Are We Required to do This on Our Own?

0:01 Welcome to relentless truth with John Warren, the podcast that extracts truth from a wide range of topics. Revealing who God is, who we are and how we relate to each other. Now, here's John with this week's powerful and practical insights. Welcome to relentless truth. Time I'm John Warren. It's good to be with you again. Please like share you and subscribe to relentless truth you can find us wherever you get your podcast, please. Go to our website, john warren media dot com for more information about our work. Feel free to send along an email to me at john at john warren media.

0:43 Dot com or you go to our website, john warren media dot com and use our contact form. And while you're there, take a look at our work, the work that pays for all of this, my company called Cf, Financial Christian, Financial Solutions we work with, all sorts of Christian schools, some churches, and para church ministries around the country, on matters that relate to debt, to, financial, management to, all aspects of, strategic planning board governance and and the, like, got a call yesterday, interestingly enough from, someone who is he's sort of in the Tampa Brandon area.

1:27 Florida who is looking a church that is looking to start a school, a Christian school So, even in this crazy world we live in, there are, good works that are that are happening, good things that are going on. I was excited to to offer them a bit of my expertise and experience, and I hope that they'll be able to successfully accomplish their objectives. Well, today, we are lord willing, god willing going to wrap up. The second chapter of, c. And then that will, leave us in a good place for over the next 2 or 3 weeks, wrapping up the entire... This entire study, this study on this wonderful letter written by the apostle Paul while he was under house arrest that focuses on crystal. This study of Christ to better said from our perspective, our completeness in in Christ.

2:32 And we're we're Today, we're gonna talk about a, a very important section of scripture. My comments might might seem a little dis disappointed because I'm excited about this 1 and when I when I do that, I can I can kind of get a little too excited, move a little too fast and not develop these these thoughts clearly? So I wanna respect the text of of inspired, scripture, god breathed scripture by moving rather carefully through this. But I... There there there are really 3 topics that are talked about today that are that are really interesting, that that apply today, and you can say this of all of scripture. I realize that.

3:20 They apply today just like they applied when they were written. And the... These are important to the Christian walk to... If you if you call yourself, if we call ourselves, I should put me in there too a disciple and a and a disciple disciple builder, a person who disciples others and builds disciples. If if you if you say that you are a Christ follower. And you you are building... You are you disc, others, and you're growing in his grace, then these 3 areas that we're gonna talk about 2 more so than the other 1.

4:01 These 3 areas that Paul talks about at near the end of chapter 2 of c they they are really going to to to hit home. And as usual, and and God just does this. This isn't a psychological issue per s. I I'll give you the fact that my awareness is heightened when I'm preparing to, you know, I'm studying to share these truths with you on this podcast or I'm stuck... I'm preparing for my classes that live in person classes that I teach, either at my church or at Circle Christian School. And I I... I'll give you the fact that I I become more aware of of the truths but it's interesting how through a lesson I I was in AAA class I was in about a week ago.

4:53 Through several articles that I've read, even 1 that my wife sent me, even this morning that I'm gonna mention today talk about... You, there there they're are these themes. And... And it's as if god, you know, and III know he's certainly able to do this, and I want to acknowledge that he does this, but provided all of these inputs, these facets. Of of of these inputs. These facets of various inputs that provide facets of the the topic, and and it's amazing how it all kinda comes together. So but let me just without delay, just read these these this first paragraph versus 16 through 19 of chapter 2 of c.

5:37 Therefore. So when Paul says, therefore, we look back because of this, or as a result of this. He's saying, and and Paul does this a lot. He connects thoughts. And and this is a this is a paragraph break It's not a chapter break per s, which doesn't really matter in in in scripture. But he had just said in verse 15, he disarmed the rulers. And authorities, and we said that was that was put off or put away from, the and and it references the angelic world, that the no were so obsessed with and put them to open shame by triumph over them in him in in Christ, and he had just said, God made a life together with him having forgiven us all our tres passes by canceling the record of debt, that stood against us with his legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. So this is talking about the the impact, the efficacy of the cross. Of Jesus Christ finished work. So so that's what Paul's talking about.

6:40 Then he says, Therefore. So because of this, let no 1 passed judgment on you in questions of food and drink. Or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ, let no 1 disqualify you insisting on as and worship of angels. Going on in detail about visions puff up without reason by his sen mind and not holding fast, to the head, capitalized, head, from whom, the whole body nourished and knit together through its joints and l grows with a growth that is from God. Now, let's just start with these first 2 versus 16 and 17.

