WEBVTT 00:00:00.520 --> 00:00:08.400 Heavenly Father, I thank you for this building. I thank you we have a place to come and worship you. 00:00:09.120 --> 00:00:16.580 I also thank you that we have the technology to worship, for people to come and worship with you online. 00:00:18.500 --> 00:00:24.019 Father, I admit that this text that I just read encourages people. 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:31.960 It may make people angry. It may make people feel discouraged or confused. 00:00:33.140 --> 00:00:39.299 But whatever people are feeling, Lord, I just ask that you administer to our hearts, to our minds, 00:00:39.640 --> 00:00:44.840 that your Holy Spirit would be present and that we would just be focused on you. 00:00:44.960 --> 00:00:47.340 Everything else, all distractions, would just fall away. 00:00:47.899 --> 00:00:50.420 And I pray this in Jesus' name. Amen. 00:00:50.420 --> 00:00:50.579 Amen. 00:00:53.480 --> 00:00:57.440 So over the holidays, me and my wife, we watch a lot on Netflix. 00:00:58.060 --> 00:01:00.700 And there's a new movie that just came up. 00:01:01.060 --> 00:01:04.359 I believe it came out on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. 00:01:04.980 --> 00:01:06.579 And the movie's called Don't Look Up. 00:01:07.400 --> 00:01:09.159 And I'm just going to say I'm not here to promote it. 00:01:09.219 --> 00:01:10.820 I'm not here to say you should watch it. 00:01:11.879 --> 00:01:15.180 I'm just, you can decide that for yourself. 00:01:15.180 --> 00:01:19.640 But the premise of the movie, without giving any spoilers or anything of that away, 00:01:20.480 --> 00:01:23.340 is about, it's an end-of-the-world genre movie. 00:01:24.300 --> 00:01:30.120 There's a big meteor, which you find out right away, is coming towards Earth to destroy it. 00:01:30.340 --> 00:01:33.900 And people are scrambling all over the world trying to figure out what to do. 00:01:34.160 --> 00:01:38.700 It's basically a modern version of the movie Armageddon that came out many years ago, 00:01:39.080 --> 00:01:41.760 just without the Aerosmith song in it. 00:01:41.760 --> 00:01:49.140 And there's two prayers that I want to take from this movie that happened at some points in the movie. 00:01:49.180 --> 00:01:49.960 I don't want to give it away. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:51.939 And there's two of them. 00:01:52.439 --> 00:01:53.359 So I'm just going to read them. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:55.380 I wrote them down, so I'll just read them out right now. 00:01:56.820 --> 00:01:57.860 So the first one. 00:02:00.160 --> 00:02:02.439 Dearest Father and Almighty Creator, 00:02:02.439 --> 00:02:07.480 We ask for your grace tonight, despite our pride. 00:02:08.280 --> 00:02:11.379 Your forgiveness, despite our doubt. 00:02:12.579 --> 00:02:18.199 Most of all, Lord, we ask for your love to see us through these dark times. 00:02:19.460 --> 00:02:22.960 May we face whatever is to come in your divine will, 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:27.099 with courage and open hearts of acceptance. 00:02:27.960 --> 00:02:28.340 Amen. 00:02:28.340 --> 00:02:33.420 And in the second prayer, I'll just say that the person who does pray this prayer in the movie, 00:02:34.120 --> 00:02:39.439 they are speaking in front of a camera, and they're addressing a nation. 00:02:42.300 --> 00:02:43.280 So here it is. 00:02:44.099 --> 00:02:48.219 I've been noticing a lot of prayers recently for people during this time, 00:02:48.640 --> 00:02:49.560 and I commend that. 00:02:49.560 --> 00:02:53.240 But I also want to give a prayer for stuff. 00:02:54.060 --> 00:02:56.659 There's dope stuff, like material stuff, 00:02:57.020 --> 00:03:00.960 like sick apartments, and watches, and cars, and clothes. 00:03:01.800 --> 00:03:03.259 And that could all go away. 00:03:03.520 --> 00:03:05.699 And I don't want to see that stuff go away. 00:03:06.420 --> 00:03:08.539 So I'm going to say a prayer for that stuff. 00:03:09.240 --> 00:03:09.719 Amen. 00:03:11.800 --> 00:03:15.840 Now, there's quite a big stark contrast between these two prayers. 00:03:15.840 --> 00:03:18.060 But I bring these prayers up, I quote them, 00:03:18.719 --> 00:03:21.259 because the text we're looking at today, 00:03:22.080 --> 00:03:24.719 these prayers speak directly to that text. 00:03:24.840 --> 00:03:27.340 The text brings to light what these prayers are about, 00:03:27.460 --> 00:03:29.080 and they do an excellent job. 00:03:29.620 --> 00:03:31.480 I'm not saying the characters within the movie 00:03:31.480 --> 00:03:34.659 do a good job at representing what they pray, 00:03:35.740 --> 00:03:37.759 but the texts do an excellent job. 00:03:39.360 --> 00:03:41.420 And in this text, the text talks about 00:03:41.420 --> 00:03:44.560 there's only two ways of life to live, 00:03:44.560 --> 00:03:46.439 and that's a life in the spirit 00:03:46.439 --> 00:03:47.840 or a life in the flesh. 