Prophecy/Mystery Combined #13 - Perspective is Everything

[0:00] Our Father, we recognize fully, and we are confronted with it on an almost weekly basis, that death is a reality. And we cannot ignore it, and we ought not to minimize it.

[0:14] But we can put it in perspective. And that's something the world simply cannot do. How grateful we are to know the reality of being in Christ, the one who has taken our sin upon himself and died our death in his death.

[0:35] We look forward to the time when that which you have provided for our spirit will be applied as well to our bodies, glorified then.

[0:47] Never again to know pain or sorrow, weakness, or any of the debilitating things that we must deal with today as fallen people in a fallen world. How grateful we are to know that Jesus Christ has gotten the victory over death, and he is passing that victory on to us so that it becomes ours as well.

[1:10] For these dear women who are grieving now in ways that only widows are able to grieve, we just ask for your sustaining grace, upholding power, and we pray that you will provide to them and for them the perspective that we're talking about.

[1:29] How that death is real, but it is not final for those who are in Christ, and that absent from the body and present with the Lord is not a Christian cliché.

[1:39] It is a sound, solid truth given by a God who cannot lie, and we can take it to the bank. We are so grateful for that reality and how it tempers all of the adversity that comes into our lives.

[1:55] We pray that as we contemplate and read the scriptures this morning, you will use them to inspire and correct and comfort in accordance with what is needed.

[2:06] Thank you so much for your presence with us, for what you've already done for us. Now we just want to enter into a greater appreciation of it. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

[2:20] Dave Freese continues in the hospital, and he's receiving treatment for COVID-related issues. We're grateful that Mike Elfers has been released from the hospital.

[2:33] He is at home. Many of you do not know Philip Neer, but he and his son Mike have been regulars to our men's Bible class for quite some time now.

[2:47] And the Tuesday morning men have really gotten to know them and appreciate them, and they come all the way down from West Liberty to join our Bible class, and we've enjoyed their presence so much.

[2:58] And Philip is now undergoing treatment at Ohio State University Medical Center. He developed a serious blood clot in his leg and is being treated for that.

[3:12] There may be other issues as well that we're not aware of now. So we appreciate your remembering, Phil, in prayer as well. Well, Marie and I, as most of you know, have just come off of our two weeks of quarantine.

[3:27] And during that time, neither of us developed any symptoms of any kind. So we know that we were exposed to some folks who had the issue, and we didn't know but what we, too, had picked it up.

[3:40] So out of safety and to be sure that we wouldn't be able to pass anything on to somebody else while we were in quarantine for a couple of weeks. And thank you for your prayers also, by the way.

[3:52] Thank you.

[4:22] We freely discussed every aspect of this thing with masks and no masks and social distancing and the whole nine yards. We discussed and we discussed and we discussed and we did everything but cuss.

[4:38] And trying to sort this thing out. And you know as well as I do that people are all over the map on this stuff. And it's just so difficult.

[4:49] And nothing irritates me so much as the people who know they have the answer. And they are especially irritating. Because there is too much involved for anybody to have the kind of dogmatism that some people have.

[5:02] And yet it doesn't prevent them from having it. Yes, it is political. That's involved. You can't get politics out of anything. It's involved.

[5:13] To what degree and how? That's undecided. But we know politics is involved. And health issues are definitely involved.

[5:23] And life and death and everything that goes with it is involved. And safety and security and all the rest of it is involved. And we are told by the experts, so-called experts, follow the science.

[5:35] Follow the science. Follow the science. Well, I'm not opposed to science. I think science is one of our best friends. The very word science means to know.

[5:48] To know. To understand. To perceive. It's a great word. And it's a great concept. And there are a lot of things that we can know. A lot of things we do know. A lot of things we don't know.

[6:00] And when these people are always screaming about following the science. Following the science. I'm tempted to ask them. Do you mean. Do you mean the science that says.

[6:12] Everything that exists came from nothing. Because millions and millions of years ago. There was nothing. And nobody. That caused everything to come into existence.

[6:23] And that is how we got here. That's why there is something. Are we supposed to follow that science. Do you realize.

[6:35] That is the majority position. Of the scientific world today. It is. And do you know what they call.

[6:46] Genesis one. Religion. That's just faith. That's not fact. That's just religion. Well. We beg to differ with them.

[6:58] But I'm not going to. Ride that horse any further. Just going to leave. That's not the science that we're interested in following. So. So. Out of all of the discussion that we had.

[7:11] We arrived at what we did. And. It's posted on the. Front and the back door. I can't tell you. They're just going to be there. That way. Two or three weeks from now.

[7:22] Because I don't know. Things change. And we change. And the fact that we've got something different on there now. Indicates that. The board of elders. Have reached a different position. And it's not one with which.

[7:33] I am completely comfortable. And I don't think any of them. Are completely comfortable with it. But. I certainly don't have sufficient knowledge. Or reason.

[7:44] To doubt it. Or to say. I don't think we should do that. So. You need to know that pastor and board. Were unanimous on that. Although I don't think any of us. Are totally comfortable.

[7:54] With the position. So I think you can probably understand that. There are a lot of. Ifs and ends and buts out there. That. Simply have not and cannot. To this point. Be resolved.

[8:08] And. Prayer meeting. Wednesday. Will resume. Not this coming. Week. But February 3. At 7 o'clock. And the Tuesday men's Bible class.

[8:19] Will resume. February 2. Maybe this looks like we're hoping for better things from February. Anyway. They can't take Valentine's Day out of February.

[8:31] We're still going to look forward to that. For whatever. And that. That'll be. Something to look forward to. And can you believe. Can you believe. That we are just one week away from completing January.

[8:43] Without any major snow. Or zero temperatures. I hope I don't have to eat those words a week from now. But anyway. It's nice to enjoy what we're enjoying right now.

[8:54] Thank you. Thank you. And my appreciation to Ron Gannon and Roger Phipps. For filling in for me while I was gone. I appreciated your willingness to do so.

