Latest / Providence Baptist Church - Sermons / Romans 12:1-2
Transcript
- 0:00Well, good morning and happy Mother's Day.
- 0:02If you will please take out your copy of God's Word and join me in Romans chapter 12.
- 0:10!
- 0:30I find these two verses to be of great importance for the church of our day.
- 0:57In an age of post-modernity and moral relativism, we find ourselves particularly susceptible to the temptation of allowing our passions to lead the charge in directing our lives.
- 1:11To let emotions rule the day.
- 1:15If you have no truth, what is left?
- 1:18It's whatever you feel may be true.
- 1:22And this just should not be so amongst Christians.
- 1:26We are to be a distinct people set apart for the glory of Christ.
- 1:31And Paul, in part, tells us how this is to be in these two verses.
- 1:39So Romans 12, verse 1 and 2 is our text for today.
- 1:43Before I read it, let me remind you, beloved, that this is God's Word to us.
- 1:47It was written for His glory and our good, and so we would all do well to listen to it in order to believe its promises and obey its commands.
- 1:58Paul writes,
- 1:58And we will spend the bulk of our time and attention this morning drawing out the meaning of the phrase.
- 2:28Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
- 2:33And we're going to move quick this morning because I have more notes than I normally do.
- 2:39But before we get to that phrase, we must take a look at the preceding words of Paul's exhortation.
- 2:45He begins at the beginning of chapter 12 with,
- 2:50I appeal to you, therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God.
- 2:57Verse 1 contains the conjunctive adjective, therefore.
- 3:01And these conjunctions in the Bible carry a great deal of weight and should be paid a special attention to.
- 3:08You could think of the phrase, for that reason, in the place of the word, therefore, which begs, for what reason?
- 3:18This little word, just three Greek letters in the original language,
- 3:23bridges everything that Paul has said in the first 11 chapters to everything he will say in the following five chapters.
- 3:32So, this, therefore, is packed full of meaning.
- 3:39The first 11 chapters of Romans is Paul's magnum opus of Christian theology.
- 3:46It is the most extensive and clearest defense of justification by grace alone, through faith alone,
- 3:52in the person and work of Jesus Christ alone.
- 3:56We've been deriving that across the past months.
- 3:59It speaks to the Christ followers' adoption in Jesus and identification with Christ as our federal head.
- 4:08Paul tells us that we are no longer captives of the law, but captives of grace.
- 4:14He speaks of the gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit who intercedes for us,
- 4:18leads us in holiness, and helps us in all our affliction.
- 4:23He gives us reason for patient hope as we stand in God's election,
- 4:28the certainty of coming glory,
- 4:30the confidence that nothing can separate us from the love of God,
- 4:34and total assurance in God's continued faithfulness.
- 4:39He then works out what all this means for missions.
- 4:44Condemnation, justification, adoption,
- 4:47soteriology, pneumatology, missiology.
- 4:51It is grand and all contained in this therefore,
- 4:55and all summarized by the phrase,
- 4:58by the mercies of God.
- 5:02Paul is making an appeal to his brothers,
- 5:05and he wants to root it in all that he has taught so far in this letter.
- 5:10Therefore, then, accordingly, consequently,
- 5:14these things being so,
- 5:17indicating that something follows from another thing necessarily.
- 5:23Because God has been so merciful to you,
- 5:27Paul says,
- 5:28I appeal to you, brothers.
- 5:31Paul's appeal is for those who have received the mercies of God,
- 5:36those who are adopted sons.
- 5:39And ladies, you want to be sons in Christ,
- 5:42receiving all the benefits of the Father.
- 5:47Adopted in Christ,
- 5:49as Paul is,
- 5:50those who are co-heirs with Jesus.
- 5:54For anything that Paul will go on to say to be of any benefit to you,
- 5:58you must ensure that you are counted in this number here called brothers.
- 6:04If you have yet to place saving faith in the personal work of the Lord Jesus Christ,
- 6:11turn from your sin and throw yourself on his mercies.
- 6:16Assuming that you are a brother,
- 6:19including you, ladies, moms, this morning.
- 6:23Paul moves from doctrine to practice,
- 6:26from theology to ethics,
- 6:28from foundation to application.
- 6:32And what is it that Paul urges us to do in light of the mercies of God?
- 6:39Two, present your bodies as a living sacrifice,
- 6:45holy and acceptable to God,
- 6:47which is your spiritual worship.
- 6:50The word present in Greek is an active, aorist, imperative verb.
- 6:55It is the same word used in the Septuagint,
- 6:58which is the Greek translation of the Old Testament,
- 7:01to speak of the priestly duty of sacrifice,
- 7:04which Paul develops in the next phrase.
- 7:07This type of verb means that this presentation is a decisive,
- 7:13deliberate, and continuous surrender of our whole selves,
- 7:18over and over and over again.
- 7:22We are urged by Paul to present our bodies as a living sacrifice,
- 7:28not one that is slaughtered and laid on an altar,
- 7:31but one that lives devotedly for the aim of the glory of God.
- 7:35The word here translated bodies is used in the New Testament
- 7:39to speak of the physical body,
- 7:42but is more commonly used to speak of the whole self.
- 7:47So all of us, decisively, deliberately, and continuously,
- 7:52because of the mercies of God,
- 7:54are to present our bodies as a living sacrifice,
- 7:58give all of ourselves in devotion to God.
- 8:01Paul then qualifies the presenting of our whole selves
- 8:05as a living sacrifice with the word holy
- 8:09and the phrase acceptable to God.
- 8:14What kind of sacrifice are we to be?
- 8:17One that has been set apart for a particular purpose.
- 8:21One that has been declared without spot or blemish.
- 8:25But I suggest, as Paul transitions this letter from doctrine to practice,
- 8:30one that is also in the process of being made pure.
- 8:36Justification, Paul has argued, guarantees sanctification.
- 8:41Having been saved guarantees that we're going to be made perfect in very degree.
- 8:48And he is urging our part in this glorious work of God.
- 8:53So it is this sacrifice that is acceptable to God.
- 8:57One that has been washed and one that is being washed.
- 9:03Paul then says that this decisively, deliberately, and continuously offered whole self-sacrifice
- 9:09is your spiritual worship.
- 9:13The word translated spiritual is an interesting one.
- 9:19And a tricky one to assign a single English word to.
- 9:24I am using an English standard version of the Bible.
- 9:29Some translations, you may have one open in front of you today,
- 9:32render this word reasonable.
- 9:34And, on first glance, you may think that these English words run in contradiction to each other.
- 9:42Spiritual and reasonable.
- 9:46This Greek word is the word that we get our English word logic from.
- 9:53So reasonable or logical are fair words here, but still not perfect.
- 10:00The word sets itself in contrast to the material world.
- 10:07The Greek word sets itself in contrast to the material world.
- 10:11It is the rational immaterial that it is concerned with.
- 10:17But that would be a clunky translation, wouldn't it?
- 10:19This is your rational immaterial service.
- 10:22Which is why we get the word spiritual in the ESV and many other good translations.
- 10:31So, what are we to think of this word?
- 10:36First, let's praise God for the faithful work of good Bible translators
- 10:39and for Greek tools to dig around a little bit deeper on these words.
- 10:45Second, Paul is introducing this idea that he is going to flesh out for us in the following verse.
- 10:53And here it is.
- 10:56The transformative power of God for sacrificial living begins in the mind.
- 11:03Our faith is a mindful faith.
- 11:08There is one other place in the New Testament that this Greek word is used
- 11:13and rendered once again spiritual in the ESV.
- 11:18It's found in 1 Peter chapter 2 and verse 2.
- 11:21There Peter writes,
- 11:22Like newborn infants long for the pure spiritual milk
- 11:29that by it you may grow up into salvation.
- 11:33What is the pure spiritual milk that Peter is talking about?
- 11:36The saving knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- 11:42So, it could have been translated like newborn infants long for the pure reasonable milk.
- 11:51Knowledgeable milk.
- 11:55Before we have received the practicality of verse 2,
- 11:58bear with me as I present a bit more proof
- 12:01that our faith is a mindful faith.
- 12:06Paul has much to say about this.
- 12:08I will show you three examples from four texts in rather rapid fashion.
- 12:14Are you ready?
- 12:15Hang on.
- 12:17If you turn back just a few pages to Romans chapter 8,
- 12:20I'll begin reading in verse 5.
- 12:24There Paul says,
- 12:25Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh.
