WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.700 The scripture reading comes from 2 Corinthians chapter 5. 00:00:04.419 --> 00:00:07.000 Please follow along in your bulletin or on the screen. 00:00:08.179 --> 00:00:13.120 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. 00:00:13.859 --> 00:00:19.160 Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 00:00:20.120 --> 00:00:24.539 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. 00:00:25.140 --> 00:00:26.580 The old has passed away. 00:00:26.579 --> 00:00:29.839 Behold, the new has come. 00:00:30.839 --> 00:00:37.820 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. 00:00:39.119 --> 00:00:47.200 That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, 00:00:47.719 --> 00:00:50.259 and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 00:00:51.459 --> 00:00:54.280 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ. 00:00:54.280 --> 00:00:57.140 God making his appeal through us. 00:00:58.000 --> 00:01:02.240 We implore you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God. 00:01:02.900 --> 00:01:10.280 For our sake, he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 00:01:10.700 --> 00:01:11.920 This is the word of God. 00:01:11.920 --> 00:01:18.540 Thanks, Jefferson, for reading our passage today. 00:01:19.359 --> 00:01:20.240 Can everyone hear me okay? 00:01:20.859 --> 00:01:21.040 Yeah. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:21.900 Okay. 00:01:22.180 --> 00:01:23.219 Ed can always hear me. 00:01:24.420 --> 00:01:25.840 Good morning again. 00:01:26.060 --> 00:01:30.760 If you don't know me, my name is Oscar, and I serve as one of the elders here at Watermark. 00:01:31.400 --> 00:01:37.040 It's great to see people back from holiday and also to see some new faces here as well. 00:01:37.040 --> 00:01:43.580 Now, before I give today's sermon, I'm going to pray what we call the pastoral prayer. 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:47.800 And I would love for all of us to pray this prayer together. 00:01:48.800 --> 00:01:54.000 Jesus said there's an amazing power when two or more are gathered in his name to pray. 00:01:55.160 --> 00:01:57.340 So as I pray, please don't zone out. 00:01:57.980 --> 00:02:01.719 Please focus your hearts and minds and let us pray this prayer together. 00:02:01.719 --> 00:02:10.479 Father in heaven, Holy Spirit, Lord Jesus, we give you praise this morning. 00:02:10.960 --> 00:02:11.860 We worship you. 00:02:12.259 --> 00:02:13.039 We adore you. 00:02:13.539 --> 00:02:18.639 You are the sovereign God, the most high, the great I am. 00:02:19.340 --> 00:02:24.060 There is truly no one in this world or in heaven that can compare to you. 00:02:24.819 --> 00:02:29.379 You are our creator, our provider, our sustainer. 00:02:29.379 --> 00:02:35.120 But then you also gave your life for us while our backs were turned firmly against you, God. 00:02:35.840 --> 00:02:37.199 You died for us. 00:02:38.000 --> 00:02:38.719 Thank you, Jesus. 00:02:40.840 --> 00:02:48.359 This morning, God, we want to pray for the leaders here at Watermark, our staff, elders, and community group leaders. 00:02:49.240 --> 00:02:52.800 Above all the practical day-to-day responsibilities and duties, 00:02:53.139 --> 00:02:56.560 I pray, God, that our first love will be our Lord Jesus. 00:02:56.560 --> 00:03:02.640 May the awe of God and the love of Christ drive the way we serve and lead. 00:03:03.560 --> 00:03:06.319 And help us understand what it means to be a true servant leader. 00:03:07.180 --> 00:03:12.199 Please give us humble hearts that are soft and willing to admit mistakes, faults, and sin, 00:03:12.280 --> 00:03:16.300 because we realize that Jesus has already paid the price for all of these things. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:25.520 And I pray for unity among our leaders, that with one heart and one mind may we labor together to disciple and build up your body. 00:03:27.180 --> 00:03:32.380 And Father, we also want to remember the people who have been affected by the flooding in Indonesia, 00:03:32.920 --> 00:03:36.460 the volcanic activity in the Philippines, and the fires in Australia. 00:03:36.460 --> 00:03:42.260 We pray for those who have lost their homes or even family members. 00:03:42.920 --> 00:03:44.700 Oh, God, would you please comfort these people. 00:03:45.300 --> 00:03:46.819 Show them your tender love. 00:03:47.819 --> 00:03:53.000 And would you protect those who are now exposed to polluted water or polluted air or toxic ash. 00:03:53.460 --> 00:03:55.719 Oh, God, have mercy on them. 00:03:56.120 --> 00:03:59.620 And may your common grace fall upon all those affected in these countries. 00:03:59.620 --> 00:04:09.180 And Father, as we consider the sermon this morning, we ask that you speak to us from your word and by the power of your spirit. 00:04:09.819 --> 00:04:18.360 As we continue learning about the gospel of Jesus this morning, would your spirit teach us, rebuke us, correct, and train us in righteousness 00:04:18.360 --> 00:04:21.040 so that we would be equipped to do your work. 00:04:21.780 --> 00:04:24.060 Help us to see the depravity of our sin. 00:04:24.600 --> 00:04:28.360 But would you also open the eyes of our heart to see the beauty of Christ. 00:04:29.620 --> 00:04:32.120 And would you cause us to be in awe of you. 00:04:33.220 --> 00:04:34.160 In Jesus' name we pray. 00:04:34.939 --> 00:04:35.160 Amen. 00:04:36.160 --> 00:04:36.480 Amen. 00:04:39.560 --> 00:04:41.220 Anyone know where this picture was taken from? 00:04:42.500 --> 00:04:44.980 No, it's not a Sunday morning worship service here at Watermark. 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:48.519 It's not a Bruno Mars conference. 00:04:48.519 --> 00:04:49.459 Did someone say retreat? 00:04:49.980 --> 00:04:50.439 Our retreat? 00:04:50.959 --> 00:04:51.319 Nope. 00:04:51.680 --> 00:04:53.519 This picture has nothing to do with Watermark at all. 00:04:54.040 --> 00:04:58.160 This picture was taken from the Masters of the Century Seminar, 00:04:58.160 --> 00:05:00.040 held last October in Singapore. 00:05:00.860 --> 00:05:04.620 And at this event, over 5,000 people came from all over the world, 00:05:04.900 --> 00:05:07.520 paying up to 12,000 Hong Kong dollars a person 00:05:07.520 --> 00:05:12.240 to listen to a number of so-called celebrity motivational speakers speak 00:05:12.240 --> 00:05:15.660 about how to become better versions of themselves. 00:05:15.660 --> 00:05:20.240 I'm very tempted to give my opinion on this conference, 00:05:20.360 --> 00:05:22.900 but I will refrain from doing so, at least up here this morning. 00:05:23.340 --> 00:05:23.860 Ask me later. 00:05:25.640 --> 00:05:28.300 But what I will say is that when I read about this conference, 00:05:28.880 --> 00:05:30.100 two things came to mind. 00:05:30.840 --> 00:05:36.140 The first is that many people are desperate to become better versions of themselves. 00:05:36.879 --> 00:05:38.379 Usually the goal is to make more money, 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:41.460 which I think was the theme of this conference in Singapore. 00:05:41.459 --> 00:05:44.019 But we also desire other things as well. 00:05:45.019 --> 00:05:47.120 We want to improve our relationships. 00:05:47.500 --> 00:05:49.199 We want more discipline. 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:51.819 We want to be in better physical shape. 00:05:52.120 --> 00:05:53.579 Think about all your New Year's resolutions. 00:05:53.719 --> 00:05:54.939 You probably made and broke already. 00:05:56.039 --> 00:05:59.719 Generally, we desire to be better versions of ourselves. 00:06:00.879 --> 00:06:04.879 And second, many people will look to the teaching of a person 00:06:04.879 --> 00:06:07.779 or a group of people to help further this goal 00:06:07.779 --> 00:06:10.439 of becoming better versions of themselves. 00:06:10.439 --> 00:06:14.980 Now, if you've been with us since the beginning of the year, 00:06:15.379 --> 00:06:19.839 you'll know we started a new teaching series called Watermark Essentials, 00:06:19.839 --> 00:06:22.759 talking about what we believe as a church and why, 00:06:23.379 --> 00:06:24.839 talking about our core values, 00:06:25.180 --> 00:06:28.899 which are gospel, community, and mission, right there. 00:06:30.220 --> 00:06:32.819 Kevin kicked us off over the past few weeks on the gospel, 00:06:33.379 --> 00:06:36.800 while we must continue to teach and preach the gospel as a church, 00:06:36.800 --> 00:06:41.280 while we must continue to bathe ourselves in the gospel as individuals, 00:06:41.920 --> 00:06:44.420 and how the gospel changes us. 00:06:45.280 --> 00:06:47.860 And this morning, we'll be continuing to focus on the gospel, 00:06:48.079 --> 00:06:50.080 but perhaps from a slightly different angle. 00:06:50.980 --> 00:06:54.540 Whereas last week, Kevin spoke about how the gospel changes us, 00:06:54.860 --> 00:06:58.840 today, as we consider this passage from Paul's letter to the church in Corinth, 00:06:59.199 --> 00:07:01.980 we'll look at the process of this change, 00:07:01.980 --> 00:07:04.680 the process, and what this looks like day to day. 00:07:05.740 --> 00:07:09.400 And to do this, we'll slowly walk through this passage from 2 Corinthians 00:07:09.400 --> 00:07:12.920 to try to extract what God's word is trying to tell us. 00:07:13.520 --> 00:07:15.840 That's where we're going this morning, in case you're wondering. 