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Advent 2024: Love – Ephesians 2:1-10 · Providence Baptist Church - Sermons

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Good morning, and there we go. Merry Christmas.
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I'm very excited to be gathered with you all to consider the Advent theme of love.
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! It is a joy for me to be filling the pulpit today.
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Those of you who know me well know that I am a big Christmas enthusiast.
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I celebrate Christmas from about March until about mid-January.
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I really appreciate all the themes that personify Advent truths in the winter season
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and some of the traditions we participate in.
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I think that if we're going to celebrate Advent,
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it is helpful to let our festivities be responsive to what we are celebrating.
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This can amplify our meditations.
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For instance, the trees outside are barren,
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but there is an evergreen inside the house that never dies.
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The winter seems to linger as we anticipate the second coming of the spring.
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In the meantime, it is cold outside, but there is a warmth around the hearth of Christ.
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And as the world anticipated God giving us the gift of Christ,
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we simulate an anticipation of gift-giving on Christmas Day.
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Our physical experience can complement our spiritual experience
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to increase our enjoyment and recognition of Christ's Advent,
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but none of these are to be over-spiritualized or taken as authoritative.
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Celebrating Christmas has really waxed and waned over throughout history,
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so we ought to be cautious that we aren't giving into traditionalism this season.
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But Scripture does not prescribe these modern cultural rituals
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and ever explicitly makes these connections.
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But nonetheless, with the right heart posture,
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celebrating Christ's Advent can be done well.
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With that said, it is the last sermon before our Christmas Eve service,
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and we are considering God's love.
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In light of Christ's incarnation,
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what makes this gift of Jesus such a preeminent act of love?
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It is not simply that there was a miraculous conception.
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The conception of Jesus is really significant
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because it displays the power of God over all living things.
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But there is a much grander reality here that puts God's love on display.
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To understand and experience the act of love I'm talking about,
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we are going to consider Ephesians 2 today.
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As Reformed Baptists, most of us are familiar with Ephesians 1.
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Ephesians 1 is a beautiful and a glorious scripture
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on how our sovereign God predestined those who would be recipients
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of spiritual riches in Christ.
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And this is termed the unconditional election doctrine
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from Calvin's doctrines of grace, or TULIP.
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But in the second half of the chapter,
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Paul prays that the Spirit will open the eyes of their hearts
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to see the immeasurable greatness of his power toward believers.
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And then Paul goes on to reveal a bit of this mystery in chapter 2
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as he shows us how or why it is so immeasurably great.
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So before we get into our text,
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I want to present a framework in thinking through
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the kind of love that God has for his people
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and the immeasurable power God employs because of his great love.
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We often think of love as a transaction.
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When we love someone or something,
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it is because the object of our love is attractive to us,
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even though we make sacrifices for the things we love.
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It is still selfish to some extent.
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There is a reciprocal benefit to ourselves.
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We love watching childhood Christmas movies
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because they make us feel nostalgic.
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They're fun.
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We love eating honey-baked ham
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because it makes our taste buds happy and our bellies full.
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There is a desirable quality about the objects of our love.
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God's love is unique and mysterious
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in that he has a completely selfless love for his people.
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He is not in it for personal gain.
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And furthermore, our love for one another is limited in power.
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God's love is unique in its outward focus,
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but it is also the greatest love fathomable
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because it satisfies the greatest need of the ones he loves
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at the greatest cost to himself.
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We may have love for others and meet some practical needs,
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but we are limited in what we can offer.
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Within Ephesians 2,
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we are going to see this principle drawn out to the greatest extent.
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Christ overwhelmingly fills the greatest need
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to those who deserve it the least
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at the greatest cost to himself.
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All right, so our main text today is Ephesians 2, 1 through 10.
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And we're going to be breaking this down in three chunks.
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The first being verses 1 through 3,
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the unloveliness of man.
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And then verse 4, the love of God.
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And then verses 5 through 10,
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loved in Christ.
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Okay, so let's start with Ephesians,
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or with verses 1 through 3.
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Paul just described in chapter 1
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his prayer and encouragement for the Ephesians
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and concluded with a beautiful doxology
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of the supremacy of Christ.
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And then he says this,
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And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
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in which you once walked,
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following the course of this world,
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following the prince of the power of the air,
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the spirit that is now at work
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in the sons of disobedience,
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among whom we all once lived
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in the passions of our flesh,
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carrying out the desires of the body
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and the mind,
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and were by nature children of wrath,
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like the rest of mankind.
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In these first three verses,
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we see our first point,
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the unloveliness of man.
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Paul emphasized God's unconditional election
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in chapter 1.
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Now he's describing the total depravity
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of mankind.
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And when you consider these doctrines together,
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they not only make logical sense,
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but through them,
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you see just how emphatic
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the love of God is.
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We can't fully understand
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God's total loving power
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until you understand man's depravity.
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And again,
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that is really what I hope to do today,
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is to draw out the gravity
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of God's provision in Christ.
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So Paul is starting to justify that claim
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he made in chapter 1,
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verse 19,
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about God's immeasurable greatness
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of his power toward us who believe.
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So verse 1 depicts the spiritual state
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of the natural man as dead.
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And you are dead in the trespasses and sins.
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In the scriptures,
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there are many ways God describes
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our spiritual status without Christ.
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We are blind,
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deaf,
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sick,
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slaves,
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strangers,
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alienated,
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but here we are dead.
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The natural man,
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the person without the spirit of God
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is dead.
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Holy night speaks of a sin and error pining,
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but Paul says it's not just that we are pining
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or withering away,
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we are already dead.
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I and a number of you
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have had the misfortune of witnessing death.
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Some of you have been pallbearers,
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some work in the ER,
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some have experienced tragic life events firsthand,
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but most of us
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have not had to experience death this intimately.
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Our society today attempts to white glove
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the reality of death.
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We make softer terms for it,
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like passing away or no longer with us.
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We have hospitals and crematories,
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morgues and other institutions now
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that handle the dirty work for us.
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We visit a dying person at the hospital
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and say our final goodbyes,
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and then a week later,
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we have an urn of ashes.
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We never really have to interact directly with death.
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In Paul's day,
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they did not have these conveniences.
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Most people were much more familiar with death.
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When this text says dead,
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I'm sure many of the Ephesians
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could recall a personal example
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of seeing or even handling
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the body of a dead person.
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People died at home
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and the family had to wield a shovel
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and dig a hole
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and place that body in that hole.
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Paul is setting up this analogy
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between physical death
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and the spiritual state of mankind
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to help capture the severity
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of our condition.
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Physically, there's nothing
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that a dead person can do
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to resuscitate themselves.
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They are hopeless in and of themselves.
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If someone stops breathing
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or their heart stops pumping,
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they require another person
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to perform CPR
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or hookup in AED.
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The spiritually dead person
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is likewise cold and animate
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and with no ability to revive itself.
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Obviously, our bodies are alive,
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so this death is a spiritual one.
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We are dead to righteousness,
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and therefore,
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we are dead to a good standing
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with our Heavenly Father.
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Because we cannot fulfill
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the righteous requirement of the law,
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we find ourselves condemned
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before a holy God.
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Romans 2.13 says,
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For it is not the hearers of the law
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who are righteous before God,
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but the doers of the law
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will be justified.
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So in order to be justified,
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we must be doers of righteousness.
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Unfortunately, in Romans 3,
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the author explains that
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there is none righteous,
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no, not one.
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So we are dead to righteousness.
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This means that we don't perform
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some righteous things.
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It means we can't do
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any righteous deeds
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apart from Christ.
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And while we may perform
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some morally good acts,
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Romans tells us that
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anything not done in faith
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is sin.
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It is not righteous.
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The deeds of our flesh
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are not done
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for the right reason.
