Fuld transskription af Restraint, Warnings, Promises, and Fatherly Discipline

satisfaction you'll feel when that happens. 00:02:43.800 --> 00:02:44.520 They deserve it. 00:02:44.580 --> 00:02:45.400 They've made me angry. 00:02:46.800 --> 00:02:48.620 But wait, Paul says, 00:02:48.620 --> 00:03:01.460 I almost get the mental picture of someone taking his tongue 00:03:01.460 --> 00:03:05.620 and laying it on an altar in devotion to sin. 00:03:05.620 --> 00:03:09.080 But Paul warns us not to do that. 00:03:09.180 --> 00:03:13.420 Our bodies belong to God along with each and every member of our body. 00:03:13.860 --> 00:03:16.400 So instead of laying our tongue on an altar to sin, 00:03:16.460 --> 00:03:19.939 we take our tongue and we lay it on an altar to God. 00:03:20.500 --> 00:03:20.960 Paul says, 00:03:21.180 --> 00:03:26.200 Present your members to God as instruments of righteousness. 00:03:26.199 --> 00:03:31.560 But of course, we all know how challenging that can be at times. 00:03:31.739 --> 00:03:34.819 So listen very carefully to what Paul says in verse 14. 00:03:35.579 --> 00:03:38.839 For sin will have no dominion over you, 00:03:39.159 --> 00:03:42.620 since you are not under law, but under grace. 00:03:44.379 --> 00:03:46.859 So as Paul is dealing with this issue, 00:03:47.019 --> 00:03:51.659 he presents us with a command followed by a promise. 00:03:51.659 --> 00:03:53.560 And what's the promise? 00:03:54.699 --> 00:03:59.120 The promise is that sin is no longer your master. 00:03:59.979 --> 00:04:01.699 You belong to Christ now. 00:04:02.519 --> 00:04:05.199 Of course, sin still wants your allegiance. 00:04:06.099 --> 00:04:08.099 But you don't owe it anything. 00:04:08.280 --> 00:04:11.139 And sin does not have the authority to say, 00:04:11.539 --> 00:04:12.639 you can't follow Christ. 00:04:13.219 --> 00:04:15.139 You can't give your allegiance to him 00:04:15.139 --> 00:04:17.920 or use your members as instruments of righteousness. 00:04:18.159 --> 00:04:19.019 I'm your master. 00:04:19.819 --> 00:04:20.879 You must obey me. 00:04:21.660 --> 00:04:24.600 No, we don't belong to sin anymore. 00:04:25.780 --> 00:04:29.460 Sin, Paul says, will have no dominion over you. 00:04:30.080 --> 00:04:31.320 Because it can't. 00:04:32.939 --> 00:04:34.420 So that's the promise. 00:04:34.720 --> 00:04:35.820 And the command says, 00:04:36.360 --> 00:04:38.840 because sin has no dominion over you, 00:04:39.400 --> 00:04:41.420 don't you dare think about 00:04:41.420 --> 00:04:44.120 handing yourself back over to that sin, 00:04:44.700 --> 00:04:46.960 which Christ has freed you from. 00:04:46.959 --> 00:04:51.279 And this is an interesting dynamic 00:04:51.279 --> 00:04:53.579 that we actually see throughout Scripture. 00:04:53.739 --> 00:04:55.979 The Bible often presents us with a command 00:04:55.979 --> 00:04:58.159 and a promise side by side. 00:04:59.159 --> 00:04:59.879 So for example, 00:05:00.579 --> 00:05:02.539 Ephesians 4.30 says, 00:05:03.219 --> 00:05:05.639 Do

not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, 00:05:05.979 --> 00:05:08.120 by whom you were sealed 00:05:08.120 --> 00:05:09.839 for the day of redemption. 00:05:09.839 --> 00:05:12.339 So in that case, 00:05:12.419 --> 00:05:13.219 Paul tells believers 00:05:13.219 --> 00:05:14.599 not to grieve the Holy Spirit. 00:05:14.599 --> 00:05:16.159 And in the same verse, 00:05:16.419 --> 00:05:18.459 he reminds them that the Spirit, 00:05:18.799 --> 00:05:21.500 the same Spirit that you could potentially grieve, 00:05:21.819 --> 00:05:24.739 has sealed you for the day of redemption. 00:05:25.699 --> 00:05:28.899 So the Spirit guarantees our future. 00:05:29.679 --> 00:05:32.159 We cannot ultimately be lost, 00:05:32.160 --> 00:05:36.380 but that same Spirit can be grieved by our conduct. 00:05:37.439 --> 00:05:38.900 So if nothing else, 00:05:39.140 --> 00:05:41.260 we learn that as Christians, 00:05:41.580 --> 00:05:43.720 we cannot assume, 00:05:43.939 --> 00:05:45.620 because we are secure in Christ, 00:05:45.820 --> 00:05:46.720 that our behavior, 00:05:47.260 --> 00:05:48.320 that our obedience, 00:05:48.600 --> 00:05:49.800 or lack of obedience, 00:05:50.400 --> 00:05:52.480 to God's moral law specifically, 00:05:53.240 --> 00:05:54.240 doesn't really matter. 00:05:54.879 --> 00:05:56.440 We can't come to that conclusion. 00:05:56.640 --> 00:05:57.700 It certainly does matter. 00:05:57.800 --> 00:06:00.600 In fact, our disobedience even has consequences. 00:06:00.600 --> 00:06:05.200 And this is why the Confession says what it says 00:06:05.200 --> 00:06:07.780 in paragraph 6 of this chapter. 00:06:08.700 --> 00:06:10.920 In fact, let me read the remainder of this paragraph. 00:06:11.500 --> 00:06:12.120 It says, 00:06:12.379 --> 00:06:17.140 The law is also useful to the regenerate 00:06:17.140 --> 00:06:19.640 to restrain their corruptions 00:06:19.640 --> 00:06:21.020 because it forbids sin. 00:06:21.939 --> 00:06:23.879 The punishment threatened by the law 00:06:23.879 --> 00:06:26.240 shows them what even their sins deserve 00:06:26.240 --> 00:06:28.920 and what troubles they may expect in this life 00:06:28.920 --> 00:06:30.100 due to their sin 00:06:30.100 --> 00:06:32.840 even though they are freed from the curse 00:06:32.840 --> 00:06:35.180 and undiminished severity of it. 00:06:35.820 --> 00:06:37.820 The promises of the law likewise 00:06:37.820 --> 00:06:40.420 show them God's approval of obedience 00:06:40.420 --> 00:06:42.980 and the blessings that they may expect 00:06:42.980 --> 00:06:43.800 when they keep it 00:06:43.800 --> 00:06:45.120 even though these blessings 00:06:45.120 --> 00:06:47.180 are not owed to them by the law 00:06:47.180 --> 00:06:48.939 as a covenant of works. 00:06:49.740 --> 00:06:52.060 If men do good and refrain from evil 00:06:52.060 --> 00:06:53.720 because the law encourages good 00:06:53.720 --> 00:06:55.020 and discourages evil, 00:06:55.019 --> 00:06:56.680 that

does not indicate 00:06:56.680 --> 00:06:58.419 that they are under the law 00:06:58.419 --> 00:07:00.479 and not under grace. 00:07:01.899 --> 00:07:03.039 So last time, 00:07:03.240 --> 00:07:05.579 we talked about some of the ways 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:07.579 the moral law is still useful 00:07:07.579 --> 00:07:08.180 to the believer 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:10.299 even though he or she 00:07:10.299 --> 00:07:12.000 is not subject to it 00:07:12.000 --> 00:07:13.500 as a covenant of works. 00:07:13.560 --> 00:07:13.859 That is, 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:15.699 we are neither justified 00:07:15.699 --> 00:07:17.319 nor condemned 00:07:17.319 --> 00:07:19.180 by how well we keep the law. 00:07:19.180 --> 00:07:21.939 But it is still useful. 00:07:22.860 --> 00:07:23.800 And here the confession 00:07:23.800 --> 00:07:25.579 adds another use for it. 00:07:25.720 --> 00:07:26.560 And if I were to put this 00:07:26.560 --> 00:07:27.379 in my own words, 00:07:28.300 --> 00:07:30.160 I would say the law is useful 00:07:30.160 --> 00:07:31.600 to those of us 00:07:31.600 --> 00:07:33.199 who are regenerated 00:07:33.199 --> 00:07:34.139 or born again 00:07:34.139 --> 00:07:37.300 because it restrains 00:07:37.300 --> 00:07:38.660 disobedience 00:07:38.660 --> 00:07:40.439 by forbidding sin. 00:07:40.439 --> 00:07:42.800 Now, 00:07:43.000 --> 00:07:44.660 that point may seem 00:07:44.660 --> 00:07:45.959 too obvious to even make. 00:07:47.279 --> 00:07:47.899 Of course, 00:07:48.000 --> 00:07:48.980 the law forbids sin. 00:07:49.079 --> 00:07:50.139 Most of the Ten Commandments 00:07:50.139 --> 00:07:51.519 say something along the lines of 00:07:51.519 --> 00:07:52.740 you shall not 00:07:52.740 --> 00:07:54.100 fill in the blank. 00:07:55.600 --> 00:07:57.699 But what we have to understand 00:07:57.699 --> 00:07:59.100 is that being born 00:07:59.100 --> 00:08:00.319 of God's Spirit, 00:08:00.800 --> 00:08:01.819 given a new heart 00:08:01.819 --> 00:08:03.600 that enables us 00:08:03.600 --> 00:08:04.459 to keep the law 00:08:04.459 --> 00:08:05.879 as we've talked about, 00:08:06.360 --> 00:08:07.699 does not mean 00:08:07.699 --> 00:08:08.899 that we suddenly become 00:08:08.899 --> 00:08:09.819 perfectly obedient. 00:08:10.980 --> 00:08:11.939 It also does not mean 00:08:11.939 --> 00:08:12.839 that we suddenly have 00:08:12.839 --> 00:08:14.199 a perfect knowledge 00:08:14.199 --> 00:08:15.439 of good and evil 00:08:15.439 --> 00:08:16.860 or even a perfect knowledge 00:08:16.860 --> 00:08:17.660 of ourselves. 00:08:18.839 --> 00:08:20.399 And I suppose we all know this 00:08:20.399 --> 00:08:21.540 from personal experience, 00:08:21.620 --> 00:08:21.939 don't we? 00:08:23.139 --> 00:08:23.879 Think about 00:08:23.879 --> 00:08:25.939 what Paul tells Titus 00:08:25.939 --> 00:08:27.360 in Titus chapter 2. 00:08:28.360 --> 00:08:28.899 He writes, 00:08:29.000 --> 00:08:29.959 For the grace of God 00:08:29.959 --> 00:08:30.759 has appeared, 00:08:30.939 --> 00:08:31.920 bringing salvation 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:32.779 for all people, 00:08:33.779 --> 00:08:34.580 training us 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:36.080 to renounce ungodliness 00:08:36.080 --> 00:08:37.460 and worldly passions 00:08:37.460 --> 00:08:38.960 and to live self-controlled, 00:08:39.159 --> 00:08:39.559 upright, 00:08:39.559 --> 00:08:40.839 and godly lives 00:08:40.839 --> 00:08:42.379 in the present age. 00:08:44.059 --> 00:08:45.359 I think one of the best 00:08:45.359 --> 00:08:46.599 illustrations of this 00:08:46.599 --> 00:08:48.059 is Israel's exodus 00:08:48.059 --> 00:08:48.619 out of Egypt. 00:08:49.719 --> 00:08:50.039 So, 00:08:50.779 --> 00:08:51.779 think of Egypt 00:08:51.779 --> 00:08:53.219 as sin. 00:08:53.599 --> 00:08:55.059 It had complete control 00:08:55.059 --> 00:08:55.739 over Israel, 00:08:56.739 --> 00:08:58.539 which we can think of Israel 00:08:58.539 --> 00:08:59.939 as the child of God. 00:09:00.939 --> 00:09:01.739 But then God 00:09:01.739 --> 00:09:03.019 frees Israel 00:09:03.019 --> 00:09:03.559 from their enslavement 00:09:03.559 --> 00:09:04.759 to Egypt 00:09:04.759 --> 00:09:05.819 just as the believer 00:09:05.819 --> 00:09:06.459 is freed 00:09:06.459 --> 00:09:07.959 from sin's dominion. 00:09:09.219 --> 00:09:10.779 But what happens next? 00:09:11.699 --> 00:09:12.359 Did Israel 00:09:12.359 --> 00:09:13.779 walk away from Egypt 00:09:13.779 --> 00:09:14.939 rejoicing 00:09:14.939 --> 00:09:15.539 and keeping 00:09:15.539 --> 00:09:16.119 the commandments 00:09:16.119 --> 00:09:17.079 of God perfectly 00:09:17.079 --> 00:09:18.079 from that day forward? 00:09:19.500 --> 00:09:20.439 Not at all. 00:09:20.599 --> 00:09:21.299 They spent the next 00:09:21.299 --> 00:09:22.059 40 years 00:09:22.059 --> 00:09:23.219 wandering the wilderness, 00:09:23.500 --> 00:09:23.859 learning 00:09:23.859 --> 00:09:25.139 and being disciplined. 00:09:26.479 --> 00:09:27.099 We might say 00:09:27.099 --> 00:09:27.459 that God 00:09:27.459 --> 00:09:28.419 was putting Israel 00:09:28.419 --> 00:09:29.479 through 40 years 00:09:29.479 --> 00:09:30.419 of sanctification. 00:09:30.419 --> 00:09:30.539 salvation. 00:09:31.500 --> 00:09:32.399 And the same 00:09:32.399 --> 00:09:32.839 is true 00:09:32.839 --> 00:09:33.399 for the believer. 00:09:34.000 --> 00:09:35.000 We may no longer 00:09:35.000 --> 00:09:36.199 be under dominion 00:09:36.199 --> 00:09:36.799 of sin 00:09:36.799 --> 00:09:38.179 and we may be 00:09:38.179 --> 00:09:38.860 enabled 00:09:38.860 --> 00:09:40.279 to serve the Lord 00:09:40.279 --> 00:09:40.779 willingly 00:09:40.779 --> 00:09:42.799 and happily 00:09:42.799 --> 00:09:43.779 keep His commandments, 00:09:43.779 --> 00:09:46.079 but we all know 00:09:46.079 --> 00:09:47.079 we're far from perfect. 00:09:48.539 --> 00:09:49.620 And so the same grace 00:09:49.620

