| [0.00 --> 4.76] He is refining, and in his timing | |
| [4.76 --> 9.18] He's making diamonds out of dust | |
| [9.18 --> 13.00] Making diamonds out of dust | |
| [13.54 --> 16.94] I won't be afraid to shine | |
| [16.94 --> 21.54] I won't be afraid to shine | |
| [21.54 --> 25.28] I won't be afraid to shine | |
| [25.28 --> 29.84] Cause he's making diamonds out of dust | |
| [29.84 --> 34.68] Making diamonds out of dust | |
| [34.68 --> 53.02] I want you as you are, not as you ought to be | |
| [54.28 --> 57.90] Won't you lay down your guard and come to me | |
| [57.90 --> 63.62] The shame that grips you now is crippling | |
| [63.62 --> 68.96] It breaks my heart to see you suffering | |
| [68.96 --> 72.46] Cause I am for you | |
| [72.46 --> 77.68] Good morning | |
| [77.68 --> 81.84] Welcome to worship | |
| [81.84 --> 85.60] A special welcome if you are a guest here this morning | |
| [85.60 --> 91.52] We are really excited to gather together in the name of Jesus and to worship him | |
| [91.52 --> 92.88] My name is Chris | |
| [92.88 --> 95.92] I am one of the pastors here at Emanuel Church | |
| [95.92 --> 100.48] And it's my privilege to lead in our shared worship together this morning | |
| [100.48 --> 103.74] Along with these others on stage who will lead us in song and in prayer | |
| [103.74 --> 110.32] Before we begin, we have a couple announcements to put in front of you and to remind you of | |
| [110.32 --> 113.22] And so, hear these | |
| [113.22 --> 117.70] First of all, this evening, if you're part of our youth program here | |
| [117.70 --> 121.36] You have 2020 at the church at 630 | |
| [121.36 --> 123.76] If you have no idea what that is | |
| [123.76 --> 125.00] Talk to Pastor Kevin | |
| [125.00 --> 128.72] And he will answer your questions and get you involved | |
| [128.72 --> 132.12] But that's for grade 8 through the end of high school | |
| [132.12 --> 136.42] Also, the month of April is treat tag | |
| [136.42 --> 138.26] Oh, good job | |
| [138.26 --> 149.46] And so, we are surprising and giving small little gifts to other members of our church family here | |
| [149.46 --> 151.60] And so, I encourage you | |
| [151.60 --> 154.20] Some of you need to look at your church mailboxes | |
| [154.20 --> 155.64] Because you've been tagged | |
| [155.64 --> 157.64] And you don't normally look at your mailboxes | |
| [157.64 --> 160.70] So, not only do you have a stack of papers and information | |
| [160.70 --> 163.54] But there's a chocolate bar or something in there as well | |
| [163.54 --> 165.08] So, please check that if you haven't | |
| [165.08 --> 166.96] If you don't know what I'm talking about | |
| [166.96 --> 169.56] You can check it out on social media for our church | |
| [169.56 --> 171.32] And that should explain some of that | |
| [171.32 --> 175.58] Additionally, tomorrow evening | |
| [175.58 --> 180.68] Here, there is an event put on by our deacons | |
| [180.68 --> 184.24] Who have asked Anya Adama to come | |
| [184.24 --> 187.32] And to share some stories and practical tips | |
| [187.32 --> 189.98] For navigating financial stress | |
| [189.98 --> 192.54] And so, how do we handle these things? | |
| [192.64 --> 194.00] What are some of the things that we can do? | |
| [194.10 --> 195.22] Some skill sets to have | |
| [195.22 --> 196.78] And stories that can be shared there | |
| [196.78 --> 200.24] So, Anya is going to come and offer that | |
| [200.24 --> 202.42] And also offer herself to you | |
| [202.42 --> 205.06] And so, you can set up a time to meet with her | |
| [205.06 --> 206.02] Or connect with her | |
| [206.02 --> 207.96] If you have any questions about that | |
| [207.96 --> 210.00] Some of the deacons are here to answer | |
| [210.00 --> 211.66] And so, deacons, can you just raise your hands | |
| [211.66 --> 212.48] Where you are? | |
| [214.00 --> 215.78] Two, three, one more at the back | |
| [215.78 --> 217.12] So, if you have any questions | |
| [217.12 --> 218.26] Grab one of them | |
| [218.26 --> 219.86] And they will share that with you | |
| [219.86 --> 220.68] What time does that start? | |
| [222.24 --> 222.60] Seven | |
| [222.60 --> 223.90] Seven o'clock tomorrow night | |
| [223.90 --> 227.36] Next week Sunday | |
| [227.36 --> 229.54] So, April 28th | |
| [229.54 --> 230.68] In the evening | |
| [230.68 --> 232.50] We are hosting here | |
| [232.50 --> 235.36] One of our evening worship sessions | |
| [235.36 --> 237.26] And so, at 6pm | |
| [237.26 --> 238.72] We are going to gather together | |
| [238.72 --> 240.04] For a worship event | |
| [240.04 --> 240.90] That we are calling | |
| [240.90 --> 242.02] Come Holy Spirit | |
| [242.02 --> 243.20] Where we are going to learn | |
| [243.20 --> 244.74] And hear about the work of the Spirit | |
| [244.74 --> 245.38] In our lives | |
| [245.38 --> 246.14] And in our worship | |
| [246.14 --> 248.70] And sing in spirit | |
| [248.70 --> 249.80] And in truth | |
| [249.80 --> 251.44] And so, we invite you to | |
| [251.44 --> 253.02] Book that out in your calendar | |
| [253.02 --> 253.82] And join us | |
| [253.82 --> 255.46] 6pm next week | |
| [255.46 --> 257.28] And then lastly | |
| [257.28 --> 260.34] If you are | |
| [260.34 --> 262.88] If you have been a guest with us | |
| [262.88 --> 264.08] For some time | |
| [264.08 --> 265.38] And you are wondering about membership | |
| [265.38 --> 267.32] Or if you are at this point | |
| [267.32 --> 268.76] In your relationship to God | |
| [268.76 --> 269.24] And Jesus | |
| [269.24 --> 270.32] Where you want to stand | |
| [270.32 --> 271.72] In front of this church family | |
| [271.72 --> 273.14] And profess that truth | |
| [273.14 --> 274.98] And say, yes, this I believe | |
| [274.98 --> 276.66] Or if you haven't been baptized | |
| [276.66 --> 279.32] And would like to receive | |
| [279.32 --> 281.44] That gift of God in grace | |
| [281.44 --> 282.96] I encourage you to find me | |
| [282.96 --> 283.84] After the service | |
| [283.84 --> 285.56] I'll be at the Connect booth | |
| [285.56 --> 287.84] And we can talk about that journey | |
| [287.84 --> 289.32] And what that might look like | |
| [289.32 --> 290.76] Together going forward | |
| [290.76 --> 294.04] I think that's it for our announcements | |
| [294.04 --> 294.98] Before we begin | |
| [294.98 --> 297.50] And so, let's begin our worship together | |
| [297.50 --> 299.88] By receiving the greeting of God | |
| [299.88 --> 301.10] God is in this place | |
| [301.10 --> 303.14] And he welcomes us into his presence | |
| [303.14 --> 303.96] So I invite you | |
| [303.96 --> 305.22] As you're able to stand | |
| [305.22 --> 312.10] When we receive God's greeting | |
| [312.10 --> 313.30] Not only is it | |
| [313.30 --> 314.64] God greeting us | |
| [314.64 --> 316.06] Through my words to you | |
| [316.06 --> 317.86] But it is God greeting you | |
| [317.86 --> 319.30] Through your words to each other | |
| [319.30 --> 320.48] And so following | |
| [320.48 --> 322.62] My speaking of the greeting | |
| [322.62 --> 324.24] I invite you to turn to those around you | |
| [324.24 --> 326.16] And welcome them into worship | |
| [326.16 --> 327.42] Receive the greeting | |
| [327.42 --> 328.44] From God | |
| [328.44 --> 330.24] Grace | |
| [330.24 --> 331.90] Mercy | |
| [331.90 --> 333.46] Peace to you | |
| [333.46 --> 334.94] From God our Father | |
| [334.94 --> 336.40] From the Lord Jesus Christ | |
| [336.40 --> 336.98] His Son | |
| [336.98 --> 338.22] And our Savior | |
| [338.22 --> 339.42] Through the presence | |
| [339.42 --> 340.16] And power | |
| [340.16 --> 341.36] Of the Holy Spirit | |
| [341.36 --> 342.80] Amen | |
| [342.80 --> 346.20] Good morning | |
| [346.20 --> 346.90] Peace of Christ | |
| [346.90 --> 348.08] Peace of Christ | |
| [348.08 --> 348.50] Good morning | |
| [363.46 --> 381.10] We are called to be in this place | |
| [381.10 --> 382.68] And worship our God | |
| [382.68 --> 384.66] With these words from Psalm 108 | |
| [384.66 --> 385.74] My heart | |
| [385.74 --> 386.54] My heart, O God | |
| [386.54 --> 387.90] Is steadfast | |
| [387.90 --> 389.98] I will sing and make music | |
| [389.98 --> 391.32] With all my soul | |
| [391.32 --> 392.54] Awake | |
| [392.54 --> 393.14] Heart | |
| [393.14 --> 394.02] And lyre | |
| [394.02 --> 395.00] I will awaken | |
| [395.00 --> 395.98] The dawn | |
| [395.98 --> 397.64] I will praise you | |
| [397.64 --> 398.08] Lord | |
| [398.08 --> 398.94] Among the nations | |
| [398.94 --> 400.40] I will sing | |
| [400.40 --> 401.26] Of you | |
| [401.26 --> 402.48] Among the peoples | |
| [402.48 --> 403.86] For great | |
| [403.86 --> 404.90] Is your love | |
| [404.90 --> 406.60] Higher than the heavens | |
| [406.60 --> 407.96] Your faithfulness | |
| [407.96 --> 409.50] Reaches to the sky | |
| [409.50 --> 411.10] Be exalted | |
| [411.10 --> 412.08] O God | |
| [412.08 --> 412.94] Above the heavens | |
| [412.94 --> 414.76] Let your glory be | |
| [414.76 --> 416.16] Over all the earth | |
| [416.16 --> 417.30] Let's sing together | |
| [417.30 --> 435.52] Thanks to the Lord | |
| [435.52 --> 437.34] Our God and King | |
| [437.34 --> 440.38] His love endures forever | |
| [440.38 --> 443.28] For His purity | |
| [443.28 --> 445.38] Is above all things | |
| [445.38 --> 448.26] His love endures forever | |
| [448.26 --> 452.90] Sing praise | |
| [452.90 --> 456.50] Sing praise | |
| [456.50 --> 459.28] With a mighty hand | |
| [459.28 --> 461.10] And an outstretched heart | |
| [461.10 --> 463.98] His love endures forever | |
| [463.98 --> 467.00] For the life | |
| [467.00 --> 468.78] That's been reborn | |
| [468.78 --> 471.78] His love endures forever | |
| [471.78 --> 475.36] Sing praise | |
| [475.36 --> 478.12] Take praise | |
| [478.12 --> 479.30] Take praise | |
| [479.30 --> 482.00] Take praise | |
| [482.00 --> 484.18] Take praise | |
| [484.18 --> 487.26] Take praise | |
| [487.26 --> 491.42] Forever God is faithful | |
| [491.42 --> 495.50] Forever God is strong | |
| [495.50 --> 499.28] Forever God is without | |
| [499.28 --> 500.90] Forever | |
| [500.90 --> 501.90] Forever | |
| [501.90 --> 502.90] Forever | |
| [502.90 --> 503.90] Forever | |
| [503.90 --> 504.90] Forever | |
| [504.90 --> 505.90] Forever | |
| [505.90 --> 515.44] Arising to the setting sun | |
| [515.44 --> 518.38] His love endures forever | |
| [518.38 --> 521.42] And by the grace of God | |
| [521.42 --> 523.36] We will carry on | |
| [523.36 --> 526.20] His love endures forever | |
| [526.20 --> 527.90] Sing praise | |
| [527.90 --> 530.66] Sing praise | |
| [530.66 --> 536.44] Sing praise | |
| [536.44 --> 536.58] Sing praise | |
| [536.58 --> 538.86] Sing praise | |
| [538.98 --> 539.72] Sing praise | |
| [539.72 --> 540.90] Sing praise | |
| [541.56 --> 545.74] Ma'an oko'z via hear | |
| [545.74 --> 549.68] Forever God is strong | |
| [549.68 --> 553.90] Forever God is with us | |
| [553.90 --> 555.14] Forever | |
| [555.14 --> 560.98] Forever you are faithful | |
| [560.98 --> 565.20] Forever you are strong | |
| [565.20 --> 569.40] Forever you are with us | |
| [569.40 --> 570.64] Forever | |
| [570.64 --> 574.54] Forever | |
| [575.74 --> 577.74] Forever | |
| [577.74 --> 578.74] Forever | |
| [578.74 --> 579.74] Forever | |
| [579.74 --> 580.74] Forever | |
| [580.74 --> 581.74] Forever | |
| [581.74 --> 583.74] Forever | |
| [583.74 --> 585.74] Forever | |
| [585.74 --> 587.74] Forever | |
| [587.74 --> 589.74] Forever | |
| [589.74 --> 590.74] Forever | |
| [590.74 --> 591.74] Forever | |
| [591.74 --> 593.74] 又 | |
| [593.74 --> 595.74] Happy | |
| [595.74 --> 611.04] I am standing beneath your way | |
| [611.04 --> 617.24] I am resting in your shelter | |
| [617.24 --> 626.74] Your great faithfulness has given us cheer | |
| [626.74 --> 633.24] It makes me want to sing | |
| [633.24 --> 641.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [641.24 --> 648.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [648.24 --> 653.24] I will bless your holy name | |
| [653.24 --> 657.24] For all my days | |
| [657.24 --> 663.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [671.24 --> 685.24] I sing praises to your name, O Lord | |
| [685.24 --> 692.24] For you daily bear my burdens | |
| [692.24 --> 700.24] Your great faithfulness is my reward | |
| [700.24 --> 705.24] And it makes me want to sing | |
| [705.24 --> 712.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [712.24 --> 719.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [719.24 --> 724.24] I will bless your holy name | |
| [724.24 --> 729.24] For all my days | |
| [729.24 --> 734.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [734.24 --> 741.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [741.24 --> 751.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [751.24 --> 755.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [755.24 --> 756.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [756.24 --> 758.24] I will bless your holy name | |
| [758.24 --> 762.24] For all my days | |
| [762.24 --> 764.24] Blessed be the name of the Lord | |
| [764.24 --> 794.00] Lord, thank you for your gift of life and being a God of love. | |
| [794.68 --> 800.84] We have been made in your image, and your word reminds us to love each other as you have loved us. | |
| [801.56 --> 806.78] But as we think over this past week, we know we have failed to follow that command. | |
| [807.94 --> 815.10] Forgive us, Lord, when instead of loving people, we choose to love only those who are like us and are easy to love. | |
| [816.28 --> 820.88] Forgive us when we turn away from people who look different or think differently. | |
| [820.88 --> 824.86] We know that we cannot love others on our own. | |
| [826.06 --> 831.42] You tell us that love lays down its life for others, and you show us that on the cross. | |
| [831.78 --> 833.80] But we are weak and selfish. | |
| [834.86 --> 839.82] We cannot even lay down our own preferences and rights for others, let alone our lives. | |
| [840.60 --> 841.50] Teach us, Lord. | |
| [841.50 --> 849.46] Fill us with your love and compassion for all people, so we have eyes to see those around us in need of love. | |
| [850.22 --> 852.78] Give us hands and feet willing to reach out. | |
| [853.66 --> 857.60] Stir us to invite others to use their gifts for your glory. | |
| [858.16 --> 861.34] As you have loved us, help us to love others. | |
| [861.34 --> 863.28] In your name we pray. | |
| [863.96 --> 864.30] Amen. | |
| [864.30 --> 864.48] Amen. | |
| [891.34 --> 895.58] Change my heart, O God. | |
| [895.58 --> 900.90] May it ever choose. | |
| [903.36 --> 907.72] Change my heart, O God. | |
| [910.12 --> 913.16] May I be like you. | |
| [915.66 --> 919.78] Change my heart, O God. | |
| [919.78 --> 949.76] Make it ever true. | |
| [949.76 --> 979.74] Change my heart, O God. | |
| [979.74 --> 981.74] May I be like you. | |
| [981.74 --> 986.74] May I be like you. | |
| [986.74 --> 993.86] Please stand with us as we read the words of assurance. | |
| [993.86 --> 999.94] From Isaiah chapter 55, verses 6 and 7. | |
| [999.94 --> 1000.10] | |
| [1029.94 --> 1059.92] Thank you. | |
| [1059.94 --> 1072.86] My Jesus, I love thee, I know thou art mine. | |
| [1072.86 --> 1085.14] For thee all the qualities of sin I resign. | |
| [1085.14 --> 1098.38] My gracious redeemer, my Savior, our God. | |
| [1098.86 --> 1110.14] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. | |
