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Dec. 5, 2023

Unraveling the New Covenant: Lessons in Humility and Generosity

Unraveling the New Covenant: Lessons in Humility and Generosity
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CityLight NYC Church
Unraveling the New Covenant: Lessons in Humility and Generosity
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Season 1
Settle in for a transformational journey as we navigate the fascinating transition from the law-abiding old covenant to the grace-filled new covenant from the book of Galatians. Discover how the journey to righteousness has shifted from personal efforts to the salvific work of Jesus on the cross. Embrace the challenge of maintaining robust relationships within the Christian community and remaining steadfast in the face of worldly trials.
 
As we move forward, we'll delve into the profound significance of bearing each other's burdens and fulfilling the law of Christ. A journey that encourages humility, invites self-examination, and fosters a heart posture dependent on Christ. Experience the joy of exploring one's actions under the lens of heavenly rewards while nurturing purity in motives.
 
We candidly share the transformative power of giving, delving into personal experiences without seeking validation or affirmation. We bring to light the concept of the "Israel of God," reminding listeners of the joy and peace that comes with belonging to God's spiritual nation. 
Join us for this heartening episode that promises to leave you enriched with wisdom and encouragement.
Transcript
00:00.441 --> 00:02.806 We need to do something to become approved unto God. 00:02.846 --> 00:04.811 We and you don't. 00:05.693 --> 00:06.114 It's done. 00:07.462 --> 00:23.797 And now that it's done and you've been given heaven and forgiveness of sins and Justification by faith and righteousness, now that it's all yours for free, out of your inner man, out of your new creation, being come forth good works. 00:24.238 --> 00:25.040 That's why you're here today. 00:26.304 --> 00:28.391 Welcome to the City Light Church podcast. 00:28.661 --> 00:34.820 Thanks for joining us today as we look into God's word and discover the hope and truth that he has for us. 00:35.702 --> 00:40.655 If you want to connect with City Light Church, feel free to visit us at citylightnyccom. 00:41.441 --> 00:43.663 That's City Light NYC. 00:43.743 --> 00:51.680 Calm Pastor boy on Jansic and his team believe that the power of the Holy Spirit is already working in our hearts and minds. 00:52.642 --> 01:02.430 As you listen to today's teaching, remember that you are deeply loved by God, that you are surrounded by his grace and that he has a real hope and a future for you. 01:05.980 --> 01:11.834 Grateful that you're here in person and grateful for those of you joining us online. 01:14.540 --> 01:18.666 Hallelujah, I Joked in the first service I was. 01:19.669 --> 01:19.870 I was. 01:20.671 --> 01:34.488 I Was just reminded why, typically, emily and I take a mini vacation and we're not here on this Sunday, because our anniversary is December the 1st and We'll be celebrating 11 years. 01:34.588 --> 01:42.124 Now, for some of you were just getting started, I know, but 11 years, nothing to sneeze at. 01:42.505 --> 01:43.146 I mean that you. 01:43.246 --> 01:47.663 The Bible talks about the fruit of long suffering and she has. 01:49.602 --> 01:51.366 What was it meant to be that funny? 01:51.827 --> 02:00.182 Just meant to be a little little joke on the side, and I'm just circulated towards my wife, she's so. 02:00.484 --> 02:17.140 We normally, we normally take they and I'm because so many of our people are out and but we wanted to stay here and it's good to be with you all while a lot of our people are still on their way back or Tripping out on tryptophan, still recovering. 02:18.565 --> 02:21.525 But what a wonderful name we have in Jesus. 02:21.625 --> 02:29.132 It's the all-access past to the Father and to heaven, and I am so thankful this Thanksgiving weekend, amen. 02:30.241 --> 02:31.563 We are in Galatians. 02:32.265 --> 02:40.227 We are concluding our series on Galatians, clash of the Covenants, and what a what a trip it's been. 02:42.221 --> 02:43.566 I've said this earlier. 02:44.509 --> 02:45.513 I want to reiterate it. 02:46.282 --> 03:12.006 I pray for you often, and I I pray about what's what's ahead for us and and what's happening in the world, taking note that we're entering into 2024 and another election cycle, and if you remember, four years ago, things got very, very crazy, or have you forgotten already? 03:14.184 --> 03:21.165 You talk about brother will rise up against brother, father against son, and one's enemies will be. 03:21.547 --> 03:39.928 They have their own household, and I don't expect anything less in 2024, and so my job is to prepare you, and I can't think of any better preparation than being firmly planted in the new Covenant and really understanding the grace of God. 03:41.285 --> 03:44.840 When you are firmly planted in the new Covenant and you understand the grace of God, several things are going to happen. 03:46.284 --> 03:47.126 You're going to be bold. 03:47.548 --> 03:50.035 The Bible says the righteous are as bold as a lion. 03:51.446 --> 03:59.955 Another thing that will happen is you'll be a friend of the Holy Spirit, who's also called the spirit of truth, so that you're not led astray, that you're not blinded, that you're not bamboozled. 03:59.975 --> 04:05.960 If 2020 has shown anything, it's that if a lies repeated often enough, almost everyone will believe it. 04:06.101 --> 04:19.995 And so that we stick close to the spirit of truth, who will keep us in his truth and that we don't go to the left or to the right or go astray, but that we're firm and close with Jesus, amen. 04:20.035 --> 04:20.998 So we're in Galatians, chapter 6. 04:21.058 --> 04:40.050 We're wrapping up and For the first five chapters of Galatians, it truly was the clash of the Covenants, as Paul Reiterated over and over again that we're no longer bound to the old Covenant of the law, but we're now living under the new Covenant of grace. 04:40.800 --> 04:46.213 Chapter 6 is going to deal more with the way we relate to each other within the context of a Christian community. 