WEBVTT 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:05.144 All righty, 00:00:05.272 --> 00:00:06.262 Here we go. 00:00:06.320 --> 00:00:07.432 We're in Romans, 00:00:07.496 --> 00:00:08.500 Chapter two. 00:00:08.800 --> 00:00:11.360 We're going to cover quite a long passage today, 00:00:11.360 --> 00:00:16.640 so I'm going to go ahead and read it from the outset just so that you 00:00:16.752 --> 00:00:17.872 know where we are. 00:00:17.872 --> 00:00:19.048 Romans, Chapter two. 00:00:19.104 --> 00:00:23.512 Because, like Wednesday night when I was sharing around the tables in 00:00:23.536 --> 00:00:25.970 there, I always forget to tell you, 00:00:26.010 --> 00:00:29.706 write the book and the chapter and the numbers and all that sort of thing. 00:00:29.546 --> 00:00:31.170 So we're in two verses, 00:00:31.170 --> 00:00:32.910 17 to 21. 00:00:33.210 --> 00:00:42.018 But I'm actually going to read what Paul is saying to us, 00:00:42.074 --> 00:00:46.706 because the idea that what God is revealing to us through these first 00:00:46.778 --> 00:00:47.666 three chapters. 00:00:47.698 --> 00:00:48.026 All right, 00:00:48.026 --> 00:00:50.074 so I'm going to let you know we've got three more. 00:00:50.074 --> 00:00:52.674 We've got a whole nother chapter of these things. 00:00:52.674 --> 00:00:55.974 But I'm going to summarize it after I read it. 00:00:55.920 --> 00:00:56.328 You ready? 00:00:56.328 --> 00:00:57.120 Here we go. 00:00:57.120 --> 00:01:01.080 But if you bear the name Jew and rely upon the law, 00:01:01.120 --> 00:01:02.440 and boast in God, 00:01:02.536 --> 00:01:04.100 and know his will, 00:01:04.400 --> 00:01:06.440 and approve the things that are essential, 00:01:06.440 --> 00:01:08.420 being instructed out of the law, 00:01:09.440 --> 00:01:13.592 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, 00:01:13.736 --> 00:01:15.800 a light to those who are in darkness, 00:01:15.800 --> 00:01:17.352 a corrector of the foolish, 00:01:17.352 --> 00:01:19.496 a teacher of the immature, 00:01:19.608 --> 00:01:23.594 and having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and of truth, 00:01:23.722 --> 00:01:24.602 you, therefore, 00:01:24.666 --> 00:01:25.834 who teach another, 00:01:26.002 --> 00:01:27.652 do you not teach yourself? 00:01:27.970 --> 00:01:30.426 You who preach that one should not steal, 00:01:30.426 --> 00:01:31.578 do you steal? 00:01:31.754 --> 00:01:34.202 You who say that one should not commit adultery, 00:01:34.202 --> 00:01:35.522 do you commit adultery? 00:01:35.386 --> 00:01:37.386 You who abhor idols, 00:01:37.498 --> 00:01:39.390 do you rob temples? 00:01:40.130 --> 00:01:43.306 You who boast in the law through your breaking, 00:01:43.498 --> 00:01:45.750 through your breaking the law, 00:01:48.500 --> 00:01:50.400 do you dishonor God? 00:01:51.380 --> 00:01:55.124 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, 00:01:55.124 --> 00:01:56.876 just as it is written. 00:01:57.068 --> 00:01:57.804 For indeed, 00:01:57.852 --> 00:02:00.420 circumcision is of value if you practice the law. 00:02:00.420 --> 00:02:02.100 But if you are a transgressor of the law, 00:02:02.100 --> 00:02:04.860 your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 00:02:04.940 --> 00:02:05.676 If, therefore, 00:02:05.708 --> 00:02:08.860 the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the law, 00:02:08.900 --> 00:02:11.958 will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 00:02:12.084 --> 00:02:16.026 And will not he who is physically uncircumcised if he keeps the law, 00:02:16.026 --> 00:02:17.676 will he not judge you, 00:02:17.690 --> 00:02:19.594 who, through having the letter of the law, 00:02:19.594 --> 00:02:23.058 though having the letter of the law and circumcision are a transgressor 00:02:23.058 --> 00:02:24.048 of the law? 00:02:24.186 --> 00:02:27.026 For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly. 00:02:27.026 --> 00:02:30.326 Neither is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh, 00:02:30.730 --> 00:02:32.370 but he is the Jew, 00:02:32.370 --> 00:02:34.162 he is a Jew who is one inwardly. 00:02:34.162 --> 00:02:37.426 And circumcision is that which is of the heart by the Spirit, 00:02:37.426 --> 00:02:38.746 not by the letter, 00:02:39.060 --> 00:02:40.900 and his praise is not from men, 00:02:40.900 --> 00:02:41.996 but from God. 00:02:42.188 --> 00:02:46.140 I remember doing these videos a few weeks ago for the daily devotional 00:02:46.140 --> 00:02:47.600 gathering in the Word. 00:02:47.940 --> 00:02:53.148 I messed it up every single day as I was reading it because Paul is 00:02:53.204 --> 00:02:56.652 writing and I've shared with you as we began the book of Romans, 00:02:56.652 --> 00:03:02.204 that this is a most will look at this document and know that it's a legal 00:03:02.252 --> 00:03:09.308 document. It is an explanation of the justification that God provides for 00:03:09.364 --> 00:03:14.280 us. And Paul writes it as if he's making a case, 00:03:15.300 --> 00:03:16.060 you know, 00:03:16.180 --> 00:03:20.520 he's giving the argument for who God is, 00:03:20.820 --> 00:03:22.492 what God's done, 00:03:22.676 --> 00:03:25.646 why he's done it and how he's done it. 00:03:25.716 --> 00:03:26.412 Okay? 00:03:26.556 --> 00:03:30.540 And so as we work our way through the 16 chapters of Romans, 00:03:30.620 --> 00:03:31.772 it's always this. 00:03:31.876 --> 00:03:33.540 Just consider as we walk in here, 00:03:33.540 --> 00:03:34.600 we, you know, 00:03:35.040 --> 00:03:36.184 it's a case, 00:03:36.352 --> 00:03:38.136 it's a legal argument. 00:03:38.328 --> 00:03:42.888 Paul is sharing by inspiration of God, 00:03:43.064 --> 00:03:45.576 God's case for salvation. 