--> 00:09:50.600 that saved us 00:09:50.600 --> 00:09:51.439 is the grace 00:09:51.439 --> 00:09:52.919 that trains us 00:09:52.919 --> 00:09:54.399 in the present age. 00:09:56.199 --> 00:09:57.039 And of course 00:09:57.039 --> 00:09:57.939 part of that training 00:09:57.939 --> 00:09:58.659 comes through 00:09:58.659 --> 00:09:59.279 the commandments 00:09:59.279 --> 00:09:59.980 of God 00:09:59.980 --> 00:10:01.579 which show us 00:10:01.579 --> 00:10:03.519 what sin is. 00:10:05.620 --> 00:10:06.220 Naturally, 00:10:06.919 --> 00:10:08.059 we might be willing 00:10:08.059 --> 00:10:08.759 to identify 00:10:08.759 --> 00:10:09.679 certain sins 00:10:09.679 --> 00:10:10.319 as sins. 00:10:10.459 --> 00:10:11.299 Murder is a pretty 00:10:11.299 --> 00:10:12.360 easy one to recognize. 00:10:12.360 --> 00:10:14.639 But what about 00:10:14.639 --> 00:10:16.480 say gossip? 00:10:18.220 --> 00:10:19.399 We might think 00:10:19.399 --> 00:10:19.820 well, 00:10:19.940 --> 00:10:21.159 I'm only gossiping 00:10:21.159 --> 00:10:22.180 because I'm concerned 00:10:22.180 --> 00:10:23.180 about this other person. 00:10:24.500 --> 00:10:25.639 But then we open 00:10:25.639 --> 00:10:26.080 the Bible 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:28.800 and God names 00:10:28.800 --> 00:10:30.039 what we are doing 00:10:30.039 --> 00:10:31.139 as sin. 00:10:32.019 --> 00:10:32.840 And suddenly 00:10:32.840 --> 00:10:34.820 our corruption 00:10:34.820 --> 00:10:36.039 is restrained 00:10:36.039 --> 00:10:37.340 as the confession says. 00:10:39.000 --> 00:10:39.980 But the Bible 00:10:39.980 --> 00:10:40.860 actually goes further 00:10:40.860 --> 00:10:41.300 than that. 00:10:41.299 --> 00:10:42.639 it not only reveals 00:10:42.639 --> 00:10:43.399 our sins 00:10:43.399 --> 00:10:44.339 and tells us 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:45.359 what we should 00:10:45.359 --> 00:10:46.240 not be doing, 00:10:46.439 --> 00:10:47.219 but it actually 00:10:47.219 --> 00:10:48.019 shows us 00:10:48.019 --> 00:10:48.719 what happens 00:10:48.719 --> 00:10:49.179 to people 00:10:49.179 --> 00:10:50.159 who refuse to listen. 00:10:52.240 --> 00:10:53.159 In other words, 00:10:53.219 --> 00:10:53.899 it warns us. 00:10:54.839 --> 00:10:55.719 And there's an example 00:10:55.719 --> 00:10:56.299 of this 00:10:56.299 --> 00:10:57.459 in 1 Corinthians 00:10:57.459 --> 00:10:58.419 chapter 10 00:10:58.419 --> 00:10:59.099 if you want 00:10:59.099 --> 00:10:59.639 to turn there. 00:11:01.639 --> 00:11:02.579 I mentioned 00:11:02.579 --> 00:11:03.919 the Israelites' 00:11:04.219 --> 00:11:05.259 time in the wilderness 00:11:05.259 --> 00:11:06.240 and Paul addresses 00:11:06.240 --> 00:11:06.879 that further 00:11:06.879 --> 00:11:09.479 in this chapter, 00:11:09.639 --> 00:11:10.740 1 Corinthians 10. 00:11:11.299 --> 00:11:13.799 Let me read 00:11:13.799 --> 00:11:14.240 some of this 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:15.259 starting at verse 1. 00:11:17.259 --> 00:11:18.319 For I do not want 00:11:18.319 --> 00:11:19.079 you to be unaware, 00:11:19.339 --> 00:11:19.579 brothers, 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.599 that our fathers 00:11:21.599 --> 00:11:23.019 were all under the cloud 00:11:23.019 --> 00:11:23.839 and all passed 00:11:23.839 --> 00:11:24.459 through the sea 00:11:24.459 --> 00:11:25.559 and all were baptized 00:11:25.559 --> 00:11:26.439 into Moses 00:11:26.439 --> 00:11:27.199 in the cloud 00:11:27.199 --> 00:11:27.959 and in the sea 00:11:27.959 --> 00:11:29.120 and all ate 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:30.500 the same spiritual food 00:11:30.500 --> 00:11:31.279 and all drank 00:11:31.279 --> 00:11:32.759 the same spiritual drink. 00:11:33.439 --> 00:11:34.199 For they drank 00:11:34.199 --> 00:11:35.479 from the spiritual rock 00:11:35.479 --> 00:11:36.399 that followed them 00:11:36.399 --> 00:11:36.979 and the rock 00:11:36.979 --> 00:11:38.000 was Christ. 00:11:38.000 --> 00:11:38.860 Nevertheless, 00:11:39.440 --> 00:11:40.500 with most of them 00:11:40.500 --> 00:11:42.779 God was not pleased 00:11:42.779 --> 00:11:44.440 for they were overthrown 00:11:44.440 --> 00:11:45.139 in the wilderness. 00:11:46.639 --> 00:11:47.840 Let me stop right there 00:11:47.840 --> 00:11:48.279 for a moment. 00:11:49.320 --> 00:11:49.799 Notice 00:11:49.799 --> 00:11:50.620 that word 00:11:50.620 --> 00:11:52.679 that Paul keeps repeating 00:11:52.679 --> 00:11:52.879 here. 00:11:52.940 --> 00:11:53.659 The word is all. 00:11:54.659 --> 00:11:55.539 Every one 00:11:55.539 --> 00:11:56.539 of these Israelites 00:11:56.539 --> 00:11:58.019 had come 00:11:58.019 --> 00:11:58.600 through the sea. 00:11:58.700 --> 00:11:59.639 They had all received 00:11:59.639 --> 00:12:01.000 the same blessings 00:12:01.000 --> 00:12:02.379 that God had provided. 00:12:02.379 --> 00:12:04.519 If we could go back 00:12:04.519 --> 00:12:04.939 in time 00:12:04.939 --> 00:12:06.799 and ask 00:12:06.799 --> 00:12:07.500 what God 00:12:07.500 --> 00:12:08.320 had done for them 00:12:08.320 --> 00:12:09.259 from start to finish, 00:12:09.360 --> 00:12:10.179 they would have told you 00:12:10.179 --> 00:12:10.879 about things 00:12:10.879 --> 00:12:11.679 that none of us 00:12:11.679 --> 00:12:12.419 has ever seen 00:12:12.419 --> 00:12:14.120 and would have 00:12:14.120 --> 00:12:15.259 a hard time imagining. 00:12:16.620 --> 00:12:17.600 But then, 00:12:17.980 --> 00:12:18.820 what does Paul say 00:12:18.820 --> 00:12:19.939 in verse 5? 00:12:20.799 --> 00:12:22.379 God was displeased 00:12:22.379 --> 00:12:23.240 with most of them 00:12:23.240 --> 00:12:25.019 and they ended up 00:12:25.019 --> 00:12:25.779 dying in the wilderness. 00:12:28.240 --> 00:12:28.580 You see, 00:12:28.659 --> 00:12:30.320 despite all of those 00:12:30.320 --> 00:12:31.759 incredible privileges, 00:12:32.379 --> 00:12:34.720 it was still not safe 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:35.860 for the

Israelites 00:12:35.860 --> 00:12:37.799 to disobey God, 00:12:38.039 --> 00:12:38.559 their Redeemer. 00:12:40.600 --> 00:12:41.159 But, 00:12:41.500 --> 00:12:42.980 why does Paul bring this up 00:12:42.980 --> 00:12:43.799 to the church at Corinth? 00:12:45.419 --> 00:12:45.980 Well, 00:12:46.120 --> 00:12:47.179 back in chapter 8, 00:12:47.399 --> 00:12:48.439 he addresses people 00:12:48.439 --> 00:12:49.399 eating food 00:12:49.399 --> 00:12:50.759 that was offered up 00:12:50.759 --> 00:12:51.159 to idols. 00:12:52.360 --> 00:12:52.679 Now, 00:12:52.779 --> 00:12:53.639 for some of the Corinthians, 00:12:54.159 --> 00:12:55.919 they understood full well 00:12:55.919 --> 00:12:56.700 that an idol 00:12:56.700 --> 00:12:58.179 wasn't really a god. 00:12:58.580 --> 00:12:59.159 It was nothing. 00:12:59.779 --> 00:13:00.460 It was a toy. 00:13:00.460 --> 00:13:02.340 And so, 00:13:02.440 --> 00:13:02.820 they thought 00:13:02.820 --> 00:13:03.940 that knowledge 00:13:03.940 --> 00:13:05.440 gave them freedom 00:13:05.440 --> 00:13:07.019 to take part 00:13:07.019 --> 00:13:07.680 in this food. 00:13:08.240 --> 00:13:09.080 What's the harm? 00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:09.720 At the end of the day, 00:13:09.780 --> 00:13:10.560 it's just food, 00:13:10.840 --> 00:13:12.019 despite what anybody else 00:13:12.019 --> 00:13:12.920 might think about it. 00:13:14.440 --> 00:13:14.960 Well, 00:13:15.060 --> 00:13:15.800 let's keep reading 00:13:15.800 --> 00:13:16.940 and notice the example 00:13:16.940 --> 00:13:17.759 Paul uses 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:19.160 regarding the Israelites here. 00:13:19.240 --> 00:13:19.860 Verse 6. 00:13:21.360 --> 00:13:21.800 Now, 00:13:21.879 --> 00:13:22.980 these things took place 00:13:22.980 --> 00:13:24.840 as examples for us 00:13:24.840 --> 00:13:26.900 that we might not desire 00:13:26.900 --> 00:13:27.540 evil 00:13:27.540 --> 00:13:28.460 as they did. 00:13:28.460 --> 00:13:30.759 Do not be idolaters 00:13:30.759 --> 00:13:31.800 as some of them were. 00:13:32.320 --> 00:13:33.000 As it is written, 00:13:33.100 --> 00:13:34.139 the people sat down 00:13:34.139 --> 00:13:35.120 to eat and drink 00:13:35.120 --> 00:13:36.200 and rose up to play. 00:13:36.620 --> 00:13:37.860 That was the moment 00:13:37.860 --> 00:13:38.580 when they built 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:39.320 the golden calf. 00:13:40.820 --> 00:13:42.080 We must not indulge 00:13:42.080 --> 00:13:43.259 in sexual immorality 00:13:43.259 --> 00:13:44.200 as some of them did. 00:13:44.460 --> 00:13:46.519 And 23,000 fell 00:13:46.519 --> 00:13:47.580 in a single day. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:50.040 We must not put Christ 00:13:50.040 --> 00:13:50.960 to the test 00:13:50.960 --> 00:13:52.060 as some of them did 00:13:52.060 --> 00:13:53.160 and were destroyed 00:13:53.160 --> 00:13:53.460 by serpents. 00:13:54.580 --> 00:13:55.620 Nor grumble 00:13:55.620 --> 00:13:56.920 as some of them did 00:13:56.919 --> 00:13:57.899 and were destroyed 00:13:57.899 --> 00:13:59.199 by the destroyer. 00:14:00.339 --> 00:14:00.740 Now, 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:01.639 these things happened 00:14:01.639 --> 00:14:02.079 to them 00:14:02.079 --> 00:14:03.039 as an example. 00:14:03.979 --> 00:14:05.159 But they were written down 00:14:05.159 --> 00:14:06.500 for our instruction 00:14:06.500 --> 00:14:07.659 on whom the end 00:14:07.659 --> 00:14:08.759 of the ages has come. 00:14:09.959 --> 00:14:10.240 Therefore, 00:14:10.419 --> 00:14:11.479 let anyone who thinks 00:14:11.479 --> 00:14:12.399 that he stands 00:14:12.399 --> 00:14:13.039 take heed 00:14:13.039 --> 00:14:13.799 lest he fall. 00:14:14.360 --> 00:14:15.159 No temptation 00:14:15.159 --> 00:14:16.199 has overtaken you 00:14:16.199 --> 00:14:17.079 that is not common 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:17.539 to man. 00:14:18.620 --> 00:14:19.439 God is faithful 00:14:19.439 --> 00:14:20.719 and he will not 00:14:20.719 --> 00:14:21.559 let you be tempted 00:14:21.559 --> 00:14:23.299 beyond your ability. 00:14:23.719 --> 00:14:24.860 But with the temptation 00:14:24.860 --> 00:14:26.259 he will also provide 00:14:26.259 --> 00:14:27.220 the way of escape 00:14:27.220 --> 00:14:28.899 that you may be able 00:14:28.899 --> 00:14:30.200 to endure it. 00:14:31.940 --> 00:14:32.419 So, 00:14:32.500 --> 00:14:33.519 Paul tells the Corinthians 00:14:33.519 --> 00:14:36.159 who think to themselves, 00:14:36.240 --> 00:14:36.980 they had other issues, 00:14:37.120 --> 00:14:38.820 but they think to themselves 00:14:38.820 --> 00:14:39.600 that eating this food 00:14:39.600 --> 00:14:40.399 offered to idols 00:14:40.399 --> 00:14:42.960 in the context 00:14:42.960 --> 00:14:44.340 of the Christian church 00:14:44.340 --> 00:14:46.240 and quite possibly 00:14:46.240 --> 00:14:47.480 during the Lord's Supper 00:14:47.480 --> 00:14:48.200 itself 00:14:48.200 --> 00:14:50.720 isn't a big deal. 00:14:50.720 --> 00:14:52.820 that maybe they need 00:14:52.820 --> 00:14:54.240 to see something 00:14:54.240 --> 00:14:55.200 of themselves 00:14:55.200 --> 00:14:56.320 in the history 00:14:56.320 --> 00:14:56.920 of Israel. 00:14:57.920 --> 00:14:58.320 In fact, 00:14:58.360 --> 00:14:59.399 he makes a pretty 00:14:59.399 --> 00:15:00.320 alarming parallel 00:15:00.320 --> 00:15:01.120 down in verses 00:15:01.120 --> 00:15:02.779 20 through 22. 00:15:03.200 --> 00:15:03.940 They have more 00:15:03.940 --> 00:15:04.340 in common 00:15:04.340 --> 00:15:05.080 with the Israelites 00:15:05.080 --> 00:15:05.840 than they'd like 00:15:05.840 --> 00:15:06.279 to think. 00:15:08.160 --> 00:15:08.920 But Paul doesn't 00:15:08.920 --> 00:15:09.840 stop at warning 00:15:09.840 --> 00:15:11.040 them about idolatry. 00:15:11.220 --> 00:15:11.740 He warns them 00:15:11.740 --> 00:15:13.300 about sexual immorality. 00:15:14.060 --> 00:15:15.180 He even warns them 00:15:15.180

--> 00:15:16.360 about grumbling, 00:15:17.000 --> 00:15:17.820 which I think 00:15:17.820 --> 00:15:18.500 is significant 00:15:18.500 --> 00:15:20.360 because that is 00:15:20.360 --> 00:15:21.720 one of those sins 00:15:21.720 --> 00:15:23.440 that seems to be 00:15:23.440 --> 00:15:24.320 almost harmless, 00:15:24.539 --> 00:15:24.799 right? 00:15:26.480 --> 00:15:27.580 And that's really 00:15:27.580 --> 00:15:28.080 the point. 00:15:29.399 --> 00:15:30.580 Paul is confronting 00:15:30.580 --> 00:15:31.299 the believers 00:15:31.299 --> 00:15:31.980 in Corinth 00:15:31.980 --> 00:15:34.379 with the moral 00:15:34.379 --> 00:15:35.259 law of God. 00:15:36.259 --> 00:15:37.580 They are believers. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:39.679 Just as the Israelites 00:15:39.679 --> 00:15:40.899 were the redeemed 00:15:40.899 --> 00:15:41.879 people of God, 00:15:42.340 --> 00:15:43.460 yet they needed 00:15:43.460 --> 00:15:44.320 to be reminded 00:15:44.320 --> 00:15:45.720 of what God's law 00:15:45.720 --> 00:15:46.299 says. 00:15:46.519 --> 00:15:47.480 It's still 00:15:47.480 --> 00:15:48.340 authoritative. 00:15:48.500 --> 00:15:49.159 It's still 00:15:49.159 --> 00:15:50.600 binding on the believer. 00:15:51.159 --> 00:15:52.179 Even as the 00:15:52.179 --> 00:15:52.799 redeemed people 00:15:52.799 --> 00:15:53.320 of God, 00:15:54.419 --> 00:15:55.039 they are either 00:15:55.039 --> 00:15:56.559 ignorant of the law, 00:15:56.960 --> 00:15:57.759 as it would seem, 00:15:57.879 --> 00:15:59.379 or they have simply 00:15:59.379 --> 00:16:00.740 neglected what it says. 00:16:01.620 --> 00:16:02.460 So they have to 00:16:02.460 --> 00:16:03.220 be told again. 00:16:04.440 --> 00:16:05.279 They still need 00:16:05.279 --> 00:16:05.639 to learn. 00:16:07.779 --> 00:16:08.580 And then comes 00:16:08.580 --> 00:16:08.980 the warning 00:16:08.980 --> 00:16:09.759 in verse 12, 00:16:09.899 --> 00:16:10.919 therefore let anyone 00:16:10.919 --> 00:16:11.600 who thinks 00:16:11.600 --> 00:16:12.740 that he stands 00:16:12.740 --> 00:16:14.120 take heed 00:16:14.120 --> 00:16:15.759 lest he fall. 00:16:15.759 --> 00:16:19.100 now a warning 00:16:19.100 --> 00:16:19.899 like this 00:16:19.899 --> 00:16:21.080 to believers 00:16:21.080 --> 00:16:23.059 may sound 00:16:23.059 --> 00:16:23.840 a little strange. 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:25.899 But I just want 00:16:25.899 --> 00:16:26.460 to point out 00:16:26.460 --> 00:16:26.960 that Paul 00:16:26.960 --> 00:16:28.220 actually applies 00:16:28.220 --> 00:16:28.639 this warning 00:16:28.639 --> 00:16:29.279 to himself. 00:16:30.419 --> 00:16:31.240 If you were to 00:16:31.240 --> 00:16:31.620 look back 00:16:31.620 --> 00:16:32.000 at the end 00:16:32.000 --> 00:16:33.100 of chapter 9, 00:16:33.240 --> 00:16:33.879 you'll see that 00:16:33.879 --> 00:16:34.860 Paul compares 00:16:34.860 --> 00:16:35.799 the Christian life 00:16:35.799 --> 00:16:36.500 to a