[9:08] And I enjoyed both messages while I was in the confines of my wood shop. Where there's nothing there but me and some tools and sawdust and all that good stuff that I enjoyed.

[9:26] So thanks to you gentlemen. We do appreciate it. In the bulletin there's a note regarding the thermostat. Regarding the exercise building out there.

[9:37] And I appreciate you taking that to note. Because there was some horrendous costs associated with what obviously was a lack of diligence. With controlling the thermostat out there.

[9:49] And I understand that it is pre-programmed isn't it? So just leave it where it is. And if you are tempted to hike it up because it is chilly in there.

[10:04] Exercise more. That will solve it. I promise you. And it will keep the thermostat where it is supposed to be. So. And in case there are things that I have omitted.

[10:17] And there probably are. But you may need to mention it. Feel free to do so. Is there some such announcement? Anyone? Okay.

[10:30] Again because we are. Dealing with a morning issue. That is not limited to our present congregation here in the auditorium.

[10:43] But a number of people will be able to listen online. And get the audio portion of this. Oh and by the way that reminds me of something else I was supposed to say. Didn't have it written down.

[10:53] We have toyed with the idea. And I mean toyed. We haven't given it really serious thought. About live streaming our service.

[11:05] On Sunday morning. So that people. At home. Grace people. Well it wouldn't have to be grace people. Could be anybody. Could just. Plug in at the time of our service.

[11:17] 10-15 on Sunday morning. And hear the service. And see the service. Live. We don't have the equipment to do that. We are not opposed to investing in the equipment.

[11:31] That could make it happen. But prudence tells us. That we need to have in place. Individuals who would be capable. Of operating that on a consistent basis.

[11:43] And would probably have to have. Two or three at a minimum. Men and women. Who would be able to do that. In order to. Fill in for those. Who would be on vacation. Or ill. Or absent.

[11:54] Or for whatever reason. So. It would have to be somebody. And I'm sure you wouldn't have to have. A lot of technical savvy. Well you'd have to have more than I've got.

[12:05] But you still wouldn't have to have a lot. And I'm sure that people could. Teach you what needed to be done. With the camera. And all of that good stuff. So all I'm saying is.

[12:16] If there should be. A prospective volunteer. Or two or three lurking out there. Who would be interested in doing that. Would you mention it to either me. Or to any of the elders.

[12:27] Because if we don't get. Response by way of personnel. There's no point. In pursuing. The issue. We'll just drop it.

[12:38] But if there is interest. In a video. Audio. Live streaming. At the time it is happening. Then that would be a possibility. So I'll just leave it with you all.

[12:49] And you can think about it. And if that's something you'd like to do. Why we appreciate hearing from you. Anything else? Anybody? Oh. Oh.

[13:01] One other thing. One week from today. I had that written down. So I wouldn't forget it. And then I forgot it. No.

[13:14] I didn't have it written down. That's why I forgot it. Okay. One week from today. I'm preparing a special message.

[13:25] To address. The political. Spiritual. Moral situation. That our nation. Is facing. Right now. And this will incorporate.

[13:37] A number of things. And we will. See how this. Issue fares. With the constitution. I've got some very. Some very convincing evidence.

[13:51] I think. To show you. That. The United States of America. In many respects. Has.

[14:03] Departed. From. The principles. Of our constitution. And I want to make a very. Definite. Explanation.

[14:16] By what I mean. Because. There are those. Who are telling us. Who are insisting. That we have. Out. Grown.

[14:28] Our constitution. And there is a. Huge difference. Between. Outgrowing. Something. And departing.

[14:40] From something. A huge difference. And I fear. It is the latter. That we are doing. It is questionable. Whether that can be corrected.

[14:51] And we'll explain why. And I think. I've got some nuts and bolts. To this issue. And. I just want to give you. This one thing. This heads up. And that is this.

[15:04] Don't forget. You are. You are. You are. You are. A minority. You are. Supposed to be. A minority.

[15:15] You understand that? You have. Always been. A minority. From the time. Of Genesis 6.

[15:25] And Noah. And Noah. And his family. They were. A minority. What makes you think. That you have.

[15:35] The ability. Or. The reality. Of turning that around. And somehow becoming. The majority. Brethren.

[15:47] It ain't. Going to happen. Nor is it. Predicted to happen. The minority. Is going to continue. And the question is.

[15:58] How do we. Function. As. A. Permanent. Minority. And. Just for starters. And all this is all.

[16:09] I'll say about it. Until next week. But I cannot tell you. How grateful I am. To be in that minority. And we all ought to be. So.

[16:21] There is no room. For hatred of the other side. Or resentment. Of the other side. But there is every room. For pity. And sympathy. For the other side.

[16:32] For they know not. Where they are. Or what they are. And it's the responsibility. Of those in the minority. To do what we can. To inform them. And bring them along.

[16:43] Just like. Somebody informed you. And brought you along. Back when. So. Would you. In your bulletin. Find the insert. That is there for today. And it is wonderful.

[16:54] January 24th. Many of you have this book. It's called. Two minutes with the Bible. And I looked back there. Just recently. And they're all gone. So we'll have to get some more. But we can do that.

[17:04] It is a daily devotional. And it is provided by. Mr. C.R. Stamm. And he is with the Lord now. But he left behind a wonderful legacy.

[17:17] And a lot of things well written. And this is one of them. This January 24. And I'm sorry. It's January 23. We'll look at that. And then we'll flip the page. Because the thing is continued on the other page.

[17:29] So look at January 23. Two things we know. And otherwise. I would just give this to you. And let you go home. Read it at your leisure. In the bulletin. But because of the folks who are listening.

[17:41] By way of computer. And on the air. They would not be able to get that. So for their sake. We are going to just read it together. Would you follow along with me.

[17:51] As I read please. Two things we know. In Romans 8. St. Paul points to two great truths. Which every true believer knows.

[18:02] The first. Verses 22 and 23. He knows by experience. The second. Verse 28. He knows by faith. Romans 8. 22 and 23.