00:03:45.688 --> 00:03:46.408 All right, 00:03:46.544 --> 00:03:47.200 there you go. 00:03:47.200 --> 00:03:48.136 Let's pray. 00:03:48.328 --> 00:03:50.200 God, thank you for your word. 00:03:50.200 --> 00:03:52.952 As difficult a time as I have in reading it sometimes, 00:03:52.952 --> 00:03:55.262 God, thank you that you are plain, 00:03:55.760 --> 00:03:57.100 you have spoken, 00:03:57.440 --> 00:03:59.464 you have given us your word, 00:03:59.512 --> 00:04:02.016 you have revealed yourself to us in it. 00:04:02.016 --> 00:04:03.848 And so God help us to hear from you. 00:04:03.848 --> 00:04:05.088 God help us to hear your word, 00:04:05.088 --> 00:04:06.848 Help us to hear your voice. 00:04:06.848 --> 00:04:08.180 God, you speak. 00:04:08.520 --> 00:04:09.032 And so, 00:04:09.032 --> 00:04:11.792 God, we really need to pay attention. 00:04:11.936 --> 00:04:13.448 We pray it in Jesus name. 00:04:13.448 --> 00:04:16.940 Amen. Y'all know the phrase leveling the playing field? 00:04:17.640 --> 00:04:18.720 Y'all know that, 00:04:18.840 --> 00:04:20.490 know where it comes from? 00:04:22.680 --> 00:04:28.320 Alright, so it kind of came into some more usage back sort of during the 00:04:28.360 --> 00:04:35.290 70s, talking about actually sporting events and having a level playing 00:04:35.330 --> 00:04:38.890 field. Any of you that played sports as a kid, 00:04:38.970 --> 00:04:40.594 Right. Or as a young person, 00:04:40.594 --> 00:04:42.106 or even as an adult. 00:04:42.106 --> 00:04:46.474 And if the field wasn't fair for both teams, 00:04:46.522 --> 00:04:47.122 I mean, 00:04:47.122 --> 00:04:48.810 the reference actually refers to, 00:04:48.850 --> 00:04:49.818 for instance, 00:04:49.994 --> 00:04:52.110 playing football on a slope. 00:04:52.450 --> 00:04:54.570 The team that's got the down slope, 00:04:54.570 --> 00:04:55.470 Woo hoo. 00:04:55.970 --> 00:04:57.786 The team that's got the upslope, 00:04:57.786 --> 00:04:58.746 they got some trouble, 00:04:58.746 --> 00:05:00.074 right? Well, 00:05:00.162 --> 00:05:01.082 it was funny. 00:05:01.082 --> 00:05:03.306 Home field also becomes an advantage. 00:05:03.338 --> 00:05:04.328 Y'all know that. 00:05:04.482 --> 00:05:05.162 You know, 00:05:05.266 --> 00:05:07.246 the team that's playing at home, 00:05:07.570 --> 00:05:10.946 they have a little bit of advantage because it's familiar to them. 00:05:10.450 --> 00:05:15.530 Right. I would just recall for you that my son Eli played soccer and one 00:05:15.570 --> 00:05:17.122 season he played for a. 00:05:17.122 --> 00:05:19.170 It was not really a travel team, 00:05:19.170 --> 00:05:22.070 but they played several different places around, 00:05:24.000 --> 00:05:26.264 say, Pender County, 00:05:26.352 --> 00:05:27.860 New Hanover county, 00:05:28.160 --> 00:05:31.380 that other Onslow county and Duplin County. 00:05:31.680 --> 00:05:34.650 Well, we went to a field in Duplin County. 00:05:35.040 --> 00:05:36.020 Thank you. 00:05:36.960 --> 00:05:40.980 What are most of the fields in Duplin county to begin with. 00:05:42.080 --> 00:05:44.060 Really hog. 00:05:46.400 --> 00:05:48.380 This must have been a farm, 00:05:48.960 --> 00:05:51.220 because we walked out there. 00:05:51.760 --> 00:05:55.096 Whoops, Sorry, 00:05:55.128 --> 00:05:55.820 Scott. 00:06:00.800 --> 00:06:03.300 Somebody needs to level my playing field. 00:06:04.640 --> 00:06:08.270 Anyway, you kick a soccer ball in that field up there. 00:06:08.480 --> 00:06:09.900 And there was ridges. 00:06:10.320 --> 00:06:13.064 There were ridges just every few, 00:06:13.232 --> 00:06:14.260 like foot. 00:06:16.100 --> 00:06:16.692 Thank you. 00:06:16.596 --> 00:06:17.916 It was a row. 00:06:17.948 --> 00:06:19.268 It was a row. 00:06:19.540 --> 00:06:23.160 It had been prior to being a soccer field. 00:06:23.460 --> 00:06:26.200 It had been some kind of farm, 00:06:26.820 --> 00:06:28.140 some kind of crop. 00:06:28.580 --> 00:06:32.140 Now, the boys from Duplin county knew how to play. 00:06:32.180 --> 00:06:33.280 The rows. 00:06:33.940 --> 00:06:36.920 Boys from Pender county and Onslow county did not. 00:06:37.620 --> 00:06:38.924 Significant disadvantage, 00:06:38.972 --> 00:06:42.838 Right. As we study through the book of Romans, 00:06:42.934 --> 00:06:45.244 here's what we've found out so far. 00:06:45.278 --> 00:06:46.930 We know who Paul is, 00:06:47.390 --> 00:06:48.182 right? 00:06:48.366 --> 00:06:50.662 We know that he is a preacher of the gospel. 00:06:50.662 --> 00:06:52.262 And why is he a preacher of the Gospel? 00:06:52.262 --> 00:06:55.318 Because it's the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes, 00:06:55.318 --> 00:06:59.142 to the Jew first and also to the Greek or the Gentile or everybody that's 00:06:59.142 --> 00:07:00.170 not Jewish. 00:07:00.910 --> 00:07:02.210 And in it, 00:07:02.670 --> 00:07:07.024 the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith. 00:07:07.072 --> 00:07:08.496 And so what we're learning, 00:07:08.496 --> 00:07:12.896 what we're studying here is that Paul is this advocate, 00:07:13.088 --> 00:07:17.856 by inspiration of God and by call of God to share the gospel, 00:07:18.048 --> 00:07:20.176 to proclaim it to the Roman Empire, 00:07:20.176 --> 00:07:21.064 the Roman world, 00:07:21.064 --> 00:07:23.056 both Jews and to Greeks. 00:07:23.168 --> 00:07:26.516 And then he starts out right after he says those statements in Romans 1, 00:07:26.516 --> 00:07:27.536 16 and 17, 00:07:27.688 --> 00:07:30.940 he starts going into what sin looks like. 00:07:31.410 --> 00:07:33.162 This is what sin is. 00:07:33.346 --> 00:07:36.976 And the basic definition of sin is anything that's not perfect, 00:07:37.330 --> 00:07:40.234 right? He doesn't differentiate. 