WEBVTT

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 Please take your copy of God's Word and turn to Romans chapter 8.

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 Romans chapter 8, our text for this morning will be verse 31 through 39 of Romans chapter 8.

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 In addition to today being the first day of 2017, which is just shocking and strange to say,

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 today also marks the eight-year anniversary of the formation of Christ's family church,

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 Dahlonega. We typically don't talk about that on the first day of the month, but eight years ago,

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 this day Christ's family church, Dahlonega began. So this morning we're going to take a quick look

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 back at last year and a look forward into the new year. And I want to do that by briefly noting

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 two things that we're doing well and that we should continue to do, press on in, and then spend the

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 majority of our time together on a matter of improvement for our church. And Romans 8,

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 31 through 39 is going to serve that purpose. First, two things to commend. And there are more

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 things that our church does well together, but two things I think that we did by grace particularly

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 well this last year. First, there is amongst our church a great sense of community, a great unity

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 amongst us. And I am extremely thankful for that. This is certainly a grace of God to us, but it also

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 has taken work on our part. When we are in conflict with one another, when we rub each other the wrong

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 way, it takes work to get in and sort those things out. It takes time. It takes an investment to be

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 together and to be pressing on together in holiness as a community of believers. Psalm 133, 1 says,

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 Behold how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity. And I'm extremely thankful this past

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 year for that and for my experience of it. If you find yourself sitting there this morning as a regular

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 part of our congregation not feeling the same, I would suggest to you that it takes work. And on your

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 part, you've got to press in and lean in with us together on being a community of faith. There's much

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 blessing that comes with it. Secondly, I want to commend our church for both efforts in and reality

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 of multiplication, both personal and corporate. I hear more and more reports of people consistently,

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 faithfully sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ with the people that they know. And I am extremely

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 encouraged by that. Often it's not you telling me, but it's someone who knows you telling me that you

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 have been sharing your faith consistently. And that's a good thing. I believe we've already seen

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 some fruit and I believe that we're going to see fruit in increasing order as God blesses the work

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 that we'll be doing. So personal multiplication as well as corporate. We started a new church this past

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 year, didn't we, in July. And I'm very pleased with the way that you all loved those people that we sent

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 from Christ Family Church, now Christ Family Church, Dahlonega, to Christ Family Church, Oakwood. It is a

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 pleasure to see them come back as we rejoin Christmas Eve, our Christmas Eve service. Much of the Oakwood

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 crowd was here when we have weddings and that group comes back together. It's just good to see the

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 community that we have even across the multiplying of distances. So these are things that we have done

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 well by grace and things that we should continue to do well into this next year. Second, I want to

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 address a most important matter of improvement. And before I get into it, I want to say to you that I

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 recognize that I often see the challenges that face our church in disproportion to the victories

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 that our church experiences. Often, on the scale of challenge and victory, the challenge side gets

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 weighted disproportionately. And I think that's for two reasons. Number one, my position, complaints tend

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 to climb a little faster to the top than victories do. I tend to be the complaint department in our church.

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 And so I hear things and the things that aren't going so well more readily than the victories that

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 are in our church. Also, in my position, I ought to be pushing forward and longing for more and better

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 and pressing us to that. I think there would be something wrong with me as a leader in our church if

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 I didn't see a gap between where we are and where we ought to be and want to encourage and press us to

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 that place. So I think my position is part of it, but often my disposition can be part of it

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 as well. I have to repent regularly that I am such a glass half empty type of guy that I don't take

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 hold of those things that are victorious, the great work that God is doing and relish it and rejoice in

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 it, but rather can get too focused on those things that aren't going as they ought to go. So I'm saying

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 that to you that I recognize that. But in this case, right, so generally speaking, that can be true of me.

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 But in this case, in this matter of most importance, this has been emerging as a theme in the lives of

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 many of you and in my life as well, a place that we need to be improving upon. And so here it is,

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 a most important matter of improvement. And this may not make sense to you when I say it at first,

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 but I promise to explain. We need to stop by God's grace forgetting who we are. We need to stop by God's

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 grace forgetting who we are. Before we started studying the book of Acts together quite some time

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 ago when we began, I preached a five-week sermon series on sanctification. Some of you may remember

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 that and the specific ways that we would work together as a community of faith, right, to bring

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 about holiness in one another, right? Some of you remember that, I hope, right? We began with a week

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 on our gospel identity. Who are we in Christ? Our gospel identity. And when we did that, we unpacked the

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 following statement. By grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone,

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 we are justified before God, forgiven and adopted by Him. This gospel identity is our great

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 motivation for worship, right? Because of who we are, we do the things we're meant to do, right? We don't do

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 the things we're meant to do in order to become who we are. We don't work to be accepted by God. We are

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 accepted by God, so we work. And I presented to you some ways in which we mess this up, right? If we are

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 walking as we should, as followers of Jesus Christ, gospel-centered Christians, we're humble before God. We

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 recognize that we can do no good thing to gain God's favor. We're motivated by our gospel identity, the fact that

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 we are, in fact, accepted by God in Christ to obedience. That's the motivation of it, right? In our failures, we repent

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 quickly. We recognize the failure. We confess it to the Lord. And we turn back to Christ. We boast only in the

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 cross of Jesus Christ. We walk this spot as gospel-centered Christians. And it's a tightrope, to be sure.

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 And there are two ways to fall off of it. And you fail. All of us do. At some point, as we forget who we are,

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 in one of two ways. The first, I think this would be the minority in the room, would be the self-loving

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 Christian. And I'm not suggesting that we can't have some sense of personal value, right? But self-loving,

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 not recognizing that it's God Himself that loves us, but we're only getting that from ourselves.

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 Self-loving Christians find themselves justified by their obedience. They think that what they do

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 is, in fact, good enough. Usually deluded, right? Looking at everybody else's sin, but not seeing

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 theirs quite so much, right? Making false comparisons. Well, at least I'm not this, or at least I'm not

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 that. I'm doing pretty good before God. And I'm accepted because of that good activity. These people

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 in their minds are good enough. They view God as loving them just as they are. No need for improvement

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 on their part. They view God as properly loving them because why wouldn't He? I'm such a lovable

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 individual. This is a way that people can fail at times to be gospel-centered, to remember who they are

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 in Christ. The more common, and here's where we're at today, the more common is the self-hating

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 Christian, self-loathing Christian. This person knows that they will never be justified by their

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 obedience. This is a good thing, right? So they try to be justified by their penance. Not their repentance,

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 but by their penance. When these people fail, and this is the category I fall into when I'm not gospel-centered,

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 when we fail to be obedient as we should, we then begin to stack up things to do to make up for the thing

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 that we failed to do to be accepted by God. We're never good enough. We view God as unable to love

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 someone as wretched as me. And this is the beginning of the gospel message, right? That we have no

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 lovable thing within us, right? Sin is utterly spoiled us, but because God, right? The beautiful

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 conjunction, but God, because of who He is, He extends His love to us. Begins with our wretchedness,

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 but having placed faith in Christ, we are delivered from that, right? We are redeemed, right? We are accepted

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 in Him because of the perfection of Jesus. So we need to stop by God's grace forgetting who we are.

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 At the very core of every sin that we commit is an identity crisis. We forget. We forget who we are.

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 I'm trying to teach my boys in the hope that they'll translate this to their relationship with the

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 Lord one day, that they are my sons and therefore they act a certain way, right? So I ask them questions

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 all the time. Do my sons disobey? And they say no. And of course they do, right? But because they're my

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 sons, there's a certain standard that I've set out for them, not because I'm an ogre, but because it's good

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 for them, because I love them. I want them to walk in a way that is pleasing to me and ultimately because

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 it's pleasing to the Lord. So they forget who they are, right? They forget that they're Nathan's

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 sons because Nathan's sons don't act that way. This is exactly the way we are with God. Anytime we sin,

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 we have forgotten who He is to us in Christ. We forgot that He set us free from sin. We forgot that He

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 paid the penalty for sin. We forgot that He has given us His righteousness. And then we act

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 in discord with that great truth. And what happens so often is that when we do that, we then also fail

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 to believe who we are. Rather than repenting and running back to that reality, we go off on a path

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 of continued sin, not remembering that we have been delivered by Christ. Now, sanctification, that whole

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 series was about sanctification, right? About the process of being perfected in Christ, right? Not yet

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 perfect, but being perfected. Someday perfect, glorified, not there yet, not in this life, right? We don't

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 become perfect all in a moment, which we did, but God has a plan for us and a way that He's bringing us

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 about. Our sanctification is progressive. It's going to move across the spans of our life. We're going to get,

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 by grace, a bit more and a bit more and a bit more like Jesus as we live in this world, as we exercise

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 disciplines of grace to us. But our sanctification is also synergistic. We have a part to play in this

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 as well. There's something we are meant to do in the process of being made perfect. Let me read you,

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 I promise we're getting to Romans chapter 8 momentarily. Let me read you from Philippians chapter 3.

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 So this is Paul, verse 12 through 14. He's talking about obtaining the resurrection from the dead,

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 and what he's talking about is glorification. He's talking about the perfect state, right? Tired of

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 his flesh, ready to move on, to be glorified, to be perfect. Verse 12, he says, not that I have already

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 obtained this, this resurrection from the dead, or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own.

