Good Citizens
Series: MADE NEW
Speaker: John Lau
Date: 21st August 2022
Passage: Romans 13:1-14
00:00:00 --> 00:00:03 So please keep your Bible open to chapter 13.
00:00:07 --> 00:00:10 Chapter 12 and 13 can be treated as one unit.
00:00:11 --> 00:00:15 But you can also go from 12 to all the way to the end of Romans.
00:00:16 --> 00:00:19 But whichever way you look at it,
00:00:20 --> 00:00:23 chapter 13, 1 to 7 seems a bit out of place
00:00:23 --> 00:00:26 to talk about being a good citizen
00:00:26 --> 00:00:29 while Paul talks about in light of God's mercy
00:00:29 --> 00:00:35 we are to love others sincerely in our new identity.
00:00:36 --> 00:00:42 However, as both James and Steve point out last two Sundays
00:00:42 --> 00:00:43 looking at chapter 12,
00:00:44 --> 00:00:48 being a follower of Jesus, living in the realm of salvation
00:00:48 --> 00:00:52 is meant to affect every part of our life.
00:00:53 --> 00:00:57 It should also affect how we live as a good godly citizen.
00:00:57 --> 00:01:04 So I look up the requirement of becoming an Australian citizen
00:01:04 --> 00:01:06 as I prepare this talk.
00:01:06 --> 00:01:11 And I come across the citizen pledge and its explanation.
00:01:12 --> 00:01:15 It says all Australian citizens must understand
00:01:15 --> 00:01:17 our prosperity and privileges
00:01:17 --> 00:01:20 and what it means to be a citizen,
00:01:20 --> 00:01:24 whether we are Australian by birth or by choice.
00:01:24 --> 00:01:29 When you pledge, you are making a public commitment to Australia
00:01:29 --> 00:01:33 and accepting the responsibility and privilege of a citizen.
00:01:34 --> 00:01:34 And the pledge goes,
00:01:34 --> 00:01:37 From this time forward, under God,
00:01:38 --> 00:01:41 I pledge my loyalty to Australia and its people,
00:01:41 --> 00:01:43 whose democratic beliefs I share,
00:01:44 --> 00:01:46 whose rights and liberties I respect,
00:01:46 --> 00:01:49 and whose laws I will uphold and obey.
00:01:51 --> 00:01:53 If you are Australian by birth,
00:01:53 --> 00:01:57 you may not have been through an Australian citizenship ceremony
00:01:57 --> 00:01:58 and make such a pledge.
00:01:59 --> 00:02:05 Still, your privilege of being born to be an Australian citizen
00:02:05 --> 00:02:07 comes with responsibilities.
00:02:08 --> 00:02:13 I remember pledging around the late 80s, 30s, 90s
00:02:13 --> 00:02:16 with my family at the Australian citizenship ceremony
00:02:16 --> 00:02:18 at the Grand Recton Hall.
00:02:18 --> 00:02:24 It was much easier to become an Australian citizen back then.
00:02:24 --> 00:02:28 Nowadays, you also have to pass the citizens to test.
00:02:29 --> 00:02:31 So how about we go through some questions
00:02:31 --> 00:02:33 to see whether you'll pass,
00:02:33 --> 00:02:34 especially if you were born in Australia.
00:02:35 --> 00:02:37 There are 20 questions you have to answer,
00:02:37 --> 00:02:41 but five of them you have to get correctly to pass the test.
00:02:42 --> 00:02:44 There are questions about Australian values
00:02:44 --> 00:02:47 to demonstrate that you understand your responsibility
00:02:47 --> 00:02:50 and privilege as an Australian citizen.
00:02:50 --> 00:02:53 So I'll put the question up,
00:02:54 --> 00:02:55 think of the answer,
00:02:56 --> 00:02:57 don't tell anyone,
00:02:57 --> 00:02:58 don't share with anyone,
00:02:58 --> 00:03:00 especially if you have done the test recently.
00:03:00 --> 00:03:02 The answer will come up very soon,
00:03:02 --> 00:03:04 and I will go through the five questions.
00:03:07 --> 00:03:07 So,
00:03:08 --> 00:03:10 did anyone make any mistakes in these five questions?
00:03:12 --> 00:03:13 If you did, sorry.
00:03:13 --> 00:03:16 You are not fit to be a citizen yet.
00:03:17 --> 00:03:19 You can't call yourself an Australian
00:03:19 --> 00:03:23 if you don't understand and uphold Australian values.
00:03:25 --> 00:03:28 If becoming a citizen of one of the countries on earth
00:03:28 --> 00:03:30 required tests and privileges,
00:03:31 --> 00:03:34 it would not make sense to expect less
00:03:35 --> 00:03:37 to be a citizen of the kingdom of God,
00:03:38 --> 00:03:42 whose king is the creator of everything in this world,
00:03:42 --> 00:03:43 everything,
00:03:44 --> 00:03:45 including those parts,
00:03:46 --> 00:03:47 that doesn't seem very Christian.
00:03:48 --> 00:03:49 Think about that.
00:03:50 --> 00:03:53 Comparing all that God has accomplished
00:03:53 --> 00:03:57 to transform us from our hopeless, sinful realm
00:03:57 --> 00:04:00 into a new realm of salvation in Christ,
00:04:01 --> 00:04:02 submitting to authority
00:04:02 --> 00:04:05 and loving others wholeheartedly
00:04:05 --> 00:04:07 seems a minimal requirement.
00:04:07 --> 00:04:09 And the good news we have seen
00:04:09 --> 00:04:11 from the Book of Romans so far
00:04:11 --> 00:04:13 is that even though
00:04:13 --> 00:04:15 we have failed in all the tests
00:04:15 --> 00:04:18 to prove that we are a worthy citizen,
00:04:19 --> 00:04:20 God still accepts us
00:04:20 --> 00:04:21 as part of his kingdom
00:04:21 --> 00:04:24 based on the merit of the Lord Jesus.
00:04:25 --> 00:04:26 This is so wonderful.
00:04:26 --> 00:04:30 In the Christian life,
00:04:31 --> 00:04:32 doctrine and duty
00:04:32 --> 00:04:34 always goes together.
00:04:35 --> 00:04:38 Doctrine is a teaching that you live by
00:04:38 --> 00:04:40 and duty is your action
00:04:40 --> 00:04:42 in fulfilling your responsibility.
00:04:44 --> 00:04:45 What we believe
00:04:45 --> 00:04:49 helps to determine how we behave.
00:04:49 --> 00:04:51 It's not enough for us
00:04:51 --> 00:04:52 to understand Paul's teaching
00:04:52 --> 00:04:54 from chapter 1 to 11.
00:04:55 --> 00:04:57 We must translate our learning
00:04:57 --> 00:04:58 into living
00:04:58 --> 00:05:00 and show our daily life
00:05:00 --> 00:05:01 as we trust God,
00:05:02 --> 00:05:03 trust in God's word,
00:05:04 --> 00:05:05 which is the aim
00:05:05 --> 00:05:06 of the rest of the Book of Romans.
00:05:07 --> 00:05:09 And one thing very important
00:05:09 --> 00:05:10 to remember today
00:05:10 --> 00:05:11 is in chapter 13,
00:05:11 --> 00:05:12 we need to remember
00:05:12 --> 00:05:14 that Paul is not giving us
00:05:14 --> 00:05:15 a discussion
00:05:15 --> 00:05:18 on church and state relations,
00:05:18 --> 00:05:19 but is giving
00:05:19 --> 00:05:22 individual Christian instruction
00:05:22 --> 00:05:24 about personal citizenship
00:05:24 --> 00:05:27 based on a new relationship
00:05:27 --> 00:05:29 with the state
00:05:29 --> 00:05:30 and a new relationship
00:05:30 --> 00:05:31 with the world.
00:05:32 --> 00:05:34 And that are my two main points
00:05:34 --> 00:05:34 for today.
00:05:35 --> 00:05:36 A new relationship
00:05:36 --> 00:05:37 with the state
00:05:37 --> 00:05:38 and new relationship
00:05:38 --> 00:05:38 with the world
00:05:38 --> 00:05:41 in your personal citizenship.
00:05:44 --> 00:05:45 So Romans 13,
00:05:45 --> 00:05:46 starting in verse 1,
00:05:47 --> 00:05:48 let everyone be subject
00:05:48 --> 00:05:50 to the governing authority,
00:05:50 --> 00:05:51 for there is no authority
00:05:51 --> 00:05:52 except that which God
00:05:52 --> 00:05:53 has established.
00:05:54 --> 00:05:55 The authorities that exist
00:05:55 --> 00:05:57 have been established by God.
00:05:58 --> 00:05:58 Consequently,
00:05:58 --> 00:05:59 whoever rebels
00:05:59 --> 00:06:00 against the authority
00:06:00 --> 00:06:01 is rebelling against
00:06:01 --> 00:06:03 what God has instituted,
00:06:03 --> 00:06:05 and those who do so
00:06:05 --> 00:06:06 will bring judgment
00:06:06 --> 00:06:06 on themselves.