race. 00:16:36.600 --> 00:16:37.000 He says that 00:16:37.000 --> 00:16:37.720 every athlete 00:16:37.720 --> 00:16:40.200 exercises self-control 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:41.139 because he wants 00:16:41.139 --> 00:16:41.919 to win the prize. 00:16:41.919 --> 00:16:44.559 Then in verse 27 00:16:44.559 --> 00:16:45.839 of chapter 9, 00:16:46.199 --> 00:16:46.899 he says that 00:16:46.899 --> 00:16:47.879 he disciplines 00:16:47.879 --> 00:16:48.759 his own body 00:16:48.759 --> 00:16:49.879 and keeps it 00:16:49.879 --> 00:16:50.699 under control 00:16:50.699 --> 00:16:52.419 lest after 00:16:52.419 --> 00:16:53.539 preaching to others 00:16:53.539 --> 00:16:54.539 he himself 00:16:54.539 --> 00:16:56.039 should be disqualified. 00:16:57.899 --> 00:16:58.199 So, 00:16:58.459 --> 00:16:59.559 Paul is not 00:16:59.559 --> 00:17:00.319 issuing a warning 00:17:00.319 --> 00:17:00.839 here that he 00:17:00.839 --> 00:17:01.599 doesn't apply 00:17:01.599 --> 00:17:02.719 personally to himself. 00:17:04.099 --> 00:17:05.039 Even so, 00:17:05.099 --> 00:17:05.420 it's still 00:17:05.420 --> 00:17:06.339 somewhat surprising. 00:17:06.539 --> 00:17:07.359 If God has 00:17:07.359 --> 00:17:08.200 promised to 00:17:08.200 --> 00:17:09.079 preserve his 00:17:09.079 --> 00:17:09.599 people, 00:17:09.599 --> 00:17:11.899 why does 00:17:11.899 --> 00:17:12.579 he warn us 00:17:12.579 --> 00:17:13.619 about potentially 00:17:13.619 --> 00:17:14.639 falling? 00:17:14.919 --> 00:17:15.699 And I think 00:17:15.699 --> 00:17:16.179 the implication 00:17:16.179 --> 00:17:16.839 here is 00:17:16.839 --> 00:17:18.079 falling away 00:17:18.079 --> 00:17:19.219 completely. 00:17:21.879 --> 00:17:22.559 Well, 00:17:22.599 --> 00:17:22.959 I suppose 00:17:22.959 --> 00:17:23.679 the first thing 00:17:23.679 --> 00:17:23.959 we should 00:17:23.959 --> 00:17:24.619 understand 00:17:24.619 --> 00:17:26.159 is that 00:17:26.159 --> 00:17:27.519 God's warnings 00:17:27.519 --> 00:17:29.240 are actually 00:17:29.240 --> 00:17:29.980 one of the 00:17:29.980 --> 00:17:30.500 means 00:17:30.500 --> 00:17:31.379 he uses 00:17:31.379 --> 00:17:32.779 to preserve 00:17:32.779 --> 00:17:33.159 us. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:35.459 So, 00:17:35.599 --> 00:17:36.019 think about 00:17:36.019 --> 00:17:36.639 what happens 00:17:36.639 --> 00:17:37.379 when a child 00:17:37.379 --> 00:17:37.980 or a parent 00:17:37.980 --> 00:17:39.199 sees his child 00:17:39.200 --> 00:17:40.299 approaching a 00:17:40.299 --> 00:17:40.759 busy road. 00:17:40.799 --> 00:17:40.980 What does 00:17:40.980 --> 00:17:41.299 he do? 00:17:42.519 --> 00:17:42.920 Well, 00:17:42.940 --> 00:17:43.420 he calls out 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:43.900 stop! 00:17:44.240 --> 00:17:44.799 Don't go 00:17:44.799 --> 00:17:45.279 in the road! 00:17:46.559 --> 00:17:47.600 And then 00:17:47.600 --> 00:17:47.880 what does 00:17:47.880 --> 00:17:48.299 the child 00:17:48.299 --> 00:17:48.559 do? 00:17:49.360 --> 00:17:49.580 Well, 00:17:49.600 --> 00:17:50.059 God willing, 00:17:50.200 --> 00:17:50.840 he stops. 00:17:52.059 --> 00:17:52.720 His life 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:53.180 is saved. 00:17:54.180 --> 00:17:54.600 So, 00:17:54.720 --> 00:17:54.980 what does 00:17:54.980 --> 00:17:55.380 the warning 00:17:55.380 --> 00:17:55.819 accomplish? 00:17:56.819 --> 00:17:57.200 Of course, 00:17:57.259 --> 00:17:57.600 it prevented 00:17:57.600 --> 00:17:58.019 the child 00:17:58.019 --> 00:17:58.559 from walking 00:17:58.559 --> 00:17:59.180 in the danger. 00:17:59.360 --> 00:17:59.819 It spared 00:17:59.819 --> 00:18:00.279 the child. 00:18:02.100 --> 00:18:02.519 So, 00:18:02.580 --> 00:18:02.960 the fact 00:18:02.960 --> 00:18:03.420 that God 00:18:03.420 --> 00:18:04.080 promises 00:18:04.080 --> 00:18:05.400 to preserve 00:18:05.400 --> 00:18:06.039 his people 00:18:06.039 --> 00:18:06.860 doesn't make 00:18:06.860 --> 00:18:07.380 his warnings 00:18:07.380 --> 00:18:07.960 unnecessary. 00:18:07.960 --> 00:18:08.600 In fact, 00:18:08.700 --> 00:18:09.539 he preserves 00:18:09.539 --> 00:18:10.579 us in part 00:18:10.579 --> 00:18:11.759 through those 00:18:11.759 --> 00:18:12.400 very warnings. 00:18:14.559 --> 00:18:15.400 In Hebrews 00:18:15.400 --> 00:18:16.180 chapter 3, 00:18:16.600 --> 00:18:17.019 the author 00:18:17.019 --> 00:18:17.360 writes, 00:18:17.460 --> 00:18:17.860 Take care, 00:18:17.960 --> 00:18:18.279 brothers, 00:18:18.860 --> 00:18:19.400 lest there 00:18:19.400 --> 00:18:19.880 be any 00:18:19.880 --> 00:18:20.420 of you 00:18:20.420 --> 00:18:21.240 an evil, 00:18:21.500 --> 00:18:22.079 unbelieving 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:22.559 heart, 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:23.299 leading you 00:18:23.299 --> 00:18:23.920 to fall 00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:24.559 away from 00:18:24.559 --> 00:18:24.920 the living 00:18:24.920 --> 00:18:25.299 God. 00:18:26.340 --> 00:18:27.079 But exhort 00:18:27.079 --> 00:18:27.620 one another 00:18:27.620 --> 00:18:28.460 every day, 00:18:28.559 --> 00:18:29.240 as long as 00:18:29.240 --> 00:18:29.700 it is called 00:18:29.700 --> 00:18:30.100 today, 00:18:30.680 --> 00:18:31.259 that none 00:18:31.259 --> 00:18:31.799 of you may 00:18:31.799 --> 00:18:32.500 be hardened 00:18:32.500 --> 00:18:33.079 by the 00:18:33.079 --> 00:18:33.660 deceitfulness 00:18:33.660 --> 00:18:34.240 of sin. 00:18:35.180 --> 00:18:35.579 For we 00:18:35.579 --> 00:18:35.960 have come 00:18:35.960 --> 00:18:36.360 to share 00:18:36.360 --> 00:18:36.900 in Christ, 00:18:36.900 --> 00:18:37.600 if indeed 00:18:37.600 --> 00:18:38.620 we hold 00:18:38.620 --> 00:18:39.620 our original 00:18:39.620 --> 00:18:40.400 confidence 00:18:40.400 --> 00:18:41.560 firm to 00:18:41.560 --> 00:18:42.100 the end. 00:18:42.920 --> 00:18:43.360 So, 00:18:43.420 --> 00:18:43.960 there's a 00:18:43.960 --> 00:18:44.720 similar

warning 00:18:44.720 --> 00:18:45.240 and there's 00:18:45.240 --> 00:18:46.180 a responsibility 00:18:46.180 --> 00:18:48.120 to respond 00:18:48.120 --> 00:18:48.480 to that 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:48.840 warning. 00:18:49.380 --> 00:18:49.720 And God 00:18:49.720 --> 00:18:50.980 actually works 00:18:50.980 --> 00:18:51.700 through that 00:18:51.700 --> 00:18:52.840 warning to 00:18:52.840 --> 00:18:53.360 keep his 00:18:53.360 --> 00:18:54.800 people from 00:18:54.800 --> 00:18:55.519 abandoning the 00:18:55.519 --> 00:18:55.780 faith. 00:18:58.580 --> 00:18:59.420 But getting 00:18:59.420 --> 00:18:59.920 back to what 00:18:59.920 --> 00:19:00.580 Paul says here 00:19:00.580 --> 00:19:01.620 in 1 Corinthians 00:19:01.620 --> 00:19:02.019 10, 00:19:02.860 --> 00:19:03.560 you'll notice 00:19:03.560 --> 00:19:04.620 that even 00:19:04.619 --> 00:19:05.459 after Paul 00:19:05.459 --> 00:19:06.239 issues the 00:19:06.239 --> 00:19:06.539 warning, 00:19:07.500 --> 00:19:08.599 he immediately 00:19:08.599 --> 00:19:09.559 reminds us 00:19:09.559 --> 00:19:10.759 that God 00:19:10.759 --> 00:19:11.259 is faithful. 00:19:12.799 --> 00:19:13.779 He will not 00:19:13.779 --> 00:19:14.479 allow us to 00:19:14.479 --> 00:19:15.039 be tempted 00:19:15.039 --> 00:19:16.099 beyond our 00:19:16.099 --> 00:19:16.719 own ability. 00:19:17.299 --> 00:19:18.099 He will 00:19:18.099 --> 00:19:18.919 always provide 00:19:18.919 --> 00:19:19.319 a way of 00:19:19.319 --> 00:19:19.599 escape. 00:19:19.719 --> 00:19:20.039 And then he 00:19:20.039 --> 00:19:20.379 adds, 00:19:20.519 --> 00:19:20.759 therefore, 00:19:20.959 --> 00:19:21.439 my beloved, 00:19:22.519 --> 00:19:23.119 flee from 00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:23.679 idolatry. 00:19:26.039 --> 00:19:26.559 So, 00:19:26.679 --> 00:19:27.419 we have a 00:19:27.419 --> 00:19:27.799 warning, 00:19:28.439 --> 00:19:29.619 followed by a 00:19:29.619 --> 00:19:30.059 promise, 00:19:30.879 --> 00:19:31.519 followed by a 00:19:31.519 --> 00:19:31.739 command, 00:19:31.819 --> 00:19:32.179 and they're all 00:19:32.180 --> 00:19:32.940 working together, 00:19:33.140 --> 00:19:33.440 you see. 00:19:34.220 --> 00:19:35.120 God warns us 00:19:35.120 --> 00:19:35.519 about the 00:19:35.519 --> 00:19:36.039 danger of 00:19:36.039 --> 00:19:36.299 sin, 00:19:37.019 --> 00:19:37.960 he promises 00:19:37.960 --> 00:19:38.860 us the 00:19:38.860 --> 00:19:39.320 help we 00:19:39.320 --> 00:19:39.940 need to 00:19:39.940 --> 00:19:40.620 resist 00:19:40.620 --> 00:19:41.539 temptations, 00:19:41.620 --> 00:19:42.140 and then he 00:19:42.140 --> 00:19:42.900 commands us 00:19:42.900 --> 00:19:43.880 to act 00:19:43.880 --> 00:19:44.299 accordingly. 00:19:46.860 --> 00:19:47.560 Now, the 00:19:47.560 --> 00:19:48.560 confession goes 00:19:48.560 --> 00:19:49.200 on to say, 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:50.980 the punishment 00:19:50.980 --> 00:19:51.980 threatened by 00:19:51.980 --> 00:19:52.500 the law 00:19:52.500 --> 00:19:53.519 shows them 00:19:53.519 --> 00:19:54.539 what even 00:19:54.539 --> 00:19:55.240 their sins 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:55.740 deserve, 00:19:56.620 --> 00:19:57.019 and what 00:19:57.019 --> 00:19:57.680 troubles they 00:19:57.680 --> 00:19:58.320 may expect 00:19:58.320 --> 00:19:58.960 in this life 00:19:58.960 --> 00:19:59.519 due to their 00:19:59.519 --> 00:19:59.799 sin, 00:20:00.100 --> 00:20:00.920 even though 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:01.720 they are freed 00:20:01.720 --> 00:20:02.160 from the 00:20:02.160 --> 00:20:03.059 curse and 00:20:03.059 --> 00:20:03.880 undiminished 00:20:03.880 --> 00:20:04.819 severity of 00:20:04.819 --> 00:20:05.019 it. 00:20:07.039 --> 00:20:08.039 So, when we 00:20:08.039 --> 00:20:08.900 read these 00:20:08.900 --> 00:20:09.779 accounts of 00:20:09.779 --> 00:20:10.819 divine judgment 00:20:10.819 --> 00:20:11.559 in the Bible, 00:20:12.140 --> 00:20:13.539 we should 00:20:13.539 --> 00:20:14.720 recognize that 00:20:14.720 --> 00:20:15.480 we are reading 00:20:15.480 --> 00:20:16.779 the punishment 00:20:16.779 --> 00:20:18.620 that our sins 00:20:18.620 --> 00:20:19.039 deserve. 00:20:20.819 --> 00:20:21.980 The fact that 00:20:21.980 --> 00:20:22.400 we've been 00:20:22.400 --> 00:20:23.519 forgiven doesn't 00:20:23.519 --> 00:20:24.759 mean our sins 00:20:24.759 --> 00:20:25.339 have somehow 00:20:25.339 --> 00:20:26.940 become less 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:27.400 serious. 00:20:28.180 --> 00:20:29.319 The wrath of 00:20:29.319 --> 00:20:30.400 God against 00:20:30.400 --> 00:20:31.279 sin hasn't 00:20:31.279 --> 00:20:31.720 diminished. 00:20:32.839 --> 00:20:33.639 Rather, Christ 00:20:33.639 --> 00:20:34.339 has borne that 00:20:34.339 --> 00:20:35.379 wrath in our 00:20:35.379 --> 00:20:35.859 place. 00:20:37.420 --> 00:20:38.079 And I think 00:20:38.079 --> 00:20:38.559 that's something 00:20:38.559 --> 00:20:39.059 we need to 00:20:39.059 --> 00:20:39.579 keep in the 00:20:39.579 --> 00:20:40.180 forefront of 00:20:40.180 --> 00:20:40.599 our minds 00:20:40.599 --> 00:20:41.680 whenever we 00:20:41.680 --> 00:20:42.079 are tempted 00:20:42.079 --> 00:20:42.700 to take 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:43.980 sin lightly. 00:20:44.339 --> 00:20:44.839 We should 00:20:44.839 --> 00:20:45.519 look at the 00:20:45.519 --> 00:20:46.059 judgments of 00:20:46.059 --> 00:20:46.420 God in 00:20:46.420 --> 00:20:46.700 Scripture, 00:20:46.940 --> 00:20:47.740 namely those 00:20:47.740 --> 00:20:48.519 upon Christ, 00:20:48.639 --> 00:20:49.240 but anywhere 00:20:49.240 --> 00:20:50.059 throughout Scripture, 00:20:50.379 --> 00:20:50.879 and say, 00:20:51.160 --> 00:20:52.559 that's what I 00:20:52.559 --> 00:20:53.039 deserve. 00:20:54.660 --> 00:20:55.480 Thanks be to 00:20:55.480 --> 00:20:56.200 Christ who has 00:20:56.200 --> 00:20:56.779 delivered me 00:20:56.779 --> 00:20:57.259

