1 00:00:00,200 --> 00:00:04,200 You have your Bibles, turn with me to Ephesians, 2 00:00:04,200 --> 00:00:05,700 chapter 6. 3 00:00:08,733 --> 00:00:12,033 We are coming down the home stretch. 4 00:00:13,199 --> 00:00:16,199 Not only of this subject of 5 00:00:16,199 --> 00:00:19,733 the warfare, of the believer, 6 00:00:19,733 --> 00:00:22,800 and the resources that we have 7 00:00:22,800 --> 00:00:27,100 for victory, but also the 8 00:00:27,100 --> 00:00:28,166 Book of Ephesians as a whole. 9 00:00:28,800 --> 00:00:31,899 A little bit over two years, I think. 10 00:00:31,899 --> 00:00:34,733 We've been in Ephesians. 11 00:00:34,799 --> 00:00:38,033 One of my favorite stories about the Book of Ephesians 12 00:00:38,033 --> 00:00:41,266 came to me from Danny Miller, the music minister at Foster 13 00:00:41,266 --> 00:00:42,466 Road Baptist Church. 14 00:00:43,000 --> 00:00:46,466 Brother Huey Moch preached through Ephesians 15 00:00:46,500 --> 00:00:48,666 much longer than I have. 16 00:00:48,700 --> 00:00:51,700 Of course, Mother Huey, different 17 00:00:51,700 --> 00:00:52,766 level of preacher. 18 00:00:52,966 --> 00:00:55,966 But there, I don't know if you know Greg, 19 00:00:55,966 --> 00:00:59,266 or if any of you have ever met Greg and Thomas at 20 00:00:59,266 --> 00:01:02,433 Foster Road Baptist Church, the little special 21 00:01:02,433 --> 00:01:03,566 needs guys. 22 00:01:03,633 --> 00:01:04,700 They're always there. 23 00:01:04,799 --> 00:01:08,433 And, uh, at 24 00:01:08,433 --> 00:01:10,099 the time when their grandmother was alive. 25 00:01:10,200 --> 00:01:14,233 Um, one son, she always came to church. 26 00:01:14,266 --> 00:01:17,566 There was one particular Sunday morning, 27 00:01:17,566 --> 00:01:20,866 the grandmother didn't come to church. 28 00:01:20,933 --> 00:01:23,933 And so, um, Greg 29 00:01:23,933 --> 00:01:27,900 and Thomas were asked, What's going on with my mom? 30 00:01:27,900 --> 00:01:29,766 You know, we didn't see her here. 31 00:01:29,866 --> 00:01:31,966 Mama said last night. 32 00:01:32,033 --> 00:01:35,400 Ephesians, Ephesians, Ephesians, 33 00:01:35,400 --> 00:01:36,900 I'm sick of Ephesians. 34 00:01:40,000 --> 00:01:40,833 They let it out. 35 00:01:42,099 --> 00:01:45,166 Brother Mike was probably 5 years in Ephesians. 36 00:01:45,233 --> 00:01:45,700 I don't know. 37 00:01:45,766 --> 00:01:48,933 But anyway, we are coming down the stretch 38 00:01:48,933 --> 00:01:52,066 and this particular section that 39 00:01:52,066 --> 00:01:53,433 we have been in here of late. 40 00:01:53,933 --> 00:01:57,233 has been on the armor, as you know, 41 00:01:57,233 --> 00:02:00,233 of the Christian, and in these verses 42 00:02:00,233 --> 00:02:03,299 where Paul uses this great imagery of the Roman 43 00:02:03,299 --> 00:02:06,299 soldier, dressed out for battle, 44 00:02:06,299 --> 00:02:10,000 the practical application has 45 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,133 produced subjects like the 46 00:02:13,133 --> 00:02:16,800 intense need for commitment 47 00:02:16,800 --> 00:02:20,099 on our part as Christians in this warfare. 48 00:02:20,633 --> 00:02:24,633 The selling out of ourselves in 49 00:02:24,633 --> 00:02:27,800 obedience, to fulfill God's will in our lives. 50 00:02:27,900 --> 00:02:31,000 We also talked about the manner of 51 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:33,866 disciplining ourselves. 52 00:02:34,066 --> 00:02:37,066 day to day living, controlling our 53 00:02:37,066 --> 00:02:40,066 desires, committing ourselves 54 00:02:40,066 --> 00:02:43,733 into conformity, to 55 00:02:43,733 --> 00:02:46,900 the standard of living that is 56 00:02:46,900 --> 00:02:48,466 governed by the word of God. 57 00:02:49,666 --> 00:02:52,900 And anytime we get into this type of 58 00:02:52,900 --> 00:02:56,266 subject matter, there 59 00:02:56,266 --> 00:02:59,866 exists the possibility of 60 00:02:59,866 --> 00:03:03,000 falling into error on two 61 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:06,166 polar opposite ends 62 00:03:06,166 --> 00:03:10,500 of the understanding of our sanctification. 63 00:03:11,199 --> 00:03:14,266 legalism, on one 64 00:03:14,266 --> 00:03:18,400 end, or antinomianism, 65 00:03:18,400 --> 00:03:21,466 on the other, that's just a big word, theological word for 66 00:03:21,466 --> 00:03:24,699 anti lawism, best 67 00:03:24,699 --> 00:03:27,866 characterized by, you know, I'm saved, 68 00:03:27,900 --> 00:03:29,699 Jesus paid it all, I live however I want. 69 00:03:31,300 --> 00:03:34,833 And we've discussed this many times, these 70 00:03:34,833 --> 00:03:37,966 two polar opposite ways of living through 71 00:03:37,966 --> 00:03:40,000 the Christian life, but because it's so easy. 72 00:03:41,199 --> 00:03:44,199 for all Christians to get out of balance 73 00:03:44,199 --> 00:03:47,733 on one of those two other ends. 74 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,866 It's very important for us to continue to discuss 75 00:03:50,866 --> 00:03:54,000 this, in order for us to keep 76 00:03:54,000 --> 00:03:57,166 our balance, right in 77 00:03:57,166 --> 00:03:59,566 the middle of the king's highway. 78 00:04:00,033 --> 00:04:04,966 As we are all soldiers marching 79 00:04:04,966 --> 00:04:08,333 on the king's highway to the celestial city, 80 00:04:08,333 --> 00:04:11,766 and that comes from Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, 81 00:04:11,766 --> 00:04:15,500 if you're a Christian, you've never read Pilgrim's Progress, go home tonight, start reading it. 82 00:04:15,633 --> 00:04:16,166 You need a copy. 83 00:04:16,233 --> 00:04:17,666 I have one on the shelf. 84 00:04:17,733 --> 00:04:19,233 Must reading for every Christian. 85 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:23,666 All throughout church history, there have been many different ways. 86 00:04:24,100 --> 00:04:28,233 of teaching how to deal with 87 00:04:28,233 --> 00:04:29,366 living the Christian life. 88 00:04:29,433 --> 00:04:32,866 And wow, here, we have 89 00:04:32,866 --> 00:04:36,233 been applying these verses, hopefully, 90 00:04:36,233 --> 00:04:39,366 in a very balanced, non 91 00:04:39,366 --> 00:04:43,000 legalistic way, and living 92 00:04:43,000 --> 00:04:46,233 with commitment and discipline and obedience to 93 00:04:46,233 --> 00:04:48,199 the Word of God. 94 00:04:48,300 --> 00:04:51,300 Hopefully, that's the way I've conveyed it to you, as 95 00:04:51,300 --> 00:04:54,466 good soldiers of Jesus Christ, because that's the meaning of 96 00:04:54,466 --> 00:04:57,899 the text, and that Paul is conveying to us, I'm very certain 97 00:04:57,899 --> 00:04:59,766 about that, or I wouldn't preach it that way. 98 00:05:00,033 --> 00:05:03,633 But there's also another way of applying 99 00:05:03,633 --> 00:05:05,566 these verses to our Christian living. 100 00:05:06,533 --> 00:05:09,666 That is probably to 101 00:05:09,666 --> 00:05:13,766 many varying degrees, the 102 00:05:13,800 --> 00:05:16,933 majority report in American evangelicalism. 103 00:05:17,333 --> 00:05:21,100 There are some, especially 104 00:05:21,100 --> 00:05:24,100 today, but also down through church 105 00:05:24,100 --> 00:05:27,633 history, who believe that all 106 00:05:27,633 --> 00:05:31,300 of this exercise, and 107 00:05:31,300 --> 00:05:35,033 all of this discipline, and all of this struggle, 108 00:05:35,033 --> 00:05:38,399 and all of this effort, is 109 00:05:38,399 --> 00:05:42,300 really not what God is after, 110 00:05:42,300 --> 00:05:43,800 as Christians. 111 00:05:43,833 --> 00:05:47,866 There is a statement in the Old Testament that 112 00:05:47,866 --> 00:05:51,533 is made in reference to King Jehoshaphat that says this. 113 00:05:52,533 --> 00:05:54,800 The battle is not yours. 114 00:05:55,533 --> 00:05:57,699 It's the Lord's. 115 00:05:58,233 --> 00:06:00,266 And that statement. 116 00:06:00,399 --> 00:06:02,966 has become a byword. 117 00:06:03,300 --> 00:06:06,833 For a group of people who 118 00:06:06,833 --> 00:06:09,966 were originally labeled quietist. 119 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:14,266 This is a teaching that began in 120 00:06:14,266 --> 00:06:16,600 the church in the late 17th century. 