04:47.102 --> 04:51.844 So I must recap once again Galatians 1 through 5 60 seconds. 04:52.004 --> 04:52.466 Are you ready? 04:53.282 --> 04:53.462 Go? 04:54.781 --> 04:58.631 Two Covenants, the old, the old Covenant. 04:59.794 --> 05:01.866 You Endeavor to become righteous. 05:02.347 --> 05:13.868 You endeavor to be Accepted by God, based on your own law keeping, based on your own ability To keep God's law, crossing every T, dotting every I. 05:14.269 --> 05:18.387 The end result was that we failed over and over again, and when I say we, I mean humanity. 05:18.548 --> 05:21.220 Any person who endeavors to keep the law will fail. 05:22.062 --> 05:22.423 Why? 05:22.985 --> 05:32.133 Because the law places a demand on you but does not fulfill you or, excuse me, does not give you the power to fulfill that demand. 05:33.261 --> 05:35.068 So you always come up short. 05:36.001 --> 05:44.380 It's designed to show us as incapable of walking rightly with God, which, without Jesus, we are. 05:47.045 --> 05:48.348 So it's a failing Covenant. 05:48.909 --> 05:57.687 And then Hebrews it says that, having found fault With them, with the people and with the Covenant, there was a new under the new Covenant. 05:57.727 --> 05:58.690 It's totally different. 05:59.360 --> 06:02.711 You're not trying to get God's approval, you already have it. 06:03.340 --> 06:06.791 You're not trying to get God's righteousness you already have it. 06:07.540 --> 06:10.652 You're not trying to get God's acceptance, you already have it. 06:11.134 --> 06:14.929 It's not based on what you do, it's based on what Jesus has already done. 06:15.480 --> 06:21.845 Whoo, and because of that we celebrate Jesus's cross, his blood and this new Covenant in which we stand. 06:22.266 --> 06:32.120 But there is a warning all throughout Galatians, because this group known as the Judaizers came in and they took this new group of Christians, the Galatians, who had just come to faith in Christ. 06:32.240 --> 06:39.069 They just got saved and they told them it's wonderful that you're Christian and that you believe in Jesus, but you still have to keep the the law. 06:40.442 --> 06:44.269 So the gospel is Jesus plus nothing equals everything. 06:44.309 --> 06:47.395 You cannot add to Christ's already completed work. 06:48.041 --> 06:55.811 But they began to add, and we as people, as human beings, were prone to do the same thing. 06:56.841 --> 07:04.560 We somehow want a part of the salvation process, even though he did it all and when he was done, he sat down. 07:05.502 --> 07:08.209 That means he went into a place of rest, the position of rest. 07:08.489 --> 07:09.933 There was no more work to do. 07:10.701 --> 07:11.263 And really, do you know? 07:11.283 --> 07:12.669 That's what the Sabbath is all about. 07:14.320 --> 07:22.868 The Sabbath was, under the old covenant, one physical day where you abstained from your labor, just as God did from his during creation. 07:24.400 --> 07:31.003 Under the new covenant, jesus abstained from the work of salvation because it was finished, he sat down. 07:32.221 --> 07:38.124 So under the new covenant, the, the Sabbath is celebrated every day, every hour, every minute. 07:38.665 --> 07:44.385 You get to sit back and go, wow, thank you, jesus, you did it all and I don't get to contribute. 07:45.047 --> 07:58.962 I can now follow you, I can now allow you to fill me with the Holy Spirit and I can be led by the Spirit, but as far as my salvation, it is finished, it's a done deal and I can cease from my laborers, amen. 07:59.880 --> 08:05.003 So every day, sabbath day, and do not allow Judizers to come in. 08:05.084 --> 08:09.009 Now, with the Galatians, judizers were an actual physical people group. 08:10.080 --> 08:16.324 Maybe that can happen today, but oftentimes we are our own worst covenant adders and judizers. 08:18.761 --> 08:21.029 We tell ourselves we need to help a savior out. 08:22.500 --> 08:27.804 We tell ourselves we, we, we need to do something we're do-do people. 08:28.700 --> 08:31.067 We need to do something to become approved unto God. 08:31.107 --> 08:33.052 We and you don't. 08:35.301 --> 08:35.722 It's done. 08:37.080 --> 08:53.393 And now that it's done and you've been given heaven and forgiveness of sins and justification by faith and righteousness, now that it's all yours for free, out of your inner man, out of your new creation, being come forth good works. 08:53.841 --> 09:07.507 That's why you're here today, on Thanksgiving Sunday, not because somebody guilted you into being here, not because you feel like you have to be here, otherwise God won't love you anymore, but you're here out of a gratitude of what he has already done. 09:07.603 --> 09:08.666 Do you see the difference? 09:08.666 --> 09:19.791 You're not trying to earn salvation, you're not trying to earn God's unernable, unmerited favor, which is grace, but you're doing the right thing because of what you've already received. 09:19.891 --> 09:20.152 Amen. 09:21.721 --> 09:42.125 And so, once again, I pray for you, I love you and with the coming year, be mindful of grace, because it'll draw you into the presence of God, and I know that you will be safe when you're, when you're close to him, when you keep your head upon his breast. 09:42.606 --> 09:48.980 Somebody who's mixing covenants, somebody who's under condemnation, they're not quick to rest their head on Jesus's breast. 09:49.622 --> 09:56.289 But those who know they're loved forever, those who know they're forgiven forever they will and they'll hear the heart of their savior. 09:57.141 --> 10:05.773 And no matter what happens, come heller high water, the bible says, in destruction and famine you shall laugh. 10:06.781 --> 10:09.985 A thousand will fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand. 10:10.427 --> 10:11.551 But may your confession be. 10:11.812 --> 10:13.860 It will not come near me. 10:14.843 --> 10:18.392 Only with my eyes I will behold and see the reward of the wicked. 10:19.121 --> 10:26.312 And then you get to say well, I'm not wicked, not because I'm so awesome, but because Jesus has made me righteous and he's forgiven all of my sins. 10:27.141 --> 10:31.309 So I qualify For all of the benefits and all of the blessings of God. 10:33.581 --> 10:36.450 And he's forgiven your sins past, present and future. 