[18:13] For we know. That the whole creation. Groaneth and travaileth in pain. Together until now. And not only they. But ourselves also.

[18:25] Which have the first fruits of the spirit. Even we ourselves. Groan within ourselves. Waiting for the adoption. To wit. The redemption of our body.

[18:39] The words until now. In this passage. Are significant. For our Lord came to earth. Healing the sick. Cleansing the lepers. Making the blind to see.

[18:49] The deaf to hear. And the lame to leap for joy. But he was rejected. By sinful men. And nailed to a cross. After his resurrection.

[18:59] And ascension. His persecutors. Were given another chance. However. As Peter called upon them. To repent. So that the times of refreshing. Might still come.

[19:10] From the presence of the Lord. Acts 3. 19 and 20. But again. The king. And his blessed kingdom. Were rejected. So that.

[19:21] In the words of Paul. The whole creation. Continues. To groan. And travail. In pain. Together. Until now. But in this passage.

[19:34] The apostle points out. That even God's children. Are not exempt. From this suffering. For the most sincere believer. The most consecrated saint.

[19:45] Must still partake. Of the sufferings. And sorrows. Of the world. While he waits. For the redemption. Of our body.

[19:56] When we shall. All be changed. First Corinthians. 15. 51. But while every believer. Knows about suffering.

[20:06] And sorrow. By experience. There is something else. He knows. By faith. And verse 28. Speaks of this. And we know.

[20:19] That all things. Work together for good. To them. That love God. To them. Who are the called. According to his purpose. The true Christian.

[20:31] Is not. A mere optimist. He is a believer. In God's word. And God has much. To say. About how he is. Working out. All for the good.

[20:42] Of his own. We have room here. To quote. But two passages. And if you will just. Flip the sheet. Look at the bottom. The first is.

[20:52] Second Corinthians. Four. And verse 17. Paul said. For our. Light. Affliction. Which is. But for a moment.

[21:03] Worketh for us. A far. More. Exceeding. And eternal. Weight of glory. And Romans. 818.

[21:14] For I reckon. That the sufferings. Of this present time. Are not worthy. To be compared. With the glory. Which shall be revealed.

[21:27] In us. Wow. What a passage. And to piggyback on that. We're going to go to Romans. Chapter 8. And if you would. Please open your Bibles. To this portion. I'm going to resist.

[21:39] Some very deep. Temptations. To not spend. Very much time. At all. On any of these verses. Because there is so much there. And they deserve so much.

[21:50] Those of you. Who were with us. At the time. Will recall. That we spent. I think. Six years. In the book of Romans. Verse by verse. And as I go over the book now.

[22:01] And look at it. Years later. I'm embarrassed. At how much I missed. Isn't that something. That's the nature. Of the scriptures. It's just a book.

[22:12] With no bottom. It is inexhaustible. So we're going to begin. With Romans chapter 8. And I will do my best. To just. Hit a little.

[22:23] And skip a little. As we go through this chapter. Because it is just dynamite. And it is. I don't know of any chapter. Of scripture. In all of the Bible. That is so.

[22:35] Comforting. For the believer. As Romans chapter 8. It is just. Absolutely. Marvelous. But. You won't get the benefit of it.

[22:50] If you do not appropriate it. And we're going to talk about something. That is very. Very significant. And that is. How do you separate.

[23:03] What you know. Intellectually. To be true. From what you are feeling. Emotionally. Boy.

[23:15] That's a big one. I. Wish I could tell you in advance. I've got all the answers for that. But I don't. But I do have some.

[23:26] And. I'm eager to share those with you. It's one thing to know something. Doctrinally. Scripturally. Biblically. Intellectually. Without actually.

[23:37] Applying it to your life. So that you get the benefit of it. In the way it impacts you. And makes you feel. So. Let us begin.

[23:48] Verse one. There is therefore. Now every time. How many times have I given you this cliche. Over the last. Five decades. Whenever you see the word.

[23:59] Therefore. In the Bible. Always stop. And ask yourself. What is it there for? It is there for a reason. And the word. Therefore. When you sign. When you find it in the scriptures.

[24:09] Like this. The word. Therefore. Always means this. It always means this. In light of what I have just told you. Thus and so.

[24:20] Thus and so. Because of what I just said. And then. He follows with. The training thought. And it is a beautiful thing. So. It is a wrap up word.

[24:32] And it is a. It is a glorious thing. There is therefore. In light of everything I told you before. And he is talking about the previous content. Now. No.

[24:43] Condemnation. Means no judgment. For those who are in. Christ. Jesus. If you have placed your faith and trust in Jesus Christ.

[24:58] As the one. Who paid the penalty for your sins. You are in Christ. Immediately somebody comes back and says. Well I don't feel like it. Well that is part of the problem.

[25:10] While we are dealing with. Because sometimes. You know your position. But the way you feel. Is. Terrible.

[25:21] Because of some adversity. That has come into your life. Because of. Some loved one. Being impacted in a negative way. Is a real bummer. And it makes you down.

[25:32] And nobody is saying. That you shouldn't be down. That you shouldn't. That you should. You should just ignore those things. That you should be. You should be some kind of a. Stoic. Who just. Overlooks it. And says.

[25:43] I'm not going to be bothered by anything. You can't do that. You're human. And that. Will not allow you to do that. But there is a way that. These truths. Can be captured.

[25:53] So as to minimize. And again. The title of the message is. Perspective. Perspective is everything. In fact.

[26:04] I think we can safely say. That. The principal reason. That God has given us. His word. Is so that.

[26:15] We might have. His. Perspective. Versus. Our perspective. His is complete and full. Ours is so limited.

[26:27] And so lacking. Perspective. That word. Perspective. The word. S. P. E. C. T.

[26:38] Word from which. We get the word. Spectator. And spectate. And. Spectacles. Means. The way you see things. The Bible.

[26:50] Is designed by God. To give us. An ability. To see things. In a way. That is completely different. From the way the world. Sees things. As they look around.