121 00:06:16,733 --> 00:06:21,399 And this movement has taught that 122 00:06:21,399 --> 00:06:26,033 the way to live the Christian life is not through 123 00:06:26,033 --> 00:06:29,100 discipline, and effort, 124 00:06:29,100 --> 00:06:32,533 and commitment, but 125 00:06:32,533 --> 00:06:36,266 rather through absolute surrender. 126 00:06:36,466 --> 00:06:39,600 There's a book by that name, 127 00:06:39,600 --> 00:06:43,366 absolute surrender, written by Andrew Murray, 128 00:06:43,366 --> 00:06:46,600 that has sold many copies, that 129 00:06:46,600 --> 00:06:50,266 while not teaching classical quietism 130 00:06:50,266 --> 00:06:53,266 is thought of in our 131 00:06:53,266 --> 00:06:56,566 theological camp of definitely 132 00:06:56,566 --> 00:06:59,866 having quietist leanings, I 133 00:06:59,866 --> 00:07:03,166 remember being ignorant of reform theology and reading this book, 134 00:07:03,833 --> 00:07:06,899 and thinking about how profound it was. 135 00:07:06,933 --> 00:07:10,300 Murray was a leading figure, 136 00:07:10,300 --> 00:07:13,433 and what is called Keswick theology, which 137 00:07:13,433 --> 00:07:17,133 has many quietest elements to it, also 138 00:07:17,133 --> 00:07:20,666 known as the higher life movement, 139 00:07:20,699 --> 00:07:23,933 and I can help you boil down all 140 00:07:23,933 --> 00:07:27,333 these labels I'm giving you in understanding 141 00:07:27,333 --> 00:07:30,166 with one phrase that best defines this movement. 142 00:07:30,233 --> 00:07:31,966 You ever heard this? 143 00:07:32,033 --> 00:07:33,399 Let go. 144 00:07:33,766 --> 00:07:35,333 Let God. 145 00:07:35,433 --> 00:07:38,500 Now, a lot of 146 00:07:38,500 --> 00:07:39,866 this sounds good. 147 00:07:40,300 --> 00:07:41,866 Hmm? 148 00:07:41,866 --> 00:07:44,633 As far as Murray is concerned. 149 00:07:45,300 --> 00:07:48,399 He does have some good things in 150 00:07:48,399 --> 00:07:49,966 his book Absolute Surrender. 151 00:07:50,333 --> 00:07:52,733 Mixed in with error. 152 00:07:53,033 --> 00:07:56,399 in his teaching that most definitely 153 00:07:56,399 --> 00:08:00,466 will lead a Christian to 154 00:08:00,466 --> 00:08:02,133 anti-nomianism in his walk. 155 00:08:02,199 --> 00:08:04,133 Let me tell you what I mean by that. 156 00:08:04,500 --> 00:08:06,466 The main idea. 157 00:08:07,000 --> 00:08:10,233 In a nutshell is, hey. 158 00:08:12,600 --> 00:08:16,033 Stop all the striving and struggling and disciplined 159 00:08:16,033 --> 00:08:19,600 in the Christian life and just totally surrender. 160 00:08:19,666 --> 00:08:21,300 Just let go. 161 00:08:21,399 --> 00:08:23,366 And let God. 162 00:08:24,033 --> 00:08:27,199 And while we all do, 163 00:08:27,233 --> 00:08:30,300 have to absolutely surrender to the Lordship of 164 00:08:30,300 --> 00:08:33,533 Jesus Christ in Bible repentance and saving faith 165 00:08:33,533 --> 00:08:34,799 to be right with God. 166 00:08:34,833 --> 00:08:36,200 There's no question about that. 167 00:08:36,399 --> 00:08:38,133 Listen carefully. 168 00:08:38,200 --> 00:08:41,366 It's how you understand what 169 00:08:41,399 --> 00:08:42,666 that means. 170 00:08:43,366 --> 00:08:46,000 that makes all the difference in the world. 171 00:08:46,366 --> 00:08:48,299 I've seen preachers. 172 00:08:48,700 --> 00:08:52,166 With large crowds, on television, 173 00:08:52,200 --> 00:08:55,933 and talked about it this morning again, they 174 00:08:55,933 --> 00:08:59,933 call people, come down to the altar to surrender. 175 00:09:00,533 --> 00:09:02,799 And the tears are flowing. 176 00:09:02,933 --> 00:09:07,366 And the music is playing, stirring 177 00:09:07,366 --> 00:09:10,433 up the emotions, and people are down on 178 00:09:10,433 --> 00:09:14,633 their knees, without a hint of 179 00:09:14,633 --> 00:09:18,233 an actual biblical gospel message ever 180 00:09:18,233 --> 00:09:19,600 having been preached beforehand. 181 00:09:19,833 --> 00:09:23,899 Just come down, and surrender. 182 00:09:24,000 --> 00:09:27,066 to Jesus, without explaining 183 00:09:27,066 --> 00:09:30,200 what that means, biblically. 184 00:09:31,433 --> 00:09:35,200 There's a whole lot of misunderstanding in the church. 185 00:09:35,399 --> 00:09:38,799 about what it means to surrender, 186 00:09:38,799 --> 00:09:40,433 biblically. 187 00:09:41,033 --> 00:09:44,033 I've read and heard from friends who grew up 188 00:09:44,033 --> 00:09:48,000 in the church, who went to summer Bible camps, and 189 00:09:48,000 --> 00:09:52,233 about how kids would come down to dedicate, and rededicate, 190 00:09:52,233 --> 00:09:55,399 and re-rededicate their lives, 191 00:09:55,433 --> 00:09:57,166 every year they went to Bible camp. 192 00:09:57,299 --> 00:09:59,333 Now, I don't have any experience with that. 193 00:09:59,399 --> 00:10:03,166 I was smoking weed and stealing car radios at that time of my life. 194 00:10:03,299 --> 00:10:06,000 I did go to Bible camp one year. 195 00:10:06,033 --> 00:10:07,966 With my cousins. 196 00:10:08,033 --> 00:10:12,000 There's only one thing I remember about the Bible camp that I went to. 197 00:10:12,033 --> 00:10:14,600 I think it was about 12 years old. 198 00:10:14,700 --> 00:10:19,000 The highlight of the week that was talked about all week was 199 00:10:19,000 --> 00:10:22,066 there was a certain night where the boys got to go over 200 00:10:22,066 --> 00:10:24,299 to the girls' dorm and do a painty raid. 201 00:10:24,333 --> 00:10:27,333 Now, that stuck in my mind for a long time, and 202 00:10:27,333 --> 00:10:30,333 of course, it was all planned, and you wonder, thinking back, 203 00:10:30,333 --> 00:10:33,333 who came up with that idea for Bible camp? 204 00:10:33,399 --> 00:10:34,366 I enjoyed it. 205 00:10:34,799 --> 00:10:38,399 But this definitely has been, and 206 00:10:38,399 --> 00:10:39,466 continues to be a problem. 207 00:10:39,766 --> 00:10:41,733 in the church. 208 00:10:42,033 --> 00:10:45,166 And what it's done, as you've heard me say, and you've 209 00:10:45,166 --> 00:10:49,500 heard Ed say, it's produced many false converts. 210 00:10:50,333 --> 00:10:55,533 People trying to get surrendered with 211 00:10:55,533 --> 00:10:58,700 no biblical substance or 212 00:10:58,733 --> 00:11:00,766 foundation in doing so. 213 00:11:01,066 --> 00:11:04,133 There was a man who used to teach to let go 214 00:11:04,133 --> 00:11:05,266 and let God's system. 215 00:11:05,333 --> 00:11:06,233 Listen what he said. 216 00:11:06,299 --> 00:11:07,633 Listen to this. 217 00:11:08,133 --> 00:11:11,366 When you are fully surrendered, 218 00:11:11,399 --> 00:11:15,166 you'll never even experience temptation because 219 00:11:15,166 --> 00:11:18,399 it will be defeated by Christ before it has 220 00:11:18,399 --> 00:11:20,333 time to draw you into a fight. 221 00:11:20,866 --> 00:11:24,600 Now, to the non discerning mind, that might sound. 222 00:11:25,000 --> 00:11:28,066 Yeah, wow, that's... 223 00:11:28,533 --> 00:11:31,533 But if you're using your brain, and you're 224 00:11:31,533 --> 00:11:33,333 thinking biblically, consider. 225 00:11:34,000 --> 00:11:37,666 If that's true, when 226 00:11:37,666 --> 00:11:41,866 you sin, because you will, whose fault is it? 227 00:11:42,100 --> 00:11:45,266 With what he said, it's 228 00:11:45,299 --> 00:11:48,299 Christ's fault, because he just said, it'll be 229 00:11:48,299 --> 00:11:50,333 defeated by Christ for you, never gets time to get going. 230 00:11:51,333 --> 00:11:54,466 Is it Jesus' fault when you sin? 231 00:11:54,600 --> 00:11:58,033 I mean, I find that kind of problematic, don't you? 232 00:11:58,500 --> 00:12:00,299 That's this teaching. 233 00:12:00,933 --> 00:12:04,000 In the Christian secret of a happy life, 234 00:12:04,000 --> 00:12:05,966 Hannah Smith writes the following. 235 00:12:06,399 --> 00:12:09,533 What can be said about man's part in 236 00:12:09,533 --> 00:12:13,133 this great work, but that he, 237 00:12:13,133 --> 00:12:16,433 man, must continually surrender himself and 238 00:12:16,433 --> 00:12:17,700 continually trust. 239 00:12:18,399 --> 00:12:21,399 But when we come to God's side of 240 00:12:21,399 --> 00:12:25,166 the equation, what is there that may not be said as 241 00:12:25,200 --> 00:12:28,200 to the manifold and wonderful ways in which 242 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:31,033 he accomplishes the work entrusted to him? 243 00:12:31,066 --> 00:12:34,200 In other words, what she's actually saying there, 244 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:37,200 and in the rest of the book, for that matter, is, if you want 245 00:12:37,200 --> 00:12:40,200 to grow spiritually, do 246 00:12:40,200 --> 00:12:41,700 nothing, but surrender. 