00:03:49.020 --> 00:03:50.979 So if you haven't yet, turn to Romans 8, 00:03:51.539 --> 00:03:53.340 verses 1 to 11. 00:03:53.560 --> 00:03:54.819 Please do so now. 00:04:00.319 --> 00:04:01.980 In just a brief context, 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:05.400 Paul is writing to a heavily persecuted church. 00:04:05.699 --> 00:04:08.939 This church is being persecuted by the Roman emperor. 00:04:09.500 --> 00:04:10.520 They're being martyred. 00:04:11.039 --> 00:04:12.140 They're being tortured. 00:04:12.139 --> 00:04:14.699 They're being ostracized, isolated. 00:04:14.979 --> 00:04:17.459 They're being forced to hide. 00:04:18.039 --> 00:04:20.399 They're forced to not walk the streets. 00:04:20.479 --> 00:04:22.959 They have to do everything in hiding 00:04:22.959 --> 00:04:23.839 because they'll get killed. 00:04:23.919 --> 00:04:24.500 They'll get martyred. 00:04:26.779 --> 00:04:29.099 And earlier, Paul, in the book of Romans, 00:04:29.199 --> 00:04:32.379 he writes about basically what he says in summary. 00:04:32.599 --> 00:04:35.599 All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 00:04:36.099 --> 00:04:38.019 and no one is capable of pleasing God. 00:04:38.019 --> 00:04:40.099 And then he gets to chapter 8. 00:04:41.979 --> 00:04:44.439 And some people have said that this chapter 00:04:44.439 --> 00:04:48.079 is the inner sanctuary within the cathedral 00:04:48.079 --> 00:04:49.599 of the Christian faith, 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:54.319 the tree of life in the midst of the Garden of Eden, 00:04:54.859 --> 00:04:57.779 the highest peak in a range of mountains. 00:04:57.779 --> 00:05:02.179 I don't know how many people here have hiked a mountain, 00:05:02.579 --> 00:05:03.699 gotten to the top. 00:05:04.779 --> 00:05:07.359 But as you're cresting the mountain to the peak, 00:05:07.819 --> 00:05:10.699 your view is always disruptive. 00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:13.779 You don't get a perfect view until you get to the very top 00:05:13.779 --> 00:05:15.799 because the ground is going up in front of you. 00:05:16.419 --> 00:05:18.379 And once you crest the mountain, 00:05:18.699 --> 00:05:19.799 there's a perfect view, 00:05:19.919 --> 00:05:21.919 a perfect 360 panorama view. 00:05:22.479 --> 00:05:24.899 And the only thing that obstructs your view, 00:05:25.339 --> 00:05:26.819 it would be other mountain peaks. 00:05:26.819 --> 00:05:29.899 But what people are saying for this chapter 00:05:29.899 --> 00:05:31.560 in the book of Romans 00:05:31.560 --> 00:05:35.259 is that it is the Everest of all mountains, 00:05:35.519 --> 00:05:38.180 the Everest of the book of Romans. 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:40.139 It's the highlight, the crescendo. 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:43.100 So I'll begin in verse 1. 00:05:45.779 --> 00:05:49.039 There is therefore now no condemnation 00:05:49.039 --> 00:05:50.800 for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:05:52.159 --> 00:05:54.240 For the law of the Spirit of life 00:05:54.240 --> 00:05:55.980 has set you free in Christ Jesus 00:05:55.980 --> 00:05:57.800 from the law of sin and death. 00:05:58.960 --> 00:06:01.680 Now I know I might have lost some view 00:06:01.680 --> 00:06:03.560 as soon as you hear the word law. 00:06:04.660 --> 00:06:05.840 Some of you might be thinking 00:06:05.840 --> 00:06:07.540 or saying to yourselves right now, 00:06:07.960 --> 00:06:08.759 oh, those Christians, 00:06:09.140 --> 00:06:11.280 all about the rules and missing out on life. 00:06:11.540 --> 00:06:13.180 They always have to talk about laws, 00:06:13.620 --> 00:06:15.020 things you must do differently, 00:06:15.240 --> 00:06:16.520 things you have to do like this. 00:06:16.819 --> 00:06:19.080 You must bow or get up at that certain time. 00:06:19.079 --> 00:06:22.539 And that's a legitimate thing to think or say. 00:06:23.039 --> 00:06:25.519 I thought the same thing before becoming a Christian. 00:06:26.620 --> 00:06:28.519 But another way you could read this verse 00:06:28.519 --> 00:06:30.419 is by switching law to worldview. 00:06:31.300 --> 00:06:33.560 And I'll just read it again with that in mind. 00:06:33.560 --> 00:06:37.420 For the worldview of the Spirit of life 00:06:37.420 --> 00:06:39.540 has set you free in Christ Jesus 00:06:39.540 --> 00:06:42.079 from the worldview of sin and death. 00:06:43.980 --> 00:06:46.120 And also when you hear the word law 00:06:46.120 --> 00:06:47.660 or read the word law in the Bible, 00:06:48.300 --> 00:06:50.220 it's speaking about the Mosaic law. 00:06:50.759 --> 00:06:53.759 And that was given to Israel in the book of Exodus 00:06:53.759 --> 00:06:56.579 for a time when they're right on the precipice 00:06:56.579 --> 00:06:58.259 of going through the threshold 00:06:58.259 --> 00:06:59.779 into the promised land 00:06:59.779 --> 00:07:01.680 that God has promised them 00:07:01.680 --> 00:07:03.500 all up until this point. 