Rapid Fire Week.

Steve Gentry

[0:00] Now, we’re going to be a little bit different today. [0:02] We’re going to answer a lot of questions. [0:03] So, if this is your first time here, I want to explain what’s going on. [0:06] We are on the last week of a series called Cow Tipping, and what we’ve been doing is [0:11] we opened up a section of our website for a while and took questions in from our church, [0:17] and we spent the past six weeks covering the top six topics that came in over those few

[0:23] weeks of period. [0:24] And what we’re doing today is, on the last week, we’re having what we’re calling Rapid [0:28] Fire Week, and that is that we’re going to take time to answer a number of questions [0:33] this morning that either didn’t necessarily take an entire sermon to unpack or just simply [0:39] weren’t asked that much, but we thought that they really needed to be answered today. [0:44] So we’re going to be moving really fast, so get ready.

[0:47] But I don’t want to neglect letting you know that on September 27th, that’s in two weeks, [0:52] we’re going to be starting a new series called CORE. [0:55] And what we’re going to be doing is, is we like to do this every once in a while as a [0:58] way of reminder, as well as introduction to people who maybe weren’t here the last time [1:02] we did this, and that is talk about our core values as a church, why we do what we do, [1:07] why we believe what we believe, and what really shapes the culture, or what we’re attempting

[1:12] to have shape the culture that is Village Church at Midlothian. [1:17] We’re going to cover all of our core values, redemption, mission, community, and culture, [1:21] and show in the final week how all of those things and living in our lives create a life’s [1:27] environment of worshiping Jesus in our every day. [1:30] So I want you to please be here for that, be ready for that, invite your neighbors, [1:35] your friends, and your family to be there for those sermons as well.

[1:39] Now today during the sermon, we’re going to take questions from text messages as we’ve [1:45] been doing every week to have a little time of Q&A after the sermon time. [1:49] But the thing that’s going to be a little bit different about that today is, is that [1:53] you don’t have to only ask about the topics that we cover today. [1:58] Really, we’re wide open on that. [1:59] So any questions that you may have about any topic or anything during today’s sermon,

[2:04] if maybe over the past few weeks you’ve had a question about one of the previous sermons, [2:08] or if you have a question about today, or just something random, go ahead and send that [2:12] in, text it, and we’ll do our best to cover it during the Q&A time after the sermon. [2:17] Don’t wait until the very end, or else it may not get covered. [2:21] Text them in early, as soon as you get those questions, and it’s going to have a greater [2:24] chance of actually being covered today.

[2:27] But I want to jump right into our time today answering all of these topics. [2:32] The first one that I want to talk about is, is it a sin for Christians to do things like [2:37] yoga or acupuncture? [2:39] Is it sin for Christians to do things like yoga or acupuncture? [2:43] Alright, what I want to do is I want to break down where these things came from, and then [2:48] I want to unpack whether or not you’re, I guess, allowed to do them or not in your

[2:52] life, or whether you’re opening yourself up to satanic attack. [2:55] Yoga was really started not as a form of exercise, but it was started as a system [3:01] of beliefs, or a system of worship inside of the Hindu religion, which is a pantheistic [3:08] religion, believes in thousands or maybe even millions of gods at this point throughout [3:12] all of the universe. [3:13] and yoga is a lifestyle practice of centering yourself in the universe with those gods.

[3:22] Now, inside of yoga, there are eight different realities inside of yoga. [3:26] The exercise aspect is only one of those realities that they experience inside of the practice [3:32] of life of yoga, but it literally means to yoke or balance yourself with the gods. [3:37] It involves things like concentrating on sounds by chanting the names of Hindu gods, [3:43] or the sacred Aum, which is seen by them as the voice of God. [3:48] So when you see people centering themselves using the term Aum over and over again, that

[3:53] is understood historically as being the voice of God to those practicing it. [3:57] It involves focusing on images such as the tip of your nose, or religious icons, concentrating [4:02] on one’s own breath, but remember, the motivation here is to center yourself with the universe. [4:08] Now, as a believer in Jesus Christ, we know that this is a farce. [4:14] This is completely untrue. [4:15] This is a pagan practice to do that.

[4:18] And if you really do the practice of yoga as a lifestyle, you need to repent and trust [4:24] in God through Jesus Christ. [4:26] But the other side is a practice that I like to call health club yoga. [4:31] Alright, now that is, you have a fitness instructor who normally does body pump, but on Friday [4:36] morning she does yoga. [4:39] Or maybe you just ordered P90X, and there is that one day where Tony Horton does yoga.

[4:43] So is Tony Horton a religious guru? [4:45] No. [4:46] Yoga, the practice of exercise of yoga, it involves flexibility, it involves muscle growth, [4:55] it involves burning fat, it involves getting more flexible and a lot of stretching. [4:59] The reality that you have to deal with is that in that practice, just because a pagan [5:04] discovered it, doesn’t mean that there is no validity to the practice of it.

[5:09] So if you are doing P90X, don’t avoid the yoga day because you are afraid you are going [5:12] to open up a door for Satan. [5:14] Or if you go to the health club and they have got a yoga for just burning calories, that [5:19] is perfectly fine. [5:20] But I would advise you against going to a yoga studio led by a Hindu guru who is actually [5:28] attempting to proselytize you into the Hindu religion.

[5:32] Don’t do that. [5:33] Because then you are walking on some grounds that you need to be a little more trepid about. [5:38] But health club yoga, I think you are safe. [5:41] Also with acupuncture. [5:42] Acupuncture was discovered by Chinese Taoists who were actually seeking medical relief. [5:48] The same thing fits with acupuncture.

[5:50] Just because pagans discovered it doesn’t mean there is no truth inside of the practice. [5:55] The way it actually supposedly works, I am not a doctor, so I don’t know if it works [5:58] but is that the small needles prick your skin and work on the nerve endings to release [6:06] endorphins through your body to ease pain. [6:09] Now, does it work? [6:11] No clue.

[6:12] If your doctor recommends you try it for chronic pain or something like that, try it. [6:18] I don’t think they are leading you down a pagan path. [6:21] I think they are actually maybe offering a legitimate medical prescription to you. [6:28] So, just because a pagan discovered it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have any validity. [6:31] But ask your doctor. [6:33] Don’t ask me.

[6:34] Alright, question number two. [6:35] Should Christians celebrate Christmas, Easter, and Halloween when these holidays have non-Christian [6:42] roots? [6:43] Alright, I want you to turn your attention to Isaiah chapter 25 verses 6 through 8. [6:48] Isaiah the prophet says, [6:49] On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast

[6:54] of well-aged wine, of rich food full of marrow, of aged wine well-refined. [7:00] And He will swallow up on this mountain the covering that is cast over all peoples, the [7:04] veil that is spread over all nations. [7:06] He will swallow up death forever. [7:09] And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces. [7:12] And the reproach of His people He will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has

[7:19] spoken. [7:20] What I want you to understand from this verse is that Christians should be the people who [7:27] are known for celebrating the most. [7:31] Alright, this passage is full of a rich celebration of the works of God forever. [7:37] And He talks about a great feast with steaks, filet mignon, He talks about well-aged wine, [7:43] not great juice, well-aged wine.