from it. 00:20:57.259 --> 00:20:59.259 God's 00:20:59.259 --> 00:20:59.619 sins. 00:20:59.619 --> 00:21:00.859 But even 00:21:00.859 --> 00:21:01.460 though Christ 00:21:01.460 --> 00:21:02.079 has delivered 00:21:02.079 --> 00:21:03.379 us from the 00:21:03.379 --> 00:21:04.160 eternal 00:21:04.160 --> 00:21:05.579 condemnation 00:21:05.579 --> 00:21:06.240 our sins 00:21:06.240 --> 00:21:06.700 deserve, 00:21:07.279 --> 00:21:08.160 that doesn't 00:21:08.160 --> 00:21:08.740 mean we're 00:21:08.740 --> 00:21:09.299 delivered from 00:21:09.299 --> 00:21:10.400 every consequence 00:21:10.400 --> 00:21:11.940 of those sins 00:21:11.940 --> 00:21:13.119 in our life. 00:21:14.420 --> 00:21:15.539 So if you will, 00:21:15.660 --> 00:21:16.259 turn over one 00:21:16.259 --> 00:21:17.019 chapter to 00:21:17.019 --> 00:21:17.579 1 Corinthians 00:21:17.579 --> 00:21:17.960 11. 00:21:17.960 --> 00:21:21.539 In this 00:21:21.539 --> 00:21:21.960 chapter, 00:21:23.059 --> 00:21:23.819 Paul addresses 00:21:23.819 --> 00:21:24.460 the Lord's 00:21:24.460 --> 00:21:24.680 Supper, 00:21:24.920 --> 00:21:25.259 and the 00:21:25.259 --> 00:21:25.559 Corinthians 00:21:25.559 --> 00:21:26.079 have been 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:26.819 making a 00:21:26.819 --> 00:21:28.079 terrible mess 00:21:28.079 --> 00:21:28.440 of it. 00:21:29.559 --> 00:21:30.319 Keep in mind 00:21:30.319 --> 00:21:30.720 that when the 00:21:30.720 --> 00:21:31.100 Corinthians 00:21:31.100 --> 00:21:32.200 observed the 00:21:32.200 --> 00:21:32.720 Lord's Supper, 00:21:32.840 --> 00:21:33.340 they did so 00:21:33.340 --> 00:21:33.920 with a full 00:21:33.920 --> 00:21:34.220 meal. 00:21:34.740 --> 00:21:35.460 So they'd sit 00:21:35.460 --> 00:21:35.940 down for a 00:21:35.940 --> 00:21:36.440 meal, they'd 00:21:36.440 --> 00:21:36.900 have the 00:21:36.900 --> 00:21:37.420 Lord's Supper 00:21:37.420 --> 00:21:38.420 in the process, 00:21:38.660 --> 00:21:39.720 and what was 00:21:39.720 --> 00:21:40.480 happening is 00:21:40.480 --> 00:21:41.079 that some 00:21:41.079 --> 00:21:41.759 were eating 00:21:41.759 --> 00:21:42.559 and drinking 00:21:42.559 --> 00:21:44.039 excessively, 00:21:44.380 --> 00:21:45.460 while others 00:21:45.460 --> 00:21:46.279 had nothing 00:21:46.279 --> 00:21:46.700 at all. 00:21:46.700 --> 00:21:48.120 So some 00:21:48.120 --> 00:21:48.600 could afford 00:21:48.600 --> 00:21:48.940 to bring 00:21:48.940 --> 00:21:49.500 all kinds 00:21:49.500 --> 00:21:49.819 of food 00:21:49.819 --> 00:21:50.519 for themselves, 00:21:51.100 --> 00:21:51.559 they weren't 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:51.940 sharing, 00:21:52.840 --> 00:21:53.819 and others 00:21:53.819 --> 00:21:54.279 couldn't afford 00:21:54.279 --> 00:21:54.640 to bring 00:21:54.640 --> 00:21:55.019 anything, 00:21:55.200 --> 00:21:55.539 and the 00:21:55.539 --> 00:21:56.000 prosperous, 00:21:56.220 --> 00:21:56.559 they're just 00:21:56.559 --> 00:21:58.440 eating it, 00:21:59.059 --> 00:21:59.640 hoarding it, 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:00.440 right in front 00:22:00.440 --> 00:22:00.980 of the others. 00:22:01.340 --> 00:22:02.100 So Paul says 00:22:02.100 --> 00:22:02.940 that what 00:22:02.940 --> 00:22:03.700 they're doing 00:22:03.700 --> 00:22:05.759 is contrary 00:22:05.759 --> 00:22:06.980 to the purpose 00:22:06.980 --> 00:22:07.860 of the Lord's 00:22:07.860 --> 00:22:08.100 Supper. 00:22:09.319 --> 00:22:10.259 So their 00:22:10.259 --> 00:22:11.059 gatherings here, 00:22:11.200 --> 00:22:11.740 they're actually 00:22:11.740 --> 00:22:12.279 doing more 00:22:12.279 --> 00:22:12.700 harm than 00:22:12.700 --> 00:22:13.019 good. 00:22:15.799 --> 00:22:16.539 Look down 00:22:16.539 --> 00:22:17.000 at verse 00:22:17.000 --> 00:22:17.599 27. 00:22:17.960 --> 00:22:18.519 Verse 27, 00:22:18.519 --> 00:22:18.720 whoever 00:22:18.720 --> 00:22:19.420 therefore 00:22:19.420 --> 00:22:20.339 eats the 00:22:20.339 --> 00:22:20.960 bread or 00:22:20.960 --> 00:22:21.639 drinks the 00:22:21.639 --> 00:22:22.000 cup of 00:22:22.000 --> 00:22:22.379 the Lord 00:22:22.379 --> 00:22:22.819 in an 00:22:22.819 --> 00:22:23.339 unworthy 00:22:23.339 --> 00:22:23.940 manner 00:22:23.940 --> 00:22:24.899 will be 00:22:24.899 --> 00:22:25.359 guilty 00:22:25.359 --> 00:22:25.960 concerning 00:22:25.960 --> 00:22:26.579 the body 00:22:26.579 --> 00:22:27.119 and blood 00:22:27.119 --> 00:22:27.379 of the 00:22:27.379 --> 00:22:27.619 Lord. 00:22:28.579 --> 00:22:29.059 Let a 00:22:29.059 --> 00:22:29.339 person 00:22:29.339 --> 00:22:29.839 examine 00:22:29.839 --> 00:22:30.359 himself, 00:22:30.899 --> 00:22:31.659 and so 00:22:31.659 --> 00:22:32.159 eat of 00:22:32.159 --> 00:22:32.579 the bread 00:22:32.579 --> 00:22:33.059 and drink 00:22:33.059 --> 00:22:33.339 of the 00:22:33.339 --> 00:22:33.559 cup. 00:22:34.039 --> 00:22:34.579 For anyone 00:22:34.579 --> 00:22:35.159 who eats 00:22:35.159 --> 00:22:35.700 and drinks 00:22:35.700 --> 00:22:36.079 without 00:22:36.079 --> 00:22:36.700 discerning 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:37.220 the body 00:22:37.220 --> 00:22:38.139 eats and 00:22:38.139 --> 00:22:38.480 drinks 00:22:38.480 --> 00:22:39.019 judgment 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.680 on himself. 00:22:40.740 --> 00:22:41.279 That is 00:22:41.279 --> 00:22:42.159 why many 00:22:42.159 --> 00:22:42.619 of you 00:22:42.619 --> 00:22:43.619 are weak 00:22:43.619 --> 00:22:44.700 and ill 00:22:44.700 --> 00:22:45.840 and some 00:22:45.840 --> 00:22:46.319 have died. 00:22:47.319 --> 00:22:48.019 But if we 00:22:48.019 --> 00:22:48.640 judged ourselves 00:22:48.640 --> 00:22:49.059 truly, 00:22:49.380 --> 00:22:50.220 we would not 00:22:50.220 --> 00:22:50.799 be judged. 00:22:51.500 --> 00:22:52.160 But when we 00:22:52.160 --> 00:22:52.640 are judged 00:22:52.640 --> 00:22:52.980 by the 00:22:52.980 --> 00:22:53.180 Lord,

00:22:53.259 --> 00:22:53.539 we are 00:22:53.539 --> 00:22:54.100 disciplined 00:22:54.100 --> 00:22:55.440 so that 00:22:55.440 --> 00:22:55.880 we may 00:22:55.880 --> 00:22:56.420 not be 00:22:56.420 --> 00:22:56.980 condemned 00:22:56.980 --> 00:22:58.220 along with 00:22:58.220 --> 00:22:58.860 the world. 00:23:00.759 --> 00:23:01.620 In the case 00:23:01.620 --> 00:23:01.819 of the 00:23:01.819 --> 00:23:02.180 Corinthians, 00:23:02.680 --> 00:23:03.580 Paul confirms 00:23:03.580 --> 00:23:04.140 that the 00:23:04.140 --> 00:23:04.840 reason some 00:23:04.840 --> 00:23:05.080 of them 00:23:05.080 --> 00:23:05.500 have gotten 00:23:05.500 --> 00:23:05.900 sick 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:07.580 and some 00:23:07.580 --> 00:23:07.799 of them 00:23:07.799 --> 00:23:08.160 have even 00:23:08.160 --> 00:23:08.519 died 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.420 is because 00:23:09.420 --> 00:23:09.840 they were 00:23:09.840 --> 00:23:10.100 under 00:23:10.100 --> 00:23:10.779 divine 00:23:10.779 --> 00:23:11.420 discipline. 00:23:11.420 --> 00:23:13.259 they were 00:23:13.259 --> 00:23:13.880 being punished 00:23:13.880 --> 00:23:15.279 for mistreating 00:23:15.279 --> 00:23:16.320 one another 00:23:16.320 --> 00:23:17.400 and the 00:23:17.400 --> 00:23:17.740 Lord's 00:23:17.740 --> 00:23:17.920 supper. 00:23:19.519 --> 00:23:20.360 But then 00:23:20.360 --> 00:23:20.860 notice what 00:23:20.860 --> 00:23:21.200 he says 00:23:21.200 --> 00:23:21.600 in verse 00:23:21.600 --> 00:23:22.100 32. 00:23:22.420 --> 00:23:22.759 He says 00:23:22.759 --> 00:23:23.039 that when 00:23:23.039 --> 00:23:23.480 believers 00:23:23.480 --> 00:23:24.300 are judged 00:23:24.300 --> 00:23:24.660 by the 00:23:24.660 --> 00:23:24.840 Lord, 00:23:24.980 --> 00:23:25.180 they're 00:23:25.180 --> 00:23:25.700 disciplined 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:27.480 so that 00:23:27.480 --> 00:23:28.960 they won't 00:23:28.960 --> 00:23:29.820 be condemned 00:23:29.820 --> 00:23:31.420 along with 00:23:31.420 --> 00:23:31.820 the world. 00:23:33.340 --> 00:23:34.039 On the 00:23:34.039 --> 00:23:34.580 one hand, 00:23:34.920 --> 00:23:35.900 God is 00:23:35.900 --> 00:23:36.259 bringing 00:23:36.259 --> 00:23:36.720 judgment 00:23:36.720 --> 00:23:37.320 upon these 00:23:37.320 --> 00:23:37.620 people, 00:23:37.759 --> 00:23:38.039 believers, 00:23:38.460 --> 00:23:38.980 the church. 00:23:39.880 --> 00:23:40.620 But on 00:23:40.620 --> 00:23:40.920 the other 00:23:40.920 --> 00:23:41.240 hand, 00:23:41.420 --> 00:23:42.420 Paul 00:23:42.420 --> 00:23:43.220 distinguishes 00:23:43.220 --> 00:23:43.759 that 00:23:43.759 --> 00:23:44.340 judgment 00:23:44.340 --> 00:23:45.840 from the 00:23:45.840 --> 00:23:46.660 condemnation 00:23:46.660 --> 00:23:47.080 that the 00:23:47.080 --> 00:23:47.580 world will 00:23:47.580 --> 00:23:47.940 receive. 00:23:50.380 --> 00:23:50.940 Well, 00:23:51.039 --> 00:23:51.680 what exactly 00:23:51.680 --> 00:23:52.019 is the 00:23:52.019 --> 00:23:52.400 difference? 00:23:53.800 --> 00:23:54.060 Well, 00:23:54.120 --> 00:23:54.480 think of the 00:23:54.480 --> 00:23:54.800 difference 00:23:54.800 --> 00:23:55.759 between a 00:23:55.759 --> 00:23:56.180 criminal 00:23:56.180 --> 00:23:57.860 being punished 00:23:57.860 --> 00:23:58.360 by a 00:23:58.360 --> 00:23:58.740 court of 00:23:58.740 --> 00:23:59.080 law 00:23:59.080 --> 00:24:00.900 and a 00:24:00.900 --> 00:24:01.620 child being 00:24:01.620 --> 00:24:02.019 disciplined 00:24:02.019 --> 00:24:02.400 by his 00:24:02.400 --> 00:24:02.660 father. 00:24:03.580 --> 00:24:04.460 A judge 00:24:04.460 --> 00:24:05.220 punishes a 00:24:05.220 --> 00:24:05.500 criminal 00:24:05.500 --> 00:24:05.840 because 00:24:05.840 --> 00:24:06.759 justice 00:24:06.759 --> 00:24:07.700 demands it, 00:24:08.580 --> 00:24:09.160 but a 00:24:09.160 --> 00:24:09.600 loving 00:24:09.600 --> 00:24:10.140 father 00:24:10.140 --> 00:24:10.720 disciplines 00:24:10.720 --> 00:24:11.420 his child 00:24:11.420 --> 00:24:12.720 because he 00:24:12.720 --> 00:24:13.180 wants to 00:24:13.180 --> 00:24:13.660 correct him 00:24:13.660 --> 00:24:14.100 for his 00:24:14.100 --> 00:24:14.600 own good. 00:24:16.180 --> 00:24:16.960 And while 00:24:16.960 --> 00:24:17.259 the two 00:24:17.259 --> 00:24:17.700 may often 00:24:17.700 --> 00:24:18.279 look very 00:24:18.279 --> 00:24:18.900 simpler from 00:24:18.900 --> 00:24:19.519 the outside, 00:24:19.680 --> 00:24:20.240 their purposes 00:24:20.240 --> 00:24:20.880 are very 00:24:20.880 --> 00:24:21.240 different. 00:24:23.120 --> 00:24:23.579 Now, 00:24:23.660 --> 00:24:23.980 again, 00:24:24.160 --> 00:24:24.779 the Christian's 00:24:24.779 --> 00:24:25.720 condemnation has 00:24:25.720 --> 00:24:26.380 already been 00:24:26.380 --> 00:24:26.839 borne by 00:24:26.839 --> 00:24:27.319 Christ. 00:24:28.319 --> 00:24:28.600 Hebrews 00:24:28.600 --> 00:24:30.180 10.14 00:24:30.180 --> 00:24:30.880 says that 00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:31.420 by a single 00:24:31.420 --> 00:24:31.860 offering, 00:24:32.600 --> 00:24:33.079 Christ has 00:24:33.079 --> 00:24:33.839 perfected for 00:24:33.839 --> 00:24:34.720 all time 00:24:34.720 --> 00:24:36.100 those who 00:24:36.100 --> 00:24:36.720 are being 00:24:36.720 --> 00:24:37.640 sanctified. 00:24:37.640 --> 00:24:37.759 sanctified. 00:24:38.960 --> 00:24:39.820 There is 00:24:39.820 --> 00:24:40.280 absolutely 00:24:40.280 --> 00:24:41.180 nothing left 00:24:41.180 --> 00:24:41.940 for us 00:24:41.940 --> 00:24:42.460 to pay 00:24:42.460 --> 00:24:43.420 toward our 00:24:43.420 --> 00:24:44.140 penalty for 00:24:44.140 --> 00:24:44.700 sin, 00:24:45.360 --> 00:24:46.500 but we 00:24:46.500 --> 00:24:46.980 are still 00:24:46.980 --> 00:24:47.300 being 00:24:47.300 --> 00:24:47.820 sanctified. 00:24:48.860 --> 00:24:49.160 God 00:24:49.160 --> 00:24:49.540