- 12:32But those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
- 12:39For to set the mind on the flesh is death,
- 12:42but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
- 12:46For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God,
- 12:48for it does not submit to God's law.
- 12:50Indeed, it cannot.
- 12:52Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
- 12:56You, however, are not in the flesh,
- 12:58but in the Spirit.
- 12:58If, in fact, the Spirit of God dwells in you,
- 13:00anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ
- 13:02does not belong to Him.
- 13:05So you see the functional work of the Spirit in the life of the Christian,
- 13:09in part,
- 13:10is to take their mind
- 13:12to the things of God.
- 13:16The things of the Spirit are the things of God.
- 13:19The Word of God.
- 13:22Another text.
- 13:23Now this is Ephesians chapter 5.
- 13:25If you'd like to join me, feel free.
- 13:27If not, listen carefully.
- 13:28Beginning in verse 17.
- 13:31Therefore, do not be foolish,
- 13:35but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- 13:37And do not get drunk with wine,
- 13:39for that is debauchery,
- 13:41but be filled with the Spirit.
- 13:46Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
- 13:48singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart,
- 13:51giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father
- 13:55in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
- 13:57submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
- 14:02Now to show you this,
- 14:03I need to take you to a parallel passage to this one.
- 14:06And I read so much of that
- 14:07because I want you to see them as parallel passages.
- 14:11So that was Ephesians 5, 17-21.
- 14:13Now listen to Colossians 3, 12-17.
- 14:18And I'll point out why it matters in just a second.
- 14:22There, Paul writes,
- 14:23Put on then, as God's chosen ones,
- 14:25holy and beloved, compassionate hearts,
- 14:27kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
- 14:30bearing with one another,
- 14:31and if one has a complaint against another,
- 14:33forgiving each other,
- 14:34as the Lord has forgiven you,
- 14:36so you also must forgive.
- 14:39And above all these, put on love,
- 14:40which binds everything together in perfect harmony,
- 14:43and let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
- 14:45to which indeed you were called in one body,
- 14:47and be thankful.
- 14:49Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly,
- 14:54teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom,
- 14:56singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs
- 14:58with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
- 15:01And whatever you do in word or deed,
- 15:03do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus,
- 15:05giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
- 15:10You probably heard a lot of similar language throughout there.
- 15:13I hope that you heard,
- 15:15I'm going to draw your attention to two phrases
- 15:18just before this idea of teaching and admonishing one another
- 15:22in songs, hymns, spiritual songs.
- 15:26Right?
- 15:27In Ephesians, you see the phrase,
- 15:30be filled with the Spirit.
- 15:32In Colossians, you see the phrase,
- 15:36let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.
- 15:41And so I think what Paul's communicating to us
- 15:43as you look at these passages,
- 15:45Romans chapter 8, Ephesians chapter 5,
- 15:48Colossians chapter 3,
- 15:51is that for those who are filled with the Spirit,
- 15:54those who are walking by the Spirit,
- 15:56who are setting our minds on the things of the Spirit,
- 15:58that means that the word of Christ is dwelling within us.
- 16:02We have a mindful faith.
- 16:07One final text, an example, very briefly,
- 16:102 Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 5.
- 16:13There Paul says,
- 16:14we destroy arguments
- 16:16and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God
- 16:21and take every thought captive to obey Christ.
- 16:26Christ.
- 16:28Our faith is a mindful faith.
- 16:32And don't hear me saying
- 16:33that there's no place for emotion in our faith.
- 16:35What I'm saying is,
- 16:36it should be led mindfully.
- 16:40I do not have the time to prove
- 16:42what I'm about to say to you,
- 16:44but nonetheless,
- 16:44I think it important to say at this point,
- 16:47our earthly existence
- 16:48is a dichotomous existence.
- 16:52And this is probably not the best word
- 16:54for our existence,
- 16:55as it means branching out
- 16:57or in some cases set against.
- 17:00But the point is that we are made of two parts.
- 17:05We are two parts.
- 17:08We are bodies
- 17:09and we are souls.
- 17:12And better yet,
- 17:12we could say we are embodied souls.
- 17:16This is the state of your earthly existence.
- 17:19There is the part of us
- 17:21that is readily observable
- 17:23through plain vision
- 17:25or instrumentation
- 17:26like an x-ray
- 17:28or CT scan
- 17:29or microscope.
- 17:32And then there is the part of us
- 17:33that is not so readily observable
- 17:36like our affections,
- 17:38our sorrows,
- 17:39our thoughts.
- 17:41We are embodied souls.
- 17:44If you have trouble in this world
- 17:47and you certainly do and will,
- 17:51then those troubles fit within a Venn diagram
- 17:54of being either physical,
- 17:56which means you need physical relief,
- 18:01or spiritual,
- 18:04and often but not always
- 18:05some intersection between the two.
- 18:09Your spiritual issues
- 18:11need spiritual solutions
- 18:13which begin
- 18:14in the mind.
- 18:19John Owen,
- 18:20in his book
- 18:20Spiritual Mindedness,
- 18:21which I commend to you,
- 18:23a quote that's on the back of your bulletin
- 18:25said this,
- 18:27The mind is a leading faculty
- 18:29of the soul.
- 18:31When the mind fixes upon an object
- 18:33or course of action,
- 18:35the will and the affections
- 18:37follow suit.
- 18:39They are incapable
- 18:40of any other consideration.
- 18:42The mind's office
- 18:43is to guide,
- 18:45to direct,
- 18:46to choose,
- 18:47and to lead.
- 18:49End quote.
- 18:50So our faith
- 18:52is a mindful faith.
- 18:54It's not a stoic faith,
- 18:56but it is
- 18:56mindful.
- 18:58Beware of anybody
- 18:59that teaches you
- 19:01that Christianity
- 19:02is first and foremost
- 19:04an emotional endeavor.
- 19:07Now let's look at verse 2
- 19:09and because
- 19:10it's been a minute
- 19:11since we read it,
- 19:12let's read it
- 19:13once again.
- 19:15Paul says,
- 19:15Do not be conformed
- 19:17to this world,
- 19:19but be transformed
- 19:20by the renewal
- 19:21of your mind,
- 19:23that by testing
- 19:24you may discern
- 19:24what is the will of God,
- 19:25what is good
- 19:26and acceptable
- 19:28and perfect.
- 19:30Verse 2
- 19:31is an explanation
- 19:32of how we are to fulfill
- 19:33the encouragement
- 19:34of verse 1,
- 19:35which Paul will then
- 19:36work out in greater detail
- 19:38to the very end
- 19:39of the chapter.
- 19:41He begins with the negative
- 19:43part of the exhortation,
- 19:44Do not be conformed
- 19:46to this world.
- 19:50To be conformed
- 19:51is from a word
- 19:51that means
- 19:52shaped
- 19:53or molded.
- 19:55It refers to the
- 19:56outward appearance
- 19:57of a thing
- 19:57and not the substance
- 19:59of it.
- 20:01Paul is saying
- 20:01that we are not
- 20:02of this world
- 20:04and therefore
- 20:05we should not look
- 20:07like we are
- 20:08of this world.
- 20:10World could also
- 20:12be rendered age,
- 20:13which I prefer.
- 20:15I think it pulls
- 20:16our thinking
- 20:16beyond just the material
- 20:18and presses us
- 20:19to think toward
- 20:20the immaterial.
- 20:22Thoughts,
- 20:22emotions,
- 20:24motivations,
- 20:25ideology,
- 20:26and so forth.
- 20:29G.C. Trench
- 20:30in his book
- 20:31Synonyms of the New Testament
- 20:33on this word
- 20:35world
- 20:36or age
- 20:37says this,
- 20:39quote,
- 20:39that floating mass
- 20:41of thoughts,
- 20:42opinions,
- 20:43maxims,
- 20:44speculations,
- 20:45hopes,
- 20:46impulses,
- 20:47aims,
- 20:48aspirations,
- 20:49at any time
- 20:50current in the world
- 20:51which it may be impossible
- 20:52to seize
- 20:53and accurately define,
- 20:55but which constitute
- 20:55a most real
- 20:56and effective power
- 20:58being the moral
- 20:59or immoral atmosphere
- 21:00which at every moment
- 21:02of our lives
- 21:02we inhale
- 21:03again inevitably
- 21:05to exhale,
- 21:07end quote.
- 21:08Right?
- 21:09This is explanation
- 21:10of this word,
- 21:12world.
- 21:13Do not be conformed
- 21:16to that.