[7:46] Alright, so He’s talking about the good stuff here. [7:48] And He’s talking about Christians coming together at the end of days. [7:52] This is a forecast of the gospel where He will blot away all sin. [7:56] And He says the Christians will come together and we will feast with the Lord in great celebration. [8:02] But the reality is that Christians more often than not are not the people who know how to [8:06] party.

[8:07] We’re the people who call the cops. [8:09] Alright, we have a great history of enjoying ending parties versus starting them. [8:15] And that’s something that we need to repent of. [8:19] We should be known for our celebrations rather than being known for the people who are in [8:23] bad moods ending all celebrations. [8:26] So what specifically of these holidays?

[8:28] Well we may point to the fact that, you know, or the theory that these holidays such as [8:34] Christmas, Easter, and Halloween have some kind of pagan roots and some of those are [8:38] a little more debatable than others. [8:40] But here’s the reality. [8:41] I believe that no matter what the root, we can redeem it. [8:46] Alright, and I believe during Christmas that we should be known as the people who celebrate.

[8:49] And we’re redeeming it through celebrating the birth of the God and King Jesus Christ. [8:54] So on Christmas, you should not avoid eating and being merry with your family and friends. [9:01] You should serve your friends. [9:02] You should celebrate with your family. [9:04] Yes, parents, buy your children good gifts. [9:07] Wrap them with festive wrapping paper.

[9:09] Put them under the tree. [9:10] Be guilt free within your means of course. [9:13] Don’t go in crazy debt doing anything. [9:16] Husbands, enjoy celebrating with your wife on Thanksgiving by the biggest turkey that [9:20] you can. [9:21] Enjoy celebrations and realization that God is a God who would have us to celebrate and

[9:26] enjoy what he has made in his creation. [9:29] On Easter we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. [9:32] What a great time to celebrate. [9:34] But what about Halloween? [9:35] What about Halloween? [9:36] Can we celebrate Halloween?

[9:38] Or is that completely pagan with the ghosts and the goblins? [9:42] I believe that Christians should celebrate Halloween with their friends and their neighbors. [9:49] Alright, here’s the reality. [9:50] Culture gives us an opportunity where our neighbors literally come to our house to talk [9:55] to us and get candy from us. [9:58] What missionary thinks it’s a great idea to be the person on the street who doesn’t want

[10:02] to talk to anybody? [10:04] I believe Satan hates it more when we engage our neighbors than when we push our neighbors [10:08] away. [10:10] So buy candy at Costco or Sam’s Club. [10:13] Be known as the person with the most candy and the good stuff. [10:16] People don’t give us this gluten free, sugar free.

[10:21] I want stuff that the dentist is going to be angry about the next time the kid goes [10:25] for a checkup. [10:26] Buy good candy because you’re going to be avoided if you give the bad stuff. [10:30] I’m telling you. [10:31] And be there. [10:32] Be someone that maybe gets crazy.

[10:34] Dress up. [10:35] Decorate your yard. [10:36] Have a reason for your neighbors to come. [10:38] But have the attitude of serving your neighbors. [10:41] Building relationships so that someday you’ll have the opportunity to share the gospel of [10:45] Jesus Christ with them.

[10:47] Do this stuff not just guilt free. [10:50] Don’t do it begrudgingly. [10:51] But celebrate because God has redeemed us and taken away all barriers of celebration [10:56] that we could possibly have. [10:59] Celebrate. [10:59] Be known for that.

[11:02] And Nate Schloman this week wanted me to tell you that sometimes we just need to get our [11:05] knickers out of a wad. [11:07]

[11:10] You know, if you can’t enjoy friends and family then you need to repent. [11:16] Just straight up. [11:17] Have a good time. [11:19] [11:19] Now, next question. [11:21] At what point does drinking alcohol become a sin?

[11:25] Alright. [11:25] I want to start that question off by letting you know that drinking alcohol is not necessarily [11:31] a sin. [11:32] And I want the focus to be on that term necessarily. [11:36] Alright. [11:36] I believe that such as in the book of Isaiah that we just read, God talks about we’re

[11:40] going to drink well-aged wine. [11:43] It’s something that He wants us to celebrate. [11:46] Alright. [11:47] The reformers were known for drinking good beer. [11:50] So that stuff, you cannot look at that and just be a teetotaler and say abstinence is [11:54] the answer.

[11:54] No, it’s not. [11:56] Straight up. [11:56] Jesus drank wine. [11:57] Get over it. [11:58] Alright. [11:59] But I want to turn your attention to Proverbs chapter 20 verse 1.

[12:03] Wine is a mocker. [12:05] Strong drink a brawler. [12:07] And whoever is led astray by it is not wise. [12:12] Proverbs 20 verse 1 gives us a wise warning about the deception that can happen to sinners [12:16] with alcohol. [12:18] Alright.

[12:18] This is an issue that needs to be treated with wisdom, moderation, and discretion. [12:25] These are three things that most people struggle with. [12:29] And that’s the reality. [12:31] Wisdom, moderation, and discretion is not something that most sinners can be trusted [12:35] with. [12:36] So it’s something that’s going to take a lot of effort and a lot of Holy Spirit power

[12:39] for us to focus on. [12:41] Many of us though treat drinking alcohol as lightly as drinking Gatorade after a workout.

[12:51] It takes far more discretion because it is far different a substance than we need to [12:55] understand in our lives and how to deal with it. [12:58] The scripture does have negative things to say about sinners and the issue of drunkenness. [13:05] Ephesians chapter 5 verse 18 commands us against drunkenness. [13:11] Isaiah chapter 28 verse 7 gives us the realization that if we are given to alcohol in a manner [13:18] of drunkenness then our judgment cannot be trusted.

[13:24] And I want to specifically address people in their mid-30s and younger at this point [13:29] Because this is the generation that has been more profound and out loud about the realities [13:36] of Christian liberty and Christian freedom and the consumption of alcohol. [13:41] Here’s the reality. [13:42] Enjoy Christian liberty but do not be unwise. [13:49] Because we are so quick to get angry with people who would be legalistic but we are

[13:55] also very quick to enter into the temptation of being absolutely sinful with what we do. [14:01] We are far too okay with getting our buzz on. [14:07] We’ve created a false dichotomy in which there is a difference between being buzzed and being [14:11] drunk. [14:11] When you begin to feel it, guess what? [14:14] You’re drunk.