hasn't 00:24:49.540 --> 00:24:49.960 finished 00:24:49.960 --> 00:24:50.840 sanctifying 00:24:50.840 --> 00:24:51.100 us, 00:24:51.140 --> 00:24:51.540 and sometimes 00:24:51.540 --> 00:24:52.460 that means 00:24:52.460 --> 00:24:52.920 bringing 00:24:52.920 --> 00:24:53.800 painful 00:24:53.800 --> 00:24:54.360 correction 00:24:54.360 --> 00:24:55.040 into our 00:24:55.040 --> 00:24:55.400 lives. 00:24:57.300 --> 00:24:57.980 Consider 00:24:57.980 --> 00:24:58.400 David. 00:24:59.720 --> 00:25:00.540 After his 00:25:00.540 --> 00:25:01.240 adultery with 00:25:01.240 --> 00:25:02.460 Bathsheba and 00:25:02.460 --> 00:25:02.840 the murder 00:25:02.840 --> 00:25:03.860 of Uriah, 00:25:04.920 --> 00:25:05.480 the prophet 00:25:05.480 --> 00:25:06.520 Nathan confronted 00:25:06.519 --> 00:25:06.759 him. 00:25:07.680 --> 00:25:08.099 And David, 00:25:08.200 --> 00:25:08.900 he confessed 00:25:08.900 --> 00:25:09.379 his sin. 00:25:10.740 --> 00:25:11.160 And then 00:25:11.160 --> 00:25:11.460 what did 00:25:11.460 --> 00:25:12.119 Nathan say? 00:25:13.019 --> 00:25:14.000 In 2 Samuel 00:25:14.000 --> 00:25:14.859 12, 00:25:15.680 --> 00:25:16.839 he told 00:25:16.839 --> 00:25:17.480 David that 00:25:17.480 --> 00:25:17.819 the Lord 00:25:17.819 --> 00:25:18.339 had put 00:25:18.339 --> 00:25:18.819 away his 00:25:18.819 --> 00:25:19.059 sin. 00:25:19.240 --> 00:25:19.680 David was 00:25:19.680 --> 00:25:20.099 completely 00:25:20.099 --> 00:25:20.519 forgiven. 00:25:22.200 --> 00:25:22.799 But, 00:25:22.980 --> 00:25:23.980 if you keep 00:25:23.980 --> 00:25:24.299 reading, 00:25:24.480 --> 00:25:25.000 you'll find 00:25:25.000 --> 00:25:25.400 out that 00:25:25.400 --> 00:25:26.119 David still 00:25:26.119 --> 00:25:26.700 suffered 00:25:26.700 --> 00:25:27.480 consequences. 00:25:28.680 --> 00:25:29.259 His 00:25:29.259 --> 00:25:29.639 forgiveness 00:25:29.639 --> 00:25:30.160 didn't 00:25:30.160 --> 00:25:31.079 prevent all 00:25:31.079 --> 00:25:31.359 of those 00:25:31.359 --> 00:25:31.900 consequences, 00:25:32.099 --> 00:25:32.319 and the 00:25:32.319 --> 00:25:32.960 consequences 00:25:32.960 --> 00:25:34.240 did not 00:25:34.240 --> 00:25:34.779 mean that 00:25:34.779 --> 00:25:35.379 his forgiveness 00:25:35.379 --> 00:25:36.019 was somehow 00:25:36.019 --> 00:25:36.500 incomplete. 00:25:36.519 --> 00:25:39.819 And I 00:25:39.819 --> 00:25:40.160 think if we 00:25:40.160 --> 00:25:40.579 turn over 00:25:40.579 --> 00:25:41.099 to Hebrews 00:25:41.099 --> 00:25:41.940 chapter 12, 00:25:42.639 --> 00:25:43.039 it will 00:25:43.039 --> 00:25:43.599 help us to 00:25:43.599 --> 00:25:44.400 understand not 00:25:44.400 --> 00:25:45.359 only why God 00:25:45.359 --> 00:25:46.019 disciplines his 00:25:46.019 --> 00:25:46.319 children, 00:25:47.139 --> 00:25:47.980 but why that 00:25:47.980 --> 00:25:48.660 discipline is 00:25:48.660 --> 00:25:49.379 actually an 00:25:49.379 --> 00:25:50.160 expression of 00:25:50.160 --> 00:25:50.440 love. 00:25:53.779 --> 00:25:54.379 So, 00:25:54.480 --> 00:25:55.180 the letter 00:25:55.180 --> 00:25:55.500 to the 00:25:55.500 --> 00:25:56.799 Hebrews was 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:57.259 written to 00:25:57.259 --> 00:25:58.079 Christians who 00:25:58.079 --> 00:25:59.240 were experiencing 00:25:59.240 --> 00:26:00.879 considerable 00:26:00.879 --> 00:26:01.339 hardship. 00:26:02.680 --> 00:26:03.900 In chapter 10, 00:26:04.200 --> 00:26:04.639 the writer 00:26:04.640 --> 00:26:05.420 tells us that 00:26:05.420 --> 00:26:06.700 many of them 00:26:06.700 --> 00:26:07.080 had been 00:26:07.080 --> 00:26:07.680 publicly 00:26:07.680 --> 00:26:08.400 mistreated. 00:26:08.580 --> 00:26:08.820 They had 00:26:08.820 --> 00:26:09.340 suffered the 00:26:09.340 --> 00:26:09.740 loss of 00:26:09.740 --> 00:26:10.420 their property. 00:26:11.080 --> 00:26:11.560 Some of 00:26:11.560 --> 00:26:11.920 them had 00:26:11.920 --> 00:26:12.259 been 00:26:12.259 --> 00:26:12.840 imprisoned. 00:26:13.840 --> 00:26:14.259 But, 00:26:14.340 --> 00:26:14.920 these weren't 00:26:14.920 --> 00:26:16.220 people suffering 00:26:16.220 --> 00:26:17.259 necessarily because 00:26:17.259 --> 00:26:17.600 they had 00:26:17.600 --> 00:26:18.460 committed some 00:26:18.460 --> 00:26:19.380 particular sin. 00:26:20.380 --> 00:26:21.360 Many of them 00:26:21.360 --> 00:26:21.960 were suffering 00:26:21.960 --> 00:26:23.340 precisely because 00:26:23.340 --> 00:26:23.680 they had 00:26:23.680 --> 00:26:24.320 remained faithful 00:26:24.320 --> 00:26:24.860 to Christ. 00:26:24.859 --> 00:26:27.559 so, 00:26:27.719 --> 00:26:28.279 with that in 00:26:28.279 --> 00:26:28.479 mind, 00:26:28.579 --> 00:26:29.099 let me read 00:26:29.099 --> 00:26:30.379 Hebrews 00:26:30.379 --> 00:26:31.059 chapter 12 00:26:31.059 --> 00:26:31.599 starting at 00:26:31.599 --> 00:26:32.139 verse 3. 00:26:34.339 --> 00:26:35.459 Consider him 00:26:35.459 --> 00:26:36.439 who endured 00:26:36.439 --> 00:26:37.159 from sinners 00:26:37.159 --> 00:26:38.399 such hostility 00:26:38.399 --> 00:26:39.339 against himself 00:26:39.339 --> 00:26:40.679 so that you 00:26:40.679 --> 00:26:41.299 may not grow 00:26:41.299 --> 00:26:42.099 weary or 00:26:42.099 --> 00:26:42.659 faint-hearted. 00:26:43.659 --> 00:26:44.399 In your 00:26:44.399 --> 00:26:45.119 struggle against 00:26:45.119 --> 00:26:45.479 sin, 00:26:45.699 --> 00:26:46.399 you have not 00:26:46.399 --> 00:26:47.539 yet resisted 00:26:47.539 --> 00:26:48.159 to the point 00:26:48.159 --> 00:26:48.619 of shedding 00:26:48.619 --> 00:26:49.179 your blood. 00:26:50.179 --> 00:26:50.799 And have you 00:26:50.799 --> 00:26:51.319 forgotten the 00:26:51.319 --> 00:26:52.199 exhortation that 00:26:52.199 --> 00:26:53.039 addresses you 00:26:53.039 --> 00:26:53.899 as sons? 00:26:53.900 --> 00:26:55.460 My son, 00:26:55.580 -->

00:26:56.340 do not regard 00:26:56.340 --> 00:26:57.019 lightly the 00:26:57.019 --> 00:26:57.740 discipline of 00:26:57.740 --> 00:26:58.140 the Lord, 00:26:58.640 --> 00:26:59.540 nor be weary 00:26:59.540 --> 00:27:00.500 when reproved 00:27:00.500 --> 00:27:01.000 by him. 00:27:01.560 --> 00:27:02.259 For the Lord 00:27:02.259 --> 00:27:03.240 disciplines the 00:27:03.240 --> 00:27:04.140 one he loves 00:27:04.140 --> 00:27:05.220 and chastises 00:27:05.220 --> 00:27:06.340 every son 00:27:06.340 --> 00:27:06.920 whom he 00:27:06.920 --> 00:27:07.519 receives. 00:27:08.759 --> 00:27:09.640 It is for 00:27:09.640 --> 00:27:10.600 discipline that 00:27:10.600 --> 00:27:11.120 you have to 00:27:11.120 --> 00:27:11.420 endure. 00:27:12.259 --> 00:27:13.120 God is treating 00:27:13.120 --> 00:27:13.940 you as sons. 00:27:14.180 --> 00:27:14.740 For what son 00:27:14.740 --> 00:27:15.360 is there whom 00:27:15.360 --> 00:27:16.240 his father does 00:27:16.240 --> 00:27:16.900 not discipline? 00:27:17.680 --> 00:27:18.580 If you are 00:27:18.580 --> 00:27:19.200 left without 00:27:19.200 --> 00:27:19.680 discipline, 00:27:20.100 --> 00:27:20.720 in which all 00:27:20.720 --> 00:27:21.420 have participated, 00:27:21.680 --> 00:27:22.140 then you are 00:27:22.140 --> 00:27:22.780 illegitimate 00:27:22.780 --> 00:27:23.440 children and 00:27:23.440 --> 00:27:24.140 not sons. 00:27:25.400 --> 00:27:26.259 Besides this, 00:27:26.360 --> 00:27:27.100 we have had 00:27:27.100 --> 00:27:27.980 earthly fathers 00:27:27.980 --> 00:27:28.680 who disciplined 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.299 us and we 00:27:29.299 --> 00:27:30.100 respected them. 00:27:31.039 --> 00:27:31.620 Shall we not 00:27:31.620 --> 00:27:32.259 much more be 00:27:32.259 --> 00:27:32.980 subject to the 00:27:32.980 --> 00:27:33.920 father of spirits 00:27:33.920 --> 00:27:34.660 and live? 00:27:35.680 --> 00:27:36.160 For they 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:36.840 disciplined us 00:27:36.840 --> 00:27:37.380 for a short 00:27:37.380 --> 00:27:38.019 time as it 00:27:38.019 --> 00:27:38.640 seemed best to 00:27:38.640 --> 00:27:38.860 them, 00:27:39.180 --> 00:27:39.620 but he 00:27:39.620 --> 00:27:40.600 disciplines us 00:27:40.600 --> 00:27:41.180 for our 00:27:41.180 --> 00:27:41.580 good, 00:27:41.960 --> 00:27:42.559 that we may 00:27:42.559 --> 00:27:43.759 share his 00:27:43.759 --> 00:27:44.220 holiness. 00:27:45.440 --> 00:27:46.100 For the 00:27:46.100 --> 00:27:46.400 moment, 00:27:46.539 --> 00:27:47.160 all discipline 00:27:47.160 --> 00:27:48.000 seems painful 00:27:48.000 --> 00:27:48.759 rather than 00:27:48.759 --> 00:27:49.080 pleasant, 00:27:49.720 --> 00:27:50.940 but later it 00:27:50.940 --> 00:27:51.640 yields the 00:27:51.640 --> 00:27:52.660 peaceful fruit 00:27:52.660 --> 00:27:53.600 of righteousness 00:27:53.600 --> 00:27:54.800 to those 00:27:54.800 --> 00:27:55.080 who have 00:27:55.080 --> 00:27:56.180 been trained 00:27:56.180 --> 00:27:56.680 by it. 00:27:58.120 --> 00:27:58.640 Now, 00:27:58.840 --> 00:27:59.759 the first 00:27:59.759 --> 00:28:00.040 thing to 00:28:00.040 --> 00:28:00.600 notice here 00:28:00.600 --> 00:28:01.380 is how the 00:28:01.380 --> 00:28:01.800 author of 00:28:01.800 --> 00:28:03.120 Hebrews tells 00:28:03.120 --> 00:28:03.840 these Christians 00:28:03.840 --> 00:28:04.860 to consider 00:28:04.860 --> 00:28:05.400 Jesus. 00:28:07.100 --> 00:28:07.780 They are 00:28:07.780 --> 00:28:08.220 suffering, 00:28:08.600 --> 00:28:09.020 and perhaps 00:28:09.020 --> 00:28:09.540 they're beginning 00:28:09.540 --> 00:28:09.980 to wonder 00:28:09.980 --> 00:28:10.520 whether God 00:28:10.520 --> 00:28:11.120 has abandoned 00:28:11.120 --> 00:28:11.320 them. 00:28:11.380 --> 00:28:11.860 What is going 00:28:11.860 --> 00:28:12.340 on here? 00:28:12.680 --> 00:28:13.020 And the 00:28:13.020 --> 00:28:14.520 author directs 00:28:14.520 --> 00:28:15.020 their attention 00:28:15.020 --> 00:28:15.880 to Christ, 00:28:16.100 --> 00:28:17.020 who endured 00:28:17.020 --> 00:28:18.460 tremendous hostility 00:28:18.460 --> 00:28:19.079 from sinners. 00:28:20.319 --> 00:28:21.039 He faced 00:28:21.039 --> 00:28:21.460 terrible 00:28:21.460 --> 00:28:21.920 suffering, 00:28:22.019 --> 00:28:22.519 suffering that 00:28:22.519 --> 00:28:22.920 we cannot 00:28:22.920 --> 00:28:23.559 begin to 00:28:23.559 --> 00:28:23.980 comprehend, 00:28:24.579 --> 00:28:25.000 and keep 00:28:25.000 --> 00:28:25.380 in mind 00:28:25.380 --> 00:28:25.940 that Jesus 00:28:25.940 --> 00:28:26.799 was wholly 00:28:26.799 --> 00:28:27.360 innocent. 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:30.640 And then 00:28:30.640 --> 00:28:30.980 he points 00:28:30.980 --> 00:28:31.279 them to 00:28:31.279 --> 00:28:32.000 Proverbs 3, 00:28:32.860 --> 00:28:33.460 where God 00:28:33.460 --> 00:28:33.980 speaks to 00:28:33.980 --> 00:28:34.460 his people 00:28:34.460 --> 00:28:35.220 as a father 00:28:35.220 --> 00:28:36.140 speaks to 00:28:36.140 --> 00:28:36.640 his children. 00:28:37.600 --> 00:28:38.079 This is 00:28:38.079 --> 00:28:40.000 not God 00:28:40.000 --> 00:28:40.620 the judge 00:28:40.620 --> 00:28:41.360 pronouncing 00:28:41.360 --> 00:28:42.220 sentence upon 00:28:42.220 --> 00:28:42.600 criminals. 00:28:43.759 --> 00:28:44.620 He's speaking 00:28:44.620 --> 00:28:45.500 to his people 00:28:45.500 --> 00:28:46.460 as their father, 00:28:46.579 --> 00:28:46.960 and what does 00:28:46.960 --> 00:28:47.360 he say? 00:28:48.460 --> 00:28:49.640 Don't 00:28:49.640 --> 00:28:50.200 regard 00:28:50.200 --> 00:28:50.860 his discipline 00:28:50.860 --> 00:28:51.240 lightly, 00:28:51.660 --> 00:28:52.539 and don't 00:28:52.539 --> 00:28:53.200 become weary 00:28:53.200 --> 00:28:53.720 when he 00:28:53.720 --> 00:28:54.600 reproves you. 00:28:54.840 --> 00:28:55.079 Why? 00:28:56.100 --> 00:28:56.840