247 00:12:41,933 --> 00:12:43,500 Let go. 248 00:12:43,533 --> 00:12:45,500 and let God do it all. 249 00:12:46,433 --> 00:12:49,600 Now, again, that sounds great. 250 00:12:52,733 --> 00:12:53,866 But what happens when you sin? 251 00:12:54,833 --> 00:12:56,933 What do you do then? 252 00:12:57,000 --> 00:12:58,799 What do you do with that? 253 00:13:00,000 --> 00:13:02,266 Do you just keep doing nothing? 254 00:13:05,399 --> 00:13:08,399 You see, the point is, there just has to be 255 00:13:08,399 --> 00:13:11,700 more to the Christian life than this do 256 00:13:11,700 --> 00:13:13,733 nothing surrender approach. 257 00:13:14,266 --> 00:13:17,566 And not only should this be self evident 258 00:13:17,566 --> 00:13:18,933 to you, 259 00:13:19,000 --> 00:13:20,666 We have a bible. 260 00:13:21,166 --> 00:13:23,866 A Bible that has words in it. 261 00:13:24,299 --> 00:13:26,933 And all of the words have meaning. 262 00:13:27,299 --> 00:13:30,466 And never, in any 263 00:13:30,466 --> 00:13:33,766 text that I can find, does 264 00:13:33,766 --> 00:13:37,299 the Bible ever teach this approach to Christian living? 265 00:13:37,433 --> 00:13:39,233 Look for yourself. 266 00:13:39,700 --> 00:13:43,433 Consider just what we've been studying here in Ephesians. 267 00:13:43,733 --> 00:13:46,833 The Bible simply nowhere teaches 268 00:13:46,833 --> 00:13:49,899 that all you have to do in the Christian life is 269 00:13:49,899 --> 00:13:52,166 just surrender and let go and let God. 270 00:13:52,666 --> 00:13:55,799 John MacArthur tells the story of a guy who was 271 00:13:55,799 --> 00:13:58,866 in a church, where they were calling for people to do this. 272 00:13:59,399 --> 00:14:02,700 And he walked the aisle, and 273 00:14:02,700 --> 00:14:05,766 he knelt down, and he started to pray. 274 00:14:06,233 --> 00:14:08,466 He prayed for surrender. 275 00:14:08,566 --> 00:14:11,866 And he prayed, and he prayed, and he prayed, 276 00:14:11,866 --> 00:14:15,399 and the pastor is standing there watching him. 277 00:14:16,066 --> 00:14:19,066 And finally the pastor says to him, 278 00:14:19,066 --> 00:14:20,133 Bring it through, brother. 279 00:14:20,266 --> 00:14:21,466 Pray it through. 280 00:14:21,700 --> 00:14:24,700 And then everybody in the audience, the 281 00:14:24,700 --> 00:14:27,866 pastor turns around and says, folks, let's 282 00:14:27,899 --> 00:14:30,533 uphold him, so he can pray it through. 283 00:14:31,600 --> 00:14:35,033 And then finally, the 284 00:14:35,033 --> 00:14:38,200 guy stood up, and he turned around 285 00:14:38,200 --> 00:14:41,333 to the audience, and he said 286 00:14:41,333 --> 00:14:43,733 out loud, Hell, I can't get through! 287 00:14:44,266 --> 00:14:46,500 And he walked right out the back door. 288 00:14:47,033 --> 00:14:48,666 Think about that. 289 00:14:49,233 --> 00:14:51,200 And I hear that. 290 00:14:52,299 --> 00:14:55,533 And I want to know, just 291 00:14:55,533 --> 00:14:58,600 what exactly, were they 292 00:14:58,600 --> 00:15:01,466 trying to pray him through too? 293 00:15:03,100 --> 00:15:04,966 What does this mean? 294 00:15:05,033 --> 00:15:05,933 Surrender. 295 00:15:06,000 --> 00:15:07,066 Sounds great. 296 00:15:08,266 --> 00:15:10,500 It has no substance. 297 00:15:10,600 --> 00:15:12,033 In this move. 298 00:15:12,100 --> 00:15:15,100 You see, It's a great example of 299 00:15:15,100 --> 00:15:17,333 when it comes to this issue of surrender. 300 00:15:18,000 --> 00:15:18,766 listen to me. 301 00:15:18,833 --> 00:15:22,200 There has to be a biblical understanding 302 00:15:22,200 --> 00:15:25,233 of it, or all you are ever going to 303 00:15:25,233 --> 00:15:27,500 do with that kind of teaching that sounds great. 304 00:15:27,633 --> 00:15:29,600 You're going to be frustrated. 305 00:15:30,466 --> 00:15:34,133 So let's get our biblical bearing straight here with this. 306 00:15:34,899 --> 00:15:36,833 There is no question. 307 00:15:36,899 --> 00:15:37,799 Again, now listen to me. 308 00:15:37,833 --> 00:15:41,066 There's no question that every single Christian 309 00:15:41,100 --> 00:15:44,100 must totally depend on the resources of God 310 00:15:44,100 --> 00:15:45,366 in the Christian life. 311 00:15:45,399 --> 00:15:48,766 There is no question that we must totally 312 00:15:48,766 --> 00:15:53,500 depend on God's power and God's energy and God's strength. 313 00:15:53,566 --> 00:15:54,399 We learned that. 314 00:15:54,466 --> 00:15:55,000 Look at it. 315 00:15:55,066 --> 00:15:56,799 Ephesians chapter 6 and verse number 10. 316 00:15:57,000 --> 00:15:57,466 Remember? 317 00:15:57,700 --> 00:16:01,000 Finally, be strong in the Lord. 318 00:16:01,066 --> 00:16:04,500 And in the strength of his might. 319 00:16:05,200 --> 00:16:08,866 But it's unbiblical to 320 00:16:08,866 --> 00:16:12,833 think that while we're doing that, then 321 00:16:12,833 --> 00:16:15,833 all we have to do is just sit there and surrender. 322 00:16:16,299 --> 00:16:19,433 Now, for sure, we can go too far with this idea 323 00:16:19,433 --> 00:16:22,433 of self discipline and go beyond the balance that the 324 00:16:22,433 --> 00:16:24,600 Bible gives us into legalism. 325 00:16:25,433 --> 00:16:28,899 And that is just as bad, 326 00:16:28,899 --> 00:16:33,033 in the opposite direction, and 327 00:16:33,033 --> 00:16:36,399 those who did that in the 17th century at the same time period were 328 00:16:36,399 --> 00:16:37,733 called the Pietist. 329 00:16:37,799 --> 00:16:41,766 So you had the pietist and the quietist, okay? 330 00:16:41,799 --> 00:16:43,166 They were both wrong. 331 00:16:43,233 --> 00:16:45,466 And they still are both wrong. 332 00:16:45,533 --> 00:16:46,600 Today. 333 00:16:47,333 --> 00:16:51,000 But just think about this idea for a minute. 334 00:16:51,166 --> 00:16:54,233 of absolute surrender, as I 335 00:16:54,233 --> 00:16:55,500 have laid it out for you here today. 336 00:16:56,566 --> 00:16:59,866 And once again, let's 337 00:16:59,866 --> 00:17:03,600 just read this whole text concerning 338 00:17:03,600 --> 00:17:05,533 spiritual warfare. 339 00:17:05,533 --> 00:17:09,566 And listen to me now, as we read, C, 340 00:17:09,599 --> 00:17:12,599 if you're in your thinking, if you 341 00:17:12,599 --> 00:17:16,066 can pick up any hint of 342 00:17:16,066 --> 00:17:19,433 surrendering in the way I've laid it out to you in 343 00:17:19,433 --> 00:17:21,466 what Paul is teaching here, let's read together. 344 00:17:22,533 --> 00:17:24,099 Verse 10. 345 00:17:24,333 --> 00:17:27,799 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. 346 00:17:27,900 --> 00:17:31,200 Boy, now that's starting out pretty in line, right? 347 00:17:31,233 --> 00:17:32,366 Verse 11. 348 00:17:32,566 --> 00:17:35,566 Put on the full 349 00:17:35,566 --> 00:17:38,799 armor of God, so that you will be able to stand 350 00:17:38,799 --> 00:17:42,099 firm against the schemes of the devil. 351 00:17:42,166 --> 00:17:45,166 For our struggle is not against 352 00:17:45,166 --> 00:17:48,299 flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the 353 00:17:48,299 --> 00:17:51,599 powers, against the world forces of this darkness, 354 00:17:51,599 --> 00:17:55,566 against the spiritual forces of wickedness, in the heavenly places. 355 00:17:55,599 --> 00:17:58,733 Therefore, take up the full armor of 356 00:17:58,733 --> 00:18:01,799 God, so that you will be able to resist in the 357 00:18:01,799 --> 00:18:04,900 evil day and having done everything to 358 00:18:04,900 --> 00:18:06,933 stand firm. 359 00:18:07,000 --> 00:18:10,000 Stand firm, therefore, having girded your loins 360 00:18:10,000 --> 00:18:13,433 with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 361 00:18:13,433 --> 00:18:16,733 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel 362 00:18:16,733 --> 00:18:19,833 of peace, in addition to all, taking 363 00:18:19,833 --> 00:18:22,833 up the shield of faith, which you will be 364 00:18:22,833 --> 00:18:25,900 able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of 365 00:18:25,900 --> 00:18:29,966 the evil one, and take the helmet of salvation, 366 00:18:30,000 --> 00:18:33,900 and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. 367 00:18:34,799 --> 00:18:36,299 Amen. 368 00:18:36,533 --> 00:18:38,500 Are you sensing? 