00:06:08 --> 00:06:10 God infects people
00:06:10 --> 00:06:10 with authority.
00:06:12 --> 00:06:13 But as Paul said,
00:06:14 --> 00:06:15 as Paul pointed out earlier
00:06:15 --> 00:06:16 in chapter 3,
00:06:16 --> 00:06:17 all human
00:06:17 --> 00:06:19 are sinful,
00:06:19 --> 00:06:20 which means
00:06:20 --> 00:06:21 those God
00:06:21 --> 00:06:22 invested
00:06:22 --> 00:06:23 his authority with
00:06:23 --> 00:06:25 will not exercise
00:06:25 --> 00:06:26 the authority
00:06:26 --> 00:06:27 as God intended.
00:06:28 --> 00:06:29 Even though
00:06:29 --> 00:06:31 we cannot always
00:06:31 --> 00:06:32 respect the man
00:06:32 --> 00:06:32 or woman
00:06:32 --> 00:06:34 in the office,
00:06:34 --> 00:06:35 we must respect
00:06:35 --> 00:06:36 the office
00:06:36 --> 00:06:38 established by God
00:06:38 --> 00:06:39 because he
00:06:39 --> 00:06:39 institutes
00:06:39 --> 00:06:40 every government.
00:06:40 --> 00:06:43 If we believe
00:06:43 --> 00:06:44 that God
00:06:44 --> 00:06:44 is sovereign,
00:06:45 --> 00:06:46 then disbelief
00:06:46 --> 00:06:47 requires that
00:06:47 --> 00:06:47 we respect
00:06:47 --> 00:06:48 those in authority
00:06:48 --> 00:06:49 over us.
00:06:52 --> 00:06:53 Our passage today
00:06:53 --> 00:06:53 says,
00:06:53 --> 00:06:54 we must fear
00:06:54 --> 00:06:56 if we resist them
00:06:56 --> 00:06:57 because we also
00:06:57 --> 00:06:57 resist God.
00:06:59 --> 00:07:00 Paul's rationale
00:07:00 --> 00:07:02 for obedience
00:07:02 --> 00:07:03 has nothing to do
00:07:03 --> 00:07:04 with the ruler's
00:07:04 --> 00:07:04 godliness,
00:07:05 --> 00:07:06 competence,
00:07:06 --> 00:07:07 or any other
00:07:07 --> 00:07:08 qualification.
00:07:08 --> 00:07:09 Instead,
00:07:10 --> 00:07:11 his call
00:07:11 --> 00:07:11 for submission
00:07:11 --> 00:07:13 to their authority
00:07:13 --> 00:07:14 is grounded
00:07:14 --> 00:07:14 in God's
00:07:14 --> 00:07:15 authority.
00:07:17 --> 00:07:18 It is
00:07:18 --> 00:07:20 between you
00:07:20 --> 00:07:21 and God
00:07:21 --> 00:07:22 that you submit.
00:07:23 --> 00:07:24 The only authority
00:07:24 --> 00:07:25 that exists
00:07:25 --> 00:07:26 are the ones
00:07:26 --> 00:07:26 whom God
00:07:26 --> 00:07:27 has placed
00:07:27 --> 00:07:28 there
00:07:28 --> 00:07:29 according
00:07:29 --> 00:07:30 to his
00:07:30 --> 00:07:30 sovereign plan.
00:07:32 --> 00:07:33 So do you think
00:07:33 --> 00:07:34 there's any
00:07:34 --> 00:07:34 excuse
00:07:34 --> 00:07:35 or any
00:07:35 --> 00:07:36 valid reason
00:07:36 --> 00:07:37 for you
00:07:37 --> 00:07:37 not to submit
00:07:37 --> 00:07:38 to God's
00:07:38 --> 00:07:39 authority?
00:07:39 --> 00:07:40 Can you read
00:07:40 --> 00:07:41 justify your choice?
00:07:43 --> 00:07:45 It goes on to say,
00:07:45 --> 00:07:45 for rulers
00:07:45 --> 00:07:47 hold no terror
00:07:47 --> 00:07:47 for those
00:07:47 --> 00:07:48 who do right,
00:07:48 --> 00:07:49 for those
00:07:49 --> 00:07:50 who do wrong.
00:07:50 --> 00:07:51 Do you want
00:07:51 --> 00:07:52 to be free
00:07:52 --> 00:07:53 from fear
00:07:53 --> 00:07:53 of the one
00:07:53 --> 00:07:54 in authority?
00:07:55 --> 00:07:55 Then do what
00:07:55 --> 00:07:56 is right
00:07:56 --> 00:07:56 and you
00:07:56 --> 00:07:57 will be
00:07:57 --> 00:07:58 commanded.
00:07:59 --> 00:07:59 For the one
00:07:59 --> 00:08:00 in authority
00:08:00 --> 00:08:01 is God's servant
00:08:01 --> 00:08:02 for your good.
00:08:02 --> 00:08:03 But if you do
00:08:03 --> 00:08:03 wrong,
00:08:03 --> 00:08:04 be afraid.
00:08:05 --> 00:08:05 For rulers
00:08:05 --> 00:08:06 do not bear
00:08:06 --> 00:08:06 the sword
00:08:06 --> 00:08:07 for no reason.
00:08:07 --> 00:08:08 They are God's
00:08:08 --> 00:08:08 servant,
00:08:09 --> 00:08:11 agents of wrath
00:08:11 --> 00:08:12 to bring punishment
00:08:12 --> 00:08:13 on the wrongdoers.
00:08:15 --> 00:08:15 Paul tells us
00:08:15 --> 00:08:17 about the government's
00:08:17 --> 00:08:17 function
00:08:17 --> 00:08:18 by highlighting
00:08:18 --> 00:08:19 the core
00:08:19 --> 00:08:21 of our problems,
00:08:21 --> 00:08:22 the human heart.
00:08:23 --> 00:08:24 Because man's
00:08:24 --> 00:08:25 heart is sinful,
00:08:26 --> 00:08:27 God established
00:08:27 --> 00:08:28 a government
00:08:28 --> 00:08:29 to legislate
00:08:29 --> 00:08:30 and enforce
00:08:30 --> 00:08:30 the law.
00:08:31 --> 00:08:32 But laws
00:08:32 --> 00:08:33 cannot
00:08:33 --> 00:08:34 change
00:08:34 --> 00:08:34 the heart.
00:08:34 --> 00:08:36 man's heart
00:08:36 --> 00:08:36 is still
00:08:36 --> 00:08:37 selfish
00:08:37 --> 00:08:38 and can
00:08:38 --> 00:08:39 only be
00:08:39 --> 00:08:39 changed
00:08:39 --> 00:08:40 by the
00:08:40 --> 00:08:41 grace of
00:08:41 --> 00:08:41 God.
00:08:42 --> 00:08:42 The problem
00:08:42 --> 00:08:43 of our world
00:08:43 --> 00:08:44 is not what
00:08:44 --> 00:08:45 kind of government
00:08:45 --> 00:08:45 is in charge.
00:08:46 --> 00:08:47 Neither
00:08:47 --> 00:08:48 democracy
00:08:48 --> 00:08:49 nor authoritarian
00:08:49 --> 00:08:51 to fix
00:08:51 --> 00:08:51 the world's
00:08:51 --> 00:08:51 problem
00:08:51 --> 00:08:52 is not to
00:08:52 --> 00:08:53 change the
00:08:53 --> 00:08:53 government
00:08:53 --> 00:08:54 but to deal
00:08:54 --> 00:08:55 with each
00:08:55 --> 00:08:55 of our
00:08:55 --> 00:08:56 sinful hearts.
00:08:57 --> 00:08:58 Do you want
00:08:58 --> 00:08:59 to be free
00:08:59 --> 00:09:00 from the
00:09:00 --> 00:09:00 one in
00:09:00 --> 00:09:01 authority?
00:09:01 --> 00:09:02 Do you
00:09:02 --> 00:09:02 want to be
00:09:02 --> 00:09:03 free from
00:09:03 --> 00:09:04 fear of
00:09:04 --> 00:09:04 the one
00:09:04 --> 00:09:05 in authority?
00:09:05 --> 00:09:05 Then do
00:09:05 --> 00:09:06 what is
00:09:06 --> 00:09:06 right
00:09:06 --> 00:09:07 and you
00:09:07 --> 00:09:07 will be
00:09:07 --> 00:09:08 commanded.
00:09:09 --> 00:09:09 Many people
00:09:09 --> 00:09:10 take freedom
00:09:10 --> 00:09:11 as living
00:09:11 --> 00:09:12 independently
00:09:12 --> 00:09:13 or living
00:09:13 --> 00:09:13 in a free
00:09:13 --> 00:09:14 country
00:09:14 --> 00:09:15 but there
00:09:15 --> 00:09:15 will be
00:09:15 --> 00:09:16 a big
00:09:16 --> 00:09:16 mistake.
00:09:17 --> 00:09:18 True
00:09:18 --> 00:09:18 freedom
00:09:18 --> 00:09:19 is not
00:09:19 --> 00:09:20 fun in
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 doing
00:09:20 --> 00:09:20 whatever
00:09:20 --> 00:09:21 you want
00:09:21 --> 00:09:22 whenever
00:09:22 --> 00:09:22 you want.