[14:16] That is medicinal use of alcohol. [14:21] That is being too low rather than the opposite which would be getting high. [14:27] It’s the same exact chemical dealings that are going on inside of you. [14:31] It’s medicinal at that point and you’re being unwise. [14:34] You are sinful and therefore the scripture would lead us to understand that that which [14:40] is sinful is that which is an abomination to God.

[14:43] And so when we are entering into an avenue of sin and we make a joke about it, you’re [14:49] trifling with God. [14:52] Do not trifle with God. [14:54] First Corinthians chapter 10 verse 31 lets us know that when we eat and when we drink [14:58] we need to do it all to the glory of God. [15:00] But too often what we do in our practice is for relevance, is to be hip, and is to be

[15:10] completely thoughtless as to how is this bringing God glory. [15:14] Sometimes we get to the point where we are having to drink every single day without [15:19] any thought. [15:20] If you can’t make it through the day, if you can’t go to bed at night without a drink, [15:28] you’re an alcoholic.

[15:31] And you need help.

[15:34] Alcoholism is a sin. [15:37] The peace that you are to get from the gospel of Jesus Christ, you’re finding in a bottle.

[15:46] You’ve gone too far. [15:48] You’re using it as a crutch when the gospel is to be your crutch. [15:54] Drinking too much is a gospel problem. [16:00] And you need to get help with that. [16:03] And too often we avoid that. [16:06] I’ve never talked to an alcoholic, and I’ve talked to many, but I’ve never talked to

[16:11] one who knew exactly the point when they became an alcoholic. [16:16] They denied it for months, some of them even years. [16:20] Do not believe that you will know the point at which you become an alcoholic. [16:25] If you’re in your 30s or 20s, I mean I don’t care how old you are and you treat getting [16:29] buzzed as a joke, then you’ll try to pretend like you’re more mature because you have [16:35] Christian freedom.

[16:37] Grow up. [16:39] You’re childish. [16:41] Isaiah 28 says, you can’t be trusted with judgment.

[16:47] God takes it seriously. [16:49] Next question, is tithing biblical? [16:52] Are we still required to give 10%? [16:54] It is all too easy on this issue and many other issues for us to just want a new law. [17:01] We want an exact amount. [17:02] We want a checklist to mark off so we can move on to the next thing.

[17:06] But the gospel is a revelation that God not only wants our obedience, but he wants our [17:10] hearts in the obedience. [17:12] It would be easy for me to say, yes, give me 10% of your money. [17:16] But the law of grace in Jesus is about demonstrating what matters in your heart through your life. [17:23] The reality is that when we just want 10%, we want to know how much does God want and [17:27] what’s going to keep me good with God.

[17:29] I’ll give that and I’ll just move on. [17:31] But the scriptures don’t give us that reality. [17:32] It gives us the reality that God wants our affection. [17:35] He wants us to want to give to him so that he can use the gospel. [17:39] Matthew chapter 6 verses 19 through 21 put it this way, do not lay up for yourselves [17:44] treasures on earth where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but

[17:48] lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, where [17:53] thieves do not break in and steal. [17:56] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. [18:00] This forms in us an understanding about how we use the treasure that God gives us and [18:07] how it reveals the condition of our hearts. [18:11] Therefore, if you want to know what matters to you, look at where your money is going.

[18:15] Jesus wants us to reveal with our money that our treasure is him and not this world. [18:21] The reality is that the Old Testament tithe though is a good indicator of the kinds of [18:26] lives that we should want to live. [18:28] You can’t give away just 2 or 3% of your income and demonstrate anything about your devotion [18:34] to Jesus. [18:35] So if your household income is, let’s just throw a number out there, if your household

[18:39] income is $80,000 a year and you give $100 a month, that is not communicating to the [18:46] world around you that Jesus is your treasure. [18:49] There’s no sacrifice there. [18:51] If you don’t miss it, you aren’t sacrificing. [18:55] So how much is enough for you? [18:57] Well, here’s the reality.

[18:59] Don’t treat it like your cable bill, like it’s just a line item. [19:03] Treat it like something that’s in your life that you’re actually using as worship of God [19:07] because that’s how he would point us. [19:08] So when is it enough? [19:10] Well, when does it begin to pinch?

[19:14] When does it begin to say, well if I give that much then I have to do without in this [19:19] area, I have to do less over here. [19:21] I can’t, ah, you’re getting somewhere at that point. [19:26] When it begins to challenge your affections for things in this world, then you’re being [19:33] generous. [19:34] That’s the starting point.

[19:36] So, then it’s like, okay, well then that number, that’s it, that’s all. [19:40] But here’s the reality, at 33 years old, if I just set the number there and I just move [19:45] on with my life, am I growing in my intimacy and my devotion and my affection for God? [19:51] No. [19:51] What does growing in faith mean? [19:53] It means that through your life you’re giving more of yourself over to the gospel of Jesus

[19:58] Christ. [19:58] So as I grow, so will the treasure that not I give, I want to give to God. [20:05] The treasure that I give so that the gospel can go further through the local church. [20:10] So that when we have a missions night like we do in December, you begin looking at how [20:13] you can rearrange your life and make sacrifices so that you can give so that the gospel will [20:18] go further in places like India where it’s not being preached.

[20:22] When it begins to challenge how we use our money in this world, that’s when we’re getting [20:29] somewhere. [20:29] But what if, and I had this question asked, can you just give your time instead of your [20:35] money? [20:36] So is there like a quid pro quo here where it’s like, okay, if I give 3% of my time, [20:40] does that mean I only have to give 7% of my paycheck?

[20:43] Is that how it works to just numbers kind of vacillate like this? [20:47] No, that’s not where Matthew chapter 6 is pointing us, friends. [20:50] The reality is that it’s saying that how you spend all of the stuff you have, money, time, [20:56] talents, energy, directly affects where your relationship with Jesus grows. [21:01] So if you’re looking and saying, I’ll give one and not the other, it is saying something [21:05] about your treasuring of Jesus.

[21:07] If you treasure him, you will ask how you can continuously give more of it all. [21:13] So if you’re saying, well, I’ll just give of my time rather than giving of my money, [21:16] you know what you’re telling me? [21:17] That you value your time less than you value your money. [21:20] So you want to hold that. [21:22] So in reality, you’re unveiling an idol in your life.

[21:24] You idolize your money. [21:25] But you also can’t pay Jesus off. [21:28] So you can’t give more so that you do less. [21:32] Because then you’re showing, well, you’re idolizing time. [21:35] You’re idolizing your energy and your efforts in that regard. [21:38] And money doesn’t mean as much to you as those things do.

[21:41] I don’t know. [21:43] But the reality we’re dealing with this morning is that Jesus wants it all. [21:47] What does he want all of? [21:49] Your affections, your desires, your passions. [21:52] And what it’s wound up in in this world is what we are called to be generous with. [21:59] Next question.