| [1110.14 --> 1126.32] I know thee because thou hast first ever been. | |
| [1126.32 --> 1138.32] Then purchase and pardon on Calvary's tree. | |
| [1138.32 --> 1151.74] I love thee, O every black gold on thy crown. | |
| [1151.74 --> 1163.74] Here ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. | |
| [1163.74 --> 1173.54] I love thee in life. | |
| [1173.54 --> 1179.98] I will love thee in death. | |
| [1179.98 --> 1192.98] And praise thee as long as thou mendest me breath. | |
| [1192.98 --> 1206.52] And say when the death do, I scold on my brow. | |
| [1206.52 --> 1218.52] If ever I love thee, my Jesus is now. | |
| [1218.52 --> 1220.96] I love thee, my little boy. | |
| [1220.96 --> 1229.32] And lamentest me lie. | |
| [1229.32 --> 1231.64] Am I on he? | |
| [1231.64 --> 1243.64] I'll never adore Him in heaven so proud. | |
| [1243.64 --> 1256.64] I'll sing with the victory crown of thy crown. | |
| [1256.64 --> 1269.64] Wherever I love thee, my Jesus is now. | |
| [1269.64 --> 1282.64] Wherever I love thee, my Jesus is now. | |
| [1286.64 --> 1292.64] I'll never adore Him in heaven. | |
| [1292.64 --> 1296.64] I'll never adore Him in heaven. | |
| [1296.64 --> 1301.64] I'll never adore Him in heaven. | |
| [1301.64 --> 1305.64] Amen. | |
| [1305.64 --> 1335.64] | |
| [1335.64 --> 1365.64] | |
| [1365.64 --> 1395.64] | |
| [1395.64 --> 1425.64] | |
| [1425.64 --> 1455.64] | |
| [1455.64 --> 1457.64] Amen. | |
| [1457.64 --> 1459.64] Amen. | |
| [1459.64 --> 1461.64] Amen. | |
| [1461.64 --> 1491.64] | |
| [1491.64 --> 1493.64] Amen. | |
| [1493.64 --> 1495.64] Amen. | |
| [1495.64 --> 1497.64] Amen. | |
| [1497.64 --> 1499.64] Amen. | |
| [1499.64 --> 1501.64] Amen. | |
| [1501.64 --> 1503.64] Amen. | |
| [1503.64 --> 1509.64] Amen. | |
| [1509.64 --> 1510.64] Amen. | |
| [1510.64 --> 1512.64] Amen. | |
| [1512.64 --> 1513.64] Amen. | |
| [1513.64 --> 1528.64] Will thou be born, the King of kings, O God, forever we will sing. | |
| [1528.64 --> 1542.64] Behold the Lamb, the story of redemption, waiting on His hands. | |
| [1542.64 --> 1551.64] Jesus, you will report, the glory is yours. | |
| [1551.64 --> 1561.64] Behold the Lamb, the story of redemption, waiting on His hands. | |
| [1561.64 --> 1570.64] Jesus, you will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. | |
| [1570.64 --> 1579.64] We sing your praise, endless hallelujah to your holy name. | |
| [1579.64 --> 1587.64] Jesus, you will reign forevermore, the victory is yours. | |
| [1587.64 --> 1593.64] You reign forevermore, the victory is yours. | |
| [1593.64 --> 1601.64] Jesus, reign forevermore, the victory is yours. | |
| [1601.64 --> 1603.64] Amen. | |
| [1603.64 --> 1605.64] Amen. | |
| [1605.64 --> 1607.64] Amen. | |
| [1607.64 --> 1609.64] Amen. | |
| [1609.64 --> 1611.64] Amen. | |
| [1611.64 --> 1613.64] Amen. | |
| [1613.64 --> 1615.64] Amen. | |
| [1615.64 --> 1617.64] Amen. | |
| [1617.64 --> 1619.64] Amen. | |
| [1619.64 --> 1621.64] Amen. | |
| [1621.64 --> 1623.64] Amen. | |
| [1623.64 --> 1625.64] Amen. | |
| [1625.64 --> 1626.64] Amen. | |
| [1626.64 --> 1627.64] Amen. | |
| [1627.64 --> 1629.64] Amen. | |
| [1629.64 --> 1634.64] Amen. | |
| [1634.64 --> 1635.64] Amen. | |
| [1635.64 --> 1637.64] Yes alright. | |
| [1637.64 --> 1638.64] Amen. | |
| [1638.64 --> 1639.64] Amen. | |
| [1639.64 --> 1640.64] Hello belongs! | |
| [1640.64 --> 1650.64] Yes... | |
| [1650.64 --> 1652.64] that I came in the morning there at 7 the morning there... | |
| [1652.64 --> 1656.06] member or whatever it is. She's got lots of little sort of tips and things to think about. So | |
| [1656.06 --> 1659.56] hopefully we'll see a bunch of us here tomorrow night. And we've invited a bunch of our sister | |
| [1659.56 --> 1663.68] churches and even some of the neighboring churches so we can hopefully facilitate kind of | |
| [1663.68 --> 1669.48] probably a common problem or thing that a lot of us face at different times in life. So anyway, | |
| [1669.70 --> 1675.04] we are also going to take some time in the service now to give of the gifts God has given us | |
| [1675.04 --> 1681.28] financially. And today's offering is for Open Doors Ministry. It's an organization that has 70 years | |
| [1681.28 --> 1687.76] of working all over the world helping persecuted or discriminated against Christians, whether that's | |
| [1687.76 --> 1692.96] getting Bibles through borders or facilitating prayer ministries or small group ministries. | |
| [1693.52 --> 1698.36] It's a powerful organization. So thank you for giving of your gifts this morning. | |
| [1711.28 --> 1731.62] We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord. We are one in the Spirit. We are one in the Lord. | |
| [1731.62 --> 1738.06] And we pray that all unity may one day be restored. | |
| [1738.06 --> 1747.60] We are one in the Lord. We are one in the Lord. And they'll know we are Christians by our love. By our love. | |
| [1747.60 --> 1753.48] Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. | |
| [1756.48 --> 1766.56] We will walk with each other. We will walk hand in hand. We will walk with each other. | |
| [1766.56 --> 1777.36] We will walk hand in hand and together we'll spread the news that God is in our land. | |
| [1778.50 --> 1784.96] And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. | |
| [1785.20 --> 1790.18] Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. | |
| [1790.18 --> 1800.32] We will work with each other, we will work side by side. | |
| [1800.32 --> 1806.36] We will work with each other, we will work side by side. | |
| [1806.54 --> 1812.90] And we'll mourn each man's dignity and sing each man's pride. | |
| [1812.90 --> 1821.58] And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. | |
| [1821.70 --> 1826.88] Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. | |
| [1830.60 --> 1836.26] A praise to the Father from whom all things come. | |
| [1836.26 --> 1842.30] And a praise to Christ Jesus, His only Son. | |
| [1842.68 --> 1848.68] And a praise to the Spirit who makes us one. | |
| [1851.32 --> 1857.62] And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love. | |
| [1857.62 --> 1863.62] Yes, they'll know we are Christians by our love. | |
| [1866.26 --> 1877.20] Good morning. | |
| [1877.30 --> 1881.34] I'd like to call the kids up front here, age 3 to grade 4. | |
| [1881.44 --> 1882.22] Please come on up. | |
| [1882.22 --> 1900.04] I'm going to say good morning and then you're going to say good morning back real loud, right? | |
| [1900.64 --> 1901.50] Good morning. | |
| [1901.78 --> 1902.94] Good morning. | |
| [1904.54 --> 1905.22] Nice work. | |
| [1905.22 --> 1905.78] Nice work. | |
| [1906.16 --> 1908.74] Hey, I got a question for you. | |
| [1908.74 --> 1912.50] Does anybody know of anything that's really, really sticky? | |
| [1913.96 --> 1914.46] Yes. | |
| [1915.46 --> 1916.80] Spider webs are sticky. | |
| [1917.18 --> 1917.38] Yeah. | |
| [1918.82 --> 1919.50] What's that? | |
| [1920.32 --> 1921.68] Some slime. | |
| [1922.60 --> 1923.10] How about you? | |
| [1924.22 --> 1925.12] Sticky hands. | |
| [1925.22 --> 1926.76] I saw some of those on the internet. | |
| [1926.94 --> 1928.72] I was thinking of those when we were kids too. | |
| [1928.98 --> 1929.36] Yes. | |
| [1930.26 --> 1930.82] Jelly. | |
| [1930.82 --> 1933.72] Sticky tack. | |
| [1934.18 --> 1939.34] Has anybody here, maybe more of the girls, have you ever gotten any gum stuck in your hair? | |
| [1940.14 --> 1941.56] How hard is that to get out? | |
| [1942.58 --> 1943.30] Really hard. | |
| [1943.40 --> 1946.60] How about gum stuck on the bottom of your shoe? | |
| [1947.30 --> 1948.06] Ever had that? | |
| [1948.40 --> 1950.12] And you're carrying it around with you everywhere? | |
| [1950.80 --> 1953.36] You walk in the house with it and mom's like, I don't think so. | |
| [1953.60 --> 1954.26] You're out of here. | |
| [1954.26 --> 1959.18] Well, we're talking today a little bit about God's love, how sticky it is. | |
| [1959.90 --> 1962.78] How you can't get away from it because he loves you so much. | |
| [1963.78 --> 1967.18] Has anybody had a chance to look at this artwork on the wall behind us? | |
| [1968.10 --> 1969.06] Isn't that pretty cool? | |
| [1970.52 --> 1972.36] Mrs. DeVries put that up for us. | |
| [1972.40 --> 1973.14] It's pretty awesome. | |
| [1973.30 --> 1973.76] What do you think? | |
| [1973.82 --> 1976.12] Anybody got any ideas what that's about up front there? | |
| [1976.38 --> 1977.20] Anybody got an idea? | |
| [1978.30 --> 1978.74] Yeah? | |
| [1981.40 --> 1982.72] Fish sticking together. | |
| [1982.84 --> 1983.34] That's good. | |
| [1983.34 --> 1985.64] That's like Christians all sticking together. | |
| [1985.74 --> 1986.18] That's good. | |
| [1986.26 --> 1986.44] Yeah. | |
| [1987.24 --> 1987.90] Do you know? | |
| [1989.88 --> 1991.64] What do you, do you got an idea what that's about? | |
| [1994.74 --> 1996.22] A whole school of fish. | |
| [1997.10 --> 2003.40] This picture up, this artwork up front here is about God, Jesus died on the cross, and | |
| [2003.40 --> 2007.88] this is us after Jesus died on the cross as Christians, and we're all stuck together by | |
| [2007.88 --> 2012.44] God's love, and we can go out into the world knowing that God loves us so much. | |
| [2012.44 --> 2014.48] So I got a question for you. | |
| [2014.54 --> 2016.14] I got a thing for you guys. | |
| [2016.24 --> 2018.70] I got a whole bunch of sticky candy in the back. | |
| [2019.46 --> 2023.32] If one of you guys after church, if any of you can come after church and come to me and | |
| [2023.32 --> 2027.26] tell me how many fish are on this wall after church, I'll give you a candy. | |
| [2028.22 --> 2028.44] Okay? | |
| [2028.90 --> 2032.32] Do you think we should offer that to the adults too, or should they be paying attention to | |
| [2032.32 --> 2033.44] Pastor Chris this morning? | |
| [2033.44 --> 2034.86] All right. | |
| [2035.54 --> 2036.58] Can you guys stand up? | |
| [2036.60 --> 2037.42] We're going to do the blessing. | |
| [2042.30 --> 2042.66] Ready? | |
| [2042.66 --> 2045.60] Lord, be with you. | |
| [2045.92 --> 2047.50] And also with you. | |
| [2047.50 --> 2048.44] Amen. | |
| [2065.04 --> 2068.72] Nothing like a little bribery to get obedience from children, right? | |
| [2068.72 --> 2068.80] Amen. | |
| [2071.76 --> 2079.84] It's my privilege this morning to lead in prayer, and that's because the elder who is scheduled | |
| [2079.84 --> 2085.48] to pray is at home unwell, and so we will add him to our prayer list this morning. | |
| [2086.30 --> 2094.66] Before we pray, I wanted to maybe situate us in a prayerful context and read to you from | |
| [2094.66 --> 2100.22] Psalm 84, verse 8, which says, Hear my prayer, Lord God Almighty. | |
| [2100.78 --> 2103.50] Listen to me, God of Jacob. | |
| [2104.50 --> 2113.00] And then in James, we read that the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. | |
| [2114.26 --> 2121.04] And as Christians, we believe that the Lord Jesus has made us each righteous because he's | |
| [2121.04 --> 2122.66] granted us his righteousness. | |
| [2122.66 --> 2128.20] And so our prayers are powerful and effective, not because I've been ordained by the church, | |
| [2128.30 --> 2133.26] not because I'm holier than any of y'all out there, but because we have been clothed | |
| [2133.26 --> 2134.86] with Christ Jesus. | |
| [2135.88 --> 2140.88] And so together we pray powerful and effective prayers. | |
| [2140.88 --> 2149.24] And so as we come in our prayer together, I want us to come both with the attitude that | |
| [2149.24 --> 2156.32] cries out in prayer, but also the confidence that the Lord hears our prayer and he acts in | |
| [2156.32 --> 2160.12] the world according to his grace by our prayers. | |
| [2161.08 --> 2165.74] Before we pray together, just one announcement. | |
| [2165.74 --> 2169.16] This is a sad one that has come to us this morning. | |
| [2169.62 --> 2175.02] In the past while, we have been praying on and off again for Amy Cron, who had been dealing | |
| [2175.02 --> 2175.98] with lung cancer. | |
| [2177.88 --> 2183.10] Up until almost two weeks ago, she seemed to be doing well and then took a very serious and | |
| [2183.10 --> 2183.78] quick turn. | |
| [2183.78 --> 2191.08] And for the last couple of days had been in intense pain and was in a drug-induced coma | |
| [2191.08 --> 2192.42] as a result of that. | |
| [2192.62 --> 2196.52] Well, on Friday evening, she passed away as a result of that. | |
| [2196.60 --> 2202.78] And so we're going to pray for the Cron family, for the kids and for the extended family and | |
| [2202.78 --> 2208.70] for the communities of people that have surrounded Amy in this time, that remember her and mourn for | |
| [2208.70 --> 2209.30] her loss. | |
| [2209.50 --> 2215.96] And so as we come in our prayers, and as I mentioned that, you are aware of why we're | |
| [2215.96 --> 2216.40] praying that. | |
| [2216.96 --> 2223.20] Additionally, this past week, we had the opportunity, a small group of us, to gather on Wednesday | |
| [2223.20 --> 2225.52] night in a prayer service together. | |
| [2227.06 --> 2233.54] And so some of the things that I mention, either explicitly or generally, will be shaped | |
| [2233.54 --> 2235.62] by that time that we spent together. | |
| [2235.62 --> 2243.68] As we prayed for an hour and 15 minutes or so together, and as other people were leading | |
| [2243.68 --> 2250.62] us in those prayers, each time someone prayed for a thing or a person by name, the Lord laid | |
| [2250.62 --> 2256.82] on my heart, you know, three or four or five other people who are in that same situation, | |
| [2257.32 --> 2258.82] who are walking through that same thing. | |
| [2259.44 --> 2264.38] And so there's just a lot of stuff, right, that we can bring to God in prayer together. | |
| [2264.38 --> 2269.56] And so with all of that on our hearts and in our minds, I invite you to join me in our | |
| [2269.56 --> 2270.46] church family prayer. | |
| [2270.62 --> 2271.06] Let's pray. | |
| [2278.80 --> 2282.88] Hear our prayer, O Lord God. | |
| [2284.66 --> 2289.22] Hear our prayer, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. | |
| [2289.22 --> 2296.24] Hear our prayer, God of Samuel, David, and Solomon. | |
| [2299.24 --> 2305.36] Hear our prayer, God of Isaiah, Amos, and Micah. | |
| [2306.98 --> 2313.24] Hear our prayer, God of Peter, Paul, and Mary. | |
| [2313.24 --> 2322.34] Hear our prayer, O God, that we might come into your presence by these words, that you | |
| [2322.34 --> 2328.62] might draw us to yourself, that you might in the power of your spirit be transforming us | |
| [2328.62 --> 2337.02] into the image of your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, so that these words may be powerful | |
| [2337.02 --> 2343.98] and effective, so that this moment might be a means by which you act in the world. | |
| [2346.76 --> 2353.06] Because, Holy Father, as we look out at the world, we see a world in need. | |
| [2353.06 --> 2361.94] We see nations and communities at war against each other, and so we ask, Lord God, bring | |
| [2361.94 --> 2362.82] peace. | |
| [2362.82 --> 2371.48] We pray, Lord God, for tensions in the Middle East, rising in Iran and Syria and Israel. | |
| [2372.00 --> 2378.76] We pray, Lord God, for these communities that are affected by war, by the decisions of their | |
| [2378.76 --> 2384.90] leaders, by the work of terrorists, and by the responses of nations and armies. | |
