41.779 --> 00:22:43.099
 to the apostles' teaching

00:22:43.099 --> 00:22:44.359
 and to fellowship,

00:22:44.819 --> 00:22:45.980
 to the breaking of bread,

00:22:46.059 --> 00:22:46.539
 and to prayer.

00:22:46.619 --> 00:22:47.539
 So they were always together.

00:22:47.900 --> 00:22:48.960
 And everyone kept feeling

00:22:48.960 --> 00:22:49.740
 a sense of awe.

00:22:49.839 --> 00:22:50.799
 Many wonders and signs

00:22:50.799 --> 00:22:51.599
 were taking place

00:22:51.599 --> 00:22:52.259
 through the apostles.

00:22:52.720 --> 00:22:54.099
 And all those who had believed

00:22:54.099 --> 00:22:54.740
 were together.

00:22:55.160 --> 00:22:56.379
 And they had all things

00:22:56.379 --> 00:22:57.339
 in common, right?

00:22:58.299 --> 00:22:59.240
 And it just keeps on going

00:22:59.240 --> 00:23:00.420
 and describing more and more

00:23:00.420 --> 00:23:00.660
 of that.

00:23:00.720 --> 00:23:01.640
 Go over to chapter 4.

00:23:02.039 --> 00:23:03.000
 Let me show you something else.

00:23:03.000 --> 00:23:06.900
 I want to read verse 32

00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:09.700
 and 33.

00:23:10.700 --> 00:23:11.259
 It says,

00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:11.880
 And the congregation

00:23:11.880 --> 00:23:13.119
 of those who believed

00:23:13.119 --> 00:23:14.940
 were of one heart and soul,

00:23:15.160 --> 00:23:16.200
 and not one of them

00:23:16.200 --> 00:23:17.039
 claimed that anything

00:23:17.039 --> 00:23:18.059
 belonging to Him

00:23:18.059 --> 00:23:19.019
 was His own.

00:23:19.079 --> 00:23:19.799
 But all things were

00:23:19.799 --> 00:23:21.019
 common property to them,

00:23:21.420 --> 00:23:22.359
 and with great power

00:23:22.359 --> 00:23:23.359
 the apostles were giving

00:23:23.359 --> 00:23:24.319
 witness to the resurrection

00:23:24.319 --> 00:23:25.119
 of the Lord Jesus,

00:23:25.559 --> 00:23:26.500
 and abundant grace

00:23:26.500 --> 00:23:27.380
 was upon them all.

00:23:28.119 --> 00:23:28.359
 Right?

00:23:28.420 --> 00:23:29.279
 So there was this sense

00:23:29.279 --> 00:23:29.880
 in which they just,

00:23:29.960 --> 00:23:30.579
 they didn't consider

00:23:30.579 --> 00:23:31.199
 their possessions

00:23:31.199 --> 00:23:31.699
 to be that,

00:23:31.939 --> 00:23:33.339
 you know,

00:23:33.399 --> 00:23:34.339
 like they weren't,

00:23:35.139 --> 00:23:35.799
 it's not like

00:23:35.799 --> 00:23:36.899
 I have this one thing

00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:37.519
 that there's nobody

00:23:37.519 --> 00:23:38.319
 in the world that can touch.

00:23:38.419 --> 00:23:38.539
 I mean,

00:23:38.599 --> 00:23:40.059
 like if somebody needs

00:23:40.059 --> 00:23:40.879
 this more than I do,

00:23:41.359 --> 00:23:42.779
 money or my time,

00:23:42.919 --> 00:23:43.339
 or, you know,

00:23:43.379 --> 00:23:44.339
 if they need my service,

00:23:44.439 --> 00:23:45.519
 if they need me to,

00:23:45.740 --> 00:23:46.039
 you know,

00:23:46.099 --> 00:23:47.000
 wash them or bathe,

00:23:47.059 --> 00:23:47.799
 whatever it might be,

00:23:47.899 --> 00:23:48.699
 like they were willing

00:23:48.699 --> 00:23:50.039
 to go out of their way

00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:50.839
 in that early century

00:23:50.839 --> 00:23:51.240
 because there was

00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.159
 such an example of this

00:23:52.159 --> 00:23:53.079
 in the apostles, right?

00:23:53.379 --> 00:23:53.879
 I mean,

00:23:53.879 --> 00:23:54.699
 they had great leadership.

00:23:55.419 --> 00:23:56.419
 They saw the apostles

00:23:56.419 --> 00:23:57.480
 laying down their life,

00:23:57.859 --> 00:23:59.439
 being beaten in the synagogues,

00:23:59.480 --> 00:23:59.639
 you know,

00:23:59.640 --> 00:24:00.920
 or being in the courts.

00:24:01.060 --> 00:24:02.220
 So they were seeing,

00:24:02.560 --> 00:24:02.759
 you know,

00:24:02.820 --> 00:24:04.100
 them dedicate their time,

00:24:04.180 --> 00:24:04.460
 their energy

00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.460
 to praying for the people.

00:24:05.580 --> 00:24:07.000
 They were so focused

00:24:07.000 --> 00:24:08.840
 on just setting that example

00:24:08.840 --> 00:24:09.560
 for, you know,

00:24:09.580 --> 00:24:10.000
 the way in which

00:24:10.000 --> 00:24:10.740
 we follow Christ.

00:24:10.860 --> 00:24:11.360
 And so everybody

00:24:11.360 --> 00:24:13.240
 was following in like manner.

00:24:13.780 --> 00:24:14.440
 It was beautiful.

00:24:15.200 --> 00:24:15.420
 You know,

00:24:15.420 --> 00:24:16.300
 so we've got to begin

00:24:16.300 --> 00:24:17.100
 to set the example

00:24:17.100 --> 00:24:17.920
 for our families,

00:24:18.100 --> 00:24:19.100
 but also the example

00:24:19.100 --> 00:24:20.300
 for our younger brothers

00:24:20.300 --> 00:24:21.280
 and sisters in Christ,

00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.400
 and also the example

00:24:22.400 --> 00:24:23.320
 just for, you know,

00:24:23.400 --> 00:24:24.259
 people that are coming up

00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:24.740
 in the ranks.

00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:24.960
 I mean,

00:24:25.000 --> 00:24:25.300
 just, you know,

00:24:25.340 --> 00:24:26.520
 young people that are being saved,

00:24:27.000 --> 00:24:28.140
 youth that, you know,

00:24:28.140 --> 00:24:29.259
 we want to set a good example

00:24:29.259 --> 00:24:31.160
 for how we should follow Christ

00:24:31.160 --> 00:24:32.160
 and how we should really consider

00:24:32.160 --> 00:24:32.700
 our possessions

00:24:32.700 --> 00:24:34.180
 to not be that valuable

00:24:34.180 --> 00:24:35.759
 as long as we can give glory

00:24:35.759 --> 00:24:36.200
 to Christ

00:24:36.200 --> 00:24:37.720
 if He requires us

00:24:37.720 --> 00:24:38.180
 to give them

00:24:38.180 --> 00:24:38.860
 or our time,

00:24:38.920 --> 00:24:39.560
 whatever it might be.

00:24:40.259 --> 00:24:41.060
 We don't all have money.

00:24:41.800 --> 00:24:42.660
 Some of us have just,

00:24:42.700 --> 00:24:43.540
 you know,

00:24:43.580 --> 00:24:44.120
 a listening ear,

00:24:44.200 --> 00:24:44.900
 whatever it might be

00:24:44.900 --> 00:24:45.680
 that you have to offer

00:24:45.680 --> 00:24:46.259
 to the Lord.

00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.180
 So this is what made them

00:24:49.180 --> 00:24:49.640
 inseparable.

00:24:50.780 --> 00:24:51.620
 It was just this unity

00:24:51.620 --> 00:24:52.160
 with Christ.

00:24:52.220 --> 00:24:52.740
 It was beautiful.

00:24:53.560 --> 00:24:54.000
 So anyway,

00:24:54.060 --> 00:24:54.840
 that's just kind of an intro

00:24:54.839 --> 00:24:56.019
 into the verses.

00:24:56.199 --> 00:24:56.779
 I think that's kind of

00:24:56.779 --> 00:24:57.879
 the foundation here, right?

00:24:59.299 --> 00:25:00.139
 I'm not going to take up

00:25:00.139 --> 00:25:00.859
 too much more time,

00:25:01.039 --> 00:25:02.079
 but, you know,

00:25:02.179 --> 00:25:03.959
 so that's essentially

00:25:03.959 --> 00:25:05.000
 what Paul has been up to,

00:25:05.079 --> 00:25:05.220
 okay?

00:25:05.279 --> 00:25:06.519
 In the first three chapters,

00:25:07.000 --> 00:25:08.059
 or in the last three chapters,

00:25:08.159 --> 00:25:08.619
 I should say,

00:25:08.699 --> 00:25:09.899
 12, 13, and 14,

00:25:10.639 --> 00:25:11.639
 he has been basically

00:25:11.639 --> 00:25:12.939
 getting at this idea of,

00:25:13.039 --> 00:25:13.240
 hey,

00:25:13.980 --> 00:25:15.159
 let's just read the first part.

00:25:15.419 --> 00:25:16.199
 Go to Romans 12

00:25:16.199 --> 00:25:16.939
 for just a second.

00:25:18.059 --> 00:25:18.399
 Let's just,

00:25:18.519 --> 00:25:19.259
 I just want you to see

00:25:19.259 --> 00:25:20.039
 where I saw this.

00:25:24.839 --> 00:25:28.859
 So he says,

00:25:29.240 --> 00:25:30.439
 in verse 1 of 12,

00:25:30.759 --> 00:25:31.579
 I urge you therefore,

00:25:31.759 --> 00:25:31.980
 brethren,

00:25:32.039 --> 00:25:33.000
 by the mercies of God.

00:25:33.059 --> 00:25:33.359
 So he's like,

00:25:33.399 --> 00:25:33.500
 hey,

00:25:33.559 --> 00:25:34.480
 in light of your salvation,

00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.699
 present your bodies

00:25:36.699 --> 00:25:37.459
 as a living

00:25:37.459 --> 00:25:38.679
 and a holy sacrifice

00:25:38.679 --> 00:25:40.159
 acceptable to God,

00:25:40.399 --> 00:25:41.519
 which is your spiritual

00:25:41.519 --> 00:25:42.659
 service of worship.

00:25:42.959 --> 00:25:43.899
 Do not be conformed

00:25:43.899 --> 00:25:44.419
 to this world,

00:25:44.699 --> 00:25:45.759
 but be transformed

00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.619
 by the renewing

00:25:46.619 --> 00:25:47.220
 of your mind

00:25:47.220 --> 00:25:48.519
 that you may prove

00:25:48.519 --> 00:25:49.720
 what God's will is,

00:25:49.759 --> 00:25:50.480
 that which is good,

00:25:50.699 --> 00:25:51.519
 that which is acceptable,

00:25:51.679 --> 00:25:52.319
 that which is perfect.

00:25:52.459 --> 00:25:53.019
 Keep on going.