00:07:03.959 --> 00:07:05.099 And he gives them a law, 00:07:05.719 --> 00:07:06.219 the way, 00:07:06.579 --> 00:07:07.480 it gives them a worldview 00:07:07.480 --> 00:07:09.120 and a way to live 00:07:09.120 --> 00:07:10.699 that's different from the people 00:07:10.699 --> 00:07:11.860 within the promised land. 00:07:12.719 --> 00:07:14.219 God gave them a way 00:07:14.219 --> 00:07:15.819 that they would be different, 00:07:15.939 --> 00:07:17.079 that they wouldn't become distracted 00:07:17.079 --> 00:07:19.500 by the gods within that land, 00:07:19.860 --> 00:07:21.019 wouldn't become distracted 00:07:21.019 --> 00:07:22.939 by the beliefs, 00:07:23.159 --> 00:07:24.039 by what they did. 00:07:24.459 --> 00:07:26.099 God wanted them to be a people 00:07:26.099 --> 00:07:27.360 focused on him. 00:07:27.360 --> 00:07:29.120 He wanted their hearts. 00:07:29.300 --> 00:07:30.379 The whole point of the law 00:07:30.379 --> 00:07:31.720 was for their hearts 00:07:31.720 --> 00:07:33.060 to be focused on him 00:07:33.060 --> 00:07:34.920 and not on the things surrounding. 00:07:35.520 --> 00:07:37.379 He wanted them to delight in him 00:07:37.379 --> 00:07:38.680 for he is holy. 00:07:38.819 --> 00:07:40.300 He wanted his people to be holy. 00:07:44.300 --> 00:07:46.199 Now everyone has worldviews. 00:07:46.300 --> 00:07:47.319 We can't deny that. 00:07:48.100 --> 00:07:49.660 Where your worldview is 00:07:49.660 --> 00:07:50.660 is where your heart is. 00:07:51.540 --> 00:07:53.120 And God loved his people so much 00:07:53.120 --> 00:07:54.720 he gave them something to help them. 00:07:57.360 --> 00:07:58.680 But the reaction, 00:08:00.060 --> 00:08:00.520 oh here, 00:08:00.740 --> 00:08:01.840 Christians are obsessed, 00:08:01.980 --> 00:08:03.780 always obsessed with rules and laws 00:08:03.780 --> 00:08:05.020 and missing out on life. 00:08:05.220 --> 00:08:07.020 They never want people to have fun. 00:08:08.000 --> 00:08:09.180 It's very common. 00:08:10.300 --> 00:08:12.259 And if we're honest with ourselves, 00:08:13.259 --> 00:08:15.660 many of us 00:08:15.660 --> 00:08:19.460 who have put their faith and trust in Jesus 00:08:19.460 --> 00:08:22.699 probably think the same thing as well. 00:08:22.699 --> 00:08:25.319 How many of us can truly say 00:08:25.319 --> 00:08:28.180 that if our world was totally destroyed, 00:08:28.719 --> 00:08:31.279 we would pray that first prayer that I read? 00:08:32.379 --> 00:08:34.439 I think many of us would pray the second. 00:08:35.799 --> 00:08:37.340 I think many of us would pray, 00:08:37.559 --> 00:08:40.279 but I also want to give a prayer for stuff. 00:08:41.399 --> 00:08:42.720 There's dope stuff, Lord. 00:08:43.279 --> 00:08:44.700 Like material stuff. 00:08:44.899 --> 00:08:46.600 Like sick apartments that I could get. 00:08:46.600 --> 00:08:49.320 And watches and cars and clothes that I want to wear. 00:08:50.180 --> 00:08:51.560 And that could all go away 00:08:51.560 --> 00:08:53.540 if the world was to end. 00:08:53.779 --> 00:08:55.080 And I don't want to see that happen. 00:08:58.759 --> 00:09:00.360 We've all created identities 00:09:00.360 --> 00:09:02.360 for our lives 00:09:02.360 --> 00:09:05.000 that at first sign of destruction 00:09:05.000 --> 00:09:07.440 we would pray for the second prayer. 00:09:07.440 --> 00:09:10.500 Many people, 00:09:10.980 --> 00:09:13.100 when the stock market crashed, 00:09:13.200 --> 00:09:14.020 put all their money, 00:09:14.440 --> 00:09:16.080 all their faith into that system. 00:09:16.320 --> 00:09:17.240 And then it crashed. 00:09:18.040 --> 00:09:18.940 And many of them, 00:09:19.440 --> 00:09:20.760 a lot of them took their lives 00:09:20.760 --> 00:09:21.820 because they were so, 00:09:22.220 --> 00:09:24.300 their whole identity in material wealth 00:09:24.300 --> 00:09:25.780 was gone, 00:09:26.020 --> 00:09:26.580 was lost. 00:09:26.700 --> 00:09:28.620 They lost it in the blink of an eye. 00:09:30.640 --> 00:09:32.100 Or it could also be someone 00:09:32.100 --> 00:09:35.440 who has put all their focus 00:09:35.440 --> 00:09:36.840 on knowledge, 00:09:37.080 --> 00:09:38.020 on gaining knowledge, 00:09:38.260 --> 00:09:38.960 on studying. 00:09:39.780 --> 00:09:40.380 And then they could have, 00:09:40.620 --> 00:09:42.220 maybe something happens to their mind 00:09:42.220 --> 00:09:43.080 or to their eyesight. 00:09:43.480 --> 00:09:45.300 And they become completely lost. 00:09:45.480 --> 00:09:46.020 And they don't know 00:09:46.020 --> 00:09:47.300 what to do with themselves anymore. 00:09:48.780 --> 00:09:50.160 See, everyone has an identity. 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:51.700 Humanity is obsessed 00:09:51.700 --> 00:09:53.200 with self-gratification. 