WEBVTT 00:00:01.600 --> 00:00:04.080 Welcome to the Awakening Church podcast. 00:00:04.240 --> 00:00:08.960 We pray this message encourages you and provides the hope and light of Jesus Christ. 00:00:09.199 --> 00:00:10.720 Thanks for tuning in. 00:00:12.720 --> 00:00:18.160 Well, today we're closing up or finishing out our series reset. 00:00:18.399 --> 00:00:32.240 You know, after the year we just went through, we've said, and the year how this thing started off, what we all know is we all need a reset, whether it's personally, spiritually, relationally, emotionally, directionally, we need a reset in our life. 00:00:32.399 --> 00:00:39.200 And the question we've been wrestling with is how in the world do you hit the reset button in your life? 00:00:39.520 --> 00:00:47.679 And what's great is God's word, man, it tells us real specifically and practically how to just do that. 00:00:48.159 --> 00:00:52.079 In Colossians chapter three, we've been studying it for the last couple weeks. 00:00:52.320 --> 00:00:58.640 We said this, that reset is possible because in Christ you have a new starting point. 00:00:58.960 --> 00:01:01.039 Your starting point isn't do better. 00:01:01.200 --> 00:01:03.359 Your starting point isn't fix up your life. 00:01:03.520 --> 00:01:07.599 Your starting point is, you know, how can I and broken and failure. 00:01:07.680 --> 00:01:09.439 Your starting point is raised. 00:01:09.599 --> 00:01:12.000 You're brand new in Christ. 00:01:12.319 --> 00:01:15.840 And yet at the same time, reset requires something from us. 00:01:16.159 --> 00:01:21.519 Reset requires a rhythm of consistently setting your mind on things above. 00:01:21.599 --> 00:01:22.239 Isn't it true? 00:01:22.319 --> 00:01:32.640 You spent an entire lifetime training your brain and putting thoughts and having a repeated playlist of negativity and things that aren't true. 00:01:32.879 --> 00:01:37.280 And so, one, we have to take responsibility for our thought life. 00:01:37.519 --> 00:01:43.359 And then we have to change the playlist and begin to get God's word and what he says is true of us. 00:01:43.439 --> 00:01:48.560 We have to consistently, consistently uh set our minds on things above. 00:01:48.719 --> 00:01:50.000 And last week we talked about this. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:54.400 Well, what do you do with all the old you that you brought into 2021? 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:56.560 All those old practices. 00:01:56.959 --> 00:02:02.319 And the Apostle Paul is actually very dramatic, if you will, and decisive about it. 00:02:02.400 --> 00:02:08.879 He says this that reset means doing whatever is necessary to cut out destructive habits. 00:02:09.039 --> 00:02:14.960 All those old things, all those things that are hurting and harming you and others says, do whatever's necessary. 00:02:15.120 --> 00:02:23.360 In fact, he says it this way put to death, kill it, whatever belongs to your earthly nature. 00:02:23.680 --> 00:02:30.080 Now, as we close out this series, last week you might have been sitting back and going, okay, Ryan, thank you very much. 00:02:30.319 --> 00:02:34.560 I know what not to do, I know what to stop doing. 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:35.919 That's fantastic. 00:02:36.000 --> 00:02:37.120 But what do I do? 00:02:37.280 --> 00:02:39.439 What do I start doing? 00:02:40.080 --> 00:02:47.360 In fact, our um groups are going through a little exercise I call red, yellow, green lights. 00:02:47.520 --> 00:02:51.439 It's just to think and process through your life and looking back. 00:02:51.520 --> 00:02:53.599 And red light means what do you need to stop doing? 00:02:53.680 --> 00:02:55.439 That's what we talked about last week. 00:02:55.680 --> 00:03:03.199 Yellow light is what do you need to pause or maybe move forward with caution on in your life and really evaluate green light? 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:07.840 What do you need to press go on and push the gas pedal and move forward? 00:03:08.000 --> 00:03:15.759 That's what we want to talk about today is what do you really need to start and how do you keep it going? 00:03:16.080 --> 00:03:19.120 In fact, maybe to say it a different way is this question. 00:03:19.360 --> 00:03:23.199 How do you experience life change that actually changes your life? 00:03:23.439 --> 00:03:27.360 How do you experience life change that actually changes your life? 00:03:27.680 --> 00:03:31.599 In just a couple days is January 19th. 00:03:31.680 --> 00:03:33.599 Yes, it's the day before the inauguration. 00:03:33.840 --> 00:03:44.159 What's important about January 19th is experts tell us that most of the people who have made a New Year's resolutions quit by January 19th. 00:03:44.319 --> 00:03:48.560 You start off strong and 19 days into it, you're done. 00:03:48.960 --> 00:03:51.439 And I think that's where a lot of us feel. 00:03:52.159 --> 00:03:53.759 We want the life change. 00:03:53.919 --> 00:03:56.080 Yeah, I want to stop that, Ryan. 00:03:56.560 --> 00:03:58.000 I want the reset. 