Because the 00:28:56.840 --> 00:28:57.640 Lord disciplines 00:28:57.640 --> 00:28:58.400 those he 00:28:58.400 --> 00:28:58.880 loves. 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:02.019 I think 00:29:02.019 --> 00:29:03.220 we sometimes 00:29:03.220 --> 00:29:03.660 have the 00:29:03.660 --> 00:29:04.480 wrong idea 00:29:04.480 --> 00:29:06.120 about discipline. 00:29:06.840 --> 00:29:07.640 When we 00:29:07.640 --> 00:29:08.079 hear that 00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:08.340 word 00:29:08.340 --> 00:29:08.960 discipline, 00:29:09.220 --> 00:29:10.059 we immediately 00:29:10.059 --> 00:29:10.799 think of 00:29:10.799 --> 00:29:11.960 punishment 00:29:11.960 --> 00:29:13.480 for something 00:29:13.480 --> 00:29:13.920 we've done 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:14.220 wrong. 00:29:16.420 --> 00:29:17.440 And obviously, 00:29:17.660 --> 00:29:18.200 discipline does 00:29:18.200 --> 00:29:18.799 include that, 00:29:18.880 --> 00:29:19.880 but the word 00:29:19.880 --> 00:29:20.840 generally speaking 00:29:20.840 --> 00:29:21.500 has a broader 00:29:21.500 --> 00:29:21.920 meaning, 00:29:22.100 --> 00:29:22.319 and it 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.120 certainly does 00:29:23.120 --> 00:29:23.759 here in 00:29:23.759 --> 00:29:24.420 Hebrews 12. 00:29:25.039 --> 00:29:26.019 It includes 00:29:26.019 --> 00:29:26.740 the training 00:29:26.740 --> 00:29:27.740 and instruction 00:29:27.740 --> 00:29:28.580 of a child. 00:29:30.059 --> 00:29:30.460 Of course, 00:29:30.500 --> 00:29:30.840 a father 00:29:30.840 --> 00:29:31.539 doesn't train 00:29:31.539 --> 00:29:32.140 his son 00:29:32.140 --> 00:29:33.720 only when 00:29:33.720 --> 00:29:34.400 his son has 00:29:34.400 --> 00:29:34.880 done something 00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:35.220 wrong, 00:29:35.680 --> 00:29:35.960 right? 00:29:37.120 --> 00:29:38.000 He teaches 00:29:38.000 --> 00:29:38.680 him to work. 00:29:39.380 --> 00:29:39.840 He teaches 00:29:39.840 --> 00:29:40.740 him to exercise 00:29:40.740 --> 00:29:41.759 good judgment, 00:29:42.039 --> 00:29:43.279 to persevere 00:29:43.279 --> 00:29:43.840 when things 00:29:43.840 --> 00:29:44.600 become difficult, 00:29:44.720 --> 00:29:45.200 and sometimes 00:29:45.200 --> 00:29:46.019 that training 00:29:46.019 --> 00:29:46.579 can be 00:29:46.579 --> 00:29:47.160 painful, 00:29:47.579 --> 00:29:48.319 even when 00:29:48.319 --> 00:29:48.700 the child 00:29:48.700 --> 00:29:49.200 hasn't done 00:29:49.200 --> 00:29:49.839 anything wrong. 00:29:52.319 --> 00:29:53.079 In fact, 00:29:53.259 --> 00:29:54.039 consider Hebrews 00:29:54.039 --> 00:29:54.579 5.8. 00:29:54.680 --> 00:29:55.819 This is speaking 00:29:55.819 --> 00:29:56.339 of Jesus, 00:29:57.079 --> 00:29:57.660 and it says, 00:29:57.819 --> 00:29:58.400 although he 00:29:58.400 --> 00:29:59.200 was a son, 00:29:59.400 --> 00:30:00.240 he learned 00:30:00.240 --> 00:30:01.200 obedience 00:30:01.200 --> 00:30:02.879 through what 00:30:02.879 --> 00:30:03.400 he suffered. 00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:06.759 Obviously, 00:30:06.960 --> 00:30:07.819 Jesus was not 00:30:07.819 --> 00:30:08.759 disciplined for 00:30:08.759 --> 00:30:09.519 disobedience. 00:30:10.720 --> 00:30:11.639 Hebrews 4.15 00:30:11.639 --> 00:30:12.339 tells us that 00:30:12.339 --> 00:30:13.079 he was without 00:30:13.079 --> 00:30:13.519 sin, 00:30:14.159 --> 00:30:16.279 but through 00:30:16.279 --> 00:30:16.899 his earthly 00:30:16.899 --> 00:30:17.460 suffering, 00:30:18.379 --> 00:30:19.839 he experienced 00:30:19.839 --> 00:30:20.720 obedience 00:30:20.720 --> 00:30:22.720 in circumstances 00:30:22.720 --> 00:30:23.859 that required 00:30:23.859 --> 00:30:24.899 tremendous 00:30:24.899 --> 00:30:25.579 endurance. 00:30:27.679 --> 00:30:28.359 Suffering can 00:30:28.359 --> 00:30:29.000 be a part 00:30:29.000 --> 00:30:29.639 of God's 00:30:29.639 --> 00:30:30.579 training without 00:30:30.579 --> 00:30:31.960 necessarily being 00:30:31.960 --> 00:30:32.579 the consequence 00:30:32.579 --> 00:30:33.059 of some 00:30:33.059 --> 00:30:33.859 particular sin. 00:30:36.419 --> 00:30:36.980 Now, 00:30:37.079 --> 00:30:37.460 what is the 00:30:37.460 --> 00:30:38.159 ultimate purpose 00:30:38.159 --> 00:30:38.899 of this discipline? 00:30:40.539 --> 00:30:41.500 We see it there 00:30:41.500 --> 00:30:42.119 in verse 10. 00:30:42.119 --> 00:30:42.959 He disciplines 00:30:42.959 --> 00:30:44.979 us for our 00:30:44.979 --> 00:30:46.779 good that we 00:30:46.779 --> 00:30:47.679 may share 00:30:47.679 --> 00:30:49.179 his holiness. 00:30:50.719 --> 00:30:51.559 That's the 00:30:51.559 --> 00:30:51.939 purpose. 00:30:53.199 --> 00:30:54.139 God is making 00:30:54.139 --> 00:30:55.179 us holy. 00:30:56.019 --> 00:30:56.539 He's making 00:30:56.539 --> 00:30:57.579 us what we 00:30:57.579 --> 00:30:57.979 were supposed 00:30:57.979 --> 00:30:58.339 to be, 00:30:58.399 --> 00:30:59.139 what we were 00:30:59.139 --> 00:31:00.359 when he first 00:31:00.359 --> 00:31:01.139 created us, 00:31:01.299 --> 00:31:01.899 what we will 00:31:01.899 --> 00:31:02.519 be again. 00:31:05.179 --> 00:31:05.719 And sometimes 00:31:05.719 --> 00:31:06.659 the circumstances 00:31:06.659 --> 00:31:08.579 we would like 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:10.019 most to escape 00:31:10.019 --> 00:31:11.420 are actually 00:31:11.420 --> 00:31:11.859 the very 00:31:11.859 --> 00:31:12.619 circumstances 00:31:12.619 --> 00:31:13.460 he uses 00:31:13.460 --> 00:31:14.299 to accomplish 00:31:14.299 --> 00:31:15.099 this purpose. 00:31:17.180 --> 00:31:17.660 Now, 00:31:17.720 --> 00:31:18.000 I'm not 00:31:18.000 --> 00:31:18.460 suggesting, 00:31:18.660 --> 00:31:18.980 and I don't 00:31:18.980 --> 00:31:19.299 think the 00:31:19.299 --> 00:31:19.720 Bible is 00:31:19.720 --> 00:31:20.119 suggesting, 00:31:20.119 --> 00:31:20.480 that we 00:31:20.480 --> 00:31:21.139 should enjoy 00:31:21.139 --> 00:31:21.559 suffering.

00:31:22.660 --> 00:31:23.039 In fact, 00:31:23.139 --> 00:31:23.639 verse 11 00:31:23.639 --> 00:31:24.779 explicitly says 00:31:24.779 --> 00:31:25.440 that discipline 00:31:25.440 --> 00:31:27.099 is very painful, 00:31:27.400 --> 00:31:27.819 it's not 00:31:27.819 --> 00:31:28.240 pleasant, 00:31:28.960 --> 00:31:30.759 but it 00:31:30.759 --> 00:31:31.460 eventually 00:31:31.460 --> 00:31:33.539 yields the 00:31:33.539 --> 00:31:34.299 peaceful fruit 00:31:34.299 --> 00:31:35.039 of righteousness 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:35.980 to those who 00:31:35.980 --> 00:31:36.259 have been 00:31:36.259 --> 00:31:37.059 trained by it. 00:31:37.059 --> 00:31:38.200 afterward is 00:31:38.200 --> 00:31:38.819 the key word 00:31:38.819 --> 00:31:39.059 here. 00:31:39.779 --> 00:31:40.299 Afterward, 00:31:40.339 --> 00:31:40.659 when we 00:31:40.659 --> 00:31:41.019 suffer, 00:31:41.679 --> 00:31:42.200 we're not 00:31:42.200 --> 00:31:43.419 naturally prone 00:31:43.419 --> 00:31:44.159 to thank God 00:31:44.159 --> 00:31:44.679 for what he's 00:31:44.679 --> 00:31:44.980 doing, 00:31:45.980 --> 00:31:47.179 but in 00:31:47.179 --> 00:31:47.539 hindsight, 00:31:48.259 --> 00:31:49.559 in hindsight, 00:31:49.740 --> 00:31:50.259 we can look 00:31:50.259 --> 00:31:51.139 back and we 00:31:51.139 --> 00:31:52.019 can recognize 00:31:52.019 --> 00:31:53.259 how he used 00:31:53.259 --> 00:31:54.879 trials to 00:31:54.879 --> 00:31:55.460 teach us. 00:31:56.000 --> 00:31:56.799 Maybe it was 00:31:56.799 --> 00:31:57.599 patience, 00:31:58.220 --> 00:31:59.879 or humility, 00:32:00.159 --> 00:32:00.819 or dependence 00:32:00.819 --> 00:32:01.339 upon him, 00:32:01.359 --> 00:32:02.059 or perhaps it 00:32:02.059 --> 00:32:02.659 was to turn 00:32:02.659 --> 00:32:03.279 us away from 00:32:03.279 --> 00:32:03.879 a sin that 00:32:03.879 --> 00:32:04.539 we had been 00:32:04.539 --> 00:32:06.059 previously unwilling 00:32:06.059 --> 00:32:06.879 to surrender 00:32:06.879 --> 00:32:07.500 until we 00:32:07.500 --> 00:32:07.819 were met 00:32:07.819 --> 00:32:08.119 with that 00:32:08.119 --> 00:32:08.539 discipline. 00:32:11.259 --> 00:32:12.539 Psalm 119, 00:32:12.819 --> 00:32:13.759 verse 67 00:32:13.759 --> 00:32:14.099 says, 00:32:14.359 --> 00:32:14.919 Before I was 00:32:14.919 --> 00:32:15.539 afflicted, 00:32:15.960 --> 00:32:16.599 I went 00:32:16.599 --> 00:32:17.059 astray, 00:32:17.500 --> 00:32:18.799 but now I 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:19.299 keep your 00:32:19.299 --> 00:32:19.659 word. 00:32:20.819 --> 00:32:21.440 And just a few 00:32:21.440 --> 00:32:22.059 verses later, 00:32:22.139 --> 00:32:22.559 the psalmist 00:32:22.559 --> 00:32:22.819 says, 00:32:23.200 --> 00:32:23.700 It is good 00:32:23.700 --> 00:32:24.279 for me that 00:32:24.279 --> 00:32:25.099 I was afflicted, 00:32:25.460 --> 00:32:26.200 that I might 00:32:26.200 --> 00:32:26.679 learn your 00:32:26.679 --> 00:32:27.279 statutes. 00:32:28.639 --> 00:32:29.919 That's quite 00:32:29.919 --> 00:32:30.460 a confession. 00:32:31.579 --> 00:32:32.019 The psalmist 00:32:32.019 --> 00:32:32.500 can now look 00:32:32.500 --> 00:32:33.179 back and say 00:32:33.179 --> 00:32:33.819 his affliction 00:32:33.819 --> 00:32:35.259 was good for 00:32:35.259 --> 00:32:35.500 him. 00:32:36.059 --> 00:32:37.359 Why? 00:32:38.419 --> 00:32:39.279 Because it 00:32:39.279 --> 00:32:39.960 taught him 00:32:39.960 --> 00:32:40.779 to obey 00:32:40.779 --> 00:32:41.359 God, 00:32:42.139 --> 00:32:42.740 specifically 00:32:42.740 --> 00:32:43.679 God's 00:32:43.679 --> 00:32:44.359 statutes, 00:32:44.480 --> 00:32:45.179 his commandments, 00:32:46.000 --> 00:32:46.720 his moral 00:32:46.720 --> 00:32:47.179 law. 00:32:49.899 --> 00:32:50.579 So, 00:32:50.779 --> 00:32:51.119 just to 00:32:51.119 --> 00:32:51.460 clarify, 00:32:51.720 --> 00:32:52.500 God disciplines 00:32:52.500 --> 00:32:53.159 his children 00:32:53.159 --> 00:32:55.039 either because 00:32:55.039 --> 00:32:55.759 they have sin 00:32:55.759 --> 00:32:56.659 and they need 00:32:56.659 --> 00:32:57.139 correction, 00:32:57.899 --> 00:32:59.079 or because 00:32:59.079 --> 00:33:00.399 it is the 00:33:00.399 --> 00:33:00.899 means by 00:33:00.899 --> 00:33:01.279 which he 00:33:01.279 --> 00:33:01.899 is teaching 00:33:01.899 --> 00:33:02.559 them something 00:33:02.559 --> 00:33:03.839 they really 00:33:03.839 --> 00:33:04.480 need to learn. 00:33:04.480 --> 00:33:06.480 God's 00:33:06.480 --> 00:33:06.539 sin. 00:33:06.539 --> 00:33:06.579 So, 00:33:06.779 --> 00:33:07.980 we don't 00:33:07.980 --> 00:33:08.380 want to walk 00:33:08.380 --> 00:33:08.880 away thinking 00:33:08.880 --> 00:33:09.180 that just 00:33:09.180 --> 00:33:09.680 because we're 00:33:09.680 --> 00:33:10.120 going through 00:33:10.120 --> 00:33:10.539 a trial, 00:33:11.059 --> 00:33:11.920 that must 00:33:11.920 --> 00:33:12.420 mean we've 00:33:12.420 --> 00:33:12.920 committed some 00:33:12.920 --> 00:33:13.200 sin. 00:33:14.440 --> 00:33:15.160 Think of 00:33:15.160 --> 00:33:15.400 Job. 00:33:15.480 --> 00:33:15.839 He was an 00:33:15.839 --> 00:33:16.539 upright man, 00:33:17.200 --> 00:33:18.160 and yet he 00:33:18.160 --> 00:33:18.480 suffered. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:20.079 Christ himself 00:33:20.079 --> 00:33:20.860 suffered, 00:33:21.480 --> 00:33:22.299 and he learned 00:33:22.299 --> 00:33:23.160 obedience through 00:33:23.160 --> 00:33:23.400 it. 00:33:25.120 --> 00:33:25.740 There's also the 00:33:25.740 --> 00:33:26.500 blind man in 00:33:26.500 --> 00:33:27.120 John chapter 00:33:27.120 --> 00:33:27.400 nine. 00:33:27.500 --> 00:33:27.860 You remember 00:33:27.860 --> 00:33:28.380 him when the 00:33:28.380 --> 00:33:29.140 disciples saw 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:29.380 him? 00:33:30.180 --> 00:33:30.799 They asked 00:33:30.799 --> 00:33:31.160 Jesus,

00:33:31.160 --> 00:33:31.880 who sinned? 00:33:32.580 --> 00:33:33.420 This man or 00:33:33.420 --> 00:33:33.940 his parents? 00:33:35.060 --> 00:33:35.500 And Jesus 00:33:35.500 --> 00:33:35.860 said, 00:33:36.040 --> 00:33:36.279 neither. 00:33:37.640 --> 00:33:38.320 That's not the 00:33:38.320 --> 00:33:38.720 point of his 00:33:38.720 --> 00:33:39.019 suffering. 00:33:41.560 --> 00:33:42.080 Regardless, 00:33:42.440 --> 00:33:43.380 the trials or 00:33:43.380 --> 00:33:44.080 the discipline 00:33:44.080 --> 00:33:45.480 are ultimately 00:33:45.480 --> 00:33:46.420 for the same 00:33:46.420 --> 00:33:46.920 purpose. 00:33:47.160 --> 00:33:47.840 It is to 00:33:47.840 --> 00:33:48.680 teach us 00:33:48.680 --> 00:33:49.600 holiness. 00:33:50.300 --> 00:33:50.740 It is to 00:33:50.740 --> 00:33:51.300 make us 00:33:51.300 --> 00:33:52.360 more holy. 00:33:53.180 --> 00:33:53.759 It is to 00:33:53.759 --> 00:33:54.460 increasingly 00:33:54.460 --> 00:33:55.380 conform us 00:33:55.380 --> 00:33:55.860 to the 00:33:55.860 --> 00:33:56.860 image of 00:33:56.860 --> 00:33:57.279 Christ. 00:33:57.460 --> 00:33:57.800 It's to 00:33:57.800 --> 00:33:58.640 sanctify us. 00:33:59.000 --> 00:33:59.300 And God 00:33:59.300 --> 00:33:59.759 does this 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.619 specifically 00:34:00.619 --> 00:34:02.660 because he 00:34:02.660 --> 00:34:03.299 loves us. 00:34:03.900 --> 00:34:04.759 It is for 00:34:04.759 --> 00:34:05.960 our good. 00:34:08.840 --> 00:34:09.340 Now, 00:34:09.440 --> 00:34:09.820 there's another 00:34:09.820 --> 00:34:10.699 part of this 00:34:10.699 --> 00:34:11.199 that we haven't 00:34:11.199 --> 00:34:11.659 talked about 00:34:11.659 --> 00:34:11.940 yet, 00:34:12.099 --> 00:34:12.519 and here's 00:34:12.519 --> 00:34:12.760 how the 00:34:12.760 --> 00:34:13.139 confession 00:34:13.139 --> 00:34:13.699 words it. 00:34:15.139 --> 00:34:15.840 The promises 00:34:15.840 --> 00:34:16.519 of the law 00:34:16.519 --> 00:34:17.659 likewise show 00:34:17.659 --> 00:34:18.900 them God's 00:34:18.900 --> 00:34:19.639 approval of 00:34:19.639 --> 00:34:20.800 obedience and 00:34:20.800 --> 00:34:21.420 the blessings 00:34:21.420 --> 00:34:22.539 they may expect 00:34:22.539 --> 00:34:23.380 when they 00:34:23.380 --> 00:34:23.900 keep it. 00:34:25.599 --> 00:34:26.360 So far, 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:26.780 all we've 00:34:26.780 --> 00:34:27.219 talked about 00:34:27.219 --> 00:34:27.559 is the 00:34:27.559 --> 00:34:28.239 prohibitions 00:34:28.239 --> 00:34:29.500 of the law 00:34:29.500 --> 00:34:29.780 and its 00:34:29.780 --> 00:34:30.179 warnings, 00:34:30.300 --> 00:34:30.480 but we 00:34:30.480 --> 00:34:30.699 have to 00:34:30.699 --> 00:34:30.960 remember 00:34:30.960 --> 00:34:31.380 that the 00:34:31.380 --> 00:34:32.659 law also 00:34:32.659 --> 00:34:33.380 contains 00:34:33.380 --> 00:34:34.099 promises. 00:34:36.900 --> 00:34:37.760 And those