00:09:53.760 --> 00:09:54.740 And that's what this text 00:09:54.740 --> 00:09:55.780 is talking about here. 00:09:55.860 --> 00:09:56.780 It's bringing to light 00:09:56.780 --> 00:09:57.980 what it means. 00:09:58.120 --> 00:09:59.240 You can either live this life 00:09:59.240 --> 00:10:00.000 or that life. 00:10:01.560 --> 00:10:03.320 Humanity is obsessed with slogans. 00:10:03.800 --> 00:10:05.060 Like, be true to yourself. 00:10:06.260 --> 00:10:06.920 My truth. 00:10:07.020 --> 00:10:08.100 Don't mess with my truth. 00:10:08.640 --> 00:10:10.100 See, humanity has been locked 00:10:10.100 --> 00:10:10.980 into this mindset, 00:10:11.360 --> 00:10:12.400 as the Bible says, 00:10:12.900 --> 00:10:14.460 since the beginning in Genesis. 00:10:15.460 --> 00:10:16.420 Since it fell. 00:10:17.700 --> 00:10:19.260 And it's become so bad lately 00:10:19.260 --> 00:10:21.420 that if you have a different opinion 00:10:21.420 --> 00:10:22.100 or worldview 00:10:22.100 --> 00:10:23.640 from what the culture demands, 00:10:24.140 --> 00:10:25.660 it's called hate speech. 00:10:27.420 --> 00:10:28.540 You get canceled. 00:10:29.540 --> 00:10:31.880 Or even saying you believe in science, 00:10:31.879 --> 00:10:33.820 you can face jail time 00:10:33.820 --> 00:10:35.840 or be called narrow-minded. 00:10:37.100 --> 00:10:39.340 But isn't that in itself 00:10:39.340 --> 00:10:40.379 narrow-mindedness? 00:10:41.240 --> 00:10:42.799 And with all that in mind, 00:10:43.259 --> 00:10:44.939 we can read the next verses 00:10:44.939 --> 00:10:46.120 of what Paul writes. 00:10:48.200 --> 00:10:50.320 I'm just going to take a sip of water first. 00:10:50.320 --> 00:10:59.360 See, Paul writes about all that 00:10:59.360 --> 00:11:01.920 in the previous chapters. 00:11:01.920 --> 00:11:04.820 And then he gets to chapter 8. 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:06.700 And in these next verses, 00:11:06.900 --> 00:11:07.400 he says, 00:11:07.399 --> 00:11:29.379 You see, 00:11:29.379 --> 00:11:31.159 when you read the word flesh, 00:11:31.200 --> 00:11:32.179 it seems kind of odd. 00:11:32.240 --> 00:11:33.700 Like, why would Paul be writing 00:11:33.700 --> 00:11:34.559 about his skin? 00:11:34.980 --> 00:11:36.600 But what he actually means 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:37.879 is when he says flesh, 00:11:38.259 --> 00:11:40.179 he's talking about a worldview, 00:11:40.659 --> 00:11:42.299 an orientation of the heart 00:11:42.299 --> 00:11:43.120 and the mind. 00:11:43.980 --> 00:11:45.539 So that's what he's talking about. 00:11:45.980 --> 00:11:47.220 And then he talks about also 00:11:47.220 --> 00:11:48.039 in those verses 00:11:48.039 --> 00:11:49.019 that God, 00:11:49.279 --> 00:11:51.600 knowing that humans 00:11:51.600 --> 00:11:53.639 cannot save themselves 00:11:53.639 --> 00:11:54.419 from their selves, 00:11:54.419 --> 00:11:56.319 He sent his Son. 00:11:56.839 --> 00:11:57.919 He sent his Son 00:11:57.919 --> 00:11:59.179 to walk among us, 00:11:59.659 --> 00:12:01.039 to be fully flesh, 00:12:01.099 --> 00:12:01.860 but fully God. 00:12:03.120 --> 00:12:04.679 And he dwelt among us, 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:06.240 and he lived a perfect life. 00:12:07.139 --> 00:12:08.099 And then he took on 00:12:08.099 --> 00:12:09.439 the sin, 00:12:09.679 --> 00:12:10.599 the criminal's death 00:12:10.599 --> 00:12:11.419 that we deserved, 00:12:11.479 --> 00:12:12.519 and died on the cross, 00:12:12.559 --> 00:12:13.599 and then he rose again. 00:12:14.799 --> 00:12:15.039 See, 00:12:15.459 --> 00:12:17.199 it required the ultimate sacrifice 00:12:17.199 --> 00:12:18.939 to be saved from ourselves. 00:12:19.480 --> 00:12:20.779 And it could only be done 00:12:20.779 --> 00:12:22.699 through the Son of God, 00:12:22.819 --> 00:12:23.539 Jesus Christ. 00:12:25.159 --> 00:12:25.899 And then, 00:12:26.579 --> 00:12:26.979 the issue, 00:12:27.259 --> 00:12:28.799 the law that I talked about earlier, 00:12:28.919 --> 00:12:29.620 the Mosaic Law, 00:12:29.939 --> 00:12:30.919 the issue that happened 00:12:30.919 --> 00:12:32.099 because the human heart 00:12:32.099 --> 00:12:32.819 is so corrupt 00:12:32.819 --> 00:12:34.559 that they tried to make it 00:12:34.559 --> 00:12:35.479 the ultimate, 00:12:35.699 --> 00:12:36.759 the ultimate thing 00:12:36.759 --> 00:12:37.799 for them to become saved, 00:12:37.879 --> 00:12:38.959 that they followed this rule, 00:12:39.079 --> 00:12:39.459 this rule, 00:12:39.559 --> 00:12:40.000 this rule, 00:12:40.099 --> 00:12:41.159 that they would be 00:12:41.159 --> 00:12:42.439 almost in a sense enlightened. 00:12:43.419 --> 00:12:44.699 But that's not the case. 00:12:45.759 --> 00:12:47.219 Because Christ came 00:12:47.219 --> 00:12:48.740 while we were still sinners 00:12:48.740 --> 00:12:49.899 and lost in ourselves. 