Beyond The Basics: Final Exam (part 1)

Father we thank you for this morning. We thank you for the beauty of all that you've created for this building that we have to meet in for For everything that you've given us. We know that you are the giver of good gifts and it is a blessing and a joy to be here this morning.

Lord, would you bless our time this morning as we look? To your word as we study various aspects kind of review the things that we've been doing for Many months. Lord, would you bless this time in Christ's name?

Amen. Well, this is a midterm quiz. So I will be collecting these please put your name on them. They'll be graded. No, I'm not grading them, but I Thought it would be good, you know, because it's one thing.

Here's what here's what I do in the IBS classes that I teach and in case you ever take one of my classes you'll Be familiar with my methodology, I think that what helps people is To learn and that's why we come here whether we're sitting in the pews or Whatever the situation is whether we're here in a sermon or a class or whatever is we want to learn we want to Have things impressed upon our minds so that we can use them later.

So if I simply speak and you listen That's one form of learning and people do that quite well. Some people other people learn by Doing other people learn by hearing over and over again. So I like to quiz people because you teach the material.

In fact, I usually like to have people read before they take a quiz, but you read you Teach you quiz and it's repetition repetition repetition. And guess what people remember more that way. So This morning we're going to Go over a few things that we've gone over in the last really couple of years that I've been doing this class.

Clarifying Zane Hodges and Obedience

But first I want to make a clarification. I received a really just a very nice Letter in the mail this week. Someone asked you a question about something I said a few weeks ago about Zane Hodges and I won't say whom or who but somebody in my Household made the comment that maybe I Hadn't been as clear on this as I could be.

So Let me just say Zane Hodges said something in effect. He had someone at his church who? Basically or he knew of a man who had been in the ministry and had You know taught the Bible and then turned completely against it and spent all of his time or a good portion of his time You know belittling the Bible the gospel of Christ and Hodges made a statement, you know, isn't it great that we have a God who's so Compassionate that he can kind of overlook that sort of thing or something like that.

You know once saved always saved you make that profession of faith and you're in the kingdom. You know the lesson was on obedience and I Don't want to flog a dead horse but the point is you can't just say that you're a Christian and then live however you want and You know expect to hear at the end what you know, you're standing in front of Christ of judgment well done good and faithful servants even though you blasphemed me and you taught against Everything that I ever taught good job.

No, that's not gonna happen. It's gonna be depart from me you worker of iniquity. So you cannot do what Hodges was suggesting? That is just impossible. You know as you were looking through 1st John in the last few weeks.

What does John say, you know if you? Yeah, if you if you love Christ you keep his commandments and if you don't love Christ You're not going to inherit the kingdom of heaven. So anyway, let's get on to the quiz.

The Four W's of the Gospel

What are the four W's. Not the J W's the four W's. Yes, Eric. Okay, that's very close. I have a little Thing on number three and there's a reason why I think number three should be a little bit different.

Go ahead Brian. What did Jesus do? I mean we could say what has God done for man? That's true. But I think it's important that you know in our minds that we we want to bring up the central point of the gospel is Jesus and we want to bring him up so but and Why are those critical?

Why is it critical know that it's the gospel message? And you know our pastor often says you should be ready to preach prayer die in a moment's notice and we think of that in Terms of you know, well, we want the men at BBC to be ready.

You know if Mike goes if he stands up to walk up to the front he dies of a heart attack. We want somebody else to be able to stand up in the pulpit. That might be a dramatic example, but Point is let's say pastor Mike got hung up at the airport until You know eight o 'clock this morning and he passed out when he got home and nobody can wake him up.

Somebody needs to preach this morning, but isn't that true of everyone? Shouldn't you be ready to preach the gospel on a moment's notice and if you have the four W's Memorized then you could do that. So on to question number two if you had to could you give the gospel in three minutes?