00:25:53.019 --> 00:25:56.539
 For through the grace

00:25:56.539 --> 00:25:57.019
 given to me,

00:25:57.099 --> 00:25:57.879
 I say to every man

00:25:57.879 --> 00:25:58.319
 among you,

00:25:58.660 --> 00:25:59.619
 not to think more highly

00:25:59.619 --> 00:26:00.059
 of himself

00:26:00.059 --> 00:26:00.920
 than he ought to think,

00:26:01.299 --> 00:26:02.079
 but to think so as

00:26:02.079 --> 00:26:03.059
 to have sound judgment,

00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.440
 as God has allotted

00:26:04.440 --> 00:26:05.480
 each measure of faith.

00:26:05.839 --> 00:26:06.579
 Then he says this,

00:26:06.639 --> 00:26:07.660
 For just as we have

00:26:07.660 --> 00:26:08.420
 many members

00:26:08.420 --> 00:26:09.759
 in one body,

00:26:10.420 --> 00:26:12.559
 and all the members

00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:13.799
 do not have the same function,

00:26:14.240 --> 00:26:15.500
 so we who are many

00:26:15.500 --> 00:26:17.379
 are one body in Christ

00:26:17.379 --> 00:26:19.119
 and individually members of it.

00:26:20.420 --> 00:26:20.660
 Okay?

00:26:21.099 --> 00:26:22.339
 So he goes immediately

00:26:22.339 --> 00:26:23.379
 from this idea of,

00:26:23.480 --> 00:26:23.639
 Hey,

00:26:24.299 --> 00:26:25.639
 you have been saved

00:26:25.639 --> 00:26:26.459
 by grace.

00:26:27.720 --> 00:26:29.220
 You have been washed

00:26:29.220 --> 00:26:30.359
 by the blood of Christ.

00:26:31.199 --> 00:26:32.439
 You have been transformed

00:26:32.439 --> 00:26:33.099
 by that.

00:26:33.199 --> 00:26:34.099
 You have been set apart

00:26:34.099 --> 00:26:34.500
 by that.

00:26:34.779 --> 00:26:35.720
 You have now inherited

00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.419
 your joint heir

00:26:36.419 --> 00:26:37.019
 with Christ.

00:26:37.119 --> 00:26:37.639
 You get heaven.

00:26:38.379 --> 00:26:39.359
 You get forgiveness

00:26:39.359 --> 00:26:40.059
 for sins.

00:26:40.179 --> 00:26:41.379
 You get separation

00:26:41.379 --> 00:26:41.939
 from hell

00:26:41.939 --> 00:26:43.319
 and separation from God

00:26:43.319 --> 00:26:43.740
 is no longer

00:26:43.740 --> 00:26:44.679
 a reality for you,

00:26:44.720 --> 00:26:44.819
 right?

00:26:44.959 --> 00:26:45.480
 In light of these

00:26:45.480 --> 00:26:46.579
 amazing truths,

00:26:47.759 --> 00:26:48.619
 I want you to set apart

00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.179
 your body

00:26:49.179 --> 00:26:50.039
 as unto the Lord.

00:26:50.119 --> 00:26:51.179
 Whatever it requires,

00:26:51.180 --> 00:26:52.400
 whatever cost that means

00:26:52.400 --> 00:26:52.820
 for you,

00:26:53.060 --> 00:26:54.039
 I want you to give yourself

00:26:54.039 --> 00:26:55.180
 wholeheartedly to Christ.

00:26:56.060 --> 00:26:56.820
 Then he says,

00:26:56.900 --> 00:26:57.720
 Hey, I want to remind you

00:26:57.720 --> 00:26:57.840
 though,

00:26:57.860 --> 00:26:58.720
 you've got this body.

00:26:59.799 --> 00:27:00.600
 And the way to really

00:27:00.600 --> 00:27:01.460
 do this effectively

00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.360
 is to be together

00:27:02.360 --> 00:27:03.580
 and like-minded

00:27:03.580 --> 00:27:04.799
 and to be one

00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:06.460
 and to really enjoy

00:27:06.460 --> 00:27:07.259
 each and everybody

00:27:07.259 --> 00:27:08.240
 else's gifts,

00:27:09.120 --> 00:27:09.360
 right?

00:27:09.420 --> 00:27:09.820
 Because that's going

00:27:09.820 --> 00:27:10.539
 to strengthen you

00:27:10.539 --> 00:27:11.360
 in your sacrifice

00:27:11.360 --> 00:27:12.320
 of your own self

00:27:12.320 --> 00:27:13.299
 to Jesus.

00:27:13.860 --> 00:27:14.420
 It's going to help

00:27:14.420 --> 00:27:15.299
 educate you as to

00:27:15.299 --> 00:27:16.080
 how to do it better

00:27:16.080 --> 00:27:16.759
 because you can see

00:27:16.759 --> 00:27:17.580
 other people in your

00:27:17.580 --> 00:27:18.759
 community doing

00:27:18.759 --> 00:27:19.500
 the same thing,

00:27:19.500 --> 00:27:19.799
 right?

00:27:20.319 --> 00:27:21.519
 He begins to paint

00:27:21.519 --> 00:27:21.920
 this picture

00:27:21.920 --> 00:27:22.619
 so he goes into

00:27:22.619 --> 00:27:23.099
 eventually,

00:27:23.460 --> 00:27:24.099
 he goes immediately

00:27:24.099 --> 00:27:24.740
 into this idea

00:27:24.740 --> 00:27:25.039
 of like,

00:27:25.259 --> 00:27:25.400
 you know,

00:27:25.440 --> 00:27:25.900
 some people have

00:27:25.900 --> 00:27:26.460
 these gifts

00:27:26.460 --> 00:27:27.460
 and you know,

00:27:27.480 --> 00:27:27.859
 they need to be

00:27:27.859 --> 00:27:28.740
 serving in these ways.

00:27:29.220 --> 00:27:29.740
 Then he goes into

00:27:29.740 --> 00:27:30.640
 some more general stuff

00:27:30.640 --> 00:27:31.059
 and he says,

00:27:31.160 --> 00:27:31.240
 you know,

00:27:31.259 --> 00:27:31.339
 hey,

00:27:31.380 --> 00:27:31.880
 all of you guys

00:27:31.880 --> 00:27:32.339
 should be devoted

00:27:32.339 --> 00:27:33.119
 to one another

00:27:33.119 --> 00:27:34.339
 in brotherly love.

00:27:34.400 --> 00:27:34.740
 You should give

00:27:34.740 --> 00:27:35.599
 preference to one another

00:27:35.599 --> 00:27:36.160
 in honor.

00:27:36.980 --> 00:27:37.240
 You should,

00:27:37.319 --> 00:27:37.480
 you know,

00:27:37.500 --> 00:27:38.480
 be always diligent

00:27:38.480 --> 00:27:39.180
 to do so.

00:27:39.859 --> 00:27:40.779
 What else does he say?

00:27:42.660 --> 00:27:43.759
 He says in 16

00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.359
 of chapter 12,

00:27:44.440 --> 00:27:45.519
 be of the same mind

00:27:45.519 --> 00:27:46.519
 toward one another.

00:27:46.640 --> 00:27:47.440
 Do not be haughty

00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:47.799
 in mind

00:27:47.799 --> 00:27:48.440
 but associate

00:27:48.440 --> 00:27:49.539
 with the lowly.

00:27:49.919 --> 00:27:50.940
 Accommodate the lowly.

00:27:51.220 --> 00:27:51.980
 Do not be wise

00:27:51.980 --> 00:27:52.700
 in your own estimation

00:27:52.700 --> 00:27:53.440
 but in the estimation

00:27:53.440 --> 00:27:54.460
 of Christ,

00:27:54.599 --> 00:27:54.779
 right?

00:27:54.859 --> 00:27:55.240
 So he just,

00:27:55.319 --> 00:27:55.460
 I mean,

00:27:55.480 --> 00:27:55.960
 he's literally,

00:27:56.159 --> 00:27:57.200
 he's saying the same thing.

00:27:57.240 --> 00:27:57.839
 You can see that

00:27:57.839 --> 00:27:58.599
 intelligence of him,

00:27:58.639 --> 00:27:58.799
 right?

00:27:59.220 --> 00:28:00.000
 He's communicating

00:28:00.000 --> 00:28:01.059
 the same truths

00:28:01.059 --> 00:28:02.680
 but he's just doing

00:28:02.680 --> 00:28:03.440
 it different ways

00:28:03.440 --> 00:28:04.480
 so that we see it

00:28:04.480 --> 00:28:05.200
 from different angles.

00:28:06.299 --> 00:28:06.659
 And he's helping

00:28:06.659 --> 00:28:07.220
 to drive home

00:28:07.220 --> 00:28:07.799
 the same point,

00:28:07.899 --> 00:28:08.319
 be together,

00:28:08.460 --> 00:28:09.000
 be unified,

00:28:09.579 --> 00:28:10.299
 be with Christ

00:28:10.299 --> 00:28:12.159
 and the people of Christ.

00:28:13.299 --> 00:28:14.079
 So he just goes

00:28:14.079 --> 00:28:14.720
 on and on and on

00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:15.379
 and then eventually

00:28:15.379 --> 00:28:16.399
 he brings us to 15.

00:28:16.519 --> 00:28:17.159
 So here we are again

00:28:17.160 --> 00:28:17.600
 at 15.

00:28:17.759 --> 00:28:18.580
 Let's just reread it

00:28:18.580 --> 00:28:19.440
 and we'll dive into

00:28:19.440 --> 00:28:20.019
 the particulars

00:28:20.019 --> 00:28:20.700
 of this passage.

00:28:22.200 --> 00:28:23.279
 Now we who were strong

00:28:23.279 --> 00:28:25.100
 ought to bear the weakness

00:28:25.100 --> 00:28:26.779
 of those without strength

00:28:26.779 --> 00:28:29.160
 and not just please ourselves.

00:28:29.300 --> 00:28:29.580
 Let each,

00:28:29.580 --> 00:28:30.380
 let each of us

00:28:30.380 --> 00:28:31.180
 please his neighbor

00:28:31.180 --> 00:28:31.960
 for his good

00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.620
 to his edification.

00:28:33.820 --> 00:28:34.779
 For even Christ

00:28:34.779 --> 00:28:36.140
 did not please himself

00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:37.320
 but as it is written,

00:28:37.779 --> 00:28:38.740
 the reproaches of those

00:28:38.740 --> 00:28:40.200
 who approached you

00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.080
 fell upon me.

00:28:41.079 --> 00:28:42.960
 Okay?

00:28:43.919 --> 00:28:45.960
 So in verses 1-3

00:28:45.960 --> 00:28:48.439
 Paul calls believers,

00:28:48.659 --> 00:28:49.460
 calls all of us

00:28:49.460 --> 00:28:50.980
 to please one another.

00:28:51.980 --> 00:28:52.279
 Okay?

00:28:52.439 --> 00:28:53.059
 To be about

00:28:53.059 --> 00:28:53.899
 pleasing one another.