7:40 And I I understand, for those of you who like to dive deeply in into scripture like I do. I'm... I'm not... We're not gonna do this justice today. We we could spend a month or 2. On this. On that, those versus, I just read. C 02:16 through 19. But let's just look at what is what Paul is teaching here. So because of the gospel, therefore, Because the our record of debt is canceled that's stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside nailing it to the cross. But because he he he canceled our record of debt. Let no 1 pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink or with regard to a festival, or a new moon or a sabbath.

8:29 These are a shadow of the things to come That that's that... That's... He's talking about the law, the Mosaic law... But the substance belongs to Christ. Jesus Christ fulfilled the law. This that I... You know, I'm so tired of hearing bad teaching on this. Did he abolish the law? No. No. He did not. What what is and really has always been the purpose of the law, and you can... You, we can go into dis ism and and and all kinds of of of theological frameworks for this discussion.

9:12 But we must agree that that Christ fulfill the law. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. This, the the the J, I know I always called them that. We don't have to call them that. We call them something else. The Jewish people who held onto the law the the Jewish people who did not believe Jesus was the messiah. The Jewish people who tried to kill Paul, pursued them aggressively who were totally opposed. To justification by faith. The Jewish people who wanted to ci size gen files. Those people. That's who we're talking about. No, you don't have to call them J call them whatever you like.

9:53 But that... That's who they are. And and they they they were legal, I hear people say, oh, I'm very comfortable with legal because it makes people behave nicely. Well, well, I'm not. I'm not comfortable at all with legal because it replaces Jesus Christ with man's self reliance. Let let let's just let's just go back a couple of places. This this language Paul is using. These are a shadow things to come. But the substance belongs to Christ. This this Christ denial that these J did. Concerns me deeply, This is an epic battle that goes on throughout the civilized world throughout the Roman empire, in particular during Paul's ministry.

10:42 You you've read the book of galatians. That's a great place to go. There all kinds of references we could talk about here. We'll we'll we'll look at Matthew 5 in in a in a in a few minutes. You can read the book of galatians to see how how Paul was opposed. It is important for us to understand what it means that Jesus fulfilled the law. Jesus Christ was the messiah who fulfilled. The law. It it it's it's important to understand that. That... And and and Paul even talks in Romans. So so Paul builds this case. And and who did he talk about early in that letter? That beautiful letter?

11:24 He he talked about 2 groups of people? Both of whom are self reliant self sufficient. Adam and Eve had a problem with self reliant self sufficiency. They wanted to be equal to or even superior to God. They thought that they could become like God, by eating of this fruit they were deceived. This... When we answer this question, who is god and who is man, we need to get it right and this discussion of the law is an important part of of of getting it right. So they the... I grew up in an environment in church where what I heard, I I I'm sure I heard some good teaching. I've said it before.

12:08 But what I heard was, you must do these things and not do those things if you're truly a Christian, here's how you'll live, Live like this, be like this, Do this. Don't do that. And and and and that's that's all fine to teach. But I didn't get a lot of here's who Jesus Christ is. Here's what crystal is. Here's... Here's theological what's really going on here. I I wanna look just for a second at at Matthew 5. There there there are people who are comfortable with with legal. I want you to be uncomfortable with legal ism. First of all, let's define it. I... I'm just I'm just define. I don't have AAA commentary or a or theology, systematic theology book in front of me right now. I'm I'm just gonna define it.

12:55 You know, you know what legal is is. It is it is man made righteousness. It is it is self reliance. On on on righteousness. It denies the efficacy of the finished work of Christ. Now, the this this is fascinating to me. Jesus as as we look at at at, Matthew 5, he he says this. Verse 17. Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the profits. I've not come to abolish them, but to fulfill them for truly I say to you until heaven and Earth passed away, not an Iota not a dot will pass from the law until all is accomplished.

13:35 And then he goes on. Therefore, whoever route relaxes 1 of these commandments and teaches others do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them. And teaches them will be called great in the kingdom Heaven. Before I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds that it scribes and ph, you will never see the kingdom of heaven. You've heard that it was said of those old. You shall not murder and whoever murders will will be liable to judgment, but I say that everyone who's angry, any any and he goes on. So if you're offering your gift at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you leave your gift before the altar and go and be reconciled to your brother and then come and offer your gift. And then he's he goes on. He's gonna talk about lust, and he's gonna talk about all these other things and retaliation and and loving your enemies.