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They are not done in faith
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for the glory of God.
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If we are not justified before God,
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then judgment is due
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because of our trespasses and sin.
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This judgment means
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we will be forever separated
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from God in eternity.
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In and of ourselves,
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we can do nothing
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to gain favor with God.
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So we are not physically dead
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and somehow we can walk.
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So what does this look like
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to be dead men walking?
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For starters,
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in verse 2,
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it says that we do have
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a spirit at work within us,
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but it is not of God.
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It is a dark force within
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and around us
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that causes us
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to wander about
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seeking to indulge
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the passions of our flesh,
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somewhat like spiritual zombies.
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Our natural kingdom
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under the influence
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of the prince
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of the power of the air
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is in the atmosphere
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of carnality.
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As long as the prince
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has his way,
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we will follow him
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to death.
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A path disguised
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by the gratification
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of our flesh
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until the nails
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are driven
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into our spiritual coffins.
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David Guzik says this,
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a dead man
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feels comfortable
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in his coffin.
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In the same way,
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when we were spiritually dead,
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we felt comfortable
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in trespasses
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and sins.
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Satan is the great deceiver.
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He will use every resource
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the Lord permits him to use
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to try and entice our flesh.
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He will often try
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to make you feel justified
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and satisfied
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in your sin.
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So be cautious
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that you are not putting
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your hope in your own works
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because it can feel good
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to get rewards
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from the world
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and success in your affairs.
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This is a false hope.
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Satan will put this
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imaginary carrot
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before your eyes
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until you find yourself
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in eternal ruin,
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away from the presence
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of the Lord
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and away from the glory
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of his might.
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Without Christ,
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this is our fate.
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We are enslaved to sin.
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We follow and submit
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to the prince
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of the power of the air.
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We reject God
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for who he is,
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the real king.
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The underwhelming title
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given to the person
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in this state
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is a son of disobedience
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and child of wrath.
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We have inherited
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disobedience
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from our first parents.
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Like our first mother,
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Eve,
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who saw that the tree
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was a delight to the eyes
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and desired to make one wise,
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she took of it and ate.
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God promised that
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the day we ate of it,
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we would surely die.
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That death,
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promised in Genesis,
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was both a promise
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of physical death
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and spiritual death.
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On that day,
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they were separated from God
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because of their
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unrighteous disobedience
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and they would no longer
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live forever.
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Death now has spread
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to all men
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because all sinned.
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We would not
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nor could not
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choose otherwise.
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It is who we are
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naturally from birth.
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We follow Satan
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just like our parents.
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As birds fly,
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man's natural condition
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is sinful.
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We were naturally
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enslaved to sin,
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following Satan
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and participating
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in his works.
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We declared ourselves
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to be gods
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by ignoring the Lord's decrees
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and obeying our own will
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and the will of the devil.
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This is a spiritual corruption
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which demands
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spiritual justice,
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which is what
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the children of wrath
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will get as their inheritance.
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The willful transgressions
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that we commit
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merit the judgment of God
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because it is breaking
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of God's law
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of which the Lord
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will execute his wrath.
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Verse 3 goes on
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to tell us
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that this is our life.
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We lived
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in the passions
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of our flesh.
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We loved it.
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It was our passion.
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We're not only
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by nature
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in this condition
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but it is a willing pursuit
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of gratifying
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our fleshly desires.
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It is eerie
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how common,
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accepted,
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and subtle
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that sin can be.
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But don't be deceived.
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The sin we possess
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is ugly and nasty.
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It's rebellious,
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deceiving,
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and it's morally wrong.
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It causes children
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to lie to their parents.
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It causes brothers
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to bully their sisters
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or for sisters
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to steal from their brothers.
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It causes husbands
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to be disloyal
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to their wives,
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whether in person
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or virtually.
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It causes wives
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to envy other marriages.
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It causes fathers
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to abdicate their duty
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as spiritual leader
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of the home.
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And for mothers
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to complain
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about those little souls
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that the Lord
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has entrusted them
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to steward.
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Roommates bicker
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over who does
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or doesn't do the dishes.
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People murder
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and steal.
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Body, image, anxiety,
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pride,
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and physical performance.
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Trusting that money
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will satisfy us.
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Complaining about
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our circumstances.
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All envy,
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boasting,
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pride, addiction,
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disorder,
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hate, deceit.
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It is all because
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of our condition
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of sin.
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And furthermore,
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the stain of sin
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runs deep.
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We carry out
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the comprehensive
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desires of both
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body and mind.
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Our sin nature
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is not simply
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outward in action.
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It also takes place
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in our mind.
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For instance,
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everyone who hates
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his brother
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is a murderer.
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And everyone
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who looks at a woman
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with lustful intent
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has already committed
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adultery with her.
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We are not just
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partially depraved
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in our bodies.
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We are totally
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depraved throughout
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in body and mind.
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Even though our sin
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may be less outwardly
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harming when it is
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concealed inside the mind,
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God sees
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and he knows
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the inward thoughts.
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Those inward sins
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also merit
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the due sentence
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of law-breaking.
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We all once
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lived like the rest
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of mankind
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denotes that
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all humankind
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starts this way.
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Physically alive,
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spiritually dead,
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we are overall
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unlovely
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and without the ability
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to revive ourselves
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spiritually.
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We are unrighteous
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and desperately need
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to be justified.
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We are at enmity
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with God
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and desperately need
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to be reconciled.
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We are dead
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and desperately need
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to live.
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So this is the first half
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of considering
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the severity
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of God's love
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in Christ
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by understanding
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the severity
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of our need
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for him.
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We will suffer
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the eternal
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and just punishment
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of God
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as lawbreakers.
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We miss out
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on the joy
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and honor
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of knowing God
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personally
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as Abba Father.
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We have a very
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great need
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to alter this outcome.
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It is a matter
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of eternal life
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and death.
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So throughout
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verses 1 through 3,
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we may have
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a faint hope
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in our hearts
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as Paul speaks
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in the past tense,
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but it is overall
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gloomy and discouraging
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as we are reminded
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of our depravity.
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Our heads start
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to drop
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in defeat
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until
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verse 4.
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In verse 4,
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we will see
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our second point,
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the love of God
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burst onto the scene.
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It reads,
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but God,
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being rich
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in mercy
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because
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of the great love
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with which
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he loved us.
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On a clean
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and sharp break
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into verse 4,
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we have a reason
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to lift our heads.
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Our ear catches
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a slight burst
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of hope
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in that three-letter
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conjunction,
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but.
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We are like
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the rest of mankind,
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except.
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Like the first
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blooms
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in springtime,
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we anticipate
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a coming turn
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of events.
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The winter
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is coming
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to a close
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and a new day
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is dawning.
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But what?
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The noun
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following the
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conjunction
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backs up
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and reaffirms
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the hope
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we start to sense.
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The noun
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is God.
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The unfailing,
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promise-keeping,
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truth-telling,
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life-giving being
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who has power
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and authority
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over all things
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has something
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to interject.
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This God
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is the one
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who does not
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disappoint
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as the things
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of this earth
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disappoints.
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He is not like
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the Christmas Eve
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dinner that fills
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us for a time
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and then we
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hunger again.
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He is not our
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fading youth
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that allows us
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to be productive
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and sharp
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for a while.
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He is not
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uncertain like
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a house that
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has potential
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to burn down
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or flood.
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He is not like
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our earthly parents
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or our best friend
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or our spouse
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that will fail us
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at times.
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He will not
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desert those
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whom he loves.
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He says
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that he is with us
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always to the
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end of the age
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and God has
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no higher name
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to which he can
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swear by so when
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he gives a promise
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it's good as done.
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He can create
18:44
something from
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nothing.
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He is from
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eternity past
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and will be
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until eternity
18:50
future.