- 21:18Paul distinguishes
- 21:19this world
- 21:20or age
- 21:21from the will
- 21:23of God
- 21:23which is good
- 21:25and acceptable
- 21:26and perfect.
- 21:29So the spirit
- 21:30of this age
- 21:31runs in contradiction
- 21:32to the ways
- 21:33of God
- 21:34and we ought
- 21:35to not be conformed
- 21:36to it.
- 21:37It will always
- 21:38be pressing
- 21:39onto us
- 21:41and into us.
- 21:43The age
- 21:44in which we live
- 21:45cries out
- 21:46for conformity.
- 21:49But our reasonable
- 21:50worship
- 21:50is to rather
- 21:52be transformed
- 21:54by the renewal
- 21:56of our minds.
- 21:57We are to be changed
- 21:59by thinking
- 22:00differently
- 22:00than this age.
- 22:03This Greek word
- 22:04is where we derive
- 22:05our word
- 22:06metamorphosis.
- 22:08Whereas to be
- 22:09conformed
- 22:10is in contradiction
- 22:11with our nature.
- 22:12To be transformed
- 22:13is to be becoming
- 22:15consistent
- 22:16with our nature.
- 22:17we have been
- 22:19made new
- 22:20in Christ.
- 22:22So we are to be
- 22:23about appearing
- 22:25new
- 22:26in
- 22:27Christ
- 22:28by the grace
- 22:29that God provides.
- 22:31This is
- 22:31the glorious
- 22:33work
- 22:33of sanctification.
- 22:36Paul says of us
- 22:37in 2 Corinthians 3
- 22:38and verse 18
- 22:39and we all
- 22:40with unveiled face
- 22:41beholding
- 22:42the glory
- 22:42of the Lord
- 22:43are being
- 22:44transformed
- 22:45into the same
- 22:46image
- 22:47from one
- 22:47degree
- 22:48of glory
- 22:48to another.
- 22:50For this
- 22:50comes
- 22:51from the Lord
- 22:52who is the Spirit.
- 22:54He is the Spirit
- 22:54working in us
- 22:55to make us
- 22:56look more
- 22:56like Christ
- 22:57bit
- 22:57by bit
- 22:58by bit.
- 23:01The Spirit
- 23:02of Christ
- 23:02empowers us
- 23:03to look
- 23:04more like Him
- 23:05as He leads
- 23:06us
- 23:06in the Word
- 23:07of Christ.
- 23:09I see my argument
- 23:10coming together
- 23:11here.
- 23:13What part
- 23:14do we
- 23:14play?
- 23:16This is an
- 23:16exhortation
- 23:17to us
- 23:17to be
- 23:17transformed
- 23:18by the
- 23:19renewal
- 23:19of our
- 23:20mind.
- 23:21What are we
- 23:21to be about
- 23:22in this
- 23:23work
- 23:23of being
- 23:24transformed?
- 23:27Before I
- 23:28spend the
- 23:28remainder of
- 23:28our time
- 23:29addressing
- 23:29this question
- 23:30I want
- 23:30to make
- 23:31a brief
- 23:31aside
- 23:32concerning
- 23:33mental
- 23:34health
- 23:34by making
- 23:35four
- 23:36axiomatic
- 23:36statements.
- 23:37I don't
- 23:38want to
- 23:38oversimplify
- 23:39this.
- 23:40There are
- 23:40complications
- 23:41in the
- 23:42world
- 23:42in which
- 23:43we live.
- 23:44Four
- 23:44quick
- 23:45statements
- 23:45and then
- 23:45we'll
- 23:45press on.
- 23:46Number
- 23:47one,
- 23:48we are
- 23:49embodied
- 23:49souls
- 23:50and our
- 23:51thinking
- 23:51faculty
- 23:52takes place
- 23:53within an
- 23:54organ
- 23:54that is
- 23:55susceptible
- 23:56to the
- 23:57curse.
- 23:57There is
- 23:58a gray
- 23:59matter
- 23:59organ
- 23:59in which
- 24:00all
- 24:00the
- 24:01neurons
- 24:01fire.
- 24:02This is
- 24:02where our
- 24:03thinking
- 24:03is
- 24:03going
- 24:03on.
- 24:04It is
- 24:05also
- 24:06susceptible
- 24:06to the
- 24:07curse.
- 24:07I'm a
- 24:08type 1
- 24:08diabetic
- 24:08and my
- 24:09pancreas
- 24:09does not
- 24:10produce
- 24:10insulin.
- 24:11In the
- 24:12same way,
- 24:13we should
- 24:13understand
- 24:13that the
- 24:14organ
- 24:15is
- 24:15susceptible.
- 24:17Secondly,
- 24:18some,
- 24:19not all,
- 24:20but some
- 24:20of our
- 24:21spiritual
- 24:22problems
- 24:23intersect
- 24:24a
- 24:24physical
- 24:25problem.
- 24:27My
- 24:27really big
- 24:29and obvious
- 24:29common
- 24:29example of
- 24:30this is
- 24:31schizophrenia.
- 24:32This is a
- 24:33physical
- 24:33problem going
- 24:34on in the
- 24:34brain,
- 24:35but it
- 24:35has
- 24:35spiritual
- 24:36implications
- 24:37and both
- 24:38need to
- 24:39be
- 24:39addressed.
- 24:41Thirdly,
- 24:43physical
- 24:43problems
- 24:44are never
- 24:45an excuse
- 24:46for sin.
- 24:48They don't
- 24:48become
- 24:48entitlement
- 24:49to sin
- 24:50against God
- 24:51because,
- 24:53fourthly,
- 24:53God is
- 24:54more
- 24:55powerful
- 24:55than your
- 24:56physical
- 24:56and,
- 24:57for that
- 24:57matter,
- 24:58spiritual
- 24:59problems.
- 25:00He is
- 25:01more
- 25:01powerful.
- 25:031 Corinthians
- 25:0310,
- 25:0413,
- 25:04Paul says,
- 25:05no temptation
- 25:05has overtaken
- 25:06you that
- 25:07is not
- 25:07common
- 25:07to man.
- 25:08So,
- 25:08guess what?
- 25:09You're not
- 25:09unique.
- 25:10You don't
- 25:10get a
- 25:10pass on
- 25:11your sin.
- 25:12God
- 25:13is faithful
- 25:14and he
- 25:14will not
- 25:14let you
- 25:15be tempted
- 25:15beyond
- 25:16your ability,
- 25:17but with
- 25:17the temptation
- 25:18he will
- 25:18also provide
- 25:19the way
- 25:19of escape
- 25:19that you
- 25:20may be
- 25:21able
- 25:21to endure
- 25:22it.
- 25:22So,
- 25:23grace
- 25:23comes
- 25:24with it
- 25:24and God
- 25:25is more
- 25:25powerful
- 25:26than your
- 25:27physical
- 25:27or
- 25:27spiritual
- 25:28problems.
- 25:30Okay,
- 25:31so,
- 25:32what are
- 25:33we to
- 25:33do in
- 25:33the work
- 25:33of being
- 25:34transformed
- 25:35by the
- 25:35renewal
- 25:36of our
- 25:37minds?
- 25:37What is
- 25:38the activity
- 25:38that we're
- 25:39meant to
- 25:39be engaging
- 25:41in?
- 25:42Let me show
- 25:42you two
- 25:43biblical
- 25:43examples
- 25:43and one
- 25:45extra
- 25:46biblical
- 25:46so that we
- 25:47can learn
- 25:47just a bit
- 25:48about it.
- 25:49So,
- 25:50if you will,
- 25:50please join me
- 25:50in Genesis
- 25:51chapter 3.
- 26:11In the
- 26:11fall,
- 26:12I want you
- 26:12to see a
- 26:13negative
- 26:13example
- 26:14of the
- 26:15leading of
- 26:16the mind.
- 26:18Here we
- 26:19see beginning
- 26:19in verse 1,
- 26:20now the
- 26:20serpent was
- 26:21more crafty
- 26:21than any
- 26:22other beast
- 26:22of the
- 26:23field
- 26:23that the
- 26:23Lord God
- 26:23had made.
- 26:25He said
- 26:25to the
- 26:25woman,
- 26:26he addresses
- 26:27her at
- 26:29her point
- 26:29of faculty,
- 26:31did God
- 26:31actually say
- 26:32you shall
- 26:33not eat
- 26:34of any
- 26:34tree
- 26:35in the
- 26:36garden?