00:09:23 --> 00:09:24 True
00:09:24 --> 00:09:24 freedom
00:09:24 --> 00:09:25 is never
00:09:25 --> 00:09:26 fun in
00:09:26 --> 00:09:26 putting
00:09:26 --> 00:09:27 yourself
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 in the
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 middle
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 of
00:09:27 --> 00:09:27 your
00:09:27 --> 00:09:28 world
00:09:28 --> 00:09:28 and
00:09:28 --> 00:09:28 making
00:09:28 --> 00:09:29 it
00:09:29 --> 00:09:29 all
00:09:29 --> 00:09:29 about
00:09:29 --> 00:09:29 you.
00:09:30 --> 00:09:31 True
00:09:31 --> 00:09:31 freedom
00:09:31 --> 00:09:32 is never
00:09:32 --> 00:09:32 fun in
00:09:32 --> 00:09:33 writing
00:09:33 --> 00:09:33 your
00:09:33 --> 00:09:33 moral
00:09:33 --> 00:09:34 code
00:09:34 --> 00:09:34 or
00:09:34 --> 00:09:35 finally
00:09:35 --> 00:09:35 getting
00:09:35 --> 00:09:35 your
00:09:35 --> 00:09:36 way.
00:09:37 --> 00:09:37 True
00:09:37 --> 00:09:38 freedom
00:09:38 --> 00:09:38 is only
00:09:38 --> 00:09:39 come from
00:09:39 --> 00:09:39 submission
00:09:39 --> 00:09:40 to God's
00:09:40 --> 00:09:41 authority.
00:09:42 --> 00:09:43 There are
00:09:43 --> 00:09:44 all levels
00:09:44 --> 00:09:45 of human
00:09:45 --> 00:09:45 authority
00:09:45 --> 00:09:45 that God
00:09:45 --> 00:09:46 put on
00:09:46 --> 00:09:46 earth
00:09:46 --> 00:09:47 to make
00:09:47 --> 00:09:48 his
00:09:48 --> 00:09:48 invisible
00:09:48 --> 00:09:49 authority
00:09:49 --> 00:09:50 visible.
00:09:51 --> 00:09:52 Personal
00:09:52 --> 00:09:52 freedom
00:09:52 --> 00:09:53 is not
00:09:53 --> 00:09:53 fun in
00:09:53 --> 00:09:54 resisting
00:09:54 --> 00:09:55 human
00:09:55 --> 00:09:56 authority
00:09:56 --> 00:09:56 because
00:09:56 --> 00:09:57 freedom
00:09:57 --> 00:09:58 and
00:09:58 --> 00:09:58 authority
00:09:58 --> 00:09:59 are not
00:09:59 --> 00:09:59 enemies.
00:10:01 --> 00:10:01 Unfortunately,
00:10:02 --> 00:10:03 among
00:10:03 --> 00:10:03 Christians,
00:10:04 --> 00:10:04 there seems
00:10:04 --> 00:10:04 to be
00:10:04 --> 00:10:05 an increasing
00:10:05 --> 00:10:06 appeal
00:10:06 --> 00:10:07 to the
00:10:07 --> 00:10:07 example
00:10:07 --> 00:10:08 of
00:10:08 --> 00:10:08 civil
00:10:08 --> 00:10:09 disobedience
00:10:09 --> 00:10:09 in the
00:10:09 --> 00:10:09 scripture
00:10:09 --> 00:10:10 without
00:10:10 --> 00:10:11 a balancing
00:10:11 --> 00:10:12 commitment
00:10:12 --> 00:10:13 to the
00:10:13 --> 00:10:14 clear and
00:10:14 --> 00:10:14 repeated
00:10:14 --> 00:10:15 commands
00:10:15 --> 00:10:16 in scripture
00:10:16 --> 00:10:17 to submit
00:10:17 --> 00:10:18 to authority.
00:10:19 --> 00:10:19 You
00:10:19 --> 00:10:20 cannot
00:10:20 --> 00:10:20 cling
00:10:20 --> 00:10:21 to one
00:10:21 --> 00:10:22 principle
00:10:22 --> 00:10:23 without
00:10:23 --> 00:10:24 denying
00:10:24 --> 00:10:25 the other.
00:10:26 --> 00:10:27 civil
00:10:27 --> 00:10:29 disobedience
00:10:29 --> 00:10:30 and
00:10:30 --> 00:10:30 civil
00:10:30 --> 00:10:31 rebellion
00:10:31 --> 00:10:32 are not
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 the same
00:10:32 --> 00:10:32 thing.
00:10:34 --> 00:10:34 Living
00:10:34 --> 00:10:35 under
00:10:35 --> 00:10:35 Rome's
00:10:35 --> 00:10:36 suppressive,
00:10:37 --> 00:10:38 abusive,
00:10:38 --> 00:10:39 immoral
00:10:39 --> 00:10:39 authority,
00:10:40 --> 00:10:41 Jesus never
00:10:41 --> 00:10:41 calls his
00:10:41 --> 00:10:42 followers to
00:10:42 --> 00:10:42 rebel
00:10:42 --> 00:10:43 against
00:10:43 --> 00:10:43 authority.
00:10:44 --> 00:10:45 In a
00:10:45 --> 00:10:46 country of
00:10:46 --> 00:10:47 democratic
00:10:47 --> 00:10:47 government,
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 it is
00:10:48 --> 00:10:48 easy to
00:10:48 --> 00:10:49 mistake
00:10:49 --> 00:10:49 government
00:10:49 --> 00:10:50 for serving
00:10:50 --> 00:10:51 our
00:10:51 --> 00:10:52 enjoyment.
00:10:52 --> 00:10:52 government.
00:10:53 --> 00:10:53 We get
00:10:53 --> 00:10:54 easily
00:10:54 --> 00:10:55 upset when
00:10:55 --> 00:10:56 our government
00:10:56 --> 00:10:56 tells us what
00:10:56 --> 00:10:57 we can or
00:10:57 --> 00:10:58 cannot do.
00:10:59 --> 00:11:00 But no
00:11:00 --> 00:11:00 matter what
00:11:00 --> 00:11:01 kind of
00:11:01 --> 00:11:01 authority you
00:11:01 --> 00:11:02 are living
00:11:02 --> 00:11:02 under,
00:11:03 --> 00:11:04 God set up
00:11:04 --> 00:11:05 authority for
00:11:05 --> 00:11:06 Christians to
00:11:06 --> 00:11:07 demonstrate how
00:11:07 --> 00:11:08 to be godly
00:11:08 --> 00:11:09 citizens through
00:11:09 --> 00:11:10 their respectful,
00:11:11 --> 00:11:11 active
00:11:11 --> 00:11:13 participation for
00:11:13 --> 00:11:14 his glory.
00:11:15 --> 00:11:15 Let me say
00:11:15 --> 00:11:16 that again.
00:11:16 --> 00:11:17 God set up
00:11:17 --> 00:11:18 authority for
00:11:18 --> 00:11:19 Christians to
00:11:19 --> 00:11:19 demonstrate how
00:11:19 --> 00:11:21 to be godly
00:11:21 --> 00:11:22 citizens through
00:11:22 --> 00:11:23 their respectful,
00:11:24 --> 00:11:25 active participation
00:11:25 --> 00:11:26 for his
00:11:26 --> 00:11:26 glory.
00:11:28 --> 00:11:28 So Paul
00:11:28 --> 00:11:29 goes on,
00:11:29 --> 00:11:29 therefore,
00:11:30 --> 00:11:30 it is necessary
00:11:30 --> 00:11:31 to submit to
00:11:31 --> 00:11:32 the authority,
00:11:32 --> 00:11:33 not only because
00:11:33 --> 00:11:34 of possible
00:11:34 --> 00:11:35 punishment,
00:11:35 --> 00:11:36 but also as
00:11:36 --> 00:11:37 a matter of
00:11:37 --> 00:11:38 conscience.
00:11:40 --> 00:11:41 This is also
00:11:41 --> 00:11:41 why you pay
00:11:41 --> 00:11:43 taxes for
00:11:43 --> 00:11:43 the authority
00:11:43 --> 00:11:44 of God's
00:11:44 --> 00:11:45 servant,
00:11:45 --> 00:11:45 who give
00:11:45 --> 00:11:46 their full
00:11:46 --> 00:11:47 time to
00:11:47 --> 00:11:47 governing,
00:11:48 --> 00:11:48 give to
00:11:48 --> 00:11:49 everyone what
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 you owe
00:11:49 --> 00:11:49 them,
00:11:49 --> 00:11:50 if you owe
00:11:50 --> 00:11:51 taxes,
00:11:51 --> 00:11:51 pay taxes,
00:11:52 --> 00:11:52 if revenue,
00:11:52 --> 00:11:53 then revenue,
00:11:53 --> 00:11:54 if respect,
00:11:54 --> 00:11:54 then respect,
00:11:55 --> 00:11:55 if honour,
00:11:56 --> 00:11:56 then honour.