| [2385.18 --> 2388.34] And we pray, Lord God, protect the vulnerable. | |
| [2388.34 --> 2395.88] We pray, Lord God, safeguard the children. | |
| [2399.22 --> 2406.80] And we pray, Lord God, convict those who make decisions not to act out of pride or out of | |
| [2406.80 --> 2411.64] fear, but to act humbly and to pursue peace. | |
| [2411.64 --> 2422.84] God, we pray for all involved in these decision processes, not only in places of conflict, but | |
| [2422.84 --> 2431.94] in the countries that bolster or challenge those conflicts, asking as well that you would bring | |
| [2431.94 --> 2433.04] peace. | |
| [2433.04 --> 2445.36] So, Lord God, we join our hearts with Christians around the world, asking that you would protect | |
| [2445.36 --> 2454.84] those most in need, and that you would save those who cry out for your provision. | |
| [2454.84 --> 2465.56] Holy God, as we look around the world and see needs for your action, we look also in our | |
| [2465.56 --> 2469.86] own life and in our own community, and we know that we need you. | |
| [2471.32 --> 2479.16] This morning, we pray for the Kron family, who is simultaneously in this place of mourning, | |
| [2479.16 --> 2486.54] mourning the loss of a wife and of a mother and of a friend, and also thankful that her suffering | |
| [2486.54 --> 2487.10] has ended. | |
| [2489.62 --> 2497.58] And in this strange oscillation of thankfulness and tearfulness, Lord God, we pray that they | |
| [2497.58 --> 2500.94] would experience your presence and your peace. | |
| [2500.94 --> 2510.30] For all those, Lord God, who are dealing with health concerns, who are crying out for healing, | |
| [2510.50 --> 2512.26] we pray for your hand upon them. | |
| [2513.72 --> 2519.24] And whether that healing comes through the ordinary means of medicine or through the miraculous | |
| [2519.24 --> 2526.28] means of moving by your Holy Spirit, we know that all of them are, in fact, brought about | |
| [2526.28 --> 2528.46] by your providential hand. | |
| [2528.46 --> 2539.80] And so we pray that we would rest in the assurance that you are with us and that you are able to | |
| [2539.80 --> 2541.02] bring healing. | |
| [2543.14 --> 2551.10] And so, God, for those who are crying out for wholeness, we ask for your presence. | |
| [2551.76 --> 2558.44] For those who are crying out for restoration, we ask, Lord God, that you would grant us, | |
| [2558.46 --> 2559.70] what they are in need of. | |
| [2564.48 --> 2570.12] And Lord God, for those in those places, for those journeying through health concerns or | |
| [2570.12 --> 2576.76] through dark nights of the soul, for those who are crying out in the agony of mental illness, | |
| [2576.76 --> 2585.64] we pray, Lord God, we pray that if we cannot see you, if we do not see you, that we would see your church. | |
| [2587.58 --> 2594.44] That our brothers and sisters here would surround us and that in their surrounding us, we might know your nearness. | |
| [2594.44 --> 2606.64] We pray, holy God, for those who are in ongoing health treatments and concerns. | |
| [2607.80 --> 2610.64] Restore them and give them peace. | |
| [2610.64 --> 2611.88] We pray for those who are in need of care. | |
| [2611.88 --> 2612.38] We pray for those who are in need of care. | |
| [2612.38 --> 2616.00] We pray for the families who carry the burdens of extra responsibilities | |
| [2616.00 --> 2620.04] and for the children who wonder, will mom ever be well again? | |
| [2622.66 --> 2627.78] We pray, Lord God, that you would move in power. | |
| [2627.78 --> 2638.10] Holy God, we pray as well for the relationships in our midst, the relationships that we are celebrating, | |
| [2638.32 --> 2645.34] be them anniversaries or birthdays, trusting, Lord God, that your hand of goodness is upon them | |
| [2645.34 --> 2649.58] and we thank you for the testimonies of faithfulness to each other. | |
| [2649.58 --> 2658.92] And we pray for those relationships that are strained, that are failing, that have gone past the point of failing and are now broken. | |
| [2659.18 --> 2665.16] We pray, Lord God, for the people involved who have walked away from loved ones. | |
| [2667.04 --> 2677.36] We pray for soft hearts, for gentle words, and for humility to one another. | |
| [2679.58 --> 2687.00] God, we pray that in all of these things, your grace and mercy might abound. | |
| [2688.56 --> 2693.88] That in all of these things, we might lean heavily on your provision and your word. | |
| [2697.02 --> 2703.86] Holy Father, we pray for the process of finding new elders and deacons in this church. | |
| [2704.54 --> 2708.42] We thank you for those who have allowed their name to stand | |
| [2708.42 --> 2713.88] and for the process that is now in place to move forward in that. | |
| [2714.70 --> 2720.06] We pray, Lord God, that you would continue by your spirit to lead and guide us. | |
| [2720.54 --> 2722.94] We thank you for the ways that we have seen that leading | |
| [2722.94 --> 2729.32] and have followed your guidance in these past days and years and decades. | |
| [2729.32 --> 2734.56] And we trust going forward that we would follow after you in the same. | |
| [2737.04 --> 2739.74] Lastly, Lord God, now as we turn to your word, | |
| [2739.90 --> 2745.70] we pray that you would open the eyes of our heart to hear your voice, Lord Jesus. | |
| [2745.70 --> 2752.90] And we pray that you would take these words and plant them deep in our hearts | |
| [2752.90 --> 2759.40] that they might grow and produce a fruit of faithfulness 30, 60, and 100 fold | |
| [2759.40 --> 2761.90] in us and from us today. | |
| [2763.02 --> 2766.20] We pray this, Lord, in your most holy name. | |
| [2767.10 --> 2767.46] Amen. | |
| [2767.46 --> 2767.56] Amen. | |
| [2767.56 --> 2767.60] Amen. | |
| [2767.60 --> 2767.62] Amen. | |
| [2767.62 --> 2767.64] Amen. | |
| [2767.64 --> 2767.66] Amen. | |
| [2775.70 --> 2775.90] Amen. | |
| [2775.90 --> 2776.22] Amen. | |
| [2776.22 --> 2776.50] Amen. | |
| [2788.14 --> 2788.20] Amen. | |
| [2788.20 --> 2798.86] We're going to jump into the book of Romans again, continuing in the book in chapter 14. | |
| [2798.86 --> 2807.74] I'm going to start by reading together from verse 1 through 12 of chapter 14. | |
| [2809.14 --> 2814.52] And this will then ground and direct our discussion for the rest of our time. | |
| [2816.64 --> 2818.92] Hear these words from God. | |
| [2820.54 --> 2827.66] Accept the one whose faith is weak without quarreling over disputable matters. | |
| [2828.86 --> 2836.34] One person's faith allows them to eat anything, but another whose faith is weak eats only vegetables. | |
| [2837.78 --> 2842.86] The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, | |
| [2843.12 --> 2849.72] and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. | |
| [2850.98 --> 2854.14] Who are you to judge someone else's servant? | |
| [2854.14 --> 2862.74] To their own master, servants stand or fall, and they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand. | |
| [2862.74 --> 2867.12] One person considers one day more sacred than another. | |
| [2867.52 --> 2869.42] Another considers every day alike. | |
| [2869.84 --> 2873.36] Each of them should be fully convinced in their own minds. | |
| [2874.36 --> 2877.84] Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord, | |
| [2878.16 --> 2882.36] and whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God. | |
| [2882.66 --> 2886.70] And whoever abstains does so to the Lord and give thanks to God. | |
| [2886.70 --> 2892.38] For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. | |
| [2892.92 --> 2896.80] If we live, we live for the Lord, and if we die, we die for the Lord. | |
| [2897.24 --> 2901.04] So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. | |
| [2902.04 --> 2906.48] For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life, | |
| [2906.62 --> 2911.52] so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. | |
| [2911.52 --> 2917.60] You then, why do you judge your brother or sister, or why do you treat them with contempt? | |
| [2917.90 --> 2920.60] For we all stand before God's judgment seat. | |
| [2920.92 --> 2921.80] As it is written, | |
| [2922.38 --> 2924.52] As surely as I live, says the Lord, | |
| [2924.86 --> 2927.06] every knee will bow before me, | |
| [2927.40 --> 2929.64] every tongue will acknowledge God. | |
| [2930.32 --> 2935.94] So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. | |
| [2936.50 --> 2937.84] This is the word of the Lord. | |
| [2937.84 --> 2937.90] Amen. | |
| [2941.52 --> 2946.40] When I was in seminary, | |
| [2947.40 --> 2952.92] one of the ways that I would sort of supplement our income, | |
| [2953.14 --> 2960.32] providing a little bit of disposable income for Rachel and I to go out on dates or have fun together, | |
| [2960.74 --> 2964.30] would be to preach in different communities and different places. | |
| [2964.30 --> 2968.14] Now, the seminary I went to is in Grand Rapids, Michigan, | |
| [2968.66 --> 2975.48] which is a pretty major urban center in the Midwest, although not a metropolis. | |
| [2977.22 --> 2983.24] But it is one of those places in the Midwest that is immediately surrounded by what you would consider to be | |
| [2983.24 --> 2987.26] stereotypical Midwestern kind of living and culture. | |
| [2987.26 --> 2992.22] So you've got the more urban and maybe progressive area of Grand Rapids, | |
| [2992.28 --> 2998.26] and then the more rural and definitely conservative areas around Grand Rapids. | |
| [2998.26 --> 3002.02] And because those churches were generally smaller, | |
| [3002.28 --> 3005.60] they were the ones who needed pulpit supply and who needed preaching more often. | |
| [3006.52 --> 3009.86] And so, after my first year of seminary, | |
| [3009.96 --> 3011.90] I spent basically the next two years, | |
| [3012.20 --> 3015.44] two or three of the four Sundays of a month, | |
| [3015.84 --> 3017.22] driving somewhere and preaching, | |
| [3017.68 --> 3018.56] if not in the morning, | |
| [3018.70 --> 3021.96] then for sure at these churches in their afternoon services. | |
| [3021.96 --> 3025.94] Now, when I would go to these churches, | |
| [3026.22 --> 3028.12] understanding a little bit about the culture, | |
| [3028.64 --> 3032.30] I would put on my suit and my tie, | |
| [3033.22 --> 3036.44] and I would go and I would show up to preach. | |
| [3036.56 --> 3037.34] And I will never forget, | |
| [3037.46 --> 3043.04] there was one Sunday I showed up at a small little church just outside of Grand Rapids, | |
| [3043.04 --> 3047.50] and this little old Dutch lady came up to me and said, | |
| [3047.50 --> 3052.32] oh, it is so good to see the domine wearing a suit. | |
| [3053.74 --> 3054.88] If you are unaware, | |
| [3055.22 --> 3059.88] domine is the word for minister in Dutch culture, | |
| [3059.88 --> 3061.92] and it's kind of become a bit of a meme. | |
| [3064.74 --> 3065.64] And then she said, | |
| [3066.06 --> 3070.92] so many of you seminary kids come wearing just casual clothes. | |
| [3071.96 --> 3073.68] Now, if she could only see me now. | |
| [3073.68 --> 3078.80] Point is, | |
| [3078.94 --> 3080.34] it mattered for her | |
| [3080.34 --> 3082.56] what the pastor wore. | |
| [3083.36 --> 3086.58] Now, I know that I'm standing on the line for some of you | |
| [3086.58 --> 3088.42] that it matters for you as well | |
| [3088.42 --> 3091.18] what the pastor wears or what you wear to church, | |
| [3091.24 --> 3092.62] and we'll come back to that. | |
| [3093.46 --> 3094.32] But for her, | |
| [3094.72 --> 3095.90] it was a point. | |
| [3096.70 --> 3098.48] And to the point where | |
| [3098.48 --> 3100.68] she required it of the people | |
| [3100.68 --> 3102.78] in front of her in order for her to hear | |
| [3102.78 --> 3104.80] the word of God from that person. | |
| [3106.32 --> 3107.66] Now, I understood that. | |
| [3108.00 --> 3109.52] I also realized, | |
| [3109.66 --> 3110.88] looking back on that moment, | |
| [3111.00 --> 3112.54] that if she had only knew | |
| [3112.54 --> 3114.24] that I had cobbled together this suit, | |
| [3114.28 --> 3115.78] it was the suit I got married in. | |
| [3115.82 --> 3118.04] It was probably a size or three too big. | |
| [3118.60 --> 3120.02] The tie that I was wearing | |
| [3120.02 --> 3122.70] was from the clothing shelter. | |
| [3123.02 --> 3124.86] We were part of a food bank system, | |
| [3125.00 --> 3127.08] and we got ties that other people had donated. | |
| [3127.66 --> 3129.52] Someone probably died in that tie, | |
| [3129.62 --> 3131.20] but no, it was my fancy tie. | |
| [3131.20 --> 3133.12] There I was, doing my best. | |
| [3136.42 --> 3138.06] Here's what happens, right? | |
| [3139.12 --> 3141.22] Churches create cultures | |
| [3141.22 --> 3143.30] about these kinds of things, | |
| [3143.30 --> 3145.82] and then cultures create rules | |
| [3145.82 --> 3148.38] to instantiate those kinds of things, | |
| [3148.50 --> 3150.68] and then rules create boundaries | |
| [3150.68 --> 3152.74] that define whether or not | |
| [3152.74 --> 3154.40] you are in or out | |
| [3154.40 --> 3156.26] or belong to who we are. | |
| [3156.26 --> 3160.80] That's what we're talking about this morning. | |
| [3161.96 --> 3162.86] And so, trigger warning, | |
| [3163.56 --> 3165.72] some of you are going to be like, | |
| [3165.78 --> 3166.86] ah, is he talking about me? | |
| [3167.38 --> 3169.18] And others of you are going to be like, | |
| [3169.34 --> 3170.78] oh yeah, he's talking about them. | |
| [3171.54 --> 3172.34] And if that's you, | |
| [3172.40 --> 3173.46] I want you to invert it. | |
| [3173.94 --> 3175.50] Because if you think I'm talking about someone else, | |
| [3175.56 --> 3176.56] no, I'm actually talking about you. | |
| [3177.42 --> 3178.72] And if you think I'm talking about you, | |
| [3178.78 --> 3180.34] I'm probably talking about someone else. | |
| [3180.34 --> 3182.58] But you need to hear, | |
| [3183.04 --> 3183.94] and you need to discern. | |
| [3185.18 --> 3186.52] Here's what I hope we'll see | |
| [3186.52 --> 3189.90] as we dig into this text for us, | |
| [3190.04 --> 3191.36] from Romans 14. | |
| [3192.34 --> 3194.52] That living for the Lord | |
| [3194.52 --> 3198.38] requires us to mature in our faith, | |
| [3198.94 --> 3201.32] and then to come alongside those | |
| [3201.32 --> 3204.28] who are maturing where they are at, | |
| [3204.28 --> 3208.24] so that we might grow in faith together. | |
| [3209.84 --> 3211.10] Now, I'm very mindful | |
| [3211.10 --> 3212.76] in the way that that sentence reads | |
| [3212.76 --> 3215.34] that we haven't decided anything yet | |
| [3215.34 --> 3216.80] about the kind of clothes you wear to church. | |
| [3218.32 --> 3219.22] That's intentional. | |
| [3220.48 --> 3221.32] Follow along. | |
| [3224.00 --> 3227.12] So, in Romans chapter 1 through 11, | |
| [3227.46 --> 3230.04] where we spent over a year together, | |
| [3230.16 --> 3232.64] Paul is explaining for us | |
| [3232.64 --> 3234.60] the majesty and the magnitude | |
| [3234.60 --> 3236.04] of the gospel | |
| [3236.04 --> 3238.06] that is summarized | |
| [3238.06 --> 3239.82] and that we are justified, | |
| [3240.20 --> 3240.96] we are received, | |
| [3241.26 --> 3242.98] we are made right with God | |
| [3242.98 --> 3244.06] by grace alone, | |
| [3244.24 --> 3245.24] through faith alone, | |
| [3245.58 --> 3246.74] in Christ alone. | |