[22:05] Now I know this is a very personal question. [22:08] I know that in this question is a lot of pain, it’s a lot of turmoil, [22:11] and a lot of desire for your family members to come in faith in Jesus Christ. [22:15] And that is a good desire. [22:16] That’s to be applauded. [22:18] And that’s to be understood that I’m praying for you in whatever situation it is that you’re in.

[22:22] But understand that the reality is Ephesians chapter 6 verses 1 and 2 says [22:26] that we’re to honor our parents. [22:28] And it says children obey your parents in the Lord for this is right. [22:32] Honor your father and mother. [22:33] This is the first commandment with a promise. [22:35] Where honor can be given, give it.

[22:39] In all things about the gospel, we need to understand that we’re to use our lives [22:46] to reach people with the faith. [22:47] And your parents are no different in that regard. [22:50] Therefore, when you see in there in Ephesians 6 where it says in the Lord, [22:55] that means the gospel is the centerpiece of how you by God’s design are to honor your father [23:02] and your mother.

[23:04] So with the gospel is how you’re going to show your honor. [23:07] Now that doesn’t mean that you focus all of your energy, all of your time, [23:11] and all of your effort on just talking to them about the gospel all the time. [23:15] I don’t think that would be appropriate. [23:17] What’s more of a witness to them is when you actually use your life to grow in discipleship, [23:24] to grow in reaching as many people as you can with the gospel in your lifetime,

[23:28] and have them watch Jesus being the one who gets all of your affections. [23:34] That’s going to preach the gospel to them. [23:37] And then in your life, as you honor them in ways that don’t make you compromise the gospel, [23:43] which means you spend time with your family, which means you have good conversations with your family, [23:48] which means when they ask of things of you that’s not going to dishonor the gospel and make you disobey the gospel, [23:54] you do those things and always be looking for places in your conversations where you can speak of the gospel.

[24:04] But let me caution you. [24:06] Don’t have arguments about it. [24:09] Avoid them. [24:09] Sometimes it’s going to happen. [24:12] But don’t be a jerk. [24:14] The reality is a lot of times in the way that we communicate the gospel,

[24:17] it can lead to us being on our part aggressive, pushy, and irritated. [24:23] Because sometimes when you’re a sinner trying to communicate the gospel and the other person isn’t receptive, [24:29] well, what’s a sinner going to do? [24:30] A sinner is going to get irritated. [24:32] And sometimes we’re irritated at them because they don’t get it. [24:36] So take a breath and seek a strategy in which that does not happen.

[24:41] But don’t back away from the table. [24:46] Love them even if they scorn you. [24:48] The gospel means that you can take hits and stay. [24:55] Those hits when they’re scorning you, when they’re disparaging you, when they’re criticizing you, [25:00] Jesus died for those hits. [25:02] Jesus will heal you from those hits.

[25:05] You can forgive them because you know that they’re sinners like you’re a sinner. [25:10] And you can stay and endure. [25:13] Understand that it’s a marathon race. [25:15] It’s not a sprint. [25:17] They probably won’t come to faith very early on. [25:21] But you never know what God is going to use in your life to communicate the gospel and redeem them with.

[25:27] So don’t give up hope. [25:30] Next question. [25:31] Is Catholicism heresy? [25:34] Throughout this series we’ve gotten a bunch of questions about Catholicism both in text messages and both in emails [25:39] because we’ve talked about it briefly. [25:42] But the big question throughout history is that why are we different from the Catholic Church?

[25:48] And the reality is that we as a village church, we’re far different than the Catholic Church. [25:53] Over time, and there was one time when everyone in the world was Catholic because the term Catholic means universal. [25:59] But over time, the Catholic Church became corrupt and redefined the truth of the gospel, [26:06] redefined pastoral roles and basically everything to suit the needs of the institution. [26:12] But frequently, our memory does not go past the date that we were born on. [26:17] So we don’t know much about the history of what happened in the church.

[26:21] What you have to understand about Catholicism is, yes, it is heresy. [26:25] All right. [26:26] Scripture defines salvation through the grace of Jesus Christ alone by trusting in Him. [26:31] Catholicism redefines this as faith only gives you the potential to work off your specific sins [26:38] through activities of penance, giving to the church, and constant confession to a special priesthood. [26:45] Brave men who believed the truth of the gospel fought these heresies, and many were burned at the stake.

[26:51] They were martyred for the truth of the gospel. [26:54] They did this to preserve it, what we actually preach and believe today as a church. [27:01] So understand that when we try to subvert this thought that Catholicism is a heresy, [27:08] to fit in with the culture today and maybe blend in with that church, understand that you’re not being helpful. [27:15] You’re actually being hurtful because their teachings are not helpful at all. [27:18] And I want to deal with one issue to show how unhelpful their teachings actually are.

[27:22] And that is the reality of the Catholic priesthood, which is completely unbiblical.

[27:27] They have created a special class of men who through celibacy and training and a few other things [27:34] became a special conduit through which everyone else can attain grace. [27:40] They act as intercessors and have a totem pole of authority built on bishops, cardinals, and the pope. [27:46] And the pope stands as the vicar of Christ, and when he sits on the seat of St. Peter, [27:50] his words are considered equal to scripture and the words of Jesus himself. [27:56] I believe that even if the pope says something that is true, it can’t be received because of the claims

[28:01] that he makes about himself. The medium is the message. [28:06] And the pope’s claiming to be someone who can say things and they’re immediately biblical, [28:13] that’s a complete falsehood. That’s a complete lie and it’s detrimental to anyone’s faith. [28:19] Understand that the pope is not the vicar of Christ. [28:24] Priests are not closer to Jesus and I don’t need to confess my sins to a priest in order to gain atonement for them. [28:31] There’s one intercessor between God and man, that is the man Jesus Christ.

[28:35] The entire priesthood is filled with false prophets, every single one of them, the greatest one being the pope. [28:42] You cannot receive anything that the pope says and hold it to be true. [28:46] This is someone that claims it’s biblical for us to say that if you follow the pope on Twitter, [28:51] you have less time in purgatory. [28:53] Number one, there is no such thing as purgatory. You either go to heaven or you go to hell. [28:57] There’s no in between where you’re going to work off your sins.

[29:01] And the pope has also been quoted as saying that this current pope, Pope Francis, [29:05] that atheists can go to heaven through being sincere of heart and contrite in spirit. [29:10] No, they can’t. And that’s unloving because they’d get there and meet God. [29:14] They’d be very disappointed.

[29:17] So what special hell would that be? [29:20] But the reality this morning is that the pope is not a conduit through which truth comes. [29:27] And so Catholicism is a heresy because of the leadership alone. [29:32] And it’s a false gospel. [29:35] Next question, does the translation we use matter? [29:39] There’s tons of versions of the Bible.