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 Why? Because Jesus Christ has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own,

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 but one thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on

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 toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. So longing to be perfect,

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 right? I set aside the sin of my past, and I press on toward holiness. And it is a work, it's a thing

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 that has to be done on our part. There's a straining forward, an activity that takes place on our part.

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 And this morning, that straining forward that needs to be done is belief. It's belief, that's an activity,

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 right? No doctrine, I think it's C.S. Lewis that said this, no doctrine stays alive in the mind. It must

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 be fed, right? We have to be continually reminded of who we are in Christ. And so it's my hope this

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 morning, as we look at Romans 8, 31 through 39, that we will be reminded of that, that you will take

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 it with you this afternoon and into this week, and meditate on the great truths found herein.

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 Believe this morning, believe this morning that you are who God says you are. Believe that you are

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 secure because of His gracious work on your behalf, right? Beloved, our security in Christ is the great

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 reason for obedience, right? And when we sin for repentance and a return to obedience, right, we are His,

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 God says, and nothing will change that. On the front of your bulletin, there's a quote from Jonathan

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 Edwards. Jonathan Edwards at a very young age wrote his resolutions. If you've never read these, you

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 should. You should read all of them. They're fantastic. These commitments that he made as a young man,

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 and this one I thought was particularly beneficial to us this morning. He wrote,

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 resolved to examine carefully and constantly what that one thing in me is which causes me in the least

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 to doubt of the love of God and to direct all my forces against it. Isn't that good? To find that thing

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 carefully and constantly that causes me to doubt God's love to me and then to strain forward.

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 As Paul said, right, direct all my forces against it. Now, all that being said, that brings us to the text.

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 Romans chapter 8, beginning in verse 31.

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 Paul writes,

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 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

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 He who did not spare his own son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

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 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn?

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 Christ Jesus is the one who died. More than that, who was raised? Who's at the right hand of God? Who indeed is interceding for us?

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 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation or distress or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?

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 As it is written, for your sake we are being killed all the day long. We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

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 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

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 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers nor height nor depth nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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 Beloved, this is God's word to us.

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 It was written for his glory and our good.

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 We would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 Have you ever considered just in that statement why I begin it, beloved?

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 I say it almost every Sunday that I preach.

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 Beloved, this is something that's true of you.

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 If you're in Christ, you are loved by God.

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 This was the title that God gave to Jesus when he was baptized.

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 This is my beloved son.

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 1 John, this is John Wright and calls the Christians he's writing to beloved again and again and again.

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 What I'm saying to you is that you are loved by God.

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 God's word was written for us that we would believe its promises and obey its commands.

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 So verse 31, Paul says,

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 What then shall we say to these things?

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 What things is Paul referring to?

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 What things is Paul referring to?

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 I believe he is referring directly to chapter 8 verses 28 through 30,

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 where Paul speaks of the unstoppable plan of God to pursue his people to the end.

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 To pursue his people in their salvation, in their sanctification, and in their glorification.

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 The unstoppable plan of God to pursue his people to the end.

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 In this text is contained a briefed ordo salutis, order of salvation.

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 The main point of which is that God acts, God accomplishes, God maintains.

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 Verse 28,

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 And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good.

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 For those who are called according to his purpose.

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 For those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, to be made perfect.

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 In order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

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 Or preeminent, that Christ would be supreme among those who are made Christ-like.

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 Verse 30,

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 And those whom he predestined, he also called.

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 And those whom he called, he also justified.

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 And those whom he justified, he also glorified.

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 This is God's doing.

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 God acts.

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 God accomplishes.

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 God maintains.

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 I also believe that the,

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 What then shall we say to these things?

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 Is referring to the broader context of his letter to the Roman believers.

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 believers.

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 We're so apt as we study the Bible to make it so disjointed.

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 And you consider that this letter when it was delivered would have been read from the beginning to the end.

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 Right?

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 Not march through as we did in the book of Romans.

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 I think over a little over two years.

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 Bit by bit.

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 Verse by verse.

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 Right?

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 And in our minds sometimes that really breaks it apart.

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 Right?

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 But just a few minutes prior.

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 Right?

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 Beginning in chapter 1.

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 Paul has started his address to these Roman believers.

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 And so we ought to think a little bit.

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 We ought to go back a little bit.

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 And so let me just invite you to turn back, flip back a few pages.

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 That's why they make this ribbon.

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 I think it comes with your Bible.

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 Stick it right there.

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 Romans chapter 8.

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 Chapters 1 through 5.

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 This is going to be a sweeping summary of the book of Romans.

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 I fear not to do it justice.

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 But in chapters 1 through 5, Paul speaks of the wrath of God owed to unrepentant sinners.

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 Look at Romans chapter 2.

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 Verses 6, 7, and 8.

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 Right?

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 God will render to each one according to his works.

00:21:27.480 --> 00:21:33.920
 To those who by patience and well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.

00:21:35.059 --> 00:21:43.640
 But for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

00:21:44.259 --> 00:21:44.360
 Right?

00:21:44.580 --> 00:21:47.100
 Proper and right judgment.

00:21:47.500 --> 00:21:47.620
 Right?

00:21:47.799 --> 00:21:50.420
 Punishment for disobedience.

00:21:50.420 --> 00:21:53.920
 And this is a great problem that all people have.

00:21:54.320 --> 00:21:54.320


00:21:54.580 --> 00:21:59.519
 Apart from Christ, this is a great problem that all people have.

00:21:59.880 --> 00:22:01.840
 The judge will judge.

00:22:02.759 --> 00:22:08.759
 And he will judge based on principles of perfect righteousness.

00:22:09.440 --> 00:22:09.560
 Right?

00:22:09.560 --> 00:22:16.039
 We must be found perfect before God to escape his wrath and his fury.

00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:16.700
 Right?

00:22:16.700 --> 00:22:18.980
 We all have the problem apart from Christ.

00:22:18.980 --> 00:22:22.079
 Romans chapter 3, verses 10 through 12.

00:22:22.279 --> 00:22:23.140
 None is righteous.

00:22:23.799 --> 00:22:24.799
 No, not one.

00:22:25.259 --> 00:22:26.400
 No one understands.

00:22:27.079 --> 00:22:29.019
 No one seeks for God.

00:22:29.460 --> 00:22:30.620
 All have turned aside.

00:22:30.779 --> 00:22:32.259
 Together they have become worthless.

00:22:32.539 --> 00:22:33.519
 No one does good.

00:22:33.920 --> 00:22:36.920
 Not even one.

00:22:38.400 --> 00:22:39.920
 It's problematic, isn't it?

00:22:39.960 --> 00:22:43.000
 It creates a big problem.

00:22:43.500 --> 00:22:47.279
 Praise God, he's created a big solution in Christ.

00:22:47.279 --> 00:22:53.059
 If we have repented and believed in Christ, this is true of you.

00:22:53.379 --> 00:22:59.700
 You've repented of your sin and you've placed your faith in the saving work of Jesus Christ.

00:23:00.259 --> 00:23:02.000
 We've had a status change.

00:23:03.059 --> 00:23:04.799
 We don't vary in degree.

00:23:04.899 --> 00:23:06.899
 We vary in kind.

00:23:07.440 --> 00:23:12.359
 We were once sinners, but now we are saints.

00:23:12.359 --> 00:23:15.099
 We still sin, but we are saints.

00:23:15.219 --> 00:23:17.199
 Our status has changed.

00:23:17.299 --> 00:23:20.679
 We are different in position before God.

00:23:21.059 --> 00:23:22.759
 This is the doctrine of regeneration.

00:23:24.059 --> 00:23:31.240
 It's the doctrine that John Piper believes, and I agree with him, is the most lost and the most needs to be recaptured in our churches.

00:23:31.779 --> 00:23:33.500
 That we are changed.

00:23:34.059 --> 00:23:36.859
 We have been set free from sin.

00:23:36.859 --> 00:23:40.199
 We are accepted by God in Christ.

00:23:41.859 --> 00:23:50.579
 Paul teaches us that we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

00:23:50.859 --> 00:23:54.219
 Romans chapter 5, verses 1 and 2.

00:23:54.359 --> 00:24:01.839
 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

00:24:01.839 --> 00:24:04.699
 All that wrath and fury has been set aside.

00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:09.740
 It was poured out on Jesus so that we can have peace with God.

00:24:09.839 --> 00:24:10.439
 Verse 2,

00:24:10.859 --> 00:24:16.480
 Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand,

00:24:16.799 --> 00:24:20.839
 and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

00:24:23.199 --> 00:24:28.480
 We are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.

00:24:28.480 --> 00:24:31.000
 This certainly is not based on any merit of our own.

00:24:31.000 --> 00:24:32.700
 Further in Romans chapter 5, verse 8.

00:24:32.740 --> 00:24:39.339
 But God shows His love for us that in that while we were still sinners, status sinners,

00:24:39.940 --> 00:24:45.920
 Christ died for us to make our status change to that of saints.