00:07:16.900 --> 00:07:20.920 Now, a little background on Corinthians and this passage. 00:07:21.520 --> 00:07:26.060 Around AD 50, when the Apostle Paul planted the church in Corinth, 00:07:26.500 --> 00:07:30.800 Corinth was a thriving, cosmopolitan city in Roman-controlled Greece. 00:07:30.800 --> 00:07:34.560 As you can see on the map, because of its strategic location, 00:07:35.000 --> 00:07:39.800 on a narrow strip of land connecting the southern peninsula to the Greek mainland, 00:07:40.319 --> 00:07:43.360 Corinth controlled sea traffic from both the east and the western seas, 00:07:43.660 --> 00:07:47.540 and was therefore a hub of trade and finance, kind of like Hong Kong. 00:07:48.439 --> 00:07:50.800 And so Corinth attracted people from many different socioeconomic, 00:07:51.819 --> 00:07:53.540 cultural, and religious backgrounds. 00:07:54.340 --> 00:07:57.639 There were wealthy Greeks from the mainland, there were Roman nobles, 00:07:57.639 --> 00:08:02.060 but there were also poor immigrants from Egypt and Syria as well. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:07.599 Temples of worship to both Greek and Roman gods stood side by side in Corinth 00:08:07.599 --> 00:08:11.519 and were probably in close proximity to the church that Paul planted. 00:08:13.199 --> 00:08:17.839 And the church that Paul planted was also probably a microcosm of broader Corinth 00:08:17.839 --> 00:08:20.959 with people from all different kinds of backgrounds. 00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:27.719 But the problem with the church in Corinth was that instead of being a light to the city, 00:08:28.299 --> 00:08:34.279 instead of influencing the city, the church in Corinth was being influenced by the city. 00:08:35.100 --> 00:08:39.000 And when we read Paul's letters to the Corinthians, particularly the book of 1 Corinthians, 00:08:39.360 --> 00:08:43.399 we see Christians whose lives are pretty out of whack with the teachings of Christ. 00:08:44.399 --> 00:08:47.879 Disunity and division were widespread among congregants. 00:08:47.879 --> 00:08:50.960 Disculpting and divorce were encouraged. 00:08:51.620 --> 00:08:55.399 And there was very little care for the weak and the helpless within the community. 00:08:57.000 --> 00:08:59.580 And when we read Paul's letters, we can sense his pain. 00:09:00.600 --> 00:09:05.559 After planting the church, he left after 18 months to continue planting churches around the region. 00:09:05.759 --> 00:09:09.340 But when he heard about how the church in Corinth was living deeply out of step 00:09:09.340 --> 00:09:12.840 with the teachings of Christ, he wrote to them a number of times, 00:09:13.340 --> 00:09:15.840 encouraging them, but also challenging them in the gospel. 00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:21.240 Paul says to them, hey guys, we're saved by the very blood of Jesus Christ. 00:09:21.360 --> 00:09:22.440 We're saved by his grace. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:25.560 We can no longer think and act like how the world does. 00:09:25.940 --> 00:09:27.460 Our lives must fundamentally be different. 00:09:29.200 --> 00:09:35.600 And looking at today's passage, Paul starts off by saying, if we can turn to verse 16, 00:09:35.600 --> 00:09:41.860 from now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. 00:09:43.159 --> 00:09:45.960 One of the struggles Paul had with the church in Corinth, 00:09:46.480 --> 00:09:49.620 at least at the time of writing this letter of 2 Corinthians, 00:09:50.240 --> 00:09:54.300 was that the church was being influenced by false prophets, false teachers. 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:58.480 And as a result, some in the congregation were saying of Paul, 00:09:58.580 --> 00:09:59.060 hey, look at him. 00:09:59.379 --> 00:09:59.920 Look at Paul. 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:00.840 Look how weak he is. 00:10:01.180 --> 00:10:01.940 He has no money. 00:10:01.940 --> 00:10:03.940 He's so poor. 00:10:04.000 --> 00:10:05.900 He's always getting thrown in jail and getting persecuted. 00:10:06.440 --> 00:10:10.280 How can Paul be a true apostle of Christ? 00:10:10.940 --> 00:10:17.920 Shouldn't a real apostle be wealthy, have a nice slick hair or white teeth and a fancy car? 00:10:18.980 --> 00:10:23.260 Those that slandered Paul were valuing or judging him according to the flesh, 00:10:24.040 --> 00:10:26.580 i.e., based on their worldly perspective. 00:10:26.580 --> 00:10:32.180 But what Paul is saying is that when we become followers of Christ, 00:10:32.520 --> 00:10:36.900 we no longer judge or size up people according to worldly standards. 00:10:37.660 --> 00:10:41.700 People are no longer put into the categories of wealthy or poor, 00:10:42.540 --> 00:10:45.680 Republican, Democrat, blue or yellow. 00:10:47.300 --> 00:10:51.360 You know, we've heard churches in Hong Kong where community groups, 00:10:51.460 --> 00:10:54.720 small groups have broken up because of such extreme political views. 00:10:54.720 --> 00:10:56.720 Paul would say that's crazy. 00:10:57.480 --> 00:11:00.320 He spent one and a half chapters in 1 Corinthians rebuking the church 00:11:00.320 --> 00:11:04.700 for putting their pride ahead of their love for their brother and sister in Christ. 00:11:06.300 --> 00:11:08.700 For when we see people through the lens of Christ, 00:11:09.120 --> 00:11:10.879 we see them for who they truly are, 00:11:11.840 --> 00:11:15.040 broken and in desperate need of a Savior. 00:11:16.180 --> 00:11:19.200 Look at how Jesus interacted with people when he walked this earth, 00:11:19.940 --> 00:11:22.720 whether it was a Roman officer or a wealthy Jewish Pharisee 00:11:22.720 --> 00:11:25.000 or the woman caught in adultery. 00:11:25.000 --> 00:11:30.040 Jesus cared and loved every single person that he met. 00:11:30.759 --> 00:11:33.320 For to Jesus, we're all the same. 00:11:34.240 --> 00:11:38.160 We're all inherently messed up, unable to save ourselves. 00:11:38.899 --> 00:11:40.759 The gospel really is the great equalizer 00:11:40.759 --> 00:11:44.279 because we're all broken and in desperate need of a Savior. 00:11:44.279 --> 00:11:47.319 But if our lives are in Christ, 00:11:47.759 --> 00:11:51.559 we're all equally and lavishly loved by God. 00:11:52.620 --> 00:11:55.459 And this relates to those we love, those we hate, 00:11:55.819 --> 00:11:57.539 and those that we're indifferent about. 00:11:58.319 --> 00:12:00.799 It's easy to love those we love, right, by definition. 00:12:01.220 --> 00:12:02.720 It's much harder to love those we hate 00:12:02.720 --> 00:12:04.539 or those to whom we're indifferent. 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:08.879 So next week at that Chinese New Year dinner 00:12:08.879 --> 00:12:11.080 when you're seated next to that annoying uncle 00:12:11.080 --> 00:12:15.419 who's lecturing you about something random, 00:12:15.580 --> 00:12:19.679 remember, he's broken and in desperate need of a Savior. 00:12:20.559 --> 00:12:21.039 Remember that. 00:12:22.779 --> 00:12:24.559 And that waiter or waitress who's serving you 00:12:24.559 --> 00:12:26.759 that you may ignore or maybe you're being rude to 00:12:26.759 --> 00:12:27.879 because she's a bit slow, 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:32.379 remember, she's broken and in desperate need of a Savior. 00:12:34.179 --> 00:12:37.559 Paul continues and says in the second half of verse 16, 00:12:37.559 --> 00:12:41.719 Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, 00:12:42.079 --> 00:12:44.279 we regard him thus no longer. 00:12:45.559 --> 00:12:50.819 What Paul may be referring to is perhaps his own experience 00:12:50.819 --> 00:12:52.079 prior to his conversion. 00:12:54.039 --> 00:12:57.939 In his former life, Paul believed that the teachings of Jesus 00:12:57.939 --> 00:12:59.639 were a threat to the standing of Judaism 00:12:59.639 --> 00:13:02.279 and so Paul persecuted many who followed Christ. 00:13:03.819 --> 00:13:06.839 But when Paul says here in this verse, 00:13:06.840 --> 00:13:10.280 we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, 00:13:10.820 --> 00:13:13.940 he may also mean that your understanding of Jesus 00:13:13.940 --> 00:13:16.720 is either too narrow or totally wrong. 00:13:18.240 --> 00:13:20.820 Paul is saying the way you live your life reflects this. 00:13:21.500 --> 00:13:23.379 You say you love and follow Jesus, 00:13:23.780 --> 00:13:25.680 but your pride and arrogance causes you 00:13:25.680 --> 00:13:27.200 to slander your brother behind his back 00:13:27.200 --> 00:13:28.700 and to gossip about your neighbor. 00:13:30.200 --> 00:13:31.700 He says you say you love Jesus, 00:13:31.840 --> 00:13:33.759 but you remain indifferent to the poor. 00:13:33.759 --> 00:13:35.580 You hoard all your wealth to yourself. 00:13:37.700 --> 00:13:41.460 So how do we view the person of Jesus Christ? 