369 00:18:38,500 --> 00:18:41,566 Any let go and let 370 00:18:41,566 --> 00:18:44,133 God in any of those words? 371 00:18:45,233 --> 00:18:48,400 I mean, I'm really just a simple minded man. 372 00:18:48,466 --> 00:18:52,233 I'm just a preacher that works at an all company warehouse. 373 00:18:52,433 --> 00:18:55,733 But what I read there is 374 00:18:55,733 --> 00:18:56,933 about discipline. 375 00:18:57,000 --> 00:19:00,833 What I read there is about commitment. 376 00:19:00,900 --> 00:19:04,066 What I'm getting out of that, is 377 00:19:04,066 --> 00:19:07,433 that the Christian life is a war that 378 00:19:07,433 --> 00:19:08,500 we have to fight in. 379 00:19:08,633 --> 00:19:11,633 And we have to do things like stand 380 00:19:11,633 --> 00:19:14,633 firm and put on and take up, 381 00:19:14,633 --> 00:19:17,933 and we're taking on enemy fire of flaming 382 00:19:17,933 --> 00:19:21,233 arrows from a powerful, relentless enemy 383 00:19:21,233 --> 00:19:23,766 in daily battle. 384 00:19:23,799 --> 00:19:24,566 That what I'm reading here. 385 00:19:25,366 --> 00:19:28,200 And you'll find this all over the New Testament. 386 00:19:28,799 --> 00:19:31,933 With a quick summary, just as quick summary. 387 00:19:31,966 --> 00:19:35,633 You go to Hebrews 12, you'll find the Christian life described as a race. 388 00:19:35,733 --> 00:19:39,166 In 1 Corinthians 9, it's described as a fight. 389 00:19:39,233 --> 00:19:43,200 In James 4 and 1 Peter 5, it says, We must resist the devil. 390 00:19:43,233 --> 00:19:45,700 Also in 1 Corinthians 9. 391 00:19:45,766 --> 00:19:48,933 It says we must beat our body to bring it into subjection. 392 00:19:49,000 --> 00:19:52,766 In Philippians 3, it says, we must press on toward 393 00:19:52,799 --> 00:19:56,533 the mark of the high calling in Christ Jesus, so clearly. 394 00:19:57,700 --> 00:20:01,000 It's just way too simplistic to say, 395 00:20:01,000 --> 00:20:04,233 all we need to do in the Christian life is 396 00:20:04,233 --> 00:20:07,366 let go, and let God surrender. 397 00:20:07,500 --> 00:20:09,900 You want to say, All right, God, you do it. 398 00:20:10,366 --> 00:20:12,533 Again on the opposite end. 399 00:20:12,599 --> 00:20:14,400 You've got to do it all. 400 00:20:14,433 --> 00:20:16,400 You've got to grind it all out. 401 00:20:16,500 --> 00:20:19,933 Legalism is really just a faith plus work system. 402 00:20:19,966 --> 00:20:21,700 That's really all that amounts to. 403 00:20:21,900 --> 00:20:23,766 The balance again. 404 00:20:24,233 --> 00:20:26,033 It's in the middle. 405 00:20:26,099 --> 00:20:29,700 Yes, we depend on the power and strength of God, absolutely. 406 00:20:29,733 --> 00:20:33,166 Yes, it's not I, but Christ, who lives in me. 407 00:20:33,599 --> 00:20:35,833 But at the same exact time. 408 00:20:36,333 --> 00:20:39,333 There has to be a tremendous level in 409 00:20:39,333 --> 00:20:43,366 the Christian life of commitment and self discipline and self control. 410 00:20:43,433 --> 00:20:46,433 There has to be in the Christian life, 411 00:20:46,433 --> 00:20:49,533 a dedication of our day to day lives, to fight 412 00:20:49,533 --> 00:20:52,533 against our adversary with all that we have, 413 00:20:52,533 --> 00:20:55,666 in the strength, of the 414 00:20:55,666 --> 00:20:57,000 Lord's might. 415 00:20:57,033 --> 00:21:00,466 There has to be a commitment to surrendering, to 416 00:21:00,466 --> 00:21:03,633 the Lordship of Jesus Christ, and acknowledging 417 00:21:03,633 --> 00:21:05,000 his power and resources in it. 418 00:21:05,400 --> 00:21:07,633 But it doesn't end there. 419 00:21:08,200 --> 00:21:11,333 Church, that's where it begins. 420 00:21:11,700 --> 00:21:13,333 Are you with me? 421 00:21:13,900 --> 00:21:17,866 Now, the best example that I know of. 422 00:21:18,299 --> 00:21:21,400 of how the balance works 423 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:23,133 in the Christian life. 424 00:21:23,200 --> 00:21:25,466 And I've read this many times. 425 00:21:25,533 --> 00:21:28,766 I've quoted this many times, and I'm going to continue to do so, 426 00:21:28,799 --> 00:21:32,099 I'm certain, until my last breath of preaching, is Philippians 427 00:21:32,099 --> 00:21:35,333 2, let's read it once again, back 428 00:21:35,333 --> 00:21:38,566 to back verses, same context, so 429 00:21:38,566 --> 00:21:42,000 then, beloved, just as you have always obeyed, 430 00:21:42,000 --> 00:21:45,933 not as in my presence only, but 431 00:21:45,933 --> 00:21:49,666 much more in my absence, work out, 432 00:21:49,666 --> 00:21:53,733 not work for, your salvation with fear, 433 00:21:54,166 --> 00:21:54,833 and trembling. 434 00:21:54,900 --> 00:21:56,400 Keyword there is obeyed. 435 00:21:57,466 --> 00:22:01,200 You work out your salvation in 436 00:22:01,200 --> 00:22:02,466 a life of obedience. 437 00:22:02,500 --> 00:22:05,500 And then you flip right to the next verse, verse 438 00:22:05,500 --> 00:22:06,566 13, 4. 439 00:22:06,933 --> 00:22:10,066 It is God, who is at work 440 00:22:10,066 --> 00:22:13,066 in you both to will and to 441 00:22:13,066 --> 00:22:15,299 work for his good pleasure. 442 00:22:15,400 --> 00:22:18,866 God is at work, and you and I, accomplishing 443 00:22:18,900 --> 00:22:22,233 his will, while you work it out, we 444 00:22:22,233 --> 00:22:24,566 work it out in our obedience. 445 00:22:24,633 --> 00:22:26,500 That's the balance. 446 00:22:26,633 --> 00:22:29,500 Right there, in those two verses. 447 00:22:29,566 --> 00:22:32,400 Now, I don't know about you. 448 00:22:32,433 --> 00:22:34,099 I don't find that too complicated. 449 00:22:34,733 --> 00:22:38,400 And finally, just one more for the balance team. 450 00:22:38,433 --> 00:22:40,599 We're on team balance, by the way. 451 00:22:40,799 --> 00:22:42,966 Colossians 129. 452 00:22:43,799 --> 00:22:45,666 Paul writes this. 453 00:22:45,700 --> 00:22:48,633 For this purpose, also, look at it. 454 00:22:48,766 --> 00:22:53,099 I, labor, striving, 455 00:22:53,099 --> 00:22:56,133 accordingly, to his 456 00:22:56,133 --> 00:22:58,766 power, which mightily works within me. 457 00:22:58,833 --> 00:22:59,733 There's both of them right there. 458 00:22:59,799 --> 00:23:00,400 You see that? 459 00:23:00,833 --> 00:23:03,833 If we just let go and let God, 460 00:23:03,833 --> 00:23:07,500 what do all these exhortations from Paul about laboring, 461 00:23:07,500 --> 00:23:10,500 and striving, and fighting, and on and on and on, he goes, 462 00:23:10,500 --> 00:23:11,766 What is that all that about? 463 00:23:12,000 --> 00:23:16,366 We simply have to grasp that 464 00:23:16,366 --> 00:23:19,533 there is a balance between a yieldedness 465 00:23:19,533 --> 00:23:22,533 to the lordship of Christ and a total commitment 466 00:23:22,533 --> 00:23:25,766 and discipline in my own life to follow through 467 00:23:25,799 --> 00:23:29,333 in that surrendering to his lordship in obedience. 468 00:23:29,433 --> 00:23:32,900 Now, let's get back to Ephesians 6. 469 00:23:33,000 --> 00:23:33,966 That's my introduction. 470 00:23:34,000 --> 00:23:35,633 I don't know. 471 00:23:36,333 --> 00:23:40,066 If you can find a text, that 472 00:23:40,066 --> 00:23:44,099 is more anti let go and let God, than 473 00:23:44,099 --> 00:23:47,099 these verses on spiritual warfare in 474 00:23:47,099 --> 00:23:49,733 the armor of God that we read in verses 10 to 17. 475 00:23:50,133 --> 00:23:53,133 The last time we were here, we were looked at verse 476 00:23:53,133 --> 00:23:55,000 17 and the helmet of salvation. 477 00:23:55,533 --> 00:23:59,866 And I have just a little bit more to say about 478 00:23:59,866 --> 00:24:03,233 this piece of armor in line with what 479 00:24:03,233 --> 00:24:04,366 I've given you so far. 480 00:24:04,433 --> 00:24:07,900 So today is helmet of salvation, part two. 481 00:24:07,966 --> 00:24:10,000 Quickly, by way of review. 482 00:24:10,066 --> 00:24:13,000 Remember, the helmet of salvation is not about getting saved. 483 00:24:13,799 --> 00:24:16,799 You wouldn't already have the belt 484 00:24:16,799 --> 00:24:19,799 of truth in the breastplate of righteousness and the shoes of 485 00:24:19,799 --> 00:24:22,566 the preparation of the gospel of peace, and the shield of faith. 486 00:24:22,666 --> 00:24:25,233 If you weren't already saved, you wouldn't have all that armor on. 487 00:24:25,299 --> 00:24:26,433 You wouldn't have any armor on. 488 00:24:26,500 --> 00:24:27,700 If you weren't already saved. 