| [3247.80 --> 3250.00] Paul grounds our need | |
| [3250.00 --> 3251.96] for grace and the gospel | |
| [3251.96 --> 3252.92] in the rebellion | |
| [3252.92 --> 3255.38] of our first parents, | |
| [3255.52 --> 3256.24] Adam and Eve, | |
| [3256.34 --> 3256.92] in the garden. | |
| [3257.28 --> 3258.66] They rebelled against God, | |
| [3258.76 --> 3259.76] and in the consequence | |
| [3259.76 --> 3260.82] and the reality | |
| [3260.82 --> 3261.56] that is now | |
| [3261.56 --> 3263.32] sin in the world for us. | |
| [3263.42 --> 3265.26] He clearly spells this out. | |
| [3266.00 --> 3266.76] He shows us | |
| [3266.76 --> 3268.38] how Christ is the only true | |
| [3268.38 --> 3269.42] and better sacrifice | |
| [3269.42 --> 3271.20] who has borne the wrath of God | |
| [3271.20 --> 3272.04] for sin | |
| [3272.04 --> 3273.60] and has set us free | |
| [3273.60 --> 3275.26] from the tyranny of the devil. | |
| [3275.40 --> 3276.08] He talks about | |
| [3276.08 --> 3277.54] how we are loved of God | |
| [3277.54 --> 3278.42] so much so | |
| [3278.42 --> 3279.94] that we can call him Father, | |
| [3280.70 --> 3280.82] right, | |
| [3280.84 --> 3281.60] how there's nothing | |
| [3281.60 --> 3282.84] that can separate us | |
| [3282.84 --> 3283.96] from this love. | |
| [3284.12 --> 3285.24] And then he spends | |
| [3285.24 --> 3286.18] three chapters | |
| [3286.18 --> 3287.94] narrowing that discussion | |
| [3287.94 --> 3288.94] of God's grace | |
| [3288.94 --> 3289.96] and God's sovereignty | |
| [3289.96 --> 3291.34] to the people of Israel | |
| [3291.34 --> 3293.10] and how he relates to them. | |
| [3293.70 --> 3295.06] And then in chapter 12, | |
| [3295.60 --> 3297.64] he starts applying | |
| [3297.64 --> 3299.56] the truth of this gospel, | |
| [3300.36 --> 3301.12] that we are justified | |
| [3301.12 --> 3302.00] by grace alone, | |
| [3302.10 --> 3302.78] through faith alone, | |
| [3302.84 --> 3303.66] in Christ alone, | |
| [3303.78 --> 3305.72] to the lives of those | |
| [3305.72 --> 3307.30] who have been transformed by it. | |
| [3308.12 --> 3309.50] And so he shifts, right? | |
| [3309.54 --> 3309.74] He says, | |
| [3309.82 --> 3311.58] this now is how you should live | |
| [3311.58 --> 3312.74] in response | |
| [3312.74 --> 3313.78] and in gratitude | |
| [3313.78 --> 3315.42] to what God has done. | |
| [3315.42 --> 3316.84] And so here, | |
| [3316.98 --> 3317.60] we talked about | |
| [3317.60 --> 3318.58] being transformed, | |
| [3318.80 --> 3319.88] about offering ourselves | |
| [3319.88 --> 3321.72] as living sacrifices, | |
| [3321.72 --> 3322.96] about worshiping God | |
| [3322.96 --> 3323.62] in the everyday | |
| [3323.62 --> 3325.32] of our lives. | |
| [3325.40 --> 3325.58] Here, | |
| [3325.66 --> 3326.30] we talked about | |
| [3326.30 --> 3327.80] loving our neighbors | |
| [3327.80 --> 3329.00] and blessing those | |
| [3329.00 --> 3330.22] who persecute you, | |
| [3330.58 --> 3331.86] rejoicing with those | |
| [3331.86 --> 3332.44] who rejoice | |
| [3332.44 --> 3333.68] and mourning with those | |
| [3333.68 --> 3334.34] who mourn, | |
| [3334.56 --> 3335.84] about living in harmony | |
| [3335.84 --> 3336.72] with everyone. | |
| [3337.98 --> 3338.78] The application | |
| [3338.78 --> 3340.90] of this gospel truth | |
| [3340.90 --> 3341.78] is seen | |
| [3341.78 --> 3343.20] in the idea | |
| [3343.20 --> 3344.40] of God's sovereignty | |
| [3344.40 --> 3346.22] over all that is | |
| [3346.22 --> 3346.82] in creation, | |
| [3346.96 --> 3347.74] but then also | |
| [3347.74 --> 3348.90] in God placing | |
| [3348.90 --> 3349.92] certain other | |
| [3349.92 --> 3351.32] sovereign authorities | |
| [3351.32 --> 3353.44] in the created order | |
| [3353.44 --> 3354.50] that we are subject to. | |
| [3355.42 --> 3356.02] And then, | |
| [3356.16 --> 3357.88] part of our Christian witness, | |
| [3358.18 --> 3358.40] right, | |
| [3358.46 --> 3359.50] is the manner | |
| [3359.50 --> 3360.98] by which we willingly | |
| [3360.98 --> 3362.08] subject ourselves | |
| [3362.08 --> 3363.52] to these authorities. | |
| [3364.76 --> 3365.06] Paul said, | |
| [3365.26 --> 3365.98] give to everyone | |
| [3365.98 --> 3366.68] what you owe. | |
| [3366.82 --> 3367.44] If taxes, | |
| [3367.58 --> 3368.12] pay taxes. | |
| [3368.28 --> 3368.80] If revenue, | |
| [3368.96 --> 3369.42] then revenue. | |
| [3369.58 --> 3370.08] If respect, | |
| [3370.20 --> 3370.62] then respect. | |
| [3370.80 --> 3371.26] If honor, | |
| [3371.38 --> 3372.12] then honor. | |
| [3372.24 --> 3372.54] And then, | |
| [3372.54 --> 3373.82] this is what it means | |
| [3373.82 --> 3375.68] to love our neighbor. | |
| [3376.88 --> 3377.00] Right, | |
| [3377.06 --> 3378.74] understanding all of this | |
| [3378.74 --> 3379.52] makes sense | |
| [3379.52 --> 3380.90] of the world we live in | |
| [3380.90 --> 3381.80] and how we are | |
| [3381.80 --> 3382.64] to live in the world. | |
| [3383.48 --> 3384.50] We clothe ourselves | |
| [3384.50 --> 3385.38] with Christ, | |
| [3385.60 --> 3386.52] putting on the armor | |
| [3386.52 --> 3387.52] of light. | |
| [3388.16 --> 3388.72] That's what we looked | |
| [3388.72 --> 3389.34] at last week. | |
| [3390.26 --> 3390.94] And now, | |
| [3391.12 --> 3392.28] in chapter 14, | |
| [3393.24 --> 3394.04] it seems | |
| [3394.04 --> 3394.84] that what Paul | |
| [3394.84 --> 3395.48] is doing | |
| [3395.48 --> 3396.62] is applying | |
| [3396.62 --> 3398.34] this gospel truth | |
| [3398.34 --> 3399.86] and applying | |
| [3399.86 --> 3400.94] these general | |
| [3400.94 --> 3401.80] applications | |
| [3401.80 --> 3404.00] to a particular | |
| [3404.00 --> 3404.96] situation | |
| [3404.96 --> 3406.54] in the church | |
| [3406.54 --> 3407.46] at Rome. | |
| [3408.78 --> 3409.50] Right, | |
| [3409.50 --> 3410.08] he's applying | |
| [3410.08 --> 3411.32] these Christ-centered | |
| [3411.32 --> 3412.44] living principles | |
| [3412.44 --> 3415.02] to a very | |
| [3415.02 --> 3416.34] precise | |
| [3416.34 --> 3418.36] circumstance | |
| [3418.36 --> 3420.02] that they're facing. | |
| [3420.82 --> 3421.74] Because you see, | |
| [3422.14 --> 3423.28] the church of Rome | |
| [3423.28 --> 3424.56] is made up | |
| [3424.56 --> 3426.02] of both | |
| [3426.02 --> 3427.50] Jewish converts | |
| [3427.50 --> 3429.78] to Christianity, | |
| [3429.78 --> 3430.78] Christianity, | |
| [3430.78 --> 3431.12] to Jesus, | |
| [3431.12 --> 3432.44] and non-Jewish | |
| [3432.44 --> 3433.36] or Gentile | |
| [3433.36 --> 3434.06] converts | |
| [3434.06 --> 3435.28] to Christianity. | |
| [3436.36 --> 3436.68] And so, | |
| [3436.76 --> 3437.52] part of what that | |
| [3437.52 --> 3438.02] means | |
| [3438.02 --> 3439.02] is you have a | |
| [3439.02 --> 3439.60] strong, | |
| [3439.92 --> 3440.76] committed group | |
| [3440.76 --> 3441.46] of people | |
| [3441.46 --> 3442.34] who have, | |
| [3442.56 --> 3443.58] for their entire | |
| [3443.58 --> 3444.32] history | |
| [3444.32 --> 3445.48] of knowing | |
| [3445.48 --> 3446.44] and believing | |
| [3446.44 --> 3447.26] in God, | |
| [3447.38 --> 3448.16] have also | |
| [3448.16 --> 3448.78] understood | |
| [3448.78 --> 3449.88] that this is | |
| [3449.88 --> 3450.78] what that means. | |
| [3451.46 --> 3452.36] This is how | |
| [3452.36 --> 3453.06] that looks. | |
| [3453.64 --> 3454.48] This is how | |
| [3454.48 --> 3454.94] you're supposed | |
| [3454.94 --> 3455.42] to live | |
| [3455.42 --> 3456.34] that faith out. | |
| [3456.34 --> 3456.62] right. | |
| [3457.58 --> 3457.82] Right, | |
| [3457.88 --> 3458.52] this is what | |
| [3458.52 --> 3459.44] right obedience | |
| [3459.44 --> 3460.20] looks like. | |
| [3460.86 --> 3461.52] And then in the | |
| [3461.52 --> 3462.32] same church, | |
| [3462.34 --> 3463.02] you have a group | |
| [3463.02 --> 3463.66] of people | |
| [3463.66 --> 3464.38] who have come | |
| [3464.38 --> 3464.94] to believe | |
| [3464.94 --> 3465.56] in Jesus | |
| [3465.56 --> 3466.46] and in the gospel | |
| [3466.46 --> 3467.68] who don't have | |
| [3467.68 --> 3468.40] that history, | |
| [3468.66 --> 3469.68] who aren't shaped | |
| [3469.68 --> 3470.90] in that same way, | |
| [3471.06 --> 3472.02] but rather have | |
| [3472.02 --> 3472.92] other histories | |
| [3472.92 --> 3474.02] and other shaping | |
| [3474.02 --> 3474.74] realities. | |
| [3476.24 --> 3476.42] Right, | |
| [3476.46 --> 3476.96] in essence, | |
| [3477.08 --> 3477.98] what's going on | |
| [3477.98 --> 3478.98] is a sort of | |
| [3478.98 --> 3480.34] clash of cultures | |
| [3480.34 --> 3481.62] in this new | |
| [3481.62 --> 3482.92] cultural creation | |
| [3482.92 --> 3483.82] that is the | |
| [3483.82 --> 3485.00] Christian church. | |
| [3485.00 --> 3485.06] church. | |
| [3486.34 --> 3487.38] And for those | |
| [3487.38 --> 3487.94] who are born | |
| [3487.94 --> 3488.62] and raised | |
| [3488.62 --> 3489.24] in the Jewish | |
| [3489.24 --> 3489.84] tradition, | |
| [3490.40 --> 3491.54] who have certain | |
| [3491.54 --> 3492.42] rules about | |
| [3492.42 --> 3493.08] what foods | |
| [3493.08 --> 3493.70] you are allowed | |
| [3493.70 --> 3494.30] to eat or | |
| [3494.30 --> 3494.92] not allowed | |
| [3494.92 --> 3495.38] to eat, | |
| [3495.64 --> 3496.34] certain rules | |
| [3496.34 --> 3497.10] around holy | |
| [3497.10 --> 3498.22] days and festivals | |
| [3498.22 --> 3499.04] and things like | |
| [3499.04 --> 3499.32] that, | |
| [3499.60 --> 3500.70] all of those | |
| [3500.70 --> 3501.38] things have | |
| [3501.38 --> 3502.30] shaped them | |
| [3502.30 --> 3503.32] and are important | |
| [3503.32 --> 3503.88] to them. | |
| [3504.36 --> 3504.46] Right, | |
| [3504.52 --> 3504.96] these things | |
| [3504.96 --> 3505.52] are their | |
| [3505.52 --> 3506.82] expressions of | |
| [3506.82 --> 3507.26] faith. | |
| [3508.18 --> 3508.96] But for the | |
| [3508.96 --> 3509.60] Gentiles who | |
| [3509.60 --> 3510.66] don't have that, | |
| [3510.84 --> 3511.56] who don't have | |
| [3511.56 --> 3512.18] that history, | |
| [3512.64 --> 3513.52] and then who also | |
| [3513.52 --> 3514.46] have no desire | |
| [3514.46 --> 3515.30] to incorporate | |
| [3515.30 --> 3516.04] that history | |
| [3516.04 --> 3516.78] into their | |
| [3516.78 --> 3517.58] expressions of | |
| [3517.58 --> 3517.90] faith, | |
| [3519.28 --> 3520.34] conflicts arise. | |
| [3521.72 --> 3521.98] Right, | |
| [3522.00 --> 3522.46] or to put it | |
| [3522.46 --> 3523.06] in today's | |
| [3523.06 --> 3523.56] language, | |
| [3523.92 --> 3524.98] into the | |
| [3524.98 --> 3525.88] lived experience | |
| [3525.88 --> 3526.50] of these | |
| [3526.50 --> 3527.56] polarities, | |
| [3528.12 --> 3530.46] you have | |
| [3530.46 --> 3531.02] disputes. | |
| [3532.18 --> 3533.00] And Paul | |
| [3533.00 --> 3534.12] applies for us | |
| [3534.12 --> 3534.66] the gospel | |
| [3534.66 --> 3535.84] truths and | |
| [3535.84 --> 3536.68] shows us | |
| [3536.68 --> 3537.62] what transformed | |
| [3537.62 --> 3538.28] lives will | |
| [3538.28 --> 3539.04] look like | |
| [3539.04 --> 3540.30] in a church | |
| [3540.30 --> 3541.40] like Rome. | |
| [3542.52 --> 3542.90] Now, | |
| [3542.96 --> 3543.16] of course, | |
| [3543.16 --> 3543.60] in our own | |
| [3543.60 --> 3543.98] time, | |
| [3544.16 --> 3544.80] we have | |
| [3544.80 --> 3545.60] our own | |
| [3545.60 --> 3546.36] range of | |
| [3546.36 --> 3547.12] polarities. | |
| [3548.14 --> 3548.40] Right, | |
| [3548.44 --> 3548.70] in the | |
| [3548.70 --> 3549.22] contemporary | |
| [3549.22 --> 3550.12] church, | |
| [3550.18 --> 3550.62] we're not | |
| [3550.62 --> 3551.22] immune to | |
| [3551.22 --> 3551.60] this. | |
| [3552.12 --> 3552.68] And even | |
| [3552.68 --> 3553.40] here at | |
| [3553.40 --> 3553.78] Langley | |
| [3553.78 --> 3554.20] Emanuel, | |
| [3554.20 --> 3555.00] we're really | |
| [3555.00 --> 3555.40] good at | |
| [3555.40 --> 3555.82] a lot, | |
| [3555.94 --> 3556.58] we're also | |
| [3556.58 --> 3557.08] not immune | |
| [3557.08 --> 3557.64] to this. | |
| [3558.78 --> 3559.18] And so we | |
| [3559.18 --> 3559.48] can learn | |
| [3559.48 --> 3559.80] from this | |
| [3559.80 --> 3560.12] kind of | |
| [3560.12 --> 3560.44] teaching. | |
| [3562.06 --> 3562.70] I think | |
| [3562.70 --> 3563.28] the line | |
| [3563.28 --> 3563.74] that Paul | |
| [3563.74 --> 3564.38] takes us | |
| [3564.38 --> 3564.74] through | |
| [3564.74 --> 3565.74] is actually | |
| [3565.74 --> 3566.68] pretty linear, | |
| [3567.18 --> 3567.64] and so we're | |
| [3567.64 --> 3568.02] going to move | |
| [3568.02 --> 3568.58] through that | |
| [3568.58 --> 3569.70] in a | |
| [3569.70 --> 3570.22] similar | |
| [3570.22 --> 3571.18] way. | |
| [3571.70 --> 3572.02] And so | |
| [3572.02 --> 3573.60] if you | |
| [3573.60 --> 3573.88] have a | |
| [3573.88 --> 3574.14] Bible, | |
| [3574.34 --> 3574.74] I encourage | |
| [3574.74 --> 3575.00] you to | |
| [3575.00 --> 3575.38] keep that | |
| [3575.38 --> 3575.68] in front | |
| [3575.68 --> 3575.96] of you | |
| [3575.96 --> 3576.74] and open. | |
| [3577.42 --> 3577.76] You can | |
| [3577.76 --> 3578.70] trace the | |
| [3578.70 --> 3579.10] line that | |
| [3579.10 --> 3579.38] we go | |
| [3579.38 --> 3579.66] through. | |
| [3579.86 --> 3580.16] Some of | |
| [3580.16 --> 3580.48] the things | |
| [3580.48 --> 3581.00] will appear | |
| [3581.00 --> 3581.42] on the | |
| [3581.42 --> 3581.66] screen | |
| [3581.66 --> 3582.16] behind me | |
| [3582.16 --> 3582.52] to help | |
| [3582.52 --> 3582.76] you in | |
| [3582.76 --> 3583.18] doing that. | |
| [3584.68 --> 3584.90] Paul | |
| [3584.90 --> 3585.32] begins | |
| [3585.32 --> 3586.52] by saying, | |
| [3586.52 --> 3587.32] accept the | |
| [3587.32 --> 3587.88] one whose | |
| [3587.88 --> 3588.46] faith is | |
| [3588.46 --> 3589.62] weak without | |
| [3589.62 --> 3590.68] quarreling over | |
| [3590.68 --> 3591.42] disputable | |
| [3591.42 --> 3592.40] matters. | |
| [3592.40 --> 3594.20] Now the | |
| [3594.20 --> 3594.72] first thing | |
| [3594.72 --> 3595.22] to wonder | |
| [3595.22 --> 3596.34] is to | |
| [3596.34 --> 3596.92] look at | |
| [3596.92 --> 3597.44] what Paul | |
| [3597.44 --> 3598.88] means when | |
| [3598.88 --> 3599.28] he talks | |
| [3599.28 --> 3599.96] about weak | |
| [3599.96 --> 3600.66] faith. | |
| [3601.68 --> 3602.14] Who is | |
| [3602.14 --> 3602.52] the one | |
| [3602.52 --> 3603.12] with weak | |
| [3603.12 --> 3603.96] faith? | |
| [3604.60 --> 3605.42] Because that | |
| [3605.42 --> 3605.84] doesn't | |
| [3605.84 --> 3606.44] necessarily | |
| [3606.44 --> 3607.26] mean what | |
| [3607.26 --> 3607.62] you might | |
| [3607.62 --> 3608.02] think it | |
| [3608.02 --> 3608.30] does. | |
| [3609.50 --> 3610.02] So weak | |
| [3610.02 --> 3610.76] faith in | |
| [3610.76 --> 3611.90] chapter 14, | |
| [3612.36 --> 3612.98] for instance, | |
| [3613.08 --> 3613.90] is not the | |
| [3613.90 --> 3614.66] same thing | |
| [3614.66 --> 3615.42] as what you | |
| [3615.42 --> 3615.82] might call | |
| [3615.82 --> 3616.30] feeble | |
| [3616.30 --> 3616.74] faith. | |
| [3617.96 --> 3618.76] In chapter | |
| [3618.76 --> 3620.10] 4, | |
| [3620.24 --> 3621.08] verse 19, | |
| [3621.28 --> 3621.96] Paul talks | |
| [3621.96 --> 3622.30] about | |
| [3622.30 --> 3623.12] Abraham, | |
| [3623.44 --> 3623.68] and he | |
| [3623.68 --> 3624.02] says, | |