00:03:58.800 --> 00:04:05.039 But how do you experience a life change that actually transforms or changes your life? 00:04:05.280 --> 00:04:11.120 Listen to what the Apostle Paul says next in Colossians chapter 3, verse 12. 00:04:11.199 --> 00:04:20.560 He says, Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourself with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:26.000 Bear with each other and forgive one another if you have any grievance against one someone. 00:04:26.240 --> 00:04:35.519 Forgive as the Lord forgave you, and over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 00:04:35.680 --> 00:04:43.839 He goes on to say, Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart, since as members of one body you are called to peace and be thankful. 00:04:44.160 --> 00:04:55.600 Let the message of Christ dwell richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing to God with gratitude in your heart. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:05:04.959 And then it concludes this way: in whatever you do, whether word and deed, do it all into the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:05:05.920 --> 00:05:09.279 Giving thanks to God the Father through him. 00:05:10.800 --> 00:05:18.480 How do you experience life change that actually changes your life? 00:05:19.600 --> 00:05:20.639 Did you notice it? 00:05:21.519 --> 00:05:24.720 I had it in kind of yellow on the screen. 00:05:26.639 --> 00:05:38.959 See, reset or life change, transformation is cultivated in the refining context of Christ-centered community. 00:05:39.120 --> 00:05:39.839 Let me say that again. 00:05:40.000 --> 00:05:40.560 Reset. 00:05:40.800 --> 00:05:41.839 Your transformation. 00:05:42.000 --> 00:05:43.680 It's cultivated, it's developed. 00:05:44.000 --> 00:05:49.199 Remember last week we talked about uh the renewing of your mind, the being renewed. 00:05:49.279 --> 00:05:50.000 It's a process. 00:05:50.079 --> 00:05:54.079 It is cultivated and developed in the refining. 00:05:54.319 --> 00:05:57.519 It's the it's community is refining for us. 00:05:57.600 --> 00:05:59.920 It's as iron sharpens iron. 00:06:00.560 --> 00:06:06.800 And not just any type of community, in Christ-centered community. 00:06:07.199 --> 00:06:21.360 Now, for some, you might be going, okay, I saw those yellow things, the one another's chosen people, uh, forgive each other, all those sort of things. 00:06:21.439 --> 00:06:22.800 It's all community-oriented. 00:06:22.879 --> 00:06:24.000 I get it, Ryan. 00:06:24.720 --> 00:06:26.560 But here's where I'm at. 00:06:27.839 --> 00:06:29.839 I can't do community right now. 00:06:31.120 --> 00:06:33.360 I just, no, I can't. 00:06:33.680 --> 00:06:37.120 Listen, I'm not okay. 00:06:38.160 --> 00:06:53.680 After the trauma I just went through, after the trauma of 2020, after the trauma of the beginning of 2021, I'm not okay, and I just can't do community. 00:06:54.639 --> 00:06:57.600 Let me just say something as your pastor right now. 00:06:58.800 --> 00:07:02.959 It's okay to be not okay. 00:07:04.319 --> 00:07:06.480 I think for some, you need to feel that. 00:07:06.720 --> 00:07:10.399 Some of you're trying to somehow hold it together and feel like I have to be okay. 00:07:10.480 --> 00:07:11.279 I have to do all this. 00:07:11.759 --> 00:07:15.600 It's okay to not be okay in this moment. 00:07:15.920 --> 00:07:16.879 You've gone through a lot. 00:07:17.040 --> 00:07:18.000 We've gone through a lot. 00:07:18.160 --> 00:07:21.839 We're dealing with so much and taking so much in. 00:07:22.800 --> 00:07:25.759 But as your pastor, I want to say something else. 00:07:26.879 --> 00:07:32.240 Just don't be not okay, not in community. 00:07:33.040 --> 00:07:35.519 It's okay to be not okay. 00:07:35.759 --> 00:07:38.879 Just don't be not okay, not in community. 00:07:39.120 --> 00:07:51.680 What your heart needs most is the people of God surrounding you to be a strength and a comfort and to help you and walk with you and walk with them in this season. 00:07:52.000 --> 00:07:58.480 See, the reality is it's not just difficult or hard to do the Christian life outside of community. 00:07:58.639 --> 00:08:00.240 It's impossible. 00:08:01.279 --> 00:08:05.759 All of what Paul said here is fulfilled in community. 00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:16.319 And you'll never become, and I'll never become the person God made me to be or God made you to be outside of the community of Christ. 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.800 It's okay to not be okay. 00:08:19.040 --> 00:08:23.759 Just don't be okay, not in community. 00:08:24.160 --> 00:08:31.680 See, reset is cultivated in the refining context of Christ-centered relationships. 00:08:31.920 --> 00:08:40.480 So then how in the world do you develop, and I develop, these deep, meaningful soul-shaping relationships? 00:08:40.720 --> 00:08:47.279 And that the hunger of your soul after a year of being quarantined, after a year of having friendships fragmented? 00:08:47.440 --> 00:08:52.080 Like, how in the world do we develop these soul-shaping relationships? 