- 26:37Satan
- 26:37tempts
- 26:37Eve to
- 26:38doubt
- 26:39God's
- 26:40word,
- 26:40to doubt
- 26:40the
- 26:40truth.
- 26:43And the
- 26:43woman said
- 26:44to the
- 26:44serpent,
- 26:45we may
- 26:45eat of
- 26:46the fruit
- 26:46of the
- 26:46trees
- 26:47in the
- 26:47garden,
- 26:48but God
- 26:49said,
- 26:49you shall
- 26:50not eat
- 26:51of the
- 26:51fruit
- 26:51of the
- 26:51tree
- 26:52that is
- 26:52in the
- 26:52midst
- 26:52of the
- 26:53garden,
- 26:54neither
- 26:54shall
- 26:54you
- 26:54touch
- 26:55it,
- 26:56lest
- 26:56you
- 26:57die.
- 26:58So here,
- 26:59Eve fails
- 27:00because
- 27:01Eve adds
- 27:03to God's
- 27:04word.
- 27:05The very
- 27:06first
- 27:06legalist
- 27:07in the
- 27:08Bible.
- 27:08As you can
- 27:09see in
- 27:09Genesis 2,
- 27:10verse 16
- 27:10and 17,
- 27:10Lord God
- 27:11commanded
- 27:11the
- 27:11man saying,
- 27:12you may
- 27:12surely
- 27:12eat of
- 27:13every
- 27:13tree
- 27:13of
- 27:13the
- 27:13garden,
- 27:14but of
- 27:14the
- 27:14tree
- 27:14of
- 27:14the
- 27:15knowledge
- 27:15of
- 27:15good
- 27:15and
- 27:15evil,
- 27:15you
- 27:16shall
- 27:16not
- 27:16eat,
- 27:16for in
- 27:17the day
- 27:17that you
- 27:17eat of
- 27:17it,
- 27:18you shall
- 27:18surely
- 27:19die.
- 27:20Eve has
- 27:21added this
- 27:21prohibition
- 27:22from
- 27:22touching
- 27:23as well.
- 27:26But the
- 27:26serpent
- 27:26said to
- 27:28the woman,
- 27:28you will
- 27:29not
- 27:29surely
- 27:30die.
- 27:32He
- 27:32tempts
- 27:33Eve to
- 27:34doubt
- 27:34God's
- 27:35goodness,
- 27:37for God
- 27:37knows that
- 27:38when you
- 27:38eat of
- 27:38it,
- 27:38your eyes
- 27:39will be
- 27:39open and
- 27:39you will
- 27:39be like
- 27:40God,
- 27:40knowing
- 27:41good
- 27:41and
- 27:42evil.
- 27:44So,
- 27:45Eve
- 27:45disbelieves
- 27:48God.
- 27:50This is
- 27:50a mental
- 27:51activity
- 27:52that's
- 27:53going on
- 27:53and then
- 27:54we see
- 27:54the results.
- 27:55So,
- 27:55when the
- 27:55woman saw
- 27:55that the
- 27:56tree
- 27:56was good
- 27:58for
- 27:59food,
- 28:01it is
- 28:02objectively
- 28:02not,
- 28:04and that
- 28:04it was a
- 28:04delight to
- 28:05the eyes
- 28:06and that
- 28:06the tree
- 28:06was to
- 28:07be
- 28:07desired
- 28:07to make
- 28:08one
- 28:08wise,
- 28:09she took
- 28:09of its
- 28:10fruit
- 28:10and ate
- 28:10and she
- 28:11also gave
- 28:12some to
- 28:12her husband
- 28:13who was
- 28:13with her
- 28:13and he
- 28:15ate.
- 28:15A failure
- 28:16on both
- 28:17of their
- 28:17parts
- 28:17to let
- 28:18their
- 28:18minds
- 28:19lead
- 28:20and win
- 28:21the day.
- 28:24Second
- 28:24example,
- 28:25let's go to
- 28:26Psalm 73.
- 28:28Turn with
- 28:29me if you
- 28:29will.
- 28:29Psalm 73.
- 28:30Psalm 73.
- 28:30Asaph,
- 28:38one of the
- 28:41Old Testament
- 28:42saints I
- 28:42look forward
- 28:42to meeting
- 28:43someday.
- 28:47And we
- 28:48see a
- 28:48complete
- 28:49arc in
- 28:51this
- 28:51Psalm of
- 28:52his
- 28:53thinking.
- 28:54He feels
- 28:55a way
- 28:56and then
- 28:56he
- 28:57thinks
- 28:57and feels
- 28:59a different
- 28:59way.
- 29:00Starts out
- 29:01in verse
- 29:011.
- 29:01Truly,
- 29:02God is
- 29:02good to
- 29:03Israel.
- 29:03For me,
- 29:04my feet
- 29:04had almost
- 29:06stumbled.
- 29:06My steps
- 29:07had nearly
- 29:08slipped.
- 29:10And he
- 29:10tells us
- 29:10the story
- 29:11of what
- 29:11happened.
- 29:11For I
- 29:12was
- 29:12envious
- 29:13of the
- 29:14arrogant
- 29:14when I
- 29:15saw the
- 29:15prosperity
- 29:16of the
- 29:17wicked.
- 29:18For they
- 29:18have no
- 29:18pangs
- 29:19until death.
- 29:20Their
- 29:20bodies
- 29:20are fat
- 29:21and
- 29:22sleek.
- 29:22They
- 29:22are not
- 29:22in
- 29:23trouble
- 29:23as
- 29:23others
- 29:23are.
- 29:24They
- 29:24are not
- 29:24stricken
- 29:25like the
- 29:25rest
- 29:25of
- 29:26mankind.
- 29:27Therefore,
- 29:28pride is
- 29:29their
- 29:29necklace.
- 29:29Violence
- 29:30covers
- 29:30them
- 29:30as a
- 29:31garment.
- 29:32Their
- 29:32eyes
- 29:32swell
- 29:33out
- 29:33through
- 29:33fatness,
- 29:35seen as
- 29:35a good
- 29:35thing.
- 29:37Their
- 29:37hearts
- 29:37overflow
- 29:38with
- 29:38follies.
- 29:39They
- 29:39scoff
- 29:39and speak
- 29:40with
- 29:40malice.
- 29:40Loftily
- 29:41they
- 29:41threaten
- 29:42oppression.
- 29:44They
- 29:44set their
- 29:44mouths
- 29:45against
- 29:45the
- 29:45heavens
- 29:45and
- 29:45their
- 29:46tongue
- 29:46!
- 29:46struts
- 29:47through
- 29:47the
- 29:47earth.
- 29:48!
- 29:48!
- 29:49So he
- 30:05observes
- 30:05people who
- 30:06are not
- 30:07following
- 30:07God
- 30:08and they
- 30:08just seem
- 30:09to be
- 30:09doing
- 30:09great.
- 30:10They
- 30:10have
- 30:10favor
- 30:11with
- 30:11the
- 30:11people.
- 30:12Nothing's
- 30:12going
- 30:12bad
- 30:13in
- 30:13their
- 30:14lives
- 30:14at
- 30:15all.
- 30:17And
- 30:17then he
- 30:17says,
- 30:17verse
- 30:1813,
- 30:19all
- 30:19in
- 30:20vain
- 30:20have
- 30:20I
- 30:21kept
- 30:21my
- 30:21heart
- 30:21clean
- 30:22and
- 30:22washed
- 30:23my
- 30:23hands
- 30:23in
- 30:24innocence.
- 30:26For
- 30:26all the
- 30:26day
- 30:27long
- 30:27I
- 30:28have
- 30:28been
- 30:28stricken
- 30:29and
- 30:30rebuked
- 30:30every
- 30:31morning.
- 30:33This
- 30:33is the
- 30:34way
- 30:34that he
- 30:34feels
- 30:35about
- 30:36his
- 30:37pursuit
- 30:37of
- 30:38God,
- 30:38his
- 30:38pursuit
- 30:39of
- 30:39innocence.
- 30:40It's
- 30:40been
- 30:40in
- 30:40vain
- 30:41that
- 30:42I
- 30:42have
- 30:42done
- 30:43this.
- 30:45But
- 30:45verse
- 30:4515,
- 30:46if I
- 30:48had
- 30:48said,
- 30:49I
- 30:49will
- 30:50speak
- 30:50thus,
- 30:51what
- 30:52he's
- 30:52just
- 30:52said.
- 30:52He
- 30:53recognizes
- 30:53that it's
- 30:54not
- 30:54true.