00:13:42.659 --> 00:13:43.819 Is he a moral teacher? 00:13:44.360 --> 00:13:46.679 He taught us, he can teach us some good values 00:13:46.679 --> 00:13:48.840 or how to be better versions of ourselves. 00:13:49.939 --> 00:13:52.439 Or is Jesus like the genie in the bottle 00:13:52.439 --> 00:13:54.740 where we pray to him when we're desperate for a new job? 00:13:55.139 --> 00:13:57.259 Or we're lonely, want a relationship? 00:13:57.259 --> 00:14:01.840 Or do we see Jesus for who he truly is? 00:14:02.360 --> 00:14:03.960 The son of God. 00:14:04.580 --> 00:14:07.519 The one who formed the earth with his very breath. 00:14:08.179 --> 00:14:09.899 The one who was both king on his throne 00:14:09.899 --> 00:14:11.159 ruling over heaven and earth, 00:14:11.299 --> 00:14:12.919 but also the one who died 00:14:12.919 --> 00:14:15.179 and gave his life for sinners like you and I. 00:14:15.720 --> 00:14:18.279 The one from whom if you lost everything in this world, 00:14:18.379 --> 00:14:21.279 you would still have tremendous hope, peace, and joy. 00:14:21.279 --> 00:14:23.220 Because the truth is, 00:14:24.059 --> 00:14:27.159 if Jesus really is who he says he is, 00:14:28.039 --> 00:14:31.259 the savior of the world, the Messiah, God himself, 00:14:31.539 --> 00:14:33.919 our lives must be fundamentally changed forever. 00:14:35.019 --> 00:14:37.399 And so, for those of us here 00:14:37.399 --> 00:14:40.339 who have put our faith and hope in Christ, 00:14:40.480 --> 00:14:42.899 those of us here who call ourselves Christians, 00:14:44.220 --> 00:14:47.399 our outlook, our worldview, the way we live and act 00:14:47.399 --> 00:14:49.879 must be radically different from that of the world's. 00:14:49.879 --> 00:14:52.659 Paul says in verse 17, 00:14:53.899 --> 00:14:55.960 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, 00:14:56.399 --> 00:14:57.840 he is a new creation. 00:14:58.580 --> 00:14:59.279 A new creation. 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.639 The old has passed away. 00:15:00.919 --> 00:15:02.759 Behold, the new has come. 00:15:05.360 --> 00:15:08.259 Nicky Cruz was a hardened gang member. 00:15:09.240 --> 00:15:10.279 Born in Puerto Rico, 00:15:10.700 --> 00:15:12.559 Nicky was beaten as a three-year-old boy 00:15:12.559 --> 00:15:14.620 by parents who practiced witchcraft. 00:15:15.460 --> 00:15:17.080 His mother even called him the son of Satan. 00:15:17.080 --> 00:15:20.240 At the age of 15, Nicky moved to New York City 00:15:20.240 --> 00:15:21.780 where he joined a violent street gang, 00:15:21.840 --> 00:15:24.100 eventually rising to become their leader. 00:15:25.420 --> 00:15:27.540 He committed numerous violent crimes 00:15:27.540 --> 00:15:30.060 and was caught up in both drugs and alcohol. 00:15:31.340 --> 00:15:31.920 But one day, 00:15:32.379 --> 00:15:34.520 a young pastor by the name of David Wilkerson 00:15:34.520 --> 00:15:35.500 from Indiana 00:15:35.500 --> 00:15:37.700 started preaching to Nicky. 00:15:38.220 --> 00:15:39.920 He shared with Nicky about God's love. 00:15:40.840 --> 00:15:43.060 At first, Nicky threatened to kill David. 00:15:43.340 --> 00:15:44.340 He spat at him and said, 00:15:44.340 --> 00:15:45.040 Don't come back. 00:15:45.060 --> 00:15:45.700 I'm going to kill you. 00:15:46.340 --> 00:15:47.259 But David persisted. 00:15:47.340 --> 00:15:48.180 Day after day, 00:15:48.620 --> 00:15:50.460 he went back to Nicky 00:15:50.460 --> 00:15:52.720 sharing about God's love. 00:15:53.759 --> 00:15:54.660 And after a while, 00:15:55.440 --> 00:15:57.160 Nicky's heart softened 00:15:57.160 --> 00:15:58.680 and he confessed 00:15:58.680 --> 00:16:00.379 that he had messed up. 00:16:00.980 --> 00:16:02.860 That he was messed up. 00:16:03.180 --> 00:16:05.139 And he gave his life to Jesus Christ. 00:16:06.460 --> 00:16:08.519 And for the past 60 plus years, 00:16:08.879 --> 00:16:10.700 Nicky Cruz has traveled all over the world 00:16:10.700 --> 00:16:12.040 sharing his testimony 00:16:12.039 --> 00:16:14.159 to over 50 million people. 00:16:14.879 --> 00:16:16.299 Countless others have been dramatically, 00:16:17.000 --> 00:16:17.919 have been inspired 00:16:17.919 --> 00:16:19.139 and their lives have been changed 00:16:19.139 --> 00:16:20.459 by God's testimony 00:16:20.459 --> 00:16:22.199 through Nicky's 17 books. 00:16:24.579 --> 00:16:25.240 Nicky's life, 00:16:25.319 --> 00:16:25.799 his testimony, 00:16:26.000 --> 00:16:26.980 is an amazing example 00:16:26.980 --> 00:16:30.120 of what the power of the Holy Spirit can do. 00:16:31.159 --> 00:16:31.299 Right? 00:16:32.019 --> 00:16:32.799 An example of someone 00:16:32.799 --> 00:16:34.500 whose life has been dramatically changed 00:16:34.500 --> 00:16:36.599 after giving his life to Christ. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:40.759 But what about those of us here today 00:16:40.759 --> 00:16:42.820 who are already Christians? 00:16:44.060 --> 00:16:45.000 Those of us here 00:16:45.000 --> 00:16:48.379 who are already supposedly new creations? 00:16:49.899 --> 00:16:51.460 Why don't we feel so new? 00:16:52.600 --> 00:16:53.800 Why do we still struggle 00:16:53.800 --> 00:16:56.740 with the same old habits and sins? 00:16:57.600 --> 00:16:59.019 Why do we feel shame? 00:16:59.139 --> 00:17:00.980 Why do we feel like we're never good enough? 00:17:02.060 --> 00:17:02.259 Well, 00:17:03.360 --> 00:17:04.160 Paul didn't say, 00:17:04.380 --> 00:17:05.200 hey, listen to this, right? 00:17:05.200 --> 00:17:06.059 Paul didn't say that 00:17:06.059 --> 00:17:07.460 if today our lives are in Christ, 00:17:07.700 --> 00:17:08.940 we are a perfect creation. 00:17:09.319 --> 00:17:10.160 He didn't say that, right? 00:17:10.500 --> 00:17:10.940 He says, 00:17:11.160 --> 00:17:12.080 if anyone is in Christ, 00:17:12.200 --> 00:17:13.539 he is a new creation. 00:17:14.559 --> 00:17:15.900 For those of us here today 00:17:15.900 --> 00:17:17.759 who have given our lives to Christ, 00:17:17.880 --> 00:17:18.900 we aren't perfect, 00:17:19.160 --> 00:17:20.059 but it's okay. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.039 The day we confessed, 00:17:22.500 --> 00:17:23.299 repented, 00:17:23.519 --> 00:17:25.519 and professed our faith in Christ, 00:17:25.799 --> 00:17:27.440 we started a new life from zero. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:29.559 And we don't go to 100 overnight. 00:17:30.559 --> 00:17:31.299 What did Jesus say? 00:17:31.400 --> 00:17:32.980 Jesus said that we were born again. 00:17:32.980 --> 00:17:34.180 Think about that analogy, 00:17:34.319 --> 00:17:35.259 like babies, right? 00:17:35.460 --> 00:17:36.259 What do babies know 00:17:36.259 --> 00:17:36.920 when they're first born? 00:17:37.180 --> 00:17:37.579 Nothing. 00:17:38.539 --> 00:17:38.759 Right? 00:17:38.799 --> 00:17:39.640 We have two babies. 00:17:39.740 --> 00:17:41.000 They're going to fall 100 times 00:17:41.000 --> 00:17:42.039 before they can walk. 00:17:42.680 --> 00:17:43.779 They have a lot to learn. 00:17:44.880 --> 00:17:45.680 And so do we. 00:17:47.740 --> 00:17:48.980 And then Paul says, 00:17:49.380 --> 00:17:50.920 the old has passed away. 00:17:51.360 --> 00:17:51.839 Behold, 00:17:52.380 --> 00:17:53.400 the new has come. 00:17:53.400 --> 00:17:55.860 In some ways, 00:17:56.100 --> 00:17:57.600 this is a prophetic statement, 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:59.100 referring to the future 00:17:59.100 --> 00:18:01.400 when the old will really pass away. 00:18:01.519 --> 00:18:02.200 The old world, 00:18:02.300 --> 00:18:03.280 the world as we know it, 00:18:03.540 --> 00:18:04.780 and our old bodies, 00:18:04.880 --> 00:18:05.560 our existing bodies, 00:18:05.680 --> 00:18:07.340 will be exchanged 00:18:07.340 --> 00:18:09.120 into a new earth 00:18:09.120 --> 00:18:11.180 and our new glorified bodies. 00:18:12.940 --> 00:18:14.180 And Christ says the same thing 00:18:14.180 --> 00:18:14.840 in Revelation 00:18:14.840 --> 00:18:16.140 when he says, 00:18:16.320 --> 00:18:17.720 I am making everything new, 00:18:18.060 --> 00:18:19.140 referring to the new heaven 00:18:19.140 --> 00:18:20.160 and the new earth, 00:18:20.160 --> 00:18:22.080 where there'll be no more death 00:18:22.080 --> 00:18:22.860 or mourning 00:18:22.860 --> 00:18:23.840 or crying 00:18:23.840 --> 00:18:24.640 or pain 00:18:24.640 --> 00:18:26.440 for the old order of things 00:18:26.440 --> 00:18:27.340 will be passed, 00:18:27.880 --> 00:18:28.860 has passed away. 00:18:30.259 --> 00:18:32.060 If today our lives are in Christ, 00:18:32.240 --> 00:18:32.800 one day 00:18:32.800 --> 00:18:34.019 we will 00:18:34.019 --> 00:18:35.080 be perfect. 00:18:35.740 --> 00:18:36.180 But 00:18:36.180 --> 00:18:38.400 between now and then 00:18:38.400 --> 00:18:40.500 we will remain imperfect. 00:18:41.380 --> 00:18:42.360 But not stagnant. 