Well, if you have the four W's memorized you could. How about in one minute the one minute gospel? Anybody want to take that challenge? Okay, Brian, you're on. Okay, you still got 45 seconds? Yeah, no, I that is the heart of the gospel, right?

And so if he was just if Brian just added something and said, you know, God is holy. Never since can't sin is apart from sin won't allow sin into his presence man is a sinner and this is what you need to Do then that's exactly right.

I mean you could you could literally give the gospel if you had to if you could somehow. You could give the gospel in 30 seconds for less. Brian just basically did it in 30 second, you know in 15 seconds.

The Need for Depth in Explaining the Gospel

Now here's a is a tougher question. Could you give the gospel in 30 minutes? Why is that a harder question? That's right. Peggy says because you need to have more information. It might be one thing, you know, okay.

I've got the four W's down. I can give them in 30 seconds. I can give them in a minute two minutes three minutes. Okay now you've got 30 minutes. Oh I'm pretty good for the first two and a half minutes after that.

Not so much. It just allows you to go into more depth.

Brian, okay.

Brian says that if MacArthur said that if he had an hour with a man on an airplane, he'd spend 55 minutes Basically doing what I mean if we could summarize that preaching the law. Yeah expanding the gap, you know pointing out that the the infinite gap that exists between Holy God and sinful man, why?

People's view of God today is very small. Daniel says that's right. I mean what we need to do is we really need to build the biblical case for the need for a Savior. Could you do it? You know with your Bible.

I hope you can do it with your Bible now that you know. Somebody says well, I have 30 minutes without my Bible. What would I say? The point here is the more, you know about the gospel the more about you know about the Bible the more information you have to give to somebody else and that's Where we need to live.

Testifying to What God Has Done in Your Life

Number three if your mind goes blank. I hear that, you know, I had a perfect opportunity on mine went blank. And now the blue someone asked you what must I do to inherit eternal life? What can you say without even thinking?

What's that? Repent believe I'm after something more basic though. I mean, you know you go. What is that pastor Mike talks about the Ford? Is it the four V's? Victory. You know, is it the the four B's?

Be a good person. No, that's not right. What if you if you're if your mind just went absolutely blank. What could you tell someone? You can't think of a single Bible verse you can't think you can't remember anything you've ever heard in church.

Testimony, I heard who was that Scott Brown give him a gold star. Yes, if you can't tell somebody what God did in your life. Forget about yeah. Let's take that out of the tape. Putting aside What the Bible says, you know your mind just goes blank and you're just like oh man.

I I can't think of anything. You know as Romans even a book in the Bible I Can't think of anything. Well, I certainly know what God did in my own life. I know who I was Before I got saved. I know the changes that God has brought about in me if I can't give my testimony.

You know just without even really having to think about it, then I'm not To put it the way some people put it here lately. I'm not preaching the gospel of myself. I'm not focused enough on the grace of God in my own life.

I'm not waking up in the morning going. You know what this hurts that hurts, but God is good because. This is where I'd be apart from God this where I'd be apart from Christ. This is where I'd be apart from grace.

This is where I I mean if you start thinking in that way if you take inventory of your life. And you think these are all the things that God has done for me. Well when someone asks you, you know, what must I do to be saved you might go.

I don't know but I can tell you how God saved me. There has to be Gospel within you. You know at the very least it is what God has done on your behalf. Should you have the four W's memorized? I think that'd be helpful.

You know, is there a biblical mandate? No. Should you be ready to give a reason for the hope that is within you. I I think you should be ready because if you're not ready, then it says something about the way you're thinking.

Misreading Jesus on Wealth, Violence, and Self-Defense

Number four any other comments on that before we move on number four, which of the following are Accurate are our edited portrayals. Who types of stuff up. Which which of the following are accurate portrayals?

I was gonna say accurately portray then instead I you know put Endings on both of them accurately portrayed. Jesus is teaching and why or why not a Christians may not serve in the military or as police officers.