14:23 And then he we look at chapter 6, and and and he he talks about beware of, practicing your righteousness before other people in know to be seen by them. For then you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven. And then we have the Lord's prayer, and he talks about fasting and laying up treasures in in heaven. And not being anxious about tomorrow. And then we got a chapter 7, And he talks about not judging others. Why do you... Do you remember that first. Why do you say the spec that's in your brother's eye, but do not notice. The log that is in your own eye o hip. First take the log out of your own eye. And then... And we see this, asking it will be given to you seeking and you will find knock and it will be opened to you.

15:17 And then the golden rule. So So whatever you wish others would do to you do also to them for this is the law and the profits. And and he goes on to tell us and and and what we're gonna look at an article in a moment. He he goes on to tell us that that the the summary of the law is to love your, love the Lord your god with all your heart mind, soul and strength and loving your neighbor as yourself. Well, I I mentioned this article earlier, this article on the lord of all the law it's called how Jesus handled the 10 commandments by David Math, This is part of he's the executive editor of, desi God.

16:09 And it's really interesting. I'm not gonna read the entire article to you, but he he talks first about the the phrase, the 10 commandments does not appear in the new testament. Not once. And he says that might be surprising for gentile believers today who've been steep in Judeo Christian heritage and have come to adopt a dis... Instinctively Judeo way of thinking. And then he talks about the fact that there's there's no appeal through the gospel acts and the epi, you know, through through a variety of circumstances and needs, to keep the 10 commandments. If obeying the 10 where essential, he says to Christian morality or even expressly important components of it than Jesus and his men seem to have done us a great disservice imagine how differently the whole new testament would would read beginning with the sermon on the mount if the 10 commandments as they appear in exodus 20.

17:10 Or d 5 or to be adopted as is into the lives of new covenant Christians They phrase 10 commandments only appears 3 times in the old testament. So and he goes on to to talk about the 10 commandments. And he he he breaks them down quite well. And he says this. Jesus came to fulfill what the old anticipated. And to usher in a new covenant, and fundamentally new era of history. His followers would not be under the previous administration that had guarded god's people since Moses.

17:52 Jesus himself says he did not to come to destroy the law in the prophets, but to do something even more striking, fulfill them, and we saw that back in Matthew 5, Didn't we? And verse 17. I'll remind you. He says, do not think that I've come to abolish the law or the profits. I've not come to abolish them and but to fulfill them. And then the writer goes on and he says, because Jesus lived and taught at the climax of history in this once for all transition from old to new.

18:32 From the age of Israel to the age of the church. Now he's obviously a dis sensational. We need to carefully observe the fresh and sometimes subtle differences in emphasis in his ministry and teaching and confirm our readings and the teaching, of his apostle. And then he goes on to break down all of the commandments. And he he does... In in my opinion, AAA great job of even he takes on the sabbath, and here's here's how your wraps it up. Those of us raised with a heightened appreciation for the tanner, perhaps with a diminished view of the rest of scripture. And even Christ himself may feel ourselves in mortal free fall to first ponder the implications of Jesus lords.

19:24 Over the 10. But the unsettled feeling passes quickly and soon after we find our feet, and moral stability on even firmer ground. And our admiration for Jesus increases besides and in that increase, is our appreciation for Jesus authority over his words, Jesus not only outs shown the ph in his understanding of Moses. But he himself generously issued commands and commissioned his church to observe all that I have commanded you. He is indeed, Lord, Lord of the sabbath, Lord of the 10, and Lord of all.

20:05 You know, I mentioned Paul, when I was talking about legal. This this effort to be self righteous on on our own. Without resting in Christ. And, you know, we're we're reading... We're studying in, but if we look at at Romans Paul takes that on with these 2 groups of of people. First the moral less. I'm sorry, first the immoral in chapter 1. And then second, the moral less in chapter 2. Chapter 2 of Romans can be confusing to read because it sounds like we must be good enough. What Paul is saying is he's talking to the moral, and he says, if you think you can be good enough.

20:47 If you're... If you legal us, really believe you can earn righteousness. Here's what that would look like. And and and it it is just sobering. It's Legal are of all people, most miserable. I I am troubled. By by, you know, I I know I have some friends who disagree describe this. But some of the writings of the p who border on on on legal. Scripture teaches us, wait a minute. You were saved by grace. Why why would you continue on as if as if you were saved by works.