10:39.541 --> 10:40.468 Someone says how could it be? 10:40.609 --> 10:41.395 My future sins? 10:41.435 --> 10:42.020 How does that work? 10:43.045 --> 10:44.452 Well, every sin is a future sin. 10:44.492 --> 10:46.000 He died for you 2,000 years ago. 10:48.486 --> 10:56.063 In fact, he didn't forgive you of your sins plural, he forgave you of sin, the entirety of sin. 10:56.584 --> 11:03.190 When John the Baptist saw Jesus coming over the hill, he said Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. 11:04.160 --> 11:16.054 Singular sin as a concept will be nailed to the cross in Jesus and to all those who believe, their sin past, present and future done away with. 11:16.340 --> 11:18.929 And that is the blessedness of the new covenant, hallelujah. 11:20.900 --> 11:27.509 So let's get into Galatians, chapter six, as we finish up clash of the covenants, it wasn't much of a battle, huh. 11:35.403 --> 11:50.520 Chapter six Paul says brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 11:51.602 --> 12:02.440 Now that first sentence, note that he says if a man is overtaken in any trespass, so not just the little ones, any trespass and this person is overtaken. 12:03.724 --> 12:06.473 I want you to know that nobody chooses how they fall. 12:09.224 --> 12:10.811 Christians sometimes fall. 12:11.944 --> 12:18.356 You don't have to have faith that you're going to fall, you don't have to believe God for it, but it might happen and you don't get to choose. 12:18.680 --> 12:19.624 And you don't get to choose. 12:19.764 --> 12:27.731 If I got to choose how I was going to fall, I'd probably choose that banana peel, right by my temper, peter mattress, and I'd slip and fall and land nice and cushy. 12:28.120 --> 12:29.606 But you don't get to choose how you fall. 12:30.660 --> 12:32.427 You don't get to choose what kind of an accident. 12:33.541 --> 12:35.548 I pick a fender, a little fender bender every time. 12:37.301 --> 12:38.827 I'm not metaphorically speaking, now. 12:39.020 --> 12:49.811 Sometimes it's a head on collision and he gives us instructions on how to treat people within our community, people within the church if they're overtaken in a sin or in a trespass. 12:50.461 --> 13:08.730 You who are spiritual Not those who would, who are secretly happy that you fell into public disgrace because it makes them seem more spiritual Not the busy buddies, not the gossips, but the ones who've partaken of the grace of God and they have his love in their hearts. 13:09.120 --> 13:17.160 You who are spiritual, restore that word restore there from the Greek is brace, like a cast. 13:18.624 --> 13:31.500 Come around them with love, not condemnation, not judgment, but come around them like a cast, like a brace, and brace them up with prayer, with encouragement, with love, with support. 13:32.844 --> 13:36.380 God does the healing, but you're the outward cast that's bracing them up. 13:37.785 --> 13:40.560 It's been said that the Christian army is the only army that shoots its wounded. 13:42.226 --> 13:55.825 I'd have to agree Bizarre thing and I do find this that in churches where the covenants are mixed and the people are under the law, that breeds pride, that breeds a condemning spirit. 13:56.066 --> 13:57.210 You'll see a lot more of that. 13:58.040 --> 14:09.468 But when grace is champion and celebrated and when we're conscious of all that we've been forgiven of, then we're not quick to finger point at somebody else, but a compassion will arise from within us. 14:10.342 --> 14:15.313 You who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. 14:16.282 --> 14:31.353 And he says, as a warning considering yourself lest you also be tempted, because if you don't restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness with love, if you're secretly happy that they fell, then that same thing may be coming for you. 14:32.989 --> 14:33.720 So consider yourself. 14:34.463 --> 14:35.548 You think you're above that. 14:36.410 --> 14:37.040 Sometimes we get disgusted. 14:38.284 --> 14:39.527 How could they fall like that? 14:39.949 --> 14:40.992 How can they do that? 14:42.043 --> 14:42.967 What were they thinking? 14:45.101 --> 14:51.855 You know, in the 80s there were several preachers who had a very public fall. 14:55.602 --> 15:09.833 I won't get into their names, but I remember one of them fell very publicly and then other major ministries, they pointed the finger and publicly they spoke against them and then, one by one, it was exposed that they were all guilty of the same sin. 15:11.243 --> 15:12.709 You don't want to be the finger pointer. 15:14.883 --> 15:19.480 You want to be the one who comes in braces and loves and sees God's restoration and healing. 15:20.166 --> 15:21.600 Considering yourself, because you're not above that. 15:22.402 --> 15:24.851 If you think you are, oh you're next. 15:26.262 --> 15:32.320 Verse two bear one another's burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ. 15:32.967 --> 15:34.040 He's kind of winking at the Judaizers. 15:34.602 --> 15:38.417 He's saying those of you who love the law of Moses so much and you think you can be saved by it. 15:38.738 --> 15:39.180 There is a higher law. 15:39.662 --> 15:46.940 He talked about it in the chapter before, in Galatians 5, the law of Christ to love your neighbor as yourself, so bear one another's burdens. 15:47.524 --> 15:49.940 He's going to use two words burdens and loads. 15:50.664 --> 15:56.620 A burden is in the Greek it's like a backpack, but that's overflowing with too much stuff. 15:57.282 --> 16:02.840 Everybody gets a backpack, a load, everyone's has a backpack in life, a load they have to carry. 16:03.461 --> 16:09.552 But if you come across somebody who's just gotten too much now they're being crushed underneath the weight of a burden of life. 16:10.233 --> 16:15.732 Help them and in that way you'll be fulfilling the ultimate law to love your brother and your neighbor as yourself. 16:17.161 --> 16:26.840 Verse three for if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 16:27.041 --> 16:30.430 I've been joking lately about what kind of a scripture plaque I'd like in my office. 16:30.920 --> 16:33.148 Turns out this is really the one I should have aimed at me. 16:35.920 --> 16:41.613 If anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 16:42.141 --> 16:48.840 There is this attitude of the heart that we should have, and both can coexist at the same time. 16:49.522 --> 16:53.592 One attitude says I am a victor in Christ. 