00:11:58 --> 00:11:58 Christian
00:11:58 --> 00:11:59 citizens ought
00:11:59 --> 00:12:00 to be the
00:12:00 --> 00:12:01 best citizen.
00:12:02 --> 00:12:03 Christians may
00:12:03 --> 00:12:04 not always
00:12:04 --> 00:12:05 agree on
00:12:05 --> 00:12:06 politics or
00:12:06 --> 00:12:06 parties,
00:12:07 --> 00:12:08 but we
00:12:08 --> 00:12:08 can all
00:12:08 --> 00:12:08 agree,
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 but they
00:12:10 --> 00:12:10 can all
00:12:10 --> 00:12:11 agree on
00:12:11 --> 00:12:12 their attitude
00:12:12 --> 00:12:14 towards human
00:12:14 --> 00:12:14 government.
00:12:15 --> 00:12:16 Whether we
00:12:16 --> 00:12:17 like or
00:12:17 --> 00:12:17 respect a
00:12:17 --> 00:12:18 leader and
00:12:18 --> 00:12:19 vote for them
00:12:19 --> 00:12:19 or not,
00:12:20 --> 00:12:21 our response
00:12:21 --> 00:12:21 should be
00:12:21 --> 00:12:21 the same.
00:12:23 --> 00:12:24 How do
00:12:24 --> 00:12:24 you respond
00:12:24 --> 00:12:25 to authority,
00:12:25 --> 00:12:26 especially ones
00:12:26 --> 00:12:27 you don't like
00:12:27 --> 00:12:28 or respect,
00:12:28 --> 00:12:29 or ones that
00:12:29 --> 00:12:30 are abusive
00:12:30 --> 00:12:31 or autocratic?
00:12:32 --> 00:12:32 In our
00:12:32 --> 00:12:33 modern democracy,
00:12:34 --> 00:12:36 where we have a
00:12:36 --> 00:12:37 say in who
00:12:37 --> 00:12:37 governs us,
00:12:38 --> 00:12:38 we might feel
00:12:38 --> 00:12:40 entitled to
00:12:40 --> 00:12:41 speak disrespectfully
00:12:41 --> 00:12:42 about our
00:12:42 --> 00:12:42 government
00:12:42 --> 00:12:42 officials.
00:12:42 --> 00:12:43 officials.
00:12:43 --> 00:12:44 And that
00:12:44 --> 00:12:45 normally happens
00:12:45 --> 00:12:46 a lot while
00:12:46 --> 00:12:47 in private
00:12:47 --> 00:12:47 settings.
00:12:49 --> 00:12:50 It's much
00:12:50 --> 00:12:51 easier to
00:12:51 --> 00:12:51 jump on the
00:12:51 --> 00:12:53 bandwagon and
00:12:53 --> 00:12:53 follow the
00:12:53 --> 00:12:54 latest social
00:12:54 --> 00:12:55 media trend.
00:12:55 --> 00:12:56 Over the last
00:12:56 --> 00:12:57 few years,
00:12:58 --> 00:12:58 there have been
00:12:58 --> 00:12:59 many opportunities
00:12:59 --> 00:13:00 to speak
00:13:00 --> 00:13:01 disrespectfully or
00:13:01 --> 00:13:02 to voice our
00:13:02 --> 00:13:03 disapproval of
00:13:03 --> 00:13:04 government actions,
00:13:05 --> 00:13:06 our government
00:13:06 --> 00:13:06 actions, in
00:13:06 --> 00:13:07 handling various
00:13:07 --> 00:13:08 difficult crises.
00:13:08 --> 00:13:10 in a not very
00:13:10 --> 00:13:12 peaceful or
00:13:12 --> 00:13:13 even passive
00:13:13 --> 00:13:13 aggressive way.
00:13:14 --> 00:13:15 But Jesus
00:13:15 --> 00:13:15 said in Luke
00:13:15 --> 00:13:17 6.45 that
00:13:17 --> 00:13:18 from the
00:13:18 --> 00:13:19 overthrow of
00:13:19 --> 00:13:20 our hearts,
00:13:20 --> 00:13:20 your mouths
00:13:20 --> 00:13:21 speak.
00:13:22 --> 00:13:23 There's no
00:13:23 --> 00:13:24 hiding what's
00:13:24 --> 00:13:25 happening in
00:13:25 --> 00:13:25 each one of
00:13:25 --> 00:13:26 our sinful
00:13:26 --> 00:13:26 hearts.
00:13:28 --> 00:13:28 Are you
00:13:28 --> 00:13:29 known as
00:13:29 --> 00:13:30 someone who
00:13:30 --> 00:13:31 often speaks
00:13:31 --> 00:13:33 disrespectfully
00:13:33 --> 00:13:33 and loves to
00:13:33 --> 00:13:34 call others
00:13:34 --> 00:13:34 names?
00:13:36 --> 00:13:37 Or are you
00:13:37 --> 00:13:37 a willing
00:13:37 --> 00:13:39 submitting kind
00:13:39 --> 00:13:39 of person?
00:13:42 --> 00:13:43 Do you
00:13:43 --> 00:13:44 actively do
00:13:44 --> 00:13:45 all that you
00:13:45 --> 00:13:45 can to
00:13:45 --> 00:13:46 honor those
00:13:46 --> 00:13:46 in authority
00:13:46 --> 00:13:47 above you?
00:13:48 --> 00:13:49 Or do you
00:13:49 --> 00:13:50 keep looking
00:13:50 --> 00:13:51 for faults
00:13:51 --> 00:13:52 and encouraging
00:13:52 --> 00:13:52 others to
00:13:52 --> 00:13:53 push out
00:13:53 --> 00:13:53 for the
00:13:53 --> 00:13:54 government?
00:13:55 --> 00:13:56 Paul makes
00:13:56 --> 00:13:57 no hint
00:13:57 --> 00:13:58 of merely
00:13:58 --> 00:13:58 going along
00:13:58 --> 00:13:59 with something
00:13:59 --> 00:14:00 grudgingly
00:14:00 --> 00:14:01 or under
00:14:01 --> 00:14:02 duress.
00:14:02 --> 00:14:03 The obedience
00:14:03 --> 00:14:04 that he
00:14:04 --> 00:14:05 described is
00:14:05 --> 00:14:06 respectful and
00:14:06 --> 00:14:06 complete.
00:14:06 --> 00:14:08 he calls
00:14:08 --> 00:14:09 for active
00:14:09 --> 00:14:10 action to
00:14:10 --> 00:14:10 save our
00:14:10 --> 00:14:11 conscience
00:14:11 --> 00:14:12 in verse
00:14:12 --> 00:14:13 5 to 7
00:14:13 --> 00:14:14 by paying
00:14:14 --> 00:14:15 our due,
00:14:16 --> 00:14:17 giving everyone
00:14:17 --> 00:14:18 what we owe
00:14:18 --> 00:14:18 them,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:19 taxes,
00:14:19 --> 00:14:20 revenue,
00:14:21 --> 00:14:21 respect,
00:14:21 --> 00:14:22 or honor.
00:14:23 --> 00:14:23 We have
00:14:23 --> 00:14:24 been called
00:14:24 --> 00:14:25 to a new
00:14:25 --> 00:14:25 relationship
00:14:25 --> 00:14:26 with our
00:14:26 --> 00:14:27 government
00:14:27 --> 00:14:27 because of
00:14:27 --> 00:14:28 God's
00:14:28 --> 00:14:28 mercy.
00:14:30 --> 00:14:30 Christians are
00:14:30 --> 00:14:31 to be the
00:14:31 --> 00:14:32 salt and
00:14:32 --> 00:14:32 light of
00:14:32 --> 00:14:33 this world.
00:14:34 --> 00:14:34 A
00:14:34 --> 00:14:35 responsible
00:14:35 --> 00:14:36 citizen is
00:14:36 --> 00:14:36 willing to
00:14:36 --> 00:14:37 uphold the
00:14:37 --> 00:14:38 authority God
00:14:38 --> 00:14:38 gave their
00:14:38 --> 00:14:39 human government
00:14:39 --> 00:14:40 with respect
00:14:40 --> 00:14:42 and not
00:14:42 --> 00:14:42 begrudgingly.
00:14:44 --> 00:14:45 Ruling
00:14:45 --> 00:14:46 submission is
00:14:46 --> 00:14:46 so counter
00:14:46 --> 00:14:48 cultural because
00:14:48 --> 00:14:49 we live as if
00:14:49 --> 00:14:50 we are our
00:14:50 --> 00:14:50 king,
00:14:50 --> 00:14:52 but we have a
00:14:52 --> 00:14:52 new king,
00:14:53 --> 00:14:54 and he calls
00:14:54 --> 00:14:55 us to have a
00:14:55 --> 00:14:56 new relationship
00:14:56 --> 00:14:57 with the
00:14:57 --> 00:14:58 authority and
00:14:58 --> 00:14:59 with the
00:14:59 --> 00:14:59 world.