Boy. This guy's really bad writes this stuff. What's wrong with that is there anything wrong with that. Is that accurate? Why would somebody say that? Pacifism, okay. Okay misunderstanding one of the commandments.

Okay, turn the other cheek applies to nations. Yep. Some people would say that Jesus say blessed are the peacemakers. Yeah, Karen, you live by the sword. You'll die by the sword. And I think the key though is people go to scriptures and they have Misunderstandings and they come away with things like this.

Be one of the keys to the Christian life is giving away all your possessions and refusing to gather anymore. I Didn't make these things up, you know as poorly edited as they are. I actually cut and paste them off somebody's Bloggings on the Internet.

These are the things that they actually believe about Christianity. Okay, which is which is different though. We have to be willing. Scott says it's different from. One of the keys I mean think about what that says.

One of the keys the Christian life is giving away all your possessions refusing to gather anymore. Who does that? Monks, yeah. Yeah, you go and you you know, lock yourself up and I was gonna say the Himalayas.

But let's just say, you know the mountains in Rome. It doesn't really matter where you you know. The the idea is I'm so holy that I'm not going to own anything and where would people get an idea like that?

Matthew 19 which says. Okay. Okay, so they said Brian said, you know He told the rich young ruler give away all he had. Pam said he didn't tell other people to do that. Why did he address it to the rich young ruler?

Because he thought he was righteous and Carl says because his God was his possessions which are both correct. And you know someone else may say then we'll look at Matthew 6 and it says Matthew 6 19 do not store for yourselves treasures on earth or moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal.

See don't do that. Jesus said it keep reading but store for yourselves treasures in heaven. Well, that's that's fine. I Don't have a problem. Oh keep reading for where your treasure is there your heart will be also and that's the point, isn't it?

It's not a matter of wealth is not inherently evil. It's what you cherish. It's what you value. Point number C kind of Referred to already Christians must refuse to defend themselves. Physically or legally is that is that true?

Okay Paul used the Roman law, but we know Paul was a rogue. I mean there are you know, you're so blessed if you don't live in the kind of world where people say things like, you know Jesus didn't invent Christianity Paul did.

All sorts of bizarre things out there, but what would it mean that you could not defend yourself legally? What what's the I'm sorry? Against another believer. Shouldn't be going to court. Against other believers.

Why. Because you should handle it within the house of God. That's right. And what else Brian? Oh Dave well, and I mean to just kind of take what pastor Dave said and sort of put it in a maybe a plainer Context believer a believer be go to court before unbeliever.

What. We can't resolve this biblically, you know, so we need you. Mr. Unbeliever to give us your wisdom. To apply the law of the land since we can't seem to work out the law of God between us. That that's a like pastor Dave was saying that's a horrible testimony.

It's terrible Believer against professing believer. Well, I you know. That's a good point. I Once received counsel, you know along the lines of well from the elders of the church. I was at, you know, basically well based on What this person is doing we would have no reason to think that they're a believer.

And so I think in that case, you know, it would be wise to get counsel, but I think that's a valid point you know if someone says I'm a believer and then they refuse to submit to the Word of God will then.

You know, there's an issue there now. They may not that they may not agree and they may sit down and go, you know I don't think you have this right and then they but there should be biblical arguments and biblical weight on their side and in most cases That's not what happens they just don't want to do something not wanting to do something doesn't mean it's the right thing to do.

Biblical Boundaries for Attraction and Lust

II. Or I'm sorry D Christians can never be attracted to anyone other than his or her spouse really who did write this isn't just terribly I didn't have a radio turned up too loud. What's wrong with that thinking there is there anything wrong with them, is that right?

What did Jesus say you can never find someone attractive so the question isn't whether you See someone and I'm not suggesting you wander down the street going. Oh, let's see who I can find attractive today.

Point is if you saw someone or you met someone and you thought that person is attractive then what's your response to that? It's always a matter of the heart. It's not a matter of gee. I saw this person.