00:08:52.559 --> 00:08:59.120 Well, the Apostle Paul tells us the first thing to that actually is to put on the appropriate attire. 00:08:59.279 --> 00:09:01.600 Did you notice he says, clothe yourself? 00:09:01.679 --> 00:09:03.679 How do you develop these types of relationships? 00:09:03.919 --> 00:09:04.799 Clothe yourself. 00:09:05.039 --> 00:09:07.759 Put on the appropriate retire. 00:09:07.919 --> 00:09:13.200 You know, a while back, um, there's my friend had a little small birthday party. 00:09:13.279 --> 00:09:14.559 It was just three of us couples. 00:09:14.639 --> 00:09:15.360 We got together. 00:09:15.519 --> 00:09:20.960 It was like the first thing in quarantine that we did with anyone else is in summertime. 00:09:21.120 --> 00:09:22.639 And I put on this shirt. 00:09:22.720 --> 00:09:24.480 It's one of my favorite shirts I have. 00:09:24.639 --> 00:09:27.600 Um and my wife goes, Are you gonna wear this shirt? 00:09:27.759 --> 00:09:29.919 I'm like, Yeah, I love this shirt. 00:09:30.159 --> 00:09:32.639 I I love that it's kind of pink too. 00:09:32.879 --> 00:09:37.279 And she's like, Yeah, but the problem is, and maybe I don't know if you can see it. 00:09:37.600 --> 00:09:41.919 The problem is it has holes in the front of it. 00:09:42.240 --> 00:09:44.799 She's like, You're gonna go out in public. 00:09:45.120 --> 00:09:48.799 Well, it really wasn't public, but with a shirt with holes in it. 00:09:48.879 --> 00:09:51.200 I'm like, yeah, I love this shirt. 00:09:51.440 --> 00:09:53.279 And she's like, no, no, no, don't do that. 00:09:53.519 --> 00:09:54.240 Go change. 00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:56.320 And I was stubborn and I didn't. 00:09:56.399 --> 00:09:57.120 And guess what? 00:09:57.279 --> 00:10:02.639 The entire night I got made fun of for wearing my holy shirt. 00:10:02.799 --> 00:10:03.200 Why? 00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.639 Because it wasn't appropriate to the moment. 00:10:06.799 --> 00:10:11.440 I got to put on clothes that are appropriate to the moment. 00:10:11.840 --> 00:10:22.240 He says, if you want to be in Christ-centered community, put on a tire that's appropriate for being a Christ follower. 00:10:22.480 --> 00:10:29.360 Now, to do that, we have to ask this question why do you wear what you wear? 00:10:29.600 --> 00:10:31.120 What's the motivation? 00:10:31.360 --> 00:10:34.320 Like, why do you wear and put on what you wear? 00:10:34.399 --> 00:10:39.279 And here's what we know 2020 killed all our motivation for getting dressed in it. 00:10:39.600 --> 00:10:43.120 I mean, 2020 is the year of like, who cares what you wear? 00:10:43.279 --> 00:10:49.440 Um, it's the, you know, the team uniform of 2020 is sweatpants for all of us. 00:10:49.519 --> 00:10:54.559 And it's maybe wearing a nice shirt up top, but shorts or no pants on the bottom. 00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:58.080 And you got to be careful on Zoom with that as well. 00:10:58.320 --> 00:11:01.039 And you got to go, why do you wear what you wear? 00:11:01.200 --> 00:11:02.399 And I remember hearing this. 00:11:02.559 --> 00:11:12.320 I don't know if it's true, but I'm this is what I'm told is that for many women, they actually don't dress to impress their man or men out there, they dress to impress other women. 00:11:12.480 --> 00:11:14.080 I'm like, why do you wear that? 00:11:14.240 --> 00:11:16.879 Oh, you're not getting dressed for me. 00:11:16.960 --> 00:11:17.759 You're getting dressed. 00:11:17.840 --> 00:11:19.200 Oh, oh, oh, that's weird. 00:11:19.360 --> 00:11:26.000 And by the way, guys, not all guys, but many guys, they get dressed just out of functionality, out of need. 00:11:26.480 --> 00:11:28.000 It's comfortable. 00:11:28.480 --> 00:11:37.120 And that's why some of you wives have probably wisely began to decide what some of us guys wear. 00:11:38.240 --> 00:11:44.000 Why do you wear what you wear? 00:11:44.639 --> 00:11:46.799 I want you to notice something. 00:11:47.120 --> 00:11:54.639 To put on the appropriate attire, we first have to address what motivates you in the first place. 00:11:55.039 --> 00:11:58.559 And this is what the apostle Paul does so powerfully. 00:11:58.879 --> 00:12:05.519 What he says is, therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved. 00:12:06.159 --> 00:12:11.679 See, he's gonna tell us a list of things of this is the attire that you are to put on. 00:12:11.840 --> 00:12:20.399 This is when every time you go out of the house, when you get up, this is what I want you to put on, this is what I want you to be dressed with, this is what a Christian wears. 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:24.879 But this is why a Christian wears it. 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:32.080 Not because you're somehow trying to earn favor from God, not just because you're somehow trying to be a good person. 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:35.279 It's because this is just simply who you are. 00:12:36.080 --> 00:12:37.360 This is your reality. 