[27:01] And they assess things. We've got. The final word. We've got. The real scoop. On this. From God's perspective. Because God has.

[27:11] Let us in. On what he thinks. And what he sees. And what he plans. To do about it. He's let us in on that. We are a. Privileged. Clientele.

[27:23] By being. In Christ. It's a beautiful thing. Nothing. Nothing. Nothing. To compare with it. Those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the spirit of life. In Christ Jesus.

[27:35] Has set you free. From the law of sin. And of death. Think of that. These aren't just words. These are realities. Set us free.

[27:46] From the law of sin. And of death. That means sin. No longer has dominion over us. It means that death. Is viewed in a new perspective. So that we recognize.

[27:59] There is a difference. Between the death of the body. And the death of the spirit. Where in the world. Are you going to get that information. Apart from the scriptures.

[28:11] Where are you going to learn. That you have. An internal. Immaterial spirit. Part of your being. That is the real you. World doesn't know anything. About that. We are privileged.

[28:24] To know this. And while our body. Is subject to. Breakdown. And disease. And decay. And death. The spirit can't be touched.

[28:36] Because that's the part of us. That's in Christ. And that's the part of us. That has already been redeemed. That's the new life. Within you. That's the part of you.

[28:46] That was regenerated. When you came to faith in Christ. And it didn't do a thing for your body. Because your body. Is unredeemed.

[28:59] The principle of redemption. That Christ died to pay for. On that cross. Has only been applied. To your immaterial part. That's what enables you. When you die.

[29:10] To leave the body. And go to be with the Lord. And the body goes to the ground. Or to the crematory. Or buried at sea. Or whatever. So there's a huge distinction.

[29:22] Between body and spirit. But let's go on. The law of the spirit of life. In Christ Jesus. Has set you free. From the law of sin and death. For. What the law. Could not do.

[29:35] Weak as it was. Listen. There is nothing weak. About the law. In fact. That's the problem.

[29:47] The law is not weak at all. The law is very. Very. Strong. The law. Will deliver you. To death.

[29:59] And what. Paul is saying is. What the law. Could not do. Weak. As it was. Through the flesh.

[30:10] Oh. Oh. Now we're qualifying it. The weakness of the law. Is not due to the law. The weakness of the law.

[30:21] Is due to those. To whom it is given. That's you. And me. We. Are. Unable. To. Keep the law. And the Jew.

[30:32] Found that out. Time and time again. In fact. That's the whole basis. For animal sacrifice. All throughout Judaism. And the Old Testament. Is because there was an awareness. That they were unable.

[30:42] To keep the law. And because of that. They had to deal with their sin. And God provided. The sacrifice. Of an animal. To atone. For their sins.

[30:53] And the word atone. The word atone. Simply means. A covering. A covering. And the idea is. That the sins of Israel. In the day of atonement. Were put out of God's sight.

[31:05] By the sacrifice. Of the animal. In the holy of holies. As the high priest. Went in. And applied the blood. Israel. Was given. A reprieve. For another year.

[31:15] And then they had to go in. And do it all over again. High priest. Next year. Day of atonement. Yom Kippur. And the nation. Got another reprieve. For another year. And they had to go through.

[31:27] That ritual. All the time. And that was conditioning. And establishing. The nation. For the principle. Of the soul. That sinneth. That shall surely die. And when John the Baptist. Announced the coming.

[31:38] Of Jesus. And described him. As the lamb of God. That takes away. The sin of the world. Oh. Wow. Jesus didn't atone. For our sin.

[31:49] He took them away. Removed them. As far as the east. Is from the west. They are sought for. And not found. They are cast behind his back. They are pardoned.

[32:00] They are forgiven. They are gone. Oh my. The difference is just. Incredible. For what the law. Could not do. Weak as it was. Through the flesh. That's your flesh. My flesh.

[32:11] God did. Listen to the way that reads. For what the law. Could not do. Weak as it was. Through the flesh. God did.

[32:23] God compensated. For what the law. Could not do. Because of the flesh. Our flesh. And in our flesh. Is our weakness. Our sin. Our shortcomings. And everything else.

[32:33] That makes us. What we are. We can traffic in that. And Paul talks about. Walking in the flesh. As opposed to walking. In the spirit. That's another issue. But let's go on. God did.

[32:44] Sending his own son. In the likeness. Of sinful flesh. And as. An offering. For sin. He condemned. Sin. In the flesh.

[32:55] In order that. The requirement. Of the law. Might be fulfilled. In us. Do you realize. What this means. This.

[33:08] What. What does the law require. The law. Requires. Perfection. Absolute. Perfection. The law. Is.

[33:18] As holy. And as perfect. As the God. Who gave it. And all you have to do. To be accepted. Of God. Is just. Keep the law. Perfectly.

[33:31] Are there any takers. Of course not. Of course not. We all fall short. All of sin. And come short. Of the glory of God. There are no takers. And anybody.

[33:41] Who is a taker. Is grossly. Self-deceived. The problem. With the law. Is. It's perfect. And we're not.

[33:53] So there is. A disconnect. And right off the bat. We're in trouble. We can't. Measure up. So. Wouldn't. What. Doesn't. Doesn't.

[34:04] God. Want to be. A forgiving God. Yes he does. Isn't God. Eager to forgive. Yes he does. Well then surely. God will just. Cut me some slack.

[34:16] And realize that. After all. I'm just a human being. I'm not perfect. And. And. And. Since God. Loves to forgive. And he's a forgiving God. Why can't he just lay a.

[34:29] Well. The reason he can't. Is because. He is a just God. An absolutely. Righteous God.

[34:41] Who cannot. Look the other way. And maintain. His holiness. And his integrity. By just. Letting you slide by.

[34:52] That's the way. We operate. That's not the way. God operates. And you know something. We would not tolerate that. For a moment. In one of our judges.

[35:03] That we put on the bench. Here in Ohio. Or any place else. And someone comes. Before the judge. And the case is presented. Then the man is guilty. And he. And he says.