00:07:40.282 --> 00:07:40.706 He doesn't say, 00:07:40.706 --> 00:07:42.146 well, this sin is worse than this sin. 00:07:41.978 --> 00:07:43.298 This is all sin. 00:07:43.890 --> 00:07:44.970 And guess what? 00:07:45.090 --> 00:07:47.730 Everybody who sinners is going to be judged. 00:07:48.290 --> 00:07:49.940 We're going to be judged. 00:07:50.290 --> 00:07:52.290 And so we went through the series that, 00:07:52.290 --> 00:07:53.018 guess what? 00:07:53.154 --> 00:07:55.670 God's the judge and we're not. 00:07:57.180 --> 00:08:00.460 And when we put ourselves in the place of judgment, 00:08:00.460 --> 00:08:03.276 that's when Paul starts breaking this down for us. 00:08:03.276 --> 00:08:03.948 And he says, 00:08:03.948 --> 00:08:04.800 guess what? 00:08:05.340 --> 00:08:07.000 Gentiles are sinners. 00:08:07.660 --> 00:08:08.980 What he's saying is, 00:08:09.068 --> 00:08:10.600 gentiles are guilty. 00:08:11.900 --> 00:08:12.620 Then he says, 00:08:12.620 --> 00:08:13.444 guess what? 00:08:13.612 --> 00:08:17.520 Jews are sinners and Jews are guilty too, 00:08:18.220 --> 00:08:20.212 because God's going to judge everybody. 00:08:20.356 --> 00:08:21.436 We get to chapter three, 00:08:21.436 --> 00:08:22.220 which actually says, 00:08:22.220 --> 00:08:22.880 guess what? 00:08:22.956 --> 00:08:23.668 Guess. Yes. 00:08:23.764 --> 00:08:25.588 Jews are sinners and guilty. 00:08:25.764 --> 00:08:27.252 Gentiles are sinners and guilty. 00:08:27.252 --> 00:08:28.900 We get to chapter three goes, 00:08:28.900 --> 00:08:32.200 everybody's sinners and guilty, 00:08:32.620 --> 00:08:34.680 right? And God's going to judge. 00:08:35.180 --> 00:08:37.892 And then we get justification, 00:08:38.036 --> 00:08:38.708 okay? 00:08:38.804 --> 00:08:39.572 Which is cool. 00:08:39.572 --> 00:08:40.892 I love that thing. 00:08:40.988 --> 00:08:46.996 But what God's doing in Revelation of this book is leveling the playing 00:08:47.068 --> 00:08:50.240 field. Everybody's on the same place. 00:08:50.940 --> 00:08:55.236 We're all guilty before the Righteous Throne and the Righteous God. 00:08:55.428 --> 00:08:58.398 And we're going to stand before God one day. 00:08:58.460 --> 00:08:59.760 Question is, 00:09:01.340 --> 00:09:11.560 have we done our part right in bowing before a holy and righteous God? 00:09:12.620 --> 00:09:13.724 Because some people think, 00:09:13.724 --> 00:09:14.700 well, I have. 00:09:14.700 --> 00:09:19.204 Remember last week we talked about the ungodly completely. 00:09:19.252 --> 00:09:22.222 The ones who will not acknowledge God as God. 00:09:22.730 --> 00:09:24.874 And we assume some sort of authority that, 00:09:24.874 --> 00:09:27.130 well, maybe we're a little bit God, 00:09:27.130 --> 00:09:31.410 right? Then you've got the moralists who say, 00:09:31.450 --> 00:09:35.730 well, I'm better than them, 00:09:35.850 --> 00:09:39.750 so I must be good enough to gain God's approval. 00:09:40.730 --> 00:09:44.690 Then you got the legalists who think they've got the right list, 00:09:44.730 --> 00:09:45.370 you know, 00:09:45.370 --> 00:09:49.642 And I've listened to a lot of preachers preach these passages over the 00:09:49.642 --> 00:09:52.490 last several months because trying to lay this out for us, 00:09:52.490 --> 00:09:53.066 I was trying to say, 00:09:53.066 --> 00:09:53.726 all right, 00:09:54.710 --> 00:09:55.206 you know, 00:09:55.206 --> 00:09:57.350 how do we need to hear it? 00:09:57.350 --> 00:10:04.410 It's interesting to me that a lot of preachers won't pick on. 00:10:05.510 --> 00:10:08.262 Remember last week I used those of you who were here last week. 00:10:08.166 --> 00:10:09.190 If you weren't here last week, 00:10:09.190 --> 00:10:09.590 guess what? 00:10:09.590 --> 00:10:10.910 You get a pass. 00:10:11.750 --> 00:10:13.286 For those of you who are here last week, 00:10:13.286 --> 00:10:15.596 I picked on myself and my upbringing. 00:10:15.990 --> 00:10:17.678 I grew up Baptist, 00:10:17.854 --> 00:10:18.374 you know, 00:10:18.374 --> 00:10:19.874 something in my DNA, 00:10:20.062 --> 00:10:22.586 I know what Baptists say is right and wrong. 00:10:22.586 --> 00:10:25.950 I remember early on as a kid hearing that phrase, 00:10:26.370 --> 00:10:27.322 I don't smoke, 00:10:27.322 --> 00:10:29.962 drink or chew or date girls who do. 00:10:32.290 --> 00:10:35.242 Right? I mean, 00:10:35.346 --> 00:10:38.070 it's a list and I keep the list. 00:10:38.370 --> 00:10:42.450 So I must be right and I must be righteous and I must be good enough to 00:10:42.450 --> 00:10:43.994 attain God's favor, 00:10:44.122 --> 00:10:47.316 right? So everybody's got their list. 00:10:47.468 --> 00:10:48.060 I'm this, 00:10:48.060 --> 00:10:48.640 right? 00:10:49.020 --> 00:10:50.124 I'm better than that, 00:10:50.124 --> 00:10:52.372 right? I'm in this group. 00:10:52.476 --> 00:10:54.116 I wear this badge. 00:10:54.308 --> 00:10:55.972 Thus we get this phrase. 00:10:56.036 --> 00:10:59.080 But if you bear the name Jew, 00:11:00.540 --> 00:11:01.280 right? 00:11:01.740 --> 00:11:03.124 Because there's this attitude, 00:11:03.172 --> 00:11:06.720 there's this idea that some people are better than others. 00:11:07.340 --> 00:11:08.796 Why? Why do they think that way? 00:11:08.796 --> 00:11:10.776 Why do we think that way? 00:11:10.950 --> 00:11:13.590 Why is it we feel like it's okay? 00:11:13.830 --> 00:11:18.450 Because we've got our list and we do a good job keeping our list, 00:11:19.030 --> 00:11:20.094 right? I mean, 00:11:20.262 --> 00:11:21.406 this is the argument. 00:11:21.406 --> 00:11:25.294 So most that communicate this passage. 00:11:25.342 --> 00:11:26.638 And there's a lot of the commentaries. 00:11:26.638 --> 00:11:30.078 And if you look at the construction of this particular passage, 00:11:30.078 --> 00:11:31.030 what you find is, 00:11:31.030 --> 00:11:33.730 is that this is talking about religionists. 