00:12:50.419 --> 00:12:50.659 You see, 00:12:50.699 --> 00:12:51.379 it's by faith, 00:12:51.459 --> 00:12:52.279 not by works. 00:12:52.959 --> 00:12:53.980 It's for those 00:12:53.980 --> 00:12:55.080 who have put their faith 00:12:55.080 --> 00:12:55.960 and trust in Jesus 00:12:55.960 --> 00:12:57.519 will have eternal life. 00:12:57.899 --> 00:12:58.659 Not those 00:12:58.659 --> 00:12:59.840 who have done this, 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:00.700 this, and this 00:13:00.700 --> 00:13:01.800 will have eternal life. 00:13:02.920 --> 00:13:04.200 And the liberating work 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:04.820 of the Spirit 00:13:04.820 --> 00:13:06.920 only takes place 00:13:06.920 --> 00:13:07.639 in the context 00:13:07.639 --> 00:13:08.680 of Christ's work. 00:13:10.460 --> 00:13:11.539 And if we continue 00:13:11.539 --> 00:13:12.580 in verse 5, 00:13:12.580 --> 00:13:13.580 verse 6, 00:13:13.580 --> 00:13:14.300 verse 6, 00:13:14.300 --> 00:13:14.960 verse 6, 00:13:14.960 --> 00:13:16.759 for those who live 00:13:16.759 --> 00:13:17.820 according to the flesh 00:13:17.820 --> 00:13:19.620 set their minds 00:13:19.620 --> 00:13:20.160 on the things 00:13:20.160 --> 00:13:20.800 of the flesh. 00:13:21.800 --> 00:13:23.280 But those who live 00:13:23.280 --> 00:13:24.400 according to the Spirit 00:13:24.400 --> 00:13:25.400 set their minds 00:13:25.400 --> 00:13:26.020 on the things 00:13:26.020 --> 00:13:26.639 of the Spirit. 00:13:27.460 --> 00:13:28.680 For to set the mind 00:13:28.680 --> 00:13:29.300 on the flesh 00:13:29.300 --> 00:13:29.860 is death, 00:13:30.620 --> 00:13:31.780 but to set the mind 00:13:31.780 --> 00:13:32.300 on the Spirit 00:13:32.300 --> 00:13:33.600 is life and peace. 00:13:34.460 --> 00:13:35.560 For the mind 00:13:35.560 --> 00:13:36.280 that is set 00:13:36.280 --> 00:13:37.680 on the flesh 00:13:37.680 --> 00:13:38.879 is hostile to God, 00:13:39.480 --> 00:13:40.300 for it does not 00:13:40.300 --> 00:13:41.379 submit to God's law. 00:13:41.379 --> 00:13:42.460 Indeed, it cannot. 00:13:43.879 --> 00:13:44.720 Those who are 00:13:44.720 --> 00:13:45.259 in the flesh 00:13:45.259 --> 00:13:46.220 cannot please God. 00:13:49.399 --> 00:13:50.659 When an athlete... 00:13:50.659 --> 00:13:52.139 I'm losing my voice. 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:53.379 When an athlete... 00:13:53.379 --> 00:14:00.740 When an athlete trains, 00:14:01.939 --> 00:14:02.679 they're oriented 00:14:02.679 --> 00:14:03.399 for a goal. 00:14:05.320 --> 00:14:06.399 And that goal 00:14:06.399 --> 00:14:07.980 motivates all their actions 00:14:07.980 --> 00:14:08.860 that they do, 00:14:09.399 --> 00:14:10.580 following up to that goal 00:14:10.580 --> 00:14:11.159 they want to reach, 00:14:11.159 --> 00:14:11.600 whether it's 00:14:11.600 --> 00:14:12.419 an Olympic medal 00:14:12.419 --> 00:14:14.559 or a 5k race 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:15.240 they want to run 00:14:15.240 --> 00:14:16.679 or something like that 00:14:16.679 --> 00:14:17.259 or a weight 00:14:17.259 --> 00:14:17.899 they want to lift. 00:14:18.000 --> 00:14:18.980 Everything they do 00:14:18.980 --> 00:14:20.120 is oriented to it. 00:14:21.079 --> 00:14:22.240 And there's nothing wrong 00:14:22.240 --> 00:14:23.759 with Christian athletes. 00:14:25.620 --> 00:14:27.079 But when it comes down 00:14:27.079 --> 00:14:27.360 to it, 00:14:27.379 --> 00:14:27.759 it comes down 00:14:27.759 --> 00:14:28.439 to the identity. 00:14:29.500 --> 00:14:30.419 Does the goal 00:14:30.419 --> 00:14:31.639 replace God? 00:14:32.120 --> 00:14:32.939 Are you living 00:14:32.939 --> 00:14:33.740 for your flesh 00:14:33.740 --> 00:14:34.719 or are you living 00:14:34.719 --> 00:14:35.379 for the Spirit? 00:14:36.019 --> 00:14:36.779 What is your mind 00:14:36.779 --> 00:14:37.500 thinking about? 00:14:37.500 --> 00:14:39.320 You see, 00:14:39.419 --> 00:14:40.100 those verses 00:14:40.100 --> 00:14:40.860 I just read, 00:14:41.919 --> 00:14:43.220 there's action words 00:14:43.220 --> 00:14:44.159 within those verses. 00:14:45.059 --> 00:14:46.299 There's walk, 00:14:46.740 --> 00:14:47.639 live, 00:14:48.259 --> 00:14:48.919 and set. 00:14:51.440 --> 00:14:51.840 Now, 00:14:51.840 --> 00:14:52.139 some of you 00:14:52.139 --> 00:14:52.700 might be asking, 00:14:52.799 --> 00:14:53.519 what does that look like 00:14:53.519 --> 00:14:54.139 for a Christian? 00:14:54.720 --> 00:14:55.379 What does it look like 00:14:55.379 --> 00:14:55.860 for a Christian 00:14:55.860 --> 00:14:57.120 to live by the Spirit? 00:14:58.919 --> 00:14:59.639 Well, walk, 00:14:59.700 --> 00:15:00.100 that could be 00:15:00.100 --> 00:15:00.919 going to church, 00:15:01.360 --> 00:15:02.080 reading scripture, 00:15:02.080 --> 00:15:03.120 or volunteering 00:15:03.120 --> 00:15:04.020 within the church. 