[35:14] Your honor. Yes I'm. I'm guilty. I admit that. But. Don't you want to be known. As a forgiving judge. Well. I don't want to be. Hard and unreasonable. And I'll just.

[35:24] I'll just. Forgive me. The public is going to come back. And say. Wait a minute. What about justice? Justice is supposed to be. So. Well. We put you on that bench. So that you would. Meet out punishment.

[35:35] Where it is due. And you would. Free those. For whom it was not due. And. What is this business? We wouldn't tolerate that. In an earthly judge. And yet. There are people who expect God to tolerate it.

[35:47] And he won't. His own son. In the likeness of sinful flesh. And as an offering for sin.

[35:58] He condemns sin. In the flesh. So that. In order that. The requirement of the law. Which is perfection. Might be fulfilled in us.

[36:10] That means. If you are in Christ. Remember when Jesus came. And he said. He came not. To condemn the law. But to fulfill the law.

[36:21] And he did. And if you are in Christ. You have. Christ's experience. Of having fulfilled. The law. Completely.

[36:32] Totally. Entirely. Applied to your account. Just as if you did it. Wow. Is that true?

[36:44] You better believe it. Why do you think. He was on that cross? It was to purchase. What you needed. In your place.

[36:55] By paying. The penalty. That you deserve to pay. And he did it. Instead of. Making you do it. That is.

[37:08] I've been preaching this stuff. For 60 years. And I've never gotten used to it. It just kind of. Bowls me over. Every time.

[37:22] For those who are. According to the flesh. Set their minds. On the things. Of the flesh. And you know why? Well that's all they can do. That's all they've got to work with. Those who are of the flesh.

[37:35] Serve. The demands. Of the flesh. Because. They are just. Being. What. They are. And they can't do anything else.

[37:45] They're locked into that. But those who are according to the spirit.

[37:58] The things of the spirit. All that's saying is, as a believer, you march to a different drummer. We have somebody different calling the signals. Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God.

[38:18] You see these people all the time, and you see them on television, and they're raising a ruckus here or there. They're destroying this. They're carrying on. They're setting fires. They're doing all kinds of wild things, destroying property, destroying lives, destroying businesses and everything.

[38:35] Do you know what they're doing? They're doing just what this verse says. They set their minds on the things of the flesh, not on the things of the spirit. The mind set on the flesh is death.

[38:47] The mind set on the spirit is life and peace. And if you were to ask these people who are carrying their clubs or sticks and wearing the masks and throwing Molotov cocktails and everything, and you ask them, what are you doing?

[39:02] And they say, we're creating life and peace. Maybe it loses a little in the translation there, but that's what we're trying to do.

[39:13] We're creating. Well, the scriptures have a different. The mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God. And if you were to tap one of those on the shoulder and say, excuse me, can I ask you a question?

[39:25] Yes, what is it? I'm just wondering, when was the last time that you communed with God in heaven? Well, you can imagine what their response might be.

[39:41] It is hostile toward God, for it does not subject itself to the law of God. And the reason it doesn't is because these people make their own laws.

[39:53] They are called anarchists. Anarchist. An anarchist is someone who sees themselves as the first one.

[40:08] The word archay, archay, is the word from which we get the word archaeology, and it means first things, first things.

[40:21] And an archangel is an angel that is at the top of the list of angels. He's the first angel. And an anarchist, when you put the alpha prefix in front of it, because of the letters and the way they're assimilated, you have to add a new, I mean an N, which is a new in the Greek, and it comes out anarchists.

[40:41] And it means no first ones. That means they recognize no authority, not even God's authority. And many of these people will be quick to tell you they don't even believe there is a God.

[41:01] And look at this. For it is not even able to do so. Think of that. They don't have the ability to do that.

[41:14] They are just being what they are. And instead of our, well, we have to condemn the behavior, but we're faced with that ongoing problem of separating the sin from the sinner.

[41:28] You know, that's always a problem. And we have to recognize that these people only have one nature, and that's the one that they're operating out of.

[41:39] And as a believer, you've got two natures. You've got an old nature and a new nature. And you can operate out of the old one if you want to.

[41:50] That's called walking in the flesh, in which case you behave just like the world does. Same values. But if you walk in the spirit, then you are led of the spirit of God, and your behavior is more in keeping with that.

[42:09] But as a believer with two natures, that enables you to do sinful things. It enables you to do stupid things, even as a Christian who ought to know better.

[42:23] You can still behave very badly. You don't have to, but you can, because you see, when Jesus Christ came into your life, he did not remove your volition.

[42:40] And you realize this is a big, big impediment to a lot of unbelievers. I've talked to some people over the years, and perhaps you have too, about coming to faith in Christ, and you get something like this.

[42:51] I hear what you're saying, and I think that'd be wonderful, and sin's forgiven, but I know me too well, and I don't think I could live that life. I mean, I don't think I could go to church, and sing the hymns, and do all of this stuff.

[43:08] What's more, I don't want to do that stuff. I don't want to. I don't want the restrictions that would come from being a Christian.

[43:20] All this stuff that you have to live up to, and the stuff that you have to do, and all, and they have absolutely no clue at all, no clue at all, that when one places faith and trust in Jesus Christ for the salvation of sins, God regenerates.

[43:40] The word, we're all familiar with the term genes, as in genes and chromosomes, and they are the building blocks of life. We call it genetics, the DNA.

[43:51] When you come to faith in Christ, spiritually speaking, you get re-gened. Think of that.

[44:04] You are retooled. You are made new. You are given something you didn't have before, part of which is power and an ability, because when Jesus Christ comes in, he never leaves you like he finds you.

[44:23] Things are changed. Attitudes are changed. Desires are changed. Goals are changed. Everything is changed. If anyone be in Christ, he's a new creation.

[44:33] Old things have passed away. They're gone. But unbelievers, they don't know that. They can't understand that. They can't appreciate that, and they will not unless they come to faith in Christ.