00:12:37.440 --> 00:12:43.919 You're just dressing in a way that uh corresponds with who you already are. 00:12:44.240 --> 00:12:50.799 Gets back to the new starting point in Christ: chosen, holy, dearly loved. 00:12:50.960 --> 00:12:55.120 Henry Nowen writes and talks about three temptations. 00:12:55.519 --> 00:12:58.320 Three temptations we define ourselves by. 00:12:58.399 --> 00:13:04.399 And these are often the drivers and the motivations for the way we live and go about our lives. 00:13:04.559 --> 00:13:06.399 He talks about what do I have? 00:13:06.879 --> 00:13:16.639 My possessions, it might be your experiences, it might be uh your um uh your home, it might be your degrees, uh, it might be um money. 00:13:16.799 --> 00:13:17.519 What do I have? 00:13:17.759 --> 00:13:18.480 What have I done? 00:13:18.639 --> 00:13:20.480 Your performance, what have I done lately? 00:13:20.639 --> 00:13:23.840 And then what others think of me, approval or prestige. 00:13:24.000 --> 00:13:35.759 These things are often the motivating factors in our lives that drive us to what we wear outside in our personality, in our character, in our conduct. 00:13:36.639 --> 00:13:42.320 I want you to notice what the apostle Paul did when it comes to what do I have, my possession says, I have been chosen. 00:13:42.480 --> 00:13:43.120 What do you have? 00:13:43.360 --> 00:13:45.919 You have been chosen by God. 00:13:46.480 --> 00:13:48.000 That's what you have right now. 00:13:48.159 --> 00:13:48.960 What have I done? 00:13:49.120 --> 00:13:49.840 My performance? 00:13:50.000 --> 00:13:52.720 I am holy set apart by God. 00:13:52.879 --> 00:13:53.360 Why? 00:13:53.519 --> 00:13:58.720 Because of what Christ has done, not because of anything you have done, but because of what he has done. 00:13:58.879 --> 00:13:59.919 You are holy. 00:14:00.000 --> 00:14:01.919 And what do others think of me? 00:14:02.159 --> 00:14:03.919 Well, God thinks of me. 00:14:04.080 --> 00:14:08.320 You're fully known and fully loved just as you are. 00:14:09.440 --> 00:14:10.399 Isn't that powerful? 00:14:10.879 --> 00:14:12.720 Right now, in this moment, don't let that miss. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:17.600 You're fully known by the God of the universe, he knows everything about you. 00:14:18.639 --> 00:14:27.120 And right now, you are fully and completely loved, the object of his affection. 00:14:28.480 --> 00:14:35.519 See, if we're gonna put on the appropriate attire, we first have to go, why are we gonna put this on in the first place? 00:14:35.679 --> 00:14:38.000 It's not somehow to earn God's favor. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:48.559 It's I already am loved, I'm already holy and set apart, I am chosen by God, and this is just the natural expression of who I am. 00:14:49.039 --> 00:14:54.240 All right, so then what is this proper attire? 00:14:54.480 --> 00:14:55.679 Paul gives us this list. 00:14:55.759 --> 00:14:59.120 He says the proper attire first is put on compassion. 00:14:59.519 --> 00:15:03.919 It's empathy and action, an emotional response to a physical act. 00:15:04.080 --> 00:15:07.360 It's not just feeling bad or feeling sorry for somebody else. 00:15:07.519 --> 00:15:13.840 It's like literally that deep guttural, like hurting for it's your heartbreaking for the things of God. 00:15:13.919 --> 00:15:15.840 It's it's being moved to action. 00:15:16.000 --> 00:15:32.559 Like when you get up in the morning and you're going, okay, today I'm gonna put on compassion when I interact with my coworkers, when I interact with my kids, when when when I when I'm flipping the TV and I'm seeing what's happening on the news, I'm not gonna respond with cynicism. 00:15:32.639 --> 00:15:35.360 I'm gonna respond and react with compassion. 00:15:35.519 --> 00:15:37.919 And then he goes on, he says, put on kindness. 00:15:38.320 --> 00:15:41.919 It's the quality of being helpful or beneficial. 00:15:42.000 --> 00:15:44.080 It's this sweet disposition. 00:15:44.639 --> 00:15:47.279 Kindness instead of criticalness. 00:15:48.159 --> 00:15:57.279 It's this ability to be helpful, the ability to be beneficial to the other, it's being considerate. 00:15:57.519 --> 00:16:01.360 Now, kind doesn't always feel good in the moment, does it? 00:16:01.519 --> 00:16:04.000 See, there's a difference between nice and kind. 00:16:04.720 --> 00:16:14.399 If you have, or if I had a piece of um, you know, let's say, uh, something in my mouth, food that stuck on my tooth, or maybe I had a little booger in my nose. 00:16:14.559 --> 00:16:15.440 Ew, gross. 00:16:15.600 --> 00:16:25.200 Um, and we talked, and you didn't say anything to me, and you just let me go about my day, you were nice in that moment, but you were not kind. 00:16:25.360 --> 00:16:27.519 You were not helpful or beneficial. 00:16:27.840 --> 00:16:36.559 Because a helpful or beneficial response is like, excuse me, I just want to let you know you got something in your teeth and you give, because I don't want you to walk around with that all day long. 00:16:36.720 --> 00:16:37.759 I don't want you to have that. 00:16:37.840 --> 00:16:39.759 You get, you know, you just might want to. 00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:45.120 See, a Christian and Christ-centered community, this is what it looks like. 00:16:45.200 --> 00:16:46.159 We're compassionate. 