00:15:05.280 --> 00:15:06.200 When live, 00:15:06.259 --> 00:15:07.139 what does that look like? 00:15:07.220 --> 00:15:07.540 It could be 00:15:07.540 --> 00:15:08.460 an outward appearance. 00:15:08.580 --> 00:15:09.160 Do you talk about 00:15:09.160 --> 00:15:10.040 your faith with people, 00:15:10.280 --> 00:15:11.080 people who do not 00:15:11.080 --> 00:15:11.660 know the Lord? 00:15:12.620 --> 00:15:13.300 Do you attend 00:15:13.300 --> 00:15:14.020 a small group? 00:15:14.180 --> 00:15:14.639 And then there's 00:15:14.639 --> 00:15:15.460 set the mind, 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:16.420 and that is 00:15:16.420 --> 00:15:17.520 meditating on scripture, 00:15:18.300 --> 00:15:19.040 that is praying 00:15:19.040 --> 00:15:20.200 and worshiping God. 00:15:22.379 --> 00:15:22.759 And then 00:15:22.759 --> 00:15:24.960 when people 00:15:24.960 --> 00:15:26.000 walk in the flesh, 00:15:26.460 --> 00:15:27.460 it's the opposite 00:15:27.460 --> 00:15:28.620 of all what I just said. 00:15:29.200 --> 00:15:29.640 You're living 00:15:29.640 --> 00:15:30.280 for yourself, 00:15:30.420 --> 00:15:31.500 that self-gratification, 00:15:31.500 --> 00:15:32.500 and that is what 00:15:32.500 --> 00:15:33.860 this text is talking about. 00:15:35.360 --> 00:15:36.360 And I acknowledge 00:15:36.360 --> 00:15:38.399 there could be 00:15:38.399 --> 00:15:39.139 people here 00:15:39.139 --> 00:15:40.740 who've been hurt 00:15:40.740 --> 00:15:41.399 by the church. 00:15:41.720 --> 00:15:42.139 They've been hurt 00:15:42.139 --> 00:15:42.879 by people who, 00:15:43.000 --> 00:15:43.799 what other people say, 00:15:43.820 --> 00:15:44.500 are very holy, 00:15:45.019 --> 00:15:45.940 and they're confused 00:15:45.940 --> 00:15:46.519 by that. 00:15:47.559 --> 00:15:48.299 And I'm not going 00:15:48.299 --> 00:15:49.080 to defend them. 00:15:51.440 --> 00:15:52.220 But I will 00:15:52.220 --> 00:15:53.080 say one thing. 00:15:53.799 --> 00:15:55.059 Jesus came for them, 00:15:55.480 --> 00:15:56.120 he came for you, 00:15:56.139 --> 00:15:56.899 and he came for me. 00:16:01.500 --> 00:16:02.039 See, 00:16:02.159 --> 00:16:02.820 the human heart 00:16:02.820 --> 00:16:04.340 has always been corrupt, 00:16:04.919 --> 00:16:05.720 and even though 00:16:05.720 --> 00:16:06.639 people have put 00:16:06.639 --> 00:16:07.360 their faith and trust 00:16:07.360 --> 00:16:07.899 in Christ, 00:16:08.500 --> 00:16:09.820 we still battle 00:16:09.820 --> 00:16:10.600 with the flesh. 00:16:12.419 --> 00:16:13.700 And in verse 9, 00:16:14.059 --> 00:16:14.879 Paul writes, 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:17.419 you, however, 00:16:17.740 --> 00:16:18.939 are not in the flesh, 00:16:18.980 --> 00:16:19.740 but in the spirit. 00:16:20.740 --> 00:16:21.559 If, in fact, 00:16:21.620 --> 00:16:22.500 the spirit of God 00:16:22.500 --> 00:16:23.299 dwells in you, 00:16:24.220 --> 00:16:25.059 anyone who does not 00:16:25.059 --> 00:16:26.120 have the spirit of Christ 00:16:26.120 --> 00:16:27.259 does not belong to him. 00:16:27.799 --> 00:16:29.200 But if Christ is in you, 00:16:29.779 --> 00:16:31.019 although the body is dead 00:16:31.019 --> 00:16:31.820 because of sin, 00:16:32.360 --> 00:16:33.279 the spirit is life 00:16:33.279 --> 00:16:34.200 because of righteousness. 00:16:35.460 --> 00:16:36.700 If the spirit of him 00:16:36.700 --> 00:16:37.460 who raised Jesus 00:16:37.460 --> 00:16:38.159 from the dead 00:16:38.159 --> 00:16:38.940 dwells in you, 00:16:39.580 --> 00:16:40.539 he who raised Christ 00:16:40.539 --> 00:16:40.960 from the dead 00:16:40.960 --> 00:16:41.980 will also give life 00:16:41.980 --> 00:16:42.960 to your mortal bodies 00:16:42.960 --> 00:16:44.340 through the spirit 00:16:44.340 --> 00:16:45.659 who dwells in you. 00:16:47.480 --> 00:16:47.980 See, 00:16:48.019 --> 00:16:48.720 when you put your faith 00:16:48.720 --> 00:16:49.580 and trust in Jesus, 00:16:50.039 --> 00:16:51.080 you're given the spirit 00:16:51.080 --> 00:16:52.379 that dwells within you. 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:55.000 It gives you assurance. 00:16:55.460 --> 00:16:56.539 It gives you assurance 00:16:56.539 --> 00:16:58.500 that what you have 00:16:58.500 --> 00:16:59.740 was given to you, 00:16:59.800 --> 00:17:00.639 and it will not be 00:17:00.639 --> 00:17:01.519 taken from you. 00:17:03.000 --> 00:17:04.559 And without the spirit, 00:17:05.339 --> 00:17:06.799 you're lost. 00:17:06.880 --> 00:17:07.240 There's nothing 00:17:07.240 --> 00:17:08.380 that can guide you. 00:17:08.460 --> 00:17:08.759 There's nothing 00:17:08.759 --> 00:17:09.720 that motivates you 00:17:09.720 --> 00:17:10.920 because the heart, 00:17:10.920 --> 00:17:12.120 until Jesus returns, 00:17:12.279 --> 00:17:13.560 will always be battling 00:17:13.560 --> 00:17:14.800 against itself, 00:17:15.080 --> 00:17:16.180 battling against the flesh. 