00:18:43.180 --> 00:18:43.860 When Paul says 00:18:43.860 --> 00:18:45.560 the old has passed away, 00:18:45.640 --> 00:18:45.960 behold, 00:18:46.120 --> 00:18:47.000 the new has come. 00:18:47.140 --> 00:18:48.420 He's also referring to 00:18:48.420 --> 00:18:49.360 this process 00:18:49.359 --> 00:18:50.479 in this life 00:18:50.479 --> 00:18:52.319 of sanctification, 00:18:52.959 --> 00:18:53.719 of constant 00:18:53.719 --> 00:18:54.659 heart renewal, 00:18:55.099 --> 00:18:56.439 of becoming more and more 00:18:56.439 --> 00:18:57.740 like our beloved Jesus 00:18:57.740 --> 00:18:58.839 over time. 00:19:00.319 --> 00:19:01.199 And how does this happen? 00:19:01.619 --> 00:19:02.219 This happens 00:19:02.219 --> 00:19:02.839 when our love 00:19:02.839 --> 00:19:04.259 for Jesus deepens. 00:19:05.059 --> 00:19:05.959 As we go more in love 00:19:05.959 --> 00:19:06.299 with him 00:19:06.299 --> 00:19:07.319 and as the gospel 00:19:07.319 --> 00:19:08.179 gets deeper 00:19:08.179 --> 00:19:09.059 into our hearts, 00:19:09.139 --> 00:19:09.939 our old habits, 00:19:10.259 --> 00:19:11.119 our old ways, 00:19:11.259 --> 00:19:12.059 our old addictions 00:19:12.059 --> 00:19:13.419 are left behind. 00:19:14.159 --> 00:19:15.199 But it's a constant 00:19:15.199 --> 00:19:17.740 continual renewal process 00:19:17.740 --> 00:19:18.500 which happens 00:19:18.500 --> 00:19:19.019 over the course 00:19:19.019 --> 00:19:20.019 of our entire lives. 00:19:21.220 --> 00:19:22.339 It's like when a snake 00:19:22.339 --> 00:19:23.960 sheds its skin. 00:19:24.819 --> 00:19:26.519 Snakes shed their skins 00:19:26.519 --> 00:19:27.400 to promote growth 00:19:27.400 --> 00:19:28.940 and to remove parasites. 00:19:29.299 --> 00:19:30.859 But they don't just do it once. 00:19:31.420 --> 00:19:32.420 Snakes shed skins 00:19:32.420 --> 00:19:33.599 many times a year 00:19:33.599 --> 00:19:34.079 and many, 00:19:34.180 --> 00:19:34.819 many more times 00:19:34.819 --> 00:19:35.799 throughout the course 00:19:35.799 --> 00:19:36.819 of their entire lives. 00:19:40.079 --> 00:19:41.019 I've been a Christian 00:19:41.019 --> 00:19:42.180 since I was a child. 00:19:42.180 --> 00:19:44.840 But if I'm honest, 00:19:45.220 --> 00:19:46.320 as a teenager 00:19:46.320 --> 00:19:47.960 and into my 20s, 00:19:48.680 --> 00:19:50.299 I don't think I had a clue 00:19:50.299 --> 00:19:51.320 about the gospel at all. 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:54.900 My thought as a Christian 00:19:54.900 --> 00:19:55.740 was that it was 00:19:55.740 --> 00:19:56.740 what I needed to do. 00:19:56.980 --> 00:19:58.100 It was about my hard work, 00:19:58.220 --> 00:19:58.920 my holiness. 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:00.360 I needed to work hard 00:20:00.360 --> 00:20:01.420 to be a good person. 00:20:01.820 --> 00:20:02.519 It wasn't about 00:20:02.519 --> 00:20:03.340 what Christ 00:20:03.340 --> 00:20:04.320 had already done for me. 00:20:05.980 --> 00:20:06.980 And it wasn't until 00:20:06.980 --> 00:20:07.900 I came actually here 00:20:07.900 --> 00:20:08.480 to Watermark 00:20:08.480 --> 00:20:09.500 and I learned about 00:20:09.500 --> 00:20:10.759 gospel-centered teaching 00:20:10.759 --> 00:20:11.980 that I realized 00:20:11.980 --> 00:20:12.640 that actually 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:13.720 I was much worse 00:20:13.720 --> 00:20:14.519 than I thought I was. 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:17.559 But I was much more loved 00:20:17.559 --> 00:20:18.680 and cherished 00:20:18.680 --> 00:20:20.119 and precious to God 00:20:20.119 --> 00:20:21.660 than I had realized. 00:20:22.799 --> 00:20:23.720 And in this process 00:20:23.720 --> 00:20:24.980 of confessing sin 00:20:24.980 --> 00:20:26.799 and growing more in love 00:20:26.799 --> 00:20:27.640 with Jesus, 00:20:28.119 --> 00:20:29.779 I have seen a newness 00:20:29.779 --> 00:20:30.779 in parts of my life. 00:20:32.619 --> 00:20:33.680 Many years ago, 00:20:33.940 --> 00:20:35.039 I struggled with 00:20:35.039 --> 00:20:35.559 an addiction 00:20:35.559 --> 00:20:37.440 to poker. 00:20:38.660 --> 00:20:39.500 It sounds funny, 00:20:39.779 --> 00:20:40.700 but it was actually 00:20:40.700 --> 00:20:41.400 pretty bad. 00:20:42.080 --> 00:20:43.319 I loved Texas Hold'em. 00:20:43.880 --> 00:20:45.080 I would play in casinos, 00:20:45.460 --> 00:20:46.880 I would play in poker clubs 00:20:46.880 --> 00:20:48.200 in New York and Hong Kong, 00:20:48.279 --> 00:20:49.340 I would play in people's homes, 00:20:49.720 --> 00:20:50.460 I'd even have games 00:20:50.460 --> 00:20:51.100 in my own home. 00:20:52.160 --> 00:20:53.420 I loved the competitive 00:20:53.420 --> 00:20:54.380 aspect of it, 00:20:54.420 --> 00:20:55.059 the strategy, 00:20:55.220 --> 00:20:55.720 trying to outwit 00:20:55.720 --> 00:20:56.080 your opponent, 00:20:56.259 --> 00:20:56.799 bluffing. 00:20:57.180 --> 00:20:58.380 I would go online 00:20:58.380 --> 00:20:59.680 and listen to YouTube videos 00:20:59.680 --> 00:21:00.299 of professionals 00:21:00.299 --> 00:21:01.120 to get better, 00:21:01.220 --> 00:21:01.900 I read books, 00:21:02.340 --> 00:21:03.080 I knew all the odds, 00:21:03.259 --> 00:21:04.000 mathematical odds 00:21:04.000 --> 00:21:04.340 of poker 00:21:04.340 --> 00:21:05.140 to gain an advantage. 00:21:05.140 --> 00:21:07.960 But looking back now, 00:21:08.460 --> 00:21:11.300 I can admit that 00:21:11.300 --> 00:21:13.380 I loved poker. 00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:15.340 I was so deeply invested in it, 00:21:15.400 --> 00:21:16.580 I was so focused on it. 00:21:16.680 --> 00:21:17.340 I loved poker 00:21:17.340 --> 00:21:18.800 more than I loved Jesus. 00:21:19.660 --> 00:21:20.860 It was an addiction. 00:21:21.660 --> 00:21:23.120 It was an idol. 00:21:25.480 --> 00:21:26.360 But it wasn't that 00:21:26.360 --> 00:21:27.380 I woke up one day 00:21:27.380 --> 00:21:28.300 at rock bottom 00:21:28.300 --> 00:21:29.100 where the only direction 00:21:29.100 --> 00:21:30.060 I could go was up, 00:21:30.059 --> 00:21:31.159 and it wasn't like 00:21:31.159 --> 00:21:31.940 I had some amazing 00:21:31.940 --> 00:21:32.980 God moment. 00:21:34.539 --> 00:21:35.480 It's that over time, 00:21:35.960 --> 00:21:37.679 as I became aware 00:21:37.679 --> 00:21:38.919 of my own depravity, 00:21:39.480 --> 00:21:40.819 I realized I needed 00:21:40.819 --> 00:21:42.440 Jesus' death on the cross 00:21:42.440 --> 00:21:43.659 more than I'd realized. 00:21:44.879 --> 00:21:45.700 And then as my love 00:21:45.700 --> 00:21:46.559 for Christ grew, 00:21:46.659 --> 00:21:47.359 my appreciation 00:21:47.359 --> 00:21:48.279 and love for Him grew, 00:21:48.639 --> 00:21:49.619 there wasn't space 00:21:49.619 --> 00:21:50.119 in my heart 00:21:50.119 --> 00:21:51.339 to love this poker. 00:21:51.720 --> 00:21:52.679 And so that love died. 00:21:54.299 --> 00:21:55.579 And even in recent years, 00:21:55.619 --> 00:21:56.539 as my love for Jesus 00:21:56.539 --> 00:21:57.139 has grown, 00:21:57.679 --> 00:21:58.679 stuff that was so important 00:21:58.679 --> 00:21:59.359 to me in the past 00:21:59.359 --> 00:22:00.539 just isn't anymore. 00:22:02.159 --> 00:22:02.919 I used to think 00:22:02.919 --> 00:22:03.779 that life was about 00:22:03.779 --> 00:22:04.539 doing well in school, 00:22:04.679 --> 00:22:05.659 getting good grades, 00:22:06.039 --> 00:22:07.119 getting a great job, 00:22:07.359 --> 00:22:08.579 winning tennis matches 00:22:08.579 --> 00:22:09.479 along the way, 00:22:09.979 --> 00:22:11.939 and moving up the food chain 00:22:11.939 --> 00:22:12.639 to the top 00:22:12.639 --> 00:22:13.459 so I could make 00:22:13.459 --> 00:22:13.979 a lot of money. 00:22:15.379 --> 00:22:17.079 And in recent years, 00:22:17.279 --> 00:22:18.619 as I've loved Christ more, 00:22:18.959 --> 00:22:20.500 my drive to succeed 00:22:20.500 --> 00:22:21.500 in these worldly things 00:22:21.500 --> 00:22:22.479 has sort of diminished. 00:22:23.439 --> 00:22:24.159 Don't get me wrong, 00:22:24.240 --> 00:22:25.240 I still work hard 00:22:25.240 --> 00:22:26.619 and I still respect work 00:22:26.619 --> 00:22:27.439 and I appreciate it, 00:22:27.500 --> 00:22:29.099 but I guess what I'm trying 00:22:29.099 --> 00:22:29.659 to say is here 00:22:29.659 --> 00:22:31.759 that its former place 00:22:31.759 --> 00:22:32.599 that was up here 00:22:32.599 --> 00:22:34.419 has been de-elevated. 00:22:34.719 --> 00:22:35.559 It's now down here. 00:22:39.119 --> 00:22:39.899 Because I think 00:22:39.899 --> 00:22:41.399 as our love for Christ grows, 00:22:42.399 --> 00:22:44.199 God's Spirit gives us 00:22:44.199 --> 00:22:45.279 a bigger heart 00:22:45.279 --> 00:22:46.419 to love what He loves 00:22:46.419 --> 00:22:47.259 and who He loves. 00:22:47.779 --> 00:22:48.899 He wants us to love 00:22:48.899 --> 00:22:50.000 our families, 00:22:50.119 --> 00:22:51.259 our wives and our children well, 00:22:51.339 --> 00:22:52.019 to cherish them. 00:22:52.079 --> 00:22:52.859 He wants us to love 00:22:52.859 --> 00:22:53.919 our community here 00:22:53.919 --> 00:22:54.579 at Watermark, 00:22:54.679 --> 00:22:55.599 to sacrifice for them. 00:22:55.659 --> 00:22:56.319 He wants us to love 00:22:56.319 --> 00:22:57.259 our neighbors. 00:22:57.659 --> 00:22:58.179 He wants us to love 00:22:58.179 --> 00:22:58.700 strangers. 