00:11:36.150 --> 00:11:38.622 If you put your hope, 00:11:38.726 --> 00:11:41.840 trust, faith in religion. 00:11:44.180 --> 00:11:46.160 You've heard me define religion before. 00:11:46.164 --> 00:11:50.480 Religion is man's attempt to get to God. 00:11:51.780 --> 00:11:57.996 How do I raise myself up to a level of appreciation or acceptance or 00:11:58.068 --> 00:11:59.360 whatever of God? 00:12:01.300 --> 00:12:08.530 Christianity, surrendering and believing is God come to man, 00:12:09.790 --> 00:12:11.970 right? Not us getting to him. 00:12:12.590 --> 00:12:13.410 All right, 00:12:14.830 --> 00:12:15.966 so when I look at this, 00:12:15.966 --> 00:12:16.206 it says, 00:12:16.206 --> 00:12:19.790 but if you bear the name Jew and rely upon the law and boast in God and 00:12:19.790 --> 00:12:22.486 know his will and approve the things that are essential, 00:12:22.486 --> 00:12:23.870 being instructed out of the law, 00:12:23.870 --> 00:12:26.934 and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, 00:12:26.934 --> 00:12:28.502 a light to those who are in darkness, 00:12:28.502 --> 00:12:30.166 a corrector of the foolish, 00:12:30.278 --> 00:12:31.766 a teacher of the immature, 00:12:31.766 --> 00:12:38.300 having in the law the embodiment of the knowledge of truth. 00:12:38.640 --> 00:12:39.536 What's he talking about? 00:12:39.536 --> 00:12:43.144 He says you were given and the reference. 00:12:43.192 --> 00:12:44.240 We'll get to it. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:46.780 You've given the revelation of God. 00:12:47.280 --> 00:12:50.250 What he's talking about is you've got God's word, 00:12:50.800 --> 00:12:53.184 right? And then he goes on to say, 00:12:53.184 --> 00:12:53.944 you, therefore, 00:12:53.992 --> 00:12:55.140 who teach another, 00:12:55.920 --> 00:12:57.820 do you not teach yourself? 00:12:59.940 --> 00:13:01.596 This is really about hypocrisy, 00:13:01.628 --> 00:13:04.800 y'all. This is about being a hypocrite. 00:13:05.220 --> 00:13:06.740 And I remember growing up, 00:13:06.740 --> 00:13:07.860 man, that was the. 00:13:07.860 --> 00:13:13.360 That was the worst charge that people leveled at the church. 00:13:14.020 --> 00:13:15.468 Yeah, I don't go to church. 00:13:15.212 --> 00:13:16.720 It's full of hypocrites. 00:13:17.620 --> 00:13:18.196 I know. 00:13:18.196 --> 00:13:21.076 I learned early on the right answer to that statement. 00:13:21.076 --> 00:13:22.200 You're right. 00:13:24.910 --> 00:13:28.358 Right. So that's our challenge today. 00:13:28.494 --> 00:13:29.870 Man. I love it that you're here. 00:13:29.870 --> 00:13:31.334 There's some first time folks here. 00:13:31.086 --> 00:13:32.366 I've met some of you. 00:13:32.366 --> 00:13:33.150 Glad you're here. 00:13:33.150 --> 00:13:35.846 Yay. Welcome to the gathering. 00:13:36.038 --> 00:13:37.254 Have a blast here. 00:13:37.070 --> 00:13:37.558 Let's scream. 00:13:37.558 --> 00:13:37.966 Ready? One, 00:13:37.966 --> 00:13:38.850 two, three. 00:13:40.430 --> 00:13:43.118 I love it that you're in worship this morning. 00:13:43.118 --> 00:13:44.438 But here's the challenge. 00:13:44.534 --> 00:13:47.010 What's the motivation behind being here? 00:13:47.950 --> 00:13:50.560 Am I here because it's church? 00:13:50.900 --> 00:13:55.190 Am I here because mom and dad beat me if I didn't go? 00:13:55.700 --> 00:13:56.680 You know, 00:13:58.100 --> 00:14:00.428 what is the motivation for being here? 00:14:00.564 --> 00:14:03.864 I want to share with you the point real quick. 00:14:03.540 --> 00:14:06.120 A faith of the heart accomplishes much. 00:14:08.500 --> 00:14:11.644 A heart of faith accomplishes much. 00:14:11.812 --> 00:14:14.932 Okay, remember that phrase because we're going to get back to it in a 00:14:14.932 --> 00:14:16.740 minute. Basically, 00:14:16.820 --> 00:14:22.372 what God is revealing to us is that to say the right things, 00:14:22.556 --> 00:14:26.540 even to the point of doing the right things just for the sake of saying 00:14:26.540 --> 00:14:32.244 and doing the right things without the heart is hypocrisy. 00:14:32.372 --> 00:14:35.260 We're going to get down to it because you guys have been waiting for 00:14:35.260 --> 00:14:37.508 weeks for me to get to the circumcision passage. 00:14:37.508 --> 00:14:38.498 So we're here. 00:14:42.710 --> 00:14:43.350 Says you, 00:14:43.350 --> 00:14:45.534 who you therefore, 00:14:45.582 --> 00:14:46.374 who teach another, 00:14:46.374 --> 00:14:47.758 do you not teach yourself? 00:14:47.758 --> 00:14:49.742 You who preach that one should not steal? 00:14:49.742 --> 00:14:50.850 Do you steal? 00:14:51.590 --> 00:14:54.110 Right. You say stealing is bad. 00:14:54.150 --> 00:14:56.130 It's one of the big ten, 00:14:56.710 --> 00:15:02.050 right? What if you find extra stuff in your grocery bag? 00:15:04.230 --> 00:15:05.450 You go back. 00:15:05.910 --> 00:15:07.446 But I'm already Home. 00:15:07.638 --> 00:15:09.618 Get back to them next time. 00:15:10.750 --> 00:15:16.342 What about you who preach that one should not steal? 00:15:16.406 --> 00:15:19.376 You who say that one should not commit adultery? 00:15:20.110 --> 00:15:24.870 That's especially tough in Romans because it comes after Jesus teaching, 00:15:24.950 --> 00:15:25.654 who said, 00:15:25.742 --> 00:15:27.486 if you lust in your heart, 00:15:27.486 --> 00:15:29.610 you've already committed adultery. 00:15:30.670 --> 00:15:34.070 Whoo. Now we've got a higher standard to follow, 00:15:34.110 --> 00:15:34.930 don't we? 00:15:35.230 --> 00:15:36.210 Look out. 00:15:37.870 --> 00:15:38.734 Then he says, 00:15:38.734 --> 00:15:40.598 you, who abhor idols, 00:15:40.774 --> 00:15:42.094 do you rob temples? 