00:28:54.039 --> 00:28:55.059
 To give preference

00:28:55.059 --> 00:28:55.659
 to one another.

00:28:56.339 --> 00:28:57.299
 To accommodate

00:28:57.299 --> 00:28:57.960
 one another.

00:28:58.139 --> 00:28:58.319
 Right?

00:28:58.399 --> 00:28:59.299
 To give you

00:28:59.299 --> 00:29:00.039
 the number one spot

00:29:00.039 --> 00:29:00.779
 and not myself.

00:29:01.819 --> 00:29:02.759
 By following

00:29:02.759 --> 00:29:03.720
 the example of Christ.

00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.960
 That's all he's

00:29:04.960 --> 00:29:05.559
 trying to communicate.

00:29:05.899 --> 00:29:06.599
 Please one another

00:29:06.599 --> 00:29:07.159
 by following

00:29:07.159 --> 00:29:07.879
 Christ's example.

00:29:07.880 --> 00:29:09.240
 So let's read

00:29:09.240 --> 00:29:10.060
 verse 1 yet again.

00:29:10.660 --> 00:29:11.620
 Now we who were strong

00:29:11.620 --> 00:29:13.240
 ought to bear the weakness

00:29:13.240 --> 00:29:14.500
 of those who are

00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.680
 without strength

00:29:15.680 --> 00:29:17.480
 and not just please ourselves.

00:29:19.140 --> 00:29:20.360
 Those who are strong

00:29:20.360 --> 00:29:21.400
 are those who are

00:29:21.400 --> 00:29:22.000
 more mature

00:29:22.000 --> 00:29:22.800
 in their faith.

00:29:23.560 --> 00:29:23.780
 Okay?

00:29:23.900 --> 00:29:24.520
 That's exactly

00:29:24.520 --> 00:29:25.260
 what that phrase

00:29:25.260 --> 00:29:26.140
 essentially means.

00:29:26.720 --> 00:29:27.280
 It's who because

00:29:27.280 --> 00:29:27.960
 of the practice

00:29:27.960 --> 00:29:28.560
 and experience

00:29:28.560 --> 00:29:29.340
 in their life

00:29:29.340 --> 00:29:30.100
 with Christ

00:29:30.100 --> 00:29:31.320
 have had their senses

00:29:31.320 --> 00:29:32.860
 trained to discern

00:29:32.860 --> 00:29:33.460
 good and evil.

00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.460
 That's what

00:29:35.460 --> 00:29:37.040
 characterizes the strong.

00:29:37.880 --> 00:29:38.860
 They know right from wrong.

00:29:38.940 --> 00:29:40.000
 They know the important

00:29:40.000 --> 00:29:40.540
 things from the

00:29:40.540 --> 00:29:41.360
 unimportant things.

00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.100
 Right?

00:29:42.180 --> 00:29:43.200
 They've been able to

00:29:43.200 --> 00:29:43.680
 they've been learned

00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:44.480
 how to detect that.

00:29:44.880 --> 00:29:45.580
 They understand

00:29:45.580 --> 00:29:45.960
 that they have

00:29:45.960 --> 00:29:46.860
 liberty in Christ.

00:29:47.460 --> 00:29:47.640
 Okay?

00:29:47.680 --> 00:29:48.220
 The strong do.

00:29:48.280 --> 00:29:49.220
 They have liberty in Christ.

00:29:49.340 --> 00:29:50.260
 You have freedom in Christ.

00:29:50.720 --> 00:29:51.620
 Freedom from the old covenant.

00:29:53.120 --> 00:29:53.320
 You know,

00:29:53.400 --> 00:29:54.360
 freedom from the dietary

00:29:54.360 --> 00:29:55.400
 system in their case.

00:29:55.520 --> 00:29:56.160
 Freedom from the strict

00:29:56.160 --> 00:29:56.900
 commandments of the

00:29:56.900 --> 00:29:57.380
 Old Testament

00:29:57.380 --> 00:29:58.520
 that were specific

00:29:58.520 --> 00:29:59.360
 to sacrifices

00:29:59.360 --> 00:30:00.460
 and days and festivals

00:30:00.460 --> 00:30:01.380
 and all these kind of things.

00:30:02.880 --> 00:30:04.140
 But what they don't have

00:30:04.140 --> 00:30:05.220
 and what you who are in here

00:30:05.220 --> 00:30:06.620
 who are mature Christians

00:30:06.620 --> 00:30:07.680
 do not have

00:30:07.680 --> 00:30:08.799
 okay?

00:30:08.960 --> 00:30:09.740
 What none of us have

00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:10.299
 that are mature

00:30:10.299 --> 00:30:12.080
 is the right to express

00:30:12.080 --> 00:30:12.940
 those freedoms

00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.640
 without regard

00:30:14.640 --> 00:30:16.580
 for those without strength.

00:30:18.460 --> 00:30:18.900
 Okay?

00:30:19.160 --> 00:30:19.960
 Without regard

00:30:19.960 --> 00:30:20.560
 for the weak.

00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:22.400
 Okay?

00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.019
 In Christ

00:30:23.019 --> 00:30:23.880
 you have a lot of freedom.

00:30:24.740 --> 00:30:25.240
 I mean I've heard

00:30:25.240 --> 00:30:26.080
 John MacArthur

00:30:26.080 --> 00:30:26.960
 painted as simple as

00:30:26.960 --> 00:30:27.460
 literally

00:30:27.460 --> 00:30:28.259
 abide in Christ

00:30:28.259 --> 00:30:29.320
 and do whatever you want to do.

00:30:30.299 --> 00:30:31.060
 That's as simple

00:30:31.060 --> 00:30:32.140
 as following the will of God is.

00:30:32.220 --> 00:30:32.960
 Like abide in Christ

00:30:32.960 --> 00:30:33.799
 do whatever you want.

00:30:33.880 --> 00:30:34.960
 You have so much freedom.

00:30:35.340 --> 00:30:36.000
 You can choose

00:30:36.000 --> 00:30:36.980
 what you want to do

00:30:36.980 --> 00:30:38.000
 how you want to do it.

00:30:38.259 --> 00:30:38.860
 But of course

00:30:38.860 --> 00:30:39.660
 within limits

00:30:39.660 --> 00:30:40.740
 it's not sin

00:30:40.740 --> 00:30:42.640
 but all righteous things.

00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.200
 But the reality is

00:30:44.200 --> 00:30:45.079
 there may be some things

00:30:45.079 --> 00:30:45.960
 that we have liberty to

00:30:45.960 --> 00:30:48.819
 that not everybody

00:30:48.819 --> 00:30:49.519
 in Christ

00:30:49.519 --> 00:30:51.259
 feels a liberty for.

00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:51.519
 Right?

00:30:51.519 --> 00:30:52.240
 They don't understand

00:30:52.240 --> 00:30:53.000
 that liberty yet.

00:30:54.120 --> 00:30:54.799
 And so we

00:30:54.799 --> 00:30:55.559
 what he's saying is

00:30:55.559 --> 00:30:56.819
 those that are strong

00:30:56.819 --> 00:30:58.599
 do not have a right

00:30:58.599 --> 00:30:59.680
 to express

00:30:59.680 --> 00:31:00.360
 those liberties

00:31:00.360 --> 00:31:02.940
 without any regard

00:31:02.940 --> 00:31:03.860
 for the weaker brother.

00:31:03.859 --> 00:31:04.619
 right?

00:31:05.740 --> 00:31:06.599
 There's certain things

00:31:06.599 --> 00:31:07.359
 that are unacceptable

00:31:07.359 --> 00:31:09.439
 because so and so

00:31:09.439 --> 00:31:09.919
 is in the room

00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:12.079
 or because so and so

00:31:12.079 --> 00:31:12.740
 looks up to you

00:31:12.740 --> 00:31:13.699
 or because you have

00:31:13.699 --> 00:31:14.799
 such and such a position

00:31:14.799 --> 00:31:16.379
 in the church

00:31:16.379 --> 00:31:17.159
 or whatever it might be.

00:31:17.279 --> 00:31:17.399
 Right?

00:31:18.779 --> 00:31:19.179
 Like I know

00:31:19.179 --> 00:31:19.799
 for instance

00:31:19.799 --> 00:31:20.619
 I know that Nathan

00:31:20.619 --> 00:31:22.179
 has zero problem

00:31:22.179 --> 00:31:23.759
 with alcohol.

00:31:23.959 --> 00:31:24.059
 Right?

00:31:24.119 --> 00:31:24.279
 I mean

00:31:24.279 --> 00:31:25.699
 it's not a sin to drink.

00:31:26.039 --> 00:31:26.299
 Okay?

00:31:26.679 --> 00:31:27.579
 But he has said

00:31:27.579 --> 00:31:27.919
 you know what

00:31:27.919 --> 00:31:28.599
 because I know

00:31:28.599 --> 00:31:29.519
 that that tends to have

00:31:29.519 --> 00:31:32.019
 a bad you know

00:31:32.019 --> 00:31:33.180
 I don't know

00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.079
 what's the word?

00:31:36.599 --> 00:31:36.960
 Stigma.

00:31:37.099 --> 00:31:37.240
 Yes.

00:31:37.400 --> 00:31:37.680
 Whatever.

00:31:37.879 --> 00:31:38.539
 A bad stigma

00:31:38.539 --> 00:31:39.200
 with people.

00:31:39.720 --> 00:31:40.039
 Therefore

00:31:40.039 --> 00:31:40.559
 right?

00:31:40.740 --> 00:31:41.960
 I'm not going to do that.

00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.180
 And he has submitted himself

00:31:43.180 --> 00:31:44.519
 he's submitted that liberty

00:31:44.519 --> 00:31:45.079
 in a sense

00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:45.920
 to us

00:31:45.920 --> 00:31:46.519
 in saying

00:31:46.519 --> 00:31:47.639
 I want to lead by example.

00:31:47.759 --> 00:31:48.539
 I want to submit that

00:31:48.539 --> 00:31:49.259
 to you guys

00:31:49.259 --> 00:31:49.539
 and say

00:31:49.539 --> 00:31:50.200
 I don't want to do this

00:31:50.200 --> 00:31:51.319
 for the sake of my brothers

00:31:51.319 --> 00:31:51.819
 in Christ.

00:31:51.900 --> 00:31:52.220
 I don't want to lead

00:31:52.220 --> 00:31:52.980
 anybody to stumble.

00:31:53.299 --> 00:31:53.879
 Because that may be

00:31:53.879 --> 00:31:54.980
 a serious no-no

00:31:54.980 --> 00:31:56.079
 for a lot of us

00:31:56.079 --> 00:31:57.539
 that have had problems

00:31:57.539 --> 00:31:57.980
 with drinking.

00:31:58.900 --> 00:31:59.039
 Right?

00:31:59.039 --> 00:31:59.899
 Whatever it might be.

00:32:00.480 --> 00:32:01.000
 So we've got to be

00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:01.980
 very sensitive here.