18:50
He never grows
18:51
weary or hungry.
18:52
Time and space
18:53
do not affect him.
18:55
If we are to have
18:56
hope in anyone
18:57
to rescue us
18:58
from our grave
18:58
spiritual condition
19:00
it is the great
19:01
I am.
19:02
So we have
19:04
here
19:05
but God
19:06
but God
19:07
has something
19:07
perhaps
19:08
change this
19:09
reality
19:09
and outcome
19:10
of her depravity
19:10
from verses
19:11
1 through 3
19:11
but what is it?
19:13
It is his
19:14
agape love
19:16
being rich in
19:17
mercy
19:17
because
19:17
of his
19:19
great love
19:20
with which
19:21
he loved us.
19:22
This is
19:23
a significant
19:24
word here
19:25
because the word
19:25
for love
19:26
is different
19:27
from the other
19:28
words translated
19:28
to love in the
19:29
Bible.
19:30
I'm sure a lot
19:30
of you are
19:31
familiar with that.
19:31
It is not
19:32
eros
19:33
which is
19:33
marital love
19:34
it is not
19:34
philia
19:35
brotherly love
19:37
and it is not
19:37
storge
19:38
familial love
19:39
it is not
19:41
based on
19:41
affection
19:42
or feelings
19:43
as you might
19:44
love eating
19:45
gingerbread
19:45
cookies
19:46
and watching
19:46
Home Alone 2
19:47
it is also
19:49
not based on
19:49
obligation
19:50
like paying
19:51
a debt
19:51
it is a
19:52
sacrificial
19:53
and committed
19:54
and confirmed
19:55
love that says
19:55
despite your
19:57
unloveliness
19:57
I love you
19:59
true agape
20:01
love
20:01
doesn't say
20:02
to the beggar
20:02
go and
20:02
be warmed
20:03
it actually
20:04
ensures
20:05
the good
20:05
outcome
20:06
of its
20:07
object
20:07
it is an
20:08
authentic
20:08
sympathy
20:09
that will
20:10
achieve the
20:10
well-being
20:11
of its
20:11
recipient
20:12
or die
20:13
trying
20:13
additionally
20:15
this mercy
20:16
that God
20:16
bestows on
20:17
his people
20:17
has to be
20:18
based on
20:19
God's
20:20
love
20:20
it is
20:21
because
20:21
of the
20:22
great love
20:22
with which
20:23
he loved
20:23
us
20:23
whatever
20:24
this exchange
20:25
is
20:26
or whatever
20:27
it is going
20:27
to be
20:28
it makes
20:28
no sense
20:29
in and of
20:30
itself
20:30
there is
20:31
not going
20:31
to be
20:32
any
20:32
economical
20:33
benefit
20:33
for God
20:34
in this
20:34
deal
20:35
and he
20:35
is the
20:36
one
20:36
initiating
20:36
it
20:37
for instance
20:38
if I
20:38
purchase
20:39
a red
20:39
rider
20:40
air rifle
20:40
for $100
20:41
that is
20:42
a fair
20:42
trade
20:43
money
20:44
for a
20:44
gun
20:44
it doesn't
20:45
take love
20:46
to make
20:46
that purely
20:47
economical
20:48
transaction
20:48
now if I
20:50
gift that
20:50
red rider
20:51
to my
20:51
son
20:51
for free
20:52
this requires
20:53
an amount
20:54
of love
20:55
to be present
20:55
because I
20:56
get no
20:56
economical
20:57
return
20:58
from it
20:58
because I
21:00
love my
21:00
son I
21:01
give him
21:01
this free
21:02
gift
21:02
and this
21:03
may even
21:03
be less
21:04
than free
21:04
because I'm
21:04
risking a
21:05
trip to the
21:06
ER if he
21:06
shoots his
21:07
eye out
21:07
because we
21:10
bring nothing
21:11
to the
21:11
bargaining table
21:12
indeed we
21:13
cannot
21:13
there has to
21:15
be an
21:15
amount of
21:16
love
21:16
mercy
21:17
and grace
21:18
on God's
21:19
part
21:19
this is an
21:20
unfair trade
21:20
and it should
21:21
cause us to
21:22
stand in
21:22
awe at the
21:23
mystery of
21:24
God's love
21:25
this rich
21:27
mercy that
21:27
is lavished
21:28
upon us
21:29
has to be
21:29
founded on
21:30
his own
21:30
attribute of
21:31
love because
21:32
it makes no
21:32
sense otherwise
21:33
this is the
21:34
unique kind of
21:34
love that God
21:35
has in fact
21:36
scripture says
21:36
that God
21:37
is this
21:39
kind of
21:39
love
21:40
the attribute
21:41
of loving
21:41
your enemy
21:42
is not
21:42
natural to
21:43
man
21:43
it is
21:44
foreign to
21:45
anything that
21:45
man could
21:46
have conceived
21:47
it originates
21:48
from God
21:49
he is the
21:49
source
21:50
God is not
21:50
just loving
21:52
but God
21:52
is love
21:54
look at
21:55
chapter 3
21:56
really quick
21:56
chapter 3
21:57
and verse 14
21:58
to kind of
22:00
explain this
22:00
a little bit
22:00
more
22:01
Paul says
22:03
for this
22:05
reason I
22:05
bow my
22:06
knees before
22:06
the father
22:07
from whom
22:07
every family
22:08
in heaven
22:08
and on earth
22:09
is named
22:09
that according
22:10
to the riches
22:11
of his glory
22:12
he may grant
22:13
you to be
22:13
strengthened with
22:14
power through
22:15
his spirit
22:15
in your inner
22:16
being so
22:17
that Christ
22:18
may dwell
22:19
in your
22:19
hearts
22:20
through faith
22:20
Christ
22:21
dwelling in
22:22
your hearts
22:22
through faith
22:23
that you
22:23
being rooted
22:24
and grounded
22:26
in agape
22:27
may have
22:29
strength to
22:30
comprehend with
22:30
all the saints
22:31
what is the
22:31
breadth and
22:32
length and
22:33
height and
22:34
depth and
22:35
to know the
22:35
agape of
22:37
Christ
22:37
that surpasses
22:39
knowledge that
22:39
you may be
22:40
filled with
22:41
all the fullness
22:41
of God
22:43
so what does
22:45
it mean that
22:45
we can know
22:46
the love of
22:46
Christ and
22:47
yet it
22:47
surpasses
22:48
knowledge
22:49
what means
22:50
without
22:51
Christ
22:51
it is
22:52
unfathomable
22:53
to know
22:54
this kind
22:55
of love
22:55
it comes
22:56
from above
22:56
when the
22:57
love of
22:57
Christ dwells
22:58
in your
22:58