489 00:24:27,766 --> 00:24:30,766 And remember I told you last time that salvation 490 00:24:30,766 --> 00:24:35,133 has 3 dimensions to it, past, present, and future. 491 00:24:36,166 --> 00:24:39,933 You were saved in the past from the penalty of sin. 492 00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:41,866 That's the doctrine of justification. 493 00:24:41,933 --> 00:24:46,299 You are being saved in the present, 494 00:24:46,299 --> 00:24:49,299 from the power of sin, that's the doctrine of sanctification, 495 00:24:49,299 --> 00:24:52,666 and you will be saved in the future, from 496 00:24:52,666 --> 00:24:56,733 the very present of sin, that's the doctrine of glorification. 497 00:24:56,799 --> 00:25:00,766 For further explanation of all that, go back and watch my last sermon. 498 00:25:00,900 --> 00:25:04,900 For our purpose is here today, we're 499 00:25:04,900 --> 00:25:07,133 studying the helmet of salvation here in verse 17. 500 00:25:07,299 --> 00:25:10,599 And we're focusing in on the meaning of 501 00:25:10,599 --> 00:25:14,200 this phrase, which deals with, particularly, 502 00:25:14,200 --> 00:25:17,266 our salvation in the future dimension. 503 00:25:17,333 --> 00:25:20,866 What Paul is saying to us here is, 504 00:25:20,866 --> 00:25:23,933 you, Christian, can be sure of your future 505 00:25:23,933 --> 00:25:27,700 salvation, and that eternal security, 506 00:25:27,700 --> 00:25:32,133 of your glorification, becomes a protection against 507 00:25:32,133 --> 00:25:34,833 the broad sword blows of our enemy. 508 00:25:34,900 --> 00:25:38,133 Remember, we said, the broadsword that Satan 509 00:25:38,133 --> 00:25:39,466 has is double edged. 510 00:25:39,599 --> 00:25:41,633 He wields discouragement on one side. 511 00:25:41,700 --> 00:25:44,700 He wields doubt on the other side in 512 00:25:44,700 --> 00:25:45,833 the lives of all believers. 513 00:25:45,933 --> 00:25:49,466 And the protection that we have is 514 00:25:49,500 --> 00:25:52,633 the helmet of salvation, that it's 515 00:25:52,633 --> 00:25:55,733 our trust in the Lord, that there 516 00:25:55,733 --> 00:25:59,033 really is light, at the end of this tunnel 517 00:25:59,033 --> 00:26:01,599 that we're in right now, in this warfare. 518 00:26:01,833 --> 00:26:04,900 There's glory waiting for us on 519 00:26:04,900 --> 00:26:08,033 the other side that is guaranteed by God 520 00:26:08,033 --> 00:26:09,666 in his word for the believer. 521 00:26:09,700 --> 00:26:11,033 There's a finish line. 522 00:26:11,099 --> 00:26:12,733 There's a final gun. 523 00:26:12,766 --> 00:26:16,066 The clock will run out on this life, 524 00:26:16,066 --> 00:26:20,700 and we will stand face to face with King Jesus. 525 00:26:20,799 --> 00:26:24,466 We'll be at that Bemus seat that Ed talked about this morning. 526 00:26:24,599 --> 00:26:27,700 Remember, 1 Thessalonians, I'll requote it again from 527 00:26:27,700 --> 00:26:30,766 last time, chapter 5, verse 8, describes it 528 00:26:30,766 --> 00:26:33,833 well, but since we are of the day, let us 529 00:26:33,833 --> 00:26:36,833 be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love 530 00:26:36,833 --> 00:26:40,900 as a helmet, the hope of salvation. 531 00:26:40,966 --> 00:26:42,166 Remember biblical hope? 532 00:26:42,233 --> 00:26:45,599 This guaranteed assurance of a future outcome, 533 00:26:45,599 --> 00:26:49,200 the guaranteed hope of salvation in the future, 534 00:26:49,200 --> 00:26:52,200 the helmet, is what gives us strength to press on 535 00:26:52,200 --> 00:26:53,566 in the present. 536 00:26:54,000 --> 00:26:56,933 No more sin is coming. 537 00:26:57,000 --> 00:26:59,833 No more struggle with the flesh is coming. 538 00:26:59,866 --> 00:27:01,833 No more warfare. 539 00:27:01,966 --> 00:27:04,833 That's what we're looking forward to, and so much more. 540 00:27:05,133 --> 00:27:07,233 And like I said last time. 541 00:27:07,799 --> 00:27:11,633 If there were no future element. 542 00:27:11,700 --> 00:27:12,833 of salvation. 543 00:27:13,233 --> 00:27:16,299 The other two parts of salvation would be 544 00:27:16,299 --> 00:27:18,033 absolutely meaningless, would they not? 545 00:27:18,633 --> 00:27:23,200 Again, imagine having 546 00:27:23,200 --> 00:27:26,433 to struggle and fight the world, flesh, 547 00:27:26,433 --> 00:27:28,466 and the devil for eternity. 548 00:27:28,666 --> 00:27:30,333 Imagine that. 549 00:27:30,400 --> 00:27:33,266 There'd be no hope in that. 550 00:27:33,400 --> 00:27:34,733 I'd give up. 551 00:27:34,833 --> 00:27:35,866 easily. 552 00:27:35,933 --> 00:27:39,166 Why would I keep doing all this, if that were the case? 553 00:27:39,233 --> 00:27:43,299 But knowing and understanding our 554 00:27:43,299 --> 00:27:47,866 biblical hope of future glorification that is guaranteed? 555 00:27:48,233 --> 00:27:51,466 I'm gonna call that the juice that's worth the squeeze. 556 00:27:52,433 --> 00:27:54,666 Now, for me personally. 557 00:27:55,366 --> 00:27:57,833 I have a hard time conveying this. 558 00:27:58,066 --> 00:28:02,866 It's been 1997 559 00:28:02,866 --> 00:28:04,533 is when I was saved. 560 00:28:04,666 --> 00:28:07,066 So next year'll be 30 years. 561 00:28:07,133 --> 00:28:08,266 I've been a Christian. 562 00:28:08,700 --> 00:28:11,933 And I'm telling you, I am still 563 00:28:11,933 --> 00:28:15,166 radically amazed by 564 00:28:15,166 --> 00:28:17,133 God's grace in my life. 565 00:28:17,266 --> 00:28:21,533 Not only so thankful, still, 566 00:28:21,533 --> 00:28:25,200 that he saved me from the wrath, 567 00:28:25,200 --> 00:28:28,433 which I so richly deserve, but man, 568 00:28:28,433 --> 00:28:31,200 he saved me from myself. 569 00:28:34,299 --> 00:28:37,366 He saved me from the dumpster 570 00:28:37,366 --> 00:28:40,599 fire of a life I was living when life was left up to me, 571 00:28:40,599 --> 00:28:42,700 and it was a raging dumpster fire. 572 00:28:43,599 --> 00:28:47,066 And so, I'm still so amazed 573 00:28:47,099 --> 00:28:50,566 of the nature change that 574 00:28:50,566 --> 00:28:52,200 I can't help myself. 575 00:28:52,433 --> 00:28:54,833 I just want to maximize. 576 00:28:54,933 --> 00:28:58,000 All that I can in serving him with 577 00:28:58,000 --> 00:29:01,233 the rest of my life with whatever vapor of a life I have left. 578 00:29:01,833 --> 00:29:04,599 We talked about it on the podcast yesterday. 579 00:29:05,333 --> 00:29:08,400 As pastors, Brian, 580 00:29:08,400 --> 00:29:10,033 we are compelled to do this. 581 00:29:10,233 --> 00:29:12,500 I cannot not do this. 582 00:29:13,599 --> 00:29:16,599 And I just really believe, we talked about it this 583 00:29:16,599 --> 00:29:19,733 morning, that the harder we roll here in the Christian life, the 584 00:29:19,733 --> 00:29:22,799 more satisfied and glad we're going to be, 585 00:29:22,799 --> 00:29:25,799 when we look back at what we did with 586 00:29:25,799 --> 00:29:28,933 this new nature that God gave us in our life. 587 00:29:29,033 --> 00:29:31,566 What did we do with Jesus in our Christian life? 588 00:29:31,599 --> 00:29:34,433 The more that we rolled hard for him here? 589 00:29:34,500 --> 00:29:37,666 How much more unbelievably 590 00:29:37,666 --> 00:29:40,733 joyous will that occasion be when you're 591 00:29:40,733 --> 00:29:42,066 standing in front of the king? 592 00:29:42,099 --> 00:29:46,133 Now, last time, we talked about Satan's 593 00:29:46,133 --> 00:29:47,933 double edged, broad sword. 594 00:29:48,933 --> 00:29:52,599 Doubt on the one side, discouragement 595 00:29:52,599 --> 00:29:53,633 on the other. 596 00:29:53,700 --> 00:29:57,766 And we focused in on some examples 597 00:29:57,766 --> 00:30:01,200 of discouragement last time, and for today, 598 00:30:01,200 --> 00:30:04,366 I want to consider a little bit more about how he uses the 599 00:30:04,366 --> 00:30:06,933 doubt side of the blade. 600 00:30:07,966 --> 00:30:11,033 Most Christians, I mean really, you could 601 00:30:11,033 --> 00:30:13,866 say that doubt is the ultimate discouragement, right? 