[44:45] So it isn't a question of holding out and not being able to do this or that, and, you know, Christians are those people who never have any fun. And I can tell you honestly, and I'm sure many of you could attest to it, I didn't know what fun was until I came to faith in Christ.

[45:02] I didn't know what having a good time really was until Jesus Christ was at the center of it because everything is changed. Jesus always changes anyone he saves, and he always changes you for the better.

[45:16] Always. He wouldn't know how to do otherwise. That's what he does. And he's the only one that does it. We're in chapter eight, aren't we?

[45:26] Okay. However, you are not in the flesh but in the spirit, if indeed the spirit of God dwells in you.

[45:39] Now, Paul is offering a qualification here. He's saying, wait just a moment here. Wait. He's as much as saying, I am assuming that those of you who are reading this and hearing this, I am assuming that the spirit of God does dwell in you that you are a believer.

[46:03] If indeed the spirit of God dwells in you, but if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to him.

[46:14] You've got a different master, but it isn't Christ. This could be a wake-up call to anyone listening. Does the spirit of Christ dwell in you?

[46:25] Can you look back on some time in your life when you did business with God to the extent that you came away from that transaction a different person?

[46:40] You may not, like I, like I, I did not realize the difference at the time it happened. when I got, when I got up off my knees in that little Baptist church in Ellensburg, Washington, after I stumbled through a prayer, I turned to the preacher and I said, is that it?

[47:06] And he said, did you mean what you said when you prayed? I said, well, yes, yes, I meant it. Of course I meant it.

[47:17] He said, then God has saved you. And I said, okay, that's good. That's good. And when we went home and Barbara told her mother that I'd received Christ as my savior, she said, that's nice.

[47:39] Bless her heart. She didn't believe me. She didn't think it was for real. She thought I just went along with what the preacher demanded so he would marry us. You know, you do whatever you have, you jump through the hoops you have to in order to get the girl.

[47:52] And I must admit, that's the way it looked. Really, that's, I couldn't blame him for feeling that way. But I want to tell you, I was as sincere in what I said in that prayer as I've ever been in anything in my life.

[48:07] And when this man told me that I could actually connect with God and receive forgiveness and salvation from him, I thought, who in the world wouldn't want to do that?

[48:22] And boy, I did. When I was in the Army, spent two years in Alaska, you get kind of desperate sometimes for things to do in those cold winter nights, especially when you're out of money, out of cigarettes, out of everything.

[48:39] You get some magazines down in the day room and you write off to some places. And I remember writing off to some religious groups. And I'll never forget the name of one of them was Rosicrucianism.

[48:53] Rosicrucianism. I don't know what it is. But I was curious about it because I had this ad in this magazine and I sent off and asked for literature. And it never did come. And I'm so thankful because who knows what that might have led me into.

[49:09] And I know from, I've since learned that it's just a cult, one of many cults. And it's so easy to get tangled up with this stuff and nonsense. And I'm glad the Lord preserved me from that as a young GI.

[49:21] If the spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, that's conditional.

[49:33] If the spirit of him, assuming the spirit of him, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies.

[49:45] And of course, that will make your mortal body immortal when he does that. through his spirit who indwells you. So then, brethren, we are under obligation not to the flesh.

[49:56] You don't owe the flesh anything except deprivation. That's what you, starve the flesh and the spirit will grow. If you are living according to the flesh, you must die.

[50:13] But if by the spirit you are putting to death, and here he's making a distinction between those who are in Christ and those who are not. But if you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

[50:23] For all who are being led by the spirit of God, these are the sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba, Father.

[50:43] Abba is an Aramaic word. It's not even in the Greek or Hebrew. It's an Aramaic word and it is the equivalent of our English word daddy. Daddy.

[50:55] Like a little child would refer to a parent. A loving term of affection is my daddy. God is your daddy.

[51:07] I like that thought. I haven't outgrown a daddy even though I'm along in years. Oh, you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba, Father.

[51:23] The spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. And again, that spirit is about the most fascinating thing about our being.

[51:39] I don't want to dwell on this, although I would like to dwell on it, but your spirit, your immaterial, non-physical self is the most important part of your being.

[51:57] Did you get that? It is the most important part of your being. the most. Your spirit, your human spirit is the boss of your body.

[52:15] It really is. Your mind interacts with your brain in a way we do not understand.

[52:26] All we know is there is a connection. But pray tell me, how in the world do you connect materiality with immateriality?

[52:39] What's the bridge? We all know. But there is one. There is one. Because what originates in your mind does not originate in your brain.

[52:55] It originates in your mind, the non-physical part of your being. And your non-physical part sends a signal to your physical brain and tells it what you want it to do.

[53:14] And the body responds. Often, it starts with something physical, like you have an itch on your nose.

[53:25] That's physical. And without even thinking, this is part of being so fearfully and wonderfully made, it is just, wow, over the top.

[53:38] Your body sends a signal in ways we don't understand that you've got an itch. And your spirit sends a signal to the brain and the brain responds by activating muscles and nerves and everything and you're able to lift your arm and scratch your nose and you didn't even think about it.

[54:03] That's part of being fearfully and wonderfully made. We have no idea how complex we are and how intricately put together.

[54:14] it is amazing. And to think that all some people can muster is, isn't evolution wonderful?

[54:28] Oh my dear. Let's move on. You have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, Abba Father, the spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God and if children, heirs also, heirs of God, you are, I love this, you are in God's will.

[55:00] Isn't that amazing? You are in God's will and we are heirs of God and fellow heirs with Jesus Christ if indeed, and this is since, not just, it's not a, not a question if maybe we will, maybe we won't, it's a sense thing and we are, and since we are children, since we are children, we are heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ since indeed we suffer with him and that suffering can be in all kinds of ways, it can be emotional, it can be physical, it can be, you name it and the suffering is there, just sometimes, sometimes just living in the body that you're in is suffering, can be physical suffering.

[55:46] Most of us don't know anything about this but there are a lot of people and there are no doubt some listening to this who have no idea what it would feel like to be absent of pain.