00:14:59 --> 00:15:01 So continuing
00:15:01 --> 00:15:02 from the
00:15:02 --> 00:15:03 payment theme
00:15:03 --> 00:15:04 in verse
00:15:04 --> 00:15:05 6 to 7,
00:15:05 --> 00:15:06 Paul uses
00:15:06 --> 00:15:07 the analogy
00:15:07 --> 00:15:08 of debt
00:15:08 --> 00:15:09 to describe
00:15:09 --> 00:15:09 how we
00:15:09 --> 00:15:10 should live
00:15:10 --> 00:15:10 in our
00:15:10 --> 00:15:11 new
00:15:11 --> 00:15:11 relationship
00:15:11 --> 00:15:12 with the
00:15:12 --> 00:15:12 world.
00:15:13 --> 00:15:14 Verse 8,
00:15:14 --> 00:15:15 let no
00:15:15 --> 00:15:16 debt remain
00:15:16 --> 00:15:16 an outstanding
00:15:16 --> 00:15:17 except a
00:15:17 --> 00:15:18 continued debt
00:15:18 --> 00:15:19 to love
00:15:19 --> 00:15:20 one another,
00:15:20 --> 00:15:21 for whoever
00:15:21 --> 00:15:22 loves others
00:15:22 --> 00:15:23 has fulfilled
00:15:23 --> 00:15:23 the law.
00:15:25 --> 00:15:25 Paul acts
00:15:25 --> 00:15:26 love as
00:15:26 --> 00:15:27 another kind
00:15:27 --> 00:15:28 of thing
00:15:28 --> 00:15:29 that we
00:15:29 --> 00:15:29 owe others.
00:15:30 --> 00:15:31 Tax,
00:15:31 --> 00:15:31 duty,
00:15:31 --> 00:15:32 honor,
00:15:32 --> 00:15:33 respect can
00:15:33 --> 00:15:33 be paid
00:15:33 --> 00:15:34 in full,
00:15:34 --> 00:15:35 but love
00:15:35 --> 00:15:36 is a debt
00:15:36 --> 00:15:37 and ongoing
00:15:37 --> 00:15:38 obligation
00:15:38 --> 00:15:39 that we
00:15:39 --> 00:15:39 will never
00:15:39 --> 00:15:40 be able
00:15:40 --> 00:15:40 to pay
00:15:40 --> 00:15:41 out fully.
00:15:43 --> 00:15:44 We should
00:15:44 --> 00:15:44 not expect
00:15:44 --> 00:15:46 that the
00:15:46 --> 00:15:46 need for us
00:15:46 --> 00:15:47 to love
00:15:47 --> 00:15:47 others will
00:15:47 --> 00:15:48 ever be
00:15:48 --> 00:15:48 fulfilled.
00:15:49 --> 00:15:50 It would
00:15:50 --> 00:15:50 be ridiculous
00:15:50 --> 00:15:51 to say,
00:15:51 --> 00:15:52 I've loved
00:15:52 --> 00:15:53 someone enough,
00:15:53 --> 00:15:54 I do not
00:15:54 --> 00:15:54 need to love
00:15:54 --> 00:15:55 them anymore.
00:15:56 --> 00:15:56 You only need
00:15:56 --> 00:15:57 to reverse
00:15:57 --> 00:15:58 that sentence
00:15:58 --> 00:15:59 and consider
00:15:59 --> 00:15:59 someone saying
00:15:59 --> 00:16:00 that they
00:16:00 --> 00:16:01 have loved
00:16:01 --> 00:16:02 you enough
00:16:02 --> 00:16:02 that they
00:16:02 --> 00:16:03 don't have
00:16:03 --> 00:16:03 to love
00:16:03 --> 00:16:04 you anymore
00:16:04 --> 00:16:05 to realize
00:16:05 --> 00:16:05 how ridiculous
00:16:05 --> 00:16:07 even to
00:16:07 --> 00:16:07 contemplate
00:16:07 --> 00:16:08 the idea.
00:16:10 --> 00:16:10 God
00:16:10 --> 00:16:11 warned us
00:16:11 --> 00:16:11 to never
00:16:11 --> 00:16:12 stop loving
00:16:12 --> 00:16:14 by letting
00:16:14 --> 00:16:16 our priority
00:16:16 --> 00:16:17 fall out of
00:16:17 --> 00:16:18 sync with
00:16:18 --> 00:16:18 God.
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 It's very
00:16:19 --> 00:16:19 easy.
00:16:21 --> 00:16:22 We easily
00:16:22 --> 00:16:23 focus on
00:16:23 --> 00:16:23 the wrong
00:16:23 --> 00:16:24 things as
00:16:24 --> 00:16:24 we interact
00:16:24 --> 00:16:25 with others.
00:16:25 --> 00:16:27 there seems
00:16:27 --> 00:16:27 to be a
00:16:27 --> 00:16:28 list in
00:16:28 --> 00:16:29 our mind
00:16:29 --> 00:16:29 that we
00:16:29 --> 00:16:30 always check,
00:16:31 --> 00:16:31 especially
00:16:31 --> 00:16:32 regarding
00:16:32 --> 00:16:32 God's
00:16:32 --> 00:16:33 command.
00:16:34 --> 00:16:34 The
00:16:34 --> 00:16:35 commandments,
00:16:35 --> 00:16:35 you should
00:16:35 --> 00:16:36 not commit
00:16:36 --> 00:16:37 adultery,
00:16:37 --> 00:16:37 you should
00:16:37 --> 00:16:38 not murder,
00:16:38 --> 00:16:38 you should
00:16:38 --> 00:16:39 not steal,
00:16:39 --> 00:16:39 you should
00:16:39 --> 00:16:40 not comfort,
00:16:41 --> 00:16:41 and whatever
00:16:41 --> 00:16:42 other commandments
00:16:42 --> 00:16:42 there may
00:16:42 --> 00:16:44 be, are
00:16:44 --> 00:16:45 sum up in
00:16:45 --> 00:16:45 this one
00:16:45 --> 00:16:46 command,
00:16:46 --> 00:16:46 love your
00:16:46 --> 00:16:47 neighbors as
00:16:47 --> 00:16:47 yourself.
00:16:49 --> 00:16:49 Love does
00:16:49 --> 00:16:50 no harm to
00:16:50 --> 00:16:51 our neighbor,
00:16:51 --> 00:16:52 therefore love
00:16:52 --> 00:16:52 is a fulfillment
00:16:52 --> 00:16:53 of the law.
00:16:53 --> 00:16:56 according to
00:16:56 --> 00:16:56 Paul's
00:16:56 --> 00:16:57 credential,
00:16:58 --> 00:16:59 a Pharisee
00:16:59 --> 00:16:59 devoted to
00:16:59 --> 00:17:00 observing every
00:17:00 --> 00:17:00 law,
00:17:01 --> 00:17:02 a cellist
00:17:02 --> 00:17:03 Christian
00:17:03 --> 00:17:05 persecutor
00:17:05 --> 00:17:06 considered
00:17:06 --> 00:17:07 himself
00:17:07 --> 00:17:07 faultless
00:17:07 --> 00:17:08 regarding
00:17:08 --> 00:17:09 righteousness
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 based on
00:17:09 --> 00:17:09 the law.
00:17:10 --> 00:17:10 It would
00:17:10 --> 00:17:11 be very
00:17:11 --> 00:17:11 out of
00:17:11 --> 00:17:12 character
00:17:12 --> 00:17:13 to give
00:17:13 --> 00:17:14 such a
00:17:14 --> 00:17:14 summary
00:17:14 --> 00:17:15 about how
00:17:15 --> 00:17:16 to fulfill
00:17:16 --> 00:17:16 the law
00:17:16 --> 00:17:17 if Paul
00:17:17 --> 00:17:18 did not
00:17:18 --> 00:17:18 meet
00:17:18 --> 00:17:19 Jesus.
00:17:19 --> 00:17:21 But his
00:17:21 --> 00:17:22 encounter
00:17:22 --> 00:17:23 with Jesus
00:17:23 --> 00:17:24 while on
00:17:24 --> 00:17:24 the way
00:17:24 --> 00:17:26 ready to
00:17:26 --> 00:17:26 persecute
00:17:26 --> 00:17:27 Christians
00:17:27 --> 00:17:28 by executing
00:17:28 --> 00:17:28 them,
00:17:29 --> 00:17:29 make him
00:17:29 --> 00:17:30 realize how
00:17:30 --> 00:17:31 far he was
00:17:31 --> 00:17:32 from God's
00:17:32 --> 00:17:33 priority.
00:17:34 --> 00:17:35 By promoting
00:17:35 --> 00:17:36 loving one
00:17:36 --> 00:17:37 another and
00:17:37 --> 00:17:38 loving God
00:17:38 --> 00:17:38 as the highest
00:17:38 --> 00:17:39 calling for
00:17:39 --> 00:17:39 Christian,
00:17:40 --> 00:17:41 Paul reminds
00:17:41 --> 00:17:41 us that
00:17:41 --> 00:17:43 following this
00:17:43 --> 00:17:44 particular command
00:17:44 --> 00:17:45 of love
00:17:45 --> 00:17:46 enables
00:17:46 --> 00:17:48 everything to
00:17:48 --> 00:17:49 function in
00:17:49 --> 00:17:49 God's
00:17:49 --> 00:17:50 order.