00:34:37.760 --> 00:34:38.519 promises are 00:34:38.519 --> 00:34:39.719 intended to 00:34:39.719 --> 00:34:40.500 encourage us 00:34:40.500 --> 00:34:41.039 to obey 00:34:41.039 --> 00:34:41.380 God, 00:34:41.440 --> 00:34:41.619 and we 00:34:41.619 --> 00:34:41.980 find a 00:34:41.980 --> 00:34:42.539 great example 00:34:42.539 --> 00:34:42.940 of this 00:34:42.940 --> 00:34:43.659 in Ephesians 00:34:43.659 --> 00:34:44.599 chapter 6. 00:34:45.440 --> 00:34:45.739 Let me 00:34:45.739 --> 00:34:46.199 read a part 00:34:46.199 --> 00:34:46.460 of this 00:34:46.460 --> 00:34:46.800 for you. 00:34:48.400 --> 00:34:49.219 In Ephesians 00:34:49.219 --> 00:34:49.539 6, 00:34:49.639 --> 00:34:50.079 Paul says, 00:34:50.219 --> 00:34:50.539 children, 00:34:51.139 --> 00:34:51.699 obey your 00:34:51.699 --> 00:34:52.199 parents in 00:34:52.199 --> 00:34:52.500 the Lord, 00:34:52.579 --> 00:34:53.000 for this is 00:34:53.000 --> 00:34:53.280 right. 00:34:53.460 --> 00:34:54.260 Honor your 00:34:54.260 --> 00:34:54.980 father and 00:34:54.980 --> 00:34:55.320 mother. 00:34:56.300 --> 00:34:57.019 This is the 00:34:57.019 --> 00:34:57.719 first commandment 00:34:57.719 --> 00:34:58.360 with a promise. 00:34:59.500 --> 00:35:00.320 that it 00:35:00.320 --> 00:35:00.659 may go 00:35:00.659 --> 00:35:01.119 well with 00:35:01.119 --> 00:35:01.320 you, 00:35:01.739 --> 00:35:02.059 and that 00:35:02.059 --> 00:35:02.539 you may 00:35:02.539 --> 00:35:03.400 live long 00:35:03.400 --> 00:35:03.719 in the 00:35:03.719 --> 00:35:04.039 land. 00:35:04.599 --> 00:35:04.920 Fathers, 00:35:05.039 --> 00:35:05.699 do not provoke 00:35:05.699 --> 00:35:06.179 your children 00:35:06.179 --> 00:35:06.679 to anger, 00:35:06.800 --> 00:35:07.179 but bring 00:35:07.179 --> 00:35:07.659 them up in 00:35:07.659 --> 00:35:08.219 the discipline 00:35:08.219 --> 00:35:09.559 and instruction 00:35:09.559 --> 00:35:10.099 of the Lord. 00:35:11.199 --> 00:35:11.619 Now, 00:35:11.679 --> 00:35:12.320 this commandment, 00:35:13.159 --> 00:35:13.599 honor your 00:35:13.599 --> 00:35:14.039 father and 00:35:14.039 --> 00:35:14.260 mother, 00:35:14.539 --> 00:35:15.119 obviously was 00:35:15.119 --> 00:35:15.800 originally given 00:35:15.800 --> 00:35:17.000 to the 00:35:17.000 --> 00:35:17.840 Israelites way 00:35:17.840 --> 00:35:18.400 back when, 00:35:19.139 --> 00:35:19.880 as was the 00:35:19.880 --> 00:35:20.579 promise that 00:35:20.579 --> 00:35:21.059 was attached 00:35:21.059 --> 00:35:21.480 to it. 00:35:22.500 --> 00:35:22.900 Of course, 00:35:22.960 --> 00:35:23.500 it referred to 00:35:23.500 --> 00:35:24.099 the land that 00:35:24.099 --> 00:35:26.719 God was actually 00:35:26.719 --> 00:35:27.679 giving them in 00:35:27.679 --> 00:35:28.039 Canaan, 00:35:28.039 --> 00:35:29.039 but here, 00:35:29.199 --> 00:35:29.759 Paul is 00:35:29.759 --> 00:35:30.340 writing to 00:35:30.340 --> 00:35:30.940 Christians in 00:35:30.940 --> 00:35:31.500 Ephesus, 00:35:32.300 --> 00:35:33.099 many of whom 00:35:33.099 --> 00:35:33.880 were Gentiles. 00:35:35.059 --> 00:35:36.159 They weren't 00:35:36.159 --> 00:35:36.719 Israelites, 00:35:37.440 --> 00:35:38.279 living in the 00:35:38.279 --> 00:35:38.980 promised land, 00:35:39.079 --> 00:35:39.340 and yet, 00:35:39.480 --> 00:35:39.980 Paul still 00:35:39.980 --> 00:35:41.159 applies both 00:35:41.159 --> 00:35:41.860 the commandment 00:35:41.860 --> 00:35:43.759 and the promise 00:35:43.759 --> 00:35:44.139 to them. 00:35:45.759 --> 00:35:46.239 Clearly, 00:35:46.440 --> 00:35:47.079 he believes the 00:35:47.079 --> 00:35:47.860 promise continues 00:35:47.860 --> 00:35:48.820 to have significance 00:35:48.820 --> 00:35:49.659 for God's people. 00:35:51.340 --> 00:35:51.860 So, 00:35:52.000 --> 00:35:52.599 how does this 00:35:52.599 --> 00:35:53.279 apply to us? 00:35:54.480 --> 00:35:55.440 Does this mean 00:35:55.440 --> 00:35:56.360 that every child 00:35:56.360 --> 00:35:57.240 who honors his 00:35:57.240 --> 00:35:57.780 parents will 00:35:57.780 --> 00:35:59.039 live a long 00:35:59.039 --> 00:35:59.440 life? 00:36:01.360 --> 00:36:01.640 No, 00:36:01.720 --> 00:36:02.440 I don't believe 00:36:02.440 --> 00:36:02.980 that's what the 00:36:02.980 --> 00:36:03.559 Bible teaches. 00:36:05.000 --> 00:36:06.260 But there is a 00:36:06.260 --> 00:36:07.059 general principle 00:36:07.059 --> 00:36:08.260 here that 00:36:08.260 --> 00:36:09.099 remains true. 00:36:10.760 --> 00:36:11.420 God has 00:36:11.420 --> 00:36:12.559 established a 00:36:12.559 --> 00:36:13.599 certain order 00:36:13.599 --> 00:36:15.000 for human life. 00:36:15.099 --> 00:36:15.460 He's the 00:36:15.460 --> 00:36:15.840 creator. 00:36:17.559 --> 00:36:18.220 And obedience 00:36:18.220 --> 00:36:19.579 to that order 00:36:19.579 --> 00:36:21.260 is ordinarily 00:36:21.260 --> 00:36:22.059 good for us. 00:36:22.059 --> 00:36:24.400 think about 00:36:24.400 --> 00:36:24.940 all of the 00:36:24.940 --> 00:36:25.659 trouble a 00:36:25.659 --> 00:36:26.460 child can 00:36:26.460 --> 00:36:27.299 avoid simply 00:36:27.299 --> 00:36:27.980 by listening 00:36:27.980 --> 00:36:28.779 to the wise 00:36:28.779 --> 00:36:29.639 instruction of 00:36:29.639 --> 00:36:30.259 his parents. 00:36:31.139 --> 00:36:31.759 And we 00:36:31.759 --> 00:36:32.079 could say 00:36:32.079 --> 00:36:32.579 the same 00:36:32.579 --> 00:36:35.320 about every 00:36:35.320 --> 00:36:35.799 commandment. 00:36:37.039 --> 00:36:37.500 Think about 00:36:37.500 --> 00:36:38.340 how honesty 00:36:38.340 --> 00:36:39.980 protects us 00:36:39.980 --> 00:36:40.380 from the 00:36:40.380 --> 00:36:41.320 consequences of 00:36:41.320 --> 00:36:41.759 deceit. 00:36:42.579 --> 00:36:43.960 Or faithfulness 00:36:43.960 --> 00:36:44.619 protects our 00:36:44.619 --> 00:36:45.759 marriages from 00:36:45.759 -->

00:36:46.880 the consequences 00:36:46.880 --> 00:36:47.639 of adultery. 00:36:47.639 --> 00:36:49.440 or wisdom 00:36:49.440 --> 00:36:50.579 in our 00:36:50.579 --> 00:36:51.900 speech can 00:36:51.900 --> 00:36:52.440 spare us 00:36:52.440 --> 00:36:53.319 all kinds 00:36:53.319 --> 00:36:54.019 of unnecessary 00:36:54.019 --> 00:36:54.659 conflict. 00:36:57.139 --> 00:36:57.819 Of course, 00:36:57.920 --> 00:36:58.279 there are 00:36:58.279 --> 00:36:59.099 exceptions. 00:36:59.299 --> 00:36:59.879 Sometimes doing 00:36:59.879 --> 00:37:00.319 what's right 00:37:00.319 --> 00:37:00.920 actually brings 00:37:00.920 --> 00:37:01.420 trouble into 00:37:01.420 --> 00:37:01.980 our lives, 00:37:02.119 --> 00:37:02.400 right? 00:37:03.719 --> 00:37:04.500 But I want to 00:37:04.500 --> 00:37:04.739 show you 00:37:04.739 --> 00:37:05.059 something. 00:37:05.299 --> 00:37:07.039 Let me read 00:37:07.039 --> 00:37:08.299 from 1 Peter 3. 00:37:08.519 --> 00:37:09.179 Peter is writing 00:37:09.179 --> 00:37:09.900 to Christians 00:37:09.900 --> 00:37:11.079 who are 00:37:11.079 --> 00:37:11.819 experiencing 00:37:11.819 --> 00:37:12.639 hostility 00:37:12.639 --> 00:37:13.920 because of 00:37:13.920 --> 00:37:14.379 their faith, 00:37:14.719 --> 00:37:15.079 just like 00:37:15.079 --> 00:37:15.480 the Hebrews. 00:37:16.619 --> 00:37:16.940 And he 00:37:16.940 --> 00:37:17.259 essentially 00:37:17.259 --> 00:37:17.799 tells them 00:37:17.799 --> 00:37:18.299 how they 00:37:18.299 --> 00:37:18.920 should respond 00:37:18.920 --> 00:37:19.339 when other 00:37:19.339 --> 00:37:20.139 people mistreat 00:37:20.139 --> 00:37:20.379 them. 00:37:21.319 --> 00:37:21.719 Listen to 00:37:21.719 --> 00:37:21.940 what he 00:37:21.940 --> 00:37:22.259 says. 00:37:23.839 --> 00:37:24.359 Finally, 00:37:24.559 --> 00:37:25.179 all of you 00:37:25.179 --> 00:37:26.859 have unity 00:37:26.859 --> 00:37:27.420 of mind, 00:37:27.599 --> 00:37:28.019 sympathy, 00:37:28.259 --> 00:37:29.000 brotherly love, 00:37:29.079 --> 00:37:29.799 a tender heart, 00:37:29.879 --> 00:37:30.359 and a humble 00:37:30.359 --> 00:37:30.859 mind. 00:37:31.819 --> 00:37:32.319 Do not 00:37:32.319 --> 00:37:33.099 repay evil 00:37:33.099 --> 00:37:33.659 for evil, 00:37:34.019 --> 00:37:34.779 or reviling 00:37:34.779 --> 00:37:35.739 for reviling, 00:37:36.079 --> 00:37:36.559 but on the 00:37:36.559 --> 00:37:37.139 contrary, 00:37:37.539 --> 00:37:38.039 bless, 00:37:38.900 --> 00:37:40.000 for to this 00:37:40.000 --> 00:37:40.400 you were 00:37:40.400 --> 00:37:40.759 called, 00:37:41.420 --> 00:37:41.779 that you 00:37:41.779 --> 00:37:42.279 may obtain 00:37:42.280 --> 00:37:42.780 a blessing. 00:37:43.880 --> 00:37:44.300 For, 00:37:45.180 --> 00:37:45.880 this is an 00:37:45.880 --> 00:37:46.400 Old Testament 00:37:46.400 --> 00:37:46.820 quote, 00:37:47.080 --> 00:37:47.940 whoever desires 00:37:47.940 --> 00:37:48.760 to love life 00:37:48.760 --> 00:37:49.380 and see good 00:37:49.380 --> 00:37:49.740 days, 00:37:49.880 --> 00:37:50.560 let him keep 00:37:50.560 --> 00:37:51.060 his tongue 00:37:51.060 --> 00:37:51.600 from evil 00:37:51.600 --> 00:37:52.440 and his lips 00:37:52.440 --> 00:37:53.220 from speaking 00:37:53.220 --> 00:37:53.860 deceit. 00:37:54.220 --> 00:37:54.840 Let him turn 00:37:54.840 --> 00:37:55.540 away from evil 00:37:55.540 --> 00:37:56.160 and do good. 00:37:56.460 --> 00:37:57.040 Let him seek 00:37:57.040 --> 00:37:57.880 peace and 00:37:57.880 --> 00:37:58.540 pursue it. 00:37:59.100 --> 00:37:59.780 For the eyes 00:37:59.780 --> 00:38:00.220 of the Lord 00:38:00.220 --> 00:38:00.700 are on the 00:38:00.700 --> 00:38:01.000 righteous, 00:38:01.240 --> 00:38:01.960 and his ears 00:38:01.960 --> 00:38:02.500 are open 00:38:02.500 --> 00:38:02.920 to their 00:38:02.920 --> 00:38:03.360 prayer, 00:38:03.920 --> 00:38:04.620 but the face 00:38:04.620 --> 00:38:05.120 of the Lord 00:38:05.120 --> 00:38:05.620 is against 00:38:05.620 --> 00:38:06.180 those who 00:38:06.180 --> 00:38:06.740 do evil. 00:38:08.019 --> 00:38:08.460 Now, 00:38:08.600 --> 00:38:09.140 who is there 00:38:09.140 --> 00:38:09.860 to harm you 00:38:09.860 --> 00:38:10.600 if you are 00:38:10.600 --> 00:38:10.960 zealous 00:38:10.960 --> 00:38:11.500 for what is 00:38:11.500 --> 00:38:11.820 good? 00:38:12.280 --> 00:38:12.940 But even 00:38:12.940 --> 00:38:13.340 if you 00:38:13.340 --> 00:38:14.080 should suffer 00:38:14.080 --> 00:38:14.800 for righteousness 00:38:14.800 --> 00:38:15.400 sake, 00:38:16.120 --> 00:38:16.680 you will 00:38:16.680 --> 00:38:17.320 be blessed. 00:38:18.820 --> 00:38:19.540 So here, 00:38:19.700 --> 00:38:20.360 Peter quotes 00:38:20.360 --> 00:38:21.200 Psalm 34 00:38:21.200 --> 00:38:21.760 and he tells 00:38:21.760 --> 00:38:22.320 these believers 00:38:22.320 --> 00:38:23.680 that if they 00:38:23.680 --> 00:38:24.400 want to love 00:38:24.400 --> 00:38:24.800 life, 00:38:24.960 --> 00:38:25.620 if they want 00:38:25.620 --> 00:38:26.320 to see good 00:38:26.320 --> 00:38:26.760 days, 00:38:27.360 --> 00:38:27.720 they should 00:38:27.720 --> 00:38:28.200 keep, 00:38:28.540 --> 00:38:28.740 namely, 00:38:28.840 --> 00:38:29.300 their tongues 00:38:29.300 --> 00:38:29.820 from evil. 00:38:30.800 --> 00:38:31.100 They should 00:38:31.100 --> 00:38:31.600 turn away 00:38:31.600 --> 00:38:32.000 from evil, 00:38:32.100 --> 00:38:32.400 they should 00:38:32.400 --> 00:38:32.920 do good, 00:38:33.000 --> 00:38:33.300 they should 00:38:33.300 --> 00:38:34.260 pursue peace, 00:38:34.260 --> 00:38:34.680 and then he 00:38:34.680 --> 00:38:35.019 gives them 00:38:35.019 --> 00:38:35.540 a promise. 00:38:36.780 --> 00:38:37.060 He says 00:38:37.060 --> 00:38:37.600 that the eyes 00:38:37.600 --> 00:38:38.140 of the Lord 00:38:38.140 --> 00:38:38.860 are