| [3624.14 --> 3624.66] Abraham, | |
| [3625.04 --> 3625.92] not | |
| [3625.92 --> 3626.80] weakening | |
| [3626.80 --> 3627.68] his faith. | |
| [3629.00 --> 3629.40] And the | |
| [3629.40 --> 3629.78] point there | |
| [3629.78 --> 3630.04] is that | |
| [3630.04 --> 3630.36] Abraham | |
| [3630.36 --> 3630.86] didn't | |
| [3630.86 --> 3631.28] lose | |
| [3631.28 --> 3631.88] trust. | |
| [3632.28 --> 3632.50] He | |
| [3632.50 --> 3632.82] didn't | |
| [3632.82 --> 3633.30] lose | |
| [3633.30 --> 3633.92] faith. | |
| [3634.50 --> 3634.80] A | |
| [3634.80 --> 3635.10] weak | |
| [3635.10 --> 3635.56] faith, | |
| [3635.60 --> 3635.90] or a | |
| [3635.90 --> 3636.24] weakened | |
| [3636.24 --> 3636.80] faith, | |
| [3636.94 --> 3637.48] in chapter | |
| [3637.48 --> 3638.02] 4, | |
| [3638.34 --> 3639.44] is losing | |
| [3639.44 --> 3640.00] trust. | |
| [3640.34 --> 3640.68] But that's | |
| [3640.68 --> 3641.18] not what | |
| [3641.18 --> 3641.54] we're talking | |
| [3641.54 --> 3642.04] about here. | |
| [3642.68 --> 3643.14] That's not | |
| [3643.14 --> 3643.48] the same | |
| [3643.48 --> 3643.84] thing. | |
| [3644.36 --> 3645.18] The person | |
| [3645.18 --> 3645.56] with a | |
| [3645.56 --> 3645.80] weak | |
| [3645.80 --> 3646.30] faith in | |
| [3646.30 --> 3647.18] chapter 14 | |
| [3647.18 --> 3649.08] is something | |
| [3649.08 --> 3649.60] else. | |
| [3651.08 --> 3651.82] And I | |
| [3651.82 --> 3652.46] think that | |
| [3652.46 --> 3653.78] when Paul's | |
| [3653.78 --> 3654.38] talking about | |
| [3654.38 --> 3655.06] a weak | |
| [3655.06 --> 3656.02] faith in | |
| [3656.02 --> 3657.00] chapter 14, | |
| [3657.20 --> 3657.70] what he | |
| [3657.70 --> 3658.94] means is | |
| [3658.94 --> 3659.32] that it's | |
| [3659.32 --> 3659.86] a faith | |
| [3659.86 --> 3660.72] that hasn't | |
| [3660.72 --> 3661.68] worked its | |
| [3661.68 --> 3662.48] way into | |
| [3662.48 --> 3663.10] the corners | |
| [3663.10 --> 3663.98] of all our | |
| [3663.98 --> 3664.50] being and | |
| [3664.50 --> 3665.10] understanding | |
| [3665.10 --> 3665.44] yet. | |
| [3666.24 --> 3666.90] This person | |
| [3666.90 --> 3667.52] hasn't come | |
| [3667.52 --> 3668.70] to a full | |
| [3668.70 --> 3669.14] orbed | |
| [3669.14 --> 3669.92] understanding | |
| [3669.92 --> 3671.14] that since | |
| [3671.14 --> 3671.86] justification | |
| [3671.86 --> 3673.12] is by grace | |
| [3673.12 --> 3673.44] alone, | |
| [3673.52 --> 3674.02] through faith | |
| [3674.02 --> 3674.36] alone, | |
| [3674.42 --> 3674.92] in Christ | |
| [3674.92 --> 3675.32] alone, | |
| [3675.70 --> 3676.20] the use | |
| [3676.20 --> 3676.74] of meat | |
| [3676.74 --> 3677.60] or wine | |
| [3677.60 --> 3678.54] or of this | |
| [3678.54 --> 3679.00] festival | |
| [3679.00 --> 3679.64] or that | |
| [3679.64 --> 3680.18] festival | |
| [3680.18 --> 3681.02] becomes | |
| [3681.02 --> 3681.48] irrelevant. | |
| [3683.18 --> 3683.82] Since you're | |
| [3683.82 --> 3685.06] saved by | |
| [3685.06 --> 3685.92] grace alone, | |
| [3686.18 --> 3686.68] there's no | |
| [3686.68 --> 3687.14] need to | |
| [3687.14 --> 3687.96] feel that | |
| [3687.96 --> 3689.52] somehow you | |
| [3689.52 --> 3689.88] have to | |
| [3689.88 --> 3690.70] keep God's | |
| [3690.70 --> 3691.08] favor, | |
| [3691.36 --> 3691.68] you have to | |
| [3691.68 --> 3692.36] keep God's | |
| [3692.36 --> 3693.02] salvation by | |
| [3693.02 --> 3693.90] following these | |
| [3693.90 --> 3694.78] rules or | |
| [3694.78 --> 3695.54] these regulations. | |
| [3697.98 --> 3698.20] Now, | |
| [3698.64 --> 3700.04] before I go | |
| [3700.04 --> 3700.40] too much | |
| [3700.40 --> 3700.78] further, | |
| [3702.08 --> 3702.46] and in | |
| [3702.46 --> 3703.10] honor of | |
| [3703.10 --> 3704.34] that little | |
| [3704.34 --> 3704.96] old lady | |
| [3704.96 --> 3705.84] in the | |
| [3705.84 --> 3706.12] neighborhood | |
| [3706.12 --> 3706.74] outside of | |
| [3706.74 --> 3707.54] Grand Rapids, | |
| [3707.54 --> 3708.82] it's important | |
| [3708.82 --> 3709.38] to note | |
| [3709.38 --> 3712.46] that these | |
| [3712.46 --> 3713.52] kinds of | |
| [3713.52 --> 3714.56] rules and | |
| [3714.56 --> 3715.38] regulations | |
| [3715.38 --> 3717.70] are held | |
| [3717.70 --> 3718.64] by people | |
| [3718.64 --> 3719.64] as an | |
| [3719.64 --> 3720.28] expression | |
| [3720.28 --> 3721.20] of their | |
| [3721.20 --> 3722.50] faith to | |
| [3722.50 --> 3723.90] ensure that | |
| [3723.90 --> 3724.70] they remain | |
| [3724.70 --> 3725.34] faithful. | |
| [3726.78 --> 3726.86] Right? | |
| [3726.92 --> 3727.32] And so this | |
| [3727.32 --> 3728.10] isn't about, | |
| [3728.20 --> 3728.70] like we said, | |
| [3728.96 --> 3729.66] a lack of | |
| [3729.66 --> 3730.30] trust or a | |
| [3730.30 --> 3730.90] feeble faith. | |
| [3730.98 --> 3731.64] They're trying | |
| [3731.64 --> 3732.34] to be | |
| [3732.34 --> 3733.64] obedient and | |
| [3733.64 --> 3734.28] to ensure | |
| [3734.28 --> 3735.40] their obedience. | |
| [3735.72 --> 3736.90] They're raising | |
| [3736.90 --> 3737.54] the fences | |
| [3737.54 --> 3738.22] a little bit | |
| [3738.22 --> 3738.78] higher, | |
| [3739.18 --> 3739.74] they're moving | |
| [3739.74 --> 3740.36] the boundaries | |
| [3740.36 --> 3740.98] a little bit | |
| [3740.98 --> 3741.52] closer, | |
| [3741.94 --> 3743.06] further away | |
| [3743.06 --> 3743.56] from the | |
| [3743.56 --> 3744.12] edge of | |
| [3744.12 --> 3744.74] what becomes | |
| [3744.74 --> 3746.02] not permissible | |
| [3746.02 --> 3746.56] for us, | |
| [3746.64 --> 3747.62] in order to | |
| [3747.62 --> 3748.22] ensure that | |
| [3748.22 --> 3748.46] they don't | |
| [3748.46 --> 3749.06] fall off. | |
| [3750.06 --> 3750.28] Right? | |
| [3750.30 --> 3750.70] In order to | |
| [3750.70 --> 3751.08] ensure that | |
| [3751.08 --> 3751.40] they don't | |
| [3751.40 --> 3752.00] transgress. | |
| [3755.20 --> 3756.10] An illustration, | |
| [3756.24 --> 3756.86] a personal one | |
| [3756.86 --> 3757.92] from my own | |
| [3757.92 --> 3758.18] life. | |
| [3758.76 --> 3759.22] Some of you | |
| [3759.22 --> 3760.00] know my story | |
| [3760.00 --> 3761.06] and parts of it | |
| [3761.06 --> 3762.18] more detailed | |
| [3762.18 --> 3762.62] than others, | |
| [3762.74 --> 3764.02] but there was | |
| [3764.02 --> 3764.68] a period in my | |
| [3764.68 --> 3767.04] life where I | |
| [3767.04 --> 3767.60] did a lot | |
| [3767.60 --> 3768.94] of what we'll | |
| [3768.94 --> 3770.20] call recreational | |
| [3770.20 --> 3770.96] drug use. | |
| [3772.14 --> 3772.82] And when the | |
| [3772.82 --> 3773.28] Lord got a | |
| [3773.28 --> 3773.84] hold of me | |
| [3773.84 --> 3774.30] and started | |
| [3774.30 --> 3775.10] changing my | |
| [3775.10 --> 3777.66] life, I had | |
| [3777.66 --> 3778.26] to stop | |
| [3778.26 --> 3779.00] hanging out | |
| [3779.00 --> 3779.46] with certain | |
| [3779.46 --> 3779.88] people. | |
| [3781.60 --> 3782.58] I had to | |
| [3782.58 --> 3783.34] build big | |
| [3783.34 --> 3785.34] fences around | |
| [3785.34 --> 3786.62] my life in | |
| [3786.62 --> 3787.42] order to stop | |
| [3787.42 --> 3788.00] that kind of | |
| [3788.00 --> 3788.62] activity from | |
| [3788.62 --> 3789.18] happening, in | |
| [3789.18 --> 3789.64] order to get | |
| [3789.64 --> 3790.68] that temptation | |
| [3790.68 --> 3791.42] away. | |
| [3791.48 --> 3791.78] I had to | |
| [3791.78 --> 3792.38] change my | |
| [3792.38 --> 3793.10] friend group | |
| [3793.10 --> 3794.28] because it | |
| [3794.28 --> 3795.38] was too | |
| [3795.38 --> 3796.26] easy, if I | |
| [3796.26 --> 3796.64] was hanging | |
| [3796.64 --> 3797.00] out with | |
| [3797.00 --> 3797.66] them, to | |
| [3797.66 --> 3798.08] give in. | |
| [3799.18 --> 3799.70] And for a | |
| [3799.70 --> 3800.18] really long | |
| [3800.18 --> 3801.52] time, I | |
| [3801.52 --> 3801.90] couldn't be | |
| [3801.90 --> 3802.88] around people | |
| [3802.88 --> 3804.72] who were, for | |
| [3804.72 --> 3805.86] instance, smoking | |
| [3805.86 --> 3806.82] marijuana because | |
| [3806.82 --> 3808.42] I would smell | |
| [3808.42 --> 3809.22] it and go, oh | |
| [3809.22 --> 3809.68] yeah, I could | |
| [3809.68 --> 3810.40] probably do it. | |
| [3811.14 --> 3811.58] It would be | |
| [3811.58 --> 3811.88] okay. | |
| [3812.92 --> 3813.42] And so I had | |
| [3813.42 --> 3813.98] to create these | |
| [3813.98 --> 3814.70] fences, I had | |
| [3814.70 --> 3815.18] to create these | |
| [3815.18 --> 3815.52] walls. | |
| [3815.86 --> 3816.82] In my fervor, | |
| [3817.16 --> 3817.72] though, what | |
| [3817.72 --> 3818.82] happened is I | |
| [3818.82 --> 3819.76] began prescribing | |
| [3819.76 --> 3820.76] the same approach | |
| [3820.76 --> 3821.64] for everyone | |
| [3821.64 --> 3822.06] else. | |
| [3823.10 --> 3824.40] I began to | |
| [3824.40 --> 3825.02] say things like, | |
| [3825.10 --> 3825.66] well, nobody | |
| [3825.66 --> 3826.28] can hang out | |
| [3826.28 --> 3826.62] with those | |
| [3826.62 --> 3827.26] people because | |
| [3827.26 --> 3828.20] everybody's going | |
| [3828.20 --> 3828.72] to fall into | |
| [3828.72 --> 3829.24] that sin. | |
| [3830.54 --> 3831.26] You see the | |
| [3831.26 --> 3831.66] shift that | |
| [3831.66 --> 3832.24] happens there? | |
| [3833.26 --> 3833.44] Right? | |
| [3833.60 --> 3834.22] What is good | |
| [3834.22 --> 3834.98] for me and | |
| [3834.98 --> 3835.86] wise for me | |
| [3835.86 --> 3836.70] became a | |
| [3836.70 --> 3838.08] prescription for | |
| [3838.08 --> 3838.50] everyone. | |
| [3839.76 --> 3840.50] And it's not | |
| [3840.50 --> 3840.96] that I didn't | |
| [3840.96 --> 3841.68] trust God for | |
| [3841.68 --> 3842.36] my salvation, | |
| [3843.08 --> 3843.30] right? | |
| [3843.30 --> 3843.66] It's that I | |
| [3843.66 --> 3844.46] was learning to | |
| [3844.46 --> 3845.08] trust him for | |
| [3845.08 --> 3845.72] my obedience. | |
| [3847.22 --> 3847.90] And that's | |
| [3847.90 --> 3848.54] what's going on | |
| [3848.54 --> 3848.68] here. | |
| [3848.74 --> 3849.38] That's why people | |
| [3849.38 --> 3849.96] create these | |
| [3849.96 --> 3851.08] fences and build | |
| [3851.08 --> 3851.56] these walls. | |
| [3851.56 --> 3852.32] And to the | |
| [3852.32 --> 3853.24] church at Rome, | |
| [3853.30 --> 3854.12] Paul says, | |
| [3854.56 --> 3855.50] except the one | |
| [3855.50 --> 3856.38] whose faith is | |
| [3856.38 --> 3856.96] weak, that is | |
| [3856.96 --> 3857.58] the one who is | |
| [3857.58 --> 3859.08] learning how to | |
| [3859.08 --> 3860.80] fully embrace | |
| [3860.80 --> 3861.54] their justification | |
| [3861.54 --> 3862.72] by grace alone, | |
| [3862.98 --> 3864.40] through faith alone, | |
| [3864.48 --> 3865.32] in Christ alone, | |
| [3865.64 --> 3866.36] except them | |
| [3866.36 --> 3868.16] without quarreling | |
| [3868.16 --> 3870.06] over disputable | |
| [3870.06 --> 3870.94] matters. | |
| [3872.82 --> 3873.68] Now the next | |
| [3873.68 --> 3874.64] question is sort | |
| [3874.64 --> 3875.10] of the hinge | |
| [3875.10 --> 3875.64] of it all. | |
| [3875.98 --> 3876.76] Because what are | |
| [3876.76 --> 3877.70] these disputable | |
| [3877.70 --> 3878.02] matters? | |
| [3878.02 --> 3880.40] What does that | |
| [3880.40 --> 3880.64] mean? | |
| [3881.92 --> 3882.60] Now the two | |
| [3882.60 --> 3883.22] words that are | |
| [3883.22 --> 3883.98] used here in | |
| [3883.98 --> 3885.76] Greek, the first | |
| [3885.76 --> 3886.70] one means judging | |
| [3886.70 --> 3888.28] or discerning, and | |
| [3888.28 --> 3889.12] the second one | |
| [3889.12 --> 3890.70] means thoughts | |
| [3890.70 --> 3892.58] or disputations. | |
| [3893.54 --> 3894.28] And so, for | |
| [3894.28 --> 3895.12] instance, if you | |
| [3895.12 --> 3896.08] read a different | |
| [3896.08 --> 3897.00] translation than | |
| [3897.00 --> 3897.52] the one we've | |
| [3897.52 --> 3898.10] read here, which | |
| [3898.10 --> 3899.58] is the NIV, if | |
| [3899.58 --> 3900.16] you read the | |
| [3900.16 --> 3901.06] ESV, the | |
| [3901.06 --> 3901.78] English Standard | |
| [3901.78 --> 3902.48] Version, it | |
| [3902.48 --> 3903.22] might say, do | |
| [3903.22 --> 3904.30] not quarrel over | |
| [3904.30 --> 3905.00] opinions. | |
| [3905.00 --> 3906.92] Or the New | |
| [3906.92 --> 3907.80] Living Translation | |
| [3907.80 --> 3908.50] says, do not | |
| [3908.50 --> 3909.34] argue with them | |
| [3909.34 --> 3910.12] about what they | |
| [3910.12 --> 3910.90] think is right | |
| [3910.90 --> 3911.26] or wrong. | |
| [3912.12 --> 3912.88] If you like | |
| [3912.88 --> 3913.96] older translations, | |
| [3914.94 --> 3915.96] the King James | |
| [3915.96 --> 3917.52] Version says, do | |
| [3917.52 --> 3918.80] not quarrel over | |
| [3918.80 --> 3919.42] doubtful | |
| [3919.42 --> 3920.48] disputations. | |
| [3922.04 --> 3922.80] Now to sum it | |
| [3922.80 --> 3924.14] up, I think | |
| [3924.14 --> 3926.28] Paul's point is | |
| [3926.28 --> 3927.78] to encourage us | |
| [3927.78 --> 3928.92] to not waste | |
| [3928.92 --> 3931.02] time arguing | |
| [3931.02 --> 3932.08] over things | |
| [3932.08 --> 3933.86] about which there | |
| [3933.86 --> 3935.48] can be reasonable | |
| [3935.48 --> 3936.48] differences of | |
| [3936.48 --> 3936.86] opinion. | |
| [3937.84 --> 3938.66] Now I'm beginning | |
| [3938.66 --> 3939.40] to expand that | |
| [3939.40 --> 3940.50] definition for us, | |
| [3941.78 --> 3943.40] but I also think | |
| [3943.40 --> 3944.40] that as you read | |
| [3944.40 --> 3945.16] the rest of the | |
| [3945.16 --> 3945.98] text, especially | |
| [3945.98 --> 3946.70] as we get into | |
| [3946.70 --> 3947.92] the second part | |
| [3947.92 --> 3948.50] of the argument | |
| [3948.50 --> 3949.10] and in chapter | |
| [3949.10 --> 3950.58] 15, where he | |
| [3950.58 --> 3951.86] finally uses the | |
| [3951.86 --> 3952.94] word strong, so | |
| [3952.94 --> 3953.82] he's contrasting | |
| [3953.82 --> 3954.44] those who are | |
| [3954.44 --> 3955.02] weak, who are | |
| [3955.02 --> 3955.84] yet to understand | |
| [3955.84 --> 3956.82] the full scope, | |
| [3956.90 --> 3957.48] and those who | |
| [3957.48 --> 3959.24] are strong, that | |
| [3959.24 --> 3960.50] there is a call | |
| [3960.50 --> 3961.58] for movement, | |
| [3961.84 --> 3962.54] there is a call | |
| [3962.54 --> 3964.32] for maturing in | |
| [3964.32 --> 3965.64] faith, right? | |
| [3965.68 --> 3966.36] And that maturing | |
| [3966.36 --> 3967.06] comes from | |
| [3967.06 --> 3968.26] understanding and | |
| [3968.26 --> 3969.44] applying the scope | |
| [3969.44 --> 3970.46] of the gospel. | |
| [3971.28 --> 3972.56] And so the truth | |
| [3972.56 --> 3973.70] behind and through | |
| [3973.70 --> 3975.02] this is that the | |
| [3975.02 --> 3976.48] so-called weaker | |
| [3976.48 --> 3977.54] brother or sister | |
| [3977.54 --> 3978.58] should want to | |
| [3978.58 --> 3980.16] become the stronger | |
| [3980.16 --> 3981.72] brother or sister | |
| [3981.72 --> 3982.50] in the faith. | |
| [3982.70 --> 3983.88] The problem is, | |
| [3984.38 --> 3985.08] who's going to be | |
| [3985.08 --> 3985.96] the first person to | |
| [3985.96 --> 3986.68] raise their hand | |
| [3986.68 --> 3987.30] and say, you know | |
| [3987.30 --> 3987.92] what, in this | |
| [3987.92 --> 3989.34] arrangement, I'm the | |