00:16:46.240 --> 00:16:47.679 We respond with compassion. 00:16:47.840 --> 00:16:51.120 We respond, we put on and clothe ourselves with kindness. 00:16:51.279 --> 00:16:53.200 And then he goes on and says, humility. 00:16:53.360 --> 00:16:56.399 Humility is not thinking less of yourself. 00:16:57.039 --> 00:17:00.879 Humility is actually having an accurate view of oneself. 00:17:01.679 --> 00:17:06.400 It's taking on the posture of a servant. 00:17:07.039 --> 00:17:09.119 And then he goes on and says, gentleness. 00:17:09.279 --> 00:17:12.559 This is the word that Jesus, you know, blessed are the meek, the gentle. 00:17:12.640 --> 00:17:16.079 It's what he would say, I'm gentle and humble of heart. 00:17:16.240 --> 00:17:18.400 It's actually strength under control. 00:17:18.799 --> 00:17:29.599 It's the ability to control one's emotions, not to allow anger to get out of control, but to express it appropriately in every situation. 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:32.000 It's having consideration for others. 00:17:32.160 --> 00:17:39.359 It can it can also mean uh being willing to make concessions, that there's a gentleness. 00:17:40.880 --> 00:17:46.960 Like this is the attire we're to put on in the community of Christ. 00:17:47.119 --> 00:17:51.759 It's compassionate, it's kind, it's human humble, it's gentle. 00:17:51.920 --> 00:17:53.359 And then he says patient. 00:17:54.640 --> 00:17:55.519 Oh boy. 00:17:55.839 --> 00:17:57.680 Yeah, we're getting to the part of the list. 00:17:57.759 --> 00:18:02.559 I mean, they're all hard, but we're getting to the part in this season is particularly hard. 00:18:03.200 --> 00:18:08.160 The ability to endure and have a good attitude in the process. 00:18:09.519 --> 00:18:15.680 The ability to endure and have a good attitude in the process. 00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:20.640 Notice that he went on and said, to bear with each other. 00:18:21.920 --> 00:18:26.799 Like a Christ-centered community says, I'm gonna bear with you. 00:18:28.400 --> 00:18:31.759 And I don't agree with you, but I'm gonna bear with you. 00:18:34.160 --> 00:18:38.079 You you really frustrate me, but I'm gonna bear with you. 00:18:39.279 --> 00:18:44.640 You're kind of annoying and obnoxious, and your posts are like all over here, and how could you? 00:18:44.799 --> 00:18:46.799 I'm gonna bear with you. 00:18:47.519 --> 00:18:52.319 Bear with means to endure something unpleasant and difficult. 00:18:54.799 --> 00:18:57.200 Bear with each other. 00:18:59.359 --> 00:19:07.440 It says, out of Christ and what he's done, that you're chosen, that you're loved, that you're adopted, that you're redeemed, that you're holy and set apart. 00:19:07.519 --> 00:19:11.599 I'm going to bear with you with a good attitude. 00:19:11.680 --> 00:19:13.599 I'm gonna show self-restraint. 00:19:13.920 --> 00:19:18.400 I'm gonna have a steady response in the face of provocation. 00:19:18.799 --> 00:19:20.160 This patience. 00:19:20.480 --> 00:19:24.480 And then he moves on to something even deeper and even harder. 00:19:24.799 --> 00:19:26.079 Forgiveness. 00:19:27.839 --> 00:19:30.160 Forgiveness is not forgetting. 00:19:30.319 --> 00:19:36.160 Yeah, it is actually technically what it means is to release your right for revenge. 00:19:36.319 --> 00:19:37.759 It is to let go of your right. 00:19:37.839 --> 00:19:45.680 If someone has offended you and you have the right to retaliate, you have the right to pay them back, you have the right to put them in your place in their place. 00:19:45.839 --> 00:19:53.119 It forgiveness is saying, I am going to let go of that right and I'm going to dismiss or cancel it. 00:19:53.200 --> 00:19:56.559 I'm going to forgive the debt you owe me. 00:19:56.799 --> 00:19:59.440 He says, forgive one another. 00:19:59.759 --> 00:20:04.640 And then he says something really, really powerful and really, really hard. 00:20:05.200 --> 00:20:06.160 Forgive. 00:20:06.559 --> 00:20:08.319 How are we to forgive? 00:20:08.640 --> 00:20:12.880 As the Lord forgave us. 00:20:15.599 --> 00:20:19.119 See, as a follower of Jesus, we can't say I can't forgive them. 00:20:20.480 --> 00:20:27.119 When we have been fully forgiven by our Savior, how did Jesus forgive us? 00:20:27.839 --> 00:20:32.720 It wasn't like hesitantly, it was fully, it was sacrificially. 00:20:33.519 --> 00:20:44.720 I mean, just this image of Jesus on the cross being nailed to the cross, and he cries out, Father, forgive them. 00:20:45.759 --> 00:20:47.680 For they know not what they're doing. 00:20:49.200 --> 00:21:06.960 See, when Jesus saw people, and this is so important, this is don't miss this, he did not see people as the enemy, but as his calling, as his purpose, as those he came to seek and save and serve. 00:21:07.119 --> 00:21:11.279 And so those he created were nailing him to the cross. 