00:17:51 --> 00:17:52 Love is
00:17:52 --> 00:17:53 positive,
00:17:53 --> 00:17:54 active,
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 and I can
00:17:55 --> 00:17:55 even say
00:17:55 --> 00:17:56 it's
00:17:56 --> 00:17:56 proactive.
00:17:57 --> 00:17:58 Love will
00:17:58 --> 00:17:59 fulfill the
00:17:59 --> 00:18:00 law because
00:18:00 --> 00:18:01 even looking
00:18:01 --> 00:18:01 at it
00:18:01 --> 00:18:02 negatively,
00:18:02 --> 00:18:03 you will
00:18:03 --> 00:18:03 not harm
00:18:03 --> 00:18:04 your neighbor
00:18:04 --> 00:18:04 when you
00:18:04 --> 00:18:05 love.
00:18:07 --> 00:18:08 You may
00:18:08 --> 00:18:08 be driven
00:18:08 --> 00:18:09 to be
00:18:09 --> 00:18:10 successful
00:18:10 --> 00:18:10 at any
00:18:10 --> 00:18:11 cost.
00:18:12 --> 00:18:12 You may
00:18:12 --> 00:18:13 consider other
00:18:13 --> 00:18:14 people as
00:18:14 --> 00:18:14 a stepping
00:18:14 --> 00:18:15 stone towards
00:18:15 --> 00:18:16 a fulfilling
00:18:16 --> 00:18:16 life.
00:18:18 --> 00:18:18 you might
00:18:18 --> 00:18:19 think setting
00:18:19 --> 00:18:20 aside a
00:18:20 --> 00:18:20 relationship
00:18:20 --> 00:18:21 to enable
00:18:21 --> 00:18:22 you to get
00:18:22 --> 00:18:23 to where
00:18:23 --> 00:18:23 you want
00:18:23 --> 00:18:24 is acceptable
00:18:24 --> 00:18:26 and unavoidable.
00:18:27 --> 00:18:27 Those extra
00:18:27 --> 00:18:28 hours staying
00:18:28 --> 00:18:29 at work or
00:18:29 --> 00:18:29 networking
00:18:29 --> 00:18:31 seems more
00:18:31 --> 00:18:33 necessary than
00:18:33 --> 00:18:33 spending time
00:18:33 --> 00:18:34 with your
00:18:34 --> 00:18:34 spouse,
00:18:34 --> 00:18:35 kids,
00:18:35 --> 00:18:36 or other
00:18:36 --> 00:18:37 fellow believers.
00:18:38 --> 00:18:38 It all
00:18:38 --> 00:18:40 reflects how
00:18:40 --> 00:18:40 much you
00:18:40 --> 00:18:41 love yourself
00:18:41 --> 00:18:42 and how
00:18:42 --> 00:18:43 much we
00:18:43 --> 00:18:44 love ourselves.
00:18:44 --> 00:18:45 We are so
00:18:45 --> 00:18:47 familiar with
00:18:47 --> 00:18:48 loving ourselves
00:18:48 --> 00:18:49 that it
00:18:49 --> 00:18:49 should be
00:18:49 --> 00:18:50 easy to
00:18:50 --> 00:18:51 understand how
00:18:51 --> 00:18:52 to apply the
00:18:52 --> 00:18:52 command,
00:18:52 --> 00:18:53 love your
00:18:53 --> 00:18:54 neighbors as
00:18:54 --> 00:18:54 yourself.
00:18:56 --> 00:18:56 You should
00:18:56 --> 00:18:57 love and
00:18:57 --> 00:18:58 attitude towards
00:18:58 --> 00:18:59 others,
00:18:59 --> 00:19:00 have the same
00:19:00 --> 00:19:01 depth of
00:19:01 --> 00:19:01 concern for
00:19:01 --> 00:19:02 yourself.
00:19:05 --> 00:19:06 Our
00:19:06 --> 00:19:06 relationship
00:19:06 --> 00:19:07 with the
00:19:07 --> 00:19:08 world builds
00:19:08 --> 00:19:09 on our
00:19:09 --> 00:19:09 renewed
00:19:09 --> 00:19:10 relationship
00:19:10 --> 00:19:10 with God.
00:19:11 --> 00:19:12 It calls
00:19:12 --> 00:19:13 to some
00:19:13 --> 00:19:14 things in
00:19:14 --> 00:19:14 an upside
00:19:14 --> 00:19:15 down way,
00:19:15 --> 00:19:17 to prioritize
00:19:17 --> 00:19:17 relationship
00:19:17 --> 00:19:18 with God
00:19:18 --> 00:19:18 and others.
00:19:20 --> 00:19:20 You may
00:19:20 --> 00:19:21 think or
00:19:21 --> 00:19:23 feel that
00:19:23 --> 00:19:24 up to this
00:19:24 --> 00:19:24 point,
00:19:25 --> 00:19:25 all I have
00:19:25 --> 00:19:26 said is
00:19:26 --> 00:19:26 easy,
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 said,
00:19:27 --> 00:19:27 than done.
00:19:29 --> 00:19:29 Let me
00:19:29 --> 00:19:30 help you by
00:19:30 --> 00:19:31 looking at
00:19:31 --> 00:19:31 our final
00:19:31 --> 00:19:32 session of
00:19:32 --> 00:19:32 the three
00:19:32 --> 00:19:33 contrasts and
00:19:33 --> 00:19:34 the secret
00:19:34 --> 00:19:34 of success.
00:19:36 --> 00:19:37 We are
00:19:37 --> 00:19:37 living in an
00:19:37 --> 00:19:38 exciting and
00:19:38 --> 00:19:38 challenging
00:19:38 --> 00:19:39 time.
00:19:40 --> 00:19:40 You may feel
00:19:40 --> 00:19:41 like your
00:19:41 --> 00:19:41 life is
00:19:41 --> 00:19:42 constantly on
00:19:42 --> 00:19:43 the go
00:19:43 --> 00:19:44 without any
00:19:44 --> 00:19:44 breathing space.
00:19:45 --> 00:19:46 You might
00:19:46 --> 00:19:47 have chosen
00:19:47 --> 00:19:47 to deal
00:19:47 --> 00:19:48 with all
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 that is
00:19:48 --> 00:19:48 happening
00:19:48 --> 00:19:49 around you
00:19:49 --> 00:19:50 with nostalgia
00:19:50 --> 00:19:53 and reminiscing
00:19:53 --> 00:19:53 the good
00:19:53 --> 00:19:54 old days,
00:19:54 --> 00:19:55 or slumbering,
00:19:55 --> 00:19:56 trying to
00:19:56 --> 00:19:56 slip them
00:19:56 --> 00:19:57 off.
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 But Paul
00:19:58 --> 00:19:58 says,
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 and do
00:20:00 --> 00:20:00 this,
00:20:01 --> 00:20:01 understanding
00:20:01 --> 00:20:02 the present
00:20:02 --> 00:20:02 time.
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 The hour
00:20:03 --> 00:20:03 has already
00:20:03 --> 00:20:04 come for
00:20:04 --> 00:20:04 you to
00:20:04 --> 00:20:05 wake up
00:20:05 --> 00:20:05 from your
00:20:05 --> 00:20:06 slumber,
00:20:06 --> 00:20:07 because our
00:20:07 --> 00:20:07 salvation is
00:20:07 --> 00:20:08 nearer now
00:20:08 --> 00:20:09 than when
00:20:09 --> 00:20:09 you first
00:20:09 --> 00:20:10 believed.
00:20:10 --> 00:20:11 The night
00:20:11 --> 00:20:12 is nearer,
00:20:12 --> 00:20:13 nearly over,
00:20:13 --> 00:20:14 and the day
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 is almost
00:20:14 --> 00:20:14 here.
00:20:15 --> 00:20:16 Paul calls
00:20:16 --> 00:20:17 all Christians
00:20:17 --> 00:20:17 to do
00:20:17 --> 00:20:18 three pairs
00:20:18 --> 00:20:19 of contrasting
00:20:19 --> 00:20:20 action in
00:20:20 --> 00:20:22 our current
00:20:22 --> 00:20:23 already and
00:20:23 --> 00:20:23 not yet
00:20:23 --> 00:20:24 states.
00:20:25 --> 00:20:26 The mercy
00:20:26 --> 00:20:27 of God
00:20:27 --> 00:20:28 through the
00:20:28 --> 00:20:28 self-sacrifice
00:20:28 --> 00:20:29 of Jesus
00:20:29 --> 00:20:30 on the cross
00:20:30 --> 00:20:31 saved us
00:20:31 --> 00:20:32 from all
00:20:32 --> 00:20:32 our sin,
00:20:33 --> 00:20:34 but we
00:20:34 --> 00:20:34 still sin
00:20:34 --> 00:20:35 and live
00:20:35 --> 00:20:35 in a
00:20:35 --> 00:20:36 sin-broken
00:20:36 --> 00:20:36 world.