| [3989.34 --> 3989.94] weaker one. | |
| [3992.16 --> 3993.26] Very few of us | |
| [3993.26 --> 3993.92] are self-aware | |
| [3993.92 --> 3994.82] enough to realize | |
| [3994.82 --> 3996.46] that we are the | |
| [3996.46 --> 3997.56] weaker ones in the | |
| [3997.56 --> 3998.40] relationships of | |
| [3998.40 --> 3999.96] faith and maturation, | |
| [4000.78 --> 4000.92] right? | |
| [4000.98 --> 4002.68] Because, especially | |
| [4002.68 --> 4003.76] because the kind | |
| [4003.76 --> 4005.20] of weakness that | |
| [4005.20 --> 4006.22] Paul is talking | |
| [4006.22 --> 4008.28] about here comes | |
| [4008.28 --> 4009.40] often with a lot | |
| [4009.40 --> 4010.16] of fervor, | |
| [4011.62 --> 4011.86] right? | |
| [4012.00 --> 4013.50] Not unlike the | |
| [4013.50 --> 4014.88] Pharisees of Jesus' | |
| [4015.12 --> 4016.88] day, those people | |
| [4016.88 --> 4017.94] with the sort of | |
| [4017.94 --> 4020.40] legalistic rule-following | |
| [4020.40 --> 4022.58] impulses have a | |
| [4022.58 --> 4024.22] tendency in systems | |
| [4024.22 --> 4025.24] not unlike our | |
| [4025.24 --> 4026.78] own to emerge as | |
| [4026.78 --> 4028.66] leaders, right? | |
| [4028.68 --> 4029.24] Or to be able to | |
| [4029.24 --> 4031.46] exercise influence. | |
| [4032.80 --> 4033.88] And sometimes that's | |
| [4033.88 --> 4035.16] because they are | |
| [4035.16 --> 4035.62] loud. | |
| [4036.40 --> 4037.48] Other times it's | |
| [4037.48 --> 4038.58] because we interpret | |
| [4038.58 --> 4040.98] their passion as a | |
| [4040.98 --> 4041.76] commitment and a | |
| [4041.76 --> 4042.68] pursuit of holiness | |
| [4042.68 --> 4043.40] and we say, yeah, | |
| [4043.44 --> 4044.10] we want to be like | |
| [4044.10 --> 4044.40] that. | |
| [4045.02 --> 4045.98] Because passion | |
| [4045.98 --> 4047.66] conveys truth | |
| [4047.66 --> 4048.60] for some of us. | |
| [4051.06 --> 4052.26] Now, I think then | |
| [4052.26 --> 4053.70] it's helpful | |
| [4053.70 --> 4055.42] as we are asking | |
| [4055.42 --> 4056.34] these questions | |
| [4056.34 --> 4057.62] to look at the | |
| [4057.62 --> 4058.86] kinds of things | |
| [4058.86 --> 4060.62] that Paul identifies | |
| [4060.62 --> 4062.00] as disputable | |
| [4062.00 --> 4063.40] matters and then | |
| [4063.40 --> 4064.12] to see | |
| [4064.12 --> 4066.06] on which side | |
| [4066.06 --> 4067.06] of these issues | |
| [4067.06 --> 4068.22] the weak and | |
| [4068.22 --> 4069.22] strong Christian | |
| [4069.22 --> 4070.00] might fall | |
| [4070.00 --> 4070.98] and then | |
| [4070.98 --> 4072.00] we can ask, | |
| [4072.40 --> 4072.88] where do I | |
| [4072.88 --> 4073.36] stand? | |
| [4074.06 --> 4074.64] Or where do we | |
| [4074.64 --> 4074.96] stand? | |
| [4074.96 --> 4077.96] Now, in | |
| [4077.96 --> 4078.60] preparing for | |
| [4078.60 --> 4080.42] this, I was | |
| [4080.42 --> 4081.64] able to | |
| [4081.64 --> 4082.98] identify | |
| [4082.98 --> 4084.64] what I will | |
| [4084.64 --> 4085.36] call six | |
| [4085.36 --> 4086.62] clear examples. | |
| [4087.48 --> 4088.16] There are a | |
| [4088.16 --> 4088.84] couple other | |
| [4088.84 --> 4089.82] examples that | |
| [4089.82 --> 4090.36] may be less | |
| [4090.36 --> 4092.36] clear, but | |
| [4092.36 --> 4092.76] we're not going | |
| [4092.76 --> 4093.70] to bother | |
| [4093.70 --> 4094.40] ourselves with | |
| [4094.40 --> 4095.68] those for this | |
| [4095.68 --> 4096.08] point, although | |
| [4096.08 --> 4096.76] I suspect we'll | |
| [4096.76 --> 4097.30] talk about them | |
| [4097.30 --> 4097.82] in the podcast | |
| [4097.82 --> 4099.00] on Tuesday, and | |
| [4099.00 --> 4099.64] so there's a | |
| [4099.64 --> 4100.22] plug if you want | |
| [4100.22 --> 4100.58] to see what | |
| [4100.58 --> 4101.20] those ones are. | |
| [4102.64 --> 4103.54] Six examples | |
| [4103.54 --> 4104.28] of these | |
| [4104.28 --> 4105.00] disputable | |
| [4105.00 --> 4106.22] matters in | |
| [4106.22 --> 4106.46] the New | |
| [4106.46 --> 4106.82] Testament. | |
| [4107.36 --> 4108.16] Three are | |
| [4108.16 --> 4108.70] from our | |
| [4108.70 --> 4109.58] text, and | |
| [4109.58 --> 4109.98] three are | |
| [4109.98 --> 4110.38] from other | |
| [4110.38 --> 4110.80] texts. | |
| [4111.56 --> 4112.08] The first | |
| [4112.08 --> 4112.88] one is | |
| [4112.88 --> 4113.38] verse 2, | |
| [4113.90 --> 4114.08] right? | |
| [4114.52 --> 4115.54] One person's | |
| [4115.54 --> 4116.40] faith allows | |
| [4116.40 --> 4117.00] them to eat | |
| [4117.00 --> 4118.32] anything, but | |
| [4118.32 --> 4119.10] another, whose | |
| [4119.10 --> 4119.78] faith is weak, | |
| [4120.20 --> 4120.78] eats only | |
| [4120.78 --> 4121.32] vegetables. | |
| [4123.04 --> 4123.66] And so here | |
| [4123.66 --> 4124.58] you can see | |
| [4124.58 --> 4125.20] that there's a | |
| [4125.20 --> 4126.44] connection back | |
| [4126.44 --> 4127.34] to the Jewish | |
| [4127.34 --> 4128.58] dietary laws | |
| [4128.58 --> 4129.96] and restrictions | |
| [4129.96 --> 4131.26] which forbade | |
| [4131.26 --> 4132.06] the eating of | |
| [4132.06 --> 4132.74] certain kinds | |
| [4132.74 --> 4133.32] of foods. | |
| [4134.34 --> 4135.36] Now this is a | |
| [4135.36 --> 4136.56] disputable matter | |
| [4136.56 --> 4138.08] because in | |
| [4138.08 --> 4140.00] Mark 7, Jesus | |
| [4140.00 --> 4142.00] says, don't | |
| [4142.00 --> 4142.72] you see that | |
| [4142.72 --> 4143.26] nothing that | |
| [4143.26 --> 4144.08] enters a person | |
| [4144.08 --> 4144.90] from outside | |
| [4144.90 --> 4145.72] can defile | |
| [4145.72 --> 4146.00] them? | |
| [4146.48 --> 4147.06] For it doesn't | |
| [4147.06 --> 4147.66] go into their | |
| [4147.66 --> 4148.68] heart, but into | |
| [4148.68 --> 4149.82] their stomach, and | |
| [4149.82 --> 4150.30] then out of the | |
| [4150.30 --> 4150.58] body. | |
| [4150.66 --> 4151.16] And then Mark | |
| [4151.16 --> 4151.80] adds this | |
| [4151.80 --> 4152.46] comment, which | |
| [4152.46 --> 4153.18] is why it's in | |
| [4153.18 --> 4154.58] parentheses there. | |
| [4154.66 --> 4155.14] He says, in | |
| [4155.14 --> 4156.52] saying this, Jesus | |
| [4156.52 --> 4158.22] declared all foods | |
| [4158.22 --> 4158.88] clean. | |
| [4158.88 --> 4161.40] And then again, | |
| [4161.52 --> 4163.04] in Acts 10, verse | |
| [4163.04 --> 4164.04] 9 and following, | |
| [4164.56 --> 4165.46] you read the | |
| [4165.46 --> 4166.26] story of Peter | |
| [4166.26 --> 4167.00] who has a | |
| [4167.00 --> 4168.06] vision, and in | |
| [4168.06 --> 4169.46] his vision, a | |
| [4169.46 --> 4170.58] blanket descends | |
| [4170.58 --> 4171.64] from heaven, and | |
| [4171.64 --> 4172.42] on it are all | |
| [4172.42 --> 4173.42] kinds of animals, | |
| [4173.64 --> 4174.24] four-hooved | |
| [4174.24 --> 4175.70] animals, split-hooved | |
| [4175.70 --> 4177.50] animals, reptiles | |
| [4177.50 --> 4178.96] and birds, and | |
| [4178.96 --> 4180.12] God tells Peter, the | |
| [4180.12 --> 4180.72] voice from heaven | |
| [4180.72 --> 4181.84] tells Peter, eat. | |
| [4182.46 --> 4183.54] And Peter says, | |
| [4183.96 --> 4184.52] remembering his | |
| [4184.52 --> 4185.30] upbringing as a | |
| [4185.30 --> 4186.32] good Jew, I've | |
| [4186.32 --> 4187.58] never eaten unclean | |
| [4187.58 --> 4188.06] foods. | |
| [4188.88 --> 4189.66] I've never had | |
| [4189.66 --> 4190.78] anything impure. | |
| [4191.50 --> 4192.06] And then the | |
| [4192.06 --> 4192.80] voice says to | |
| [4192.80 --> 4193.52] Peter in Acts | |
| [4193.52 --> 4195.14] 10, 15, do not | |
| [4195.14 --> 4195.98] call anything | |
| [4195.98 --> 4197.42] impure what God | |
| [4197.42 --> 4198.84] has made clean. | |
| [4201.20 --> 4203.10] And so, in | |
| [4203.10 --> 4204.56] verse 14 of our | |
| [4204.56 --> 4205.58] text, in Romans | |
| [4205.58 --> 4206.90] 14, so again, if | |
| [4206.90 --> 4207.20] you have your | |
| [4207.20 --> 4208.78] Bible, Paul then | |
| [4208.78 --> 4209.80] takes this and | |
| [4209.80 --> 4210.48] says, I am | |
| [4210.48 --> 4211.50] convinced, being | |
| [4211.50 --> 4212.72] fully persuaded in | |
| [4212.72 --> 4213.78] the Lord Jesus, that | |
| [4213.78 --> 4215.76] nothing is unclean | |
| [4215.76 --> 4217.72] in itself. | |
| [4218.88 --> 4220.40] But then he goes | |
| [4220.40 --> 4222.72] on to say, but if | |
| [4222.72 --> 4223.88] anyone regards | |
| [4223.88 --> 4224.78] something as | |
| [4224.78 --> 4226.92] unclean, then for | |
| [4226.92 --> 4229.20] that person, it is | |
| [4229.20 --> 4229.86] unclean. | |
| [4231.16 --> 4232.46] That's why this is a | |
| [4232.46 --> 4233.30] disputable matter. | |
| [4235.00 --> 4235.66] Right? | |
| [4235.74 --> 4236.58] The second example | |
| [4236.58 --> 4237.42] coming from the | |
| [4237.42 --> 4239.32] text is of one day | |
| [4239.32 --> 4240.36] being more sacred | |
| [4240.36 --> 4241.70] than another, or | |
| [4241.70 --> 4243.22] every day being | |
| [4243.22 --> 4243.62] alike. | |
| [4243.72 --> 4244.24] This is verse | |
| [4244.24 --> 4244.60] five. | |
| [4244.60 --> 4246.34] And here again, | |
| [4246.64 --> 4247.50] right, is a tie | |
| [4247.50 --> 4248.60] back to the Jewish | |
| [4248.60 --> 4249.78] instructions around | |
| [4249.78 --> 4251.32] Sabbath and around | |
| [4251.32 --> 4252.64] holy day festivals. | |
| [4253.82 --> 4254.80] Instructions that | |
| [4254.80 --> 4256.16] the people in the | |
| [4256.16 --> 4257.30] law are required | |
| [4257.30 --> 4257.94] to keep. | |
| [4259.28 --> 4259.54] Right? | |
| [4260.02 --> 4261.00] Remember the | |
| [4261.00 --> 4262.06] Sabbath day and | |
| [4262.06 --> 4263.08] keep it holy. | |
| [4265.08 --> 4266.10] On it you shall | |
| [4266.10 --> 4267.22] not do any work, | |
| [4267.92 --> 4268.66] neither your son | |
| [4268.66 --> 4269.46] nor daughter, your | |
| [4269.46 --> 4270.18] manservant nor | |
| [4270.18 --> 4271.50] maidservant, neither | |
| [4271.50 --> 4273.02] the alien within your | |
| [4273.02 --> 4273.88] gates or any of your | |
| [4273.88 --> 4274.32] animals. | |
| [4276.46 --> 4278.04] But again, in | |
| [4278.04 --> 4279.50] Mark 2, Jesus | |
| [4279.50 --> 4280.76] says, the | |
| [4280.76 --> 4281.80] Sabbath was made | |
| [4281.80 --> 4282.90] for man, not | |
| [4282.90 --> 4283.58] man for the | |
| [4283.58 --> 4283.84] Sabbath. | |
| [4284.20 --> 4285.12] So the son of | |
| [4285.12 --> 4286.58] man is Lord even | |
| [4286.58 --> 4287.60] of the Sabbath. | |
| [4288.96 --> 4289.52] And then Paul | |
| [4289.52 --> 4290.20] writes in | |
| [4290.20 --> 4291.46] Colossians 2, | |
| [4292.18 --> 4293.08] it says, therefore, | |
| [4293.30 --> 4294.40] do not let anyone | |
| [4294.40 --> 4295.40] judge you by what | |
| [4295.40 --> 4296.48] you eat or drink or | |
| [4296.48 --> 4297.36] with regard to a | |
| [4297.36 --> 4298.80] religious festival, a | |
| [4298.80 --> 4299.88] new moon celebration, | |
| [4299.88 --> 4301.28] or a Sabbath day. | |
| [4301.76 --> 4302.80] These are shadows | |
| [4302.80 --> 4303.66] of the things that | |
| [4303.66 --> 4304.30] were to come. | |
| [4304.42 --> 4305.12] The reality, | |
| [4305.40 --> 4306.76] however, is found | |
| [4306.76 --> 4308.14] in Christ. | |
| [4311.02 --> 4311.40] Right? | |
| [4311.44 --> 4312.72] In Hebrews 4, you | |
| [4312.72 --> 4314.00] can read how Jesus | |
| [4314.00 --> 4315.38] is the eternal | |
| [4315.38 --> 4316.66] Sabbath rest that we | |
| [4316.66 --> 4317.82] are to enter into. | |
| [4318.38 --> 4319.24] And so everything | |
| [4319.24 --> 4320.82] that was the Old | |
| [4320.82 --> 4321.70] Testament Sabbath | |
| [4321.70 --> 4323.14] laws pointed to is | |
| [4323.14 --> 4324.24] fulfilled in Jesus | |
| [4324.24 --> 4325.94] and applies every day, | |
| [4326.10 --> 4327.26] not just one day a | |
| [4327.26 --> 4327.48] week. | |
| [4329.42 --> 4330.92] Now, don't hear what | |
| [4330.92 --> 4331.52] I'm not saying. | |
| [4331.52 --> 4332.04] Right? | |
| [4332.04 --> 4332.12] Right? | |
| [4332.38 --> 4333.76] This does mean | |
| [4333.76 --> 4334.70] Christians shouldn't | |
| [4334.70 --> 4335.92] gather together on the | |
| [4335.92 --> 4336.96] day dedicated to the | |
| [4336.96 --> 4339.24] Lord, but it does beg | |
| [4339.24 --> 4340.50] the question about the | |
| [4340.50 --> 4341.50] rules and the boundaries | |
| [4341.50 --> 4342.38] we put around it. | |
| [4344.38 --> 4346.00] Now, the next example | |
| [4346.00 --> 4349.40] is from chapter 14, | |
| [4349.50 --> 4350.28] and it's found in verse | |
| [4350.28 --> 4352.70] 21, where Paul includes | |
| [4352.70 --> 4354.34] drinking wine alongside | |
| [4354.34 --> 4356.20] of the argument against | |
| [4356.20 --> 4356.84] eating meat. | |
| [4356.84 --> 4359.94] And so it seems that | |
| [4359.94 --> 4361.96] this, too, was a | |
| [4361.96 --> 4363.34] disputed matter in the | |
| [4363.34 --> 4365.20] Church of Rome, that | |
| [4365.20 --> 4366.26] people put a prescription | |
| [4366.26 --> 4367.54] on drinking wine. | |
| [4368.68 --> 4369.70] Now, again, this might | |
| [4369.70 --> 4371.52] be an indication of | |
| [4371.52 --> 4372.16] what I talked about | |
| [4372.16 --> 4373.46] earlier about higher | |
| [4373.46 --> 4375.00] fences or moving the | |
| [4375.00 --> 4376.38] boundaries closer in | |
| [4376.38 --> 4377.54] order to protect people | |
| [4377.54 --> 4378.82] from the sin of | |
| [4378.82 --> 4379.52] drunkenness. | |
| [4380.18 --> 4380.72] Right? | |
| [4380.74 --> 4381.92] It's not that wine is | |
| [4381.92 --> 4383.24] bad in and of itself, | |
| [4383.80 --> 4385.54] but there is bad wine. | |
| [4385.60 --> 4386.20] Am I right, Paul? | |
| [4386.84 --> 4389.70] But if you are | |
| [4389.70 --> 4391.12] untempered in your | |
| [4391.12 --> 4393.82] consumption of wine, | |
| [4393.88 --> 4394.52] then you need higher | |
| [4394.52 --> 4396.26] boundaries to protect | |
| [4396.26 --> 4397.22] yourself from the sin | |
| [4397.22 --> 4398.60] that might come about. | |
| [4400.24 --> 4401.16] Now, there are other | |
| [4401.16 --> 4402.14] examples in the New | |
| [4402.14 --> 4403.36] Testament of these kinds | |
| [4403.36 --> 4404.84] of disputable matters, | |
| [4404.90 --> 4405.72] and I'll quickly point | |
| [4405.72 --> 4406.50] them out to you because | |
| [4406.50 --> 4407.86] it's pertinent to see | |
| [4407.86 --> 4409.10] the contrast through. | |
| [4409.86 --> 4413.46] In Galatians 2, 3 and 5, | |
| [4413.94 --> 4415.80] Paul talks about refusing | |
| [4415.80 --> 4418.82] to circumcise Titus because | |
| [4418.82 --> 4420.74] Titus is a Greek who | |
| [4420.74 --> 4422.84] became a Christian, and | |
| [4422.84 --> 4423.86] therefore the rules of | |
| [4423.86 --> 4425.90] circumcision don't apply to | |
| [4425.90 --> 4426.12] him. | |
| [4426.46 --> 4429.98] And yet, in Acts 16, verse 3, | |
| [4430.38 --> 4431.56] you read that Paul | |
| [4431.56 --> 4434.96] circumcised Timothy because | |
| [4434.96 --> 4437.28] Timothy was raised Jewish, | |
| [4438.06 --> 4439.30] as his mother was Jewish, | |
| [4439.42 --> 4440.32] his grandmother was Jewish, | |
| [4440.32 --> 4441.82] and his father was a Greek, | |
| [4441.82 --> 4443.40] and because Timothy would | |
| [4443.40 --> 4445.06] be with Paul a missionary | |
| [4445.06 --> 4446.60] to Jewish people. | |
| [4448.38 --> 4449.06] Right? | |