[29:42] Does it matter which one that we use? And I’m going to say yes, it does. [29:46] I’m going to explain why. [29:48] Everyone in here is using an English translation of the Bible. [29:53] None of you have the original manuscripts. [29:56] No one actually has the original manuscripts. [30:00] And the reality is that our aim should be to have a great translation

[30:04] that it helps with the context of our time in understanding the Word of God. [30:08] So what does it mean to have a translation? [30:10] There are three different types of translations that are used today. [30:14] Phrase by phrase, thought by thought, and paraphrase. [30:18] So everybody would say, well, shouldn’t we get a word for word translation? [30:22] Nobody has one of those.

[30:23] The reality is that if you were to get one of those, it would be basically unreadable [30:28] because the sentence order wouldn’t make any sense to you. [30:31] Even from Spanish into English, you understand you have to rearrange the words [30:35] for the sentence to make any sense. [30:37] So your best hope is going to be to get a phrase by phrase. [30:41] Now thought by thought, one example of that is the NIV.

[30:44] The way that they translated the NIV was to take each thought by itself [30:49] and make it as readable as possible. [30:51] So what that basically means is that they took a whole paragraph at a time [30:54] and said, let’s make this as readable as possible. [30:57] The only issue with that is really that when you translate it that way, [31:02] it’s going to lose some of the theological significance of some of the words

[31:06] because you’re taking a larger chunk versus taking a smaller chunk, [31:11] which is what a phrase by phrase translation does. [31:14] Now with paraphrases such as the message or the New Living Translation, [31:18] those aren’t translated out of the original languages at all. [31:21] Those are just what they’re called. They’re paraphrases. [31:24] So you lose a little with thought by thought, you lose a lot more with paraphrases.

[31:29] So what I would direct you to is to find a phrase by phrase translation [31:35] that works in our cultural context as best as possible [31:39] because phrase by phrase is going to be the best. [31:41] What’s the best phrase by phrase? The one we use, the ESV. [31:45] I’ll just be very honest with you. The English Standard version is the one that we use [31:49] and the reason that we use it is because the translation committee was full of great scholars

[31:54] who believed that the Bible was the Word of God, who had the gospel as their aim, [31:59] theological accuracy as their aim, and they translated it as close to the original [32:04] as they could while still having cultural context as its aim in our culture right here and right now. [32:12] New American Standard is another type of phrase by phrase, [32:16] but it loses a little bit of the cultural context, so I like the ESV better. [32:20] The Holman Christian Standard Bible is another example, but it’s not very popular,

[32:24] so you probably don’t even know what that is. [32:26] Now, what about context in the phrase by phrase translation? [32:31] Why is that important? Because how we communicate the gospel in our culture matters. [32:38] So if you’re someone that uses the King James Version, [32:40] which in its time was a good translation in the 1600s and 1700s, [32:48] it is completely unhelpful now.

[32:51] So if you’re using a King James Version, I would recommend that you change the version of the Bible [32:56] that you use to be culturally contextual in our time. [33:01] What about unity? Is that important? I believe that it is. [33:05] I think it’s important that a church have a version of the Bible that that church uses and recommends to its people, [33:11] and I recommend our people use the English Standard Version. [33:15] We sell it at our table. We give the paperback copies of it away.

[33:18] The reason is is inside of community groups, it’s helpful if everybody’s reading the same version of the Bible. [33:25] It’s extremely helpful. It’s very complicated for community group leaders [33:29] when somebody begins reading from a King James Version and they have no idea how to break that up. [33:36] So unity among a church is very important for you to have the same one that I’m using from the stage every week. [33:43] It’s going to be very helpful to you. [33:44] So I recommend that each and every person in Village Church gets an English Standard Version of the Scriptures,

[33:49] because I hate what you’re using, but because we use this. [33:54] All right. Next one. [33:57] If God is about God, is that good for me? [34:01] What I mean by that is I want to turn your attention to Matthew chapter 10 verses 37 through 39.

[34:33] Is God an egomaniac? [34:36] Is basically what I mean by this question. [34:38] I mean, he basically says, look, don’t focus on them. [34:42] Focus on me. Give me your life. [34:45] Give me your attention. [34:47] Give me your sacrifice.

[34:49] Give me your life. [34:49] [34:49] [34:49] [34:49] [34:50] And that sounds pretty egotistical.

[34:53] That sounds narcissistic. [34:54] That sounds vain. [34:55] And if I were to act like that towards you, well, you would call me a sinner. [34:59] So why isn’t God sinful for that? [35:02] Because he’s God. [35:04] Here’s what I mean.

[35:05] Wherever God points us to give our time, talent, treasures, that’s God. [35:13] And so where else can God point us than to himself? [35:17] What about God? [35:18] Who is God all about? [35:20] God’s all about himself. [35:21] So is he self-centered?

[35:23] He has to be. [35:23] And he’s the only being in all of existence that can be self-centered and not be sinful. [35:28] Because if God were about anyone other than himself, guess who that person would be? [35:34] God. [35:35] And he would cease to be God. [35:38] Therefore, the only loving thing for us is for God to be all about God.

[35:44] Because when he’s all about himself, we know who we need to be all about. [35:50] And that is God. [35:51] And that’s why it’s loving for us that God is all about God. [35:55] Are all sins the same? [35:58] Or are some sins lesser or greater than others? [36:03] I want to deal with this in two ways.

[36:04] First way is to say that in one way, all sins are the same. [36:09] What I mean by that is that sin is the great equalizer. [36:13] It was all of our sin that took Jesus to the cross, and it is all sin that condemns us before just and holy God. [36:20] Romans chapter 3 verse 23 shows this. [36:22] For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. [36:26] To say that some need more grace than others reveals a misunderstanding of how sinful we all are.

[36:33] But in another way, all sins are different. [36:38] All sin is deadly. [36:39] But there are some types of sin that are so serious that they warrant an extra impassioned warning, a stern or rebuke, a more drastic plan to avoid temptation. [36:48] We naturally understand this in most cases. [36:51] So just like in Numbers chapter 15, Moses shows that there are some sins that are unintentional and some sins that are intentional. [36:59] And he points out that intentional sins are worse.

[37:02] Or in Deuteronomy chapter 18 verse 12 and chapter 27 verse 15 where it shows that some sins are an abomination to the Lord. [37:10] There are many more, but scripture places sexual sins, improper worship, and idolatry above others. [37:17] I believe this is because they completely subvert things that show God’s glory and purpose for creation. [37:23] First Corinthians chapter 6 verse 18 shows that sexual sin is different because it is an attack on God’s purpose for our bodies. [37:31] What you need to understand, there is a difference between stealing a candy bar from 7-11 and molesting a child.

[37:40] There’s a difference. [37:42] Generally I can understand that because the effects are far different.

[37:49] I’ve changed that child’s entire identity, an entire future.