00:22:58.899 --> 00:22:59.419 He wants us to love 00:22:59.419 --> 00:23:00.139 widows and orphans, 00:23:00.220 --> 00:23:00.619 the poor. 00:23:01.539 --> 00:23:02.359 But also, 00:23:02.519 --> 00:23:04.119 as our love for Christ grows, 00:23:05.019 --> 00:23:06.220 there is no room 00:23:06.220 --> 00:23:07.220 to love that which 00:23:07.220 --> 00:23:07.960 Christ hates. 00:23:08.200 --> 00:23:08.879 And what does He hate? 00:23:09.579 --> 00:23:09.980 Idols, 00:23:10.579 --> 00:23:11.019 addictions, 00:23:11.339 --> 00:23:11.779 and sin. 00:23:13.019 --> 00:23:13.859 Whether it's an addiction 00:23:13.859 --> 00:23:14.559 to poker, 00:23:15.559 --> 00:23:16.299 to alcohol, 00:23:17.099 --> 00:23:17.579 pornography, 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:19.179 the idol of our kids' 00:23:19.319 --> 00:23:19.799 education, 00:23:19.960 --> 00:23:20.919 the idol that money 00:23:20.919 --> 00:23:22.000 can give us happiness, 00:23:22.000 --> 00:23:23.500 these things diminish 00:23:23.500 --> 00:23:24.680 when our love for Christ 00:23:24.680 --> 00:23:25.519 increases. 00:23:26.460 --> 00:23:27.319 This is what happens 00:23:27.319 --> 00:23:27.900 when the gospel 00:23:27.900 --> 00:23:29.019 gets deeper into our hearts. 00:23:29.319 --> 00:23:31.299 We become constantly renewed, 00:23:31.440 --> 00:23:32.240 a new creation, 00:23:32.339 --> 00:23:33.019 so that today 00:23:33.019 --> 00:23:33.960 we're more like Christ 00:23:33.960 --> 00:23:34.740 than we were yesterday, 00:23:35.019 --> 00:23:35.920 and tomorrow 00:23:35.920 --> 00:23:37.200 we'll be more like Christ 00:23:37.200 --> 00:23:38.700 than we are today. 00:23:38.859 --> 00:23:39.559 This is the power 00:23:39.559 --> 00:23:40.140 of the gospel, 00:23:40.720 --> 00:23:41.579 as Paul says 00:23:41.579 --> 00:23:42.819 in Romans 1, right? 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.740 And we're not renewed, 00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:44.980 right, 00:23:45.019 --> 00:23:46.779 by some wise words 00:23:46.779 --> 00:23:47.519 or some celebrity 00:23:47.519 --> 00:23:48.539 motivational speaker 00:23:48.539 --> 00:23:50.099 that says how to live 00:23:50.099 --> 00:23:50.700 or how to think 00:23:50.700 --> 00:23:51.420 or act, right? 00:23:51.420 --> 00:23:52.220 We're renewed 00:23:52.220 --> 00:23:53.720 by the very power 00:23:53.720 --> 00:23:54.480 of God, 00:23:54.560 --> 00:23:55.200 by His Spirit. 00:23:56.279 --> 00:23:56.740 But again, 00:23:57.539 --> 00:23:58.620 we're not yet perfect. 00:24:00.000 --> 00:24:01.100 And in case you had the view 00:24:01.100 --> 00:24:02.480 that I'm some sort of saint, 00:24:02.640 --> 00:24:02.820 well, 00:24:03.200 --> 00:24:03.920 you should ask the elders. 00:24:05.360 --> 00:24:05.900 Better yet, 00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:07.140 ask my wife 00:24:07.140 --> 00:24:08.640 or daughter. 00:24:10.019 --> 00:24:10.880 They know me well. 00:24:14.500 --> 00:24:15.100 I'm not sure 00:24:15.100 --> 00:24:15.740 if I shared this story. 00:24:16.759 --> 00:24:17.580 Late last year, 00:24:17.680 --> 00:24:18.140 Celeste and I 00:24:18.140 --> 00:24:18.620 were driving 00:24:18.620 --> 00:24:19.580 to my cousin's wedding 00:24:19.580 --> 00:24:20.660 in Kuntong. 00:24:21.420 --> 00:24:22.279 We were already late 00:24:22.279 --> 00:24:23.700 when I took a wrong turn 00:24:23.700 --> 00:24:24.860 and I went down 00:24:24.860 --> 00:24:25.860 a one-way street 00:24:25.860 --> 00:24:26.800 and I was stuck. 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.060 Excuse me, 00:24:28.060 --> 00:24:28.340 one second, 00:24:28.420 --> 00:24:28.720 excuse me. 00:24:31.620 --> 00:24:32.279 So I was stuck 00:24:32.279 --> 00:24:33.759 down a one-way street 00:24:33.759 --> 00:24:34.980 and the only way 00:24:34.980 --> 00:24:35.460 to get out 00:24:35.460 --> 00:24:36.400 was to turn around 00:24:36.400 --> 00:24:37.160 the way I came. 00:24:38.460 --> 00:24:39.039 But the only way 00:24:39.039 --> 00:24:39.519 to turn around 00:24:39.519 --> 00:24:40.100 was to reverse 00:24:40.100 --> 00:24:41.140 into this driveway 00:24:41.140 --> 00:24:41.920 of a car park. 00:24:42.960 --> 00:24:43.519 And there's one 00:24:43.519 --> 00:24:44.400 of these orange cones 00:24:44.400 --> 00:24:45.600 blocking the driveway 00:24:45.600 --> 00:24:46.560 so I got out 00:24:46.560 --> 00:24:47.120 of the car, 00:24:47.720 --> 00:24:48.460 picked the cone up, 00:24:48.720 --> 00:24:49.700 put it to the side, 00:24:49.700 --> 00:24:51.019 but as I got 00:24:51.019 --> 00:24:51.779 back into my car, 00:24:52.080 --> 00:24:52.480 the manager 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.039 of the car park 00:24:53.039 --> 00:24:53.900 picked that cone up 00:24:53.900 --> 00:24:54.759 and put it right back 00:24:54.759 --> 00:24:55.019 in the middle 00:24:55.019 --> 00:24:55.480 of the driveway. 00:24:56.660 --> 00:24:57.180 So I'm like, 00:24:57.220 --> 00:24:57.360 dude. 00:24:57.620 --> 00:24:58.180 Well, I didn't say dude. 00:24:58.240 --> 00:24:58.779 I said, sir. 00:25:00.900 --> 00:25:01.519 I just need 00:25:01.519 --> 00:25:02.279 a couple seconds 00:25:02.279 --> 00:25:02.940 to reverse 00:25:02.940 --> 00:25:04.059 so I can get out 00:25:04.059 --> 00:25:04.200 of here. 00:25:04.420 --> 00:25:05.000 You can see 00:25:05.000 --> 00:25:05.799 I'm stuck, right? 00:25:05.900 --> 00:25:06.180 Obviously, 00:25:06.299 --> 00:25:07.519 he knows I'm stuck, right? 00:25:08.559 --> 00:25:09.059 And he goes, 00:25:09.100 --> 00:25:09.299 sorry, 00:25:09.640 --> 00:25:10.420 no one can come in 00:25:10.420 --> 00:25:11.460 unless they pay. 00:25:12.660 --> 00:25:12.880 I said, 00:25:12.920 --> 00:25:13.460 I don't need to pay. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:14.059 I don't need to come 00:25:14.059 --> 00:25:14.319 into your, 00:25:14.519 --> 00:25:15.160 I don't need to park. 00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.759 I just need a couple seconds 00:25:16.759 --> 00:25:17.340 to reverse 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:18.439 so I can get out 00:25:18.439 --> 00:25:18.619 of here. 00:25:18.679 --> 00:25:19.659 I'm late for my cousin's 00:25:19.659 --> 00:25:19.899 wedding. 00:25:20.259 --> 00:25:20.599 Come on, 00:25:20.859 --> 00:25:21.819 have some pity on me. 00:25:22.539 --> 00:25:23.039 He looks at me 00:25:23.039 --> 00:25:23.720 with arms crossed. 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.679 No one comes in 00:25:25.679 --> 00:25:26.279 unless they pay. 00:25:28.399 --> 00:25:30.299 And so I flipped out. 00:25:31.259 --> 00:25:32.179 I yelled at him. 00:25:33.019 --> 00:25:33.559 I didn't curse, 00:25:33.619 --> 00:25:34.459 I didn't swear at him, 00:25:34.579 --> 00:25:35.699 so just make sure 00:25:35.699 --> 00:25:36.240 you understand that. 00:25:36.319 --> 00:25:37.240 But I definitely 00:25:37.240 --> 00:25:37.980 wasn't gracious, 00:25:38.179 --> 00:25:39.000 I wasn't kind. 00:25:40.059 --> 00:25:41.119 I yelled at him 00:25:41.119 --> 00:25:42.939 and I'm not proud of it. 00:25:43.500 --> 00:25:43.899 I'm not proud. 00:25:43.980 --> 00:25:45.619 My voice was raised 00:25:45.619 --> 00:25:46.659 and my anger burned 00:25:46.659 --> 00:25:47.099 at him. 00:25:49.539 --> 00:25:50.519 I still have a lot 00:25:50.519 --> 00:25:51.299 of renewing to do 00:25:51.299 --> 00:25:52.339 over the course 00:25:52.339 --> 00:25:53.699 of many years. 00:25:54.859 --> 00:25:55.779 But thankfully, 00:25:56.319 --> 00:25:57.359 God has made a way 00:25:57.359 --> 00:25:58.139 for my heart 00:25:58.139 --> 00:25:59.079 and for your heart 00:25:59.079 --> 00:26:00.639 to be continually 00:26:00.639 --> 00:26:01.339 renewed. 00:26:02.719 --> 00:26:03.739 And this renewing 00:26:03.739 --> 00:26:04.639 is only possible 00:26:04.639 --> 00:26:05.899 because God 00:26:05.899 --> 00:26:07.119 has reconciled us 00:26:07.119 --> 00:26:07.979 to himself 00:26:07.979 --> 00:26:09.319 through Jesus Christ. 00:26:10.599 --> 00:26:11.199 Let's look at 00:26:11.199 --> 00:26:12.619 verse 18 and 19 now. 00:26:13.479 --> 00:26:13.979 And Paul says, 00:26:13.980 --> 00:26:15.680 all of this is from God, 00:26:16.279 --> 00:26:17.000 referring to being 00:26:17.000 --> 00:26:17.660 a new creation, 00:26:18.240 --> 00:26:19.019 who through Christ 00:26:19.019 --> 00:26:20.240 reconciled us 00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:20.779 to himself 00:26:20.779 --> 00:26:21.539 and gave us 00:26:21.539 --> 00:26:22.059 the ministry 00:26:22.059 --> 00:26:22.880 of reconciliation. 00:26:23.740 --> 00:26:24.259 That is, 00:26:24.660 --> 00:26:25.279 in Christ, 00:26:25.839 --> 00:26:26.920 God was reconciling 00:26:26.920 --> 00:26:27.980 the world to himself, 00:26:28.240 --> 00:26:29.680 not counting our trespasses 00:26:29.680 --> 00:26:30.519 against them. 00:26:32.000 --> 00:26:32.740 The fact that 00:26:32.740 --> 00:26:34.140 reconciliation is needed 00:26:34.140 --> 00:26:35.500 indicates the fractured 00:26:35.500 --> 00:26:36.380 relationship we have 00:26:36.380 --> 00:26:36.720 with God 00:26:36.720 --> 00:26:37.319 because of sin. 00:26:38.539 --> 00:26:39.620 Paul writes in Colossians 00:26:39.620 --> 00:26:40.940 that apart from Christ, 00:26:41.019 --> 00:26:42.099 we are enemies of God. 