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[4280.88 --> 4282.14] Or, I mean, probably more accurate, |
[4282.22 --> 4282.82] do whatever you want, |
[4282.86 --> 4284.46] just don't hurt others without their consent. |
[4286.46 --> 4287.54] A group, then, |
[4287.58 --> 4289.48] that comes into this culture and moment |
[4289.48 --> 4291.66] and has expectations on each other, |
[4291.94 --> 4292.60] that has limited, |
[4292.94 --> 4295.02] legitimate demands on those who participate, |
[4295.32 --> 4297.68] that holds us to a high standard, |
[4297.98 --> 4298.12] right, |
[4298.12 --> 4300.10] that actually lives those demands well, |
[4300.38 --> 4301.52] and yes, absolutely, |
[4301.78 --> 4303.02] lives them gracefully, |
[4303.52 --> 4305.36] is actually really, |
[4305.60 --> 4307.26] deeply compelling |
[4307.26 --> 4308.74] and beautiful. |
[4310.84 --> 4312.34] And, let me be clear, |
[4312.48 --> 4314.50] that shouldn't really surprise any of us |
[4314.50 --> 4316.64] who have studied church history. |
[4317.70 --> 4319.04] Right, in the early church, |
[4319.70 --> 4321.04] especially in the first few centuries |
[4321.04 --> 4323.08] when the Roman Empire |
[4323.08 --> 4325.32] is sort of at its zenith, right, |
[4325.62 --> 4327.88] that's also a sex-saturated, |
[4328.06 --> 4329.42] promiscuous culture. |
[4329.82 --> 4331.58] And the Christian church comes along |
[4331.58 --> 4334.54] and it raises the bar of sexual ethics, |
[4334.68 --> 4337.50] primarily for men in that society, |
[4337.50 --> 4339.00] to what was previously thought |
[4339.00 --> 4341.58] impossible levels. |
[4343.02 --> 4343.98] And that was compelling, |
[4344.10 --> 4344.96] not only for men, |
[4345.08 --> 4347.42] but for women and for households |
[4347.42 --> 4348.98] and for countless people |
[4348.98 --> 4350.98] and the church grew exponentially |
[4351.74 --> 4353.20] in that time. |
[4356.54 --> 4357.34] And so, |
[4357.76 --> 4359.58] as a church, |
[4359.82 --> 4361.14] there are ways |
[4361.14 --> 4362.20] and there are systems |
[4362.20 --> 4362.98] that we have developed |
[4363.90 --> 4366.66] to sort of institutionalize discipline. |
[4367.20 --> 4368.08] And that's important |
[4368.08 --> 4369.44] and that is good, right? |
[4369.74 --> 4371.32] We have elders here |
[4371.32 --> 4372.60] who are people |
[4372.60 --> 4373.60] who have been nominated |
[4373.60 --> 4375.48] and then selected by lot |
[4375.48 --> 4376.06] to serve |
[4376.06 --> 4377.30] and have been given |
[4377.30 --> 4378.64] spiritual authority |
[4378.64 --> 4379.48] over myself |
[4379.48 --> 4380.90] and over us all |
[4380.90 --> 4382.28] as members together. |
[4382.40 --> 4384.00] Our elders have the responsibility |
[4384.00 --> 4384.90] to encourage |
[4384.90 --> 4386.72] and ensure holiness. |
[4386.72 --> 4389.58] and so, |
[4389.72 --> 4390.42] in the past, |
[4390.94 --> 4393.44] we have needed to have conversations |
[4393.44 --> 4394.86] about discipline |
[4394.86 --> 4396.54] and about what that looks like. |
[4397.42 --> 4398.46] And some people, |
[4398.78 --> 4398.94] right, |
[4399.00 --> 4399.98] instead of choosing |
[4399.98 --> 4401.38] to receive that discipline, |
[4401.60 --> 4402.72] have chosen to withdraw |
[4402.72 --> 4403.56] from the fellowship |
[4403.56 --> 4404.94] and they've walked away. |
[4405.32 --> 4406.98] And that should break our hearts. |
[4406.98 --> 4409.36] that does break our hearts. |
[4410.18 --> 4410.66] And yet, |
[4410.72 --> 4412.06] there have also been times |
[4412.06 --> 4413.28] where some people |
[4413.28 --> 4414.24] have entered into |
[4414.24 --> 4415.62] that conversation, |
[4415.76 --> 4417.52] have received that accountability |
[4417.52 --> 4418.68] and discipline |
[4418.68 --> 4419.88] and have repented |
[4419.88 --> 4421.70] and started making deep changes |
[4421.70 --> 4422.80] to their life, |
[4422.86 --> 4423.58] who've recognized |
[4423.58 --> 4424.62] and heeded the wisdom |
[4424.62 --> 4426.04] and are now living into |
[4426.04 --> 4427.38] and out of it, |
[4427.50 --> 4428.32] seeking restoration |
[4428.32 --> 4429.16] to Jesus |
[4429.16 --> 4430.16] and the body. |
[4430.34 --> 4430.96] And that, |
[4431.18 --> 4432.96] that is a beautiful picture |
[4432.96 --> 4434.36] of life together |
[4434.36 --> 4436.06] lived in the gospel. |
[4436.98 --> 4438.66] And this isn't just |
[4438.66 --> 4439.66] for the elders now, |
[4439.78 --> 4440.12] right? |
[4440.16 --> 4441.66] This is for all of us |
[4441.66 --> 4443.94] in different capacities |
[4443.94 --> 4445.06] and in different ways. |
[4445.18 --> 4446.24] But we all |
[4446.24 --> 4447.32] have the responsibility |
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