[56:01] There are people who live in perpetual pain 24-7 and it isn't like a hangnail. It's pain that's very, very painful.

[56:17] Sufferings of this present time. They are not worthy, they do not deserve to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us and then he explains it for the anxious longing of the creation.

[56:33] I don't recall who it was but it really struck a chord with me when I was listening to some preacher whoever was on the radio he was talking about the fallenness of the whole world how that everything in Adam over which Adam had been given dominion everything came crashing down when the boss dropped the ball.

[56:54] Adam failed and everything over which he was given dominion came into ruin and chaos and this preacher put it this way and he said even the brook babbles in a minor key.

[57:11] How about that? That's the extent of the fall. What's wrong with this world? Only everything. Only everything. That's what's wrong with it and you know in the midst of this fallen world maybe it's because we are fallen too there is a compatibility there we are still able to see incredible beauty in so much that the world has to offer.

[57:44] Everything from a sunset to the way intricate things work and operate oh my my I dare not stop there that's just something the anxious longing of the creation all of creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

[58:08] When's that going to be? What's that going to be? And I think for just a moment come back if you would to Hosea it's the first book of the minor prophets back in the Old Testament and it's kind of easy to find because it's right after Daniel and Daniel's easy to find isn't it?

[58:28] The book of Hosea and it is a prophecy that Hosea is uttering and he says in verse 10 of chapter 1 the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea now I want you to notice he's identifying the audience here he's talking about the Jew sons of Israel this is not body truth or the body of Christ truth this is for the sons of Israel yet the number of the sons of Israel will be like the sand of the sea which cannot be measured or numbered and it will come about that in the place where it is said to them you are not my people it will be said to them you are the sons of the living God now this idea of God saying you are not my people is reminiscent to their being cast off to Babylon and the Babylonian captivity destroyed by the Romans in 70 AD destroyed again by the Romans in 135 AD under the

[59:29] Bar Kokhba rebellion and God scattering the Jews all throughout the world and it looks from every description it looks like God is finished with the Jew he's written them off permanently but this text gives the light of that he has not written them off they are under chastisement they are under divine discipline and the text there in Hosea says it will be said to them you are the sons of the living God and he's talking about the Jew and the nation of Israel and the sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together these are the southern ten tribes and the northern two tribes the sons of Israel the northern ten and the southern two will be gathered together and they will appoint for themselves one leader and they will go up from the land for great will be the day of Jezreel you have any idea who that leader will be it'll be Yeshua HaMashiach be the

[60:30] Messiah and this text in Romans chapter eight is talking about there being the sons of God and when this comes to pass when Israel comes into their own as a result as a result of the second coming of Christ guess who's going to be with them you are I am the redeemed will all be gathered together and that's the revealing of the sons of God that's when Israel fulfills that for which God originally designed them and we will be one people with them and it will be absolutely incredible and this is what all of creation is longing for this is millennial stuff this is second coming content and that's when it's going to happen when he says the sufferings of this present time where we're living now not worthy to be revealed with the glory compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us that's second coming stuff and this anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God that's second coming stuff and the redemption for the creation was subjected to futility not of its own will but because of him who subjected it in hope and that word hope is el peace in the

[61:48] Greek and it means absolute confidence it means this is God's perfect plan and end game and it will be realized and the hope isn't a maybe so maybe no the hope is an ironclad guarantee it's a beautiful thing that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God for we know we don't have a hunch we don't suspect we know that the whole creation everything that babbling brook that minor in a minor key groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now just like a woman that is in labor can't wait until the delivery occurs so she can be relieved of that burden and welcome this new life that's what all of creation is doing it's like all of creation right now fallen creation is pregnant waiting for the delivery of a new world a new order and it will be incredible and not only this but we also ourselves having the first fruits of the spirit what that means is the down payment that's all you got you don't have the full package you just got the first fruits when the farmer planted the seeds and was ready to harvest the crop there was always an element of the field that ripened before the rest of it it may have gotten more direct sunlight it may have gotten more nutrients from the soil it may have gotten more water more rainfall than the rest of it and consequently it ripened first and was ready to pick before the rest of it was and that's why it's called the first fruits the first fruits and the first fruits was a guarantee that there's going to be a harvest to follow and the first fruits is just a minor part that's a beautiful expression having the first fruits of the spirit the down payment of the spirit even we ourselves groan within ourselves waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons the redemption of our body

[64:08] I'm familiar with these groanings if you've never had any of these groanings you just haven't lived long enough trust me they are coming they are coming and they're called arthritis and they're called you know different things that afflict these bodies of age and they are the groanings here this physical body groan but you know what your spirit doesn't have to groan your spirit doesn't have to grow only your body oh that's that's beautiful waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons and then I would insert two little words here that maybe will explain this a little more waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons for our adoption as sons to wit to wit what do I mean the redemption of our body our spirit is redeemed that's our guarantee of eternal life but our body is not redeemed it was paid for but it hasn't been applied and when it is applied then this corruptible body and by corruption it means this body is subject to decay and breakdown and ruination and what happens when the body dies well you've got to dispose of it you've got to put it in the ground you've got to get it away because it is corrupt and it is it is only the body that is corrupt salvation redemption has already been applied to your spirit but your body is awaiting the rest of the package and we haven't received it all that's why we are still subject to physical death even though we are Christians and have placed our faith and trust in Jesus

[66:17] Christ you're still going to die unless Christ comes first and changes us in an instant in a moment in the twinkling of an eye wow that will be the rapture we don't know when that's going to happen but that's going to be part of the deal and not only this but also we ourselves having the first fruits of the spirit even we ourselves grown within ourselves waiting eagerly for our redemption as sons which is the redemption of our body for it is in hope let me put this this way for it is in absolute confidence that we have been saved but the confidence that is seen or realized is not hope for what does one hope for what he sees we're not hoping for anything if you've already come into the reality you don't hope for it anymore you don't hope that you're going to get the job if the boss tells you you're hired when do you start you're not going to leave and go home and say well I hope