00:24:46.759 --> 00:24:53.119
 These first five chapters is a beautiful, systematic presentation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:24:53.119 --> 00:25:01.039
 And then Paul, as the gifted teacher that he is, in chapters 6 through 11, we're not going to get into 11, I promise,

00:25:02.339 --> 00:25:07.739
 anticipates all of the objections of this gospel message of grace,

00:25:08.259 --> 00:25:10.879
 and he addresses them in ordered fashion.

00:25:12.179 --> 00:25:14.859
 If you want to think about Romans in a layout that way,

00:25:15.000 --> 00:25:18.279
 first five chapters, systematic presentation of the gospel of Christ.

00:25:18.279 --> 00:25:21.680
 Chapter 6 through 11 is meeting objections.

00:25:22.359 --> 00:25:27.519
 Much of the sanctification process, particularly in Romans chapter 8, is found in those chapters.

00:25:27.779 --> 00:25:33.019
 How is it that we now live in response to this gospel truth in a spiritual sense?

00:25:34.039 --> 00:25:36.940
 And then the end of the book is about the practicality.

00:25:37.019 --> 00:25:40.819
 The little simple practicality is how the gospel plays out in our lives.

00:25:40.819 --> 00:25:46.379
 So, chapter 6 through 11, he addresses these objections.

00:25:47.000 --> 00:25:47.639
 Chapter 6.

00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:52.019
 The question is, is sin okay then?

00:25:52.639 --> 00:25:53.480
 Wait a minute, Paul.

00:25:54.299 --> 00:25:57.220
 You're saying that we're delivered by grace alone?

00:25:57.919 --> 00:26:01.119
 That there's no thing we can do to earn God's grace?

00:26:01.220 --> 00:26:02.779
 And then isn't it just okay to just sin?

00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:05.259
 We often call this cheap grace.

00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:07.720
 There's a lot of this going around in our churches.

00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:12.400
 You're saved by a walking of the aisle and a signing of a card.

00:26:13.220 --> 00:26:16.420
 There's not necessarily repentance and faith on your part.

00:26:16.519 --> 00:26:20.519
 And then you go on and live your life the way you would go on and live it.

00:26:21.259 --> 00:26:21.759
 Is it okay?

00:26:22.559 --> 00:26:23.220
 Paul says no.

00:26:23.420 --> 00:26:25.299
 Romans chapter 6, verse 15 and 16.

00:26:25.980 --> 00:26:26.539
 What then?

00:26:27.079 --> 00:26:30.460
 Are we to sin because we are not under law but under grace?

00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:33.539
 By no means.

00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:36.539
 And I won't tell you what that Greek phrase really means.

00:26:36.539 --> 00:26:39.019
 But it's dirty language.

00:26:39.980 --> 00:26:40.859
 Paul seemed to be a cursor.

00:26:41.639 --> 00:26:42.920
 By no means.

00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:46.500
 Really, is the strongest way he could say no.

00:26:47.960 --> 00:26:48.359
 Verse 16.

00:26:49.159 --> 00:26:52.899
 Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves,

00:26:53.000 --> 00:26:54.879
 you are slaves of the one whom you obey,

00:26:55.000 --> 00:26:57.259
 either of sin, which leads to death,

00:26:57.299 --> 00:27:00.220
 or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?

00:27:00.299 --> 00:27:03.000
 What Paul is saying is that if you have been bought by Christ,

00:27:03.000 --> 00:27:06.460
 because you are his, you'll now be obedient to him.

00:27:06.779 --> 00:27:10.380
 This is the proper and thankful response.

00:27:11.579 --> 00:27:15.059
 If you consider what I was saying about the way we air believing the gospel,

00:27:15.359 --> 00:27:16.480
 believing who we are,

00:27:16.640 --> 00:27:19.160
 this is really an address to the self-loving Christian.

00:27:19.160 --> 00:27:23.000
 The one that just wants to take grace for granted.

00:27:23.540 --> 00:27:25.320
 Think that they measure up enough.

00:27:25.940 --> 00:27:31.560
 That they don't need God's outpouring of grace on their behalf.

00:27:31.740 --> 00:27:36.279
 Go on sinning because we're not under the law any longer.

00:27:36.279 --> 00:27:43.500
 In chapter 7, he addresses the self-hating Christian from his very own experience.

00:27:44.660 --> 00:27:49.539
 Having been set free from sin, but still struggling with it.

00:27:50.139 --> 00:27:52.779
 Boy, I hope, if you're a follower of Jesus Christ,

00:27:52.859 --> 00:27:58.000
 that you're familiar with Paul's recorded experience here in Romans 7, 15-25.

00:27:58.660 --> 00:28:03.740
 Now, there are some people that disagree with my understanding of this text.

00:28:03.740 --> 00:28:06.620
 So you should know that some people think that Paul is talking about

00:28:06.620 --> 00:28:09.940
 his pre-conversion experience and then post.

00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:11.779
 I can see some evidence for that in the text.

00:28:11.960 --> 00:28:15.120
 But if you look at the larger context of where he's moving,

00:28:15.660 --> 00:28:17.859
 I believe that he steps into the present

00:28:17.859 --> 00:28:21.880
 and talks about the way in which he wrestles with sin all the same.

00:28:22.660 --> 00:28:27.059
 It's this battle between his spirit and his flesh that takes place.

00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:28.720
 Let me read it to you, beginning in verse 15.

00:28:29.819 --> 00:28:30.420
 Paul says,

00:28:30.420 --> 00:28:33.039
 For I do not understand my own actions.

00:28:33.480 --> 00:28:38.200
 For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.

00:28:38.940 --> 00:28:43.200
 Now, if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law that it is good.

00:28:43.620 --> 00:28:46.980
 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

00:28:47.500 --> 00:28:50.820
 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.

00:28:51.300 --> 00:28:54.560
 For I have the desire to do what's right, but not the ability to carry it out.

00:28:55.039 --> 00:28:58.519
 For I do not do the good that I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.

00:28:58.519 --> 00:29:02.299
 Now, if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

00:29:02.339 --> 00:29:03.740
 Do any of you feel this way sometimes?

00:29:04.220 --> 00:29:05.019
 I know that I do.

00:29:05.839 --> 00:29:09.500
 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.

00:29:10.000 --> 00:29:12.099
 For I delight in the law of God in my inner being,

00:29:12.460 --> 00:29:14.359
 but I see in my members another law,

00:29:14.440 --> 00:29:16.079
 waging war against the law of my mind

00:29:16.079 --> 00:29:19.819
 and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.

00:29:20.700 --> 00:29:23.079
 Wretched man that I am,

00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:27.480
 who will deliver me from this body of death?

00:29:28.039 --> 00:29:28.759
 Verse 25.

00:29:29.639 --> 00:29:33.039
 Thanks be to God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:36.039
 So that I myself serve the law of God with my mind,

00:29:36.099 --> 00:29:39.579
 but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

00:29:40.079 --> 00:29:44.179
 And then we have the precious proclamation of chapter 8, verse 1.

00:29:44.179 --> 00:29:51.019
 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

00:29:51.019 --> 00:29:56.879
 I think that Paul is expressing his inner lament

00:29:56.879 --> 00:30:00.559
 for the way that he still lives in light of the grace of God to him

00:30:00.559 --> 00:30:02.519
 and the personal work of Jesus Christ.

00:30:02.599 --> 00:30:04.400
 Even though he's now been delivered from sin,

00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:05.900
 he still wrestles with it.

00:30:06.680 --> 00:30:08.859
 And then he praises God, Romans 8, verse 1,

00:30:08.920 --> 00:30:13.000
 that there's now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

00:30:13.599 --> 00:30:17.160
 He's able to go back again to his identity.

00:30:18.879 --> 00:30:20.579
 So that brings us to verse 31.

00:30:21.980 --> 00:30:25.379
 Sweeping summation of the first eight chapters of Romans.

00:30:27.579 --> 00:30:29.859
 What then shall we say to these things?

00:30:30.359 --> 00:30:31.799
 Everything that we just have said.

00:30:31.879 --> 00:30:33.779
 What shall we say to these things?

00:30:33.859 --> 00:30:35.099
 And I think this is his answer.

00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.180
 I think this is his answer.

00:30:36.319 --> 00:30:39.559
 And then everything beyond that is a further development of this answer.

00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:41.920
 If God is for us,

00:30:42.059 --> 00:30:43.440
 who can be against us?

00:30:44.359 --> 00:30:46.240
 That's what we should say to these things.

00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:48.839
 If we are his,

00:30:49.039 --> 00:30:50.880
 we belong to him,

00:30:51.660 --> 00:30:54.099
 who can be against us?

00:30:54.220 --> 00:30:56.660
 He asks and he answers

00:30:56.660 --> 00:30:58.579
 four follow-up questions.

00:30:58.579 --> 00:31:00.279
 As I just said,

00:31:00.339 --> 00:31:03.000
 I believe that they're meant to help us consider the reality

00:31:03.000 --> 00:31:06.259
 that God is for us

00:31:06.259 --> 00:31:07.699
 and that no one can be against us.

00:31:07.740 --> 00:31:10.679
 I think these questions are meant to help us pull that out.

00:31:10.680 --> 00:31:11.940
 I spent a lot of time this week,

00:31:12.019 --> 00:31:13.759
 way more than I care to admit,

00:31:13.920 --> 00:31:15.620
 looking at Greek diagrams,

00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:19.860
 particularly from a contemporary Greek scholar named William Ramey.