00:15:42.102 --> 00:15:46.722 Now, I thought of this when you think he was preaching to the Babylonians 00:15:46.742 --> 00:15:47.732 at this point, 00:15:47.758 --> 00:15:48.982 because they robbed the temple, 00:15:48.982 --> 00:15:49.970 right? No. 00:15:50.350 --> 00:15:51.070 Here you go. 00:15:51.070 --> 00:15:56.020 Let me tell you what this is sort of gives us in 2025 to think about. 00:15:57.630 --> 00:16:00.010 Do you take what belongs to God? 00:16:02.440 --> 00:16:03.700 God's praise, 00:16:04.520 --> 00:16:05.700 God's glory? 00:16:06.920 --> 00:16:10.700 Do you take credit for stuff that God blessed you with? 00:16:13.880 --> 00:16:15.312 Sorry, no, 00:16:15.336 --> 00:16:16.060 I'm not. 00:16:17.640 --> 00:16:21.568 You who boast in the law through your breaking the law, 00:16:21.704 --> 00:16:23.472 do you dishonor God? 00:16:23.616 --> 00:16:28.048 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you, 00:16:28.104 --> 00:16:30.500 just as it is written for indeed, 00:16:30.580 --> 00:16:34.628 circumcision is of value if you practice the law. 00:16:34.684 --> 00:16:36.972 So what he's doing is he said, 00:16:36.972 --> 00:16:38.148 this is sin, 00:16:38.244 --> 00:16:39.960 and it's all sin. 00:16:42.220 --> 00:16:43.668 Gentiles around the world, 00:16:43.724 --> 00:16:44.900 around the Roman Empire, 00:16:44.900 --> 00:16:47.880 are all sinners and going to be judged. 00:16:48.220 --> 00:16:53.680 You guys who bear the name Jew who were actually given the law, 00:16:54.780 --> 00:16:58.790 it was given to you the expectation of God. 00:16:58.940 --> 00:17:04.510 It was explained to you what God was looking for. 00:17:04.810 --> 00:17:08.242 And yet you go out and preach to others to do thus. 00:17:08.242 --> 00:17:08.902 And so. 00:17:08.858 --> 00:17:09.848 And then you. 00:17:09.850 --> 00:17:11.138 You don't do the thus. 00:17:11.138 --> 00:17:11.950 And so, 00:17:12.650 --> 00:17:13.346 you see, 00:17:13.418 --> 00:17:14.690 it's hypocrisy. 00:17:14.850 --> 00:17:15.994 I didn't know this, 00:17:15.994 --> 00:17:19.130 but I heard a guy talk about it this week when I was listening to him. 00:17:19.130 --> 00:17:21.190 Hypocrisy is a Greek word, 00:17:21.770 --> 00:17:23.910 and it's a reference to theater. 00:17:24.819 --> 00:17:27.211 Because in Greek theater back then, 00:17:27.315 --> 00:17:30.755 you'd have an actor who would come out and play a part with a particular 00:17:30.755 --> 00:17:31.719 mask on. 00:17:32.659 --> 00:17:35.419 And when he was done with that part, 00:17:35.459 --> 00:17:40.409 he'd go backstage and put one mask up and pick up another mask and come 00:17:40.419 --> 00:17:43.389 back out on stage and play a different character. 00:17:43.459 --> 00:17:48.519 So hypocrisy is this reference of not being the real person, 00:17:50.030 --> 00:17:51.366 right? Oh, 00:17:51.398 --> 00:17:53.130 I look great in church, 00:17:54.830 --> 00:17:57.800 but don't follow me on Friday and Saturday night. 00:17:59.150 --> 00:18:01.460 Don't follow me into my man cave. 00:18:04.190 --> 00:18:05.630 I'm gonna pick on both of you, 00:18:05.630 --> 00:18:06.926 so don't get mad at me. 00:18:06.926 --> 00:18:07.470 Right up first. 00:18:07.470 --> 00:18:08.330 You ready? 00:18:09.950 --> 00:18:13.250 Don't follow me when I sit down at my computer. 00:18:13.310 --> 00:18:16.280 Don't follow me when I read my Harlequin Romance. 00:18:16.820 --> 00:18:17.780 See I got them both, 00:18:17.780 --> 00:18:19.532 right? Everybody's offended now, 00:18:19.716 --> 00:18:21.564 right? You see, 00:18:21.732 --> 00:18:23.132 it's putting on a mask, 00:18:23.132 --> 00:18:24.280 for one thing, 00:18:24.660 --> 00:18:26.880 being totally different somewhere else. 00:18:28.020 --> 00:18:29.404 Once taught a lesson, 00:18:29.532 --> 00:18:30.084 a book. 00:18:30.084 --> 00:18:32.668 We went through a study with a bunch of college guys, 00:18:32.668 --> 00:18:34.318 just guys in the room. 00:18:34.308 --> 00:18:36.288 We're doing a study on integrity. 00:18:37.140 --> 00:18:38.844 Interestingly enough to me, 00:18:39.012 --> 00:18:39.908 in this study, 00:18:39.908 --> 00:18:43.180 and I don't know all the facts surrounding it, 00:18:43.220 --> 00:18:44.092 but integrity, 00:18:44.156 --> 00:18:45.476 in the word integer, 00:18:45.628 --> 00:18:47.608 kind of have the same root. 00:18:48.020 --> 00:18:49.756 Integer is a whole number. 00:18:49.828 --> 00:18:51.120 It's the definition. 00:18:52.100 --> 00:18:55.852 Integrity communicates kind of a wholeness, 00:18:55.916 --> 00:18:56.960 a realness, 00:18:57.380 --> 00:18:58.636 a complete thing, 00:18:58.708 --> 00:18:59.320 right? 00:18:59.860 --> 00:19:01.692 And in this study of integrity, 00:19:01.692 --> 00:19:02.036 it said, 00:19:02.036 --> 00:19:08.400 the secrecy is the enemy of my integrity, 00:19:09.780 --> 00:19:10.924 right? Therefore, 00:19:10.972 --> 00:19:13.600 secrecy is the enemy of my wholeness. 00:19:14.940 --> 00:19:16.080 How about that? 00:19:16.940 --> 00:19:17.600 You see? 00:19:17.628 --> 00:19:20.228 So that's what Paul's pointing out here. 00:19:20.284 --> 00:19:25.540 You can think this thing about yourself bearing the name Jew, 00:19:25.620 --> 00:19:26.508 having the law, 00:19:26.508 --> 00:19:27.388 teaching the law, 00:19:27.388 --> 00:19:28.378 preaching the law, 00:19:28.396 --> 00:19:30.376 but because you break the law, 00:19:30.444 --> 00:19:36.868 the rest of the world is blaspheming God because of your hypocrisy. 00:19:37.044 --> 00:19:40.344 I don't go to church because it's full of hypocrites. 