heart through
22:59
faith
22:59
then you
23:00
are rooted
23:01
and grounded
23:02
in that
23:03
agape
23:03
and it
23:04
gives you
23:04
the strength
23:05
to comprehend
23:06
the dimensional
23:06
and measurable
23:08
love of God
23:08
it is otherwise
23:10
foreign to
23:11
man
23:11
God
23:14
loved
23:15
us
23:16
God is the
23:17
subject
23:17
acting
23:18
on the
23:19
direct
23:19
object
23:19
Paul
23:20
tells us
23:20
that he
23:21
has
23:21
bestowed
23:22
his
23:22
love
23:23
on us
23:24
this
23:24
love
23:24
is
23:25
something
23:25
tangible
23:25
and
23:26
effectual
23:27
he has
23:27
an abundance
23:28
of mercy
23:29
that he
23:29
somehow
23:30
has imparted
23:31
to us
23:31
in love
23:32
we know
23:33
that we
23:33
need
23:33
rich
23:34
mercy
23:34
because
23:35
we
23:35
by nature
23:36
are so
23:37
spiritually
23:38
poor
23:39
this verse
23:40
is so
23:41
powerful
23:41
it comes
23:43
upon
23:43
a midnight
23:44
clear
23:45
like the
23:45
angels
23:46
to the
23:46
shepherds
23:46
in Luke
23:47
2
23:47
the
23:47
bleak
23:48
reality
23:48
of
23:48
ourselves
23:49
from
23:49
verses
23:50
1-3
23:50
are dark
23:51
and cold
23:52
like the
23:53
night
23:53
but all
23:53
of a
23:54
sudden
23:54
the
23:54
angels
23:54
appeared
23:55
to the
23:55
shepherds
23:55
and the
23:56
glory
23:56
of the
23:56
Lord
23:57
shone
23:57
around
23:57
them
23:57
they
23:58
haven't
23:58
even
23:59
relayed
23:59
what
24:00
the
24:00
good
24:00
news
24:00
is
24:00
yet
24:01
but
24:01
it
24:01
invoked
24:02
a
24:02
deep
24:02
response
24:03
from
24:03
within
24:04
the
24:04
shepherds
24:05
verse
24:06
4
24:06
is
24:06
the
24:06
burst
24:07
of
24:07
light
24:07
emanating
24:08
from
24:08
the
24:08
glory
24:08
of
24:09
God
24:09
that
24:10
stirs
24:10
a
24:10
deep
24:10
expectant
24:11
heart
24:12
response
24:12
within
24:13
us
24:13
it's
24:14
the
24:14
great
24:14
turning
24:14
point
24:15
in
24:15
our
24:15
salvation
24:15
story
24:16
as it
24:16
was
24:16
in
24:16
human
24:17
history
24:17
because
24:17
it
24:18
speaks
24:18
of
24:18
a
24:19
great
24:19
power
24:20
we
24:20
offer
24:20
nothing
24:21
but
24:21
God
24:22
offers
24:22
rich
24:22
mercy
24:23
because
24:23
of
24:24
his
24:24
great
24:24
love
24:25
but
24:27
God
24:27
has
24:28
loved
24:28
us
24:29
with
24:29
his
24:29
agape
24:29
love
24:30
now
24:30
the
24:30
ears
24:30
of
24:30
our
24:31
heart
24:31
are
24:31
fully
24:32
engaged
24:33
as we
24:33
continue
24:33
to
24:33
read
24:34
we
24:34
can't
24:35
help
24:35
but
24:36
continue
24:36
to know
24:37
how
24:38
God
24:38
has
24:38
loved
24:38
us
24:38
and
24:38
what
24:39
the
24:39
conclusion
24:39
of
24:39
that
24:40
love
24:40
might
24:40
be
24:40
the
24:42
conclusion
24:42
given
24:43
in
24:44
5
24:44
through
24:44
10
24:45
which
24:45
is
24:45
our
24:45
third
24:46
and
24:46
final
24:46
point
24:46
being
24:47
loved
24:47
in
24:48
Christ
24:48
will
24:49
overwhelmingly
24:50
resolve
24:51
all the
24:52
problems
24:52
presented
24:52
in
24:53
verses
24:53
1
24:53
through
24:54
3
24:54
so
24:57
hark
24:57
the
24:58
herald
24:58
Paul
24:58
here
24:58
from
24:59
verse
24:59
5
24:59
even
25:01
when
25:01
we
25:02
were
25:02
dead
25:02
in
25:03
our
25:03
trespasses
25:04
God
25:05
made
25:06
us
25:06
alive
25:06
together
25:07
with
25:07
Christ
25:08
by
25:08
grace
25:09
you
25:09
have
25:09
been
25:09
saved
25:10
and
25:10
raised
25:11
us
25:11
up
25:11
with
25:11
him
25:12
and
25:12
seated
25:12
us
25:12
with
25:13
him
25:13
in
25:13
the
25:13
heavenly
25:13
places
25:14
in
25:14
Christ
25:15
Jesus
25:15
so
25:16
that
25:16
in
25:16
the
25:16
coming
25:16
ages
25:17
he
25:17
might
25:18
show
25:18
the
25:18
immeasurable
25:19
riches
25:19
of his
25:20
grace
25:20
and
25:20
kindness
25:21
toward
25:21
us
25:21
in
25:22
Christ
25:22
Jesus
25:22
for
25:23
by
25:23
grace
25:23
you
25:23
have
25:24
been
25:24
saved
25:24
through
25:25
faith
25:25
and
25:26
this
25:26
is
25:26
not
25:26
your
25:26
own
25:27
doing
25:27
it
25:27
is
25:28
the
25:28
gift
25:28
of
25:28
God
25:29
not
25:29
a
25:29
result
25:30
of
25:30
works
25:30
that
25:30
no
25:30
one
25:31
may
25:31
boast
25:31
for
25:32
we
25:32
are
25:32
his
25:32
workmanship
25:33
created
25:34
in
25:34
Christ
25:34
Jesus
25:35
for
25:35
good
25:35
works
25:36
which
25:36
God
25:36
prepared
25:36
beforehand
25:37
that
25:38
we
25:38
should
25:38
walk
25:39
in
25:39
them
25:40
oh
25:42
tidings
25:42
of
25:42
comfort
25:43
and
25:43
joy
25:43
by
25:44
grace
25:44
alone
25:45
through
25:45
faith
25:46
alone
25:46
in
25:47
Christ
25:47
alone
25:48
in
25:48
glory
25:49
to
25:49
God
25:49
in
25:50
the
25:50
highest
25:51
alone
25:51
this
25:54
sweet
25:54
news
25:54
is not
25:55
explicit
25:55
about
25:56
what
25:56
Christ
25:56
did
25:57
to
25:57
save
25:57
us
25:57
but
25:58
the
25:58
rest
25:58
of
25:58
Ephesians
25:58
is a
25:59
little
25:59
more
25:59
descriptive
25:59
chapter
26:01
1
26:01
verse
26:01
says
26:02
that
26:02
we
26:02
have
26:03
redemption
26:03
through
26:03
his
26:04
blood
26:04
and
26:05
then
26:05
in
26:05
chapter
26:05
2
26:06
verse
26:06
13
26:06
we
26:07
have
26:07
been
26:07
brought
26:07
near
26:08
by
26:08
the
26:08
blood
26:08
of
26:09
Christ
26:09
and
26:10
again
26:10
chapter
26:11
5
26:11
verse
26:12
2
26:12
Christ
26:12
loved
26:13
us
26:13
and
26:13
gave
26:14
himself
26:14
up
26:14
for
26:14
us
26:15
a
26:15
fragrant
26:15
offering
26:16
and
26:16
sacrifice
26:17
to
26:17
God
26:17
and
26:18
then
26:18
verse
26:18
!