00:31:19.920 --> 00:31:20.980
 If this kind of stuff interests you,

00:31:21.100 --> 00:31:24.460
 William Ramey does some phenomenal work with Greek diagramming.

00:31:24.460 --> 00:31:27.720
 I almost brought out the paperwork of it.

00:31:27.880 --> 00:31:29.140
 I'm pretty confident

00:31:29.140 --> 00:31:33.059
 that these four follow-up questions are modifying this truth.

00:31:33.200 --> 00:31:34.700
 It's this one-sentence truth.

00:31:34.779 --> 00:31:35.840
 And I'm telling you all this

00:31:35.840 --> 00:31:39.880
 simply because if you can't grasp hold of a lot this morning,

00:31:39.940 --> 00:31:42.380
 I know that often Sunday mornings are like drinking from a fire hose.

00:31:42.880 --> 00:31:43.680
 You scribble notes.

00:31:43.759 --> 00:31:46.840
 You may not even be able to comprehend everything that's flying out of my mouth.

00:31:47.319 --> 00:31:49.740
 If God is for you,

00:31:50.299 --> 00:31:51.500
 who can be against you?

00:31:53.420 --> 00:31:54.240
 Pick that up.

00:31:54.460 --> 00:31:55.600
 And hang on to it.

00:31:55.819 --> 00:31:56.660
 And take it home with you.

00:31:56.720 --> 00:31:58.279
 If God is for you,

00:31:59.120 --> 00:32:01.620
 who can be against you?

00:32:03.539 --> 00:32:04.559
 It's reality.

00:32:05.100 --> 00:32:05.840
 God is for us.

00:32:05.860 --> 00:32:06.799
 Who can be against us?

00:32:07.640 --> 00:32:08.980
 It means that you're safe,

00:32:09.200 --> 00:32:10.700
 even from yourself,

00:32:11.519 --> 00:32:14.180
 because you're saved by God.

00:32:15.400 --> 00:32:16.340
 God is for you.

00:32:17.440 --> 00:32:19.000
 So the first follow-up question,

00:32:19.319 --> 00:32:21.720
 helping us to understand God being for us,

00:32:21.720 --> 00:32:24.559
 verse 32.

00:32:26.079 --> 00:32:27.860
 He who did not spare his own son,

00:32:27.900 --> 00:32:29.360
 but gave him up for us all,

00:32:29.759 --> 00:32:34.180
 how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

00:32:35.039 --> 00:32:37.079
 God's commitment to us,

00:32:37.559 --> 00:32:38.700
 his commitment to us,

00:32:38.740 --> 00:32:39.480
 to pursuing,

00:32:39.920 --> 00:32:40.519
 right,

00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:42.440
 this path that he set on,

00:32:42.500 --> 00:32:44.019
 this elective path,

00:32:44.140 --> 00:32:44.259
 right,

00:32:44.259 --> 00:32:46.019
 he's going to one day perfect us.

00:32:46.019 --> 00:32:50.680
 His commitment to us is seen at the cross of Jesus Christ.

00:32:51.799 --> 00:32:55.579
 God did not even spare his own son,

00:32:56.299 --> 00:32:59.000
 but he gave him up for us.

00:33:00.119 --> 00:33:02.599
 John 3.16 is a beautiful verse.

00:33:03.459 --> 00:33:05.279
 I think sometimes in our Reformed communities,

00:33:05.399 --> 00:33:06.079
 we neglect it.

00:33:07.019 --> 00:33:08.500
 For God so loved the world,

00:33:09.099 --> 00:33:10.240
 that he gave his only son,

00:33:10.539 --> 00:33:12.799
 that whoever believes in him should not perish,

00:33:13.219 --> 00:33:15.199
 but have eternal life.

00:33:15.699 --> 00:33:20.219
 Even his own son was given on our behalf.

00:33:20.379 --> 00:33:23.139
 And if God would give us his own son,

00:33:23.859 --> 00:33:25.480
 the rhetorical question that Paul is asking,

00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:27.839
 how will he with him not also give us all things?

00:33:27.839 --> 00:33:29.480
 Like, give us his son.

00:33:29.959 --> 00:33:30.699
 Well, of course,

00:33:31.079 --> 00:33:32.500
 that he'll give us all things.

00:33:32.599 --> 00:33:33.579
 What is he referring to?

00:33:34.240 --> 00:33:34.980
 All things.

00:33:36.519 --> 00:33:39.719
 He's certainly not referring to temporal blessing.

00:33:40.500 --> 00:33:43.319
 Don't think that all things here includes a house and a car.

00:33:44.659 --> 00:33:48.919
 What he's referring to is these things of verse 31.

00:33:49.619 --> 00:33:52.639
 What shall we say then to these things?

00:33:52.919 --> 00:33:55.939
 The direct reference to the verses before.

00:33:56.059 --> 00:33:57.000
 Those whom he predestined,

00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.519
 he also called.

00:33:57.579 --> 00:33:58.199
 And those whom he called,

00:33:58.259 --> 00:33:58.839
 he also justified.

00:33:58.919 --> 00:33:59.959
 And those whom he justified,

00:34:00.079 --> 00:34:01.879
 he also glorified.

00:34:01.880 --> 00:34:03.480
 He gave us his son.

00:34:04.060 --> 00:34:07.780
 He'll finish the work that he began.

00:34:09.300 --> 00:34:11.460
 So that's the first modifying question.

00:34:11.559 --> 00:34:14.340
 The second, verse 33,

00:34:15.019 --> 00:34:19.140
 who shall bring any charge against God's elect?

00:34:19.139 --> 00:34:19.960
 And the answer,

00:34:19.960 --> 00:34:22.440
 it is God who justifies.

00:34:23.400 --> 00:34:27.359
 God is the judge and the justifier.

00:34:27.960 --> 00:34:32.500
 We are given before God in Christ by God,

00:34:32.699 --> 00:34:36.179
 the dismissal of our offense against him.

00:34:36.739 --> 00:34:41.019
 We have been declared righteous in his court.

00:34:41.019 --> 00:34:43.880
 I've always liked saying this this way.

00:34:43.980 --> 00:34:45.460
 We have been saved by God,

00:34:46.059 --> 00:34:47.179
 from God,

00:34:47.239 --> 00:34:48.079
 from God's wrath,

00:34:48.759 --> 00:34:49.579
 for God,

00:34:49.659 --> 00:34:51.639
 that we would live for him.

00:34:52.500 --> 00:34:54.840
 You were loved by God.

00:34:54.880 --> 00:34:55.719
 If you're in Christ,

00:34:55.840 --> 00:35:00.179
 you were loved by God long before you did anything.

00:35:00.559 --> 00:35:03.099
 Anything good or anything bad.

00:35:03.440 --> 00:35:03.800
 Anything.

00:35:03.800 --> 00:35:06.960
 Long before you drew breath,

00:35:07.519 --> 00:35:10.680
 you were loved by God in Christ.

00:35:11.680 --> 00:35:12.780
 Ephesians chapter 1,

00:35:12.900 --> 00:35:14.120
 verses 3 through 6.

00:35:15.080 --> 00:35:17.160
 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,

00:35:17.400 --> 00:35:19.400
 who has blessed us in Christ

00:35:19.400 --> 00:35:21.820
 with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places.

00:35:21.920 --> 00:35:23.140
 There's your all things.

00:35:23.139 --> 00:35:27.279
 Even as he chose us in him,

00:35:27.519 --> 00:35:27.819
 when?

00:35:28.599 --> 00:35:32.119
 Before the foundation of the world.

00:35:32.859 --> 00:35:35.279
 That we should be holy and blameless before him.

00:35:35.739 --> 00:35:39.019
 In love he predestined us for adoption to himself

00:35:39.019 --> 00:35:41.119
 as sons through Jesus Christ,

00:35:41.579 --> 00:35:43.779
 according to the purpose of his will,

00:35:44.179 --> 00:35:46.099
 to the praise of his glorious grace,

00:35:46.379 --> 00:35:48.400
 with which he has blessed us.

00:35:49.039 --> 00:35:49.739
 In the beloved.

00:35:49.739 --> 00:35:50.979
 In the beloved.

00:35:51.719 --> 00:35:52.159
 Beloved,

00:35:52.359 --> 00:35:53.379
 this doctrine,

00:35:53.479 --> 00:35:54.379
 the doctrine of election,

00:35:54.519 --> 00:35:55.219
 is for us.

00:35:56.019 --> 00:35:57.419
 It's for us to pick up

00:35:57.419 --> 00:35:58.479
 and to hang on to.

00:35:59.139 --> 00:36:01.500
 If you do not like the doctrine of election,

00:36:01.959 --> 00:36:04.919
 and I recognize that there's a possibility of that this morning.

00:36:05.059 --> 00:36:05.939
 If you don't like it,

00:36:06.179 --> 00:36:08.199
 the problems that it can create in your mind

00:36:08.199 --> 00:36:09.359
 are just too much for you.

00:36:09.379 --> 00:36:10.859
 And it does create some challenges

00:36:10.859 --> 00:36:12.239
 in our thinking.