16:54.562 --> 17:02.109 I am an overcomer, more than an overcomer, but within Christ I am blessed, I am highly favored. 17:02.591 --> 17:04.717 I'm expecting something good to happen to me. 17:04.937 --> 17:15.634 I'm a child of God, I qualify for all of heaven's benefits and at the same time, to have a heart posture where you say, in and of myself, I'm nothing. 17:16.763 --> 17:23.406 In and of myself, I am wretched In and of myself, I don't deserve heaven, I don't deserve forgiveness, I don't deserve a thing. 17:27.126 --> 17:40.840 The Bible says that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble, which is kind of a frightening verse, because I don't like it when Satan resists me, let alone when God himself resists me. 17:41.802 --> 17:48.158 And it says that pride opens you up to the very resistance of God, but he gives grace to the humble. 17:48.178 --> 17:48.800 So what is humility? 17:50.410 --> 17:51.840 It is your dependency on the Lord. 17:52.763 --> 17:54.649 It is you not having confidence in yourself. 17:58.040 --> 18:10.913 The rebuke that Jesus gave the Laodicean church in Revelation, chapter 3, the church age most believe that we're living in the rebuke was you think you're all that, but really you don't even realize. 18:11.114 --> 18:13.840 You're naked, but you think you have costly garments on. 18:14.924 --> 18:16.408 You think you can see, but you're blind. 18:17.442 --> 18:19.308 You think you're rich, but really you're poor. 18:21.202 --> 18:29.174 And the rebuke was that they thought that they were strong in and of themselves, that they had arrived. 18:30.101 --> 18:34.353 May we carry both attitudes of the heart simultaneously, and it is possible. 18:35.235 --> 18:38.800 I'm a champion, I'm a victor and also I need Jesus. 18:39.602 --> 18:41.808 I really, really need Him, because without Him I'm nothing. 18:43.401 --> 18:47.730 For if anyone thinks himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 18:50.120 --> 19:01.828 Verse 4, but let each one examine his own work and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone and not in another A bit of a cryptic verse here. 19:02.381 --> 19:17.774 Paul says examine, take inventory of yourself and examine your own works, and really he has echoed this in several other places in the New Testament where Christians will stand before a judgment seat. 19:18.585 --> 19:20.840 There's several judgments that the New Testament talks about. 19:21.762 --> 19:25.712 One is the great white throne judgment at the end of Revelation. 19:26.870 --> 19:27.820 That is the final judgment. 19:28.345 --> 19:31.269 The good news is you won't be a part of that Hallelujah. 19:32.041 --> 19:32.503 Do you remember? 19:35.063 --> 19:36.907 If you remember, some Wild West history? 19:36.947 --> 19:38.591 They talked about those hanging judges. 19:40.785 --> 19:43.820 They're not really trying to find out whether you're guilty or innocent. 19:43.960 --> 19:44.643 Everyone's guilty. 19:46.041 --> 19:47.748 It's kind of like the great white throne judgment. 19:47.840 --> 19:59.288 If you appear there, it's for unbelievers, not believers, and if you appear there it means you have rejected Jesus, you've died in your sin and there's only one verdict guilty. 20:00.202 --> 20:05.969 Thankfully, because of Jesus' great gift and what he's done for you, you'll never stand before the great white throne judgment. 20:07.201 --> 20:10.370 But Paul does talk about the Bema seat, or the judgment seat of Christ. 20:10.940 --> 20:14.627 That's where believers will be judged, not on whether you're going to get into heaven or not. 20:14.940 --> 20:16.286 You're already heaven bound. 20:16.900 --> 20:18.205 All of your sins are forgiven you. 20:18.840 --> 20:21.653 You'll be judged on your heavenly reward. 20:27.010 --> 20:29.035 So how will you be judged on your heavenly reward? 20:30.000 --> 20:31.727 Several factors in the scriptures come up. 20:32.381 --> 20:37.743 One you'll be judged on what you have done with the gifts he has given you, and that's good news. 20:38.425 --> 20:41.187 You're not responsible If you're not called to be a global evangelist. 20:41.440 --> 20:44.786 You're not responsible for the salvation of hundreds of thousands of souls, amen. 20:45.780 --> 20:49.785 And I'm not responsible for the calling on another pastor's life, and he's not responsible for mine. 20:50.340 --> 20:54.127 You're only responsible to fulfill that which he has put inside of you. 20:55.620 --> 20:58.550 And the second thing that comes up in Corinthians. 20:58.880 --> 21:07.103 Paul says at the judgment seat of Christ, the purifying fire of God will hit our works and it could turn. 21:07.244 --> 21:13.428 If it wasn't with the right motive, it'll turn into wood-hands stubble, but if our motive was right, it'll be precious stones. 21:15.220 --> 21:24.666 And that should just cause us to raise our eyebrow to make sure that whatever we do something, it's with the right heart and with the right motive, because you can do all of the right things for all of the right reasons. 21:27.820 --> 21:41.245 Have you ever been a part of a Christian organization where there were tears and distinct hierarchies and you had to work to climb the ranks and then very quickly you forget? 21:41.325 --> 21:42.208 Why am I doing this? 21:42.440 --> 21:45.064 Am I getting caught up with the Lord of the work or the work of the Lord? 21:45.480 --> 21:46.365 And why am I doing this? 21:46.460 --> 21:51.349 To get promoted in the eyes of man, to get another pin from man to be acknowledged by man? 21:51.800 --> 21:58.228 If social media has shown us anything is that without Christ we're all ravenous animals in desperate need of validation and affirmation. 22:01.080 --> 22:01.682 I'm feeling down. 22:01.703 --> 22:09.528 You know what I really need A like from a stranger to let me know that I'm okay, that I exist, that I matter. 22:10.800 --> 22:11.342 I get lonely. 22:11.423 --> 22:14.427 Sometimes I feel like if I died, no one would even miss me. 22:15.500 --> 22:17.147 But Betty over there gave me a like. 22:17.260 --> 22:18.425 I don't even really know Betty. 22:19.040 --> 22:22.245 Her profile picture has a line in the background and she's blown a shofar. 