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.579 God. 00:26:42.839 --> 00:26:43.559 In Ephesians, 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:43.959 he writes, 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:44.879 we are aliens 00:26:44.879 --> 00:26:45.500 and foreigners 00:26:45.500 --> 00:26:46.459 to God's household 00:26:46.459 --> 00:26:48.099 because of sin, 00:26:48.639 --> 00:26:49.899 because of our trespasses. 00:26:50.240 --> 00:26:51.859 We absolutely cannot be 00:26:51.859 --> 00:26:52.759 in the presence 00:26:52.759 --> 00:26:53.639 of God. 00:26:54.639 --> 00:26:55.559 But God himself 00:26:55.559 --> 00:26:57.159 has made a way. 00:26:58.299 --> 00:26:59.079 Notice Paul writes, 00:26:59.579 --> 00:27:00.579 all this is from God 00:27:00.579 --> 00:27:01.839 who through Christ 00:27:01.839 --> 00:27:02.899 reconciled us 00:27:02.899 --> 00:27:03.480 to himself. 00:27:04.659 --> 00:27:04.939 See, 00:27:05.000 --> 00:27:05.619 we can't reconcile 00:27:05.619 --> 00:27:06.099 with God. 00:27:06.959 --> 00:27:07.519 It isn't like 00:27:07.519 --> 00:27:08.299 when we husbands, 00:27:08.679 --> 00:27:08.919 you know, 00:27:08.919 --> 00:27:09.480 say something mean 00:27:09.480 --> 00:27:10.079 to our wives 00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:10.599 and, you know, 00:27:10.659 --> 00:27:11.039 in an attempt 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.759 to win them back, 00:27:11.799 --> 00:27:12.179 so to speak. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.079 We buy them chocolates 00:27:13.079 --> 00:27:14.279 or flowers 00:27:14.279 --> 00:27:15.799 to win them back, 00:27:15.859 --> 00:27:16.039 right? 00:27:16.439 --> 00:27:17.059 It doesn't work 00:27:17.059 --> 00:27:17.599 this way with God. 00:27:18.819 --> 00:27:20.519 We cannot reconcile 00:27:20.519 --> 00:27:21.059 with God. 00:27:21.159 --> 00:27:21.759 There is nothing 00:27:21.759 --> 00:27:22.399 we can do 00:27:22.399 --> 00:27:23.179 to reconcile 00:27:23.179 --> 00:27:23.819 with God. 00:27:24.019 --> 00:27:24.919 It's only through 00:27:24.919 --> 00:27:25.720 Christ's blood 00:27:25.720 --> 00:27:26.960 poured out on the cross 00:27:26.960 --> 00:27:27.879 that you and I 00:27:27.879 --> 00:27:28.659 are reconciled 00:27:28.659 --> 00:27:29.480 with God. 00:27:30.779 --> 00:27:31.980 And being reconciled 00:27:31.980 --> 00:27:32.859 means we have 00:27:32.859 --> 00:27:33.519 a relationship 00:27:33.519 --> 00:27:35.199 with Almighty God. 00:27:35.919 --> 00:27:37.019 We can know him. 00:27:37.699 --> 00:27:38.659 We can commune 00:27:38.660 --> 00:27:39.100 with him. 00:27:40.160 --> 00:27:40.680 Even now, 00:27:40.740 --> 00:27:41.600 during this service, 00:27:41.800 --> 00:27:42.680 we are communing 00:27:42.680 --> 00:27:43.200 with God 00:27:43.200 --> 00:27:44.240 as he speaks 00:27:44.240 --> 00:27:45.880 through the songs 00:27:45.880 --> 00:27:47.120 or through the scripture 00:27:47.120 --> 00:27:49.019 or through the message. 00:27:49.360 --> 00:27:50.480 We respond to him 00:27:50.480 --> 00:27:51.920 in confession, 00:27:52.920 --> 00:27:53.920 in worship, 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.160 in adoration. 00:27:58.240 --> 00:27:59.060 And then, 00:27:59.240 --> 00:28:00.340 in verse 21 here, 00:28:01.360 --> 00:28:02.160 Paul ends 00:28:02.160 --> 00:28:02.779 with one of the 00:28:02.779 --> 00:28:03.720 most significant statements 00:28:03.720 --> 00:28:04.980 in the entire Bible 00:28:04.980 --> 00:28:06.720 explaining how it is 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:08.240 that you and I, 00:28:08.360 --> 00:28:08.980 if our faith 00:28:08.980 --> 00:28:09.559 and hope 00:28:09.559 --> 00:28:10.640 is in Jesus, 00:28:11.180 --> 00:28:12.720 we can be reconciled 00:28:12.720 --> 00:28:13.299 with God. 00:28:14.799 --> 00:28:15.500 Verse 21, 00:28:15.980 --> 00:28:16.559 for our sake 00:28:16.559 --> 00:28:17.220 he made him 00:28:17.220 --> 00:28:17.860 to be sin 00:28:17.860 --> 00:28:19.360 who knew no sin 00:28:19.360 --> 00:28:20.640 so that in him 00:28:20.640 --> 00:28:21.759 we might become 00:28:21.759 --> 00:28:22.620 the righteousness 00:28:22.620 --> 00:28:23.759 of God. 00:28:24.640 --> 00:28:25.420 This is the gospel. 00:28:25.980 --> 00:28:26.759 This is the gospel. 00:28:27.220 --> 00:28:27.860 Jesus' death 00:28:27.860 --> 00:28:28.500 on the cross 00:28:28.500 --> 00:28:29.980 enables us, 00:28:30.220 --> 00:28:31.539 Jesus' death 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:31.960 on the cross 00:28:31.960 --> 00:28:33.059 enables us 00:28:33.059 --> 00:28:34.220 to be reconciled 00:28:34.220 --> 00:28:34.759 with God. 00:28:34.759 --> 00:28:36.000 The cross 00:28:36.000 --> 00:28:36.879 is the bridge 00:28:36.879 --> 00:28:37.720 which provides 00:28:37.720 --> 00:28:38.640 a pathway 00:28:38.640 --> 00:28:39.299 to God, 00:28:39.680 --> 00:28:40.200 a pathway 00:28:40.200 --> 00:28:41.480 to know God, 00:28:42.019 --> 00:28:42.980 to be in a relationship 00:28:42.980 --> 00:28:43.539 with him. 00:28:46.200 --> 00:28:47.400 But the sacrifice 00:28:47.400 --> 00:28:48.220 of the cross 00:28:48.220 --> 00:28:49.140 cost Jesus 00:28:49.140 --> 00:28:50.400 everything 00:28:50.400 --> 00:28:52.819 and his death 00:28:52.819 --> 00:28:54.259 reveals three 00:28:54.259 --> 00:28:55.259 fundamental points 00:28:55.259 --> 00:28:56.680 at the heart 00:28:56.680 --> 00:28:58.039 of the gospel. 00:28:58.819 --> 00:28:59.819 The first point 00:28:59.819 --> 00:29:00.740 is that sin, 00:29:01.079 --> 00:29:01.900 the sin in our hearts, 00:29:01.980 --> 00:29:02.400 the darkness 00:29:02.400 --> 00:29:02.960 that resides 00:29:02.960 --> 00:29:03.819 in each 00:29:03.819 --> 00:29:04.240 and every 00:29:04.240 --> 00:29:04.819 single one 00:29:04.819 --> 00:29:05.140 of us 00:29:05.140 --> 00:29:06.059 is much worse 00:29:06.059 --> 00:29:06.579 than we 00:29:06.579 --> 00:29:07.059 understand it 00:29:07.059 --> 00:29:07.420 to be. 00:29:08.720 --> 00:29:09.019 If you think 00:29:09.019 --> 00:29:09.620 about yourself, 00:29:09.799 --> 00:29:10.420 perhaps you've 00:29:10.420 --> 00:29:11.200 never committed 00:29:11.200 --> 00:29:11.600 murder 00:29:11.600 --> 00:29:12.519 or robbed a bank, 00:29:12.840 --> 00:29:13.480 but I imagine 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:14.380 every single person 00:29:14.380 --> 00:29:15.340 here has burned 00:29:15.340 --> 00:29:15.960 with anger 00:29:15.960 --> 00:29:16.900 against someone. 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.519 Maybe your boss, 00:29:19.000 --> 00:29:19.980 maybe your parents, 00:29:20.519 --> 00:29:21.220 maybe the manager 00:29:21.220 --> 00:29:22.140 of a car park. 00:29:23.539 --> 00:29:24.279 You may have 00:29:24.279 --> 00:29:24.700 never committed 00:29:24.700 --> 00:29:25.220 adultery, 00:29:25.680 --> 00:29:26.259 but I imagine 00:29:26.259 --> 00:29:26.960 most if not 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.819 every single person 00:29:27.819 --> 00:29:29.059 here has lusted 00:29:29.059 --> 00:29:29.900 after someone 00:29:29.900 --> 00:29:30.540 who they weren't 00:29:30.540 --> 00:29:31.040 married to. 00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:33.480 I know I have. 00:29:35.200 --> 00:29:35.820 But Christ 00:29:35.820 --> 00:29:36.620 was very clear 00:29:36.620 --> 00:29:37.400 when he said 00:29:37.400 --> 00:29:37.980 that the sin 00:29:37.980 --> 00:29:38.400 we commit 00:29:38.400 --> 00:29:39.000 in our heart, 00:29:39.100 --> 00:29:39.800 that secret sin 00:29:39.800 --> 00:29:40.500 that no one else 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:40.980 knows about, 00:29:41.040 --> 00:29:41.480 he knows, 00:29:42.080 --> 00:29:42.900 and that's still sin. 00:29:45.100 --> 00:29:46.160 And the second point 00:29:46.160 --> 00:29:48.080 is that God 00:29:48.080 --> 00:29:49.120 is much holier 00:29:49.120 --> 00:29:50.000 and just 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.980 than we understand 00:29:50.980 --> 00:29:51.580 him to be. 00:29:52.420 --> 00:29:52.780 In fact, 00:29:52.820 --> 00:29:53.480 I would be remiss 00:29:53.480 --> 00:29:54.280 to think I can even 00:29:54.280 --> 00:29:55.040 find the word 00:29:55.040 --> 00:29:55.880 to describe 00:29:55.880 --> 00:29:56.960 God's holiness. 00:29:56.960 --> 00:29:59.880 But one implication 00:29:59.880 --> 00:30:00.920 of his holiness 00:30:00.920 --> 00:30:01.779 is that God 00:30:01.779 --> 00:30:02.640 absolutely 00:30:02.640 --> 00:30:04.840 cannot stand sin. 00:30:05.720 --> 00:30:06.519 And I don't just mean 00:30:06.519 --> 00:30:08.039 murder and grand larceny, 00:30:08.100 --> 00:30:09.100 I mean all those sins 00:30:09.100 --> 00:30:09.640 that you and I 00:30:09.640 --> 00:30:10.759 commit in our hearts. 00:30:11.200 --> 00:30:12.000 There is not one 00:30:12.000 --> 00:30:12.640 single sin 00:30:12.640 --> 00:30:13.900 that will go unpunished 00:30:13.900 --> 00:30:14.480 by God. 00:30:15.539 --> 00:30:16.500 God demands justice 00:30:16.500 --> 00:30:18.019 for each and every sin 00:30:18.019 --> 00:30:19.660 because of his holiness. 