00:21:11.519 --> 00:21:16.880 They were not the enemy, he was came to serve them, and he says, Father, forgive them. 00:21:17.039 --> 00:21:36.079 They don't get it, they don't understand it, they know not what they do, and then the gospel calls us in light of being fully forgiven to release our right for revenge and to forgive the way Jesus forgave us. 00:21:36.160 --> 00:21:43.759 And then finally, Paul says, and then love, and then love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 00:21:43.920 --> 00:21:46.720 Love is just doing what's best for another person. 00:21:46.880 --> 00:21:50.880 It's sacrificial, it's self giving, it's doing what's best. 00:21:51.119 --> 00:21:53.440 He says it it binds them all together. 00:21:53.599 --> 00:21:55.440 Like this is the appropriate attire. 00:21:55.519 --> 00:22:00.319 If you want to know what a Christian looks like, by the way, there's a lot of things you're looking around at the World. 00:22:00.400 --> 00:22:01.599 What does a Christian look like? 00:22:01.839 --> 00:22:03.119 Is a Christian a Republican? 00:22:03.200 --> 00:22:04.160 Is a Christian a Democrat? 00:22:04.400 --> 00:22:06.400 Is a Christian blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. 00:22:06.799 --> 00:22:08.559 This is what a Christian looks like. 00:22:08.799 --> 00:22:15.440 A Christian is compassionate and kind and humble and gentle and patient and forgives the way Jesus forgave. 00:22:15.519 --> 00:22:18.000 And out of all this, it gives love. 00:22:19.599 --> 00:22:21.279 It's just the expression of love. 00:22:21.440 --> 00:22:24.880 Love is the true mark of maturity for the follower of Christ. 00:22:26.880 --> 00:22:33.039 And love, when you put it on, it's like that part of the outfit that just pulls it all together. 00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:40.400 He says, by the way, how do you cultivate deep, meaningful, soul-shaping relationships? 00:22:40.640 --> 00:22:42.799 We have to put on the proper attire. 00:22:42.880 --> 00:22:49.440 We have to get rid of the old rags and put on the new attire of what's true of us. 00:22:49.680 --> 00:22:56.240 And then he goes on and says, Well, if you're going to experience this community, by the way, just let Jesus be the umpire. 00:22:56.480 --> 00:22:58.079 Stop trying to be the umpire. 00:22:58.319 --> 00:23:03.519 Stop trying to be the one who's making sure everyone is in their place and doing their thing. 00:23:03.759 --> 00:23:12.720 You know, I told a story about my boys, uh and we'd play football in the front at the beginning of this series, you know, in the front yard and throwing it back and forth. 00:23:12.880 --> 00:23:14.160 And it's a blast. 00:23:14.240 --> 00:23:22.400 But but eventually it gets heated and intense, and they they start to go at each other and you know, oh, that was past interference, or oh, this was that. 00:23:22.480 --> 00:23:25.519 And just go, hey boys, let dad be the ref. 00:23:26.640 --> 00:23:28.160 I'm gonna call the fouls. 00:23:28.400 --> 00:23:31.839 You may not like it, you may not, but just let me be the ref here. 00:23:32.000 --> 00:23:33.279 You don't need to be the ref. 00:23:33.599 --> 00:23:36.400 I'll take care and I'll call it what it is. 00:23:36.559 --> 00:23:45.440 Notice what the apostle Paul says: let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts and says members of one body, you were called to peace and be thankful. 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:48.240 Let the peace of Christ, and it says rule. 00:23:48.480 --> 00:23:52.960 Now, Paul's taking uh a word from the athletic arena. 00:23:53.039 --> 00:24:16.160 It literally means let the peace of Christ, his work, his finished work of peace on the cross, the peace that he gives to us, rule, or literally be the umpire, be the arbitrator, be the judge, be the one that gets to call a foul or not, not you. 00:24:18.000 --> 00:24:25.200 As since as members of one body, one body, you are called to peace. 00:24:26.799 --> 00:24:31.599 You know, God takes something very seriously, and it's the unity of his body. 00:24:33.440 --> 00:24:42.079 If you read through the New Testament, you'll see one body, the imagery of members or family, over and over. 00:24:42.480 --> 00:24:48.079 In fact, Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, is known as the high priestly prayer in John chapter 17. 00:24:48.319 --> 00:25:04.240 His prayer for you and for me was that we would be one, even as the Father and He are one, knowing that left to ourselves, we would fragment and fray in our own fleshly old selves response and reaction. 00:25:04.880 --> 00:25:07.680 And we got to go, Jesus, you get to be the umpire. 00:25:07.920 --> 00:25:09.519 You get to call the shots. 00:25:10.720 --> 00:25:15.839 Your peace and your ways are gonna be our ways. 00:25:17.279 --> 00:25:21.440 We're not gonna be like kids that are just arguing with each other. 00:25:21.920 --> 00:25:25.119 We're gonna let you be the parent and not us. 00:25:25.440 --> 00:25:27.599 Let Jesus be the umpire. 