I found this person attractive. It's a question, what do you do after that which is you know when Jesus says it is wrong to lust after someone else to desire them to really kind of focus on someone else when Paul writes about being a one-woman man his intent isn't that you know.

Isn't that you cannot see anyone else it's that for all intents and purposes. No one else exists in this sense that your affections your desires are all Toward your wife toward your spouse and that's that's the point so the idea Never be attracted.

I think it's that's kind of a nebulous term in an unbiblical term. We want to be Biblical you know you can never Lust after someone other than his or her spouse that would be correct. I suppose it depends on how you define attracted, and I don't really want to define it since it's an unbiblical term.

Lust is the standard II. Christians must be servants to all. Is that right or wrong thinking okay, Jesus said that he came not to Be served but to serve and to give his life of a ransom for many. Brian, okay?

Yeah, you cannot serve two masters. Oh, yeah, if you include Satan in all then I would be wrong. It's that all term. I think the idea was all people Christians must be servants to all servants to the church.

Yeah, yeah, what'd you say Daniel? Witnesses a service yeah, so I think there's a really there's a sense and again. I think it gets down to definitions. I think this is probably too broad. But I think there's a sense in which this is true.

You know are you a servant of unbelievers? Well as Daniel says yes in the sense that you want to Provide the truth to them are you a servant to your brother or sister in Christ well? Yeah? So I mean I think they're they're you know Satan.

Thanks, Brian. Yeah, that would be that would be wrong, but you know in terms of Humanity I think we do need to view ourselves. Plus think about it this way if you are if you have a Flippians to mindset where you're going to put others the interest of others before yourself regardless of whether They're in the body of Christ or not.

The answer to II is definitely going to be yes, you're gonna view yourself that way. F. Now this is just crazy talk to me. Christians must speak the truth without regard to consequences. Christians must speak the truth without regard to consequences.

Just truth generally. That's too broad too. Yeah, I mean, it's silly. I mean think about that did how about speak the truth in love how about? You know speak words that edify do it. You know those are there's some more biblical terms, so if we just say for example You Know my wife says boy you look horrible this morning to me.

I mean it might be the truth. But is that you know is that the best by the way she didn't say that. You know is that the best thing that to do and the answer is no Pastor Steve that was one horrible sermon this morning.

Well. Thank you. You know Lord be with you. I'll be praying for you this week. I mean, that's just Must speak the truth without regard to the consequences. No gee. Christians must master gluttony staying away from high fructose corn syrup and Pride and desire.

Is that yeah, I just thought boy, you know what is this this is salvation by. I mean Take the pulpit this morning and say well. I'm just here to announce. I've mastered gluttony. What do you do? What is that name?

Yeah? Yeah. Doesn't really make any sense, and you know when did when did Jesus say hey? If the government standard for Weight says that you are obese you're at sin. Well, Jesus didn't say it. It may be it may be coming, but Jesus didn't say it all right.

Canon, Cross-References, and the Order of the New Testament

Number five a Little bit of a Bible trivia here, which was the first Bible book written early by earliest date completed. Job is correct. Many of you were thinking Genesis. Wrong. Job is correct. What's the last one written.

Look think before you say it could be a trick? All right. What's the last one written. Nobody wants to say now Job? I don't know first and last Revelation is correct, but 90 95 80. Yeah, you can't use the Book of Mormon.

No Quran. None of that stuff. Number six. Who determined which books would be in the Bible Council of Nicaea right. Roman Catholic Church. Joseph Smith pastor Dave Brian Casey. God determined it very good.

God determined it. Number seven. Is there any significance in the way the New Testament books are ordered. Are they random? Alphabetical Greek alphabetical alphabetical according to the Aramaic in the groups which are history.

History. Which would be Matthew Mark Luke John? Acts. And then what doctrine and application. No not quite. Paul. Okay specific epistles. And then general epistles, I suppose. Let me see. Let me see if that's right.