00:20:37 --> 00:20:38 But this
00:20:38 --> 00:20:39 tension is
00:20:39 --> 00:20:40 almost over.
00:20:40 --> 00:20:41 We have
00:20:41 --> 00:20:41 been made
00:20:41 --> 00:20:42 new,
00:20:42 --> 00:20:43 and the
00:20:43 --> 00:20:44 promised new
00:20:44 --> 00:20:44 world is
00:20:44 --> 00:20:45 almost here.
00:20:46 --> 00:20:47 So now
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 is not
00:20:47 --> 00:20:47 time to
00:20:47 --> 00:20:48 hit the
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 snooze
00:20:48 --> 00:20:48 button.
00:20:49 --> 00:20:49 Let's
00:20:49 --> 00:20:50 get into
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 some
00:20:50 --> 00:20:50 actions.
00:20:51 --> 00:20:53 So let's
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 put aside
00:20:53 --> 00:20:53 the deeds
00:20:53 --> 00:20:54 of darkness
00:20:54 --> 00:20:56 and put
00:20:56 --> 00:20:56 on the
00:20:56 --> 00:20:57 armor of
00:20:57 --> 00:20:57 light.
00:20:58 --> 00:20:59 Let's
00:20:59 --> 00:20:59 behave decently
00:20:59 --> 00:21:00 as in the
00:21:00 --> 00:21:01 daytime,
00:21:01 --> 00:21:02 not in
00:21:02 --> 00:21:02 carousing
00:21:02 --> 00:21:03 and drunkenness,
00:21:04 --> 00:21:04 not in
00:21:04 --> 00:21:05 sexual immorality
00:21:05 --> 00:21:06 and debauchery,
00:21:07 --> 00:21:07 not in
00:21:07 --> 00:21:08 dissension and
00:21:08 --> 00:21:09 jealousy.
00:21:09 --> 00:21:10 Rather,
00:21:10 --> 00:21:11 quote yourself
00:21:11 --> 00:21:11 with the
00:21:11 --> 00:21:12 Lord Jesus
00:21:12 --> 00:21:12 Christ,
00:21:12 --> 00:21:13 and do
00:21:13 --> 00:21:13 not think
00:21:13 --> 00:21:14 about how
00:21:14 --> 00:21:14 to gratify
00:21:14 --> 00:21:15 the desire
00:21:15 --> 00:21:16 of the
00:21:16 --> 00:21:16 fresh.
00:21:17 --> 00:21:18 There
00:21:18 --> 00:21:18 seems to
00:21:18 --> 00:21:19 be three
00:21:19 --> 00:21:20 contrasting
00:21:20 --> 00:21:20 actions from
00:21:20 --> 00:21:21 this final
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 session of
00:21:21 --> 00:21:21 tests,
00:21:22 --> 00:21:22 but they
00:21:22 --> 00:21:23 are very
00:21:23 --> 00:21:24 closely related
00:21:24 --> 00:21:24 and can
00:21:24 --> 00:21:25 be studied
00:21:25 --> 00:21:25 as one
00:21:25 --> 00:21:26 action
00:21:26 --> 00:21:27 group.
00:21:28 --> 00:21:28 Firstly,
00:21:29 --> 00:21:29 Paul calls
00:21:29 --> 00:21:30 us to
00:21:30 --> 00:21:30 put aside
00:21:30 --> 00:21:31 or put
00:21:31 --> 00:21:32 off our
00:21:32 --> 00:21:32 nighties
00:21:32 --> 00:21:33 and put
00:21:33 --> 00:21:34 on our
00:21:34 --> 00:21:35 day clothes.
00:21:36 --> 00:21:36 As much
00:21:36 --> 00:21:37 as our
00:21:37 --> 00:21:37 nighties,
00:21:37 --> 00:21:38 our pajamas
00:21:38 --> 00:21:39 are comfortable
00:21:39 --> 00:21:40 and help
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 us to
00:21:40 --> 00:21:40 sleep.
00:21:41 --> 00:21:41 They are
00:21:41 --> 00:21:42 inappropriate
00:21:42 --> 00:21:43 for how
00:21:43 --> 00:21:43 we should
00:21:43 --> 00:21:44 live or
00:21:44 --> 00:21:44 want to
00:21:44 --> 00:21:45 live our
00:21:45 --> 00:21:45 life during
00:21:45 --> 00:21:46 the day.
00:21:47 --> 00:21:48 Dressing
00:21:48 --> 00:21:48 right,
00:21:49 --> 00:21:50 dressing for
00:21:50 --> 00:21:50 the right
00:21:50 --> 00:21:51 occasion,
00:21:51 --> 00:21:52 help us
00:21:52 --> 00:21:52 to perform
00:21:52 --> 00:21:53 better on
00:21:53 --> 00:21:53 most
00:21:53 --> 00:21:54 occasions.
00:21:56 --> 00:21:57 The
00:21:57 --> 00:21:57 pajamas,
00:21:57 --> 00:21:58 the nighties
00:21:58 --> 00:21:58 we are
00:21:58 --> 00:21:59 putting aside
00:21:59 --> 00:22:00 are the
00:22:00 --> 00:22:00 deeds of
00:22:00 --> 00:22:01 darkness.
00:22:02 --> 00:22:02 We're
00:22:02 --> 00:22:03 putting off
00:22:03 --> 00:22:03 what is
00:22:03 --> 00:22:04 harmful to
00:22:04 --> 00:22:04 us,
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 and we
00:22:05 --> 00:22:05 are to
00:22:05 --> 00:22:06 put on
00:22:06 --> 00:22:06 the armor
00:22:06 --> 00:22:07 of light
00:22:07 --> 00:22:08 that will
00:22:08 --> 00:22:09 protect us
00:22:09 --> 00:22:09 and save
00:22:09 --> 00:22:10 us.
00:22:11 --> 00:22:12 No one
00:22:12 --> 00:22:12 in their
00:22:12 --> 00:22:13 right mind
00:22:13 --> 00:22:13 will go
00:22:13 --> 00:22:14 into a
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 battle
00:22:14 --> 00:22:14 naked.
00:22:15 --> 00:22:16 However,
00:22:17 --> 00:22:17 if you only
00:22:17 --> 00:22:18 think about
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 what you
00:22:18 --> 00:22:18 have to
00:22:18 --> 00:22:19 put aside
00:22:19 --> 00:22:19 or give
00:22:19 --> 00:22:20 up,
00:22:20 --> 00:22:21 not thinking
00:22:21 --> 00:22:22 about the
00:22:22 --> 00:22:23 armor God
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 prepared for
00:22:23 --> 00:22:23 you,
00:22:24 --> 00:22:25 you'll be
00:22:25 --> 00:22:26 fearful and
00:22:26 --> 00:22:26 worried,
00:22:27 --> 00:22:28 like going
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 into a
00:22:28 --> 00:22:28 battle
00:22:28 --> 00:22:29 naked.
00:22:30 --> 00:22:31 Secondly,
00:22:31 --> 00:22:32 let's not
00:22:32 --> 00:22:33 only dress
00:22:33 --> 00:22:33 right,
00:22:34 --> 00:22:34 but behave
00:22:34 --> 00:22:35 right and
00:22:35 --> 00:22:35 decent.
00:22:37 --> 00:22:38 Like
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 Paul's
00:22:38 --> 00:22:38 time,
00:22:39 --> 00:22:39 we also
00:22:39 --> 00:22:40 live in
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 a dark
00:22:40 --> 00:22:40 time.
00:22:41 --> 00:22:42 Nothing
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 is hunky
00:22:42 --> 00:22:42 dory,
00:22:43 --> 00:22:43 but we
00:22:43 --> 00:22:45 can behave
00:22:45 --> 00:22:46 decently
00:22:46 --> 00:22:48 as if in
00:22:48 --> 00:22:48 the daytime
00:22:48 --> 00:22:50 by not
00:22:50 --> 00:22:50 giving in
00:22:50 --> 00:22:51 to dark,
00:22:51 --> 00:22:52 sinful
00:22:52 --> 00:22:52 behavior.
00:22:54 --> 00:22:55 And even
00:22:55 --> 00:22:56 if you
00:22:56 --> 00:22:56 fail,
00:22:57 --> 00:22:58 the third
00:22:58 --> 00:22:58 thing is
00:22:58 --> 00:22:59 our comeback
00:22:59 --> 00:23:00 and our
00:23:00 --> 00:23:00 secret to
00:23:00 --> 00:23:01 success.
00:23:02 --> 00:23:03 We can
00:23:03 --> 00:23:04 complete the
00:23:04 --> 00:23:05 first two
00:23:05 --> 00:23:05 pairs of
00:23:05 --> 00:23:07 action because
00:23:07 --> 00:23:08 Jesus has
00:23:08 --> 00:23:09 gone before
00:23:09 --> 00:23:10 us and
00:23:10 --> 00:23:11 nailed the
00:23:11 --> 00:23:12 desires of
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 his flesh
00:23:12 --> 00:23:12 on the
00:23:12 --> 00:23:13 cross.