- 30:55It's
- 30:55an
- 30:55evil
- 30:55thing
- 30:56for
- 30:56him
- 30:56to
- 30:56say
- 30:56this
- 30:57and
- 30:57to
- 30:57feel
- 30:57this
- 30:58way.
- 31:00But
- 31:00when
- 31:00I
- 31:00thought
- 31:00how
- 31:01to
- 31:01understand
- 31:01this,
- 31:02it
- 31:02seemed
- 31:02to
- 31:02me
- 31:02a
- 31:03wearisome
- 31:03task.
- 31:04How
- 31:04is it
- 31:05that they
- 31:05prosper
- 31:06and I
- 31:06don't?
- 31:07I'm
- 31:07the
- 31:07one
- 31:08that's
- 31:08pursuing
- 31:08!
- 31:08God
- 31:09and
- 31:09they're
- 31:09not?
- 31:11Why
- 31:11am I
- 31:11getting
- 31:12the short
- 31:12end
- 31:12of
- 31:13the
- 31:13stick?
- 31:14Verse 17,
- 31:15until I
- 31:15went
- 31:15into the
- 31:16sanctuary
- 31:16of God.
- 31:18Then I
- 31:19discerned
- 31:20their
- 31:21end.
- 31:22Their
- 31:23end.
- 31:23Then the
- 31:23truth
- 31:24of where
- 31:25they're
- 31:25headed
- 31:26came to
- 31:27light.
- 31:28Truly,
- 31:29you set
- 31:30them in
- 31:30slippery
- 31:31places.
- 31:32You make
- 31:32them fall
- 31:33to ruin.
- 31:34How they
- 31:34are destroyed
- 31:35in a
- 31:36moment,
- 31:36swept
- 31:37away
- 31:37utterly
- 31:37by
- 31:38terrors.
- 31:39Like a
- 31:39dream when
- 31:40one awakes,
- 31:40O Lord,
- 31:41when you
- 31:41rouse
- 31:41yourself,
- 31:42you despise
- 31:42them as
- 31:44phantoms.
- 31:45That's
- 31:46what will
- 31:46happen to
- 31:47them.
- 31:47The
- 31:47truth
- 31:48begins to
- 31:49take its
- 31:50place in
- 31:51his mind.
- 31:53He
- 31:53says,
- 31:53when my
- 31:53soul was
- 31:54embittered,
- 31:54when I
- 31:55was pricked
- 31:55in heart,
- 31:56I was
- 31:56brutish
- 31:57and ignorant.
- 31:58I was
- 31:58like a
- 31:59beast
- 31:59toward
- 32:00you.
- 32:02Nevertheless,
- 32:03even
- 32:04though I
- 32:05let emotions
- 32:06rule the
- 32:07day,
- 32:07nevertheless,
- 32:08I am
- 32:09continually
- 32:10with you.
- 32:10You
- 32:10hold
- 32:11my
- 32:12right
- 32:12hand.
- 32:13You
- 32:13guide
- 32:13me
- 32:14with
- 32:14your
- 32:14counsel
- 32:14and
- 32:15afterward
- 32:16you
- 32:16will
- 32:16receive
- 32:17me
- 32:17to
- 32:18glory.
- 32:20Whom
- 32:20have I
- 32:21in heaven
- 32:21but you?
- 32:23And there
- 32:23is nothing
- 32:24on earth
- 32:24that I
- 32:25desire
- 32:25besides you.
- 32:27My
- 32:28flesh and
- 32:28my heart
- 32:28may fail,
- 32:29but God
- 32:30is the
- 32:30strength of
- 32:30my heart
- 32:31and my
- 32:32portion
- 32:32forever.
- 32:35For
- 32:35behold,
- 32:35those who
- 32:36are far
- 32:36from you
- 32:36shall
- 32:36perish.
- 32:37You
- 32:37put an
- 32:37end to
- 32:38everyone
- 32:38who
- 32:39is
- 32:39unfaithful
- 32:39to
- 32:39you.
- 32:40But
- 32:40for
- 32:41me
- 32:41it
- 32:42is
- 32:42good
- 32:42to
- 32:43be
- 32:43near
- 32:44God.
- 32:45I
- 32:45have
- 32:45made
- 32:45the
- 32:46Lord
- 32:46God
- 32:46my
- 32:46refuge
- 32:47that
- 32:47I
- 32:48may
- 32:48tell
- 32:48of
- 32:49all
- 32:49your
- 32:50works.
- 32:51So
- 32:51see the
- 32:52arc
- 32:52through
- 32:52that,
- 32:52the
- 32:53mindful
- 32:53faith
- 32:54of
- 32:55Asaph.
- 32:56What
- 32:56does he
- 32:56do?
- 32:57He
- 32:57picks up
- 32:58the
- 32:58things
- 32:58that
- 32:58God
- 32:59has
- 32:59said
- 32:59to
- 33:00be
- 33:00true
- 33:00and
- 33:01he
- 33:01meditates
- 33:02on
- 33:02them
- 33:02and
- 33:02he
- 33:02let
- 33:03them
- 33:03lead
- 33:04him
- 33:05out.
- 33:07One
- 33:07more
- 33:07positive
- 33:07example.
- 33:08This
- 33:08is
- 33:08extra
- 33:08biblical.
- 33:09I
- 33:09recognize
- 33:10that
- 33:10some
- 33:10of
- 33:10you
- 33:10don't
- 33:10love
- 33:11this
- 33:11but
- 33:11I
- 33:12do
- 33:12and
- 33:12I
- 33:12have
- 33:13the
- 33:13microphone
- 33:13so
- 33:13bear
- 33:14with
- 33:14me.
- 33:16This
- 33:17is
- 33:17from
- 33:17the
- 33:17Pilgrim's
- 33:17Progress.
- 33:18Again,
- 33:18a work
- 33:18that I
- 33:19commend,
- 33:20commend,
- 33:20commend
- 33:20to
- 33:21you.
- 33:21And
- 33:21in
- 33:22this
- 33:22part
- 33:22of
- 33:22the
- 33:22story,
- 33:24Christian
- 33:24is
- 33:25along
- 33:25on his
- 33:26journey
- 33:26with
- 33:26a
- 33:27man
- 33:27named
- 33:27Hopeful
- 33:28and
- 33:28they
- 33:29have
- 33:29left
- 33:33gone
- 33:33over
- 33:34a
- 33:34little
- 33:35stile
- 33:36into
- 33:36a
- 33:37field.
- 33:38They
- 33:38fall
- 33:39asleep
- 33:39and
- 33:39they're
- 33:39taken
- 33:40captive
- 33:41by a
- 33:41giant
- 33:42named
- 33:43Despair.
- 33:45He
- 33:45takes
- 33:46them,
- 33:46he
- 33:46locks
- 33:47them
- 33:47in
- 33:47the
- 33:47dungeon
- 33:48of
- 33:48his
- 33:48castle
- 33:49called
- 33:49Doubting
- 33:50Castle
- 33:51where
- 33:51he
- 33:51is
- 33:52there
- 33:52with
- 33:53his
- 33:53wife
- 33:54distrust.
- 33:56So
- 33:56there's
- 33:57an
- 33:57anguish
- 33:58going
- 33:59on
- 33:59with
- 33:59Christian
- 34:00and
- 34:00with
- 34:00Hopeful.
- 34:01They're
- 34:01not
- 34:02believing
- 34:02the
- 34:03promises
- 34:03of
- 34:04God
- 34:04and
- 34:04they
- 34:05are
- 34:05despairing.
- 34:07They're
- 34:07in a
- 34:08sorrowful
- 34:09place.
- 34:10Their
- 34:10emotions
- 34:11are
- 34:11leading
- 34:12the
- 34:12charge
- 34:13in
- 34:13this
- 34:14little
- 34:14episode.
- 34:17And
- 34:17so
- 34:17time
- 34:18has
- 34:18gone
- 34:18on.
- 34:18I'm
- 34:18going
- 34:18to
- 34:18spare
- 34:19you
- 34:19very
- 34:19much
- 34:19reading
- 34:19of
- 34:20it.
- 34:20But
- 34:20the
- 34:21giant
- 34:21has
- 34:22come
- 34:22and
- 34:22beat
- 34:23them
- 34:23almost
- 34:23to
- 34:24the
- 34:24point
- 34:24of
- 34:24death.