00:30:21.799 --> 00:30:22.460 So yeah, 00:30:22.519 --> 00:30:23.539 if our sin wasn't that bad 00:30:23.539 --> 00:30:24.279 and if God 00:30:24.279 --> 00:30:25.059 wasn't that holy, 00:30:25.319 --> 00:30:26.200 then sure, 00:30:26.200 --> 00:30:26.940 in that pretend 00:30:26.940 --> 00:30:27.779 parallel universe, 00:30:28.279 --> 00:30:29.460 maybe we can get a pass 00:30:29.460 --> 00:30:30.680 for our sin. 00:30:32.880 --> 00:30:34.360 So when Kevin and Claire 00:30:34.360 --> 00:30:36.039 were considering 00:30:36.039 --> 00:30:37.880 moving from Cape Town 00:30:37.880 --> 00:30:38.819 to serve here 00:30:38.819 --> 00:30:39.539 at Watermark, 00:30:40.200 --> 00:30:41.059 they came on a brief 00:30:41.059 --> 00:30:42.080 trip to Hong Kong. 00:30:43.240 --> 00:30:44.620 And on one of those days, 00:30:44.740 --> 00:30:45.640 my wife Celeste and I 00:30:45.640 --> 00:30:46.240 took them out 00:30:46.240 --> 00:30:47.319 on a sightseeing tour. 00:30:48.059 --> 00:30:48.580 We were heading 00:30:48.580 --> 00:30:49.580 towards Causeway Bay, 00:30:50.440 --> 00:30:52.640 but I missed the exit. 00:30:52.640 --> 00:30:56.800 And so I made the quick 00:30:56.800 --> 00:30:57.820 and wrong decision 00:30:57.820 --> 00:30:59.180 to cross a double line 00:30:59.180 --> 00:31:00.460 to make the exit. 00:31:01.100 --> 00:31:01.580 And of course, 00:31:02.460 --> 00:31:03.860 very soon after that, 00:31:04.120 --> 00:31:04.540 the police, 00:31:04.840 --> 00:31:05.580 the lights were flashing 00:31:05.580 --> 00:31:06.400 in my rear view mirror. 00:31:06.560 --> 00:31:07.320 I was getting pulled over 00:31:07.320 --> 00:31:08.280 by the police officer 00:31:08.280 --> 00:31:09.500 asking me for my license. 00:31:10.840 --> 00:31:11.780 But somehow, 00:31:12.460 --> 00:31:12.960 miraculously, 00:31:13.080 --> 00:31:14.180 by the grace of God, 00:31:14.600 --> 00:31:15.520 the police officer 00:31:15.520 --> 00:31:16.000 just said, 00:31:16.460 --> 00:31:17.240 don't do this again. 00:31:17.860 --> 00:31:18.700 And he let me go. 00:31:19.980 --> 00:31:20.720 Amazing, right? 00:31:20.720 --> 00:31:22.000 I got in the pass. 00:31:23.279 --> 00:31:24.600 But it doesn't work 00:31:24.600 --> 00:31:25.880 this way with God. 00:31:26.900 --> 00:31:27.960 The God of the Bible, 00:31:28.079 --> 00:31:28.980 whom we worship, 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.500 cannot give a pass 00:31:30.500 --> 00:31:31.019 to anyone. 00:31:31.740 --> 00:31:33.039 Every sin must be punished. 00:31:33.480 --> 00:31:34.240 Every evil thought 00:31:34.240 --> 00:31:34.819 and action 00:31:34.819 --> 00:31:36.779 will be accounted for. 00:31:37.960 --> 00:31:38.279 But, 00:31:38.640 --> 00:31:39.940 the story doesn't end there. 00:31:40.140 --> 00:31:40.579 If it did, 00:31:40.640 --> 00:31:41.220 it's pretty depressing, 00:31:41.339 --> 00:31:41.759 isn't it, right? 00:31:41.920 --> 00:31:43.220 It doesn't end there. 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:44.600 The beauty of the gospel 00:31:44.600 --> 00:31:45.319 is that God 00:31:45.319 --> 00:31:46.640 didn't just give us a pass. 00:31:47.519 --> 00:31:47.819 Instead, 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:49.140 he made a way 00:31:49.140 --> 00:31:51.120 to satisfy his own wrath 00:31:51.120 --> 00:31:53.000 through punishing himself. 00:31:54.200 --> 00:31:54.340 I mean, 00:31:54.340 --> 00:31:55.020 who does that, right? 00:31:56.020 --> 00:31:57.420 He made him to be sin 00:31:57.420 --> 00:31:58.840 who knew no sin. 00:32:00.000 --> 00:32:01.040 Jesus Christ, 00:32:01.259 --> 00:32:02.520 who was equal to God 00:32:02.520 --> 00:32:03.560 in every way, 00:32:03.700 --> 00:32:05.440 the radiance of God's glory, 00:32:05.700 --> 00:32:06.940 the one who never sinned, 00:32:07.100 --> 00:32:08.660 and the one who was perfectly holy, 00:32:09.040 --> 00:32:09.860 became sin. 00:32:11.000 --> 00:32:11.820 That is to say 00:32:11.820 --> 00:32:13.520 that the sin of the world, 00:32:14.000 --> 00:32:14.600 your sin, 00:32:15.020 --> 00:32:15.759 and my sin, 00:32:15.759 --> 00:32:16.780 were literally put 00:32:16.779 --> 00:32:17.819 on the shoulders 00:32:17.819 --> 00:32:18.879 of Christ 00:32:18.879 --> 00:32:20.039 so that Christ 00:32:20.039 --> 00:32:21.599 became our substitute. 00:32:22.799 --> 00:32:23.879 Instead of you and I 00:32:23.879 --> 00:32:25.559 facing the just punishment 00:32:25.559 --> 00:32:26.200 of God, 00:32:26.619 --> 00:32:27.599 Jesus on the cross 00:32:27.599 --> 00:32:29.000 hung in our place, 00:32:29.720 --> 00:32:30.240 bloodied 00:32:30.240 --> 00:32:31.740 and bruised 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.539 and facing 00:32:32.539 --> 00:32:33.639 the terrible wrath 00:32:33.639 --> 00:32:34.399 of God. 00:32:34.799 --> 00:32:35.680 And he did this 00:32:35.680 --> 00:32:36.720 for us 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:38.619 because he loves us. 00:32:40.160 --> 00:32:41.399 And through his death 00:32:41.399 --> 00:32:42.660 on the cross, 00:32:43.399 --> 00:32:43.940 the perfection 00:32:43.940 --> 00:32:44.720 of Christ, 00:32:45.480 --> 00:32:46.279 his righteousness 00:32:46.279 --> 00:32:48.759 has been given to us. 00:32:48.940 --> 00:32:49.860 It has been imputed 00:32:49.860 --> 00:32:50.400 to us. 00:32:51.380 --> 00:32:52.220 We now have 00:32:52.220 --> 00:32:53.620 Christ's righteousness 00:32:53.620 --> 00:32:54.820 if we confess 00:32:54.820 --> 00:32:56.380 and repent of our sins 00:32:56.380 --> 00:32:57.500 and put our faith 00:32:57.500 --> 00:32:57.980 and hope 00:32:57.980 --> 00:32:58.759 in Christ. 00:32:58.880 --> 00:32:59.720 When God the Father 00:32:59.720 --> 00:33:00.720 considers us, 00:33:01.340 --> 00:33:02.080 when the almighty, 00:33:02.299 --> 00:33:03.039 powerful God 00:33:03.039 --> 00:33:03.980 looks at us, 00:33:04.279 --> 00:33:05.100 he doesn't see 00:33:05.100 --> 00:33:05.980 our sin, 00:33:07.059 --> 00:33:07.519 he doesn't see 00:33:07.519 --> 00:33:08.720 all the nasty thoughts 00:33:08.720 --> 00:33:09.519 in our hearts, 00:33:09.880 --> 00:33:10.500 he doesn't count 00:33:10.500 --> 00:33:11.100 against us 00:33:11.100 --> 00:33:11.940 all the times 00:33:11.940 --> 00:33:13.180 that we have messed up, 00:33:13.180 --> 00:33:13.980 he doesn't see 00:33:13.980 --> 00:33:14.660 our addiction, 00:33:15.200 --> 00:33:16.060 our greed, 00:33:16.700 --> 00:33:17.560 our pride, 00:33:17.720 --> 00:33:18.279 our lust. 00:33:18.759 --> 00:33:19.600 What he sees 00:33:19.600 --> 00:33:20.539 is he sees 00:33:20.539 --> 00:33:21.440 Jesus Christ, 00:33:21.560 --> 00:33:22.259 the perfect, 00:33:22.860 --> 00:33:24.440 unblemished Christ. 00:33:25.299 --> 00:33:26.539 When God considers us, 00:33:27.660 --> 00:33:28.420 he sees Jesus. 00:33:30.500 --> 00:33:31.460 And what this means 00:33:31.460 --> 00:33:32.779 is that God 00:33:32.779 --> 00:33:34.299 doesn't just 00:33:34.299 --> 00:33:35.220 put up with us. 00:33:35.880 --> 00:33:36.539 He doesn't just 00:33:36.539 --> 00:33:37.460 sort of like us 00:33:37.460 --> 00:33:38.860 but wish we'd go away 00:33:38.860 --> 00:33:39.519 like an annoying 00:33:39.519 --> 00:33:40.539 dog. 00:33:40.539 --> 00:33:42.700 He loves us 00:33:42.700 --> 00:33:43.099 deeply 00:33:43.099 --> 00:33:44.680 because he loves 00:33:44.680 --> 00:33:45.200 Jesus. 00:33:46.619 --> 00:33:47.759 Remember in Scripture 00:33:47.759 --> 00:33:49.460 when Jesus 00:33:49.460 --> 00:33:50.299 was baptized, 00:33:51.139 --> 00:33:51.899 God the Father 00:33:51.899 --> 00:33:53.259 said about Jesus, 00:33:54.200 --> 00:33:54.940 this is my Son 00:33:54.940 --> 00:33:56.399 whom I love, 00:33:57.039 --> 00:33:57.839 with whom 00:33:57.839 --> 00:33:59.019 I'm well pleased. 00:34:00.180 --> 00:34:01.139 The Father 00:34:01.139 --> 00:34:02.159 loves the Son 00:34:02.159 --> 00:34:03.519 and yet put him 00:34:03.519 --> 00:34:04.399 on that cross 00:34:04.399 --> 00:34:05.599 for us. 00:34:06.399 --> 00:34:07.519 And through the cross 00:34:07.519 --> 00:34:09.019 and only through 00:34:09.019 --> 00:34:09.699 the cross, 00:34:10.039 --> 00:34:11.440 when God considers us, 00:34:12.340 --> 00:34:13.539 he sees Jesus, 00:34:14.059 --> 00:34:15.119 the one he loves. 00:34:15.900 --> 00:34:16.500 And therefore, 00:34:16.980 --> 00:34:18.139 he loves us. 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.400 And here we come 00:34:21.400 --> 00:34:22.559 full circle. 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:24.380 When the gospel 00:34:24.380 --> 00:34:25.159 of Christ 00:34:25.159 --> 00:34:25.780 gets deeper 00:34:25.780 --> 00:34:26.480 into our hearts, 00:34:26.800 --> 00:34:27.420 the implications 00:34:27.420 --> 00:34:28.099 are huge. 00:34:29.139 --> 00:34:30.039 We aren't perfect today 00:34:30.039 --> 00:34:31.639 but we absolutely 00:34:31.639 --> 00:34:32.420 cannot be 00:34:32.420 --> 00:34:33.639 the same person. 