602 00:30:14,799 --> 00:30:18,466 And most Christians wrangle with doubt, 603 00:30:18,466 --> 00:30:22,533 especially early on in the Christian life, and 604 00:30:22,533 --> 00:30:26,500 as we grow in sanctification, you usually get to the place where 605 00:30:26,500 --> 00:30:30,233 you don't wrangle with doubt about your eternal 606 00:30:30,233 --> 00:30:33,599 security, but even as I say that, we 607 00:30:33,599 --> 00:30:36,700 have to acknowledge that none of us is immune 608 00:30:36,700 --> 00:30:39,700 to spot hits of flaming doubt arrows 609 00:30:39,700 --> 00:30:41,266 at any time, right? 610 00:30:41,400 --> 00:30:43,799 especially when we don't have our armor on. 611 00:30:44,266 --> 00:30:47,700 As I touched on last time, it's 612 00:30:47,700 --> 00:30:50,700 typically our fleshly responses 613 00:30:50,700 --> 00:30:54,233 to circumstances that we find ourselves in, that 614 00:30:54,233 --> 00:30:57,833 are used to fire a doubt arrow our 615 00:30:57,833 --> 00:30:59,266 way by the enemy. 616 00:30:59,433 --> 00:31:00,933 Remember? 617 00:31:01,000 --> 00:31:02,799 You think you're a Christian? 618 00:31:03,700 --> 00:31:05,799 Look at what you just said. 619 00:31:07,366 --> 00:31:10,233 You think you're a Christian? 620 00:31:10,799 --> 00:31:12,766 Look at what you just did. 621 00:31:14,500 --> 00:31:17,200 And let me tell you, try being a pastor. 622 00:31:18,000 --> 00:31:21,233 We don't even have to worry about the enemy with this one. 623 00:31:21,299 --> 00:31:25,066 We have people who 624 00:31:25,066 --> 00:31:29,700 are very quick to remind us, you're a master? 625 00:31:30,466 --> 00:31:32,633 You're a pastor? 626 00:31:32,799 --> 00:31:36,400 I mean, I've had the clergy card pulled 627 00:31:36,400 --> 00:31:39,833 on me more times than I can count when 628 00:31:39,833 --> 00:31:41,200 I falter and fail. 629 00:31:41,433 --> 00:31:44,666 Now, on top of this, the 630 00:31:44,700 --> 00:31:47,700 enemy uses false teaching in 631 00:31:47,700 --> 00:31:51,900 this area, to keep many people, in 632 00:31:51,900 --> 00:31:56,400 a constant state of doubt and fear. 633 00:31:56,433 --> 00:31:59,500 For example, there are 634 00:31:59,500 --> 00:32:04,166 far too many churches that teach that 635 00:32:04,200 --> 00:32:05,400 you can lose your salvation. 636 00:32:06,233 --> 00:32:10,599 They teach and believe in eternal insecurity. 637 00:32:11,099 --> 00:32:15,900 They live in a constant state of insecurity. 638 00:32:15,933 --> 00:32:19,166 They are taught that you will really never know if 639 00:32:19,200 --> 00:32:22,266 you made it or not until you get face to face with Jesus. 640 00:32:22,966 --> 00:32:25,366 Can you imagine living like that? 641 00:32:26,033 --> 00:32:27,666 I couldn't. 642 00:32:27,933 --> 00:32:30,333 I agree with John MacArthur. 643 00:32:30,400 --> 00:32:31,966 If I could lose my salvation, I would. 644 00:32:32,799 --> 00:32:35,133 I'd lost it a long time ago. 645 00:32:35,866 --> 00:32:40,433 This teaching is such a denial of 646 00:32:40,433 --> 00:32:43,433 the total sufficiency of 647 00:32:43,433 --> 00:32:45,166 the finished work of Jesus Christ. 648 00:32:45,700 --> 00:32:48,766 There's just no way around the fact that 649 00:32:48,766 --> 00:32:51,833 it's Christ's work, plus my works, 650 00:32:51,833 --> 00:32:55,066 that keeps my salvation in check in this teaching that 651 00:32:55,066 --> 00:32:56,099 you can lose your salvation. 652 00:32:56,133 --> 00:32:57,266 You can't get around that, right? 653 00:32:57,833 --> 00:33:00,933 And that immediately brings 654 00:33:00,933 --> 00:33:03,933 up the question for me, and it always has, since this came 655 00:33:03,933 --> 00:33:05,500 into my understanding. 656 00:33:05,866 --> 00:33:07,500 I have a question. 657 00:33:08,133 --> 00:33:09,799 for these folks. 658 00:33:10,066 --> 00:33:14,700 Just how many sins are 659 00:33:14,700 --> 00:33:18,233 to what degree of sins does 660 00:33:18,233 --> 00:33:22,000 it take, to get to the center of 661 00:33:22,000 --> 00:33:24,766 the lose your salvation tootsie pop. 662 00:33:25,233 --> 00:33:28,066 I've never had anybody answer that question. 663 00:33:28,833 --> 00:33:30,400 You know why? 664 00:33:30,466 --> 00:33:34,066 Because you will find exactly zero 665 00:33:34,066 --> 00:33:36,400 answers to that question in the Bible. 666 00:33:36,933 --> 00:33:40,099 Because losing your salvation after 667 00:33:40,133 --> 00:33:43,733 you genuinely have it is false doctrine. 668 00:33:43,833 --> 00:33:44,366 That's why. 669 00:33:44,933 --> 00:33:48,233 And of course, Satan 670 00:33:48,233 --> 00:33:50,633 wants us to be afraid that we don't really have salvation. 671 00:33:50,700 --> 00:33:51,666 Of course he does. 672 00:33:51,766 --> 00:33:54,900 Because he loves for Christians to be miserable. 673 00:33:55,833 --> 00:33:59,299 He's a far more adept 674 00:33:59,333 --> 00:34:01,566 to theologian than any of us. 675 00:34:01,666 --> 00:34:02,333 And guess what? 676 00:34:02,633 --> 00:34:05,766 He knows expertly that 677 00:34:05,766 --> 00:34:08,900 the doctrine of the eternal security of the believer is 678 00:34:08,933 --> 00:34:10,800 true. 679 00:34:10,833 --> 00:34:13,833 And he also knows that what that means is, he 680 00:34:13,833 --> 00:34:15,633 can't have us, no matter what. 681 00:34:15,766 --> 00:34:18,000 So he figures, why not? 682 00:34:18,166 --> 00:34:21,400 While he has access to us, make 683 00:34:21,400 --> 00:34:24,533 us despair and doubt and 684 00:34:24,533 --> 00:34:27,900 worry and be miserable about the state of our soul. 685 00:34:28,199 --> 00:34:31,733 Remember, he hates us. 686 00:34:31,833 --> 00:34:34,666 With a supernatural level of hate. 687 00:34:35,699 --> 00:34:38,733 So any amount of adversity that he can cause 688 00:34:38,733 --> 00:34:41,733 us is his goal, every minute of 689 00:34:41,733 --> 00:34:43,366 every single day. 690 00:34:44,199 --> 00:34:45,933 And he hates God. 691 00:34:46,800 --> 00:34:49,966 He hates God with a seething, 692 00:34:49,966 --> 00:34:53,266 vicious hatred, and he wants us to 693 00:34:53,266 --> 00:34:55,300 doubt the promises of God. 694 00:34:56,433 --> 00:34:59,866 He wants us to believe that 695 00:34:59,866 --> 00:35:02,333 God does not keep his word. 696 00:35:02,699 --> 00:35:05,733 He wants us to believe that 697 00:35:05,733 --> 00:35:07,699 salvation isn't forever. 698 00:35:07,800 --> 00:35:11,033 and that God can't hold on to us, 699 00:35:11,033 --> 00:35:14,933 and he will use men 700 00:35:14,933 --> 00:35:18,833 and any and all types 701 00:35:18,833 --> 00:35:22,533 of the twisting of scripture to 702 00:35:22,533 --> 00:35:25,099 convince us of what he wants. 703 00:35:25,199 --> 00:35:28,266 He wants us to deny God's power. 704 00:35:28,666 --> 00:35:32,333 He wants us to deny God's resources. 705 00:35:32,400 --> 00:35:35,533 He wants us to deny that 706 00:35:35,533 --> 00:35:39,333 God speaks the truth, just like in the garden at the very beginning. 707 00:35:39,400 --> 00:35:42,466 And all of these things are simply denials of that. 708 00:35:42,633 --> 00:35:46,833 That God speaks the truth in his word. 709 00:35:46,966 --> 00:35:50,266 So how do we react properly 710 00:35:50,266 --> 00:35:52,433 and biblically to all of that? 711 00:35:52,500 --> 00:35:55,966 Well, as often as the case, we 712 00:35:55,966 --> 00:35:59,500 have to use our minds to 713 00:35:59,500 --> 00:36:02,566 read and comprehend our Bibles and have 714 00:36:02,566 --> 00:36:06,400 a solid understanding of just basic, 715 00:36:06,400 --> 00:36:09,866 fundamental, sound doctrine, for example, 716 00:36:09,900 --> 00:36:14,099 as easily proven from scripture, is this reality. 717 00:36:15,000 --> 00:36:18,066 That if you have a past salvation 718 00:36:18,066 --> 00:36:21,566 that we've talked about, then 719 00:36:21,599 --> 00:36:24,666 without question, you have a future 720 00:36:24,666 --> 00:36:29,133 salvation that is guarantee. 721 00:36:29,266 --> 00:36:30,633 How do I know that? 722 00:36:30,699 --> 00:36:34,166 Because there is no other kind of salvation 723 00:36:34,199 --> 00:36:35,766 that's found in the Bible. 724 00:36:36,699 --> 00:36:39,833 There's no other kind of salvation that has 725 00:36:39,833 --> 00:36:43,066 the 3 dimensions that I've taught you past, 726 00:36:43,066 --> 00:36:46,300 present, and future, justification, sanctification, and glorification. 727 00:36:46,500 --> 00:36:50,333 Those are the three most fundamental 728 00:36:50,333 --> 00:36:53,566 Christian doctrines of the Christian faith that every Christian 729 00:36:53,566 --> 00:36:55,233 absolutely must understand. 