- 34:24And
- 34:25he
- 34:25has
- 34:25promised
- 34:25that
- 34:25he'll
- 34:25now
- 34:26take
- 34:26care
- 34:27of
- 34:27them
- 34:27the
- 34:27following
- 34:28day.
- 34:29I
- 34:29pick
- 34:30up
- 34:30reading
- 34:30here.
- 34:31Quote,
- 34:31Around
- 34:31midnight,
- 34:32Christian
- 34:32hopeful
- 34:32began to
- 34:33pray and
- 34:34continue
- 34:34till
- 34:34almost
- 34:35the
- 34:35break
- 34:35of
- 34:36day.
- 34:37Shortly
- 34:37before
- 34:37the
- 34:38sun
- 34:38came
- 34:38up,
- 34:39good
- 34:39Christian,
- 34:40as one
- 34:40half
- 34:41amazed,
- 34:42broke
- 34:42out into
- 34:43this
- 34:43passionate
- 34:43speech.
- 34:44What a
- 34:45fool
- 34:46I
- 34:46am
- 34:46to
- 34:47lie
- 34:47in
- 34:47a
- 34:47stinking
- 34:48dungeon
- 34:48when
- 34:49I
- 34:49might
- 34:49instead
- 34:50walk
- 34:50at
- 34:51liberty.
- 34:52I
- 34:52have
- 34:53a
- 34:53key
- 34:53in
- 34:53my
- 34:54bosom
- 34:54called
- 34:54promise
- 34:55that
- 34:56I
- 34:56believe
- 34:57will
- 34:57open
- 34:57any
- 34:58lock
- 34:58in
- 34:59doubting
- 34:59castle.
- 35:01Promise
- 35:01God's
- 35:02word
- 35:03to
- 35:04him.
- 35:05Hopeful
- 35:06responded,
- 35:07that is
- 35:07good news,
- 35:08good
- 35:08brother.
- 35:09Take
- 35:09it out
- 35:10and
- 35:10let's
- 35:10try
- 35:11it.
- 35:12Then
- 35:12Christian
- 35:12pulled
- 35:13it out
- 35:13of his
- 35:13bosom
- 35:13and
- 35:14began
- 35:14trying
- 35:15to
- 35:15unlock
- 35:15the
- 35:15dungeon
- 35:16door.
- 35:17The
- 35:17door's
- 35:17bolt
- 35:18as he
- 35:18turned
- 35:18the
- 35:18key
- 35:19came
- 35:19loose
- 35:19and
- 35:20the
- 35:20door
- 35:20flew
- 35:21open
- 35:21with
- 35:22ease.
- 35:23Christian
- 35:24and
- 35:24hopeful
- 35:24both
- 35:25came
- 35:26out
- 35:26and
- 35:27they're
- 35:27pursued
- 35:28but
- 35:28they
- 35:28make
- 35:28it
- 35:28safely
- 35:29out
- 35:29of
- 35:30doubting
- 35:30castle
- 35:31letting
- 35:32the
- 35:32truth
- 35:33reign
- 35:34in
- 35:35the
- 35:35moment.
- 35:37So
- 35:38a couple
- 35:38of
- 35:39practical
- 35:40steps
- 35:41for
- 35:42to be
- 35:42transformed
- 35:43by
- 35:43the
- 35:44renewing
- 35:45of
- 35:45our
- 35:45minds
- 35:46we
- 35:46are
- 35:46going
- 35:47to
- 35:47need
- 35:48number
- 35:48one
- 35:49to
- 35:50read.
- 35:52I
- 35:52always
- 35:53encourage
- 35:53wide
- 35:54broad
- 35:54reading
- 35:55but
- 35:55primarily
- 35:56we need
- 35:57to be
- 35:57reading
- 35:57God's
- 35:59word.
- 35:59If the
- 36:00spirit
- 36:00of
- 36:00Christ
- 36:00is to
- 36:01take
- 36:01up
- 36:01the
- 36:02word
- 36:02of
- 36:02Christ
- 36:03in
- 36:03our
- 36:04lives
- 36:04it's
- 36:04going
- 36:04to
- 36:05have
- 36:05to
- 36:05be
- 36:05inside
- 36:06of
- 36:07us.
- 36:08Paul
- 36:09says in
- 36:092 Timothy
- 36:093
- 36:0916
- 36:10and 17
- 36:10all
- 36:11scripture
- 36:11is
- 36:12breathed
- 36:12out
- 36:12by
- 36:13God
- 36:13and
- 36:13profitable
- 36:14for
- 36:14teaching
- 36:14for
- 36:15reproof
- 36:15for
- 36:15correction
- 36:16and
- 36:17for
- 36:17training
- 36:17in
- 36:17righteousness
- 36:18that
- 36:18the
- 36:18man
- 36:19of
- 36:19God
- 36:19may
- 36:19be
- 36:20complete
- 36:21equipped
- 36:22for
- 36:22every
- 36:23good
- 36:24work.
- 36:26How are we
- 36:26to navigate
- 36:27the challenges
- 36:28of this
- 36:28world?
- 36:29How are we
- 36:30to do
- 36:30anything?
- 36:32By the
- 36:32truth that
- 36:33God
- 36:33provides
- 36:34for us.
- 36:35The spirit
- 36:35employing
- 36:36it
- 36:36in
- 36:37our
- 36:37lives.
- 36:39I
- 36:39said at
- 36:39the
- 36:40beginning
- 36:40of
- 36:40our
- 36:40time
- 36:40together
- 36:41that
- 36:41in
- 36:41an
- 36:41age
- 36:41of
- 36:41post
- 36:42modernity
- 36:42and
- 36:43moral
- 36:43relativism
- 36:44we
- 36:44find
- 36:45ourselves
- 36:45particularly
- 36:46susceptible
- 36:46to the
- 36:47temptation
- 36:47of allowing
- 36:48our
- 36:48passions
- 36:49to lead
- 36:50the
- 36:50charge
- 36:50in
- 36:51directing
- 36:51our
- 36:52lives.
- 36:53This
- 36:54just
- 36:54shouldn't
- 36:55be so.
- 36:57John
- 36:57Piper
- 36:57in his
- 36:58book
- 36:58on
- 37:00regeneration
- 37:00called
- 37:01Finally
- 37:01!
- 37:01Alive
- 37:02wrote
- 37:02this,
- 37:03My
- 37:04feelings
- 37:04are
- 37:05not
- 37:05God.
- 37:07God
- 37:07is
- 37:07God.
- 37:08My
- 37:08feelings
- 37:09do
- 37:09not
- 37:09define
- 37:10truth.
- 37:11God's
- 37:11word
- 37:12defines
- 37:12truth.
- 37:14My
- 37:14feelings
- 37:14are
- 37:15echoes
- 37:15and
- 37:16responses
- 37:16to
- 37:17what
- 37:17my
- 37:17mind
- 37:17perceives.
- 37:19And
- 37:19sometimes,
- 37:20many
- 37:20times,
- 37:21my
- 37:21feelings
- 37:21are
- 37:22out
- 37:22of
- 37:22sync
- 37:23with
- 37:23the
- 37:23truth.
- 37:24When
- 37:25that
- 37:25happens,
- 37:26and it
- 37:26happens
- 37:27every
- 37:27day
- 37:27in
- 37:27some
- 37:28measure,
- 37:29I
- 37:29try
- 37:30not
- 37:30to
- 37:30bend
- 37:30the
- 37:31truth
- 37:31to
- 37:31justify
- 37:32my
- 37:32imperfect
- 37:32feelings,
- 37:33but
- 37:33rather,
- 37:34I
- 37:34plead
- 37:34with
- 37:34God,
- 37:36purify
- 37:36my
- 37:37perceptions
- 37:37of
- 37:37your
- 37:38truth
- 37:38and
- 37:38transform
- 37:39my
- 37:39feelings
- 37:40so that
- 37:41they are
- 37:41in sync
- 37:42with
- 37:43the
- 37:43truth.
- 37:44End
- 37:44quote.
- 37:46The
- 37:47average
- 37:47American
- 37:47spends
- 37:49one
- 37:49hour
- 37:50and
- 37:50twenty
- 37:50seven
- 37:50minutes
- 37:51playing
- 37:51video
- 37:52games
- 37:52per
- 37:52day,
- 37:53that
- 37:53just
- 37:53pains
- 37:54me
- 37:54deep
- 37:55down
- 37:55in,
- 37:56and
- 37:56two
- 37:56hours
- 37:56and
- 37:57fourteen
- 37:57minutes
- 37:58on
- 37:58social
- 37:59media.