00:32:03.859 --> 00:32:04.740
 Those who are strong

00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:05.259
 then he says

00:32:05.259 --> 00:32:05.740
 ought

00:32:05.740 --> 00:32:07.000
 to bear the weaknesses

00:32:07.000 --> 00:32:07.500
 of those

00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:08.299
 without strength.

00:32:08.799 --> 00:32:09.440
 The word ought

00:32:09.440 --> 00:32:09.899
 there is really

00:32:09.899 --> 00:32:10.799
 interesting.

00:32:11.220 --> 00:32:11.339
 It's

00:32:11.339 --> 00:32:13.299
 literally in the Greek

00:32:13.299 --> 00:32:14.680
 it has the basic meaning

00:32:14.680 --> 00:32:15.720
 of owing a debt.

00:32:16.279 --> 00:32:16.420
 Okay?

00:32:16.980 --> 00:32:17.819
 So when he's saying

00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.399
 you ought to

00:32:18.399 --> 00:32:18.740
 he's saying

00:32:18.740 --> 00:32:19.680
 you owe the debt

00:32:19.680 --> 00:32:20.399
 to your brothers

00:32:20.399 --> 00:32:21.019
 in Christ

00:32:21.019 --> 00:32:22.259
 to do it this way.

00:32:23.119 --> 00:32:23.420
 Another

00:32:23.420 --> 00:32:24.500
 it kind of

00:32:24.500 --> 00:32:25.159
 communicates

00:32:25.159 --> 00:32:25.579
 owing a debt

00:32:25.579 --> 00:32:26.639
 or having a strong obligation.

00:32:26.819 --> 00:32:27.180
 Listen to where

00:32:27.180 --> 00:32:28.819
 the same word is used.

00:32:29.480 --> 00:32:30.180
 The same word

00:32:30.180 --> 00:32:30.500
 is used

00:32:30.500 --> 00:32:32.119
 in Hebrews 5.3

00:32:32.119 --> 00:32:33.159
 to describe

00:32:33.159 --> 00:32:34.680
 the high priest's

00:32:34.680 --> 00:32:35.500
 responsibility

00:32:35.500 --> 00:32:37.460
 to offer sacrifices

00:32:37.460 --> 00:32:38.200
 for the sins

00:32:38.200 --> 00:32:38.720
 of the people.

00:32:40.539 --> 00:32:41.759
 That's how serious

00:32:41.759 --> 00:32:42.519
 an obligation

00:32:42.519 --> 00:32:43.159
 this is.

00:32:43.960 --> 00:32:44.220
 Right?

00:32:44.720 --> 00:32:45.180
 You guys

00:32:45.180 --> 00:32:46.079
 not giving offense

00:32:46.079 --> 00:32:46.559
 to a brother.

00:32:47.200 --> 00:32:47.559
 You guys

00:32:47.559 --> 00:32:48.279
 giving preference

00:32:48.279 --> 00:32:48.859
 to a brother

00:32:48.859 --> 00:32:49.579
 or a sister

00:32:49.579 --> 00:32:50.119
 in Christ.

00:32:50.899 --> 00:32:51.940
 It's got the same

00:32:51.940 --> 00:32:52.579
 weight to it

00:32:52.579 --> 00:32:53.659
 that the obligation

00:32:53.659 --> 00:32:55.019
 on a high priest

00:32:55.019 --> 00:32:55.379
 had

00:32:55.379 --> 00:32:56.139
 to actually

00:32:56.139 --> 00:32:57.259
 offering sacrifices

00:32:57.259 --> 00:32:57.680
 daily

00:32:57.680 --> 00:32:58.480
 for the sins

00:32:58.480 --> 00:32:58.920
 of the people.

00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:00.079
 That is serious.

00:33:01.259 --> 00:33:02.440
 That's very serious.

00:33:03.400 --> 00:33:03.599
 Okay?

00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.420
 So the question

00:33:05.420 --> 00:33:06.119
 again that we really

00:33:06.119 --> 00:33:06.980
 have to come with here

00:33:06.980 --> 00:33:07.940
 is how do we bear

00:33:07.940 --> 00:33:08.660
 one another's weaknesses?

00:33:08.980 --> 00:33:09.660
 How do we bear

00:33:09.660 --> 00:33:11.220
 one another's burdens?

00:33:12.079 --> 00:33:12.599
 And there's just

00:33:12.599 --> 00:33:13.259
 really three things

00:33:13.259 --> 00:33:13.660
 I'm going to say

00:33:13.660 --> 00:33:14.200
 quickly here.

00:33:14.960 --> 00:33:15.779
 The first way

00:33:15.779 --> 00:33:16.220
 that we actually

00:33:16.220 --> 00:33:17.200
 bear one another's burdens

00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:17.220
!

00:33:17.220 --> 00:33:18.420
 Is by not pleasing

00:33:18.420 --> 00:33:19.039
 ourselves.

00:33:20.200 --> 00:33:20.319
 Okay?

00:33:20.619 --> 00:33:21.759
 Not just pleasing

00:33:21.759 --> 00:33:22.740
 ourselves.

00:33:23.079 --> 00:33:23.559
 Look at the end

00:33:23.559 --> 00:33:24.099
 of verse 1.

00:33:24.839 --> 00:33:25.240
 He says

00:33:25.240 --> 00:33:28.519
 and not just

00:33:28.519 --> 00:33:28.700
 please

00:33:28.700 --> 00:33:29.259
 let me read

00:33:29.259 --> 00:33:29.639
 the whole thing.

00:33:29.839 --> 00:33:30.460
 So now we

00:33:30.460 --> 00:33:31.000
 who are strong

00:33:31.000 --> 00:33:31.379
 ought to bear

00:33:31.379 --> 00:33:31.759
 the weaknesses

00:33:31.759 --> 00:33:32.179
 of those

00:33:32.179 --> 00:33:32.819
 without strength

00:33:32.819 --> 00:33:33.599
 and not just

00:33:33.599 --> 00:33:34.000
 please

00:33:34.000 --> 00:33:34.879
 ourselves.

00:33:34.980 --> 00:33:35.440
 Listen to this

00:33:35.440 --> 00:33:36.039
 quote.

00:33:37.919 --> 00:33:38.759
 We have learned

00:33:38.759 --> 00:33:39.679
 to deny ourselves.

00:33:40.659 --> 00:33:41.220
 This was our

00:33:41.220 --> 00:33:42.059
 first lesson.

00:33:43.359 --> 00:33:43.839
 None of us

00:33:43.839 --> 00:33:44.639
 lives to himself.

00:33:44.799 --> 00:33:45.659
 This is a thing

00:33:45.659 --> 00:33:47.000
 in which all the

00:33:47.000 --> 00:33:47.740
 people of God

00:33:47.740 --> 00:33:48.339
 are one.

00:33:48.440 --> 00:33:48.879
 They're unified

00:33:48.879 --> 00:33:49.559
 in this idea

00:33:49.559 --> 00:33:50.159
 he says.

00:33:50.619 --> 00:33:51.440
 However they differ

00:33:51.440 --> 00:33:53.119
 in other ideas

00:33:53.119 --> 00:33:53.879
 and other things

00:33:53.879 --> 00:33:55.379
 though some are weak

00:33:55.379 --> 00:33:56.079
 and others are strong

00:33:56.079 --> 00:33:56.919
 yet both agree

00:33:56.919 --> 00:33:57.319
 in this

00:33:57.319 --> 00:33:58.399
 not to live

00:33:58.399 --> 00:33:59.119
 to themselves.

00:34:00.199 --> 00:34:00.859
 Not one

00:34:00.859 --> 00:34:01.739
 that has given up

00:34:01.739 --> 00:34:02.659
 his name to Christ

00:34:02.659 --> 00:34:03.419
 is allowedly

00:34:03.419 --> 00:34:04.319
 a self-seeker.

00:34:05.159 --> 00:34:06.639
 It is contrary

00:34:06.639 --> 00:34:07.239
 to the very

00:34:07.239 --> 00:34:07.879
 foundation

00:34:07.879 --> 00:34:09.380
 of true Christianity.

00:34:10.579 --> 00:34:11.400
 We neither

00:34:11.400 --> 00:34:12.679
 live to ourselves

00:34:12.679 --> 00:34:13.819
 nor die to ourselves.

00:34:13.960 --> 00:34:14.400
 We are not

00:34:14.400 --> 00:34:15.239
 our own masters

00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:16.920
 nor our own proprietors.

00:34:17.319 --> 00:34:18.059
 We are not

00:34:18.059 --> 00:34:19.239
 at our own disposal.

00:34:20.839 --> 00:34:21.380
 Matthew Henry.

00:34:21.380 --> 00:34:22.119
 Okay?

00:34:23.960 --> 00:34:24.760
 Powerful statement.

00:34:25.880 --> 00:34:26.039
 Right?

00:34:26.240 --> 00:34:27.140
 When you become

00:34:27.140 --> 00:34:27.640
 a Christian

00:34:27.640 --> 00:34:28.360
 I hope the first

00:34:28.360 --> 00:34:29.119
 thing that you did

00:34:29.119 --> 00:34:29.840
 was say

00:34:29.840 --> 00:34:30.720
 I'm done

00:34:30.720 --> 00:34:32.880
 with me.

00:34:34.360 --> 00:34:35.340
 I'm no longer

00:34:35.340 --> 00:34:36.640
 living for myself.

00:34:37.300 --> 00:34:37.420
 Right?

00:34:37.519 --> 00:34:37.980
 The first thing

00:34:37.980 --> 00:34:38.559
 that we learn

00:34:38.559 --> 00:34:39.079
 first thing

00:34:39.079 --> 00:34:39.579
 that Jesus says

00:34:39.579 --> 00:34:39.980
 to do

00:34:39.980 --> 00:34:40.780
 Matthew or Mark

00:34:40.780 --> 00:34:40.980
 8

00:34:40.980 --> 00:34:42.260
 deny yourself.

00:34:43.099 --> 00:34:43.579
 Right?

00:34:44.119 --> 00:34:44.820
 Deny yourself.

00:34:44.880 --> 00:34:45.400
 What does that mean?

00:34:45.860 --> 00:34:46.420
 What does that mean?

00:34:47.140 --> 00:34:48.160
 It essentially means

00:34:48.160 --> 00:34:49.079
 to give preference

00:34:49.079 --> 00:34:50.460
 no longer

00:34:50.460 --> 00:34:50.960
 to your own

00:34:50.960 --> 00:34:51.960
 desires and ambitions

00:34:51.960 --> 00:34:52.940
 but rather

00:34:52.940 --> 00:34:54.699
 to Christ's

00:34:54.699 --> 00:34:55.259
 desires

00:34:55.259 --> 00:34:56.219
 and ambitions.

00:34:57.119 --> 00:34:58.079
 We give preference

00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.119
 now to Christ's

00:34:59.119 --> 00:34:59.599
 desires

00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:00.840
 and Christ's

00:35:00.840 --> 00:35:01.179
 ambitions

00:35:01.179 --> 00:35:02.440
 and Christ's

00:35:02.440 --> 00:35:03.340
 likes and dislikes.