[67:19] I get the job you've already gotten the job but if we hope verse 25 for what we do not see with perseverance we wait eagerly for it that means because we have this confidence that's what enables us to hang in there that's what enables us when you reach the end of your rope you just tie a knot and hang on that's the perseverance Winston Churchill put it as well perhaps as anybody you just never never never never give up just hang tough sure it hurts of course it's painful absolutely if it wasn't everybody would do it but they don't so in the midst of the adversity the pain the loss the heartache and everything that goes with it you hang tough because you know what you know and nothing can shake it and nothing can change it and God himself has given it to you what else do you need nothing nothing in the same way the spirit also helps our weakness for we do not know how to pray as we should boy I've struggled with that and I've had to admit more times than I wanted to that that sure is true sometimes sometimes we think we understand we understand certain issues certain situations certain developments and we pray a certain way only to discover later that we had it all wrong you know we just didn't know we didn't understand that's our limited knowledge and that's okay that's part of being a human being and there are times when we don't know

[69:18] Thursday night when elders met and we talked about this and we were praying and we were looking for the mind of the Lord and everybody had input about masks and no masks and social distancing and no social distancing and this and that and back and forth and up and down and back and I guess we ended up all of us pooling our ignorance to try to come up with the best things that we could manage and you know what they're still flawed because they're still human and that's okay and I have to remind myself as a pastor as a preacher that's still okay and I tell myself Marv you know these people have already figured out that you don't know everything they already know that you're pretty dumb in a lot of areas they already know that you don't have to have all the answers because they don't expect them all and I'm so glad you don't he who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the spirit is because he intercedes for the saints according to the will of God and we know we don't suspect we know we don't have a hunch we can't make a stab at it we know we know ginosko in the Greek and it means to know with a certain knowledge and understanding and we know we don't hope we don't think we don't wish we know that God causes all things now it is amazing how problematic that little three lettered word can be all because there is something within us that wants to change that little three lettered word

[71:27] A-L-L into a four lettered word and make it mean most or some but not all and it can't mean all because if you knew what I was going through right now you would know that it doesn't mean all but it does mean all I care not how great the loss is well of course my sympathies are there I know the loss is great I don't minimize it I don't say cheer up everything is going to be wonderful we weep with those who weep rejoice with those who rejoice nobody's nobody is stumping for stoicism nobody is stumping for don't feel it don't let it get to you just dismiss it forget it you can't do that because the pain is real and the hurt is real and the loss is real and you would be foolish to try and pretend that it never happened but even though we sorrow

[72:37] Paul reminds us we do not sorrow like others who have no hope we do not sorrow like others who have no confidence our sorrow is real but it is tempered with the knowledge with the assurance with the guarantee that a God who cannot lie is committed to working all things together for your good whether you believe it or not even if you don't believe it God is still committed to doing that it's just that you don't get the comfort the benefit the emotional release from it if you don't believe it and you can say I know that's true I know that's what the Bible says but and we're eager to throw that but in there but you don't know what I'm dealing with you don't know what I'm going through you don't know how it hurts you don't know but God knows he knows and he really is working all things together listen

[73:56] Paul says earlier in this chapter I am persuaded that the sufferings of this present time do you realize the guy who wrote that do you realize what he went through do you realize the suffering the imprisonment the torturing the rejection the pain physical emotional every other way that this man endured and he's able to write something like this sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us that ought to temper everything that ought to temper the loss of a mate the loss of your health the loss of your wealth it ought to temper everything that it tempered for Job when all he could say was the Lord has given the Lord has taken away blessed be the name of the Lord

[74:59] Job was God's poster boy for suffering and he knew more about suffering than you and I will ever know if we lived three lifetimes and that doesn't keep us from belly aching and complaining and where is God when I need him and why doesn't God do this and why doesn't God do that and God doesn't care and on and on and on we have your pity parties and is there any of us who hasn't engaged in one from time to time we all tend to do that we all tend to get down on circumstances and where is God and why did he let this happen to me and what did I do to deserve this and on and on that's part of the human condition and all I can say is just come right back to Romans chapter 8 and put your heart and soul in it and stand on it and pray on it and cry on it and thank God for it well I must hurry on all things to work together for good to those who love

[76:06] God to those who are the called according to his purpose whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his son that he might be the firstborn among many brethren and whom he predestined these he also called and whom he called these he also justified and whom he justified these he also glorified and we've been through this before and a number of years ago when I taught the typical Calvinist routine on this and I had since had to apologize as your pastor because I think I had it all wrong but I was in good company because I was preaching the same stuff that the big boys were the guys who write the books were I was preaching that after all Charles Haddon Spurgeon can't be wrong and I associated with them in my younger days but as I matured somewhat not that I have arrived in any way shape or form but some of those things that I believed were so solid just didn't hold water any longer and I had to offer an apology to you and give you a corrected version of it and we did that a few years ago remember so verse 31 bottom line is this

[77:21] Paul's laid out his case and he says okay so what's your answer what's your response to all this what then shall we say to these things if God is for us who is against us now it doesn't mean that no one can be against you because we all know from the halls of Congress to the halls of the school classroom we all know that there are plenty of people that can be against you plenty of items that can be against you plenty of opposition that can be against you but what he's saying that in the context in which he is speaking here there isn't anyone against you who amounts to anything that's what he's saying oh they can oppose you but it doesn't matter they can afflict you because it just doesn't count because if

[78:23] God is for you it doesn't make any difference who's against you God plus one is a majority and the proof of it is here the proof of it is in the next verse verse 32 he who did not spare his own son but delivered him handed him over for us all how will he not also with him freely give us all things who will bring a charge against God's elect God is the one who justifies in the other words what he's saying is listen if God is satisfied and he says he is because there's no condemnation for those who are in Christ he is satisfied with the payment that Jesus Christ made on your behalf and applied it to your account Is you