00:36:12.859 --> 00:36:14.059
 But if you don't like it,

00:36:14.099 --> 00:36:16.879
 then you cannot love the doctrine of eternal security.

00:36:16.880 --> 00:36:20.539
 Paul never teaches eternal security

00:36:20.539 --> 00:36:22.539
 apart from the elective purposes of God.

00:36:23.619 --> 00:36:25.099
 You hear me say this before,

00:36:25.260 --> 00:36:26.019
 I'll say it again,

00:36:26.400 --> 00:36:27.640
 and I'll say it forever.

00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:30.640
 The doctrine of election is given to us

00:36:30.640 --> 00:36:32.740
 so that it's a pillow for us to rest our heads on.

00:36:32.920 --> 00:36:34.440
 That's why it's taught to us, right?

00:36:34.860 --> 00:36:35.700
 God is working.

00:36:35.800 --> 00:36:36.440
 He acts.

00:36:36.760 --> 00:36:37.640
 He's sustaining.

00:36:37.980 --> 00:36:39.460
 He'll bring us to the end.

00:36:39.920 --> 00:36:41.619
 Because we're his.

00:36:42.420 --> 00:36:44.119
 We've changed in status.

00:36:44.119 --> 00:36:46.739
 We're no longer earning his favor.

00:36:46.859 --> 00:36:47.500
 We have it.

00:36:48.319 --> 00:36:51.380
 We act because we have his favor.

00:36:52.819 --> 00:36:53.839
 They're cause and effect.

00:36:54.900 --> 00:36:57.119
 Election and security.

00:36:58.400 --> 00:37:00.159
 Who will bring any charge against God's elect?

00:37:00.359 --> 00:37:02.019
 It's God who justifies.

00:37:03.359 --> 00:37:05.519
 Third question and answer.

00:37:08.159 --> 00:37:09.400
 Christ Jesus is the one who...

00:37:09.400 --> 00:37:09.799
 Oh, excuse me.

00:37:09.859 --> 00:37:11.159
 Who is to condemn?

00:37:11.519 --> 00:37:12.059
 Verse 34.

00:37:12.279 --> 00:37:14.500
 Who is to condemn?

00:37:14.619 --> 00:37:15.199
 And the answer to that,

00:37:15.259 --> 00:37:18.099
 Christ Jesus is the one who died.

00:37:18.279 --> 00:37:19.000
 More than that,

00:37:19.039 --> 00:37:19.599
 who was raised,

00:37:19.679 --> 00:37:20.719
 who was at the right hand of God,

00:37:20.779 --> 00:37:23.480
 who indeed is interceding for us.

00:37:24.299 --> 00:37:25.299
 Who is to condemn us?

00:37:25.420 --> 00:37:26.699
 And this is on the heels of

00:37:26.699 --> 00:37:28.139
 chapter 8, verse 1.

00:37:28.639 --> 00:37:30.539
 There's therefore now no condemnation

00:37:30.539 --> 00:37:32.460
 for those who are in Christ Jesus.

00:37:32.639 --> 00:37:33.839
 So, God is for us.

00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.799
 Who can be against us?

00:37:35.279 --> 00:37:36.239
 Who can condemn us?

00:37:36.239 --> 00:37:42.000
 Jesus Christ was condemned in our stead.

00:37:42.759 --> 00:37:44.639
 Christ Jesus is the one who died.

00:37:44.759 --> 00:37:45.699
 That's the way Paul's saying it.

00:37:45.779 --> 00:37:46.419
 Who's to condemn?

00:37:46.819 --> 00:37:47.279
 Christ.

00:37:48.119 --> 00:37:49.500
 Christ Jesus is the one who died.

00:37:49.599 --> 00:37:51.859
 He was condemned in our place.

00:37:52.959 --> 00:37:54.119
 But it didn't end there.

00:37:54.639 --> 00:37:54.759
 Right?

00:37:54.919 --> 00:37:56.139
 He is risen.

00:37:56.919 --> 00:37:59.739
 And he is interceding for us.

00:38:00.699 --> 00:38:02.639
 Hebrews 8.1 states that we have

00:38:02.639 --> 00:38:04.079
 a high priest.

00:38:04.479 --> 00:38:06.939
 One who is seated at the right hand

00:38:06.939 --> 00:38:10.059
 of the throne of the majesty in heaven.

00:38:10.919 --> 00:38:13.179
 He paid the penalty for our sin.

00:38:13.519 --> 00:38:14.559
 And he is now seated,

00:38:14.559 --> 00:38:15.799
 which is significant,

00:38:16.219 --> 00:38:17.699
 at the right hand of God.

00:38:17.919 --> 00:38:19.479
 Having completed the work.

00:38:19.819 --> 00:38:22.619
 Having made the final atoning sacrifice.

00:38:23.199 --> 00:38:26.500
 He is sat down at the right hand of God.

00:38:27.159 --> 00:38:29.119
 And when God looks at us,

00:38:29.119 --> 00:38:31.639
 and this is not from the scripture,

00:38:31.759 --> 00:38:32.239
 this is me,

00:38:33.440 --> 00:38:34.159
 Jesus says,

00:38:34.279 --> 00:38:34.839
 I've got him.

00:38:35.440 --> 00:38:36.380
 I've got her.

00:38:36.819 --> 00:38:37.900
 Clothed in my righteousness.

00:38:38.440 --> 00:38:39.059
 They're mine.

00:38:39.359 --> 00:38:40.579
 I died for them.

00:38:41.359 --> 00:38:43.359
 That's this intercession that's going on

00:38:43.359 --> 00:38:45.219
 on our behalf.

00:38:45.980 --> 00:38:48.279
 Because of Jesus' perfect sacrifice,

00:38:48.539 --> 00:38:52.679
 we have no need of new sacrifice.

00:38:54.019 --> 00:38:56.859
 The misnomer that any of our church buildings

00:38:56.860 --> 00:38:59.500
 have an altar is utterly false.

00:39:00.460 --> 00:39:01.620
 You will never hear me say,

00:39:01.740 --> 00:39:03.660
 come to the altar.

00:39:04.340 --> 00:39:05.480
 What does that imply?

00:39:06.019 --> 00:39:08.380
 It implies that we need to make a new sacrifice.

00:39:09.260 --> 00:39:09.420
 Right?

00:39:09.579 --> 00:39:11.059
 That I'm going to break out doves

00:39:11.059 --> 00:39:13.660
 and cut their heads off on your behalf.

00:39:14.120 --> 00:39:17.539
 That any of that blood would be of any value to you.

00:39:17.539 --> 00:39:21.659
 Only the perfect sacrifice of Christ.

00:39:22.460 --> 00:39:25.019
 Perfect sacrifice forever.

00:39:26.300 --> 00:39:27.420
 And I sometimes,

00:39:27.960 --> 00:39:30.940
 and often you sometimes,

00:39:31.940 --> 00:39:35.860
 act as if Jesus Christ needs to get back up on the cross.

00:39:35.860 --> 00:39:37.579
 That when he died,

00:39:37.640 --> 00:39:39.500
 his sacrifice wasn't perfect.

00:39:40.079 --> 00:39:41.500
 That he didn't know every sin

00:39:41.500 --> 00:39:43.460
 that you would ever commit.

00:39:43.780 --> 00:39:47.980
 That he didn't bear God's wrath already for you.

00:39:48.059 --> 00:39:50.900
 That he needs to crawl back up on that cross

00:39:50.900 --> 00:39:53.019
 and die once again.

00:39:54.019 --> 00:39:56.220
 We forget who we are.

00:39:56.539 --> 00:39:58.320
 It's a finished work,

00:39:58.460 --> 00:40:01.420
 even as it's being worked out in our living.

00:40:01.420 --> 00:40:03.659
 The fourth question.

00:40:06.180 --> 00:40:06.840
 Verse 35.

00:40:07.539 --> 00:40:11.579
 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

00:40:11.780 --> 00:40:12.980
 This gets so good.

00:40:13.780 --> 00:40:18.019
 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?

00:40:18.119 --> 00:40:19.740
 And his answer also implies,

00:40:19.920 --> 00:40:20.460
 or what?

00:40:20.700 --> 00:40:24.820
 Who or what shall separate us from the love of Christ?

00:40:24.900 --> 00:40:27.460
 And his emphatic answer is nothing.

00:40:28.740 --> 00:40:29.380
 Nothing.

00:40:29.380 --> 00:40:31.960
 And beloved, as you hear this list,

00:40:32.240 --> 00:40:35.539
 the thing you also need to hear is even not you.

00:40:36.660 --> 00:40:39.360
 Even not your failure.

00:40:41.300 --> 00:40:43.800
 Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution,

00:40:44.280 --> 00:40:47.200
 or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

00:40:48.260 --> 00:40:49.920
 As it is written, verse 36,

00:40:50.420 --> 00:40:53.320
 for your sake we are being killed all the day long.

00:40:53.760 --> 00:40:57.059
 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

00:40:57.059 --> 00:41:01.119
 Paul is citing here from Psalm 44, verse 22.

00:41:01.719 --> 00:41:02.860
 I want you to go there.

00:41:03.039 --> 00:41:04.639
 Again, you've got your little magic ribbon.

00:41:06.059 --> 00:41:06.900
 Mark it in Romans 8.