00:35:05.259 --> 00:35:05.699
 Right?

00:35:05.819 --> 00:35:06.199
 So what is

00:35:06.199 --> 00:35:07.299
 Christ's desire?

00:35:07.420 --> 00:35:08.159
 Christ desires

00:35:08.159 --> 00:35:09.099
 oneness

00:35:09.099 --> 00:35:10.679
 like he has

00:35:10.679 --> 00:35:11.199
 with the Trinity.

00:35:11.340 --> 00:35:11.460
 Right?

00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.579
 He has this oneness.

00:35:12.679 --> 00:35:12.759
 Right?

00:35:12.799 --> 00:35:13.360
 So he wants to

00:35:13.360 --> 00:35:14.000
 save people

00:35:14.000 --> 00:35:14.860
 and bring them

00:35:14.860 --> 00:35:15.539
 into himself

00:35:15.539 --> 00:35:16.279
 for the sake

00:35:16.279 --> 00:35:17.059
 of making them

00:35:17.059 --> 00:35:17.440
 one.

00:35:17.719 --> 00:35:18.199
 Entering them

00:35:18.199 --> 00:35:19.059
 into a oneness

00:35:19.059 --> 00:35:19.599
 relationship

00:35:19.599 --> 00:35:20.159
 with them.

00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.440
 That's what he

00:35:21.440 --> 00:35:22.239
 desires more

00:35:22.239 --> 00:35:22.779
 than anything.

00:35:22.880 --> 00:35:23.159
 That's why he

00:35:23.159 --> 00:35:23.820
 came to die

00:35:23.820 --> 00:35:24.860
 was to bring us

00:35:24.860 --> 00:35:25.199
 together.

00:35:25.320 --> 00:35:26.059
 To reconcile us

00:35:26.059 --> 00:35:26.920
 back to God

00:35:26.920 --> 00:35:28.079
 into fellowship

00:35:28.079 --> 00:35:28.619
 yet again.

00:35:28.719 --> 00:35:28.860
 Right?

00:35:29.179 --> 00:35:30.179
 It's that oneness

00:35:30.179 --> 00:35:30.799
 that God cares

00:35:30.799 --> 00:35:30.980
 about.

00:35:31.059 --> 00:35:31.539
 That unity

00:35:31.539 --> 00:35:32.579
 that God cares

00:35:32.579 --> 00:35:32.840
 about.

00:35:34.000 --> 00:35:34.659
 And what Christ

00:35:34.659 --> 00:35:35.239
 is ambitious

00:35:35.239 --> 00:35:35.779
 for

00:35:35.779 --> 00:35:37.440
 is more.

00:35:39.320 --> 00:35:39.840
 Right?

00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.980
 More unity

00:35:41.980 --> 00:35:42.860
 enjoyed by more

00:35:42.860 --> 00:35:43.519
 people from

00:35:43.519 --> 00:35:44.219
 more nations

00:35:44.219 --> 00:35:45.119
 and more tribes

00:35:45.119 --> 00:35:45.759
 and more tongues

00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.360
 and more peoples.

00:35:47.059 --> 00:35:48.920
 He's really

00:35:48.920 --> 00:35:49.639
 about one thing.

00:35:51.059 --> 00:35:51.500
 Relationship.

00:35:52.579 --> 00:35:52.980
 Unity.

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:54.940
 Togetherness

00:35:54.940 --> 00:35:55.619
 with God.

00:35:55.699 --> 00:35:55.880
 Right?

00:35:56.199 --> 00:35:56.799
 He prays that.

00:35:56.860 --> 00:35:57.219
 Go read

00:35:57.219 --> 00:35:58.159
 John 17.

00:35:59.460 --> 00:36:00.259
 And he's ambitious

00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:00.960
 for more.

00:36:02.139 --> 00:36:02.940
 Until he takes

00:36:02.940 --> 00:36:03.420
 us away.

00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:03.719
 Right?

00:36:04.299 --> 00:36:04.960
 He said,

00:36:05.179 --> 00:36:05.599
 I want you to

00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.279
 keep doing this.

00:36:06.420 --> 00:36:06.799
 I want you to

00:36:06.799 --> 00:36:07.500
 go and as you

00:36:07.500 --> 00:36:08.019
 go wherever you

00:36:08.019 --> 00:36:08.480
 are, I want you

00:36:08.480 --> 00:36:09.059
 to make disciples.

00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:11.059
 I want more

00:36:11.059 --> 00:36:11.460
 fellowship.

00:36:12.539 --> 00:36:13.159
 That's what he's

00:36:13.159 --> 00:36:13.380
 about.

00:36:16.079 --> 00:36:16.480
 Secondly,

00:36:16.480 --> 00:36:19.079
 we bear one

00:36:19.079 --> 00:36:19.800
 another's burdens

00:36:19.800 --> 00:36:21.900
 not only by

00:36:21.900 --> 00:36:23.340
 not pleasing

00:36:23.340 --> 00:36:24.000
 ourselves

00:36:24.000 --> 00:36:25.380
 or not living

00:36:25.380 --> 00:36:26.019
 for ourselves,

00:36:26.119 --> 00:36:26.599
 I could better

00:36:26.599 --> 00:36:27.039
 say that,

00:36:27.440 --> 00:36:28.380
 but by pleasing

00:36:28.380 --> 00:36:28.860
 our neighbor

00:36:28.860 --> 00:36:29.659
 for his good

00:36:29.659 --> 00:36:30.920
 to his edification.

00:36:31.559 --> 00:36:32.039
 That's what

00:36:32.039 --> 00:36:32.699
 verse 2 says,

00:36:32.760 --> 00:36:32.880
 right?

00:36:32.940 --> 00:36:34.260
 Let each of us

00:36:34.260 --> 00:36:34.960
 please his neighbor

00:36:34.960 --> 00:36:35.559
 for his good

00:36:35.559 --> 00:36:36.760
 to his edification.

00:36:37.880 --> 00:36:38.659
 Very straightforward

00:36:38.659 --> 00:36:39.099
 there.

00:36:40.320 --> 00:36:41.059
 So many new

00:36:41.059 --> 00:36:41.420
 believers,

00:36:42.340 --> 00:36:42.920
 a lot of new

00:36:42.920 --> 00:36:43.179
 believers,

00:36:43.300 --> 00:36:43.679
 have very,

00:36:43.780 --> 00:36:44.400
 very sensitive

00:36:44.400 --> 00:36:45.119
 consciences,

00:36:45.119 --> 00:36:47.199
 very sensitive

00:36:47.199 --> 00:36:47.880
 consciences.

00:36:48.579 --> 00:36:49.279
 And this is by

00:36:49.279 --> 00:36:49.819
 God's grace,

00:36:49.920 --> 00:36:50.039
 right?

00:36:50.279 --> 00:36:51.099
 They're new to it

00:36:51.099 --> 00:36:51.420
 all, right?

00:36:51.440 --> 00:36:52.179
 So they're uncertain

00:36:52.179 --> 00:36:53.299
 of how to act

00:36:53.299 --> 00:36:53.940
 and how to think,

00:36:54.299 --> 00:36:54.779
 of how to carry

00:36:54.779 --> 00:36:55.219
 themselves.

00:36:55.719 --> 00:36:56.500
 And the last

00:36:56.500 --> 00:36:56.880
 thing that you

00:36:56.880 --> 00:36:57.400
 want to do,

00:36:58.559 --> 00:36:59.480
 the very last

00:36:59.480 --> 00:36:59.839
 thing you want

00:36:59.839 --> 00:37:00.239
 to do,

00:37:00.339 --> 00:37:00.599
 okay,

00:37:00.659 --> 00:37:01.619
 as an older

00:37:01.619 --> 00:37:02.000
 believer,

00:37:02.199 --> 00:37:02.599
 as a more

00:37:02.599 --> 00:37:03.259
 mature believer,

00:37:03.639 --> 00:37:04.619
 the most ruinous

00:37:04.619 --> 00:37:05.039
 thing that you

00:37:05.039 --> 00:37:05.619
 could possibly

00:37:05.619 --> 00:37:07.000
 do to a new

00:37:07.000 --> 00:37:07.699
 convert is to

00:37:07.699 --> 00:37:08.359
 teach them

00:37:08.359 --> 00:37:09.460
 to ignore

00:37:09.460 --> 00:37:10.599
 their conscience.

00:37:10.599 --> 00:37:12.599
 okay,

00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.219
 it's a defense

00:37:13.219 --> 00:37:14.900
 mechanism that

00:37:14.900 --> 00:37:15.380
 God has given

00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:15.799
 to each and

00:37:15.799 --> 00:37:16.339
 every person

00:37:16.339 --> 00:37:16.799
 in here,

00:37:17.460 --> 00:37:17.819
 okay,

00:37:18.179 --> 00:37:18.880
 for the sake

00:37:18.880 --> 00:37:19.339
 of helping

00:37:19.339 --> 00:37:20.239
 you to be

00:37:20.239 --> 00:37:20.940
 protected from

00:37:20.940 --> 00:37:21.460
 things that

00:37:21.460 --> 00:37:21.880
 would for you

00:37:21.880 --> 00:37:22.500
 be ruinous,

00:37:23.039 --> 00:37:23.259
 okay?

00:37:23.339 --> 00:37:23.799
 And here's the

00:37:23.799 --> 00:37:24.259
 beautiful thing

00:37:24.259 --> 00:37:24.579
 about the

00:37:24.579 --> 00:37:24.920
 conscience.

00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:25.900
 The conscience

00:37:25.900 --> 00:37:26.500
 is what gives

00:37:26.500 --> 00:37:26.980
 each and every

00:37:26.980 --> 00:37:27.539
 Christian in here

00:37:27.539 --> 00:37:28.000
 variety.

00:37:29.579 --> 00:37:30.239
 The conscience

00:37:30.239 --> 00:37:30.960
 is really unique

00:37:30.960 --> 00:37:31.559
 because what it

00:37:31.559 --> 00:37:32.619
 does is it

00:37:32.619 --> 00:37:33.380
 basically adds

00:37:33.380 --> 00:37:34.360
 variety to

00:37:34.360 --> 00:37:35.099
 Christianity.

00:37:35.619 --> 00:37:36.159
 So for instance,

00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:36.579
 what may be

00:37:36.579 --> 00:37:37.500
 permissible for me,

00:37:37.579 --> 00:37:37.920
 what may be

00:37:37.920 --> 00:37:38.599
 right for me,

00:37:38.759 --> 00:37:39.519
 may not be for

00:37:39.519 --> 00:37:39.779
 you.

00:37:40.599 --> 00:37:41.199
 What may be

00:37:41.199 --> 00:37:41.599
 right for you,

00:37:41.639 --> 00:37:42.159
 may not be for

00:37:42.159 --> 00:37:42.360
 me.

00:37:43.539 --> 00:37:43.900
 Right?