22:23.580 --> 22:27.986 But Betty liked my post and I'm glad to know that I'm making a difference. 22:29.450 --> 22:30.311 I'm sorry, do you know, betty? 22:30.392 --> 22:31.013 You look upset. 22:33.740 --> 22:36.229 Nobody's were harmed in the preaching of this sermon. 22:38.040 --> 22:39.004 It's a matter of motive. 22:40.240 --> 22:49.190 And so when we do the good things that we wanna do for the Lord, empowered by his Holy Spirit under grace, it shouldn't be for people's affirmation Amen. 22:50.440 --> 22:53.409 It should be just for him, for an audience of one amen. 22:55.120 --> 23:04.069 It's easier said than done, but as we die more to self and as we realize that most people just don't care, anyway, it'll cause you to live for that audience of one amen. 23:05.860 --> 23:07.346 Galatians 6, 5. 23:08.940 --> 23:11.329 See, he said bear one another's burdens. 23:11.500 --> 23:13.106 That's the overflowing backpack. 23:14.000 --> 23:17.867 And then he says but each one shall bear his own load, his own backpack. 23:18.047 --> 23:18.809 That's given to us. 23:19.980 --> 23:22.773 And then he goes into an offering, teaching, in verse 6. 23:24.721 --> 23:30.934 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 23:32.501 --> 23:44.729 So here Paul is laying out how Ministry should be funded and he's saying if you're a teacher of the word, you should be Financially compensated from your ministry. 23:45.522 --> 23:52.889 We know that he, paul, was a tent maker, but he didn't stay a tent maker and he gives his reasons For temporarily being a tent maker. 23:52.909 --> 23:57.725 And part of his reasons were that he just didn't want to give him any Excuse not to hear him. 23:57.745 --> 24:13.760 He didn't want anybody to say oh, he's just preaching and he's in ministry for financial gain, so he may tense on the side, but the way God has always established it was that a minister Be compensated for the ministry and not to muzzle the ox that treads out the corn. 24:14.582 --> 24:28.332 Just the image of that is cruel, right an ox that you use to stomp and tread out the corn but you place a muzzle on it so it, when it's hungry, can't even Grab a few bites of what you're using it for as it treads on the corn. 24:30.181 --> 24:33.489 Let him who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. 24:33.750 --> 24:34.672 Can I get an amen here? 24:36.061 --> 24:38.576 Amen, let verse 7. 24:38.596 --> 24:48.602 And in this verse Note that this verse is in the context still of this offering sermon at that the apostle Paul is giving you. 24:48.623 --> 24:56.053 Typically it's taking out independently and it's displayed in a way where there's almost this ominous laughter in the background. 24:58.101 --> 24:59.264 Do not be deceived. 24:59.464 --> 25:03.795 God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap. 25:04.336 --> 25:05.920 It's in the context of the offering. 25:05.940 --> 25:08.551 And Paul what he's saying. 25:08.591 --> 25:10.060 I'll just rephrase this another way. 25:10.761 --> 25:20.436 Paul is saying it is an utter mockery to God to believe that you can sow financial seed and not reap a harvest back. 25:21.402 --> 25:23.129 He's encouraging them in his giving. 25:24.483 --> 25:26.598 He says God is not mocked. 25:26.618 --> 25:34.704 And he uses these agricultural and agrogarian terms throughout the New Testament Sowing and reaping. 25:35.307 --> 25:38.780 So it's impossible to sow apple seeds and not get an apple orchard. 25:39.903 --> 25:42.551 It's impossible to sow pumpkin seeds and not get pumpkins. 25:43.202 --> 25:47.960 He's saying it's impossible to sow financial gifts and not reap a financial reward. 25:48.381 --> 25:52.032 And it is a mockery to think so, to think that it's impossible. 25:52.661 --> 25:59.042 But whatever a man sows, that is what he's going to reap, amen. 26:00.681 --> 26:05.405 Next verse Wait, just go back one verse. 26:05.425 --> 26:06.146 Did we finish that? 26:07.208 --> 26:07.509 Okay? 26:08.090 --> 26:13.248 Verse verse 8 for he who sows to his flesh Will of the flesh, reap corruption. 26:13.881 --> 26:22.962 But he who sows to the spirit note that Paul says giving unto the Lord is sowing to the spirit, will of the spirit reap Everlasting life. 26:23.503 --> 26:27.973 And then, attached to this offering, little three verse sermenet to encourage them in their giving. 26:28.401 --> 26:37.091 He says and let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. 26:37.581 --> 26:43.804 Why is Paul telling him not to grow weary in doing good and saying if you just don't lose heart, you're gonna reap your reward? 26:44.526 --> 26:46.031 I know why I've lived. 26:46.071 --> 26:46.291 Why? 26:47.241 --> 26:53.720 Because the harvest doesn't really come until you've pushed past the point of almost losing heart. 26:55.364 --> 26:58.512 It doesn't come until you actually feel like I'm in a fork in the road. 27:01.141 --> 27:02.466 Hey, does this is? 27:02.526 --> 27:04.091 Does this really work? 27:04.821 --> 27:06.926 Because I'm not really seeing a work in my life. 27:07.046 --> 27:10.353 And then, if you still keep the faith, that's when the harvest comes. 27:11.621 --> 27:13.649 Amen, that's why it's put in there. 27:15.281 --> 27:16.807 Some of you don't know my testimony. 27:16.847 --> 27:20.620 Many of you've heard the testimony way too many times, but we launched City Light Church. 27:21.343 --> 27:31.020 I planted it Nearly 22 years ago I was 26 years old, in the East Village on 7th Street, with no sponsorship from any other church or denomination. 27:31.983 --> 27:36.660 I came from a large church but it just wasn't a time where churches financially supported church plans. 27:36.881 --> 27:38.826 I got the be blessed and be filled. 27:39.608 --> 27:58.811 It was awesome, but not Be blessed and be filled, didn't pay the rent and so I ended up living in the church in the basement, 20 feet wide by 80 feet long, no windows, and there was that one afternoon where I caught 17 mice. 27:58.891 --> 28:10.916 In one afternoon I'd seen one or two mice, so I laid out some glue traps randomly, went to get a cup of coffee, came back like 45 minutes later, walked through the door, opened the door and I was like I hear birds chirping. 