[37:54] Sexual sin is shown to be a sin against God’s temple. [37:57] So it’s far different. [37:59] We understand this practically in many things in our lives because of the cause and effect. [38:05] But in the scripture, especially in the book of Exodus, it shows that some sin were caused for killing people, capital punishment. [38:11] And some sins were not. [38:14] That’s the difference between the sins that we have to understand in our lives.

[38:18] That some sins are different. [38:20] So when we play this game, well my sin is no worse than your sin. [38:25] You’re not better than me in one sense. [38:28] Yes, that’s exactly right. [38:31] But in another sense, some sin is far more complicated than other sin. [38:36] And it’s going to take more of an effort of repentance.

[38:39] Because some repentance is going to require you to completely change your lifestyle. [38:45] Completely change how you view yourself. [38:47] And that’s the case of some sexual sin such as homosexuality.

[38:52] We must not trifle with just saying, oh it’s all the same. [38:55] So what I’m repenting of is this. [38:57] If I’m repenting of stealing cable, well why do you have such a problem repenting of your addictions?

[39:03] Because it is different. [39:05] That struggle is going to be harder than your struggle. [39:09] You’re just missing reruns. [39:12] They’re missing their entire lifestyle. [39:15] So there is a qualifiable difference in those sins. [39:19] And that’s why we must care more about people than we do.

[39:23] Because some people do have a harder road of repentance than we’re willing to admit and love them through. [39:30] Now, in a culture that does not embrace objective truth, [39:36] how do we engage and influence people while staying faithful to God’s truth? [39:42] It’s a good question. [39:43] And it popped up throughout this series in the way that we dealt with it. [39:47] Now, objective truth. What’s objective truth?

[39:50] When I’m talking about objective truth, I’m talking about Jesus. [39:53] I’m talking about the reality of the gospel. [39:55] I’m talking about the truth of who God is, that it is a reality that can be known. [40:01] Matthew chapter 5 verses 13 through 16 put it this way. [40:05] You’re the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? [40:11] It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s foot.

[40:16] If you are the light of the world, a city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [40:20] Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand. [40:24] And it gives light to all in the house in the same way. [40:26] Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who’s in heaven. [40:33] This is a quotation from Jesus, but I want to focus on two factors of this. [40:36] The salt and the light.

[40:38] What does it mean to be salt and light? [40:40] Well, it means, frankly, to be distinct. [40:43] We’re to be distinct from this world. [40:46] There’s a difference between the way meat tastes when it’s salted versus when it’s unsalted. [40:52] There’s a huge difference when I shine a light in a very dark space. [40:57] There’s a distinction between light and darkness.

[40:59] It’s easy for our eyes to see. [41:02] Therefore, for us to be able to engage this world with truth, [41:06] we must understand that we are to be a distinct people with distinct values, [41:11] distinct affections, distinct goals, distinct mission, [41:16] and distinct opportunities that we put ourselves in through the environments that we create in our lives. [41:24] And this is something that we do not desire to do, because at the end of the day,

[41:28] most of us want to be just like our neighbors and no different. [41:32] The Gospel calls us to be far different. [41:36] We are to trust Jesus above all, and that’s to be reflected in every single aspect of our life. [41:43] What do I mean by every single aspect? [41:45] Every single aspect. [41:48] Nothing is untouched by the Gospel.

[41:51] Nothing. [41:52] Therefore, where you can show distinction, show it. [41:57] Do not be ashamed of it. [41:58] Do not plead relevance as your goal for everything in your life. [42:01] Jesus is very clear that the Gospel is going to be offensive if we live it. [42:07] Therefore, you should seek to have differences between your neighbors.

[42:11] You’re to be distinct from them. [42:13] They’re not salt if they’re not believers. [42:15] They’re not light if they’re not believers. [42:18] Therefore, if they’re living the exact same life that you’re living, you’re not salt and you’re not light. [42:23] It’s that easy. [42:26] Be distinct.

[42:27] Be truthful. [42:28] Be honest in everything. [42:30] Final question this morning. [42:33] If grace is real, why do we need to be moral?

[42:40] What that question really gets to is the reality that Paul dealt with in the book of Romans. [42:45] Because grace seems to be greater than sin. [42:49] So logic may tell me that if grace is greater than sin, well, if I have more sin, grace is going to be greater. [42:58] So the more I sin, the more I show the world grace. [43:04] So through my immorality, I’m showing the world what hope really looks like. [43:09] That’s not biblical.

[43:10] All right. [43:11] Look in Romans chapter 5. [43:13] Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more. [43:19] So that as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness, leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. [43:27] What shall we say then? [43:28] Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound?

[43:31] By no means. [43:32] How can we who died to sin still live in it? [43:35] Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized in Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [43:40] We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death. [43:43] In order that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. [43:50] The scripture saying there through the apostle Paul is this great reality that what God has done in Jesus transforms us.

[44:01] It changes us completely. [44:03] It gives us a brand new life. [44:06] Therefore, our triflings with sin are not showing life, but rather they’re showing the world the opposite of grace having an effect on us. [44:13] It’s showing great death. [44:15] The gospel gives us a potential that we do not have apart from the transforming work of the gospel. [44:21] And that is the potential to obey God and live a life of worship.

[44:27] Paul’s point is that in the new life of the gospel, we proclaim it by our obedience to God, not continuing to revel in what we were saved out of. [44:36] Redemption gives a word picture of being taken out of condemnation and given a new life. [44:42] To redeem literally means to remove from and take to yourself. [44:50] That is what Jesus does. [44:54] See the tricky part is when we begin to start to look at our morality as having some type of saving effect on us. [45:01] That’s not truth.

[45:03] Truth is that I can’t save myself. [45:06] Only Jesus can. [45:08] But when he does, he really saves me. [45:12] He really transforms me. [45:14] He really gives me new life. [45:18] The reality is this morning is that when he gives you that new life,

[45:22] 1 Peter 2.21 says that he gives me an example by which I show what new life looks like. [45:29] It’s Jesus. [45:31] So how do I make grace look huge to this world? [45:35] Well someone who at one time did not have the ability to obey, now has the ability to obey. [45:41] Someone who was weak now having strength. [45:45] Not strength from within.

[45:46] You don’t have it. [45:48] Strength from Jesus Christ himself through the great grace that saves us. [45:53] In this question I saw a great opportunity so I thought I’d take it. [45:57] It’s an opportunity to show the beauty of the cross. [46:01] Every week here at Village Church we reflect on what’s called the Lord’s Supper. [46:05] In the cup we have what represents the shed blood of Jesus Christ.

[46:12] The life that he gave over to take our sin away from us, to give us grace. [46:17] Then the bread represents his broken body. [46:21] Which he died and gave over so that we could have a new life. [46:26] Not a second chance. [46:28] A new life. [46:32] One that’s defined by him.