00:37:43.960 --> 00:37:44.319
 There's certain

00:37:44.319 --> 00:37:44.880
 things that may

00:37:44.880 --> 00:37:46.000
 be just fine in

00:37:46.000 --> 00:37:46.380
 the kingdom of

00:37:46.380 --> 00:37:46.860
 God for you,

00:37:46.900 --> 00:37:48.119
 but not so for

00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:48.339
 me.

00:37:49.400 --> 00:37:49.920
 And so what

00:37:49.920 --> 00:37:50.739
 Satan loves to

00:37:50.739 --> 00:37:51.940
 do is he

00:37:51.940 --> 00:37:52.639
 loves to say,

00:37:53.079 --> 00:37:53.480
 this is the

00:37:53.480 --> 00:37:54.159
 one way that

00:37:54.159 --> 00:37:54.799
 you must go.

00:37:55.119 --> 00:37:55.739
 And there's no

00:37:55.739 --> 00:37:56.539
 sense of variety

00:37:56.539 --> 00:37:56.900
 in that,

00:37:56.980 --> 00:37:57.599
 no sense of

00:37:57.599 --> 00:37:58.079
 being led by

00:37:58.079 --> 00:37:58.619
 the Holy Spirit

00:37:58.619 --> 00:37:58.880
 in that,

00:37:58.920 --> 00:37:59.299
 it's just a

00:37:59.299 --> 00:37:59.659
 sense of

00:37:59.659 --> 00:38:00.360
 following,

00:38:00.519 --> 00:38:01.339
 it's going

00:38:01.339 --> 00:38:01.779
 back to that

00:38:01.779 --> 00:38:02.239
 old way of

00:38:02.239 --> 00:38:04.019
 just basically

00:38:04.019 --> 00:38:04.500
 following the

00:38:04.500 --> 00:38:04.900
 leader and

00:38:04.900 --> 00:38:05.480
 getting caught

00:38:05.480 --> 00:38:05.839
 up in a lot

00:38:05.839 --> 00:38:06.179
 of righteous

00:38:06.179 --> 00:38:06.759
 doing and not

00:38:06.759 --> 00:38:07.079
 a lot of

00:38:07.079 --> 00:38:07.659
 righteous living.

00:38:09.259 --> 00:38:09.619
 Okay?

00:38:09.679 --> 00:38:10.079
 So we need to

00:38:10.079 --> 00:38:10.559
 stop judging

00:38:10.559 --> 00:38:10.860
 each other

00:38:10.860 --> 00:38:11.500
 based on this

00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:12.219
 idea of the

00:38:12.219 --> 00:38:12.579
 conscience.

00:38:12.900 --> 00:38:15.460
 It's a very

00:38:15.460 --> 00:38:16.319
 freeing thing to

00:38:16.319 --> 00:38:16.579
 be able to

00:38:16.579 --> 00:38:16.960
 listen to the

00:38:16.960 --> 00:38:17.579
 Holy Spirit as

00:38:17.579 --> 00:38:18.139
 a new Christian

00:38:18.139 --> 00:38:18.619
 or even as a

00:38:18.619 --> 00:38:19.139
 mature Christian

00:38:19.139 --> 00:38:19.500
 and say,

00:38:19.940 --> 00:38:20.299
 the Lord would

00:38:20.299 --> 00:38:20.779
 have me not

00:38:20.779 --> 00:38:21.380
 do this today.

00:38:21.599 --> 00:38:21.739
 You know?

00:38:22.279 --> 00:38:22.860
 I feel like I

00:38:22.860 --> 00:38:23.199
 need to really,

00:38:23.279 --> 00:38:23.519
 I need to,

00:38:23.599 --> 00:38:24.099
 for me,

00:38:24.179 --> 00:38:24.679
 like this past,

00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.440
 this morning,

00:38:25.500 --> 00:38:25.960
 I'll be honest,

00:38:26.079 --> 00:38:26.239
 like,

00:38:26.679 --> 00:38:26.980
 I was like,

00:38:27.039 --> 00:38:27.559
 I need to wake

00:38:27.559 --> 00:38:28.119
 up early.

00:38:29.319 --> 00:38:30.079
 I need to pray,

00:38:30.179 --> 00:38:30.559
 I need to be with

00:38:30.559 --> 00:38:30.759
 the Lord,

00:38:30.799 --> 00:38:31.400
 I need to read

00:38:31.400 --> 00:38:31.679
 the word,

00:38:31.719 --> 00:38:32.219
 I need to prepare

00:38:32.219 --> 00:38:32.639
 this, you know,

00:38:32.679 --> 00:38:33.340
 sermon further.

00:38:34.179 --> 00:38:34.420
 Right?

00:38:34.480 --> 00:38:34.639
 Now,

00:38:34.680 --> 00:38:34.880
 it's a

00:38:34.880 --> 00:38:35.559
 conscience thing.

00:38:35.740 --> 00:38:36.139
 It wasn't like

00:38:36.139 --> 00:38:36.440
 I have,

00:38:36.559 --> 00:38:37.079
 the Bible doesn't

00:38:37.079 --> 00:38:37.340
 say,

00:38:37.639 --> 00:38:38.180
 wake up early

00:38:38.180 --> 00:38:38.980
 when you preach

00:38:38.980 --> 00:38:39.320
 sermons,

00:38:39.900 --> 00:38:40.960
 but for me,

00:38:41.000 --> 00:38:41.119
 it was,

00:38:41.200 --> 00:38:41.480
 I needed to

00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:41.900
 listen to my

00:38:41.900 --> 00:38:42.260
 conscience,

00:38:42.380 --> 00:38:42.500
 right?

00:38:42.539 --> 00:38:43.139
 Other people,

00:38:43.260 --> 00:38:43.340
 it's,

00:38:43.440 --> 00:38:43.619
 you know,

00:38:43.639 --> 00:38:44.320
 different things.

00:38:44.820 --> 00:38:45.619
 So the worst

00:38:45.619 --> 00:38:45.980
 thing we can

00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:46.880
 possibly do early

00:38:46.880 --> 00:38:48.019
 on is teach a

00:38:48.019 --> 00:38:48.519
 young believer

00:38:48.519 --> 00:38:49.900
 to not hear the

00:38:49.900 --> 00:38:50.139
 Lord,

00:38:50.400 --> 00:38:51.420
 to not listen to

00:38:51.420 --> 00:38:51.780
 Christ,

00:38:51.900 --> 00:38:52.700
 to not listen to

00:38:52.700 --> 00:38:53.039
 God.

00:38:53.300 --> 00:38:54.260
 That is so

00:38:54.260 --> 00:38:56.300
 ruining,

00:38:57.000 --> 00:38:57.680
 so ruining.

00:38:57.679 --> 00:38:59.219
 Okay?

00:39:02.419 --> 00:39:03.079
 Let me just

00:39:03.079 --> 00:39:04.359
 kind of paint a

00:39:04.359 --> 00:39:04.899
 little illustration

00:39:04.899 --> 00:39:05.940
 of how Satan

00:39:05.940 --> 00:39:06.399
 works.

00:39:08.899 --> 00:39:09.739
 He loves to

00:39:09.739 --> 00:39:10.440
 disharmonize the

00:39:10.440 --> 00:39:10.679
 church,

00:39:10.879 --> 00:39:12.159
 and by doing

00:39:12.159 --> 00:39:12.460
 that,

00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:13.119
 what I mean is

00:39:13.119 --> 00:39:13.539
 he likes to

00:39:13.539 --> 00:39:13.899
 weaken the

00:39:13.899 --> 00:39:14.559
 conscience of

00:39:14.559 --> 00:39:15.179
 the church as

00:39:15.179 --> 00:39:15.559
 a whole.

00:39:16.759 --> 00:39:17.599
 His best work

00:39:17.599 --> 00:39:18.139
 isn't really done

00:39:18.139 --> 00:39:18.779
 in forcing us

00:39:18.779 --> 00:39:19.359
 to make a

00:39:19.359 --> 00:39:20.299
 sharp left

00:39:20.299 --> 00:39:21.000
 or right turn,

00:39:21.519 --> 00:39:22.419
 but gradually

00:39:22.419 --> 00:39:23.639
 veering us off

00:39:23.639 --> 00:39:24.299
 our course

00:39:24.299 --> 00:39:25.679
 until we just

00:39:25.679 --> 00:39:26.460
 crash ourselves.

00:39:26.460 --> 00:39:28.300
 He isn't doing

00:39:28.300 --> 00:39:28.679
 this.

00:39:28.880 --> 00:39:29.420
 He's not putting

00:39:29.420 --> 00:39:29.860
 things in your

00:39:29.860 --> 00:39:30.880
 way so that

00:39:30.880 --> 00:39:31.940
 you're going this

00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:32.039
 way,

00:39:32.059 --> 00:39:32.400
 then of course

00:39:32.400 --> 00:39:32.619
 you have to

00:39:32.619 --> 00:39:33.119
 turn that way.

00:39:33.199 --> 00:39:33.599
 It's more like

00:39:33.599 --> 00:39:34.019
 he just kind of

00:39:34.019 --> 00:39:34.599
 gets you off a

00:39:34.599 --> 00:39:34.920
 little bit,

00:39:35.139 --> 00:39:35.539
 and eventually

00:39:35.539 --> 00:39:36.179
 you find yourself

00:39:36.179 --> 00:39:36.820
 in a place that

00:39:36.820 --> 00:39:37.280
 you never thought

00:39:37.280 --> 00:39:37.800
 was possible.

00:39:38.960 --> 00:39:39.720
 You find yourself

00:39:39.720 --> 00:39:40.220
 not reading the

00:39:40.220 --> 00:39:40.659
 word for a

00:39:40.659 --> 00:39:40.920
 month.

00:39:41.679 --> 00:39:42.440
 You find yourself

00:39:42.440 --> 00:39:43.320
 not praying at

00:39:43.320 --> 00:39:43.760
 all because

00:39:43.760 --> 00:39:44.240
 you're too busy.

00:39:44.840 --> 00:39:45.860
 You find yourself

00:39:45.860 --> 00:39:46.760
 never witnessing

00:39:46.760 --> 00:39:47.159
 again.

00:39:47.619 --> 00:39:47.720
 You know,

00:39:47.760 --> 00:39:48.119
 it's like,

00:39:48.179 --> 00:39:48.440
 how did I,

00:39:48.500 --> 00:39:48.619
 I mean,

00:39:48.639 --> 00:39:49.619
 you look back a

00:39:49.619 --> 00:39:49.980
 year and you're

00:39:49.980 --> 00:39:50.099
 like,

00:39:50.119 --> 00:39:50.579
 how did I get

00:39:50.579 --> 00:39:50.860
 here?

00:39:51.639 --> 00:39:52.139
 What happened?

00:39:52.199 --> 00:39:52.500
 How did I,

00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:52.720
 you know,

00:39:52.719 --> 00:39:52.980
 it's just,

00:39:53.059 --> 00:39:53.259
 and that's

00:39:53.259 --> 00:39:53.899
 that gradual

00:39:53.899 --> 00:39:54.719
 just ignoring

00:39:54.719 --> 00:39:55.359
 the conscience

00:39:55.359 --> 00:39:56.179
 and getting

00:39:56.179 --> 00:39:56.939
 veered off

00:39:56.939 --> 00:39:57.259
 course.