00:19:40.520 --> 00:19:42.768 I see those people that go to your church, 00:19:42.768 --> 00:19:44.856 and then I turn around and see them. 00:19:44.856 --> 00:19:45.860 Where else, 00:19:46.440 --> 00:19:50.300 right? I didn't say it, 00:19:50.600 --> 00:19:51.408 Paul did. 00:19:51.464 --> 00:19:52.380 God did. 00:19:52.840 --> 00:19:53.552 For indeed, 00:19:53.616 --> 00:19:56.280 circumcision is of value if you practice the law. 00:19:56.280 --> 00:19:58.040 But if you are a transgressor of the law, 00:19:58.040 --> 00:20:00.500 your circumcision has become uncircumcision. 00:20:00.920 --> 00:20:04.900 Your outward sign of faith, 00:20:05.410 --> 00:20:11.498 obedience and righteousness is worthless if your inner self is in 00:20:11.554 --> 00:20:12.950 conflict with it. 00:20:13.810 --> 00:20:15.210 Okay, see, 00:20:15.250 --> 00:20:16.450 y'all didn't come here for this, 00:20:16.450 --> 00:20:17.190 did you? 00:20:18.050 --> 00:20:20.490 You knew it was the next section of the text. 00:20:20.490 --> 00:20:22.470 So you're going to get it. 00:20:22.610 --> 00:20:23.722 If, therefore, 00:20:23.786 --> 00:20:26.890 the uncircumcised man keeps the requirements of the law, 00:20:26.930 --> 00:20:30.670 will not his uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 00:20:31.980 --> 00:20:36.692 Right. And will not he who is physically uncircumcised if he keeps the 00:20:36.716 --> 00:20:38.800 law, will he not judge you? 00:20:39.580 --> 00:20:42.452 Who, though having the letter of the law and circumcision, 00:20:42.452 --> 00:20:44.432 are a transgressor of the law? 00:20:44.540 --> 00:20:46.396 So what is it God's looking at? 00:20:46.396 --> 00:20:51.556 Is God looking at the physical outward representation of some sort of 00:20:51.628 --> 00:20:54.920 inclusion or title or name tag? 00:20:55.500 --> 00:20:57.588 No, he's looking at our hearts. 00:20:57.684 --> 00:20:58.812 And the idea is, 00:20:58.812 --> 00:21:02.142 have I surrendered to God's purpose, 00:21:02.206 --> 00:21:03.290 plan, design, 00:21:03.750 --> 00:21:05.970 provision for my salvation? 00:21:06.870 --> 00:21:14.782 Have I bowed in submission before Jesus and his crucifixion and burial 00:21:14.846 --> 00:21:17.310 and resurrection and received the forgiveness, 00:21:17.390 --> 00:21:18.094 the salvation, 00:21:18.142 --> 00:21:21.850 the redemption that is offered only through Jesus Christ? 00:21:22.630 --> 00:21:26.830 You can't be saved without Jesus Be you Baptist, 00:21:26.910 --> 00:21:28.094 Methodist, Catholic, 00:21:28.142 --> 00:21:31.364 whatever. You can't be saved without Jesus. 00:21:31.412 --> 00:21:33.320 Be you Jew or Gentile. 00:21:33.900 --> 00:21:36.210 That's where we're going to get to. 00:21:36.380 --> 00:21:38.252 That's what Paul's laying it out. 00:21:38.252 --> 00:21:40.964 He's leveling the playing field right here, 00:21:41.132 --> 00:21:48.500 right? So as we look at that, 00:21:48.540 --> 00:21:52.480 we see this idea that what he's saying is that, 00:21:52.940 --> 00:21:53.600 you know, 00:21:53.628 --> 00:21:59.238 some of you are here and some of you are here and some of you are here, 00:22:00.580 --> 00:22:02.890 but God's standard is still the same, 00:22:03.860 --> 00:22:07.400 doesn't change from one group to the next. 00:22:08.820 --> 00:22:09.600 Wow. 00:22:12.580 --> 00:22:13.480 All right. 00:22:15.860 --> 00:22:16.980 Then he goes on to say, 00:22:16.980 --> 00:22:20.700 for he is not a Jew who is one inwardly. 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:22.780 Neither is circumcision, 00:22:22.860 --> 00:22:25.228 that which is outward in the flesh, 00:22:25.404 --> 00:22:27.852 but he is a Jew who is one inwardly. 00:22:27.852 --> 00:22:32.756 And circumcision is that which is of the heart by the Spirit and not by 00:22:32.756 --> 00:22:33.468 the letter. 00:22:33.564 --> 00:22:35.460 And his praise is not from men, 00:22:35.460 --> 00:22:36.540 but from God. 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:39.880 Faith of the heart accomplishes much, 00:22:40.180 --> 00:22:42.860 and a heart of faith accomplishes much. 00:22:42.900 --> 00:22:44.108 Now, the much is a big word. 00:22:44.108 --> 00:22:45.404 It's only four letters. 00:22:45.404 --> 00:22:46.724 It's a big word. 00:22:47.540 --> 00:22:49.540 What does it mean to be much? 00:22:49.540 --> 00:22:51.692 If we are confronted with the gospel, 00:22:51.692 --> 00:22:53.348 the good news of Jesus Christ, 00:22:53.348 --> 00:22:54.360 and we say, 00:22:54.790 --> 00:22:56.770 that's what I've been looking for. 00:22:58.070 --> 00:23:01.502 That's something that God did on my behalf, 00:23:01.646 --> 00:23:06.610 and we surrender ourselves to that redemption and that salvation. 00:23:07.030 --> 00:23:08.046 I'm telling you, 00:23:08.118 --> 00:23:10.210 I am a great legalist. 00:23:11.190 --> 00:23:11.886 I am. 00:23:11.958 --> 00:23:13.410 I follow rules. 00:23:15.510 --> 00:23:18.750 But a great legalist also looks for the way around the rule. 00:23:18.750 --> 00:23:21.700 Y'all know that we do. 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:23.600 I've told y'all the story. 00:23:23.600 --> 00:23:25.528 I went to Columbia Bible College in Columbia, 00:23:25.528 --> 00:23:26.152 South Carolina, 00:23:26.152 --> 00:23:28.136 which is now Columbia International University, 00:23:28.288 --> 00:23:29.648 because I don't know why. 00:23:29.648 --> 00:23:30.232 But anyway, 00:23:30.232 --> 00:23:31.552 I do know why. 00:23:31.552 --> 00:23:34.968 If you were a missionary with a degree from Columbia Bible College, 00:23:34.968 --> 00:23:38.000 that was frowned upon in some nations in the world. 00:23:38.000 --> 00:23:42.840 So missionaries were having struggles presenting their credentials with 00:23:42.880 --> 00:23:45.784 Bible in their diplomas. 00:23:45.832 --> 00:23:47.728 So they changed it to Columbia International University. 00:23:47.728 --> 00:23:48.416 I understand the point. 00:23:48.416 --> 00:23:49.138 But anyway, 00:23:49.264 --> 00:23:50.584 we had a handbook. 