Yeah, it probably is. Although I would argue about Ephesians, but more directly what comes after the historical books. Pauline letters, right. Yeah, Pauline epistles, how many are there. Thirteen point seven five two.

You know and the reason I say that is because the book of Hebrews is no accident that Hebrews Appears where it does because a lot of the early church Fathers believe that Paul wrote it. But it's kind of in that nebulous position there and then we have the general epistles and then.

Which are written by. Who wrote the general epistles? What general was it. Who wrote them? After Hebrews we have James half-brother of Jesus. After James we have Peter first and second Peter then first second or third John Jude the half-brother of Jesus and then Revelation by the Apostle John.

Okay, is there any significance. Well? You know and I would also say that the reason we have Matthew Mark Luke and John in that order is because The early church fathers considered Matthew to be the first gospel written, that's why it's first.

Interpreting Scripture in Context Before Cross-Referencing

Okay, is there a potential problem. Number eight with cross-referencing. Everybody likes to cross-reference. Is there a problem with that as long as you're not taking it out of context? But that's the potential problem isn't it or a potential problem.

Is there another one. Yes, Pam. Okay a word can mean different things in different sentences and the significance of that is Paul may be writing to the Corinthians about one issue. To the Colossians about another issue he may use a similar word.

Will do those words Necessarily mean the same thing in different contexts and the answer is not necessarily you have to be really cautious when you're cross-referencing it's become quite Popular to just learn by cross-referencing.

May I suggest to you that the most important thing you can do cross-references can be helpful but. You know if you study. And I would advise you to take pastor Mike's hermeneutics class coming up here in a few weeks if you haven't.

But if you study hermeneutics you will arrive at the point where you understand the last thing. I mean there are a series of things you want to do and the last in them is a cross-reference. Why? Why is that the last thing that you want to do I?

Mean it's not a bad thing to do, but it's the last on your checklist. Why would it be last? Brian okay, you want to study it systematically. I'm with you on that Peggy. Okay, so Peggy's saying that you want to understand who was written to why was written to all the different questions about it.

The culture and all that. Well in other words. What Peggy is saying is you want to understand that? Particular scripture within context within the historical cultural Grammatical context before you go to because the most important thing is you want to make sure that you've understood The passage correctly as it stands and then you can go and look at cross references as kind of like a check.

Because if you come up with something you know you're studying something and in context you think Paul is writing that Jesus is a created being and. And none of the other New Testament books agree with you well, then the Bible either contradicts itself or your original Understanding is wrong, and you need to go back and double-check that so you want to study things in context first and then cross-reference and.

If you study them in context by the way, you'll never come to some bogus Understanding like Jesus a created being and we're gonna get to that. Okay. Number nine how would you explain the difference between God's justice and the human concept of fairness?

How would you explain. Oh pastor Dave? You have. You have 30 seconds. Okay yeah, I think if you start with the concept of you know kind of a Constitutional understanding that all men are created equal.

And then work your way back to God you're gonna wind up with the wrong idea and Any other thoughts on God's justice and human concept of fairness. Peggy yeah, if we if we look at it in terms of Peggy was saying in terms of what we deserve.

You know that we have a better concept of God's Grace and mercy if we all you know if we got what we what is fair we all deserve it's in hell so and God's justice by the way is perfect and Our human concept of fairness is flawed because we're sinful creatures.

The Problem of Evil and the Deity of Christ

Number ten if God is all-powerful. Why doesn't he prevent evil from happening? And if you haven't heard this question in the last year, it's because you haven't been talking to unbelievers. Go ahead.

Carolyn, okay. Carolyn says that God has given us free will and because of that He could prevent us from sinning, but he chooses not to. Other thoughts on that Karen. Okay, it's a means of our sanctification.