00:23:14 --> 00:23:14 And he
00:23:14 --> 00:23:15 became the
00:23:15 --> 00:23:15 armor of
00:23:15 --> 00:23:16 light we
00:23:16 --> 00:23:17 are to
00:23:17 --> 00:23:17 put on.
00:23:18 --> 00:23:19 Jesus took
00:23:19 --> 00:23:19 off his
00:23:19 --> 00:23:20 armor,
00:23:20 --> 00:23:21 allowing the
00:23:21 --> 00:23:22 arrows of
00:23:22 --> 00:23:23 our sins
00:23:23 --> 00:23:24 to peace
00:23:24 --> 00:23:24 his body.
00:23:25 --> 00:23:26 He was
00:23:26 --> 00:23:26 treated with
00:23:26 --> 00:23:27 the worst
00:23:27 --> 00:23:28 indecency on
00:23:28 --> 00:23:29 the cross,
00:23:29 --> 00:23:29 stripped
00:23:29 --> 00:23:30 naked,
00:23:30 --> 00:23:30 hung dead,
00:23:30 --> 00:23:31 so we
00:23:31 --> 00:23:33 know what
00:23:33 --> 00:23:33 behaving
00:23:33 --> 00:23:34 decently
00:23:34 --> 00:23:35 looked like
00:23:35 --> 00:23:36 in a
00:23:36 --> 00:23:36 proper
00:23:36 --> 00:23:37 relationship
00:23:37 --> 00:23:37 with God
00:23:37 --> 00:23:38 and others
00:23:38 --> 00:23:39 as we
00:23:39 --> 00:23:40 live out as
00:23:40 --> 00:23:40 a living
00:23:40 --> 00:23:41 sacrifice for
00:23:41 --> 00:23:41 God in
00:23:41 --> 00:23:42 our daily
00:23:42 --> 00:23:42 relationship.
00:23:44 --> 00:23:45 If you
00:23:45 --> 00:23:46 only think
00:23:46 --> 00:23:47 about how
00:23:47 --> 00:23:48 unsatisfied
00:23:48 --> 00:23:48 your body
00:23:48 --> 00:23:49 will be
00:23:49 --> 00:23:50 because you
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 have to
00:23:50 --> 00:23:50 deal with
00:23:50 --> 00:23:51 all your
00:23:51 --> 00:23:52 sins and
00:23:52 --> 00:23:53 love those
00:23:53 --> 00:23:54 you deem
00:23:54 --> 00:23:55 not worthy
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 of your
00:23:55 --> 00:23:55 love,
00:23:56 --> 00:23:56 in that
00:23:56 --> 00:23:57 case,
00:23:57 --> 00:23:58 you'll find
00:23:58 --> 00:23:58 all the
00:23:58 --> 00:23:59 instructions
00:23:59 --> 00:24:00 from Roman
00:24:00 --> 00:24:01 12 to
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 the end
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 of the
00:24:01 --> 00:24:01 book,
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 or even
00:24:02 --> 00:24:02 the whole
00:24:02 --> 00:24:03 Bible
00:24:03 --> 00:24:04 is teaching
00:24:04 --> 00:24:04 challenging
00:24:04 --> 00:24:05 and difficult.
00:24:06 --> 00:24:07 But
00:24:07 --> 00:24:07 cove
00:24:07 --> 00:24:08 yourself
00:24:08 --> 00:24:08 with the
00:24:08 --> 00:24:09 Lord Jesus
00:24:09 --> 00:24:09 Christ.
00:24:11 --> 00:24:12 Wrap
00:24:12 --> 00:24:15 your thoughts
00:24:15 --> 00:24:15 around him.
00:24:17 --> 00:24:17 Think of
00:24:17 --> 00:24:18 Jesus as
00:24:18 --> 00:24:18 your armor.
00:24:20 --> 00:24:20 Let him
00:24:20 --> 00:24:21 cover you
00:24:21 --> 00:24:21 and comfort
00:24:21 --> 00:24:22 you.
00:24:23 --> 00:24:23 Let him
00:24:23 --> 00:24:24 embrace you
00:24:24 --> 00:24:25 and be
00:24:25 --> 00:24:26 your protection
00:24:26 --> 00:24:27 as you
00:24:27 --> 00:24:28 love and
00:24:28 --> 00:24:28 serve in
00:24:28 --> 00:24:29 your new
00:24:29 --> 00:24:29 relationship
00:24:29 --> 00:24:30 with others.
00:24:32 --> 00:24:33 Think about
00:24:33 --> 00:24:34 how you
00:24:34 --> 00:24:34 can glorify
00:24:34 --> 00:24:35 God and
00:24:35 --> 00:24:36 glorify Jesus
00:24:36 --> 00:24:37 as your
00:24:37 --> 00:24:37 salvation,
00:24:38 --> 00:24:38 the good
00:24:38 --> 00:24:39 news of
00:24:39 --> 00:24:39 the gospel.
00:24:41 --> 00:24:42 You will
00:24:42 --> 00:24:42 not pass
00:24:42 --> 00:24:43 the test
00:24:43 --> 00:24:44 if you
00:24:44 --> 00:24:44 focus on
00:24:44 --> 00:24:45 yourself
00:24:45 --> 00:24:46 and what
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 you need
00:24:46 --> 00:24:46 to do.
00:24:47 --> 00:24:48 You will
00:24:48 --> 00:24:48 only succeed
00:24:48 --> 00:24:49 if you
00:24:49 --> 00:24:50 focus on
00:24:50 --> 00:24:50 God's
00:24:50 --> 00:24:51 mercy
00:24:51 --> 00:24:52 shown to
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 you
00:24:52 --> 00:24:52 through
00:24:52 --> 00:24:53 Jesus.
00:24:55 --> 00:24:56 We are
00:24:56 --> 00:24:56 all
00:24:56 --> 00:24:59 citizens of
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 God's
00:24:59 --> 00:24:59 kingdom
00:24:59 --> 00:25:01 not because
00:25:01 --> 00:25:02 we have
00:25:02 --> 00:25:02 passed
00:25:02 --> 00:25:03 any test.
00:25:04 --> 00:25:04 It was
00:25:04 --> 00:25:05 due to
00:25:05 --> 00:25:05 the merit
00:25:05 --> 00:25:06 of Jesus.
00:25:07 --> 00:25:08 We are
00:25:08 --> 00:25:09 called to
00:25:09 --> 00:25:09 be the
00:25:09 --> 00:25:10 best
00:25:10 --> 00:25:10 citizens on
00:25:10 --> 00:25:11 this earth
00:25:11 --> 00:25:12 but we
00:25:12 --> 00:25:12 will fail
00:25:12 --> 00:25:13 because we
00:25:13 --> 00:25:14 are sinful.
00:25:15 --> 00:25:16 But even
00:25:16 --> 00:25:16 if we fail,
00:25:17 --> 00:25:18 you are
00:25:18 --> 00:25:18 covered by
00:25:18 --> 00:25:19 Jesus.
00:25:19 --> 00:25:20 Jesus
00:25:20 --> 00:25:21 He is
00:25:21 --> 00:25:21 your armor
00:25:21 --> 00:25:22 of light.
00:25:22 --> 00:25:23 He is
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 steadfast
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 love
00:25:23 --> 00:25:23 through
00:25:23 --> 00:25:24 and
00:25:24 --> 00:25:24 drew
00:25:24 --> 00:25:24 forever
00:25:24 --> 00:25:25 and He
00:25:25 --> 00:25:26 will
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 never
00:25:26 --> 00:25:26 come
00:25:26 --> 00:25:27 of
00:25:27 --> 00:25:27 you.
00:25:29 --> 00:25:29 Jesus
00:25:29 --> 00:25:30 guaranteed
00:25:30 --> 00:25:31 your
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 loyalty
00:25:31 --> 00:25:31 to
00:25:31 --> 00:25:32 God
00:25:32 --> 00:25:33 by
00:25:33 --> 00:25:34 His
00:25:34 --> 00:25:35 life
00:25:35 --> 00:25:35 as you
00:25:35 --> 00:25:36 live as
00:25:36 --> 00:25:36 a citizen
00:25:36 --> 00:25:37 of God
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 in this
00:25:37 --> 00:25:37 world.
00:25:39 --> 00:25:39 Clothe
00:25:39 --> 00:25:40 yourself
00:25:40 --> 00:25:40 with Him
00:25:40 --> 00:25:41 daily
00:25:41 --> 00:25:42 as a
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 true and
00:25:42 --> 00:25:42 proper
00:25:42 --> 00:25:43 worship
00:25:43 --> 00:25:44 to our
00:25:44 --> 00:25:44 majestic
00:25:44 --> 00:25:45 God.
00:25:46 --> 00:25:46 Let
00:25:46 --> 00:25:47 your mind
00:25:47 --> 00:25:47 be filled
00:25:47 --> 00:25:49 with God's
00:25:49 --> 00:25:49 mercy,
00:25:50 --> 00:25:51 the Lord
00:25:51 --> 00:25:51 Jesus
00:25:51 --> 00:25:52 Christ.