00:39:57.919 --> 00:39:58.599
 It's exactly

00:39:58.599 --> 00:39:59.019
 what the devil

00:39:59.019 --> 00:39:59.439
 does.

00:40:00.619 --> 00:40:00.859
 Okay?

00:40:01.599 --> 00:40:02.459
 He tries to be

00:40:02.459 --> 00:40:03.459
 very silent in

00:40:03.459 --> 00:40:03.799
 the way that he

00:40:03.799 --> 00:40:04.099
 tempts,

00:40:04.159 --> 00:40:04.959
 not overt.

00:40:04.960 --> 00:40:09.599
 so the question

00:40:09.599 --> 00:40:10.179
 just to kind of

00:40:10.179 --> 00:40:10.720
 put it back on

00:40:10.720 --> 00:40:10.940
 us,

00:40:11.000 --> 00:40:11.099
 right?

00:40:11.139 --> 00:40:11.599
 How many of

00:40:11.599 --> 00:40:12.260
 us are

00:40:12.260 --> 00:40:12.740
 backslidden?

00:40:13.699 --> 00:40:14.320
 How many of

00:40:14.320 --> 00:40:14.880
 us are ignoring

00:40:14.880 --> 00:40:15.539
 our conscience?

00:40:16.300 --> 00:40:16.800
 Know the right

00:40:16.800 --> 00:40:17.199
 thing to do

00:40:17.199 --> 00:40:17.800
 and don't do

00:40:17.800 --> 00:40:18.079
 it,

00:40:18.539 --> 00:40:18.820
 right?

00:40:21.099 --> 00:40:21.619
 I mean,

00:40:21.699 --> 00:40:22.280
 look at what

00:40:22.280 --> 00:40:23.380
 the very end

00:40:23.380 --> 00:40:24.699
 of chapter 14

00:40:24.699 --> 00:40:25.159
 says here,

00:40:25.220 --> 00:40:26.099
 22 and 23.

00:40:26.679 --> 00:40:27.260
 The faith which

00:40:27.260 --> 00:40:27.860
 you have,

00:40:28.240 --> 00:40:28.760
 have as your

00:40:28.760 --> 00:40:29.559
 own conviction

00:40:29.559 --> 00:40:29.880
 before,

00:40:30.000 --> 00:40:30.420
 have as,

00:40:30.420 --> 00:40:30.820
 I love this,

00:40:30.880 --> 00:40:31.300
 have as your

00:40:31.300 --> 00:40:31.980
 own conviction

00:40:31.980 --> 00:40:32.720
 before God.

00:40:32.719 --> 00:40:35.539
 Happy is he

00:40:35.539 --> 00:40:35.899
 who does not

00:40:35.899 --> 00:40:36.559
 condemn himself

00:40:36.559 --> 00:40:36.939
 in what he

00:40:36.939 --> 00:40:37.419
 approves,

00:40:37.579 --> 00:40:38.139
 but he who

00:40:38.139 --> 00:40:38.719
 doubts is

00:40:38.719 --> 00:40:39.399
 condemned if

00:40:39.399 --> 00:40:39.980
 he eats because

00:40:39.980 --> 00:40:40.519
 his eating is

00:40:40.519 --> 00:40:41.239
 not from faith.

00:40:41.619 --> 00:40:42.159
 Whatever is not

00:40:42.159 --> 00:40:43.539
 from faith is

00:40:43.539 --> 00:40:43.819
 sin.

00:40:44.779 --> 00:40:45.399
 It's not about

00:40:45.399 --> 00:40:45.819
 just doing

00:40:45.819 --> 00:40:46.099
 something,

00:40:46.179 --> 00:40:46.419
 it's about

00:40:46.419 --> 00:40:47.299
 actually believing

00:40:47.299 --> 00:40:48.019
 and listening to

00:40:48.019 --> 00:40:48.699
 Christ and doing

00:40:48.699 --> 00:40:49.759
 what he calls

00:40:49.759 --> 00:40:50.739
 us to do.

00:40:51.599 --> 00:40:52.480
 That's the idea.

00:40:53.559 --> 00:40:54.339
 One other verse

00:40:54.339 --> 00:40:54.699
 I wanted to

00:40:54.699 --> 00:40:55.259
 quickly read you

00:40:55.259 --> 00:40:55.579
 guys,

00:40:56.039 --> 00:40:56.459
 and I promise

00:40:56.459 --> 00:40:56.719
 you we're

00:40:56.719 --> 00:40:57.239
 almost finished

00:40:57.239 --> 00:40:57.519
 here.

00:41:01.219 --> 00:41:01.619
 Well,

00:41:01.759 --> 00:41:02.299
 just take the

00:41:02.299 --> 00:41:02.699
 note down.

00:41:02.719 --> 00:41:03.459
 for 1 Corinthians

00:41:03.459 --> 00:41:03.959
 9,

00:41:04.339 --> 00:41:05.439
 19-22.

00:41:05.579 --> 00:41:05.919
 It's the one

00:41:05.919 --> 00:41:06.279
 that says,

00:41:06.339 --> 00:41:06.480
 you know,

00:41:07.139 --> 00:41:08.699
 he says basically

00:41:08.699 --> 00:41:09.219
 for the sake of

00:41:09.219 --> 00:41:09.719
 Jews I became

00:41:09.719 --> 00:41:10.139
 like a Jew,

00:41:10.239 --> 00:41:10.679
 for the sake of

00:41:10.679 --> 00:41:11.439
 those that are

00:41:11.439 --> 00:41:11.799
 under the law

00:41:11.799 --> 00:41:12.239
 I became like

00:41:12.239 --> 00:41:12.539
 those that are

00:41:12.539 --> 00:41:12.879
 under the law.

00:41:12.939 --> 00:41:13.359
 He just kind of

00:41:13.359 --> 00:41:13.799
 goes back and

00:41:13.799 --> 00:41:14.339
 forth and says

00:41:14.339 --> 00:41:15.059
 that I do

00:41:15.059 --> 00:41:15.480
 whatever it

00:41:15.480 --> 00:41:15.839
 takes to

00:41:15.839 --> 00:41:16.899
 basically submit

00:41:16.899 --> 00:41:18.259
 myself to

00:41:18.259 --> 00:41:19.480
 the consciences

00:41:19.480 --> 00:41:21.299
 and the

00:41:21.299 --> 00:41:23.339
 weaknesses of

00:41:23.339 --> 00:41:23.919
 my brothers in

00:41:23.919 --> 00:41:24.319
 Christ and

00:41:24.319 --> 00:41:24.699
 sisters in

00:41:24.699 --> 00:41:25.639
 Christ for the

00:41:25.639 --> 00:41:26.179
 sake of winning

00:41:26.179 --> 00:41:26.459
 them.

00:41:26.759 --> 00:41:27.259
 He has this

00:41:27.259 --> 00:41:27.819
 end goal in

00:41:27.819 --> 00:41:28.279
 mind which is

00:41:28.279 --> 00:41:28.779
 to win them

00:41:28.779 --> 00:41:29.179
 over to

00:41:29.179 --> 00:41:29.519
 Christ,

00:41:30.239 --> 00:41:30.739
 to convince

00:41:30.739 --> 00:41:30.939
 them,

00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:31.899
 to persuade

00:41:31.899 --> 00:41:32.219
 them by

00:41:32.219 --> 00:41:32.799
 his behavior,

00:41:32.899 --> 00:41:33.439
 by his life,

00:41:33.500 --> 00:41:34.039
 by his words,

00:41:34.279 --> 00:41:35.079
 that Christ is

00:41:35.079 --> 00:41:36.199
 beautiful and

00:41:36.199 --> 00:41:36.879
 worth their

00:41:36.879 --> 00:41:37.219
 time.

00:41:37.959 --> 00:41:39.039
 And he's

00:41:39.039 --> 00:41:39.319
 willing to

00:41:39.319 --> 00:41:40.000
 sacrifice anything.

00:41:40.119 --> 00:41:40.459
 And he even

00:41:40.459 --> 00:41:41.039
 says at one

00:41:41.039 --> 00:41:41.959
 point that if

00:41:41.959 --> 00:41:42.959
 meat causes a

00:41:42.959 --> 00:41:43.319
 brother of mine

00:41:43.319 --> 00:41:43.599
 to sin,

00:41:43.639 --> 00:41:43.879
 I'm never

00:41:43.879 --> 00:41:44.139
 going to eat

00:41:44.139 --> 00:41:44.500
 meat again.

00:41:45.000 --> 00:41:45.379
 Like, I mean,

00:41:45.439 --> 00:41:45.899
 I don't care what

00:41:45.899 --> 00:41:46.179
 it takes.

00:41:46.259 --> 00:41:46.619
 Like, I'm just

00:41:46.619 --> 00:41:47.519
 going to be

00:41:47.519 --> 00:41:48.579
 about the work

00:41:48.579 --> 00:41:49.059
 of my Lord.

00:41:49.059 --> 00:41:50.059
 God, I'm just

00:41:50.059 --> 00:41:51.059
 going to be

00:41:51.059 --> 00:41:49.099
 prepared.

00:41:50.519 --> 00:41:51.079
 Then thirdly,

00:41:51.119 --> 00:41:51.440
 this is the

00:41:51.440 --> 00:41:52.000
 last thing I'll

00:41:52.000 --> 00:41:52.519
 say briefly.

00:41:53.759 --> 00:41:54.299
 We bear one

00:41:54.299 --> 00:41:55.960
 another's weaknesses

00:41:55.960 --> 00:41:56.880
 and burdens by

00:41:56.880 --> 00:41:57.920
 considering Christ.

00:41:58.840 --> 00:41:59.460
 This is the

00:41:59.460 --> 00:42:01.059
 greatest way, by

00:42:01.059 --> 00:42:01.779
 considering Christ.

00:42:01.840 --> 00:42:02.219
 This is kind of

00:42:02.219 --> 00:42:02.759
 our motivation.

00:42:02.880 --> 00:42:03.139
 This is what

00:42:03.139 --> 00:42:03.799
 fuels us.

00:42:04.559 --> 00:42:05.099
 Listen to this

00:42:05.099 --> 00:42:05.739
 again by Matthew

00:42:05.739 --> 00:42:05.980
 Henry.

00:42:06.980 --> 00:42:07.599
 He says,

00:42:07.599 --> 00:42:08.500
 Even Christ

00:42:08.500 --> 00:42:09.360
 didn't please

00:42:09.360 --> 00:42:09.799
 himself.

00:42:10.639 --> 00:42:10.980
 He did not

00:42:10.980 --> 00:42:11.940
 consult his own

00:42:11.940 --> 00:42:12.880
 worldly credit,

00:42:13.139 --> 00:42:14.079
 ease, safety,

00:42:14.199 --> 00:42:14.719
 nor pleasure.

00:42:15.139 --> 00:42:15.719
 He had nowhere

00:42:15.719 --> 00:42:16.400
 to lay his head.