You know can evil Bring about good results in our lives. Okay, if there was no evil in the world, we wouldn't understand God's loving-kindness. We wouldn't understand his love. We also wouldn't understand his Wrath why would God have wrath?

Why would he be angry with anything if there were no? Evil in the world we wouldn't really understand his justice or his holiness. If everything is white. Perfectly white then what's the contrast there is no contrast?

Let's see number 11. What is a biblical reference that would disprove the idea that Jesus is a created being? Biblical reference what's that? First John what John 1 okay? We're getting somewhere John 1 and if we start in verse 1, what are we going to read?

In fact Carl, why don't you read that for us John 1? John 1 1 I have it right there. I mean we could later on discover by further reading that Jesus was the word and He was God. Okay through him yep Colossians 1 All things are created.

John 8 58 yes very good before Abraham was Jesus said that before Abraham was I am Claiming self-existence. Good. Number 12. What is wrong with this statement? After his crucifixion Jesus descended to hell in order to satisfy the payment Satan was due Paul okay excellent excellent points.

I mean it this whole idea that somehow You know If the grand accounting scheme that sins are payable, you know accounts payable to Satan you know. That somehow he's going to be collecting all the payment for that.

That's wrong and what else Paul. Okay, good. It is finished the work of Reconciliation the work of payment was finished because the payment is due God as you said it's his holiness that is Offended that needs to be Propitiated his wrath that needs to be propitiated not Satan's.

Well, he descended. I think it says that in Ephesians 4 Where it says what does it mean that he? Ascended other than he descended. Well, I mean they've ascribed all manner of things to it including the idea that that Yeah Ephesians 4 Verse 8.

Therefore it says when he ascended on high he led captive a host of captives. And he gave gifts to men now this expression he ascended. What does it mean? Except that he also had descended into the lower parts of the earth.

He who descended is himself also he who ascended far above all all the heavens so that he might fill all things. Also in first Peter, you know, he went and made proclamation to the spirits in prison so there there are some indications that.

Something something I mean definitely something happened between the crucifixion and the Ascension where he went to Regions. Okay number 13, what is the classic proof text for the Bible describing seekers?

Seek and it shall be added to you. Someone said no. No one said that. What do you say? Thank you. No one seeks after God and what passage is that Romans 3, you know, I just I have to say Whenever I hear this read this, I mean, I just the first thing that pops in my head is Romans 3.

No one seeks after God. No one Seeks after God. Well, you have seekers. No one seeks after God. Well, you know at our church. We have a lot of seekers. No one seeks. I mean, what does no one mean? Except for the people who show up at our church that you know, they're pre Christians.

They're seekers. No one. I mean, maybe Paul could be a little bit more clear by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. But no one to me. It seems pretty clear. No one is no one. There there is one seeker in the entire Bible one Jesus said I have come for what purpose.

To seek and save that which is lost one seeker. So if you have a seeker at your church, that's great. If you have more than one seeker, you've got problems. We want to be seeker sensitive because we want Jesus to come and seek people here number 14.

Faith, Regeneration, and the Prerequisite for Salvation

True or false. The only prerequisite for salvation is faith. In other words, if you'll just believe you'll be saved true or false. Who's willing to step out on that ledge and be pushed Brian? It's true.

Demons believe in tremble. Mmm. I'm gonna go reform Baptist here. Mmm. Peggy says what about God giving you the faith? How about regeneration? Let's read that question again and then let's decide the only prerequisite for salvation is faith.

What do we think about that part? The only prerequisite for salvation is faith if it's God-given faith, okay. In other words, let's go to second part. In other words, if you'll just believe you'll be saved.

I'd say I don't like the second part of that question. If you'll just believe you'll be saved. Why don't I like that part? Yeah, it sounds like the act of the person is the. Maybe I could have been more explicit to make sure that everybody knew that but I wanted to be kind of a thought-provoking trick question.