21:28 Look look at galatians just for a second with me I'll read it to you. Paul is is really trying to correct this this this whole thing, this this this issue. This this... The J. And he says, in verse 15 of chapter 2 of galatians. We ourselves are jews by birth. So Paul was a jew, and not gentile centers. Yet, we know that a person is not justified by works of the law. But through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also So we also have believed in Christ Jesus in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law because by works of the law, no 1 will be justified.

22:12 But if in our endeavor to be justified in Christ, we too or found to be sinner, is Christ then a servant of sin certainly not. For if I rebuild what I tore down, I prove myself to be a trans. Or through the law, I died to the law. So that I might live to god. I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life I now live in the flesh. I live by faith and the son of God who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not null the grace of God for if righteousness were through the law then Christ died for no purpose.

22:54 And and then he goes on, oh foolish, chapter 3. Old foolish galatians, who has be which you, It was before your eyes that Christ who was publicly portrayed as crucified. Let me ask you, Only this. Did you receive the spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish having begun by the spirit? Are you now being perfect by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain if indeed it wasn't in vain? Does he who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness.

23:39 Know then that it is those of faith, who are the sons of Abraham. And the scripture for seeing that God would justify the gentile tells by faith, preach the gospel beforehand to Abraham saying in you shall all the nations be blessed. So then, those who are a faith are blessed, along with Abraham, man of faith. Now we could go on and on and on. I I haven't even touched Hebrews, the book of Hebrews, But if you if you want to do additional reading on this topic to understand the fulfillment of the law by Jesus Christ hour. Justification is by faith alone in Christ alone. And Paul said, if that's how you were saved, you're to walk in faith in him.

24:25 We've talked about that word to know Gen, which is which is an intimate form of knowledge. It's a... It's in addition to incredible under... Standing deep understanding that that word epic especially says, it's talking about our being in Christ, it is a beautiful word that describes how we we are to walk. And as we make disciples, you see that you see the central neutrality of the gospel. Paul has just talked about. Get get get your eyes off of your heresy. And he's gonna go on to to correct them some more. And he's he's he slams them in this in this section that I read just a few minutes ago at the beginning of this episode. And he does so in a a loving caring way, but he pulls apart their their argument and focuses them on the gospel.

25:16 The the law is valuable. What does it do for us today? Well, it reveals the character of God? It shows us who God is it is a shadow of it is looking forward to Jesus Christ. The entire bible is 1 big story. But Paul just said here. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Christ is all and in all. Well, let's go on. Let's look at verse 18. Let no 1 disqualify you insisting on a cy and worship of angels Going on in detail about visions popped up without puff up without reason by his sen mind and not holding fast to the head.

25:58 That is Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul is talking about there. The head, from whom the whole body, the church nourished and knit together through its joints and l grows with the growth that is from god. Well, Paul, he mentions worship of Angels here, which is what the No did. So he's pulling the no argument apart. As is interesting. As is denying earthly pleasures. To appeal to God. It is it is self denial. It looks very very religious. It's not eating maybe certain foods not doing certain things on certain days or or, living up a monk life lifestyle, you know, you've you've seen people like this.

26:48 I hope you haven't been 1 of these people. I I went through a little phase years ago where I I kind of embraced parts of... As. There there are a couple of Christian colleges around that border on this, that, you know, we don't have real aesthetics anymore. I understand that. But well, we probably do have a few, But but I'm talking about just just this this. I I won't do this, and I won't do that, and I've got a list of to do's... And and legal are close friends. The the aesthetic believes in denying self, of of various pleasures just because they're pleasing. And and there's there's there's a place for that. There's there's a there's a place for real focus on God real focus on the gospel of study, denying... You know, I had to make a decision today. Do do I And and yesterday, Do I do I prepare for this podcast episode or do I do a couple of fun things? So so I'm not I'm not saying that denying the flesh isn't part of the Christian life? It certainly is.

27:48 This is fun to me though, talking about biblical truth, but you get the idea. But but paul Paul is pulling apart the the opponents of the church at. And this is... As I said earlier, this is so valuable to us. This is still a struggle. For us. Some people, some of you might have been totally turned off by Christianity because of a aesthetic like behavior. No. We can't do this, we can't do that, and we don't do this, and we don't do that and you wear this to church. I mean, thankfully, we've gotten passed some... Some of of these things. But there's this faux reverence that goes on, and I don't think we have a lot of angel worship today, but we do have the occult. And we we do have...