on 00:38:38.860 --> 00:38:39.940 the righteous 00:38:39.940 --> 00:38:40.840 and his ears 00:38:40.840 --> 00:38:41.380 are open 00:38:41.380 --> 00:38:41.760 to their 00:38:41.760 --> 00:38:42.119 prayers. 00:38:44.240 --> 00:38:45.380 But here's 00:38:45.380 --> 00:38:45.780 something I 00:38:45.780 --> 00:38:46.660 find especially 00:38:46.660 --> 00:38:47.180 interesting. 00:38:47.720 --> 00:38:48.420 If you go 00:38:48.420 --> 00:38:48.780 back to 00:38:48.780 --> 00:38:49.680 Psalm 34 00:38:49.680 --> 00:38:50.539 and you 00:38:50.539 --> 00:38:50.860 read the 00:38:50.860 --> 00:38:51.500 entire Psalm, 00:38:51.619 --> 00:38:51.760 you'll 00:38:51.760 --> 00:38:52.380 discover that 00:38:52.380 --> 00:38:53.019 David says 00:38:53.019 --> 00:38:53.920 something else. 00:38:55.360 --> 00:38:56.960 In verse 19, 00:38:57.579 --> 00:38:58.200 he says, 00:38:59.039 --> 00:39:00.420 many are the 00:39:00.420 --> 00:39:01.599 afflictions of 00:39:01.599 --> 00:39:02.200 the righteous, 00:39:03.200 --> 00:39:04.700 but the Lord 00:39:04.700 --> 00:39:05.840 delivers him 00:39:05.840 --> 00:39:06.320 out of them 00:39:06.320 --> 00:39:06.539 all. 00:39:06.539 --> 00:39:08.659 so in 00:39:08.659 --> 00:39:08.960 the very 00:39:08.960 --> 00:39:09.900 Psalm where 00:39:09.900 --> 00:39:10.759 David tells 00:39:10.759 --> 00:39:12.239 us how we 00:39:12.239 --> 00:39:12.579 can see 00:39:12.579 --> 00:39:13.279 good days 00:39:13.279 --> 00:39:15.219 by doing 00:39:15.219 --> 00:39:15.519 good, 00:39:15.980 --> 00:39:16.639 by following 00:39:16.639 --> 00:39:17.159 the commandments, 00:39:17.400 --> 00:39:17.840 he also 00:39:17.840 --> 00:39:18.519 tells us that 00:39:18.519 --> 00:39:18.980 the righteous 00:39:18.980 --> 00:39:20.860 will experience 00:39:20.860 --> 00:39:21.699 many afflictions. 00:39:23.480 --> 00:39:24.079 And Peter is 00:39:24.079 --> 00:39:24.800 essentially making 00:39:24.800 --> 00:39:25.519 the same point. 00:39:25.619 --> 00:39:26.019 He says that 00:39:26.019 --> 00:39:26.699 even if Christians 00:39:26.699 --> 00:39:27.320 suffer for 00:39:27.320 --> 00:39:27.679 righteousness' 00:39:27.920 --> 00:39:28.119 sake, 00:39:28.840 --> 00:39:29.699 they are 00:39:29.699 --> 00:39:30.539 blessed. 00:39:30.539 --> 00:39:30.659 blessed. 00:39:33.119 --> 00:39:34.159 So think 00:39:34.159 --> 00:39:34.559 about what 00:39:34.559 --> 00:39:35.119 that means. 00:39:36.440 --> 00:39:37.380 The Christian 00:39:37.380 --> 00:39:38.059 who refuses 00:39:38.059 --> 00:39:38.659 to lie, 00:39:38.739 --> 00:39:39.219 for example, 00:39:40.119 --> 00:39:40.559 maybe he 00:39:40.559 --> 00:39:41.079 loses his 00:39:41.079 --> 00:39:41.420 job. 00:39:42.539 --> 00:39:43.599 Or the 00:39:43.599 --> 00:39:44.199 Christian who 00:39:44.199 --> 00:39:44.920 refuses to 00:39:44.920 --> 00:39:45.800 retaliate, 00:39:46.199 --> 00:39:47.539 maybe mistreated. 00:39:48.820 --> 00:39:49.440 But neither 00:39:49.440 --> 00:39:51.059 of them has 00:39:51.059 --> 00:39:52.000 lost God's 00:39:52.000 --> 00:39:52.579 favor by 00:39:52.579 --> 00:39:53.179 obeying him. 00:39:54.400 --> 00:39:55.019 Peter says 00:39:55.019 --> 00:39:55.340 they are 00:39:55.340 --> 00:39:55.880 blessed. 00:39:56.179 --> 00:39:56.960 God sees 00:39:56.960 --> 00:39:57.300 what they're 00:39:57.300 --> 00:39:57.559 doing. 00:39:58.279 --> 00:39:58.860 He hears 00:39:58.860 --> 00:39:59.440 their prayers 00:39:59.440 --> 00:40:00.159 and he will 00:40:00.159 --> 00:40:01.159 make good 00:40:01.159 --> 00:40:01.519 on his 00:40:01.519 --> 00:40:02.079 promises, 00:40:02.339 --> 00:40:03.500 even if 00:40:03.500 --> 00:40:04.000 they don't 00:40:04.000 --> 00:40:04.460 see the 00:40:04.460 --> 00:40:05.239 full blessing 00:40:05.239 --> 00:40:05.799 right here, 00:40:05.899 --> 00:40:06.359 right now. 00:40:09.099 --> 00:40:09.859 But wait a 00:40:09.859 --> 00:40:09.960 minute. 00:40:10.099 --> 00:40:10.599 If God 00:40:10.599 --> 00:40:11.339 promises to 00:40:11.339 --> 00:40:11.899 bless our 00:40:11.899 --> 00:40:12.319 obedience 00:40:12.319 --> 00:40:14.659 and discipline 00:40:14.659 --> 00:40:15.719 us for our 00:40:15.719 --> 00:40:16.639 disobedience, 00:40:17.159 --> 00:40:18.379 aren't we 00:40:18.379 --> 00:40:18.920 back under 00:40:18.920 --> 00:40:19.339 a covenant 00:40:19.339 --> 00:40:19.879 of works? 00:40:22.579 --> 00:40:23.039 Well, 00:40:23.059 --> 00:40:23.379 the answer 00:40:23.379 --> 00:40:23.819 is no. 00:40:23.940 --> 00:40:24.039 Now, 00:40:24.079 --> 00:40:24.339 I don't have 00:40:24.339 --> 00:40:24.879 time to turn 00:40:24.879 --> 00:40:25.039 there, 00:40:25.139 --> 00:40:25.619 but if you 00:40:25.619 --> 00:40:25.940 were to go 00:40:25.940 --> 00:40:26.319 and read 00:40:26.319 --> 00:40:27.139 Luke 17, 00:40:27.299 --> 00:40:27.799 even if we 00:40:27.799 --> 00:40:28.099 did, 00:40:29.059 --> 00:40:29.579 everything 00:40:29.579 --> 00:40:30.420 God commanded, 00:40:31.139 --> 00:40:32.199 all we 00:40:32.199 --> 00:40:32.579 would have 00:40:32.579 --> 00:40:33.659 done is 00:40:33.659 --> 00:40:34.460 our duty. 00:40:36.340 --> 00:40:37.000 Of course, 00:40:37.079 --> 00:40:37.559 none of us 00:40:37.559 --> 00:40:38.099 have obeyed 00:40:38.099 --> 00:40:38.639 him perfectly. 00:40:39.500 --> 00:40:39.940 So, 00:40:40.159 --> 00:40:40.779 we can't 00:40:40.779 --> 00:40:41.500 put God 00:40:41.500 --> 00:40:41.799 in our 00:40:41.799 --> 00:40:42.079 debt. 00:40:42.639 --> 00:40:43.119 We can't 00:40:43.119 --> 00:40:43.340 say, 00:40:43.440 --> 00:40:43.679 Lord, 00:40:43.840 --> 00:40:44.579 I've done 00:40:44.579 --> 00:40:44.980 what you've 00:40:44.980 --> 00:40:45.299 asked, 00:40:45.460 --> 00:40:46.039 now you 00:40:46.039 --> 00:40:46.400 owe me 00:40:46.400 --> 00:40:46.679 a good 00:40:46.679 --> 00:40:47.099 life.

00:40:49.920 --> 00:40:50.779 And yet, 00:40:51.319 --> 00:40:52.480 God is 00:40:52.480 --> 00:40:53.719 pleased to 00:40:53.719 --> 00:40:54.719 reward our 00:40:54.719 --> 00:40:55.519 obedience. 00:40:55.519 --> 00:40:55.639 obedience. 00:40:56.099 --> 00:40:56.259 Now, 00:40:56.420 --> 00:40:56.880 this is 00:40:56.880 --> 00:40:57.759 the obedience 00:40:57.759 --> 00:40:58.880 he produces 00:40:58.880 --> 00:40:59.719 in us 00:40:59.719 --> 00:41:00.239 by his 00:41:00.239 --> 00:41:00.539 grace. 00:41:00.639 --> 00:41:00.820 We've 00:41:00.820 --> 00:41:01.280 talked about 00:41:01.280 --> 00:41:01.599 that in 00:41:01.599 --> 00:41:01.800 some of 00:41:01.800 --> 00:41:02.159 the previous 00:41:02.159 --> 00:41:02.599 lessons. 00:41:03.119 --> 00:41:03.719 Philippians 2 00:41:03.719 --> 00:41:03.980 says, 00:41:04.199 --> 00:41:04.719 God works 00:41:04.719 --> 00:41:05.239 in us 00:41:05.239 --> 00:41:06.179 both to 00:41:06.179 --> 00:41:06.920 will and 00:41:06.920 --> 00:41:07.500 to work 00:41:07.500 --> 00:41:07.940 for his 00:41:07.940 --> 00:41:08.500 good pleasure. 00:41:09.780 --> 00:41:10.340 So, 00:41:10.420 --> 00:41:10.980 even the 00:41:10.980 --> 00:41:11.539 obedience 00:41:11.539 --> 00:41:12.659 he rewards 00:41:12.659 --> 00:41:14.780 is something 00:41:14.780 --> 00:41:15.300 he has 00:41:15.300 --> 00:41:15.920 gifted to 00:41:15.920 --> 00:41:16.239 us. 00:41:17.199 --> 00:41:17.739 So, 00:41:17.840 --> 00:41:18.519 the rewards 00:41:18.519 --> 00:41:19.500 aren't wages 00:41:19.500 --> 00:41:20.139 we've earned. 00:41:21.139 --> 00:41:21.960 They're blessings 00:41:21.960 --> 00:41:22.599 that our 00:41:22.599 --> 00:41:23.559 heavenly father 00:41:23.559 --> 00:41:24.659 has freely 00:41:24.659 --> 00:41:25.759 promised to 00:41:25.759 --> 00:41:26.119 us. 00:41:28.639 --> 00:41:29.400 And that 00:41:29.400 --> 00:41:30.079 explains the 00:41:30.079 --> 00:41:30.699 last sentence 00:41:30.699 --> 00:41:31.059 of this 00:41:31.059 --> 00:41:32.119 paragraph in 00:41:32.119 --> 00:41:32.659 the confession, 00:41:33.579 --> 00:41:34.000 in this 00:41:34.000 --> 00:41:36.059 particular 00:41:36.059 --> 00:41:36.719 paragraph of 00:41:36.719 --> 00:41:37.199 the confession. 00:41:38.279 --> 00:41:38.860 If men 00:41:38.860 --> 00:41:39.619 do good 00:41:39.619 --> 00:41:40.380 and refrain 00:41:40.380 --> 00:41:40.900 from evil 00:41:40.900 --> 00:41:41.500 because the 00:41:41.500 --> 00:41:42.159 law encourages 00:41:42.159 --> 00:41:42.659 good and 00:41:42.659 --> 00:41:43.320 discourages 00:41:43.320 --> 00:41:43.679 evil, 00:41:43.900 --> 00:41:44.519 that does 00:41:44.519 --> 00:41:45.500 not indicate 00:41:45.500 --> 00:41:46.380 that they 00:41:46.380 --> 00:41:46.840 are under 00:41:46.840 --> 00:41:47.500 the law 00:41:47.500 --> 00:41:48.239 and not 00:41:48.239 --> 00:41:48.960 under grace. 00:41:50.779 --> 00:41:51.960 It's not 00:41:51.960 --> 00:41:52.799 legalism 00:41:52.800 --> 00:41:53.500 to obey 00:41:53.500 --> 00:41:53.940 what God 00:41:53.940 --> 00:41:54.320 commands 00:41:54.320 --> 00:41:55.600 or to 00:41:55.600 --> 00:41:56.220 avoid 00:41:56.220 --> 00:41:56.900 sin 00:41:56.900 --> 00:41:57.260 because 00:41:57.260 --> 00:41:57.920 he warns 00:41:57.920 --> 00:41:58.460 us against 00:41:58.460 --> 00:41:58.760 it 00:41:58.760 --> 00:41:59.300 or to 00:41:59.300 --> 00:41:59.700 hope 00:41:59.700 --> 00:42:00.640 for the 00:42:00.640 --> 00:42:01.000 blessings 00:42:01.000 --> 00:42:01.300 that he 00:42:01.300 --> 00:42:01.440 has 00:42:01.440 --> 00:42:01.800 promised. 00:42:03.100 --> 00:42:03.420 Now, 00:42:03.560 --> 00:42:03.960 it would 00:42:03.960 --> 00:42:04.800 be legalism 00:42:04.800 --> 00:42:05.620 to imagine 00:42:05.620 --> 00:42:06.680 that our 00:42:06.680 --> 00:42:07.120 obedience 00:42:07.120 --> 00:42:07.980 makes us 00:42:07.980 --> 00:42:08.539 acceptable 00:42:08.539 --> 00:42:09.100 to him, 00:42:10.100 --> 00:42:11.340 but in 00:42:11.340 --> 00:42:11.760 Christ, 00:42:12.600 --> 00:42:13.440 we're already 00:42:13.440 --> 00:42:13.960 accepted. 00:42:15.960 --> 00:42:16.920 In short, 00:42:17.019 --> 00:42:17.340 we're not 00:42:17.340 --> 00:42:18.080 trying to 00:42:18.080 --> 00:42:18.820 earn a 00:42:18.820 --> 00:42:19.680 place in 00:42:19.680 --> 00:42:20.019 God's 00:42:20.019 --> 00:42:20.360 family. 00:42:20.360 --> 00:42:22.480 we are 00:42:22.480 --> 00:42:23.440 learning how 00:42:23.440 --> 00:42:24.260 to live 00:42:24.260 --> 00:42:25.420 as children 00:42:25.420 --> 00:42:27.079 who already 00:42:27.079 --> 00:42:27.559 belong to 00:42:27.559 --> 00:42:27.720 him. 00:42:29.579 --> 00:42:30.300 Let's 00:42:30.300 --> 00:42:30.500 pray. 00:42:33.820 --> 00:42:34.500 Father, 00:42:34.700 --> 00:42:35.039 will you 00:42:35.039 --> 00:42:35.800 forgive us 00:42:35.800 --> 00:42:36.180 for the 00:42:36.180 --> 00:42:36.820 times we 00:42:36.820 --> 00:42:38.280 have taken 00:42:38.280 --> 00:42:38.860 your grace 00:42:38.860 --> 00:42:39.360 for granted 00:42:39.360 --> 00:42:40.940 or treated 00:42:40.940 --> 00:42:41.599 your commandments 00:42:41.599 --> 00:42:42.059 lightly? 00:42:43.019 --> 00:42:44.039 Teach us to 00:42:44.039 --> 00:42:44.720 receive your 00:42:44.720 --> 00:42:45.400 warnings with 00:42:45.400 --> 00:42:46.620 humility and 00:42:46.620 --> 00:42:47.260 your promises 00:42:47.260 --> 00:42:48.099 with great 00:42:48.099 --> 00:42:48.420 faith. 00:42:48.420 --> 00:42:48.980 help us 00:42:48.980 --> 00:42:49.480 to remember 00:42:49.480 --> 00:42:50.599 that you 00:42:50.599 --> 00:42:51.099 are working 00:42:51.099 --> 00:42:51.880 all things 00:42:51.880 --> 00:42:52.500 together for 00:42:52.500 --> 00:42:52.940 our good, 00:42:52.980 --> 00:42:53.460 even when 00:42:53.460 --> 00:42:54.180 your providence 00:42:54.180 --> 00:42:54.900 is painful 00:42:54.900 --> 00:42:55.579 or difficult 00:42:55.579 --> 00:42:56.400 to understand. 00:42:57.820 --> 00:42:58.800 I pray that 00:42:58.800 --> 00:42:59.019 you would 00:42:59.019 --> 00:42:59.780 continue your 00:42:59.780 --> 00:43:00.539 gracious work 00:43:00.539 --> 00:43:01.260 of sanctification 00:43:01.260 --> 00:43:01.940 in us, 00:43:02.420 --> 00:43:03.119 that we 00:43:03.119 --> 00:43:04.000 might increasingly 00:43:04.000 --> 00:43:05.240 reflect the 00:43:05.240 --> 00:43:05.840 holiness of 00:43:05.840 --> 00:43:06.180 Christ. 00:43:07.180 --> 00:43:07.900 And we ask 00:43:07.900 --> 00:43:08.240 you these 00:43:08.240 --> 00:43:08.800 things in 00:43:08.800 --> 00:43:09.519 his precious 00:43:09.519 --> 00:43:09.900 name. 00:43:10.800 --> 00:43:11.079 Amen. 00:43:11.079 --> 00:43:11.180 Amen.