00:42:16.699 --> 00:42:17.319
 He lived upon

00:42:17.319 --> 00:42:18.819
 alms, would not

00:42:18.819 --> 00:42:19.679
 be made a king,

00:42:19.799 --> 00:42:20.519
 detested no

00:42:20.519 --> 00:42:21.279
 proposal with

00:42:21.279 --> 00:42:22.099
 greater abhorrence

00:42:22.099 --> 00:42:22.920
 than that of

00:42:22.920 --> 00:42:24.119
 master, spare

00:42:24.119 --> 00:42:25.480
 thyself, did not

00:42:25.480 --> 00:42:26.099
 seek his own

00:42:26.099 --> 00:42:27.199
 will, washed his

00:42:27.199 --> 00:42:27.920
 disciples' feet,

00:42:28.920 --> 00:42:29.360
 endured the

00:42:29.360 --> 00:42:30.019
 contradiction of

00:42:30.019 --> 00:42:30.500
 sinners against

00:42:30.500 --> 00:42:31.619
 himself, troubled

00:42:31.619 --> 00:42:32.759
 himself, did not

00:42:32.759 --> 00:42:33.500
 consult his own

00:42:33.500 --> 00:42:34.579
 honor, and in a

00:42:34.579 --> 00:42:35.539
 word, emptied

00:42:35.539 --> 00:42:36.679
 himself, and made

00:42:36.679 --> 00:42:37.319
 himself of no

00:42:37.320 --> 00:42:37.800
 reputation.

00:42:39.240 --> 00:42:40.000
 And all this for

00:42:40.000 --> 00:42:40.600
 our sakes, to

00:42:40.600 --> 00:42:41.080
 bring in a

00:42:41.080 --> 00:42:41.800
 righteousness for

00:42:41.800 --> 00:42:42.900
 us, and to set

00:42:42.900 --> 00:42:43.620
 us an example.

00:42:44.000 --> 00:42:45.480
 His whole life was

00:42:45.480 --> 00:42:46.500
 a self-denying,

00:42:46.800 --> 00:42:47.820
 self-displeasing

00:42:47.820 --> 00:42:48.200
 life.

00:42:48.519 --> 00:42:49.059
 He bore the

00:42:49.059 --> 00:42:50.220
 infirmities of

00:42:50.220 --> 00:42:50.580
 the weak.

00:42:52.100 --> 00:42:53.039
 That's the example

00:42:53.039 --> 00:42:53.860
 of Christ, right?

00:42:54.120 --> 00:42:54.720
 To us.

00:42:55.680 --> 00:42:56.220
 He did this

00:42:56.220 --> 00:42:57.980
 repetitively, laying

00:42:57.980 --> 00:42:59.000
 down his life one

00:42:59.000 --> 00:42:59.760
 day after the next

00:42:59.760 --> 00:43:00.360
 for the sake of

00:43:00.360 --> 00:43:00.660
 people.

00:43:00.980 --> 00:43:01.900
 Paul says, I die

00:43:01.900 --> 00:43:02.960
 daily, getting

00:43:02.960 --> 00:43:04.340
 the same point

00:43:04.340 --> 00:43:04.600
 home.

00:43:04.660 --> 00:43:05.260
 That's what I do.

00:43:05.260 --> 00:43:07.060
 So of all the

00:43:07.060 --> 00:43:07.420
 people that could

00:43:07.420 --> 00:43:08.100
 have chosen to

00:43:08.100 --> 00:43:08.700
 please themselves,

00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:09.360
 it was obviously

00:43:09.360 --> 00:43:09.960
 Christ, right?

00:43:10.000 --> 00:43:11.380
 He had, of course,

00:43:11.440 --> 00:43:12.300
 before even eternity

00:43:12.300 --> 00:43:13.100
 passed, he had

00:43:13.100 --> 00:43:14.080
 fellowship that was

00:43:14.080 --> 00:43:15.100
 full, and that was

00:43:15.100 --> 00:43:16.080
 completely happy in the

00:43:16.080 --> 00:43:16.760
 Father, and the Son,

00:43:16.800 --> 00:43:17.400
 and the Holy Spirit.

00:43:18.000 --> 00:43:19.320
 He needed nothing.

00:43:19.420 --> 00:43:20.000
 He lacked nothing.

00:43:20.060 --> 00:43:20.660
 But he set all that

00:43:20.660 --> 00:43:22.160
 aside, and he humbled

00:43:22.160 --> 00:43:23.500
 himself, and he bore

00:43:23.500 --> 00:43:24.520
 every possible burden,

00:43:24.600 --> 00:43:25.220
 and every possible

00:43:25.220 --> 00:43:26.480
 infirmity, and every

00:43:26.480 --> 00:43:27.800
 possible weakness of

00:43:27.800 --> 00:43:28.640
 sinful man upon

00:43:28.640 --> 00:43:29.100
 himself.

00:43:29.580 --> 00:43:30.460
 And he bore all of

00:43:30.460 --> 00:43:31.280
 our sin, and our

00:43:31.280 --> 00:43:32.300
 shame, and our

00:43:32.300 --> 00:43:33.620
 weakness, that we

00:43:33.619 --> 00:43:34.480
 might live to God.

00:43:35.279 --> 00:43:35.519
 Right?

00:43:36.019 --> 00:43:36.980
 That we might live

00:43:36.980 --> 00:43:37.440
 to God.

00:43:39.279 --> 00:43:39.960
 What does that

00:43:39.960 --> 00:43:40.359
 mean, though?

00:43:42.019 --> 00:43:43.079
 What does living to

00:43:43.079 --> 00:43:44.179
 God actually mean?

00:43:45.339 --> 00:43:46.440
 It's doing as Christ

00:43:46.440 --> 00:43:48.579
 did for you to

00:43:48.579 --> 00:43:48.880
 others.

00:43:50.460 --> 00:43:51.460
 Living to God is

00:43:51.460 --> 00:43:52.239
 exactly the same

00:43:52.239 --> 00:43:52.920
 thing as Christ,

00:43:53.420 --> 00:43:54.219
 it's exactly the

00:43:54.219 --> 00:43:54.759
 same, it looks

00:43:54.759 --> 00:43:55.440
 exactly the same

00:43:55.440 --> 00:43:56.719
 way that Christ

00:43:56.719 --> 00:43:57.159
 lived.

00:43:58.659 --> 00:43:59.559
 It's doing exactly

00:43:59.559 --> 00:44:00.400
 what Christ did for

00:44:00.400 --> 00:44:01.440
 you to others.

00:44:02.159 --> 00:44:02.779
 That's what he's

00:44:02.779 --> 00:44:03.319
 called us to.

00:44:03.619 --> 00:44:04.460
 This is the action

00:44:04.460 --> 00:44:05.099
 of the gospel.

00:44:05.679 --> 00:44:06.199
 This is what we

00:44:06.199 --> 00:44:06.519
 do.

00:44:09.920 --> 00:44:10.719
 This is the narrow

00:44:10.719 --> 00:44:11.420
 and the hard way,

00:44:11.500 --> 00:44:12.239
 it's the path that's

00:44:12.239 --> 00:44:14.159
 less taken, but we

00:44:14.159 --> 00:44:14.779
 must take it.

00:44:14.960 --> 00:44:16.400
 If we don't, then

00:44:16.400 --> 00:44:16.920
 we're going to die in

00:44:16.920 --> 00:44:17.639
 our sins, and our

00:44:17.639 --> 00:44:19.039
 selfish life that we

00:44:19.039 --> 00:44:20.019
 so loved here will

00:44:20.019 --> 00:44:22.000
 tear us apart for all

00:44:22.000 --> 00:44:23.139
 eternity in hell.

00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:24.819
 There's nothing more

00:44:24.819 --> 00:44:25.940
 empty than a life of

00:44:25.940 --> 00:44:27.199
 selfishness, and

00:44:27.199 --> 00:44:27.839
 there's nothing more

00:44:27.839 --> 00:44:29.259
 full than a life of

00:44:29.259 --> 00:44:29.920
 selflessness.

00:44:29.920 --> 00:44:33.039
 Christ came that we

00:44:33.039 --> 00:44:33.880
 might have life and

00:44:33.880 --> 00:44:35.059
 have it abundantly, it

00:44:35.059 --> 00:44:36.980
 comes at a price, which

00:44:36.980 --> 00:44:38.900
 is your selfishness and

00:44:38.900 --> 00:44:39.480
 nothing less.

00:44:40.099 --> 00:44:41.019
 That's what he asks of

00:44:41.019 --> 00:44:41.700
 you, it's for your

00:44:41.700 --> 00:44:42.280
 selfishness.

00:44:43.539 --> 00:44:44.400
 That's what it is.

00:44:45.400 --> 00:44:46.720
 As a church body, we're

00:44:46.720 --> 00:44:47.500
 going to thrive and we're

00:44:47.500 --> 00:44:48.380
 going to flourish together

00:44:48.380 --> 00:44:49.960
 in unity only when we

00:44:49.960 --> 00:44:51.000
 learn to be selfless

00:44:51.000 --> 00:44:51.579
 toward one another,

00:44:52.039 --> 00:44:53.260
 seeking to outdo one

00:44:53.260 --> 00:44:53.900
 another and showing

00:44:53.900 --> 00:44:54.740
 honor, right?

00:44:54.739 --> 00:44:56.179
 Truly and willingly

00:44:56.179 --> 00:44:56.959
 bearing one another's

00:44:56.959 --> 00:44:57.899
 burdens, be it

00:44:57.899 --> 00:44:59.279
 monetary, be it

00:44:59.279 --> 00:45:00.239
 emotional, spiritual,

00:45:00.459 --> 00:45:01.739
 physical, or mental.

00:45:02.759 --> 00:45:04.039
 So, let's just follow

00:45:04.039 --> 00:45:05.319
 all in the words of

00:45:05.319 --> 00:45:05.699
 Christ.

00:45:06.839 --> 00:45:08.699
 In Galatians 6.2, this

00:45:08.699 --> 00:45:10.000
 is through Paul, he

00:45:10.000 --> 00:45:10.879
 says, bear one another's

00:45:10.879 --> 00:45:11.839
 burdens and thus

00:45:11.839 --> 00:45:12.599
 fulfill the law of

00:45:12.599 --> 00:45:12.919
 Christ.

00:45:13.399 --> 00:45:14.039
 It's that simple.

00:45:14.879 --> 00:45:15.559
 It's that simple.

00:45:16.399 --> 00:45:17.039
 So, I'm just going to

00:45:17.039 --> 00:45:17.699
 pray for us and we'll

00:45:17.699 --> 00:45:18.059
 be done.

00:45:18.559 --> 00:45:19.419
 Took up more time than

00:45:19.419 --> 00:45:20.819
 I was hoping, but I

00:45:20.819 --> 00:45:21.719
 told you it's only three

00:45:21.719 --> 00:45:22.759
 verses, so there's no way

00:45:22.759 --> 00:45:23.539
 I could have covered six.

00:45:24.739 --> 00:45:26.699
 Let's just pray.