- 37:59I
- 38:01am
- 38:01sure
- 38:01that
- 38:01I
- 38:01am
- 38:01speaking
- 38:02to
- 38:03an
- 38:03exceptional
- 38:03group
- 38:04of
- 38:04individuals,
- 38:05but
- 38:05perhaps
- 38:06this
- 38:06is
- 38:06true
- 38:06of
- 38:07us
- 38:07in
- 38:07at
- 38:07least
- 38:07some
- 38:09measure.
- 38:10That's
- 38:10three
- 38:11hours
- 38:11and
- 38:11forty
- 38:11one
- 38:11minutes
- 38:12a
- 38:12day
- 38:12spent
- 38:13unnecessarily
- 38:14in front
- 38:15of a
- 38:16screen.
- 38:17Not
- 38:17all bad,
- 38:18I'm not
- 38:18saying that
- 38:18all of
- 38:19that is
- 38:19bad,
- 38:19wasted
- 38:20time,
- 38:20but
- 38:21that's
- 38:21a lot
- 38:22of
- 38:22time.
- 38:22For
- 38:24further
- 38:24perspective,
- 38:26that's
- 38:26529
- 38:27hours
- 38:27and
- 38:28fifteen
- 38:29minutes
- 38:29of
- 38:29video
- 38:30gaming
- 38:30per
- 38:30year
- 38:30and
- 38:31815
- 38:31hours
- 38:32and
- 38:32ten
- 38:32minutes
- 38:32of
- 38:32social
- 38:33media
- 38:33consumption
- 38:34per
- 38:34year.
- 38:351,344
- 38:37hours
- 38:37and
- 38:37twenty
- 38:38five
- 38:38minutes
- 38:38total
- 38:39per
- 38:40year.
- 38:41I
- 38:41didn't
- 38:42do
- 38:42the
- 38:42math,
- 38:42but
- 38:42you
- 38:42should
- 38:43divide
- 38:43that
- 38:43by
- 38:43365
- 38:44and
- 38:44see
- 38:44how
- 38:44many
- 38:45days
- 38:46that
- 38:46is.
- 38:48Now
- 38:48it
- 38:48takes
- 38:48on
- 38:49average
- 38:50an
- 38:50individual
- 38:5178
- 38:52hours
- 38:52to
- 38:53read
- 38:53the
- 38:53entirety
- 38:54of
- 38:54the
- 38:54Bible.
- 38:55Which
- 38:56means
- 38:56that
- 38:56if
- 38:56the
- 38:57average
- 38:57American
- 38:57replaced
- 38:58their
- 38:58video
- 38:58game
- 38:58and
- 38:59social
- 38:59media
- 38:59consumption,
- 39:00I'm not
- 39:00saying
- 39:00you need
- 39:01to do
- 39:01that,
- 39:01but
- 39:02if
- 39:02you did
- 39:02with
- 39:03Bible
- 39:03reading,
- 39:04you could
- 39:04read the
- 39:04whole
- 39:05Bible
- 39:05a bit
- 39:05more
- 39:06than
- 39:0617
- 39:06times
- 39:07per
- 39:07year.
- 39:09We
- 39:10have
- 39:11time
- 39:12to be
- 39:13in
- 39:13God's
- 39:13word.
- 39:16Ready
- 39:16for another
- 39:17one?
- 39:18The
- 39:18average
- 39:18American
- 39:19spends
- 39:1911
- 39:19hours
- 39:20and
- 39:2042
- 39:20minutes
- 39:20per
- 39:20week
- 39:21working
- 39:21out,
- 39:22including
- 39:22stretching,
- 39:23warm-up,
- 39:24cool-down.
- 39:25That's
- 39:25608
- 39:26hours
- 39:26and
- 39:2624
- 39:27minutes
- 39:27per
- 39:27year,
- 39:28which
- 39:28is
- 39:28enough
- 39:28time
- 39:28to
- 39:28read
- 39:29the
- 39:29entirety
- 39:29of
- 39:29the
- 39:29Bible
- 39:30almost
- 39:31eight
- 39:31times.
- 39:34Don't
- 39:34stop
- 39:34taking care
- 39:35of your
- 39:35bodies.
- 39:35That's a
- 39:36good
- 39:36thing to
- 39:37do,
- 39:37but
- 39:37we
- 39:38have
- 39:38time.
- 39:40Paul
- 39:40says in
- 39:401 Timothy
- 39:414,
- 39:418,
- 39:41God
- 39:42is
- 39:42of
- 39:43some
- 39:43value.
- 39:44God
- 39:44is
- 39:44of
- 39:45value
- 39:45in
- 39:45every
- 39:46way
- 39:47as
- 39:47it
- 39:48holds
- 39:48promise
- 39:48for
- 39:49the
- 39:49present
- 39:49life
- 39:50and
- 39:50also
- 39:50for
- 39:51the
- 39:52life
- 39:52to
- 39:53come.
- 39:53We
- 39:54need to
- 39:54be
- 39:54regular
- 39:55readers
- 39:56of God's
- 39:57word.
- 39:57We
- 39:57need to
- 39:57take it
- 39:58in
- 39:58in
- 39:58high
- 39:59amounts
- 39:59again,
- 40:00again,
- 40:01again.
- 40:02We
- 40:02are
- 40:02to be
- 40:02people
- 40:03of
- 40:03this
- 40:04word,
- 40:05right?
- 40:06Arm
- 40:06the
- 40:06spirit
- 40:07in
- 40:07your
- 40:07life
- 40:07to
- 40:07take
- 40:08it
- 40:08up
- 40:08and
- 40:09give
- 40:09it
- 40:09application.
- 40:09Almost
- 40:11all
- 40:11of
- 40:12the
- 40:12counseling
- 40:12I
- 40:12do
- 40:13in
- 40:13this
- 40:13church,
- 40:14not
- 40:14all,
- 40:14but
- 40:15almost
- 40:15all
- 40:15the
- 40:15counseling
- 40:16I
- 40:16do
- 40:16in
- 40:16this
- 40:16church
- 40:16begins
- 40:17with
- 40:17how's
- 40:18your
- 40:18Bible
- 40:19reading?
- 40:19And
- 40:20very
- 40:20often
- 40:21it's
- 40:21not
- 40:21going
- 40:21too
- 40:22well.
- 40:23Somebody's
- 40:23not
- 40:23spending
- 40:24much
- 40:24time
- 40:24with
- 40:25the
- 40:25Lord
- 40:26in
- 40:26his
- 40:26word.
- 40:27So
- 40:28we
- 40:28need
- 40:28to
- 40:28read
- 40:28it.
- 40:29Not
- 40:29only
- 40:29that
- 40:29though,
- 40:29we
- 40:30also
- 40:30need
- 40:30to
- 40:30reflect
- 40:31upon
- 40:31it.
- 40:32Every
- 40:32single
- 40:33one
- 40:33of
- 40:33us,
- 40:33myself
- 40:39whatever
- 40:40is
- 40:40going
- 40:40on
- 40:40in
- 40:41our
- 40:41lives.
- 40:42It
- 40:42must
- 40:42be
- 40:42something
- 40:42that
- 40:42is
- 40:43active
- 40:43inside
- 40:44of
- 40:44us.
- 40:45Psalm
- 40:45chapter
- 40:46one
- 40:46verse
- 40:46one
- 40:46and
- 40:46two
- 40:47blessed
- 40:47is
- 40:47the
- 40:47man
- 40:48who
- 40:48walks
- 40:48not
- 40:48in
- 40:48the
- 40:48counsel
- 40:49of
- 40:49the
- 40:49wicked
- 40:49nor
- 40:49stands
- 40:50in
- 40:50the
- 40:50way
- 40:50of
- 40:50sinners
- 40:50nor
- 40:51sits
- 40:51in
- 40:51the
- 40:51seat
- 40:52of
- 40:52scoffers
- 40:52but
- 40:53his
- 40:53delight
- 40:53is
- 40:54in
- 40:54the
- 40:54law
- 40:54of
- 40:54the
- 40:54Lord
- 40:55and
- 40:55on
- 40:55his
- 40:55law
- 40:56he
- 40:56meditates
- 40:57day
- 40:58and
- 40:59night.
- 41:01Fairly
- 41:02clear
- 41:02takes
- 41:02the
- 41:03time
- 41:03to
- 41:04think
- 41:04about
- 41:04it.