00:41:07.039 --> 00:41:09.039
 Turn with me to Psalm 44.

00:41:09.139 --> 00:41:12.900
 I want you to see the significance of why Paul cites Romans,

00:41:13.299 --> 00:41:15.460
 or excuse me, Psalm 44, verse 22.

00:41:15.460 --> 00:41:15.519
 Psalm 44, verse 22.

00:41:15.519 --> 00:41:27.039
 Psalm 44, verse 22.

00:41:27.059 --> 00:41:32.019
 I'm preaching secret for you.

00:41:32.099 --> 00:41:34.059
 I put the text in my notes,

00:41:34.179 --> 00:41:35.219
 so when I say turn with me,

00:41:35.279 --> 00:41:37.059
 I get to drink water while you turn.

00:41:40.799 --> 00:41:41.960
 All right, Psalm 44.

00:41:42.299 --> 00:41:43.579
 In verses 1 through 8,

00:41:43.779 --> 00:41:48.980
 the psalmist recounts the past glories of Israel's history.

00:41:49.300 --> 00:41:52.219
 It's this recollection of the things that God has done for Israel.

00:41:52.219 --> 00:41:53.240
 Psalm 44, verse 1.

00:41:53.300 --> 00:41:55.300
 O God, we have heard with our ears.

00:41:55.699 --> 00:41:59.300
 Our fathers have told us what deeds you performed in their days,

00:41:59.420 --> 00:42:01.340
 in the days of old.

00:42:01.400 --> 00:42:05.619
 So it's this historic accounting of God's favor to them.

00:42:06.219 --> 00:42:07.460
 But beginning in verse 9,

00:42:07.579 --> 00:42:10.900
 he laments Israel's present state in this day,

00:42:10.940 --> 00:42:12.059
 not today, in his day.

00:42:12.059 --> 00:42:14.699
 Israel's present state,

00:42:14.779 --> 00:42:17.619
 and he declares that they have not forgotten God

00:42:17.619 --> 00:42:19.299
 or turned from him.

00:42:19.299 --> 00:42:22.480
 This is in that latter part leading up to verse 22.

00:42:23.279 --> 00:42:24.820
 He declares that they have not forgotten God,

00:42:24.900 --> 00:42:25.880
 they have not forsaked him,

00:42:25.940 --> 00:42:27.440
 they have not turned away from his commands,

00:42:27.860 --> 00:42:31.679
 but yet he has turned from them.

00:42:31.960 --> 00:42:33.400
 And this is where we find verse 22.

00:42:33.519 --> 00:42:35.659
 Yet for your sake we are killed all the day long.

00:42:35.659 --> 00:42:40.039
 We are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.

00:42:40.139 --> 00:42:42.319
 Now Paul cites this verse to explain

00:42:42.319 --> 00:42:46.319
 the present state of followers of Jesus Christ.

00:42:47.279 --> 00:42:49.420
 Paul's not saying that we're getting away

00:42:49.420 --> 00:42:51.219
 from the trouble of the world.

00:42:51.759 --> 00:42:53.440
 Many troubles in this world.

00:42:53.960 --> 00:42:55.299
 And as faithful followers of Jesus Christ,

00:42:55.420 --> 00:42:57.539
 we will experience them.

00:42:58.559 --> 00:43:00.920
 Tribulation, distress, persecution,

00:43:01.500 --> 00:43:03.379
 possibly famine, nakedness, danger,

00:43:04.579 --> 00:43:05.639
 sword, right?

00:43:05.659 --> 00:43:07.139
 That's what he's saying to us, right?

00:43:07.239 --> 00:43:09.219
 As we walk in this world, as Christians,

00:43:09.920 --> 00:43:11.759
 things aren't going to be fantastic, right?

00:43:11.779 --> 00:43:13.699
 This is anti-prosperity gospel,

00:43:14.239 --> 00:43:16.159
 Romans chapter 8, right?

00:43:16.219 --> 00:43:19.019
 A lie from hell that your life will look perfect

00:43:19.019 --> 00:43:20.859
 if you believe in Jesus Christ, right?

00:43:21.279 --> 00:43:22.759
 Things might get harder.

00:43:22.879 --> 00:43:24.440
 In fact, they probably will.

00:43:26.359 --> 00:43:28.460
 Storing up for us glory to come.

00:43:29.099 --> 00:43:30.440
 So Paul's saying, right?

00:43:30.440 --> 00:43:33.139
 We're like sheep to be slaughtered.

00:43:33.139 --> 00:43:36.000
 Listen to the rest of Psalm 44,

00:43:36.839 --> 00:43:38.559
 verses 23 to 26.

00:43:39.000 --> 00:43:40.299
 So this is right after verse 22.

00:43:41.420 --> 00:43:42.339
 The psalmist says,

00:43:42.420 --> 00:43:43.000
 Awake!

00:43:43.400 --> 00:43:45.319
 Why are you sleeping, O Lord?

00:43:46.000 --> 00:43:46.920
 Rouse yourself.

00:43:47.480 --> 00:43:48.779
 Do not reject us forever.

00:43:49.000 --> 00:43:50.539
 Why do you hide your face?

00:43:50.659 --> 00:43:53.579
 Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?

00:43:53.579 --> 00:43:56.880
 For our soul is bowed down to the dust.

00:43:56.960 --> 00:43:58.840
 Our belly clings to the ground.

00:43:59.340 --> 00:44:00.019
 Rise up.

00:44:00.319 --> 00:44:01.440
 Come to our help.

00:44:01.840 --> 00:44:05.599
 Redeem us for the sake of your steadfast love.

00:44:06.639 --> 00:44:07.880
 So here's the context.

00:44:08.500 --> 00:44:11.920
 And this would have been understood by Paul's readers.

00:44:11.920 --> 00:44:18.300
 So Paul, as he quotes from Psalm 44, verse 22,

00:44:18.480 --> 00:44:23.180
 is stating that God has come to our help.

00:44:23.960 --> 00:44:26.659
 He has redeemed us.

00:44:27.079 --> 00:44:31.280
 And He has done so because of His steadfast love.

00:44:32.420 --> 00:44:36.059
 Our circumstances may not be temporarily pleasant,

00:44:36.059 --> 00:44:40.340
 but we are eternally blessed in Christ.

00:44:40.340 --> 00:44:42.000
 None of these things,

00:44:42.180 --> 00:44:43.920
 none of these circumstances, right?

00:44:44.120 --> 00:44:45.920
 Whether somebody is imposing it upon you

00:44:45.920 --> 00:44:48.760
 or whether you created it yourself,

00:44:49.200 --> 00:44:52.920
 can separate you from the love of God in Christ.

00:44:54.039 --> 00:44:55.840
 Verse 37, Romans chapter 8.

00:44:57.700 --> 00:44:58.400
 He says,

00:44:58.539 --> 00:45:00.940
 No, none of these things.

00:45:01.740 --> 00:45:05.500
 In all these things we are more than conquerors

00:45:05.500 --> 00:45:07.900
 through Him who loved us.

00:45:07.900 --> 00:45:10.320
 For I am sure that neither death nor life

00:45:10.320 --> 00:45:11.119
 nor angels nor rulers

00:45:11.119 --> 00:45:13.139
 nor things present nor things to come

00:45:13.139 --> 00:45:14.780
 nor powers nor height nor depth

00:45:14.780 --> 00:45:16.400
 nor anything else in all creation

00:45:16.400 --> 00:45:17.539
 will be able to separate us

00:45:17.539 --> 00:45:20.720
 from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

00:45:20.860 --> 00:45:24.480
 I think Paul exhausts the list with this list.

00:45:26.440 --> 00:45:29.559
 We are His and secure forever

00:45:29.559 --> 00:45:32.440
 despite the circumstance in our life.

00:45:32.440 --> 00:45:36.920
 Charles Spurgeon once wrote,

00:45:36.920 --> 00:45:39.420
 God's children are God's children

00:45:39.420 --> 00:45:41.579
 anywhere and everywhere

00:45:41.579 --> 00:45:44.440
 and shall be even unto the end.

00:45:45.119 --> 00:45:47.880
 Nothing can sever that sacred tie

00:45:47.880 --> 00:45:50.480
 or divide us from His heart.

00:45:52.079 --> 00:45:54.139
 So beloved, we need to stop

00:45:54.139 --> 00:45:58.800
 by God's grace forgetting who we are.

00:45:58.800 --> 00:46:02.500
 And I'd like to close with three questions

00:46:02.500 --> 00:46:03.200
 for your consideration.

00:46:03.600 --> 00:46:04.340
 If you are taking notes,

00:46:04.420 --> 00:46:05.480
 please just jot these down.

00:46:06.380 --> 00:46:09.240
 Three questions for your consideration in closing.

00:46:11.120 --> 00:46:12.720
 Number one, I would just like to ask,

00:46:12.800 --> 00:46:13.360
 who are you?

00:46:15.039 --> 00:46:17.680
 I'm talking a lot about status change,

00:46:17.800 --> 00:46:19.519
 position, who we are before God,

00:46:19.620 --> 00:46:20.840
 being in Christ.

00:46:20.940 --> 00:46:22.200
 And it's very possible this morning

00:46:22.200 --> 00:46:23.640
 that you're not in Christ.