Do you have to believe to be saved? Is it a prerequisite for salvation? Yes, is it the only prerequisite for salvation? Yeah, I don't think so. I don't think you can say that because what has to precede faith regeneration.

Jesus said what in John chapter 3? You must believe. All right, isn't that what he told Nicodemus? You must believe. Okay, you must be born again. That's what that whole thing. Regeneration, you know, does it precede faith?

I don't know. I don't know, you know, could they be simultaneous? But can it here's the question. Can you believe apart from the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit and the answer is no. So when you say the only prerequisite I think that's probably false number 15.

God’s Self-Revelation and the Sufficiency of Signs

What would you say to someone who tells you I would believe in God if he would reveal himself to me? I Love that answer. Pat said no you wouldn't. Pam says another good one. Your master won't let you he already has.

He already has revealed himself. Listen, this is the biggest fraud out there. There are lots of unbelievers out there saying, you know, if only God would make himself evident I would believe and what does the Bible say Brian?

Seeks a sign, right? But even more than that, we know it's not true because Romans 1 tells us creation Makes God's existent evident to everyone and they'll say well, you know, it's it's not random. I Was just interacting with an atheist yesterday.

He said it's not random that very smart guy. I like the skyline he says it's not random that the Universe exists in the way it is and the earth has life. It's not random, but God didn't do it. They are without excuse and we also have the fact that you know While Jesus was on the earth showing himself to many.

How many believed? Not many. Many. Many who even experienced miracles did not believe Pam. I think that's true that a lot of them who Experienced the the miracles the wonders did not endure was their hand over there.

Yes, our brother Scott. They have Moses and the prophets meaning they have scripture.

You know me implying what more could they need and they wouldn't believe even if someone came back from the dead. So Signs are of no value. Why. Because you know what you can you can put on whatever kind of dazzling display you want in front of a dead man and their response is Nothing.

They can't even feign boredom. They're just nothing. Number 16. What is wrong if anything with the statement if God commands something? It means we have the ability to obey. He commands you to repent and believe.

That means that every single man woman child has the ability to repent and believe. He wouldn't have had to send Christ. I mean imagine that You can repent and believe Apart from the work of Christ. No.

Really couldn't. Yeah, it is the foundational argument between Pelagius and Augustine and it's still alive today. Well, you know, let's put it another way Jesus says Be perfect. Well, that means you have the opportunity to you have the ability to be perfect right as exactly right ten commandments disproven.

Yeah, John. Excellent point. We're all held responsible. So Responsibility does not equal ability. Not the same thing responsible, but Not necessarily able to obey He Daniel says we choose not to obey and then he says, you know the mind chooses what it wants and if it's sinful to choose that and and I think You're really on the right track because what what in essence you're saying is we choose according to what?

Our nature our nature. So if we have a nature that is Dead in our sins and trespasses. Will we choose God? And if we have a nature that is made alive to the things of Christ and we are presented with You know the opportunity to follow him or to sin.

We may stumble but are we going to have the same? Senses that we did before we were saved and the answer I think is no there's going to be a guilt that goes with our sin. We need to close in prayer. We may have the expanded midterm quiz next week or we may I I'm going to be doing a series on Heaven hell and everything in between so You know, what's in between.

Oh Purgatory annihilation ism all you know all sorts of things so fun times. All right. Let's close in prayer. Father it is good for us to be provoked to think To be reminded of what we know and to be encouraged Lord to Focus on those things that are so central Not only to our own lives, but to the lives of those that we come in contact on a daily basis so many people in need of salvation in need of Understanding the truth that yields eternal life.

Lord, would you make us those who are ready? Even if we have not studied even if we have not Memorized any methodology with regard to the gospel. Would you make us those who who just if given any opportunity will immediately Preach the gospel even if it is only what you have done on our behalf, which is great enough Lord make us those who would testify of your goodness and your grace and your mercy and your love toward undeserving miserable sinners in Christ name we pray amen.