00:17:18.120 --> 00:17:18.620 Now, some of you 00:17:18.620 --> 00:17:19.240 might be saying, 00:17:19.360 --> 00:17:20.080 whether you're online 00:17:20.080 --> 00:17:20.880 or in person, 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.560 you might be saying, 00:17:21.660 --> 00:17:22.140 so what? 00:17:22.960 --> 00:17:23.700 How can you believe 00:17:23.700 --> 00:17:24.519 in this stuff? 00:17:25.000 --> 00:17:25.680 How can you believe 00:17:25.680 --> 00:17:26.380 in the spirit? 00:17:26.980 --> 00:17:28.120 Angels are a God. 00:17:30.000 --> 00:17:31.300 The only thing I can say 00:17:31.300 --> 00:17:32.880 is give my personal testimony, 00:17:33.019 --> 00:17:33.880 a brief thing of it. 00:17:34.400 --> 00:17:36.060 I believe in a created world 00:17:36.060 --> 00:17:37.460 and that humanity 00:17:37.460 --> 00:17:38.240 in its pride 00:17:38.240 --> 00:17:39.259 sinned against God 00:17:39.259 --> 00:17:40.200 and became cursed. 00:17:40.920 --> 00:17:41.960 But God knew 00:17:41.960 --> 00:17:43.460 it couldn't save itself 00:17:43.460 --> 00:17:44.160 from itself. 00:17:44.840 --> 00:17:46.220 So he lovingly sent 00:17:46.220 --> 00:17:47.060 his only son 00:17:47.060 --> 00:17:47.900 to become sin 00:17:47.900 --> 00:17:48.740 and die a death 00:17:48.740 --> 00:17:49.620 we deserve. 00:17:51.320 --> 00:17:53.160 And Jesus rose from the dead 00:17:53.160 --> 00:17:54.180 and is glorified. 00:17:54.560 --> 00:17:55.800 And those who put their faith 00:17:55.800 --> 00:17:56.920 and trust in Jesus 00:17:56.920 --> 00:17:58.480 will have eternal life. 00:17:59.440 --> 00:18:00.440 The spirit is given 00:18:00.440 --> 00:18:01.060 to believers 00:18:01.060 --> 00:18:01.720 to guide, 00:18:01.920 --> 00:18:02.380 convict, 00:18:02.660 --> 00:18:03.500 and comfort them 00:18:03.500 --> 00:18:04.600 in times of need 00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:05.460 and despair. 00:18:05.460 --> 00:18:07.799 See, my life 00:18:07.799 --> 00:18:08.620 was so different 00:18:08.620 --> 00:18:10.980 before I came to faith. 00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:12.279 And I still struggle 00:18:12.279 --> 00:18:13.480 with things from my past. 00:18:13.680 --> 00:18:14.480 But I can't deny 00:18:14.480 --> 00:18:15.680 something happened to me 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:17.259 to draw me to Christ. 00:18:17.340 --> 00:18:18.480 It was not my own doing. 00:18:19.299 --> 00:18:20.319 Regardless of what people 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.759 with science backgrounds, 00:18:21.940 --> 00:18:23.000 psychology backgrounds, 00:18:23.220 --> 00:18:24.279 atheistic backgrounds, 00:18:24.279 --> 00:18:25.500 and other religious 00:18:25.500 --> 00:18:26.539 backgrounds may say. 00:18:26.960 --> 00:18:27.920 When I was 18, 00:18:28.319 --> 00:18:30.279 I walked into a church 00:18:30.279 --> 00:18:32.299 as someone so angry 00:18:32.299 --> 00:18:32.920 at the world. 00:18:33.559 --> 00:18:34.879 I wanted to die. 00:18:35.599 --> 00:18:36.940 I was addicted to drugs, 00:18:38.420 --> 00:18:39.879 heading either back to jail 00:18:39.879 --> 00:18:42.119 or into a self-inflicted overdose. 00:18:42.119 --> 00:18:44.659 And two hours later, 00:18:44.839 --> 00:18:46.000 I came out as someone 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:46.819 completely different. 00:18:46.939 --> 00:18:47.479 My anger, 00:18:48.059 --> 00:18:48.779 my addictions, 00:18:49.039 --> 00:18:49.519 my worldview, 00:18:49.659 --> 00:18:50.299 my shame, 00:18:50.979 --> 00:18:53.119 was completely changed. 00:18:54.779 --> 00:18:55.799 Now, some may say 00:18:55.799 --> 00:18:58.239 I experienced a chemical change 00:18:58.239 --> 00:18:58.839 in my brain 00:18:58.839 --> 00:19:01.359 that can be explained like that, 00:19:01.439 --> 00:19:02.500 or I was brainwashed. 00:19:03.500 --> 00:19:04.839 But all I can say 00:19:04.839 --> 00:19:07.039 is how can you deny 00:19:07.039 --> 00:19:07.739 or explain 00:19:07.739 --> 00:19:09.779 the millions of changed lives 00:19:09.779 --> 00:19:11.779 that have lived 00:19:11.779 --> 00:19:12.559 through the centuries 00:19:12.559 --> 00:19:13.899 over one fact. 00:19:14.079 --> 00:19:14.980 All these lives 00:19:14.980 --> 00:19:15.720 that are changed. 00:19:15.899 --> 00:19:16.339 Myself, 00:19:16.519 --> 00:19:17.359 you could be sitting here, 00:19:17.420 --> 00:19:18.379 your life has changed 00:19:18.379 --> 00:19:19.859 over one fact. 00:19:20.500 --> 00:19:21.200 And that is 00:19:21.200 --> 00:19:22.759 that Jesus rose from the dead. 00:19:23.259 --> 00:19:24.319 People have been martyred. 00:19:24.440 --> 00:19:25.059 They've gone to jail 00:19:25.059 --> 00:19:26.119 over that one fact. 00:19:28.720 --> 00:19:29.440 And I know 00:19:29.440 --> 00:19:30.619 there's also people here 00:19:30.619 --> 00:19:31.980 who have never had 00:19:31.980 --> 00:19:33.619 that conversion moment. 