00:25:27.759 --> 00:25:28.799 Well, what is peace? 00:25:29.039 --> 00:25:32.240 Peace is to be complete and sound. 00:25:32.480 --> 00:25:46.160 It's wholeness of health, it's harmony in relationships, meaning that harmony of relationship in Christ should be the deciding factor for how you engage with one another, success and fulfillment of purpose. 00:25:46.319 --> 00:26:00.400 One commentator wrote this it is inconceivable that those who share with one another the benefit of the great peacemaking work of the cross should live with any hatred, contempt for each other in their hearts. 00:26:01.519 --> 00:26:09.039 It says, How do we cultivate deep, meaningful, soul-shaping relationships? 00:26:09.119 --> 00:26:16.079 You put on the appropriate tire, you let Jesus be the umpire, and then you gotta be at home in the gospel. 00:26:16.319 --> 00:26:20.160 You gotta be at home and make your home in the gospel. 00:26:20.319 --> 00:26:21.519 Notice what Paul says next. 00:26:21.599 --> 00:26:32.400 It says, Let the message of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs. 00:26:33.680 --> 00:26:43.839 Let the message of Christ dwell, like literally, let the words of Christ and the life of Christ dwell in you richly. 00:26:44.799 --> 00:26:48.799 Like be at home in the gospel. 00:26:49.440 --> 00:26:52.319 Be at home in the words of Christ. 00:26:52.559 --> 00:27:00.559 You know, some of our best friends uh recently moved out of the area, and their home was like a second home for us. 00:27:00.799 --> 00:27:04.799 We'd go over to their house for holidays and birthdays and really anytime. 00:27:04.880 --> 00:27:07.119 And when we're there, we were at home. 00:27:07.759 --> 00:27:14.240 You know, you're at home when someone else comes over, you open the door for them, or you get up and you can go through their fridge and get whatever. 00:27:14.319 --> 00:27:16.880 And if there's a meal, it's everybody helping together. 00:27:16.960 --> 00:27:18.799 You're not a guest, you're at home. 00:27:19.039 --> 00:27:27.039 And uh not too long ago, we were able to visit them out of town and got to see them, but they're in their new place and we don't know that home. 00:27:27.119 --> 00:27:31.200 And as getting dinner ready, working around, trying to get everything organized. 00:27:31.279 --> 00:27:36.640 And my wife says, I just I can't wait till when I know where everything is in the kitchen. 00:27:37.119 --> 00:27:39.039 Because we used to know where everything was at. 00:27:39.119 --> 00:27:42.559 We were at home and we want to have that same experience with them. 00:27:43.839 --> 00:27:53.839 See, what Jesus is saying and what the apostle Paul is calling us is let the message of Christ be at home where you know where everything is. 00:27:54.079 --> 00:27:57.279 What does it mean to be at home in the gospel? 00:27:57.440 --> 00:28:08.400 It means to be so familiar with Jesus and his ways that you know how he would respond, know what he would feel about something and what he would do. 00:28:08.640 --> 00:28:10.400 Because you're just like, I'm at home. 00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:12.480 His word is dwelling in me richly. 00:28:12.559 --> 00:28:21.920 And for some, maybe you just need to spend time and you need to read through all four of the gospels and just begin to go, okay, Jesus, what are your ways and how do you speak? 00:28:22.079 --> 00:28:23.519 I want, I want to know every part. 00:28:23.680 --> 00:28:28.000 I want to know every facet of this kitchen and where things are at so I can find it. 00:28:28.079 --> 00:28:29.039 I'm at home. 00:28:29.200 --> 00:28:29.599 Why? 00:28:29.759 --> 00:28:32.960 So that when you teach, you're imparting skill and knowledge. 00:28:33.039 --> 00:28:35.680 When you admonish, that's a warning and a counsel. 00:28:35.839 --> 00:28:42.480 It's coming out of the dwelling of the gospel of Jesus, not from your preference or your opinion. 00:28:42.799 --> 00:28:53.119 And which means that we are being taught and admonished at the same time, receiving from those who are dwelling in the message of Christ. 00:28:54.960 --> 00:28:58.480 How do you cultivate deep, meaningful relationships? 00:28:58.640 --> 00:29:01.519 What does a Christ-centered community look like? 00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:08.079 Well, you got to put on the appropriate tire, you got to let Jesus be the umpire, be at home in the gospel. 00:29:08.160 --> 00:29:10.799 And then I love how the apostle Paul closes out. 00:29:11.359 --> 00:29:16.640 Because I think as we're talking about this, and is kind of going like, okay, great. 00:29:17.279 --> 00:29:19.519 But when does this actually apply to me? 00:29:19.680 --> 00:29:21.680 You know, is this like in small group? 00:29:22.480 --> 00:29:23.680 Is it where? 00:29:23.839 --> 00:29:25.359 Okay, let's let's talk about where. 00:29:25.519 --> 00:29:28.160 And then he says this, whatever you do. 00:29:28.640 --> 00:29:30.160 And no, I didn't just get lazy. 00:29:30.240 --> 00:29:32.880 You're like, Ryan, you couldn't come up with a fourth point on this. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:33.680 You just kind of come. 00:29:33.920 --> 00:29:36.480 No, it's he's just like, whatever you do. 00:29:37.920 --> 00:29:49.119 Paul wants to make it so clear and so simple, he's gonna say, Whatever you do, whether in word or in deed, do it all into the name of the Lord Jesus. 00:29:49.359 --> 00:29:54.880 Do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father. 00:29:55.200 --> 00:29:58.480 When you begin to understand it's all that you do. 00:29:58.960 --> 00:30:18.240 Whatever you say, whatever you post, whatever you write in that email, how whatever you you do in that Zoom meeting, with that family member, with your girlfriend or with your boyfriend, with your buddy. 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:27.359 He says, Whatever you do, whatever you say, could you bring that and say, Jesus, I'd say that in front of you? 00:30:28.160 --> 00:30:30.319 Jesus, I'd do that in front of you. 00:30:31.039 --> 00:30:35.920 Jesus, I I think you would be honored by what I say. 00:30:36.079 --> 00:30:39.519 I think you would be proud of how I respond. 00:30:44.799 --> 00:30:46.000 It's powerful. 00:30:47.039 --> 00:30:49.519 When we begin to go, okay, God, today. 00:30:50.079 --> 00:30:53.839 And it's imperfectly, and that's why we come back to him, God. 00:30:53.920 --> 00:30:54.240 I need help. 00:30:54.400 --> 00:30:58.799 But it's like, God, whatever I do today, I want to do it unto you. 00:30:59.200 --> 00:31:02.559 As if it's my work, as if I'm presenting it for you. 00:31:02.720 --> 00:31:06.559 I want to treat my spouse the way you would treat them. 00:31:07.119 --> 00:31:15.599 I I want to treat my friends and respond to those on social medias the way you would respond, whatever you do. 00:31:16.319 --> 00:31:19.599 How do you experience life change that actually changes your life? 00:31:19.839 --> 00:31:22.240 Reset is cultivated. 00:31:22.720 --> 00:31:30.000 That means it's a process, it's cultivated in the refining context of community. 00:31:30.960 --> 00:31:32.240 2020. 00:31:32.720 --> 00:31:34.400 Here's my invitation to you. 00:31:35.039 --> 00:31:39.759 It's more than an invitation, but would you get in a group at awakening? 00:31:41.039 --> 00:31:43.119 Startup next week is beginning. 00:31:43.200 --> 00:31:46.160 It's the best way to dive into community here. 00:31:46.480 --> 00:31:47.920 Would you sign up for it? 00:31:48.000 --> 00:31:48.960 It's on Zoom. 00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:51.039 And you're like, I don't want to do any more Zoom. 00:31:51.279 --> 00:31:55.839 You need this to become who God made you to be, dive in. 00:31:55.920 --> 00:31:58.240 You're like, well, I'm waiting for everything that returns normal. 00:31:58.319 --> 00:32:00.160 You've been waiting for almost a year. 00:32:00.400 --> 00:32:02.799 Get involved, dive in. 00:32:04.400 --> 00:32:07.839 In 2021, would you join a group? 00:32:08.640 --> 00:32:09.279 Why? 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:16.319 Because it's not just difficult to live the Christian life outside of community of Christ, it's impossible. 00:32:17.599 --> 00:32:19.279 This is what it looks like. 00:32:19.440 --> 00:32:21.440 This is the attire we're to put on. 00:32:21.519 --> 00:32:31.680 This is the responses, and when we allow the Spirit of God to mold and shape us in community, is what brings soul-shaping, deep, meaningful community. 00:32:31.920 --> 00:32:33.200 It's not okay. 00:32:34.720 --> 00:32:36.480 Well, hang on, let me say it again. 00:32:36.720 --> 00:32:39.039 It's okay to be not okay. 00:32:40.240 --> 00:32:45.359 Just don't be not okay to not be in community. 00:32:47.920 --> 00:33:04.319 Heavenly Father, I pray for my friends as they've gone through so much and are wrestling with so much on their plate, and it can feel like I just can't do another thing. 00:33:04.640 --> 00:33:06.880 And you don't want them to do another thing. 00:33:07.039 --> 00:33:17.119 You want to have them experience your family, your community, your strength, your hands and feet. 00:33:18.000 --> 00:33:22.079 So, God, I just ask in this moment that this would be a year of transformation. 00:33:22.240 --> 00:33:24.000 This would be a year of reset. 00:33:24.079 --> 00:33:30.720 As we close out this series, this would be a moment for us as the church to say, we're in. 00:33:31.119 --> 00:33:32.640 We're taking the next step. 00:33:32.799 --> 00:33:38.240 God, I don't know how it's gonna be, how it's gonna look, but we're taking the next step. 00:33:39.920 --> 00:33:45.039 And we trust and know that you will meet us every step of the way. 00:33:45.279 --> 00:33:46.880 In Jesus' name. 00:33:47.200 --> 00:33:47.839 Amen. 00:33:49.359 --> 00:33:51.680 We hope you are blessed by this message. 00:33:52.000 --> 00:33:56.880 Please subscribe to our podcast for access to every episode as they're uploaded. 00:33:57.119 --> 00:33:59.440 And hey, we'd love to connect with you. 00:33:59.599 --> 00:34:05.440 Take a next step by filling out our virtual connection card at awakeningchurch.comslash card.