28:33 Think of anything that we worship, that that looks sort of heavenly ish, but but replaces God replaces the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. We we still do that. Don't we? Going on in detail about visions, you know, you hear you hear Christians talk about that. And and some of those, I wanna be careful some of those experiences might be real. You have you have the prosperity gospel folks, the name and claim it folks the word a faith movement where they're, you know, waving their arms and 30 people fall over. I, you know, I could could god operate that way sure. I I worry about the counterfeit stuff, though that goes on, puff up without reason by sen mind.

29:18 It's... Usually there's a strong leader who's dominant to who practices those things and and not holding fast to the head, not holding fast to Jesus Christ, our lord. That that is the takeaway from this section from whom the whole body nourished and knit together through its joints and l grows with a growth. That is from God. If you want your church to grow in Christ. I don't mean numerically, although that probably will happen focus on the gospel, dear pastor, preach the gospel every week, every day to yourself, realize the central of Jesus Christ and the gospel, the good news of Jesus, it's on every page of scripture, every story and scripture points to the gospel.

30:08 If if a pastor does not preach on the on the attributes have gone, who god is, and the and the gospel of our lord Jesus Christ, consistently, weekend and week out run in another direction. That is... He's not he... He's not preaching or or she, if it's a bible teacher in a class somewhere or not preaching... The the word of God, the whole counsel. They're not getting the point. And Paul is correcting this church rather harshly. So he goes He goes back and talks about a cy some more. So so here here, listen to this.

30:49 Is this is gonna help us understand this in verse 20, just to wrap up this chapter. I'm gonna read 1 more. This this paragraph that I I read earlier, this third paragraph for today. Here at the end of C 2. Verse 20. If with Christ, you died to the elemental spirits of the world. Now that that phrase that that that clause there is is a little funky in the translation. It it could have been translated if therefore, you died with Christ. If you if you look at other translations besides the English standard version or para phrases, you might see that. If if therefore, you have died with Christ. And and so he says, if with Christ, you you died to the elemental elemental spirits of the world, why?

31:34 As if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations. You know, since you've died with Christ? And and you have... So so since you have died with Christ, why is if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations. First 21, do not handle, do not taste, do not touch. Referring to things that all perish as they are used. And and I... I'm I'm not gonna pick on my my my seventh day adventist friends, but but my goodness, you know, caffeine, meat. I I know I I know you think you're right on those things, but how can you read do not handle, do not taste, do not touch referring to things that all Perish they're used, according to human pre and teaching.

32:23 That Paul hits this squarely this. They have indeed an appearance of wisdom. It's it's... It's the the guise of of a submissive humility is what he's saying. It... They... These people look religious. I was always at it's a kid troubled by this. There were some people who just looked and acted very pious and I thought, well, what what do they... What are they doing that I'm not doing? They they have an appearance of wisdom in promoting self made religion. We've been talking about self righteousness. It even makes its way into the church and a and severity to the body. But they are of no value in stopping the indulge of the flesh.

33:10 The cure for sins of the flash. This is... That... That's the end of the section. The cure for sins of the flash is submission to the holy spirit walking by faith in in Christ, recognizing sitting under, absorbed with his love for us. There there's there's just so much more. We we could say here. We could we could read the rest of the the the book of revelation. Didn't didn't fault Paul spell that out pretty pretty clearly. In revelation, I'm I'm sorry. Galatians. At the part section we read. I I believe he did. IIII think he made it very clear.

33:51 That does he who supplies the spirit to you and works miracles among you do so by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Just as Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as a righteousness. You you can't tell me. You can't convince me. You you go go to Romans 4. Read read paul's other account of this. It that that you cannot convince me. That Abraham was justified by works he was not. You may have thought that the law, particularly the ceremonial law was designed to make people righteous before God. With respect, I would suggest that that did not occur, and Paul makes that clear that Abraham was counted righteous through faith.