- 41:05Steps
- 41:05into
- 41:05situations
- 41:06and
- 41:06is
- 41:07constantly
- 41:07running
- 41:08everything
- 41:08through
- 41:08the
- 41:09filter
- 41:09of
- 41:09God's
- 41:10word.
- 41:10How
- 41:10does
- 41:11God's
- 41:11word
- 41:11speak
- 41:12to
- 41:12me
- 41:12in
- 41:13this
- 41:13moment
- 41:13and
- 41:14that
- 41:14moment
- 41:14and
- 41:15that
- 41:15moment?
- 41:15The
- 41:15entirety
- 41:16of
- 41:16our
- 41:16lives
- 41:17should
- 41:17be
- 41:17shaped
- 41:18by
- 41:19God's
- 41:19word.
- 41:21Psalm
- 41:21119
- 41:22verse
- 41:229
- 41:22and
- 41:2211
- 41:22How
- 41:23can
- 41:23a
- 41:23young
- 41:23man
- 41:23keep
- 41:24his
- 41:24way
- 41:24pure?
- 41:25By
- 41:26guarding
- 41:26it
- 41:26according
- 41:27to
- 41:28your
- 41:28word.
- 41:29With
- 41:29my
- 41:29whole
- 41:30heart
- 41:30I
- 41:30seek
- 41:30you.
- 41:31Let
- 41:31me
- 41:31not
- 41:31wander
- 41:31from
- 41:32your
- 41:32commandments.
- 41:34I
- 41:34have
- 41:34stored
- 41:35up
- 41:35your
- 41:35word
- 41:36in
- 41:36my
- 41:36heart
- 41:37that
- 41:37I
- 41:37might
- 41:38not
- 41:38sin
- 41:38against
- 41:40you.
- 41:40We
- 41:41need
- 41:41to
- 41:41read
- 41:41it
- 41:41and
- 41:42we
- 41:42need
- 41:42to
- 41:42be
- 41:42considering
- 41:43it
- 41:43reflecting
- 41:43upon
- 41:45it
- 41:45and
- 41:46finally
- 41:46we
- 41:47need
- 41:47to
- 41:47be
- 41:47resting
- 41:48in
- 41:49it.
- 41:51Isaiah
- 41:51chapter
- 41:5226
- 41:52in
- 41:52verse
- 41:523
- 41:53You
- 41:54keep
- 41:54him
- 41:55in
- 41:56perfect
- 41:56peace
- 41:57whose
- 41:57mind
- 41:58is
- 41:58stayed
- 41:59on
- 41:59you
- 42:00because
- 42:01he
- 42:02trusts
- 42:02in
- 42:03you.
- 42:04This
- 42:05world
- 42:05is
- 42:05a
- 42:06troubling
- 42:06place
- 42:07in
- 42:07which
- 42:07to
- 42:08live.
- 42:09Knowing
- 42:10God's
- 42:10word
- 42:10for
- 42:11us
- 42:11steadies
- 42:13us
- 42:13through
- 42:13all
- 42:14of
- 42:14those
- 42:15storms.
- 42:18Paul
- 42:18in his
- 42:18letter
- 42:18to the
- 42:19Philippians
- 42:19after
- 42:20his
- 42:20exhortation
- 42:22against
- 42:23anxious
- 42:23living
- 42:24says
- 42:25this
- 42:25rejoice
- 42:25always
- 42:26in the
- 42:26Lord
- 42:27again
- 42:27I
- 42:27will
- 42:27say
- 42:27rejoice
- 42:28let
- 42:28your
- 42:28reasonableness
- 42:29be
- 42:29known
- 42:29to
- 42:30everyone
- 42:30the
- 42:30Lord
- 42:30is
- 42:30at
- 42:30hand
- 42:31do
- 42:31not
- 42:31be
- 42:31anxious
- 42:31about
- 42:32anything
- 42:32but
- 42:33in
- 42:33everything
- 42:34by
- 42:34prayer
- 42:35and
- 42:35supplication
- 42:35with
- 42:36thanksgiving
- 42:36let
- 42:36your
- 42:36requests
- 42:37be
- 42:37made
- 42:37known
- 42:37to
- 42:38God
- 42:38and
- 42:39the
- 42:39peace
- 42:39of
- 42:39God
- 42:40which
- 42:40surpasses
- 42:40all
- 42:40understanding
- 42:41will
- 42:41guard
- 42:41your
- 42:42hearts
- 42:42and
- 42:42minds
- 42:42in
- 42:43Christ
- 42:43Jesus
- 42:44finally
- 42:45brothers
- 42:46whatever
- 42:47is
- 42:47true
- 42:47whatever
- 42:48is
- 42:49honorable
- 42:49whatever
- 42:50is
- 42:50just
- 42:51whatever
- 42:52is
- 42:52pure
- 42:52whatever
- 42:57if there
- 42:57is
- 42:57anything
- 42:58worthy
- 42:59of
- 43:00praise
- 43:01think
- 43:01about
- 43:02these
- 43:03things
- 43:05this is
- 43:06what should
- 43:06occupy
- 43:07our minds
- 43:09and I
- 43:09would challenge
- 43:10you to
- 43:10take
- 43:10to take
- 43:11that list
- 43:13and run
- 43:14the things
- 43:14that you're
- 43:15spending your
- 43:15mind on
- 43:16through that
- 43:17list
- 43:17and see
- 43:18what comes
- 43:18out the
- 43:18other
- 43:18side
- 43:19I
- 43:20hope
- 43:20lots
- 43:20of
- 43:20good
- 43:21stuff
- 43:21perhaps
- 43:22there's
- 43:22some
- 43:23things
- 43:23we need
- 43:23to
- 43:23turn
- 43:23our
- 43:24attention
- 43:24away
- 43:24from
- 43:25that
- 43:25we
- 43:25might
- 43:26turn
- 43:26ourselves
- 43:27to
- 43:28God's
- 43:28word
- 43:28and
- 43:29rest
- 43:30within
- 43:31it
- 43:31so
- 43:32Paul
- 43:33says
- 43:33I
- 43:33appeal
- 43:33to
- 43:34you
- 43:34therefore
- 43:34by
- 43:36the
- 43:36mercies
- 43:36of
- 43:37God
- 43:37present
- 43:38your
- 43:39whole
- 43:39self
- 43:39your
- 43:40whole
- 43:40self
- 43:41as a
- 43:41continual
- 43:42sacrifice
- 43:43to
- 43:43God
- 43:44holy
- 43:44and
- 43:45acceptable
- 43:45which
- 43:45is
- 43:46your
- 43:47spiritual
- 43:48reasonable
- 43:49worship
- 43:50do not
- 43:51be
- 43:51conformed
- 43:52to
- 43:52this
- 43:52world
- 43:52but
- 43:52be
- 43:52transformed
- 43:53by
- 43:54the
- 43:54renewal
- 43:54of
- 43:55your
- 43:55mind
- 43:55that
- 43:56by
- 43:56testing
- 43:57you
- 43:57may
- 43:57discern
- 43:58what
- 43:58is
- 43:58the
- 43:58will
- 43:58of
- 43:58God
- 43:59what
- 43:59is
- 43:59good
- 43:59and
- 44:00acceptable
- 44:01and
- 44:02perfect
- 44:02and
- 44:03I
- 44:03will
- 44:03tell
- 44:03you
- 44:03that
- 44:04I
- 44:04don't
- 44:04believe
- 44:05that
- 44:05this
- 44:05is
- 44:05some
- 44:06kind
- 44:06of
- 44:06formula
- 44:06for
- 44:07figuring
- 44:08out
- 44:08the
- 44:08hidden
- 44:08will
- 44:09of
- 44:09God
- 44:09for
- 44:09your
- 44:09life
- 44:10but
- 44:11rather
- 44:11he's
- 44:11saying
- 44:12if
- 44:12you're
- 44:12engrossed
- 44:13in
- 44:14God's
- 44:14word
- 44:14you're
- 44:15going
- 44:15to
- 44:15know
- 44:16what
- 44:17God
- 44:17would
- 44:17have
- 44:17you
- 44:17do
- 44:18and
- 44:18he's
- 44:18!
- 44:18about
- 44:25acceptable
- 44:26and
- 44:26perfect
- 44:26things
- 44:27are
- 44:27on
- 44:28their
- 44:29way
- 44:30so
- 44:31let's
- 44:31ask
- 44:31for
- 44:31God's
- 44:32favor
- 44:32as
- 44:32we
- 44:32continue
- 44:33as