26:18
25
26:19
chapter
26:19
5
26:20
Christ
26:20
loved
26:26
God
26:35
removes
26:35
our
26:36
sin
26:36
from
26:37
our
26:37
identity
26:38
as far
26:38
as the
26:39
east
26:39
is
26:39
from
26:39
the
26:39
west
26:40
it
26:40
is
26:40
immeasurable
26:41
his
26:43
agape
26:43
love
26:44
is
26:44
bestowed
26:44
on
26:45
us
26:45
in
26:45
Christ
26:46
this
26:46
illuminates
26:47
how
26:47
the
26:48
love
26:49
of
26:49
God
26:49
spans
26:50
that
26:50
eternal
26:51
gulf
26:52
in
26:52
between
26:52
our
26:53
natural
26:53
standing
26:54
and
26:54
our
26:54
current
26:54
standing
26:55
we
26:56
see
26:56
more
26:56
clearly
26:56
that
26:57
this
26:57
grace
26:57
is
26:57
immeasurable
26:58
the
26:59
ultimate
26:59
gift
26:59
paid
27:00
at
27:00
the
27:00
ultimate
27:00
cost
27:01
purchased
27:01
by
27:02
him
27:02
who
27:02
had
27:02
the
27:02
least
27:03
obligation
27:03
to
27:04
pay
27:04
it
27:04
Christ
27:05
Jesus
27:05
humbly
27:06
born
27:06
as a
27:06
baby
27:07
in
27:07
a
27:07
manger
27:07
so
27:08
that
27:08
he
27:08
might
27:09
give
27:09
his
27:09
life
27:09
as
27:09
a
27:10
ransom
27:10
for
27:10
many
27:11
God
27:12
the
27:12
father
27:12
sacrificed
27:13
this
27:13
only
27:14
begotten
27:14
son
27:15
Christ
27:15
that
27:15
we
27:16
would
27:16
be
27:16
reconciled
27:17
to
27:17
him
27:17
he
27:17
poured
27:18
!
27:18
his
27:18
mercy
27:25
so
27:25
that
27:25
is
27:25
how
27:27
Christ
27:27
procured
27:28
the
27:28
gifts
27:29
we
27:29
see
27:29
in
27:29
5
27:29
through
27:30
10
27:30
and
27:30
interwoven
27:31
throughout
27:31
the
27:31
description
27:32
of
27:32
the
27:32
gifts
27:32
which
27:32
meet
27:33
the
27:33
eternal
27:33
needs
27:34
we
27:34
have
27:34
presented
27:35
in
27:36
1
27:36
through
27:36
3
27:36
is a
27:36
theme
27:37
of
27:37
grace
27:38
and
27:38
humility
27:38
this
27:40
humility
27:40
is the
27:40
natural
27:41
and
27:41
right
27:42
response
27:42
we
27:42
ought
27:42
to
27:42
have
27:43
because
27:43
our
27:43
greatest
27:43
need
27:44
being
27:44
saved
27:45
from
27:45
eternity
27:46
in
27:46
hell
27:46
and
27:48
to
27:48
a
27:48
right
27:48
standing
27:49
with
27:49
God
27:49
has
27:50
been
27:50
met
27:50
it
27:52
is
27:52
the
27:52
greatest
27:52
gift
27:53
we
27:53
could
27:53
ever
27:54
wish
27:54
for
27:54
and
27:55
has
27:55
been
27:55
granted
27:56
and
27:58
what
27:58
did
27:59
we
27:59
do
27:59
to
28:00
deserve
28:00
this
28:01
nothing
28:02
we
28:03
were
28:03
dead
28:03
in
28:04
our
28:04
trespasses
28:04
and
28:04
sins
28:05
meaning
28:05
we
28:05
could
28:05
not
28:06
merit
28:06
any
28:07
gift
28:07
from
28:07
God
28:08
but
28:08
God
28:09
made
28:09
us
28:10
alive
28:11
it
28:11
was
28:12
a
28:12
complete
28:12
and
28:12
gracious
28:13
act
28:13
of
28:14
God
28:14
verse
28:15
five
28:15
answers
28:16
verse
28:16
one
28:16
you
28:16
are
28:17
dead
28:17
but
28:18
because
28:18
of
28:19
God's
28:19
love
28:19
we're
28:20
made
28:21
alive
28:21
remember
28:23
that
28:23
it
28:23
requires
28:23
someone
28:24
outside
28:24
of
28:24
ourselves
28:25
to
28:25
resuscitate
28:26
or revive
28:26
our
28:27
souls
28:27
Christ
28:28
is
28:28
the
28:28
AED
28:29
that
28:29
shocks
28:30
us
28:30
into
28:30
life
28:31
we
28:31
were
28:31
the
28:32
ones
28:32
being
28:32
saved
28:33
we
28:33
did
28:34
not
28:34
and
28:34
could
28:34
not
28:35
save
28:36
ourselves
28:36
some
28:38
of
28:38
you
28:38
have
28:38
heard
28:39
preachers
28:39
speak
28:40
of
28:40
God's
28:40
plea
28:41
for
28:41
the
28:41
sinner
28:41
to
28:42
come
28:42
answer
28:42
the
28:43
door
28:43
of
28:44
salvation
28:44
that
28:44
God
28:45
is
28:45
knocking
28:45
on
28:45
if
28:47
only
28:48
we
28:48
would
28:48
let
28:48
him
28:48
in
28:49
we
28:50
could
28:50
be
28:50
saved
28:51
it
28:52
depends
28:52
on
28:52
you
28:53
there
28:56
ain't
28:56
nobody
28:56
coming
28:56
to
28:56
the
28:57
door
28:57
there's
28:58
a
28:58
dead
28:58
man
28:58
inside
28:59
God
29:00
needs
29:00
to
29:00
kick
29:00
down
29:00
the
29:01
door
29:01
and
29:01
perform
29:01
a
29:02
spiritual
29:02
!
29:02
miracle
29:03
God
29:03
is
29:03
not
29:04
so
29:04
weak
29:04
in
29:04
power
29:05
that
29:06
he
29:06
depends
29:06
on
29:06
our
29:07
permission
29:07
we
29:08
were
29:08
dead
29:09
there's
29:09
no
29:10
permission
29:10
to
29:10
give
29:11
to
29:11
him
29:11
there's
29:12
no
29:12
heartbeat
29:12
no
29:12
blood
29:13
pumping
29:13
no
29:14
lungs
29:14
breathing
29:15
we
29:15
needed
29:16
a
29:16
miracle
29:17
and
29:17
that
29:17
is
29:17
exactly
29:18
what
29:18
God
29:18
has
29:18
done
29:19
the
29:19
great
29:19
physician
29:20
has
29:20
risen
29:21
the
29:21
dead
29:21
to
29:21
life
29:22
through
29:22
faith
29:22
in
29:23
Christ
29:23
he
29:24
surgically
29:24
!
29:24
removed
29:25
the
29:26
heart
29:26
of
29:26
stone
29:26
and
29:26
gave
29:27
us
29:27
a
29:27
heart
29:27
of
29:27
flesh
29:28
!
29:33
grace
29:34
you
29:35
have
29:35
been
29:35
saved
29:35
through
29:36
faith
29:36
and
29:37
this
29:37
is
29:37
not
29:37
your
29:38
own
29:38
doing
29:38
not
29:39
as
29:39
a
29:39
result
29:39
of
29:39
anything
29:40
we
29:40
did
29:40
or
29:41
didn't
29:41
do
29:41
we
29:42
aren't
29:42
so
29:42
lovely
29:43
and
29:43
honorable
29:43
that
29:44
God
29:44
ought
29:44
to
29:44
do
29:44
this
29:45
there
29:45
was
29:46
nothing
29:46
about
29:46
us
29:46
that
29:46
God
29:47
thought
29:47
you
29:47
know
29:47
they
29:47
have
29:47
been
29:48
so
29:48
good
29:48
I'll
29:49
give
29:49
them
29:49
a
29:49
second
29:49
chance
29:50
no
29:52
we
29:52
were
29:52
dead
29:53
by
29:53
grace
29:54
you
29:54
have
29:55
been
29:55
saved
29:55
Paul
29:56
repeats
29:56
that
29:57
twice
29:57
here
30:03
no
30:03
one
30:03
may
30:03
boast
30:04
because
30:04
it
30:04
was
30:04
a
30:04
complete
30:05
act
30:05
of
30:06
God
30:06
when
30:07
we
30:07
try
30:07
to
30:07
claim
30:08
credit
30:08
for
30:09
our
30:09
salvation
30:09
we
30:11
are
30:11
attempting
30:11
to rob
30:12
God
30:12
of
30:13
his
30:13
glory
30:13
and
30:13
bringing
30:14
the
30:14
dead
30:14
to
30:14
life
30:14
it
30:15
would
30:15
be
30:15
like
30:15
waking
30:16
up
30:16
in
30:16
a
30:16
hospital
30:16
after
30:17
a
30:17
fatal
30:17
car
30:17
accident
30:18
and
30:18
telling
30:18
everyone
30:19
how
30:19
you
30:19
installed
30:20
your
30:21
own
30:21
IVs
30:21
and
30:22
stitched
30:22
together
30:22
your
30:22
wounds
30:23
and
30:24
performed
30:24
!