[46:34] One that’s given by him. [46:36] In which your forgiveness can be complete. [46:38] Your condemnation can be completely gone. [46:41] Your guilt unnecessary. [46:43] Jesus took it all. [46:45] Shame gone.

[46:49] We shouldn’t return to the life that gave us all those things. [46:55] But press forward into the life of Jesus. [46:58] Who is our great God and King. [47:02] Right now what I want to do is give us an opportunity to celebrate that. [47:08] We have six stations around the room. [47:10] If you’re a follower of Jesus, if you know him as your Lord and as your Savior.

[47:15] These tables are not opened up to you by me. [47:18] They’re opened up to you by the God of the universe who wants to share a meal with you. [47:22] Who wants to give you a reminder that the life that he has through the cross. [47:27] He wants to give it to you. [47:29] And he’s given it to you through the cross of Jesus. [47:31] What this represents is a metaphor.

[47:35] If you don’t know him, what are you waiting for? [47:39] There’s no other God. [47:41] There’s no other way.

[47:44] Trust Jesus. [47:46] And he’ll forgive you. [47:49] He’ll accept you. [47:51] Because he loves you that much.

[47:54] If you’re his follower, when you’re ready, come. [47:57] If you want to know him, I’d love to talk to you.

[48:02] As we finish up communion here, we’re going to go ahead and take our offering real quick. [48:07] I’d like to ask the ushers to come forward. [48:09] That’s part of our service where those of us that call Village Home are able to give back part of what God’s given to us. [48:15] And if you are a guest with us this morning, please don’t feel obligated to participate with that. [48:21] But we would love to get a connection card from you. [48:23] I’m going to do a time of question and answer.

[48:25] I know I’ve really enjoyed the Q&A times and heard some good feedback about that during the Cow Tipping series. [48:30] So we’re certainly glad we were able to do that. [48:33] You guys did not disappoint on the questions this morning. [48:35] I got so many. [48:36] We’re going to do our best. [48:37] But as I’ve been kind of reiterating every week, if your question doesn’t get answered and it was a genuine question, please email us.

[48:44] If you don’t email us, I can’t help you out there. [48:47] But info at villagemidlothian.org. [48:48] We would love to be able to answer each and every question and we will if you email those to us. [48:54] So to get right to it, what’s the best way to find answers to theological questions? [49:00] Yeah, it’s been a great series. [49:03] But there’s been some questions where it’s just kind of like I can’t answer that in three minutes because people have literally used thousands of pages to try to come up with questions that answers that sometimes are like muddy.

[49:15] All right. It’s like I can’t. It’s not even that clear. [49:18] So the reality is, is that you should not depend on me, any of the other pastors here at Village Church, a community group leader. [49:26] The scriptures have a vision of self feeding. [49:29] Now, I want to be helpful, so I’ll be as helpful as I possibly can. [49:33] But there’s no substitute for you saturating your life with the scriptures. [49:37] And what do I mean by that?

[49:38] I mean, you need to voraciously read the scriptures. [49:40] Each and every one of you. [49:42] Paul wrote to the Berean Church and he said, thank you so much for being the type of church that doesn’t just accept what I say, but you search the scriptures to make sure it’s right. [49:52] That’s what you should be doing. [49:53] So my goal for you is that you become self feeding. [49:56] Just like my goal for my children is that they become self feeding.

[50:00] All right. [50:00] And hopefully someday self supporting. [50:02] But the reality is, is that is that you need to read good books. [50:08] You need to listen to good podcasts. [50:11] All right. [50:11] I mean, there’s so much more available today.

[50:14] I mean, on your phone, if you have an iPhone, in the iTunes store, entire seminaries have put all of their lectures for free. [50:24] I took a class in C.S. Lewis from Westminster Theological Seminary and never walked in a classroom. [50:29] I just listened to it at the gym. [50:31] All right. [50:32] So if you ever see me at the gym, I’m rocking out to some sermons. [50:35] So I don’t think I’ve got the good tunes.

[50:37] But the reality is that you need to saturate your life with that because your hope needs to be able to answer those questions to a world that’s asking questions.

[50:50] All right. [50:50] I’m one guy. [50:52] I want a whole army. [50:55] So don’t be dependent. [50:56] Have a goal of independence, whereas feeding yourself is. [51:01] OK.

[51:02] Should a person who’s in debt and financial trouble, how should they tie their give? [51:08] Everyone should give. [51:09] So what I mean by that is don’t wait until you’re out of debt to give. [51:12] Give while you’re in debt. [51:13] But the reality is, is that for some of you, 2% might pinch because you kind of got in your life upside down. [51:23] And this world can lead you down that path.

[51:27] Maybe you’re like so upside down in your mortgage that you’re about to get foreclosed on or credit cards out to wazoo, student loans out to wazoo. [51:34] I don’t know what the situation is, but maybe you’re in that kind of shape. [51:37] And I want to tell you a few things. [51:39] Find out in that situation where it pinches. [51:41] And that’s what you give. [51:43] But have a vision of understanding that a part of your sacrifice is going to be working really hard to get out of that debt and to get out from under those bills.

[51:52] And don’t do it alone. [51:53] We have people in this church who are financial counselors, advisors, financial peace people from Dave Ramsey. [52:02] I mean, we’ve got things to help you and don’t feel ashamed. [52:06] You are not alone. [52:08] But we want to put you on a path where you can become a better steward. [52:12] And we want to help you do that.

[52:14] So it’s a question that was asked. [52:17] I get that Catholicism is heresy. [52:19] But what about ordinary Catholics who are deceived but do believe in Jesus? [52:23] Are they saved? [52:25] [52:26] I don’t want to be misunderstood in my railings against Catholicism.

[52:30] There are some Catholics who understand the grace of Jesus Christ, who’ve trusted in him as their savior. [52:37] And they’re just being led down a path where their discipleship is going to be handicapped, I would say, until they leave the Catholic Church. [52:47] What I’m saying is that the priesthood is full of false prophets. [52:51] And that’s where the problem is. [52:54] But when you get down to some Catholics, and this is in my own extended family, you’re dealing with people who really trust Jesus Christ. [53:02] But they’re just walking through some murky lands where they’re confused about a lot of other things.

[53:08] And so what’s helpful is when you dispel those myths and lead them into truth. [53:13] But the Pope’s not saved.

[53:17] How do we avoid making people stumble with alcohol?

[53:23] That’s a more complicated question than most of us are willing to admit.

[53:32] And I’m going to be honest, I’m not sure I have a good answer.

[53:43] In my life, my practice, I abstain more. [53:49] That’s how I do it. [53:51] I don’t know who’s struggling. [53:53] And I say this as a pastor who has people who every day this is a struggle for them. [54:03] Because they’re alcoholics.

[54:05] And you would never guess it. [54:08] Because I didn’t. [54:10] I say, hi man, I struggle with it. [54:12] Because the person I’m eating with, they may not know they’re an alcoholic. [54:18] And so personally, many, many times I just simply abstain. [54:24] And that’s how I’m handling that.