28:10.976 --> 28:17.293 A bird got in here, I heard, and then it hit me, it must be a mouse, no, it was 17 mice. 28:17.313 --> 28:23.389 And People stayed away from my ministry by the thousands. 28:23.529 --> 28:24.171 They stayed away. 28:26.043 --> 28:34.562 And so now and this lasted for four and a half years you said why did you go even to live in that basement, to live in the church, literally? 28:34.623 --> 28:37.295 The church bathroom had a shower and people said what's that shower? 28:37.395 --> 28:49.771 I shower in there, and and behind the altar was a kitchen that had no heat, so inside the sanctuary could be 75 degrees, and then you, you went in the middle of the night and it would be like 45 degrees in the kitchen. 28:51.443 --> 29:06.160 And so there were times when I'd be praying there and I felt like the children of Israel when they came out with Moses and they were all frustrated because they didn't see the fulfillment of the promise and they cried I love, have you let us out here that we should die. 29:06.342 --> 29:15.777 And I Actually remember several times praying and doubting the whole message of sowing and reaping, of giving. 29:15.797 --> 29:22.155 I Actually thought, hey, I went to college, man, I could have got. 29:22.175 --> 29:24.162 My dad is in finance, I could have followed him. 29:24.803 --> 29:29.834 Instead, I answered the call to ministry and now I'm here in my late 20s, living in a windowless basement. 29:30.444 --> 29:34.808 This is, this is not how I planned it to be, and I gave away all this money. 29:34.829 --> 29:36.374 Wherever the Lord said give, I gave. 29:36.815 --> 29:38.200 And now here I am, in my late 20s. 29:38.320 --> 29:39.644 All I have is credit card debt. 29:39.664 --> 29:41.229 I'm just broke and when is the harvest? 29:41.249 --> 29:42.333 coming. 29:46.900 --> 29:47.321 Remember. 29:47.382 --> 29:50.912 Several times it was like in the spirit, standing at a fork in the road. 29:51.674 --> 29:54.483 Now look, if I had taken man's word for it, then I'm a fool. 29:55.781 --> 29:57.405 But I didn't take man's word for it. 29:57.506 --> 30:01.671 I wasn't emotionally moved by some 3 am Televangelist to give everything I had. 30:02.113 --> 30:03.300 I saw it in the word. 30:04.243 --> 30:09.039 I saw that Jesus never, ever talked about giving without also talking about you receiving. 30:09.059 --> 30:14.712 I Saw that God's prescription for abundance and for prosperity was generosity. 30:15.421 --> 30:22.966 But, as everybody, I got to that place where I wondered Am I gonna continue? 30:23.026 --> 30:29.027 Because I was losing heart and and let us not grow weary while doing good? 30:29.348 --> 30:31.833 For in due season, that's a Christianism. 30:31.953 --> 30:34.422 Due season, that's a name. 30:34.442 --> 30:34.903 That's an ant? 30:34.943 --> 30:35.384 No, it is. 30:36.005 --> 30:36.767 It's that answer. 30:36.867 --> 30:38.892 What is my harvest coming in due season? 30:38.912 --> 30:39.493 What does that mean? 30:40.641 --> 30:43.923 That's like saying Soon. 30:44.705 --> 30:45.388 What does that mean? 30:45.669 --> 30:56.475 You're soon, or God soon, because the day is a thousand years to God, which it will come if you do not lose heart. 30:56.981 --> 31:00.830 He's saying it specifically because he knows the temptation will be to lose heart. 31:01.631 --> 31:02.774 Paul does that sometimes. 31:05.961 --> 31:08.108 He'll let you know who's prone to that. 31:08.148 --> 31:14.773 He'll say husbands, love your wives and be not bitter against them, because a husband may be more prone to be bitter against his wife. 31:15.482 --> 31:17.702 Don't be bitter, amen. 31:18.465 --> 31:19.649 He says study your wife. 31:21.701 --> 31:22.503 That's what that verse. 31:22.603 --> 31:25.269 Husbands, dwell with your wives with understanding. 31:26.151 --> 31:33.444 It means study them Like a scholar, their likes, their dislikes, what makes him tick. 31:34.923 --> 31:36.451 He could be a bit of blessing to them, right? 31:38.181 --> 31:40.549 I'd like to think I got my PhD in Emiliology. 31:41.948 --> 31:46.966 I think that she might give me barely a bachelor's, I don't know, but I'm working on it, I'm trying to get the credits. 31:48.040 --> 31:51.726 I'm going to study my wife that way. 31:51.746 --> 31:55.260 As soon as she comes through, I'm like oh, I've seen that this is chapter six, verse 10. 31:55.401 --> 31:58.207 I've studied you, I know just what you need, amen. 31:58.841 --> 32:00.891 And then I get a harvest from that, don't I babe? 32:01.856 --> 32:03.463 Hallelujah, yeah. 32:05.600 --> 32:06.764 Therefore, verse 10,. 32:06.945 --> 32:11.280 Therefore, as we have opportunity remember he's talking about the offering. 32:11.420 --> 32:13.949 Whenever you say therefore, ask yourself what it's there for. 32:14.800 --> 32:24.552 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to those who are of the household of faith. 32:25.520 --> 32:35.180 Just note that as Christians, this is going to sound kind of harsh, but hey, as Christians, our primary responsibility is to other believers, other Christians. 32:36.805 --> 33:01.464 Help where you want, but just know the Bible says primarily to the household of faith, because the whole design of charitable giving was supposed to be so that those who are outside of the faith look at us and our love for one another and how we take care of each other, and then how no one is lacking in our community and they go wow, what an amazing, generous, loving group of people and their God is so loving. 33:01.785 --> 33:03.991 I want in Amen. 33:04.621 --> 33:06.700 We as a church get hit up for money all the time. 33:06.861 --> 33:10.841 I think some people think we're a bank and no. 33:10.861 --> 33:14.972 We're not giving God's money to restore benches in Central Park. 33:16.641 --> 33:19.530 We're not giving God's money for graffiti removal on such and such street. 33:20.820 --> 33:24.090 Our primary concern is to help those who are of the household of faith. 33:24.561 --> 33:29.020 In fact, our end of the year offering is up, where we disclose all of the church finances. 33:29.160 --> 33:33.572 There was a card on your seat and you can see who the finances are going to. 33:34.061 --> 33:42.329 It's other people within our church, other ministries mainly other ministries but to those who are actual members of City Light and whenever they need help, we go to help them. 33:44.975 --> 33:47.160 Amen, you don't know. 33:47.301 --> 33:48.540 Yeah, let's get back to Galatians. 