30:24
spinal
30:25
surgery
30:25
to
30:25
yourself
30:26
I
30:28
don't
30:28
think
30:33
Adam
30:34
and
30:35
Eve
30:35
after
30:35
eating
30:35
the
30:35
fruit
30:36
we
30:36
deserve
30:37
much
30:37
worse
30:37
than
30:37
coal
30:38
in
30:38
our
30:38
stocking
30:38
we
30:39
ran
30:39
from
30:40
God
30:40
our
30:40
iniquities
30:41
had
30:41
made
30:41
a
30:41
separation
30:42
between
30:43
us
30:43
and
30:43
God
30:43
and
30:44
our
30:44
sins
30:44
had
30:44
hidden
30:44
his
30:45
face
30:45
from
30:45
us
30:45
so
30:45
that
30:45
he
30:46
does
30:46
not
30:46
hear
30:46
but
30:47
God
30:47
being
30:48
rich
30:48
in
30:48
mercy
30:49
because
30:49
of
30:49
the
30:50
great
30:50
love
30:50
with
30:51
which
30:51
he
30:51
loved
30:51
us
30:52
made
30:52
us
30:52
alive
30:53
together
30:53
with
30:53
Christ
30:54
praise
30:55
the
30:55
Lord
30:55
so
30:57
we
30:57
have
31:03
Christ
31:03
Jesus
31:03
after
31:04
our
31:04
Lord
31:04
was
31:04
sacrificed
31:05
he
31:05
did
31:05
not
31:05
stay
31:06
down
31:06
he
31:07
alone
31:07
holds
31:08
power
31:08
over
31:08
death
31:09
because
31:09
he
31:09
alone
31:10
is
31:10
the
31:10
almighty
31:11
he
31:11
is
31:11
the
31:12
one
31:12
who
31:12
creates
31:12
life
31:13
death
31:13
had
31:13
nothing
31:14
to
31:14
hold
31:14
against
31:15
Christ
31:15
to
31:15
bind
31:15
him
31:16
in
31:16
the
31:16
grave
31:16
there's
31:17
no
31:17
justified
31:18
accusation
31:19
against
31:19
him
31:19
he
31:20
was
31:20
the
31:21
perfect
31:21
and
31:21
righteous
31:22
son
31:23
of
31:23
man
31:23
therefore
31:24
he
31:24
was
31:24
able
31:24
to
31:24
be
31:24
raised
31:25
from
31:25
the
31:25
tomb
31:25
in
31:26
his
31:26
death
31:26
he
31:27
consumed
31:27
the
31:28
wrath
31:28
of
31:28
God
31:28
we
31:29
deserved
31:29
and
31:30
buried
31:30
it
31:30
in
31:30
that
31:30
grave
31:31
never
31:31
to
31:32
be
31:32
awakened
31:32
again
31:33
then
31:34
he
31:34
ascended
31:35
to
31:35
the
31:35
right
31:35
hand
31:35
of
31:35
the
31:36
father
31:36
his
31:36
seat
31:37
now
31:37
is
31:38
there
31:38
in
31:38
the
31:38
heavenly
31:38
places
31:39
and
31:39
when
31:39
we
31:39
are
31:40
found
31:40
in
31:40
him
31:40
his
31:41
identity
31:42
becomes
31:42
our
31:43
identity
31:43
our
31:45
kingdom
31:45
that we
31:45
reside
31:46
in
31:46
is
31:46
now
31:46
in
31:46
the
31:46
heavenly
31:47
places
31:47
we
31:47
don't
31:47
sit
31:48
in
31:48
the
31:48
seat
31:48
of
31:48
scoffers
31:49
we
31:49
sit
31:49
around
31:50
the
31:50
royal
31:50
table
31:51
of
31:51
the
31:51
messiah
31:52
this
31:53
is
31:54
in
31:54
contrast
31:54
to
31:54
the
31:55
course
31:55
of
31:55
this
31:55
world
31:55
where
31:56
the
31:56
figurehead
31:56
is
31:56
the
31:57
prince
31:57
of
31:57
the
31:57
power
31:57
we
31:58
now
31:58
have
31:58
new
31:59
identities
31:59
because
31:59
we
31:59
are
32:00
of
32:00
a
32:00
different
32:00
people
32:01
a
32:01
holy
32:01
nation
32:02
we're
32:03
a
32:03
royal
32:03
priesthood
32:04
a
32:05
people
32:05
for
32:05
his
32:05
own
32:06
possession
32:06
now
32:07
in
32:08
Christ
32:08
we
32:08
are
32:08
alive
32:09
to
32:09
righteousness
32:10
you
32:11
however
32:11
are
32:12
not
32:12
in
32:12
the
32:12
flesh
32:12
!
32:13
but
32:13
in
32:13
the
32:13
spirit
32:13
if
32:13
in
32:13
fact
32:14
the
32:14
spirit
32:14
of
32:14
God
32:14
dwells
32:15
in
32:15
you
32:15
anyone
32:15
who
32:16
does
32:16
not
32:16
have
32:16
the
32:17
spirit
32:17
of
32:17
Christ
32:17
does
32:17
not
32:18
belong
32:18
to
32:18
him
32:18
but
32:19
if
32:20
Christ
32:20
is
32:20
in
32:20
you
32:20
although
32:21
the
32:21
body
32:21
is
32:22
dead
32:22
because
32:22
of
32:22
sin
32:23
the
32:23
spirit
32:23
is
32:24
life
32:24
because
32:25
of
32:25
righteousness
32:25
if
32:26
the
32:26
spirit
32:27
of
32:27
him
32:27
who
32:27
raised
32:27
Jesus
32:28
from
32:28
the
32:28
dead
32:29
dwells
32:29
in
32:29
you
32:30
he
32:31
who
32:31
raised
32:31
Christ
32:31
Jesus
32:32
from
32:32
the
32:32
dead
32:32
will
32:32
also
32:33
give
32:33
life
32:34
to
32:34
your
32:35
mortal
32:35
bodies
32:35
through
32:36
his
32:36
spirit
32:36
who
32:37
dwells
32:37
in
32:37
you
32:38
converted
32:39
born
32:40
again
32:40
Christians
32:41
are
32:41
alive
32:42
in
32:42
the
32:42
righteousness
32:43
of
32:43
Christ
32:44
and
32:44
that
32:44
same
32:45
power
32:45
that
32:45
rose
32:45
Christ
32:46
from
32:46
the
32:46
grave
32:46
has
32:47
given
32:47
you
32:47
life
32:48
we
32:49
are
32:49
now
32:49
dead
32:50
to
32:50
sin
32:50
and
32:51
alive
32:52
to
32:52
righteousness
32:53
seated
32:53
with
32:54
Christ
32:54
in
32:54
the
32:54
heavenly
32:54
places
32:55
this
32:56
seat
32:57
comes
32:57
with
32:57
great
32:57
privileges
32:58
it
32:59
is
32:59
in
32:59
contrast
32:59
to
33:00
living
33:00
in
33:00
the
33:00
passions
33:01
of
33:01
our
33:01
flesh
33:02
!