[54:26] And that’s for some, I don’t think drinking alcohol is a sin. [54:30] But I love people more than I love beer. [54:34] That’s what I say. [54:36] Should we keep up with pop culture in order to be able to converse with culture? [54:43] In some senses, yeah.

[54:46] In other senses, no. [54:48] There’s a real tension in that because sometimes it just gets silly. [54:53] I think the relevance boom in church ministry in the 90s, we just got dumb and goofy. [54:59] And it’s like we wouldn’t even preach truth because we wanted to be able to be relevant to culture. [55:03] And so it’s like, man, where the gospel shows people in real error, [55:10] we just need, my knowledge of some pop culture is like, man, that’s error.

[55:15] But I know what error is. [55:17] In some ways, I think parents, and I want to talk to parents right now because I am one. [55:21] You need to know what’s going on. [55:24] And there’s stuff for you to educate yourself with. [55:28] But there’s one great book written by one of my old professors, Steve Vandegrift, [55:33] Disturbing Behaviors Among Youth.

[55:35] And he goes through like 50 things that teenagers are struggling with, and like 49 of them will shock you. [55:43] So you need to know that. [55:45] And sometimes, like, you know, I’m not a football fan, but I keep up with football because all of you do. [55:51] So it’s like, I can’t even converse with half of you if I don’t know what’s going on in football. [55:55] So I just, I love you enough to where I’m like, well, I’m going to watch SportsCenter today [55:58] just so I can have a conversation with this guy.

[56:00] So in stuff like that, it can open doors. [56:04] But when you reduce pop culture to like twerking and stuff, that’s dumb. [56:12] If you’re in your 30s, you need to read the newspaper. [56:16] Because people in their 30s and 40s care about that.

[56:21] If you don’t know what twerking is, you’re doing good.

[56:26] Our tattoos sin. [56:27] Our tattoos sin. I sure hope not.

[56:34] If you don’t get the subtext there, I’ll show you my arms later. [56:38] But, okay, here, okay, I mean, there’s some tension there. [56:44] If you’re talking about the text in Leviticus, no, nothing like tattoos today. [56:52] The literal Hebrew translation is marks don’t tattoo your body with the marks of the dead. [56:58] So what the priests of Baal would do is they’d cut their arms [57:01] and they’d pour the ashes of dead relatives in their arm.

[57:04] And if you’re doing that, no, don’t do that. [57:11] That’s weird. Let’s talk.

[57:15] But if you want like a cross on your back or on your arm, whatever, go ahead. [57:21] But some people, you know, that’s like how they’re finding their identity is because they’re such a rebel [57:26] that they’re going out and getting tatted up and that kind of stuff. [57:29] Then you have an identity issue. [57:32] So I’m not going to be a legalist and just like with money give you something to check off [57:36] and say, oh, I’m going to go get all these tattoos because it’s okay.

[57:39] Not if you’re finding your identity in that stuff or in some type of weird culture and that type of thing [57:44] because that’s what the prophets of Baal were really doing. [57:48] But if you just want a way to memorialize grandma, all right, [57:52] and just get like her picture tattooed on your arm, that’d be weird. [57:55] And I don’t know why that example came to mind either.

[58:01] Lift your sleeve up there and see what you got. [58:04] Go Grahams.

[58:07] But that’s, you know, that’s fine. You know, that’s fine. Go ahead. [58:11] You know, and sometimes I think we are a little silly, though. [58:14] I will like spiritualize when Paul said I wear the marks of the Lord on my body [58:18] and that’s why I get tatted up. [58:20] Now, Paul was getting his butt kicked and he had scars. [58:23] Not the same thing.

[58:25] But if you’re under 18, your parents are going to say no. [58:27] So then it is a sin. [58:30] And if they’re paying for your college and told you not to don’t obey mom and dad above all. [58:37] Should we observe the Sabbath?

[58:42] Here’s the reality with the Sabbath day. [58:44] OK, it’s Saturday, not Sunday.

[58:48] But Jesus is my Sabbath.

[58:51] All right. I’m not condemned by the law. [58:54] Jesus is my rest. Jesus is my hope. [58:57] Jesus is my everything. [58:59] So find your rest in Him. [59:01] All right. You can nap all day Saturday. [59:04] And with most of your lives, you’re still going to be tired Monday morning.

[59:06] Because you’re not finding your rest in Jesus. [59:10] He’s the fulfillment of the law. [59:13] So find your Sabbath in Him. [59:15] But there’s great wisdom. [59:17] Like I talked about with tithing, there’s great wisdom in the Old Testament. [59:20] There’s great wisdom in the Sabbath day.

[59:23] Work six days, rest one day. [59:24] If you are a workaholic, you have an identity issue. [59:28] You need to slow down at some point and rest. [59:35] And if you can’t find that, all right, let’s talk. [59:40] Let’s talk. [59:42] So we were in one way.

[59:44] Jesus rested on the seventh day, did He not? [59:48] We were designed to rest.

[59:52] So you need to find great wisdom in that. [59:55] Good. I think that’s about all the time we have. [59:57] Anything you want to wrap us up with?

[60:02] When we joke with the Sunday School answer, Jesus. [60:06] You know, Jesus is always the right answer in church. [60:09] We’re not so far off. [60:10] And I know I’ve said that before, but I don’t want to finish out any series [60:13] without you knowing that it’s all about Jesus. [60:17] That’s where I want to point you.

[60:18] That’s where I want you to go for your peace. [60:21] That’s where I want you to go for your identity. [60:23] That’s where I want you to go for your rest. [60:25] I mean, it’s all about Jesus. [60:28] Find your joy in Him. [60:29] Find your celebrations in Him.

[60:31] I mean, Jesus is enough. [60:33] I was talking to somebody after the last service [60:35] who had a serious sin issue going on in their lives, [60:38] and he needed me to remind him that His grace is enough [60:42] to forgive anything that you’re struggling with.

[60:46] Don’t continuously pay for sins that Jesus already died for. [60:52] Give that shame to Him. [60:53] Give that guilt to Him. [60:56] He took it. [60:57] You just are pretending to still have the weight on you, [61:00] but it’s gone.

[61:00] Believe it. Trust Him. [61:03] He is good enough for everything. [61:07] No matter what. [61:09] So I just want to remind Village Church [61:12] as I need to remind myself constantly.

[61:17] I’m in Christ. I’ve got it all.

[61:20] And that’s the good life. [61:22] Father, Holy Spirit, in this moment I ask [61:28] that You would fill each and every person in this room, [61:31] myself included, with the joy, the hope, [61:37] and the knowledge of the gospel of Jesus Christ, [61:40] that we may walk out into a world,

[61:43] and that they see a hope within us, [61:47] and we have an answer as to why. [61:51] In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.