00:46:23.639 --> 00:46:28.559
 That you don't have a security before Him

00:46:28.559 --> 00:46:30.980
 because you've never placed believing faith in Him.

00:46:31.920 --> 00:46:33.719
 There's a lot of trouble in our day

00:46:33.719 --> 00:46:36.279
 with the way we go about

00:46:36.279 --> 00:46:38.059
 presenting the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

00:46:38.199 --> 00:46:40.440
 And I think mostly it's well-intentioned.

00:46:41.079 --> 00:46:45.019
 We want to know that people have placed faith in Christ.

00:46:46.059 --> 00:46:48.039
 And so we do things that

00:46:48.039 --> 00:46:50.799
 at best are well-motivated

00:46:50.799 --> 00:46:52.000
 and can be misleading.

00:46:52.159 --> 00:46:53.339
 At worst are manipulative.

00:46:54.480 --> 00:46:55.900
 To draw people to.

00:46:57.759 --> 00:46:59.440
 Every head bowed.

00:47:00.000 --> 00:47:01.119
 Every eye closed.

00:47:01.259 --> 00:47:02.739
 No one looking around.

00:47:03.079 --> 00:47:03.759
 Things like this.

00:47:04.619 --> 00:47:05.139
 You've been there.

00:47:06.239 --> 00:47:07.139
 I see that hand, brother.

00:47:07.199 --> 00:47:07.739
 I saw that hand.

00:47:07.799 --> 00:47:08.219
 Slipped up.

00:47:08.639 --> 00:47:10.019
 I think there usually wasn't a hand

00:47:10.019 --> 00:47:10.859
 when that happened.

00:47:12.500 --> 00:47:13.579
 These little things.

00:47:13.659 --> 00:47:14.379
 We want you to respond.

00:47:14.440 --> 00:47:15.219
 I think it's well-motivated.

00:47:15.299 --> 00:47:15.779
 Most of the time,

00:47:15.839 --> 00:47:16.859
 I think it's really well-motivated.

00:47:17.719 --> 00:47:19.900
 Respond to the Gospel message.

00:47:20.319 --> 00:47:23.379
 Place your faith in Jesus Christ.

00:47:23.639 --> 00:47:26.619
 And then growing up,

00:47:26.759 --> 00:47:28.559
 I went to, particularly in high school,

00:47:28.659 --> 00:47:29.819
 a very large church.

00:47:30.019 --> 00:47:31.440
 And if you were doubting your salvation,

00:47:31.559 --> 00:47:33.039
 what the pastor there told you was,

00:47:33.579 --> 00:47:34.739
 what you needed to do

00:47:34.739 --> 00:47:37.059
 was you needed to turn to the front of your Bible

00:47:37.059 --> 00:47:38.860
 to that date you had written down

00:47:38.860 --> 00:47:41.599
 when you had walked that aisle in that church

00:47:41.599 --> 00:47:43.719
 and you needed to place your faith in that.

00:47:46.599 --> 00:47:48.259
 It never brought me assurance.

00:47:48.260 --> 00:47:53.740
 That never actually helped me believe that I was in Christ.

00:47:54.740 --> 00:47:56.040
 What does the Bible say?

00:47:56.600 --> 00:47:59.680
 It says, hold your life up to the law.

00:48:00.680 --> 00:48:03.080
 See if your faith in Christ is producing obedience.

00:48:03.720 --> 00:48:06.440
 Not that our obedience makes us accepted,

00:48:06.800 --> 00:48:09.820
 but our acceptance produces obedience.

00:48:09.820 --> 00:48:13.080
 Take a hard look at your life.

00:48:13.760 --> 00:48:16.820
 Make your calling and election sure

00:48:16.820 --> 00:48:20.180
 by paying attention to the way that you live now

00:48:20.180 --> 00:48:22.820
 in response to the Gospel of Christ.

00:48:23.720 --> 00:48:24.840
 The doctrine of regeneration,

00:48:25.160 --> 00:48:26.320
 God changes us.

00:48:26.600 --> 00:48:27.480
 It's not in a moment,

00:48:27.940 --> 00:48:30.559
 but our affections begin to shift

00:48:30.559 --> 00:48:32.019
 away from the world

00:48:32.019 --> 00:48:33.760
 and towards the things of God.

00:48:33.760 --> 00:48:35.920
 I hate my sin

00:48:35.920 --> 00:48:38.720
 and I find that I hate it in greater degree

00:48:38.720 --> 00:48:40.120
 as the days go on.

00:48:40.420 --> 00:48:41.560
 And I love righteousness.

00:48:41.760 --> 00:48:44.020
 I love walking with the Lord.

00:48:45.980 --> 00:48:47.120
 Again, Charles Spurgeon,

00:48:47.260 --> 00:48:48.300
 because you know I love him.

00:48:49.700 --> 00:48:52.880
 If you can sin and not weep over it,

00:48:53.500 --> 00:48:55.260
 you are an heir of hell.

00:48:56.120 --> 00:48:57.600
 If you can go into sin

00:48:57.600 --> 00:49:00.000
 and afterwards feel satisfied to have done so,

00:49:00.380 --> 00:49:02.080
 you are on the road to destruction.

00:49:02.079 --> 00:49:04.960
 If there are no prickings of conscience,

00:49:05.340 --> 00:49:06.659
 no inward torments,

00:49:06.960 --> 00:49:08.340
 no bleeding wounds,

00:49:09.259 --> 00:49:10.920
 don't hurt yourself.

00:49:11.259 --> 00:49:11.920
 That's not what he's saying.

00:49:12.440 --> 00:49:14.360
 If you have no throbs and heavings

00:49:14.360 --> 00:49:16.119
 of a bosom that cannot rest,

00:49:16.460 --> 00:49:19.179
 if your soul never feels filled

00:49:19.179 --> 00:49:20.420
 with wormwood and gall,

00:49:20.779 --> 00:49:22.299
 when you know you have done evil,

00:49:22.699 --> 00:49:24.199
 you are no child of God.

00:49:25.340 --> 00:49:26.639
 And the Spirit of God brings

00:49:26.639 --> 00:49:29.500
 great and deep conviction when we sin.

00:49:29.940 --> 00:49:32.000
 You may feel that this morning.

00:49:33.019 --> 00:49:34.559
 I don't want to give you false assurance.

00:49:34.759 --> 00:49:35.480
 I don't want you to hear me

00:49:35.480 --> 00:49:37.000
 talking about who we are in Christ,

00:49:37.619 --> 00:49:38.840
 clinging to this reality,

00:49:39.199 --> 00:49:41.880
 if you've not been delivered.

00:49:42.779 --> 00:49:43.119
 And beloved,

00:49:43.420 --> 00:49:45.179
 even as we've talked about election,

00:49:45.480 --> 00:49:46.259
 often the question is,

00:49:46.319 --> 00:49:47.039
 well, how do I know?

00:49:47.380 --> 00:49:48.980
 How do I know if I'm elect?

00:49:49.599 --> 00:49:50.380
 Repentant belief.

00:49:50.840 --> 00:49:51.579
 That's how you know.

00:49:54.579 --> 00:49:54.980
 Secondly,

00:49:54.980 --> 00:49:57.380
 when you sin,

00:49:58.380 --> 00:50:00.480
 do you persist in forgetting

00:50:00.480 --> 00:50:01.400
 who you are?

00:50:02.219 --> 00:50:03.260
 As followers of Jesus Christ,

00:50:03.340 --> 00:50:03.920
 we will sin.

00:50:04.900 --> 00:50:06.320
 And I hate that that's a reality,

00:50:06.519 --> 00:50:06.960
 but we will.

00:50:07.639 --> 00:50:08.880
 We're going to mess up.

00:50:08.980 --> 00:50:10.079
 We're going to forget who we are.

00:50:11.039 --> 00:50:11.880
 We're going to sin.

00:50:12.380 --> 00:50:13.960
 Do you persist to forget

00:50:13.960 --> 00:50:14.880
 who you are?

00:50:14.880 --> 00:50:19.180
 Godly sorrow leads to repentance.

00:50:19.680 --> 00:50:21.039
 You need to make a measure of that.

00:50:21.180 --> 00:50:22.760
 Is this the case with you?

00:50:23.599 --> 00:50:25.460
 When you're broken over your sin,

00:50:25.820 --> 00:50:27.420
 do you run back to the cross

00:50:27.420 --> 00:50:28.519
 or do you run away from it?

00:50:29.240 --> 00:50:30.559
 Do you then begin to function

00:50:30.559 --> 00:50:33.480
 out of who you are?

00:50:34.059 --> 00:50:35.099
 I'm going to tell you a quick story.

00:50:35.180 --> 00:50:37.160
 I know I'm going long this morning.

00:50:38.159 --> 00:50:39.259
 Last Sunday morning,

00:50:39.359 --> 00:50:40.819
 we met Christmas Day,

00:50:41.420 --> 00:50:44.539
 and I think my sermon bombed.

00:50:46.279 --> 00:50:47.759
 When I finished preaching,

00:50:48.019 --> 00:50:50.339
 I just felt horrible about it.

00:50:51.279 --> 00:50:52.599
 I was really, really tired.