| [4449.12 --> 4450.88] This isn't a lesson about | |
| [4450.88 --> 4451.52] contradiction. | |
| [4452.12 --> 4453.88] This is a lesson about the | |
| [4453.88 --> 4456.42] missional context being | |
| [4456.42 --> 4458.32] important for discerning what | |
| [4458.32 --> 4460.18] is a disputable matter. | |
| [4461.34 --> 4463.50] Another example is food | |
| [4463.50 --> 4464.90] sacrificed to idols. | |
| [4465.90 --> 4467.42] So in Acts 15, you have the | |
| [4467.42 --> 4468.28] story of the Jerusalem | |
| [4468.28 --> 4469.40] council meeting, that is, | |
| [4469.46 --> 4470.80] early Christians, many of them | |
| [4470.80 --> 4472.78] Jewish meeting to decide how | |
| [4472.78 --> 4474.88] are we going to incorporate | |
| [4474.88 --> 4476.80] these non-Jewish people into | |
| [4476.80 --> 4478.40] what is becoming the | |
| [4478.40 --> 4479.58] Christian church. | |
| [4480.46 --> 4481.88] And they write a letter | |
| [4481.88 --> 4484.42] saying that you don't have to | |
| [4484.42 --> 4486.20] be circumcised, but you should | |
| [4486.20 --> 4487.82] avoid eating food sacrificed | |
| [4488.66 --> 4489.88] to idols, eating meat | |
| [4489.88 --> 4491.46] sacrificed to idols. | |
| [4491.68 --> 4494.10] But then, in 1 Corinthians 8, | |
| [4494.30 --> 4496.04] Paul says that that is in fact | |
| [4496.04 --> 4498.04] no thing, that is, the idol | |
| [4498.04 --> 4499.38] isn't real, so it doesn't | |
| [4499.38 --> 4501.00] matter if you eat this meat | |
| [4501.00 --> 4501.56] or not. | |
| [4502.02 --> 4502.12] Right? | |
| [4502.16 --> 4504.18] He says, food does not bring | |
| [4504.18 --> 4506.24] us near to God, for we are | |
| [4506.24 --> 4507.62] no worse if we do not eat, | |
| [4507.70 --> 4508.72] and no better if we do. | |
| [4510.28 --> 4510.48] Right? | |
| [4510.88 --> 4512.56] But then Paul goes on to say | |
| [4512.56 --> 4513.68] that we shouldn't put a | |
| [4513.68 --> 4515.30] stumbling block in front of | |
| [4515.30 --> 4515.80] other people. | |
| [4516.04 --> 4516.24] Right? | |
| [4516.26 --> 4518.14] He says that if what I eat | |
| [4518.14 --> 4519.46] causes my brother or sister | |
| [4519.46 --> 4521.58] to fall into sin, I will | |
| [4521.58 --> 4523.30] never eat meat again, so as to | |
| [4523.30 --> 4525.10] not cause them to fall. | |
| [4527.02 --> 4528.96] You can see, right, Paul is | |
| [4528.96 --> 4530.72] effectively making the same | |
| [4530.72 --> 4532.98] case over again. | |
| [4533.90 --> 4535.06] And then the last example, | |
| [4535.88 --> 4537.20] at least the explicit one to | |
| [4537.20 --> 4538.62] be found, is that of marriage | |
| [4538.62 --> 4540.06] and celibacy. | |
| [4541.00 --> 4543.28] In the same chapter, 1 Corinthians | |
| [4543.28 --> 4546.12] 7, Paul says that celibacy is | |
| [4546.12 --> 4547.92] good, and in some cases it is to | |
| [4547.92 --> 4549.18] be preferred for all people. | |
| [4549.94 --> 4551.82] And Paul says that marriage is | |
| [4551.82 --> 4553.18] good, and in some cases it is | |
| [4553.18 --> 4554.54] to be preferred for all | |
| [4554.54 --> 4554.84] people. | |
| [4555.94 --> 4558.30] It's a matter of discernment and | |
| [4558.30 --> 4561.14] of context, of limiting sin. | |
| [4561.28 --> 4562.78] Point is, it's a disputable | |
| [4562.78 --> 4564.22] matter, and you can have | |
| [4564.22 --> 4565.64] differences of opinion about | |
| [4565.64 --> 4568.08] these things, and to chapter | |
| [4568.08 --> 4569.94] 14's point, having those | |
| [4569.94 --> 4571.98] differences of opinions may not | |
| [4571.98 --> 4573.52] be worth fighting about. | |
| [4574.04 --> 4575.12] That is, they may not be worth | |
| [4575.12 --> 4577.24] splitting a church over, or | |
| [4577.24 --> 4579.32] breaking a relationship over. | |
| [4581.82 --> 4585.56] The weak Christians in this | |
| [4585.56 --> 4589.96] text's language are those who, | |
| [4590.20 --> 4591.72] for one reason or another, | |
| [4591.90 --> 4593.28] sometimes perfectly legitimate | |
| [4593.28 --> 4595.54] reasons, other times reasons we | |
| [4595.54 --> 4597.00] need to challenge for their | |
| [4597.00 --> 4598.66] growing and maturing in faith, | |
| [4599.18 --> 4601.42] who promote non-essential, | |
| [4601.98 --> 4605.02] cultural, ceremonial cautions | |
| [4605.02 --> 4609.10] as being necessary for Christian | |
| [4609.10 --> 4611.18] maturity, and for effectiveness. | |
| [4612.32 --> 4614.68] It's making what could be a | |
| [4614.68 --> 4616.20] matter of personal preference | |
| [4616.20 --> 4619.32] and personal piety prescriptive | |
| [4619.32 --> 4622.08] for everyone when the | |
| [4622.08 --> 4623.40] scriptures don't do that. | |
| [4624.90 --> 4626.04] Let me give you an example, for | |
| [4626.04 --> 4627.50] an example of this. | |
| [4628.24 --> 4629.62] And this was a few generations | |
| [4629.62 --> 4631.32] ago, nothing like this happens in | |
| [4631.32 --> 4633.70] our church anymore, but some | |
| [4633.70 --> 4635.80] people, you know, used to get very | |
| [4635.80 --> 4638.02] upset about contemporary music | |
| [4638.02 --> 4639.04] styles in church. | |
| [4639.76 --> 4640.80] It doesn't happen anymore. | |
| [4643.30 --> 4645.96] Now, these people likely would | |
| [4645.96 --> 4648.56] never deny that someone who wants | |
| [4648.56 --> 4651.26] drums in worship is a Christian, | |
| [4651.76 --> 4654.70] but they might say something like, | |
| [4655.24 --> 4658.00] that music isn't reverent. | |
| [4659.36 --> 4660.86] And I've heard it this way, too, | |
| [4661.04 --> 4663.36] that music offends the Lord. | |
| [4663.36 --> 4666.78] Now, what they mean, of course, is | |
| [4666.78 --> 4669.06] that it offends them, and then | |
| [4669.06 --> 4670.22] they've put themselves in the place | |
| [4670.22 --> 4671.20] of God, and then have made it | |
| [4671.20 --> 4672.48] prescriptive for everyone else. | |
| [4673.48 --> 4675.48] Now, if that illustration doesn't | |
| [4675.48 --> 4677.30] land for you, because we all love | |
| [4677.30 --> 4679.60] drums around here, replace drums | |
| [4679.60 --> 4680.32] with hip-hop. | |
| [4682.18 --> 4684.40] Or, gag, replace it with country | |
| [4684.40 --> 4684.80] music. | |
| [4687.96 --> 4690.20] Or replace it with a full 70-piece | |
| [4690.20 --> 4690.70] orchestra. | |
| [4692.76 --> 4693.16] Right? | |
| [4693.24 --> 4695.04] Point is, for any one of those, | |
| [4695.28 --> 4697.30] as soon as you say, that's not | |
| [4697.30 --> 4699.42] worship, we can't do that, | |
| [4699.58 --> 4700.72] you're in the realm of a | |
| [4700.72 --> 4702.08] disputable matter, and you're | |
| [4702.08 --> 4703.60] elevating personal preference and | |
| [4703.60 --> 4705.68] personal piety to prescription. | |
| [4706.84 --> 4708.16] And so it may be true that you | |
| [4708.16 --> 4709.48] can't worship through that, | |
| [4710.86 --> 4711.88] but that doesn't mean I can't. | |
| [4714.16 --> 4716.92] And look, it may even be true that | |
| [4716.92 --> 4718.32] it's not wise for you. | |
| [4720.08 --> 4720.30] Right? | |
| [4720.34 --> 4722.16] Because if, what Paul gets into | |
| [4722.16 --> 4723.60] here, right, is that if that | |
| [4723.60 --> 4726.82] pricks your conscience, if it is | |
| [4726.82 --> 4730.14] sinful for you, because it becomes | |
| [4730.14 --> 4731.50] sinful for you because you're going | |
| [4731.50 --> 4732.90] against your conscience. | |
| [4733.00 --> 4734.24] And I think this is the sum of | |
| [4734.24 --> 4736.16] Paul's point in verse 5, right? | |
| [4736.18 --> 4738.28] He says, each of them should be | |
| [4738.28 --> 4741.12] fully convinced in their own mind. | |
| [4741.76 --> 4743.48] And so if you are convinced of it, | |
| [4743.76 --> 4744.56] follow through. | |
| [4744.56 --> 4747.36] Because if you don't, you're | |
| [4747.36 --> 4748.06] compromising. | |
| [4749.64 --> 4751.38] And as people, we compromise for | |
| [4751.38 --> 4753.06] all sorts of reasons, right? | |
| [4753.10 --> 4754.76] Sometimes we compromise in order to | |
| [4754.76 --> 4756.60] keep the peace, but when we keep | |
| [4756.60 --> 4757.96] the peace, what we're doing inside | |
| [4757.96 --> 4759.90] is judging those other people, or | |
| [4759.90 --> 4760.88] we're judging ourselves. | |
| [4762.20 --> 4762.32] Right? | |
| [4762.38 --> 4764.04] Sometimes we compromise because we | |
| [4764.04 --> 4765.24] go, yeah, you know what, I really | |
| [4765.24 --> 4767.64] do actually want to do that, and | |
| [4767.64 --> 4768.98] that would feel good in the moment, | |
| [4769.10 --> 4770.12] so I'm just going to go ahead and | |
| [4770.12 --> 4770.50] do it. | |
| [4770.50 --> 4773.12] But if it pricks your conscience, | |
| [4773.42 --> 4775.12] then don't do it. | |
| [4776.40 --> 4780.24] Instead, I think that in this, there | |
| [4780.24 --> 4782.92] is a sort of controlling principle | |
| [4782.92 --> 4785.36] that speaks over top of all of it, | |
| [4785.40 --> 4786.76] and you can see it in verse 8. | |
| [4788.26 --> 4791.52] Verse 8 says, if we live, we live for | |
| [4791.52 --> 4793.72] the Lord, and if we die, we die for | |
| [4793.72 --> 4794.04] the Lord. | |
| [4794.12 --> 4796.20] So whether we live or die, we belong | |
| [4796.20 --> 4798.38] to the Lord. | |
| [4799.80 --> 4801.30] Now, not only is this a great | |
| [4801.30 --> 4803.36] comfort, that I belong to the Lord | |
| [4803.36 --> 4805.82] in life and in death, right? | |
| [4805.84 --> 4808.60] But this is also an operating | |
| [4808.60 --> 4809.16] principle. | |
| [4810.00 --> 4812.42] This is an operating purpose, right? | |
| [4812.48 --> 4814.92] It is the context of our mission to | |
| [4814.92 --> 4817.70] live for the Lord, and if it be our | |
| [4817.70 --> 4819.00] lot, to die for Him. | |
| [4822.04 --> 4824.20] Now, here's an important word for | |
| [4824.20 --> 4827.02] for those of us who may be on the | |
| [4827.02 --> 4830.26] strong side of this polarity, | |
| [4832.04 --> 4832.30] right? | |
| [4832.74 --> 4836.36] If you suspect that any of these | |
| [4836.36 --> 4838.66] kinds of disputable matters may be | |
| [4838.66 --> 4842.08] true for a brother or sister, you also | |
| [4842.08 --> 4843.22] cannot do it. | |
| [4845.18 --> 4845.38] Okay? | |
| [4845.40 --> 4846.74] That's what it means to live in | |
| [4846.74 --> 4847.14] community. | |
| [4847.32 --> 4849.02] That's what it means to mature in | |
| [4849.02 --> 4849.46] community. | |
| [4849.46 --> 4853.48] That you, as strong in faith, even | |
| [4853.48 --> 4855.68] though you fully understand Galatians | |
| [4855.68 --> 4857.42] 5, that says, it is for freedom that | |
| [4857.42 --> 4859.92] Christ has set me free, you willingly | |
| [4859.92 --> 4862.50] give up that freedom. | |
| [4862.86 --> 4865.00] You willingly offer it as a living | |
| [4865.00 --> 4867.90] sacrifice for your brother or sister | |
| [4867.90 --> 4869.26] in the assembly. | |
| [4869.46 --> 4871.52] You give up your freedom for their | |
| [4871.52 --> 4872.88] faith and obedience. | |
| [4873.10 --> 4874.64] That's what it means to be strong. | |
| [4875.78 --> 4878.22] This is the gospel redefining strength | |
| [4878.22 --> 4880.12] in the mix right now. | |
| [4880.88 --> 4883.18] To give up your rights and freedoms | |
| [4883.18 --> 4885.86] for the faith security of a brother | |
| [4885.86 --> 4886.64] or sister. | |
| [4887.86 --> 4889.58] And like we said, Galatians 5 is still | |
| [4889.58 --> 4889.90] true. | |
| [4890.04 --> 4891.54] It is for freedom that Christ has set | |
| [4891.54 --> 4892.72] us free, right? | |
| [4892.96 --> 4896.78] The new reality of the gospel for | |
| [4896.78 --> 4899.56] Christians is freedom, and that freedom | |
| [4899.56 --> 4901.94] opens up a whole world of possibilities | |
| [4901.94 --> 4904.36] in life and in faithfulness, even | |
| [4904.36 --> 4905.56] dressing like this when you're | |
| [4905.56 --> 4905.92] preaching. | |
| [4905.92 --> 4908.48] But if it's a problem for the little | |
| [4908.48 --> 4911.48] old lady, then I should willingly put | |
| [4911.48 --> 4912.12] my tie on. | |
| [4913.34 --> 4916.40] As long as the reasons why it's a | |
| [4916.40 --> 4918.40] problem for her, we can still discuss. | |
| [4920.44 --> 4920.88] Right? | |
| [4921.00 --> 4922.46] Freedom opens us up. | |
| [4922.56 --> 4924.74] But later in Galatians and in this | |
| [4924.74 --> 4926.62] text, I think this is the point, Paul | |
| [4926.62 --> 4928.82] says that you, my brothers and sisters, | |
| [4928.88 --> 4930.98] were called to be free, but do not use | |
| [4930.98 --> 4933.42] your freedom to indulge the flesh. | |
| [4933.42 --> 4936.44] Rather, serve one another humbly in love. | |
| [4937.28 --> 4937.62] Right? | |
| [4937.64 --> 4938.72] You see, we've been working on this | |
| [4938.72 --> 4940.74] conversation, this through line from | |
| [4940.74 --> 4941.26] the beginning. | |
| [4941.62 --> 4941.74] Right? | |
| [4941.84 --> 4944.02] Part of serving one another humbly in | |
| [4944.02 --> 4947.06] love is giving up our freedoms for | |
| [4947.06 --> 4947.74] their faith. | |
| [4949.82 --> 4952.70] And so, for example, if you are having | |
| [4952.70 --> 4954.70] lunch with what I will call a moral | |
| [4954.70 --> 4957.20] vegan, that is someone who believes it's | |
| [4957.20 --> 4959.64] sinful to eat meat, you don't sit across | |
| [4959.64 --> 4961.80] from them and order a 12-ounce prime rib. | |
| [4964.20 --> 4964.64] Right? | |
| [4964.70 --> 4966.94] Or if you don't want hip-hop to show up | |
| [4966.94 --> 4969.14] in our worship, or if you do, rather, | |
| [4969.24 --> 4970.74] want hip-hop to show up in our worship, | |
| [4970.98 --> 4974.24] but you know that old Mrs. Ethel believes | |
| [4974.24 --> 4976.14] that we shouldn't worship in that way, | |
| [4976.30 --> 4977.94] then you shouldn't push that here. | |
| [4978.80 --> 4980.66] Even if you're a worship leader who has | |
| [4980.66 --> 4982.32] the power and the influence to pick that | |
| [4982.32 --> 4982.88] kind of thing. | |
| [4983.20 --> 4985.60] In fact, especially because you are a | |
| [4985.60 --> 4986.92] worship leader who has the power and | |
| [4986.92 --> 4988.30] the influence to pick that kind of thing, | |
| [4988.30 --> 4990.04] you shouldn't do it because you know | |
| [4990.04 --> 4991.14] whom you are leading. | |
| [4992.46 --> 4995.82] Now again, let's tread softly here, | |
| [4996.16 --> 4998.98] and very intentionally, because you also | |
| [4998.98 --> 5001.88] need to hear a person's opposition to | |
| [5001.88 --> 5004.16] eating meat and therefore being vegan, | |
| [5004.38 --> 5007.04] or your opposition to hip-hop in | |
| [5007.04 --> 5009.38] worship needs to be connected to what | |
| [5009.38 --> 5011.72] you believe to be biblical ideas and | |
| [5011.72 --> 5014.14] teachings for these disputed matters, | |
| [5014.32 --> 5017.06] if you would require us to make | |
| [5017.06 --> 5019.26] exceptions, or if we are going to limit | |
| [5019.26 --> 5021.42] our own freedoms in order to mature | |
| [5021.42 --> 5022.02] your faith. | |
| [5024.06 --> 5026.40] And that means, then, right, that your | |
| [5026.40 --> 5028.38] reason to tell others or to require | |
| [5028.38 --> 5030.96] others to be vegan must be based on | |
| [5030.96 --> 5033.32] what you read in the Bible, not because | |