00:34:34.420 --> 00:34:34.920 That is why 00:34:34.920 --> 00:34:35.559 Paul says, 00:34:35.880 --> 00:34:36.860 if anyone is in Christ, 00:34:36.860 --> 00:34:38.700 the old has passed away, 00:34:38.960 --> 00:34:39.280 behold, 00:34:39.380 --> 00:34:40.700 the new has come. 00:34:41.599 --> 00:34:42.460 As our love 00:34:42.460 --> 00:34:43.400 and appreciation 00:34:43.400 --> 00:34:44.380 for Jesus grows, 00:34:44.640 --> 00:34:45.480 our hearts become 00:34:45.480 --> 00:34:46.120 constantly 00:34:46.120 --> 00:34:47.140 and increasingly 00:34:47.140 --> 00:34:47.620 renewed 00:34:47.620 --> 00:34:48.700 because in Christ 00:34:48.700 --> 00:34:49.360 we are 00:34:49.360 --> 00:34:50.300 a new creation. 00:34:51.920 --> 00:34:53.059 And what freedom 00:34:53.059 --> 00:34:53.800 this gives us. 00:34:53.920 --> 00:34:54.599 What a release. 00:34:55.260 --> 00:34:56.120 No more shame. 00:34:56.920 --> 00:34:57.640 No more 00:34:57.640 --> 00:34:58.539 having to 00:34:58.539 --> 00:34:59.680 hide all your 00:34:59.680 --> 00:35:00.559 secret sins. 00:35:01.039 --> 00:35:01.360 No more 00:35:01.360 --> 00:35:02.019 having to be, 00:35:02.260 --> 00:35:02.700 no more 00:35:02.700 --> 00:35:03.640 holding bitterness 00:35:03.640 --> 00:35:04.500 against our brother 00:35:04.500 --> 00:35:05.920 in our hearts. 00:35:06.440 --> 00:35:06.760 Instead, 00:35:07.000 --> 00:35:08.360 we can confess 00:35:08.360 --> 00:35:09.219 our sins. 00:35:10.179 --> 00:35:10.639 We can say, 00:35:10.760 --> 00:35:11.119 sorry. 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.480 Can we make up? 00:35:12.820 --> 00:35:13.539 I messed up. 00:35:13.639 --> 00:35:14.599 We can be sacrificial. 00:35:15.659 --> 00:35:16.639 And in this process, 00:35:17.340 --> 00:35:19.039 God renews 00:35:19.039 --> 00:35:19.539 our hearts. 00:35:22.340 --> 00:35:23.159 Let me close. 00:35:24.960 --> 00:35:25.840 Brothers and sisters, 00:35:26.539 --> 00:35:27.199 our hope 00:35:27.199 --> 00:35:27.880 is that 00:35:27.880 --> 00:35:28.699 this year 00:35:28.699 --> 00:35:29.900 and for many more 00:35:29.900 --> 00:35:30.619 years to come, 00:35:31.139 --> 00:35:31.780 the message 00:35:31.780 --> 00:35:32.719 of Jesus Christ 00:35:32.719 --> 00:35:33.699 and his gospel 00:35:33.699 --> 00:35:34.579 will sink deeper 00:35:34.579 --> 00:35:35.319 and deeper 00:35:35.319 --> 00:35:36.039 in our hearts. 00:35:36.179 --> 00:35:36.699 It doesn't matter 00:35:36.699 --> 00:35:37.419 whether or not 00:35:37.419 --> 00:35:38.259 you don't know 00:35:38.259 --> 00:35:38.859 Christ today. 00:35:39.000 --> 00:35:39.619 It doesn't matter 00:35:39.619 --> 00:35:40.000 or not 00:35:40.000 --> 00:35:40.539 whether you have 00:35:40.539 --> 00:35:40.919 been a Christian 00:35:40.919 --> 00:35:41.859 for 90 years. 00:35:42.500 --> 00:35:43.500 The gospel of Christ 00:35:43.500 --> 00:35:45.000 must get deeper 00:35:45.000 --> 00:35:45.539 into our hearts 00:35:45.539 --> 00:35:46.259 as every day 00:35:46.259 --> 00:35:46.859 goes on. 00:35:47.480 --> 00:35:48.199 For his message 00:35:48.199 --> 00:35:49.059 is not from some 00:35:49.059 --> 00:35:50.399 celebrity motivational 00:35:50.399 --> 00:35:51.000 speaker 00:35:51.000 --> 00:35:52.319 who's here today 00:35:52.319 --> 00:35:53.459 and gone tomorrow. 00:35:54.199 --> 00:35:55.059 And this message 00:35:55.059 --> 00:35:55.539 of the gospel 00:35:55.539 --> 00:35:57.019 is not from Kevin 00:35:57.019 --> 00:35:58.000 or from me 00:35:58.000 --> 00:35:58.500 either. 00:35:59.519 --> 00:36:00.259 This gospel 00:36:00.259 --> 00:36:01.119 is the very power 00:36:01.119 --> 00:36:01.599 of God. 00:36:01.599 --> 00:36:02.480 the good news 00:36:02.480 --> 00:36:03.360 of Jesus Christ, 00:36:03.539 --> 00:36:04.319 the one who is 00:36:04.319 --> 00:36:04.839 eternal, 00:36:05.599 --> 00:36:06.440 the one who always 00:36:06.440 --> 00:36:07.659 has been, 00:36:08.239 --> 00:36:09.179 the one from everlasting 00:36:09.179 --> 00:36:10.539 and the one 00:36:10.539 --> 00:36:11.739 who has proven 00:36:11.739 --> 00:36:12.860 his love for us 00:36:12.860 --> 00:36:14.119 beyond any shadow 00:36:14.119 --> 00:36:14.659 of a doubt 00:36:14.659 --> 00:36:15.920 on the cross. 00:36:17.619 --> 00:36:18.339 And the gospel 00:36:18.339 --> 00:36:19.000 of Christ 00:36:19.000 --> 00:36:20.000 is our ultimate 00:36:20.000 --> 00:36:21.299 hope in this world. 00:36:22.239 --> 00:36:23.119 And as it sinks 00:36:23.119 --> 00:36:24.059 deeper into our heart 00:36:24.059 --> 00:36:25.159 and as our love 00:36:25.159 --> 00:36:26.099 for Christ grows, 00:36:26.319 --> 00:36:27.299 we are compelled 00:36:27.299 --> 00:36:28.400 to be continually 00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:28.819 renewed. 00:36:29.480 --> 00:36:30.139 We're compelled 00:36:30.139 --> 00:36:31.239 to love people 00:36:31.239 --> 00:36:32.039 that aren't lovable. 00:36:32.960 --> 00:36:33.619 We're compelled 00:36:33.619 --> 00:36:35.239 to shed old habits 00:36:35.239 --> 00:36:36.039 like a snake 00:36:36.039 --> 00:36:38.059 sheds old skin. 00:36:39.539 --> 00:36:40.099 And yes, 00:36:40.900 --> 00:36:41.759 we're still imperfect. 00:36:42.480 --> 00:36:44.299 We will still mess up. 00:36:44.699 --> 00:36:45.500 And we all need 00:36:45.500 --> 00:36:46.739 community around us 00:36:46.739 --> 00:36:48.339 to sharpen each other, 00:36:48.599 --> 00:36:49.219 to encourage 00:36:49.219 --> 00:36:50.259 and challenge each other 00:36:50.259 --> 00:36:50.859 in the gospel 00:36:50.859 --> 00:36:52.000 like how Paul cared 00:36:52.000 --> 00:36:52.900 for the church 00:36:52.900 --> 00:36:53.759 in Corinth. 00:36:53.760 --> 00:36:56.600 And that is why 00:36:56.600 --> 00:36:57.740 we exist as a church 00:36:57.740 --> 00:36:58.520 in Hong Kong, 00:36:58.820 --> 00:37:00.140 to grow each other 00:37:00.140 --> 00:37:01.100 in mutual faith, 00:37:01.620 --> 00:37:02.600 to make disciples 00:37:02.600 --> 00:37:03.760 of Jesus Christ 00:37:03.760 --> 00:37:05.760 who impact Hong Kong 00:37:05.760 --> 00:37:07.020 for the glory 00:37:07.020 --> 00:37:08.240 of God. 00:37:09.980 --> 00:37:10.940 So let us walk 00:37:10.940 --> 00:37:11.760 this journey together 00:37:11.760 --> 00:37:13.480 with joy and hope, 00:37:14.200 --> 00:37:15.380 always pointing each other 00:37:15.380 --> 00:37:17.100 to Jesus Christ. 00:37:17.720 --> 00:37:18.380 Let's pray. 00:37:18.380 --> 00:37:22.880 Oh Father, 00:37:23.019 --> 00:37:24.440 thank you so much 00:37:24.440 --> 00:37:26.360 for Jesus, 00:37:27.380 --> 00:37:28.260 for sending him 00:37:28.260 --> 00:37:29.140 into this world 00:37:29.140 --> 00:37:30.900 all those years ago 00:37:30.900 --> 00:37:32.740 to live a perfect, 00:37:32.880 --> 00:37:34.019 unblemished life, 00:37:34.660 --> 00:37:35.400 a life of holiness 00:37:35.400 --> 00:37:36.140 and perfection, 00:37:37.240 --> 00:37:39.720 and going to the cross 00:37:39.720 --> 00:37:41.800 to die in our place 00:37:41.800 --> 00:37:42.880 as our substitute. 00:37:44.380 --> 00:37:45.160 And thank you God 00:37:45.160 --> 00:37:45.960 that as a result 00:37:45.960 --> 00:37:47.599 of the death of Christ, 00:37:47.599 --> 00:37:49.099 we now have 00:37:49.099 --> 00:37:50.159 his righteousness, 00:37:50.480 --> 00:37:50.779 God, 00:37:50.920 --> 00:37:52.099 and that we can live 00:37:52.099 --> 00:37:53.639 freely in Christ. 00:37:55.279 --> 00:37:56.299 And I pray God 00:37:56.299 --> 00:37:58.119 that your Holy Spirit 00:37:58.119 --> 00:37:58.980 would continue 00:37:58.980 --> 00:38:00.759 to do a great work 00:38:00.759 --> 00:38:01.500 in our hearts, God, 00:38:01.519 --> 00:38:02.199 to cause us 00:38:02.199 --> 00:38:03.500 to hate our sin 00:38:03.500 --> 00:38:04.099 but to love, 00:38:04.460 --> 00:38:06.380 cause us to hate our sin 00:38:06.380 --> 00:38:07.579 but to love you deeply, 00:38:07.839 --> 00:38:08.039 Father. 00:38:08.360 --> 00:38:09.179 I pray for revival 00:38:09.179 --> 00:38:10.119 in our hearts, God. 00:38:10.440 --> 00:38:11.400 We need revival, God, 00:38:11.400 --> 00:38:11.940 in our hearts. 00:38:13.299 --> 00:38:14.139 And for those of us 00:38:14.139 --> 00:38:14.500 here today 00:38:14.500 --> 00:38:15.219 who have not yet 00:38:15.219 --> 00:38:15.880 given our lives 00:38:15.880 --> 00:38:16.420 to Christ, 00:38:16.420 --> 00:38:18.200 I pray that you 00:38:18.200 --> 00:38:18.940 would speak to them 00:38:18.940 --> 00:38:19.559 today, God. 00:38:20.700 --> 00:38:21.460 The message 00:38:21.460 --> 00:38:22.300 that only you 00:38:22.300 --> 00:38:23.159 can speak, Lord. 00:38:23.500 --> 00:38:24.139 Reveal yourself 00:38:24.139 --> 00:38:24.720 to them. 00:38:25.760 --> 00:38:26.380 Tell them how much 00:38:26.380 --> 00:38:27.059 that you love them 00:38:27.059 --> 00:38:28.000 that you always have 00:38:28.000 --> 00:38:28.700 so much so 00:38:28.700 --> 00:38:29.559 that you died for them. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:31.420 Help us all 00:38:31.420 --> 00:38:32.039 today, God, 00:38:33.019 --> 00:38:35.079 to see Jesus 00:38:35.079 --> 00:38:36.320 for who he really is, 00:38:37.360 --> 00:38:38.400 Savior of the world, 00:38:39.840 --> 00:38:40.760 our Messiah, 00:38:41.480 --> 00:38:42.740 the one who loves us. 00:38:43.360 --> 00:38:44.119 Open up our eyes 00:38:44.119 --> 00:38:45.900 to see him. 00:38:45.900 --> 00:38:45.920 To see him.