00:50:52.819 --> 00:50:54.399
 I couldn't get words out of my mouth

00:50:54.399 --> 00:50:55.139
 or just some things.

00:50:55.279 --> 00:50:59.599
 I couldn't even form sentences at times.

00:50:59.839 --> 00:51:01.399
 I should have prepared more.

00:51:01.480 --> 00:51:02.500
 I should have slept more.

00:51:02.579 --> 00:51:04.079
 I should have prayed more fervently.

00:51:04.759 --> 00:51:06.379
 And when I got done preaching,

00:51:06.380 --> 00:51:08.099
 I felt dumb.

00:51:08.820 --> 00:51:10.300
 I felt embarrassed.

00:51:11.079 --> 00:51:13.760
 It was crushing to me.

00:51:14.160 --> 00:51:14.559
 Why?

00:51:16.500 --> 00:51:18.480
 Why was it affecting me so deeply?

00:51:19.059 --> 00:51:20.300
 Was there some repentance necessary?

00:51:20.380 --> 00:51:20.900
 I think so.

00:51:20.960 --> 00:51:21.340
 You may not,

00:51:21.400 --> 00:51:21.880
 if you were here,

00:51:22.059 --> 00:51:23.160
 you don't have to come up and tell me

00:51:23.160 --> 00:51:24.480
 that you thought it was great.

00:51:24.680 --> 00:51:25.380
 Praise God.

00:51:25.579 --> 00:51:27.220
 He used it some way.

00:51:28.820 --> 00:51:29.900
 I needed to repent.

00:51:30.200 --> 00:51:30.700
 There were some things

00:51:30.700 --> 00:51:32.039
 that I needed to confess to God.

00:51:32.599 --> 00:51:34.220
 But why was it crushing to me?

00:51:34.219 --> 00:51:34.339
 Why?

00:51:35.339 --> 00:51:37.659
 It's because I worship myself too much sometimes.

00:51:38.379 --> 00:51:38.480
 Right?

00:51:39.079 --> 00:51:41.759
 Because in some measure in my mind,

00:51:41.859 --> 00:51:42.819
 if I preach well,

00:51:42.939 --> 00:51:43.799
 I'm accepted by God.

00:51:44.439 --> 00:51:46.419
 That's never why I'm accepted by God.

00:51:47.379 --> 00:51:47.959
 It's never.

00:51:48.480 --> 00:51:49.519
 Laboring and preaching

00:51:49.519 --> 00:51:51.239
 is an obedient response

00:51:51.239 --> 00:51:53.179
 to what He's already done for me.

00:51:54.219 --> 00:51:55.699
 So the meditation of my heart

00:51:55.699 --> 00:51:57.279
 last Sunday afternoon

00:51:57.279 --> 00:51:59.219
 as we went on to other Christmas activities

00:51:59.219 --> 00:52:02.199
 had to be who am I?

00:52:02.879 --> 00:52:05.699
 And who made me who I am?

00:52:06.500 --> 00:52:07.539
 It's never my activity.

00:52:08.699 --> 00:52:10.379
 That's the motivation for confession.

00:52:11.159 --> 00:52:12.980
 Godly sorrow to go and repent.

00:52:13.519 --> 00:52:14.819
 I failed in some ways, Lord.

00:52:15.899 --> 00:52:17.480
 Thank you for loving me in Christ

00:52:17.480 --> 00:52:18.679
 in spite of me.

00:52:19.679 --> 00:52:20.659
 So when you sin,

00:52:21.459 --> 00:52:22.519
 do you persist in sin?

00:52:22.619 --> 00:52:24.259
 Do you persist in forgetting

00:52:24.259 --> 00:52:26.199
 who you are?

00:52:26.199 --> 00:52:27.899
 And the last question,

00:52:29.000 --> 00:52:30.659
 what do you love more

00:52:30.659 --> 00:52:32.559
 than being loved by God

00:52:32.559 --> 00:52:33.739
 and Jesus Christ?

00:52:34.259 --> 00:52:36.199
 There's nothing higher.

00:52:37.259 --> 00:52:39.779
 The very end of Romans chapter 8

00:52:39.779 --> 00:52:41.839
 ought to warm your heart

00:52:41.839 --> 00:52:43.779
 to boiling.

00:52:44.779 --> 00:52:46.579
 You ought to see the way

00:52:46.579 --> 00:52:48.079
 in which God has loved you

00:52:48.079 --> 00:52:51.519
 and be impassioned by that.

00:52:51.519 --> 00:52:53.679
 So what do you love more

00:52:53.679 --> 00:52:55.940
 than being loved by God

00:52:55.940 --> 00:52:57.699
 and Jesus Christ?

00:52:58.199 --> 00:52:59.159
 Beloved, if you can

00:52:59.159 --> 00:53:00.340
 pick up this truth,

00:53:00.440 --> 00:53:01.420
 if we can work together

00:53:01.420 --> 00:53:02.320
 by grace

00:53:02.320 --> 00:53:03.199
 to stop forgetting

00:53:03.199 --> 00:53:04.880
 who we are,

00:53:04.960 --> 00:53:05.880
 I promise you will see

00:53:05.880 --> 00:53:07.619
 a great progression

00:53:07.619 --> 00:53:08.759
 in your sanctification.

00:53:09.539 --> 00:53:10.539
 Believing the gospel

00:53:10.539 --> 00:53:11.519
 of Jesus Christ

00:53:11.519 --> 00:53:12.400
 and moving through

00:53:12.400 --> 00:53:13.139
 each and every day.

00:53:13.380 --> 00:53:13.699
 Remember,

00:53:14.000 --> 00:53:14.539
 these doctrines

00:53:14.539 --> 00:53:15.440
 don't just stay alive

00:53:15.440 --> 00:53:15.800
 in our mind.

00:53:15.880 --> 00:53:16.679
 They have to be fed.

00:53:17.019 --> 00:53:18.320
 You've got to read your Bible.

00:53:18.679 --> 00:53:20.259
 The Bible is rich

00:53:20.260 --> 00:53:20.960
 with the gospel

00:53:20.960 --> 00:53:21.600
 of Jesus Christ,

00:53:21.680 --> 00:53:22.980
 reminding us who we are.

00:53:23.240 --> 00:53:24.740
 I need it every day.

00:53:25.020 --> 00:53:26.020
 Who am I?

00:53:26.840 --> 00:53:28.400
 Helps produce the obedience

00:53:28.400 --> 00:53:29.620
 required of me

00:53:29.620 --> 00:53:30.960
 in that day.

00:53:31.560 --> 00:53:32.240
 We need to be preaching

00:53:32.240 --> 00:53:32.960
 it to one another.

00:53:33.080 --> 00:53:34.040
 That's why community faith

00:53:34.040 --> 00:53:35.600
 is so important.

00:53:36.180 --> 00:53:37.340
 And even this morning

00:53:37.340 --> 00:53:38.980
 as our crowd was forming

00:53:38.980 --> 00:53:39.960
 and it was smaller

00:53:39.960 --> 00:53:40.860
 than it often is,

00:53:40.900 --> 00:53:41.640
 I'm thinking about people

00:53:41.640 --> 00:53:42.660
 that might need to hear this

00:53:42.660 --> 00:53:43.400
 but are missing it.

00:53:43.640 --> 00:53:44.400
 The wonderful thing

00:53:44.400 --> 00:53:45.200
 about the truth of God

00:53:45.200 --> 00:53:45.840
 is that it doesn't have

00:53:45.840 --> 00:53:46.560
 to come from me.

00:53:47.340 --> 00:53:48.160
 But you can speak

00:53:48.160 --> 00:53:48.800
 the truth of God

00:53:48.800 --> 00:53:49.600
 to your friends.

00:53:49.599 --> 00:53:51.239
 And I promise you

00:53:51.239 --> 00:53:52.119
 as your friends

00:53:52.119 --> 00:53:53.679
 are walking through trial,

00:53:54.380 --> 00:53:55.799
 as they're considering

00:53:55.799 --> 00:53:56.739
 tough things,

00:53:57.000 --> 00:53:58.199
 as they're sinning

00:53:58.199 --> 00:53:59.319
 and not repenting well,

00:53:59.380 --> 00:54:00.259
 they need to hear this.

00:54:00.559 --> 00:54:01.579
 But who are you?

00:54:02.059 --> 00:54:03.319
 Don't forget who you are.

00:54:03.719 --> 00:54:04.360
 You've been accepted

00:54:04.360 --> 00:54:06.000
 by God in Christ.

00:54:06.799 --> 00:54:07.239
 Repent

00:54:07.239 --> 00:54:08.079
 and turn

00:54:08.079 --> 00:54:09.819
 back to Him.

00:54:09.900 --> 00:54:10.699
 And so I would encourage you

00:54:10.699 --> 00:54:12.239
 to consider this truth

00:54:12.239 --> 00:54:12.779
 for yourself

00:54:12.779 --> 00:54:14.699
 and then to propagate it

00:54:14.699 --> 00:54:15.259
 widely.

00:54:15.420 --> 00:54:15.960
 Let's pray together.

00:54:15.960 --> 00:54:16.039
 Amen.

00:54:16.039 --> 00:54:16.039


00:54:16.039 --> 00:54:16.039