00:19:33.779 --> 00:19:34.680 They've always just known 00:19:34.680 --> 00:19:35.920 that Jesus is their Lord. 00:19:36.799 --> 00:19:38.160 And that is a beautiful thing. 00:19:38.660 --> 00:19:39.700 You should cherish it. 00:19:40.779 --> 00:19:42.500 But the Spirit was given 00:19:42.500 --> 00:19:45.480 for the reason of assurance. 00:19:46.240 --> 00:19:46.420 You see, 00:19:46.460 --> 00:19:47.740 when the Spirit is within you, 00:19:48.259 --> 00:19:49.079 dwells with you, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:51.160 he helps guide you 00:19:51.160 --> 00:19:52.259 to walk, 00:19:52.399 --> 00:19:52.899 to live, 00:19:53.039 --> 00:19:53.799 and to set your mind 00:19:53.799 --> 00:19:55.639 to think about Jesus and God, 00:19:56.019 --> 00:19:57.240 to live a life 00:19:57.240 --> 00:19:58.819 that is holy to God. 00:20:00.220 --> 00:20:00.819 You see, 00:20:00.879 --> 00:20:01.220 Paul, 00:20:01.319 --> 00:20:02.399 leading up to this verse, 00:20:02.680 --> 00:20:06.079 in chapter 7, 00:20:06.700 --> 00:20:07.379 he's writing about 00:20:07.379 --> 00:20:08.859 his struggle with his flesh. 00:20:08.859 --> 00:20:10.299 He wants to do this, 00:20:10.419 --> 00:20:12.500 but he's constantly doing this. 00:20:13.119 --> 00:20:14.000 He wants to do that, 00:20:14.059 --> 00:20:15.159 he's constantly doing that. 00:20:15.479 --> 00:20:16.819 He is so conflicted, 00:20:16.859 --> 00:20:17.659 he cries out, 00:20:17.779 --> 00:20:19.059 wretched man that I am. 00:20:19.839 --> 00:20:21.439 He is so conflicted. 00:20:21.899 --> 00:20:22.699 And then, 00:20:23.079 --> 00:20:24.639 he writes in verse 1, 00:20:24.919 --> 00:20:25.779 chapter 8, 00:20:25.779 --> 00:20:27.759 There is therefore now 00:20:27.759 --> 00:20:41.819 No condemnation 00:20:41.819 --> 00:20:51.859 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who struggle with greed, with lust, with doubt, with addiction, with shame, with envy, with jealousy, with regret. 00:20:53.079 --> 00:20:57.019 There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 00:20:57.819 --> 00:21:02.799 Because that is a free gift given to those who have put their faith and trust in Christ. 00:21:03.179 --> 00:21:04.740 The Spirit is within you. 00:21:05.220 --> 00:21:08.740 You have that assurance, regardless of what you're going through, regardless of what you've done. 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:10.480 There is always that assurance. 00:21:11.819 --> 00:21:18.939 And you see, in verse 11, it talks about the end times. 00:21:19.019 --> 00:21:20.000 It talks about the end. 00:21:20.700 --> 00:21:26.500 You see, you can either have eternal life or you can be lost in yourself. 00:21:26.639 --> 00:21:28.399 God will just give you up to your desires. 00:21:30.859 --> 00:21:32.700 But this is the new year. 00:21:33.259 --> 00:21:35.439 People make resolutions around this time. 00:21:36.019 --> 00:21:39.899 If you are here and you do not believe in Jesus, you're skeptical. 00:21:39.900 --> 00:21:42.180 You struggle with that idea. 00:21:42.600 --> 00:21:47.320 I would encourage you this year to set a resolution for one year to explore Christianity. 00:21:48.019 --> 00:21:49.140 Read good books on it. 00:21:49.740 --> 00:21:51.880 Talk to people who know what they're talking about. 00:21:52.160 --> 00:21:53.620 Take a course on it. 00:21:54.500 --> 00:21:58.140 And if you are here and Jesus is, in fact, your Lord and Savior, 00:21:58.140 --> 00:22:02.759 rest in the assurance of Christ's work. 00:22:03.140 --> 00:22:03.920 It is finished. 00:22:04.680 --> 00:22:06.220 The Spirit is within you. 00:22:07.100 --> 00:22:10.120 And you can pray this prayer that John Newton prayed. 00:22:11.700 --> 00:22:13.660 Teach me to live by faith. 00:22:14.280 --> 00:22:15.780 Conform my will to thine. 00:22:16.500 --> 00:22:19.980 Let me be victorious in death and then in glory shine. 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:29.380 You see, the Bible has such a magnificent promise that Christ came for humanity. 00:22:29.720 --> 00:22:32.740 For God so loved the world that he sent his only Son, 00:22:33.640 --> 00:22:37.480 for that all who believe in him will have eternal life. 00:22:38.579 --> 00:22:39.500 Rest in Jesus. 00:22:40.420 --> 00:22:41.059 Let us pray. 00:22:41.059 --> 00:22:52.319 Heavenly Father, as I said earlier, this text can bring people to anger, 00:22:52.740 --> 00:22:55.579 can bring people to despair, can bring people to joy. 00:22:56.759 --> 00:23:02.559 And I just ask, Lord, right now that your Spirit would just minister to our hearts and minds. 00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:05.299 Help us, Lord. 00:23:05.720 --> 00:23:07.279 Convict us where we need convicting. 00:23:08.019 --> 00:23:10.159 Give us encouragement where we need encouragement. 00:23:11.059 --> 00:23:13.579 And I just pray this in Jesus' name. 00:23:14.220 --> 00:23:14.559 Amen.