33:51.448 --> 33:52.572 That's pretty stained glass. 33:54.840 --> 34:02.068 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith, verse 11. 34:03.921 --> 34:13.320 And this is why some people believe that Paul had an eye disease, because he wrote the letter in 72-point font as opposed to regular 10 or 12-point font. 34:14.403 --> 34:18.453 See with what large letters I have written to you with my own hands. 34:20.121 --> 34:21.126 He didn't have an eye disease. 34:22.900 --> 34:26.871 Doctors can barely with great difficulty diagnose somebody standing right in front of them. 34:27.360 --> 34:31.312 How are you going to diagnose somebody who lived 2,000 years ago and say they had an eye disease? 34:32.863 --> 34:42.320 In fact he didn't write all of Galatians, it was a steward who wrote it, but that particular portion he John Hancocked with large letters and just said I'm putting an emphasis on this. 34:42.460 --> 34:44.849 See what large letters I've written to you with my own hand. 34:45.800 --> 34:53.275 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised. 34:53.881 --> 35:07.320 Let me rephrase that as many as desire to make a good show, a show, a religious show in the flesh, these would compel you to add to the already finished work of Christ. 35:08.583 --> 35:19.354 As many as want to make a show in the flesh, they're going to tell you do X, y, z and you'll help earn your salvation and you'll be more proved unto God. 35:20.344 --> 35:24.160 What a rest you have when you know there is nothing you can do to cause him to love you more. 35:25.848 --> 35:27.680 There is nothing that you can do to cause him to forgive you more. 35:28.225 --> 35:29.900 You're thoroughly and completely loved. 35:31.090 --> 35:32.160 You're thoroughly and completely forgiven. 35:32.260 --> 35:50.556 These would compel you to add Circumcision there is a symbol for adding to the finished work of the cross Only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ because you suffer persecution when you preach Jesus. 35:50.700 --> 35:52.297 Plus, nothing equals everything. 35:53.146 --> 35:54.299 That's what God Paul persecuted. 35:54.319 --> 35:54.380 Why? 35:56.065 --> 36:00.560 Because such a message robs people of their pride, robs people of their religiosity. 36:00.721 --> 36:06.120 He said if I didn't want to be so persecuted, I'd just preach legalism. 36:07.048 --> 36:07.816 People love that. 36:11.368 --> 36:14.778 You tell people grace and it's all for free, and they want to kill you for it. 36:17.510 --> 36:18.353 Verse 13,. 36:18.373 --> 36:20.320 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law. 36:20.762 --> 36:32.000 Those who are getting circumcised, they're still not keeping the entirety of the law and if they break it in one point they're guilty of breaking it completely. 36:34.430 --> 36:36.117 But they desire to have you circumcised. 36:36.137 --> 36:41.540 That they may boast in your flesh, but God forbid that I should boast. 36:44.485 --> 36:48.376 And if you want to memorize like a verse for the week, this is a great one to memorize. 36:49.363 --> 36:51.840 Memorizing the word brings great power. 36:54.251 --> 36:55.335 The word becomes flesh. 36:55.355 --> 36:56.360 The word is like fuel for your spirit. 36:56.640 --> 37:03.590 God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified. 37:03.802 --> 37:17.760 To me and I to the world Worship team, come on up, for in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision being a Jew nor uncircumcision being a Gentile avails anything. 37:17.800 --> 37:18.403 He's saying. 37:18.423 --> 37:28.412 It doesn't matter if you're physically Jewish or physically not Jewish, but what does matter is being a new creation. 37:34.171 --> 37:36.480 That's how God sees people, whether they're a new creation or not a new creation. 37:36.560 --> 37:43.068 And he's provided the way to becoming a new creation by saying yes and giving your life to Jesus and trusting in His substitutionary death on the cross. 37:47.450 --> 37:50.400 That phrase new creation in the Greek is a new species of being that never existed before. 37:50.400 --> 37:51.820 Do you know how different you are? 37:51.840 --> 37:53.689 The Bible says the Old Testament prophets. 37:53.709 --> 37:55.639 They prophesied about the new covenant. 37:56.989 --> 37:58.220 They prophesied about the new birth. 37:59.446 --> 38:02.560 They prophesied about the new creation that you get to enjoy today. 38:05.832 --> 38:08.140 They looked and peered and saw it, but never experienced it themselves. 38:08.844 --> 38:11.840 But you get to experience it because you're living on this side of the cross. 38:12.422 --> 38:14.749 Jesus said among men born from women, there's none greater than John the Baptist. 38:18.160 --> 38:20.392 That's pretty amazing. 38:20.432 --> 38:22.000 Even greater than Moses because John the Baptist. 38:22.101 --> 38:23.310 He heralded the way. 38:23.944 --> 38:24.917 He declared the way for Jesus. 38:25.120 --> 38:38.080 He says no one is greater than John the Baptist, and then he said this but those in the kingdom of God, the least in the new covenant kingdom of God is greater than Jesus. 38:38.200 --> 38:42.992 The least in the new covenant kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist. 38:43.752 --> 38:45.280 What's it like, can I interview you? 38:45.360 --> 38:47.729 What's it like to know you're greater than John the Baptist? 38:50.421 --> 38:51.326 And why are you? 38:51.407 --> 38:54.905 And why are you and why are you and Jesus' own words greater than John the Baptist? 38:55.440 --> 38:59.011 Because John the Baptist, as great as he was, never had the new creation. 38:59.881 --> 39:00.906 He was never born again. 39:01.902 --> 39:12.964 He looked into it Prophetically, he saw it, but he passed away before Jesus' death, burial and resurrection, still went to heaven. 39:14.026 --> 39:18.214 Because back then your salvation was based on you looking to the Messiah. 39:19.241 --> 39:20.466 You kind of got saved on credit. 39:21.741 --> 39:26.590 You look forward to the Messiah, you believe Messiah was coming and he would take away the sin of the world. 