33:03
which
33:03
ultimately
33:03
leave
33:04
us
33:04
dissatisfied
33:05
and
33:06
broken
33:07
we
33:07
are
33:07
seated
33:08
in
33:08
the
33:08
heavenly
33:08
places
33:09
so
33:09
that
33:09
in
33:10
the
33:10
coming
33:10
ages
33:10
throughout
33:11
the
33:11
throughout
33:12
every
33:12
age
33:13
going
33:13
forward
33:13
throughout
33:14
the
33:14
ages
33:14
God
33:15
shows
33:15
us
33:16
the
33:16
immeasurable
33:16
riches
33:17
of
33:17
his
33:18
grace
33:18
and
33:18
kindness
33:19
toward
33:19
us
33:19
in
33:19
Christ
33:20
Jesus
33:20
we
33:20
have
33:20
boldness
33:21
and
33:22
confident
33:22
access
33:22
to
33:23
God
33:23
through
33:23
our
33:23
faith
33:24
in
33:24
Christ
33:24
when
33:25
we
33:25
now
33:25
sin
33:25
we
33:26
have
33:26
a
33:26
mediator
33:27
as
33:27
we
33:27
repent
33:28
of
33:28
our
33:28
sins
33:29
we
33:29
are
33:29
forgiven
33:29
because
33:30
Christ
33:30
intercedes
33:31
for
33:31
us
33:32
this
33:32
is
33:32
an
33:32
immeasurable
33:33
kindness
33:34
furthermore
33:34
he
33:35
always
33:35
lends
33:36
his
33:36
ear
33:36
to
33:36
his
33:37
children
33:37
and
33:38
he
33:38
comforts
33:38
them
33:39
he
33:40
is
33:40
always
33:41
with
33:41
us
33:41
our
33:42
trials
33:42
and
33:42
sufferings
33:43
work
33:43
to
33:44
sanctify
33:44
us
33:45
for
33:45
God's
33:45
glory
33:46
and
33:46
our
33:46
good
33:46
the
33:47
world
33:48
no
33:48
longer
33:48
has
33:49
to
33:49
be
33:49
feared
33:49
because
33:50
Christ
33:51
has
33:51
overcome
33:52
the
33:52
world
33:52
if
33:54
we
33:54
are
33:54
to
33:54
live
33:55
we
33:55
live
33:55
for
33:55
Christ
33:56
if
33:56
we
33:56
are
33:56
to
33:56
die
33:57
death
33:57
is
33:57
gain
33:58
neither
34:00
death
34:00
nor
34:01
life
34:01
nor
34:01
angels
34:02
nor
34:02
rulers
34:02
nor
34:02
things
34:03
present
34:03
nor
34:03
things
34:04
to
34:04
come
34:04
nor
34:04
powers
34:04
nor
34:05
height
34:05
nor
34:05
death
34:05
nor
34:05
anything
34:06
else
34:06
in
34:06
all
34:06
creation
34:07
will
34:07
be
34:08
able
34:08
to
34:08
separate
34:08
us
34:08
from
34:09
the
34:09
love
34:10
of
34:10
God
34:11
in
34:12
Christ
34:12
Jesus
34:12
our
34:13
Lord
34:13
we
34:16
are
34:16
not
34:16
called
34:16
to
34:16
comfort
34:17
but
34:17
rather
34:17
faithfulness
34:18
as
34:19
we
34:19
obey
34:19
the
34:19
Lord
34:20
we
34:20
may
34:20
be
34:20
persecuted
34:21
and
34:21
we
34:21
may
34:21
be
34:21
disciplined
34:22
!
34:27
knowing
34:28
the
34:28
compassion
34:29
the
34:29
comfort
34:29
the
34:30
security
34:31
and
34:31
the
34:31
rest
34:32
found
34:33
in
34:33
our
34:33
sovereign
34:34
powerful
34:35
loving
34:36
God
34:36
and
34:37
we
34:37
get
34:38
to
34:38
experience
34:38
the
34:38
immeasurable
34:39
riches
34:39
of
34:40
his
34:40
grace
34:40
day
34:41
after
34:41
day
34:41
throughout
34:42
the
34:43
ages
34:43
so
34:45
those
34:46
are
34:46
many
34:47
of
34:47
the
34:47
privileges
34:47
of
34:48
being
34:49
seated
34:49
in
34:50
the
34:50
heavenly
34:50
places
34:50
but
34:50
we
34:50
have
34:51
also
34:51
been
34:51
recreated
34:52
no
34:53
longer
34:53
are
34:53
we
34:54
sons
34:54
of
34:54
disobedience
34:55
or
34:55
children
34:56
of
34:56
wrath
34:57
our
34:58
new
34:58
inheritance
34:58
is
34:59
the
34:59
throne
35:00
of
35:00
Christ
35:00
we
35:02
are
35:02
created
35:03
in
35:03
Christ
35:04
Jesus
35:04
we
35:05
are
35:05
his
35:06
workmanship
35:06
now
35:07
as
35:08
such
35:08
we
35:08
walk
35:09
in
35:09
newness
35:09
of
35:09
life
35:10
we
35:10
get
35:10
to
35:11
walk
35:11
in
35:11
the
35:11
path
35:12
of
35:12
the
35:12
righteous
35:13
the
35:13
good
35:13
works
35:14
that
35:14
we
35:14
do
35:14
as
35:15
a
35:15
result
35:16
of
35:16
being
35:17
saved
35:17
are
35:18
good
35:18
and
35:19
they
35:19
are
35:19
a
35:19
joy
35:19
it
35:20
is
35:20
not
35:20
burdensome
35:20
but
35:21
delightful
35:21
because
35:22
it
35:22
is
35:22
ultimately
35:22
for
35:23
our
35:23
good
35:23
God
35:25
doesn't
35:25
prescribe
35:26
these
35:26
good
35:26
works
35:26
because
35:27
he
35:27
is
35:27
insecure
35:28
and
35:28
just
35:28
needs
35:29
someone
35:29
to
35:29
obey
35:29
him
35:30
these
35:31
works
35:31
are
35:31
for
35:31
our
35:31
good
35:32
they
35:32
protect
35:32
us
35:33
from
35:33
spiritual
35:33
harm
35:34
we
35:35
are
35:35
given
35:35
to
35:35
spiritual
35:36
anger
35:37
depression
35:37
and loneliness
35:39
and all
35:39
sorts
35:39
of terrible
35:40
things
35:40
but
35:43
the
35:43
new
35:43
works
35:43
we
35:44
are
35:45
created
35:46
for
35:46
bear
35:47
comfort
35:47
and
35:48
joy
35:48
God
35:50
are
35:51
however
35:51
expected
35:52
of
35:52
God
35:52
children
35:53
we
35:53
are
35:54
not
35:54
saved
35:54
by
35:55
them
35:55
by
35:55
our
35:55
good
35:56
works
35:56
don't
35:56
be
35:57
mistaken
35:57
but
35:57
being
35:58
saved
35:58
we
35:59
will
35:59
do
35:59
good
35:59
works
36:00
it
36:00
is
36:00
the
36:00
spiritual
36:01
litmus
36:01
test
36:02
God
36:02
prepares
36:03
these
36:04
good
36:04
works
36:04
beforehand
36:05
that
36:06
we
36:06
should
36:06
walk
36:07
in
36:07
them
36:07
when
36:09
a
36:09
king
36:09
was
36:09
introduced
36:10
someone
36:11
used
36:12
to
36:12
go
36:12
before
36:13
him
36:13
and
36:14
rolled
36:14
out
36:15
the
36:15
royal
36:15
carpet
36:15
that
36:16
he
36:16
should
36:16
walk
36:17
down
36:17
that
36:18