00:23:51.430 --> 00:23:53.102 Wasn't quite as big as the Bible, 00:23:53.102 --> 00:23:54.422 but it was close. 00:23:55.030 --> 00:23:58.382 And in there it said during school hours, 00:23:58.486 --> 00:24:01.786 eight in the morning to about four in the afternoon. 00:24:01.990 --> 00:24:04.142 It could not be seen on campus, 00:24:04.142 --> 00:24:05.570 in classrooms, 00:24:06.230 --> 00:24:07.102 in anything. 00:24:07.166 --> 00:24:12.766 But I don't know if they said dress pants, 00:24:12.798 --> 00:24:15.330 but there was some reference to pants. 00:24:15.780 --> 00:24:22.640 And then there was a parenthesis that said no blue jeans. 00:24:24.100 --> 00:24:25.420 And I was like, 00:24:26.500 --> 00:24:27.760 well, fine, 00:24:28.980 --> 00:24:38.540 I know where I can get some black ones and actually some brown ones and 00:24:38.580 --> 00:24:40.000 some green ones. 00:24:41.150 --> 00:24:43.230 Now, this is how good a legalist I am, 00:24:43.230 --> 00:24:44.342 y'all. Okay, 00:24:44.486 --> 00:24:46.366 this is how good a legalist I am. 00:24:46.366 --> 00:24:51.590 I took the handbook and tore the page out and underlined, 00:24:51.750 --> 00:24:53.450 no blue jeans, 00:24:54.270 --> 00:24:55.150 folded it up, 00:24:55.150 --> 00:24:59.398 stuck it in the back pocket of my black striped jeans. 00:24:59.494 --> 00:25:00.630 It was the 1980s, 00:25:00.630 --> 00:25:01.290 mid-80s. 00:25:01.222 --> 00:25:02.212 It was okay. 00:25:02.670 --> 00:25:03.958 My black striped jeans. 00:25:03.958 --> 00:25:06.928 I'm standing in line at the cafeteria on campus, 00:25:07.006 --> 00:25:10.844 and my resident assistant comes up behind me, 00:25:10.852 --> 00:25:11.842 and he goes, 00:25:12.340 --> 00:25:14.520 you can't wear those in here. 00:25:14.900 --> 00:25:15.540 I was like, 00:25:15.540 --> 00:25:17.292 really? He said, 00:25:17.316 --> 00:25:17.646 yeah. 00:25:17.548 --> 00:25:18.208 He says, 00:25:18.580 --> 00:25:19.756 no jeans. 00:25:19.948 --> 00:25:20.748 I said, 00:25:20.884 --> 00:25:22.600 that is a good point. 00:25:24.660 --> 00:25:26.970 Would you read the rule for me? 00:25:28.020 --> 00:25:29.164 And he read, 00:25:29.332 --> 00:25:31.200 no blue jeans. 00:25:31.780 --> 00:25:34.080 Folks, I am good at legalism, 00:25:35.150 --> 00:25:37.610 which makes me a good judge. 00:25:38.590 --> 00:25:40.240 But I'm not the judge, 00:25:41.470 --> 00:25:44.440 and I'm not the one that determines the law. 00:25:45.070 --> 00:25:47.610 I'm not the one that determines righteousness. 00:25:47.950 --> 00:25:54.118 But what I love about Romans 1:17 is that the righteousness of God is 00:25:54.174 --> 00:25:57.290 revealed from faith to faith. 00:25:57.710 --> 00:26:01.530 And God is giving us a righteousness that we can't earn, 00:26:02.470 --> 00:26:03.810 we don't deserve. 00:26:04.310 --> 00:26:08.542 He's loving us in a way that only he can love us. 00:26:08.646 --> 00:26:11.126 I want to share with you a story. 00:26:11.126 --> 00:26:12.290 Whoopsie. 00:26:13.830 --> 00:26:17.118 Sorry. Nobody says whoopsie, 00:26:17.134 --> 00:26:19.444 right? That was in a movie somewhere. 00:26:22.710 --> 00:26:23.910 I didn't mark it, 00:26:23.910 --> 00:26:25.230 but here it is. 00:26:25.670 --> 00:26:28.640 Be ready for service and have your lamps lit. 00:26:29.080 --> 00:26:32.448 You'd be like people waiting for the master to return from the wedding 00:26:32.448 --> 00:26:34.224 banquet so that when he comes and knocks, 00:26:34.224 --> 00:26:36.680 they can open the door for him at once. 00:26:36.680 --> 00:26:41.536 Blessed will be those servants the Master finds alert when he comes. 00:26:41.608 --> 00:26:42.456 Truly, I tell you, 00:26:42.456 --> 00:26:43.776 he will get ready, 00:26:44.600 --> 00:26:46.192 have them recline at the table, 00:26:46.192 --> 00:26:47.842 then come and serve them. 00:26:48.120 --> 00:26:48.992 This is Luke, 00:26:48.992 --> 00:26:49.648 chapter 12, 00:26:49.704 --> 00:26:51.224 y'all. I'm sorry I didn't tell you again, 00:26:51.224 --> 00:26:54.380 but it's verses 35 and through 48. 00:26:54.870 --> 00:26:55.830 Truly, I tell you, 00:26:55.830 --> 00:26:58.078 he will get ready and have them recline at the table, 00:26:58.078 --> 00:26:59.190 then come and serve them. 00:26:59.190 --> 00:27:01.926 If he comes in the middle of the night or even near dawn and finds them 00:27:01.926 --> 00:27:04.398 alert, blessed are those servants. 00:27:04.574 --> 00:27:05.564 But know this. 00:27:05.494 --> 00:27:09.254 If the homeowner had known at what hour the thief was coming, 00:27:09.254 --> 00:27:11.926 he would not have let his house be broken into. 00:27:11.926 --> 00:27:13.118 You also be ready, 00:27:13.118 --> 00:27:17.190 because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. 00:27:17.190 --> 00:27:18.606 Lord Peter asked, 00:27:18.678 --> 00:27:23.400 are you telling this parable for us to everyone else? 00:27:24.700 --> 00:27:25.260 I mean, 00:27:25.260 --> 00:27:26.250 you chose us, 00:27:26.316 --> 00:27:30.320 Lord? Certainly you're not talking about me. 00:27:31.500 --> 00:27:33.540 Mmm. The Lord said, 00:27:33.580 --> 00:27:36.812 who then is the faithful and sensible manager His Master will put in 00:27:36.812 --> 00:27:40.316 charge of his household servants to give them their allotted food at the 00:27:40.316 --> 00:27:40.976 proper time? 00:27:41.004 --> 00:27:44.940 Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he 00:27:44.940 --> 00:27:45.716 comes. Truly, 00:27:45.748 --> 00:27:46.738 I tell you, 00:27:46.772 --> 00:27:50.046 he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 00:27:50.046 --> 00:27:51.638 But if that servant stay, 00:27:51.638 --> 00:27:53.574 that servant says in his heart, 00:27:53.574 --> 00:27:59.454 my master is delaying his coming and starts to beat the male and female 00:27:59.502 --> 00:28:01.846 servants to eat and drink and get drunk. 