730 00:36:55,900 --> 00:36:58,900 You must understand those doctrines separately. 731 00:36:59,099 --> 00:37:03,633 And you must also understand how 732 00:37:03,633 --> 00:37:05,300 they inseparably work together. 733 00:37:05,400 --> 00:37:08,466 And if you sit in here in this 734 00:37:08,466 --> 00:37:11,599 church this morning, and you profess to be a Christian, and 735 00:37:11,633 --> 00:37:15,400 you don't understand what I just said, please come see me immediately 736 00:37:15,400 --> 00:37:18,333 after church, and we will get that straight today. 737 00:37:18,466 --> 00:37:19,500 Amen. 738 00:37:19,533 --> 00:37:21,400 And you know where we'll start? 739 00:37:21,533 --> 00:37:24,000 Romans chapter 8, verse 29. 740 00:37:24,233 --> 00:37:24,699 Look at it. 741 00:37:24,766 --> 00:37:27,933 For those whom he foreknew, 742 00:37:27,933 --> 00:37:31,699 he also predestined 743 00:37:31,733 --> 00:37:34,733 to become conformed to 744 00:37:34,733 --> 00:37:36,400 the image of his son. 745 00:37:36,466 --> 00:37:37,966 Now, let me ask you something. 746 00:37:38,133 --> 00:37:42,199 If Creator, omniscient, 747 00:37:42,233 --> 00:37:45,833 omnipresent, omnipotent God, 748 00:37:45,833 --> 00:37:48,900 predestined you to become conformed to the 749 00:37:48,900 --> 00:37:50,233 image of his son. 750 00:37:50,266 --> 00:37:53,433 Is there any way possible that you 751 00:37:53,433 --> 00:37:56,266 will not become conformed to the image of his son? 752 00:37:56,800 --> 00:37:58,599 I ain't too smart. 753 00:37:59,033 --> 00:38:03,066 But that makes clear sense to me, and Paul's not done, verse 30. 754 00:38:03,466 --> 00:38:06,466 And these whom he predestined, 755 00:38:06,466 --> 00:38:09,633 he also called, and these whom he called, he also 756 00:38:09,633 --> 00:38:12,800 justified, and these whom he justified, 757 00:38:12,833 --> 00:38:15,966 he also glorified, for very 758 00:38:15,966 --> 00:38:19,066 obvious reasons, this is called the golden chain of 759 00:38:19,066 --> 00:38:23,133 redemption, predestined, called, justified, glorified. 760 00:38:23,199 --> 00:38:24,833 There's nobody in the gaps there. 761 00:38:24,933 --> 00:38:27,199 You see anybody in the gaps? 762 00:38:28,433 --> 00:38:31,000 If you can find a brake in that chain. 763 00:38:31,733 --> 00:38:34,266 You also need to see me after church. 764 00:38:34,300 --> 00:38:37,300 Because I need to try to understand how your mind 765 00:38:37,300 --> 00:38:38,666 works when you read sentences. 766 00:38:39,699 --> 00:38:43,366 We're talking about biblically, understanding 767 00:38:43,366 --> 00:38:46,533 the three dimensions of salvation, past, 768 00:38:46,533 --> 00:38:49,900 present, and future, and we're talking about the guarantee of 769 00:38:49,900 --> 00:38:52,833 that future aspect of glorification. 770 00:38:52,966 --> 00:38:56,699 Folks, we just simply cannot exclude John chapter 6. 771 00:38:56,733 --> 00:38:58,233 Please look at verse 37. 772 00:38:58,833 --> 00:39:03,033 Jesus says, all that the Father gives me will come to me. 773 00:39:03,166 --> 00:39:05,433 And the one who comes to me. 774 00:39:05,500 --> 00:39:07,766 I will certainly not cast out. 775 00:39:08,633 --> 00:39:11,699 Now, that phrase right there, you got to understand, 776 00:39:11,699 --> 00:39:14,733 certainly not, see that phrase, in the Greek, you know what that 777 00:39:14,733 --> 00:39:16,000 also can be translated as? 778 00:39:16,066 --> 00:39:18,166 Under no circumstances. 779 00:39:18,233 --> 00:39:19,599 That's what it means. 780 00:39:19,666 --> 00:39:23,199 This means there are no circumstances 781 00:39:23,199 --> 00:39:26,433 in existence whereby Christ would ever 782 00:39:26,433 --> 00:39:30,033 cast anybody out who comes to him in saving faith. 783 00:39:30,099 --> 00:39:30,833 Why? 784 00:39:30,900 --> 00:39:34,066 Because the only ones who come are the ones who the 785 00:39:34,066 --> 00:39:35,933 Father gives in verse 37. 786 00:39:36,599 --> 00:39:39,466 And if God, the father. 787 00:39:39,933 --> 00:39:42,333 gives you to Christ. 788 00:39:42,400 --> 00:39:45,533 Then you have the decree of God 789 00:39:45,533 --> 00:39:48,699 himself to eternal salvation, 790 00:39:48,699 --> 00:39:52,233 and not only that, you have the response of Christ. 791 00:39:52,300 --> 00:39:53,933 to eternal salvation. 792 00:39:54,233 --> 00:39:57,699 There is absolutely no way you can lose. 793 00:39:59,266 --> 00:40:02,733 As we have learned, before, 794 00:40:02,733 --> 00:40:06,699 we are the love gifts, from 795 00:40:06,699 --> 00:40:08,800 the Father, to the Son. 796 00:40:09,033 --> 00:40:12,099 Now, this 797 00:40:12,099 --> 00:40:15,266 reality is the extremely rarefied 798 00:40:15,300 --> 00:40:18,000 error that exists within the Trinity. 799 00:40:18,099 --> 00:40:21,466 This is way above 800 00:40:21,466 --> 00:40:25,199 our human ability to fully comprehend, but 801 00:40:25,199 --> 00:40:28,433 just feel the weight of the blessing 802 00:40:28,433 --> 00:40:31,500 of understanding this in the way that we 803 00:40:31,500 --> 00:40:33,433 have been allowed to by God. 804 00:40:33,533 --> 00:40:36,833 The Son has accomplished, 805 00:40:36,833 --> 00:40:39,833 the greatest work, that has 806 00:40:39,833 --> 00:40:43,433 ever occurred, in the human experience, in 807 00:40:43,433 --> 00:40:46,500 redemption, and the Father, in 808 00:40:46,500 --> 00:40:49,666 response to this great work, gives 809 00:40:49,666 --> 00:40:53,333 the Son gifts, the 810 00:40:53,333 --> 00:40:56,400 souls of his people, that he died 811 00:40:56,400 --> 00:41:00,466 for, and the Son loves the Father. 812 00:41:01,066 --> 00:41:04,733 so much that he holds on tightly 813 00:41:04,733 --> 00:41:06,833 to the gifts that he's been given by the Father. 814 00:41:06,933 --> 00:41:08,800 He says, All that the Father, 815 00:41:08,866 --> 00:41:11,433 Look at it, gives me, will come. 816 00:41:11,566 --> 00:41:14,933 And when they come under no circumstances, 817 00:41:14,933 --> 00:41:17,800 will I ever turn them away, why? 818 00:41:17,933 --> 00:41:19,800 Well, it isn't because of you and me. 819 00:41:20,866 --> 00:41:24,033 We aren't even really into picture here, folks. 820 00:41:24,633 --> 00:41:28,533 This is all about the Son, 821 00:41:28,533 --> 00:41:31,533 loving the Father so much to ever lose 822 00:41:31,533 --> 00:41:35,300 anybody that is a love gift from the Father to the Son. 823 00:41:35,400 --> 00:41:36,733 That's what's going on here. 824 00:41:37,000 --> 00:41:38,733 Now watch this. 825 00:41:38,800 --> 00:41:41,800 Look, next in verse 38, Jesus says, for 826 00:41:41,800 --> 00:41:44,966 I have come down from heaven, not to do my 827 00:41:45,000 --> 00:41:49,033 own will, but the will of him who sent me. 828 00:41:49,066 --> 00:41:52,300 That's the Father's plan to redeem his people, to 829 00:41:52,300 --> 00:41:55,433 give them to the Son, and have the Son keep them. 830 00:41:55,500 --> 00:41:56,866 How do you know that, preacher? 831 00:41:56,933 --> 00:41:58,433 Look next in verse 39. 832 00:41:58,666 --> 00:42:01,900 This is the will of him who sent me, that of all 833 00:42:01,900 --> 00:42:03,333 that he has what? 834 00:42:03,400 --> 00:42:04,433 Given me? 835 00:42:04,500 --> 00:42:06,966 I lose nothing. 836 00:42:07,000 --> 00:42:08,800 But raise it up at the last day. 837 00:42:08,866 --> 00:42:10,800 How many does Jesus lose? 838 00:42:10,833 --> 00:42:11,433 None. 839 00:42:11,566 --> 00:42:13,533 He loses none. 840 00:42:13,599 --> 00:42:16,599 There is absolutely no loss 841 00:42:16,599 --> 00:42:20,066 between the decree of the Father, the 842 00:42:20,099 --> 00:42:23,233 gift of the Son, and the resurrection on the last day. 843 00:42:23,566 --> 00:42:25,433 Church is so clear. 844 00:42:26,133 --> 00:42:29,433 The Bible teaches that God has a 845 00:42:29,433 --> 00:42:31,366 counsel that cannot be changed. 846 00:42:31,599 --> 00:42:34,900 A calling that cannot be 847 00:42:34,900 --> 00:42:38,066 revoked, an inheritance that 848 00:42:38,099 --> 00:42:42,000 cannot be defiled, a foundation that 849 00:42:42,000 --> 00:42:45,400 cannot be shaken, a seal that 850 00:42:45,400 --> 00:42:48,566 cannot be broken, a life that cannot 851 00:42:48,599 --> 00:42:49,800 perish. 852 00:42:49,833 --> 00:42:52,466 Jesus said in John 10, 27 to 30. 853 00:42:53,099 --> 00:42:54,533 My sheep, hear my voice. 