path
36:18
God
36:18
likewise
36:19
has
36:19
prepared
36:20
us
36:20
a
36:20
path
36:20
to
36:21
walk
36:21
it
36:22
is
36:22
the
36:22
path
36:22
of
36:22
good
36:22
works
36:22
that
36:23
we
36:23
should
36:23
walk
36:23
in
36:23
them
36:24
the
36:26
end
36:26
of
36:26
this
36:26
path
36:26
is
36:27
the
36:27
presence
36:27
of
36:28
the
36:28
Lord
36:28
one
36:28
day
36:29
we
36:29
will
36:30
no
36:30
longer
36:30
see
36:31
in
36:31
a
36:31
mirror
36:32
dimly
36:32
lit
36:32
but
36:33
we
36:33
will
36:33
stand
36:34
face
36:34
to
36:34
face
36:35
with
36:35
God
36:35
there
36:36
will
36:36
be
36:37
no
36:37
need
36:37
for
36:37
a
36:37
sun
36:37
to
36:38
shine
36:38
because
36:38
he
36:38
himself
36:39
will
36:39
be
36:39
our
36:39
light
36:39
what
36:40
a
36:41
day
36:41
that
36:41
will
36:41
be
36:42
it's
36:43
all
36:44
because
36:44
Christ
36:44
came
36:45
and
36:45
accomplished
36:46
the
36:46
task
36:46
what
36:47
was
36:47
started
36:47
in
36:48
the
36:48
little
36:48
town
36:48
of
36:49
Bethlehem
36:49
will
36:49
end
36:50
in
36:50
a
36:50
glorious
36:50
new
36:51
Jerusalem
36:51
with
36:52
city
36:52
walls
36:52
of
36:53
Jasper
36:53
and
36:53
streets
36:54
of
36:54
gold
36:54
where
36:55
our
36:55
Savior
36:55
will
36:56
be
36:56
with
36:56
us
36:57
so
36:59
why
36:59
is
36:59
our
36:59
advent
37:00
of
37:00
Christ
37:00
such
37:01
a
37:01
preeminent
37:02
act
37:02
of
37:03
love
37:03
it
37:04
was
37:04
not
37:05
just
37:05
a
37:05
miraculous
37:06
conception
37:06
our
37:07
Savior
37:07
was
37:08
born
37:08
God
37:10
took
37:10
on
37:10
flesh
37:10
to
37:10
rescue
37:11
people
37:11
who
37:11
were
37:12
dead
37:12
he
37:13
ransomed
37:14
captive
37:14
Israel
37:15
enslaved
37:16
to sin
37:17
enemies
37:17
of
37:17
God
37:18
dead
37:18
in
37:19
our
37:19
trespasses
37:19
and
37:20
sins
37:20
God
37:20
came
37:21
to
37:21
us
37:21
to
37:22
save
37:22
us
37:23
he
37:24
had
37:25
to
37:25
come
37:25
to
37:25
earth
37:25
in
37:26
order
37:26
to
37:26
fulfill
37:27
the
37:27
requirement
37:28
of
37:28
righteousness
37:29
so that
37:29
in
37:29
him
37:29
we
37:29
could
37:30
be
37:30
justified
37:30
because
37:30
of
37:31
the
37:31
great
37:31
love
37:31
with
37:32
which
37:32
he
37:32
loved
37:32
us
37:33
he
37:33
paid
37:34
the
37:35
ultimate
37:35
price
37:35
for
37:35
people
37:36
who
37:37
deserved
37:37
it
37:37
the
37:38
least
37:38
to
37:39
gift
37:39
us
37:39
the
37:40
utmost
37:41
valuable
37:41
riches
37:42
by
37:43
grace
37:43
you
37:44
have
37:44
been
37:44
saved
37:45
by
37:45
grace
37:46
you
37:46
have
37:46
been
37:46
given
37:47
life
37:48
everlasting
37:50
God
37:50
loved
37:50
us
37:51
and
37:51
gave
37:52
us
37:52
every
37:52
spiritual
37:52
blessing
37:53
in
37:53
the
37:53
heavenly
37:53
places
37:54
my
37:55
only
37:56
application
37:57
to
37:57
this
37:57
is to
37:58
praise
37:58
God
37:59
in
37:59
humility
38:00
beholding
38:01
the
38:02
mystery
38:02
of
38:03
his
38:03
love
38:03
that
38:03
he
38:03
bestowed
38:04
on
38:04
dead
38:05
sinners
38:05
in
38:06
Christ
38:06
I'm
38:08
going to
38:08
end by
38:08
reading the lyrics
38:09
of
38:09
joyful joyful
38:10
we
38:10
adore
38:10
thee
38:11
I
38:11
hope
38:12
it
38:12
rings
38:12
anew
38:12
for
38:12
you
38:13
as
38:14
you
38:14
might
38:14
sing
38:14
it
38:14
this
38:15
season
38:15
joyful
38:17
joyful
38:18
we
38:19
adore
38:19
you
38:20
God
38:20
of
38:21
glory
38:21
Lord
38:22
of
38:22
love
38:23
hearts
38:24
unfold
38:24
like
38:24
flowers
38:25
before
38:25
you
38:26
opening
38:26
to
38:27
the
38:27
sun
38:27
above
38:27
melt
38:28
the
38:28
clouds
38:29
of
38:29
sin
38:29
and
38:30
sadness
38:31
drive
38:32
the
38:32
dark
38:32
of
38:32
doubt
38:32
away
38:33
giver
38:34
of
38:35
immortal
38:35
gladness
38:36
fill
38:37
us
38:38
with
38:38
the
38:38
light
38:38
of
38:38
day
38:39
all
38:40
your
38:40
works
38:41
with
38:41
joy
38:41
surround
38:42
you
38:42
earth
38:42
and
38:42
heaven
38:43
reflect
38:43
your
38:43
rays
38:44
stars
38:45
and
38:45
angels
38:45
sing
38:46
around
38:47
you
38:47
center
38:48
of
38:48
unbroken
38:49
praise
38:50
field
38:50
and
38:50
forest
38:51
veil
38:51
and
38:51
mountain
38:51
flowery
38:52
meadow
38:52
flashing
38:53
sea
38:53
chanting
38:54
bird
38:54
and
38:54
flowing
38:55
fountain
38:55
praising
38:56
you
38:56
eternally
38:57
always
38:58
giving
38:58
and
38:59
forgiving
38:59
ever
39:00
blessing
39:01
ever
39:01
blessed
39:02
wellspring
39:03
of the
39:03
joy
39:04
of
39:04
living
39:05
ocean
39:06
depth
39:06
of
39:07
happy
39:07
rest
39:08
loving
39:09
father
39:10
christ
39:12
our
39:12
brother
39:12
let
39:13
your
39:13
light
39:14
upon
39:14
us
39:14
shine
39:15
teach
39:16
us
39:16
how
39:16
to
39:16
love
39:16
each
39:16
other
39:17
let
39:17
us
39:17
lift
39:18
us
39:18
to
39:18
the
39:19
joy
39:19
divine
39:20
mortals
39:21
join
39:22
the
39:22
mighty
39:22
chorus
39:23
which
39:23
the
39:23
morning
39:23
stars
39:24
began
39:24
god's
39:25
own
39:25
love
39:26
is
39:26
reigning
39:27
over
39:27
us
39:27
join
39:28
the
39:28
people
39:28
hand
39:29
in
39:29
hand
39:29
ever
39:30
singing
39:30
march
39:31
we
39:31
onward
39:31
victors
39:32
in the
39:33
midst
39:33
of
39:33
strife
39:34
joyful
39:34
music
39:35
leads
39:35
us
39:36
sunward
39:36
in the
39:37
triumph
39:37
song
39:38
of
39:39
life
39:39
let's
39:40
pray