34:35 And he he really spells it out in in Romans 4. He talks about Abraham and and David. In that section. So so Paul in in in Romans early on. He he really has... Has... It been very consistent with what he's saying here to the church at. And that is all this self sufficiency is sin, and then Paul gets to chapter 3 of Romans and says that that, you know, for all I've sent come short of the glory of God. There there... They says there's non righteous, then he says no not 1. No 1 seeks after God, and their their throat as an open grave, and they're they the they have the poison of asked on their tongue or something like that. And he goes he goes on with these 14 counts of sin and then he pivot to justification by faith because of the gospel, of Jesus Christ because of Jesus and his finished work. The sermon on the mount that we read from in Matthew 5 6 and 7, provides great confirmation of this from the words of Jesus himself. There there's a there's a theme, you can see the theme and scripture. It is it is the beauty of the gospel, the good news of Jesus Christ and his efficacy that that justification by faith, clearing clearing our account, Paul Paul paints a courtroom scene often.

36:02 And it's as if we are we are we are on trial, god himself sent sentence us to death, and then Jesus steps in and takes our penalty for us, conquering, Sin and death. Paul spells that out in Romans 03:20 and following. He he talks about him being our prop appreciation, this forceful expiration. This clearing our account and imp righteousness to us. That that is the the the basis for our walking by faith. It is because he first loved us in the person of Jesus Christ.

36:42 That the the law is is not abolished. I'm not suggesting that. But we are not to focus on being keepers of the lie. Realized heads just exploded when you heard me say that. We are to focus on the new testament summary of the law, which is to love our neighbor as ourselves and to glorify God with all our heart soul mind and strength. That that those those I got that backwards, but those 2 things are are the the new testament summary of the all the commandments are summarized there. As we follow Christ and James bears this out. First, John bears this out. Our works will come as a result of our faith. And and our faith is given to us by god, and and we learn of his means of grace through reading his word. So I would encourage you, read these sections, perhaps these these books that that we've been worth reading from as you read c collisions, take a take a look at galatians and take a look at the first... Oh, I don't know. 4.

37:47 For now, the first 4 chapters of Romans, maybe Matthew 5, 6 and 7, and you will certainly see these truths and the beauty of them. I hope this media does not lose the beauty of of of scripture. I I know I tend to ramble on and covered a lot of, ground today and didn't go as deeply as I usually doing would like to, but I wanted to, really give you a framework for further study. So regal regulations, maybe Ephesians, Philippians, C, galatians, read at all. But but maybe those are good places, and, along with Matthew 5 6 and 7 in the first few chapters of Romans. You'll see that, these truths are are reinforced again, and again, since Then there's an old testament study you can do that we'll well, similarly, and we'll talk about that as we wrap up over the next few weeks.

38:46 But you'll you'll you'll see as you study even the old testament, this forward looking view of of a redeem. Of the spot less lamb who was slain. Well, I hope this has been a blessing to you today. It certainly is to me, may god bless this, his holy inspired word in in our lives. I hope this is helpful If I If I've said something in art fully, and I I probably have, but that is troubling to you. I hope you'll send along a message, I respond well to those. I want to provide as much clarity as I can. I'll I'll simply in my reply, reference the word of God, reference scripture.

39:29 And and where, where my comments originate, And I I welcome that correspondence it is the love of several people in my life years ago that resulted in me, god kind in me, a passion for his word, and I would encourage you to pursue that as as well. I obviously do so imperfect. It is such an honor to have you spending your time listening to this podcast. I'm amazed that the numbers, I don't really spend a lot of time caring about numbers, but I'm... I am amazed that so many of you listen throughout the country throughout the United States and throughout the world.

40:12 I hope you'll write me at john at john warren media dot com or send along a comment on our contact page. Please like share review and subscribe to relentless truth. Tell your friends about us. Send an email or a text with the link to the website, and ask them to take a listen. That this could be a a good form of evan even. If you'd like, you know, go back and listen to some old episodes and and you say, well, that's that's a that's a pretty good summary of the, the gospel, and maybe it's easier to send a link along to a friend. So I hope you'll hope you'll do that and make God bless again, our study of his word together. Will be in again next week for the next 2 or 3 weeks, and we'll wrap up that study and then we'll we'll have a couple of episodes about the the election and current events in the economy coming up. I look forward to being with you again next time.

41:07 Thanks for listening to relentless truth with John Warren. Please consider sharing this podcast and subscribe to receive future episodes. Connect with John regarding your comments, questions and show ideas through john warren media dot com, or at john warren media on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram. That's all for this episode. Join us next week for another edition of Re was truth with John Warren. Well