854 00:42:54,599 --> 00:42:57,933 And I know them, and they follow me, 855 00:42:57,933 --> 00:43:00,933 and I give eternal life to 856 00:43:00,933 --> 00:43:04,599 them, and they will never perish, 857 00:43:04,599 --> 00:43:08,033 and no one will snatch them out of my out of my hand. 858 00:43:08,099 --> 00:43:08,833 Verse 29. 859 00:43:09,033 --> 00:43:12,266 My father, here it is again, who has given them 860 00:43:12,300 --> 00:43:15,300 to me is greater than all, and no 861 00:43:15,300 --> 00:43:18,333 one is able to snatch them out of the father's 862 00:43:18,333 --> 00:43:20,900 hand, and just for good measure, I and the father are one. 863 00:43:22,733 --> 00:43:24,766 With his own words. 864 00:43:24,900 --> 00:43:28,566 Jesus is confirming the fact that 865 00:43:28,566 --> 00:43:32,199 a past salvation includes a future one as well. 866 00:43:32,333 --> 00:43:35,400 He gives eternal life, 867 00:43:35,400 --> 00:43:37,866 he says, and no one can reverse that. 868 00:43:38,566 --> 00:43:42,000 Now, I got to land this plane. 869 00:43:42,033 --> 00:43:43,533 Food is smelling really good right now. 870 00:43:44,566 --> 00:43:48,033 And I promise you, this week I left a lot on the table. 871 00:43:48,099 --> 00:43:51,233 Back there in the new, I got my room back, 872 00:43:51,233 --> 00:43:53,099 and Cat, Frank the Cat went outside. 873 00:43:53,133 --> 00:43:55,400 So I got to study in my room again. 874 00:43:55,533 --> 00:43:57,500 And I left a lot on the table. 875 00:43:57,599 --> 00:44:00,533 I had to really condense this, but... 876 00:44:00,533 --> 00:44:04,300 Just for quick hits, Philippians 16, 877 00:44:04,366 --> 00:44:07,433 Paul, for I am confident 878 00:44:07,433 --> 00:44:09,233 of this very thing. 879 00:44:09,333 --> 00:44:12,866 that he who began a good working, 880 00:44:12,900 --> 00:44:16,800 you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. 881 00:44:16,833 --> 00:44:17,733 That's a promise. 882 00:44:17,800 --> 00:44:19,766 He began it, he's going to finish it. 883 00:44:19,833 --> 00:44:22,599 Like, 2 Timothy 112, 884 00:44:22,666 --> 00:44:25,833 For this reason, I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed, for 885 00:44:25,833 --> 00:44:29,133 I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he 886 00:44:29,133 --> 00:44:32,133 is able to guard that which I have entrusted to him 887 00:44:32,133 --> 00:44:33,199 until that day. 888 00:44:33,300 --> 00:44:34,033 That's a promise. 889 00:44:34,199 --> 00:44:37,199 Jude verse 25, now to 890 00:44:37,199 --> 00:44:40,833 him who is able to keep you from stumbling 891 00:44:40,833 --> 00:44:43,833 and to make you stand in the 892 00:44:43,833 --> 00:44:46,833 presence of his glory, blameless with great joy. 893 00:44:46,900 --> 00:44:47,666 That's a promise. 894 00:44:47,933 --> 00:44:49,666 You getting this? 895 00:44:50,866 --> 00:44:53,433 Now, there's really much more to say about this. 896 00:44:54,099 --> 00:44:57,633 But I really hope you grab some of what I'm trying to tell you here. 897 00:44:58,533 --> 00:45:02,900 When Satan's blows of doubt and 898 00:45:02,933 --> 00:45:06,599 discouragement assail you, I'm 899 00:45:06,599 --> 00:45:09,533 telling you here today, put on the helmet of salvation. 900 00:45:09,766 --> 00:45:13,433 Put on the reality of your future glory. 901 00:45:13,500 --> 00:45:16,500 Put on the reality of the eternal security 902 00:45:16,500 --> 00:45:19,933 unbreakable of your salvation, the 903 00:45:19,933 --> 00:45:23,500 guarantee of the very eternally 904 00:45:23,500 --> 00:45:26,666 secure future that you have that lies ahead 905 00:45:26,699 --> 00:45:28,266 in glory. 906 00:45:28,833 --> 00:45:31,900 All right, let's turn over to 1 Corinthians 11. 907 00:45:32,800 --> 00:45:35,433 Because now this is what we get to do. 908 00:45:36,633 --> 00:45:39,800 We get to proclaim, and 909 00:45:39,833 --> 00:45:42,900 we get to celebrate, what 910 00:45:42,900 --> 00:45:46,033 made all this future glory possible for us. 911 00:45:47,199 --> 00:45:49,733 1 Corinthians chapter 11. 912 00:45:50,133 --> 00:45:52,466 Starting in verse 27. 913 00:45:52,733 --> 00:45:55,866 Therefore, whoever eats the 914 00:45:55,866 --> 00:45:59,199 bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner shall 915 00:45:59,199 --> 00:46:02,199 be guilty of the body in the blood of the Lord, but a 916 00:46:02,199 --> 00:46:05,500 man must examine himself, and 917 00:46:05,500 --> 00:46:08,199 in so doing, he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 918 00:46:08,266 --> 00:46:12,400 For he who eats and drinks, Each 919 00:46:12,400 --> 00:46:15,466 and drinks judgment to himself if he does not judge the body rightly. 920 00:46:15,599 --> 00:46:19,233 For this reason, many among you are weak and 921 00:46:19,233 --> 00:46:21,199 sick, and a number sleep. 922 00:46:22,433 --> 00:46:25,566 Do you get any let go and let God out of that? 923 00:46:25,833 --> 00:46:29,433 I don't find any hint of let go and let God in there. 924 00:46:29,500 --> 00:46:31,966 I find examination. 925 00:46:32,033 --> 00:46:35,933 Now, remember, I'm going to say this to you. 926 00:46:36,000 --> 00:46:37,033 to continue to say this every time. 927 00:46:37,733 --> 00:46:40,966 It's a specific context of this. 928 00:46:41,566 --> 00:46:44,633 They were getting quite out of 929 00:46:44,633 --> 00:46:46,266 hand in Corinth. 930 00:46:46,300 --> 00:46:49,833 And Paul needed to correct them about 931 00:46:49,833 --> 00:46:51,699 what was happening at the Lord's Supper. 932 00:46:51,766 --> 00:46:52,433 It was wild. 933 00:46:52,533 --> 00:46:55,599 Maybe one day I'll preach, one Corinthians, and we'll get through the 934 00:46:55,599 --> 00:46:57,166 whole thing, but they were way out of order. 935 00:46:57,233 --> 00:47:00,666 So he had to correct what was going on. 936 00:47:00,699 --> 00:47:01,433 He said, Hey. 937 00:47:01,599 --> 00:47:03,833 You need to examine yourself. 938 00:47:04,199 --> 00:47:07,500 You need to check to make sure, you know, you're 939 00:47:07,500 --> 00:47:08,633 Christian acting like this. 940 00:47:08,699 --> 00:47:11,166 So why would I quote this? 941 00:47:11,199 --> 00:47:14,133 Why do I quote this every time? 942 00:47:14,199 --> 00:47:18,833 Because I want you to feel the weightiness. 943 00:47:19,366 --> 00:47:22,433 That big word gravitas. 944 00:47:22,500 --> 00:47:23,466 I like that word better. 945 00:47:23,500 --> 00:47:26,133 Same thing, but it has a little more to it. 946 00:47:26,199 --> 00:47:29,933 The gravitas of what it is that we're doing. 947 00:47:30,099 --> 00:47:33,699 So there should be two primary 948 00:47:33,699 --> 00:47:37,666 thoughts and two primary 949 00:47:37,666 --> 00:47:40,133 emotions in my mind, and in our thinking. 950 00:47:40,199 --> 00:47:43,366 One of reverence, number one 951 00:47:43,366 --> 00:47:45,033 for what we're doing. 952 00:47:45,099 --> 00:47:48,866 So we read this verse and we say, hey, examine 953 00:47:48,900 --> 00:47:51,533 myself about the security of my salvation that I just heard about. 954 00:47:51,599 --> 00:47:54,733 But number two, pure joy. 955 00:47:55,133 --> 00:47:59,033 You should be feeling pure joy 956 00:47:59,033 --> 00:48:02,400 and thanksgiving at the same time you're being reverent 957 00:48:02,400 --> 00:48:05,533 with what we're doing, absolute joy 958 00:48:05,533 --> 00:48:08,666 of the fact that God has plucked 959 00:48:08,699 --> 00:48:10,033 you as a brand from the fire. 960 00:48:10,599 --> 00:48:13,766 And you get to come down here and 961 00:48:13,800 --> 00:48:16,966 participate in what he has commanded 962 00:48:16,966 --> 00:48:19,599 us to do until he returns. 963 00:48:19,833 --> 00:48:23,199 Preach the gospel through the Lord's 964 00:48:23,199 --> 00:48:25,300 Supper until he comes again. 965 00:48:25,366 --> 00:48:27,533 So let's bow our heads and close our eyes. 966 00:48:30,599 --> 00:48:32,633 Just take some time to do business with him. 967 00:48:35,733 --> 00:48:38,900 Consider the realities of the need for temporal forgiveness, 968 00:48:38,933 --> 00:48:42,000 that you need to ask for, that's 969 00:48:42,000 --> 00:48:46,333 rooted and grounded in the judicial position, forgiveness of Christ. 970 00:48:47,333 --> 00:48:49,500 Take a moment of silence. 971 00:48:51,300 --> 00:48:52,933 Pray. 972 00:48:52,966 --> 00:48:57,099 And, you know, one of the time.