| [5033.32 --> 5035.32] Ariana Grande has put a compelling tweet | |
| [5035.32 --> 5035.58] out. | |
| [5036.92 --> 5039.48] Similarly, if your opposition to hip-hop in | |
| [5039.48 --> 5042.12] the church is actually an outworking of | |
| [5042.12 --> 5044.88] racist or prejudiced ideas, we need to | |
| [5044.88 --> 5048.28] call you out on that, because that can't | |
| [5048.28 --> 5048.58] fly. | |
| [5052.30 --> 5056.10] We will not passively permit to | |
| [5056.10 --> 5061.24] continue your sin by compromising our | |
| [5061.24 --> 5062.66] freedoms in that regard. | |
| [5064.66 --> 5065.94] Now, here's the last point. | |
| [5065.94 --> 5071.96] Because sometimes people will hear this | |
| [5071.96 --> 5075.46] and they will go, oh, if I can make a | |
| [5075.46 --> 5077.02] compelling case for anything, then that's | |
| [5077.02 --> 5077.78] the way we need to go. | |
| [5077.84 --> 5079.08] And then they just have to give up on | |
| [5079.08 --> 5081.26] their deeply held values because they're | |
| [5081.26 --> 5083.58] called to be strong and I'll allow myself | |
| [5083.58 --> 5085.46] to be called weak if that means I get what | |
| [5085.46 --> 5085.88] I want. | |
| [5087.82 --> 5088.04] Right? | |
| [5088.10 --> 5090.38] Sometimes this idea of disputable matters | |
| [5090.38 --> 5093.66] has been abused in the past or taken | |
| [5093.66 --> 5095.20] advantage of in the past. | |
| [5095.58 --> 5095.70] Right? | |
| [5095.76 --> 5097.48] Allowing for people to have differences | |
| [5097.48 --> 5099.42] of opinions on things where the | |
| [5099.42 --> 5102.34] scriptures don't actually present a | |
| [5102.34 --> 5103.22] difference of opinion. | |
| [5104.92 --> 5107.26] And so I hope you saw very clearly when | |
| [5107.26 --> 5109.20] we outlined what scripture calls these | |
| [5109.20 --> 5111.28] disputable matters, it's because there's | |
| [5111.28 --> 5113.58] a history of this practice and then | |
| [5113.58 --> 5115.32] Jesus and a New Testament author comes | |
| [5115.32 --> 5117.80] along and says, we've redefined history | |
| [5117.80 --> 5118.98] on that practice. | |
| [5118.98 --> 5123.58] If the Bible doesn't redefine history on | |
| [5123.58 --> 5126.84] a particular practice, then the commands | |
| [5126.84 --> 5127.58] of God continue. | |
| [5128.68 --> 5131.52] What obedience looks like continues. | |
| [5133.40 --> 5133.94] Right? | |
| [5134.00 --> 5136.10] And so sometimes people will use a text | |
| [5136.10 --> 5140.54] like this to create a gray area to allow | |
| [5140.54 --> 5143.60] for what the Bible calls sin to not be | |
| [5143.60 --> 5145.10] treated as sin by the church. | |
| [5145.10 --> 5147.52] That also can't happen. | |
| [5148.70 --> 5151.32] That's also an abuse of this particular | |
| [5151.32 --> 5152.38] text. | |
| [5153.84 --> 5156.22] John Calvin puts it really explicitly. | |
| [5156.46 --> 5159.64] He says, we must not, but for the sake | |
| [5159.64 --> 5162.78] of our neighbors, we are not at liberty | |
| [5162.78 --> 5165.56] to deviate one nail's breath from the | |
| [5165.56 --> 5169.62] command of God that unknown pretext is | |
| [5169.62 --> 5172.84] lawful to attempt anything but what he | |
| [5172.84 --> 5173.66] permits. | |
| [5175.72 --> 5176.28] Right? | |
| [5176.36 --> 5178.76] This is not license to do whatever you | |
| [5178.76 --> 5179.18] want. | |
| [5179.82 --> 5182.36] This is license to use your freedom | |
| [5182.36 --> 5185.58] to grow in the grace and knowledge of | |
| [5185.58 --> 5187.20] our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. | |
| [5187.84 --> 5190.58] This is license to use your freedom to | |
| [5190.58 --> 5193.08] grow in your capacities to be obedient | |
| [5193.08 --> 5196.56] to him and to recognize that his ways are | |
| [5196.56 --> 5198.24] better than our ways. | |
| [5198.94 --> 5201.46] That his design and purpose is where | |
| [5201.46 --> 5202.82] flourishing is found. | |
| [5204.22 --> 5206.02] And so, yes, absolutely, there are places | |
| [5206.02 --> 5207.92] where we can have discussions and we can | |
| [5207.92 --> 5208.76] make compromises. | |
| [5209.14 --> 5210.72] There are places where we can say, not | |
| [5210.72 --> 5211.74] my will, but yours. | |
| [5212.72 --> 5214.60] But then there are also places where we | |
| [5214.60 --> 5217.78] say, no, this is clear. | |
| [5219.78 --> 5222.78] Living for the Lord requires us to | |
| [5222.78 --> 5224.68] mature in our faith. | |
| [5224.94 --> 5227.06] And for those of us who are more mature, | |
| [5227.20 --> 5229.50] to come alongside of people right where | |
| [5229.50 --> 5233.42] they are at and with gentleness and | |
| [5233.42 --> 5236.26] respect walk alongside them with | |
| [5236.26 --> 5240.14] humility and grace entering into life | |
| [5240.14 --> 5243.32] with them and calling them towards | |
| [5243.32 --> 5243.82] maturity. | |
| [5245.44 --> 5249.50] That we might grow in faith together. | |
| [5250.24 --> 5253.82] This is the task of discipleship, to | |
| [5253.82 --> 5256.08] grow in faith together. | |
| [5256.08 --> 5260.52] And so, have hard conversations and be | |
| [5260.52 --> 5263.06] willing to give up deeply held values for | |
| [5263.06 --> 5264.16] the sake of one another. | |
| [5265.30 --> 5269.80] But do not, do not overstretch the | |
| [5269.80 --> 5272.32] definition of disputable matters to | |
| [5272.32 --> 5274.72] things that the Bible will not allow you | |
| [5274.72 --> 5274.92] to. | |
| [5275.62 --> 5277.72] Because then we are just leading one | |
| [5277.72 --> 5282.14] another in the way, not of Jesus, but in | |
| [5282.14 --> 5282.76] the way of the world. | |
| [5282.76 --> 5285.68] And that's not our calling together. | |
| [5286.90 --> 5291.36] If we are able to live this and model | |
| [5291.36 --> 5295.22] this, we will become, and increasingly | |
| [5295.22 --> 5299.28] so, a community that is compelling to | |
| [5299.28 --> 5300.32] so many people. | |
| [5300.78 --> 5303.00] Because we can enter into these difficult | |
| [5303.00 --> 5303.64] conversations. | |
| [5303.88 --> 5306.66] We can enter into these disputable matters | |
| [5306.66 --> 5311.72] with grace and with mercy and with a | |
| [5311.72 --> 5315.52] sense of calm and a presence that is not | |
| [5315.52 --> 5318.06] anxious in and around us. | |
| [5318.84 --> 5322.90] Instead, we can bring Christ to bear on | |
| [5322.90 --> 5324.58] what we do and on how we be. | |
| [5325.28 --> 5328.32] And it seems to me that that is our | |
| [5328.32 --> 5328.78] purpose. | |
| [5329.06 --> 5331.98] That is the call of discipleship. | |
| [5331.98 --> 5336.62] To bring Christ to bear on these kinds of | |
| [5336.62 --> 5338.10] disputable matters. | |
| [5338.48 --> 5338.70] Amen? | |
| [5338.70 --> 5340.58] Let's pray together. | |
| [5346.02 --> 5348.16] Lord our God. | |
| [5352.58 --> 5355.64] Lord our God, it is possible that as we | |
| [5355.64 --> 5360.64] sit here now, our minds have moved over | |
| [5360.64 --> 5361.24] to judgment. | |
| [5361.24 --> 5365.64] It is possible that as we sit here now, we | |
| [5365.64 --> 5369.82] are thinking of one or another who has | |
| [5369.82 --> 5372.42] compromised on this or that disputable | |
| [5372.96 --> 5376.70] matter and we are holding them to account | |
| [5376.70 --> 5378.66] in manners that you do not. | |
| [5378.66 --> 5379.66] Lord our God. | |
| [5379.66 --> 5380.66] Lord our God. | |
| [5380.66 --> 5382.98] And so I pray that you would forgive us for that. | |
| [5384.34 --> 5386.56] Especially for those of us who lead. | |
| [5387.94 --> 5390.80] I pray that you would open us up to these kinds of | |
| [5390.80 --> 5392.56] relationships and realities. | |
| [5394.70 --> 5398.12] And God, it is also possible that we sit here now | |
| [5398.12 --> 5400.52] having heard only in part. | |
| [5400.52 --> 5406.28] And so we think, I can do whatever I want as long as I can | |
| [5406.28 --> 5409.74] justify it to myself and then I will justify it to you, | |
| [5409.98 --> 5410.34] the Lord. | |
| [5412.40 --> 5417.66] And yet, may we also recognize that you are calling us to | |
| [5417.66 --> 5418.52] obedience. | |
| [5419.64 --> 5423.68] That you are calling us from one degree of glory to another. | |
| [5423.68 --> 5426.54] Father, that you are calling us to be holy. | |
| [5430.42 --> 5433.32] And so send us out in the power of your holiness, | |
| [5433.84 --> 5436.72] the power of your spirit to be transformed. | |
| [5438.66 --> 5440.10] In Christ Jesus we pray. | |
| [5440.80 --> 5441.16] Amen. | |
| [5453.68 --> 5463.98] We live for you. | |
| [5464.08 --> 5467.76] Worthy of every song we could ever sing | |
| [5467.76 --> 5475.18] Worthy of all the praise we could ever bring | |
| [5475.18 --> 5482.26] Worthy of every breath we could ever breathe | |
| [5482.26 --> 5485.26] we live for you | |
| [5485.26 --> 5496.98] Jesus the name above every other day | |
| [5496.98 --> 5504.38] Jesus the only one who could ever see | |
| [5504.38 --> 5511.26] worthy in every breath we could ever breathe | |
| [5511.26 --> 5513.26] we live for you | |
| [5513.26 --> 5517.26] we live for you | |
| [5517.26 --> 5525.26] holy there is no one like you | |
| [5525.26 --> 5528.26] there is none beside you | |
| [5528.26 --> 5533.26] open up my eyes with wonder | |
| [5533.26 --> 5539.26] show me who you are and fill me | |
| [5539.26 --> 5543.26] with your heart and lead me | |
| [5543.26 --> 5549.26] in your love to those around me | |
| [5549.26 --> 5557.26] Jesus the name above every other day | |
| [5557.26 --> 5563.26] Jesus the only one who could ever see | |
| [5563.26 --> 5573.26] Jesus the name above every other day | |
| [5573.26 --> 5577.26] Jesus the only one who could ever see | |
| [5577.26 --> 5585.26] worthy of every breath we could ever be | |
| [5585.26 --> 5587.26] we live for you | |
| [5587.26 --> 5589.26] we live for you | |
| [5589.26 --> 5591.26] we live for you | |
| [5591.26 --> 5593.26] we live for you | |
| [5593.26 --> 5597.26] holy there is no one like you | |
| [5597.26 --> 5601.26] there is none beside you | |
| [5601.26 --> 5607.26] open up my eyes with wonder | |
| [5607.26 --> 5613.26] show me who you are and fill me | |
| [5613.26 --> 5617.26] with your heart and lead me | |
| [5617.26 --> 5623.26] give your love to those around me | |
| [5623.26 --> 5625.26] you | |
| [5625.26 --> 5629.26] you | |
| [5629.26 --> 5631.26] you | |
| [5631.26 --> 5633.26] you | |
| [5633.26 --> 5635.26] you | |
| [5635.26 --> 5637.26] you | |
| [5637.26 --> 5639.26] you | |
| [5639.26 --> 5653.26] you | |
| [5653.26 --> 5655.26] you | |
| [5655.26 --> 5657.26] you | |
| [5657.26 --> 5659.26] you | |
| [5659.26 --> 5661.26] you | |
| [5661.26 --> 5663.26] you | |
| [5663.26 --> 5673.26] you | |
| [5673.26 --> 5677.26] you | |
| [5677.26 --> 5679.26] you | |
| [5679.26 --> 5681.26] you | |
| [5681.26 --> 5683.26] you | |
| [5683.26 --> 5685.26] you | |
| [5685.26 --> 5687.26] you | |
| [5687.26 --> 5689.26] you | |
| [5689.26 --> 5709.26] you | |
| [5709.26 --> 5711.26] you | |
| [5711.26 --> 5713.26] you | |
| [5713.26 --> 5715.26] you | |
| [5715.26 --> 5717.26] you | |
| [5717.26 --> 5719.26] you | |
| [5719.26 --> 5737.26] you | |
| [5737.26 --> 5739.26] you | |
| [5739.26 --> 5741.26] you | |
| [5741.26 --> 5743.26] you | |
| [5743.26 --> 5745.26] you | |
| [5745.26 --> 5751.26] you | |
| [5751.26 --> 5753.26] standing | |
| [5753.26 --> 5755.26] you | |
| [5755.26 --> 5757.26] you | |
| [5757.26 --> 5759.26] you | |
| [5759.26 --> 5765.26] you | |
| [5765.26 --> 5767.26] you | |
| [5767.26 --> 5769.26] you | |
| [5769.26 --> 5771.26] you | |
| [5771.26 --> 5773.26] you | |
| [5773.26 --> 5781.14] of God for the journey of faith ahead. God, go before you to lead you. God, go behind you to | |
| [5781.14 --> 5788.70] protect you. God, go beneath you to support you. And God, go beside you to befriend you. Do not | |
| [5788.70 --> 5796.72] be afraid. Let the blessing of God come upon you today. Do not be afraid, but go in peace to love | |
| [5796.72 --> 5800.28] and serve the Lord. Amen. | |
| [5803.26 --> 5805.26] Amen. | |
| [5833.26 --> 5835.26] Amen. | |
| [5835.26 --> 5837.26] Amen. | |
| [5837.26 --> 5839.26] Amen. | |
| [5839.26 --> 5841.26] Amen. | |
| [5841.26 --> 5843.26] Amen. | |
| [5843.26 --> 5845.26] Amen. | |
| [5845.26 --> 5847.26] Amen. | |
| [5847.26 --> 5849.26] Amen. | |
| [5849.26 --> 5850.26] Amen. | |
| [5850.26 --> 5851.26] Amen. | |
| [5851.26 --> 5852.26] Amen. | |
| [5852.26 --> 5874.26] 答 | |
| [5877.26 --> 5889.26] has | |
| [5892.06 --> 5897.26] all things serve together for my salvation | |
| [5907.26 --> 5921.26] oh | |
| [5937.26 --> 5951.26] always by your holy spirit you assure me | |
| [5951.26 --> 5957.26] of eternal life and make me willing and ready | |
| [5957.26 --> 5965.26] even when i can't see my way through | |
| [5965.26 --> 5973.26] from now on to always live for you | |
| [5973.26 --> 5977.26] i am not my own | |
| [5977.26 --> 5981.26] but belong | |
| [5981.26 --> 5985.26] body and soul | |
| [5985.26 --> 5989.26] in my life and in death | |
| [5989.26 --> 5993.26] to you lord | |
| [5993.26 --> 5995.26] christ my lord | |
| [5995.26 --> 6001.26] i am not my own | |
| [6001.26 --> 6003.26] but belong | |
| [6003.26 --> 6007.26] body and soul | |
| [6007.26 --> 6013.26] in my life and in death | |
| [6013.26 --> 6015.26] to you lord | |
| [6015.26 --> 6017.26] christ my lord | |
| [6017.26 --> 6025.26] i am not my own | |
| [6025.26 --> 6027.26] but belong | |
| [6027.26 --> 6029.26] body and soul | |
| [6029.26 --> 6033.26] in my life and in death | |
| [6033.26 --> 6037.26] in my life and in death | |
| [6037.26 --> 6039.26] to you lord | |
| [6039.26 --> 6041.26] to you lord | |
| [6041.26 --> 6045.26] christ my lord | |
| [6045.26 --> 6047.26] and | |
| [6047.26 --> 6049.26] and | |
| [6049.26 --> 6051.26] and | |
| [6051.26 --> 6053.26] and | |
| [6053.26 --> 6055.26] and | |
| [6055.26 --> 6057.26] and | |
| [6057.26 --> 6059.26] and | |
| [6059.26 --> 6061.26] and | |
| [6061.26 --> 6063.26] and | |
| [6063.26 --> 6065.26] and | |
| [6065.26 --> 6067.26] and | |
| [6067.26 --> 6069.26] and | |
| [6069.26 --> 6071.26] and | |
| [6071.26 --> 6073.26] and | |
| [6073.26 --> 6087.26] and | |
| [6087.26 --> 6089.26] and | |
| [6089.26 --> 6091.26] and | |
| [6091.26 --> 6105.26] and | |
| [6105.26 --> 6107.26] and | |
| [6107.26 --> 6109.26] and | |
| [6109.26 --> 6123.26] and | |
| [6123.26 --> 6125.26] and | |
| [6125.26 --> 6127.26] and | |
| [6127.26 --> 6129.26] and | |
| [6129.26 --> 6143.26] and | |
| [6143.26 --> 6145.26] and | |
| [6145.26 --> 6147.26] and | |
| [6147.26 --> 6149.26] and | |
| [6149.26 --> 6151.26] and | |
| [6151.26 --> 6153.26] and | |
| [6153.26 --> 6155.26] and | |
| [6155.26 --> 6167.26] and | |
| [6167.26 --> 6169.26] and | |
| [6169.26 --> 6171.26] and | |
| [6171.26 --> 6173.26] and | |
| [6173.26 --> 6175.26] and | |
| [6175.26 --> 6177.26] and | |
| [6177.26 --> 6179.26] and | |
| [6179.26 --> 6209.24] Thank you. | |
| [6209.26 --> 6239.24] Thank you. | |
| [6239.26 --> 6269.24] Thank you. | |
| [6269.26 --> 6299.24] Thank you. | |
| [6299.26 --> 6329.24] Thank you. | |
| [6329.26 --> 6359.24] Thank you. | |
| [6359.26 --> 6389.24] Thank you. | |
| [6389.26 --> 6419.24] Thank you. | |
| [6419.26 --> 6449.24] Thank you. | |
| [6449.26 --> 6479.24] Thank you. | |