00:28:01.662 --> 00:28:05.590 The servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him. 00:28:05.590 --> 00:28:07.110 And in an hour he does not know, 00:28:07.110 --> 00:28:12.212 he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unfaithful. 00:28:12.406 --> 00:28:15.856 And that servant who knew his pastor's will and didn't prepare himself to 00:28:15.856 --> 00:28:17.836 do it will be severely beaten. 00:28:17.896 --> 00:28:22.440 But the one who did not know and did what deserved punishment will 00:28:22.480 --> 00:28:26.264 receive a light beating from everyone. 00:28:26.352 --> 00:28:27.296 Now listen to this. 00:28:27.120 --> 00:28:29.440 This is the key to the whole story. 00:28:29.440 --> 00:28:31.712 From everyone who has been given much, 00:28:31.712 --> 00:28:33.180 much will be required. 00:28:33.600 --> 00:28:36.192 And from the one who has been entrusted with much, 00:28:36.192 --> 00:28:38.180 even more will be expected. 00:28:39.150 --> 00:28:42.050 Faith of the heart accomplishes much. 00:28:42.830 --> 00:28:45.686 A heart of faith accomplishes much. 00:28:45.838 --> 00:28:47.488 To whom much is given, 00:28:48.270 --> 00:28:49.610 much is required. 00:28:50.910 --> 00:28:54.130 To know and not do. 00:28:57.790 --> 00:29:04.730 To know what God has provided and given and not bow and surrender. 00:29:06.200 --> 00:29:07.620 God's the judge. 00:29:08.360 --> 00:29:11.180 And to do and not know, 00:29:11.880 --> 00:29:13.020 that's in there. 00:29:13.880 --> 00:29:15.300 God's the judge. 00:29:15.880 --> 00:29:16.820 Okay? 00:29:24.520 --> 00:29:26.300 God's made the field level. 00:29:27.320 --> 00:29:30.020 We all stand before God. 00:29:30.350 --> 00:29:31.690 God will judge. 00:29:38.590 --> 00:29:40.230 I'm a great legalist. 00:29:40.390 --> 00:29:45.326 Can I just go ahead and tell y'all I have the capacity and have been on 00:29:45.326 --> 00:29:47.850 occasion to be a great hypocrite, 00:29:50.350 --> 00:29:51.250 you know, 00:29:52.590 --> 00:29:54.318 so when we started into this, 00:29:54.318 --> 00:29:55.254 these outlines, 00:29:55.302 --> 00:29:56.022 I'll be honest, 00:29:56.022 --> 00:29:57.934 I had outlines based on. 00:29:57.982 --> 00:30:03.086 On a lot of history in teaching and preaching. 00:30:03.278 --> 00:30:03.846 And, man, 00:30:03.846 --> 00:30:07.334 I can look at a sin list in the Bible and point my finger better than 00:30:07.334 --> 00:30:08.930 most. Okay? 00:30:09.270 --> 00:30:10.260 But that morning, 00:30:10.262 --> 00:30:12.614 remember, I told y'all this about five weeks ago now, 00:30:12.614 --> 00:30:15.846 that morning that I got up and looked at Romans chapter one, 00:30:15.846 --> 00:30:16.742 and I said, 00:30:16.742 --> 00:30:20.610 God, show me my sin. 00:30:22.310 --> 00:30:24.210 Show me my unrighteousness. 00:30:25.780 --> 00:30:33.840 Show me where the world blasphemes God because of my sin. 00:30:35.380 --> 00:30:38.560 Wow. Okay. 00:30:38.980 --> 00:30:40.732 It's easy sitting in a nice, 00:30:40.732 --> 00:30:44.960 pointed building like this to put ourselves in the seat of judgment. 00:30:45.860 --> 00:30:46.972 Don't do it. 00:30:47.156 --> 00:30:49.276 Okay, Judge, 00:30:49.308 --> 00:30:51.022 Your heart is yours. 00:30:51.086 --> 00:30:54.206 A heart of surrender yours. 00:30:54.238 --> 00:30:56.218 A heart of faith and belief. 00:30:56.062 --> 00:30:57.712 That's what God's looking for. 00:30:57.750 --> 00:31:00.750 Okay, starts with Jesus. 00:31:00.830 --> 00:31:02.810 You don't know Jesus this morning. 00:31:03.830 --> 00:31:04.910 You need Jesus. 00:31:04.990 --> 00:31:05.980 You need Jesus. 00:31:05.758 --> 00:31:07.534 Before you need a handshake, 00:31:07.582 --> 00:31:09.182 a smile or anything else, 00:31:09.182 --> 00:31:10.478 you need Jesus. 00:31:10.654 --> 00:31:12.246 If we can introduce him to you, 00:31:12.246 --> 00:31:12.950 we'd love to. 00:31:12.950 --> 00:31:13.926 Okay. Pray with me. 00:31:13.926 --> 00:31:16.726 Father, thank you for the day that you've given us. 00:31:16.550 --> 00:31:18.534 To rejoice and be glad and know, 00:31:18.534 --> 00:31:19.340 God, that. 00:31:19.470 --> 00:31:21.320 That you meet with us in this place, 00:31:21.320 --> 00:31:22.528 God, it is my prayer. 00:31:22.528 --> 00:31:24.616 That as your spirit moves among us, 00:31:24.616 --> 00:31:26.688 God, that you convict our hearts. 00:31:26.864 --> 00:31:30.960 God, you show us our sin, 00:31:31.120 --> 00:31:32.224 our shortcoming, 00:31:32.272 --> 00:31:33.552 our hypocrisy. 00:31:33.696 --> 00:31:37.464 God, let us know that just sitting in a nice pointed building in 00:31:37.464 --> 00:31:39.920 comfortable red chairs doesn't achieve anything. 00:31:40.000 --> 00:31:43.712 Unless our heart is a heart of faith, 00:31:43.776 --> 00:31:45.120 a heart of circumcision. 00:31:45.200 --> 00:31:46.768 One where we've bowed. 00:31:46.864 --> 00:31:53.080 And that the new covenant which is written on our hearts, 00:31:53.160 --> 00:31:55.140 God, that we bow before you, 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:57.208 surrender ourselves to you. 00:31:57.344 --> 00:31:59.360 God, I thank you for everybody here this morning. 00:31:59.360 --> 00:32:00.232 But there's a chance, 00:32:00.232 --> 00:32:02.542 God, that somebody here doesn't know Jesus. 00:32:02.488 --> 00:32:02.984 So, God, 00:32:02.984 --> 00:32:04.880 we want them to know Jesus. 00:32:04.880 --> 00:32:06.848 We want them to bow before you. 00:32:06.848 --> 00:32:07.992 Submit, surrender, 00:32:08.056 --> 00:32:10.240 obey. God help us to do it. 00:32:10.240 --> 00:32:11.400 We pray it in Jesus name. 00:32:11.440 --> 00:32:11.720 Amen.