39:27.961 --> 39:28.665 But you didn't have. 39:29.168 --> 39:30.355 They had the promise. 39:30.415 --> 39:31.260 We have the fulfillment. 39:32.063 --> 39:32.967 They had the shadow. 39:33.007 --> 39:33.950 We have the substance. 39:34.080 --> 39:42.000 It's how beautiful that is that we get to live on this side of the cross, and it doesn't matter whether you're Jewish or not Jewish. 39:43.183 --> 39:53.228 Because they were saying you're extra special if you're Jewish and they're saying it doesn't matter, it's all about whether you're in Christ or not Verse 16,. 39:55.063 --> 40:03.094 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God. 40:04.082 --> 40:09.253 There's a lot of talk about Israel today, a lot of talk about Palestine. 40:11.246 --> 40:12.430 I'm not going to wax political. 40:12.470 --> 40:16.972 I've shared my views and they come from Joshua, chapter 5, where he says I'm not on your side. 40:16.992 --> 40:18.120 I'm not on your side. 40:18.705 --> 40:19.673 God says I'm on my side. 40:21.200 --> 40:23.600 But I want you to answer this question for yourself. 40:25.830 --> 40:32.280 Who is the apostle Paul talking about here when he says peace and mercy be upon them and upon the Israel of God? 40:34.254 --> 40:43.807 Who's the Israel of God, the nation of God, god's chosen people, the called out ones, the prescient ones, I mean? 40:43.828 --> 41:02.093 The clue is he's writing to the Galatians and he just said it doesn't matter if you're naturally Jewish or naturally non-Jewish, but what matters is a new creation, this spiritual Israel that's the nation of God, that's God's chosen people. 41:03.496 --> 41:07.782 It's not whether you were physically born into it, it's where you spiritually born again into it. 41:08.715 --> 41:12.501 And when Paul says mercy be upon then and upon the Israel of God. 41:12.915 --> 41:17.822 He's talking to anyone who is in Christ, anyone who's had their sins forgiven. 41:18.075 --> 41:26.124 And remember, today this sounds strange, but when he was preaching this to a first century audience, the majority of Christians were Jewish. 41:29.075 --> 41:35.920 Only today does being Jewish mean I don't believe in Jesus, like that's part of the faith. 41:36.115 --> 41:39.039 I believe in this and part of my faith is I can't believe in Jesus. 41:39.775 --> 41:41.061 It wasn't seen that way then. 41:41.475 --> 41:45.119 It was bastardized and morphed into that throughout the centuries. 41:45.815 --> 41:48.260 But the majority of Christians I mean you see that right? 41:48.295 --> 41:53.204 In fact they were shocked oh, you're not Jewish and you believe in Jesus and you're heaven bound. 41:53.224 --> 41:56.778 Wow, you were the minority. 41:57.835 --> 42:00.203 And he says blessings be to the Israel of our God. 42:02.079 --> 42:12.559 You're the nation of God, the people of God, god's chosen people, not because you're so awesome or I'm so awesome, but because he has caused us to be born again by his precious blood. 42:14.155 --> 42:21.241 From now on, let no one trouble me, because there were people criticizing him. 42:21.395 --> 42:23.558 And if you're ever gonna say anything, that's the truth. 42:24.355 --> 42:27.861 If ever you're gonna stand up for God's righteousness, there'll be people who criticize you. 42:27.895 --> 42:33.181 He says for now on, let no one trouble me, for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus. 42:33.535 --> 42:34.539 Listen to his defense. 42:35.135 --> 42:44.499 He's saying because Paul in the scriptures it shows that he was whipped 39 times on five separate occasions and plus he was stoned. 42:45.555 --> 42:47.422 He was stoned so bad that they thought he was dead. 42:47.935 --> 42:49.722 Some say he did die and God raised him up. 42:51.115 --> 42:58.919 He says I bear in my body the persecution for the truth that I preach and there's some keyboard warriors somewhere to the side telling me how bad I am. 42:59.955 --> 43:06.520 He says tell him to keep quiet, because I bear in my own body what it's like to truly live for Jesus and to be under persecution. 43:07.975 --> 43:13.464 And then ends with brethren the grace of our Lord, jesus Christ, be with your spirit. 43:15.175 --> 43:21.679 He finishes this great letter on grace by inviting the grace of the Lord Jesus to be with your spirit. 43:22.435 --> 43:30.300 And that's my prayer for you that the grace of Jesus be with you in the true, growing grace and at this mystery. 43:30.320 --> 43:31.684 That is grace and it is a mystery. 43:31.795 --> 43:32.820 Paul called it a mystery. 43:35.675 --> 43:40.063 It's a mystery because it goes against our natural understanding of the order of the universe. 43:42.595 --> 43:49.142 The natural order of the universe is what Paul called the ABCs of the universe Do good, get good, do bad, get bad. 43:50.235 --> 43:52.040 Even total unbelievers call that karma. 43:54.165 --> 43:54.787 But grace is. 43:54.955 --> 43:57.002 Even while you were yet a sinner, christ died for you. 43:57.695 --> 44:01.883 Even while we were still bad, not deserving of anything good, he gave us everything. 44:02.875 --> 44:14.184 So I want you to just listen to the song and sing it, sing the lyrics and receive God's grace and let him whisper to you about you. 44:15.715 --> 44:17.160 You know he doesn't want to keep you in the dark. 44:18.115 --> 44:23.039 He wants to tell you what's around the corner, what's behind the bend. 44:23.955 --> 44:30.139 Just say this out loud, lord Jesus, I am your sheep and I hear your voice. 44:31.475 --> 44:34.544 Speak, lord, for your servant is listening. 44:35.415 --> 44:37.563 This is the City Light Church podcast. 44:37.995 --> 44:46.622 If you've missed any part of today's message or if you would like to find out more about Pastor Boyan Jansik in City Light Church, visit us at citylightnyccom. 44:47.615 --> 44:50.293 Feel free to visit us online or in person anytime. 44:50.776 --> 44:51.680 We would love to connect with you. 44:53.780 --> 45:00.504 We pray that you have been encouraged today, that you have been reminded how much God loves you and that you are surrounded by grace. 45:01.456 --> 45:02.672 Thank you for listening. 45:02.996 --> 45:12.038 Make sure that you subscribe to City Light Church podcast wherever you find your favorite podcasts worldwide.